JP2012143414A - Endoscope apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope apparatus for preventing decrease in reliability of an apparatus.SOLUTION: A light source device 119 connected to an endoscope 111 has a first optical fiber 11 for transmitting light emitted by a light source 119a and a socket SO1 including a first GI fiber 24 which enlarges a beam diameter of the light transmitted by the first optical fiber 11 and collimates it. The endoscope 111 has: a second GI fiber 34 for converging light transmitted by the first GI fiber 16; temperature detection elements 40, 41 which have a connecter 129A including a second optical fiber 12 for transmitting light converged by the second GI fiber 34 to an end side of the endoscope 111, forms a space G between the first GI fiber 24 and the second GI fiber 34 in the state that the connector 129A is connected to the socket SO1, and detects temperature near the space G; and a control unit 121b for performing notification control for notifying that there is an alien substance in the space G on the basis of information detected by the temperature detection elements 40, 41.

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus including an endoscope and a light source device connected to the endoscope.

  As one of the methods for connecting optical fibers, physical contact connection (hereinafter referred to as PC connection) in which tips of optical fibers are brought into close contact with each other is used. The optical fiber to be connected to the PC is inserted and fixed in a cylindrical ferrule, and its tip is polished into a convex spherical shape together with the end face of the ferrule. The ferrule to which the optical fiber is attached is inserted from both ends of the cylindrical sleeve, and the end surfaces are brought into contact with each other in the sleeve. Thereby, the optical fibers exposed from the end face of the ferrule are in direct contact with each other.

  In endoscopes used for in-vivo medical examinations and the like, an optical fiber bundle in which a plurality of optical fibers are bundled is used as a light guide for illumination. The light guide is inserted into the insertion portion of the endoscope, and the distal end thereof is connected to an illumination window provided at the distal end portion of the insertion portion. The rear end of the light guide is connected to the light source device by a connector using PC connection.

  Since the connector of the endoscope is frequently attached and detached, foreign matter tends to adhere to the tip of the optical fiber. In addition, the tip of the optical fiber may be damaged by an impact at the time of attachment / detachment. If foreign matter adheres to the tip of the optical fiber or a scratch occurs, the connection loss increases. In addition, when the optical power density at the tip of the optical fiber is high, the tip of the optical fiber or ferrule burns out due to the foreign matter or scratches adhering to the tip, or the optical fiber spreads due to the fiber fuse phenomenon. There is also.

  In order to prevent burning of the optical fiber due to adhesion of foreign matter or the like, an optical fiber transmission line has been invented in which the optical power density at the connection portion of the optical fiber is lowered. For example, in the inventions described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a graded index fiber (GI fiber) functioning as a collimator lens is fused and connected to the tip of a single mode fiber to widen the mode field diameter.

  By the way, the use of a laser illumination device for the illumination of an endoscope has been studied. This laser illuminator guides short-wavelength, high-power laser light to a phosphor with a light guide, and excites the phosphor with laser light to obtain illumination light. For the light guide used in the laser illuminator, a single multimode fiber having a large core diameter of, for example, 100 μm or more is used instead of an optical fiber bundle. Therefore, by applying the laser illumination device to the endoscope, it can be expected that the diameter of the insertion portion is reduced as compared with the case of using the optical fiber bundle.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-077549 JP 2002-350666 A

  However, in the case of a multimode fiber, it is not easy to sufficiently reduce the optical power density at the connection portion of the optical fiber even if a GI fiber is used as in Patent Documents 1 and 2. In an endoscope apparatus, since the attachment / detachment frequency of an endoscope connector is high, a GI fiber connected to the distal end of the optical fiber on the endoscope side and a GI connected to the distal end of the optical fiber on the light source apparatus side. It may be preferable to provide a gap with the fiber. However, when such a gap is provided, the following phenomenon occurs when the optical power density of the connection portion of the optical fiber is high.

  That is, when a foreign substance such as an organic substance is mixed between the gaps, the foreign substance absorbs the laser beam, evaporates and scatters, and the foreign substance spreads on the GI fiber output end face. The scattered matter spread on the output end face is burned onto the output end face by the laser beam, and the burned portion is further irradiated with the laser beam, so that the temperature of that portion rises. Due to this temperature rise, organic substances such as adhesive used around the GI fiber are altered, and the connector of the endoscope is damaged.

  In the case of an endoscope apparatus, a ferrule to which an optical fiber is attached is put in and out of a metal cylindrical sleeve. For this reason, when the ferrule is inserted and removed, the metal portion of the sleeve is scraped to become an inorganic foreign substance, and this foreign substance is accumulated in the gap. Since such an inorganic foreign matter is easily charged, the foreign matter adheres to the GI fiber output end face. When an inorganic foreign matter adheres to the GI fiber output end face, laser light is absorbed and scattered at the attached portion, resulting in a large light loss.

  As described above, in the endoscope apparatus, in the collimator connection structure using the multimode fiber as the optical fiber and using the GI fiber for connecting the optical fiber, if a gap is provided between the GI fibers, the vicinity of the gap There is a concern that the reliability of the apparatus may be lowered due to an increase in the amount of heat generated in the apparatus and an increase in scattered light.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an endoscope apparatus that can prevent a decrease in the reliability of the apparatus due to at least one of an increase in heat generation and an increase in scattered light in the vicinity of the optical fiber connection portion. The purpose is to provide.

  An endoscope apparatus according to the present invention is an endoscope apparatus including an endoscope and a light source device connected to the endoscope, and the light source device transmits a light emitted from a light source. A socket including an optical fiber and a first collimator lens that collimates by expanding a beam diameter of the light transmitted by the first optical fiber, and the endoscope is transmitted through the first collimator lens A connector including a second collimator lens for converging light; and a second optical fiber for transmitting the light converged by the second collimator lens to a distal end side of the endoscope; and connecting the connector to the socket In this state, a space is formed between the first collimator lens and the second collimator lens, and a temperature detection element for detecting the temperature in the vicinity of the space and scattered light generated in the space are detected. And at least notification control for notifying a user of the apparatus that there is a foreign object in the space based on information detected by at least one of the light detection element and at least one of the temperature detection element and the light detection element. And a control unit.

