JP5171418B2 - Endoscope - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope.

  Endoscopes are used in the medical field for examinations in the lumen of the digestive tract and cervix, or in the industrial field for examination of small diameter tubes and narrow cavities. As an endoscope for such applications, a side view is provided with a flexible tube inserted into a hole in a lumen, in a tube, a cavity, etc., and an objective lens is provided on the side surface of the distal end of the tube so that the field of view extends laterally. A type of endoscope is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  There is also known an endoscope in which an omnidirectional light receiving unit is provided at the distal end portion of the tube and the field of view extends laterally all around (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

In recent years, capsule endoscopes have been used for medical examination of the digestive tract in the medical field. The capsule endoscope incorporates an imaging device and images the inside of the digestive tract while being transported through the digestive tract by peristaltic movement of the digestive tract (see, for example, Patent Document 3).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 03-191944 JP 2003-279862 A JP 09-327447 A

  The field of view of the endoscope is relatively narrow, and it is necessary to move the field of view in order to observe the inner peripheral surface of the hole over a wide range. In an endoscope in which a tube is inserted into a hole, the field of view is moved by inserting and removing the tube and twisting, but the operation requires skill. For this reason, for example, it is not realistic for the examinee to operate himself / herself during the examination, and the operation is left to the doctor. However, for example, in the cervical examination, there is a resistance to seeing the body by the doctor, which has been a factor that hinders the spread of the examination.

  On the other hand, the capsule endoscope is conveyed inside the digestive tract by peristaltic movement of the digestive tract. Therefore, although an operation for moving the visual field is not required, it cannot be used for a subject that does not have a peristaltic movement.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope that can image the inner peripheral surface of a hole over a wide range without requiring skill in operation.

The endoscope of the present invention is formed in a cylindrical shape, an outer shell provided with a transparent window portion extending in the axial direction on a peripheral wall thereof, a light source and a solid-state imaging device provided in the outer shell, An illumination optical system that irradiates a subject with illumination light from the light source through a window; an objective optical system that forms an image on the solid-state imaging device; and an objective optical system that collects the subject light through the window A support that holds at least the objective lens, and a drive mechanism that moves the support along the axis of the outer shell, wherein the light source is in the axial direction of the outer shell. The support is moved along the axis of the outer shell between the light source and the solid-state imaging device, and an irradiation port of the illumination optical system is provided in the support. and, the illumination optical system, the illumination light to the illumination opening The objective optical system includes a second reflecting surface that reflects the subject light toward the solid-state imaging device, and the light source and the solid-state imaging device are the same. It is arrange | positioned on an axis line, The said 1st reflective surface and the said 2nd reflective surface are formed in the single optical member arrange | positioned on the said axis line, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  In the endoscope of the present invention, the irradiation port is provided at a position adjacent to the objective lens in the axial direction of the outer shell.

  In the endoscope of the present invention, the window portion is provided on the entire peripheral wall of the outer shell, and the drive mechanism rotates the support body about the outer shell axis as a rotation axis. It moves along the axis of the outer shell.

  In the endoscope of the present invention, the outer shell is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a thread groove is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall, and the drive mechanism uses the axis of the outer shell as a rotation axis. Drive means for rotationally driving the support is provided, and the support is engaged with the thread groove of the outer shell.

  In addition, the endoscope of the present invention further includes a control unit that reads out an imaging signal from the solid-state imaging device to generate image data, and a memory that stores the image data in the outer shell. And

  In the endoscope of the present invention, the driving mechanism further includes a battery that operates with electric power and supplies electric power to the light source, the solid-state imaging device, and the driving mechanism in the outer shell. And

  In the endoscope of the present invention, after being inserted into the hole, the objective lens held by the support is moved in the axial direction together with the support by the driving mechanism, and accordingly, the visual field is moved in the axial direction. Therefore, it is not necessary to insert / remove or twist the entire endoscope, and the inner peripheral surface of the hole can be imaged over a wide range without requiring skill.

  Therefore, for example, when used for cervical examination, the subject can receive an examination by wearing an endoscope. Thereby, it is possible to dispel the sense of resistance that the doctor sees the body, and to operate easily, which can contribute to the spread of medical examinations.

