JP3802912B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus for an endoscope, and more particularly to an imaging apparatus for an endoscope that can change the convergence angle of the endoscope on the imaging side.

  Conventionally, endoscopes have been widely used as observation means for luminal organs, intraperitoneal cavity and thoracic cavity. Most of these endoscopes have only one image observation means, and the observer can only observe with a single eye, so that the observation object cannot be stereoscopically observed and accurate diagnosis is difficult. In addition, there is a problem that the treatment cannot be easily performed because a sense of distance cannot be obtained in the treatment of the observation target using the instrument used in combination with the endoscope.

  On the other hand, there are endoscopes that are arranged so that the convergence angle between the objective lens of the at least two image transmission optical systems and the observation target point is a stereoscopically visible angle and can be stereoscopically viewed. Stereo images can be observed in the vicinity where the convergence angle is fixed and the optical axes of the two image transmission optical systems coincide with each other. Is difficult to obtain, and it has been found that it is necessary to arbitrarily change the convergence angle according to the distance of the observation target. In addition, if the convergence angle is fixed, there is a problem that an unnatural stereoscopic view must be performed rather than a mismatch between individual differences in the convergence angle of the surgeon.

In order to solve this problem, two rigid mirrors are arranged at a certain convergence angle, and the amount of positional deviation between the point where the optical axes of the two rigid mirrors intersect and the observation site is detected. There has been proposed a device having means for adjusting the convergence angle (Patent Document 1).
JP 05-341206 A

  However, the invention described in Patent Document 1 has a disadvantage that the apparatus becomes complicated, such as using a laser beam to detect misalignment or requiring a 3D-CCU. Furthermore, in this method, it is difficult to determine whether the observation point is located in front of or behind the intersection of the optical axes, and when automatic correction is applied, it may be difficult to use without performing appropriate correction. .

  Even with this method, it is considered difficult to solve the problem of individual differences in the angle of convergence of the surgeon. The gaze point depth can be changed by shifting the overlap of the left and right display images on the display device side, but this limits the area where stereoscopic viewing is possible due to the limited angle of view of the camera. End up.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and proposes an imaging apparatus for an endoscope that can easily realize a change in gaze depth or a change in stereoscopic effect on the imaging side.

  The present invention also proposes an imaging apparatus for a stereoscopic endoscope in which the surgeon can change the distance to the subject or the stereoscopic effect by the operator's own operation while observing the stereoscopic image.

In order to solve the above-described problems, an imaging apparatus according to the present invention has an image capturing unit having an objective lens for capturing an image, and flexibility to transmit the captured image to the image processing unit, coupled to the image capturing unit. An image transmission system having two image fibers, an optical axis changing unit configured to be expandable and contractable, and deforming the image transmission system to change a convergence angle of the image capturing unit, and the optical axis changing unit The optical axis changing means is deformed so that it contracts when observing a distance, and protrudes when observing the proximal, and is deformed so that the optical axis changing means protrudes. In this case, the outer diameter of the distal end portion of the endoscope is expanded .

  Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the best mode for carrying out the invention and the accompanying drawings.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the gazing point of a subject observed with an endoscope can be freely controlled from the outside. Further, regardless of individual differences in the position of the observation target, the position of the endoscope, and the vergence angle of the observer, optimum stereoscopic vision can be achieved by changing the depth of the vergence point.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  Prior to the description of the examples, the overall system configuration will be described with reference to FIG. 1 as an introduction of the description of the first embodiment of FIGS. 2 to 5 and the description of the second embodiment of FIG. The stereoscopic endoscope system shown in FIG. 1 receives a pair of images transmitted by a stereoscopic endoscope 10 and two image transmission optical systems (image fiber 1) through an imaging lens 15 and converts them into TV signals. A pair of image pickup elements 12 composed of a CCD, etc., a stereo image display device 13 for displaying the obtained pair of TV signals as a stereoscopic image, and an operation for adjusting the distance (baseline) convergence angle between the cameras. Part 50.

  The imaging unit at the distal end of the stereoscopic endoscope 10 forms an image of the subject on the image fiber with the objective lens 2, which is transmitted by the fiber, and further forms an image on the imaging element 12 through the imaging lens 15. The TV signal output from the image sensor 12 is input to the stereo image display device 13. The light guide 60 (FIG. 4) that illuminates the subject is connected to the light source device at the light guide connection port 14, and receives light supply from the light source device.

