JPH05173083A - Diaphragm for endoscope device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the diaphragm of an endoscope device capable of allowing the reduction of the diameter and size of an endoscope and completely shielding light. CONSTITUTION:The diaphragm 10 controls the quantity of reflected light from a not-shown subject which is made incident upon an observing window 23 to be an optical system for the endoscope. The diaphragm 10 is provided with a circular light-shielding plate 5 having a circular aperture window 4, a movable coupling member 6 coupled with a part of the side edge of the doucer 5 and formed by a high-polymer piezoelectric film (PVDF) like a thin rod, a connector 7 connected to the member 6, a connection cable 8 connected to the connector 7, and a controller 9 connected to the cable 8 and acting as a control means. The member 6 is deformed by supplying a current to the controller 9 and the plate 5 coupled with the member 6 is moved to the optical path of the window 23.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a diaphragm device for an endoscope apparatus using a polymer piezoelectric film.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, by inserting an elongated insertion portion into a body cavity, the organ inside the body cavity can be observed and, if necessary,
2. Description of the Related Art Endoscopes that can perform various medical treatments using a treatment instrument inserted in a treatment instrument channel are widely used.

Boilers, gas turbine engines,
BACKGROUND ART Industrial endoscopes are widely used for observing and inspecting scratches and corrosion inside pipes of chemical plants and the body of automobile engines.

By the way, generally, the field of view observed by an endoscope is a dark place such as inside a body cavity. In addition, the distance from the objective lens to the site to be observed is
There are even cases of relatively long apogee. The object is too bright at the near point and too dark at the far point. For this reason,
While adjusting the focus, it is necessary to properly adjust the amount of illumination light, and it is common to provide a diaphragm.

Conventionally, there are mechanical diaphragms, electrically driven diaphragms such as a motor, and diaphragms operated by a shape memory alloy (SMA).

Alternatively, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 62-15524 discloses a diaphragm (optical lens) in which a liquid crystal is incorporated in a lens and the liquid crystal is controlled by an electric signal to change the diaphragm aperture. A diaphragm device constructed by using a liquid crystal filter is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-105613.

[0007]

However, the conventional mechanical adjustment of the diaphragm cannot be expected to follow accurately because the operation depends on the manual operation by the wire from the hand side. Further, since the insertion portion is long as in an industrial endoscope or the like, the sliding resistance of the wire is large and it is difficult to realize.

The conventional motors that drive the apertures are, for example, electromagnetic solenoids, DC motors, or piezoelectric elements, which are relatively large in size. Especially, they should be installed at the tip of the insertion portion of an endoscope. If so, the tip of the insertion portion will have a large diameter, or the hard tip will be long, and the insertability will deteriorate.

Further, the diaphragm using liquid crystal cannot completely shield light, and the diaphragm operated by the SMA has a drawback that it generates heat because the SMA is heated by energization.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a diaphragm device for an endoscope apparatus which can reduce the diameter and size of the endoscope and can completely shield light. There is.

[0011]

A diaphragm device for an endoscope apparatus according to the present invention comprises a light-shielding plate for shielding at least a part of light entering or exiting the optical system of the endoscope apparatus, A movable connecting member that is connected to the light-shielding plate and is connected to a member other than the optical system of the endoscope, is formed of a polymer piezoelectric film, and an energization control unit that controls energization to the movable connecting member. Is equipped with.

[0012]

With this structure, the energization control means controls the energization of the movable connecting member to deform the movable connecting member and move the light shielding plate. The movement of the light shielding plate reduces the amount of light that enters or exits the optical system of the endoscope.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention.
2 is an overall configuration diagram showing the diaphragm device of the endoscope apparatus, and FIG. 2 is the diaphragm device of FIG. 1 arranged in the endoscope.

The endoscope is generally provided with an elongated and flexible insertion portion (not shown) and a large-diameter operation portion (not shown) connected to the rear end of the insertion portion. A flexible universal cord (not shown) extends laterally from the operation portion, and is connected to a light source device (not shown) via a connector (not shown) provided at an end of the universal cord. ing.

The insertion portion has, in order from the operation portion side, a flexible tube portion having flexibility (not shown), a bendable bending portion,
It consists of the rigid tip 22 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, an observation window 23, is provided on the front surface of the distal end portion 22 (the drawing shows only a part thereof).
An illumination window (not shown) is provided.

