JP7271137B2 - Endoscope - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to endoscopes.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, endoscopes have been known in which a flexible and elongated insertion section is inserted into a subject such as a person, illumination light is directed toward the subject, and the interior of the subject is observed by light reflected from the subject. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

By the way, after finishing an examination using an endoscope, it is necessary to clean and disinfect (reprocess) the endoscope in order to reuse it. At this time, the distal end of the insertion portion may be made of a white member in order to make it easier to see whether the dirt adhering to the insertion portion has been removed.

JP 2014-132923 A

If the tip of the insertion tube is white, the light reflectance is higher than other colors. As a result, illumination light emitted during endoscopic observation may be reflected at the distal end of the insertion portion, causing flare in the endoscopic image. In particular, in oblique-viewing ultrasonic endoscopes, flare is likely to occur because the ultrasonic probe is arranged on the distal end side of the illumination unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope that suppresses the occurrence of flare.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an endoscope according to one aspect of the present invention includes an insertion section that is inserted into a subject, and an illumination section that irradiates illumination light from the distal end of the insertion section. an imaging unit for imaging the interior of a subject at the distal end of the insertion section; and an imaging unit positioned at the distal end of the insertion section, holding the imaging unit and the illumination unit, and at least a portion of which has a variable light reflectance on the surface. and a tip that is

Further, in the endoscope according to one aspect of the present invention, the distal end portion has an ultrasonic probe whose surface has a variable reflectance of light.

Further, in the endoscope according to one aspect of the present invention, the light reflectance of the surface of the at least part of the distal end portion is higher during endoscope cleaning than during endoscopy.

Further, in the endoscope according to one aspect of the present invention, the reflectance of light on the surface of the at least part of the tip portion changes according to the temperature of the tip portion.

Further, in the endoscope according to one aspect of the present invention, the reflectance of light on the surface of the at least part of the distal end portion changes according to the pressure applied to the distal end portion.

Further, in the endoscope according to one aspect of the present invention, the reflectance of light on the surface of the at least part of the distal end portion changes when light of a predetermined wavelength is irradiated.

According to the present invention, it is possible to realize an endoscope that suppresses the occurrence of flare.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an endoscope system including an endoscope according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view of the distal end portion of the endoscope shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the distal end side. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the insertion portion of the endoscope during endoscopic examination. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the insertion portion of the endoscope during cleaning of the endoscope. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the insertion portion of the endoscope during endoscopic examination. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the insertion portion of the endoscope during endoscopic examination. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the insertion portion of the endoscope during endoscopic examination. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the insertion portion of the endoscope during endoscopic examination. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the insertion portion of the endoscope during endoscopic examination.

An embodiment of an endoscope according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. In the following embodiments, an endoscope equipped with an ultrasonic probe will be described as an example, but the present invention can be applied to endoscopes in general.

Moreover, in the description of the drawings, the same or corresponding elements are given the same reference numerals as appropriate. Also, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the relationship of dimensions of each element, the ratio of each element, and the like may differ from reality. Even between the drawings, there are cases where portions with different dimensional relationships and ratios are included.

(Embodiment 1)
[Schematic configuration of endoscope system]
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an endoscope system including an endoscope according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The endoscope system 1 is a system that performs ultrasonic diagnosis of the inside of a subject such as a human using an ultrasonic endoscope. This endoscope system 1 includes an endoscope 2, an ultrasonic observation device 3, an endoscope observation device 4, a display device 5, and a light source device 6, as shown in FIG.

The endoscope 2 can be partially inserted into the subject, transmits ultrasonic pulses toward the body wall of the subject, receives ultrasonic echoes reflected by the subject, and generates echo signals. An ultrasonic endoscope has a function of outputting, and a function of imaging the inside of a subject and outputting an image signal. A detailed configuration of the endoscope 2 will be described later.

The ultrasonic observation device 3 is electrically connected to the endoscope 2 via an ultrasonic cable 31 (see FIG. 1), outputs a pulse signal to the endoscope 2 via the ultrasonic cable 31, and outputs an endoscopic signal. An echo signal is input from the mirror 2 . Then, the ultrasound observation apparatus 3 performs predetermined processing on the echo signal to generate an ultrasound image.

The endoscope observation device 4 is electrically connected to the endoscope 2 via a video cable 41 (see FIG. 1) and receives image signals from the endoscope 2 via the video cable 41 . Then, the endoscopic observation device 4 performs predetermined processing on the image signal to generate an endoscopic image.

