JP2010022772A - Endoscope and system for in-vivo observation - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope and the like capable of reducing out-of-focus blur caused by a change in a magnifying power in an observation. <P>SOLUTION: This endoscope includes an objective optical system having a movable optical system capable of displacing along own optical axis direction, a distance surveying part for measuring an observation distance between the objective optical system and the surface of an object to be an observation object, and a focus position adjustment part for adjusting the focus by moving the movable optical system, so that the magnifying power of the objective optical system becomes one magnifying power calculated to be suited to the observation distance. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope and a living body observation system, and more particularly to an endoscope and a living body observation system capable of observing a subject while changing an enlargement magnification.

  In recent years, histological observation of cells in a living body has attracted attention as being important for early detection and early diagnosis of cancer.

  As an apparatus that enables histological observation of cells in a living body, for example, in addition to observation at a normal magnification, it is possible to perform magnification observation at a magnification of 20 to 100 times in a general microscope Devices have been proposed. For example, an endoscope apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 has been proposed as a technique for enabling such magnified observation.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an imaging device that converts an object image formed in an objective lens system into an electric signal, distance measuring means that measures a subject distance to the object, and a variable focal length range of the objective lens system. Drive control means for presetting a plurality of focus positions having different magnifications, selecting the focus position according to the subject distance measured by the distance measuring means, and focusing the objective lens system. The configuration of the endoscope is described.

On the other hand, in addition to the normal magnification observation and the magnification observation described above, an apparatus for performing super magnification observation at a magnification (a magnification of several hundred times or more) capable of directly observing the components of cells in a living body is also available. It has been put into practical use in recent years.
JP 2002-258166 A

  When performing the above-described magnified observation or super magnified observation using an endoscope, the working distance according to the magnification and the distance from the distal end surface of the distal end of the endoscope to the surface of the subject (hereinafter referred to as observation) Adjustment to match (referred to as "distance") needs to be performed with an accuracy of about a few millimeters (or more) of commas. In addition, for example, when changing from a normal observation (low magnification) magnification to a magnified observation or a super magnification observation (ultra high magnification) magnification, the magnification according to the fluctuation of the observation distance manually is performed. Since discontinuous change in magnification occurs, defocusing occurs at extremely high magnification.

  On the other hand, the distance measurement result of the distance measuring means provided in the endoscope described in Patent Document 1 is obtained as a result of manually adjusting the observation distance described above. Therefore, according to the endoscope having the configuration described in Patent Document 1, when the observation distance is shortened while the distal end surface of the distal end portion is manually brought closer to the subject, the distance measurement unit responds to the distance measurement result. Even if the focus position is changed as appropriate, defocusing due to a discontinuous change in the enlargement magnification may occur at an extremely high magnification, and as a result, the user may lose sight of the subject during enlargement. There is a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an endoscope and a living body observation system capable of reducing defocus caused by a change in magnification during observation. Yes.

  An endoscope according to the present invention has an observation distance between an objective optical system including a movable optical system that can be shifted along its own optical axis direction, and the objective optical system and the surface of a subject to be observed. The focus is adjusted so that the magnification of the objective optical system becomes one magnification calculated as suitable for the observation distance by moving the distance measuring unit to be measured and the movable optical system. And a position adjusting unit.

  An endoscope according to the present invention has an observation distance between an objective optical system including a movable optical system that can be shifted along its own optical axis direction, and the objective optical system and the surface of a subject to be observed. A distance measuring unit to measure, and an magnification changing unit for changing the magnification of the objective optical system to one magnification calculated as suitable for the observation distance by moving the movable optical system, It is characterized by having.

  The biological observation system according to the present invention includes a biological information acquisition unit provided with an objective optical system including a movable optical system that can be shifted along its own optical axis direction, the objective optical system, and a subject to be observed. A distance measuring unit that measures an observation distance from the surface, a calculation unit that calculates one magnification suitable for the working distance while regarding the observation distance as a working distance, and a focal position of the objective optical system. It has a control part which controls so that it may become a position according to said one magnification, and a focal position adjustment part which moves the movable optical system based on control of the control part.

  The biological observation system according to the present invention includes a biological information acquisition unit provided with an objective optical system including a movable optical system that can be shifted along its own optical axis direction, the objective optical system, and a subject to be observed. A distance measuring unit that measures an observation distance from the surface, a calculation unit that calculates one magnification suitable for the working distance while regarding the observation distance as a working distance, and an arrangement position of the movable optical system. A control unit that performs control so as to be at one position corresponding to the one enlargement magnification; and an enlargement magnification change unit that moves the movable optical system to the one position based on the control of the control unit. It is characterized by that.

  The living body observation system according to the present invention includes a living body information acquisition unit provided with an objective optical system including a movable optical system that can be shifted along its own optical axis direction, and illumination light for illuminating a subject to be observed. A light source unit that outputs information on the amount of illumination light, a light amount estimation unit that estimates the amount of illumination light output from the light source unit based on the information, and the objective optical system, An observation distance calculation unit that calculates an observation distance to the surface of the subject based on the light amount estimated by the light amount estimation unit, and an observation distance that is suitable for the working distance while regarding the observation distance as a working distance. Based on the control of the control unit, a control unit for controlling the focal point of the objective optical system to be a position corresponding to the one magnification, and the control of the control unit Moved A focus position adjusting section that, and having a.

