JP4153726B2

JP4153726B2 - Endoscope device

Info

Publication number: JP4153726B2
Application number: JP2002148166A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 清士三宅
Original assignee: Olympus Corp
Current assignee: Olympus Corp
Priority date: 2002-05-22
Filing date: 2002-05-22
Publication date: 2008-09-24
Anticipated expiration: 2022-05-22
Also published as: JP2003339618A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、内視鏡の用途を広範した内視鏡装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
近年、医療分野或いは工業用分野において内視鏡が広く用いられている。この内視鏡は細長な挿入部を備え、この挿入部を体腔内やエンジン内等へ挿入することによって、例えばモニタの画面上に表示させて観察、検査等を行える。言い換えると、内視鏡の用途は特定の分野に限定されていた。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、例えば、工業用の内視鏡を使用してエンジン内の検査を行って、エンジン内で不具合等を発見したとき、このエンジンを一度分解し、異常箇所のあると思われる部品を検査室等に持ち込み、顕微鏡によって精細な検査を行うようにしていた。このため、検査室が近くにない場合には内視鏡による検査を手際良く行えず、作業効率が非常に悪化するという不具合が発生する。
【０００４】
この不具合を解消するため、検査現場に拡大観察を行うための顕微鏡やマイクロスコープ等を持ち込むんで作業を行うことも考えられるが、使用者にとって内視鏡に加えてこれら顕微鏡或いはマイクロスコープを新たに購入することは出費が嵩むという問題が発生する。
【０００５】
一方、内視鏡は必要不可欠な装置であるので購入したが、使用頻度が比較的少ない企業或いは病院からは、内視鏡の更なる効率的な使用方法の提供が望まれていた。
【０００６】
本発明は上記事情に鑑みてなされたものであり、安価な構成でかつ容易に内視鏡を用いてマイクロスコープ的観察等の非内視鏡的観察をも行える内視鏡装置を提供することを目的にしている。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明の内視鏡装置は、細長な内視鏡挿入部の先端面に、光学像をとらえる観察窓及び観察部位に向けて照明光を出射する照明窓を備えた内視鏡と、少なくとも観察光学系を備え、非内視鏡的観察に使用される光学アダプタと、この光学アダプタが着脱自在に接続され、少なくとも前記観察光学系でとらえた光学像を前記観察窓まで伝達する観察像伝達光学系を有する、前記内視鏡挿入部の先端側部に着脱自在に被覆配置される把持部を兼ねる連結具とを具備している。
【０００８】
そして、前記連結具は、前記光学アダプタの基端部に着脱自在に連結されるアダプタ連結部と、前記観察像伝達光学系が配設される連結部本体部と、前記内視鏡挿入部の先端側部が着脱自在に挿入配置される孔部を有する内視鏡連結部と、前記連結部本体部に対して回動自在なカバー部材とを具備している。
加えて、前記カバー部材に、前記内視鏡連結部までを覆い把持部を兼ねる把持部兼用カバーを設けている。
【０００９】
これらの構成によれば、光学アダプタを連結具を介して内視鏡に連結することによって、この光学アダプタに設けられている観察光学系の有する光学特性に応じた観察を内視鏡をとおして行える。
【００１０】
また、連結具が把持部を兼ねる構成であるとともに、この連結具を構成するカバー部材を連結部本体部に対して回動自在な構成にしたことによって、内視鏡に比べて大きな光学アダプタを内視鏡に着脱する際又は連結状態の使用中において、不容易な力が内視鏡に加わることが防止される。
【００１１】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、図面を参照して本発明の実施の形態を説明する。
図１ないし図１１は本発明の一実施形態に係り、図１は内視鏡装置の構成を説明する図、図２は内視鏡の挿入部の先端側部に連結具を介して高倍率光学アダプタを配置した状態を説明する図、図３は図２のＡ−Ａ線断面図、図４は図３のＢ−Ｂ線断面図、図５は図３のＣ−Ｃ線断面図、図６は図３のＤ−Ｄ線断面図、図７は図３のＥ−Ｅ線断面図、図８は図３のＦ−Ｆ線断面図、図９は図３のＧ−Ｇ線断面図、図１０は矢印Ｈで示す部分の拡大図、図１１は矢印Ｊで示す部分の拡大図である。
【００１２】
図１に示すように本発明の内視鏡装置１は、柔軟性を有する細長の挿入部２ａを備えた工業用内視鏡（以下、内視鏡と記載する）２と、この内視鏡２の前記挿入部２ａを外周面部３ａに巻き取る円筒形状のドラム部３と、このドラム部３を回動自在に保持するフレーム部４と、このフレーム部４の上端に設けられ、各種スイッチ及びコネクタ類や収納部或いは給排気用ダクトを配置したフロントパネル５と、このフロントパネル５にケーブルを介して着脱自在に接続される遠隔操作装置であるリモートコントローラ（以下、リモコンと略記する）６と、伸縮式のポールに回転自在に支持された観察装置であるモニタ７と、収納される機器に加わる衝撃力を抑える緩衝材等を備えた箱体８ａと蓋体８ｂとからなる収納ケース８と、前記フロントパネル５に接続され、商用電源を供給可能なＡＣケーブル５ａとで主に構成されている。
【００１３】
