JP2012078709A - Guide tube device and endoscope system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a guide tube device for moving a measurement position on an measurement object in a state that the observation visual field of an endoscope is fixed.SOLUTION: This guide tube device 5 equipped with a channel 4 for inserting an insertion part 2 of an endoscope 3 for observing a visible light beam includes: a tube body 40 having a tube top end 42 positioned at the top end of a curved part 14 formed at the insertion part when a base end side is mounted on the insertion part; a measurement part having a light emission part 51 for irradiating an irradiation object area W1 with a visible light beam, and for making, visibly different by an endoscope, the brightness of the visible light beam reflected by the irradiation object area to a section adjacent to the irradiation object area and a reception part 53 for detecting the visible light beam from a prescribed receiving direction D, which measures a distance to the irradiation object area; and an adjustment part 48 for adjusting the direction of the light emission part and the reception part to the tube top end so that a direction going from the irradiation object area to the reception part can be set to the receiving direction. The light emission part and the reception part are connected to the tube top end.

Description

  The present invention relates to a guide tube device and an endoscope system.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an endoscope insertion portion is inserted into a conduit, etc., and a directional sensor such as a distance sensor (measuring portion) provided in the insertion portion is used to observe the surrounding shape. Measuring the distance to the measurement object arranged inside is performed.
In general, an endoscope is not equipped with a distance sensor. Therefore, a distance sensor is provided on a guide tube (tube body) attached to the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion, and the guide tube is attached to the insertion portion by a so-called retrofitting. A method of using the tube and an endoscope as an endoscope system has been studied.

For example, a guide tube described in Patent Document 1 is known as a sensor for attaching a sensor such as a microphone or a temperature sensor to an insertion portion of an endoscope as a retrofit.
The guide tube is formed with a channel through which the insertion portion can be inserted, and the projection provided on the proximal end side of the guide tube with the insertion portion inserted through the channel is the insertion portion of the endoscope. The guide tube is attached to the endoscope by engaging with an engagement groove formed on the base end side.
In the guide tube of Patent Literature 1, when the guide tube is attached to the endoscope, the microphone and the temperature sensor are set to be positioned on the proximal end side of the bending portion provided in the insertion portion.
A speaker and a TV monitor are disposed at a location apart from the insertion portion, and the microphone is connected to the speaker and the temperature sensor is connected to the TV monitor.

  Then, the insertion portion to which the guide tube is attached is introduced into, for example, a house buried with earth and sand, and the sound detected by the microphone is observed while the front is observed with an observation unit provided on the distal end side of the bending portion. And the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is displayed on the TV monitor. By observing the inside of the house in this way, it is possible to confirm the survival of the victims confined in the house and the situation where the victims are confined.

  However, in the guide tube of Patent Document 1, when the bending portion of the insertion portion inserted into the guide tube is bent, there is a relationship between the visual field direction set in front of the distal end of the insertion portion and the direction measured by the microphone and the temperature sensor. There is a problem that changes. Therefore, a guide tube configured so that the microphone and the temperature sensor are arranged on the distal end side of the bending portion of the endoscope when the guide tube is attached to the insertion portion of the endoscope has been studied.

Further, in Patent Document 2, an observation optical fiber is located at the center of a light guide optical fiber having a substantially circular cross section, and a glass tube for actual shooting is provided at a position away from the observation optical fiber in the light guide optical fiber. An embedded optical fiber is disclosed. The illumination light guided by the light guide optical fiber is radiated from the tip of the light guide optical fiber and reflected by the irradiation surface of the affected area, and the reflected light is condensed by the observation optical fiber. Guided to the edge and observed.
On the other hand, laser light is guided to the tip by the glass tube for actual shooting, and the laser light emitted from the tip forms a light spot on the irradiated surface. Since the glass tube for actual shooting is arranged at a predetermined distance from the observation optical fiber, the observation position of the light spot in the observation field changes depending on the distance between the tip of the optical fiber and the irradiation surface. .

The optical fiber configured as described above is built-in, and a halogen light source that guides the light to the light guide optical fiber, a laser light source that guides the laser light to the glass tube for actual shooting, and an image obtained by the observation optical fiber are captured. An endoscope provided with an imaging device and a monitor that displays a captured image functions as follows. That is, based on the relationship between the distance from the center of the observation field of view by the monitor to the light spot and the distance from the tip of the optical fiber to the irradiation surface, the portion where the light spot is formed on the irradiation surface from the tip of the optical fiber Can be detected.
At this time, observation with an endoscope can be performed while recognizing a position (a portion where a light spot is formed) at which the distance is measured in the observation visual field.

  As described above, the measurement object arranged in a fixed direction with respect to the observation field even after the bending portion of the insertion portion is bent by attaching the endoscope described in Patent Document 2 to the guide tube. The distance to the object can be measured while visually confirming the position where the distance is detected with an endoscope.