  The living body observation system according to the present invention includes a living body information acquisition unit provided with an objective optical system including a movable optical system that can be shifted along its own optical axis direction, and illumination light for illuminating a subject to be observed. A light source unit that outputs information on the amount of illumination light, a light amount estimation unit that estimates the amount of illumination light output from the light source unit based on the information, and the objective optical system, An observation distance calculation unit that calculates an observation distance to the surface of the subject based on the light amount estimated by the light amount estimation unit, and an observation distance that is suitable for the working distance while regarding the observation distance as a working distance. A calculation unit that calculates an enlargement magnification, a control unit that controls the arrangement position of the movable optical system to be one position corresponding to the one enlargement magnification, and the movable unit based on the control of the control unit Before the optical system It characterized by having a a magnification changing unit that moves in one position.

  According to the endoscope and the living body observation system of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the out-of-focus blur caused by the change in magnification during observation.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
1 to 3 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a main part of the living body observation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a detailed configuration of an objective optical system included in the endoscope of FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the correlation between the working distance of the endoscope and the magnification.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the living body observation system 1 includes an endoscope 2 that has a scaling function and outputs an image of a captured subject 101 as an imaging signal, and a light source that emits illumination light for illuminating the subject 101. By performing image processing on the imaging signal from the apparatus 3 and the endoscope 2, a processor 4 that generates and outputs a video signal, and a display apparatus 5 that displays an image according to the video signal from the processor 4 And is configured.

  A light guide 6 for transmitting the illumination light emitted from the light source device 3 to the distal end portion 21 is inserted into the endoscope 2.

  One end face (incident end face) of the light guide 6 is connected to the light source device 3. Further, the other end face (outgoing end face) of the light guide 6 is disposed in the vicinity of an illumination optical system (not shown) provided at the tip portion 21. With such a configuration, the illumination light emitted from the light source device 3 is emitted to the subject 101 after passing through the light guide 6 and an illumination optical system (not shown).

  At the distal end portion 21 of the endoscope 2 as a biological information acquisition unit, an objective optical system 22 that forms an image of the subject and an image of the subject imaged by the objective optical system 22 are captured and used as an imaging signal. A CCD (charge coupled device) 23 for outputting and a distance measuring device 24 for measuring the distance from the front end surface of the front end portion 21 to the surface of the subject 101 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the objective optical system 22 having a zooming function can be changed along the optical axis direction of the first lens group 22a provided at the most distal end side of the distal end portion 21, The movable optical system 22b in which the light having passed through the first lens group 22a is incident from the front surface and the movable optical system 22b are moved in a direction along the optical axis direction (a direction along arrow D in FIG. 2). It has a possible focal position adjusting unit 22c, and a second lens group 22d into which light that has passed through the movable optical system 22b is incident from the front surface.

  The first lens group 22a includes a plurality of lenses whose positions are fixed, including at least a tip lens 22e on which light from the subject 101 enters. In the present embodiment, the distance between the front surface of the front lens 22e and the surface of the subject 101 is described as an observation distance L.

  The focal position adjusting unit 22c having a function as an enlargement magnification changing unit is configured using, for example, a linear actuator. Specifically, the focus position adjusting unit 22c includes an arm 22f connected to the side of the movable optical system 22b and an arm that moves the arm 22f in the direction along the arrow D in FIG. And a drive unit 22g. According to such a configuration, the movable optical system 22b moves in accordance with the operation of the focal position adjusting unit 22c, whereby the focal position and the magnification of the objective optical system 22 are changed.

  The second lens group 22d includes a plurality of lenses whose positions are fixed, and forms an image of light incident through the first lens group 22a and the movable optical system 22b on the imaging surface of the CCD 23. Let

  The distance measuring device 24 as a distance measuring unit includes, for example, an ultrasonic distance sensor or an optical distance sensor that can measure the distance between the front end surface of the front end portion 21 and the surface of the subject 101 without contact. Configured. Then, the distance measuring device 24 outputs a distance measurement result between the distal end surface of the distal end portion 21 and the surface of the subject 101 to the processor 4. In the present embodiment, description will be made on the assumption that the distance measurement result obtained by the distance measuring device 24 and the observation distance L described above substantially coincide.

  The processor 4 includes an image processing unit 41, a CCD drive unit 43 that performs control for driving the CCD 23, a distance measurement device drive unit 44 that performs control for driving the distance measurement device 24, and an optical information calculation unit 45. And an optical system control unit 46.

  The image processing unit 41 sequentially performs preprocessing such as noise removal, A / D conversion processing, image generation processing, and D / A conversion processing on the input image pickup signal in order, thereby obtaining a video signal. Is output to the display device 5.

  The optical information calculation unit 45 having a function as a calculation unit shows the correlation between the working distance of the endoscope 2 and the magnification as a calculated value obtained by simulation or an actually measured value obtained by experiment. Predetermined data is stored in advance. Then, the optical information calculation unit 45 calculates an appropriate magnification according to the distance measurement result based on the predetermined data and the distance measurement result from the distance measuring device 24, and the calculated result is used as the optical system control unit 46. Output for.

  The predetermined data is, for example, as shown in FIG. However, in the data shown in FIG. 3, the focal length of the objective optical system 22 is fixed, the distance corresponding to the distance measurement result of the distance measuring device 24 is the working distance on the horizontal axis, and an image is output to a 14-inch monitor. The display magnification in this case is the vertical magnification.

  The optical system control unit 46 having a function as a control unit calculates an optimum position as the arrangement position of the movable optical system 22b based on the calculation result of the enlargement magnification output from the optical information calculation unit 45. Then, the optical system control unit 46 performs control for operating the focal position adjustment unit 22c so that the movable optical system 22b is arranged at the optimum position.

