JP3302424B2 - Endoscope imaging device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an imaging device for an endoscope having a detachable connection portion for an eyepiece forming an eyepiece for an endoscope.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a slender insertion portion is inserted into a body cavity to observe organs in the body cavity or to perform various treatments and treatments using a treatment tool inserted into a treatment tool channel as necessary. Endoscopes that can be used are widely used. These endoscopes have been used for observation and inspection inside pipes of boilers, machines and chemical plants, or inside engines not only for medical use but also for industrial use.

In the endoscope used as described above, an image pickup device such as an electric coupling device (CCD) is provided at the distal end of the insertion portion, and an endoscope image formed on the image pickup device is displayed on a monitor screen. Optical endoscope (hereinafter referred to as “endoscope”), which transmits an endoscope image formed on an electronic endoscope that performs observation with an image guide and an image guide that is provided at the distal end of the endoscope to the eyepiece and performs observation with the naked eye Mirror).

The endoscope forms an observation image of an observation site illuminated by an illumination optical system provided at the tip of the endoscope on one end surface of an image guide by an objective optical system, and forms an image of the image guide on the one end surface of the image guide. The observation image formed on one end surface is transmitted to the other end surface of the image guide. Then, the observation image transmitted to the other end surface of the image guide is magnified and observed with the naked eye through an eyepiece.

However, if the observer observes the eyepiece of the endoscope with the naked eye, the posture of the observer may be unreasonable and the body may be adversely affected. The endoscope image transmitted to the endoscope eyepiece by connecting the endoscope imaging device having the imaging optical system and the imaging device to the eyepiece forming the eyepiece is projected on a monitor screen for observation. I can do it.

For example, as described in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 1-288488 and Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 1-88914, the connection of the endoscope imaging device to the eyepiece is performed by the endoscope imaging device. The outer peripheral portion of the eyepiece is fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the formed connection portion, and the eyepiece surface of the eyepiece is brought into contact with the mounting surface of the connection portion for connection.

However, according to the method of connecting the endoscope imaging device to the eyepiece disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 1-288488 and Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 88914/1993, the endoscope image transmitted to the eyepiece is not included. When there is a deviation between the optical axis of the endoscope image and the optical axis of the imaging optical system that forms an image on the imaging device of the endoscope imaging apparatus, the optical axis of the imaging optical system and the central axis of the imaging device are eccentric. As a result, the endoscope image formed on the image sensor may be eccentric, and a partially missing endoscope image may be displayed on the monitor.

For this reason, by providing an eccentricity adjusting mechanism and an optical axis adjusting mechanism in the endoscope and the imaging device for the endoscope, the maximum eccentricity is considered so that the endoscope image is formed on the imaging surface of the imaging device. The endoscope image formed on the image pickup device is set to be small so that an endoscope image without a chip is obtained.

[0009]

However, in a configuration in which the endoscope and the endoscope imaging apparatus are provided with an eccentricity adjustment mechanism and an optical axis adjustment mechanism, the structures of the endoscope and the endoscope imaging apparatus are complicated. Before endoscopy, for example,
It becomes necessary to adjust the optical axes of both the endoscope and the endoscope imaging apparatus, and the adjustment work becomes complicated, and there is a possibility that the endoscope inspection may be neglected.

In addition, in an imaging apparatus for an endoscope using an imaging optical system configured to set the size of the endoscope image small so that the endoscope image is formed on the imaging surface of the imaging device,
There has been a problem in that the imaging surface of the imaging element cannot be used effectively and the imaging efficiency is deteriorated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device for an endoscope in which the imaging range of an imaging device imaging surface is effectively used to improve the imaging efficiency of the imaging device. And

[0012]

An image pickup apparatus for an electronic endoscope according to the present invention has a detachable connection portion for an eyepiece forming an eyepiece for an endoscope and transmits the eyepiece to the eyepiece for the endoscope. Endoscope image light transmitted to an endoscope eyepiece in an endoscope imaging apparatus that forms a monitor image by imaging the obtained endoscope image on an image sensor via an imaging optical system Optical axis displacement means for displacing the axis by tilting the axis with respect to the optical axis of the imaging optical system of the image pickup device is provided at the connection portion.

[0013]

[0014]

With this configuration, if the endoscope image formed on the image sensor has eccentricity, the axial relationship between the optical axis of the endoscope image and the optical axis of the imaging optical system is adjusted by the optical axis displacement means. Eccentricity of the endoscope image formed on the object is eliminated.

