JP3679758B2 - Electronic endoscope - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electronic endoscope, and more particularly to an electronic endoscope in which an imaging element for capturing a subject image transmitted by an image transmission optical system is arranged in an operation unit.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, endoscopes are widely used in the medical field and the industrial field. In the endoscope, an elongated insertion portion is inserted into a body cavity or a subject such as a plant or a device, and a target site is observed. The endoscope includes an electronic endoscope having a built-in imaging unit for capturing a subject image taken from the distal end portion of the insertion portion.
[0003]
The electronic endoscope outputs an imaging signal generated by photoelectrically converting a subject image by the imaging unit to an image processing device via a signal line that passes through a universal code extending from the side of the operation unit. This image processing apparatus generates a standard video signal by performing signal processing on an imaging signal, and displays an endoscopic image on a display unit such as a monitor.
[0004]
Such an electronic endoscope, for example, as described in JP-A-11-23983 and JP-A-11-151200, uses an image transmission optical system to capture a subject image captured from the distal end of the insertion unit. Proposals have been made to transmit to the operation unit side and take an image with an imaging unit provided in the operation unit.
[0005]
In the electronic endoscopes described in JP-A-11-23983 and JP-A-11-151200, the imaging unit is disposed in a hard part of the operation unit. For this reason, the electronic endoscopes described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 11-23983 and 11-151200 are capable of imaging an image pickup device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a circuit board by applying an external force. It is possible to prevent the precision parts in the unit from being damaged or out of focus.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the electronic endoscopes described in the above Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 11-23983 and 11-151200 are provided with the imaging unit on the operation unit side, the operation unit becomes long and the operability is improved. There was a problem of getting worse.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic endoscope that can be configured with a short operation unit to improve operability.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an electronic endoscope according to the present invention includes an elongated insertion portion, an operation portion serving also as a grip portion provided on the proximal end side of the insertion portion, and a universal cord extending from the operation portion. An electronic endoscope having a bend formed by an elastic member on the proximal end side of the universal cord, and an image transmission optical system for transmitting a subject image captured from the distal end portion of the insertion portion to the operation portion side; A relay optical system that relays and condenses the subject image transmitted from the image transmission optical system, and an image sensor disposed at an image forming position of the relay optical system, the relay optical system and the image sensor The imaging unit is integrated with the exit end of the image transmission optical system to form an imaging unit, and the imaging unit is swingably provided in the space inside the folding stopper.
With this configuration, an electronic endoscope that can be improved in operability by shortening the operation unit is realized.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
1 to 5 relate to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is an external view showing the electronic endoscope according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is the distal end side of the insertion portion of FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration inside the operation unit of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a view in the direction of arrow A showing the leaf spring of FIG. 3, and FIG. 4 (a) is provided with four beams. 4 (b) is a view showing a leaf spring provided with two beams, FIG. 4 (c) is a view showing a leaf spring provided with one beam, and FIG. 5 is applied with some force. It is sectional drawing of the universal cord base end vicinity at the time of hitting.
[0010]
As shown in FIG. 1, an electronic endoscope 1 having the first embodiment of the present invention is provided with an elongated insertion portion 2 and an operation that doubles as a base end side of the insertion portion 2 and also serves as a gripping portion. Part 3. The electronic endoscope 1 is provided with a flexible universal cord 4 extending from a side portion orthogonal to the operation portion 3. The universal cord 4 has a light guide and a signal cable (not shown) inserted therein. The universal cord 4 is provided with a connector portion 5 which is detachably connected to a light source device and a video processor (not shown) at this end portion. The front end of the connector 5 is provided with a light guide connector (hereinafter referred to as LG connector) 5a connected to a light source device (not shown) and a video connector 5b connected to a video processor (not shown) on the side of the LG connector 5a. ing.
[0011]
In the electronic endoscope 1, an insertion portion side bending prevention member 6 formed of an elastic member for preventing a sudden bending of the connection portion is provided at a connection portion between the insertion portion 2 and the operation portion 3. It has been. In the electronic endoscope 1, an operation unit side folding preventing member 7 formed of an elastic member is provided on the base end side of the universal cord 4 at a connection portion between the operation unit 3 and the universal cord 4. . Further, the electronic endoscope 1 is provided with a connector-side folding preventing member 8 at a connecting portion between the universal cord 4 and the connector portion 5.