  Here, the operation of the living body observation system 1 will be described.

  First, when the power of each part of the living body observation system 1 is turned on by the user, illumination light is supplied from the light source device 3 to the endoscope 2, and the CCD driving unit 43 and the distance measuring device driving unit 44 start driving. Along with this, the CCD 23 and the distance measuring device 24 of the endoscope 2 also start driving.

  The CCD 23 starts driving under the control of the CCD driving unit 43, and then sequentially outputs the subject image formed on its imaging surface to the processor 4 as an imaging signal.

  The imaging signal output from the endoscope 2 is subjected to the above-described processes in the image processing unit 41, converted into a video signal, and then output to the display device 5. As a result, an image of the subject 101 is displayed on the display device 5.

  On the other hand, the user moves the distal end portion 21 of the endoscope 2 closer to the surface of the part to be observed by the magnification observation while viewing the image of the subject 101 displayed on the display device 5.

  The distance measuring device 24 starts driving at the timing when the observation distance L becomes a measurable distance after being started by the control of the distance measuring device driving unit 44, and sequentially obtains the distance measurement results of the observation distance L. Output to the processor 4.

  The optical information calculation unit 45 calculates an appropriate magnification according to the distance measurement result based on the predetermined data stored in itself and the distance measurement result output from the distance measuring device 24, and calculates the calculated result. The data is sequentially output to the optical system control unit 46.

  Specifically, for example, when the distance measurement result output from the distance measuring device 24 is Xmm, the optical information calculation unit 45 regards the working distance as Xmm, and the endoscope 2 as the predetermined data as the predetermined data. By referring to data indicating the correlation between the working distance and the magnification, an appropriate magnification is calculated as Y times. Then, the optical information calculation unit 45 sequentially outputs the Y times value to the optical system control unit 46.

  The Y-fold value may be notified to the user as needed by being displayed on the display device 5 as, for example, a visually recognizable character string or symbol.

  Based on the calculation result of the enlargement magnification output from the optical information calculation unit 45, the optical system control unit 46 focuses on the subject 101 and sets the position at which the enlargement magnification is set to the optimum arrangement of the movable optical system 22b. Calculate as position.

  Specifically, for example, when the calculation result output from the optical information calculation unit 45 is Y times, the optical system control unit 46 is focused on the subject 101 and the position Z at which the enlargement magnification is Y times. Is calculated as the optimum arrangement position of the movable optical system 22b.

  Then, the optical system control unit 46 performs control for operating the focal position adjustment unit 22c so that the movable optical system 22b is disposed at the position Z.

  The focal position adjustment unit 22c moves the arrangement position of the movable optical system 22b to the position Z based on the control of the optical system control unit 46. Thereby, the focal position of the objective optical system 22 is adjusted as a position corresponding to the enlargement magnification (Y times) calculated by the optical information calculation unit 45.

  In the living body observation system 1 of the present embodiment, the observation distance L is measured as described above only by approaching the distal end portion 21 of the endoscope 2 to the surface of the subject 101 to be observed by magnification observation. The operations of calculating the magnification according to the distance, the observation distance L, and disposing the movable optical system 22b at the optimum position according to the magnification are repeated.

  That is, according to the living body observation system 1 of the present embodiment, when changing the magnification at the time of observation from a low magnification (magnification corresponding to normal observation) to an ultra-high magnification (magnification corresponding to super-magnification observation), magnification is performed. Even if no special operation other than moving the distal end portion 21 of the endoscope 2 close to the surface of the subject 101 to be observed by observation, the occurrence of defocusing can be reduced and the magnification is continuously changed. Can be made. Therefore, the user can surely observe the cell level in a desired part of the subject 101 by using the living body observation system 1 of the present embodiment.

  Note that in the living body observation system 1 of the present embodiment, a switch for switching the operation related to the change of the magnification by the endoscope 2 and the processor 4 to ON or OFF, and manual enlargement when the switch is OFF. A function capable of changing the magnification may be added.

(Second Embodiment)
4 to 7 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a main part of the living body observation system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram when the arrangement state of the protrusions included in the distance measuring device of FIG. 4 is viewed from the distal end surface side of the distal end portion of the endoscope. FIG. 6 is a view showing a modification of the distance measuring apparatus of FIG. FIG. 7 is a view when the arrangement state of the cap provided in the distance measuring device of FIG. 6 is viewed from the distal end surface side of the distal end portion of the endoscope.

  In the following description, detailed description of portions having the same configuration as in the first embodiment is omitted. In addition, the configuration of the living body observation system in the present embodiment has a configuration similar to that of the living body observation system 1 in the first embodiment. For this reason, in the present embodiment, parts different from the biological observation system 1 in the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the living body observation system 1 </ b> A includes an endoscope 2 </ b> A, a light source device 3, a processor 4 </ b> A, and a display device 5.

  The distal end portion 21 of the endoscope 2A as a biological information acquisition unit includes an objective optical system 22, a CCD 23, and a distance measuring device 24A that measures the distance from the distal end surface of the distal end portion 21 to the surface of the subject 101. Is provided.

  The distance measuring device 24 </ b> A as a distance measuring unit is provided integrally with the distal end portion 21, and can protrude while changing the projecting length from the distal end surface of the distal end portion 21. And a sensor 26 capable of measuring.