前記挿入部２ａは、前記フロントパネル５に配設されている座屈防止用のゴム部材５ｂを介して延出している。この挿入部２ａは、先端側から順に、対物光学系（図３の符号１０ａ参照）、ＣＣＤ等の固体撮像素子を設けた撮像光学系（図３の符号１０ｂ参照）及びライトガイド（図３の符号１０ｃ参照）を内蔵した先端本体部１１と、この先端本体部１１の基端側に設けられ、この先端本体部１１を所望の方向に向ける湾曲駒を連接して構成した湾曲自在な湾曲部１２と、細長で柔軟性を有する可撓管部１３とを連設して構成されている。
【００１４】
前記先端本体部１１の略Ｄ字状凸部の先端面には観察光学系を構成する観察窓１１ａが配置され、この観察窓１１ａが配置された先端面より凹んだ段部先端面には照明光を出射する照明窓１１ｂが配設されている。したがって、前記照明窓１１ｂから出射された照明光によって照らされた観察部位の光学像が観察窓１１ａを通して撮像素子の撮像面に結像し、前記モニタ７の画面上に観察部位の内視鏡画像が表示されるようになっている。
【００１５】
そして、本実施形態の内視鏡装置１には、先端本体部１１に着脱自在に直接的に取り付けられて、観察光学系の視野方向、視野角などの光学特性を変換する各種内視鏡的観察用アダプタ１４及びマイクロスコープ的観察である拡大観察を可能にする例えば５００倍、１０００倍、５０倍から２００倍まで変更可能等、所望の倍率に設定した拡大観察光学系を有する前記挿入部に２ａに比べて大型な高倍率光学アダプタ（以下、高倍率アダプタと略記する）２０、この高倍率アダプタ２０を前記挿入部２ａの先端側部に連結させる連結具３０とが設けられている。
【００１６】
そして、図２に示すように内視鏡２の挿入部２ａの先端側部に、連結具３０を介して高倍率アダプタ２０を配置することによって、つまり、この高倍率アダプタ２０を内視鏡２に一体に取り付けことによって、この高倍率アダプタ２０の先端部に配設した例えば透明カバー部材２１内に検査部材１５を配置することによって、前記高倍率アダプタ２０の拡大観察光学系でとらえた検査部材１５の表面光学像が前記観察窓１１ａまで伝送され、前記モニタ７の画面上に検査部材表面の拡大像を表示してマイクロスコープ的観察を内視鏡装置１で行えるようになる。
【００１７】
図３に示すように前記高倍率アダプタ２０には、図示しない複数の光学レンズを配列して観察部位の光学像を所定の倍率に拡大する拡大観察光学系部２２が設けられている。そして、この拡大観察光学系部２２の周囲には観察部位を照らす照明光を伝送する照明光学系を構成するライトガイドファイバ群２３が前記拡大観察光学系部２２と同心円状に配置されている。
【００１８】
ここで、前記連結具３０の構成を具体的に説明する。
図３ないし図１１に示すように前記連結具３０は、雄ネジ部３１ａを外周面に形成したアダプタ連結部３１と、観察像伝達光学系となる観察像伝達光学部３２及び伝送光学系となる伝送光学部３３を設けた連結部本体部３４と、前記挿入部２ａの先端側部が着脱自在に挿入配置される貫通孔３５ａを中心軸長手方向に設けた内視鏡連結部３５と、前記連結部本体部３４に対して回動自在に配置される略管状のカバー部材３６とで主に構成される。
【００１９】
前記カバー部材３６と前記連結部本体部３４との間には両部材間の滑り性を向上させる、例えばポリアセタール、テフロン（登録商標）等の樹脂部材で形成したパイプ部材４０が配置している。このため、カバー部材３６は連結部本体部３４に対して滑らかに回動する。
【００２０】
前記アダプタ連結部３１と前記カバー部材３６とは螺合によって一体的に回動するように固定されている。そして、この螺合状態は、第１固定ネジ５１によって所定状態に保持されるようになっている。
【００２１】
前記観察像伝達光学部３２は、略Ｔ字形状の枠部材３２ａと、この枠部材３２ａの内視鏡２側に配設される基端側枠部材３２ｃと、これら枠部材３２ａ、３２ｃに配置される複数の光学部材３２ｂとで主に構成されている。
【００２２】
一方、前記伝送光学部３３は、前記照明窓１１ｂから出射された照明光を伝送する第１伝送光学系である内視鏡側ファイバ３３ａと、前記ライトガイドファイバ群２３を構成する各ライトガイドファイバ束に対向して照明光を伝送する第２伝送光学系であるアダプタ側ファイバ３３ｂと、前記内視鏡側ファイバ３３ａを導光された照明光を前記アダプタ側ファイバ３３ｂに効率良く伝送する例えば図示しない光学部材を設けて構成したファイバ連結部３３ｃとで構成されている。
【００２３】
前記連結部本体部３４は、内視鏡２側に配置されて前記内視鏡２の先端本体部１１が配置される先端部配置部材３７と、この先端部配置部材３７が第２固定ネジ５２（図３、図８及び図９参照）によって内視鏡２側に一体に固定される連結部本体３８と、この連結部本体３８の基端側に第３固定ネジ５３（図３及び図５参照）によって一体に固定される案内部材３９とで主に構成されている。そして、前記先端部配置部材３７には第４固定ネジ５４（図３及び図９参照）を介して前記内視鏡連結部３５が一体的に固定されるようになっている。
【００２４】
図３、図９及び図１１に示すように前記先端部配置部材３７には、前記先端本体部１１の前記Ｄ字状凸部に設けた観察窓１１ａ及び前記段部先端面に設けた照明窓１１ｂが配置される内視鏡用凹部３７ａと、前記観察像伝達光学部３２の基端側枠部材３２ｃが配置される光学部用凹部３７ｂ及び前記内視鏡側ファイバ３３ａの先端部が配置される照明用凹部３７ｃとが形成されている。
【００２５】
そして、前記光学部用凹部３７ｂと前記内視鏡用凹部３７ａとを連通する透孔には前記観察窓１１ａに対向するレンズカバー３７ｄが設けられ、前記照明用凹部３７ｃと前記内視鏡用凹部３７ａとを連通する所定径寸法の透孔には前記照明窓１１ｂに前記内視鏡側ファイバ３３ａの先端面が対向して配設されている。
【００２６】
なお、前記内視鏡用凹部３７ａには前記先端本体部１１を案内する傾斜面３７ｅが形成されている。
【００２７】
図３、図５ないし図８及び図１１に示すように前記連結部本体３８は、太径部３８ａと細径部３８ｂとを有している。そして、前記細径部３８ｂの先端部に前記先端部配置部材３７が一体的に配置される。
【００２８】
