JP2014212835A - Hood for endoscope, and endoscope with same hood for endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hood for endoscope and an endoscope with the hood for endoscope, capable of accurately observing an observation object in a body.SOLUTION: A hood for endoscope 100 comprises a transparent cover body 101 and a cover support 103. The transparent cover body 101 is arranged in front of an imaging light inlet window 92 at an apical surface 91a of an insertion part tip part 91 and formed of transparent glass material (for example, quartz) in a disk-like shape having a contour larger than that of the imaging light inlet window 92. The cover support 103 fixes the transparent cover body 101 to the insertion part tip part 91 in such a state that a front surface 101a of the cover body 101 is positioned within a depth of field (DOF) of an imaging optical system 93. The cover support 103 provides a space B between a back surface 101b of the transparent cover body 101 and the imaging light inlet window 92 by a gap forming body 104 formed at an inner circumferential part of the cover support 103 to form a water film WF therein.

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope hood attached to a distal end portion of an endoscope, and an endoscope including the endoscope hood.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an endoscope hood that is attached to a distal end portion of an insertion portion of an endoscope for facilitating observation and treatment in the body using an endoscope is known. For example, in Patent Document 1 below, in order to maintain a constant distance between an observation object in the body and the imaging optical system of the endoscope, it is mounted in a state extending in a cylindrical shape from the distal end portion of the insertion portion of the endoscope. An endoscope hood is disclosed.

JP 2002-51970 A

  However, the endoscope hood described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that an observation target cannot be observed with high accuracy. That is, since the conventional endoscope hood is composed of a cylindrical body having an open end, a part of the observation object is viewed from the opening of the cylindrical body depending on the shape and hardness of the observation object. Entering into the mirror hood, the distance between the observation object and the imaging optical system of the endoscope varies, and part or all of the observation object is out of focus of the imaging optical system, and the observation object is accurately observed. There was something I couldn't do.

  The present invention has been made to cope with the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope hood capable of accurately observing an object to be observed in the body and an endoscope including the endoscope hood. It is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, a feature of the present invention is an endoscope hood attached to the distal end portion of an insertion portion in an endoscope, which is inserted to guide light to an imaging optical system built in the endoscope. A transparent cover body with an outer shape larger than the size of the image pickup light entrance window provided at the tip of the head, and the same transparency with the front surface of the transparent cover body positioned within the depth of field of the imaging optical system A cover support body for fixing the cover body to the distal end portion of the insertion portion.

  According to the feature of the present invention configured as described above, the endoscope hood is for imaging provided at the distal end portion of the insertion portion which is the distal end portion of the insertion portion that is inserted into the body of a human or animal in the endoscope. A front surface of a transparent cover body formed in an outer shape larger than the size of the imaging light entrance window in front of the light entrance window and within the depth of field of the imaging optical system is attached via a cover support. As a result, the endoscope hood is such that the distance between the observation object and the imaging optical system of the endoscope is always the object field of the imaging optical system even when the observation object in the body contacts the transparent cover body. Since it becomes constant within the depth, the observation object can be observed with high accuracy. In addition, when bleeding occurs in the observation target region, the endoscope hood can also observe the bleeding site while suppressing the bleeding by pressing the bleeding site with the transparent cover body.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, in the endoscope hood, the cover support is in a state where the front surface of the transparent cover body is positioned on the front depth of field side in the depth of field of the imaging optical system. The transparent cover body is fixed to the distal end portion of the insertion portion.

  According to another feature of the present invention configured as described above, the endoscope hood has the cover support positioned on the front surface of the transparent cover body on the front depth of field side within the depth of field of the imaging optical system. Since the transparent cover body is attached to the endoscope in such a state, the observation object can be observed while ensuring a wide depth of field in the endoscope. In this case, the endoscope hood is configured such that the transparent support body is positioned in the state where the front surface of the transparent cover body is positioned closest to the imaging optical system within the depth of field of the imaging optical system. It is possible to observe the observation object in the entire range of the depth of field in the endoscope.

  Another feature of the present invention is that in the endoscope hood, the cover support is transparent through a gap capable of forming a water film between the back surface of the transparent cover and the imaging light entrance window. The cover body is fixed to the distal end portion of the insertion portion.

  According to the other feature of the present invention configured as described above, the endoscope hood has a gap in which the cover support body can form a water film between the back surface of the transparent cover body and the imaging light entrance window. Attach the transparent cover body to the endoscope. In this case, according to experiments by the present inventors, by providing a film of water between the imaging light entrance window and the transparent cover body at the distal end portion of the insertion portion of the endoscope, the imaging light entrance window and the transparent It was confirmed that the image captured by the endoscope can be made clearer than when no water film is provided between the cover body and the cover body. In this case, the case where no water film is provided between the imaging light entrance window and the transparent cover body means, for example, when the imaging light entrance window and the transparent cover body are closely attached, There are a case where a water layer thicker than a water film is provided between the transparent cover body and a case where an air layer exists between the imaging light entrance window and the transparent cover body. In addition, when a water film is formed by providing a gap between the imaging light entrance window and the transparent cover body, a water film formed between the imaging light entrance window and the transparent cover body (in other words, The thickness of the gap) is preferably set to be more than 0 mm and 5 mm or less, more preferably 0.5 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less.

