JP6671967B2 - Endoscope - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention particularly relates to an endoscope suitable for observing an observation site of a subject from a close position.

  In recent years, endoscopes have been widely used in the medical and industrial fields. The endoscope can observe the inside of the subject by inserting the elongated insertion portion into the subject. Generally, an insertion portion of an endoscope used in the medical field is inserted into a dark place such as a body. Further, an insertion portion of an endoscope used in an industrial field or the like is inserted into a dark place such as an engine or a pipe.

  For this reason, in these endoscopes, an illumination optical system for irradiating illumination light to the observation site is provided at the distal end of the insertion section. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses an endoscope in which illumination windows are arranged at two places below an observation window.

JP 2008-155016 A

  By the way, in this type of endoscope, when the distal end portion is brought close to the observation region in order to magnify and observe the subject, the illumination light emitted from the illumination window is not sufficiently diffused, and a dark portion is formed at the central portion of the observation region. In some cases, uneven light distribution such as generation of light may occur.

  On the other hand, it is conceivable to form a reflecting portion on the distal end surface of the distal end portion and re-reflect the reflected light from the subject to reduce the uneven light distribution of the illumination light. As such a reflecting portion, for example, a configuration in which a distal end cover provided at the distal end portion is coated with aluminum or the like, a configuration in which a white member having high reflectivity is used as the distal end cover, and the like can be considered.

  However, when the tip cover is coated with aluminum or the like as described above, deterioration due to a chemical solution or the like is unavoidable, and it may be difficult to maintain stable quality. Further, when a white member is used for the front cover, there is a possibility that the reflectance may decrease due to aging. In order to solve this, it is conceivable to cover the entire reflecting portion on the distal end surface of the endoscope with a transparent cover. However, if the endoscope end face is simply covered with a transparent cover, the illumination window of the illumination optical system will be arranged inside the cover. Then, the illumination light is reflected inside the cover and enters the observation window, so that halation occurs in the endoscopic image.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an endoscope capable of obtaining a suitable observation image by effectively utilizing reflected light from a subject while preventing halation without deteriorating a reflecting portion. The purpose is to provide.

An endoscope according to one embodiment of the present invention, an illumination member that emits illumination light for illuminating a subject,
An observation member for observing the subject, a tip component provided at a tip of an insertion portion inserted into the subject, and holding the illumination member and the observation member; and covering the tip component. A transparent tip cover provided as described above, between the tip component and the tip cover , at least including a longitudinal axis of the insertion portion and disposed at a portion including a radial center of the tip cover , A reflecting portion that reflects light incident through the distal end cover toward the distal end component portion, and a light shielding portion provided at a boundary between the illumination member and the distal end cover, and faces the subject. The illumination window of the illumination member that diffuses illumination light is disposed before the distal end surface of the distal end cover.

  According to the endoscope of the present invention, a favorable observation image can be obtained by effectively utilizing the reflected light from the subject while preventing halation without deteriorating the reflecting portion.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view schematically showing an endoscope system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Same as above, a plan view showing the tip surface of the tip portion FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view mainly showing the internal structure of the tip section taken along the line III-III of FIG. Same as above, a cross-sectional view mainly showing the internal structure of the tip section taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. Ditto, perspective view showing the configuration of the tip cover viewed from the front side Ditto, perspective view showing the configuration of the tip cover viewed from the back side Ditto, exploded perspective view of the tip Ditto, principal part enlarged cross-sectional view mainly showing the internal structure of the distal end portion according to the first modified example Same as the above, a main part enlarged cross-sectional view mainly showing an internal structure of a distal end portion according to a second modification. Same as the above, a main part enlarged cross-sectional view mainly showing an internal structure of a distal end portion according to a third modification. Ditto, main part enlarged sectional view mainly showing the internal structure of the distal end portion according to the fourth modification. Same as the above, the main part enlarged sectional view mainly showing the internal structure of the tip part according to the fifth modification. Same as the above, a principal part enlarged cross-sectional view mainly showing an internal structure of a distal end portion according to a sixth modification. Sectional view mainly showing an internal structure of a distal end portion according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Sectional view mainly showing the internal structure of the distal end portion according to the first modification.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is an explanatory view schematically showing an endoscope system, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a distal end surface of a distal end portion, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view mainly showing the internal structure of the tip section taken along the line III, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view mainly showing the internal structure of the tip section taken along the line IV-IV of FIG. 2, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the tip cover viewed from the side, FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the tip cover viewed from the back side, and FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the tip portion.

