JPH06347705A - Adaptor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To obtain an adaptor for connecting electronic documentation devices to a stereoscopic endoscope capable of transmitting stereoscopic optical paths through a common optical system by forming a connection part on a position whether the optical paths are not completely separated. CONSTITUTION: The adaptor 7 arranges an adaptor side opposing member, i.e., bayonet receiving part, for the bayonet connection of the stereoscopic endoscope on its inlet side. An intersecting part between the adaptor 7 and the endoscope or a suitably constituted detachable connection part is arranged on a position where crossing stereoscopic optical paths are extended without being completely separated in the endoscope. On the position, parallel optical paths exist. The final division or separation of both the optical paths is executed in the adaptor 7. Since the detachable connection part is arranged on the position, adjusting operation for two electronic documentation devices 12a, 12b arranged on the back of the adaptor 7 and the endoscope can be omitted at the time of quickly substiotuting the adaptor 7 or the endoscope.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an adapter for coupling an electronic documentation device with a stereoscopic endoscope.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The applicant's unpublished patent application P4225.
In 507.4-51 a stereoscopic endoscope is described, which has a small optics-diameter and at the same time guarantees good stereo impressions. This stereoscopic endoscope has an interlaced stereoscopic optical path, that is, the stereoscopic optical path extends into a unique tubular casing and is transmitted via a common optical system. The intermediate image produced by the stereoscopic endoscope is viewed directly with an optical viewing device or recorded via an electronic documentation device. For direct observation, for example, a stereoscopic endoscope can be placed on the operating microscope via a connecting member. Alternatively, a CCD receiver or camera, for example as an electronic documentation device for recording stereoscopic partial images, can be arranged behind the endoscope.

When the device described in the above-mentioned patent application is used as a pure TV-endoscope, ie in combination with an electronic documentation device, the operating room has a series of options for such a device combination. Demand arises.

First, it must be possible to perform simple sterilization of the endoscope, for example autoclave sterilization. To do this, the electronic documentation device must be removed from the endoscope.

Furthermore, electronic documentation devices and possibly also various optics-various stereoscopic endoscopes with different diameters must be replaced without problems. In particular, in this case sufficient compatibility of the individual components is required, i.e. the same adapter in connection with different endoscopic optics must be available incorporating the electronic documentation device.

It is known from German utility model G9300529.6 to arrange an adapter suitable for receiving two cameras, for example in a stereoscopic endoscope with a completely separated stereoscopic optical path. Here, the intersection of the endoscope and the adapter must ensure a high precision adjustment of these parts with respect to each other. Since the stereo beam paths of the endoscope are separated, it is difficult to avoid the binocular parallax error or the distortion due to an erroneous relative arrangement, for example, the stereo beam paths of both stereoscopic observation paths with respect to the optical axis. Accurate adjustment of the camera is required.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to find an adapter for coupling an electronic documentation device with a stereoscopic endoscope whose stereoscopic optical path is transmitted via a common optical system. . This requires a simple sterilization possibility as well as a simple exchangeability of the stereoscopic endoscope and the electronic documentation device.

[0008]

The above problem is solved by an adapter having the features of claim 1.

Advantageous configurations of the adapter according to the invention are mentioned in the other claims.

[0010]

According to the present invention, the removable coupling portion between the adapter and the stereoscopic endoscope is arranged at a position where the three-dimensional optical paths are not completely separated, so that the endoscope optics can be used in the operating room. Significant regulatory problems no longer occur when replacing the system. In principle, no adjustment is necessary in the endoscope tube, since both stereoscopic light paths are fixedly adjusted to each other in the adapter and the stereoscopic light paths extend through a common optical system.

The sterilization problem is now easily solved with the adapter according to the invention, since after the endoscope and adapter have been separated, the endoscope is autoclaved in a known manner or in a disinfection bath. This is because you can enter The adapter, on the other hand, can be provided with a conventional sterile cloth cover or likewise be placed in a suitable disinfection bath.

An advantageous design of the adapter according to the invention allows for a two-part adapter construction with a second removable connection in the adapter according to the invention. The second removable joint defines a second intersection, which is located between the first removable joint and the end of the adapter on the electronic documentation device side. An optical system is arranged in a part of the adapter on the electronic documentation device side, and this optical system transforms the stereo base of the endoscope optical system, which can be variously implemented, into a fixed and fixed stereo base of the electronic documentation device. To fit. It is possible to obtain interchangeable adapter parts for different optics-diameters of a stereoscopic endoscope, so that for different optics-diameters only the electronic documentation device is fixedly integrated in each case. But only the adapter part is needed.