この連結部本体３８の中心軸長手方向には前記観察像伝達光学部３２及び前記案内部材３９の後述する細径部３９ｂが配置される段部を有する貫通孔３８ｃと、前記内視鏡側ファイバ３３ａが挿通配置される前記貫通孔３８ｃの先端部に一部が連通する細長な第１ファイバ案内部３８ｄ及び挿通孔３８ｅ、前記ファイバ連結部３３ｃが配置される穴部３８ｆ、前記アダプタ側ファイバ３３ｂが延出する断面形状が略扇型形状の第２ファイバ案内部３８ｇが形成されている。
そして、前記貫通孔３８ｃに挿通配置される観察像伝達光学部３２を構成する枠部材３２ａは、第５固定ネジ５５（図３及び図６参照）によって連結部本体３８に一体的に固定されるようになっている。
【００２９】
前記案内部材３９は、前記枠部材３２ａが挿通配置される貫通孔を有し、太径部３９ａと細径部３９ｂとを設けて構成されている。この細径部３９ｂが、前記第３固定ネジ５３によって前記連結部本体３８に一体的に固定される。そして、前記アダプタ側ファイバ３３ｂは、この細径部３９ｂと前記アダプタ連結部３１とで構成される空間部内で略均一にほぐされて細径部３９ｂの周囲を通って、図４に示すように前記太径部３９ａの外周面に整列配置される。
【００３０】
このことによって、図３に示すように前記アダプタ側ファイバ３３ｂの端面と前記ライトガイドファイバ群２３の端面とが対向して、照明窓１１ｂから出射された照明光が伝送光学部３３を介してライトガイドファイバ群２３に伝送される。
なお、前記細径部３９ｂの周囲にアダプタ側ファイバ３３ｂを配置したことによって、このアダプタ側ファイバ３３ｂを伝送される照明光が観察像伝達光学部３２に入り込むことが防止される。また、図１０に示すように位置決め部材３２ｄに対して前記高倍率アダプタ２０の拡大観察光学系部２２が直接的に接触しない構成になっている。
【００３１】
図３に示すように前記貫通孔３５ａを設けた内視鏡連結部３５の基端部には複数のＯリング４２が挿入配置される細径穴３５ｂと雌ネジ部を設けた太径穴３５ｃとを有する段付凹部３５ｄが形成されている。この段付凹部３５ｄには細径部４１ａと太径部４１ｂとを備えた固定用ブロック４１が配置されるようになっている。この固定用ブロック４１の細径部４１ａの径寸法は、前記細径穴３５ｂより細径に形成され、前記太径部４１ｂには前記太径穴３５ｃに設けられた雌ネジ部と螺合する雄ネジ部が設けてある。また、この固定用ブロック４１の中心軸長手方向には前記内視鏡２の挿入部２ａがスムーズに挿通する傾斜面を有する貫通孔４１ｃが形成されている。
【００３２】
したがって、前記細径穴３５ｂに例えば３つのＯリング４２を配置した状態で、前記段付凹部３５ｄに配置された固定用ブロック４１の貫通孔４１ｃ及びこれらＯリング４２の孔部を介して挿入部２ａを貫通孔３５ａの所定位置に配置し、その後、前記ツマミ部４１ｄを操作して太径部４１ｂに形成されている雄ネジ部を前記太径穴３５ｃの雌ネジ部に螺合して前進させていく。すると、前記細径部４１ｂの先端面が前進して前記Ｏリング４２を徐々に押しつぶし、このＯリング４２の孔部が挿入部２ａを構成する可撓管部１３に徐々に密着して挿入部２ａを押圧固定する。
【００３３】
なお、前記高倍率アダプタ２０の基端部には前記アダプタ連結部３１の雄ネジ部３１ａに螺合する雌ネジ部２４が形成されている。したがって、前記カバー部材３６を回動させることによってアダプタ連結部３１が一体に回動して、前記内視鏡連結部３５に配設される内視鏡２に対して外力をかけることなく、前記雄ネジ部３１ａと前記雌ネジ部２４との螺合状態の調整を行える。
【００３４】
また、符号４４は前記カバー部材３６の回動力量を調整する弾性力を備えたＯリングであり、前記アダプタ連結部３１に対するカバー部材３６の螺合状態を調整することによって前記Ｏリング４４の押しつぶされる量が変化して回動力量の調整を行える。
【００３５】
上述のように構成した内視鏡装置１の作用を説明する。
まず、内視鏡２の挿入部２ａを例えばエンジン内に挿入して検査を行う。この検査中にエンジン内に不具合箇所を発見したとき、このエンジンを一度分解して、異常箇所のあると思われる部品を取りはずす。一方、前記固定用ブロック４１の貫通孔４１ｃを介して前記挿入部２ａを連結具３０に取り付け、この連結具３０に高倍率アダプタ２０を取り付ける。
【００３６】
次に、前記部品の検査を前記図２に示したように連結具３０を介して高倍率アダプタ２０を取り付けた内視鏡２で行う。このことによって、検査室等に持ち込むことなく、モニタ７の画面上に拡大像を表示させてマイクロスコープ的観察を行える。
【００３７】
このように、非内視鏡的観察に使用される内視鏡の挿入部に比べて大型な高倍率アダプタを内視鏡の挿入部に連結させる連結具を設けて内視鏡装置を構成することによって、非内視鏡的観察で使用される高倍率アダプタを内視鏡観察用の光学アダプタの１つに加えて観察に使用することができる。
また、連結具の内視鏡連結部を保持して高倍率アダプタを取り付けた内視鏡を操作することによって、内視鏡の挿入部に高倍率アダプタの重さや不容易な力が加わって発生する内視鏡の不具合を確実に防止することができる。
【００３８】
さらに、連結具に回動自在なカバー部材を設け、このカバー部材とアダプタ連結部に一体に構成したことによって、内視鏡と光学アダプタとの連結作業中に不容易な力が内視鏡に加わることを確実に防止して、内視鏡の不具合を確実に防止することができる。
【００３９】
なお、非内視鏡的観察に使用される光学アダプタは高倍率アダプタに限定されるものではなく、特殊光を照射するタイプの光学アダプタ等であってもよく、この光学アダプタに前記連結具を一体に設ける構成にしてもよい。
【００４０】
また、図１２に示すように前記カバー部材３６に前記内視鏡連結部３５までを覆い包む把持部兼用カバー５０を設けることによって、内視鏡２と光学アダプタとの連結作業中のみならず、内視鏡２と光学アダプタとを連結した作業中において、不容易な力が内視鏡２に加わって発生する不具合を確実に防止することができる。
【００４１】
さらに、伝送光学系となる伝送光学部は、内視鏡に連結される光学アダプタに対応する構成である。このため、光学アダプタに照明光学系が設けられていないタイプでは連結具に伝送光学系を設けず、光学アダプタの照明光学系が観察像伝達光学系に対して並列に配置されるタイプの場合にはアダプタ側ファイバをそのように形成する。その場合、内視鏡側ファイバとアダプタ側ファイバとを同じ部材で構成するようにしてもよい。
