JP3315167B2 - Stereoscopic endoscope - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a stereoscopic endoscope capable of observing a part to be observed three-dimensionally.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An endoscope apparatus has been widely used in which an elongated insertion portion can be inserted into a body cavity or the like so as to observe a test site that cannot be directly viewed. With a normal endoscope, it is difficult to observe a test site only as a flat surface without perspective, so it is difficult to observe, for example, minute irregularities on the surface of a body cavity wall. There was a problem that various treatments could not be easily performed.

Therefore, a plurality of observation optical systems are provided in parallel,
Conventionally, a stereoscopic endoscope apparatus has been proposed in which an observation optical system is arranged so as to have a parallax by setting a convergence angle formed by the optical axes of these optical systems so that an observation site can be stereoscopically viewed. ing.

[0004] As such a stereoscopic endoscope apparatus, for example, US Pat. No. 4,862,873 discloses that a pair of image transmission optical systems are provided in an insertion portion of an endoscope, and a pair of image transmission optical systems are provided at a distal end side of the image transmission optical system. Along with the objective optical system, a pair of eyepiece optical systems are provided on the hand operation unit side, and the convergence angle between the pair of objective optical systems and the observation target point is adjusted so that the observation site can be seen in three dimensions. A device has been proposed.

In order to obtain a three-dimensional image of a subject, it is necessary that the intersections of the optical axes of a plurality of optical systems coincide with the position of the observation site. That is, the range of the subject from which a three-dimensional effect can be obtained is a range of a predetermined distance from the intersection of the optical axis, and an appropriate three-dimensional effect cannot be obtained unless the observation target site is located within this range. In addition, if the magnifications of the left and right images are different in the plurality of optical systems, the left and right images are displaced, and good stereoscopic vision cannot be performed.

[0006]

As described above, in order to perform good stereoscopic vision, the intersection of the optical axes of a plurality of optical systems needs to coincide with the position of the observation site, and a plurality of In the optical system, it is necessary to match the magnification of the left and right images.

However, in a conventional stereoscopic endoscope,
Since the adjustment of the magnification of the optical system is not considered, especially when the magnifications of the left and right images do not match, even if the convergence angle is adjusted, the intersection of the optical axes of the plurality of optical systems may be adjusted to the position of the observation part. Even if they are matched, there is a problem that the left and right images are shifted, and good stereoscopic vision cannot be performed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and a stereoscopic endoscope capable of making the right and left images of a stereoscopic observation image equal in magnification and performing good stereoscopic vision. It is intended to provide.

[0009]

A stereoscopic endoscope according to the present invention includes an objective optical system provided at a distal end of an insertion portion for forming an image of a subject, and a first optical system having a predetermined magnification for converting the image of the subject.
A first imaging optical system having a first optical axis for forming an image as an observation image, and a first imaging optical system provided separately from the first imaging optical system;
A second imaging optical system having a second optical axis for forming an image of the subject as a second observation image having parallax with respect to the first observation image; The prescribed
Intervening on the second optical axis to match the magnification of
And a magnification adjusting optical system that adjusts the magnification of the second observation image by moving in the optical axis direction.

[0010]

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a configuration explanatory view showing the configuration of the optical system of the stereoscopic endoscope, and FIG.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a stereoscopic endoscope apparatus using the stereoscopic endoscope of FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, a stereoscopic endoscope 1 of the present embodiment is a rigid stereoscopic endoscope having two optical systems for a left eye and a right eye. Two eyepieces 3a and 3b are provided continuously at the base end. This eyepiece 3
TV cameras 4a and 4b are connected to a and 3b, respectively, so that observation images of the subject obtained by the stereoscopic endoscope 1 can be taken.

As shown in FIG. 2, the stereoscopic endoscope 1 has substantially L-shaped eyepieces 3a and 3b extending from both sides of the base end of the insertion section 2. I have. The eyepieces 3a and 3b include a camera control unit (hereinafter referred to as CCU) -A5a and CCU-B5b, respectively.
The TV cameras 4a and 4b connected to are connected.

The CCU-A 5a and the CCU-B 5b are connected to a stereoscopic display device 6 for displaying an observation image with parallax obtained by the stereoscopic endoscope 1 in a stereoscopic manner. An observation monitor 7 is connected to the device 6. By the stereoscopic display device 6, for example, the TV camera 4a
By alternately displaying the image picked up by the camera and the image picked up by the TV camera 4b on the observation monitor 7 and observing them with the polarized glasses 8, a subject image having a three-dimensional effect can be observed.

