JP5430175B2 - Endoscope and endoscope apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope and an endoscope for illuminating an observation site using illumination light transmitted to a tip portion by a light guide or illumination light emitted from an optical element such as an LED provided at the tip portion as a surface light source. Relates to the device.

  In recent years, endoscopes are used in the medical field, the industrial field, and the like. An endoscope is provided with an image pickup device such as a CCD at the distal end of an insertion portion, and an optical endoscope (for example, an optical image formed on the image pickup device is displayed on a screen of a display device for observation). (Hereinafter abbreviated as endoscope). In addition, the endoscope includes a so-called direct-view type endoscope provided with an observation optical system and an illumination optical system on the distal end surface of the endoscope insertion portion, and an observation optical system on the side surface of the endoscope insertion portion. And a side-view type endoscope equipped with an illumination optical system.

  In an endoscope, generally, illumination light is transmitted to a tip portion by a light guide constituting an illumination optical system, and the illumination light is irradiated toward an observation site through an illumination window for observation. In recent years, an endoscope having a configuration in which an optical element such as an LED is disposed at a distal end portion of an insertion portion and light emitted from the LED is irradiated toward an observation site has been put into practical use. In the present invention, an illumination window that emits illumination light and an optical element that emits illumination light are also referred to as a light emitting unit.

  When a user inspects an observation site having projections and depressions, in an endoscope having a configuration in which a plurality of light emitting units are provided around an observation window, it is difficult to make a shadow and good observation can be performed. However, in an endoscope in which the light emitting unit is provided in one direction of the observation window, a shadow is generated due to the influence of the unevenness, which may hinder observation. In general, in a side-view endoscope, for example, an illumination window and an observation window are arranged in order from the distal end side on the side surface of the insertion portion. Therefore, the illumination light emitted from the illumination window mainly illuminates the tip side mainly from the observation window. In other words, one side of the observation range of the observation optical system is the illumination range of the illumination optical system. As a result, there is a problem that shadows are generated when an observation site having irregularities is inspected. When observation is performed with the observation window close to the observation site, the observation range is limited to a part on the tip side from the observation window.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a side-viewing endoscope that has a good illumination distribution in the field of view and can reduce the outer diameter of the endoscope. According to this side-view type endoscope, the optical paths of the illumination optical system and the observation optical system are independent, and the shape of the optical element is the cross-sectional shape of the endoscope front end portion or a part of the endoscope front end portion. It is configured to have a shape. The optical element has a refracting or reflecting surface having at least one power, and is arranged to illuminate so as to surround the observation optical system. In this optical element, light emitted from the light guide is diffused to illuminate a wide range, and the influence of the parallax between the illumination range and the observation range is eliminated, and a good visual field can be obtained.

JP-A-6-138400

  However, even in the endoscope described in Patent Document 1, since the optical element is arranged on the tip side of the observation optical system, when the observation window is brought close to the observation site, the observation range is larger than the observation window. There is a risk of being limited to the tip side.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the illumination range of the illumination light emitted from one light emitting unit provided at the distal end portion of the endoscope is extended around the observation window, so that the illumination range and the observation range are observed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope and an endoscope apparatus that can perform good observation by substantially matching the range.

The endoscope of the present invention is an endoscope having an observation window and an illumination optical system that constitute an observation optical system at a distal end portion of an insertion portion, and a light emitting unit that emits illumination light that illuminates an observation site,
A cylindrical illumination range conversion unit formed of a transparent optical member that allows illumination light emitted from the light emitting unit to enter is provided at the tip, and the illumination range conversion unit exposes the observation window to the outside. A reflection hole that changes the optical path of the illumination light by reflecting the illumination light incident in the illumination range conversion unit at least in the circumferential direction of the illumination range conversion unit, and after being reflected by the reflection unit And an emitting unit that emits illumination light that has traveled through multiple reflections in the illumination range conversion unit to the outside of the illumination range conversion unit.

  According to this configuration, most of the illumination light emitted from the light emitting unit and incident on the illumination range conversion unit is reflected by the reflection unit, and the remaining illumination light travels toward the outer peripheral surface of the illumination range conversion unit. Illumination light reflected by the reflection part travels through the multiple reflection inside the illumination range conversion part, and part of the illumination light travels outside from the reflection part side, or from the side facing the reflection part across the through hole, or through hole. The light is emitted to the outside from the longitudinal side. In addition, a part of the illumination light that reaches the reflection part and is reflected by the reflection part is emitted to the outside, and after a part is reflected by the reflection part, the multiple reflection is repeated again, and from the periphery of the through hole to the outside Is emitted. In addition, part of the illumination light directed toward the outer peripheral surface of the illumination range conversion unit is directly emitted to the outside, and the rest is emitted by multiple reflections to the outside from the periphery of the through hole.

  According to the present invention, the illumination range of the illumination light emitted from one light emitting unit provided at the distal end portion of the endoscope is expanded around the observation window, and the illumination range and the observation range are substantially matched. It is possible to realize an endoscope and an endoscope apparatus that can perform proper observation.