【００４２】
又、高倍率アダプタを多岐にわたる倍率に対応させる場合には、倍率に関わるレンズ部を他のレンズ部に対して交換可能に構成する。
【００４３】
尚、本発明は、上記した実施の形態にのみ限定されるものではなく、本発明の要旨を逸脱しない範囲で種々変形実施可能である。
【００４４】
［付記］
以上詳述したような本発明の上記実施形態によれば、以下の如き構成を得ることができる。
【００４５】
（１）細長な内視鏡挿入部の先端面に、光学像をとらえる観察窓及び観察部位に向けて照明光を出射する照明窓を備えた内視鏡と、
少なくとも観察光学系を備え、非内視鏡的観察に使用される光学アダプタと、
この光学アダプタが着脱自在に接続され、少なくとも前記観察光学系でとらえた光学像を前記観察窓まで伝達する観察像伝達光学系を有する、前記内視鏡挿入部の先端側部に着脱自在に被覆配置される把持部を兼ねる連結具と、
を具備する内視鏡装置。
【００４６】
（２）前記連結具は、
前記光学アダプタの基端部に着脱自在に連結されるアダプタ連結部と、
前記観察像伝達光学系が配設される連結部本体部と、
前記内視鏡挿入部の先端側部が着脱自在に挿入配置される孔部を有する内視鏡連結部と、
前記連結部本体部に対して回動自在なカバー部材と、
を具備する付記１に記載の内視鏡装置。
【００４７】
（３）前記光学アダプタが照明光学系を有するとき、前記連結部本体部に前記照明窓から出射された照明光を前記照明光学系に伝送する伝送光学系を設けた付記２記載の内視鏡装置。
【００４８】
（４）前記伝送光学系を、前記照明窓に対応する第１伝送光学系と前記照明光学系に対応する第２伝送光学系とで構成した付記３記載の内視鏡装置。
【００４９】
（５）前記カバー部材に、前記内視鏡連結部までを覆い、把持部を兼ねる把持部兼用カバーを設けた付記２に記載の内視鏡装置。
【００５０】
（６）前記内視鏡連結部に前記挿入部の先端側部を一体固定する固定用ブロックを設け、この固定用ブロックで前記孔部に挿入配置される内視鏡挿入部を構成する先端本体部及び湾曲部より基端側に位置する可撓管部を固定する付記２記載の内視鏡装置。
【００５１】
（７）前記連結具を前記光学アダプタに一体に設けた付記１記載の内視鏡装置。
【００５２】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように本発明によれば、安価な構成でかつ容易に内視鏡を用いてマイクロスコープ的観察等の非内視鏡的観察をも行える内視鏡装置を提供することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】図１ないし図１１は本発明の一実施形態に係り、図１は内視鏡装置の構成を説明する図
【図２】内視鏡の挿入部の先端側部に連結具を介して高倍率光学アダプタを配置した状態を説明する図
【図３】図２のＡ−Ａ線断面図、
【図４】図３のＢ−Ｂ線断面図
【図５】図３のＣ−Ｃ線断面図
【図６】図３のＤ−Ｄ線断面図
【図７】図３のＥ−Ｅ線断面図
【図８】図３のＦ−Ｆ線断面図
【図９】図３のＧ−Ｇ線断面図
【図１０】矢印Ｈで示す部分の拡大図
【図１１】矢印Ｊで示す部分の拡大図
【図１２】連結具の他の構成を説明する図
【符号の説明】
２…内視鏡
２ａ…挿入部
２０…高倍率光学アダプタ
３０…連結具
３１…アダプタ連結部
３２…観察像伝達光学部
３４…連結部本体部
３５…内視鏡連結部
３６…カバー部材[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus that has a wide range of uses for an endoscope.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, endoscopes have been widely used in the medical field or industrial field. This endoscope is provided with an elongated insertion portion. By inserting the insertion portion into a body cavity, an engine, or the like, for example, the endoscope can be displayed on a monitor screen for observation, inspection, or the like. In other words, the use of the endoscope has been limited to a specific field.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, for example, when an engine is inspected using an industrial endoscope and a problem or the like is found in the engine, the engine is once disassembled, and parts that appear to be abnormal are in the inspection room. Etc., so that fine inspection was performed with a microscope. For this reason, when the examination room is not nearby, the examination by the endoscope cannot be performed skillfully, and a problem that the work efficiency is extremely deteriorated occurs.