  Another feature of the present invention is that in the endoscope hood, the transparent cover body includes a treatment instrument through-hole through which a treatment instrument provided so as to be able to protrude and retract from the distal end portion of the insertion portion of the endoscope is penetrated. There is.

  According to another feature of the present invention configured as described above, the endoscope hood has a treatment instrument penetrating through a treatment instrument in which a transparent cover body is provided so as to be able to protrude and retract from the distal end of the insertion portion of the endoscope. Since the hole is provided, the treatment tool can be projected and retracted from the distal end portion of the insertion portion of the endoscope while being attached to the endoscope. In addition, when the endoscope hood has an ejection hole for ejecting gas or liquid at the distal end portion of the insertion portion of the endoscope, the endoscope hood passes these gas or liquid through the treatment instrument through-hole. Can be discharged outside. The treatment tool that appears and disappears from the distal end portion of the insertion portion of the endoscope is a device that performs various operations in the body of a human or animal, and corresponds to, for example, forceps.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, in the endoscope hood, the transparent cover body includes reflected light incident preventing means for preventing reflected light due to surface reflection of incident light from entering the imaging optical system. There is.

  According to the other feature of the present invention configured as described above, the endoscope hood prevents the reflected light from entering the imaging optical system due to the surface reflection of the light incident on the transparent cover body. Since the means is provided in the transparent cover body, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of ghost and flare in the image captured by the endoscope and make it clear.

  Another feature of the present invention is that in the endoscope hood, the reflected light incident preventing means is configured to capture reflected light of light incident on a portion other than the portion facing the imaging optical system in the transparent cover body. There exists an inclined surface which reflects in directions other than.

  According to another feature of the present invention configured as described above, the endoscope hood is configured to reflect the reflected light of the light incident on the portion other than the portion where the reflected light incident preventing means faces the imaging optical system in the transparent cover body. Since it has an inclined surface that reflects in a direction other than the imaging optical system, for example, when the endoscope is equipped with a lighting device at the distal end portion of the insertion portion, the endoscope can suppress the reflected light from the transparent cover body. The captured image by can be made clear.

  Another feature of the present invention is that in the endoscope hood, at least one of the transparent cover body and the cover support body is abutted against the distal end portion of the insertion portion of the endoscope, and the back surface of the transparent cover body. And providing a gap forming body for forming a gap between the image pickup light entrance window.

  According to another aspect of the present invention configured as described above, the endoscope hood is abutted against the distal end portion of the insertion portion of the endoscope on at least one of the transparent cover body and the cover support body. Since a gap forming body that forms a gap between the back of the body and the imaging light entrance window is provided, a highly accurate gap can be easily formed between the back surface of the transparent cover body and the imaging light entrance window. It can be attached to the distal end of the insertion portion of the endoscope.

  Another feature of the present invention is that, in the endoscope hood, the transparent cover body has a polarization characteristic that transmits only light polarized or polarized in a specific direction.

  According to another aspect of the present invention configured as described above, the endoscope hood is configured such that the transparent cover body has a polarization characteristic that transmits only light polarized or polarized in a specific direction (for example, polarized light). Therefore, the image captured by the endoscope can be made clear by suppressing the incidence of unnecessary reflected light from the transparent cover body or the observation object.

  Another feature of the present invention resides in that the endoscope hood is configured to be detachable from the distal end portion of the insertion portion of the endoscope.

  According to another aspect of the present invention configured as described above, the endoscope hood is configured to be detachable from the distal end portion of the insertion portion of the endoscope, and thus does not include the endoscope hood. It can be used for a conventional endoscope, and can be used properly according to the necessity of an endoscope hood.

  Another feature of the present invention is that in the endoscope hood, the cover body support body includes an overhang portion that projects from the front surface of the transparent cover body.

  According to another feature of the present invention configured as described above, the endoscope hood includes a projecting portion in which the cover body support body projects from the front surface of the transparent cover body. It is possible to prevent the observation object from coming into contact with the surface of the transparent cover body, and to prevent the dirt from adhering to the front surface of the transparent cover body. Further, the endoscope hood can accurately observe an observation object even when a medical treatment is performed using a treatment tool or the like by inserting the observation object into the cover support body from the overhanging portion of the cover support body. At the same time, it is possible to facilitate medical treatment.

  Further, the present invention can be implemented not only as an invention of an endoscope hood, but also as an invention of an endoscope provided with this endoscope hood.

  Specifically, in an endoscope provided with an imaging optical system for imaging the inside of the insertion portion tip portion inserted into the body of a person or animal, the insertion portion tip portion is provided with the insertion portion tip portion. The endoscope hood described in any one of Items 9 may be provided. This also makes it possible to expect the same effects as the endoscope hood.