  According to this configuration, at least one of the temperature near the space G and the scattered light in the space G can be detected by at least one of the temperature detection element and the light detection element. Based on the information detected by these elements, control is performed to notify the user of the device that there is a foreign object in the space. You can take preventive measures.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the endoscope apparatus which can prevent the fall of the reliability of an apparatus by at least one of the emitted-heat amount increase in the vicinity of an optical fiber connection part and an increase in scattered light can be provided beforehand.

1 is an external view of an endoscope apparatus for explaining an embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the cross-section in the connection state of LG connector 129A and socket SO1 in the endoscope apparatus shown in FIG. The block diagram which shows schematic structure inside the control apparatus shown in FIG. The figure explaining the method to determine the foreign material position of organic substance with one temperature detection element The figure which shows the modification of the cross-sectional structure shown in FIG. 2 of the endoscope apparatus shown in FIG. Flowchart for explaining the operation of the endoscope apparatus of the modification The figure which shows the modification of the structure of the photon detection element in the structure shown in FIG. The figure which shows another modification of the structure of the photon detection element in the structure shown in FIG. The figure which shows another modification of the structure of the photon detection element in the structure shown in FIG.

  FIG. 1 is an external view of an endoscope apparatus 100 for explaining an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope device 100 includes an endoscope scope (hereinafter referred to as an endoscope) 111, a control device 113, a display unit 115 such as a liquid crystal display device, and information on the control device 113. And an input unit 117 such as a keyboard and a mouse.

  The control device 113 includes a light source device 119 and a processor 121 that performs signal processing of a captured image.

  The endoscope 111 includes a main body operation unit 123 and an insertion unit 125 that is connected to the main body operation unit 123 and is inserted into a subject (body cavity).

  A universal cable 127 is connected to the main body operation unit 123. The end of the universal cable 127 is connected to a socket SO1 provided in the light source device 119 via a light guide (LG) connector 129A, and is connected to a socket SO2 provided in the processor 121 via a video connector 129B. The

  The main body operation unit 123 of the endoscope 111 includes a button for performing suction, air supply, and water supply on the distal end side of the insertion unit 125, a shutter button during imaging, an observation mode switching button 130 for switching an observation mode, and the like. Various operation buttons 131 are provided, and a pair of angle knobs 133 are provided.

  The insertion unit 125 includes a flexible portion 135, a bending portion 137, and a distal end portion (endoscope distal end portion) 139 in order from the main body operation portion 123 side. The bending portion 137 is remotely bent by turning the angle knob 133 of the main body operation unit 123. Thereby, the front-end | tip part 139 can be orient | assigned to a desired direction.

  The endoscope distal end 139 is provided with an observation window for the imaging optical system and a light irradiation window for the illumination optical system (both not shown). Reflected light from the subject due to illumination light emitted from the light irradiation window is imaged by the imaging element through the observation window. The captured observation image is displayed on the display unit 115 connected to the processor 121.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional structure of the endoscope apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 in a connected state between the LG connector 129A and the socket SO1.

  The socket SO1 has a first optical fiber 11 connected to a light source in the light source device 119, a first ferrule 15 holding the tip of the first optical fiber 11, and a laser beam transmitted by the first optical fiber 11. A first fiber stub 16 that functions as a first collimator lens that collimates by expanding the beam diameter, a first sleeve 17 into which a part of the first ferrule 15 and the first fiber stub 16 is inserted, and the first fiber stub 16 A connecting sleeve 21 into which a portion outside the first sleeve 17 is inserted is provided.

  The LG connector 129 </ b> A has a second collimator lens that converges the light transmitted through the second optical fiber 12 built in the universal cable 127 and the first fiber stub 16 in the socket SO <b> 1 and transmits it to the second optical fiber 12. And a second ferrule 19 that is connected to the second fiber stub 18 and holds the tip of the second optical fiber 12.

  In the present embodiment, short-wavelength and high-power laser light of, for example, 405 to 635 nm and 100 mW or more is transmitted from the first optical fiber 11 to the second optical fiber 12. Therefore, for the first optical fiber 11 and the second optical fiber 12, for example, a quartz multimode fiber having a core diameter of 100 μm or more is used.

  The first ferrule 15 and the first fiber stub 16 are detachably connected by a first sleeve 17. The second fiber stub 18 and the second ferrule 19 are detachably connected by a second sleeve 20. The first fiber stub 16 and the second fiber stub 18 are detachably connected by a connecting sleeve 21.

  The connection between the first optical fiber 11 and the second optical fiber 12 is released by removing one or both of the first fiber stub 16 and the second fiber stub 18 from the connection sleeve 21.

  The first ferrule 15 has a cylindrical shape provided with a fiber insertion hole 15a penetrating along the axial direction at the center thereof. The first optical fiber 11 from which the coating 11a at the tip is peeled off is inserted into the fiber insertion hole 15a and fixed with an adhesive.

  The tip 15b of the first ferrule 15 is polished into a convex spherical shape or a planar shape (a convex spherical shape in the example of FIG. 2) together with the tip of the first optical fiber 11 inserted into the fiber insertion hole 15a.

  The first fiber stub 16 includes a first GI fiber 24 that functions as a collimator lens, and a cylindrical epoxy resin ferrule 25 that incorporates the first GI fiber 24.

  In the first fiber stub 16, the incident end face 16 a and the exit end face 16 b where both ends of the first GI fiber 24 are exposed are polished into a convex spherical shape and a planar shape, respectively. The first GI fiber 24 is PC-connected to the first optical fiber 11 when the incident end face 16 a abuts on the tip 15 b of the first ferrule 15.

  The shapes of the incident end face 16a and the outgoing end face 16b may be any combination of convex-convex, flat-convex, convex-flat, and flat-flat.

  Since the first GI fiber 24 has a larger core diameter than the first optical fiber 11, the first optical fiber 11 can be PC-connected to the first GI fiber 24 without the tip being exposed to the outside air.

  Thereby, a dust collection effect does not occur at the tip of the first optical fiber 11. In order to keep the PC connection between the first optical fiber 11 and the first GI fiber 24 in a good state, it is preferable to provide a mechanism for pressing one of the first ferrule 15 and the first fiber stub 16 against the other.

  If the core diameter of the optical fiber is 100 μm or more, the contact surface shape to be connected to the PC is convex-flat and flat-flat compared to convex-convex. From the viewpoint of.

  A fluoride film 28 is provided on the incident end face 16 a of the first fiber stub 16. In other words, since the first optical fiber 11 is PC-connected to the first GI fiber 24 via the fluoride film 28, the occurrence of the sticking phenomenon that the PC connection portion is fixed when the optical fibers are directly PC-connected to each other. Can be prevented.