[0004]
In order to solve this problem, it is conceivable to work by bringing a microscope, microscope, etc. for magnifying observation to the inspection site, but for the user, in addition to the endoscope, these microscope or microscope are newly added. Purchasing raises the problem of high costs.
[0005]
On the other hand, although an endoscope is an indispensable device, it was purchased. However, companies or hospitals that are relatively rarely used have been desired to provide a more efficient method of using the endoscope.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an endoscope apparatus that can also perform non-endoscopic observation such as microscopic observation using an endoscope with an inexpensive configuration. Is aimed at.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An endoscope apparatus according to the present invention includes an endoscope provided with an observation window for capturing an optical image and an illumination window for emitting illumination light toward an observation site on the distal end surface of an elongated endoscope insertion portion, and at least an observation An optical adapter provided with an optical system and used for non-endoscopic observation, and an observation image transmission optical system in which the optical adapter is detachably connected and transmits at least an optical image captured by the observation optical system to the observation window And a connecting tool that also serves as a gripping portion that is detachably covered and disposed on the distal end side portion of the endoscope insertion portion.
[0008]
The coupling tool includes an adapter coupling portion that is detachably coupled to a base end portion of the optical adapter, a coupling portion main body portion on which the observation image transmission optical system is disposed, and an endoscope insertion portion. An endoscope connecting portion having a hole portion in which the distal end side portion is detachably inserted and disposed, and a cover member rotatable with respect to the connecting portion main body portion.
In addition, the cover member is provided with a grip portion combined cover that also covers the endoscope connecting portion and also serves as a grip portion.
[0009]
According to these configurations, by connecting the optical adapter to the endoscope via the connector, observation according to the optical characteristics of the observation optical system provided in the optical adapter is performed through the endoscope. Yes.
[0010]
In addition, the coupling tool also serves as a gripping part, and the cover member that constitutes the coupling tool is configured to be rotatable with respect to the coupling part main body, so that a larger optical adapter than the endoscope can be obtained. When attaching to and detaching from the endoscope or during use of the connected state, it is possible to prevent an uneasy force from being applied to the endoscope.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
1 to 11 relate to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of an endoscope apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a high magnification through a connector on the distal end side portion of an insertion portion of the endoscope. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line D-D in FIG. 3, FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line E-E in FIG. 3, FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line FF in FIG. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a portion indicated by an arrow H, and FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a portion indicated by an arrow J.
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope apparatus 1 according to the present invention includes an industrial endoscope (hereinafter referred to as an endoscope) 2 having an elongated insertion portion 2a having flexibility, and the endoscope. A cylindrical drum portion 3 that winds the insertion portion 2a around the outer peripheral surface portion 3a, a frame portion 4 that rotatably holds the drum portion 3, and an upper end of the frame portion 4, and various switches, A front panel 5 in which connectors, a housing part or a supply / exhaust duct are arranged; and a remote controller (hereinafter abbreviated as a remote control) 6 which is a remote control device detachably connected to the front panel 5 via a cable; A monitor 7 which is an observation device rotatably supported by an extendable pole, and a storage case 8 comprising a box 8a and a lid 8b provided with a shock-absorbing material for suppressing the impact force applied to the equipment to be stored; The front Is connected to the panel 5, it is mainly composed of a deliverable AC cable 5a commercial power.
[0013]
The insertion portion 2a extends through a rubber member 5b for buckling prevention disposed on the front panel 5. The insertion portion 2a includes an objective optical system (see reference numeral 10a in FIG. 3), an imaging optical system (see reference numeral 10b in FIG. 3) provided with a solid-state image pickup device such as a CCD, and a light guide (in FIG. 3). A distal end main body 11 including a reference numeral 10c), and a bendable bending portion which is provided on the proximal end side of the distal end main body 11 and is configured by connecting bending pieces which direct the distal end main body 11 in a desired direction. 12 and an elongated and flexible flexible tube portion 13 are connected to each other.