  Then, by providing the support with the irradiation port of the illumination optical system, the visual field range can be illuminated following the movement of the visual field. Furthermore, the support is moved along the axis of the outer shell between the light source and the solid-state image sensor that are spaced apart in the axial direction of the outer shell, and the optical path length from the light source to the solid-state image sensor is determined by the movement of the support. That is, it is substantially constant regardless of the movement of the visual field. Thereby, the amount of light incident on the solid-state image sensor can be kept substantially constant, and the brightness of the captured image can be made uniform.

  Further, if the window portion is provided over the entire circumference of the peripheral wall of the outer shell, and the drive mechanism is configured to move in the axial direction while rotating at least the objective lens of the objective optical system about the axis of the outer shell, Even when the field of view is less than the entire circumference, it is possible to image all directions without rotating the endoscope. Thereby, the inner peripheral surface of the hole can be imaged over a wider range.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
1 is an external perspective view according to an embodiment of the endoscope of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the endoscope shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the endoscope shown in FIG. .

  The endoscope 1 according to this embodiment includes an outer shell composed of a main body 11 and a translucent cover 13, and an objective lens 17 that collects subject light through the translucent cover 13 is held therein. A lens holder 19; a drive mechanism 21 that moves the lens holder 19 within the outer shell; and a solid-state imaging device 23 (see FIG. 2) that receives subject light captured from the objective lens 17 and converts it into an electrical signal. I have.

  The main body portion 11 constituting a part of the outer shell is formed of a light-shielding resin material or the like, one end portion 11a is closed, and the other end portion 11c is formed into an open cylindrical shape. . A cylindrical battery housing portion 11b is provided at the closed end (bottom portion) 11a. The battery housing portion 11b is closed by a battery lid 27 after the power supply battery 25 is mounted.

  That is, the electronic endoscope 1 of the present embodiment incorporates the power supply battery 25 and does not require external power supply. Therefore, the electronic endoscope 1 does not need to be connected with a power supply cable, and is excellent in handleability.

  In the illustrated example, two pipes 29 are provided on the bottom portion 11a so as to protrude outside the outer shell. These tubes 29 are provided, for example, when a transfer cable is inserted when image data or an image map stored in a memory 83 to be described later is transferred to an external device, and the cables are protected. In addition, the tube 29 may be soft, but as a hard tube, when the endoscope 1 is used, a grip for inserting the endoscope 1 into or pulling out from the hole of the subject. It is good also as a part.

  The translucent cover 13 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and one end 13b is open. The translucent cover 13 is fixed to the main body 11 by an appropriate means such as adhesion by aligning the open end 13b with the open end 11c of the main body 11.

  The other end (tip portion) 13a of the translucent cover 13 is formed into a smooth hemispherical shape in order to facilitate insertion of the subject into the hole. And the front-end | tip part 13a and the opening edge part 13b are connected by the cylindrical part 13c shape | molded by the same diameter as the front-end | tip part 13a. In the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment, the distal end portion 13a and the cylindrical portion 13c are formed with a smaller diameter than the open end portion 13b. Thus, by thinning the tip portion 13a and the cylindrical portion 13c formed in a hemispherical shape, insertion into a narrow hole can be facilitated, and the use range of the endoscope 1 can be expanded.

  The translucent cover 13 having the above-described configuration can be manufactured using a transparent resin material or the like, for example, by integral molding. Alternatively, the tip end portion 13a, the open end portion 13b, and the cylindrical portion 13c formed in a hemispherical shape may be formed as separate members and joined to each other by appropriate means such as adhesion. In that case, at least the cylindrical portion 13c facing the inner peripheral surface of the hole of the subject is formed to be transparent. In the present invention, the term “transparent” may be transparent to light having a specific wavelength that sensitizes the image sensor 23, and may not necessarily be transparent to visible light.

  The lens holder 19 is formed of a resin material or the like, and has a cylindrical driven portion 33 that fits inside the main body 11 and a cylindrical portion 13 c of the translucent cover 13 that has a smaller diameter than the driven portion 33. And a cylindrical support portion 15 capable of entering the inside.

  On the outer peripheral surface of the driven portion 33 of the lens holder 19, a male screw 33 b that is screwed into a screw groove 11 d formed on the inner peripheral surface of the main body portion 11 is formed. An internal gear 33 a is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the driven portion 33. The teeth of the internal gear 33a extend in parallel with the central axis of the driven portion 33 and are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

  Further, the outer diameter of the support portion 15 of the lens holder 19 is formed to be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 13c of the light-transmitting cover 13, and smooth in the cylindrical portion 13c along the central axis of the outer shell. Can be moved to.