  The endoscope covering material 31 is made of a flexible material that is easily bent such as latex or an elastomer material. The coating material 30 at the tip is made of the same kind of material with further improved contractibility, and can be deformed according to the stress from the inside. Reference numeral 32 is a member that cooperates with the covering materials 30 and 31 to form a lumen for storing an image fiber, and the material and its characteristics correspond to the covering materials 30 and 31, respectively.

  For illuminating the observation object, the light guide 60 is connected to the light source, the light is guided, the light is emitted from the open end of the light guide, and the observation object is illuminated.

<First Embodiment>
Next, in the present embodiment, the configuration and operation of the adjuster 40 that adjusts the inter-camera distance will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  First, as shown in FIG. 2, the adjuster 40 is a frame composed of four sides (41, 42, 43 and 44) and has four joints, so that it can be expanded and contracted by applied stress. Of the four joints, two floating joints 29 that face each other in the axial direction 3 of the endoscope 10 are provided with guides 20 and 22 that are internally threaded so as to be movable. The force from the rod 8 is transmitted to the adjuster 40 by a guide. A rod 8 having a left screw 24 at the front end and a right screw 25 at the rear end is screwed into the guides 20 and 22. On the other hand, the other joint 27 is fixed to the lumen member 32 with an adhesive 28.

  Reference numeral 80 denotes a rotating nut attached to the outside so that the operator can manually rotate the rod 8, and the rod rotates clockwise and counterclockwise according to the direction of rotation of the nut. A screw 82 transmits the rotation of the nut 80 to the rod 8. FIG. 4 shows an arrangement of an image window in which an image capturing element at the distal end portion of the endoscope is housed, an adjuster 40 for adjusting the interval between the image windows, and a light guide 60 for irradiating a subject. This figure shows a state in which the adjuster 40 is closed and the image windows are at the shortest interval.

The operation of the endoscope configured as described above will be described. FIG. 3 shows the stage where the frame-shaped adjuster 40 is closed and the baseline is not adjusted. Here, when the operator turns the nut 80 and rotates the rod to the right, for example, the guides 20 and 22 move the joints of their attachment parts closer to each other, so that the frame gradually transforms into a rhombus, The joint 27 fixed to the member 32 protrudes outward, and the lumen member 32, the image fiber 1, and the covering material 30 are expanded outward about the joint 27. As a result, the outer shape of the endoscope tip is expanded, and the distance of the image capturing means (camera) created by the objective lens 2 coupled to the image fiber 1 is increased.

On the other hand, when the rod 8 is rotated counterclockwise, the guides 20 and 22 move in a direction away from each other on the rod 8, the adjuster 4 is deformed flat, and the joint 27 is recessed, so that the distance between the joints 27 and 27 is reduced. . For this reason, the distance of the image capture means (camera) which the objective lens 2 couple | bonded with the image fiber 1 makes becomes short. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the distance between the cameras is maximized. As can be understood from the figure, the distance between the objective lenses (image fibers) when the adjuster is closed is actually An interval of 2.5 times (theoretically almost 3 times) can be created. By changing the distance between the two objective lenses (image fibers), that is, the distance between the cameras, it is possible to change the distance to the subject and change the gazing point.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the observer observes the subject illuminated by the illumination light guided by the ride guide 60 under a certain gazing point. Here, when it is desired to change the gazing point on the subject to be photographed, the rod is turned, the joints 27 and 27 are projected outward, the covering material 31 is expanded, and the distance between the cameras is increased. When setting the gaze point proximally, the rod may be turned so as to reduce the push-out of the joints 27 and 27.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment in which another adjuster 70 is used to change the convergence angle. First, as shown in FIG. 6, the adjuster 70 is composed of five sides (71 to 75), and the base 71 is a fixed frame. This frame is assembled with five joints so that it can expand and contract. Side 71 is fixed, side 72 and side 73, side 74 and side 75 form joint 27. Side 73 and side 75 make up joint 29. The joint 27 is floating (unfixed). A guide 22, which is internally threaded, is freely attached to the joint 29. An operating rod 8 having a threaded end is screwed into the guide 22. The objective lens 2 and the image fiber 1 are fixed to the sides 72 and 74, and the optical axes thereof are determined by the inclination angles of the sides 72 and 74. The intersection of these two optical axes creates a convergence angle. The fixed length side 71 fixes the stroke (inter-camera distance).