[0014]
An observation window 11a constituting an observation optical system is disposed on the distal end surface of the substantially D-shaped convex portion of the distal end main body portion 11, and the stepped portion distal end surface recessed from the distal end surface on which the observation window 11a is disposed is illuminated. An illumination window 11b that emits light is disposed. Therefore, an optical image of the observation site illuminated by the illumination light emitted from the illumination window 11b is formed on the imaging surface of the image sensor through the observation window 11a, and an endoscopic image of the observation site on the screen of the monitor 7. Is displayed.
[0015]
The endoscope apparatus 1 according to this embodiment is directly attached to the distal end main body 11 in a detachable manner, and converts various optical characteristics such as a viewing direction and a viewing angle of the observation optical system. To the observation adapter 14 and the insertion portion having a magnification observation optical system set to a desired magnification, such as 500 times, 1000 times, and 50 times to 200 times, which enables magnification observation that is microscopic observation, etc. Compared with 2a, a high-magnification optical adapter (hereinafter abbreviated as a high-magnification adapter) 20 that is larger in size and a connector 30 that couples the high-magnification adapter 20 to the distal end side of the insertion portion 2a are provided.
[0016]
Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the high-magnification adapter 20 is arranged at the distal end side portion of the insertion portion 2 a of the endoscope 2 via the connector 30, that is, the high-magnification adapter 20 is connected to the endoscope 2. The inspection member captured by the magnifying observation optical system of the high-magnification adapter 20 by disposing the inspection member 15 in, for example, the transparent cover member 21 disposed at the distal end portion of the high-magnification adapter 20. Fifteen surface optical images are transmitted to the observation window 11a, and an enlarged image of the surface of the inspection member is displayed on the screen of the monitor 7, so that a microscope-like observation can be performed by the endoscope apparatus 1.
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 3, the high-magnification adapter 20 is provided with a magnifying observation optical system unit 22 that arranges a plurality of optical lenses (not shown) and enlarges the optical image of the observation region to a predetermined magnification. A light guide fiber group 23 that constitutes an illumination optical system that transmits illumination light that illuminates the observation site is arranged around the magnification observation optical system unit 22 concentrically with the magnification observation optical system unit 22.
[0018]
Here, the configuration of the connector 30 will be specifically described.
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 11, the coupling tool 30 is an adapter coupling portion 31 having an external thread portion 31 a formed on the outer peripheral surface, an observation image transmission optical unit 32 serving as an observation image transmission optical system, and a transmission optical system. A connecting portion main body portion 34 provided with a transmission optical portion 33; an endoscope connecting portion 35 provided with a through hole 35a in which a distal end side portion of the insertion portion 2a is detachably inserted and disposed in the longitudinal direction of the central axis; It is mainly comprised by the substantially tubular cover member 36 arrange | positioned so that rotation with respect to the connection part main-body part 34 is possible.
[0019]
A pipe member 40 made of a resin member such as polyacetal or Teflon (registered trademark) is disposed between the cover member 36 and the connecting portion main body 34 to improve the slipping property between the two members. For this reason, the cover member 36 rotates smoothly with respect to the connection part main-body part 34. FIG.
[0020]
The adapter connecting portion 31 and the cover member 36 are fixed so as to rotate integrally by screwing. This screwed state is held in a predetermined state by the first fixing screw 51.
[0021]
The observation image transmission optical unit 32 is arranged on a substantially T-shaped frame member 32a, a proximal-side frame member 32c disposed on the endoscope 2 side of the frame member 32a, and the frame members 32a and 32c. And a plurality of optical members 32b.
[0022]
On the other hand, the transmission optical unit 33 includes an endoscope-side fiber 33a that is a first transmission optical system that transmits illumination light emitted from the illumination window 11b, and each light guide fiber constituting the light guide fiber group 23. The adapter side fiber 33b, which is a second transmission optical system that transmits illumination light facing the bundle, and the illumination light guided through the endoscope side fiber 33a are efficiently transmitted to the adapter side fiber 33b. It is comprised with the fiber connection part 33c comprised by providing the optical member which does not.
[0023]
The connecting portion main body portion 34 is disposed on the endoscope 2 side, and a distal end portion arranging member 37 on which the distal end main body portion 11 of the endoscope 2 is disposed, and the distal end portion arranging member 37 is a second fixing screw 52. (See FIGS. 3, 8, and 9), the connecting portion main body 38 that is integrally fixed to the endoscope 2 side, and a third fixing screw 53 (see FIGS. 3 and 5) on the base end side of the connecting portion main body 38. And a guide member 39 that is fixed integrally with each other. The endoscope connecting portion 35 is integrally fixed to the distal end portion arranging member 37 via a fourth fixing screw 54 (see FIGS. 3 and 9).
[0024]
As shown in FIGS. 3, 9, and 11, the distal end portion arranging member 37 has an observation window 11 a provided on the D-shaped convex portion of the distal end main body portion 11 and an illumination window provided on the distal end surface of the step portion. An endoscope recess 37a in which 11b is disposed, an optical recess 37b in which the proximal frame member 32c of the observation image transmission optical unit 32 is disposed, and a distal end portion of the endoscope side fiber 33a are disposed. And an illumination recess 37c.
[0025]
A lens cover 37d facing the observation window 11a is provided in the through hole that communicates the concave portion 37b for the optical portion and the concave portion 37a for the endoscope, and the concave portion for illumination 37c and the concave portion for the endoscope are provided. A distal end surface of the endoscope side fiber 33a is disposed opposite to the illumination window 11b in a through hole having a predetermined diameter that communicates with 37a.
