JPH07311366A - Stereoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To precisely change the visual field directions of respective image guides to an intended direction with good responsiveness and to obtain an excellent stereoscopic image as for a stereoscope provided with two image guides. CONSTITUTION:A visual field change mechanism where a C-shaped ring 51 consisting of a shape memory allay fixed in a state where it is fitted on the tip parts of two image guides 1 and 2 is integrated in the tip parts of the guides 1 and 2. The ring 51 is transformed so that the edges 511 of the opened part thereof mutually approach when it is heated. Based on the transformation of the ring 51 at the heating time, the tip parts 1a and 2a of the guides 1 and 2 are made to oscillate in a mutually interlocking state in such a direction shown by an arrow B that they mutually come closer. Then, the visual field is changed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a stereoscopic scope provided with two image guides, and more particularly to a stereoscopic scope capable of changing the visual field direction of each image guide.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a binocular stereoscopic scope, there is one proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-294509, etc., but in the scope, the swinging operation of the entire tip portion thereof is known. Even if a mechanism is attached, it is not possible to change the visual field directions of the two image guides, and stereoscopic vision itself is possible, but the observation site is complicated, such as a lesion in a blood vessel. With the shape, the observation site could not be accurately observed.

Therefore, in the stereoscopic scope having two image guides, the applicant previously proposed a stereoscopic scope capable of changing the visual field direction of each image guide in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-75174. ing. In this stereoscopic scope, the tip portions of two image guides are connected by a photostrictive material, and the field of view can be changed inward by utilizing the bending deformation force of the photostrictive material. The optical strain material has the drawbacks of weak deformation force and poor deformation responsiveness, so that the visual field changing operation which is satisfactory in use cannot be performed.

By the way, it is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-
It is known in Japanese Patent No. 111832, JP-A-63-136014, JP-B-63-62213 and the like. In addition, JP-A-64
No. 199319 describes that a shape memory alloy is incorporated in each outer tube distal end portion that accommodates two image guides, respectively, and the respective viewing directions are changed. However, in this means, since each image guide is a mechanism for changing the visual field independently, it is difficult to obtain the intended visual field due to the displacement shift of each shape memory alloy incorporated in the outer tube,
There was the inconvenience that optimum stereoscopic observation could not be performed.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, according to the present invention, in a stereoscopic scope having two image guides, the visual field direction of each image guide can be changed to an intended direction accurately and with good responsiveness. An object of the present invention is to provide a stereoscopic scope capable of obtaining a different stereoscopic image.

[0006]

A stereoscopic scope according to the present invention is a stereoscopic scope having two image guides, and includes a member made of a shape memory alloy for changing the visual field direction of each image guide. The scope objective part has a visual field changing mechanism provided, and the change of the visual field direction is performed in conjunction with the direction in which the tip portions of the image guides approach each other, and is performed based on the transformation of the shape memory member. It is characterized by being something that is called.
The shape memory member can be transformed by means such as direct current heating or laser light irradiation heating by a current-carrying material or laser light guide fiber incorporated in the scope.

That is, the visual field direction of each image guide is changed by the transformation of the shape memory member, but this visual field change is performed in conjunction with each other. Therefore, it becomes easy to make the degree of change of the visual field direction of each image guide substantially equal, and the problem due to the transformation shift of the conventional shape memory member can be solved. Further, since the visual field is changed by the transformation of the shape memory member, the responsiveness can be achieved.

It is a preferred embodiment that the field-of-view changing mechanism is composed of a shape memory member that connects the two image guides to each other at their tip ends. Specifically, C made of shape memory alloy
A mold ring or coil is fitted on two image guides, and the ring or coil and each image guide are fixed to each other. A field-of-view changing mechanism in which each linear portion of the U-shaped member is fixed to each image guide, and a coil spring made of a shape memory alloy is interposed between the two image guides. A field-of-view changing mechanism in which the respective end portions and the image guides are fixed to each other can be cited.

As another structure of the visual field changing mechanism, a link material is provided at each tip of the two image guides, and the link material is hinge-coupled to each end of a coil spring made of a shape memory alloy. The transformation of the shape memory coil spring may change the field of view in a direction in which the leading ends of the image guides approach each other. The above-mentioned visual field changing mechanism directly connects the respective tip portions of the two image guides with the shape memory members of various forms. In this way, the transformation force of the shape memory members causes the respective tip portions of the two image guides. It can also be configured to indirectly join the section.

