JP2013090761A - Stereoscopic endoscope apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a stereoscopic endoscope that can be inserted in a nostril and is easy to manipulate.SOLUTION: This stereoscopic endoscope is provided with: a first inserted member that is formed in a rod shape; a second inserted member that is formed in a rod shape; a first optical system in which an objective lens is provided on one end of the first inserted member; a second optical system in which an objective lens is provided on one end of the second inserted member; and a connecting means that detachably connects the ends of the first and second inserted members to each other.

Description

  The present invention relates to a stereoscopic endoscope apparatus.

  Surgical treatment for the pituitary region has been established as a highly safe treatment with minimal invasiveness by developing a transsphenoidal sinus approach. Conventionally, this surgical method has been performed using a surgical microscope used in craniotomy, but in recent years, pituitary surgery using an endoscope has been developed to compensate for the drawbacks of the microscope (the viewing angle is narrow). . Although the microscope can be applied with a normal surgical technique and can be stereoscopically viewed, there are problems that the viewing angle is narrow, the blind spot is large near the surgical field, and the distance between the objective lens and the surgical field is large. On the other hand, endoscopic surgery has an advantage that the image is clear because the viewing angle is wide, the blind spot is small, and it is close to the surgical field. Endoscopic surgery is a surgical method that is expected to develop in the future, but has the disadvantage that stereoscopic viewing is not possible. On the other hand, for example, in Patent Documents 1 and 2, two cameras or two endoscopes are installed at an angle that generates a parallax angle, and a 3D stereoscopic image is generated using parallax between two optical axes. Obtained endoscopes have been proposed. Furthermore, in recent years, a 3D stereoscopic endoscope in which two optical axes are accommodated in one endoscope has been developed.

JP-A-5-341206 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-20388

  However, in order to perform stereoscopic viewing with two endoscopes, it is necessary to accurately adjust the parallax angle and the focus of each endoscope. Therefore, it is necessary to attach a device that can be fixed or adjusted by adjusting a certain angle in advance outside the body, and cannot actually be used in the body. On the other hand, if a 3D stereoscopic endoscope having two optical axes in one endoscope is used as described above, angle adjustment and the like are unnecessary, but a 3D stereoscopic image is obtained. Since the parallax of the two optical axes is necessary, the thickness is considerable, and it is unsuitable for a device that passes a thin nostril such as a transnasal endoscope.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a stereoscopic endoscope apparatus that can be inserted into a nostril and is easy to handle.

  The present invention is a stereoscopic endoscope apparatus that is used by being inserted from a nostril and photographs the inside of a head, and includes a first insertion member, a second insertion member, and one end portion of the first insertion member. A first optical system in which an objective lens is provided, a second optical system in which an objective lens is provided at one end of the second insertion member, and one end portions of the first and second insertion members. And a connecting means for removably connecting.

  According to this structure, since it has the connection means which connects the one end part of the 1st and 2nd insertion member so that attachment or detachment is possible, for example, when performing pituitary surgery, the 1st and 2nd insertion After each member is inserted into the nostril, both can be connected by connecting means in the nostril. At this time, since each insertion member is provided with one optical system including an objective lens, the thickness of the insertion member can be reduced. Thereby, it can insert easily also in a nostril with a small internal diameter. In this way, in the present invention, two insertion members having an optical system are inserted into the nostril and connected inside, so that a three-dimensional image based on the parallax of each optical system can be formed. As a result, surgery can be performed effectively.

  The connecting means can be configured to change the angle formed by the first and second insertion members. Thereby, it can respond to the difference in the magnitude | size and shape of a nostril.

  The stereoscopic endoscope apparatus may further include a fixing unit that fixes the other end portions of the first and second insertion members to each other so as to be held at a predetermined angle. If such a fixing means is provided, since both the insertion members connected by the connecting means inside the nostril can be fixed also outside the nostril, both can be held integrally. Therefore, both insertion members can be fixed at an appropriate parallax angle, and handling as an endoscope becomes easy.

