JP2021121253A - Adapter for rigid endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an adapter for a rigid endoscope capable of easily and quickly correcting the deviation and inclination of an optical axis in a rigid endoscope imaging system.SOLUTION: An adapter for a rigid endoscope is disposed between the rigid endoscope and an imaging apparatus having an image pickup device for converting an optical image to an electric signal, and comprises a converter part for magnifying the optical image formed by the rigid endoscope. The adapter for a rigid endoscope comprises an adapter part capable of adjusting at least one of the position and angle of the optical axis of the rigid endoscope with respect to the imaging apparatus.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a rigid endoscope adapter.

Conventionally, in fields such as medical treatment and industry, an endoscope has been used as a tool for observing a place that cannot be seen from the outside through a narrow entrance. When this endoscope is used for medical purposes, it is possible to make a diagnosis without making a large incision in the affected part in the body, and it is possible to reduce the burden on the body. Incidentally, there are two types of endoscopes: a rigid mirror in which the insertion portion does not bend and a flexible mirror in which the insertion portion bends freely.

Here, in an endoscope called a rigid endoscope (hereinafter, simply referred to as a "rigid endoscope"), since the insertion portion is formed in a straight line and does not bend, the lenses are arranged in series to transmit the observation light. It has the advantage that the observation target can be visually recognized more clearly. Further, the endoscope is used not only for the user to observe with the naked eye alone, but also for connecting to an imaging means (camera) to record an endoscopic observation image or for a plurality of people to observe at the same time. In the case of this application, according to the rigid endoscope, the endoscopic observation image can be recorded with higher image quality or displayed on a display device.

Rigid endoscopes are equipped with an eyepiece for visual observation, which is usually fitted with a converter to magnify the optical image. It is necessary to connect the eyepiece to the camera when displaying the endoscopic observation image on the display device. For example, in Patent Document 1, various eyepieces of the endoscope are provided by simply pushing the endoscope into the insertion slot. A connection device (so-called adapter) having a structure that can be connected to a photographing device or the like and that can be disconnected by simply moving the release ring to a predetermined position is disclosed. According to the connecting device disclosed in Patent Document 1, one-handed operation of attaching and detaching the eyepiece of the rigid endoscope and the camera (attachment / detachment operation) is performed by changing the urging force of the engaging member with respect to the eyepiece. It can be done with one touch.

Jitsufuku No. 01-28488

However, even when the connecting device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is used, there is a possibility that the connection position between the eyepiece and the connecting device may be displaced due to individual differences in the shape of the eyepiece. Therefore, the optical axis of the eyepiece is displaced from the optical axis of the imaging device, the optical axis of the eyepiece is tilted with respect to the optical axis of the imaging device, and the like is displayed on the display device. There was a problem that it adversely affected the endoscopic observation image. In addition to the shape of the eyepiece, there are individual differences in the shapes of the rigid endoscope and the camera, and the optical axis of the optical system shifts or tilts in the entire rigid endoscope imaging system from the rigid endoscope to the camera. Sometimes.

In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an adapter for a rigid endoscope capable of easily and quickly correcting the deviation and inclination of the optical axis in the rigid endoscope imaging system.

The adapter for a rigid endoscope according to the present invention is arranged between the rigid endoscope and an imaging device having an imaging element that converts an optical image into an electrical signal, and an optical image formed by the rigid endoscope. It is an adapter for a rigid endoscope provided with a converter unit for magnifying ..

The rigid endoscope adapter according to the present invention can easily and quickly correct the deviation and tilt of the optical axis in the rigid endoscope imaging system. Therefore, according to the rigid endoscope adapter according to the present invention, inconveniences such as an increase in the burden on the patient do not occur when used for medical purposes, for example.

It is a schematic block diagram which illustrates the rigid endoscope imaging system of this invention. The assembly sectional view of the adapter part (connection side with a rigid endoscope) which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention is shown. The exploded perspective sectional view of the adapter part shown in FIG. 2 is shown. The assembly sectional view of the adapter part (connection side with an image pickup apparatus) which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention is shown. The exploded sectional view of the adapter part shown in FIG. 4 is shown.