  An antireflection film 31 that reduces reflection loss is provided on the emission end face 16 b of the first fiber stub 16. A fluoride layer is provided as the uppermost layer of the antireflection film 31. Thereby, the foreign material adhering to the output end surface 16b of the first fiber stub 16 and the contaminants accumulated by the dust collection effect can be easily removed.

  The first sleeve 17 is generally called a split sleeve, and has a cylindrical shape in which a ferrule insertion hole 17a having an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the first ferrule 15 and the first fiber stub 16 is provided at the center. I am doing. On the peripheral surface of the first sleeve 17, a single slit (not shown) that provides radial elasticity to the first sleeve 17 is provided along the axial direction.

  The first ferrule 15 and the first fiber stub 16 are inserted into the ferrule insertion hole 17 a of the first sleeve 17 from both ends, and are detachably held by the elastic force of the first sleeve 17. In the first sleeve 17, the tip 15 b of the first ferrule 15 and the incident end face 16 a of the first fiber stub 16 are in contact with each other.

  The length of the first sleeve 17 is shorter than the total length of the first ferrule 15 and the first fiber stub 16. Therefore, when the end of the first sleeve 17 is aligned with the rear end of the first ferrule 15, the length of about half of the first fiber stub 16 protrudes from the other end of the first sleeve 17. The first sleeve 17 can be made of various materials such as metal or zirconia ceramic.

  The second fiber stub 18 is substantially the same as the first fiber stub 16 and includes a second GI fiber 34 and a cylindrical epoxy resin ferrule 35 in which the second GI fiber 34 is incorporated. In the second fiber stub 18, the incident end face 18 a and the exit end face 18 b where both ends of the second GI fiber 34 are exposed are polished into a planar shape and a convex spherical shape, respectively.

  The incident end face 18 a of the second fiber stub 18 faces the emission end face 16 b of the first fiber stub 16 with the space G therebetween. The emission end face 18b of the second fiber stub 18 is in contact with the tip of the second ferrule 19, and the second optical fiber 12 and the second GI fiber 34 are PC-connected. Similar to the first fiber stub 16, an antireflection film 38 and a fluoride film 39 are provided on the incident end face 18a and the outgoing end face 18b.

  In the first fiber stub 16 and the second fiber stub 18, the exit end face 16 b and the entrance end face 18 a do not come into contact with each other, so that foreign matters attached to the exit end face 16 b or the entrance end face 18 a are not crushed and spread. In addition, when the first optical fiber 11 and the second optical fiber 12 are connected and disconnected, the first fiber stub 16 and the second fiber stub 18 do not come into contact with each other inappropriately to cause damage.

  The second ferrule 19 is the same component as the first ferrule 15, and holds the tip of the second optical fiber 12 in the same manner as the first ferrule 15. The tip 19b of the second ferrule 19 is polished into a convex spherical shape or a planar shape (in the example of FIG. 2, a convex spherical shape) together with the tip of the second optical fiber 12.

  The second sleeve 20 is the same as the first sleeve 17 and detachably connects the second fiber stub 18 and the second ferrule 19. The second optical fiber 12 and the second GI fiber 34 are PC-connected within the second sleeve 20. The second fiber stub 18 held by the second sleeve 20 protrudes about half of the length from one end of the second sleeve 20.

  The connecting sleeve 21 has a cylindrical shape in which a stub insertion hole 21 a having an inner diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the first fiber stub 16 and the second fiber stub 18 is provided at the center. The connecting sleeve 21 is detachably connected by fitting the first fiber stub 16 and the second fiber stub 18 from both ends of the stub insertion hole 21a so that the central axes of both are aligned. The connecting sleeve 21 can be made of various materials such as metal or zirconia ceramic.

  The connecting sleeve 21 includes an amount of protrusion of the first fiber stub 16 from the first sleeve 17, an amount of protrusion of the second fiber stub 18 from the second sleeve 20, and the first fiber stub 16 and the second fiber stub 18. It has the length which added the clearance gap between.

  Therefore, when the first fiber stub 16 and the second fiber stub 18 are fitted to the connecting sleeve 21, both ends of the connecting sleeve 21 come into contact with the first sleeve 17 and the second sleeve 20, and the first fiber stub 21. The amount of insertion of the 16 and the second fiber stub 18 into the connecting sleeve 21 is restricted. As a result, a space G is formed between the first fiber stub 16 and the second fiber stub 18 in the connecting sleeve 21.

  It has been found that the size of the foreign matter adhering to the tip of the optical fiber is about 50 μm at maximum. Therefore, the width of the space G in the optical transmission direction needs to be 50 μm or more in order to prevent the attached foreign matter from being pinched and crushed.

  In addition, since it is also necessary that the exit end face 16b and the entrance end face 18a do not come into contact with each other, the width of the space G is 1.0 considering the manufacturing error, assembly error, etc. of each component shown in FIG. It is preferable that it is about -2.0 mm.

  In the vicinity of the end of the first fiber stub 16 on the space G side, a thermistor or the like that detects the temperature in the vicinity of the emission end surface 16b of the first fiber stub 16 in order to detect the heat generated by the foreign substance of the organic matter that has entered the space G A temperature detecting element 40 is provided. In addition, in the vicinity of the end of the second fiber stub 18 on the space G side, the temperature in the vicinity of the incident end face 18a of the second fiber stub 18 is detected in order to detect heat generated by the foreign matter of the organic matter that has entered the space G. A temperature detecting element 41 made of a thermistor or the like is provided.

  Specifically, the temperature detection element 40 is disposed in the vicinity of the end of the first fiber stub 16 on the space G side on the connection sleeve 21 (in the vicinity of the emission end face 16 b), and the temperature detection element 41 is connected to the connection sleeve 21. The upper second fiber stub 18 is disposed in the vicinity of the space G side end (in the vicinity of the incident end face 18a).

  The temperature detection elements 40 and 41 are connected to a control unit in the processor 121, which will be described later, by wires (not shown) passing through the LG connector 129A, the universal cable 127, and the video connector 129B, respectively. The detected temperature information is input to the control unit.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration inside the control device 113 shown in FIG.

  The light source device 119 includes a light source 119a connected to the first optical fiber 11, and a light source control unit 119b that controls the light source 119a.