Returning to FIG. 1, two objective optical systems 10 for forming a subject image are provided at the distal end of the insertion section 2 of the stereoscopic endoscope 1.
a, 10b are provided, and the objective optical systems 10a, 10b are provided.
Behind b, relay optical systems 11a and 11b for transmitting a subject image are arranged, respectively. Relay optical system 11
Prisms 12, 13 and 14, 15 for reflecting the optical axis by 90 degrees are provided on the rear end side of a, 11b, that is, from the base end of the insertion section 2 to the eyepieces 3a, 3b. Eyepiece optical systems 16a and 16b are disposed in eyepieces 3a and 3b behind the eyepieces 14 and 15, respectively.
Imaging or visual observation can be performed from the eyepieces 3a and 3b. The arrow in the figure indicates the direction of the image.

The two optical systems have a parallax as in the case of observation with both eyes, and the angle of convergence between the two optical systems and the observation target point is adjusted so that the observation region can be stereoscopically viewed. ing.

One eyepiece optical system 16a of the eyepiece optical system
Is provided with a magnification adjusting optical system, that is, a variable magnification optical system 17 including a movable movable lens 17a for adjusting the magnification of the optical system. In addition, T connected to the eyepieces 3a and 3b
The V cameras 4a and 4b have objective optical systems 18a and 18b of the TV camera and a CCD 19 as an image sensor, respectively.
a, 19b are provided so that the subject images transmitted by the relay optical systems 11a, 11b and the like can be captured.

Although not shown, the stereoscopic endoscope 1 is provided with an illumination optical system, which transmits illumination light from a light source device (not shown) to the distal end and irradiates the object. I have.

In the stereoscopic endoscope 1 configured as described above, a subject image is formed by the two objective optical systems 10a and 10b having parallax, and these subject images are formed by the relay optical system 11
a, 11b, and the eyepieces 3a, 3b are transmitted to the rear eyepieces 3a, 3b by the eyepiece optical systems 16a, 16b.
The image is taken by the naked eye observation or by the TV cameras 4a and 4b.

The TV cameras 4a, 4b are mounted on the eyepieces 3a, 3b.
Is connected, the image signal of each captured subject image is signal-processed by the CCU-A 5a and the CCU-B 5b, and the observation monitor 7 is output via the stereoscopic display device 6.
And stereoscopic vision is performed with the polarizing glasses 8.

In this embodiment, when performing stereoscopic vision, the magnification is adjusted by the variable magnification optical system 17 provided in the eyepiece optical system 16a so that the magnifications of the two optical systems become equal. That is, by moving the movable lens 17a back and forth in the variable power optical system 17, the magnification of the optical system is changed,
The magnifications of the two optical systems are matched. Thereby, an observation image having a good three-dimensional effect is obtained.

As described above, by providing the variable power optical system in at least one of the two optical systems, the magnification of the optical system can be changed so that the magnification of the left and right images in the stereoscopic observation image can be matched. It is possible to perform a proper stereoscopic vision.

FIG. 3 is a structural explanatory view showing the structure of the optical system of a stereoscopic endoscope according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

In the second embodiment, a variable for adjusting the magnification of the optical system is used.
This is an example in which the arrangement of the magnification optical system is changed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the stereoscopic endoscope 21 is
Similar to the first embodiment, substantially L-shaped eyepieces 23a and 23b extend from both sides of the base end of the insertion portion 22, respectively. TV cameras 4a and 4b are connected to the eyepieces 23a and 23b, respectively.

The insertion part 22 and the eyepieces 23a and 23b of the stereoscopic endoscope 21 are provided with the objective optical system 1 as in the first embodiment.
0a, 10b, two relay optical systems 11a, 11b, and two eyepiece optical systems 16a, 16b are provided. Further, a variable power optical system 17 including a movable lens 17a for adjusting the magnification of the optical system is provided on one side 11b of the relay optical system.

As described above, the variable magnification light is applied to one of the relay optical systems.
Even when providing the academic system, as in the first embodiment, variable
By moving the movable lens 17a back and forth in the magnification optical system 17, the magnification of the optical systems can be changed, and the magnifications of the two optical systems can be matched. Thereby, the magnification of the left and right images in the stereoscopic observation image can be matched, and an observation image having a good stereoscopic effect can be obtained.