It is sectional drawing which shows the outline of a structure of the endoscope hood which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention in the use condition with which the insertion part front-end | tip part of the endoscope was mounted | worn. It is a front view which shows the outline of a structure of the hood for endoscopes shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the outline of a structure of the endoscope hood which concerns on the modification of this invention in the use condition with which the insertion part front-end | tip part of the endoscope was mounted | worn. (A)-(C) have shown the outline of the structure of the endoscope hood which concerns on the other modification of this invention, (A) is a perspective view of the transparent cover body with which the endoscope hood is equipped. FIG. 4B is a front view of the endoscope hood, and FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view showing a use state of the endoscope hood. It is sectional drawing which shows the outline of a structure of the endoscope hood which concerns on the other modification of this invention in the use condition with which the insertion part front-end | tip part of the endoscope was mounted | worn. It is sectional drawing which shows the outline of a structure of the endoscope hood which concerns on the other modification of this invention in the use condition with which the insertion part front-end | tip part of the endoscope was mounted | worn. It is sectional drawing which shows the outline of a structure of the endoscope hood which concerns on the other modification of this invention in the use condition with which the insertion part front-end | tip part of the endoscope was mounted | worn.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an endoscope hood according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of a configuration of an endoscope hood 100 according to the present invention in a use state where the endoscope hood 100 is attached to an insertion portion distal end portion 91 of an endoscope. FIG. 2 is a front view schematically showing the configuration of the endoscope hood 100 shown in FIG. Note that the drawings referred to in this specification are schematically shown by exaggerating some of the components in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention. For this reason, the dimension, ratio, etc. between each component may differ. The endoscope hood 100 is mainly inserted into a human body and is attached to a distal end portion of an endoscope that performs observation and medical treatment in the human body, thereby facilitating the observation and medical treatment. It is an instrument.

  First, before describing the endoscope hood 100 according to the present invention, an endoscope to which the endoscope hood 100 is attached will be described. This endoscope is a medical instrument that is mainly inserted into a human body to perform observation and medical treatment in the human body, and is inserted into the human body with respect to an operation unit (not shown) that receives a manual operation by a user. A tubular insertion portion (shown) is formed to extend. In this case, the insertion portion to be inserted into the human body is a bending portion (not shown) that is bent by the operation of the operation portion at the front end portion of a flexible portion (not shown) that is configured to be bent by a flexible tubular member. ) Through which the insertion portion distal end portion 91 is provided.

  The insertion portion distal end portion 91 is the most advanced portion that is inserted into the human body at the insertion portion of the endoscope, and is configured to have a rigidity that does not deform in the human body. Specifically, the insertion portion distal end portion 91 is configured by covering a metal material formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape with a resin material. The distal end surface 91 a of the distal end portion 91 of the insertion portion is provided with an imaging light entrance window 92, an illumination tool 94, a treatment instrument insertion hole 95, and an air / water supply hole 96.

  Among these, the imaging light incident window 92 is a component that forms an opening for introducing light mainly from the front of the distal end surface 91 a into the imaging optical system 93 provided in the insertion portion distal end 91. It is made of a transparent glass material that can transmit light. In the present embodiment, the imaging light entrance window 92 is formed in a circular shape when viewed from the front, and is fixed to the insertion portion distal end portion 91 in a state of protruding in a spherical shape from the distal end surface 91a of the insertion portion distal end portion 91. ing. The imaging light incident window 92 may be configured as a part of optical elements (for example, an objective lens) constituting the imaging optical system 93.

  The imaging optical system 93 is a set of optical elements for observing the state inside the human body, and mainly includes an optical lens group 93a and an imaging element 93b. Among these, the optical lens group 93a includes a plurality of objective lenses, collimating lenses, and the like for condensing the light incident from the outside of the insertion portion distal end portion 91 through the imaging light incident window 92 onto the imaging element 93b. It is constituted by an optical lens. The imaging element 93b is a photoelectric conversion semiconductor element (for example, a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor) that outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the light energy received through the optical lens group 93a, and an image is displayed based on the electrical signal. It is electrically connected to a control device (not shown) to be generated via the operation unit (not shown).

  The depth of field DOF in the imaging optical system 93 is set so as to be positioned in front of the imaging light entrance window 92. Here, the depth of field DOF is a distance range on the subject side that appears to be focused on an image generated based on the output of the imaging optical system 93. In a general endoscope including the endoscope in the present embodiment, the depth of field DOF is 5 mm to 50 mm from the imaging optical system 93. Note that the imaging optical system 93 in the present embodiment is a fixed focus type in which the focus position P is fixed, but a movable focus type that can change the focus position P can also be applied.

