JPH02280732A - Hard endoscope and its protective case used - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To permit an objective part to be replacement-used in conformity with the observation condition and improve the operation performance by installing an objective part probe at the top edge of an endoscope body in demountable manners. CONSTITUTION:As for a hard endoscope, an objective part probe 3 can be mounted/demounted at the top edge of an endoscope body 2, and a variety of objective part probes 3 having different diameter of the top edge of the objective part are prepared, and the objective probe 3 in conformity with observation condition is installed at the top edge of the endoscope body 2, and a variety of observation can be carried out without preparing a plurality of hard endoscopes. Further, the rear edge of the image guide 4 of the endoscope body 2 is connected with a monitor through a TV camera, and only the objective part probe 3 can be replaced with a light guide 5 connected with a light source, and the observation conditions can be changed with the image guide 4 and light guide 5 connected with other equipment, and the operation performance of the hard endoscope can be improved.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention "Field of Industrial Application" The present invention relates to rigid endoscopes used in medical endoscopes, etc., in which objective probes are frequently attached and detached, and in protective cases, etc. This invention relates to items that need to be stored, especially medical endoscopes that need to be sterilized and sterilized in a protective case, with improved operability.

``Prior art'' Traditionally, rigid endoscopes used as medical endoscopes have two components: an image guide that transmits an image incident from the tip of the objective section to the eyepiece section, and an image guide that transmits the incident light from the light source to the objective section. There is a known structure in which a light guide is inserted into a cylindrical body and transmits light to the objective part and irradiates outward from the objective part.

When such a rigid endoscope is used as a medical endoscope, the objective section is sent so that it reaches a predetermined observation point, and the light transmitted to the objective section through the light guide is observed. While illuminating the object, the image of the object to be observed transmitted through the image guide is observed from the eyepiece side.

By the way, when observing the inside of a human body using a rigid endoscope as described above, it is necessary to sterilize at least the objective part to be inserted into the human body because it is used inside the human body.

"Problems to be Solved by the Invention" However, in conventional rigid endoscopes, the objective part and the rest of the main body are integrally constructed, so when observing the inside of the human body, for example, it is difficult to There was a problem in that it was necessary to prepare the necessary type of rigid endoscope according to the situation.

Furthermore, when a rigid endoscope is used for internal observation of a human body, there is a problem in that it takes time and effort to sterilize the rigid endoscope.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a rigid endoscope with excellent operability, whose objective portion can be exchanged depending on observation conditions.

"Means for Solving the Problems" As a means for solving the above problems, the rigid endoscope of the present invention includes an image guide that transmits an image incident from the tip to the eyepiece, and an image guide that transmits the irradiation light incident from the light source to the tip. The endoscope body consists of a light guide inserted into a cylindrical body, and an objective probe detachably attached to the tip of the endoscope body. There is an objective part image guide that inputs the incident image into the end of the image guide on the endoscope body, and an irradiation light transmitted to the end of the light guide on the endoscope body side to the objective part tip and directs it to the object to be observed. It is configured to include an objective light guide that emits light toward the object, and an objective sheath that houses the light guide.

Furthermore, when attaching and detaching the objective section probe and sterilizing it, as described in claim 2, the objective section probe is attached to a bottomed cylindrical case body into which the objective section probe is removably inserted, and an opening of this case body. A protective case is preferably used in which a sterile gas vent is formed in the bottom of the case body and the lid.

"Function" The rigid endoscope of the present invention has a structure in which the objective probe is detachably attached to the tip of the endoscope body, so by preparing a plurality of objective probes having various imaging performances, It can be adapted to various observation applications by replacing the objective probe.

Furthermore, since the objective probe is detachable from the endoscope body, observation operations can be performed by attaching the sterilized objective probe to the endoscope body.

Embodiment FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, in which reference numeral 1 represents a rigid endoscope, 2 represents an endoscope body, and 3 represents an objective probe.