JP-A-1-152413 JP-A-8-285541

However, even if the endoscope is attached to the guide tube as described above, for example, when observing with an endoscope, the observation field is fixed, and other desired measurement objects in the observation field The distance to the part could not be measured.
If the insertion portion and the guide tube are moved together, the position where the distance is measured can be changed. However, in this case, there is a problem that the observation field of view moves and it becomes difficult to observe the measurement object.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and changes the direction of measurement corresponding to the bending of the bending portion of the endoscope and fixes the observation field of view by the endoscope. It is an object of the present invention to provide a guide tube device capable of moving a measurement position on a measurement object while confirming the measurement position in an observation visual field in the state, and an endoscope system including the guide tube device.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention proposes the following means.
The guide tube device of the present invention is provided with a channel that is formed of a flexible material and allows insertion of an insertion portion of an endoscope that can observe visible light, and has a proximal end attached to the insertion portion. A tube main body having a tube tip positioned on the tip side of the bending portion provided in the insertion portion, and the irradiated region of the measurement object is irradiated with visible light, and the irradiated region in the measurement target A light-emitting unit that makes at least one of the brightness and color of visible light reflected by the irradiated area reflected by a portion adjacent to the light-emitting portion visible in the endoscope, and infrared rays and visible light from a predetermined reception direction. A receiving unit that detects at least one of a light beam and a sound wave, and a measuring unit that measures at least one of a distance, a temperature, and a vibration state from the light emitting unit in the irradiated region; A direction adjusting unit that adjusts the direction of the light emitting unit and the receiving unit with respect to the tube tip so that the direction from the irradiated region toward the receiving unit is the receiving direction, and the light emitting unit and the light emitting unit The receiver is connected to the tube tip.

  In addition, another guide tube device of the present invention is provided with a channel for passing through an insertion portion of an endoscope that is formed of a flexible material and has an imaging element capable of observing invisible light. When the proximal end is attached to the insertion portion, the tube main body having a tube distal end portion located on the distal end side with respect to the bending portion provided in the insertion portion, and the irradiated region of the measurement object are irradiated with invisible light A light-emitting unit that makes the intensity of the invisible light visible to the portion to be measured adjacent to the irradiated area in the measurement object so as to be visible by the endoscope; A receiving unit that detects at least one of visible light, visible light, and sound wave; and a measuring unit that measures at least one of a distance, a temperature, and a vibration state from the light emitting unit in the irradiated region; A direction adjusting unit that adjusts the direction of the light emitting unit and the receiving unit with respect to the tube tip so that the direction from the irradiated region toward the receiving unit is the receiving direction, and the light emitting unit and the light emitting unit The receiver is connected to the tube tip.

  In the above guide tube device, the irradiation direction of the light emitting unit is set to the front, the receiving direction is set to the direction from the front toward the receiving unit, and the direction adjusting unit is set to the axis of the channel. A connecting member having a plate-like shape extending in the intersecting direction and having a through-hole penetrating in the plate thickness direction and having the light emitting portion and the receiving portion arranged on the tip side surface, and a tube tip portion A pair of length adjusting mechanisms having a connected main body portion, and a protruding portion that protrudes forward from the main body portion and has a distal end connected to the proximal end surface of the connecting member and adjustable from the main body portion. And a protrusion length control part that controls the length of the protrusion protruding from the main body part, and the protrusions of the pair of length adjusting mechanisms on the base end side surface of the connection member The tip is connected Position different More preferably together.

  In the above guide tube device, a space is formed in the tube tip portion, and the light emitting portion, the receiving portion, the connecting member, and the pair of length adjusting mechanisms are provided in the space. It is more preferable to provide a protective member for housing.

  In the above guide tube device, the irradiation direction of the light emitting unit is set to the front, the reception direction is set to a direction from the front toward the receiving unit, and the direction adjusting unit is configured to move from the distal end side to the proximal end. A through hole that extends to the side and communicates with the channel, the light emitting portion and the receiving portion are disposed on the distal end surface, and the proximal end side is swingably connected to the distal end portion of the tube A member, a main body disposed on an inner surface of the through-hole on the distal end side of the connection member, and an insertion portion projecting from the distal end of the channel to protrude from the main body in a direction intersecting the axis of the channel And a pair of length adjustment mechanisms having a protrusion that can adjust the length protruding from the main body, and the pair of the length adjustment mechanisms, wherein the protrusion is the book It has a projecting length control unit for controlling the length protruding from the parts, and it is more preferable that the pair of the length adjustment mechanism is disposed in a position facing the inner surface of the through hole.

  In the above guide tube device, the guide tube device is provided at the distal end portion of the tube, covers the light emitting portion, the receiving portion, the connecting member, and the length adjusting mechanism, and has an opening in front of the light emitting portion and the receiving portion. More preferably, the cover member is formed.

  In the guide tube device, it is more preferable that the light emitting unit and the receiving unit are arranged so that the through hole is sandwiched between the distal end surfaces of the connection members.

  In addition, an endoscope system according to the present invention includes the guide tube device according to any one of the above and the endoscope.

  According to the guide tube device and the endoscope system of the present invention, the direction of measurement is changed in response to the bending of the bending portion of the endoscope, and the observation field of view is fixed while the observation field of view by the endoscope is fixed. The measurement position on the measurement object can be moved while checking the measurement position.

1 is an overall view of an endoscope system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a general view of the endoscope of the endoscope system. It is a block diagram of the endoscope system. It is a general view of the guide tube apparatus of the endoscope system. It is side surface sectional drawing of the front-end | tip part of the same endoscope system. It is an A1 direction arrow directional view in FIG. It is a figure explaining the content displayed on LCD of the same endoscope system. It is side surface sectional drawing of a front-end | tip part when a connection member is rock | fluctuated by the same endoscope system. It is an A2 direction arrow line view in FIG. It is side surface sectional drawing of the front-end | tip part of the endoscope system of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is an A3 direction arrow directional view in FIG. It is side surface sectional drawing of a front-end | tip part when a connection member is moved with the same endoscope system.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of an endoscope system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. An endoscope system is a device that is inserted into a pipeline or the like to observe the inside of the pipeline and measure the distance to a measurement object.
As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope system 1 includes an endoscope 3 provided with a long insertion portion 2 capable of observing the front, and a guide provided with a channel 4 through which the insertion portion 2 can be inserted. A tube device 5.

