JP5185699B2 - Endoscope adapter for endoscope, endoscope device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope side-view adapter and an endoscope apparatus that are detachable from a distal end side in an insertion direction of an elongated insertion portion of an endoscope that is inserted into a test site.

  As is well known, endoscopes are widely used in the medical field and the industrial field. An endoscope used in the medical field is a treatment in which an elongated insertion portion is inserted into a body cavity, which is a site to be examined, to observe an organ in the body cavity or to be inserted into an insertion channel of a treatment instrument as necessary. Various kinds of treatments can be performed using tools.

  In addition, endoscopes used in the industrial field are used to observe and treat various damages such as scratches and corrosion on a test site by inserting a long and thin insertion portion into a jet engine that is a test site or piping in a factory. Etc. can be performed.

  An imaging unit equipped with an objective optical system or an imaging element such as a CCD, an illumination unit for illuminating a region to be examined, etc. in the distal end portion of the insertion portion of the endoscope in the insertion direction (hereinafter simply referred to as the distal end) side Is provided. A configuration in which the objective optical system and the illumination unit are provided in a known optical adapter that is detachable from the distal end of the insertion unit is also well known.

  As the optical adapter, a direct-view adapter for observing a test site in front of the insertion direction and a side-view adapter for observing a test site in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction are well known. Are properly used depending on the observation object and application. Further, in each of the direct-view adapter and the side-view adapter, there are a plurality of adapters having different viewing angles, and these are also properly used according to the observation object and application.

  Further, in the side-view adapter, in order to observe a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction, the illumination lens constituting the objective optical system and the illumination unit is provided on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the adapter. The illumination lens is provided on the distal end side of a light guide (hereinafter referred to as LG) inserted through the insertion portion, the operation portion, the universal cord, and the adapter of the endoscope, and the illumination lens passes through the LG. Then, light to be supplied from the light source device to which the endoscope is connected is irradiated to the test site.

  Here, since LG has a predetermined length because it is inserted into the insertion portion, the operation portion, the universal cord, and the adapter of the endoscope, the amount of light supplied from the light source device is easily attenuated. In addition, since LG has a predetermined diameter, there has been a problem that the insertion portion and the adapter are hindered when the diameter is reduced. Therefore, a configuration capable of reducing power consumption is desired for the illumination unit, compared to a configuration using a light source device and LG.

  In view of such circumstances, in recent years, a light emitting body such as an LED is provided at the distal end portion of the insertion portion or the adapter, and power is supplied to the LED via a lead wire or the like to illuminate a test site by light emission of the LED. The structure of the lighting part to come to be seen.

  According to such a configuration, the LG and the light source device become unnecessary, and since the lead wire has a smaller diameter than the LG, not only the insertion portion and the adapter can be made smaller, but also the LED is smaller than the light source device. Since it can be driven with low power, the power consumption can be reduced as compared with the conventional case.

  By the way, when using an LED, since the amount of light emitted by one LED is very small, in order to ensure a certain amount of light that illuminates the region to be examined, specifically, the same amount of light as that using LG, Usually, a plurality of LEDs are generally used.

  Here, when the LED is provided on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the side-view adapter, the LED needs to illuminate the test site observed by the objective optical system. It is necessary to be provided in the vicinity of the position where the objective optical system is provided and on the same side as the position where the objective optical system is provided with reference to the central axis of the adapter along the insertion direction.

  However, when reducing the diameter of the adapter, the space around the position where the objective optical system is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the adapter is very narrow considering the size of the objective optical system and the outer diameter of the adapter. For example, although about 1 to 3 LEDs can be provided around the objective optical system, there is a problem that it is difficult to provide 5 or more LEDs.

In view of such a problem, Patent Document 1 discloses that a plurality of LEDs are arranged on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the side-view adapter on the same side as the objective optical system and on the tip side of the objective optical system. There is disclosed a configuration in which a space that can be provided is provided and a plurality of LEDs are provided in the space.
JP 2006-106166 A

  However, as in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, when an LED is provided at a position on the tip side of the objective optical system in a part of the outer peripheral surface of the side view adapter, the total length of the adapter is increased by the amount of the LED provided. Since the length of the insertion portion becomes longer (the length of the hard portion becomes longer), when the insertion portion is inserted for an L-shaped in-pipe inspection, etc. There has been a problem in that the insertion property of the adapter at the bent portion is lower than before.

  Further, when performing observation using a side-view adapter for a thin pipe having a pipe diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the insertion portion, for example, in the L-shaped pipe, the tip of the adapter is connected to the pipe. In general, a technique of observing the vicinity of a bent portion of a pipeline with an objective optical system in a state of being in contact with an inner wall portion is performed.

  In this case, when the LED is provided on the tip side (insertion direction side) of the objective optical system and the adapter is formed in a longer length in the insertion direction than in the past, the tip of the adapter hits the wall Since the objective optical system is displaced with respect to the bent portion toward the rear end side in the insertion direction, the objective optical system does not face the bent portion, and the viewing angle of the objective optical system is insufficient. There was also a problem that it became impossible to observe the part.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and can provide a number of light emitters capable of obtaining a sufficient amount of light for observing a test site, and shorten the overall length of the adapter. It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope side-view adapter and an endoscope apparatus that have a configuration that can perform the above-described operation.