1 to 8 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a side-view endoscope. Sectional drawing explaining the structure of the front-end | tip part of a side endoscope The perspective view explaining the illumination range conversion part provided in the front-end | tip part The front view which looked at the illumination range conversion part of FIG. 3 from the arrow IV direction The top view of the illumination range conversion part containing an opening seen from the arrow V direction of FIG. Sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. It is a VII-VII line sectional view of Drawing 2, and is a figure explaining an operation of an illumination range conversion part. Schematic diagram showing illumination light emitted from the illumination range converter 9 and 10 are diagrams for explaining another configuration example of the illumination range conversion unit, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view for explaining the illumination range conversion unit having a V-shaped groove. The figure explaining the effect | action of an illumination range conversion part 11-13 is a figure explaining the illumination range conversion part from which the structure of V groove differs, and FIG. 11 is a perspective view explaining the structure of an illumination range conversion part. Front view of lighting range converter XIII-XIII line sectional view of FIG. The figure explaining the structure and effect | action of the illumination range conversion part which has a curved groove FIGS. 15 to 18 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an endoscope apparatus including a side endoscope and an endoscope illumination tool having an illumination range conversion unit. The perspective view explaining the lighting fixture front-end | tip part which comprises the lighting fixture for endoscopes Longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the side endoscope is attached to the endoscope illumination device XVIII-XVIII line sectional view of FIG. FIG. 19 to FIG. 23 relate to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining an endoscope apparatus including a direct-view endoscope and an endoscope illumination tool having an illumination range conversion unit. The perspective view explaining the illumination range conversion part for direct viewing It is the figure seen from the arrow XXI direction of FIG. 20, and is a top view of the illumination range conversion part for direct viewing It is the figure seen from the arrow XXII direction of FIG. 21, and is a front view of the illumination range conversion part for direct viewing The figure explaining the effect | action of the illumination range conversion part for direct viewing The figure explaining the endoscope provided with the illumination range conversion part which concerns on 4th Embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope 1 according to this embodiment is a side-view type endoscope. The endoscope 1 includes an elongated and flexible insertion portion 2, an operation portion 3 connected to a proximal end portion of the insertion portion 2, and a universal cord 4 extending from a side portion of the operation portion 3. It is mainly composed in preparation. A connector that is connected to a light source device (not shown) that is an external device of the endoscope, a video processor, and the like is provided at the proximal end portion of the universal cord 4.

  The insertion portion 2 includes, in order from the distal end side, a distal end portion 5 formed of a hard member, a bending portion 6 configured to be able to bend in the vertical and horizontal directions, and a flexible flexible tube portion 7. Configured. The tip 5 has an observation window 9 for capturing an optical image and an illumination range converter 10 that illuminates the periphery of the observation window 9 on its side surface. The illumination range conversion unit 10 is an optical member that expands the illumination range of illumination light emitted from a light emitting unit 8 (described later) provided at the distal end of the observation window 9 to the distal end side and the proximal end side of the observation window 9.

  The operation section 3 is provided with bending operation knobs 11 and 12 that change the bending direction of the bending section 6. In addition, the operation unit 3 is provided with various switches 13 for remotely instructing light amount adjustment of the light source device, or stopping or photographing an endoscopic image displayed on a display device (not shown). Further, the operation unit 3 is provided with an air / water supply button 14 for controlling the air supply function and the water supply function, and a suction button 15 for controlling the suction function.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the distal end portion 5 is formed in a cylindrical shape by integrally fixing a tubular distal end portion main body 17 and a columnar distal end configuration portion 18, and a distal end portion is provided in the inner space of the cylindrical portion. The illumination optical system 30 and the observation optical system 20 are arranged in order from the side. The tip portion main body 17 and the tip constituent portion 18 are, for example, a metal member such as stainless steel or a resin member that does not transmit light.
The observation optical system 20 includes an observation window 9, a prism 21, an objective lens unit 22, and an imaging unit 23. The prism 21 bends the optical image incident from the observation window 9 on the side surface 90 degrees rearward of the longitudinal axis. The objective lens unit 22 includes various optical lenses 24 and a lens frame 25. The imaging unit 23 includes a cover lens 26, an imaging element 27 such as a CCD, and an imaging frame 28. The imaging surface of the imaging element 27 is disposed at the imaging position of the objective lens unit 22. The optical image that has passed through the observation window 9 and the prism 21 is formed on the imaging surface, photoelectrically converted into an image signal, and transmitted to the video processor via a signal line inserted in the signal cable 29.

  The illumination optical system 30 includes a light guide fiber bundle 31 and a light guide holding member 32. In the present embodiment, the front end surface of the light guide fiber bundle 31 is an illumination light emitting surface, that is, the light emitting unit 8, and one is provided on the front end side from the observation window 9. That is, the light emitting unit 8 and the observation window 9 are arranged in the longitudinal direction in order from the distal end surface side. The light emitting unit 8 is arranged so that the illumination light emitted from the light emitting unit 8 enters the illumination range conversion unit. The shape of the light emitting unit 8 is circular or square, and in the present embodiment, for example, is a rectangular shape (see reference numeral 8 in FIG. 8). The light guide holding member 32 is made of, for example, a resin that does not transmit light, and is configured by integrating a plurality of members. For example, the base end side of the light guide fiber bundle 31 extends to the connector.

The illumination range conversion unit 10 includes a reflection plate 41 and a conversion unit main body 42.
The reflection plate 41 is a thin plate member such as an aluminum plate, and includes a first reflection surface 41a serving as a reflection portion and a second reflection surface 41b (see FIG. 7) serving as an emission portion.
The conversion unit main body 42 is a transparent cylindrical member such as glass or acrylic and includes a central through hole (hereinafter referred to as an inner hole 43). In the inner hole 43, the observation window 9 of the observation optical system 20, the light guide holding member 32, the light emitting unit 8 of the illumination optical system 30, the lens frame 25, and the like are arranged. In the present embodiment, the conversion unit main body 42 is formed in an elongated shape so as to cover the light emitting unit 8 and the observation window 9 and also cover a predetermined range on the proximal end side of the observation window 9.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the conversion unit main body 42 has an opening 44 and a reflector fixing groove (hereinafter abbreviated as a fixing groove) 45. The opening 44 is provided at a substantially central portion of the conversion unit main body 42. The opening 44 is a through-hole that communicates the inner hole 43 with the outside, and exposes the observation window 9 disposed in the inner hole 43 to the outside. The side surface of the opening 44 is configured as an inclined surface 44a so that the opening area gradually increases from the inner hole 43 side toward the outside in order to prevent the viewing range of the observation window 9 from being obstructed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the fixed groove 45 is formed with an inclination angle of 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal axis H, for example. The fixing groove 45 is divided by the opening 44 into a first fixing groove 45 a located on the distal side in the longitudinal direction from the opening 44 and a second fixing groove 45 b located on the proximal side in the longitudinal direction from the opening 44. The reflection plate 41 is integrally fixed to each of the fixing grooves 45a and 45b by, for example, an optical adhesive. The first reflecting surface 41 a fixed to the fixing groove 45 a is inclined 45 degrees with respect to the optical axis of the light emitting unit 8. Therefore, the first reflecting surface 41a of the reflecting plate 41 is emitted from the light emitting unit 8, enters the conversion unit main body 42, and travels substantially straight to reach the first reflecting surface 41a, as shown in FIG. Reflected in the outer peripheral direction of the conversion unit main body 42. The second reflection surface 41 b reflects the illumination light that has been reflected by the first reflection surface 41 a and then travels through the illumination range conversion unit 10 and reaches the reflection surface 41 b toward the outer periphery of the illumination range conversion unit 10. Let