As shown in FIG. 2, the basic configuration of the endoscope 3 is the same as that of a so-called direct-view endoscope apparatus that observes the front of the distal end of the insertion portion 2. The endoscope 3 includes the aforementioned insertion portion 2, an endoscope operation portion 8 that is attached to the proximal end portion of the insertion portion 2 and operates the insertion portion 2, and an endoscope that is connected to the endoscope operation portion 8. It has the main body 9 and the display part 10 which displays the image | video acquired by observing with the insertion part 2. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the insertion unit 2 includes an illumination unit 11 having a light emitting diode that irradiates white visible light forward, and an observation unit 12 having a CCD 12 a that detects visible light, provided at the distal end. The distal end rigid portion 13 disposed at the distal end of the distal end of the distal end of the distal end of the distal end of the distal end of the distal end rigid portion 13 connected to the proximal end of the distal end rigid portion 13 and the bendable endoscope bending portion 14. Flexible tube portion 15 (see FIG. 2) having flexibility. The observation unit 12 has a lens 12b on the distal end surface of the insertion portion 2, and the lens 12b converts an image of visible light reflected from the measurement object W within a predetermined viewing angle θ1 in front of the insertion portion 2 to the CCD 12a. An image is formed on the light receiving surface. At this time, the range on the measurement object W that is imaged corresponding to the viewing angle θ <b> 1 becomes the observation field of view displayed on the display unit 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, the endoscope operation unit 8 includes a bending operation button 18 for bending the endoscope bending unit 14, an endoscope body 9, a display unit 10, a guide tube device 5, and the like. And a main operation button 19 for operating the.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the endoscope main body 9 includes a casing 23, an illumination control unit 24 that controls the illumination unit 11 built in the casing 23, and an image processing unit 25 that processes an image acquired by the CCD 12 a. The endoscope main body 9 has a processing section 26 that performs control processing as a whole, and a power supply section 27 that supplies power to the insertion section 2, the display section 10, and the like. The processing unit 26 is electrically connected to the illumination control unit 24 and the video processing unit 25. On the other hand, the illumination control unit 24 and the video processing unit 25 are respectively connected to the illumination unit 11 and the observation unit 12 via the connection cable 31 and the endoscope operation unit 8.
On the outer surface of the casing 23, a connector 32 electrically connected to the processing unit 26 and the power supply unit 27 and a locking portion 33 for locking the distal end side of the guide tube device 5 at a predetermined position are attached. .

The display unit 10 is detachably disposed on the casing 23. The display unit 10 includes an LCD 36 that displays an image and the like, and a wiring 37 that can be attached to and detached from the connector 32.
By connecting the wiring 37 to the connector 32, the display unit 10 is supplied with predetermined power from the power supply unit 27 and can display the video transmitted from the video processing unit 25 on the LCD 36.

As shown in FIG. 4, the guide tube device 5 includes a tube main body 40 formed of a flexible material, and a tube connection that is connected to the proximal end side of the tube main body 40 and is detachable from the endoscope operation unit 8. Part 41. The tube body 40 is formed of a resin such as urethane, for example.
The aforementioned channel 4 is formed in the tube body 40 along the longitudinal direction of the tube body 40. The tube body 40 is formed of a material that is not easily deformed around the axis C of the channel 4. The tube connection portion 41 is configured to be attached to the endoscope operation portion 8 in a predetermined direction around the axis C of the channel 4. That is, when the insertion portion 2 of the endoscope 3 is inserted into the channel 4 of the guide tube device 5 and the tube connection portion 41 is attached to the endoscope operation portion 8, the circumference between the insertion portion 2 and the tube main body 40 is increased. The positional relationship in the direction is configured to be constant.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the tube main body 40 has a tube distal end portion 42 provided at the distal end portion, and a support body 43 connected to the proximal end of the tube distal end portion 42.
When the tube connection part 41 is attached to the endoscope operation part 8 in a state where the insertion part 2 of the endoscope 3 is inserted into the channel 4 of the tube body 40, the tube tip part 42 is provided in the insertion part 2. It is set so as to be positioned on the distal end side with respect to the endoscope bending portion 14.

  The guide tube device 5 includes a communication control unit 46 that transmits and receives signals to and from a communication control unit 71 (to be described later) of the tube connection unit 41, and a distance measurement unit (measurement unit) 47 that measures the distance to the measurement object W. And a direction adjusting unit 48 that adjusts the direction of the light emitting unit 51 and the light receiving unit 53, which will be described later, of the distance measuring unit 47 with respect to the tube tip 42.

In the present embodiment, the distance measuring unit 47 is a TOF (Time Of Flight) type that measures the distance to the measurement object based on the time from when the laser beam is irradiated until it is reflected and detected by the measurement object. Distance sensors are used.
The distance measuring unit 47 detects the red visible light, the light emitting unit 51 that irradiates the red laser light L1 forward, the light control unit 52 that controls the light emitting unit 51 based on the signal from the communication control unit 46, and the like. A light receiving unit (receiving unit) 53, a return light detecting unit 54 that amplifies the signal of the laser beam L1 detected by the light receiving unit 53, and a distance calculating unit 55 that calculates the distance from the light emitting unit 51 to the measurement object W. Have.
The communication control unit 46, the light control unit 52, the return light detection unit 54, and the distance calculation unit 55 are arranged at the tube tip 42, and the light emitting unit 51 and the light receiving unit 53 are arranged at a connection member 44 described later. .