The display device 5 is configured using liquid crystal or organic EL (Electro Luminescence), and displays an ultrasonic image generated by the ultrasonic observation device 3, an endoscopic image generated by the endoscope observation device 4, and the like. display.

The light source device 6 is connected to the endoscope 2 via an optical fiber cable 61 (see FIG. 1), and supplies the endoscope 2 with illumination light for illuminating the interior of the subject via the optical fiber cable 61 .

[Configuration of endoscope]
The endoscope 2 includes an insertion section 21, an operation section 22, a universal cable 23, and a connector 24, as shown in FIG. In addition, the “distal end” described below means the end located on the distal end side of the insertion section 21 . In addition, the “base end” described below means the end located on the side (on the operation section 22 side) away from the distal end of the insertion section 21 .

The insertion portion 21 is a portion that is inserted into the subject. Inside the insertion section 21, a light guide (not shown) for transmitting illumination light supplied from the light source device 6, an image guide (not shown) for guiding an optical image inside the subject, and a plurality of signal cables for transmitting various signals are provided. , and a tube through which various treatment instruments (for example, a puncture needle, etc.) are inserted. A detailed configuration of the distal end side of the insertion portion 21 will be described later.

The operation section 22 is connected to the proximal end side of the insertion section 21 and receives various operations from a doctor or the like. As shown in FIG. 1, the operating section 22 includes a bending knob 221 for bending the bending section 213 and a plurality of operating members 222 for performing various operations.

Further, the operation portion 22 is formed with a treatment instrument insertion port 223 that communicates with a tube arranged in the insertion section 21 and through which various treatment instruments (for example, a puncture needle) are inserted.

Furthermore, inside the operation unit 22, there are provided an imaging device (not shown) that outputs an image signal corresponding to an optical image inside the subject, and an optical system that forms an optical image guided by an image guide on the imaging device. (not shown) are provided.

The universal cable 23 is a cable having one end connected to the operation unit 22 and provided with a plurality of signal cables for transmitting various signals and an optical fiber for transmitting illumination light supplied from the light source device 6 .

A connector 24 is provided at the other end of the universal cable 23 . The connector 24 includes first to third connector portions 241 to 243 to which the ultrasonic cable 31, the video cable 41, and the optical fiber cable 61 are respectively connected.

[Structure of insertion part]
As shown in FIG. 1, the insertion section 21 includes a distal end portion 210 including an ultrasonic probe 211 and a distal end hard portion 212 connected to the proximal end side of the ultrasonic probe 211, and a base of the distal end hard portion 212. It has a bending portion 213 connected to the end side and capable of bending, and a flexible tube portion 214 connected to the base end side of the bending portion 213 and having flexibility.

FIG. 2 is a view of the distal end portion of the endoscope shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the distal end side. As shown in FIG. 2, the distal end rigid portion 212 arranged at the distal end portion 210 includes an illumination portion 215 that irradiates illumination light from the distal end of the insertion portion 21 inserted into the subject, and and an imaging unit 216 for imaging the inside of the subject.

The ultrasonic probe 211 shown in FIG. 2 is a convex ultrasonic probe, but may be a linear type or a radial type. The distal end portion 210 includes an ultrasonic probe 211 and a rigid distal end portion 212 . The ultrasonic transducer unit 2111 is composed of an acoustic lens 2111a which is an ultrasonic transmission/reception surface, a piezoelectric element (not shown), an acoustic matching layer, a backing material, and the like. The ultrasonic probe 211 is composed of an ultrasonic transducer unit 2111 and a housing 2112 in which the ultrasonic transducer unit 2111 is accommodated. The ultrasonic probe 211 is attached to the distal end rigid portion 212 . The ultrasonic transducer unit 2111 converts the pulse signal input from the ultrasonic observation apparatus 3 into an ultrasonic pulse and transmits the ultrasonic pulse into the subject. The ultrasonic transducer unit 2111 also converts ultrasonic echoes reflected inside the subject into electrical echo signals and outputs the electrical echo signals to the ultrasonic observation apparatus 3 .

The distal end hard portion 212 is a hard member made of a resin material and has a substantially cylindrical shape. The distal end rigid portion 212 is positioned on the distal end side of the insertion portion 21 and holds an illumination portion 215 and an imaging portion 216 . Further, the distal end hard portion 212 is formed with a treatment instrument projection opening 217 for projecting a treatment instrument such as forceps from the distal end of the insertion portion 21 . The treatment instrument projection port 217 communicates with a treatment instrument insertion port 223 formed in the operation section 22 via a treatment instrument insertion passage (not shown).

