JP5023358B2 - Stereoscopic endoscope - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a stereoscopic endoscope.

  The endoscope includes two endoscope optical systems including a lens system and an imaging device arranged on the exit side thereof, and an observation site in a body cavity is viewed with the left eye by the two endoscope optical systems. There is a stereoscopic endoscope that captures an image from a direction and a direction viewed with the right eye.

  This stereoscopic endoscope has an angle of convergence of the two endoscope optical systems (the optical axes of the two endoscope optical systems) in order to image the observation site in the body cavity from the left and right directions using the two endoscope optical systems. Is desired to be adjusted according to the distance from the distal end (objective end) of the endoscope to the observation site.

  As the stereoscopic endoscope capable of adjusting the convergence angle, the two endoscope optical systems are arranged so that the angle can be adjusted respectively, and the lens systems of the two endoscope optical systems are respectively provided for the respective lenses of the lens system. Some of the front end lenses are configured to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction (see Patent Document 1).

Further, as another stereoscopic endoscope capable of adjusting the convergence angle, two endoscope optical systems are arranged with their respective optical axes parallel to each other, and at the tip side of these endoscope optical systems, There is one in which an adapter including an adapter lens having an entrance surface inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the optical axes of two endoscopic optical systems is arranged (see Patent Document 2).
JP-A-5-341206 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-160731

This invention is intended to provide a stereoscopic endoscope that can easily adjust the convergence angle.

The stereoscopic endoscope according to claim 1 of the present invention is
An endoscope body inserted into a body cavity;
A first lens system for imaging an observation site in the body cavity from a direction inclined leftward with respect to a center line of the endoscope body; and a first imaging device arranged on the exit side thereof. The endoscope body is provided with a predetermined distance in one direction with respect to the center line, and the objective end on the light incident side of the first lens system is directed toward the distal end of the endoscope body. A first endoscopic optical system arranged
A second lens system for imaging an observation site in the body cavity from a direction inclined rightward with respect to a center line of the endoscope body; and a second imaging element arranged on the exit side of the second lens system. The endoscope main body is provided with the same distance as the predetermined distance in a direction opposite to the one direction with respect to the center line, and the objective end on the light incident side of the second lens system is connected to the inner end. A second endoscope optical system arranged toward the distal end of the endoscope body;
There is a plurality of prisms disposed at the distal end of the endoscope body so as to correspond to the first endoscope optical system and having different light refraction angles, and these prisms are selectively connected to the first inner optical system. The endoscope body facing the objective end of the viewing optical system and having an optical axis of light incident on the first endoscope optical system from the observation site at an angle corresponding to the refraction angle of the selected prism A first photorefractive member that refracts in a direction substantially parallel to the center line of
A plurality of prisms having the same refraction angle as the respective prisms of the first light refraction member are disposed at the distal end of the endoscope body so as to correspond to the second endoscope optical system. Selectively oppose the objective end of the second endoscopic optical system, and the optical axis of light incident on the second endoscopic optical system from the observation site is refracted by the selected prism. A second light refracting member that refracts in a direction substantially parallel to the center line of the endoscope body at an angle corresponding to the angle;
The endoscope body, the first light refracting member, and the second light refracting member are formed of a cylindrical body surrounding the arrangement portion, and the endoscope body, the first light refracting member, and the first A cover member in which the opening surface at the tip of the arrangement portion of the two light refracting members is sealed with a transparent plate;
Equipped with a,
The first light refracting member includes a first rotating member that rotates in a plane perpendicular to the center line of the endoscope main body with a position on a side of the first endoscope optical system as a center. ,
The second light refracting member includes a second rotating member that rotates in a plane perpendicular to the center line of the endoscope main body with a position on a side of the second endoscope optical system as a center. And
An inclined surface in which at least one of a surface facing the objective end of the first endoscopic optical system and an opposite surface of the first light refracting member are inclined toward the center from the outer periphery of the first light refracting member. A plurality of prisms having different inclination angles of the inclined surfaces are arranged side by side in the rotation direction of the first photorefractive member,
An inclined surface in which at least one of the surface facing the objective end of the second endoscopic optical system and the opposite surface of the second light refracting member is inclined toward the center from the outer periphery of the second light refracting member. are formed on, and the inclined surface a plurality of prisms have different tilt angles from each other, it characterized that you have been formed side by side in the rotation direction of the second refractive member.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the rotation in the stereo endoscope according to claim 1, respectively and the first refractive member and the second optical refractive element is at the same angle of rotation in unison with each other The plurality of prisms of the first light refracting member and the plurality of prisms of the second light refracting member have the same refraction of the respective light refracting members due to the rotation of the first and second light refracting members. Square prisms are formed side by side in a positional relationship facing the objective ends of the first and second endoscopic optical systems.