In order to achieve the above object, an endoscope side-view adapter according to an aspect of the present invention is an endoscope that is detachable from the distal end side in the insertion direction of an elongated insertion portion of an endoscope that is inserted into a test site. A side-view adapter for a mirror, the adapter main body, a light emitter for irradiating illumination light to the part to be examined, provided on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the adapter main body, and the insertion direction of the adapter main body The subject having a first optical axis different in direction from the insertion direction, wherein at least a part of the outer peripheral surface at the distal end is positioned closer to the distal end side in the insertion direction than the light emitter. An objective optical system for observing a site , and the adapter body, with the center axis of the adapter body as a center, the other side opposite to the one side where the light emitter is located in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction Hole center A through hole formed along the insertion direction, wherein the site between the through hole and the light emitter in the direction orthogonal to the insertion direction is the through hole. Is formed wider in the orthogonal direction than the case where the center axis of the adapter main body and the hole center are formed to coincide with each other, and constitutes a heat transfer portion that transfers heat of the light emitter. Yes.

An endoscope apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is configured such that the endoscope side-view adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is detachable from a distal end side in an insertion direction of the endoscope. It is.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an endoscope having a configuration in which the number of light emitters capable of obtaining a sufficient amount of light for observing a region to be examined can be provided and the overall length of the adapter can be shortened. A side view adapter and an endoscope apparatus can be provided.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, the endoscope apparatus will be described by taking a shoulder type industrial endoscope apparatus excellent in portability as an example.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an endoscope apparatus showing the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope apparatus 1 includes an endoscope 2, an apparatus main body 3 connected to the endoscope 2, and an endoscope side-view adapter (hereinafter simply referred to as an adapter) 55. And the main part is constituted.

  The endoscope 2 includes a narrow and flexible thin insertion portion 25 and a grip portion 27 connected to a rear end (hereinafter simply referred to as a rear end) of the insertion portion 25 in the insertion direction S. The main part is comprised by the operation part 24 which has, and the universal cord 26 which has the flexibility extended from the holding part 27 of this operation part 24. FIG.

  In order from the distal end (hereinafter simply referred to as the distal end) in the insertion direction S of the insertion portion 25 to the insertion portion 25, the distal end portion 15 to which the adapter 55 is detachable and the bending operation lever 231 of the operation portion 24 are bent. For example, a bending portion 22 that is bent in the up / down / left / right direction and a long flexible tube portion 23 formed of a flexible member are connected, and a rear end portion of the flexible tube portion 23 is provided. It is connected to the operation unit 24.

  A bending operation lever 231 for bending the bending portion 22 is arranged upright on the operation portion 24 so as to be tiltable in at least four directions.

  The bending operation lever 231 has a bending operation wire, which will be described later, inserted into the insertion portion 25 in any one of the up / down / left / right directions of the bending portion 22 when the tilt direction is changed by the operator. The bending operation is performed via 131 (see FIG. 3). In addition to the bending operation lever 231, the operation unit 24 is provided with various switches (not shown) for instructing various imaging operations in an imaging element 72 (see FIG. 3) described later.

  The apparatus main body 3 to which the end of the universal cord 26 extending from the operation unit 24 is connected has, for example, a box shape, and is covered with an outer casing 235 configured by, for example, magnesium die casting, An electric component (not shown) such as a CPU for image processing, a battery unit (not shown) for supplying power to an LED 150 (see FIG. 3) described later, and the like are disposed.

  In addition, a monitor 7 that displays an endoscope image captured by the imaging element 72 of the endoscope 2 is fixed to the exterior casing 235 of the apparatus body 3 so as to be openable and closable with respect to the exterior casing 235. The monitor 7 may be detachable from the exterior housing 235.

  Further, in order to improve the portability of the apparatus main body 3, two points are attached to the exterior casing 235 so that the belt 10 for hanging the apparatus main body 3 on the shoulder of the operator can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 3, for example. It is fixed with.

  Furthermore, for example, four leg portions 258 made of rubber (for example, NBR) for placing the apparatus main body 3 are fixed to the four sides of the box-shaped outer casing 235.

  Next, the configuration of the distal end side of the insertion portion 25 and the configuration of the adapter 55 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a distal end side of the insertion portion of the endoscope of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a distal end of the insertion portion in a state where an adapter is attached to the distal end portion of the insertion portion of the endoscope of FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the adapter of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a plan view of the adapter of FIG. 4 viewed from the direction V in FIG. 4, and FIG. It is the top view which looked at the adapter of No from the direction of VI in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the tip portion 15 includes a tip portion main body 30 formed in a substantially cylindrical shape from a metal material such as stainless steel, titanium, or iron.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a protrusion 30 h that protrudes from the tip surface 30 p to the tip side is formed on the tip surface 30 p of the tip body 30. When the adapter 55 is attached to the distal end portion 15, the convex portion 30 h is fitted into a concave portion 140 h formed in a rear end surface 140 p of an adapter main body 140 (to be described later) of the adapter 55, thereby allowing the adapter 55 to be connected to the distal end portion 15. It is a member that performs positioning.

In addition, the convex part 30h is the other side opposite to one side P1 in the direction P orthogonal to the insertion direction S, with the center axis C of the insertion part 25 and the adapter 55 as the center, on the distal end surface 30p of the distal end body 30. The most part is formed on the side P2.