The communication control unit 46 superimposes or separates a plurality of signals on one signal so that the number of electric wires 58 connected to the communication control unit 46 and passing through the tube main body 40 is, for example, three. Process. The light control unit 52 is electrically connected to the communication control unit 46, and switches the power supply state to the light emitting unit 51 based on a signal received from the communication control unit 46.
The irradiated region W1, which is a part of the surface of the measurement target W, on which the light emitting unit 51 irradiates the measurement target W with the laser light L1, is adjusted so as to be positioned within the viewing angle θ1 of the observation unit 12.
On the surface of the measurement object W, the illuminated region W1 and the adjacent region W2 adjacent to the illuminated region W1 are illuminated with white visible light by the illumination unit 11. The light emitting unit 51 irradiates the irradiated area W1 with the red laser beam L1, so that the user displays the color of the visible light reflected by the irradiated area W1 on the adjacent area W2 on the LCD 36 of the endoscope 3. It can be made different so that it can be visually recognized by the recorded video or the like.

  In order to make the colors different so that the irradiated area W1 and the adjacent area W2 can be visually recognized by the endoscope 3, it is preferable to use a color of the laser light L1 that is different from the color of the surface of the measuring object W. . Further, for example, when the irradiated region W1 and the adjacent region W2 are illuminated with white light at an illuminance of 100 lx (lux) while blocking light from the outside world, the red laser light L1 that irradiates the irradiated region W1 alone The illuminance is preferably 150 lx or more.

For the light receiving unit 53, an element that detects red visible light from a predetermined reception direction D from the front toward the receiving unit, such as PSD (Position Sensitive Detector) or CCD, having high directivity is appropriately selected and used. Can do.
The distance calculation unit 55 is based on the time difference from when the laser beam L1 is irradiated by the light emitting unit 51 to when the laser beam L1 reflected by the irradiated region W1 is received by the light receiving unit 53. The distance from the measurement object W to the irradiated area W1 is calculated, and the result is transmitted to the communication control unit 46 as a signal.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, the orientation adjustment unit 48 is disposed on the distal end side of the connection member 44 having the light emitting unit 51 and the light receiving unit 53 disposed on the distal end surface. Two pairs of length adjusting mechanisms 61 to 64 and a protrusion length control unit 65 (see FIG. 3) for controlling the length adjusting mechanisms 61 to 64 are provided.
The connection member 44 is formed of an elastic material such as rubber. The proximal end of the connection member 44 is connected to the distal end of the tube distal end portion 42, and the connection member 44 is swingably connected to the tube distal end portion 42. The connecting member 44 is formed with a through hole 44 a extending from the distal end side to the proximal end side, in other words, extending parallel to the axis C of the channel 4. The through hole 44 a communicates with the channel 4 of the tube body 40. The inner diameter of the through hole 44 a is set to be equal to or larger than the inner diameter of the channel 4.
The light emitting portion 51 and the light receiving portion 53 are disposed on the front end surface of the connection member 44 so as to sandwich the through hole 44a therebetween.

  In general, the distance from the light emitting unit 51 to the measurement target W is sufficiently larger than the distance between the light emitting unit 51 and the light receiving unit 53. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, since the relative position between the light emitting unit 51 and the light receiving unit 53 is not changed, when the distal end side of the connection member 44 swings around the proximal end side of the connection member 44, A direction from the irradiated region W1 where the light emitting unit 51 emits the laser light L1 toward the light receiving unit 53 is a reception direction D.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the present embodiment, the length adjusting mechanisms 61 to 64 are arranged at equal angles around the axis of the through hole 44a on the inner surface of the through hole 44a. That is, the length adjusting mechanism 61, the length adjusting mechanism 63, the length adjusting mechanism 62, and the length adjusting mechanism 64 are arranged at positions facing each other.
Since the length adjusting mechanisms 61 to 64 have the same configuration, only the length adjusting mechanism 61 will be described here.

As shown in FIG. 5, the length adjusting mechanism 61 includes a main body 61a having a solenoid (not shown), and an iron core (protruding portion) 61b that moves from the main body 61a toward the center of the through hole 44a so as to be able to project and retract. And have. The length of the iron core 61b protruding from the main body 61a can be adjusted by changing the value of the current flowing through the solenoid, and the iron core 61b is connected to the insertion line 2 protruding from the tip of the channel 4 along the axis of the channel 4 It can protrude in the direction orthogonal to C and can contact the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 2. In the present embodiment, the normal line of the distal end surface of the connection member 44 is parallel to the axis C of the channel 4 in an initial state where the operation by the endoscope operation unit 8 is not performed.
As will be described later, in order to reduce friction in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 2 between the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 2 and the tip of the iron core 61b, the tip portion of the iron core 61b is formed in a hemispherical shape, It is preferable to coat the tip surface of the core 61b with resin or the like.

The length adjusting mechanisms 62, 63, and 64 have a main body 62a and an iron core 62b, a main body 63a and an iron core 63b, a main body 64a and an iron core 64b having the same configuration as the main body 61a and the iron core 61b, respectively. (The main body 62a, the iron core 62b, the main body 64a and the iron core 64b are not shown).
Further, in the present embodiment, by adjusting the protrusion amount of the iron core 61b of the length adjusting mechanism 61 and the iron core 63b of the length adjusting mechanism 63, the irradiated area W1 displayed on the LCD 30 shown in FIG. E is configured to move to E.

Each of these length adjusting mechanisms 61 to 64 is electrically connected to the protruding length control unit 65.
The protrusion length control unit 65 includes a length adjustment mechanism 61, a length adjustment mechanism 63, a length adjustment mechanism 62, and a length adjustment mechanism 64, which are disposed at opposing positions, as a set. A predetermined current is supplied, and the length of each iron core protruding from the main body is adjusted.
The protrusion length control unit 65 has a memory (not shown). In this memory, the value of the current flowing through each of the length adjusting mechanisms to be paired and the protruding amount of the iron core change corresponding to the current value. A table or the like representing the relationship of the tilt angle with respect to C is stored.