The invention according to claim 3, in stereo endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the cover member is provided rotatably in a circumferential direction relative to the endoscope main body, the cover annular internal gear is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the distal end portion of member, the first respectively the outer periphery and the outer periphery of the second refractive member photorefractive member, the internal gear meshing with gears provided It is characterized by being.

  According to the stereoscopic endoscope of the present invention, the convergence angle can be easily adjusted.

  1 to 9 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a distal end portion inserted into a body cavity of a stereoscopic endoscope, and FIG. 2 is an objective end of the stereoscopic endoscope. It is the figure seen from the side.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, this stereoscopic endoscope has an endoscope main body 1 inserted into a body cavity at the tip thereof, and an observation site in the body cavity as a body cavity of the endoscope main body 1. A first endoscope optical system 10 for imaging from a direction inclined leftward with respect to a center line 1a parallel to the internal insertion direction, and a center line 1a of the endoscope main body 1 as an observation site in the body cavity The second endoscope optical system 20 for taking an image from the direction inclined rightward with respect to the first endoscope optical system 10 is disposed on the distal end side of the endoscope body 1 so as to correspond to the first endoscope optical system 10. The first light refracting member 30, the second light refracting member 40 disposed on the distal end side of the endoscope main body 1 so as to correspond to the second endoscope optical system 20, and the endoscope A cover member 50 provided so as to cover the first and second light refracting members 30 and 40 is provided around the main body 1 and on the front end side thereof.

  The endoscope body 1 is made of a shaft-like member, and the first endoscope optical system 10 and the second endoscope optical system 20 are provided at the distal end portion of the endoscope body 1.

  The cover member 50 is formed of a cylindrical body that surrounds the endoscope main body 1 and the arrangement portions of the first and second light refracting members 30 and 40, and an opening surface at the tip thereof is made of glass. It is sealed with a transparent plate 51 such as.

  The first endoscopic optical system 10 includes a first lens system 12 including a plurality of lenses 13, 14, 15, and 16 disposed in a first lens barrel 11, and the first lens barrel 11. And a first imaging element 17 disposed on the emission side of the first lens system 12. The center line 1 a of the endoscope body 1 is formed at the distal end of the endoscope body 1. Is provided with a predetermined distance in one direction, the objective end of the first lens system 12 on the light incident side is directed toward the distal end of the endoscope body 1, and the first endoscope optical The optical axis 10 a of the system 10 is arranged in parallel with the center line 1 a of the endoscope body 1.

  The second endoscope optical system 20 includes a second lens system 22 including a plurality of lenses 23, 24, 25, and 26 disposed in a second lens barrel 21, and the second lens barrel 21. And a second imaging element 27 disposed on the exit side of the second lens system 22. The center line 1 a of the endoscope body 1 is formed at the distal end of the endoscope body 1. Is provided with the same distance as the predetermined distance in a direction opposite to the one direction (the arrangement direction of the first endoscope optical system 10), and the objective end on the light incident side of the second lens system 22 Is directed in the direction of the distal end of the endoscope body 1 and the optical axis 20a of the second endoscope optical system 20 is arranged in parallel with the center line 1a of the endoscope body 1.