  The illuminator 94 is an instrument that emits illumination light for illuminating an object to be observed in the human body, and is provided in the distal end portion 91 of the insertion portion so as to be exposed on both sides of the imaging light incident window 92 on the distal end surface 91a. It has been. In the present embodiment, the illuminator 94 emits illumination light emitted from an external light source (not shown) provided outside the endoscope through a light guide (cable with a built-in optical fiber) and an illumination lens 91a. It is comprised so that it may irradiate toward the front. Note that the illuminator 94 can also be configured to include a light source (for example, LED) in the insertion portion distal end portion 91 and irradiate illumination light through an illumination lens. The treatment tool insertion hole 95 is a hole portion that accommodates a treatment tool 95a such as forceps for performing various medical treatments in the human body so as to advance and retreat. The air / water supply hole 96 is a tube constituting a flow path for supplying a gas such as air or a liquid such as water in the human body. Various operations such as the operation of the illumination device 94, the operation of the treatment device 95a, and the discharge of the fluid from the air / water supply hole 96 are controlled by the user's manual operation on the operation unit. In FIG. 2, the imaging light entrance window 92, the illumination tool 94, the treatment instrument insertion hole 95, and the air / water supply hole 96 are indicated by broken lines.

(Configuration of Endoscope Hood 100)
The endoscope hood 100 includes a transparent cover body 101. The transparent cover body 101 is a component disposed in front of the imaging light incident window 92 on the distal end surface 91a of the insertion section distal end 91, and a glass material (for example, quartz) that transmits light is used for the imaging light incident window 92. It has a larger outer shape. In the present embodiment, the transparent cover body 101 is formed in a disk shape having the same outer diameter as the outer diameter of the distal end surface 91a. Further, the thickness of the transparent cover body 101 is appropriately determined according to the specification of the insertion portion distal end portion 91 and required rigidity, but according to experiments by the present inventors, it is preferably 2 mm or more and 5 mm or less. It is. The transparent cover body 101 can be made of a material other than quartz, for example, a transparent material such as sapphire glass or a resin material.

  The transparent cover body 101 has a front surface 101a facing the front side of the insertion portion distal end portion 91 and a rear surface 101b side facing the distal end surface 91a when the insertion portion is attached to the insertion portion distal end portion 91. A treatment instrument through hole 102 is formed. The treatment instrument through-hole 102 is a hole for allowing the treatment instrument 95a to be inserted and retracted when the transparent cover body 101 is disposed in front of the distal end surface 91a, and is disposed at a position facing the treatment instrument insertion hole 95. The tool 95a is formed in such a size that it can penetrate.

  The transparent cover body 101 is held by a cover support body 103. The cover support 103 has the transparent cover 101 positioned in front of the distal end 91 of the insertion portion, more specifically, in a state where the front surface 101a of the transparent cover 101 is positioned within the depth of field DOF in the imaging optical system 93. It is a component for fixing the transparent cover body 101 to the insertion portion distal end portion 91. The cover support 103 is formed by forming a material such as a resin material or a rubber material into a cylindrical shape. In this case, a holding portion 103a is formed on the inner peripheral portion of the cover support body 103 on one (left side) end side, and a gap forming body 104 is provided on the opposite side (right side in the drawing) with respect to the holding portion 103a. A mounting portion 103b is formed therethrough.

  Among these, the holding part 103a is a part in which the transparent cover body 101 is fitted and the transparent cover body 101 is fixedly held. On the other hand, the mounting portion 103b is a portion for fixing the cover support 103 to the insertion portion distal end portion 91, and is formed to have an inner diameter of a so-called interference fit that is slightly smaller in diameter than the insertion portion distal end portion 91. The gap forming body 104 is a portion that protrudes in a ring shape to position the transparent cover body 101 with respect to the distal end surface 91 a when the mounting portion 103 b is fitted into the insertion portion distal end portion 91. A protruding portion is formed on the peripheral surface between the holding portion 103a and the mounting portion 103b.

  More specifically, the gap forming body 104 causes the imaging optical system 93 to touch the front surface 101a of the transparent cover body 101 when the outer edge portion of the distal end surface 91a hits when the insertion portion distal end portion 91 is fitted into the mounting portion 103b. And a thickness that forms a predetermined amount of gap B between the back surface 101 b of the transparent cover body 101 and the imaging light entrance window 92. In the present embodiment, the gap forming body 104 places the front surface 101a of the transparent cover body 101 on the position closest to the imaging optical system 93 (the position of the near point distance) within the front depth of field Dn of the imaging optical system 93. In addition, the gap is formed with a thickness that forms a gap B of 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm between the back surface 101 b of the transparent cover body 101 and the imaging opening window 92.

  The cover support 103 is fixed on the outer peripheral portion of the insertion portion distal end portion 91 by attaching the outer peripheral portion of the mounting portion 103 b and the outer peripheral portion of the insertion portion distal end portion 91 with the medical adhesive tape 105.

(Operation of the endoscope hood 100)
Next, the operation of the endoscope hood 100 configured as described above will be described. A user such as a doctor who uses the endoscope hood 100 first prepares an endoscope (not shown) and the endoscope hood 100, respectively. Next, the user inserts the insertion portion distal end portion 91 of the endoscope into the mounting portion 103b of the cover support 103 of the endoscope hood 100 until it hits the gap forming body 104, and then the mounting portion of the cover support 103. The outer peripheral part of 103b and the outer peripheral part of the insertion part front-end | tip part 91 are affixed with the medical adhesive tape 105. FIG. Thereby, the endoscope hood 100 is attached on the insertion portion distal end portion 91 in a state of covering the distal end surface 91a.