This endoscope main body 2 includes an image guide 4 that transmits an image incident from the tip to an eyepiece (not shown), a light guide 5 that transmits irradiation light incident from a light source (not shown) to the tip, and each of these guides 4. .5, and a protective tube 7 that extends from the rear end of the cylindrical body 6 and covers the image guide 4 and light guide 5.

The objective probe 3 transmits the image incident at the tip of the objective to the tip of the image guide 4 of the endoscope body 2, and to the tip of the light guide 5 of the endoscope body 2. It is configured to include an objective light guide 9 that transmits irradiation light to the tip of the objective and irradiates it toward an object to be observed, and an external objective device 0 that accommodates these. This objective external device O has an objective image guide 8 on the tip side.
It has a small diameter so as to densely cover the objective light guide 9, and has a large diameter on the rear end side so as to be hinged to the tip of the cylindrical body 6. Furthermore, an objective image guide 8 and an objective light guide 9 of the objective probe 3 are connected to the image guide 4 and light guide 5 of the endoscope body 2 at the tip of the cylindrical body 6 and the rear end of the external objective device 0. The external objective device 0 and the cylindrical body 6 are
A ball clip mechanism 11 is provided which can fix the object probe 3 and easily remove the objective probe 3.

The image guide 4 and the objective image guide 8 are comprised of a fiber bundle formed by bundling a large number of quartz-based fibers, or a waveguide for image transmission made of quartz-based image fibers or the like. Furthermore, an objective lens system 12 consisting of a rod lens or the like is connected to the tip of the objective image guide 8.

Further, the light guide 5 and the objective light guide 9 are constructed by bundling a large number of quartz fibers, similarly to the image guide 4.

There are two lenses 13.1 between the tip of the image guide 4 of the endoscope body 2 and the rear end of the objective image guide 8.
An image connecting lens system consisting of 3 is provided. In this image connecting lens system, the positions of the lenses 1B and lft are adjusted so that the image transmitted to the rear end of the objective section image guide 8 is accurately incident on the front end of the image guide 4. Note that the method of connecting the objective part image guide 8 and the image guide 4 of the endoscope body 2 is not limited to the method using this image connection lens system. Other optical connection methods may also be used, such as a method of abutting the tips of the two image guides 4.

The tip of the light guide 5 of the endoscope body 2 and the rear end of the objective light guide 9 are connected by butting both ends, and the irradiated light from the light guide 5 of the endoscope body 2 is directed to the objective light guide 9. The information is transmitted to the guide 9. Note that as this connection method, an optical connection method using a lens may be used as in the image connection lens system described above.

The rigid endoscope 1 configured as described above can easily attach and detach the objective probe 3 to the tip of the endoscope body 2, and can accommodate various objective probes 3 having different diameters of the objective tip. Prepare the objective probe 3 that matches the observation conditions.
By attaching it to the tip of the endoscope main body 2 and using it, various observations can be made without having to prepare multiple rigid endoscopes. Also, the image guide 4 of the endoscope body 2
Connect the rear end to the monitor through the TV camera, and
Since only the objective probe 3 can be replaced while the light guide 5 is connected to a light source, the observation conditions can be changed while the image guide 4 and light guide 5 are connected to other equipment. The operability of the rigid endoscope can be improved.

2 and 3 are diagrams showing other embodiments of the present invention, and the reference numeral 14 in FIG. 3 is a protective case.

The protective case 14 includes a bottomed cylindrical case body 15 in which the objective probe 3 is housed, and a lid 16 fitted into the opening of the case body 15. The bottom of the case body 15 and the lid 16 have sterile gas ventilation holes 1.
7.17 is formed.

Further, in this example, the objective section probe 3 is placed inside the protective case 14.
In order to detachably hold the object probe 3, a threaded part 18 is formed on a part of the outer surface of the objective probe 3, as shown in FIG. 19 is formed.

Next, a method of attaching and detaching the objective section probe 3 using this protective case 14 and a method of sterilization will be explained.