  The protruding portion 25 can be housed inside the distal end portion 21 and can change the protruding length of the distal end portion 21 from the distal end surface by moving along the axial direction of the distal end portion 21. For example, it is formed as a columnar member having a columnar shape that is sufficiently thinner than the tip portion 21. One end surface (hereinafter referred to as a base end surface) of the protruding portion 25 is connected to the inside of the distal end portion 21 via an elastic member 25a such as a spring. Thereby, when the other end surface (hereinafter referred to as the front end surface) is pressed against the surface of the subject 101, the elastic member 25a connected to the base end surface side of the protruding portion 25 contracts in accordance with the pressing amount. As a result, it is gradually housed inside the tip 21.

  That is, according to the protruding portion 25 having the above-described configuration, the protruding length from the distal end surface of the distal end portion 21 is maximum when the own distal end surface is not in contact with the surface of the subject 101, so When an external force is applied while being in contact with the surface of 101, the protruding length of the tip portion 21 from the tip surface gradually changes, and the tip surface of the tip portion 21 exists on the same plane as the tip surface of the tip portion 21. When it reaches, the protrusion length from the front end surface of the front end portion 21 becomes zero.

  On the other hand, the protrusion 25 protrudes from a position as shown in FIG. 5, for example, when viewed from the tip surface side of the tip 21. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, illumination light transmitted through the tip lens 22 e and the light guide 6 in addition to the protruding portion 25 is emitted to the tip surface of the tip portion 21. A lens 61a and a forceps port 62 communicating with a forceps channel (not shown) inside the endoscope 2 are provided.

  The sensor 26 having a function as a measurement unit is configured by, for example, a linear potentiometer that can measure a change in a linear direction. Further, the sensor 26 is provided with a protrusion 26a that is in contact with the base end face of the protrusion 25 and is movable in accordance with the change of the base end face. Then, the sensor 26 outputs the measurement result of the position information of the protrusion 26 a to the processor 4.

  Note that the sensor 26 of the distance measuring device 24 </ b> A is not limited to measuring the position information of the protruding portion 26 a in contact with the proximal end surface of the protruding portion 25 when measuring the protruding length of the protruding portion 25, for example, A line sensor or the like that can directly measure the protruding length of the protruding portion 25 may be used.

  The processor 4A includes an image processing unit 41, a CCD drive unit 43, an optical information calculation unit 45, and an optical system control unit 46.

  Here, the operation of the living body observation system 1A when the distance measuring device 24A shown in FIG.

  First, when the power of each part of the living body observation system 1A is turned on by the user, illumination light is supplied from the light source device 3 to the endoscope 2A, and the CCD driving unit 43 starts driving. Accordingly, the CCD 23 of the endoscope 2A also starts to drive.

  The imaging signal output from the CCD 23 of the endoscope 2A is subjected to the above-described processes in the image processing unit 41, converted into a video signal, and then output to the display device 5. As a result, an image of the subject 101 is displayed on the display device 5.

  On the other hand, the user moves the distal end portion 21 of the endoscope 2A closer to the surface of the site to be observed by the magnification observation while viewing the image of the subject 101 displayed as an image on the display device 5.

  Then, the sensor 26 measures the position information of the protrusion 26a, and sequentially outputs the measured position information to the processor 4A after the timing when the tip surface of the protrusion 25 comes into contact with the surface of the subject 101.

  The optical information calculation unit 45 calculates the protrusion length of the protrusion 25 based on the position information output from the sensor 26. Further, the optical information calculation unit 45 considers the projection length as the working distance based on the predetermined data stored in itself and the projection length of the projection 25, and sets an appropriate magnification according to the working distance. calculate. The optical information calculation unit 45 sequentially outputs the enlargement magnification calculation results to the optical system control unit 46.

  That is, in the living body observation system 1A of the present embodiment including the distance measuring device 24A, the optical information calculation unit 45 corresponds to the projection length of the projection 25 corresponding to the observation distance L described in the first embodiment. The enlargement magnification is calculated.

  As the predetermined data, the data shown in FIG. 3 may be used as long as it shows a correlation between the working distance of the endoscope 2 and the enlargement magnification, and it corresponds to the configuration of the distance measuring device 24A. Other data may be used.

  Based on the calculation result of the enlargement magnification output from the optical information calculation unit 45, the optical system control unit 46 focuses on the subject 101 and sets the position at which the enlargement magnification is set to the optimum arrangement of the movable optical system 22b. Calculate as position.

  Then, the optical system control unit 46 performs control for operating the focal position adjustment unit 22c so that the movable optical system 22b is arranged at the optimum arrangement position.

  The focal position adjusting unit 22c moves the arrangement position of the movable optical system 22b to the optimum arrangement position based on the control of the optical system control unit 46. As a result, the focal position of the objective optical system 22 is adjusted as a position corresponding to the enlargement magnification calculated by the optical information calculation unit 45.

  In the living body observation system 1A of the present embodiment including the distance measuring device 24A, the protrusion as described above can be obtained only by pressing the front end surface of the protrusion 25 against the surface of the subject 101 to be observed by magnification observation. The operations of calculating the protrusion length of the section 25, calculating the magnification according to the protrusion length, and arranging the movable optical system 22b at the optimum position according to the magnification are repeated.

  That is, according to the living body observation system 1A of the present embodiment including the distance measuring device 24A, the magnification at the time of observation is changed from a low magnification (a magnification corresponding to normal observation) to a very high magnification (a magnification corresponding to super magnification observation). The occurrence of out-of-focus blur can be reduced without any special operation other than pressing the tip surface of the protrusion 25 while making contact with the surface of the subject 101 to be observed by magnification observation. The magnification can be continuously changed. Therefore, the user can surely observe the cell level in a desired part of the subject 101 by using the living body observation system 1A of the present embodiment including the distance measuring device 24A.