  Next, the user inserts the insertion portion distal end portion 91 with the endoscope hood 100 attached into the human body to perform observation or medical treatment in the human body. In this case, the user places water from the air supply / water supply hole 96 of the insertion portion distal end portion 91 by operating the operation portion of the endoscope prior to insertion of the insertion portion distal end portion 91 of the endoscope into the human body. Dispense only a fixed amount. Thereby, a part of the water discharged from the air / water supply hole 96 flows out from the treatment instrument through-hole 102 and the other part of the transparent cover body 101 of the endoscope hood 100 and the distal end of the insertion part. A water film WF (indicated by a broken line in FIG. 2) that is a film of water remains in the gap B between the leading end surface 91a of the image 91 and the imaging light entrance window 92. In this case, the water film WF formed in the gap B is formed with a thickness of 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm along the imaging light incident window 92 corresponding to the width of the gap B. In FIG. 2, the water film WF is shown to be formed in a circle around the imaging light entrance window 92. However, the water film WF is formed only between the back surface 101 b of the transparent cover body 101 and the imaging light incident window 92, and the outer end of the back surface 101 b of the transparent cover body 101 and the imaging light incident window 92. It may be formed between the surface 91a.

  Next, the user inserts the insertion portion distal end portion 91 into the human body in a state where the illumination tool 94 is turned on by operating the operation portion in the endoscope and the operation of the imaging optical system 93 is started. Then, after positioning the insertion portion distal end 91 in the endoscope at a desired position in the human body, the user starts observation in the human body and medical treatment. In this case, since the water film WF is formed in the gap B between the transparent cover body 101 and the imaging light incident window 92 in the endoscope, imaging is performed as compared with the case where the water film WF is not formed in the gap B. The image can be clear.

  Further, in the observation process in the human body, when the water film WF formed in the gap B between the transparent cover body 101 and the imaging opening window 92 is contaminated, the user operates the operation unit to supply air. By discharging a predetermined amount of water from the water supply hole 96, it is possible to newly form the water film WF and maintain or restore the sharpness of the captured image.

  Further, in the endoscope, the observation target object WK may come into contact with the front surface 101a of the transparent cover body 101 during the observation process in the human body. However, in this case, since the front surface 101a of the transparent cover body 101 of the endoscope hood 100 is located within the depth of field DOF of the imaging optical system 93, the endoscope is unclear due to so-called defocusing. Never become. Further, since the front surface 101a of the transparent cover body 101 is located closest to the imaging optical system 93 in the front optical depth of field Dn of the imaging optical system 93, the endoscope ensures the maximum depth of field DOF. Thus, the observation object WK can be imaged with a deep depth of field DOF. In FIG. 1, the observation object WK is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

  Further, in the case where it is desired to press the observation object WK in the process of observing the human body or performing medical treatment, or when bleeding occurs from the observation object WK, the user operates the endoscope to operate the transparent cover. The body 101 can be pressed against the bleeding site. Thereby, the endoscope can press the observation target object WK, and when the observation target object WK is bleeding, can press or stop the bleeding state by pressing the observation target object WK. In these cases, since the front surface 101a of the transparent cover body 101 is positioned within the depth of field DOF of the imaging optical system 93 as described above, the user can stop bleeding while confirming the state of the bleeding site. it can.

  On the other hand, the user can supply a gas such as air or a liquid such as water from the air / water supply hole 96 to the human body by operating the operation unit of the endoscope in the process of observing the human body or performing medical treatment. In addition, the treatment tool 94a can be advanced from the treatment tool insertion hole 95 to perform various medical treatments. In this case, the endoscope hood 100 uses the treatment tool through-hole 102 for the treatment tool 94 a protruding from the gas or liquid discharged from the flow hole 96 in the distal end surface 91 a of the insertion portion distal end portion 91 or the treatment instrument insertion hole 95. Can be guided to the outside of the hood 100 for endoscope.

  As can be understood from the above description of operation, according to the embodiment, the endoscope hood 100 is located in front of the imaging light entrance window 92 provided at the distal end portion of the endoscope and the imaging optical system 93. A front surface 101 a of a transparent cover body 101 formed in an outer shape larger than the size of the imaging light entrance window 92 is attached to the depth of field DOF via a cover support 103. As a result, the endoscope hood 100 is always configured so that the distance between the observation object WK and the imaging optical system 93 of the endoscope is always the imaging optical, even when the observation object WK in the body contacts the transparent cover body 101. Since it becomes constant within the depth of field DOF of the system 93, the observation object WK can be observed with high accuracy. Further, when bleeding occurs in the observation target region, the endoscope hood 100 can also observe the bleeding site while suppressing the bleeding by pressing the bleeding site with the transparent cover body 101.