  The light source 119 a emits laser light having a short wavelength and high output of, for example, 405 to 635 nm and 100 mW or more to the first optical fiber 11.

  The processor 121 includes an image processing unit 121a and a control unit 121b that performs overall control of the control device 113.

  The image processing unit 121a processes the imaging signal transmitted from the universal cable 127 to generate captured image data.

  The control unit 121b displays the captured image data generated by the image processing unit 121a on the display unit 115 or processes information input from the input unit 117.

  Further, the control unit 121b determines whether or not the temperatures based on the temperature information acquired from the temperature detection elements 40 and 41, respectively, exceed the threshold value Th1, and if either temperature exceeds the threshold value Th1, the light source control unit An instruction to stop the emission of the laser light from the light source 119a (light source OFF instruction) is given to the 119b, and a message is displayed on the display unit 115. When the temperatures based on the temperature information respectively acquired from the temperature detection elements 40 and 41 are both lower than the threshold Th1, the control unit 121b does not issue a light source OFF instruction and does not display a message.

  The lowest heat-resistant temperature (glass transition temperature Tg) of the organic substances used in the periphery of the space G is the epoxy resin ferrule 25 that holds the first GI fiber 24 and the epoxy resin that holds the second GI fiber 34. The heat resistant temperature is 150 ° C to 200 ° C.

  Therefore, the threshold value Th1 is preferably a temperature that does not damage the ferrules 25 and 35, and specifically 100 ° C. or less. Of course, the threshold Th1 varies depending on the materials used for the first fiber stub 16 and the second fiber stub 18.

  The message may be any message that notifies the user of the endoscope apparatus 100 that there is a foreign object in the space G. For example, in addition to the warning message "Laser beam emission has been stopped due to foreign objects in the endoscope connector", a message notifying the necessity of cleaning such as "Please clean the connector" is displayed. You may let them. These messages may be notified to the user of the endoscope apparatus 100 by voice, for example, in addition to being displayed as characters on the display unit 115.

  An operation of the endoscope apparatus 100 configured as described above will be described.

  With the LG connector 129A connected to the socket SO1 and the video connector 129B connected to the socket SO2, the light source control unit 119b emits laser light from the light source 119a. The laser light transmitted by the first optical fiber 11 is emitted from the tip of the first optical fiber 11 and enters the first GI fiber 24 of the first fiber stub 16. The first GI fiber 24 collimates by expanding the beam diameter of the incident laser light, and emits the light from the emission end face 16b.

  The second fiber stub 18 converges the laser light incident from the first fiber stub 16 and makes it incident on the second optical fiber 12. The laser light transmitted by the second optical fiber 12 reaches the endoscope distal end 139.

  When laser light is emitted from the light source 119a, the control unit 121b periodically acquires temperature information from the temperature detection elements 40 and 41. The control unit 121b determines whether or not the temperatures based on the acquired two temperature information respectively exceed the threshold Th1, and when it is determined that one of the two temperatures is equal to or greater than the threshold Th1, the control unit 121b passes the light source control unit 119b. The emission of the laser light from the light source 119a is stopped.

  In addition, a message such as “There is an organic foreign substance in the connector of the endoscope. Please perform cleaning” is displayed on the display unit 115. On the other hand, when it is determined that both of the two temperatures are less than the threshold Th, the temperature information is monitored again. The controller 121b repeats such an operation during the period when the laser light is emitted from the light source 119a.

  Thus, according to the endoscope apparatus 100, the temperature in the vicinity of the emission end face 16 b of the first fiber stub 16 detected by the temperature detection element 40 and the incidence of the second fiber stub 18 detected by the temperature detection element 41. When any one of the temperatures in the vicinity of the end face 18a is equal to or higher than the threshold Th1, a message is displayed on the display unit 115.

  Therefore, the user of the endoscope apparatus 100 can recognize that the LG connector 129A and the socket SO1 need to be cleaned by looking at this message, and measures are taken before the LG connector 129A and the socket SO1 are damaged. Can be taken. As a result, the lifetimes of the LG connector 129A and the socket SO1 can be extended.

  In addition, when the temperature becomes equal to or higher than the threshold Th1, the emission of the laser light from the light source 119a is stopped, so that further temperature increase in the vicinity of the first fiber stub 16 and the second fiber stub 18 is prevented. It is possible to prevent the LG connector 129A and the socket SO1 from being damaged.

  Further, the endoscope apparatus 100 includes a temperature detection element 40 that detects the temperature of the emission end face 16 b of the first fiber stub 16 and a temperature detection element 41 that detects the temperature of the incident end face 18 a of the second fiber stub 18. Two temperature detection elements are provided.

  For this reason, it can be determined which foreign substance has adhered to the output end surface 16b or the incident end surface 18a. Therefore, when displaying a message, the user can know where the foreign matter is attached to the exit end face 16b or the entrance end face 18a, so that the user can know where to clean, which is efficient. Cleaning becomes possible.

  For example, when the temperature detected by the temperature detection element 40 is equal to or higher than the threshold Th1 and the temperature detected by the temperature detection element 41 is less than the threshold Th1, organic foreign matters are attached to the emission end face 16b. When the temperature detected by the temperature detection element 40 is lower than the threshold Th1 and the temperature detected by the temperature detection element 41 is equal to or higher than the threshold Th1, there is an organic foreign matter on the incident end face 18a. When a message indicating that it is attached is displayed and the temperatures detected by the temperature detection element 40 and the temperature detection element 41 are both equal to or higher than the threshold value Th1, organic contaminants are present on the emission end face 16b and the incident end face 18a. What is necessary is just to display the message which shows having adhered.

  Even when the temperature is not equal to or higher than the threshold Th1, the degree of contamination inside the connector is determined based on the past temperature history, and a message may be displayed when it is determined that the degree of contamination is large. .

  For example, the control unit 121b stores a history of temperatures detected by the temperature detection elements 40 and 41, and when each temperature of the temperature detection elements 40 and 41 detected at a certain time is less than the threshold Th1, the history is recorded. The degree of contamination is determined based on whether or not satisfies a predetermined condition.

  For example, when the transition of the detected temperature during the past three uses is in an upward trend, it can be determined that in this case there is no fatal temperature rise, but a fatal temperature rise can occur in the future. Therefore, in this case, a message such as “There is an organic foreign substance in the connector of the endoscope. We recommend cleaning the connector” is displayed.