  Although the said connection means can be made into various structures, it can be comprised so that a 1st and 2nd insertion member can be connected by magnetic force, for example. With this configuration, both insertion members can be easily connected. In particular, when performing pituitary surgery, if the first and second insertion members are respectively inserted into the nostrils, it is difficult to accurately connect the two because the tip of the insertion member is not visible. If both insertion members are connected by magnetic force, they can be attracted and connected by magnetic force when they are close to each other, so even if one end of the insertion member is difficult to see, they can be connected easily Can do. In order to perform connection by magnetic force, a magnet may be provided on at least one of the first and second insertion member sides in the connection means.

  Moreover, the said connection means can be comprised so that it may have a convex arc-shaped contact surface with respect to the other insertion member in one side of the 1st and 2nd insertion member side. According to this configuration, since both the insertion members are connected via the arc-shaped contact surface, the angle formed by both the insertion members can be freely changed.

  The stereoscopic endoscope apparatus according to the present invention can be inserted into the nostril and can be easily handled.

It is a schematic block diagram of the stereoscopic endoscope apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is an enlarged plan view of the front-end | tip part of FIG. It is the side view (a) which shows the other example of a connection means, and a front view (b). It is the side view (a) which shows the other example of a connection means, and a front view (b). It is the side view (a) which shows the other example of a connection means, and a front view (b). It is the side view (a) which shows the other example of a connection means, and a front view (b). It is a perspective view which shows the other example of a fixing means.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a stereoscopic endoscope apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of this stereoscopic endoscope apparatus. In addition, the axial direction and radial direction in the following description have shown the axial direction of each insertion member, and the radial direction perpendicular | vertical to this.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the stereoscopic endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment is used for a surgical treatment on a pituitary region, and is inserted through a nostril to take a stereoscopic image inside the body. Specifically, a pair of insertion members formed in a rod shape and inserted into each nostril, that is, a first insertion member 1 and a second insertion member 2 are provided, and these are constituted by a rigid endoscope. Moreover, the connection members 11 and 21 which connect both removably are provided in the front-end | tip of each insertion member 1 and 2, respectively. On the other hand, a fixing member 3 that holds the insertion members 1 and 2 at a predetermined angle is provided on the rear end side of the insertion members 1 and 2. Each of the insertion members 1 and 2 incorporates light guides 14 and 24 that transmit illumination light supplied from the light source device 4 and irradiate the subject with irradiation light. As the light source device 4, a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode, which is directly modulated, or a light output element modulated by an external modulation element such as an acoustooptic element can be used. For the light guides 14 and 24, for example, a material exhibiting high transmittance with respect to input light can be used, and an image fiber formed by a plurality of fine plastic or glass fiber bundles can be used.

  Each of the insertion members 1 and 2 has a built-in optical system for photographing. The optical system includes objective lenses 13 and 23 provided at the distal ends of the insertion members 1 and 2 and image guides 12 and 22 for transmitting a formed image of a subject formed by the objective lenses 13 and 23. I have. The image guides 12 and 22 can be formed of image fibers in the same manner as the light guides 14 and 24. TV camera heads 15 and 25 are attached to the rear ends of the insertion members 1 and 2, and the TV camera heads 15 and 25 are connected to the three-dimensional camera control unit 5 via signal cables 16 and 26. It is connected to the. A monitor 6 is connected to the three-dimensional camera control unit 5. With this configuration, the subject image formed by the objective lens is photographed by the TV camera heads 15 and 25 via the image guides 12 and 22. Then, the image signal of the subject having parallax photographed by the TV camera heads 15 and 25 is subjected to signal processing by the three-dimensional camera control unit 5 and displayed on the monitor 6 as a three-dimensional image having a stereoscopic effect.