  Furthermore, in carrying out the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the object of the present invention. In the following modifications, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the above embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the endoscope hood 100 is such that the front surface 101a of the transparent cover body 101 is positioned closest to the imaging optical system 93 in the front depth of field Dn of the imaging optical system 93 of the endoscope. Configured. However, the endoscope hood 100 is configured such that the front surface 101a of the transparent cover body 101 is located within the depth of field DOF of the imaging optical system 93 of the endoscope when the endoscope hood 100 is attached to the insertion portion distal end portion 91. If it is done, it is not necessarily limited to the above embodiment. Therefore, for example, when the endoscope hood 100 is attached to the insertion portion distal end 91, the front surface 101a of the transparent cover body 101 is most focused within the depth of field DOF of the imaging optical system 93 of the endoscope. You may comprise so that it may be located in the focus position P (boundary between the depth of front depth of field Dn and the back of depth of field Df), and the front surface 101a is the front field of view of the imaging optical system 93 of the endoscope. You may comprise so that it may be located in the position different from the said embodiment in the depth Dn, and it comprises so that the front surface 101a may be located in the back depth of field Df of the imaging optical system 93 of an endoscope. Also good.

  In the above embodiment, the endoscope hood 100 is configured by forming the treatment instrument through hole 102 in the transparent cover body 101. This is because the insertion portion distal end portion 91 to which the endoscope hood 100 is attached includes the treatment instrument insertion hole 95 and the air / water supply hole 96, respectively. Therefore, the endoscope hood 100 can omit the treatment instrument through hole 102 when the insertion portion distal end portion 91 does not include the treatment instrument insertion hole 95 and the air / water supply hole 96, respectively. That is, in this case, the endoscope hood 100 is hermetically sealed with gas (for example, air) or liquid (for example, water) in the space between the transparent cover body 101 and the distal end surface 91a of the insertion portion distal end 91. It can be a space. According to this, the endoscope hood 100 can prevent the dirt from adhering to the distal end surface 91a of the insertion portion distal end 91, and the imaging input exposed on the distal end surface 91a and the distal end surface 91a. Damage to the light window 92 and the illumination tool 94 can be prevented.

  Further, when the endoscope includes the air / water supply hole 96 without having the treatment instrument through-hole 102, the endoscope hood 100 can remove the gas or liquid supplied from the air / water supply hole 96 from the endoscope. A discharge hole for discharging from the inside of the hood 100 can be provided in the cover support 103.

  In the above embodiment, the endoscope hood 100 forms a gap B between the back surface 101 b of the transparent cover body 101 and the imaging light incident window 92 on the distal end surface 91 a of the insertion portion distal end 91. A water film WF is formed in the gap B. In this case, according to the experiments of the present inventors, the thickness of the water film WF is preferably greater than 0 mm and 5 mm or less, more preferably 0.5 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less. It should be noted that the thickness of the water film WF does not exclude 5 mm or more, and may naturally be formed with 5 mm or more. Further, the water film WF has a constant thickness corresponding to the gap B because the gap B is formed with a constant width when the imaging light entrance window 92 is planarly formed on the front end surface 91a. Is formed.

  In addition, the endoscope hood 100 is formed of air without forming a water film WF in the gap B between the back surface 101b of the transparent cover body 101 and the imaging light entrance window 92 on the distal end surface 91a of the insertion portion distal end 91. It is also possible to configure by interposing only. The endoscope hood 100 can also be configured by bringing the back surface 101b of the transparent cover body 101 and the imaging light incident window 92 on the distal end surface 91a of the insertion portion distal end 91 into close contact with each other. According to this, the endoscope hood 100 can prevent the dirt from adhering to the imaging light incident window 92 and can prevent the imaging light incident window 92 from being damaged.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the endoscope hood 100 can be mounted on the distal end portion 91 of the insertion portion while forming the gap B easily by providing the gap forming body 104 on the inner peripheral portion of the cover support 103. Configured. However, the gap forming body 104 is not necessarily in the above-described embodiment as long as the gap B can be formed between the back surface 101b of the transparent cover body 101 and the imaging light incident window 92 by being abutted against the distal end portion 91 of the insertion portion. It is not limited. Therefore, the gap forming body 104 can be provided in the transparent cover body 101 instead of or in addition to the cover support body 103, for example.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of an endoscope hood 100 in which the gap forming body 104 is provided on the transparent cover body 101 side. In FIG. 3, the endoscope hood 100 is configured to include a gap forming body 104 that protrudes in a ring shape along the edge portion of the back surface 101 b of the transparent cover body 101. In these cases, the gap forming body 104 may be partially provided on a part of the cover support 103 and / or the transparent cover 101 in addition to the continuously formed ring shape. The gap forming body 104 may be made of the same material as the cover support body 103 and / or the transparent cover body 101, or may be made of a different material.

  In addition, the endoscope hood 100 can be configured by omitting the gap forming body 104. Accordingly, the endoscope hood 100 can be attached to the insertion portion distal end portion 91 at a desired position desired by the user. That is, the user can freely set the presence / absence of the gap B and the width in forming the gap B when the endoscope hood 100 is attached to the insertion portion distal end portion 91.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the endoscope hood 100 is configured such that the reflected light obtained by reflecting the light incident on the transparent cover body 101 on the surface of the transparent cover body 101 is incident on the imaging optical system and is captured by the endoscope. Ghosts and flares may occur. Therefore, the endoscope hood 100 is provided with reflected light incident preventing means for preventing the reflected light generated by the surface reflection of the transparent cover body 101 from entering the imaging optical system after entering the transparent cover body 101. You can also.