  The distal end portion main body 17 includes a main body arrangement portion 46 that arranges the conversion portion main body 42 on the distal end side thereof. The main body disposing unit 46 has a notch (see reference numeral 47 in FIGS. 7 and 8) that exposes a part of the conversion unit main body 42. The distal end configuration unit 18 includes a main body holding unit 48 that holds the conversion unit main body 42 on the base end surface thereof.

  In addition, the light emission part 8 is not limited to the output surface of a light guide fiber bundle, Optical elements, such as LED arrange | positioned at a front-end | tip part, may be sufficient. Further, the inclination angles of the fixing grooves 45a and 45b are not limited to 45 degrees, and are appropriately set depending on the material, thickness, and the like of the conversion unit main body 42.

Here, an operation of the endoscope 1 including the illumination range conversion unit 10 at the distal end portion 5 will be described.
When performing the endoscopy, the user turns on the light source device to emit illumination light from the light source device. The illumination light is transmitted through the light guide fiber bundle 31 and is emitted from the light emitting unit 8. The emitted illumination light enters the conversion unit main body 42 as indicated by a solid line, a two-dot chain line, or a broken line in FIG. Most of the illumination light incident in the conversion unit main body 42 advances substantially straight to the reflection plate 41 and reaches the reflection surface 41a as shown by a broken line or a two-dot chain line. Then, part of the illumination light travels obliquely with respect to the optical axis of the light emitting unit 8 and reaches the outer peripheral surface of the conversion unit main body 42 or the reflection surface 41a as indicated by a solid line.

  The illumination light that has reached the reflecting plate 41 is reflected by the first reflecting surface 41a, and then proceeds toward the outer peripheral surface, the side surface, or the inner peripheral surface of the conversion unit main body 42. The illumination light has an outer peripheral surface of the conversion unit main body 42 that is covered by the tip component 18, and the light guide holding member 32 and the tip component 18 are disposed in the inner hole 43. Without being emitted, the light travels in the circumferential direction (in the figure, counterclockwise in the figure) with multiple reflection.

  Then, the illumination light traveling in the counterclockwise direction reaches the second reflecting surface 41b of the reflecting plate 41 and is reflected by the second reflecting surface 41b. When the illumination light reflected by the reflecting surface 41b is changed in a direction in which the illumination light can be emitted, as shown by arrows a and b in FIG. 7 and an arrow c in FIG. Illumination light is emitted to illuminate the observation site. A part of the illumination light reflected by the second reflecting surface 41b is totally reflected by the outer peripheral surface and travels with multiple reflection.

  Further, part of the illumination light reflected by the first reflecting surface 41a changes its optical path toward the second fixed groove 45b while repeating multiple reflection. Then, when the illumination light is reflected in a direction in which it can reach and exit the second reflecting surface 41b of the reflecting plate 41 fixed to the second fixing groove 45b, in other words, with respect to the outer peripheral surface, When the light reaches a predetermined incident angle that can be emitted from the outer peripheral surface, illumination light is emitted from the base end side to the outside through the opening 44 of the conversion unit main body 42 as shown by an arrow d in FIG.

  Of the illumination light whose optical path is changed in the direction of the second fixed groove 45b, the illumination light that has reached the first reflecting surface 41a of the reflector 41 fixed to the second fixed groove 45b travels with multiple reflections. . Further, the illumination light reflected again by the first reflecting surface 41a of the reflecting plate 41 disposed in the first fixed groove 45a is also subjected to multiple reflection and proceeds.

  On the other hand, among the illumination light traveling toward the outer peripheral surface of the conversion unit main body 42, the illumination light that matches the emission direction is directly emitted from the conversion unit main body 42 to the outside as shown by the arrow e in FIG. Illuminate the site. Then, the illumination light totally reflected on the outer peripheral surface of the conversion unit main body 42 travels with multiple reflections in the conversion unit main body 42.

  Then, the illumination light that travels after being multiple-reflected by the conversion unit main body 42 is directly as shown by the arrow f when its optical path matches the emission direction with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the conversion unit main body 42 located in the notch 47. It is emitted to the outside and illuminates the observation site.

  As a result, the illumination light is emitted from the periphery of the opening 44 of the conversion unit main body 42 exposed from the notch 47 of the tip end main body 17, so that the periphery of the opening becomes a surface emitting state. That is, the illumination range of the light emitting unit 8 located on the distal end side of the observation window 9 is expanded to the periphery including the proximal end side of the observation window 9 by the illumination range conversion unit 10.

  In this way, by arranging the illumination range conversion unit having the opening so as to cover the observation window and the light emitting unit provided at the distal end portion of the endoscope, the light is emitted from the light emitting unit arranged on one side of the observation window. The illumination range can be changed over a wide range so that the illuminated light is emitted from the periphery of the opening including the other side of the observation window. Therefore, the illumination light is emitted from the periphery of the opening that exposes the observation window, so that the shadow due to the unevenness is eliminated, and the illumination range and the observation range coincide with each other so that good observation can be performed through the observation window.

  Note that the outer peripheral surface of the conversion unit main body 42 may be roughened by a satin finish or the like to change the optical path of the illumination light traveling through the conversion unit main body 42. Alternatively, the second reflecting surface 41b may be roughened to change the optical path of the illumination light reflected by this reflecting surface.