Suitable removable connections include, in addition to the embodiment described, various removable connections, such as a turn-on or threaded connection.

Further advantages and details of the adapter according to the invention are obtained below from the drawing-based description of two embodiments.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 simply shows a stereoscopic endoscope 10.
Only the proximal or upper part of the is shown, which is joined using the first embodiment of the adapter according to the invention. In the endoscope casing 1 a series of optical elements 4 according to patent application P4225507.4-51.
a, 4b, 4c are arranged. Optical elements 4a, 4
Suitable dimensions for b and 4c are stereoscopic endoscope 1
It is ensured that 0 has a unique optical path consisting of two intersecting stereoscopic optical paths and gives an intermediate image on the viewing side, which can be observed directly or recorded via an electronic documentation device. . As already mentioned several times, the crossed three-dimensional optical paths should be understood as three-dimensional optical paths that are transmitted through a common optical system.

The final intermediate image provided by the optics of the stereoscopic endoscope 10 is preferably in the endoscope within the area bounded by the last optical element 4c and the optical element 4b in front of it. Is in the plane of the optical element 4b in front of the last of the endoscope 10. The last optical element 4c on the viewing side acts as an objective lens, which forms an intermediate image at infinity, ie the endoscope 10 has an optical path parallel to the exit side. In the illustrated embodiment, the stereoscopic endoscope 10
Between the optical elements 4a, 4b, 4c of the glass rod 16a,
16b is provided, but this is not necessary for the functioning of a stereoscopic endoscope including the adapter according to the invention.

The stereoscopic endoscope 10 further includes a lighting device 2, which is fixed to the side of the casing 1 of the optical system. The lighting device mainly consists of another casing 5 in which the light guide 3 or a suitable light guide is arranged. The casing 5 of the lighting device 2 is glued to the casing 1 of the optical system in the illustrated embodiment. Alternatively, the connection can be configured as a threaded connection and removable.

Inside the optical waveguide 3, a light source (not shown) arranged outside is connected. As the light source, for example, a xenon lamp is used. The light guide is guided in the endoscope casing along the direction of the object detail to be observed. Therefore, in addition to the original endoscope casing 1, another outer endoscope casing 15 is provided in which the optical waveguide 3 is guided in the direction of the observation point.

Above the casing 5 of the illuminating device 2 there is arranged a detachable coupling-side portion of the endoscope. This part is configured as a bayonet-fitting bayonet engaging part 6, which in the illustrated embodiment acts as a removable swivel-fitting coupling. Instead of a bayonet connection, which is configured as a bayonet connection, a bayonet coupling with a dovetail guide can be used. It is also possible for the removable connection to be designed as a threaded connection, in which case either a thread or a threaded insert is arranged, depending on the configuration of the endoscope or the adapter. The stereoscopic endoscope is releasably coupled with the adapter having the electronic documentation device disposed therein in each embodiment via the selected coupling. Therefore, the stereoscopic endoscope and the adapter can be quickly separated from each other and reassembled at any time.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of an embodiment of the adapter 7 according to the invention or a corresponding sectional view of the adapter 7. The adapter 7 is provided on the inlet side with a facing member on the adapter side for the bayonet coupling of the stereoscopic endoscope, that is, a bayonet receiving portion.

Of course, instead of the illustrated embodiment, each member of the bayonet coupling is separately arranged in the adapter 7 and the endoscope 10, that is, for example, the bayonet receiving portion is the endoscope and the bayonet engaging portion is the adapter. It is possible to arrange.

According to the invention, the intersection of the adapter 7 and the endoscope, or of a suitably configured removable coupling, extends with the stereoscopic optical path of the endoscope still not completely separated. It is located in the place. Parallel optical paths exist at this point. The final splitting or splitting of both stereoscopic light paths takes place for the first time in the adapter according to the invention.

By arranging the detachable connection at this point, the troublesome adjustment work for the two electronic documentation devices arranged at the rear is eliminated when the adapter 7 or the endoscope is quickly replaced. This is because the electronic documentation device or these holding members need only be accurately adjusted with respect to the optical elements of the adapter 7 when assembling the adapter.