  A through hole 30b is formed in the convex portion 30h so that the distal end side opens in the projecting surface 30t along the insertion direction S. The objective lens frame 50 that holds the endoscope lens group 35 is formed in the through hole 30b. An image sensor holding frame 36 fitted on the outer periphery of the objective lens frame 50 is fitted and fixed. The endoscope lens group 35 is held by the objective lens frame 50 so that the optical axis center coincides with the second optical axis L parallel to the insertion direction S.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the objective lens frame 50 takes an image so that the distal end surface of the lens on the distal end side of the endoscope lens group 35 is substantially flush with the protruding surface 30t of the convex portion 30h. The element holding frame 36 is fixed to the through hole 30b.

  Further, on the other side P2 of the projecting surface 30t of the convex portion 30h, as shown in FIG. 2, the through hole 30b is sandwiched between the insertion direction S and the direction Q orthogonal to the insertion direction S. As described above, two through holes 30e are formed along the insertion direction S so that the tip side opens to the protruding surface 30t, and the contact 17 that is the first electrical contact is provided in each through hole 30e.

  The contact 17 is provided in each through hole 30e so that the tip thereof faces the protruding surface 30t of the convex portion 30h. Further, the leading end side of a lead wire (not shown) inserted into the insertion portion 25, the operation portion 24, and the universal cord 26 is electrically connected to the rear end portion of the contact 17 by, for example, solder. The rear end of the lead wire is electrically connected to the above-described battery unit provided in the apparatus main body 3.

  The contact 17 and the lead wire are used to supply power from a battery unit provided in the apparatus main body 3 to an LED 150 (to be described later) of the adapter 55.

  In addition, two cover glasses 71 are held on the inner periphery of the rear end side of the image sensor holding frame 36, and an image sensor such as a CCD (hereinafter referred to as CCD) is provided on the rear end surface of the cover glass 71 on the rear end side. 72) is attached. Further, a plurality of electric substrates 73 are attached to the rear end surface of the image sensor 72. The electric board 73 is electrically connected to the CCD 72.

  The portions of the electrical substrate 73 that are exposed from the insulating outer resin at the tips of the plurality of imaging lead wires 81 provided in the imaging cable 80 are electrically connected by, for example, solder.

  The outer periphery of the imaging cable 80 is configured by braiding metal wires for noise suppression, and is inserted into the insertion portion 25, the operation portion 24, and the universal cord 26. The rear ends of the plurality of imaging lead wires 81 of the imaging cable 80 are electrically connected to an image processing circuit for image processing provided in the apparatus main body 3. A plurality of imaging lead wires 81 are used to transmit and receive imaging signals between the imaging device 72 and a substrate such as an image processing circuit for image processing in the apparatus main body 3.

  In addition, electric parts such as capacitors and ICs are mounted on the electric board 73. Here, in the endoscope 2 used for industrial use, there is a long insertion portion 25 of, for example, 10 m, and therefore a plurality of imaging portions in the imaging cable 80 inserted through the insertion portion 25 are used. The output signal from the CCD 72 via the lead wire 81 and the drive signal for driving the CCD 72 may be easily attenuated or distorted. The electric board 73 has a function of amplifying the distorted output signal and drive signal while being attenuated by the length of the imaging cable 80.

  The front end of the imaging element 72, the electric board 73, the plurality of lead wires 81, and the imaging cable 80 is fixed to the outer periphery of the cover glass 71 so as to cover them, and the rear end is for imaging. A heat-shrinkable tube 74 is provided that is fixed to the outer periphery on the distal end side of the cable 80.

  In addition, a channel 18 through which a treatment instrument or the like can pass is formed at a position on one side P1 avoiding the convex portion 30h of the distal end portion main body 30. The channel 18 is formed in the insertion portion 25, the operation portion 24, and the universal cord 26, and the distal end is opened on the distal end surface 30p on one side P1 of the distal end portion main body 30, as shown in FIG. .

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, when the adapter 55 is mounted on the distal end portion 15 on the outer periphery at the position on the rear end side of the convex portion 30 h of the distal end portion main body 30, a screw of a retaining ring 171 to be described later of the adapter 55. A screw portion 30m into which the portion 171m is screwed is formed.

  Further, a screw portion 30n is formed on the inner periphery of the rear end portion of the distal end portion main body 30, and the screw portion 160n formed on the outer periphery on the distal end side of the connection tube 160 is screwed into the screw portion 30n. As a result, the outer periphery on the distal end side of the connection pipe 160 is fixed to the inner periphery on the rear end side of the distal end body 30.

  Further, the inner periphery on the distal end side of the tubular curved portion distal end hard portion 139 is fitted and fixed to the outer periphery on the rear end side of the connection pipe 160. Further, a wire stopper 192 for fixing the distal end side of the bending operation wire 131 for bending the bending portion 22 inserted into the insertion portion 20 is provided at a midway position in the insertion direction S of the bending portion distal end hard portion 139. Yes.

  Further, the distal end side of the rubber tube 191 is fixed to the outer periphery on the distal end side of the curved distal end hard portion 139 by a spool 196 made of Kevlar or the like. The rubber tube 191 is for maintaining the water tightness of the curved portion 22.

  Further, the outer periphery of the rubber tube 191 is covered with an outer blade 190, and the front end side of the outer blade 190 is composed of a kevlar or the like on the outer periphery at a position closer to the front end side than the spool 196 on the rear end side of the connection tube 160 It is fixed by the wound spool 195.

  The outer blade 190 is composed of a net tube of hard metal strands such as iron, titanium, and stainless steel, so that when the insertion portion 25 is inserted into, for example, a jet engine, due to contact of components or the like in the jet engine, It protects that the curved part 22 will be damaged.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the adapter 55 includes an adapter main body 140 formed of a material having high thermal conductivity such as copper, brass, and aluminum.