  In the present embodiment, the illumination range conversion unit 10 includes a conversion unit main body 42 and a reflection plate 41 fixed to the fixing grooves 45 a and 45 b formed in the conversion unit main body 42, so that the single light emitting unit 8 is formed. The illumination light emitted from the surface is emitted from the periphery of the opening 44.

  The configuration of the illumination range conversion unit is not limited to the configuration of the reflection plate 41 and the conversion unit main body 42, and a groove having a predetermined shape is formed on the outer peripheral surface side of the conversion unit main body as shown in FIGS. And you may make it comprise an illumination range conversion part. According to this configuration, the reflector and the fixing groove for disposing the reflector can be eliminated, and the work of fixing the reflector to the stationary groove can be eliminated.

  9 and 10 are diagrams for explaining another configuration example of the illumination range conversion unit, FIG. 9 is a perspective view for explaining the illumination range conversion unit having a V-shaped groove, and FIG. 10 is an operation of the illumination range conversion unit. FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same member as the said embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the illumination range conversion unit 10A is a conversion unit main body 42A, and includes an inner hole 43, an opening 44, and a V-shaped groove (hereinafter referred to as a V-groove) 51. The opening 44 has an inclined surface (not shown).
The V-groove 51 is constituted by an inclined surface, a first surface 52a, and a second surface 52b that constitute the reflecting portion and the emitting portion. The first surface 52a and the second surface 52b intersect with the vertical axis V at an angle θ of, for example, 45 degrees. The V groove 51 is also divided into a first V groove 51 a and a second V groove 51 b by the opening 44. The optical axis of the light emitting unit 8 is disposed so as to be substantially orthogonal to the ridge line of the first V groove 51a. Note that the angle θ at which the first surface 52a and the second surface 52b constituting the V-groove 51 intersect with the vertical axis V is not limited to 45 degrees, and is appropriately set depending on the material, thickness, and the like of the conversion body 42A. Is done.

Here, the operation of the illumination range conversion unit 10A will be described.
As shown in FIG. 10, the illumination light emitted from the light emitting unit 8 enters the conversion unit main body 42A. Most of the illumination light incident in the conversion unit main body 42A proceeds toward the first surface 52a or the second surface 52b of the first V-groove 51a, and a part of the illumination light is an outer peripheral surface of the conversion unit main body 42A. Proceed toward.

    A part of the illumination light directed to the first surface 52a or the second surface 52b is emitted directly from the conversion unit main body 42A to illuminate the observation site without being reflected in accordance with the emission direction. To do. The remaining illumination light is totally reflected by the first surface 52a or the second surface 52b, which is a reflection portion, and proceeds toward the outer peripheral surface, the side surface, or the inner peripheral surface of the conversion unit main body 42A. Thereafter, the illumination light is reflected multiple times as described above and proceeds in the circumferential direction as shown in the counterclockwise direction indicated by the broken line in the drawing or the clockwise direction indicated by the solid line. Then, when the light path of the illumination light reaches the second surface 52b or the first surface 52a so that the light can be emitted from the second surface 52b or the first surface 52a as indicated by a two-dot chain line or a three-dot chain line, the surfaces 52a and 52b Become. That is, as shown by arrows g and h, the illumination light is emitted to the outside from the first V groove 51a on the distal end side from the opening 44 of the conversion unit main body 42A to illuminate the observation site. The other illumination light is totally reflected by the surfaces 52a and 52b and travels with multiple reflection.

  Further, as described above, a part of the illumination light reflected by the first surface 52a or the second surface 52b is changed in the direction of the second V-groove 51b while repeating multiple reflection. Then, when the second V-groove 51b reaches the second surface 52b or the first surface 52a at an incident angle indicated by a two-dot chain line or a three-dot chain line, the illumination light is proximal from the opening 44 of the conversion unit main body 42A. It is emitted to the outside from the second V groove 51b on the side and illuminates the observation site. That is, the illumination light is emitted in the direction defined by the surfaces 52a and 52b. The other illumination light is totally reflected by the surfaces 52a and 52b and travels with multiple reflection.

  The illumination light that travels after being multiple-reflected by the conversion unit main body 42A is described above when its optical path matches the emission direction with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the conversion unit main body 42A located in the notch 47 of the tip end main body 17. As indicated by the arrow f, the light is emitted to the outside to illuminate the observation site.

Thus, by forming the V-groove 51 in the conversion unit main body 42A, the first surface 52a and the second surface 52b constituting the V-groove 51 become reflective surfaces. As a result, the illumination light incident on the conversion unit main body 42A undergoes multiple reflections in the conversion unit main body 42A, and is exposed from the notch 47 of the tip end main body 17 and the first surface 52a serving as the emission surface. In addition, the illumination light can be emitted from the second surface 52b, and the same operations and effects as the above-described embodiment can be obtained.
The shape of the V groove 51 may be formed as shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 to constitute the illumination range conversion unit. 11-13 is a figure explaining the illumination range conversion part from which the structure of V groove differs, FIG. 11 is a perspective view explaining the structure of an illumination range conversion part, FIG. 12 is a front view of an illumination range conversion part, FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the illumination range conversion unit 10B is a conversion unit main body 42B, and includes an inner hole 43, an opening 44, a first V groove 53, and a second V groove 51b. The first V groove 53 includes a first surface 54 and a second surface 55 that constitute a reflecting portion and an emitting portion. The first surface 54 and the second surface 55 are configured to cross at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical axis V.

  In the present embodiment, the ridge line 56 of the first V groove 53 is inclined with respect to the central axis. Specifically, as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, the ridge line 56 is inclined from the inner hole 43 side to the outer peripheral surface side of the conversion unit main body 42 </ b> B as it goes from the front end surface side to the opening 44. And the light emission part 8 is arrange | positioned so that the ridgeline 56 of the 1st V groove | channel 53 may be opposed.