  An endoscope system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an endoscope 2 as an insertion device, a light source device 5, a video processor 6 as a CCU (camera control unit), and a monitor 7, and has a main part. It is configured.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope 2 as an insertion device is provided with an insertion portion 11 as an elongated hollow elongated member to be inserted into an observation target site and a base end portion of the insertion portion 11. The operating unit 12, a universal cable 13 extending from a side surface of the operating unit 12, a light source connector 14 provided at an extending end of the universal cable 13, and extending from a side of the light source connector 14. It has an electric cable 15 and an electric connector 16 provided at an extended end of the electric cable 15.

  The light source connector 14 is detachably connected to the light source device 5. The electric connector 16 is detachably connected to the video processor 6.

  The insertion portion 11 has a distal end portion 21 on the distal end side, and a bending portion 22 as a movable portion that is bendable is continuously provided at a rear portion of the distal end portion 21. Further, a long and flexible flexible tube portion 23 formed of a soft tubular member is connected to the rear portion of the curved portion 22.

  The operation section 12 is provided with an operation section main body 20 that constitutes an operation grip section, a break prevention section 24 connected to the proximal end side of the flexible tube section 23 of the insertion section 11, and a vicinity of the break prevention section 24. And a treatment tool insertion port 25 serving as an opening of an insertion channel in the insertion portion 11.

  A bending operation knob 26 for bending the bending section 22 of the insertion section 11 is rotatably disposed on the operation section main body 20, and switches 28 and 29 for various endoscope functions are provided. ing.

  Note that the bending operation knob 26 has a UD bending operation knob 26a for bending the bending portion 22 in the vertical direction and an RL bending operation knob 26b for bending the bending portion 22 in the left and right direction. Are superposed.

  A release knob 27 that is operated to stop / release the rotation of each of the bending operation knobs 26a and 26b is provided at the center of the RL bending operation knob 26b.

  The light source device 5 supplies illumination light to a light guide (not shown) provided in the endoscope 2.

  That is, a light guide (not shown) is provided in the universal cable 13, the operation unit 12, and the insertion unit 11 of the endoscope 2 according to the present embodiment, and the light source device 5 is provided through the light guide. The illumination light is supplied to an illumination optical system that constitutes an illumination window of the distal end portion 21 described below. This illumination light is diffused by the illumination optical system and irradiates the test site of the subject.

  The video processor 6 converts the image data captured by the endoscope 2 into a video signal and causes the monitor 7 to display the video signal.

  Further, the video processor 6 receives operation signals of switches 29 disposed on the operation unit 12 of the endoscope 2 and controls the light source device 5 or drives a compressor (not shown) based on these signals. Or, air is supplied to a water supply tank (not shown), and air or water as a washing water in the water supply tank, physiological saline, or the like is supplied to the distal end portion 21 through the gas supply / water supply channel of the insertion portion 11. An apparatus for controlling water supply is also configured.

  The switches 28 are mechanical switches that are operated by the user when air and water are supplied.

  Next, the components disposed on the distal end face of the distal end portion 21 will be briefly described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a distal end cover 30 is provided at the distal end of the distal end portion 21.

  The distal end cover 30 has a plurality of holes formed therein. In these holes, an observation lens 31, which is arranged at the forefront of an imaging unit described later, two illumination lenses 32, and mainly an observation lens 31 A cleaning nozzle 33 for sending air or water toward the cleaning nozzle 33 is provided.

  Note that one hole constitutes a channel opening 34 of a treatment instrument channel described later. Further, the distal end cover 30 has an observation object cleaning port (not shown) for supplying air such as air or a liquid such as water or physiological saline to the front of the distal end portion 21 for cleaning the subject. Something you are doing. The configuration of the distal end cover 30 of the male embodiment will be described later in detail.

  Here, the internal configuration of the distal end portion 21 and the curved portion 22 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in the distal end portion 21 of the insertion portion 11, there is provided a distal end configuration portion 35 which constitutes a distal end portion main body formed of a hard metal here.

  The distal end portion 35 is connected to a ring-shaped frontmost bending piece 36 so as to fit on the outer peripheral portion on the base end side. The distal end component 35 is provided with the above-described distal end cover 30 that forms the distal end surface of the distal end portion 21.