  A mirror 16 is accommodated at the tip of the support portion 15. The mirror 16 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and the lower end portion thereof is cut by a plane that intersects the central axis at an angle of 45 degrees. The inclined cut surface is formed as a reflection surface for objective 16b by forming a reflection film.

  An imaging hole is formed in a portion of the support portion 15 facing the objective reflecting surface 16b of the mirror 16 in the radial direction, and an objective lens 17 is attached to the imaging hole. The subject light is collected by the objective lens 17 through the cylindrical portion 13 c of the translucent cover 13 and travels toward the mirror 16 as a parallel light flux. The subject light is reflected by the objective reflecting surface 16b of the mirror 16 and travels on the central axis of the support portion 15 that coincides with the central axis of the outer shell as a parallel light beam.

  In the main body 11, an imaging unit 37 is disposed at a position corresponding to an extension line of the central axis of the support portion 15 of the lens holder 19. The imaging unit 37 is fixed to the main body 11 using a fixing member (not shown). In the illustrated example, the imaging unit 37 includes three substrates 41, 42, and 43.

  A solid-state imaging device 23 is provided on the substrate 43 that is disposed closest to the lens holder 19. As the image sensor 23, a CCD image sensor, a CMOS image sensor, or the like can be used. A memory 83 is provided on the substrate 42 disposed below the substrate 43 (on the bottom 11a side of the main body 11). The memory 83 stores image data generated from an image pickup signal read from the image pickup device 23 and the like. A control unit 45 is provided on the substrate 41 disposed under the substrate 42. For example, the control unit 45 reads an image signal from the image sensor 23, generates image data from the read image signal, and the like.

  The image sensor 23 is provided on the substrate 43 at a position corresponding to an extension of the central axis of the support portion 15 of the lens holder 19. A condensing lens 51 is disposed at a position above the image sensor 23 on the extended line of the central axis of the support portion 15. The condenser lens 51 is held by a condenser lens holder 49 installed on the substrate 43 so as to surround the imaging device 23. The condensing lens 51 forms an image of subject light traveling as a parallel light beam on the central axis of the support portion 15 on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 23. As described above, the objective lens 17, the objective reflecting surface 16 b of the mirror 16, and the condenser lens 51 constitute an objective optical system.

  The endoscope 1 includes a light emitting diode (LED) 55 as a light source that emits illumination light for illuminating a subject. The LED 55 is housed in the distal end portion 13 a of the translucent cover 13 so as to be separated from the solid-state image sensor 23 in the axial direction of the outer shell and to interpose the lens holder 19 between the LED 55 and the image sensor 23. . The tip portion 13a further accommodates a battery 56 that supplies power to the LED 55 and an illumination lens 57 that collects illumination light from the LED 55. The LED 55, the battery 56, and the illumination lens 57 are each provided with a holding member 58. It is being fixed to the front-end | tip part 13a of the translucent cover 13 using.

  At the tip of the support portion 15 of the lens holder 19, a through hole 15 a that exposes the upper end portion of the mirror 16 accommodated in the tip portion is formed. The upper end portion of the mirror 16 has a shape cut by a plane obliquely intersecting the central axis, and the inclined cut surface is used as a reflection surface 16a for illumination by forming a reflection film. . The illumination light of the LED 55 passes through the illumination lens 57, travels on the extension line of the central axis of the support portion 15, and enters the illumination reflecting surface 16a of the mirror 16 exposed through the through hole 15a.

  The reflecting surface 16a for illumination of the mirror 16 is inclined so as to be substantially symmetrical with the reflecting surface 16b for objectives with respect to a virtual surface that is between the reflecting surface 16b for objectives and orthogonal to the central axis. In the support portion 15 of the lens holder 19, an irradiation port 15 b is formed above the objective lens 17 at a portion facing the illumination reflecting surface 16 a of the mirror 16 in the radial direction. The illumination light incident on the illumination reflecting surface 16a is reflected toward the irradiation port 15b on the illumination reflecting surface 16a, and is irradiated on the subject through the cylindrical portion 13c of the translucent cover 13 from the irradiation port 15b.