The tube tip portion 42 is provided with a cover member 66 in which a space having a predetermined size is formed and an opening 66a is formed in the front.
The size of the space formed in the cover member 66 is such that the cover member 66 covers the light emitting unit 51, the light receiving unit 53, the connection member 44, and the length adjusting mechanisms 61 to 64, and is connected within the cover member 66 as described later. The size is set such that the connecting member 44 does not contact the inner surface of the cover member 66 when the member 44 swings.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the tube connecting portion 41 is attached to the surface of the connection casing 70, the communication control unit 71 and the power supply unit 72 accommodated in the connection casing 70, and the interior of the connection casing 70. A fixing jig 73 configured to be detachable from the mirror operation unit 8 and a wiring 74 electrically connected to the communication control unit 71 and the power supply unit 72 are provided.
3 is connected to the communication control unit 71 and the power supply unit 72 through the protective member 75 shown in FIG.
The communication control unit 71 performs signal superposition and separation processing in the same manner as the communication control unit 46.
By connecting the wiring 74 to the connector 32, the guide tube device 5 is connected to the endoscope 3. Accordingly, the guide tube device 5 can be operated by operating the endoscope operation unit 8 of the endoscope 3.

Next, an operation when observing the measurement object W by inserting the endoscope system 1 configured as described above into the duct will be described.
First, the user inserts the insertion portion 2 of the endoscope 3 into the channel 4 of the guide tube device 5 and attaches the fixing jig 73 to the endoscope operation portion 8 to insert the tube connection portion 41 into the insertion portion. 2 is attached. Then, the wiring 74 is connected to the connector 32.
By this operation, the power supply unit 27 of the endoscope main body 9 supplies predetermined power to the power supply unit 72 of the guide tube device 5, and the communication control unit 71 of the guide tube device 5 and the processing unit 26 of the endoscope 3. Signals can be transmitted to and received from.

Subsequently, the user operates the endoscope operation unit 8 to irradiate white illumination light from the illumination unit 11 to illuminate the front of the insertion unit 2 and to emit red laser light L1 from the light emitting unit 51. The insertion portion 2 with the guide tube device 5 attached is inserted into a conduit (not shown) while measuring the distance by irradiating it as guide light and detecting the red visible light from the receiving direction D by the distance measuring portion 47. To go.
At this time, the LCD 36 of the display unit 10 has a visible image including the reflected red laser beam L1 detected by the observation unit 12 and a distance from the light emitting unit 51 to the position where the laser beam L1 is reflected. Is displayed. The measured value of the above-mentioned distance is updated every predetermined time interval.

If necessary, when the bending operation button 18 of the endoscope operation section 8 is operated to bend the endoscope bending section 14, the tube body 40 is formed of a flexible material. A portion of 40 that is located on the radially outer side of the endoscope bending section 14 is also curved corresponding to the endoscope bending section 14, and a light emitting section 51 and a light receiving section for the viewing angle θ 1 of the observation unit 12 of the endoscope 3. The orientation of 53 is kept constant.
The user inserts the insertion unit 2 and the guide tube device 5 into the pipe line while checking the situation in front of the insertion unit 2 while viewing the image and distance displayed on the LCD 30.

  When the distal end of the insertion portion 2 reaches the vicinity of the measurement target W, as shown in FIG. 7, an image of the measurement target W and the irradiated region W1 irradiated with the laser light L1 as guide light, as shown in FIG. A distance V from the light emitting unit 51 to the irradiated area W1 is displayed.

Here, for example, in a state where the relative position of the distal end surface of the insertion portion 2 is fixed with respect to the measurement object W and the observation visual field is fixed, the position for measuring the distance is moved to the position P of the central portion in the observation visual field. The case where it makes it explain is demonstrated.
By operating the endoscope operation unit 8, the direction E in which the irradiated region W1 in FIG. 7 is desired to move and the inclination angle of the distal end surface of the connecting member 44 required to move the irradiated region W1 to the position P are set. When input, the input information is converted into a signal by the endoscope operation unit 8 and sent to the protrusion length control unit 65 via the communication control units 71 and 46. The protrusion length control unit 65 recognizes the tilt angle from the received signal, obtains a current value corresponding to the tilt angle from a table stored in the memory, and supplies a current of a predetermined value to each of the length adjustment mechanisms 61 and 63. Shed.

  As a result, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the protruding amount of the iron core 61 b of the length adjusting mechanism 61 decreases and the protruding amount of the iron core 63 b of the length adjusting mechanism 63 increases. The tips of the iron cores 61b and 63b move parallel to the axis C of the channel 4 while abutting the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 2, and the normal M1 of the tip surface of the connecting member 44 is at an angle with respect to the axis C of the channel 4 The tilted θ2 moves the irradiated area W1 to the position P. In this way, the distance from the light emitting unit 51 to the position P of the observation field is measured while the observation field by the insertion unit 2 of the endoscope 3 is fixed.

In FIG. 7, when the irradiated area W1 is moved in the direction F perpendicular to the direction E, the protrusion length control unit 65 is configured by the length adjusting mechanism 62 and the iron cores 62b and 64b of the length adjusting mechanism 64. Adjust the amount of protrusion.
When there is distortion in the lens 12b of the endoscope 3, by measuring the distance of the central part in the observation visual field, the LCD 36 confirms the image in the vicinity while checking the distance of the central part with little distortion. be able to.