  The distal end cover 30 is disposed so as to cover the distal end surface 35a and the distal end outer peripheral portion 35b of the distal end component 35.

  A plurality of annular bending pieces 37 provided inside the bending portion 22 are rotatably connected to the rear of the bending piece 36 at the foremost end connected to the distal end portion 35.

  The outer circumferences of the plurality of bending pieces 36 and 37 are covered with a bending rubber 38 as an outer skin.

  The curved rubber 38 covers the outer periphery of the distal end component 35 from the proximal end of the distal end cover 30. The distal end portion of the curved rubber 38 is fixed to the outer peripheral portion of the distal end portion 35 by a bobbin bonding portion 38a.

  The plurality of bending pieces 37 disposed inside the bending portion 22 include a plurality of, for example, four bending operation wires 39a (FIG. 3) each having a distal end fixed to a wire clamp 39 provided on the most advanced bending piece 36. (Only two of them are shown), and the bending portion 22 is bent by performing a turning operation by pulling and relaxing.

  The four bending operation wires 39a are pulled and relaxed by turning operations of the bending operation knobs 26a and 26b provided on the operation unit 12 shown in FIG.

  Since the detailed configuration for performing the bending operation of the bending portion 22 is well known, the description thereof will be omitted.

  A plurality of insertion holes are formed in the tip component 35 provided in the tip 21.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the plurality of insertion holes of the distal end component 35 include a cleaning nozzle 33, a cleaning tube connecting pipe 42 of a metal pipe, a treatment instrument channel connecting pipe 44 which is a metal pipe, and a subject. An imaging unit 45 as an observation member for observing the image, two illumination lens units 50 as illumination members for emitting illumination light for illuminating the subject, and two light guide bundle holding tubes 53 are fitted. .

  Here, only one illumination lens unit 50 and one light guide bundle holding tube 53 are shown in FIG. In addition, although not shown here, the plurality of insertion holes of the distal end component 35 include an air supply and a water supply including a pipe for supplying a gas such as air or a liquid such as water or physiological saline to the subject. It may have a channel hole.

  In the cleaning nozzle 33, after the distal end cover 30 is disposed on the distal end component 35, the tubular portion 33 a is inserted from the distal end side of the insertion hole of the distal end component 35.

  The cleaning tube connecting pipe 42 is inserted from the base end side of the same hole of the distal end component 35 so as to communicate with the cleaning nozzle 33.

  A flexible air / water supply tube 41 is connected to the base end of the washing tube connection tube 42. The air / water supply tube 41 is inserted through the insertion section 11, the operation section 12, and the universal cable 13 shown in FIG. Further, in the endoscope having the air supply / water supply channel hole in the distal end component 35, a flexible air supply / water supply tube connected to the air supply / water supply channel hole is similarly connected, as shown in FIG. , The insertion part 11, the operation part 12, and the universal cable 13 are inserted to the light source connector 14.

  The treatment instrument channel connection pipe 44 is inserted from the base end side of a channel insertion hole 35c which is one of the insertion holes of the distal end component 35. The treatment instrument channel 43, which is a flexible tube, is connected to the proximal end of the treatment instrument channel connection tube 44.

  The treatment instrument channel 43 is inserted into the inside of the insertion section 11 and the operation section 12, and is disposed up to the treatment instrument insertion port 25 of the operation section 12.

  The imaging unit 45 has an objective lens unit 46 on the distal end side. The objective lens unit 46 has an objective lens holding frame 48 for holding an objective lens group 47 including a plurality of objective lenses including the observation lens 31 shown in FIG.

  The imaging unit 45 is inserted into the insertion hole of the distal end component 35 from the proximal end side such that the distal end of the objective lens holding frame 48 of the objective lens unit 46 projects from the distal end surface 35 a of the distal end component 35.

  The imaging unit 45 is provided with an image sensor (not shown) including a CCD, a CMOS, and the like. The image sensor detects the photographing light collected by the objective lens group 47 of the objective lens unit 46. Then, an imaging signal is output by photoelectric conversion.

  This image pickup signal is output to the video processor 6 to which the electric connector 16 is connected via the image pickup cable inserted into the insertion section 11, the operation section 12, the universal cable 13 and the light source connector 14 shown in FIG. You.