Behind the removable coupling or bayonet receiving part 8 in the adapter 7 according to the invention is arranged a transparent plate 18, for example made of glass, which seals the adapter 7. Adjacent the viewing side to the transparent plate 18 are two, preferably circular apertures 20a,
A diaphragm 19 having 20b is arranged, the aperture defining the aperture of the compatible optical path. Only at this point in the optical path are the two stereoscopic optical paths completely separated via the apertures 20a, 20b. Behind both diaphragm apertures 20a, 20b are arranged two partial objective lenses 9a, 9b and deflection elements 11a, 11b in the form of diamond-shaped deflection prisms. The deflecting elements 9a, 9b are used to appropriately deflect the three-dimensional optical path towards the electronic documentation device 12a, 12b. Of course, instead of the deflection prism used, a suitable deflection mirror can be used as the deflection element. Similarly, in some cases, a plurality of deflecting elements may be arranged in the adapter 7 according to the invention for the three-dimensional optical path or, for example, one stereoscopic optical path may be incident on the electronic documentation device without deflection and only the other stereoscopic optical path is deflected. It is possible to deflect through the element.

In the illustrated embodiment, two CCD-cameras are detachably arranged in the adapter 7 as the electronic documentation devices 12a, 12b for recording the three-dimensional partial images. In the embodiment shown, for this purpose the CCD-camera has a suitable threaded insert 13a in the adapter 7,
Threaded into 13b, the threaded insert is used as a retaining member for electronic documentation devices 12a, 12b. This allows both CCs to
One focusing method is given for the D-camera,
The camera is focused on different object planes depending on the screwed depth.

In the adapter assembly, the threaded inserts 13a, 13b of the adapter 7 and the optical elements in the adapter 7, such as the partial objective lenses 9a, 9b, the deflecting element 12 are used.
It must be ensured that the a, 12b and the diaphragm 19 are adjusted exactly with respect to each other. With the adapter 7 according to the invention, there are no longer any major adjustment problems when changing the adapter 7 and the endoscope.

Electronic documentation device 12a, 1
The electronic documentation device can also be moved laterally with respect to the stereoscopic optical path in order to be able to adjust 2b precisely with respect to the stereoscopic optical path. In the illustrated embodiment, this is
This is done by the fact that the adapter part with the threaded inserts 13a, 13b is movable relative to the rest of the adapter 7 or the three-dimensional optical path within a predetermined tolerance within a screw-free range.

It is also possible to provide a cover casing (not shown) on the upper adapter part with the electronic documentation device, which cover casing protects the electronic documentation device from external influences, such as dirt and the like. .

Similarly, the required signal lines are not shown in FIG. The recorded signals of the electronic documentation device 12a, 12b are subsequently processed via the signal line. The signals emitted by the electronic documentation device may be used, for example, for application number PCT / EP9 for three-dimensional display.
It can be processed with a device for displaying a three-dimensional image according to the international patent application 2/02337 and displayed sequentially on a display, in which case the observer wears shutter glasses that can be switched appropriately. Such a combination is advantageously of minimal invasive surgery.
e) used within.

A cross-sectional view of the bayonet receiver for releasable coupling used between the adapter and the endoscope in FIG. 2 is shown in FIG. The bayonet facing member of the endoscope engages into the notches 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d of the bayonet receiving portion 8 in the adapter according to the invention and is locked after pivoting into position. In order to ensure the correct position of the connection, the bayonet receiving part has a safety pin as a safety member, which locks into a corresponding notch in the bayonet facing member of the endoscope. One or more such safety elements can advantageously also be provided for another type of threaded connection between the adapter and the endoscope.

A second embodiment of the adapter 37 according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 4 with a stereoscopic endoscope 100 in front of it. The endoscope 100 used in this example
Has basically the same structure as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the endoscope casing 31, a series of optical elements 3
4a to 34h are arranged and the optical element is designed in accordance with the first embodiment such that the compatible optical path is transmitted via a common optical system. However, here the endoscope 10
The optics in 0-diameter was chosen to be small compared to the first embodiment, which is sometimes necessary for certain applications, for example HNO-regions.

