JP4197796B2 - Electronic endoscope - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electronic endoscope for reducing the diameter of a distal end portion of an insertion portion provided with an imaging unit and a distal end unit including a light guide fiber that transmits illumination light.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, it has been used for observation and inspection by inserting a narrow insertion part into a body cavity and inserting it into a medical endoscope for observing the inside of a body cavity, a tube such as a chemical plant and a jet engine, or a machine. Endoscopes are widely used.
[0003]
Among these endoscopes, there is an electronic endoscope in which an image pickup apparatus including a solid-state image pickup device such as a CCD is disposed at a distal end portion of an insertion portion. In this electronic endoscope, the insertion portion must be inserted into a tube having a small diameter and a winding, and therefore, it is desired that the outer diameter be as small as possible.
[0004]
For this reason, while reducing the size of the CCD, and reducing the diameter of the frame, which is an exterior member of the imaging device that houses the CCD and other built-in objects, an electronic endoscope having a narrow insertion portion was configured. .
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the structure in which the connecting pipe is fixed to one end of the frame, the thickness of the end is reduced by reducing the diameter of the frame, and a female screw for screwing and fixing the connecting pipe is provided. It became difficult to form, and the connection was fixed with an adhesive or the like. However, not only the connection strength between the frame body and the connecting pipe is lowered, but also the adhesive may be peeled off and the frame body may be dropped, which may hinder endoscopy.
[0006]
For this reason, in order to secure the connection strength between the frame and the connecting pipe, a convex portion is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the frame, and a female screw is formed on the convex portion to screw and fix the connecting pipe and the frame. There is also an electronic endoscope configured as described above, but in this case, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, a built-in object such as a CCD 64 must be accommodated and disposed through the opening 63 of the convex portion 62 provided in the frame body 61. The outer diameter of the frame body 61 is increased by increasing the inner diameter dimension of the frame body 61 by the protrusion height h of the convex portion 62.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and ensures the connection strength between the frame body and the connecting pipe, and allows the built-in objects such as CCDs to be effectively used and arranged efficiently. An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic endoscope having a small insertion portion.
[0008]
The electronic endoscope according to the present invention is provided at the distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion , and includes a frame body that houses a built-in object, and a connecting member in which one end is connected and fixed to the frame body and the other end is connected to the bending portion. And the frame body has a convex portion protruding in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface and provided with a female screw for screwing and connecting the connecting member, and the convex portion interferes with the built-in object. The escape part which prevents is provided.
[0009]
According to this configuration, by providing the relief portion on the convex portion, the built-in object accommodated in the internal space of the frame body and the convex portion are accommodated and arranged without interference.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
1 to 4 relate to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an electronic endoscope, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging main body constituting a tip unit, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a unit body constituting the tip unit, and FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the tip unit. 2A is a longitudinal sectional view of the imaging unit, FIG. 2B is a diagram at the AA sectional position of FIG. 2A for explaining the CCD, and FIG. 3A is a longitudinal view of the unit main body. FIG. 3B is a sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG.
[0011]
As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic endoscope 1 includes an elongated insertion portion 2 that is inserted into a tube, an operation portion 3 provided at a proximal end portion of the insertion portion 2, and a side portion of the operation portion 3. It is mainly composed of a universal cable 4 that extends.
[0012]
The insertion portion 2 includes a hard tip portion 2a, a bending portion 2b that can be bent by connecting a plurality of bending pieces, and a flexible flexible tube portion 2c in order from the tip side. An illumination lens 2d that irradiates illumination light toward the observation site and an observation lens 2e that constitutes an imaging optical system that images the observation site are disposed on the tip surface of the portion 2a.
[0013]
The operation portion 3 is provided with a bending operation knob 3a for bending the bending portion 2b, and the observation lens 2e can be directed in a desired direction by appropriately operating the bending operation knob 3a. It is like that.
[0014]
A light source connector 4 a is provided at the base end portion of the universal cable 4 and is detachably connected to a light source device 5 that is an external device of the electronic endoscope 1.
[0015]
An electric cable 6 extends from the side of the light source connector 4a, and the camera control provided in the light source device 5 via the electric connector 6a provided at the base end of the cable. The unit is detachably connected. Reference numeral 7 denotes a TV monitor that displays an endoscopic image captured by the electronic endoscope 1.