A light distribution lens (not shown) is mounted inside the illumination window, and a light guide (not shown) made of a fiber bundle is connected to the rear end of the light distribution lens. The light guide is inserted into the insertion portion, the operation portion, and the universal cord, and is connected to the connector. And at the incident end of this light guide,
Illumination light emitted from a light source lamp (not shown) in the light source device is incident, and the illumination light is emitted from the illumination window.

Inside the observation window 23, an objective optical system and a solid-state image pickup device (not shown) are provided. The solid-state image pickup device is connected to a video processor (not shown) via a signal cable (not shown) extending from the side of the connector. This video processor processes an electric signal imaged and output by the solid-state image sensor into a standard video signal, and a monitor (not shown) inputs the video signal to display an endoscopic image. There is.

On the other hand, the diaphragm device 10 shown in FIG. 1 controls the amount of reflected light from a subject (not shown) that enters the observation window 23 as an optical system of an endoscope.

This diaphragm device 10 is connected to a circular shading plate 5 having a circular opening window 4 and a part of a side edge of the shading plate 5, and is a thin rod-shaped polymer piezoelectric film (PVFD). And the connector 7 connected to the movable connecting member 6, the connection cable 8 connected to the connector 7, and the control as the control means connected to the connection cable 8. And a device 9.

The polymeric piezoelectric film is formed in a thin film shape, and the shape thereof is deformed by energization, while the multi-layered structure increases the force. Further, this polymeric piezoelectric film is a substance that is softer than metals and is chemically stable. Also, when energized, unlike SMA, it does not generate heat.

The connector 7 has a distal end portion 22 of the endoscope.
While being fixed in the vicinity of the observation window 23, the movable connecting member 6 is electrically connected to the control device 9. The movable connecting member 6 is deformed by energization of the control device 9, and the light shielding plate 5 connected to the movable connecting member 6 is moved to the optical path of the observation window 23.

With this configuration, when the control unit 9 is de-energized, the movable connecting member 6 is linear as shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. Control device 9
When the movable connecting member 6 is energized, the movable connecting member 6 is deformed so as to bend to the right in FIG.
The light blocking plate 5 moves to the optical path of the observation window 23. Therefore, the amount of reflected light from the subject that enters the observation window 23 is limited.

In the present embodiment, the diameter and the size of the endoscope can be reduced and the light can be completely shielded. In other words, unlike the conventional mechanical adjustment of the diaphragm, there is no need to operate with a wire from the hand side, and unlike the conventional example of driving the diaphragm using a motor, it can be made small and thin, and the size is comparable. Since it is not necessary to incorporate a relatively large motor, it is possible to reduce the diameter of the tip of the insertion portion. Also,
In this embodiment, unlike the diaphragm using liquid crystal, complete light shielding is possible, and unlike the diaphragm operated by SMA, there is no heat generation due to energization.

3 and 4 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is an overall configuration diagram showing a diaphragm device of an endoscope apparatus, and FIG. 4 is a diaphragm of FIG. 2 arranged in an endoscope. It is a device.

In contrast to the diaphragm device of the first embodiment having one shield plate and one movable connecting member, the diaphragm device of this embodiment has two shielding plates and two movable connecting members, respectively. ing. Other configurations and operations similar to those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

The diaphragm device 25 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 3 has movable connecting members 26, 26 connected to the connector 7, and shield plates 27, 27 connected to the movable connecting members 26, 26, respectively. ing.

The movable connecting members 26, 26 are in a non-energized state and are thin rod-shaped polymeric piezoelectric films (PVF).
D) and are connected to the connector 7 at a predetermined angle. The movable connecting members 26, 26
When energized, they are deformed and curved in a direction in which they are close to each other.

Further, the shielding plates 27, 27 each have a substantially crescent shape, and when they are fitted together, the movable connecting members 26, 27 are formed so as to form an opening window 28 as shown in FIG. Each one end of 26 is connected to a part of the outer edge of the end portion of the shield plates 27, 27.

With this configuration, in the non-energized state, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, when the movable connecting members 26, 26 are linear and in the energized state, the movable connecting members 26, 26 are curved inward as shown in FIG. The overlapping portion forms the opening window 28.

In this embodiment, since the shield plate is separated into two pieces, the amount of bending force of the movable connecting member can be reduced as compared with the first embodiment. Other configurations and operational effects are
The description is omitted because it is similar to the embodiment.

FIGS. 5 and 6 relate to a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is an overall configuration diagram showing a diaphragm device arranged in an endoscope, and FIG. 6 is an explanation showing an operation of the device of FIG. It is a figure.

The diaphragm device of the present embodiment is a laser for an endoscope.
It is linked to the use of a laser light source when performing a treatment using a probe.