  By doing so, it is possible to promote cleaning of the connector when a certain degree of contamination has progressed. If a large amount of foreign matter enters the space G at a stage where the contamination has progressed to some extent, the temperature of the connector suddenly becomes fatal during use of the endoscope apparatus 100, and the connector is damaged before cleaning. There is a possibility that. Therefore, when a certain degree of contamination has progressed, a message recommending that the connector be cleaned can be issued to prevent damage to the connector.

  The endoscope apparatus 100 may have a configuration including only one of the temperature detection element 40 and the temperature detection element 41.

  For example, in the case where the temperature detection element 41 is not provided in FIG. 2, when the temperature detected by the temperature detection element 40 is equal to or higher than the threshold Th1, a light source OFF instruction and a message display are performed, and the temperature detection element 40 detects the temperature. When the temperature is less than the threshold value Th1, the above-described effects can be obtained by not performing the light source OFF instruction and the message display.

  As described above, even when only the temperature detection element 40 is provided, it is possible to determine which of the emission end face 16b and the incident end face 18a has foreign matter attached by the following method.

  FIG. 4A is a diagram showing the waveform of the laser beam emitted from the light source 119a, and it is assumed that the laser beam is emitted at time t1. When foreign matter is attached to the emission end face 16b, as shown in FIG. 4B, a high temperature is detected by the temperature detection element 40 at time t2 after the time Δt1 has elapsed from the rise of the laser beam.

  On the other hand, when a foreign object has adhered to the incident end face 18a, as shown in FIG. 4C, the temperature detection element 40 increases the temperature at time t3 after the lapse of Δt2 that is later than the time Δt1 from the rise of the laser beam. Is detected. The difference between Δt1 and Δt2 is caused by the presence of the space G.

  As described above, the timing at which the temperature detection element 40 detects a temperature equal to or higher than the threshold Th1 varies with respect to the emission timing of the laser light, depending on the position of the surface on which the foreign matter is attached. By knowing this timing shift in advance, the control unit 121b can determine which of the exit end face 16b and the entrance end face 18a has foreign matter attached thereto.

  In the description so far, when the temperature detected by the temperature detection elements 40 and 41 is equal to or higher than the threshold Th1, or when the temperature history detected by the temperature detection elements 40 and 41 satisfies a predetermined condition, Although the control unit 121b instructs the light source OFF, the light source OFF instruction is not essential.

  If the predetermined condition regarding the threshold value Th1 and the history is set loosely, when the temperature detected by the temperature detection elements 40, 41 becomes equal to or higher than the threshold value Th1, or the temperature detected by the temperature detection elements 40, 41 This is because even if the history satisfies a predetermined condition, the connector is not damaged immediately.

  Note that the temperature detection element 40 may be disposed close to the emission end face 16b within a range in which the temperature rise caused by the heat generated by the foreign matter attached to the emission end face 16b can be detected. The temperature detecting element 41 may be disposed close to the incident end face 18a within a range where the temperature rise caused by the heat generated by the foreign matter attached to the incident end face 18a can be detected. However, for example, if the temperature detecting element 40 is too close to the incident end face 18a, the temperature detecting element 40 also detects the temperature of the incident end face 18a, and it is difficult to determine which end face has foreign matter. For this reason, it is preferable that the temperature detecting element 40 be arranged so as to have directivity in the vicinity of the emission end face 16b, and the temperature detecting element 41 should be arranged so as to have directivity in the vicinity of the incident end face 18a.

  When only one of the temperature detection element 40 and the temperature detection element 41 is provided, the temperature detection element is preferably disposed so as to have directivity in both the vicinity of the emission end face 16b and the vicinity of the incident end face 18a.

  Next, a modification of the endoscope apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The endoscope apparatus of this modification has the same external appearance and the internal block diagram of the control apparatus 113 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, and the configuration inside the LG connector 129A is different.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional structure in a connection state in the LG connector 129A and the socket SO1 in the modification of the endoscope apparatus 100 shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, the same components as those in FIG.

  In the structure shown in FIG. 5, an opening K is provided in the connecting sleeve 21 below the space G (the direction in which gravity is applied), and a photodiode (PD) 32 as a light detection element is disposed below the opening K. Except for the point, the structure is the same as that shown in FIG.

  When an inorganic foreign matter adheres to at least one of the outgoing end face 16b of the first fiber stub 16 and the outgoing end face 18a of the second fiber stub 18, and the laser light hits the foreign matter, the laser light is absorbed or scattered by the inorganic matter. Or

  The PD 32 is provided in order to detect this scattered light through the opening K. In FIG. 5, the PD 32 is illustrated as floating below the opening K, but actually, the PD 32 is fixed to the connecting sleeve 21 or the like by some mechanism.

  The PD 32 is connected to the control unit 121b in the processor 121 by wiring (not shown) passing through the LG connector 129A, the universal cable 127, and the video connector 129B, and the light amount information detected by the PD 32 is input to the control unit 121b. It has become so.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the endoscope apparatus of this modification will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the endoscope apparatus according to the modification.

  With the LG connector 129A connected to the socket SO1 and the video connector 129B connected to the socket SO2, the light source control unit 119b emits laser light from the light source 119a.

  When the emission of the laser light is started, the control unit 121b acquires temperature information from the temperature detection elements 40 and 41, and determines whether at least one of the temperatures based on the acquired two temperature information exceeds the threshold Th1. (Step S1).

  When the determination in step S1 is YES, the control unit 121b acquires light amount information from the PD 32, and determines whether or not the light amount level (signal level) based on the light amount information is equal to or greater than a threshold Th2 (step S2).

  This threshold value Th2 is a value that becomes unacceptable as the illumination capability when the light quantity level exceeds this level, because the light is scattered too much and the light loss increases. For example, when the laser beam output is 100 mW, the threshold Th2 is about 100 μW.

  When the determination in step S2 is YES, in this case, it can be determined that an organic substance and an inorganic substance exist as foreign substances. For this reason, the control unit 121b stops the emission of the laser light from the light source 119a via the light source control unit 119b (step S3), and the display unit 115 displays “There are organic and inorganic foreign substances in the endoscope connector. "Please perform cleaning" message is displayed (step 4). After step S4, the process returns to step S1.