  Next, the connecting members 11 and 21 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the connecting members 11 and 21. As shown in the figure, concave portions 10 and 20 are formed on the side surfaces of the distal ends of the insertion members 1 and 2, and the connection members 11 and 21 are rectangular magnets 111 and 211 and the magnet 111. , 211 and the recesses 10 and 20 of the insertion members 1 and 2, are constituted by a plurality of springs 112 and 212 that connect them. Then, the insertion members 1 and 2 are joined to each other by attaching the magnets 111 and 211 to each other. At this time, since the magnets 111 and 211 are attached to the insertion members 1 and 2 via the springs 112 and 212, the angle can be freely changed while both the insertion members 1 and 2 remain connected. At this time, the distance X between the objective lenses 13 and 23 in both the insertion members 1 and 2 is preferably 5 to 15 mm, and more preferably at least 8 to 10 mm. The magnets 111 and 211 and the insertion members 1 and 2 can be connected by using an elastic member such as rubber in addition to the springs 112 and 212 as described above.

  On the other hand, a fixing member 3 for fixing both the insertion members 1 and 2 is attached to the outside of the nostril. The fixing member 3 is attached when the insertion members 1 and 2 reach a desired angle, and both the insertion members 1 and 2 can be fixed while maintaining the angle. Alternatively, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-341206, for example, it is possible to provide a mechanism that freely changes the angle in a state where both the insertion members 1 and 2 are fixed. In addition, it is preferable that the distance between the connecting members 11 and 21 described above and the fixing portion 3 is at least 65 mm or more.

  Next, a method of using the stereoscopic endoscope device configured as described above will be described. First, a part of the nasal septum is excised and the two nasal cavities are communicated by a known method. Next, the irradiation light is transmitted from the light source device 4 to the light guides 14 and 24 of the insertion members 1 and 2. Next, the 1st insertion member 1 is inserted from one nostril, and it arrange | positions in the nasal cavity which connected the front-end | tip. Then, the 2nd insertion member 2 is inserted from the other nostril, and the connection member 11 of the 1st insertion member 1 already in the nasal cavity and the connection member 21 of the 2nd insertion member 2 are connected. At this time, the connecting members 11 and 21 are attracted and connected to each other by the magnets 111 and 211. Subsequently, the angle formed by both insertion members 1 and 2 is adjusted so that the intersection of the optical axes of the optical systems is arranged on the subject. Subsequently, both the insertion members 1 and 2 are fixed by the fixing member 3 outside the nostril, and the both 1 and 2 are held integrally. In this state, irradiation light is emitted from each of the insertion members 1 and 2 to the subject, and an image of the subject with parallax obtained by the optical system of both the insertion members 1 and 2 is obtained by the TV camera heads 15 and 25. Taken. The image is signal-processed by the three-dimensional camera control unit 5 and displayed on the monitor 6. Thereby, the surgeon can stereoscopically view the subject and can perform an operation based on the stereoscopic view.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the connecting members 11 and 21 are provided that can removably connect the distal end portions of the two insertion members 1 and 2 and can adjust the angle formed by both. Therefore, when performing pituitary surgery, after inserting each insertion member 1 and 2 into a nostril, both can be connected by the connection members 11 and 21 within a nostril. At this time, since each of the insertion members 1 and 2 is provided with one optical system including the objective lenses 13 and 23, the thickness of the insertion members 1 and 2 can be reduced. Thereby, it can insert easily also in a nostril with a small internal diameter. Furthermore, since both the insertion members 1 and 2 can be connected at a predetermined angle by the connection members 11 and 21, a stereoscopic image can be formed by parallax of each optical system, and a surgical operation can be performed effectively.

  As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to this, A various change is possible unless it deviates from the meaning. For example, in the said embodiment, the insertion members 1 and 2 are not limited to what was mentioned above, A well-known rigid endoscope can be used. That is, there is no particular limitation as long as an optical system having an objective lens capable of photographing a subject is incorporated. In the above embodiment, the light guides 14 and 24 and the light source device 4 are connected from the middle of the rear end portions of the insertion members 1 and 2, but the light guides 14 and 24 are connected to the TV camera heads 15 and 25, respectively. It is also possible to connect to the light source device 4 from here.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although both the insertion members 1 and 2 are connected using the connection members 11 and 21, it is not limited to this, The connection which can connect the one end parts of the insertion members 1 and 2 so that removal is possible If it is a means, it will not specifically limit. For example, the connecting means for connecting both the insertion members 1 and 2 can be configured as shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 in addition to the above embodiment.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, a metal convex member 113 is attached to the tip side surface of the first insertion member 1. The convex member 113 is formed with an arc-shaped contact surface 1131 that is convex outward in the radial direction and extends in the axial direction. On the other hand, a receiving member 213 having a rectangular shape in plan view extending in the axial direction is provided on the side surface of the distal end of the second insertion member 2, and a peripheral member 214 is disposed so as to surround the periphery thereof. The peripheral member 214 is preferably formed of a non-metallic material such as plastic or a material such as aluminum. The receiving member 213 contains a magnet. The peripheral member 214 protrudes radially outward from the receiving member 213, and the receiving member 213 is configured to be recessed with respect to the peripheral member 214. The size of the receiving member 213 in plan view is slightly larger than that of the convex member 113, and the convex member 113 is fitted inside the peripheral member 214 as will be described later.