  The inclination angle of the illumination reflecting surface 16a is determined so that the optical axis of the illumination light emitted from the irradiation port 15b is parallel to the lens optical axis of the objective lens 17 or as it goes outward of the outer shell. It is set as appropriate to approach the axis. The opening diameter of the irradiation port 15b is also set as appropriate. Thereby, the illumination light irradiated onto the subject from the irradiation port 15b illuminates a range including the visual field range of the objective lens 17. The irradiation port 15b is preferably disposed at a position adjacent to the objective lens 17 in the axial direction of the outer shell. According to this, it becomes easy to illuminate a range including the visual field range of the objective lens 17 when imaging a subject at a very close distance.

  Thus, the illumination optical system is configured by the illumination lens 57, the illumination reflecting surface 16a of the mirror 16, and the irradiation port 15b. Here, both the objective reflection surface 16b of the objective optical system and the illumination reflection surface 16a of the illumination optical system are formed on the mirror 16, and the optical member is shared by the objective optical system and the illumination optical system. According to this, the number of parts can be reduced and the size can be reduced accordingly.

  The lens holder 19 in which the male screw 33 b formed on the outer peripheral surface of the driven portion 33 is screwed into the screw groove 11 d formed on the inner peripheral surface of the main body portion 11 is along the central axis of the main body portion 11. Then, the movement is guided along the central axis of the outer shell. Below, the drive mechanism 21 which moves the lens holder 19 along the central axis of an outer shell is demonstrated in detail.

  A stepping motor 61 is fixed in the main body 11, and is interposed between a motor gear 63 of the stepping motor 61 and an internal gear 33 a formed on the driven portion 33 of the lens holder 19. An idle gear 65 that meshes with each other is provided. The rotation of the stepping motor 61 is transmitted to the lens holder 19 via the motor gear 63 and the idle gear 65. The driving means for rotationally driving the lens holder 19 is not limited to a pulsed stepping motor, and various motors such as a servo motor having an encoder, or other power sources may be used.

  The lens holder 19 has the driven portion 33 fitted in the main body portion 11, so that the lens holder 19 to which the rotation of the stepping motor 61 is transmitted rotates about the central axis of the main body portion 11 as a rotation axis. At the same time, the driven portion 33 is screwed into a thread groove 11 d formed on the inner peripheral surface of the main body portion 11 with a male screw 33 b formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof. Therefore, the lens holder 19 moves (lifts / lowers) along the central axis of the main body 11 as it rotates about the central axis of the main body 11.

  For example, in a state where the lens holder 19 is in the raised position shown in FIG. 3, the stepping motor 61 is rotationally driven in a predetermined direction, and the lens holder 19 is rotated via the motor gear 63 and the idle gear 65. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the lens holder 19 is half rotated. As shown in FIG. 4, the lens holder 19 descends by Δh along the central axis of the main body 11 while rotating around the central axis of the main body 11. As the lens holder 19 is rotated, the objective lens 17 is also rotated, and thereby the imaging field of view moves in the circumferential direction. As the lens holder 19 rotates, it reaches the lowest position shown in FIG. 5 along the central axis of the main body 11, that is, the lower end of the male screw 33 b of the driven part 33 reaches the lower end of the screw groove 11 d of the main body 11. It can be lowered to the position.

  FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the imaging unit 37. The imaging unit 37 includes an LED drive circuit 85 that drives the LED 55, an image sensor driver 87 that drives the image sensor 23, a motor driver 89 that drives the stepping motor 61, and pulse generation that supplies drive pulses to the motor driver 89. The control unit 45 includes a controller 91 and a control unit (CPU) 81 that controls the operation of the LED drive circuit 85, the image sensor driver 87, and the pulse generator 91. The memory 83 stores a control program for the control unit 45. The memory 83 stores a control program, stores image data, and also operates as a work memory. The control unit 81 appropriately performs image processing on the imaging signal read from the imaging element 23 to generate image data, and stores the generated image data in the memory 83. According to such a configuration, the image of the subject can be acquired and stored by the electronic endoscope 1 alone, and the handleability is excellent.

  When the power switch 93 of the endoscope 1 is closed, power from the power supply battery 25 and the battery 56 is supplied to each part of the endoscope 1 through wiring not shown, and imaging is performed. For example, the power switch 93 may be provided on the bottom 11a of the main body 11 and may be manually opened and closed. Alternatively, a switch terminal that responds to a magnetic force may be built in the main body 11, and the switch terminal may be opened and closed by moving the magnet closer to or away from the outside of the endoscope 1.