  Then, the video processor 6 performs image processing based on the image pickup signal and outputs the processed image to the monitor 7 so that the endoscope image is displayed on the monitor 7.

  The illumination lens unit 50 has an illumination lens holding frame 52 that holds an illumination lens group 51 including a plurality of illumination lenses including the illumination lens 32 shown in FIG.

  The illumination lens unit 50 is inserted into the insertion hole of the distal end component 35 from the distal end side such that the distal end of the illumination lens holding frame 52 projects from the distal end surface 35 a of the distal end component 35.

  The light guide bundle holding tube 53 accommodates the distal end portion of the light guide bundle 54, and is inserted from the base end side of the same insertion hole of the distal end component 35 where the illumination lens unit 50 is disposed.

  A flexible protective sheath 55 that covers the light guide bundle 54 is connected to a base end portion of the light guide bundle holding tube 53.

  The light guide bundle 54 covered by the protective sheath 55 is inserted into the insertion section 11, the operation section 12, and the universal cable 13 shown in FIG.

  The light guide bundle 54 transmits illumination light from the light source device 5. Then, the illumination light is applied to the subject via the illumination lens unit 50.

  Here, the configuration of the distal end cover 30 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, the distal end cover 30 is formed of a transparent resin or the like that can transmit the illumination light, and extends from the edge of the disk-shaped flat portion 30 a to the base end side to the side peripheral portion 30 b. Is a cylindrical cap (concave section) having a recess 30c formed therein.

  A circular first hole 61 into which the tip of the objective lens holding frame 48 of the imaging unit 45 is engaged, and a tip of the illumination lens holding frame 52 of the illumination lens unit 50 are provided in the flat portion 30 a of the tip cover 30. Two rectangular second holes 62 into which the portions are engaged, a circular third hole 63 into which the tubular portion 33a of the cleaning nozzle 33 is engaged, and a circle forming the channel opening 34. And a fourth hole 64 having a shape.

  The distal end cover 30 configured as described above is mounted toward the distal end surface 35a of the distal end component 35 as shown in FIG. At the time of this mounting, the adhesive 65 (FIGS. 3 and 4) is attached to the rear surface side of the flat portion 30a of the distal end cover 30, the inner surface side of the side peripheral portion 30b, and the inner surface side of the first to third holes 61 to 63. Is applied.

  Further, between the flat portion 30a of the distal end cover 30 and the distal end surface 35a of the distal end portion 35, there is disposed a reflecting portion 60 that reflects the light transmitted through the distal end cover 30 and incident on the distal end portion 35. You.

  It is desirable that the reflecting portion 60 be provided at least in a portion including the longitudinal axis O of the insertion portion 11 and including the radial center of the distal end cover 30.

  In the present embodiment, specifically, the reflecting portion 60 is formed by coating (depositing) a reflecting material such as aluminum on the entire back surface of the flat portion 30a by vapor deposition or sputtering. Thereby, the rear surface side of the flat portion 30 a of the present embodiment is adhered to the distal end surface 35 a of the distal end component 35 by the adhesive 65 applied via the reflection portion 60. The reflecting portion 60 may be a reflecting plate disposed between the distal end component 35 and the distal end cover 30, and a reflective material such as aluminum is deposited on the distal end surface 35a of the distal end component 35 by vapor deposition or sputtering. It may be formed by coating (film formation).

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the flat portion 30 a of the tip cover 30 is configured such that the reflecting portion 60 formed on the back surface of the flat portion 30 a is abutted against the tip surface 35 a of the tip forming portion 35, The part 60 is fixed to the distal end face 35 a of the distal end component part 35 in a state of being in close contact with the adhesive 65. Further, the side peripheral portion 30 b of the distal end cover 30 is fixed to the distal end outer peripheral portion 35 b of the distal end component portion 35 in a state of being in close contact with an adhesive 65.

  In a state where the distal end cover 30 is fixed to the distal end portion 35, the outer peripheral surface of the objective lens holding frame 48 of the objective lens unit 46 of the imaging unit 45 protruding from the distal end surface 35a of the distal end portion 35 Through the first hole 61 (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

  In this case, the objective lens unit 46 is arranged such that the distal end surface of the observation lens 31 is disposed before the distal end surface 30d of the distal end cover 30 as the observation window 31a facing the subject, that is, on the subject side of the distal end surface of the distal end cover 30. , The length of the objective lens holding frame 48 and the like are set. In the present embodiment, more specifically, the objective lens unit 46 is configured such that the distal end surface of the observation lens 31 is disposed substantially flush with the distal end surface 30d of the distal end cover 30 as the observation window 31a. The dimensions of each part such as 48 are set.