  In step S4, as a cleaning method, a cleaning procedure suitable for a case where an organic substance and an inorganic substance are mixed (for example, a procedure of blowing an inorganic substance by air blow and then wiping an end face with an organic solvent) may be notified as a message. . In this way, the user can be informed of the cleaning method in an easy-to-understand manner. The process of step S3 may be omitted.

  If organic and inorganic foreign matter are mixed, wipe the end face with an organic solvent and remove the organic substance before removing the inorganic substance.When the end face is wiped, the inorganic matter is rubbed against the end face and the end face is scratched. There is a fear. For this reason, it is preferable to notify the procedure of wiping the end face with an organic solvent after the inorganic substance is blown off by air blow as a cleaning procedure when the organic substance and the inorganic substance are mixed.

  When the determination in step S1 is NO, the control unit 121b acquires light amount information from the PD 32, and determines whether or not the light amount level based on the light amount information is equal to or greater than the threshold Th2 (step S7).

  If the determination in step S7 is YES, in this case, it can be determined that only inorganic substances exist as foreign substances. For this reason, the control unit 121b stops the emission of the laser light from the light source 119a via the light source control unit 119b (step S8), and the display unit 115 indicates that there is an “inorganic foreign substance in the connector part of the endoscope”. A message “Please perform cleaning” is displayed (step 9). After step S9, the process returns to step S1.

  In step S9, as a cleaning method, a cleaning procedure by air blow suitable for removing inorganic substances may be notified as a message. In this way, the user can be informed of the cleaning method in an easy-to-understand manner. Further, step S8 may be omitted.

  If the determination in step S2 is NO, in this case, it can be determined that only organic substances are present as foreign substances. For this reason, the control unit 121b stops the emission of the laser light from the light source 119a via the light source control unit 119b (step S5), and the display unit 115 displays “There is an organic foreign substance in the connector of the endoscope. Cleaning. Please execute "is displayed (step 6). After step S6, the process returns to step S1.

  In step S6, as a cleaning method, a cleaning procedure using an organic solvent suitable for removing organic substances may be notified as a message. In this way, the user can be informed of the cleaning method in an easy-to-understand manner. Step S5 may be omitted.

  If neither the detected temperature nor the detected light amount exceeds the threshold value (step S7: NO), the process returns to step S1.

  As described above, by providing the PD 32 for detecting the scattered light generated in the space G in the LG connector 129A, it is possible to detect the light loss due to the foreign matter of the inorganic matter accumulated in the space G. This can be notified to the user. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the endoscope captured image from becoming dark due to insufficient illumination light quantity, and it is possible to prevent a decrease in diagnostic accuracy.

  Note that the temperature detecting elements 40 and 41 may be omitted in the endoscope apparatus of this modification. The operation of the endoscope apparatus in this case is such that steps S1 to S6 are deleted in the flowchart shown in FIG. Even if the PD 32 is provided, an inorganic foreign matter can be detected and a message can be notified, so that an effect of preventing a decrease in diagnostic accuracy can be obtained.

  In the endoscope apparatus of this modification, even when the light quantity is not equal to or greater than the threshold value Th2, the degree of contamination inside the connector is determined depending on whether the past light quantity history satisfies a predetermined condition, and the degree of contamination is large. If it is determined, a message may be displayed.

  In this case, the control unit 121b stores a history of the amount of light detected by the PD 32, and when the amount of light detected at a certain time is less than the threshold Th2, the degree of contamination is determined with reference to the history. For example, if the transition of the detected light quantity during the past three uses is in an upward trend, it can be determined that there is no fatal light loss in this case, but that it can be fatal light loss in the future. There is an inorganic foreign substance in the connector. We recommend that you clean the connector. "

  By doing so, cleaning of the connector can be promoted at a stage where a certain degree of contamination has progressed. When a large amount of foreign matter enters the space G at a stage where the contamination has progressed to some extent, the light loss rapidly increases during use of the endoscope apparatus 100, and the endoscopy must be stopped halfway. There could be no situation.

  Therefore, by issuing a message to recommend cleaning of the connector at a stage where contamination has progressed to some extent, it is possible to urge the connector to be cleaned before the start of the endoscopic inspection, for example, and prevent a shortage of light during the inspection. be able to.

  FIG. 7 is a view showing a modification of the configuration of the photodetecting element in the structure shown in FIG. 5, and corresponds to an enlarged view near the space G in FIG.

  In the example shown in FIG. 7, a photodiode 32 a in which the light receiving surface is inclined to the emission end surface 16 b side and fixed to the pedestal 33, and a photodiode 32 b in which the light receiving surface is inclined to the incident end surface 18 a side and fixed to the pedestal 33 The two photodetecting elements having different light receiving surfaces are provided below the opening K.

  According to the configuration shown in FIG. 7, since two light detection elements having different light-receiving surface directions are provided, the detection range of scattered light generated in the space G can be expanded compared to the configuration shown in FIG. 5. It is possible to improve the detection accuracy of inorganic foreign matters.

  Of the two photodetectors, one mainly receives scattered light from the emission end face 16b of the first fiber stub 16, and the other receives scattered light from the incident end face 18a of the second fiber stub 18. Mainly receives light.

  For this reason, if the light quantity level detected by the PD 32a is equal to or greater than the threshold Th2, it can be determined that there is an inorganic foreign substance on the emission end face 16b. If the light quantity level detected by the PD 32b is equal to or greater than the threshold Th2, the incident light is detected. It can be determined that there is an inorganic foreign substance on the end face 18a.

  Therefore, when displaying a message on the display unit 115, it can be notified which of the first fiber stub 16 and the second fiber stub 18 should be cleaned, and the burden on the user can be reduced.

  That is, according to the configuration shown in FIG. 7, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, in step S4 and step S9, it can be notified whether the inorganic foreign matter is on the exit end face 16b or the entrance end face 18a. It is possible to reduce the burden on the user during the operation.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another modification of the configuration of the photodetecting element in the structure shown in FIG. 5, and corresponds to an enlarged view near the space G in FIG.

  In the modified example shown in FIG. 8, the PD 32a and PD 32b shown in FIG. In addition, an oblique opening K2 from the outer periphery of the connecting sleeve 21 toward the incident end face 18a is formed above the PD 32b.

  Even in such a configuration, the PD 32a can mainly detect the scattered light from the emission end face 16b, and the PD 32b can mainly detect the scattered light from the incident end face 18a, so that the position of the inorganic foreign matter can be determined. Is possible.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the number of light detection elements is one, and by adopting a mechanism that can rotate the light receiving surface of this light detection element, the detection range of scattered light generated in the space G can be expanded. May be.