Next, the operation of the endoscope 1 will be described.
The power switch 93 is turned on, and power is supplied from the power supply battery 25 and the battery 56 to each part of the endoscope 1. Then, the illumination light of the LED 55 is irradiated laterally from the irradiation port 15b through the cylindrical portion 13c of the translucent cover 13, and the subject is illuminated. Reflected light from the subject is taken into the endoscope 1 through the cylindrical portion 13 c of the translucent cover 13 and the objective lens 17, and is imaged on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 23 by the condenser lens 51. The charge accumulated in the image sensor 23 by the photoelectric conversion is read out as an image signal by the control unit 81 of the control unit 45. The control unit 81 appropriately performs image processing on the read imaging signal to generate image data, and stores the generated image data in the memory 83.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the control program of the control unit 45. When the power switch 93 is turned on, first, the stepping motor 61 is driven to rotate, and the lens holder 19 advances along the central axis of the outer shell of the endoscope 1 and is set to the origin position (step S1). The origin position is, for example, the position shown in FIG. 3 and will be described as a position where the objective lens 17 is the distal end side of the endoscope 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the objective lens 17 is the opposite proximal end side. (Position shown in FIG. 5).

  After the lens holder 19 is set at the origin position, an imaging process is performed (step S2). In the imaging process, the LED 55 is driven to irradiate illumination light, the subject light is taken into the endoscope 1 from the objective lens 17 to form an image on the light receiving surface of the imaging element 23, and read out from the imaging element 23. This includes processing for generating image data based on the imaging signal and storing it in the memory 83.

  Next, the stepping motor 61 is driven by the designated number of pulses (step S3), and the lens holder 19 is lowered by a predetermined distance. Until the lens holder 19 reaches the lowest position (step S4), the imaging process (step S2) is performed at the moving destination. When the lens holder 19 reaches the lowest position, the lowering of the lens holder 19 and the imaging process are finished (step S4).

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating movement of the imaging field when the above steps S2 to S4 are repeatedly executed. In the first imaging process performed at the origin position, imaging is performed in the field of view of “No. 001”, and image data of the field of view of “No. 001” is generated from the imaging signal read from the image sensor 23.

  After the imaging process in the field of view “No. 001” is completed, the stepping motor 61 is driven with the specified number of pulses in step S3, and the lens holder 19 is lowered and rotated. Accordingly, the objective lens 17 held by the lens holder 19 is moved, and the field of view moves to “No. 002” in FIG. At this time, the irradiation port 15 b provided in the lens holder 19 is also moved in the same manner as the objective lens 17, and follows the moving field of view to illuminate the field of view of “No. 002”. Then, imaging is performed in this field of view, and image data of the field of view of “No. 002” is generated from the imaging signal read from the image sensor 23.

  Here, since the lens holder 19 is moved along the axis of the outer shell between the LED 55 and the solid-state imaging device 23 that are spaced apart in the axial direction of the outer shell, the optical path length from the LED 55 to the solid-state imaging device 23 is increased. Is substantially constant regardless of the movement of the lens holder 19. For example, when the lens holder 19 is at the origin position shown in FIG. 3, the objective optical system (objective) is compared with the optical path length of the illumination optical system (LED 55 → illumination lens 57 → illumination reflecting surface 16a → irradiation port 15b). The optical path length of the lens 17 → the objective reflecting surface 16b of the mirror 16 → the condensing lens 51 → the solid-state imaging device 23) is increased. On the other hand, when the lens holder 19 is at the lowest position shown in FIG. 5, the optical path length of the illumination optical system is extended, and the optical path length of the objective optical system is shortened accordingly. Therefore, the optical path length L1 from the LED 55 to the solid-state image sensor 23 when the lens holder 19 is at the origin position is substantially equal to the optical path length L2 from the LED 55 to the solid-state image sensor 23 when it is at the lowest position. For this reason, the amount of light attenuated by diffusion or the like from the LED 55 to the solid-state image sensor 23 is also substantially equal, and the amount of light incident on the solid-state image sensor 23 is kept substantially constant.

  Thereafter, the field of view is moved in the order of “No. 003” → “No. 004” → “No. 005”. The imaging field of view when the lens holder 19 makes one round from the origin position is “No. 011” in FIG. 8, and the imaging field of view when the lens holder 19 makes two rounds is “No. 021” in FIG. In the present embodiment, an image map is created by arranging a plurality of image data stored in the memory 83 in the same manner as in the visual field movement example shown in FIG. 8 (step S5).