  Although not shown in the figure, each of the first and second endoscopic optical systems 10 and 20 includes an illuminating unit, and the illuminating unit illuminates the observation site in the opposite direction, and the observation site. Is imaged by the first and second imaging elements 17 and 27 via the first and second lens systems 22.

  The first light refraction member 30 includes a plurality of prisms 31, 32, 33, and 34 having different light refraction angles, and the second light refraction member 40 includes the first light. A plurality of prisms 41, 42, 43, 44 having the same refraction angle as the prisms 31, 32, 33, 34 of the refracting member 30 are provided.

  The first and second light refracting members 30 and 40 are made of hard transparent resin such as glass or acrylic resin, and the plurality of prisms 31, 32, 33, 34 and 41, 42, 43 and 44 are formed integrally with the first and second light refraction members 30 and 40, respectively.

  The first light refraction member 30 rotates in a plane perpendicular to the center line 1a of the endoscope main body 1 with the position on the side of the first endoscope optical system 10 as a center. The second light refracting member 40 is composed of a rotating member, and the second light refracting member 40 is in a plane perpendicular to the center line 1a of the endoscope main body 1 with the lateral position of the second endoscope optical system 20 as a center. The light refracting members 30 and 40 each have at least one of a surface facing the objective end of the endoscope optical systems 10 and 20 and an opposite surface thereof. A plurality of prisms 31, 32, 33, 34 and 41, 42, 43, 44, which are formed on inclined surfaces inclined from the outer periphery of 30, 40 toward the center and whose inclination angles are different from each other, It is formed side by side in the rotational direction of the refractive members 30 and 40 .

  3 is an enlarged plan view of the first light refracting member 30, and FIGS. 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views of the first light refracting member 30 taken along lines IV-IV and VV in FIG. The first light refracting member 30 is a circular member, and the plurality of prisms 31, 32, 33, and 34 define the first light refracting member 30 along two diameter lines orthogonal to each other. Each of the four regions is formed.

  In the plurality of prisms 31, 32, 33, 34 of the first light refraction member 30, for example, the surface facing the objective end of the first endoscope optical system 10 is the center line of the endoscope body 1. It is formed on a flat surface orthogonal to 1a, and its opposite surface is close to the surface facing the objective end of the first endoscope optical system 10 from the outer periphery of the first light refraction member 30 toward the center. The inclined angles θ1, θ2, θ3, and θ4 of the inclined surfaces of the prisms 31, 32, 33, and 34 are θ1 <θ2 <θ3 <. The relation of θ4 is set.

  The first light refracting member 30 has the shaft hole 35 provided at the center thereof at a position on the side of the first endoscope optical system 10 at the distal end of the endoscope body 1. By being rotatably fitted to a first support shaft 36 provided parallel to the center line 1a of the mirror body 1, the mirror body 1 is rotatably supported on the first support shaft 36.

  The first light refracting member 30 selectively rotates the plurality of prisms 31, 32, 33, and 34 to oppose the objective end of the first endoscopic optical system 10 by the rotation thereof, so An optical axis of light incident on the first endoscope optical system 10 (an optical axis closer to the object side than the first lens system 12 of the first endoscope optical system 10) 10a is connected to the plurality of prisms 31, 32, It is substantially the same as the center line 1a of the endoscope main body 1 at an angle opposite to the refraction angle of the selected prism 33, 34 (the prism facing the objective end of the first endoscope optical system 10). Refract in a parallel direction.

  The second light refracting member 40 is a circular member having the same diameter as the first light refracting member 30, and the plurality of prisms 41, 42, 43, 44 include the second light. The refractive member 40 is formed in each of four regions partitioned along two diameter lines orthogonal to each other.

  The plurality of prisms 41, 42, 43, 44 of the second light refraction member 40 are similar to the plurality of prisms 31, 32, 33, 34 of the first light refraction member 30. The surface facing the objective end of the optical system 20 is formed as a flat surface orthogonal to the center line 1a of the endoscope body 1, and the opposite surface is centered from the outer periphery of the second photorefractive member 40. The second endoscope optical system 20 has a shape formed on an inclined surface inclined in a direction close to the surface facing the objective end of the second endoscope optical system 20. The inclination angles of the inclined surfaces are set to the same angles as the inclination angles θ1, θ2, θ3, and θ4 of the inclined surfaces of the plurality of prisms 31, 32, 33, and 34 of the first light refraction member 30, respectively.