  Similarly, in a state where the distal end cover 30 is fixed to the distal end component 35, the outer peripheral surfaces of the illumination lens holding frames 52 of the two illumination lens units 50 projecting from the distal end surfaces 35 a of the distal end component 35 apply the adhesive 65. In this way, the respective holes are brought into close contact with the second holes 62 (see FIG. 4, only one illumination lens unit 50 is shown in FIG. 4).

  In this case, the illumination lens unit 50 is configured such that the distal end surface of the illumination lens 32 serves as an illumination window 32a that opposes the subject and diffuses illumination light before the distal end surface 30d of the distal end cover 30, that is, the subject on the distal end surface of the distal end cover 30 The length and the like of the illumination lens holding frame 52 are set so as to be arranged on the side. In the present embodiment, more specifically, the illumination lens unit 50 has an illumination lens holding frame such that the distal end surface of the illumination lens 32 is arranged substantially flush with the distal end surface 30d of the distal end cover 30 as the illumination window 32a. The dimensions of each part such as 52 are set.

  The tubular portion 33a of the cleaning nozzle 33 is attached from the distal end side (the distal end surface 30d side) of the distal end cover 30, and the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 33a is in close contact with the third hole 63 via the adhesive 65. Is inserted into the distal end component 35 (see FIG. 4).

  As described above, the endoscope 2 of the present embodiment covers the distal end component 35 that holds the imaging unit 45 (the objective lens unit 46) and the illumination lens unit 50 at the distal end 21 of the insertion portion 11 and the distal end component 35. And a reflecting portion 60 disposed between the front end component 35 and the front end cover 30 for reflecting light incident on the front end component 35 through the front end cover 30. By arranging the illumination window 32a of the illumination lens unit 50 that diffuses illumination light in opposition to the subject, the illumination window 32a is substantially flush with the distal end surface 30d of the distal end cover 30 or closer to the subject than the distal end surface 30d. A favorable observation image can be obtained by effectively utilizing the reflected light from the subject while preventing halation without deteriorating the reflection section 60.

  In other words, by providing the reflecting portion 60 at the distal end portion 21 for re-reflecting the reflected light of the illumination light emitted to the subject from the illumination window 32a, even when the distal end portion 21 approaches the observation site of the subject. In addition, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of a dark portion due to uneven light distribution of the illumination light in the central portion of the observation visual field of the subject.

  At this time, a transparent tip cover 30 that covers the tip component 35 is provided, and the reflector 60 is disposed between the tip cover 30 and the tip component 35. Can be properly protected.

  On the other hand, when the distal end component 35 is covered with the transparent distal cover 30, a part of the illumination light from the illumination lens unit 50 is directly incident on the distal cover 30, and is repeatedly reflected in the distal cover 30. It is feared that a new light distribution unevenness may be caused by, for example, being incident on the objective lens unit 46 after the irradiation. However, by disposing the illumination window 32a of the illumination lens unit 50 before the distal end surface 30d of the distal end cover 30, In addition, it is possible to prevent illumination light from directly entering the front cover 30 from the illumination lens unit 50. Therefore, the occurrence of new light distribution unevenness due to the provision of the transparent tip cover 30 can be accurately prevented.

  In this case, the reflective portion 60 is formed by a reflective film or the like on which a reflective material is formed on the back surface of the distal end cover 30 facing the distal end configuration portion 35, so that an adhesive is applied between the distal end cover 30 and the reflective portion 60. The tip cover 30 can be adhesively fixed to the tip component 35 without any intervention. Therefore, even when the reflector 60 is covered with the tip cover 30 together with the tip component 35, high reflection characteristics by the reflector 60 can be realized.

  In addition, by providing the reflecting portion 60 at least in a portion including the longitudinal axis O of the insertion portion 11 and including the center in the radial direction of the distal end cover 30, the central portion of the observation visual field of the subject can be provided with illumination light. The occurrence of a dark portion due to uneven light distribution can be more suitably reduced. That is, for example, in the endoscope 2 in which a plurality (for example, two) of illumination lens units 50 are provided around the objective lens unit 46, when the distal end portion 21 approaches the subject, observation observation is performed. Although a dark portion tends to occur in the center portion of the tip, by providing the reflecting portion 60 at least in the portion including the longitudinal axis O of the insertion portion 11 and including the radial center of the distal end cover 30, Such dark areas can be reduced.