  5, 7, and 8, the light detection element is disposed below the coupling sleeve 21. However, the light detection element may be disposed above the coupling sleeve 21 (opposite to the direction in which gravity is applied). .

  In this case, the light receiving surface of the light detection element is directed downward, and it is difficult for foreign matter to adhere to the light reception surface, so that erroneous detection by the light detection element can be prevented.

  When the photodetecting element is arranged above the connecting sleeve 21, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the opening K provided in the connecting sleeve 21 is blocked by a pedestal 33 to which the photodetecting elements 32a and 32b are fixed. It is preferable that the pedestal 33 is disposed outside the connecting sleeve 21 so that the area is larger than the opening K so that the space G is not exposed to the outside of the connecting sleeve 21. By doing in this way, it can prevent that a foreign material penetrate | invades into the opening K by gravity.

  When the light detection element is disposed below the connecting sleeve 21, it can be expected that the foreign matter in the space G goes out of the space G from the opening K due to gravity. However, in this case, there is a possibility that foreign matter that has come out from the opening K accumulates on the light receiving surface of the light detection element. For this reason, when the light detection element is disposed below the coupling sleeve 21, a foreign substance removal portion (for example, a piezoelectric element) that vibrates the light detection element and removes the foreign substance is disposed in the vicinity of the light detection element. It is preferable to keep it.

  When both the heat detection element and the light detection element are provided in the endoscope apparatus, the heat detection element and the light detection element are arranged away from each other to prevent the temperature of the light detection element itself from being detected by the heat detection element. It is preferable to keep it. As shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8, the most preferable configuration is that the heat detection element and the light detection element are arranged at positions facing each other with the coupling sleeve 21 interposed therebetween.

  Since the endoscope apparatus thus described only needs to provide at least one of a heat detection element such as a thermistor and a light detection element such as a photodiode, the structure of the conventional endoscope apparatus is significantly changed. Without increasing the manufacturing cost.

  As described above, the following items are disclosed in this specification.

  The disclosed endoscope apparatus is an endoscope apparatus having an endoscope and a light source device connected to the endoscope, and the light source device transmits a light emitted from a light source. A socket including an optical fiber and a first collimator lens that collimates by expanding a beam diameter of the light transmitted by the first optical fiber, and the endoscope is transmitted through the first collimator lens A connector including a second collimator lens for converging light; and a second optical fiber for transmitting the light converged by the second collimator lens to a distal end side of the endoscope; and connecting the connector to the socket In this state, a space is formed between the first collimator lens and the second collimator lens, and the temperature detection element for detecting the temperature in the vicinity of the space and the scattered light generated in the space are detected. And at least notification control for notifying a user of the apparatus that there is a foreign object in the space based on information detected by at least one of the light detecting element and at least one of the temperature detecting element and the light detecting element. And a control unit.

  The disclosed endoscope apparatus includes at least the temperature detection element, and the control unit has a temperature detected by the temperature detection element equal to or higher than a first threshold, or a history of temperatures detected by the temperature detection element. When the first condition is satisfied, at least control for notifying the user of the apparatus that there is an organic foreign substance in the space is performed as the notification control.

  In the disclosed endoscope apparatus, the temperature detection element is disposed in the vicinity of the exit end face of the first graded index fiber, and in the vicinity of the entrance end face of the second graded index fiber. A temperature history detected by the first temperature detection element or a temperature detected by the first temperature detection element is greater than or equal to the first threshold value. When the first condition is satisfied, at least control for notifying the user of the apparatus that there is an organic foreign substance on the emission end face of the first graded index fiber is performed as the notification control, and the second temperature detection element The notification when the detected temperature is equal to or higher than the first threshold or the history of the temperature detected by the second temperature detection element satisfies the first condition. Performs control to notify that there is organic matter of the foreign matter on the entrance end face of said second graded-index fiber as your user of the device at least.

  In the disclosed endoscope apparatus, one temperature detection element is disposed in the vicinity of the exit end face of the first graded index fiber or in the vicinity of the entrance end face of the second graded index fiber. By comparing the light emission timing of the light source with the timing when the temperature detection element detects the temperature equal to or higher than the first threshold value, the emission end face of the first graded index fiber and the incidence of the second graded index fiber Of the end surfaces, the surface to which the organic foreign matter is attached is determined, and at least control for notifying the user of the apparatus of the surface determined to have the foreign matter attached as the notification control is performed.

  The disclosed endoscope apparatus includes at least the light detection element, and the control unit has a light amount detected by the light detection element equal to or greater than a second threshold value, or a history of light amounts detected by the light detection element. When the second condition is satisfied, at least control for notifying the user of the apparatus that there is an inorganic foreign substance in the space is performed as the notification control.

  In the disclosed endoscope apparatus, the light detection element includes a first light detection element that detects scattered light from an emission end face of the first collimator lens, and scattered light from an incident end face of the second collimator lens. A second light detecting element that detects the light amount detected by the first light detecting element is greater than or equal to the second threshold, or a history of the light amount detected by the first light detecting element. When the second condition is satisfied, at least control for notifying the user of the apparatus that there is an inorganic foreign substance on the emission end face of the first collimator lens is performed as the notification control, and the detection is performed by the second light detection element. When the incident light quantity is equal to or greater than the second threshold value or the history of the light quantity detected by the second photodetecting element satisfies the second condition, the incident end face of the second collimator lens is inorganic as the notification control. In which at least performs a control to notify the user of the apparatus that there is a foreign matter.

  The disclosed endoscope apparatus includes the light detection element, a connecting sleeve that connects the first collimator lens and the second collimator lens, and the connecting sleeve connects the connector to the socket. An opening for exposing the space formed in the coupling sleeve in a state is provided, and the light detection element detects light leaking from the opening.

  The disclosed endoscope apparatus includes a coupling sleeve that couples the first collimator lens and the second collimator lens, and the coupling sleeve is configured to connect the connector to the socket. The first light detection element and the second light detection element are configured to detect light leaking from the opening.

  In the disclosed endoscope apparatus, the first light detection element is disposed such that a light receiving surface thereof is inclined toward an emission end surface side of the first collimator lens, and the second light detection element is configured such that the light receiving surface is the first light receiving element. The two collimator lenses are arranged to be inclined toward the incident end face side.