  The inclination angle of the ridge line is appropriately set depending on the material, thickness, etc. of the conversion unit main body 42A. Further, in the present embodiment, the ridge line 56 is inclined from the inner hole 43 side to the outer peripheral surface side of the conversion unit main body 42B as it goes from the front end surface side to the opening 44, but it is the opposite inclination. Also good. Other configurations are the same as those of the conversion unit main body 42A of FIG. 9, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  Thus, by tilting the ridgeline of the first V-groove 53, when the first surface 54 and the second surface 55 are reflection portions, the reflection surface is inclined toward the outer peripheral surface of the conversion unit main body 42B and the opening 44. It becomes an inclined surface. That is, the reflection direction of the illumination light reflected by the first surface 54 and the second surface 55 can be different from the reflection direction of the above-described embodiment.

  On the other hand, when the first surface 54 and the second surface 55 serve as the emission part, the emission surface becomes an inclined surface facing the front end side center, and the irradiation direction of the illumination light is different from the above-described embodiment. can do. In other words, the emission direction light of the illumination light can be defined in an arbitrary direction.

 Instead of the second V-groove 51b, instead of the second V-groove 51b, the converter body 42B is inclined from the inner hole 43 side to the outer peripheral surface side of the converter-body main body 42B as it goes from the base end surface side to the opening 44. You may make it provide the 2nd V groove | channel which has a ridgeline.

  Instead of forming the V-groove 51 in the conversion unit main body 42A, a substantially arc-shaped curved groove may be provided as shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the configuration and operation of an illumination range conversion unit having a curved groove.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the illumination range conversion unit 10 </ b> C of the present embodiment is a conversion unit main body 42 </ b> C, and includes a curved groove 57 instead of the V groove 51. The curved groove 57 includes a first curved groove 57a that constitutes the emitting portion located on the bottom surface side, and a second curved groove 57b that serves as both the reflecting portion and the emitting portion located on the outer peripheral surface side.

  The first curved groove 57a has a small incident angle of the curved surface. Therefore, as indicated by an arrow k in the figure, the illumination light emitted from the light emitting unit 8 is directly emitted outside without being reflected by the first curved groove 57a to illuminate the observation site. On the other hand, the second curved groove 57b has a small curvature and is configured as a total reflection surface. That is, as indicated by an arrow m in the figure, the illumination light emitted from the light emitting unit 8 is totally reflected by the second curved groove 57b, and then multiple-reflected in the conversion unit main body 42C, as described above. The light is emitted from the periphery of the observation window to illuminate the observation site. In addition, by reaching the second curved groove 57a at an incident angle as indicated by a two-dot chain line n or a three-dot chain line p, illumination light is emitted to the outside to illuminate the observation site.

FIGS. 15 to 18 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an endoscope apparatus including a side endoscope and an endoscope illumination tool having an illumination range conversion unit. FIG. 16 is a perspective view for explaining the distal end portion of the illuminator constituting the endoscope illuminator, and FIG. 17 is a longitudinal sectional view for explaining a state in which the side endoscope is mounted on the endoscope illuminator. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVIII-XVIII in FIG.
In the present embodiment, the same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 15, the endoscope apparatus 60 includes a side endoscope 61 and an endoscope illumination tool 70 having an illumination range conversion unit 10D described later.
The side-view endoscope 61 includes a rigid insertion portion 62 and an eyepiece 63. The eyepiece 63 is connected to the proximal end side of the insertion portion 62. An optical lens (not shown) is disposed in the eyepiece 63 so that an observer can view the observation image through the eyepiece 63.

  On the distal end side of the insertion portion 62, an illumination window 64 that constitutes the illumination optical system and an observation window 65 that constitutes the observation optical system are arranged in a row in order from the distal end surface side. A relay lens, an objective lens, a prism, and the like constituting the observation optical system are incorporated in an insertion unit 62 (not shown), and a light guide fiber constituting the illumination optical system is inserted.

  The endoscope illuminator 70 includes an illuminator distal end portion 71, an illuminator insertion portion 72, and a fixing portion 73. The fixing portion 73 includes, for example, a fixing screw that integrally fixes the endoscope illumination tool 70 to the insertion portion 62. The illuminator distal end portion 71 and the illuminator insertion portion 72 have endoscope insertion holes 71a and 72a through which the insertion portion 62 is inserted. The illuminator insertion portion 72 is a metal pipe such as stainless steel.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the illuminator distal end portion 71 is a transparent stepped cylindrical member such as glass or acrylic, and includes a central through hole (hereinafter referred to as an endoscope insertion hole 71 a). The endoscope insertion hole 71 a corresponds to the inner hole 43 of the conversion unit main body 42 that constitutes the illumination range conversion unit 10.

  The illuminator distal end portion 71 includes a thin connecting portion 74 and a thick illumination range conversion portion 10D. A distal end portion of the lighting device insertion portion 72 is fitted on the connection portion 74. The illumination range conversion unit 10D includes a reflector 41 and a conversion unit main body 42D. The conversion unit main body 42D includes an opening 44, a first fixed groove 45a, and a second fixed groove 45b.

As shown in FIG. 17, the opening 44 exposes the observation window 65 provided in the insertion portion 62 disposed in the endoscope insertion hole 71a to the outside. The illumination range conversion unit 10 </ b> D is configured to cover the illumination window 64 and the observation window 65 and also cover the distal end portion of the insertion portion 62 on the proximal end side of the observation window 65. In the present embodiment, the illumination window 64 is an illumination light exit surface, that is, the light emitting unit 8.

  Reference numeral 75 denotes a reflective film, which is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the conversion unit main body 42D. The reflective film 75 prevents the illumination light that is multiple-reflected inside the conversion unit main body 42D from being emitted from the inside of the conversion unit main body 42D to the outside before reaching the vicinity of the opening 44. The reflective film 75 may be provided on the distal end surface of the conversion unit main body 42D.

Here, the operation of the endoscope apparatus 60 will be described.
When performing a surface inspection of the proximity portion with the endoscope 61, the user attaches the endoscope illumination tool 70 to the insertion portion 62 of the endoscope 61. Then, the distal end portion of the insertion portion 62 is disposed in the endoscope insertion hole 71 a of the illumination device distal end portion 71, and the observation window 65 is disposed in the opening 44. Moreover, the illumination window 64 is arrange | positioned facing the reflecting plate 41 provided in the front end side of the opening 44 of illumination range conversion part 10D.

