JPH03191944A - Side view type endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform insertion not damaging the inner surface of the body cavity by guiding the illumination light transmitted by an illumination light transmitting member to an oblique illumination window by an optical axis converting member. CONSTITUTION:The illumination light emitted from a light source apparatus 9 is emitted from the first illumination window 17 through an LG bundle 23 and an illumination lens 22 and passes through the LG bundle 26 to be converted in its optical axis by a prism 25 and is emitted from the second illumination window 18 being an oblique illumination window through an illumination lens 24 to illuminate a region to be observed from two illumination windows 17, 18. When illumination light is guided to the second illumination window 18, the illumination light transmitted by the LG bundle 25 not bent on the leading end side thereof is guided to the illumination window 18 by the prism 25 and, therefore, a space can be conserved and a leading end part can be reduced in its diameter.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field] The present invention relates to a side-viewing endoscope with improved illumination conditions.

[Prior Art] In recent years, it has become possible to observe organs within a body cavity by inserting an elongated insertion section into a body cavity, and to perform various therapeutic procedures as needed using a treatment instrument inserted into a treatment instrument channel. Endoscopes are widely used.

Among the aforementioned endoscopes, side-viewing endoscopes with a lateral observation field conventionally have only one illumination window for illuminating the target area on the side plane located on the side of the distal end. It wasn't. With such a structure, the illumination slope is narrower than the observable area (
This may cause uneven illumination, etc., and the parts that are outside the irradiation area are 1! When performing a medical examination, the endoscope must be moved back and forth or curved, which is cumbersome and reduces the efficiency of various treatment operations.

On the other hand, Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 64-54015 discloses an endoscope provided with two illumination windows.

An example of an endoscope provided with two illumination windows as described above is shown in FIG. A first illumination window 103 and an observation window 10/ are provided above.Between the proximal end a of the side plane 102 and the side surface of the distal end portion 10'1 rearward b of the side plane 102, In this case, a stepped surface 105 is formed with the step surface between the two inclined toward the tip side, and a second illumination lamp 106 whose illumination direction is diagonally forward is provided on this inclined surface 105. , this second ■ window 1
The illumination α region is expanded by the illumination light emitted from 06,
This is to compensate for the disadvantages of having only one lighting window. The endoscope shown in the above-mentioned Utility Model Application No. 64-54015 Σ report and the
Even in the 1f endoscopy shown in the figure, a light guide fiber bundle (hereinafter referred to as LG bundle) whose distal end side is bent and formed 1°8.109 is used for the two observation windows. It guides the lighting. By providing the illumination window on the sloped surface 105 in this way, the illumination conditions can be improved, and since the stepped surface between the side surface and the side surface of the distal end portion behind it is sloped, insertion can be performed without damaging the inner wall of the body cavity. becomes possible.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the endoscope shown in the above-mentioned Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 64-54015 or shown in FIG. As a result, a space corresponding to the amount of bending was required, leading to an increase in the diameter of the tip and end.

Furthermore, by molding the LG handle, there is a problem that the illumination light intensity is lowered and the image of the family celebration a becomes dark even within the illumination area.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a side-viewing endoscope that can be inserted without damaging the inner wall of a body cavity, improve illumination conditions, and have a smaller diameter. The purpose is

[Means for Solving Problem 81] The side-viewing endoscope of the present invention has at least an observation window on a side plane provided on the lateral side of the distal end of the distal end of the insertion section, and the an inclined surface provided between the proximal end side and a side surface of the distal end portion of the insertion portion rearward of this side plane, and with a stepped surface connecting the two inclined toward the distal end side; and an inclined surface provided on the inclined surface. , an oblique illumination window whose illumination direction is obliquely forward; an illumination light transmission member inserted into the insertion portion and transmitting illumination light emitted from the oblique illumination window; and tips of the oblique illumination window and the illumination light transmission member. and an optical axis conversion member that is provided between the illumination light transmission member and guides the illumination light emitted from the tip of the illumination light transmission member to the oblique illumination window.

[Operation] In the present invention, the illumination lights G and U transmitted by the illumination light transmission member are guided to the oblique illumination window by the optical axis conversion member, and are emitted from the oblique illumination window.

[Example] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 relate to one embodiment of the present invention, with FIG. 1 being a longitudinal sectional view of the distal end, and FIG. 2 being a side view showing the entire endoscopic mirror device.

As shown in FIG. 2, the endoscope apparatus includes a side-viewing endoscope main body 1, a light source device 9 and a video processor 10 to which the endoscope main body 1 is connected, and a video processor 10 connected to the video processor 10. Monitor 11. VTR deck 12. Video printer 13. A video disc 14 is also provided.

The endoscope main body 1 includes an elongated and flexible insertion section 32, and a large-diameter operation section 5 is connected to the rear end of the insertion section 32. A flexible universal cord 6 extends laterally from the operation section 5, and a connector 7 connected to the light source device 9 is provided at the end of the universal cord 6. Further, the connector 7 and the video processor 10 are connected by a scope cable 8. The insertion section 32 has a bendable bending section 3. at the tip of the flexible tube 4 on the operation section 5 side. Hard tip 2
It is constructed by sequentially arranging the following.