The bending portion 213 is a portion that bends according to the operation of the bending knob 221 by a doctor or the like.

The illumination unit 215 irradiates the subject with illumination light from the emission end of the light guide connected to the light source device 6 via the illumination lens.

The imaging unit 216 acquires an optical image inside the subject via an objective lens. The optical image is transmitted to the endoscope observation device 4 after being converted into an electrical signal by an imaging device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor).

Next, the state of the distal end of the insertion portion 21 during examination using the endoscope 2 and during cleaning of the endoscope 2 will be described. First, the ultrasound probe 211 and the hard tip portion 212 have variable light reflectance on their surfaces. Specifically, the reflectance of light on the surfaces of the ultrasound probe 211 and the tip hard portion 212 changes according to the temperature of the ultrasound probe 211 and the tip hard portion 212 . The ultrasonic probe 211 and the hard tip portion 212 are made of a thermochromic material whose color changes reversibly with changes in temperature due to thermochromism.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the insertion portion of the endoscope during endoscopic examination. In FIG. 3, the hatched portions correspond to the black surface portions. As shown in FIG. 3, during endoscopy, the surfaces of the ultrasonic probe 211 and the distal end rigid portion 212 are black. That is, during endoscopic examination, the reflectance of light on the surfaces of the ultrasonic probe 211 and the distal end hard portion 212 is relatively lower than those of other colors. This is because the ultrasonic probe 211 and the hard tip portion 212 are made of a material mixed with a resin whose color changes according to the temperature of the ultrasonic probe 211 and the hard tip portion 212, and the temperature inside the body of the subject is changed. This is because it is formed to be black at (approximately 36 to 37 degrees). As a result, during endoscopic examination, reflected light from the surfaces of the ultrasonic probe 211 and the distal end rigid portion 212 is suppressed from entering the imaging unit 216, and the occurrence of flare is suppressed.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the insertion portion of the endoscope during cleaning of the endoscope. In FIG. 4 as well, the hatched portions correspond to black surface portions, and the non-hatched portions correspond to white surface portions. As shown in FIG. 4, the surfaces of the ultrasonic probe 211 and the distal end hard portion 212 are white during cleaning of the endoscope. That is, the reflectance of light on the surfaces of the ultrasonic probe 211 and the tip hard portion 212 is relatively higher than those of other colors. This is because the ultrasonic probe 211 and the hard tip portion 212 are formed so as to become white at the temperature (for example, 10 to 20 degrees) of the cleaning liquid such as water used for cleaning. As a result, dirt adhering to the surfaces of the ultrasonic probe 211 and the distal end hard portion 212 is easily visible during cleaning of the endoscope.

As described above, the reflectance of light on the surfaces of the ultrasonic probe 211 and the distal end hard portion 212 of the endoscope 2 changes according to the temperature of the ultrasonic probe 211 and the distal end hard portion 212. , the occurrence of flare is suppressed during endoscopic examination, and dirt is easily visible during endoscope cleaning.

(Modification 1-1)
The ultrasonic probe 211 and the tip hard part 212 are made of a material mixed with a resin that changes color depending on the temperature of the ultrasonic probe 211 and the tip hard part 212. 37 degrees). On the other hand, the ultrasonic probe 211 and the hard tip portion 212 are formed so as to become white at the temperature (eg, 50 to 60° C.) of hot cleaning liquid such as hot water used for cleaning. In this way, the ultrasonic probe 211 and the tip hard portion 212 may be configured to turn white at high temperatures.

Note that the setting of the temperature is not limited to the embodiment described above. For example, the ultrasonic probe 211 and the distal end hard portion 212 may be formed so as to turn black when heated by a heater arranged inside the insertion portion 21 . Furthermore, the ultrasonic probe 211 and the distal end hard portion 212 may be formed so as to turn black when cooled by circulating liquid inside the insertion portion 21 .