  The second photorefractive member 40 has a shaft hole (not shown) provided at the center thereof at a position on the side of the second endoscope optical system 20 at the tip of the endoscope body 1. Are rotatably supported on the second support shaft 46 by being rotatably fitted to a second support shaft 46 provided in parallel with the center line 1a of the endoscope body 1.

  In this embodiment, the first and second support shafts 36 and 46 are arranged on the first straight line passing through the centers of the objective ends of both the first and second endoscope optical systems 10 and 20. And the second endoscope optical system 10, 20 at a position on the outer peripheral side of the endoscope body 1.

  By rotating the second photorefractive member 40, the plurality of prisms 41, 42, 43, 44 are selectively made to oppose the objective end of the second endoscopic optical system 20, and from the observation site, An optical axis of light incident on the second endoscope optical system 20 (an optical axis closer to the object side than the second lens system 22 of the second endoscope optical system 20) 20a is connected to the plurality of prisms 41, 42, It is substantially the same as the center line 1a of the endoscope main body 1 at an angle opposite to the refraction angle of the selected prism 43 (44) (the prism facing the objective end of the second endoscope optical system 20). Refract in a direction parallel to

  The cover member 50 is supported on the outer periphery of the endoscope body 1 so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction via a plurality of bearings 52, and has an end portion (inside the body cavity) opposite to the distal end side. By rotating the end portion outside the portion to be inserted manually or by driving means (not shown), it is rotated in both forward and reverse directions.

  Further, an annular internal gear 53 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the front end portion of the cover member 50, and the internal gear 53 and the outer periphery of the first and second light refraction members 30 and 40, respectively. Engaging gears 37 and 47 are formed, and the first and second light refraction members 30 and 40 are rotated at the same rotation angle in synchronization with each other by the rotation of the cover member 50.

  That is, the first and second light refracting members 30 and 40 rotate the cover member 50 counterclockwise in FIG. 2, as indicated by the arrows and broken lines in FIG. By rotating the cover member 50 in the counterclockwise direction, the cover member 50 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 2 to rotate in the clockwise direction at the same rotation angle.

  The plurality of prisms 31, 32, 33, and 34 of the first light refraction member 30 and the plurality of prisms 41, 42, 43, and 44 of the second light refraction member 40 are the first and second. As the light refracting members 30 and 40 rotate, the prisms 31 and 41, 32 and 42, 33 and 43, 34 and 44 having the same refraction angle of the respective light refracting members 30 and 40 become the first and second inner members. They are formed side by side with the objective ends of the viewing optical systems 10 and 20 so as to face each other.

  In this embodiment, the support shafts 36 and 46 of the first and second light refracting members 30 and 40 are disposed on the endoscope body 1 more than the first and second endoscope optical systems 10 and 20. Since the first and second light refracting members 30 and 40 rotate in the same direction as the rotation direction of the cover member 50, the first endoscopic optical system is provided at a position on the outer peripheral side. The rotation direction of the first light refraction member 30 relative to 10 and the rotation direction of the second light refraction member 40 relative to the second endoscopic optical system 20 are opposite to each other.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the plurality of prisms 31, 32, 33, 34 of the first light refraction member 30 and the plurality of prisms 41, 42, 43, 44 of the second light refraction member 40 are The prisms having the same refraction angle of the first and second light refracting members 30 and 40 are respectively opposed to the objective ends of the first and second endoscopic optical systems 10 and 20, respectively. In this state, the gears 37 and 47 of the first and second light refraction members 30 and 40 are engaged with the internal gear 53 of the cover member 50.