[0012]
The insertion portion 2 includes a distal end portion 11 provided at the distal end, a bendable bending portion 12 provided on the proximal end side of the distal end portion 11, and a long length provided on the proximal end side of the bending portion 12. And a flexible tube portion 13 having flexibility.
The operation part 3 has a grip part 3a which is a part gripped and gripped by a user located on the base end side. The grip portion 3a incorporates a connection member (not shown) with the insertion portion 2. The operation unit 3 is provided with a switch unit 14 on the upper side where a plurality of video switches 14a are arranged to remotely control the video processor.
[0013]
The operation unit 3 includes an air / water supply operation button 15 for operating an air supply operation and a water supply operation, a suction operation button 16 for operating the suction operation, and a bending operation for performing the bending operation of the bending unit 12. An operation lever 17 is provided.
Further, the operation unit 3 is provided with a treatment instrument insertion port 18 for inserting a treatment instrument such as a biopsy forceps near the front end of the grasping part 3a. The treatment instrument insertion port 18 communicates with a treatment instrument insertion channel 19 to be described later. The treatment instrument insertion port 18 inserts a treatment instrument (not shown) such as forceps into the distal end side of the treatment instrument from a channel opening 19a formed in the distal end portion 11 via an internal treatment instrument insertion channel 19. A biopsy or the like can be performed by protruding the protrusion (see FIG. 2).
[0014]
FIG. 2 shows the structure of the distal end side of the insertion portion 2. First, the bending portion 12 will be described.
The bending portion 12 is configured by a plurality of annular bending tubes 21 being rotatably connected by a rotation pin 22. The plurality of connected bent tubes 21 are externally provided with a knitted tube 23 formed by knitting a metal wire or the like into a cylindrical shape on the outer periphery. Further, the knitted tube 23 is provided with a curved outer skin 24 formed of a cylindrical elastic body on the outer periphery thereof.
[0015]
The bending portion 12 has a cutting-edge bending tube 21a fixed to the rear end portion of the distal end portion body 25 of the distal end portion 11 by a fixing means such as adhesion, screw, solder, welding, press-fitting, or the like. Is supposed to be connected. In addition, although the bending portion 12 is not illustrated, the bending tube 21 on the most proximal side is fixed to the distal end side of the flexible tube portion 13 by fixing means such as adhesion, screw, solder, welding, press fitting, or the like. The rear end side is connected with.
[0016]
One end of a plurality of (four in this embodiment) bending wires 26 is fixed to the most advanced bending tube 21a. The other ends of the bending wires 26 are extended to the operation unit 3 on the proximal side, and the operation unit 3 on the proximal side is connected to a later-described drum unit 27 that is a bending operation mechanism. The drum unit 27 is configured to pull and loosen the bending wire 26 in conjunction with the bending operation of the bending operation lever 17, and to bend the bending portion 12 in the vertical and horizontal directions.
[0017]
The distal end portion 11 of the insertion portion 2 is formed such that the distal end portion main body 25 is made of metal or the like. The distal end body 25 is formed with a large number of through holes, and the tip of a light guide fiber constituting a metal base 19b constituting the treatment instrument insertion channel 19 and an illumination optical system (not shown) as a built-in object in these through holes. The side is fixed.
[0018]
The base end portion of the metal base 19b is connected to a channel tube 19c communicating with the treatment instrument insertion port 18 constituting the treatment instrument insertion channel 19. The rear end side of the light guide fiber extends from the operation unit 3 to the LG connector 5 a of the universal cord 4. And the illumination light is supplied to the end surface of this LG connector 5a from the light source lamp incorporated in the light source device. The supplied illumination light is transmitted by the light guide fiber, and illuminates the subject from the light exit end face of the light guide fiber through the front end face of an illumination window (not shown).