  A user turns on the light source device to emit illumination light from the light source device. Then, illumination light is radiate | emitted from the light emission part 8, enters into the conversion part main body 42D similarly to 1st Embodiment mentioned above, and goes to the outer peripheral surface of the reflecting plate 41 or the conversion part main body 42D. And the illumination light reflected by the 1st reflective surface 41a of the reflecting plate 41 has the outer peripheral surface of conversion part main body 42D covered with the reflecting film 75, and the insertion part 62 is arrange | positioned in the endoscope insertion hole 71a. Thus, similarly to the above-described first embodiment, the light travels in the circumferential direction with multiple reflections without exiting from the conversion unit main body 42D. When the illumination light traveling in the circumferential direction reaches the second reflecting surface 41b of the reflecting plate 41, it is reflected by the second reflecting surface 41b, and is emitted to the outside from the front end side through the opening 44 of the conversion unit main body 42D. Illuminate the observation site.

  Further, part of the illumination light reflected by the first reflecting surface 41a changes its optical path toward the second fixed groove 45b while repeating multiple reflection. When the illumination light reaches the second reflecting surface 41b of the reflecting plate 41 fixed to the second fixing groove 45b, it is emitted from the base end side through the opening 44 to illuminate the observation site.

  On the other hand, a part of the illumination light traveling toward the outer peripheral surface of the conversion unit main body 42D is emitted outside from the conversion unit main body 42D to illuminate the observation site. The remaining illumination light is totally reflected on the outer peripheral surface of the conversion unit main body 42D, and then reflected by the second reflection surface 41b of the reflection plate 41 disposed in the first fixed groove 45a as described above. Alternatively, it is reflected by the second reflecting surface 41b of the reflecting plate 41 disposed in the second fixed groove 45b, or is emitted directly from the periphery of the opening 44 to illuminate the observation site.

  By these things, illumination light is radiate | emitted from the circumference | surroundings of the opening 44, and the circumference | surroundings of an opening will be in a surface emitting state. That is, the illumination range of the illumination window 64 located on the distal end side of the observation window 65 is expanded to the periphery including the proximal end side of the observation window 65 by the illumination range conversion unit 10D. Therefore, when observing a proximity part, the malfunction that illumination light mainly illuminates the front end side from an observation window is eliminated.

  As described above, by attaching the endoscope illumination tool to the insertion portion of the side-view type endoscope, the illumination light emitted from the illumination window of the endoscope is distal and proximal than the observation window. Can be observed from a wide area around the opening of the endoscope illumination tool including Other operations and effects are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  The illumination range conversion units 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D described above correspond to side-view type endoscopes, but the illumination range conversion unit can also support direct-view type endoscopes. Hereinafter, an endoscope illumination tool including an illumination range conversion unit for direct viewing and an endoscope will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 to 24.

FIG. 19 to FIG. 23 relate to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining an endoscope apparatus including a direct-view endoscope and an endoscope illumination tool having an illumination range conversion unit. 20 is a perspective view illustrating the direct-view illumination range conversion unit, FIG. 21 is a view seen from the direction of the arrow XXI in FIG. 20, a top view of the direct-view illumination range conversion unit, and FIG. 22 is the direction of the arrow XXII in FIG. FIG. 23 is a front view of the direct-view illumination range conversion unit, and FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the direct-view illumination range conversion unit.
In the present embodiment, the same members as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 19, the endoscope apparatus 60A includes a direct-view endoscope 81 and a direct-view endoscope illumination tool 70A having an illumination range conversion unit 10E described later.
The direct-view endoscope 81 includes a rigid insertion portion 82 and an eyepiece 83. The eyepiece 83 is connected to the proximal end side of the insertion portion 82. An illumination window 84 that constitutes an illumination optical system and an observation window 85 that constitutes an observation optical system are disposed on the distal end surface 86 of the insertion portion 82. A relay lens, an objective lens, and the like constituting the observation optical system are incorporated in the insertion portion 82 (not shown), and a light guide fiber constituting the illumination optical system is inserted.

  The direct-view endoscope illuminator 70 </ b> A includes an illuminator distal end portion 71 </ b> B, an illuminator insertion portion 72, and a fixing portion 73. The fixing portion 73 includes, for example, a fixing screw that integrally fixes the direct-viewing endoscope illumination tool 70 </ b> A to the insertion portion 82. The illuminator insertion portion 72 has an endoscope insertion hole 72a through which the insertion portion 82 is inserted. The illuminator insertion portion 72 is a metal pipe such as stainless steel.

  The illuminator front end portion 71B is mainly formed of a transparent stepped cylindrical member such as glass or acrylic, and includes a thin connecting portion 74A and a large diameter illumination range conversion portion 10E as shown in FIG. It is configured. The connecting portion 74A includes an endoscope insertion hole 71c through which the insertion portion 82 is inserted, and a lighting fixture insertion portion 72 is externally disposed on the outer peripheral surface.

  The illumination range conversion unit 10E includes a reflector 41C and a conversion unit main body 42E. The reflection plate 41C is a thin plate member such as an aluminum plate, and includes a first reflection surface 41a serving as a reflection portion and a second reflection surface 41b serving as an emission portion.

  The conversion unit main body 42E includes an opening 44B and a reflection plate fixing hole 45c. The opening 44B is a through hole that communicates with the endoscope insertion hole 71c. The inner diameter of the opening 44B is smaller than that of the endoscope insertion hole 71c, and the distal end surface 86 of the direct-view endoscope 81 is in contact with the bottom surface of the endoscope insertion hole 71c. When the distal end surface 86 is in contact with the bottom surface of the endoscope insertion hole 71c, the observation window 65 provided in the insertion portion 82 is exposed to the outside through the opening 44B.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the illumination range conversion unit 10E is configured to cover the tip surface 86 excluding the observation window 85. In the present embodiment, the illumination window 84 is an illumination light exit surface, that is, the light emitting unit 8.