  The stereoscopic endoscope is inserted into the body cavity from the distal end side thereof, and the first and second endoscope optical systems 10 are provided with the observation site in the body cavity provided at the distal end portion of the endoscope body 1. , 20, and the imaging of the observation site is performed by rotating the endoscope main body 1 in the circumferential direction, and the first endoscope optical system 10 and the second endoscope optical system 20. Is performed in the left-right direction with respect to the observation site.

  The stereoscopic endoscope has the first and second light refracting members 30, corresponding to the first and second endoscope optical systems 10, 20 on the distal end side of the endoscope body 1, respectively. 40, and the optical axis 10a of the light incident on the first endoscopic optical system 10 from the observation site is made of the plurality of prisms 31, 32, 33, 34 of the first light refraction member 30. The first endoscope optical system 10 is refracted in a direction substantially parallel to the center line 1a of the endoscope body 1 at an angle corresponding to the refraction angle of the prism opposed to the objective end of the first endoscope optical system 10, and from the observation site. The optical axis 20a of the light incident on the second endoscopic optical system 20 is used as the second endoscopic optical system 20 of the plurality of prisms 41, 42, 43, 44 of the second photorefractive member 40. The center line 1a of the endoscope body 1 at an angle corresponding to the refraction angle of the prism facing the objective end of the endoscope Since the light is refracted in a substantially parallel direction, an image obtained by viewing an observation site in the body cavity from a direction tilted leftward with respect to the center line 1a of the endoscope body 1 is the first light. An image is formed on the first image sensor 17 via the prism of the refractive member 30 facing the objective end of the first endoscopic optical system 10 and the first lens system 12, An image obtained by viewing the observation site from the direction inclined rightward with respect to the center line 1a of the endoscope body 1 is applied to the objective end of the second endoscope optical system 20 of the second photorefractive member 40. It is possible to form an image on the second imaging element 27 via the opposed prism and the second lens system 22, and to image the observation site in the body cavity from the left direction and the right direction.

  The stereoscopic endoscope includes image data captured by the first image sensor 17 (image data obtained by viewing the observation site from the left direction) and image data captured by the second image sensor 27 (observation). Image data obtained by viewing the region from the right direction) is output to an image data processing device (not shown), and the image data processing device corresponds to the image data from the first image sensor 17. And the right-eye image data signal corresponding to the image data from the second image sensor 27 are output to a stereoscopic image display (not shown).

  As the stereoscopic image display, for example, an image for the left eye is displayed by every other row of pixels of the liquid crystal display panel, and an image for the right eye is displayed by every other row of pixels. A lenticular lens that distributes the image for the eye into the left-eye direction and the right-eye direction of the display observer, or the light emitted from the pixels in one row of the liquid crystal display panel and the light emitted from the pixels in the other row, or A plurality of transmissive portions and light shielding portions parallel to the pixel rows of the liquid crystal display panel are alternately arranged to allow the viewer's left eye and right eye to observe through a parallax barrier formed in a stripe shape, The image for the left eye and the image for the right eye are alternately displayed on the liquid crystal display panel, and is synchronized with the display of the image for the left eye from a surface light source disposed on the opposite side to the observation side of the liquid crystal display panel. Pointing toward the viewer's left eye Irradiating the left-eye illuminating light having, like irradiates in synchronization with the right-eye illumination light having a directivity in the right eye direction of the observer to the display of the right eye image is used.