  With the above-described configuration, when both the insertion members 1 and 2 are brought close to each other, the convex member 113 is attracted by the magnet of the receiving member 213 and both are connected. At this time, since the convex member 113 fits inside the peripheral member 214, the movement of the first insertion member 1 in the axial direction and the radial direction is restricted. If the peripheral member 214 is made of a non-metallic material, the convex member 113 is smoothly connected to the receiving member 213 without being attracted to the peripheral member 214. Since the arc-shaped contact surface 1131 is formed on the convex member 113, the angles of the both insertion members 1 and 2 can be changed along the arc. In addition, the magnet should just be arrange | positioned at at least one of the receiving member 213 or the convex member 113. FIG. Further, the receiving member 213 and the peripheral member 214 can be integrally formed of a metal material or a non-metal material. In the case of forming with a non-metallic material, it is possible to connect the convex member 113 by embedding a magnet or a metallic material inside the receiving member 213.

  Subsequently, the example of FIG. 4 will be described. In this example, a receiving member 215 having a concave surface 2151 having an arcuate cross section is attached to the tip side surface of the second insertion member 2. The concave surface 2151 has a shape corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the first insertion member 1 and is formed in an arc shape convex inward in the radial direction. The receiving member 215 has a built-in magnet and can be connected to the outer peripheral surface of the metal first insertion member 1. The concave surface 2151 of the receiving member 215 is inclined in the axial direction so that the first insertion member 1 and the second insertion member 2 form a predetermined angle. This angle can be changed as appropriate. With such a configuration, when both the insertion members 1 and 2 are brought close to each other, the first insertion member 1 is attracted by the magnet of the receiving member 215 and the both insertion members 1 and 2 are connected. At this time, since the concave surface 2151 described above is formed in the connecting member 215, the first insertion member 1 can move in the axial direction, but the movement in the radial direction is restricted. In addition, since the connection is made by a magnet, if the angle is adjusted on the rear end side of each of the insertion members 1 and 2, the first insertion member 1 changes the angle with respect to the second insertion member 2 if it is slightly adjusted. However, the connected state can be maintained. In addition, what is necessary is just to arrange | position a metal plate etc. to the outer peripheral surface of the 1st insertion member 1, when the outer peripheral surface of the 1st insertion member 1 is not formed with a metal.

  Next, the example of FIG. 5 will be described. In the example shown in FIG. 5, a metal convex member 115 is attached to the distal end side surface of the first insertion member 1. The convex member 115 is formed with an arc-shaped contact surface 1151 that is convex outward in the radial direction and extends in the axial direction. Further, a circular protrusion 116 protruding outward in the radial direction is formed at the center of the contact surface 1151. On the other hand, a receiving member 216 having a rectangular shape in a plan view extending in the axial direction is provided on the distal end side surface of the second insertion member 2, and a recess for receiving the above-described protrusion 116 is provided at the center of the radially outer flat surface. 2161 is formed. The receiving member 216 has a magnet built in the vicinity of the recess 2161. With such a configuration, when both the insertion members 1 and 2 are brought close to each other, the convex member 115 is attracted by the magnet of the receiving member 216, and both are connected. At this time, since the protrusion 116 of the convex member 115 is fitted into the concave portion 2161 of the receiving member 216, the first insertion member 1 is restricted from moving in the axial direction and the radial direction. Moreover, since the arc-shaped contact surface 1151 is formed in the convex member 115, the angle of both the insertion members 1 and 2 can be changed along this arc.