  Further, since the distal end cover 30 has a side peripheral portion 30b extending from the edge portion of the flat portion 30a and is formed in a cylindrical shape that covers the distal end surface 35a of the distal end component portion 35, the outer periphery of the distal end portion 21 is formed. It is possible to prevent a chemical solution or the like from entering between the flat portion 30a of the distal end cover 30 and the distal end surface 35a of the distal end component portion 35 from the portion or the like, thereby deteriorating the reflecting portion 60.

  Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the boundary between the distal end cover 30 and the distal end component 35 is set to the outside in order to more appropriately prevent the liquid medicine or the like from entering between the distal end cover 30 and the distal end component 35. It is also possible to form a peripheral groove 70 in the inner peripheral surface (peripheral surface) of the joint between the channel opening 34 and the channel insertion hole 35c exposed to the outside, and fill the peripheral groove 70 with a sealant 71.

  In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, it is possible to form the peripheral groove 70 by a concave portion having a tapered cross section, and the adhesive 65 is also used as a sealant filled in the peripheral groove 70. It is also possible.

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a flange 73 projecting into the circumferential groove 70 is formed on at least one of the tip cover 30 and the tip component 35 in order to prevent the sealing agent 71 from falling off. It is also possible.

  In addition, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, in order to re-reflect more reflected light from the subject, not only the distal end surface 35 a of the distal end component 35 but also the distal end of the distal end component 35 You may extend to the outer peripheral part 35b.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 13, in order to more appropriately prevent the deterioration of the reflecting portion 60 extended to the distal end outer peripheral portion 35 b of the distal end component portion 35 due to a chemical solution or the like, the side peripheral portion 30 b of the distal end cover 30 is formed. It is also possible to form a peripheral groove 75 at the base end and fill the peripheral groove 75 with a sealant 76. Further, even in an endoscope having an air supply / water supply channel hole in the distal end component 35, the distal end cover 30 is used to more accurately prevent the intrusion of a chemical solution or the like between the distal end cover 30 and the distal end component 35. A peripheral groove is formed in the inner peripheral surface (peripheral surface) of the joint between the above-described observation object cleaning port provided in the nozzle 30 and the air / water supply channel hole provided in the distal end component 35, and the sealing agent 71 is provided in the peripheral groove. May be filled.

  Next, FIG. 14 relates to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view mainly showing an internal structure of a distal end portion. Note that this embodiment is mainly different from the first embodiment in that the illumination window of the illumination lens unit 50 is formed in the front cover. In addition, the same components as those in the above-described first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the illumination lens unit 50 of the present embodiment is positioned such that the distal end surface of the illumination lens 32 disposed at the distal end of the illumination lens group 51 is substantially flush with the distal end surface 35a of the distal end component 35. Have been.

  An optical member 80 is provided on the distal end cover 30 at a position facing the illumination lens 32. The optical member 80 is formed integrally with the tip cover 30 by, for example, two-color molding, and a light shielding portion 81 is provided at a boundary between the optical member 80 and the tip cover 30. The optical member 80 is optically connected to the illumination lens 32 when the distal end cover 30 is attached to the distal end component 35, and the distal end surface of the optical member 80 faces the subject to be illuminated. It is set as an illumination window 80a that diffuses light.

  According to such an embodiment, since there is no need to form a hole for exposing the illumination lens unit 50 from the distal end cover 30, the amount of the chemical solution or the like between the distal end cover 30 and the distal end configuration portion 35 is accordingly reduced. The number of entry routes can be reduced, and the durability of the reflecting section 60 can be improved.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 15, the same configuration can be adopted for the objective lens unit 46 of the imaging unit 45.

  That is, in the example shown in FIG. 15, the objective lens unit 46 is positioned such that the distal end surface of the observation lens 31 disposed at the distal end of the objective lens group 47 is substantially flush with the distal end surface 35a of the distal end component 35. .