  The stereoscopic endoscope images an endoscope main body 1 inserted into a body cavity and an observation site in the body cavity from a direction inclined leftward with respect to the center line 1a of the endoscope main body 1. And a first imaging device 17 disposed on the exit side of the first lens system 12, and the endoscope body 1 has a predetermined distance in one direction with respect to the center line 1a. A first endoscope optical system 10 disposed with the objective end on the light incident side of the first lens system 12 facing the distal end of the endoscope body 1, and an observation site in the body cavity. A second lens system 22 for taking an image from a direction inclined rightward with respect to the center line 1a of the endoscope body 1, and a second image pickup device 27 arranged on the exit side thereof, The endoscope main body 1 has the same distance as the predetermined distance in the direction opposite to the one direction with respect to the center line 1a. A second endoscope optical system 20 disposed with the objective end on the light incident side of the second lens system 22 facing the distal end of the endoscope main body 1, and the endoscope main body 1. Are arranged in correspondence with the first endoscope optical system 10 and have a plurality of prisms 31, 32, 33, 34 having different light refraction angles, and these prisms 31, 32, 33 are arranged. , 34 are selectively opposed to the objective end of the first endoscope optical system 10, and the optical axis 10a of the light incident on the first endoscope optical system 10 from the observation site is selected as the selected prism. The first light refracting member 30 that refracts in a direction substantially parallel to the center line 1a of the endoscope body 1 at an angle corresponding to the refraction angle of the endoscope body 1, and on the distal end side of the endoscope body 1 Each prism of the first light refraction member 30 is disposed corresponding to the second endoscopic optical system 20. 1, 32, 33, and 34 have a plurality of prisms 41, 42, 43, and 44 having the same refraction angle, and selectively select the prisms 41, 42, 43, and 44 of the second endoscope optical system 20. Opposite the objective end, the optical axis 20a of the light incident on the second endoscope optical system 20 from the observation site is set at an angle corresponding to the refraction angle of the selected prism. Since the second light refracting member 40 that refracts in a direction substantially parallel to the center line 1a is provided, the convergence angle (first and second) is determined according to the distance from the endoscope tip to the observation site in the body cavity. The crossing angle of the optical axes 10a and 20a of the second endoscopic optical systems 10 and 20 can be easily adjusted.

  That is, FIGS. 6 to 9 are imaging optical path diagrams of an observation site in a body cavity by the stereoscopic endoscope, FIG. 6 is an imaging optical path when the distance to the observation site 60 is long, and FIG. The imaging optical path when the distance to the part 60 is shorter than FIG. 6, FIG. 8 shows the imaging optical path when the distance to the observation part 60 is shorter than FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 shows the distance to the observation part 60 in FIG. The imaging optical path when shorter than is shown.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the stereoscopic endoscope has the first and the first ones when the distance from the distal end to the observation site 60 in the body cavity is long according to the distance from the distal end to the observation site 60. Among the plurality of prisms 31, 32, 33, 34 and 41, 42, 43, 44 of the second light refracting members 30, 40, a prism having a small refraction angle is used as the objective of the first and second endoscopic optical systems 20. When the distance to the observation site 60 is short, the prisms 31, 32, 33, 34 and 41, 42, 43, 44 of the first and second light refracting members 30, 40 are short. The light of light incident on the first endoscope optical system 10 from the observation site is made by causing the prisms having a large refraction angle to face the objective ends of the first and second endoscope optical systems 20, respectively. Shaft 10a and the second endoscopic optics from the observation site The optical axis 20a of the light incident on the optical axis 20 is refracted in a direction substantially parallel to the center line 1a of the endoscope body 1, and the observation site 60 is made to be the first and second endoscope optical systems. 20, imaging can be performed at appropriate convergence angles φ1, φ2, φ3, and φ4 according to the distance to the observation site 60.

  In the stereoscopic endoscope, the plurality of prisms 31, 32, 33, 34 and 41, 42, 43, 44 of the first and second light refracting members 30, 40 are selectively selected from the first and second prisms. The convergence angles φ1, φ2, φ3, and φ4 can be easily adjusted by facing the objective ends of the second endoscopic optical system 20, respectively.

  The stereoscopic endoscope is formed of a cylindrical body that surrounds the endoscope main body 1 and the arrangement of the first and second light refraction members 30 and 40, and an opening surface at the tip thereof is transparent. Since the cover member 50 further sealed by the plate 51 is further provided, the insertion into the body cavity can be performed smoothly, and foreign matter in the body cavity can be prevented from entering the arrangement portion of the photorefractive members 30, 40, It is possible to prevent malfunction of the light refraction members 30 and 40 and contamination of the objective ends of the endoscope optical diameters 10 and 20.