[0015]

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a schematic configuration of an endoscope imaging apparatus. FIG. 2 is an optical axis provided at a connection portion of the endoscope imaging apparatus. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a displacing means, FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a state where an eyepiece is tilted by an optical axis displacing means, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing an image forming position of an endoscope image.

As shown in FIG. 1, an imaging device 10 for an endoscope is provided.
Is connected to an eyepiece 50 forming an eyepiece of an optical endoscope (not shown) by connecting a connecting portion 11 formed on the distal end side of the imaging device 10 for endoscope. A camera cable 60 extending from the rear end is connected to the electric signal processing device 70. The electric signal processing device 70 is connected to an observation monitor 80 that displays an endoscope image.

An image pickup device 12 and an image forming optical system for forming an endoscope image transmitted to an endoscope eyepiece 51 of an eyepiece 50 on the image pickup device 12 are provided inside the endoscope image pickup apparatus 10. A system 13 is provided. The connecting portion 11 includes an optical axis displacement unit 20 that displaces the optical axis of the endoscope image transmitted to the endoscope eyepiece 51 of the eyepiece 50 with respect to the optical axis of the imaging optical system. For example, the connection unit 11
The screw member 21 is provided at a position obtained by dividing into three.

Here, the optical axis displacement means 20 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the screw member 21 serving as the optical axis displacement unit 20 is provided on a female screw portion formed on the connection portion 11 of the endoscope imaging device 10. A knob 22 is provided at the rear end of the screw member 21, and an elastic member 23 is disposed between the front end of the screw member 21 and the eyepiece eyepiece surface.

The eyepiece 50 is connected to the inner peripheral surface 11 of the connecting portion.
a is urged by a lock ball member 15 disposed via an urging member 14 in the direction indicated by an arrow in FIG.

By configuring the optical axis displacing means 20 as described above, the knob 22 is rotated as shown in FIG. 3 to change the amount of protrusion of the tip end of the screw member from the abutting surface 24, thereby changing the eyepiece 50. The optical axis of the endoscope image of the endoscope image transmitted to the endoscope eyepiece 51 can be displaced with respect to the optical axis of the imaging optical system.

The operation of the endoscope imaging device 10 in which the optical axis displacement means 20 is provided at the connection portion 11 will be described. FIG.
(A), the endoscope image optical axis a of the endoscope image in the eyepiece 50 and the image forming optical system 13 of the endoscope imaging apparatus 10.
When the optical axis b is coincident, the endoscope image is formed on the image sensor 12 around the two coincident optical axes, so that the endoscope image is formed at a predetermined position on the imaging surface of the image sensor. I do.

However, as shown in FIG. 1B, the optical axis a of the endoscope image of the endoscope image in the eyepiece 50 and the optical axis b of the imaging optical system 13 of the endoscope imaging device 10 are θ. When tilted only by an angle, the endoscope image formed on the image pickup device 12 is formed at a position decentered by c with respect to the optical axis b of the image forming optical system 13, so that the image pickup device Not all of the endoscope images can be formed on the imaging surface of the imaging device of the imaging device 12 arranged with the central axes aligned.

Conversely, for example, when an image sensor 12 'whose image sensor central axis coincides with the optical axis a of the endoscope image is provided, the endoscope image is a predetermined image on the imaging surface of the image sensor. An image is formed at the position.

As described above, the position of the endoscope image formed on the image pickup device can be adjusted by the observer by adjusting the optical axis displacement means 20 of the endoscope image pickup apparatus 10, so that the monitor for observation is used. The occurrence of chipping in the endoscope image projected on the camera is eliminated. That is, the imaging surface of the imaging device 12 of the imaging device 12 can be effectively used.

Therefore, the connecting section 1 of the endoscope imaging apparatus 10
Even when the endoscope insertion optical axis a and the optical axis b of the imaging optical system 13 are eccentric when the eyepiece 1 and the eyepiece 50 are connected, the amount of protrusion of the screw member 21 as the optical axis displacement means. Is changed, the endoscope image can be formed at a predetermined position of the image sensor 12, so that a desired image is displayed on the monitor screen.

Further, since the screw member 21 is provided at each of the three divided positions, it can cope with any eccentric direction. Further, since the elastic member 23 is disposed between the eyepiece 50 and the screw member 21, the eyepiece 50 is not damaged. In addition, the member arranged between the eyepiece 50 and the screw member 21 includes:
A resin member or a metal member may be used without being limited to the elastic member. Alternatively, only one optical axis displacement means 20 may be provided to easily adjust the optical axis of the endoscope image with respect to the optical axis of the imaging optical system.