  On the rear end surface 140p of the adapter main body 140, when the adapter 55 is attached to the front end portion 15, a concave portion 140h formed to be recessed from the rear end surface 140p to the front end side in the insertion direction S at a position facing the convex portion 30h. Is formed.

  The concave portion 140h is formed such that when the adapter 55 is attached to the distal end portion 15, the convex portion 30h is fitted, and the protruding surface 30t of the convex portion 30h abuts against the bottom surface 140t of the concave portion 140h.

  A through hole 140b is formed in the insertion direction S at the position of the other side P2 where the concave portion 140h of the adapter main body 140 is formed, and the lens group 142 is disposed in the through hole 140b after the lens group 142. A lens located on the end side is fitted and fixed so as to be exposed from the bottom surface 140t of the recess 140h.

  In the lens group 142, when the adapter 55 is attached to the distal end portion 15, the convex portion 30h is fitted into the concave portion 140h, and the protruding surface 30t is in contact with the bottom surface 140t. Are coincident with each other.

  4 and 5, the through hole 140b is sandwiched in the direction Q at a position on the other side P2 where the concave portion 140h of the adapter main body 140 is formed and avoids the through hole 140b. In addition, a curved shape in which the front end opens to the bottom surface 140w of the hole 140d formed in the outer peripheral surface 140g of the one side P1 of the adapter body 140 and the rear end opens to the position of the bottom surface 140t on the other side P2 of the recess 140h Two through-holes 140j having the same are formed.

  Each through hole 140j is provided with a lead wire 146 and a contact pin 148 which is a second electrical contact. Specifically, the leading end of the lead wire 146 is electrically connected to an LED substrate 151 described later, and the rear end is electrically connected to a contact pin 148. Further, the contact pin 148 is provided on the other side P2 so as to be exposed to the bottom surface 140t of the recess 140h and to be urged and projected to the rear end side by a spring or the like.

  In addition, when the LED board 151 described later generates heat, a heat transfer route for transferring heat to the distal end body 30 of the distal end 15 to which the adapter 55 is attached via the adapter body 140 is the adapter body 140. Since it is on one side P1, the contact pin 148 is provided in the adapter main body 140 at a position avoiding the heat transfer route.

  When the adapter 55 is attached to the distal end portion 15 of the contact pin 148, the convex portion 30h is fitted into the concave portion 140h, and the contact 17 provided on the convex portion 30h resists the contact pin 148 against the biasing force of the spring. Then, the contact 17 is electrically connected by abutting while pressing toward the tip side. At this time, the protruding surface 30t of the convex portion 30h contacts the bottom surface 140t of the concave portion 140h.

  As a result, the electric power supplied from the battery unit described above is supplied to the LED 150 described later via the contact point 17, the contact pin 148, and the lead wire 146.

  In addition, one side P1 of the outer peripheral surface 140g on the distal end side of the adapter main body 140 is cut by a notch 145 so that the cross section is L-shaped, as shown in FIGS. From this, the notch surface 140k formed by the notch 145 is positioned lower in the orthogonal direction P than the outer peripheral surface 140g on the one side P1.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the adapter body 140 is made of a hard metal such as iron, titanium, and stainless steel so as to cover a part of the outer peripheral surface 140 g and the tip surface of the adapter body 140. The formed exterior cover 170 is fitted.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6, a part of the outer peripheral surface 140g of the adapter main body 140, specifically, at a substantially central portion in the direction Q at the tip of the notch surface 140k of the adapter main body 140, Along the orthogonal direction P, a hole 140c communicating with the above-described through hole 140b is formed.

  The hole 140c has an objective lens 143 that is an objective optical system for observing the test site along the first optical axis K whose optical axis direction is different from the insertion direction S and the second optical axis L. The observation surface of the objective lens 143 is provided so as to be substantially flush with the cut-out surface 140k. As shown in FIG. 6, at least a part of the objective lens 143 is provided on the distal end side of the LED 150 described later, and is provided on the most distal end side in the adapter main body 140.

  Further, in the hole 140c, the light incident on the objective lens 143 is reflected to the lens group 142 below the objective lens 143 in the orthogonal direction P in FIG. 4, in other words, the light incident on the objective lens 143. A prism 144 is provided as a reflection optical system that converts the optical axis of the first optical axis K from the first optical axis K to the second optical axis L.

  In addition, in a part of the outer peripheral surface 140g of the adapter main body 140, specifically, in the outer peripheral surface 140g on one side P1 of the adapter main body 140, in the orthogonal direction P from the notch surface 140k to the rear end side in the insertion direction S. A hole 140d is formed along the hole. The bottom surface 140w of the hole 140d is formed as an inclined surface that is inclined from the orthogonal direction P toward the distal end side in the insertion direction S.

  Further, the bottom surface 140w is located sufficiently away from the through hole 140b provided on the other side P2 in the orthogonal direction P. In other words, a sufficient space in the orthogonal direction P of the adapter main body 140 in which the through hole 140j through which the lead wire 146 is inserted is formed, and a heat transfer route on the one side P1 is widely secured.

  Further, the bottom surface 140w is provided with an LED substrate 151 to which the leading ends of the lead wires 146 are electrically connected. On the LED substrate 151, as shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. For example, 15 LEDs 150 that are light emitters are provided. The number of LEDs 150 is not limited to 15.