As shown in FIG.
6 and a plastic cover 15 fitted over the metal fitting 16 constituting the tip. A tip constituting hardware side plane 19 is formed on the side of the distal end side of the tip constituting hardware 16, and on this side plane 19, first illumination windows 17 are arranged in order from the distal end side.
and an observation window 27 are provided. Between the proximal end side of the side plane 19 and the side surface side 20 of the distal end portion 2 rearward from the side plane 19, a stepped surface between the two is inclined toward the distal end side. A second illumination window 18 is formed on the inclined surface 21 and the illumination direction is diagonally forward.
is provided. Incidentally, the angle of the inclined surface 21 with respect to the side plane 19 is an acute angle.

An illumination lens 22 is attached to the first illumination window 17, and a distal end surface of a first light guide fiber bundle (hereinafter referred to as LG bundle) 23 is arranged inside the illumination lens 22. This LG bundle 23 has an insertion section 32. It is inserted through the operating section 5 and the universal cord 6, and its input end is connected to the connector 7. Further, the distal end side of the LG bundle 23 is bent toward the illumination lens 22.

On the other hand, an illumination lens 24 is attached to the second illumination window 18 . A prism 25 for converting the optical axis is disposed inside the illumination lens 24. A second LG bundle 26 is connected to the rear end surface of this prism 25 . This LG bundle 26, together with the first LG bundle 23, is inserted into the insertion section 32. It is inserted through the operating section 5 and the universal cord 6, and its input end is connected to the connector 7.

Further, a second lunion 28 is attached to the observation window 27, and a prism 29 for changing the visual field direction is disposed inside the second lunse 28. Behind the prism 29, there is an objective lens group (not shown) and a solid-state image pickup device.
An image unit 30 is provided. This imaging unit 3
0 is inserted from the rear of the tip constituting metal fitting 16. An image transmission cable 31 is connected to the rear end of the imaging unit 30, and the image transmission cable 31 is connected to the insertion section 32. Operation unit 5. The video processor 1 is connected to the video processor 1 via the universal cord 6° connector 7 and the scope cable 8.
0, and the video signal from the solid-state AM device is transmitted to the video processor 10. The video signal from the solid-state RI&element is processed by the video processor 10, and then sent to the monitor 11. VTR deck 12. The video is output to a 13° video disk 14.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

The illumination light emitted from the light source 9 is transmitted to the LG bundle 23
．． After passing through the illumination lens 22, the light is emitted from the first illumination window 17, passes through the LG bundle 26, has its optical axis converted by the prism 25, passes through the illumination lens 24, and exits from the second illumination window 18, which is an oblique illumination window. It is emitted.

Therefore, the area to be observed through the observation window 17 can be illuminated widely and evenly from the two illumination windows 17 and 18.

In addition, when illuminating light is directed to the second illumination window 18, the illumination light transmitted by the LG bundle 26 whose tip end is hardly bent is changed in illumination direction by the prism 25 and guided to the illumination window 18. Since the LG bundle 26 is not bent and formed, space can be saved.
It is possible to reduce the diameter of the tip of the endoscope. Further, an optical axis conversion member such as the prism 25 is placed inside the second illumination window 18.
Since the endoscope can be inserted and assembled from the opening direction of the illumination window 18, no assembly space is required and the distal end of the endoscope does not become thick.

Further, since the LG bundle 26 is not bent, the amount of illumination light does not decrease, and it is possible to illuminate with bright illumination light.

In addition, if an optical axis conversion member such as the prism 25 is not used, the tip side of the LG bundle 26 may be bent greatly, or
Although the inclined surface 21 must be made at a large angle with respect to the side plane 19, by using an optical axis conversion member such as the prism 25, the angle of the inclined surface 21 with respect to the side plane 19 can be made acute, making it easier to insert the endoscope. This allows for smooth insertion without damaging the body cavity wall.

Note that the optical axis conversion member is not limited to the prism 25, but may be a mirror or the like.

Further, although the above embodiment is an example of an electronic endoscope, the present invention can also be applied to a fiberscope.

By the way, in an electronic endoscope like the endoscopic mirror main body 1,
A solid-state image element installed at the tip of the insertion tube converts optical signals (subject image) into electrical signals. The solid R
In conventional devices, a base substrate and a light-receiving chip placed on this substrate are electrically connected by a bonding wire 17, an external lead is placed on the base substrate, and signals are input/output via this external lead. was. However, this method requires a space for wire bonding, which leads to an increase in the size of the solid-state image sensor, and as a result, the tip of the endoscope has a large diameter.

Now, we can solve this problem and miniaturize the solid-state image sensor,
Figure 3 shows an example in which the diameter of the tip of an endoscope can be reduced by 1°.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a miniaturized solid-state image sensor.