[Rigid endoscopic imaging system]

The adapter for a rigid endoscope according to the present invention is used in a rigid endoscope imaging system including a rigid endoscope and an imaging device having an imaging device that converts an optical image into an electrical signal. Therefore, before explaining the rigid endoscope adapter according to the present invention, a rigid endoscope imaging system using this rigid endoscope adapter will be briefly described.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic configuration diagram of a rigid endoscope imaging system. The rigid endoscope imaging system 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a rigid endoscope 30, an imaging device 40, a control device 50, a display device 60, and a light source device 70. Then, the rigid endoscope adapter 1 is arranged between the rigid endoscope 30 and the imaging device 40.

Here, the rigid endoscope 30 includes an elongated linear insertion portion 31 to be inserted toward the observation target, and an eyepiece portion 32 provided on the proximal end side thereof. An optical system that transmits observation light is arranged inside the rigid endoscope 30, and the endoscopic observation image obtained through these optical systems can be visually observed from the eyepiece 32. can.

The image pickup device 40 captures the observation light from the rigid endoscope 30 and outputs the image pickup result (image signal) to the control device 50 described later. The image pickup device 40 includes a camera (video camera) 41 and a signal transmission unit 42. Inside the camera 41, an image sensor (not shown) and an imaging optical system (not shown) for forming an image of the observation light transmitted to the eyepiece 32 on the image sensor are arranged. The signal transmission unit 42 connects the camera 41 and the control device 50, and exchanges signals between them.

The control device 50 processes the image signal input from the image pickup device 40 and outputs it to the display device 60 described later, and controls the operation of the image pickup device 40 and the display device 60 by transmitting the control signal. The control device 50 can also record the endoscopic observation image captured by the image pickup device 40. Further, the control device 50 may control the operation of the light source device 70, which will be described later.

The display device 60 displays the image generated by the control device 50. The endoscopic observation image is enlarged and displayed on the display device 60.

The light source device 70 supplies light for illuminating the observation target to the rigid endoscope 30. The light source device 70 and the rigid endoscope 30 are connected via an optical transmission member 71 such as an optical fiber. The illumination light supplied to the rigid endoscope 30 is transmitted to the tip of the insertion portion 31 by an illumination transmission path (not shown). The operation of the light source device 70 is controlled by the control device 50 as described above, but the operation is not limited to this, and the light source device 70 may be controlled by a control device different from the control device 50.

[Adapter for rigid endoscope]
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the rigid endoscope adapter according to the present invention will be described. The rigid endoscope adapter according to the present invention is not limited to the following aspects.

As shown in FIG. 1, the rigid endoscope adapter 1 according to the present invention is arranged between the rigid endoscope 30 and an image pickup device 40 having an image pickup element that converts an optical image into an electrical signal, and is rigid. It is provided with a converter unit 2 that magnifies an optical image formed by the endoscope 30. It is characterized by including an adapter portion 10 or 20 capable of adjusting at least one of the position and angle of the optical axis of the rigid endoscope 30 with respect to the imaging device 40.

The adapter 1 for a rigid endoscope according to the present invention is provided with a converter unit 2, and a magnifying optical system having a focus function is arranged to obtain an endoscopic observation image formed by the rigid endoscope 30. It can be expanded to the size of an imaging element. Further, the adapter 1 for a rigid endoscope according to the present invention is provided with an adapter portion 10 or 20, so that the deviation and inclination of the optical axis between the rigid endoscope 30 and the camera 41 can be easily and quickly corrected. It becomes possible. Here, the adapter portion 10 is provided on the connection side with the rigid endoscope 30, and the adapter portion 20 is provided on the connection side with the imaging device 40.

Based on the above, in the following, in the rigid endoscope adapter 1 according to the present invention, a mode in which the adapter unit 10 is adopted (Embodiment 1) and a mode in which the adapter unit 20 is adopted (Embodiment 2). I will explain it separately.