  For example, in step S3, the number of pulses supplied to the stepping motor 61 is appropriately adjusted, or the screw pitch of the screw groove 11d of the main body 11 and the male screw 33b of the driven portion 33 is appropriately adjusted. The left and right ends of the imaging fields adjacent to each other may be in contact with each other or may be slightly overlapped, and the upper and lower ends of the imaging fields of view adjacent in the axial direction may be in contact with each other or may be slightly overlapped. According to this, it is possible to capture the subject in the axial direction and the circumferential direction without fail, and an image map without a gap can be obtained.

  After the image map is created, the image map is read out from the memory 83 to the outside. This reading may be performed by radio. Alternatively, a transfer cable may be inserted into the tube 29 shown in FIG. 1 and connected to the imaging unit 37, and read using this cable. Alternatively, the memory 83 may be provided so as to be removable from the endoscope 1, and the extracted memory 83 may be read by a separate personal computer.

  In addition, the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment can be configured to send image data to an external monitor so that the image can be observed online on the external monitor, and further, an operation instruction can be input from the outside. In that case, the control unit 81 sends the image pickup signal acquired from the image pickup device 23 as it is to the external video processor without performing image processing, and displays the subject image image-processed by the video processor on the external monitor. Communication between the external video processor or external monitor and the control unit 81 may be wired or wireless. In the case of performing wired communication, an external power source can be used by inserting a power line in the wiring.

  As another example of the control program, in addition to the control procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, for example, a control program for moving the visual field range by the objective lens 17 to an arbitrary position in accordance with an operation instruction from the outside may be used. . In this case, a desired part can be selectively imaged according to the purpose of imaging, and the part to be noticed can be observed in more detail.

  As described above, in the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment, after being inserted into the hole, the objective lens 17 held by the lens holder 19 is moved in the axial direction together with the lens holder 19 by the drive mechanism 21, Accordingly, the visual field moves in the axial direction. Therefore, the inner peripheral surface of the hole can be imaged over a wide range without requiring skill in operation.

  Therefore, for example, when used for cervical examination, the subject can wear the endoscope 1 and undergo examination. Thereby, it is possible to dispel the sense of resistance that the doctor can see the body and contribute to the spread of the examination.

  By providing the lens holder 19 with the irradiation port 15b of the illumination optical system, the visual field range can be illuminated following the movement of the visual field. Further, the lens holder 19 is moved along the axis of the outer shell between the LED 55 and the solid-state imaging device 23 which are spaced apart in the axial direction of the outer shell, and the optical path length from the LED 55 to the solid-state imaging device 23 is the lens holder 19. , That is, substantially constant regardless of the movement of the visual field. Thereby, the amount of light incident on the solid-state image sensor 23 can be kept substantially constant, and the brightness of the captured image can be made uniform.

  Furthermore, in the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment, the objective lens 17 is also moved in the circumferential direction by the drive mechanism 21, and accordingly, the visual field is moved in the axial direction and the circumferential direction. Thereby, even when the visual field is less than the entire circumference, it is possible to image all directions without rotating the endoscope 1, and it is possible to image the inner peripheral surface of the hole over a wider range.

  Next, a preferred use example of the endoscope 1 according to the above-described embodiment will be described.

(I) Example of use as a uterine endoscope:
In recent years, cervical cancer affecting women is becoming younger, but early detection is important because cervical cancer is not important by partial extraction if it is detected early. However, women tend to resist seeing their bodies and the screening population does not increase.

  The endoscope of each embodiment described above is effective for screening for cervical cancer if the size and shape are designed to an appropriate size. By inserting the endoscope of each embodiment into the female vaginal cavity and inserting the endoscope from the tip to the cervix so that a series of imaging fields reach the cervix, It is possible to capture the entire inner peripheral surface.

  For example, if an endoscope is inserted into the cervix by the patient's own hand in the examination room and the doctor instructs the insertion position in another room or monitors the captured image online, the patient's psychology This reduces the burden on the patient and makes it possible to increase the screening population.

  In addition, when the above-described endoscope is closed, when the power switch 93 is closed, the lens holder that holds the objective lens is automatically returned to the origin position, and the imaging process is automatically performed. The patient himself / herself can take an image of his / her cervix at home. The doctor can make a diagnosis by collecting the endoscope and examining the captured image data in the memory 83.