  The inner peripheral surface of the opening 44B may be configured as an inclined surface so that the opening area gradually increases from the observation window 85 side toward the outside in order to prevent the viewing field range of the observation window 85 from being obstructed. Good.

  The reflector fixing hole 45c is provided on one side of the opening 44B as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, and is formed at an inclination angle of an angle θ (for example, 20 degrees) with respect to the horizontal axis H. The reflection plate 41C is integrally fixed to the reflection plate fixing hole 45c by, for example, an optical adhesive. As shown in FIG. 23, the first reflecting surface 41a of the reflecting plate 41C fixed in the reflecting plate fixing hole 45c is inclined with respect to the optical axis of the light emitting unit 8 by a predetermined angle. Therefore, the illumination light that is emitted from the light emitting unit 8 and enters the conversion unit main body 42E and reaches the first reflection surface 41a substantially straight and reaches the first reflection surface 41a of the reflection plate 41C is converted as indicated by a broken line. Reflected toward the distal end surface 86 of the endoscope 81 in the outer peripheral direction of the main body 42.

  Reference numeral 75a denotes a reflective film, which is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the conversion unit main body 42E and the inner peripheral surface of the through hole forming the opening 44B. The reflection film 75a prevents the illumination light that is multiple-reflected in the conversion unit main body 42D from being emitted from the inside of the conversion unit main body 42D before reaching the vicinity of the opening 44.

Here, the operation of the endoscope apparatus 60A will be described.
When performing a surface inspection of the proximity portion with the endoscope 81, the user attaches the direct-view endoscope illumination tool 70 </ b> A to the insertion portion 82 of the endoscope 81. Then, the distal end surface 86 of the insertion portion 82 comes into contact with the proximal end surface of the conversion portion main body 42E constituting the bottom surface of the endoscope insertion hole 71c of the illumination device distal end portion 71B, and the observation window 85 is exposed to the outside through the opening 44B. . Moreover, the illumination window 84 is arrange | positioned facing the reflecting plate 41C provided in the illumination range conversion part 10E.

  When the user turns on the power of the light source device, the illumination light is emitted from the light emitting unit 8 and enters the conversion unit main body 42E as shown in FIG. 23, and is reflected on the reflector 41C or the conversion unit main body 42E. Proceed toward the outer surface.

  The illumination light directed toward the reflection plate 41C is reflected by the first reflection surface 41a of the reflection plate 41C, and then proceeds toward the distal end surface 86 of the endoscope 81 or the outer peripheral surface of the conversion unit main body 42E. Since the reflection film 75a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the conversion unit main body 42E and the inner peripheral surface of the through hole forming the opening 44B, the illumination light does not exit from the conversion unit main body 42E and is reflected multiple times. Then, the laser beam is emitted to the outside from the distal end surface around the opening 44C of the conversion unit main body 42E to illuminate the observation site. A part of the illumination light is totally reflected by the tip surface of the conversion unit main body 42E, travels toward the outer peripheral surface or the second reflection surface 41b, and then travels in the circumferential direction again to open the opening of the conversion unit main body 42E. The observation site is illuminated by being emitted to the outside from the peripheral tip surface of 44C.

  On the other hand, the illumination light traveling toward the outer peripheral surface of the conversion unit main body 42 also undergoes multiple reflections and travels in the circumferential direction as described above, and is finally emitted from the peripheral tip surface of the opening 44C to the outside to be observed. Illuminate.

  As a result, illumination light is emitted from the peripheral front end surface of the opening 44C, and the front end surface around the opening is in a surface emitting state. That is, the illumination range of the illumination window 84 positioned on one end side of the observation window 85 is expanded to the entire front end surface including the other end side of the observation window 85 by the illumination range conversion unit 10E. Therefore, when observing a close part, the illumination range and the observation range coincide.

  Thus, an endoscope that exposes the observation window with illumination light emitted from the illumination window of the endoscope by attaching the illumination tool for direct viewing endoscope to the insertion portion of the direct viewing type endoscope Observation can be performed by emitting a wide range of light from the periphery of the opening of the lighting fixture.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an endoscope including an illumination range conversion unit according to the fourth embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 24, an endoscope 90 according to this embodiment is a direct-view type endoscope, and is configured by including an illumination range conversion unit 10F at a distal end portion 92 of an insertion unit 91. In the illumination range conversion unit 10F, a tip cover member 93 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface thereof. Therefore, the reflection film 75a on the outer peripheral surface is unnecessary. Other configurations are the same as those of the illumination range conversion unit 10E, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The distal end portion 92 includes a cylindrical distal end portion main body 94 and a distal end cover member 93, and an observation optical system 95 and an illumination optical system 104 are disposed on the distal end portion main body 94. The observation optical system 95 includes an observation window 96, an objective lens unit 97, and an imaging unit 98. The objective lens unit 97 includes various optical lenses 99 and a lens frame 100. The imaging unit 98 includes a cover lens 101, an imaging element 102 such as a CCD, and an imaging frame 103.

  The illumination optical system 104 includes a light guide fiber bundle 105, and an emission end face of the light guide fiber bundle 105 is a light emitting unit 8. One light emitting unit 8 is provided around the observation window 96. The light emitting unit 8 is in contact with the base end surface of the conversion unit main body 42E so that the illumination light emitted from the light emitting unit 8 enters the illumination range conversion unit 10F.

Here, the operation of the endoscope 90 will be described.
When the user turns on the power of the light source device, the illumination light is emitted from the light emitting unit 8 and enters the conversion unit main body 42E, and the reflection plate 41C or the conversion as described in the third embodiment. It progresses toward the outer peripheral surface of the main part 42E, and then it is reflected by the first reflecting surface 41a or the outer peripheral surface and proceeds with multiple reflections. The illumination light is provided with the tip cover member 93 on the outer peripheral surface of the conversion unit main body 42E and the reflection film 75a on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole forming the opening 44B. Without exiting, it proceeds in the circumferential direction and is emitted to the outside from the peripheral front end surface of the opening 44C of the conversion unit main body 42E to illuminate the observation site.