  Further, according to the living body observation system 1A of the present embodiment including the distance measuring device 24A, even if the subject 101 is an organ that moves in response to pulsation or peristalsis, the subject 101 is affected by the pulsation or peristalsis. In addition, it is possible to stably acquire an observation image at a cell level in a desired part of the subject 101.

  On the other hand, the living body observation system 1A of the present embodiment is not limited to the configuration in which the distance measuring device 24A shown in FIG. 4 is provided in the distal end portion 21, but the configuration in which the distance measuring device 24B shown in FIG. It may be applied.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the distance measuring device 24 </ b> B as a distance measuring unit includes a sensor 26 provided so that the protrusion 26 a is exposed on the exterior surface of the tip 21, and a shape that can be attached to and detached from the tip 21 (for example, And a cap 27 having a (cylindrical shape).

  On the inner peripheral surface of the cap 27, a groove portion (not shown) having a shape capable of fitting the projection portion 26a is formed. The cap 27 having substantially the same function as the protruding portion 25 is attached to the distal end portion 21 in a state where the protruding portion 26a is fitted in the groove portion.

  That is, according to the cap 27 having the above-described configuration, as in the case of the protruding portion 25, the protruding length of the distal end portion 21 from the distal end surface is maximum when the own distal end surface is not in contact with the surface of the subject 101. Thus, when an external force is applied in a state where the tip end surface of the subject 101 is in contact with the surface of the subject 101, the protruding length of the tip end portion 21 from the tip end surface gradually changes, and the tip end surface of the tip end portion changes from the tip end surface of the tip end portion 21. When it comes to exist on the same plane, the protrusion length from the front end surface of the front end portion 21 becomes zero.

  On the other hand, the cap 27 is disposed at a position as shown in FIG. 7, for example, when viewed from the distal end side of the distal end portion 21.

  Here, the operation of the living body observation system 1A when the distance measuring device 24B shown in FIG.

  First, the user attaches the cap 27 to the distal end portion 21 by fitting the protruding portion 26 a into a groove portion (not shown) of the cap 27.

  Thereafter, when the power of each part of the living body observation system 1A is turned on by the user, illumination light is supplied from the light source device 3 to the endoscope 2A, and the CCD driving unit 43 starts driving. Accordingly, the CCD 23 of the endoscope 2A also starts to drive.

  The imaging signal output from the CCD 23 of the endoscope 2A is subjected to the above-described processes in the image processing unit 41, converted into a video signal, and then output to the display device 5. As a result, an image of the subject 101 is displayed on the display device 5.

  On the other hand, the user moves the distal end portion 21 of the endoscope 2A closer to the surface of the site to be observed by the magnification observation while viewing the image of the subject 101 displayed as an image on the display device 5.

  Then, the sensor 26 measures the position information of the protrusion 26a and sequentially outputs the measured position information to the processor 4A after the timing when the tip surface of the cap 27 contacts the surface of the subject 101.

  The optical information calculation unit 45 calculates the protrusion length of the cap 27 based on the position information output from the sensor 26. Further, the optical information calculation unit 45 calculates an appropriate enlargement magnification according to the working distance based on the predetermined data stored therein and the protruding length of the cap 27 while regarding the protruding length as the working distance. To do. The optical information calculation unit 45 sequentially outputs the enlargement magnification calculation results to the optical system control unit 46.

  That is, in the living body observation system 1A of the present embodiment including the distance measuring device 24B, the optical information calculation unit 45 sets the protruding length of the cap 27 to correspond to the observation distance L described in the first embodiment. The magnification is calculated.

  As the predetermined data, the data shown in FIG. 3 may be used as long as it shows a correlation between the working distance of the endoscope 2 and the enlargement magnification, and the predetermined data corresponds to the configuration of the distance measuring device 24B. Other data may be used.

  Based on the calculation result of the enlargement magnification output from the optical information calculation unit 45, the optical system control unit 46 focuses on the subject 101 and sets the position at which the enlargement magnification is set to the optimum arrangement of the movable optical system 22b. Calculate as position.

  Then, the optical system control unit 46 performs control for operating the focal position adjustment unit 22c so that the movable optical system 22b is arranged at the optimum arrangement position.

  The focal position adjusting unit 22c moves the arrangement position of the movable optical system 22b to the optimum arrangement position based on the control of the optical system control unit 46. As a result, the focal position of the objective optical system 22 is adjusted as a position corresponding to the enlargement magnification calculated by the optical information calculation unit 45.

  In the living body observation system 1A of the present embodiment including the distance measuring device 24B, the cap 27 as described above is simply pressed against the surface of the subject 101 to be observed by magnification observation. The operations of calculating the projection length of the lens, calculating the magnification according to the projection length, and arranging the movable optical system 22b at the optimum position according to the magnification are repeated.

  That is, according to the living body observation system 1A of the present embodiment including the distance measuring device 24B, the magnification at the time of observation is changed from a low magnification (a magnification corresponding to normal observation) to a very high magnification (a magnification corresponding to super magnification observation). The occurrence of out-of-focus blur can be reduced without performing any special operation other than pressing the front surface of the cap 27 while making contact with the surface of the subject 101 to be observed by magnified observation. The magnification can be changed continuously. Therefore, the user can surely observe the cell level in a desired part of the subject 101 by using the living body observation system 1A of the present embodiment including the distance measuring device 24B.

  Further, according to the living body observation system 1A of the present embodiment including the distance measuring device 24B, even if the subject 101 is an organ that moves according to pulsation or peristalsis, it is affected by the pulsation or peristalsis. In addition, it is possible to stably acquire an observation image at a cell level in a desired part of the subject 101.