<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 2 shows an assembled cross-sectional view of the adapter portion (connection side with the rigid endoscope) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Further, an exploded perspective sectional view of the adapter portion shown in FIG. 2 is shown (excluding the chuck mechanism 11). As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the adapter portion 10 according to the first embodiment connects the object side connection portion 10a, the image side connection portion 10c, the object side connection portion 10a, and the image side connection portion 10c. It is provided with a fixing portion 10b. Then, the object-side connecting portion 10a is connected to the rigid endoscope 30, and the image-side connecting portion 10c is connected to the converter unit 2, so that the eyepiece 32 of the rigid endoscope 30 and the converter 2 are connected to each other. Is placed in.

Next, each component of the adapter portion 10 according to the first embodiment will be specifically described. The adapter portion 10 is configured such that at least one of the object-side connecting portion 10a and the image-side connecting portion 10c is an adjusting member 12 capable of adjusting at least one of the position and angle of the optical axis with respect to the fixed portion 10b. Is preferable. On the other hand, in the first embodiment, the case where the object-side connecting portion 10a is configured as the adjusting member 12 is shown.

1-1. Object-side connection portion As shown in FIG. 2, the object-side connection portion 10a can employ a chuck mechanism 11 having a chuck 11a. By adopting such a structure, the eyepiece 32 can be connected to the rigid endoscope adapter 1 by the chuck mechanism 11, and the camera 41 is attached to the rigid endoscope 30 with the eyepiece 32 attached. The mounting operation and the detaching operation can be easily performed with one hand.

The adjusting member 12 has a contact surface 12a that receives the eyepiece portion 32. By holding the eyepiece 32 in contact with the contact surface 12a by the chuck 11a without rattling, it is possible to stably and accurately adjust the position and angle of the optical axis with respect to the fixed portion 10b. Become.

1-2. Fixed portion The fixed portion 10b has a structure for connecting the object-side connecting portion 10a and the image-side connecting portion 10c, as shown in FIG. By providing the fixing portion 10b, the adapter portion 10 can be arranged between the rigid endoscope 30 and the converter portion 2.

Here, the adapter portion 10 includes a pressurizing portion 13 that urges the fixing portion 10b to the adjusting member 12, and the pressurizing portion 13 has at least one of the positions and angles of the optical axis of the adjusting member 12 with respect to the fixing portion 10b. It is preferable that the fixing portion 10b is urged and fixed to the adjusting member 12 in a state where the above is adjusted. By providing the pressurization unit 13, the adapter unit 10 can smoothly move the adjusting member 12 without rattling. As a result, the positional deviation and the angular deviation (that is, the positional deviation and the angular deviation between the rigid endoscope 30 and the camera 41) that occur when the eyepiece 32 of the rigid endoscope 30 and the camera 41 are connected are more easily eliminated. Moreover, it becomes possible to correct it quickly.

Further, the fixing portion 10b includes a first fixing portion 14 that receives the urging force from the pressurization portion 13, and a second fixing portion 15 that adjusts the urging force of the pressurization portion 13. It is preferable to adjust the urging force of the pressurization portion 13 by advancing and retreating in the direction along the optical axis of the rigid endoscope 30. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the first fixing portion 14 and the second fixing portion 15 both have a ring shape, and the screw portion 14a and the second fixing portion 15 formed on the outer periphery of the first fixing portion 14 By screwing the screw portion 15a formed on the inner circumference, the second fixing portion 15 can be moved forward and backward in the direction along the optical axis of the rigid endoscope 30. In this way, by changing the screwing position of the second fixing portion 15 with respect to the first fixing portion 14 and changing the urging force of the pressurizing portion 13, the position and angle of the optical axis with respect to the fixing portion 10b of the adjusting member 12 Fine adjustment of is easy. Further, after the positioning of the adjusting member 12 is completed, the urging force of the pressurizing portion 13 can be increased to regulate the movement of the adjusting member 12.

Further, the pressurization portion 13 includes an urging member 13a that applies an urging force to the first fixing portion 14, and a pedestal portion 13b in which the urging member 13a is arranged and connected to the adjusting member 12, and the pedestal portion 13b is provided. It is preferable that the urging member 13a is brought into contact with the first fixing portion 14 by advancing and retreating the second fixing portion 15 to urge and fix the adjusting member 12. With such a structure, the pressurization portion 13 can be uniformly urged against the adjusting member 12.