FIG. 4 is a structural explanatory view showing the structure of an optical system of a stereoscopic endoscope according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

The third embodiment is an example in which a variable magnification optical system is provided in the optical system of a pupil division type binocular stereoscopic endoscope.

As shown in FIG. 4, the stereoscopic endoscope 31
The L-shaped eyepieces 33a and 33b extend from both sides of the base end of the elongated insertion portion 32, respectively. One objective optical system 34 and one relay optical system 35 are provided in the insertion section 32. At the base end of the insertion section 32, a pupil division prism 36 for dividing the subject image transmitted by the relay optical system 35 into left and right images is provided. The pupil splitting prism 36 is constituted by, for example, a triangular prism arranged so that the vertex coincides with the optical axis of the relay optical system 35. The two reflecting surfaces of the pupil splitting prism 36 are formed so as to be at 45 degrees with respect to the optical axis of the relay optical system 35. The pupil splitting prism 36 converts the left subject image and the right subject image incident on the left and right sides of the pupil of the relay optical system 35 about the optical axis of the relay optical system 35 at right angles in the left-right direction with respect to the optical axis, respectively. It is designed to reflect and split.

The eyepieces 33a and 33b are provided with prisms 37a and 37b respectively reflecting the optical axis of the image split by the pupil splitting prism 36 by 90 degrees, and behind the prisms 37a and 37b, respectively. Eyepiece optical system 38
a, 38b are provided. This eyepiece optical system 38a,
By capturing the subject image transmitted through 38b with the CCDs 19a and 19b, a three-dimensional observation image can be obtained as in the first embodiment. In addition, one of the eyepiece optical systems 38a is provided with a variable power optical system 17 including a movable lens 17a for adjusting the magnification of the optical system .

As described above, in the pupil division type binocular stereoscopic endoscope, even when the variable power optical system is provided in one of the eyepiece optical systems, the variable power optical system 17 is used similarly to the first embodiment. By moving the movable lens 17a back and forth,
By changing the magnification of the optical systems, the magnifications of the two optical systems can be matched. Thereby, the magnification of the left and right images in the stereoscopic observation image can be matched, and an observation image having a good stereoscopic effect can be obtained.

The variable power optical system may be provided in both the left and right optical systems. Further, the variable power optical system may be provided in any one of the optical paths of the optical system divided into two right and left optical paths, such as being provided in an intermediate relay optical system.

By the way, in a stereoscopic rigid endoscope provided with two objective optical systems and a relay optical system, conventionally, as shown in FIG. 5, optical systems 52a and 52b are separately provided in respective lens tubes 51a and 51b. Therefore, the thickness between the optical systems at the portion where the two lens tubes are coupled is A, and the thickness is increased by the thickness of the lens tubes.

Therefore, by configuring the lens tube and the optical system as shown in FIG. 6 and thereafter, it is possible to reduce the diameter of the insertion portion of the stereoscopically rigid endoscope.

As shown in FIG. 6, a first example of a stereoscopic endoscope in which the diameter of the insertion portion is reduced is that two optical systems 52a are provided in an integrated lens tube 53 having a gourd-shaped cross section. , 52b
Are housed in contact with each other. At the base end of the lens tube 53, optical axis conversion members 54a, 54
4b is provided, and a light beam guided from the tip of the lens tube is transmitted through a transmission hole 55 provided on both sides of the lens tube 53.
The direction of the light beam is changed so as to face a, 55b. An eyepiece is connected to the transmission holes 55a and 55b.

With this configuration, the side surfaces of the two optical systems are in contact with each other, and the thickness of the lens tube between the optical systems becomes zero. Can be. When adjusting the viewing directions of the two optical systems of the endoscope, the convergence angle can be easily adjusted by displacing the front-end lenses 56a and 56b.

FIG. 7 shows a second example of a stereoscopic endoscope in which the diameter of the insertion portion is reduced. The second example is a modification of the first example, in which the direction of the optical axis of the optical system is changed. Second
In one example, one of the optical axis conversion members 54b provided in the lens tube 57 is rotated by 90 degrees, and the two optical systems 52a, 52
The direction of the optical axis after the optical axis conversion in 2b is prevented from being the opposite direction. Therefore, one transmission hole 55b is formed above the paper surface in FIG. 7, and the light beam transmitted from the tip of the lens tube is guided to the eyepiece at an angle of 90 degrees.