[0026]
The endoscope recess 37a is formed with an inclined surface 37e for guiding the distal end main body 11.
[0027]
As shown in FIGS. 3, 5 to 8, and 11, the connecting portion main body 38 has a large diameter portion 38 a and a small diameter portion 38 b. And the said front-end | tip part arrangement | positioning member 37 is integrally arrange | positioned at the front-end | tip part of the said small diameter part 38b.
[0028]
In the longitudinal direction of the central axis of the connecting portion main body 38, a through-hole 38c having a step portion in which the observation image transmitting optical portion 32 and a small-diameter portion 39b described later of the guide member 39 are disposed, and the endoscope side fiber An elongated first fiber guide portion 38d and an insertion hole 38e partially communicating with the distal end portion of the through hole 38c through which the 33a is inserted and arranged, a hole portion 38f in which the fiber connecting portion 33c is arranged, and the adapter side fiber 33b A second fiber guide portion 38g having a substantially fan-shaped cross section is formed.
The frame member 32a constituting the observation image transmission optical unit 32 inserted and disposed in the through hole 38c is integrally fixed to the connecting portion main body 38 by the fifth fixing screw 55 (see FIGS. 3 and 6). It is like that.
[0029]
The guide member 39 has a through-hole through which the frame member 32a is inserted and is provided with a large-diameter portion 39a and a small-diameter portion 39b. The small diameter portion 39b is integrally fixed to the connecting portion main body 38 by the third fixing screw 53. Then, the adapter-side fiber 33b is loosened substantially uniformly in the space formed by the small-diameter portion 39b and the adapter connecting portion 31 and passes around the small-diameter portion 39b, as shown in FIG. The large diameter portion 39a is aligned with the outer peripheral surface.
[0030]
As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the end face of the adapter side fiber 33b and the end face of the light guide fiber group 23 face each other, and the illumination light emitted from the illumination window 11b is transmitted through the transmission optical section 33. It is transmitted to the guide fiber group 23.
In addition, by arranging the adapter side fiber 33b around the small diameter portion 39b, it is possible to prevent the illumination light transmitted through the adapter side fiber 33b from entering the observation image transmission optical unit 32. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the magnification observation optical system portion 22 of the high-magnification adapter 20 is not in direct contact with the positioning member 32d.
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 3, a small diameter hole 35b into which a plurality of O-rings 42 are inserted and a large diameter hole 35c in which a plurality of O-rings 42 are provided are provided at the proximal end portion of the endoscope connecting portion 35 provided with the through hole 35a. A stepped recess 35d is formed. A fixing block 41 having a small diameter portion 41a and a large diameter portion 41b is arranged in the stepped recess 35d. The diameter of the small-diameter portion 41a of the fixing block 41 is smaller than that of the small-diameter hole 35b, and the large-diameter portion 41b is screwed with a female screw portion provided in the large-diameter hole 35c. A male screw part is provided. A through-hole 41c having an inclined surface through which the insertion portion 2a of the endoscope 2 is smoothly inserted is formed in the longitudinal direction of the central axis of the fixing block 41.
[0032]
Therefore, in a state where, for example, three O-rings 42 are disposed in the small-diameter hole 35b, the insertion portion is inserted through the through-hole 41c of the fixing block 41 disposed in the stepped recess 35d and the holes of these O-rings 42. 2a is disposed at a predetermined position of the through hole 35a, and then the knob portion 41d is operated to advance the male screw portion formed in the large diameter portion 41b into the female screw portion of the large diameter hole 35c. I will let you. Then, the distal end surface of the small-diameter portion 41b moves forward to gradually crush the O-ring 42, and the hole portion of the O-ring 42 gradually comes into close contact with the flexible tube portion 13 constituting the insertion portion 2a. 2a is pressed and fixed.
[0033]
A female screw portion 24 that is screwed into the male screw portion 31 a of the adapter connecting portion 31 is formed at the base end portion of the high-magnification adapter 20. Therefore, by rotating the cover member 36, the adapter connecting portion 31 rotates integrally, and the external force is not applied to the endoscope 2 disposed in the endoscope connecting portion 35. The screwed state between the male screw portion 31a and the female screw portion 24 can be adjusted.
[0034]
Reference numeral 44 denotes an O-ring having an elastic force for adjusting the amount of rotational force of the cover member 36, and the O-ring 44 is crushed by adjusting the screwed state of the cover member 36 to the adapter connecting portion 31. The amount of rotation is changed and the amount of rotation can be adjusted.
[0035]
The operation of the endoscope apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described.
First, the insertion portion 2a of the endoscope 2 is inserted into, for example, an engine for inspection. When a defective part is found in the engine during this inspection, this engine is disassembled once and parts that seem to have an abnormal part are removed. On the other hand, the insertion portion 2 a is attached to the connector 30 through the through hole 41 c of the fixing block 41, and the high-magnification adapter 20 is attached to the connector 30.
[0036]
Next, the inspection of the parts is performed with the endoscope 2 to which the high-magnification adapter 20 is attached via the connector 30 as shown in FIG. As a result, a microscope image can be observed by displaying an enlarged image on the screen of the monitor 7 without bringing it into an examination room or the like.
[0037]
As described above, the endoscope apparatus is configured by providing the connecting tool that connects the large-magnification adapter larger than the insertion portion of the endoscope used for non-endoscopic observation to the insertion portion of the endoscope. Thus, a high-magnification adapter used for non-endoscopic observation can be used for observation in addition to one of the optical adapters for endoscopic observation.