At this time, it is preferable to use an annular corrugated spring as the urging member 13a in order to urge the adjusting member 12 substantially uniformly. Further, the annular corrugated spring used as the urging member 13a prevents the adjusting member 12 from moving excessively due to its own weight even when the urging force of the pressurizing portion 13 is released, and the position is adjusted by the adjusting member 12. It is also possible to obtain the effect of facilitating.

Further, a recess 12b extending in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the rigid endoscope 30 is formed at the end of the adjusting member 12 on the fixing portion 10b side, and the first fixing portion 14 is a tubular body for adjustment thereof. An annular flange portion 14b that protrudes outward in the radial direction at the end on the member 12 side and is arranged with a play space X in the recess 12b of the adjusting member 12 is provided, and the adjusting member 12 has a fixed portion 10b within the range of the play space X. It is preferable to make adjustments to. By adopting such a structure, the adapter unit 10 can be simplified in structure. Further, by providing the play space X, the position of the adjusting member 12 can be moved within the play space X, and the imaging position of the observation light transmitted to the eyepiece 32 with respect to the image sensor can be quickly set to a desired position. Can be adjusted.

1-3. Image-side connection portion As shown in FIG. 2, the image-side connection portion 10c is connected to the object-side connection portion 10a by the fixing portion 10b and is also connected to the converter portion 2. Here, the image-side connecting portion 10c can be a threaded portion formed on the outer periphery of the connection-side end portion of the first fixing portion 14 with the converter portion 2, and in this case, the converter portion 2 is simply screwed. It is possible to connect in any way.

<Embodiment 2>
FIG. 4 shows an assembled cross-sectional view of the adapter portion (connection side with the imaging device) according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Further, FIG. 5 shows an exploded cross-sectional view of the adapter portion shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the adapter portion 20 according to the second embodiment connects the object side connection portion 20c, the image side connection portion 20a, and the object side connection portion 20c and the image side connection portion 20a. It is provided with a fixing portion 20b. Then, the object side connection unit 20c is connected to the converter unit 2, and the image side connection unit 20a is connected to the image pickup device 40 (camera 41), so that the object side connection section 20c is arranged between the converter section 2 and the camera 41 of the image pickup device 40. Will be done.

Next, each component in the adapter unit 20 according to the second embodiment will be specifically described. The adapter portion 20 is configured such that at least one of the object-side connecting portion 20c and the image-side connecting portion 20a is an adjusting member 21 capable of adjusting at least one of the position and angle of the optical axis with respect to the fixed portion 20b. Is preferable. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the case where the image side connecting portion 20a is configured as the adjusting member 21 is shown.

2-1. Image-side connection portion As shown in FIG. 4, the image-side connection portion 20a is connected to the object-side connection portion 20c, which will be described later, by the fixing portion 20b, and is also connected to the camera 41. Here, the image-side connecting portion 20a can be a threaded portion formed on the outer periphery of the connection-side end portion of the adjusting member 21 with the camera 41, and in this case, the adjusting member 21 is connected to the camera 41 by a simple method of screwing. It is possible to do.

The adjusting member 21 has a contact surface 21a in contact with the camera 41 on one end side, and is fixed in a state where the contact surface 21a is in contact with the camera 41 (predetermined position). Since the adjusting member 21 is fixedly held by being screwed with the camera 41 without rattling, the position and angle of the optical axis with respect to the fixed portion 20b can be adjusted stably and accurately.

2-2. Fixed part

As shown in FIG. 4, the fixing portion 20b has a structure for connecting the object-side connecting portion 20c and the image-side connecting portion 20a. By providing the fixed portion 20b, the adapter portion 20 can be arranged between the camera 41 and the converter portion 2.