[0016]
A distal end unit, which will be described later, is disposed in the distal end portion 2 a constituting the insertion portion 2. The tip unit includes an imaging unit 30 shown in FIG. 2A and a light guide fiber 10 (see FIG. 2) for supplying illumination light to the internal space of the unit body 20 which is a substantially pipe-shaped frame shown in FIG. 3) and the like.
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 2A, the imaging unit 30 includes an objective lens group 31 constituting an imaging optical system and an imaging unit 32 that converts an optical image into an image signal.
As shown in FIG. 2B, the imaging unit 32 includes a CCD 33 provided with an effective imaging surface 33 a on one side, a cover glass 34 disposed on the imaging surface side of the CCD 33, and an external extending from the CCD 33. The circuit board 36 on which electrical components such as the IC chip 41 to which the leads 35 are connected is hermetically mounted and the connection board 37 to which the signal lines 43 inserted in the signal cable 42 are electrically connected are mainly configured. . Reference numeral 44 denotes a first sealing resin that protects the electrical component such as the IC chip 41 and the connection portion with the signal line 43.
[0018]
On the other hand, the objective lens group 31 includes, for example, a first lens frame 38 and a second lens frame 39. The first lens frame 38 and the second lens frame 39 include the observation lens 2e and the field lens. An optical lens such as 40 and an aperture 31a are incorporated.
[0019]
The imaging unit 30 integrally fixes a cover glass 34 constituting the imaging unit 32 and a field lens 40 constituting the objective lens group 31, and then an optical image captured by the objective lens group 31 is converted into the CCD 33. The first lens frame 38 and the second lens frame 39 are adjusted in positional relation and focus adjustment so as to form an image on the imaging surface. In the present embodiment, the outer diameter L of the CCD 33 is the maximum outer diameter of the image pickup unit 30.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 3A, the unit main body 20 has an imaging unit opening 21 in which the distal end of the imaging unit 32 of the imaging unit 30 is disposed at the distal end, and the distal end surface of the light guide fiber 40. An illumination optical system opening 22 in which the facing illumination lens 2d is disposed, and a female member as a fixing means for screwing and fixing a connecting member (see reference numeral 45 in FIG. 4) to the inner peripheral surface in the vicinity of the base end side opening 23. A convex portion 24 having a screw 24a is provided so as to project in the circumferential direction.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 3B, the convex portion 24 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the unit main body 20 protrudes from the inner peripheral surface only at H. Further, for example, at four positions of the convex portion 24, relief portions 25 are formed to prevent corner portions of the CCD 33 indicated by broken lines from interfering with each other to prevent insertion.
[0022]
That is, in this embodiment, the relief portion 25 is formed on the convex portion 24 of the unit body 20, so that the inner diameter dimension D of the unit body 20 is formed to be approximately the same as the maximum outer diameter dimension L of the CCD 33. . Further, a relief portion 25 for preventing interference between the light guide fiber 10 and the convex portion 24 is formed at a portion of the convex portion 24 where the light guide fiber 10 is disposed.
[0023]
As a result, when the imaging unit 30 in the assembled state is stored and arranged in a predetermined position in the internal space of the unit body 20, the projection unit 30 is inserted when the imaging unit 30 is inserted from the proximal end side opening 23 of the unit body 20. Since the relief part 25 formed in the part 24 is formed, the inner diameter dimension (D-2H) of the opening 24b of the convex part 24 is larger than the maximum outer diameter dimension L of the CCD 33 which is a constituent member of the imaging unit 30. In spite of the small diameter, the CCD 33 in which the maximum outer diameter L is formed to be approximately the same as the inner diameter D of the unit body 20 passes through the convex portion 24 and is arranged at a predetermined position as shown in FIG. . At this time, the light guide fiber 10 is disposed in a relief portion 25 formed for the light guide fiber.
[0024]
After that, the connecting member 45 is screwed and connected to the female screw 24a formed on the convex portion 24 of the unit body 20, and the internal space of the unit body 20 is filled with the second sealing resin 46, A distal end unit is configured in which built-in objects such as the imaging unit 30 and the light guide fiber 10 disposed in 20 are fixed in a stable state.