An intermediate image is obtained on the viewing side and the intermediate image is recorded via an electronic documentation device (not shown). Similar to the first embodiment, the stereoscopic endoscope 100 is arranged on the adapter 37 via a removable connection. A bayonet connection is also used as the detachable connection, which includes a bayonet engaging portion 36 arranged on the endoscope 100 and a bayonet receiving portion 38 on the adapter side. Furthermore, a safety element 39 in the form of a pin, which is elastically mounted, is provided, which is an adapter 37.
Reproducible and reliable placement of the endoscope 100 into the. Of course, all variants mentioned in the first embodiment can be used as a removable connection.

In this example the adapter 37 has a second removable connection between the first removable connection and the end of the adapter (where the electronic documentation device is located). With this, the second in the adapter
Intersection II is defined. This detachable connection is also constructed as a bayonet connection with a bayonet connection with a bayonet receiving part 48 and a bayonet engaging part 46. Similarly, a safety element 47 is provided here for a correct and reproducible arrangement. Other implementations of this detachable connection are of course possible.

Via this second intersection II in the adapter, two CCs as electronic documentation device
D-camera and pre-deflecting prisms 31a, 31
b and the costly adapter part 37b with the partial objectives 49a, 49b are used for various optical systems of the endoscope 100.
It is guaranteed to be usable for diameters.

The optical system 5 arranged in the other adapter portion 37a having the intersection I with the endoscope 100 therein.
0, the various stereo bases of the various endoscopes available, the normally fixed stereo base of the CCD-camera (which is the other of the two objective lenses 49a, 49b in the other adapter part 37b). Specified by the interval)
A match is made. Therefore, the endoscope-optical system-
It is ensured that the same adapter part 37b of different diameters can always be used with the electronic documentation device fixedly arranged therein. Simply replace the adapter part 37a with the first intersection I and the appropriate optics 50 according to the respective optics-diameter, which is problem-free due to the considered removable coupling or intersection. It is possible.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view of a proximal portion of a stereoscopic endoscope removably coupled with a first embodiment of an adapter according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a first embodiment of an adapter according to the present invention.

3 is a view of the removable coupling between the adapter of FIG. 2 and the endoscope in the direction of arrow IIB of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a second embodiment of an adapter according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

7,37 Adapter, 10,100 Endoscope, 12
a, 12b Electronic documentation device

Front Page Continuation (72) Inventor Fritz Strele Germany Heibach-Lautern im Bruhl 2 (72) Inventor Martin Poxreitner Germany Königsbronn Pestalozzi Strasse 1

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An electronic documentation device (12
a, 12b) and a stereoscopic endoscope (10, 10) having a stereoscopic optical path transmitted through a common optical system.
0) in the adapter for coupling with, characterized in that the adapter has a detachable coupling portion with the endoscope (10, 100) at a position where the three-dimensional optical path is not completely separated. Yes, the adapter. 2. A removable coupling part comprises an objective lens (4c, 34b) on the endoscope side and an aperture (19) provided in the adapter (7) and having two apertures (20a, 20b). The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the adapter is disposed between the two and the diaphragm completely separates the three-dimensional optical path. 3. Two electronic documentation devices (12a, 12b) are removably arranged in a holding device in an adapter (7, 37) and are adjustable both in the direction of the stereoscopic optical path and transversely thereto. Is,
The adapter according to claim 1. 4. An electronic documentation device (12
Adapter according to claim 3, wherein two CCD-cameras as a, 12b) are arranged in the adapter (7, 37) so that they can be screwed into the threaded insert (13a, 13b). 5. Each aperture (20) in a separate stereoscopic optical path.
Adapter according to claim 2, wherein at least one observation objective lens (9a, 9b) is arranged behind a, 20b). 6. An electronic documentation device (12)
a, 12b) to load at least one deflection element (11a, 11b, 31) in the adapter (3, 37).
Adapter according to claim 5, wherein a, 31b) are arranged in at least one stereoscopic light path. 7. An adapter (37) for connecting the second removable coupling with the first removable coupling and the adapter (3).
7. The adapter according to claim 6, which is provided between the end of the electronic documentation device and the end of 7). 8. The adapter (37) has a two-part structure, and the part on the endoscope side contains an optical system (50), which is the stereo base of an electronic documentation device. The adapter of claim 7, wherein the adapter is used to fit into the stereo base of the optics of the endoscope (100), and the other portion of the adapter (37) includes an electronic documentation device.