Here, the adapter portion 20 includes a pressurization portion 22 that urges the fixing portion 20b to the adjusting member 21, and the pressurizing portion 22 is at least one of the positions and angles of the optical axis of the adjusting member 21 with respect to the fixing portion 20b. It is preferable that the fixing portion 20b is urged and fixed to the adjusting member 21 in a state where the above is adjusted. By providing the pressurization unit 22, the adapter unit 20 can smoothly move the adjusting member 21 without rattling. As a result, the misalignment that occurs when the converter unit 2 and the camera 41 are connected can be corrected more easily and quickly.

Further, the fixing portion 20b includes a first fixing portion 23 that receives the urging force from the pressurization portion 22, and a second fixing portion 24 that adjusts the urging force of the pressurization portion 22, and the second fixing portion 24 includes. It is preferable to adjust the urging force of the pressurization portion 22 by advancing and retreating in the direction along the optical axis of the rigid endoscope 30. Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the first fixing portion 23 and the second fixing portion 24 both have a ring shape, and the screw portion 24a and the second fixing portion 24 formed on the outer periphery of the first fixing portion 23 have a ring shape. By screwing the screw portion 24a formed on the inner circumference, the second fixing portion 24 can be moved forward and backward in the direction along the optical axis of the rigid endoscope 30. In this way, by changing the screwing position of the second fixing portion 24 with respect to the first fixing portion 23 and changing the urging force of the pressurizing portion 22, the position and angle of the optical axis with respect to the fixing portion 20b of the adjusting member 21 Fine adjustment of is easy. Further, after the positioning of the adjusting member 21 is completed, the urging force of the pressurizing portion 22 can be increased to regulate the movement of the adjusting member 21.

Further, the pressurization portion 22 includes an urging member 22a that applies an urging force to the first fixing portion 23, and a pedestal portion 22b in which the urging member 22a is arranged and connected to the adjusting member 21, and the pedestal portion 22b is provided. It is preferable that the urging member 22a is brought into contact with the first fixing portion 23 by advancing and retreating the second fixing portion 24 to urge and fix the adjusting member 21. With such a structure, the pressurization portion 22 can be uniformly urged against the adjusting member 21.

At this time, it is preferable to use an annular corrugated spring as the urging member 22a in order to urge the adjusting member 21 substantially uniformly. Further, the annular corrugated spring used as the urging member 22a prevents the adjusting member 21 from moving excessively due to its own weight even when the urging force of the pressurizing portion 22 is released, and the position is adjusted by the adjusting member 21. It is also possible to obtain the effect of facilitating.

Further, a recess 21b extending in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the rigid endoscope 30 is formed at the end of the adjusting member 21 on the fixing portion 20b side, and the first fixing portion 23 is a tubular body for adjustment thereof. An annular flange portion 23b that protrudes outward in the radial direction at the end on the member 21 side and is arranged with a play space Y in the recess 21b of the adjusting member 21 is provided, and the adjusting member 21 has a fixed portion 20b within the range of the play space Y. It is preferable to make adjustments to. By adopting such a structure, the adapter unit 20 can be simplified in structure. Further, by providing the play space Y, the position of the adjusting member 21 can be moved in the play space Y, and the imaging position of the observation light transmitted to the eyepiece 32 with respect to the image sensor can be quickly set to a desired position. Can be adjusted.

2-3. Object-side connection portion As shown in FIG. 4, the object-side connection portion 20c is connected to the image-side connection portion 20a by the fixing portion 20b and is also connected to the camera 41. Here, the object-side connecting portion 20c can be a threaded portion formed on the outer periphery of the connection-side end portion of the first fixing portion 23 with the converter portion 2, and in this case, the converter portion 2 is simply screwed. It is possible to connect in any way.

From the above, according to the rigid endoscope adapter 1 according to the present invention, even when the eyepiece 32 is fixedly held by the chuck with respect to the converter 2, the light is transmitted to the eyepiece 32. The observed light can be imaged at a predetermined position of the image pickup device, and the best endoscopic observation image can be displayed without causing chipping (field of view deviation) or the like in the display device 60.