FIGS. 5 to 8 show modifications of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between an optical axis displacement unit and an endoscope imaging apparatus according to a first modification, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing an optical axis displacement unit and an endoscope imaging apparatus according to a second modification. FIGS. 7 and 8 relate to a third modification, FIG. 7 is a front view showing a state in which an optical axis displacement unit is provided in an endoscope imaging apparatus, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a plan view of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, the optical axis displacement means 20 of the first modification is different from that of the first embodiment in that the eccentric member 25 is perpendicular to the axial direction instead of disposing the screw member 21 in the axial direction. The connection portion 11 is disposed such that Other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment.

As shown in the figure, the eccentric member 25 serving as the optical axis displacing means 20 rotates the knob 26 so that the outer peripheral surface of the eccentric portion 27 which is in contact with the eyepiece surface of the eyepiece 50 is rotated by the knob 26. It rotates and moves in the same direction as the moving direction. For this reason, the amount of protrusion of the outer peripheral surface of the eccentric portion 27 from the contact surface 24 of the connection portion 11 changes, and the eyepiece 50
Can be focused at a desired angle to form an endoscope image at a predetermined position on the image sensor 12. Other functions and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 6, the optical axis displacing means 20 of the second modified example employs a wedge-shaped member 30 and a biasing means 31 instead of disposing the screw member 21 of the first embodiment in the axial direction. The wedge-shaped member 30 is attached to the upper end surface of the screw 32 while the tip of the screw 32 is in contact with the connection portion 11 so as to be perpendicular to the axial direction. The member 30 moves forward and backward. Other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment.

As shown in the figure, a wedge portion 33 is formed at the tip of a wedge-shaped member 30 which is the optical axis displacement means 20, and when the screw 31 is pushed in, the thick portion of the wedge portion is brought into contact with the eyepiece 50. The eyepiece 50 can be tilted at a desired angle by being pressed between the abutting surface 24 of the connecting portion 11 and the endoscope image can be formed at a predetermined position of the image sensor 12. Other functions and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the optical axis displacement means 20 of the third modified example is different from the first embodiment in that the plate member 35 is replaced with the eyepiece 5 instead of disposing the screw member 21 in the axial direction.
0 is provided between the eyepiece surface 0 and the connecting portion abutment surface 24 of the endoscope imaging apparatus 10. A through hole 36 is formed in the center of the plate-like member 35, and a knob 37 is fixed to the outer periphery of the plate-like member 35. By turning the knob 37, the plate-like member 35 is tilted. It has become. Other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, the knob 37 fixed to the plate-shaped member 35 as the optical axis displacement means 20 is, for example,
When rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the plate-shaped member 35 is inclined as shown in FIG. 8, and the eyepiece 50 is inclined at a desired angle to form an endoscope image at a predetermined position of the image sensor 12. it can. Further, since the plate-shaped member 35 is in contact with the eyepiece surface of the eyepiece 50 at the surface contact, the endoscope eyepiece portion is less likely to be damaged as compared with the above-described embodiment. Other functions and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment. 9 and 10 relate to the second embodiment, FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an endoscope image pickup device and an endoscope image of a monitor screen, and FIG. 10 is an endoscope image pickup device in a state where an image pickup device is moved. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an endoscope image of a monitor screen.

As shown in FIG. 9, the endoscope imaging apparatus 40 of this embodiment has a connection portion 41 which can be detachably attached to an eyepiece 50 of a rigid endoscope 90, while a beam splitter 42 and an imaging optical system. It comprises an optical system section 44 having a system 43 therein and an image pickup section 46 having an image pickup element 45 therein.

The optical system section 44 and the imaging section 46 are screwed and fixed to a flange formed on the optical system section 44 and the imaging section 46 by, for example, a bolt 47 as a connecting member. An elongated hole 48 is formed in the flange on the imaging unit side so that the imaging unit 46 moves in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis m of the imaging optical system.

By configuring the endoscope image pickup device 40 as described above, when the center axis n of the image pickup device 45 is eccentric with respect to the optical axis m of the imaging optical system as shown in FIG. Causes a lack in the endoscope image projected on the monitor screen. At this time, the bolt 47 is loosened to move the imaging section 46 so that the optical axis m of the imaging optical system coincides with the center axis n of the imaging element and is screwed and fixed again. A mirror image is displayed.

As described above, the endoscope image pickup device 40 is separated into the optical system section 44 and the image pickup section 46 while the image pickup section 4 is separated.
The user can adjust the eccentricity between the optical axis m of the imaging optical system and the central axis n of the imaging device by allowing the user to move 6 in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis m of the optical system section 44. Thus, an endoscope image without eccentricity can be displayed on the monitor screen.