  In the example of FIG. 6, when the operator turns the rod 80 and transmits the rod to the right, for example, the guide 22 moves the joint 29 to the left by the rod 8, the frame collapses inward and the joint 27 is removed. Extrude in the direction. By this extrusion, the covering material 31 image fiber 1 is deformed around the joint 27 and is angled. Therefore, the intersection angle between the sides 72 and 74 is increased, and the convergence angle of the imaging system is increased.

  On the other hand, when the rod is rotated in the reverse direction, the guide 22 moves to the right on the rod 8 to reduce the outward expansion of the joint 27 and reduce the angle formed by the sides 72 and 74. As a result, the convergence angle of the imaging system determined by the intersection angle of the sides 72 and 74 is reduced. In this way, by operating the rod, it is possible to capture and display a stereoscopic image having the stereoscopic effect desired by the operator.

  In the example of FIG. 6, the rod 8 is rotated to change the degree of protrusion of the joints 27 and 27 and change the inclination of the sides 72 and 74. In this way, the angle of convergence of the endoscope depending on the inclination of the sides 72 and 74 can be freely controlled, so that the stereoscopic effect can be easily changed. In addition, the image area that can be stereoscopically viewed can be changed. Specifically, when the proximal observation target is to be stereoscopically viewed, if the joints 27 and 27 are protruded greatly, the convergence angle θ is increased, which is suitable for observing the proximal three-dimensionally. It becomes the convergence angle. When observing from a distance, retract the adjuster flatly.

In addition, it is preferable that the range of the convergence angle (theta) which adjusts is 0 degree-60 degree | times, and an optimal value is 10 degree-20 degree | times. As a result, optimal stereoscopic viewing is possible regardless of individual differences in the position of the observation target, the position of the endoscope, and the convergence angle of the observer.
<Operation of Embodiment>
According to the present embodiment, when the observer operates the rod while observing the observation target with the stereoscopic endoscope, the adjuster operates according to the operation amount. The adjuster adjusts the inter-camera distance or the convergence angle of the imaging apparatus. If the distance between the cameras is controlled while the congestion is constant, the distance between the imaging device and the subject can be changed, and the gazing point can be changed. In addition, the region that can be stereoscopically viewed can be changed by adjusting the convergence angle. Of course, the operator can adjust the convergence angle according to the individual difference of the operator by performing an operation while viewing the stereoscopic image. Since the endoscope can be softened by utilizing the flexibility that is the characteristic of the image fiber of the image transmission optical system, the use of the observation site can be expanded by this characteristic.

  In addition, the material of the image fiber in the present embodiment is formed of a flexible material such as multicomponent glass, quartz, or plastic. The power of the present invention is a rotational force transmitted from the outside.

  The present invention can be used for all endoscopes regardless of whether they are soft or rigid.

1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a stereoscopic endoscope showing a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a partial cross section figure of the principal part of embodiment which adjusts the distance between cameras. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the regulator of the first embodiment of FIG. 2 is substantially closed. It is a figure which shows the arrangement configuration of the main elements of the front-end | tip part of a stereoscopic endoscope. It is a figure which shows the state which the front-end | tip part of the stereoscopic endoscope deform | transformed with the expansion of the space | interval between cameras. It is a partial cross section figure of the principal part of 2nd Embodiment which adjusts a convergence angle.

Claims (1)

An image capturing means having an objective lens for capturing an image;
An image transmission system having two image fibers which are combined with the image capturing means and have flexibility to transmit the captured image to the image processing unit;
An optical axis changing unit configured to be expandable and contractible, and to change the convergence angle of the image capturing unit by deforming the image transmission system;
Operating means for operating the optical axis changing means,
The optical axis changing means contracts when observing a distant place, deforms so as to protrude when observing proximally, and deforms so that the optical axis changing means protrudes. An imaging apparatus for an endoscope, characterized in that the outer diameter of the distal end portion is expanded .

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