By using the rigid endoscope adapter according to the present invention, it is possible to easily and quickly correct the deviation and inclination of the optical axis in the rigid endoscope imaging system. Therefore, the rigid endoscope adapter according to the present invention can suppress deterioration of the captured image, and is suitable for various applications such as machine inspection and search for survivors in debris in the event of a disaster, in addition to the medical field. Used for.

1 Adapter for rigid endoscope 2 Converter part 10, 20 Adapter part 10a, 20c Object side connection part 10b, 20b Fixing part 10c, 20a Image side connection part 11 Chuck mechanism 11a Chuck 12, 21 Adjusting member 12a, 21a Contact surface 12b , 21b Recesses 13, 22 Pressurizing parts 13a, 22a Biasing members 13b, 22b Pedestal parts 14, 23 First fixing parts 14a, 23a Threaded parts 14b, 23b Circular flange parts 15, 24 Second fixing parts 15a, 24a Threaded parts 30 Rigid endoscope 31 Insertion part 32 Eyepiece part 40 Imaging device 41 Camera (video camera)
42 Signal transmission unit 50 Control device 60 Display device 70 Light source device 71 Optical transmission member 100 Rigid endoscope imaging system X, Y Play space

Claims (11)

For a rigid endoscope, which is arranged between a rigid endoscope and an image pickup device having an image pickup element that converts an optical image into an electrical signal, and includes a converter unit for magnifying an optical image formed by the rigid endoscope. It ’s an adapter,
An adapter for a rigid endoscope, comprising an adapter portion capable of adjusting at least one of the position and angle of the optical axis of the rigid endoscope with respect to the imaging device. The adapter for a rigid endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the adapter portion is provided on the connection side with the rigid endoscope in the adapter for the rigid endoscope. The adapter portion includes an object-side connection portion, an image-side connection portion, and a fixing portion for connecting the object-side connection portion and the image-side connection portion.
The adapter for a rigid endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the object-side connecting portion is connected to the rigid endoscope, and the image-side connecting portion is connected to a converter portion of the rigid endoscope adapter. The rigid endoscope adapter according to claim 1, wherein the adapter portion is provided on the connection side with the imaging device in the rigid endoscope adapter. The adapter portion includes an object-side connection portion, an image-side connection portion, and a fixing portion for connecting the object-side connection portion and the image-side connection portion.
The adapter for a rigid endoscope according to claim 4, wherein the object-side connecting portion is connected to a converter portion of the rigid endoscope adapter, and the image-side connecting portion is connected to the imaging device. Claim 3 or claim that the adapter portion is configured such that at least one of the object-side connecting portion and the image-side connecting portion is an adjusting member capable of adjusting at least one of the position and angle of the optical axis with respect to the fixed portion. The adapter for a rigid endoscope according to 5. The adapter portion includes a pressurization portion that urges the fixing portion to the adjusting member.
The sixth aspect of claim 6 wherein the pressurizing portion urges and fixes the fixing portion to the adjusting member in a state where at least one of the position and the angle of the optical axis with respect to the fixing portion is adjusted by the adjusting member. Rigid endoscope adapter. The fixed portion includes a first fixed portion that receives an urging force from the pressurized portion and a second fixed portion that adjusts the urging force of the pressurized portion.
The adapter for a rigid endoscope according to claim 7, wherein the second fixing portion advances and retreats in a direction along the optical axis of the rigid endoscope to adjust the urging force of the pressurized portion. The pressurization portion includes an urging member that applies an urging force to the first fixing portion, and a pedestal portion on which the urging member is arranged and connected to the adjusting member.
The rigid endoscope according to claim 8, wherein the pedestal portion is urged and fixed to the adjusting member by bringing the urging member into contact with the first fixing portion by advancing and retreating the second fixing portion. adapter. The rigid endoscope adapter according to claim 9, wherein the urging member is an annular corrugated spring. A recess extending in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the rigid endoscope is formed at the end of the adjusting member on the side of the fixed portion.
The first fixing portion is a tubular body, and includes an annular flange portion that protrudes outward in the radial direction at the side end of the adjusting member and is arranged with a play space in the recess of the position adjusting member.
The rigid endoscope adapter according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the adjusting member adjusts the fixed portion within the range of the play space.

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