First, when attaching the objective probe 3, which is housed in the protective case 14 and has been sterilized by circulating a sterilizing gas such as ethylene oxide inside the case, to the endoscope body 2, the protective case 14 is Remove the lid 1B, insert the tip side of the cylindrical body 6 into the case body 15, and remove the case body 1.
The rear end of the objective external device 0 of the objective probe 3 in the objective section 5 is brought into contact with the tip of the cylindrical body 6. Next, the ball clip mechanism 11
and attach the objective probe 3. Next, rotate the case body 15 to loosen the screws Ill and 19 of the objective section probe 3 and the case body 15, and then remove the case body 15.
Remove. The objective probe 3 can be attached to the tip of the endoscope body 2 by the above operations.

In addition, in order to remove the objective probe 3 attached to the endoscope body 2 and store it in the case body 15, cover the objective probe 3 with the case body 15, screw together the screw parts 18 and 19, and use the ball clip mechanism. 11, and further rotate the case body I5 to hinge the objective probe 3 inside the case bodies 1 and 5.

And the objective section probe 3 housed in the case body 15
The sterilization process is carried out by attaching the 1EI6 to the case body 15 and passing sterilizing gas into the case through the ventilation holes 17.17.

This protective case I4 allows the objective section probe 3 to be easily attached and detached, and the objective section probe 3 is sterilized with the objective section probe 3 stored in the protective case 14, and the sterilized objective section probe 3 is attached. Therefore, the sterilization process of the objective section probe 3 can be facilitated. In addition, since the objective probe 3 can be attached to and detached from the endoscope body 2 while it is stored, the tip of the objective probe 3 is protected and damage to the tip of the objective probe 3 can be prevented during attachment and detachment. .

"Effects of the Invention" In the rigid endoscope of the present invention, the objective probe is detachably attached to the tip of the endoscope body, so various objective probes with different diameters of the objective tip can be prepared. By attaching and using an objective probe that matches observation conditions to the endoscope body, various types of observations can be performed without having to prepare multiple rigid endoscopes.

Furthermore, since observation conditions can be changed while the image guide and light guide of the endoscope body are connected to other equipment, the operability of the rigid endoscope can be improved.

Further, the protective case according to claim 2 allows the objective probe to be easily attached and detached, and the objective probe is sterilized with the objective probe housed in the protective case, and the sterilized objective probe is attached. Therefore, sterilization of the objective probe can be facilitated. Furthermore, since the objective probe can be attached to and detached from the endoscope body while the objective probe is housed, the tip of the objective probe is protected and damage to the tip of the objective probe can be prevented during attachment and detachment.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a rigid endoscope showing one embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 are views showing other embodiments of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a side view of the endoscope, showing a state in which the objective probe is fixed to the protective case. l... Rigid endoscope, 2... Endoscope main body, 3... Objective part probe, 4... Image guide, 5... Light guide, 6... Cylindrical body, 8... ...Objective part image guide, 9...Objective part light guide, lO...Objective part exterior, 14...Protective case, 15...Case body,
16...Lid, 17...Vent hole. Figure 1 Figure 2 d Figure 3

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) An endoscope body consisting of an image guide that transmits an image incident from the tip to the eyepiece and a light guide that transmits irradiation light incident from a light source to the tip, which are inserted into a cylindrical body; It consists of an objective part probe that is detachably attached to the tip of the endoscope body, and the objective part probe has an objective part image guide that makes the image incident at the tip enter the image guide tip of the endoscope body. , comprising an objective light guide that transmits the irradiation light transmitted to the tip of the light guide on the endoscope body side to the tip of the objective section and irradiates it toward an observation object, and an objective sheath that houses the light guide. A rigid endoscope characterized by: (2) Consisting of a bottomed cylindrical case body into which the objective probe of the rigid endoscope according to claim 1 is removably fitted, and a lid attached to the opening of the case body, the bottom of the case body A protective case with a sterile gas vent formed in the lid and the lid.