  Further, in the stereoscopic endoscope, the first light refraction member 30 is orthogonal to the center line 1a of the endoscope body 1 with the position on the side of the first endoscope optical system 10 as the center. The second light refracting member 40 is centered on the side position of the second endoscope optical system 20 and the center line of the endoscope body 1 It comprises a second rotating member that rotates in a plane orthogonal to 1a, and these light refracting members 30 and 40 are opposite to the surfaces facing the objective ends of the endoscopic optical systems 10 and 20, respectively. At least one of the surfaces (in the above embodiment, the surface facing the objective end of the endoscope optical system 10, 20) is formed on an inclined surface inclined from the outer periphery of the light refraction member 30, 40 toward the center, and the inclined A plurality of prisms 31, 32, 33, 34 having different surface inclination angles and 41, 42, 43, 44 are formed side by side in the rotational direction of the light refracting members 30, 40, so that the convergence angle φ1 is obtained by rotating the first and second light refracting members 30, 40. , Φ2, φ3, φ4 can be adjusted.

  The stereoscopic endoscope is configured such that the first and second light refracting members 30 and 40 are rotated at the same rotation angle in synchronization with each other, and a plurality of the first light refracting members 30 are rotated. The prisms 31, 32, 33, and 34 and the plurality of prisms 41, 42, 43, and 44 of the second light refracting member 40 are respectively rotated by the rotation of the first and second light refracting members 30 and 40. Since the prisms having the same refraction angle of the light refraction members 30 and 40 are formed side by side in a positional relationship facing the objective ends of the first and second endoscope optical systems 10 and 20, respectively, the first light refraction is performed. The prisms having the same refraction angle of the member 30 and the second light refraction member 40 can be reliably opposed to the objective ends of the first and second endoscopic optical systems 10 and 20, respectively.

  In addition, the stereoscopic endoscope is provided with the cover member 50 so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction with respect to the endoscope body 1, and an annular internal tooth on the inner peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the cover member 50. Since the gear 53 is provided and the gears 37 and 47 that mesh with the internal gear 53 are formed on the outer circumferences of the first and second light refraction members 30 and 40, respectively, the first and second light beams are formed. The refractive members 30 and 40 can be rotated at the same rotation angle in synchronization with each other by the rotation of the cover member 50.

  In the above embodiment, four prisms 31, 32, 33, 34 and 41, 42, 43, 44 having different light refraction angles are formed on the first and second light refracting members 30, 40, respectively. However, the number of prisms of the first and second light refraction members 30 and 40 may be any number.

  Moreover, in the said Example, the said cover member 50 was provided rotatably with respect to the said endoscope main body 1 in the circumferential direction, and the internal gear 53 provided in the internal peripheral surface of the front-end | tip part of the said cover member 50 was used. By engaging gears 37 and 47 provided on the outer circumferences of the first and second light refracting members 30 and 40, the first and second light refracting members 30 and 40 are rotated by the rotation of the cover member 50. The first and second light refracting members 30 and 40 may be rotated by other means, and the first and second light refracting members 30 and 40 may be rotated. Is not limited to a rotating member, and may be, for example, a member that linearly moves in a direction intersecting the optical axes 10a and 20a of the first and second endoscopic optical systems 20.

Sectional drawing of the front-end | tip part inserted in the body cavity of the stereoscopic endoscope which shows one Example of this invention. The figure seen from the objective end side of the said stereoscopic endoscope. FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of a first light refraction member of the stereoscopic endoscope. Sectional drawing which follows the IV-IV line | wire in FIG. 3 of the said 1st light refraction member. Sectional drawing which follows the VV line in FIG. 3 of the said 1st light refraction member. The imaging optical path diagram when the distance to the observation site | part by the said stereoscopic endoscope is long. FIG. 7 is an imaging optical path diagram when a distance to an observation site by the stereoscopic endoscope is shorter than that in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is an imaging optical path diagram when a distance to an observation site by the stereoscopic endoscope is shorter than that in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is an imaging optical path diagram when a distance to an observation site by the stereoscopic endoscope is shorter than that in FIG. 8.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope main body, 1a ... Center line, 10, 20 ... Endoscopic optical system, 10a, 20a ... Optical axis, 12, 22 ... Lens system, 17, 27 ... Imaging element, 30, 40 ... Photorefractive member, 31, 32, 33, 34, 41, 42, 53, 44 ... prism, 36, 46 ... gear, 50 ... cover member, 51 ... transparent plate, 53 ... internal gear.