  That is, since the LED 150 is provided on the bottom surface 140w that is an inclined surface, the LED 150 has an irradiation center axis R of the illumination light emitted from the LED 150 on the bottom surface 140w. It is provided to tilt to the side. The LED 150 is provided on the rear end side with respect to the objective lens 143.

As shown in FIG. 6, the LED 150 is formed in a hole 140 e formed along the orthogonal direction P in the adapter body 140 at a position where the objective lens 143 is sandwiched in the direction Q in a state where the notch 145 is viewed in plan. Also, a plurality of, for example, three, are provided on the LED substrate 151, respectively. In this case, the number of LEDs 150 is not limited to three. In this case, the bottom surface (not shown) of the hole 140e does not need to be inclined from the orthogonal direction P to the distal end side in the insertion direction S, and may be formed so as to be perpendicular to the orthogonal direction P.

Furthermore, the objective lens 143 is provided in the adapter main body 140 so that at least a part of the objective lens 143 is positioned on the distal end side in the direction Q in a state where the notch 145 is seen in plan view, rather than the LED 150 provided at a position sandwiching the objective lens 143. ing.

  Each hole 140d, 140e is filled with a transparent sealing resin 152 so as to cover the LED 150.

  Further, the outer peripheral surface 140g of the adapter main body 140 is formed in a cylindrical shape from a hard metal such as iron, titanium, and stainless steel on the rear end side of the outer cover 170 as shown in FIGS. The inner periphery on the tip side of the retaining ring 171 is fitted and fixed.

  On the inner peripheral surface on the rear end side of the retaining ring 171, a screw portion 171 m is formed that is screwed into a screw portion 30 m formed on the outer peripheral surface of the tip end body 30 when the adapter 55 is attached to the tip end portion 15. ing.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the objective lens 143 has an observation surface along the first optical axis K at the tip of the outer peripheral surface 140g on the one side P1 of the adapter main body 140, and the cut surface 140k. It has been shown that it is substantially the same surface and at least a part is provided so as to be positioned closer to the distal end side in the insertion direction S than the LED 150.

  Further, a plurality of LEDs 150 are provided in a hole 140d formed on the rear end side of the notch surface 140k on the outer peripheral surface 140g on one side P1 of the adapter main body 140, in other words, more than the objective lens 143. It was shown that a plurality were provided on the rear end side.

  Further, the LED 150 is formed so that the bottom surface 140w of the hole 140d is inclined from the orthogonal direction P to the distal end side in the insertion direction S, so that the irradiation center axis R of the illumination light emitted from the LED 150 is from the orthogonal direction P. It is shown that it is provided so as to be inclined toward the distal end side in the insertion direction S.

  Further, it is shown that a plurality of LEDs 150 are also provided in a hole 140e formed along the orthogonal direction P at a position sandwiching the objective lens 143 in the direction Q in the adapter main body 140 in a plan view.

  According to this, the plurality of LEDs 150 capable of obtaining a sufficient amount of light for observing the region to be examined are not provided on the distal end side of the objective lens 143 with respect to the adapter main body 140 as in the past. Therefore, the total length of the adapter 55 in the insertion direction S can be shortened as compared with the conventional case.

  Therefore, for example, when the insertion portion 25 is inserted into the L-shaped conduit in a state where the adapter 55 is attached to the distal end portion 15, the insertion property of the adapter 55 at the bent portion in the conduit is improved as compared with the conventional case. .

  In addition, when the insertion portion 25 is inserted into an L-shaped pipe, the objective lens 143 is used to move the inside of the pipe near the bent portion with the objective lens 143 while the tip of the adapter 55 is abutted against the wall in the pipe. When observing, since the objective lens 143 is provided on the most distal end side in the adapter main body 140, the objective lens 143 is surely opposed to the bent portion, so that the vicinity of the bent portion can be reliably observed. it can.

  Furthermore, the irradiation center axis R of the illumination light emitted from the LED 150 is inclined from the orthogonal direction P toward the distal end side in the insertion direction S with respect to the hole 140d formed in the outer peripheral surface 140g on the one side P1 of the adapter main body 140. As shown in FIG. 4, the LED 150 can irradiate illumination light reliably in the observation direction of the objective lens 143 as shown in FIG. When the parts are close to each other, the illumination light can be supplied with good orientation.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the bottom surface 140w of the hole 140d in which the LED 150 is provided is shown to be located sufficiently away from the through hole 140b provided in the other side P2 in the orthogonal direction P.

  According to this, it is possible to secure a sufficient heat transfer portion in the adapter main body 140 to transmit the heat generated by the LED board 151 due to the light emission of the LED 150, and to further position the LED board 151 in the endoscope. Since it can approach the front-end | tip part 15, the heat transfer property with respect to the adapter main body 140 can be improved, and the heat | fever of the LED board 151 can be thermally radiated efficiently.

  As described above, the LED 150 is provided on the rear end side of the objective lens 143, so that the heat transmitted from the LED substrate 151 to the adapter main body 140 is provided on the front end side of the objective lens 143. Since heat can be transmitted to the distal end portion body 30 of the distal end portion 15 to which the adapter 55 is mounted earlier than in the conventional case, the heat radiation efficiency is improved as compared with the conventional case.

  Therefore, since the temperature rise accompanying the light emission of the LED 150 can be suppressed, the lifetime of the LED 150 can be increased as compared with the conventional case, and the amount of power supplied to the LED 150 can be increased as compared with the conventional case. The amount of light emission can be improved as compared with the prior art.