  The protrusion 25 or the cap 27 described above may have a relatively long protrusion length that can accommodate a working distance from a low magnification to an ultra-high magnification, and at a magnification corresponding to magnified observation. It may have a relatively short protrusion length that can accommodate a working distance from a certain high magnification to an ultra high magnification.

  Further, in the living body observation system 1A of the present embodiment, a switch for switching the operation related to the change of the magnification by the endoscope 2A and the processor 4A to ON or OFF, and the manual enlargement when the switch is OFF A function capable of changing the magnification may be added.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 8 relates to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a main part of the living body observation system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  In the following description, detailed description of portions having the same configurations as those of the above-described embodiments will be omitted. Further, the configuration of the living body observation system in the present embodiment has a configuration similar to that of the living body observation system in each embodiment described above. For this reason, in this embodiment, parts different from the biological observation system in each embodiment described above will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the living body observation system 1B includes an endoscope 2B, a light source device 3B, a processor 4B, and a display device 5.

  An objective optical system 22 and a CCD 23 are provided at the distal end portion 21 of the endoscope 2B as a biological information acquisition unit. That is, the endoscope 2B according to the present embodiment has substantially the same configuration as that obtained by removing the distance measuring device 24 from the endoscope 2 according to the first embodiment.

  A light source device 3B as a light source unit includes a light emitting unit 31 that emits illumination light for illuminating the subject 101, a diaphragm 32 that can adjust the amount of illumination light emitted from the light emitting unit 31, a diaphragm control unit 33, It is comprised.

  The aperture control unit 33 appropriately changes the aperture amount of the aperture 32 so as to be substantially the same as the optimum aperture amount output from the processor 4B. In addition, the aperture control unit 33 detects the current aperture amount of the aperture 32, and outputs the current aperture amount detection result to the processor 4B as information on the amount of illumination light emitted from the light emitting unit 31.

  The processor 4B includes an image processing unit 41, a focus evaluation unit 42, a CCD drive unit 43, an optical information calculation unit 45, an optical system control unit 46, a photometry unit 47, and a light amount estimation unit 48. Configured.

  The image processing unit 41 of the processor 4B sequentially performs preprocessing such as noise removal, A / D conversion processing, image generation processing, and D / A conversion processing on the input imaging signal in order. The video signal is generated and output to the display device 5. In addition, the image processing unit 41 of the processor 4B includes, as digital imaging data, the focus evaluation unit 42 and the photometry unit, in which the imaging signal in a state where two processes of the pre-processing and the A / D conversion process are performed among the above-described processes. Output to 47.

  The focus evaluation unit 42 detects the degree of focus of the image of the subject 101 captured by the endoscope 2B based on the digital imaging data from the image processing unit 41, and the detection result is detected by the optical system control unit 46. Output for.

  The photometry unit 47 detects the brightness when the subject 101 is imaged by the endoscope 2B based on the digital imaging data from the image processing unit 41. Then, the photometry unit 47 calculates an optimal aperture amount that optimizes the brightness of the subject 101 based on the brightness detection result described above, and sends the calculation result of the optimal aperture amount to the aperture control unit 33. Output.

  The light quantity estimation unit 48 estimates how much light the subject 101 is illuminated based on the aperture amount information output from the aperture control unit 33, and outputs the estimation result to the optical information calculation unit 45 as an estimated light quantity. To do.

  Here, the operation of the living body observation system 1B will be described.

  First, when the power of each part of the living body observation system 1B is turned on by the user, illumination light is supplied from the light source device 3B to the endoscope 2B, and the CCD drive unit 43 starts driving. Accordingly, the CCD 23 of the endoscope 2B also starts to drive. The subject 101 is illuminated by the illumination light emitted from the distal end surface of the distal end portion 21 of the endoscope 2B.

  On the other hand, the imaging signal output from the CCD 23 of the endoscope 2B is subjected to the above-described processes in the image processing unit 41, converted into a video signal, and then output to the display device 5. As a result, an image of the subject 101 is displayed on the display device 5. The imaging signal output from the CCD 23 of the endoscope 2B is subjected to two processes of pre-processing and A / D conversion processing in the image processing unit 41, and then the focus evaluation unit 42 and the photometry unit as digital imaging data. 47 is output.

  The focus evaluation unit 42 detects the degree of focus of the image of the subject 101 captured by the endoscope 2B based on the digital imaging data from the image processing unit 41, and the detection result is detected by the optical system control unit 46. Output for.

  On the other hand, the user moves the distal end portion 21 of the endoscope 2B closer to the surface of the site to be observed by the magnified observation while viewing the image of the subject 101 displayed on the display device 5.

  As the distal end portion 21 approaches the surface of the subject 101, the brightness of the subject 101 gradually increases within the field of view of the endoscope 2B, so that the aperture amount of the aperture 32 is reduced by the action of the photometry unit 47 and the aperture control unit 33. Will gradually increase. Then, the aperture control unit 33 sequentially outputs the detected aperture amount of the aperture 32 to the light amount estimation unit 48.

  The light amount estimation unit 48 estimates how much light the subject 101 is illuminated based on information on the aperture amount output from the aperture control unit 33, and sequentially uses the estimation result as an estimated light amount to the optical information calculation unit 45. Output.

  The optical information calculation unit 45 having a function as an observation distance calculation unit calculates an observation distance L between the distal end surface of the distal end portion 21 and the surface of the subject 101 based on the estimated light amount output from the light amount estimation unit 48. To do. The optical information calculation unit 45 calculates an appropriate magnification according to the working distance while regarding the observation distance L as the working distance. The optical information calculation unit 45 sequentially outputs the enlargement magnification calculation results to the optical system control unit 46.