Specifically, the reflected light incidence preventing means can be configured, for example, by applying a coating agent to the front surface 101a and / or the back surface 101b of the transparent cover body 101. In this case, as the coating agent, magnesium fluoride (MgF ₂ ), crystal, or the like that suppresses surface reflection of the transparent cover body 101 and improves light transmittance can be used, and a single layer is formed on the surface of the transparent cover body 101. Or it can apply | coat and comprise by a multilayer.

In addition, the reflected light incidence preventing means, for example, as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, reflects reflected light of light incident on a portion other than the portion facing the imaging optical system 93 in the transparent cover body 101. An inclined surface 106 that reflects in a direction other than the imaging optical system 93 can be formed and configured. In this case, in the endoscope hood 100 shown in each of FIGS. 4A to 4C, the inclined surface 106 is a portion of the back surface 101b of the transparent cover body 101 facing the illuminator 94 from the inside of the back surface 101b. The transparent cover body 101 is formed so as to be inclined in the direction in which the thickness of the transparent cover body 101 decreases toward the outside. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 4C, the endoscope hood 100 is
A part of the light L emitted from the irradiating tool 94 is transmitted through the transparent cover body 101 through the inclined surface 106 and the other part is reflected toward the outside of the transparent cover body 101 by the inclined surface 106. The amount of reflected light incident on the imaging optical system 93 can be suppressed. In FIG. 4B, the imaging light entrance window 92, the illumination tool 94, the treatment instrument insertion hole 95, and the air / water supply hole 96 are indicated by a two-dot chain line, and the transparent cover body 101 is indicated by a broken line. In FIG. 4C, the lighting device 94 is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

  The reflected light incidence preventing means can be provided on the front surface 101 a of the transparent cover body 101 instead of or in addition to the back surface 101 b of the transparent cover body 101. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the reflected light incidence preventing means is formed on the back surface 101 b of the transparent cover body 101 from the inside of the back surface 101 b toward the outside similarly to the inclined surface 106. In addition to providing the inclined surface 107 inclined in the direction in which the thickness decreases, the inclined surface 108 inclined similar to the inclined surface 107 can be formed on the front surface 101a of the transparent cover body 101. In this case, the inclined surface 107 and the inclined surface 108 may have the same inclination angle (that is, both are parallel), or may be configured with different inclination angles. In the endoscope hood 100 provided with these inclined surfaces 107 and 108, a part of the light L emitted from the irradiation tool 94 is reflected toward the outside of the transparent cover body 101 by the inclined surfaces 107 and 108, respectively. Therefore, the amount of reflected light incident on the imaging optical system 93 can be suppressed. Moreover, in FIG. 5, the lighting fixture 94 is shown with the dashed-two dotted line.

  Further, the transparent cover body 101 can also be configured to have a polarization characteristic that transmits only light polarized or polarized in a specific direction. Specifically, the transparent cover body 101 can be composed of, for example, polarizing glass or a polarizing resin lens. According to this, the endoscope hood 100 suppresses the incidence of unnecessary reflected light from the transparent cover body 101 and the observation object WK to the imaging optical system 93 and makes the captured image by the endoscope clear. be able to.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the hood 100 for endoscopes formed the transparent cover body 101 in disk shape. However, the transparent cover body 101 in the endoscope hood 100 is not necessarily limited to the above embodiment as long as the endoscope can obtain a captured image of the observation object WK. Therefore, the endoscope hood 100 can also form the transparent cover body 101 in a shape other than a disk shape (including an elliptical shape), for example, a polygonal shape such as a triangular shape or a rectangular shape.

  Further, the transparent cover body 101 in the endoscope hood 100 protrudes toward the front of the insertion portion distal end portion 91 when mounted on the insertion portion distal end portion 91 in the endoscope, for example, as shown in FIG. It can also be formed to project into a spherical shape. In this case, the endoscope hood 100 is attached to the insertion portion distal end portion 91 so that the entire front surface 101a of the transparent cover body 101 is located within the depth of field DOF in the imaging optical system 93 of the endoscope. . According to this, when the inside of the human body into which the insertion portion distal end portion 91 is inserted is narrow, the endoscope hood 100 observes a portion where the spherical transparent cover body 101 expands and expands the inside of the human body. It is possible to insert the distal end portion 91 of the insertion portion while making it possible. Moreover, in FIG. 6, the lighting fixture 94 is shown with the dashed-two dotted line.

  In the above embodiment, the endoscope hood 100 is configured such that the front end portion of the cover support body 103 is substantially flush with the front surface 101 a of the transparent cover body 101. However, as shown in FIG. 7, the endoscope hood 100 may be formed with an overhanging portion 103c in which the tip of the cover support 103 protrudes from the front surface 101a. In this case, the projection amount HL of the projection 103c of the cover support 103 with respect to the front surface 101a is such that the observation object WK entering the cover support 103 from the projection 103c when the observation target WK is pressed by the projection 103c. It is set to such an extent that it does not contact the transparent cover body 101.