  As described above, an endoscope side-view adapter having a configuration capable of providing a number of light emitters capable of obtaining a sufficient amount of light for observing a region to be examined and reducing the overall length of the adapter. An endoscope apparatus can be provided.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the adapter according to the present embodiment.
Compared with the adapter of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 described above, the adapter of the second embodiment has a plurality of objective lenses. The point is different. Therefore, only this difference will be described, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the adapter main body 140 in the present embodiment is not formed with the notch portion 145 as shown in FIG. Further, the adapter body 140 is formed on the distal end side from a hard metal such as iron, titanium, stainless steel so as to cover a part of the outer peripheral surface 140g and the distal end surface where the notch 145 of the adapter body 140 is not formed. The outer cover 270 is fitted.

  In addition, a hole 140f that communicates with the through hole 140b is formed along the orthogonal direction P at the front end of the outer peripheral surface 140g on the one side P1 of the adapter main body 140 and in the substantially central portion in the direction Q. In the hole 140f, an objective lens group 243 composed of a plurality of lenses, which is an objective optical system for observing the region to be examined, along the first optical axis K is a lens located on the tip side in the orthogonal direction P. The observation surface is held by the objective lens frame 247 so as to be substantially flush with the outer peripheral surface 140g on one side P1 of the adapter main body 140.

  Also in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the objective lens group 243 is provided so that at least a part thereof is positioned on the distal end side in the insertion direction S with respect to the LED 150, and in the adapter main body 140. It is provided at the tip. Similarly to the first embodiment, the LED 150 is also provided at a position sandwiching the objective lens group 243 in the direction Q in a plan view.

  Further, in the hole 140f, the light incident on the objective lens group 243 is reflected to the lens group 142 below the objective lens group 243 in the orthogonal direction P in FIG. 7, in other words, enters the objective lens group 243. A prism 144 that converts the optical axis of the emitted light from the first optical axis K to the second optical axis L is provided.

  According to such a configuration, since the number of lenses of the objective optical system is increased as compared with the first embodiment described above, the manufacturing cost is increased and the manufacturing process is increased, but the orthogonal direction P of the objective lens group 243 is increased. In the first embodiment, the viewing angle of the objective optical system is set so that the observation surface of the lens positioned on the distal end side is substantially flush with the outer peripheral surface 140g on one side P1 of the adapter main body 140. Therefore, the observation range can be expanded. Other effects are the same as those of the first embodiment described above.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the adapter according to the present embodiment.
The configuration of the adapter according to the third embodiment is configured such that the objective optical system is composed of one lens and the prism is composed of a roof prism as compared with the adapter according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. The point to do is different. Therefore, only this difference will be described, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the second embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a hole 140f that communicates with the through hole 140b along the orthogonal direction P is formed at the front end of the outer peripheral surface 140g on the one side P1 of the adapter main body 140 and substantially in the center in the direction Q. In the hole 140f, an objective lens 143, which is an objective optical system for observing a region to be examined, along the first optical axis K has an observation surface in the orthogonal direction P on one side P1 of the adapter body 140. It is provided so as to be substantially flush with the outer peripheral surface 140g.

  Also in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the objective lens 143 is provided so that at least a part thereof is located on the distal end side in the insertion direction S with respect to the LED 150, and is the most in the adapter main body 140. It is provided at the tip. Similarly to the first embodiment, the LED 150 is also provided at a position sandwiching the objective lens 143 in the direction Q in a plan view.

  Further, in the hole 140f, the light incident on the objective lens 143 is reflected to the lens group 142 below the objective lens 143 in the orthogonal direction P in FIG. 7, in other words, the light incident on the objective lens 143. A roof prism 244 for converting the first optical axis K to the second optical axis L is provided.

  According to such a configuration, the number of lenses used in the objective optical system can be reduced as compared with the second embodiment described above, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost and observing the objective lens 143 in the orthogonal direction P. Since the surface is positioned so as to be substantially flush with the outer peripheral surface 140g on one side P1 of the adapter main body 140, the viewing angle of the objective optical system is made equal to that of the second embodiment by the objective lens 143. Can be secured. Other effects are the same as those of the second embodiment described above.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the adapter according to the present embodiment.
Compared with the adapter of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 7 described above, the configuration of the adapter of the fourth embodiment includes an objective lens group composed of a plurality of lenses that are an objective optical system. The difference is that the objective lens frame holding the lens group and the adapter main body are formed separately. Therefore, only this difference will be described, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the second embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 9, one side P1 of the outer peripheral surface 140g on the distal end side of the adapter main body 140 is cut by the notch 145 so that the cross section is L-shaped, as in the first embodiment described above. Yes. From this, the notch surface 140k formed by the notch 145 is positioned lower in the orthogonal direction P than the outer peripheral surface 140g on the one side P1.

  Further, an outer cover 170 formed of a hard metal such as iron, titanium, or stainless steel is fitted to the distal end side of the adapter main body 140 so as to cover a part of the outer peripheral surface 140g and the distal end surface of the adapter main body 140. ing.

  Further, a part of the outer peripheral surface 140g of the adapter main body 140, specifically, a substantially central portion in the direction Q at the tip of the notch surface 140k of the adapter main body 140, along the orthogonal direction P, the through hole 140b described above. A communicating hole 140c is formed.