[0025]
Reference numeral 47a denotes a distal-end bending piece that is rotatably connected to the connecting member 45, and reference numerals 47b and 47c are also bending pieces that are rotatably connected. Reference numeral 48 denotes a bending wire having one end fixed to the distal bending piece 47a via a fixed tube 48a and the other end fixed to the bending operation knob 3a. Reference numeral 49 denotes the bending wire 48. Is a guide tube to be inserted.
[0026]
As described above, the protrusion is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the unit body and provided with a fixing means. On the other hand, the protrusion is provided with a relief portion that prevents interference with a built-in object. The connecting member can be securely connected and fixed to the fixing means, and a built-in object such as a CCD having a maximum outer diameter dimension substantially the same as the inner diameter dimension of the unit body is disposed at a predetermined position in the inner space through the convex portion. In addition, interference between the built-in object such as the light guide fiber and the convex portion can be eliminated.
[0027]
As a result, a built-in object having a larger diameter than the inner diameter dimension of the convex opening provided on the inner peripheral surface of the unit main body and substantially the same diameter as the unit main body inner diameter is formed to have a larger outer diameter dimension. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the diameter of the endoscope insertion portion by inserting and arranging in the internal space without preventing interference between the built-in object and the convex part and efficiently arranging the built-in object in the unit main body.
[0028]
Note that the position and shape of the relief portion provided on the convex portion is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the relief portion 25a includes the convex portion 24 as shown in FIG. A part of the surface is scraped and configured, and as shown in FIG. 5 (b), the relief part 25b is scraped only at two places, or a light guide as shown in FIG. 5 (c). The escape portion 25c is formed in consideration of the arrangement position of the built-in objects such as the fiber 10 and the channel tube 50, and the like can be changed depending on the shape, type, quantity, etc. of the built-in objects.
[0029]
In addition, by appropriately setting the length in the longitudinal direction of the convex portion 24 without interfering with the built-in object, it is possible to prevent the female screw portion from being reduced by the relief portion provided in the convex portion and the screwing strength from being lowered. It is possible. The fixing means is not limited to screwing and fixing with screws.
[0030]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.
[0031]
[Appendix]
According to the embodiment of the present invention as described above in detail, the following configuration can be obtained.
[0032]
(1) In an electronic endoscope comprising a frame body that houses a built-in object such as an imaging unit or a light guide fiber that transmits illumination light, and a connecting member that is integrally connected and fixed to the frame body,
The frame body has a convex portion that protrudes in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface, and that is provided with a fixing means for connecting and fixing the connecting member.
An electronic endoscope in which a relief portion that prevents interference with the built-in object is provided on the convex portion.
[0033]
(2) The electronic endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein the relief portion is provided up to a part of the convex portion and the peripheral surface of the frame.
(3) The electronic endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein the escape portion is provided at a position where interference with the maximum dimension portion of the built-in object is prevented.
(4) The electronic endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein the escape portion is provided at a position to prevent interference with a maximum dimension portion of the CCD or the imaging unit.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the insertion strength is ensured by ensuring the connection strength between the frame and the connecting tube, and by effectively utilizing the internal space of the frame and the built-in object such as a CCD. An electronic endoscope having a small diameter can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1 to 4 relate to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an electronic endoscope. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging unit constituting a tip unit. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a unit main body constituting the tip unit. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the tip unit. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of the relief portion formed in the unit main body. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between a convex portion provided in a conventional unit body and a built-in object.
20 ... Unit main body 24 ... Convex part 24a ... Female screw 24b ... Opening 25 ... Escape part 33 ... CCD
40 ... Light guide fiber

Claims (4)

A frame body provided at the distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion and containing a built-in object;
A connecting member having one end connected and fixed to the frame and the other end connected to the curved portion ;
With
The frame body has a convex portion protruding in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface and provided with a female screw for screwing and connecting the connecting member;
An electronic endoscope characterized in that an escape portion is provided on the convex portion to prevent interference with the built-in object. The electronic endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the relief portion is provided on a part of the convex portion and a peripheral surface of the frame body. The electronic endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the built-in object is a solid-state imaging device or an imaging unit including the solid-state imaging device. The electronic endoscope according to claim 3, wherein an inner diameter of the opening of the convex portion is smaller than a maximum outer diameter of the built-in object.

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