Also, by operating the endoscope with the high-magnification adapter attached while holding the endoscope coupling part of the coupler, the weight of the high-magnification adapter and uneasy force are applied to the insertion part of the endoscope. It is possible to reliably prevent the malfunction of the endoscope.
[0038]
Furthermore, a rotatable cover member is provided on the coupling tool, and the cover member and the adapter coupling portion are integrated with each other so that an uncomfortable force is applied to the endoscope during the coupling operation between the endoscope and the optical adapter. Thus, it is possible to reliably prevent the endoscope from malfunctioning.
[0039]
The optical adapter used for non-endoscopic observation is not limited to a high-magnification adapter, and may be an optical adapter of a type that irradiates special light. You may make it the structure provided integrally.
[0040]
Also, as shown in FIG. 12, by providing the cover member 36 with a grip portion combined cover 50 that covers up to the endoscope connecting portion 35, not only during the connecting operation of the endoscope 2 and the optical adapter, During the operation of connecting the endoscope 2 and the optical adapter, it is possible to reliably prevent a problem that occurs due to an uneasy force applied to the endoscope 2.
[0041]
Furthermore, the transmission optical unit serving as the transmission optical system has a configuration corresponding to an optical adapter connected to the endoscope. For this reason, in the type in which the illumination optical system is not provided in the optical adapter, the transmission optical system is not provided in the coupler, and the illumination optical system of the optical adapter is arranged in parallel to the observation image transmission optical system. Forms the adapter-side fiber as such. In that case, you may make it comprise an endoscope side fiber and an adapter side fiber with the same member.
[0042]
When the high-magnification adapter is adapted to various magnifications, the lens unit related to the magnification is configured to be exchangeable with other lens units.
[0043]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.
[0044]
[Appendix]
According to the embodiment of the present invention as described above in detail, the following configuration can be obtained.
[0045]
(1) An endoscope having an observation window for capturing an optical image and an illumination window for emitting illumination light toward the observation site on the distal end surface of the elongated endoscope insertion portion;
An optical adapter including at least an observation optical system and used for non-endoscopic observation;
The optical adapter is detachably connected, and has an observation image transmission optical system that transmits at least an optical image captured by the observation optical system to the observation window. A connector that also serves as a gripping portion to be arranged;
An endoscope apparatus comprising:
[0046]
(2) The connector is
An adapter connecting portion detachably connected to a base end portion of the optical adapter;
A connecting portion main body in which the observation image transmission optical system is disposed;
An endoscope connecting portion having a hole portion in which a distal end side portion of the endoscope insertion portion is detachably inserted and arranged;
A cover member that is rotatable with respect to the connecting portion main body,
The endoscope apparatus according to appendix 1, comprising:
[0047]
(3) The endoscope according to appendix 2, wherein when the optical adapter has an illumination optical system, a transmission optical system that transmits illumination light emitted from the illumination window to the illumination optical system is provided in the coupling unit main body. apparatus.
[0048]
(4) The endoscope apparatus according to appendix 3, wherein the transmission optical system includes a first transmission optical system corresponding to the illumination window and a second transmission optical system corresponding to the illumination optical system.
[0049]
(5) The endoscope apparatus according to appendix 2, in which the cover member is provided with a grip portion combined cover that covers the endoscope connecting portion and also serves as a grip portion.
[0050]
(6) A distal end body constituting an endoscope insertion portion that is provided with a fixing block that integrally fixes the distal end side portion of the insertion portion to the endoscope connecting portion, and is inserted and arranged in the hole portion by the fixing block. The endoscope apparatus according to appendix 2, wherein a flexible tube portion positioned on the proximal end side with respect to the bending portion and the bending portion is fixed.
[0051]
(7) The endoscope apparatus according to appendix 1, wherein the connector is provided integrally with the optical adapter.
[0052]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an endoscope apparatus that can perform non-endoscopic observation such as microscopic observation using an endoscope with an inexpensive configuration.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 to FIG. 11 relate to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of an endoscope apparatus. FIG. 2 shows a connector on the distal end side of an insertion portion of an endoscope. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2;
4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line FF in FIG. 3. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line GG in FIG. 3. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a portion indicated by arrow H. FIG. Enlarged view [Fig. 12] Diagram for explaining another structure of the connecting tool [Explanation of symbols]
2 ... endoscope 2a ... insertion part 20 ... high-magnification optical adapter 30 ... connector 31 ... adapter connection part 32 ... observation image transmission optical part 34 ... connection part body part 35 ... endoscope connection part 36 ... cover member

Claims

An endoscope provided with an observation window for capturing an optical image and an illumination window for emitting illumination light toward the observation site on the distal end surface of the elongated endoscope insertion portion;
An optical adapter including at least an observation optical system and used for non-endoscopic observation;
The optical adapter is detachably connected, and has an observation image transmission optical system that transmits at least the optical image captured by the observation optical system to the observation window, and is detachably covered on the distal end side portion of the endoscope insertion portion. A connector that also serves as a gripping portion to be arranged;
An endoscope apparatus comprising:

The connector is
An adapter connecting portion detachably connected to a base end portion of the optical adapter;
A connecting portion main body in which the observation image transmission optical system is disposed;
An endoscope connecting portion having a hole portion in which a distal end side portion of the endoscope inserting portion is detachably inserted; and
A cover member rotatable with respect to the connecting portion main body,
The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

The endoscope apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the cover member is provided with a grip part-cum-cover that covers up to the endoscope connecting part and also serves as a grip part.