[0019]
The distal end body 25 has an objective optical system 28 that captures an optical image of the illuminated subject, and an image guide fiber 29 in which an incident end face is disposed as an image transmission optical system at the imaging position of the objective optical system 28. Has been. The rear end side of the image guide fiber 29 is inserted to the base end side of the universal cord 4, and the subject image is transmitted to an imaging unit 30 (described later) provided on the output end side of the universal cord 4. ing.
[0020]
Then, the image pickup unit 30 picks up an image signal obtained by picking up a subject image with an image pickup element 30a described later via a signal cable 51 (see FIG. 3) through which the universal cord 4 is inserted, and the video connector of the universal cord 4 5b is output to the video processor. The video processor generates a standard video signal by processing the image pickup signal, and outputs the video signal to a monitor to display an endoscopic image.
[0021]
Next, the internal configuration of the operation unit 3 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the operation unit frame 31 provided in the operation unit main body 3 b fastens and fixes the drum unit 27 via a support column 32. The drum unit 27 rotates the drum 27a by turning the bending operation lever 17, and pulls and loosens the bending wire 26 fixed to the drum 27a.
[0022]
The operation unit frame 31 fixes a proximal end portion of a stay 33 that is a connecting member formed in a tubular shape, and is disposed perpendicular to the operation unit 3. The stay 33 is provided with a screw at its inner end and outer periphery at the distal end, and the universal cord 4 is screwed and fixed to the inner periphery.
[0023]
The operation part side folding prevention member 7 is composed of a metal folding prevention cap 34 and a bending prevention soft part 35 formed of an elastic resin. The operation portion side bend preventing member 7 is fixed to the operation portion 3 vertically by a bend stop base 34 screwed to the outer periphery of the stay 33. Then, the universal cord 4 is inserted into the folding soft portion 35 of the operation portion side folding preventing member 7. The inner end of the anti-bending soft portion 35 is formed in a taper shape, and is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the universal cord 4 on the distal end side.
[0024]
In the present embodiment, a relay optical system, which will be described later, relays and collects the subject image transmitted from the image guide fiber 29, and an image sensor 30a arranged at the image forming position of the relay optical system, are combined with the image guide fiber 29. The image pickup unit 30 is integrated with the light emitting end of the image pickup unit 30, and the image pickup unit 30 is swingably provided in the space inside the operation unit side anti-folding member 7.
[0025]
In other words, the imaging unit 30 is provided such that the tip end side is disposed on the inner periphery of the folding soft portion 35 of the operation unit side folding preventing member 7 and is swingable.
The image pickup unit 30 is fixedly disposed in a swingable manner inside the operation portion side anti-folding member 7 by fixing the fiber receiving portion 41 to the leaf spring 53 with screws.
[0026]
The leaf spring 53 is fixed to the operation portion frame 31 with screws.
As shown in FIG. 4A, the leaf spring 53 is formed of a thin elastic metal. The leaf spring 53 buffers and flexes a floating portion 53a that is a support portion that is positioned and supported in the central axis direction of the stay 33, and a force applied to the floating portion 53a via the imaging unit 30. And a beam 53b which is an elastic part formed so as to be able to be formed.
[0027]
The leaf spring 53 is fixed to the floating portion 53 a perpendicularly to the free end portion 53 a together with the fiber receiving portion 41, and is fixed to the operation portion frame 31 integrally as the imaging unit 30.
[0028]
The floating portion 53a has an insertion hole 53c through which the image guide fiber 29 is inserted at the center. The beam 53b is formed to have a width that is sufficiently narrow compared to the floating portion 53a and is easily bent when a force is applied to the floating portion 53a. In FIG. 4A, four beams 53b are provided. However, as shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C, two beams 53b may be provided.
[0029]
The electronic endoscope 1 configured as described above is used for endoscopic inspection or the like by connecting the connector portion 5 of the universal cord 4 to the light source device and the video processor.
Then, during the endoscopic examination, the electronic endoscope 1 may be subjected to some force applied to the universal cord 4 and bending stress may act on the base end side of the universal cord 4. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the universal cord 4 and the operation portion side folding preventing member 7 are bent integrally.