Examples of the shape memory alloy include Ni
Although various shape memory alloys such as —Ti alloy and Cu—Zn—Al alloy can be used, Ni: 49 to 51 at% and Ti: 51 to 49 at% are excellent in that they are excellent in response to deformation.
Ni-Ti alloy, Cu: 10-30% by weight, Zn: 3
A Cu-Zn-Al alloy with 0 to 10% by weight and the balance Al can be preferably used.

As the image guide to be used, a conventionally known image guide can be used as it is. For example, a bundle of about several hundreds to several thousands of pure quartz optical fibers, which are densely housed in a support tube, are obtained by drawing. An outer diameter of about 0.3 to 3 mm can be used. Since two image guides are used, it is desirable to select an image guide having a diameter as small as possible in order to suppress the enlargement of the outer diameter of the scope.
If necessary, a light guide, a catheter, or a micromachine that performs various functional operations at the distal end of the scope may be incorporated in the scope.

The observation of the stereoscopic video image of the two image guides is performed by a means such as connecting a television camera to each eyepiece side of each image guide, synthesizing these images and displaying them on a stereoscopic monitor. be able to. Of course, it may be observed directly with the naked eye.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a stereoscopic scope objective unit showing a first embodiment of the present invention. This stereoscopic scope includes two image guides 1 and 2 and an outer tube 3 that houses them, and each image guide 1 and 2 includes an image guide body 11 in which a large number of optical fibers are fused together.
21 and jacket tubes 12 and 22 fitted thereon
And objective lenses 13 and 23 arranged on the respective tip surfaces.

The image guides 1 and 2 are holders 31 provided inside the outer tube 3 at positions slightly inside the tip end on the object side.
It is supported by. Therefore, each image guide 1,
2 is a tip 1 of the held portion as a fulcrum.
It is possible to swing a and 2a. A transparent cap 4 is attached to the tip surface of the outer tube 3.

At the distal end of the two image guides 1 and 2, the C-shaped ring 51 made of a shape memory alloy is formed on the scope objective part so that the image guides 1 and 2 are connected to each other. A field-of-view changing mechanism that is fixed by an adhesive J in a fitted state is incorporated. The C-shaped ring 51 is shaped and memorized so that the open portion thereof becomes narrow when heated, that is, the end edges 511 of the open portion of the C-shaped ring 51 are transformed so as to approach each other. The heating of the C-shaped ring 51 is performed by connecting the lead wires 6 for energization heating to the end edges 511 and energizing the lead wires 6.

The operation of the stereoscopic scope having the above-described structure will be described. Normally, the visual fields of the image guides 1 and 2 are linear and parallel to each other. When the mold ring 51 is heated, the C-shaped ring 51 is deformed in the direction shown by the arrow A in the figure, which approaches the end edges 511 of the C-shaped ring 51.
Based on the transformation, the tip portions 1a and 2a of the two image guides 1 and 2 are pivoted in the interlocking state in the directions indicated by the arrow B in the figure in which they approach each other, and the field of view thereof is changed.

Since the visual fields of the image guides 1 and 2 are changed in conjunction with each other by the above mechanism, the visual field changing angles can be the same for both the image guides 1 and 2, and the observation images can be accurately combined. It is possible to capture the shape of the observation object as a correct stereoscopic image. Therefore, when the observation portion has a complicated shape, the observation portion can be accurately observed by operating the C-shaped ring 51 to change the field of view.

It should be noted that instead of the C-shaped ring 51, a coil made of a shape memory alloy whose shape is memorized so that the outer diameter of the coil is reduced is externally fitted on the two image guides 1 and 2. You can also Further, it is optional whether or not the transparent cap 4 that covers the tip portion of the outer tube 3 is installed, but the cap 4 is provided to prevent the above-mentioned visual field changing operation from being hindered by an external force. desirable.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a stereoscopic scope objective section showing a second embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the first embodiment described above is that, as a visual field changing mechanism, a U-shaped member 52 made of a shape memory alloy is interposed between the two image guides 1 and 2, and the U-shaped member 52 is The point is that the linear portions 520 are fixed to the image guides 1 and 2, respectively, and these are connected to each other. The shape of the U-shaped member 52 is memorized so that the straight portions 520 are transformed so as to approach each other when heated. The U-shaped member 52 is heated by the laser light emitted from the end surface 71 of the laser light guide fiber 7. This laser light heating method that does not use electricity is advantageous in that there is no risk of electric shock when the stereoscopic scope is used for insertion into the body.

The stereoscopic scope having this structure is designed so that the U-shaped member 52 is formed by irradiating the laser light from the laser light guide fiber 7.
When heated, the U-shaped member 52 is deformed in the direction indicated by the arrow A in the figure in which the linear portions 520 of the U-shaped member 52 approach each other. Based on this transformation, the two image guides 1, 2
The distal ends 1a and 2a of the two are pivoted in the interlocking state in the directions shown by the arrow B in the drawing to approach each other, and the field of view is changed.