  That is, as described above, the illumination light is emitted from the peripheral front end surface of the opening 44C to be in a surface emitting state. That is, the illumination light emitted from the light emitting unit 8 located at one place around the observation window 96 is spread over the entire front end surface around the observation window 85 by the illumination range conversion unit 10F. Therefore, the illumination range matches the observation range.

  In this way, by arranging the illumination range conversion unit in the insertion unit of the direct-view type endoscope, the illumination light emitted from the light emitting unit arranged only one around the observation window can be transmitted around the observation window. Observation can be performed by emitting a wide range from the tip surface.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope 2 ... Insertion part 3 ... Operation part 4 ... Universal code 5 ... Tip part 6 ... Bending part 7 ... Flexible tube part 8 ... Light emission part 9 ... Observation window 10 ... Illumination range conversion part 20 ... Observation optical system 21 ... Prism 22 ... Objective lens unit
23 ... Imaging unit 24 ... Various optical lenses 25 ... Lens frame
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 26 ... Cover lens 27 ... Imaging device 28 ... Imaging frame 29 ... Signal cable 30 ... Illumination optical system 31 ... Light guide fiber bundle 32 ... Light guide holding member 41 ... Reflecting plate 41a ... 1st reflecting surface 41b ... 2nd reflecting surface 42 ... Conversion part main body 43 ... Inner hole 44 ... Opening 44a ... Inclined surface 45 ... Fixed groove 45a ... First fixed groove 45b ... Second fixed groove 46 ... Body disposing part 47 ... Notch 48 ... Body holding part

Claims (12)

In an endoscope having an observation window that constitutes an observation optical system and an illumination optical system that emits illumination light that illuminates an observation site, at the distal end of the insertion part,
Provided at the tip is a cylindrical illumination range converter formed of a transparent optical member that makes the illumination light emitted from the light emitting part incident;
The illumination range conversion unit reflects the illumination light incident in the illumination range conversion unit at least in the circumferential direction by exposing the observation window to the outside and the illumination range conversion unit. A reflection unit that changes an optical path; and an emission unit that emits illumination light that has been reflected by the reflection unit and then propagated by being subjected to multiple reflections in the illumination range conversion unit to the outside of the illumination range conversion unit. Endoscope. The illumination range converter has a first reflecting surface and a second reflecting surface, the first reflecting surface constitutes the reflecting portion, and the second reflecting surface constitutes the emitting portion. The board,
An opening which is formed of a transparent optical member and exposes the observation window to the outside, and illumination light which is emitted from the light emitting unit and enters the optical member is the first of the reflecting plate. A reflector main body comprising a reflector fixing groove that reflects and reflects the reflector in the predetermined direction with respect to the optical axis of the light emitting unit;
The endoscope according to claim 1, further comprising: The endoscope is a side-viewing endoscope in which one illumination window and an observation window are arranged in a longitudinal direction on a side surface of the insertion portion,
The conversion unit main body further includes an inner hole in which a part of the illumination optical system of the endoscope and a part of the observation optical system are arranged,
The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the through hole constituting the opening communicates the inner hole with the outside.   The endoscope according to claim 3, further comprising: a reflecting plate fixing groove for fixing the reflecting plate on a distal end side in the longitudinal direction and a proximal end side in the longitudinal direction across the opening.   The conversion unit main body has a V-shaped groove or a curved groove serving both as the reflection part and the emission part on the outer circumferential surface on the distal end side in the longitudinal direction and the proximal end side in the longitudinal direction across the opening. The endoscope according to claim 3.   6. The endoscope according to claim 5, wherein the V-groove is configured by opposed inclined surfaces that serve as the reflecting portion and the emitting portion, and defines an emission direction of illumination light by an angle of the inclined surface. . An endoscope having a light emitting unit that emits illumination light that illuminates the observation site, which is an observation window and an illumination optical system that constitutes the observation optical system, at the distal end of the insertion unit;
In an endoscope apparatus comprising: an illuminator distal end portion having an endoscope insertion hole into which the insertion portion is inserted; and an illuminator for an endoscope configured by an illuminator insertion portion.
The illuminator front end includes a columnar illumination range conversion unit formed of a transparent optical member that allows the illumination light emitted from the light emitting unit to enter.
The illumination range conversion unit reflects the illumination light incident in the illumination range conversion unit at least in the circumferential direction by exposing the observation window to the outside and the illumination range conversion unit. A reflection unit that changes an optical path; and an emission unit that emits illumination light that has been reflected by the reflection unit and then propagated in a multi-reflection manner in the illumination range conversion unit to the outside of the front range conversion unit. An endoscope apparatus. The illumination range converter is
A reflecting plate having a first reflecting surface and a second reflecting surface, wherein the first reflecting surface constitutes the reflecting portion, and the second reflecting surface constitutes the emitting portion;
An opening which is formed of a transparent optical member and exposes the observation window to the outside, and illumination light which is emitted from the light emitting unit and enters the optical member is the first of the reflecting plate. A reflector main body comprising a reflector fixing groove that reflects and reflects the reflector in the predetermined direction with respect to the optical axis of the light emitting unit;
The endoscope apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: The endoscope is a side-viewing endoscope in which one illumination window and an observation window are arranged in a longitudinal direction on a side surface of the insertion portion,
The conversion unit main body further includes an opening formed by a through-hole communicating with an endoscope insertion hole through which the insertion portion of the endoscope is inserted and the outside, and a front end side in a longitudinal direction across the opening, 9. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a reflecting plate fixing groove for fixing the reflecting plate on a base end side in the longitudinal direction.   The conversion unit main body has a V-shaped groove or a curved groove serving both as the reflection part and the emission part on the outer circumferential surface on the distal end side in the longitudinal direction and the proximal end side in the longitudinal direction across the opening. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 9. The endoscope is a direct-viewing type endoscope provided with one illumination window and an observation window on the distal end surface of the insertion portion,
The distal end surface of the insertion portion is in contact with a proximal end surface of the conversion portion main body, the observation window is disposed in the opening, and the light emitting portion faces the reflection portion. The endoscope apparatus described.   The endoscope apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a reflection film is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the conversion unit main body.

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