FIG. 5 shows an eyepiece surface of an eyepiece portion 31 of an optical fiber endoscope, and an eyepiece lens 32 is attached to this eyepiece surface.
Is provided. Through this eyepiece lens 32, the observer can observe the inside of the body cavity with the naked eye.
In addition, the fiber endoscope, which is not shown in its entirety, can be treated with a laser probe through a forceps channel, which is not shown.

A connector 33 is fixed to the outer edge side of the eyepiece surface of the eyepiece portion 31. This connector 33
Is connected to a movable connecting member 34 formed of a rod-shaped and thin polymer piezoelectric filter.
A substantially rectangular shield plate 35 is connected to the side of the connector opposite to the connector 33.

The connector 33 is connected to a PVDF controller 37 via a connection cable 36. The PVDF control device 37 includes the movable connecting member 3
4 is applied to bend the movable connecting member 34. In addition, the shield plate 35 is used for the movable connecting member 34.
When the movable portion is curved, a protrusion 35a is provided to prevent the movable connecting member 34 and the shield plate 35 from colliding with each other.
a is connected to the movable connecting member 34.

Further, the PVDF controller 37 is a laser controller 38 for driving and controlling a laser probe (not shown).
Is electrically connected to. The laser probe is
By operating the laser control switch 39 connected to the control device 38, the laser oscillation is turned ON / OFF.

Further, the PVDF control device 37 is arranged such that the movable connecting member 34 is operated when the laser probe is oscillating.
Is energized.

With this configuration, when the laser probe is oscillating, the PVDF control device 37 energizes the movable connecting member 34 to bend the movable connecting member 34 and the shield plate 35 to the endoscope. Of the eyepiece lens 32 of FIG. On the other hand, when the laser probe is not oscillating, power supply to the movable connecting member 34 is stopped, the eyepiece lens 32 is opened, and the naked eye inspection of the endoscopic image is possible.

In this embodiment, when the laser is in use,
Since the eyepiece lens 32 is shielded, the laser light does not enter the naked eye and the eyes of the observer can be protected.

FIG. 7 shows a water drop removing device for an observation window provided at the distal end portion 41 of the endoscope. As shown in FIG. 8A, illumination windows 42, 42, an observation window 43, a forceps channel opening 44, and an air / water feeding nozzle 45 are provided on the tip surface of the endoscope tip portion 41. .. Further, on the tip surface of the tip portion 41, from the air / water feeding nozzle 45,
A water drop removing plate 46 having a thin plate shape and formed of a piezoelectric polymer film is provided so as to cover the observation window 43 so as to cover the observation window 43. The water drop removing plate 46 is provided with a window at a position facing the observation window 43, and the window is covered with a transparent film 47. In addition, the water drop removing plate 46 has a connector pin 48 at the end opposite to the window shown in FIG.
Is fixed to the distal end surface at the position of the endoscope distal end portion 4. Further, the water drop removing plate 47, as shown in FIG.
It is electrically connected to the controller 50 via the connector pin 48 and the signal line 49.

With this configuration, the control device 50 controls the observation window 43.
When water drops adhere to the water drop removal plate 43, a voltage is intermittently applied to the water drop removal plate 43 formed of PVDF, for example.
Vibrate. The vibration of the water drop removal plate 43 removes the water drops. As described above, the present apparatus shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 has a simple structure and can electrically remove water droplets from the observation window at the distal end of the endoscope to obtain a good field of view. Also PVD
Since F is softer than metal or the like, there is less risk of damaging the subject and it is safe.

FIG. 9 shows a water drop removing plate 4 of the apparatus shown in FIG.
Instead of 6, the water drop removing plate 51 is provided. Other than that, the same components and operations as those of the apparatus and the endoscope shown in FIG.

The water drop removing plate 51 shown in FIG. 10B is a rectangular thin plate-shaped main plate 52 made of a piezoelectric polymer film and a width connected to one long side of the main plate 52. And a thin columnar connector 54 connected to one short side of the main body plate 52.

The water drop removing plate 51 is electrically connected to the controller 50 via the connector 54 and the signal line 49. Further, the connector 54 of the water drop removing plate 51 is fixed to the outer edge side of the endoscope leading end portion 41, and as shown in FIG.
However, it moves on the observation window 43 to wipe the surface.

With this construction, when the main body plate 52 is energized, as shown by the broken line in FIG.
Bends toward the side of the observation window 43 and dispels water droplets on the surface of the observation window. Other than that, the configuration and the effect are similar to those of the device shown in FIG.
The description is omitted.