  The optical system control unit 46 focuses on the subject 101 based on the detection result output from the focus evaluation unit 42 and the calculation result of the enlargement magnification output from the optical information calculation unit 45 and the enlargement magnification. Is calculated as the optimum arrangement position of the movable optical system 22b.

  Then, the optical system control unit 46 performs control for operating the focal position adjustment unit 22c so that the movable optical system 22b is arranged at the optimum arrangement position.

  The focal position adjusting unit 22c moves the arrangement position of the movable optical system 22b to the optimum arrangement position based on the control of the optical system control unit 46. As a result, the focal position of the objective optical system 22 is adjusted as a position corresponding to the enlargement magnification calculated by the optical information calculation unit 45.

  In the living body observation system 1B of the present embodiment, the observation distance L is calculated as described above, and the observation distance L is calculated according to the observation distance L just by approaching the distal end portion 21 where the illumination light is emitted. The operations of calculating the magnification and arranging the movable optical system 22b at the optimum position according to the magnification are repeated.

  That is, according to the living body observation system 1B of the present embodiment, when the magnification at the time of observation is changed from a low magnification (magnification corresponding to normal observation) to a very high magnification (magnification corresponding to super magnification observation), magnification is performed. Even if a special operation other than moving the distal end portion 21 of the endoscope 2B close to the surface of the subject 101 while illuminating the subject 101 to be observed by observation, the occurrence of out-of-focus blur can be reduced, and The magnification can be changed continuously. Therefore, the user can reliably observe the cell level in a desired part of the subject 101 by using the living body observation system 1B of the present embodiment.

  By the way, the monocular endoscopes 2, 2A and 2B are configured such that the objective optical system 22 has a zooming function from a magnification corresponding to normal observation to a magnification corresponding to super-magnification observation.

  On the distal end surface of the distal end portion 21 of the monocular endoscope 2, 2A and 2B having such a configuration, the distal end lens 22e, the plurality of illumination lenses 61a, and the forceps port 62 are, for example, as shown in FIG. It may be arranged. Specifically, the distal surfaces of the distal end portions 21 of the endoscopes 2, 2A, and 2B are arranged so that the distances from the center of the distal lens 22e to the centers of the illumination lenses 61a are substantially the same. It may be. In addition, according to the arrangement | positioning of the front end surface shown in FIG. 9, if the front end lens 22e and each illumination lens 61a have the arrangement | positioning state mentioned above, the restriction | limiting in particular will not be imposed about the arrangement | positioning state of a distance measuring device. .

  When the arrangement of the distal end surface as shown in FIG. 9 is applied to the distal end portion of an endoscope that is monocular and has an objective optical system that can handle normal observation to ultra-magnification observation, An image having a stable color tone can be acquired during magnified observation.

  On the other hand, the objective optical system 22 has a magnification function from a magnification corresponding to magnified observation (high magnification) to a magnification corresponding to super magnified observation (ultra high magnification), and for normal observation (not shown) (for low magnification) The operation of each embodiment described above can also be applied to a twin-lens endoscope in which the objective optical system (2) is separately provided.

  The distal surface of the distal end portion of the binocular endoscope having such a configuration has a normal observation distal lens 22h as a part of one objective optical system capable of accommodating a low magnification magnification, and a high magnification. A magnification observation tip lens 22i, a plurality of illumination lenses 61a, and a forceps port 62 as a part of another objective optical system capable of handling magnifications from 1 to ultra high magnification are arranged as shown in FIG. 10, for example. It may be what is done. Specifically, on the distal end surface of the distal end portion of the binocular endoscope, the distance from the center of the magnification observation distal end lens 22i to the center of each illumination lens 61a is substantially the same. It may be a thing. In addition, according to the arrangement | positioning of the front end surface shown in FIG. 10, the front-end | tip lens 22i for magnification observation and each illumination lens 61a should just have the arrangement | positioning state mentioned above, and especially a restriction | limiting is imposed about the arrangement | positioning state of a distance measuring device. It is not a thing.

  And when the arrangement of the distal end surface as shown in FIG. 10 is applied to the distal end portion of an endoscope having an objective optical system that is a twin-lens type and that can handle magnified observation-super magnified observation- An image with a stable color tone can be acquired during super-magnification observation.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and applications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The figure which shows an example of a structure of the principal part of the biological observation system of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows an example of a detailed structure of the objective optical system which the endoscope of FIG. 1 comprises. The figure which shows an example of the correlation between the working distance of an endoscope, and magnification. The figure which shows an example of a structure of the principal part of the biological observation system of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The figure at the time of seeing the arrangement | positioning state of the protrusion which the ranging apparatus of FIG. 4 comprises from the front end surface side of the front-end | tip part of an endoscope. The figure which shows the modification of the ranging apparatus of FIG. The figure at the time of seeing the arrangement | positioning state of the cap which the ranging apparatus of FIG. 6 comprises from the front end surface side of the front-end | tip part of an endoscope. The figure which shows an example of a structure of the principal part of the biological observation system of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the structural example of the front end surface applicable in the front-end | tip part of the endoscope which is a monocular type and has an objective optical system which can respond to normal observation-super-magnification observation. The figure which shows the structural example of the front end surface applicable in the front-end | tip part of an endoscope which is a twin-lens type and has an objective optical system which can respond to magnified observation-super magnified observation.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,1A, 1B Living body observation system 2,2A, 2B Endoscope 3,3B Light source device 4,4A, 4B Processor 5 Display apparatus 6 Light guide 21 Tip part 22 Objective optical system 22b Movable optical system 22c Focus position adjustment part 22e Front lens 24, 24A, 24B Distance measuring device 25 Projection portion 26 Sensor 27 Cap 45 Optical information calculation portion 46 Optical system control portion 47 Photometry portion 48 Light amount estimation portion 101 Subject