  An optical member 85 is provided on the distal end cover 30 at a position facing the observation lens 31. The optical member 85 is formed integrally with the tip cover 30 by, for example, two-color molding. At the boundary between the optical member 85 and the front cover 30, a light shielding portion indicated by reference numeral 86 in FIG. 15 may be provided. The optical member 85 is optically connected to the observation lens 31 when the distal end cover 30 is mounted on the distal end component 35. The distal end surface of the optical member 85 faces the subject and is located in the observation window. 85a.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and changes are possible, and these are also within the technical scope of the present invention. For example, it goes without saying that the configurations of the above-described embodiments and modifications may be appropriately combined.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope system 2 ... Endoscope 5 ... Light source device 6 ... Video processor 7 ... Monitor 11 ... Insertion part 12 ... Operation part 13 ... Universal cable 14 ... Light source connector 15 ... Electric cable 16 ... Electric connector 20 ... Operation part Body 21… Tip part 22… Bending part 23… Flexible tube part 24… Bending prevention part 25… Treatment instrument insertion port 26… Bending operation knob 26a… Bending operation knob 26b… Bending operation knob 27… Release knob 28… Switches 29 ... Switches 30 ... Tip cover 30a ... Flat portion 30b ... Side peripheral portion 30c ... Depression 30d ... Tip surface 31 ... Observation lens 31a ... Observation window 32 ... Illumination lens 32a ... Illumination window 33 ... Cleaning nozzle 33a ... Tubular portion 34 ... Channel Opening 35 ... Tip configuration part 35a ... Tip surface 35b ... Tip Circumferential portion 35c Channel insertion holes 36, 37 Bending piece 38 Bending rubber 38a Peg bonding portion 39 Wire retention 39a Bending operation wire 41 Air / water tube 42 Cleaning tube connecting tube 43 Treatment channel 44 Treatment instrument channel connection tube 45 ... imaging unit 46 ... objective lens unit 47 ... objective lens group 48 ... objective lens holding frame 50 ... illumination lens unit 51 ... illumination lens group 52 ... illumination lens holding frame 53 ... light guide bundle holding tube 54 ... Light guide bundle 55 Protective sheath 60 Reflector 61 First hole 62 Second hole 63 Third hole 64 Fourth hole 65 Adhesive 70 Peripheral groove 71 Seal Agent 73 Flange 75 Peripheral groove 76 Sealant 80 Optical member 8 a ... illumination window 81 ... shielding portion 85 ... optical member 85a ... observation window 86 ... shielding portion

Claims (9)

An illumination member that emits illumination light for illuminating the subject,
An observation member for observing the subject,
A distal end component that is provided at the distal end of the insertion section that is inserted into the subject and holds the illumination member and the observation member,
A transparent tip cover provided to cover the tip component,
The distal end portion is disposed between the distal end portion and the distal end cover at a portion including at least a longitudinal axis of the insertion portion and including a radial center of the distal end cover, and penetrates the distal end cover to form the distal end portion. A reflecting portion for reflecting light incident toward,
A light-shielding portion provided at a boundary between the lighting member and the tip cover,
An endoscope, comprising: an illumination window of the illumination member, which diffuses illumination light in opposition to the subject, disposed before a distal end surface of the distal end cover.   The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the reflection unit is a reflection film formed by forming a reflection material on a back surface of the tip cover facing the tip configuration unit.   The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the reflecting portion is provided at least in a portion including a longitudinal axis of the insertion portion and including a radial center of the distal end cover. .   The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the distal end cover includes a tubular shape that covers a distal end surface of the distal end component. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein an optical member forming the illumination window of the illumination member is formed integrally with the distal end cover.   A boundary between the distal end cover and the distal end component has an annular peripheral groove recessed in a peripheral surface exposed to the outside,
  The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral groove is filled with a sealant for sealing a joint between the distal end cover and the distal end component.   The endoscope according to claim 6, wherein the peripheral groove has a flange for preventing the sealing agent from falling off.   The distal end component has a channel insertion hole in which a channel through which the treatment tool can be inserted is arranged,
  The tip cover has a channel opening communicating with the channel insertion hole,
  The endoscope according to claim 6, wherein the peripheral groove is provided at a joint between the channel insertion hole and the channel opening.   The distal end portion has an air / water channel hole including a pipeline for supplying a gas or a liquid to the subject,
  The tip cover has an observation object cleaning port communicating with the air / water channel hole,
  The endoscope according to claim 6, wherein the peripheral groove is provided at a joint between the air / water supply channel hole and the observation object cleaning port.

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