  The hole 140c reflects light incident on an objective lens group 243 described later to the lens group 142. In other words, the optical axis of the light incident on the objective lens group 243 is changed to the first optical axis K. A prism 144, which is a reflection optical system for converting from the first to the second optical axis L, is provided such that the front end surface in the orthogonal direction P is substantially flush with the cut-out surface 140k.

  An objective lens unit 345 having an objective lens frame 347 that holds the objective lens group 243 along the first optical axis K is detachably attached to the notch 145 of the adapter main body 140 separately from the adapter main body 140. It has become. The cross-sectional area of the objective lens unit 345 has the same size as the notch 145 as shown in FIG. After the mounting, at least a part of the objective lens group 243 is located on the distal end side of the LED 150 and is located on the most distal end side in the adapter main body 140.

  After the objective lens unit 345 is attached to the notch 145, the observation surface of the lens located on the distal end side in the orthogonal direction P of the objective lens group 243 is substantially the same as the outer peripheral surface 140g on one side P1 of the adapter main body 140. Located on the same plane.

  The objective lens unit 345 is fixed to the notch 145 by adhesion or the like after being mounted. Therefore, when removing the objective lens unit 345, it is performed after removing the adhesive.

  According to such a configuration, when the objective lens group 243 is damaged, it is only necessary to replace the objective lens unit 345 without replacing the entire adapter 55, that is, the adapter main body 140 for the objective lens unit 345. The common parts can be made and the manufacturing time can be shortened, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Further, the configuration of the adapter 55 is simplified. Other effects are the same as those of the second embodiment described above.

(Fifth embodiment)
FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the adapter according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the adapter along the line XI-XI in FIG.
Compared with the adapter of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 described above, the configuration of the adapter of the fifth embodiment is the insertion direction from the direction orthogonal to the insertion direction together with the objective optical system and the LED. The difference is that it is inclined to the tip side. Therefore, only this difference will be described, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 11, as shown in FIG. 11, the adapter body 140 is inclined so that the diameter in the orthogonal direction P of the adapter body 140 becomes smaller toward the tip side in the insertion direction S, as shown in FIG. A surface 140x is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the adapter body 140 is formed on the distal end side from a hard metal such as iron, titanium, or stainless steel so as to cover a part of the outer peripheral surface 140 g and the distal end surface of the adapter body 140. An exterior cover 370 is fitted.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a part of the outer peripheral surface 140 g of the adapter main body 140, specifically, at a substantially central portion in the direction Q at the tip of the inclined surface 140 x on one side P <b> 1 of the adapter main body 140. A hole 140i communicating with the above-described through hole 140b is formed so as to be inclined from the orthogonal direction P toward the tip end side in the predetermined angle insertion direction S.

  The hole 140i has an objective lens 143 that is an objective optical system for observing the region to be examined along the first optical axis K ′ having a different optical axis direction from the insertion direction S and the second optical axis L. The observation surface is provided so as to be substantially flush with the inclined surface 140x. That is, the objective lens 143 is provided such that the first optical axis K ′ is inclined from the orthogonal direction P to the distal end side in the insertion direction S.

  Also in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the objective lens 143 is provided so that at least a part thereof is positioned closer to the distal end side in the insertion direction S than the LED 150, and is the most in the adapter main body 140. It is provided at the tip. Similarly to the first embodiment, the LED 150 is also provided at a position sandwiching the objective lens 143 in the direction Q in a plan view.

  Further, in the hole 140i, the light incident on the objective lens 143 is reflected to the lens group 142 below the objective lens 143 in the orthogonal direction P in FIG. 4, in other words, the light incident on the objective lens 143. Is provided with a prism set 344 which is a reflection optical system that converts the optical axis of the first optical axis K ′ from the first optical axis K ′ to the second optical axis L.

  In addition, in a part of the outer peripheral surface 140g of the adapter main body 140, specifically, in the inclined surface 140x on one side P1 of the adapter main body 140, on the rear end side of the objective lens 143, the insertion direction with respect to the orthogonal direction P An inclined hole 140u is formed on the tip end side of S. The bottom surface 140v of the hole 140d is formed as an inclined surface that is inclined from the orthogonal direction P toward the distal end side in the insertion direction S. Also in the present embodiment, the bottom surface 140v is positioned sufficiently away from the through hole 140b provided on the other side P2 in the orthogonal direction P.

  The bottom surface 140v is provided with an LED substrate 151 to which the leading end of the lead wire 146 is electrically connected. On the LED substrate 151, a plurality of LEDs 150 are provided. That is, since the LED 150 is provided on the bottom surface 140v that is an inclined surface, the LED 150 has a front surface whose irradiation center axis R of the illumination light emitted from the LED 150 is perpendicular to the insertion direction S from the orthogonal direction P on the bottom surface 140v. It is provided to tilt to the side.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the objective lens 143 is moved from the orthogonal direction P to the distal end side in the predetermined angle insertion direction S on the inclined surface 140x formed on the distal end side of the one side P1 of the adapter main body 140. It was shown that the first optical axis K ′ is provided so as to be inclined from the orthogonal direction P toward the distal end side in the insertion direction S by being provided in the hole 140i formed to be inclined.

  According to this, normally, when the side view adapter is attached to the distal end portion 15 and the insertion portion 25 is inserted into a pipe or the like, the objective lens 143 cannot observe the field of view in the insertion direction S. Since the objective lens 143 is provided so that the first optical axis K ′ is inclined from the orthogonal direction P to the distal end side in the insertion direction S, the visual field ahead of the insertion direction S can be somewhat observed. The insertion property of the insertion part 20 improves.