[0030]
At this time, the rear end side of the imaging unit 30 is located in the bending-proof soft part 35 of the operation-part-side folding preventing member 7. For this reason, in the imaging unit 30, when the universal cord 4 is bent, the inner peripheral surface of the universal cord 4 comes into contact, and bending stress is applied.
[0031]
Here, the imaging unit 30 has a stronger bending stress applied to the rear end unit frame 47 than the front end unit frame 46, but the bending stress applied to the rear end unit frame 47 is transmitted toward the front end unit frame 46 by the spring 48. As a whole unit, bending stress is applied integrally.
[0032]
When bending stress is applied to the imaging unit 30, the leaf spring 53 exerts a force on the beam 53 b through the floating portion 53 a in which the distal end unit frame 46 of the imaging unit 30 and the distal end portion of the fiber receiving portion 41 are fixed. However, the beam 53b bends against this force, and the imaging unit 30 swings integrally with the floating portion 53a.
[0033]
Therefore, in the electronic endoscope 1 according to the present embodiment, even when the imaging unit 30 is tilted with the bending of the universal cord 4 and the operation unit side folding member 7, the leaf spring 53 bends integrally with the imaging unit 30. As a result, the stress applied to the imaging unit 30 is buffered, and the optical member or the like is not damaged by the stress.
[0034]
As a result, in the electronic endoscope 1 according to the present embodiment, the imaging unit 30 can be disposed inside the operation unit side folding member 7.
Thereby, the electronic endoscope 1 of this Embodiment can comprise an operation part short, and operativity improves.
[0035]
(Second Embodiment)
6 and 7 relate to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is an external view showing an electronic endoscope according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is an internal view of the operation unit of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure.
In the first embodiment, the present invention is applied to an electronic endoscope provided with a universal cord 4 extending from a side portion orthogonal to the operation portion, and the imaging unit 30 is connected to the universal cord orthogonal to the operation portion. 4 is arranged so as to be swingable inside the operation portion side anti-folding member. In the second embodiment, an electronic endoscope is provided with a universal cord 4 extending coaxially at the upper portion of the operation portion. The present invention is applied to a mirror, and the imaging unit 30 is configured to be swingable inside the operation unit side folding member in parallel with the operation unit. Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted, and the same components will be described with the same reference numerals.
[0036]
That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the electronic endoscope 1 </ b> B according to the second embodiment is configured by providing a universal cord 4 </ b> B extending coaxially on the operation unit 3. In the electronic endoscope 1, the operation unit side folding member 7B similar to that described in the first embodiment is connected to the operation unit 3 and the universal cord 4B at the base end of the universal cord 4B. On the side.
[0037]
As shown in FIG. 7, the operation part side folding preventing member 7 </ b> B includes a folding stopper base 34 and a folding soft part 35. The operation portion side folding preventing member 7B is fixed to the outer periphery of the stay 33 so that a folding stop cap 34 is screwed on and coaxially with the upper portion of the operating portion 3. And the bending prevention soft part 35 of the said operation part side bending prevention member 7B has inserted the universal cord 4B.
[0038]
In the same manner as described in the first embodiment, the image pickup unit 30 has the fiber receiving portion 41 fixed to the leaf spring 53 with screws, so that the inside of the operation portion side anti-folding member 7B. It is arranged so as to be swingable.
[0039]
The edge of the leaf spring 53 is fixed to the operation unit upper frame 61 with screws, and the image pickup unit 30 and the leaf spring 53 are integrally arranged in parallel with the operation unit 3.
The operation unit upper frame 61 is firmly fitted and fixed to the operation unit upper body 3c. As a result, the imaging unit 30 is fixedly disposed so as to be swingable with a part of the distal end side located on the inner periphery of the bending-proof soft portion 35 of the operation-portion-side bending preventing member 7B. .
[0040]
In the electronic endoscope 1B configured as described above, the connector portion 5 of the universal cord 4B is connected to the light source device and the video processor in the same manner as described in the first embodiment, so that an endoscope inspection or the like can be performed. Used.
[0041]
Then, during the endoscopic inspection, the electronic endoscope 1B may apply some force to the universal cord 4B, and bending stress may act on the base end side of the universal cord 4B. Then, the universal cord 4B and the operation unit side folding member 7B are bent integrally.