(Embodiment 2)
The ultrasonic probe 211 and the hard tip portion 212 are made of a material mixed with a resin whose light reflectance changes according to the pressure applied to the ultrasonic probe 211 and the hard tip portion 212 . The ultrasonic probe 211 and the hard tip portion 212 are made of a piezochromic material whose color changes reversibly with changes in pressure due to piezochromism. Specifically, the ultrasonic probe 211 and the hard tip portion 212 are formed to be whitened by the pressure of the brush during cleaning. On the other hand, the ultrasonic probe 211 and the distal end rigid portion 212 are formed so as to be black during endoscopic examination in which the insertion portion 21 of the endoscope 2 is not subjected to much pressure. In this manner, the ultrasonic probe 211 and the distal end hard portion 212 may be configured to change color depending on factors other than temperature, such as pressure.

(Embodiment 3)
The ultrasonic probe 211 and the hard tip portion 212 are made of a resin-mixed material whose surface changes the reflectance of light when irradiated with light of a predetermined wavelength. The ultrasonic probe 211 and the hard tip portion 212 are made of a photochromic material whose color is reversibly changed by light due to photochromism. The ultrasonic probe 211 and the distal end rigid portion 212 are formed so as to turn black when illumination light of a predetermined wavelength is emitted from the illumination portion 215 during endoscopy. On the other hand, the ultrasonic probe 211 and the hard tip portion 212 are formed so as to be white when not irradiated with illumination light during cleaning. In this way, the ultrasonic probe 211 and the distal end rigid portion 212 may be configured to change color when irradiated with light of a predetermined wavelength.

(Modification 3-1)
The ultrasonic probe 211 and the hard tip portion 212 are made of a material mixed with a resin that changes color according to irradiation with light of a predetermined wavelength, and are blackened when not irradiated with UV light during endoscopy. is formed in On the other hand, the ultrasonic probe 211 and the tip hard part 212 are whitened when irradiated with UV light of a predetermined wavelength for changing the color of the ultrasonic probe 211 and the tip hard part 212 during cleaning. is formed in

(Modification 3-2)
The ultrasonic probe 211 and the hard tip portion 212 are made of a material mixed with a resin that changes color in response to irradiation with light of a predetermined wavelength, and are provided separately from the illumination portion 215 during endoscopy. It is formed so as to turn black when UV light of a predetermined wavelength is irradiated from the UV light source. On the other hand, the ultrasonic probe 211 and the hard tip portion 212 are formed so as to turn white when not irradiated with UV light during cleaning.

In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the reflectance of light on the surface of the entire distal end portion 210 including the ultrasonic probe 211 and the distal end hard portion 212 is variable has been described. In this configuration, since the reflectance of light on the surface of the entire distal end portion 210 is variable, the effect of suppressing the occurrence of flare during endoscopic examination is the highest. However, if the reflectance of light on the surface of at least a part of the distal end portion 210 including the ultrasonic probe 211 and the distal end hard portion 212 is variable, an effect of suppressing the occurrence of flare can be obtained. Modifications A to E in which the reflectance of light on the surface of a part of the distal end portion 210 is variable will be described below with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9. FIG. 5 to 9 are perspective views of the insertion portion of the endoscope during endoscopic examination. Modifications A to E below can be applied to any of Embodiments 1 to 3 and modifications thereof.

(Modification A)
As shown in FIG. 5, only a portion of the distal end hard portion 212 closer to the imaging portion 216 and the surface of the ultrasonic transducer unit 2111 may be blackened during endoscopic examination. In this configuration, since the reflectance of light on the surface is variable within the range where the imaging unit 216 receives light, it is possible to sufficiently obtain the effect of suppressing the occurrence of flare during endoscopic examination, and the reflection of light on the surface can be achieved. The manufacturing cost can be reduced by narrowing the variable range of the ratio.

(Modification B)
As shown in FIG. 6, only the surface of the ultrasonic probe 211 may be configured to be black during endoscopy. In the ultrasonic endoscope, since the ultrasonic probe 211 is arranged on the distal side of the illumination unit 215, the illumination light emitted from the illumination unit 215 is reflected on the surface of the ultrasonic probe 211. If the light enters the imaging unit 216, flare may occur. Therefore, the occurrence of flare may be suppressed by making the reflectance of light on the surface of the ultrasonic probe 211 variable as in this modification.

(Modification C)
As shown in FIG. 7, only the surfaces of the distal end rigid portion 212 and the housing 2112 of the ultrasonic probe 211 may be blackened during endoscopic examination. Since the tip hard part 212 and the housing 2112 of the ultrasonic probe 211 are made of the same hard resin material, it is easy to make the reflectance of light on the surface variable, and these parts are evenly distributed. It may be made of a material with variable reflectance.