FIG. 11 shows a cross section of the distal end portion 57 of the endoscope. The apparatus shown in FIG. 11 uses a polymer piezoelectric film to swing the forceps to the left and right.
A left and right movable member 59 formed of a polymer piezoelectric film is fixed to the lower end of the forceps raising base 58. The left and right movable member 59 is composed of two polymer piezoelectric film materials (so-called bimorph), and is bidirectionally curved. Further, the left and right movable member 59 is connected to a wire 60 which also serves as a connecting wire, and moves the forceps raising base 58 back and forth in the drawing. The forceps raising base 58 is
The upper part is formed in a U shape, and the forceps 61 is sandwiched between them.

The device shown in FIG. 11 has a simple structure and is capable of bending the forceps 61 in the left-right direction, that is, performing a so-called swinging motion.

The apparatus shown in FIG. 12 (a) is a tube-shaped raising stand 6 made of a piezoelectric polymer film and having a tube shape.
Equipped with 2. The tube-shaped raising base 62 includes upper and lower electrodes 63a and 63b arranged vertically inside (in the figure).
And electrodes arranged in the left-right direction (only the left-side electrode 64a is shown). Energization of each of the four electrodes is controlled by a control device (not shown) via a signal line 65.

The tube-shaped raising base 62 is adapted to bend in the vertical direction, for example, when the upper and lower electrodes are energized, as shown in FIG. 12 (b). The same applies to the left and right.

The apparatus shown in FIG. 13 has a so-called bimorph left-right bending member 67 inside the forceps raising base 58. The forceps raising base 58 can be bent left and right by energizing the left and right bending members 67.

[0052]

As described above, according to the diaphragm device of the endoscope apparatus of the present invention, there is an effect that the diameter and the size of the endoscope can be reduced and the light can be completely shielded.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a diaphragm device of an endoscope apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a view showing the arrangement of the endoscope according to the first embodiment in FIG.
Diaphragm device.

FIG. 3 is an overall configuration diagram showing a diaphragm device of an endoscope apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a view showing the arrangement of the endoscope according to the second embodiment in FIG.
Diaphragm device.

FIG. 5 is an overall configuration diagram showing a diaphragm device arranged in an endoscope according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the device of FIG. 5 according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an external view of a water droplet removal device for an observation window provided at the tip of the endoscope.

FIG. 8A is a front view of the distal end portion of the endoscope and a water droplet removal device for an observation window. FIG.8 (b) is a block diagram of a water drop removal plate.

FIG. 9 is an external view of a water droplet removal device for an observation window, which is provided at the tip of the endoscope.

FIG. 10A is a front view of the distal end portion of the endoscope and the water droplet removal device for an observation window. FIG.10 (b) is a block diagram of a water drop removal plate.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of an endoscope showing a forceps raising device.

FIG. 12 is an endoscope sectional view showing a forceps raising device.

FIG. 13 is an endoscope cross-sectional view showing a forceps raising device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 4 ... Opening window 5 ... Shading plate 6 ... Movable connection member 7 ... Connector 8 ... Connection cable 9 ... Control device 10 ... Diaphragm device 22 ... End of endoscope 23 ... Observation window

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] June 26, 1992

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0020

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

The diaphragm device 10 is connected to a circular light-shielding plate 5 having a circular opening window 4 and a part of a side edge of the light-shielding plate 5, and is a thin rod-shaped polymer piezoelectric film ( PVDF ). And the connector 7 connected to the movable connecting member 6, the connection cable 8 connected to the connector 7, and the control as the control means connected to the connection cable 8. And a device 9.

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0028

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

The movable connecting members 26, 26 are thin, rod-shaped polymeric piezoelectric films ( PVD
F ) and are connected to the connector 7 at a predetermined angle. The movable connecting members 26, 26
When energized, they are deformed and curved in a direction in which they are close to each other.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Koichi Kawashima 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hitoshi Karasawa 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shiro Bito 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yoshikatsu Nagayama 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo No. Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yukiko Nagaoka 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Kenji Yoshino 2-43-2, Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo No. Olympus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kazuhiko Ozeki 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olin (72) Inventor Seiji Yamaguchi 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Yoshihisa Taniguchi 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Ori In Npus Optical Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A light-shielding plate that shields at least a part of light that enters or exits the optical system of the endoscope apparatus; A diaphragm device for an endoscope apparatus, which is connected to a member and includes a movable connecting member formed of a polymer piezoelectric film, and an energization control means for controlling energization to the movable connecting member. ..