As described above, according to the endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment, the tube main body 40 is attached to the insertion portion 2 in a state where the insertion portion 2 of the endoscope 3 is inserted into the channel 4 of the guide tube device 5. In this case, the tube distal end portion 42 of the tube main body 40 is located on the distal end side with respect to the endoscope bending portion 14, and the light emitting portion 51 and the light receiving portion 53 are connected to the tube distal end portion 42. For this reason, the direction in which the light emitting unit 51 irradiates the laser light L1 and the direction in which the light receiving unit 53 detects can be changed corresponding to the bending of the endoscope bending unit 14.
In addition, while the position of the insertion unit 2 with respect to the measurement target W is fixed, the light emitting unit 51 and the light receiving unit 53 are arranged so that the direction from the irradiated region W1 toward the light receiving unit 53 becomes the reception direction D by the direction adjusting unit 48. By adjusting the direction with respect to the tube tip 42, the irradiated region W1 can be moved while confirming the irradiated region W1 whose distance is being measured within the observation field of view of the endoscope 3.
Therefore, it is possible to measure the distances at various positions in the observation field while fixing the observation field and performing observation easily.

  The direction adjustment unit 48 includes a connection member 44, length adjustment mechanisms 61 and 63, and a protrusion length control unit 65. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the amount of protrusion of one iron core of the length adjusting mechanisms 61 and 63 arranged at the position opposed to each other by the protrusion length control unit 65 and reduce the amount of protrusion of the other iron core. The light emitting unit 51 and the light receiving unit 53 disposed on the distal end surface of the adjusting unit 48 can be tilted with respect to the tube distal end portion 42. And the direction with respect to the tube front-end | tip part 42 of the light emission part 51 and the light-receiving part 53 can be adjusted so that the direction which goes to the light-receiving part 53 from the to-be-irradiated area | region W1 may become the receiving direction D.

Since the guide tube device 5 includes the cover member 66, the light emitting unit 51 or the light receiving unit 53 comes into contact with the inner surface of the conduit, and the direction of the light emitting unit 51 or the light receiving unit 53 changes unintentionally. Can be prevented.
Further, the light emitting part 51 and the light receiving part 53 are arranged so as to sandwich the through hole 44 a between the distal end surfaces of the connection members 44. For this reason, when viewed in parallel to the axis C of the channel 4, the through hole 44 a is formed in the central portion of the connection member 44. By observing with the insertion part 2 from the substantially radial center in a pipe line, it can be made easy to observe over the perimeter of a pipe line.

In the present embodiment, instead of one of the pair of length adjustment mechanisms that form a pair, the insertion member 2 is disposed on the inner surface of the through hole 44a of the connection member 44 and biases the insertion portion 2 of the endoscope 3 in the radial direction. You may comprise so that an elastic member may be provided.
Even if comprised in this way, the effect similar to this embodiment can be show | played by the length adjustment mechanism and elastic member which are arrange | positioned so that it may mutually oppose to the inner surface of the through-hole 44a of the connection member 44.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 10 to FIG. 12, but the same parts as those of the above-described embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted, and only differences will be described. explain.
As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the endoscope system 80 of this embodiment includes a guide tube device 81 instead of the guide tube device 5 of the endoscope system 1 of the first embodiment. The guide tube device 81 has an orientation adjusting unit 82 instead of the orientation adjusting unit 48 of the guide tube device 5.

The orientation adjustment unit 82 includes a connection member 85 formed in a plate shape extending in a direction orthogonal to the axis C of the channel 4, and two pairs of length adjustment mechanisms 91 to 91 connected to the tube tip 42 and the connection member 85, respectively. 94 (length adjustment mechanisms 92 and 94 are not shown), and the above-described protrusion length control unit 65 (see FIG. 3) for controlling the length adjustment mechanisms 91 to 94.
In addition, a protection member 86 having a space of a predetermined size formed therein is attached to the tube tip portion 42.

The connection member 85, the length adjustment mechanisms 91 to 94, the light emitting unit 51, and the light receiving unit 53 are accommodated in a space formed in the protection member 86.
The connecting member 85 is formed with a through hole 85a penetrating in the plate thickness direction. The connecting member 85 is disposed such that the through hole 85 a is positioned in front of the channel 4, and the inner diameter of the through hole 85 a is set larger than the inner diameter of the channel 4. The insertion portion 2 protruding from the tip of the channel 4 is inserted into the through hole 85 a of the connection member 85.
The light emitting portion 51 and the light receiving portion 53 are disposed on the front end surface of the connecting member 85 so as to sandwich the through hole 85a.
The length adjustment mechanisms 91 to 94 are arranged at equal angles around the axis C of the channel 4 on the proximal end side of the connection member 85.
Since the length adjustment mechanisms 91 to 94 have the same configuration, only the length adjustment mechanism 91 will be described here.

Similar to the length adjusting mechanism 61, the length adjusting mechanism 91 has a main body portion 91 a having a solenoid (not shown), and moves so as to protrude and retract from the main body portion 91 a toward the connecting member 85, and the distal end is the base end surface of the connecting member 85. And an iron core (protrusion) 91b connected to the.
The main body portion 91a is connected to the tube distal end portion 42 with the protective member 86 interposed therebetween.
The length by which the iron core 91b protrudes from the main body 91a can be adjusted by changing the value of the current flowing through the solenoid. In the present embodiment, the normal line of the distal end surface of the connection member 85 is parallel to the axis C of the channel 4 in the initial state where the operation by the endoscope operation unit 8 is not performed.
The length adjusting mechanisms 92, 93, and 94 have a main body portion 92a and an iron core 92b, a main body portion 93a and an iron core 93b, a main body portion 94a and an iron core 94b, respectively, which have the same configuration as the main body portion 91a and the iron core 91b. (The main body 92a, the iron core 62b, the main body 94a and the iron core 94b are not shown).
On the base end surface of the connecting member 85, the positions where the tips of the iron cores 91 b to 94 b of the length adjusting mechanisms 91 to 94 are connected are different from each other, and the tips of the iron cores 91 b to 94 b are the axis of the channel 4. It is connected to a position shifted by C at an equal angle around C.