[0042]
When a bending stress is applied to the imaging unit 30, the leaf spring 53 performs the same operation as described in the first embodiment, and the imaging unit 30 swings.
[0043]
Therefore, in the electronic endoscope 1B of the second embodiment, the leaf spring 53 is bent integrally with the imaging unit 30 as described in the first embodiment, so that the imaging unit 30 Such stress is buffered, and the optical member or the like is not damaged by the stress.
[0044]
As a result, in the electronic endoscope 1B according to the second embodiment, the imaging unit 30 can be arranged inside the operation unit side folding member 7B even if the imaging unit 30 is arranged almost coaxially with the operation unit. Thus, the operation unit can be configured to be short, and the operability is improved.
[0045]
Further, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.
[0046]
[Appendix]
(Additional Item 1) An elongated insertion portion,
An operation section that also serves as a gripping section provided on the proximal end side of the insertion section;
A universal cord extending from this operation section,
An electronic endoscope having a bend formed by an elastic member on the base end side of the universal cord,
An image transmission optical system for transmitting a subject image captured from the distal end of the insertion unit to the operation unit;
A relay optical system that relays and condenses the subject image transmitted from the image transmission optical system;
An image sensor disposed at the imaging position of the relay optical system;
And comprising the relay optical system and the image pickup device integrally with the output end of the image transmission optical system to form an image pickup unit, and the image pickup unit is provided swingably in the space inside the folding stopper. A featured electronic endoscope.
[0047]
(Additional Item 2) The electronic endoscope according to Additional Item 1, wherein the folding stop of the universal cord is disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the operation unit.
(Additional Item 3) The electronic endoscope according to Additional Item 1, wherein the folding stop of the universal cord is arranged in parallel to a longitudinal axis of the operation unit.
[0048]
(Additional Item 4) A connection member formed in a tubular shape having a first connection portion connected to the universal cord and a second connection portion connected to a proximal end portion of the operation portion,
A support part that positions and supports the image pickup unit in the central axis direction of the connection member inside the connection member, and a force applied to the support part via the image pickup unit can be buffered and bent. The electronic endoscope according to claim 1, further comprising an elastic member that has an elastic portion formed on the operation portion and is fixed to a proximal end portion of the operation portion.
[0049]
(Additional Item 5) A frame member that is provided inside the operation portion formed by reinforcing the operation portion, is connected to the connection member at the second connection portion of the connection member, and fixes the elastic member. Item 5. The electronic endoscope according to Item 4, wherein
[0050]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize an electronic endoscope in which the operation portion can be configured to be short and the operability can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external view showing an electronic endoscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a distal end side of an insertion portion in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the leaf spring of FIG. 3 as viewed in the direction of arrow A. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the universal cord base end side when some force is applied. FIG. 6 is a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the inside of the operation unit in FIG.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic endoscope 2 ... Insertion part 3 ... Operation part 4 ... Universal cord 7 ... Operation part side bending prevention member 29 ... Image guide fiber 30 ... Imaging unit 30a ... Imaging element 31 ... Operation part frame 32 ... Support | pillar 33 ... Stay (Connecting member)
34 ... Folding prevention cap 35 ... Folding prevention soft part 41 ... Fiber receiving part 45 ... Relay optical system 46 ... Front end unit frame 47 ... Rear end unit frame 48 ... Spring 53 ... Plate spring 53a ... Floating part 53b ... Beam

Claims (1)

An elongated insert,
An operation section that also serves as a gripping section provided on the proximal end side of the insertion section;
A universal cord extending from the operation section,
An electronic endoscope having a bend formed by an elastic member on the base end side of the universal cord,
An image transmission optical system for transmitting a subject image captured from the distal end of the insertion unit to the operation unit;
A relay optical system that relays and condenses the subject image transmitted from the image transmission optical system;
An image sensor disposed at the imaging position of the relay optical system;
And comprising the relay optical system and the image pickup device integrally with the exit end of the image transmission optical system to form an image pickup unit, and the image pickup unit is provided swingably in the space inside the folding stopper. A featured electronic endoscope.

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