(Modification D)
As shown in FIG. 8, only the surface of the housing 2112 of the ultrasonic probe 211 may be blackened during endoscopic examination. In the ultrasonic endoscope, as described above, flare may occur due to light reflected on the surface of the ultrasonic probe 211. Therefore, the reflectance of light on the surface of the ultrasonic probe 211 is Only the housing 2112, which can be easily made variable, may be made of a material with a variable reflectance.

(Modification E)
As shown in FIG. 9, only the surface of the acoustic lens 2111a of the ultrasound probe 211 may be black during endoscopy. In the ultrasonic endoscope, as described above, flare may occur due to light reflected on the surface of the ultrasonic probe 211. Therefore, the acoustic lens 2111a located closer to the imaging unit 216 is selectively It may be made of a material with variable reflectance.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the surfaces of the ultrasonic probe 211 and the tip hard portion 212 change between white and black has been described. The color is not particularly limited.

In the above-described embodiment, the ultrasonic probe 211 and the hard tip portion 212 are made of a material mixed with a resin that changes color depending on temperature, pressure, or light. do not have. The ultrasonic probe 211 and the hard tip portion 212 may have a structure in which a material that changes color depending on temperature, pressure, or light is applied to the surface.

Further, the ultrasonic probe 211 and the distal end hard portion 212 may have a low light reflectance by forming a rough surface. Furthermore, the ultrasonic probe 211 and the distal end hard portion 212 may have a rough surface and the color of the surface may change depending on temperature, pressure, or light.

In addition, the reflectance of light may be lowered by using a transparent member for the ultrasonic probe 211 or the hard tip portion 212 . In this case, the visibility of stains adhering to the ultrasonic probe 211 or the distal end hard portion 212 is good due to the transparency.

Further effects and modifications can be easily derived by those skilled in the art. Therefore, the broader aspects of the invention are not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described above. Accordingly, various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Reference Signs List 1 endoscope system 2 endoscope 3 ultrasonic observation device 4 endoscope observation device 5 display device 6 light source device 21 insertion section 22 operation section 23 universal cable 24 connector 31 ultrasonic cable 41 video cable 61 optical fiber cable 210 tip Section 211 Ultrasonic Probe 212 Hard Tip Section 213 Bending Section 214 Flexible Tube Section 215 Illuminating Section 216 Imaging Section 217 Treatment Instrument Protruding Port 221 Bending Knob 222 Operating Member 223 Treatment Instrument Insertion Port 241 to 243 First to Third Connectors Part 2111 Ultrasonic transducer unit 2111a Acoustic lens 2112 Housing

Claims (8)

an insertion section inserted into the subject;
an illumination unit that irradiates illumination light from the distal end of the insertion unit;
an imaging unit having an imaging element for imaging the inside of the subject, and an optical system for relaying light from the subject to the imaging element;
a distal end portion positioned at the distal end of the insertion portion and holding the imaging portion and the illumination portion so that at least a portion of each of them is exposed to the outside;
with
The endoscope has an ultrasonic probe, the tip of which has a variable light reflectance on its surface . The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the reflectance of light on the surface of the at least part of the tip portion is higher during cleaning of the endoscope than during endoscopy. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the reflectance of light on the surface of the at least part of the tip changes according to the temperature of the tip. 2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the reflectance of light on the surface of said at least part of said tip varies according to the pressure applied to said tip. 2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the reflectance of light on the surface of said at least part of said tip portion changes when light of a predetermined wavelength is applied. an insertion section inserted into the subject;
an illumination unit that irradiates illumination light from the distal end of the insertion unit;
an imaging unit that images the inside of a subject at the distal end of the insertion unit;
Positioned at the distal end of the insertion section, holding the imaging section and the illumination section, at least a part of which has a surface whose reflectance is variable depending on at least one of pressure and wavelength of light to be irradiated. a tip that is
an endoscope with a an insertion section inserted into the subject;
an illumination unit that irradiates illumination light from the distal end of the insertion unit;
an imaging unit that images the inside of the subject at the distal end of the insertion unit;
a distal end portion positioned at the distal end of the insertion portion, holding the imaging portion and the illumination portion, and having a variable reflectance of illumination light from a light source device on at least a part of the surface thereof;
an endoscope with a 8. The endoscope according to claim 7, wherein the distal end portion is at least partially changeable in color between a black surface and a white surface.

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