In the memory (not shown) included in the protrusion length control unit 65, the current value flowing through each of the pair of length adjustment mechanisms, and the protrusion amount of the iron core changes in accordance with the current value. A table or the like is stored that indicates the relationship of the angle at which the normal of the surface on the tip side is inclined with respect to the axis C of the channel 4.
Openings 86 a and 86 b are formed in portions of the protection member 86 that are in front of the light emitting unit 51 and the light receiving unit 53. Transparent members 87 and 88 capable of transmitting the laser beam L1 and the reflected light are attached to the openings 86a and 86b.

In the endoscope system 80 configured as described above, the position where the distance is measured is moved in a state where the relative position of the distal end surface of the insertion portion 2 is fixed with respect to the measurement object W and the observation visual field is fixed. The procedure will be described.
As shown in FIG. 12, by operating the endoscope operation unit 8, the protruding length control unit 65 increases the protruding amount of the iron core 91 b of the length adjusting mechanism 91 and also the iron core 93 b of the length adjusting mechanism 93. By reducing the protrusion amount, the connecting member 85 moves and the normal line M2 of the distal end surface of the connecting member 85 is inclined with respect to the axis C of the channel 4, and the distance to the irradiated area W1 after the movement is measured. The

As described above, according to the endoscope system 80 of the present embodiment, the direction in which the distance is measured is changed in accordance with the bending of the endoscope bending portion 14 of the endoscope 3, and the endoscope The irradiation area W1 on the measurement object can be moved while confirming the irradiation area W1 that is the measurement position in the observation field while the observation field by the mirror 3 is fixed.
Since the positions where the tips of the iron cores 91b to 94b of the length adjusting mechanisms 91 to 94 are connected to each other on the base end side surface of the connecting member 85 are different from each other, the protruding amounts of the iron cores 91b to 94b are relatively set. By changing it, the normal line M2 of the distal end surface of the connecting member 85 can be inclined with respect to the axis C of the channel 4.
Furthermore, since the length adjusting mechanisms 91 to 94 are connected to the tube distal end portion 42 and the connection member 85, respectively, and the insertion portion 2 is inserted through the through hole 85a of the connection member 85, the endoscope according to the first embodiment. Compared with the system 1, it is possible to change the protruding amount of the iron cores 91 b to 94 b of the length adjusting mechanisms 91 to 94 while suppressing external force from being applied to the insertion portion 2 of the endoscope 3.

  Since the guide tube device 5 includes the protection member 86, the direction of the light emitting unit 51 or the light receiving unit 53 changes unintentionally due to the light emitting unit 51 or the light receiving unit 53 coming into contact with the inner surface of the conduit. Can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, the main body portion of the length adjusting mechanism is configured to be connected to the tube tip portion 42 with the protective member 86 interposed therebetween, but the main body portion is configured to be directly connected to the tube tip portion 42. May be.

As mentioned above, although 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment of this invention were explained in full detail with reference to drawings, the concrete structure is not restricted to this embodiment, The structure of the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention Changes are also included. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the configurations shown in the embodiments can be used in appropriate combinations.
For example, in the said 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment, the light emission part 51 irradiates the red laser beam L1, and a user makes an irradiation area | region different from the color of the irradiation area | region W1 and the adjacent area | region W2. W1 and the adjacent area W2 were configured to be visible. However, the user can visually recognize the irradiated area W1 and the adjacent area W2 by irradiating the visible area W1 with different brightness from the adjacent area W2 by irradiating the visible light with white visible light having a predetermined illuminance or higher. You may comprise so that it may become.
At this time, for example, when the irradiated region W1 and the adjacent region W2 are illuminated with white light at an illuminance of 100 lx, it is preferable that the single illuminance of the white visible light that irradiates the irradiated region W1 is 150 lx or more.

In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the distance measuring unit that is a measuring unit based on the detection result of the red visible light reflected by the irradiated region W1 that is detected by the light receiving unit 53 that is the receiving unit. 47 measures the distance from the light emitting unit 51 to the irradiated region W1. However, for example, the receiving unit may detect infrared rays (invisible light rays) from the irradiated region W1, and the measurement unit may measure the temperature in the irradiated region W1 based on the detection result. The receiving unit may detect a sound wave from the irradiated region W1, and the measurement unit may measure the vibration state in the irradiated region W1 based on the detection result.
The invisible light is not limited to infrared light but may be ultraviolet light.
Further, for example, as described in Japanese Patent No. 3920907, the measurement unit irradiates the irradiated region of the measurement object with a laser beam such as visible light, and measures the sound wave reflected by the irradiated region. May be configured to detect scratches occurring in the irradiated region.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the length adjusting mechanism has a solenoid and an iron core. However, the length adjusting mechanism is not limited to this as long as it can adjust the protruding amount of the protruding portion. Other examples of the length adjusting mechanism include a combination of a voice coil motor and a permanent magnet, a piezoelectric element, an actuator using an electrostatic force, and the like.

Moreover, in the said 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment, the light emission part 51 irradiates red laser beam L1, CCD12a which the observation unit 12 has shall detect a visible light, and the light emission part 51 irradiates laser The irradiated area W1 and the adjacent area W2 are made different in color so as to be visible by the endoscope 3 by the light L1.
However, the light emitting unit emits infrared rays, and the CCD of the endoscope 3 can detect infrared rays, and the light emitting unit can visually recognize the irradiated region and the adjacent region by the infrared rays irradiated by itself. You may comprise so that the intensity | strength of infrared rays may differ so that it may become. Similarly, the light emitting unit emits ultraviolet rays, and the CCD can detect the ultraviolet rays, and the light emitting unit allows the irradiated region and the adjacent region to be visually recognized by the endoscope by the ultraviolet rays irradiated by itself. You may comprise so that the intensity | strength of an ultraviolet-ray may differ.
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the two pairs of length adjusting mechanisms 61 to 64 arranged at opposing positions are provided, but it is sufficient that at least one pair of the length adjusting mechanisms is provided.