  Specifically, the projecting portion 103c of the cover support 103 that projects from the front surface 101a may be configured to be positioned within the depth of field DOF in the imaging optical system 93 of the endoscope, for example. The observation object WK that enters the cover support 103 from the overhang 103 c of the cover support 103 may be formed with an overhang amount HL that enters the depth of field DOF of the imaging optical system 93. According to these, the endoscope hood 100 can suppress the observation target object WK from coming into contact with the front surface 101a of the transparent cover body 101, and prevents the adhesion of dirt on the front surface 101a of the transparent cover body 101. be able to. Further, the endoscope hood 100 can facilitate medical treatment using the treatment instrument 95a or the like by inserting the observation object WK into the cover support 103 from the overhanging portion 103c of the cover support 103.

  In the above embodiment, the endoscope hood 100 is detachably attached to the insertion portion distal end portion 91 of the endoscope by the medical adhesive tape 105. However, the endoscope hood 100 may be configured to be attached by a method other than the medical adhesive tape 105, for example, the cover support 103 by interference fitting with respect to the distal end portion 91 of the insertion portion. Further, the endoscope hood 100 may be configured such that the cover support 103 is attached to the insertion portion distal end portion 91 in a non-detachable state with an adhesive or the like.

  In the above embodiment, the endoscope hood 100 is attached to the insertion portion distal end portion 91 of the endoscope for the human body. However, the endoscope hood 100 is not limited to the human body, and can be used by being attached to the insertion portion distal end portion 91 in an animal endoscope in place of or in addition to the human body.

WK ... Observation object, WF ... Water film, DOF ... Depth of field, Dn ... Forward depth of field, Df ... Back depth of field, B ... Gap, P ... Focus position, L ... Light, HL ... Overhang amount,
91: Inserting portion distal end portion, 91a: Tip end surface, 92 ... Imaging light entrance window, 93 ... Imaging optical system, 93a ... Optical lens group, 93b ... Imaging element, 94 ... Illuminating device, 95 ... Treatment instrument insertion hole, 95a ... treatment tool, 96 ... air / water hole,
100: Endoscopic hood,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 ... Transparent cover body, 101a ... Front surface, 101b ... Back surface, 102 ... Treatment tool through-hole, 103 ... Cover support body, 103a ... Holding part, 103b ... Mounting part, 103c ... Overhang | projection part, 104 ... Gap formation body, 105 ... Medical adhesive tape, 106, 107, 108 ... inclined surface.

Claims (11)

An endoscope hood to be attached to a distal end of an insertion portion in an endoscope,
A transparent cover body formed in an outer shape larger than the size of an imaging light entrance window provided at the distal end portion of the insertion portion in order to guide light to an imaging optical system built in the endoscope;
An endoscope comprising: a cover support that fixes the transparent cover body to the distal end portion of the insertion section in a state where the front surface of the transparent cover body is positioned within the depth of field of the imaging optical system. For hood. In the endoscope hood according to claim 1,
The cover support is
An endoscope, wherein the transparent cover body is fixed to the distal end portion of the insertion portion in a state where the front surface of the transparent cover body is positioned on the front depth of field side of the imaging optical system at the depth of field. For hood. In the endoscope hood according to claim 1 or 2,
The cover support is
The transparent cover body is fixed to the distal end portion of the insertion portion through a gap capable of forming a water film between the back surface of the transparent cover body and the imaging light entrance window. Endoscopic hood. In the endoscope hood according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The transparent cover body is
An endoscope hood comprising a treatment instrument through-hole through which a treatment instrument provided so as to be able to protrude and retract from the distal end portion of the insertion section in the endoscope is provided. In the endoscope hood according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The transparent cover body is
An endoscope hood, comprising: reflected light incidence preventing means for preventing reflected light due to surface reflection of incident light from entering the imaging optical system. In the endoscope hood according to claim 5,
The reflected light incidence preventing means is
An endoscope hood, comprising: an inclined surface that reflects reflected light of light incident on a portion other than the portion facing the imaging optical system in the transparent cover body in a direction other than the imaging optical system. The endoscope hood according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
At least one of the transparent cover body and the cover support body is
An endoscope, comprising: a gap forming body that is abutted against a distal end portion of the insertion portion in the endoscope and forms a gap between a back surface of the transparent cover body and the light entrance window for imaging. hood. The endoscope hood according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The transparent cover body is
An endoscope hood characterized by having a polarization property of transmitting only light polarized or polarized in a specific direction. In the endoscope hood according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
An endoscope hood, wherein the endoscope hood is configured to be detachable from the distal end portion of the insertion portion in the endoscope. In the endoscope hood according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The cover support is
An endoscope hood comprising an overhanging portion that projects from the front surface of the transparent cover body. In an endoscope provided with an imaging optical system for imaging the body inside the distal end portion of the insertion portion to be inserted into the body,
An endoscope comprising the endoscope hood according to any one of claims 1 to 10 at a distal end portion of the insertion portion.

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