  In the disclosed endoscope apparatus, the opening includes an oblique first opening from the outer periphery of the connecting sleeve toward the emission end face of the first collimator lens, and the outer periphery of the connecting sleeve from the outer periphery of the second collimator lens. The first light detection element detects light leaking from the first opening, and the second light detection element detects light leaking from the second opening. Is.

  In the disclosed endoscope apparatus, the opening is formed on a side opposite to a direction in which gravity is applied to the space.

  In the disclosed endoscope apparatus, the light detection element is fixed to a pedestal arranged outside the connecting sleeve so as to close the opening.

  In the disclosed endoscope apparatus, the opening is formed in a direction in which gravity is applied to the space, and includes a foreign matter removing unit that removes the foreign matter attached to the light detection element.

  The disclosed endoscope apparatus also performs control for stopping emission of light from the light source when the control unit performs the notification control.

100 Endoscope 111 Endoscope 119 Light source 121b Control unit 11 First optical fiber 12 Second optical fiber 24 First GI fiber 34 Second GI fiber 40, 41 Temperature detection element G Space

Claims (14)

An endoscope apparatus having an endoscope and a light source device connected to the endoscope,
The light source device includes a socket including a first optical fiber that transmits light emitted from the light source, and a first collimator lens that collimates by expanding a beam diameter of the light transmitted by the first optical fiber. ,
The endoscope has a second collimator lens for converging the light transmitted through the first collimator lens, and a second optical fiber for transmitting the light converged by the second collimator lens to the distal end side of the endoscope. And a connector including
A space is formed between the first collimator lens and the second collimator lens in a state where the connector is connected to the socket, and a temperature detection element for detecting a temperature in the vicinity of the space and generated in the space At least one of light detection elements for detecting scattered light,
An endoscope apparatus comprising: a control unit that performs at least notification control for notifying a user of the apparatus that there is a foreign object in the space based on information detected by at least one of the temperature detection element and the light detection element . The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1,
Comprising at least the temperature detection element;
When the temperature detected by the temperature detection element is equal to or higher than a first threshold or the history of the temperature detected by the temperature detection element satisfies the first condition, the control unit performs the notification control as the notification control. An endoscope apparatus that performs at least control for notifying a user of the apparatus that there is an organic foreign substance in the apparatus. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
The temperature detection element includes a first temperature detection element disposed in the vicinity of an emission end face of the first collimator lens, and a second temperature detection element disposed in the vicinity of an incident end face of the second collimator lens,
The control unit performs the notification when the temperature detected by the first temperature detection element is equal to or higher than the first threshold, or when the temperature history detected by the first temperature detection element satisfies the first condition. As control, at least control for notifying the user of the apparatus that there is an organic foreign substance on the exit end face of the first collimator lens, and the temperature detected by the second temperature detection element is equal to or higher than the first threshold, or When the history of temperatures detected by the second temperature detecting element satisfies the first condition, the user of the apparatus is notified that there is an organic foreign substance on the incident end face of the second collimator lens as the notification control. An endoscope apparatus that performs at least control. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
One of the temperature detection elements is disposed in the vicinity of the exit end face of the first collimator lens or in the vicinity of the entrance end face of the second collimator lens,
The control unit compares the emission timing of the light from the light source with the timing at which a temperature equal to or higher than the first threshold is detected by the temperature detection element, and the emission end face of the first collimator lens and the second collimator lens. An endoscope for determining at least one of the incident end surfaces to which the foreign matter of the organic matter is attached and notifying the user of the apparatus of the surface that is judged to have the foreign matter attached as the notification control apparatus. The endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Comprising at least the light detection element;
When the light amount detected by the light detection element is equal to or greater than a second threshold value or when the history of the light amount detected by the light detection element satisfies a second condition, the control unit includes the control unit in the space as the notification control. An endoscope apparatus that performs at least control for notifying a user of an apparatus that there is an inorganic foreign matter. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
The light detection element includes: a first light detection element that detects scattered light from an emission end face of the first collimator lens; and a second light detection element that detects scattered light from an incident end face of the second collimator lens. Including
The control unit performs the notification when the amount of light detected by the first light detection element is equal to or greater than the second threshold or when the history of the amount of light detected by the first light detection element satisfies the second condition. As control, at least control for notifying the user of the apparatus that there is an inorganic foreign substance on the exit end face of the first collimator lens, and the amount of light detected by the second photodetecting element is not less than the second threshold, or When the history of the amount of light detected by the second photodetecting element satisfies the second condition, the user of the apparatus is notified that there is an inorganic foreign substance on the incident end face of the second collimator lens as the notification control. An endoscope apparatus that performs at least control. The endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The light detection element;
A connecting sleeve for connecting the first collimator lens and the second collimator lens;
The coupling sleeve has an opening that exposes the space formed in the coupling sleeve in a state where the connector is connected to the socket;
The said optical detection element is an endoscope apparatus which detects the light which leaks from the said opening. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 6, wherein
A connecting sleeve for connecting the first collimator lens and the second collimator lens;
The coupling sleeve has an opening that exposes the space formed in the coupling sleeve in a state where the connector is connected to the socket;
An endoscope apparatus in which the first light detection element and the second light detection element detect light leaking from the opening. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
The first photodetecting element is disposed such that its light receiving surface is inclined toward the emission end face side of the first collimator lens,
The endoscope apparatus in which the light receiving surface of the second photodetecting element is arranged to be inclined toward the incident end surface of the second collimator lens. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
The opening includes an oblique first opening from the outer periphery of the coupling sleeve toward the emitting end surface of the first collimator lens, and an oblique second opening from the outer periphery of the coupling sleeve toward the incident end surface of the second collimator lens. Including
The first light detection element detects light leaking from the first opening;
The second light detection element is an endoscope apparatus that detects light leaking from the second opening. The endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 10,
The opening is an endoscope device formed on the opposite side of the space in the direction in which gravity is applied. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 11, wherein
An endoscope apparatus in which the light detection element is fixed to a pedestal arranged outside the coupling sleeve so as to close the opening. The endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 10,
The opening is formed in a direction in which gravity is applied to the space,
An endoscope apparatus comprising a foreign matter removing unit that removes foreign matter attached to the light detection element. The endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
The endoscope apparatus, which also performs control for stopping emission of light from the light source when performing the notification control.

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