In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the cover member 66 and the protection member 86 do not have to be provided when the inner diameter of the conduit is larger than a certain value with respect to the outer diameter of the guide tube device.
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, a TOF type distance sensor is used as the distance measuring unit 47. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a distance sensor such as a triangulation method or a phase difference detection method may be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope system 2 Insertion part 3 Endoscope 4 Channel 5 Guide tube apparatus 14 Endoscope bending part (bending part)
40 Tube body 42 Tube tip 44, 85 Connection member 44a, 85a Through hole 47 Distance measurement unit (measurement unit)
48, 82 Orientation adjusting part 51 Light emitting part 53 Light receiving part (receiving part)
61-64, 91-94 Length adjustment mechanism 61a-64a, 91a-94a Body part 61b-64b, 91b-94b Iron core (protrusion part)
65 Projection length control unit 75 Protection member 85a Through hole D Reception direction W Measurement object W1 Irradiated area

Claims (8)

A channel is provided for insertion through an insertion portion of an endoscope that is formed of a flexible material and capable of observing visible light. When the proximal end is attached to the insertion portion, the insertion portion A tube body having a tube tip located on the tip side of the provided curved portion;
Irradiate visible light to the irradiated area of the measurement object, and at least one of the brightness and color of the visible light reflected by the irradiated area with respect to a portion adjacent to the irradiated area in the measurement object A light emitting unit that is visibly different from the endoscope, and a receiving unit that detects at least one of infrared rays, visible rays, and sound waves from a predetermined reception direction, and a distance from the light emitting unit in the irradiated region, A measuring unit for measuring at least one of temperature and vibration state;
A direction adjusting unit that adjusts the direction of the light emitting unit and the receiving unit with respect to the tube tip so that the direction from the irradiated region toward the receiving unit is the receiving direction;
With
The guide tube device, wherein the light emitting section and the receiving section are connected to the tube tip. When a channel is formed for insertion through an insertion portion of an endoscope that is formed of a flexible material and has an imaging element capable of observing invisible light, and the proximal end is attached to the insertion portion A tube body having a tube tip located on the tip side of the bending portion provided in the insertion portion;
If the irradiated area of the measurement object is irradiated with non-visible light and the intensity of the non-visible light is different from that of the measurement object adjacent to the irradiated area so that the intensity of the non-visible light can be visually recognized by the endoscope. A light-emitting unit that emits light and a receiving unit that detects at least one of invisible light, visible light, and sound waves from a predetermined reception direction, and the distance, temperature, and vibration state from the light-emitting unit in the irradiated region A measuring unit for measuring at least one of
A direction adjusting unit that adjusts the direction of the light emitting unit and the receiving unit with respect to the tube tip so that the direction from the irradiated region toward the receiving unit is the receiving direction;
With
The guide tube device, wherein the light emitting section and the receiving section are connected to the tube tip. The irradiation direction irradiated by the light emitting unit is set forward,
The reception direction is set to a direction from the front toward the reception unit,
The orientation adjusting unit is
A plate-shaped member extending in a direction intersecting the axis of the channel, a through-hole penetrating in the plate thickness direction is formed, and a connecting member in which the light emitting unit and the receiving unit are arranged on the tip side surface;
A pair having a main body portion connected to the tube tip portion, and a protrusion portion protruding forward from the main body portion and having a tip end connected to a base-side surface of the connecting member and adjustable from the main body portion. The length adjustment mechanism,
A protrusion length control unit that controls the length of the protrusion protruding from the main body;
Have
3. The guide tube device according to claim 1, wherein positions at which distal ends of the protrusions of the pair of length adjusting mechanisms are connected to each other on a base end side surface of the connection member are different from each other.   A protective member is provided at the distal end portion of the tube, and a space is formed therein, and the light emitting portion, the receiving portion, the connecting member, and a pair of the length adjusting mechanisms are accommodated in the space. The guide tube device according to claim 1 or 2. The irradiation direction irradiated by the light emitting unit is set forward,
The reception direction is set to a direction from the front toward the reception unit,
The orientation adjusting unit is
A through hole extending from the distal end side to the proximal end side and communicating with the channel is provided, the light emitting portion and the receiving portion are disposed on the distal end surface, and the proximal end side can swing to the distal end portion of the tube A connecting member connected to
Projecting from and abutting on the main body disposed on the inner surface of the through hole on the front end side of the connecting member and the insertion section projecting from the front end of the channel in a direction intersecting the axis of the channel. A pair of length adjustment mechanisms having protrusions capable of adjusting the length protruding from the main body,
In the pair of length adjustment mechanisms, a protrusion length control unit that controls a length of the protrusion protruding from the main body part;
Have
The guide tube device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pair of length adjusting mechanisms are arranged at opposing positions on the inner surface of the through hole.   A cover member provided at the distal end of the tube and covering the light emitting unit, the receiving unit, the connecting member and the length adjusting mechanism, and having a cover member formed in front of the light emitting unit and the receiving unit; 6. The guide tube device according to claim 5, wherein   6. The guide tube device according to claim 3, wherein the light emitting unit and the receiving unit are arranged so as to sandwich the through-hole between front end surfaces of the connection member. A guide tube device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The endoscope;
An endoscope system comprising:

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