  Subsequently, the example of FIG. 6 will be described. In the example shown in FIG. 6, a plate-like connecting member 117 is fixed to the front end side surface of the first insertion member 1. The connecting member 117 is formed in an L-shape in a side view by an extension piece 1171 protruding in the radial direction and a locking piece 1172 extending from the tip end of the extension piece 1171 to the rear end side in the axial direction. By being formed of metal or the like, it is bent. On the other hand, a receiving member 217 having a rectangular shape in a plan view extending in the axial direction is provided on the distal end side surface of the second insertion member 2, and a recessed portion 2171 for receiving the locking piece 1172 of the connecting member 117 described above is provided on the distal end surface. Is formed. With such a configuration, both the insertion members 1 and 2 can be connected by bringing the both insertion members 1 and 2 close to each other and fitting the engaging piece 1172 of the connection member 117 into the recess 2171 of the member. Thereby, the movement of the first insertion member 1 in the axial direction and the radial direction is restricted. Further, since the connecting member 117 is formed in a plate shape and bends as described above, the angle of both the insertion members 1 and 2 can be adjusted. Therefore, the connection state can be maintained while the first insertion member 1 changes the angle with respect to the second insertion member 2. In addition, in the connection means of each example mentioned above, since the distance between the front-end | tip of both the insertion members 1 and 2 becomes substantially constant, it is suitable for forming a three-dimensional image.

  Next, another example of the fixing member 3 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. In the above embodiment, the fixing member 3 is attached in the middle of the rear end of each of the insertion members 1 and 2, but the fixing member can also be attached to the TV camera heads 15 and 25. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a fixed plate 8 formed in an arc shape is attached to the TV camera head 25 on the second insertion member 2 side, and is arranged so as to extend to the first insertion member 1 side. On the other hand, on the side end surface of the TV camera head 15 of the first insertion member 1, an arcuate groove 151 into which the fixing plate 8 is fitted is formed. Thus, when the fixed plate 8 is moved along the groove 151, both the TV camera heads 15 and 25 can be brought close to and away from each other, and the angle between them can be adjusted. Although not shown, the distance between the TV camera heads 15 and 25 can be fixed by fixing the fixing plate 8 to the groove 151 by a known method. The position where the fixing plate 8 and the groove 151 are provided is not particularly limited. For example, an insertion hole of the fixing plate 8 can be formed on the side surface of the TV camera head 15 instead of the groove.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st insertion member 11 Objective lens (1st optical system)
113, 115 Convex member (fixing means)
117 connecting member (fixing means)
12 Image guide (first optical system)
13 Connecting member (connecting means)
151 groove (fixing means)
2 Second insertion member 21 Objective lens (second optical system)
213, 215, 216, 217 receiving member (fixing means)
22 Image guide (second optical system)
23 Connecting member (connecting means)
3 Fixing member (fixing means)
8 Fixing plate (fixing means)

Claims (5)

A stereoscopic endoscope device that is used by being inserted through a nostril, and photographs the inside of the head,
A first insertion member formed in a rod shape;
A second insertion member formed in a rod shape;
A first optical system in which an objective lens is provided at one end of the first insertion member;
A second optical system in which an objective lens is provided at one end of the second insertion member;
Connecting means for detachably connecting one end portions of the first and second insertion members;
A stereoscopic endoscope apparatus comprising:   The stereoscopic endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the coupling unit is configured to be able to change an angle formed by the first and second insertion members.   The stereoscopic endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a fixing unit configured to fix the other end portions of the first and second insertion members to each other so as to be held at a predetermined angle.   The stereoscopic endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the coupling unit is configured to be able to connect the first and second insertion members by magnetic force. The three-dimensional internal view according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the connecting means has a circular arc-shaped contact surface that is convex with respect to the other insertion member on one side of the first and second insertion members. Mirror device.

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