In addition to the above-mentioned embodiment, as a visual field changing mechanism,
A coil spring made of a shape memory alloy may be interposed between the two image guides 1 and 2, and each end portion of the coil spring may be fixed to the image guides 1 and 2 to connect them to each other. . In this case, if the coil spring whose shape is memorized so as to reduce the coil pitch during heating is used, the field of view of each image guide can be changed in the same manner as described above.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a stereoscopic scope objective section showing a third embodiment of the present invention. The present embodiment is an example showing a visual field changing mechanism configured such that the transformation force of the shape memory member is indirectly applied to each tip of the two image guides.
In the figure, reference numeral 8 denotes a visual field changing auxiliary member fitted and fixed to the tip portions of the two image guides 1 and 2. One end side of the link member 91 is loosely moved by a pin 93 on the flange portion of the auxiliary member 8. In this state, the link members 91 are loosely connected by pins 92 on the other end side. The pin 92 side is hinged to one end side of the coil spring 53 made of a shape memory alloy. As the coil spring 53, a coil spring whose shape is memorized so as to reduce the coil pitch during heating is used. The other end of the coil spring 53 is fixed to the holding member 31, and 7 is a laser light guide fiber for irradiating the coil spring 53 with laser light.

In the above structure, when the coil spring 53 is heated by the laser beam, the coil spring 53 shrinks, and as a result, the link member 91 hinged to the coil spring 53 is indicated by an arrow A in the figure.
Will be pulled in the direction indicated by. This gives 2
It is possible to perform an operation in which the front end portions 1a and 2a of the image guides 1 and 2 of the book are pivoted in the interlocking state in the directions indicated by the arrow B in the drawing so as to approach each other, and the field of view is changed.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described above.
The present invention is not limited to this, and any shape may be used as long as the tip portion of the image guide can be interlocked with the transformation force of the shape memory member. In the above embodiment, in order to return the changed field of view to the original state, the power of the shape memory member or the irradiation of the laser beam is stopped to release the overheated state of the shape memory member, and the rigidity of the image guide is used. Then, a member that applies a biasing force such as a compression spring may be provided between the two image guides, and the viewing angle can be adjusted by adjusting the degree of energization or laser light irradiation. This can be done by

[0025]

As described above, according to the stereoscopic scope of the present invention, the visual fields of the two image guides are changed in a linked state by the transformation force of the shape memory member. The field of view can be changed at an angle. Therefore, it is possible to observe an observation target object, especially an observation target object having a complicated shape with an accurate stereoscopic image.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an objective portion of a stereoscopic scope showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an objective portion of a stereoscopic scope showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an objective portion of a stereoscopic scope showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 2 Image guide 1a, 2a Image guide tip 3 Outer tube 51 C-shaped ring made of shape memory alloy 52 U-shaped member made of shape memory alloy 53 Coil spring made of shape memory alloy 6 Lead wire for energization heating 7 Laser Light guide fiber

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A stereoscopic scope having two image guides, wherein the scope objective section has a visual field changing mechanism provided with a member made of a shape memory alloy for changing the visual field direction of each image guide. A stereoscopic scope characterized in that the direction is changed in association with the direction in which the tips of the image guides approach each other, and is performed based on the transformation of the shape memory member. 2. The stereoscopic scope according to claim 1, wherein a current-carrying material or a laser light guide fiber for heating the shape memory member is incorporated in the scope. 3. The stereoscopic scope according to claim 1, wherein the visual field changing mechanism comprises a shape memory member that connects the two image guides to each other at the tip ends thereof. 4. A field-of-view changing mechanism in which a C-shaped ring or coil made of a shape memory alloy is fitted on two image guides, and the ring or coil and each image guide are fixed to each other. Stereoscopic scope. 5. A field-of-view changing mechanism in which a U-shaped member made of a shape memory alloy is interposed between two image guides, and each linear portion of the U-shaped member and each image guide are fixed to each other. The stereoscopic scope according to claim 3. 6. The field-of-view changing mechanism according to claim 3, wherein a coil spring made of a shape memory alloy is interposed between two image guides, and each end of the coil spring and each image guide are fixed to each other. Stereoscopic scope. 7. The field-of-view changing mechanism comprises two image guides, each of which is provided with a link member at its tip and each of the link members is hinge-coupled to an end of a coil spring made of a shape memory alloy. The stereoscopic scope according to claim 1, wherein the field of view is changed in a direction in which the tip ends of the image guides approach each other due to transformation of the shape memory coil spring.