(Ii) Examples of use as colonos and rectal endoscopes:
When examining the large intestine or the rectum, conventionally, since the observation is performed with an endoscope having an image sensor mounted on the distal end, the affected area is observed obliquely from above. However, if the endoscope of each embodiment described above is inserted to the affected part position and imaged, it becomes possible to observe the affected part from the vertically upper position, and it is possible to observe in more detail and to make a highly accurate diagnosis. Become.

(Iii) Example of use as an industrial endoscope:
For example, the endoscope of each embodiment described above can be used as an industrial endoscope that observes fine scratches in a thin pipe. An endoscope having a dimension and shape corresponding to the size of the hole to be observed and the opening of the gap and the depth of insertion is prepared. As described above, since it is possible to observe scratches and the like from the vertically upper side with respect to the inner peripheral surface of the hole, more detailed observation is possible. In addition, once inserted, it is possible to observe a wide range (a whole range in the axially movable length of the lens holder 19), and a missing rate of small scratches is also reduced.

  The endoscope according to the present invention can capture images in detail over a wide range even on an inner wall surface in a narrow hole. In addition, it is possible to observe the affected part, the wound, and the like from vertically above. Therefore, diagnosis with higher accuracy can be performed, and it is useful as a medical endoscope and an industrial endoscope.

1 is an external perspective view of an embodiment of an electronic endoscope according to the present invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of the endoscope of FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the endoscope of FIG. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the support body of the endoscope of FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state which the support body of the endoscope of FIG. 1 fell to the lowest position. It is a functional block diagram of the endoscope of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the control program which the control means of the endoscope of FIG. 1 performs. It is a schematic diagram which shows the mode of a movement of the imaging visual field of the endoscope of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Endoscope 11 Body (outer shell)
11d Thread groove 13 Translucent cover (outer shell)
13c Cylindrical part (window part)
15 Supporting part 15b Irradiation port 16 Mirror (optical member)
16a Reflective surface for illumination (first reflective surface)
16b Objective reflecting surface (second reflecting surface)
17 Objective lens 19 Lens holder (support)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Drive mechanism 23 Solid-state image sensor 25 Power supply battery 33 Driven part 45 Control unit (control means)
51 Condenser lens 55 LED (light source)
56 battery 57 illumination lens 61 stepping motor (drive means)
83 memory

Claims (6)

An outer shell formed in a cylindrical shape and provided with a transparent window portion extending in the axial direction on the peripheral wall;
A light source and a solid-state imaging device provided inside the outer shell,
An illumination optical system that irradiates a subject with illumination light from the light source through the window;
An objective lens that focuses the subject light through the window, and forms an image on the solid-state imaging device; and
A support holding at least the objective lens of the objective optical system;
A drive mechanism for moving the support along the axis of the outer shell;
With
The light source is disposed apart from the solid-state image sensor in the axial direction of the outer shell;
The support is moved along the axis of the outer shell between the light source and the solid-state imaging device;
An irradiation port of the illumination optical system is provided in the support ,
The illumination optical system includes a first reflecting surface that reflects the illumination light toward the irradiation port,
The objective optical system includes a second reflecting surface that reflects the subject light toward the solid-state imaging device;
The light source and the solid-state imaging device are disposed on the same axis,
The endoscope, wherein the first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface are formed on a single optical member disposed on the axis .   The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation port is provided at a position adjacent to the objective lens in an axial direction of the outer shell. The window is provided over the entire circumference of the peripheral wall of the outer shell,
It said drive mechanism, endoscope according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that for moving the support member along the axis of the rotated while outer shell the axis of the outer shell as a rotation axis. The outer shell is formed into a cylindrical shape, and a thread groove is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall,
The drive mechanism includes drive means for driving the support to rotate about the axis of the outer shell as a rotation axis;
The endoscope according to claim 3 , wherein the support is engaged with the screw groove of the outer shell. And a control means for generating image data by reading an image signal from the solid-state imaging device of claim 1 to claim 4, characterized in that a memory for storing the image data, the further comprising the outer inner shell The endoscope according to any one of the above. The drive mechanism is operated by electric power;
The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , further comprising a battery for supplying power to the light source, the solid-state imaging device, and the driving mechanism in the outer shell. .

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