The endoscope imaging device may be provided with the optical axis displacement means and the image sensor moving means.

By the way, when the rigid endoscope is used as described above, there is a problem that the lens and the cover glass are fogged. For this reason, the eyepiece is provided with a through hole for preventing fogging, or the rigid mirror is warmed before use. However, even with the above-described treatment, the fogging of the lens and the cover glass could not be completely eliminated.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, an air supply pump 71 is provided inside an electric signal processing device 70 to which a camera cable 60 extending from the rear end of the endoscope imaging device 40 is connected. In addition, an air supply duct 61 is provided in the camera cable. That is, the air receiver pump 71 is provided in the connector receiver 72 of the endoscope imaging device 40.
Is provided, and a connector 62 provided on the camera cable 60 is connected to the connector receiver 72, so that the air supply pipe 61 and the air supply pump 71 communicate with each other to perform endoscope. Dry air is sent to the connection part 41 of the mirror imaging device 40. Then, the air sent into the connecting portion 41 is filled with through holes 41a formed in the connecting portion 41.
Since the air is further discharged to the outside, the connection section 41 is always supplied with dry air.

The rigid endoscope 90 has a light source 9
A cord 92 having a light guide fiber for supplying illumination light from the inside is connected thereto.

As described above, the air supply line 61 is provided in the camera cable extending from the endoscope image pickup device 40, and the air supply line provided in the electric signal processing device 70 in the air supply line 61 is provided. The dry air from the pump 71 is supplied to the connection portion 41.
By constantly feeding the lens, fogging generated on the lens and the cover glass can be eliminated.

Also, by using an air supply pump 71 'having an air supply function provided in the light source device 91 as shown in FIG. 12, the same effect as the configuration of FIG. 11 can be obtained. .

That is, as shown in the figure, air supplied from an air supply pump 71 ′ of a light source device 91 is supplied with an air supply pipe 92 ′ provided in a cord 92 and an air supply pipe 61 provided in a camera cable 60. Through the connection section (not shown).

As described above, by using the air supply pump of the light source device, the necessity of disposing the air air supply pump inside the electric signal processing device is eliminated.

[0047]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an imaging apparatus for an endoscope in which the imaging range of the imaging element imaging surface is effectively used to improve the imaging efficiency of the imaging element. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an imaging device for an endoscope.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an optical axis displacement unit provided at a connection portion of the endoscope imaging apparatus;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which an eyepiece is tilted by an optical axis displacement unit.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an image forming position of an endoscope image.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between an optical axis displacement unit and an endoscope imaging apparatus according to a first modification;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between an optical axis displacement unit and an endoscope imaging apparatus according to a second modified example.

7 and 8 relate to a third modification, and FIG. 7 is a front view showing a state in which an optical axis displacement unit is provided in an imaging device for an endoscope.

8 is a plan view of the imaging device for an endoscope and the optical axis displacement unit of FIG. 7;

9 and 10 relate to a second embodiment, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing an endoscope image pickup apparatus and an endoscope image of a monitor screen.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an endoscope imaging apparatus and an endoscope image of a monitor screen in a state where an imaging element is moved.

FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a fogging prevention device of an imaging device for an endoscope used for a rigid endoscope.

FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a modification of the fogging prevention device of FIG. 11;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Endoscope imaging device 11 ... Connection part 12 ... Imaging element 13 ... Imaging optical system 20 ... Optical axis displacement means 50 ... Eyepiece 51 ... Endoscope eyepiece

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Tatsuno 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside the Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Tadayoshi Hara 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Within Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Nobuyoshi Tanizawa 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-3-207336 (JP, A) JP Hei 1-214813 (JP, A) JP-A-57-84029 (JP, A) JP-A-57-129407 (JP, A) Japanese utility model application Sho 60-161316 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int) .Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G02B 23/24 A61B 1/04 360 A61B 1/04 370 G02B 23/26

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] An eyepiece forming an endoscope eyepiece has a detachable connection portion, and an endoscope image transmitted to the endoscope eyepiece is transmitted to an imaging device via an imaging optical system. An imaging apparatus for an endoscope that obtains a monitor image by forming an image, wherein an optical axis of an endoscope image of an endoscope image transmitted to an endoscope eyepiece is inclined with respect to an optical axis of an imaging optical system of the imaging element. endoscopic imaging device the optical axis displacement means for displacing in skeins, characterized in that provided in the connecting portion.