In this example, the electrode part 42 of the light receiving chip 41 is provided on the side surface of the light receiving chip 41, and the electrode part 42 and the external lead 44 are connected to each other using a pan 143 or the like on the side surface of the light receiving chip 41.
It conducts with. Further, a cover glass 45 is provided to cover the front surface of the light receiving chip 41 and the connecting portion between the electrode portion 42 and the external lead 44, and the connecting portion between the electrode portion 42 and the external lead 44 is covered with a sealing resin 46. It is sealed.

By directly connecting the light-receiving chip 41 and the external lead 44 in this way, the space required for the base board for wire bonding can be omitted, making it possible to downsize the solid-state FI image element, and making it possible to reduce the size of the endoscope tip. It is possible to make the diameter smaller.

Furthermore, in conventional solid-state image sensing devices, a part of the light receiving chip is covered with aluminum in order to transmit a black level signal. With this structure, the solid-state image sensor becomes larger because it is covered with aluminum foil, leading to an increase in the diameter of the tip of the endoscope.

FIG. 4 shows an example of solving this problem, downsizing the solid-state Wi image element, and making it possible to reduce the diameter of the tip of the endoscope.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a miniaturized solid-state image sensor.

In this solid-state image sensor 50, a horizontal shift register 52 is provided below the light receiving chip 51. The signal charges photoelectrically converted by the light receiving chip 51 are transferred line by line to a horizontal shift register 52 and read out from the horizontal shift register 52. Further, in the empty space below the horizontal shift register 52, one pixel 53 that can be read out non-destructively is provided as a pixel that outputs a black level signal. This pixel 53
The output signal, that is, the black level signal, is output for each line. In addition, in destructive readout, a pixel receives light and stores charge, and no charge remains in that pixel, whereas in non-destructive readout, -
No matter how many times a pixel is read out, the charge R is always stored in that pixel.

In a conventional solid-state image sensing device, an optical black column is provided in a portion indicated by reference numeral 55 in FIG. 4, in which pixels are covered with aluminum foil in order to generate a black level signal for each line. As a result, the package outer size of the solid-state imaging device has become larger, as shown by the broken line.

According to this example, the space of the conventional optical black row can be replaced with a space for one pixel that can be read out non-destructively, so the solid-state image sensor can be made smaller and the diameter of the tip of the endoscope can be reduced accordingly. It can be made thinner.

Note that the pixels 53 that can be read out non-destructively may be provided anywhere in the empty space.

By the way, in an electronic endoscope, a solid a provided at the tip
The signal from the m-element is transmitted to the video processor using a cable inserted into the endoscope. However, since the insertion portion of the endoscope can be bent freely at the curved portion or flexible tube, damage to the cable may be increased, and IFi[il may occur.

Therefore, an example in which the transmission cable of the electronic endoscope can be protected is shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of the flexible tube of the electronic endoscope.

In this example, two image transmission cables 61 and 62 connected to the solid-state image sensor are arranged approximately in the center of the flexible tube, and other built-in objects, such as Light guide 63, 63, forceps V tunnel tube 6
4. An air supply tube 65 and a water supply pipe 66 are provided. Note that four coil vibes 67 are provided on the inner wall of the flexible tube to guide the bending operation wire.

In this way, place the cables 61 and 62 on approximately medium heat,
By surrounding it with built-in parts from all sides, the cable 61.
62 in the circumferential direction is reduced, damage to the cable 61.62 is reduced, and the cable 61.62 can be protected.

Moreover, interference with hard metal such as the coil pipe 67 can be prevented, and the cables 61 and 62 can be further protected.

[Effect of the Invention 1] As explained above, according to the present invention, the illumination light transmitted by the illumination light transmission member is guided to the oblique illumination window by the optical axis conversion member, so that insertion can be performed without damaging the inner wall of the body cavity. This has the effect of improving illumination conditions and making it possible to make the diameter smaller.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figures 1 and 2 relate to one embodiment of the present invention, with Figure 1 being a longitudinal sectional view of the tip, Figure 2 being a side view showing the entire endoscopic mirror device, and Figure 3 being a compact solid body. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the image sensor, FIG. 4 is a plan view of a miniaturized solid-state image sensor, and FIG.
The figure is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of a flexible tube of an electronic endoscope, and FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the distal end of a conventional endoscope. 1... Internal celebration mirror body 2... Tip part 16...
Tip configuration hardware 18...Lighting window 19...Tip configuration hardware side plane 20...Tip configuration hardware side eye side 21...Slanted surface 25...Prism 26...LG bundle

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A side-viewing endoscope having at least an observation window on a side plane provided on the side of the distal end of the distal end of the insertion section, further comprising: an inclined surface provided between the side surface of the distal end of the insertion section at the rear, with a step surface connecting the two inclined toward the distal end side; and an oblique illumination provided on the inclined surface, the illumination direction of which is obliquely forward. a window; an illumination light transmission member that is inserted into the insertion portion and transmits illumination light emitted from the oblique illumination window; and an illumination light transmission member that is provided between the oblique illumination window and the tip of the illumination light transmission member, and that is provided between the oblique illumination window and the tip of the illumination light transmission member, and A side-viewing endoscope comprising: an optical axis conversion member that guides illumination light emitted from the tip of the light transmission member to the oblique illumination window.