As described above, the two optical systems do not necessarily need to be located on one plane, and the two eyepieces are provided on both sides of the endoscope so as to be opposed to each other by the above-described configuration. At an arbitrary angle to each other (90 in FIG. 7).
Degree) can be provided, and the endoscope can be further miniaturized by reducing the outer dimensions.

FIG. 8 shows a third example of a stereoscopic endoscope in which the diameter of the insertion portion is reduced. The third example is an example in which the thickness of the lens tube between the two optical systems is slightly increased. In the third example,
The lens tube 58 is formed of an integrated member having two circular tubes, and the optical systems 52a, 52
2b is provided. At this time, the thickness of the lens tube between the two optical systems is formed so as to be smaller than the thickness A when the two lens tubes are combined as in the related art.

With such a configuration, the thickness of the lens tube between the two optical systems can be reduced, the diameter of the insertion section of the endoscope can be reduced, and the thickness between the optical systems can be slightly increased. By imparting strength, a decrease in strength can be prevented.

FIG. 9 shows a fourth example of a stereoscopic endoscope in which the diameter of the insertion portion is reduced. In the fourth example, the sectional shape of the lens tube is changed.

FIG. 9A is a modified example of the first example described above, and comprises a lens tube 59a having an elliptical cross section. FIG. 9B is a modified example of the second example, which is configured by a lens tube 59b having an oval cross section and having a thickness B of the lens tube between the two optical systems by only B.
FIG. 9C shows an example in which the first example and the third example are combined. The cross-sectional shape is the same as that of the third example, which is a gourd type. And a gap between the two optical systems as in the first example.

As described above, even in the case where the cross-sectional shape is changed, it becomes possible to reduce the diameter of the insertion portion of the endoscope as in the above-described example.

[0045]

As described above, according to the present invention, the magnification of the left and right images in the stereoscopic observation image can be matched, and there is an effect that good stereoscopic vision can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1 and 2 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a configuration explanatory view showing a configuration of an optical system of a stereoscopic endoscope.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a stereoscopic endoscope apparatus using the stereoscopic endoscope of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a configuration explanatory view showing a configuration of an optical system of a stereoscopic endoscope according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration explanatory view showing a configuration of an optical system of a stereoscopic endoscope according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a lens tube and an optical system of a conventional stereoscopic rigid endoscope.

FIG. 6 is a configuration explanatory view showing a first example of a stereoscopic endoscope in which the diameter of an insertion portion is reduced.

FIG. 7 is a configuration explanatory view showing a second example of the stereoscopic endoscope in which the diameter of the insertion section is reduced.

FIG. 8 is a configuration explanatory view showing a third example of the stereoscopic endoscope in which the diameter of the insertion section is reduced.

FIG. 9 is a configuration explanatory view showing a fourth example of the stereoscopic endoscope in which the diameter of the insertion section is reduced.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Stereoscopic endoscope 2 ... Insertion part 3a, 3b ... Eyepiece 10a, 10b ... Objective optical system 11a, 11b ... Relay optical system 16a, 16b ... Eyepiece optical system 17 ... Variable magnification optical system 17a ... Movable lens

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Tetsumaru Kubota 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside O-limpus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Satoshi Honma 2-4-2-3 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo No. Olympus Optical Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Atsushi Kiwara 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo In Olympus Optical Kogyo Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-63-294509 (JP, A) JP-A-63-94218 (JP, A) JP-A-2-311812 (JP, A) JP-A-62-14111 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G02B 23 / 24 G02B 23/26 G02B 21/00 G02B 23/00 A61B 1/00 300

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. An objective optical system provided at a distal end of an insertion section for forming an image of a subject, and a first optical axis for forming an image of the subject as a first observation image having a predetermined magnification. A first imaging optical system, provided separately from the first imaging optical system, and forming an image of the subject as a second observation image having parallax with respect to the first observation image. A second imaging optical system having a second optical axis and the predetermined magnification of the first observation image are matched with each other.
A magnification adjusting optical system that is interposed on the second optical axis and moves in the optical axis direction to adjust the magnification of the second observation image. Endoscope.