  Further, in this case, since the objective lens 143 is inclined as compared with the configuration shown in the first embodiment, it is difficult to observe the vicinity of the bent portion of the L-shaped tube or the like. In this case, the bending portion 22 is bent. By doing so, the same observation as in the first embodiment can be performed. Other effects are the same as those of the first embodiment described above.

  Furthermore, in 1st-5th embodiment mentioned above, although the shoulder type industrial endoscope apparatus excellent in portability was mentioned as an example and demonstrated to an endoscope apparatus, not only this, Of course, the present invention may be applied to a large industrial endoscope apparatus in which the insertion portion is accommodated in the apparatus main body.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to an industrial endoscope apparatus, and the same effects as in the present embodiment can be obtained even when applied to a medical endoscope apparatus.

The perspective view of the endoscope apparatus which shows 1st Embodiment. The expansion perspective view which shows the front end side of the insertion part of the endoscope of FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the front end side of an insertion part in the state in which the adapter was mounted | worn with the front-end | tip part of the insertion part of the endoscope of FIG. The expanded sectional view of the adapter of FIG. The top view which looked at the adapter of FIG. 4 from the V direction in FIG. The top view which looked at the adapter of FIG. 4 from the direction of VI in FIG. Sectional drawing which shows schematically the structure of the adapter which shows 2nd Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the adapter which shows 3rd Embodiment roughly. Sectional drawing which shows schematically the structure of the adapter which shows 4th Embodiment. The top view which shows the adapter which shows 5th Embodiment. Sectional drawing of the adapter which follows the XI-XI line in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope apparatus 2 ... Endoscope 17 ... Contact (1st electrical contact)
25 ... Insertion part 30h ... Convex part 35 ... Endoscope lens group 55 ... Adapter (side view adapter for endoscope)
140 ... Adapter body 140b ... Through-hole 140g ... Outer peripheral surface 140h ... Recess 140t ... Bottom surface 142 ... Lens group 143 ... Objective lens (objective optical system)
144. Prism (reflection optical system)
148 ... Contact pin (second electrical contact)
150 ... LED (light emitter)
243 ... Objective lens group (plural lenses)
244 ... Dach prism 344 ... Prism set (reflection optical system)
347 ... objective lens frame C ... central axis K ... first optical axis K '... first optical axis L ... second optical axis P ... direction orthogonal to the insertion direction P1 ... one side P2 ... other side R ... irradiation center axis S ... insertion direction

Claims (10)

An endoscope side-view adapter that is detachable with respect to the distal end side in the insertion direction of an elongated insertion portion of an endoscope that is inserted into a test site,
An adapter body;
A light emitter that is provided on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the adapter body and that irradiates illumination light to the test site;
A part of the outer peripheral surface at the distal end in the insertion direction of the adapter main body is provided such that at least a part is positioned closer to the distal end side in the insertion direction than the light emitter, and the first direction is different from the insertion direction. An objective optical system for observing the test site having the optical axis of
In the adapter body, with the center axis of the adapter body as the center, the hole center is located at a position shifted to the other side opposite to the one side where the light emitter is located in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction. A through hole formed along the insertion direction;
Comprising
In the adapter body, a portion between the through hole and the light emitter in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction is formed so that the through hole is aligned with the center axis of the adapter body. An endoscope side-view adapter characterized by being formed wider in the orthogonal direction than the case and constituting a heat transfer portion for transferring heat of the light emitter .   The light emitter is provided on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the adapter main body, the irradiation center axis of the illumination light being inclined from the direction perpendicular to the insertion direction to the tip side in the insertion direction. The endoscope side-view adapter according to claim 1. It provided in front SL through hole, when the distal end side of the endoscope to the adapter body is mounted, and the endoscope lens group provided on the distal end side of the endoscope, and the first optical axis Are different lens groups whose second optical axes are parallel to the insertion direction,
A reflection optical system that is provided in the adapter body and reflects light incident on the objective optical system to the lens group;
The endoscope side-view adapter according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: In the insertion direction of the lens group having a second optical axis parallel to the insertion direction different from the first optical axis provided in the adapter main body at the rear end side of the adapter main body in the insertion direction. A concave portion into which a convex portion formed on the distal end side in the insertion direction of the endoscope can be fitted, and the lens positioned on the rear end side is exposed.
In the bottom surface of the concave portion, when the convex portion is inserted into the concave portion provided on the other side, the first electrical contact provided on the convex portion is electrically connected, thereby A second electrical contact for supplying power to the light emitter;
The endoscope side-view adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: The light emitter has the objective optical system in a part of the outer peripheral surface of the adapter main body in a state in which the position of the rear end side in the insertion direction with respect to the objective optical system and a part of the outer peripheral surface are viewed in plan view. The side-view adapter for an endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the side-view adapter for an endoscope is provided at at least one position of the sandwiched position.   The endoscope side-view adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the objective optical system includes a plurality of lenses along the first optical axis.   The endoscope side according to claim 6, further comprising a lens frame that holds the plurality of lenses and is separate from the adapter main body that is detachable from the adapter main body. Visual adapter.   The side-view adapter for an endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the reflection optical system includes a roof prism.   The objective optical system is characterized in that the first optical axis is inclined from a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction to a tip side in the insertion direction on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the adapter body. The endoscope side-view adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 5.   An endoscope apparatus, wherein the endoscope side-view adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is detachable from a distal end side in an insertion direction of the endoscope.

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