Claims (3)

An endoscope body inserted into a body cavity;
A first lens system for imaging an observation site in the body cavity from a direction inclined leftward with respect to a center line of the endoscope body; and a first imaging device arranged on the exit side thereof. The endoscope body is provided with a predetermined distance in one direction with respect to the center line, and the objective end on the light incident side of the first lens system is directed toward the distal end of the endoscope body. A first endoscopic optical system arranged
A second lens system for imaging an observation site in the body cavity from a direction inclined rightward with respect to a center line of the endoscope body; and a second imaging element arranged on the exit side of the second lens system. The endoscope main body is provided with the same distance as the predetermined distance in a direction opposite to the one direction with respect to the center line, and the objective end on the light incident side of the second lens system is connected to the inner end. A second endoscope optical system arranged toward the distal end of the endoscope body;
There is a plurality of prisms disposed at the distal end of the endoscope body so as to correspond to the first endoscope optical system and having different light refraction angles, and these prisms are selectively connected to the first inner optical system. The endoscope body facing the objective end of the viewing optical system and having an optical axis of light incident on the first endoscope optical system from the observation site at an angle corresponding to the refraction angle of the selected prism A first photorefractive member that refracts in a direction substantially parallel to the center line of
A plurality of prisms having the same refraction angle as the respective prisms of the first light refraction member are disposed at the distal end of the endoscope body so as to correspond to the second endoscope optical system. Selectively oppose the objective end of the second endoscopic optical system, and the optical axis of light incident on the second endoscopic optical system from the observation site is refracted by the selected prism. A second light refracting member that refracts in a direction substantially parallel to the center line of the endoscope body at an angle corresponding to the angle;
The endoscope body, the first light refracting member, and the second light refracting member are formed of a cylindrical body surrounding the arrangement portion, and the endoscope body, the first light refracting member, and the first A cover member in which the opening surface at the tip of the arrangement portion of the two light refracting members is sealed with a transparent plate;
Equipped with a,
The first light refracting member includes a first rotating member that rotates in a plane perpendicular to the center line of the endoscope main body with a position on a side of the first endoscope optical system as a center. ,
The second light refracting member includes a second rotating member that rotates in a plane perpendicular to the center line of the endoscope main body with a position on a side of the second endoscope optical system as a center. And
An inclined surface in which at least one of a surface facing the objective end of the first endoscopic optical system and an opposite surface of the first light refracting member are inclined toward the center from the outer periphery of the first light refracting member. A plurality of prisms having different inclination angles of the inclined surfaces are arranged side by side in the rotation direction of the first photorefractive member,
An inclined surface in which at least one of the surface facing the objective end of the second endoscopic optical system and the opposite surface of the second light refracting member is inclined toward the center from the outer periphery of the second light refracting member. to be formed, and the inclined surfaces plurality of prisms tilt angle are different from each other of said second stereoscopic endoscope characterized that you have been formed side by side in the rotational direction of the light refracting member. Each said first optical refractive element said second optical refractive element, is rotated at the same rotation angle in phase with each other, a plurality of prisms of the first light refracting member, said second refractive member The plurality of prisms are positioned such that the prisms having the same refraction angle of the respective light refraction members face the objective ends of the first and second endoscopic optical systems, respectively, by the rotation of the first and second light refraction members. The stereoscopic endoscope according to claim 1 , wherein the stereoscopic endoscope is formed side by side in a relationship. It said cover member is provided rotatably in a circumferential direction relative to the endoscope main body,
An annular internal gear is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the tip of the cover member,
Stereoscopic endoscope according to claim 2, characterized in that each of said internal gear meshing with the gear is provided on the outer periphery of the outer periphery and the second refractive member of the first refractive member mirror.

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