Claims (16)

An objective optical system including a movable optical system capable of shifting along the direction of its own optical axis;
A distance measuring unit for measuring an observation distance between the objective optical system and a surface of a subject to be observed;
A focus position adjusting unit that adjusts the focus so that the magnification of the objective optical system becomes one magnification calculated as suitable for the observation distance by moving the movable optical system;
The endoscope characterized by having. An objective optical system including a movable optical system capable of shifting along the direction of its own optical axis;
A distance measuring unit for measuring an observation distance between the objective optical system and a surface of a subject to be observed;
An enlargement magnification changing unit for changing the enlargement magnification of the objective optical system to one enlargement magnification calculated as suitable for the observation distance by moving the movable optical system;
The endoscope characterized by having.   The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the one enlargement magnification is calculated while considering the observation distance obtained in the distance measuring unit as a working distance.   The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the distance measuring unit has a configuration capable of measuring the observation distance in a non-contact manner. It further has a tip provided with the objective optical system and the distance measuring unit,
The distance measuring unit includes a protrusion that can change a protrusion length from the tip surface of the tip portion by applying an external force in a state where at least a part of the distance measuring unit is in contact with the surface of the subject, and the protrusion length. A measuring unit for measuring,
The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the one enlargement magnification is calculated while regarding the protruding length corresponding to the observation distance as a working distance.   The endoscope according to claim 5, wherein the projecting portion is provided integrally with the distal end portion.   The endoscope according to claim 5, wherein the protruding portion has a shape that is detachable from the distal end portion. A biological information acquisition unit provided with an objective optical system including a movable optical system that can be shifted along its own optical axis direction;
A distance measuring unit for measuring an observation distance between the objective optical system and a surface of a subject to be observed;
While calculating the observation distance as a working distance, a calculation unit that calculates one magnification suitable for the working distance;
A control unit that performs control so that the focal position of the objective optical system is a position corresponding to the one enlargement magnification;
A focus position adjusting unit that moves the movable optical system based on the control of the control unit;
A living body observation system comprising: A biological information acquisition unit provided with an objective optical system including a movable optical system that can be shifted along its own optical axis direction;
A distance measuring unit for measuring an observation distance between the objective optical system and a surface of a subject to be observed;
While calculating the observation distance as a working distance, a calculation unit that calculates one magnification suitable for the working distance;
A control unit for controlling the arrangement position of the movable optical system to be one position corresponding to the one enlargement magnification;
Based on the control of the control unit, an enlargement magnification changing unit that moves the movable optical system to the one position;
A living body observation system comprising:   The living body observation system according to claim 8, wherein the distance measuring unit has a configuration capable of measuring the observation distance without contact. The biological information acquisition unit further includes a tip portion provided with the objective optical system and the distance measuring unit,
The distance measuring unit includes a protrusion that can change a protrusion length from the tip surface of the tip portion by applying an external force in a state where at least a part of the distance measuring unit is in contact with the surface of the subject, and the protrusion length. A measuring unit for measuring,
The living body observation system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the calculation unit calculates the one enlargement magnification while considering the protrusion length corresponding to the observation distance as the working distance.   The living body observation system according to claim 11, wherein the protruding portion is provided integrally with the distal end portion.   The living body observation system according to claim 11, wherein the protruding portion is formed to have a shape that can be attached to and detached from the distal end portion. A biological information acquisition unit provided with an objective optical system including a movable optical system that can be shifted along its own optical axis direction;
A light source unit that emits illumination light for illuminating a subject to be observed, and outputs information on the amount of the illumination light; and
Based on the information, a light amount estimation unit that estimates a light amount of the illumination light output from the light source unit;
An observation distance calculation unit that calculates an observation distance between the objective optical system and the surface of the subject based on the light amount estimated by the light amount estimation unit;
While calculating the observation distance as a working distance, a calculation unit that calculates one magnification suitable for the working distance;
A control unit that performs control so that the focal position of the objective optical system is a position corresponding to the one enlargement magnification;
A focus position adjusting unit that moves the movable optical system based on the control of the control unit;
A living body observation system comprising: A biological information acquisition unit provided with an objective optical system including a movable optical system that can be shifted along its own optical axis direction;
A light source unit that emits illumination light for illuminating a subject to be observed, and outputs information on the amount of the illumination light; and
Based on the information, a light amount estimation unit that estimates a light amount of the illumination light output from the light source unit;
An observation distance calculation unit that calculates an observation distance between the objective optical system and the surface of the subject based on the light amount estimated by the light amount estimation unit;
While calculating the observation distance as a working distance, a calculation unit that calculates one magnification suitable for the working distance;
A control unit for controlling the arrangement position of the movable optical system to be one position corresponding to the one enlargement magnification;
Based on the control of the control unit, an enlargement magnification changing unit that moves the movable optical system to the one position;
A living body observation system comprising: The light source unit emits the illumination light while adjusting with a diaphragm, and outputs a current diaphragm amount in the diaphragm as the information.
The living body observation system according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the light amount estimation unit estimates a light amount of the illumination light output from the light source unit based on the current aperture amount.

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