JPH08262342A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To shorten an endoscopic inspection time, to improve working efficiency and to obtain a distinct subject image at low cost. CONSTITUTION: An insertion part 2 where a 1st image guide fiber 18 is disposed is attachably/detachably coupled with an operation part 3; and a 2nd image guide fiber 31 optically equivalent to the 1st image guide fiber 18, a phase conjugate mirror 36, and a light guiding optical system 37 making the image from the 1st image guide fiber 18 incident on a phase conjugate mirror 36 and guiding the phase conjugate light from the mirror 36 to the 2nd image guide fiber 31 side are disposed in the operation part 3.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope in which an observing optical system is arranged at an insertion portion to be inserted into a lumen.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an observation optical system of an endoscope includes an objective lens for forming a subject image, a means for transmitting the subject image formed by the objective lens to a rear end of the endoscope, and a subject. And means for observing the image. Here, there are, for example, an image guide fiber and a signal cable using a solid-state image sensor as means for transmitting the subject image.
Examples of means for observing the subject image include an eyepiece optical system and a TV monitor.

Further, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 6-175041 discloses a structure in which an image transmission method using a phase conjugate optical element is used as a means for transmitting a subject image. This is configured such that an image transmission system composed of two optically identical light-transmissive elements similar to an optical fiber and a phase conjugate optical element arranged in the middle thereof is incorporated in the insertion portion of the endoscope. It is a thing.

[0004]

Generally, for example, in medical endoscopy, the insertion portion of the endoscope is once inserted into the human body to perform an inspection, and the endoscope is used again to perform another inspection. When conducting a human inspection, it is necessary to clean and disinfect a used endoscope before reuse. During the cleaning and disinfecting work of the endoscope, for example, HI attached to the insertion portion of the endoscope.
Since it is necessary to surely remove or kill viruses such as V to prevent them from infecting other humans, there is a problem that it takes a considerable amount of time and labor.

The number of endoscopic examinations is increasing year by year. Therefore, a large number of examinations must be performed per day using one endoscope, and there is a demand for saving the time and labor required for the cleaning / disinfecting action.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-175041 discloses that a simple and inexpensive observation optical system structure is realized and the endoscope itself is made disposable.
In the structure of Japanese Patent No. 175041, an expensive phase conjugate optical element is incorporated in the insertion portion of the endoscope, so it is difficult to manufacture an endoscope that is inexpensive enough to be disposable. Furthermore, JP-A-6-17504
In the objective lens system having the structure disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1, the aberration of the image becomes large, so that there is a problem that it is difficult to obtain a clear endoscopic image.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to shorten the endoscopic examination time and improve the work efficiency by omitting the cleaning / disinfecting work after the endoscopic examination. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope that can be manufactured at low cost and that can obtain a clear subject image.

[0008]

According to the present invention, an observation section for observing a subject is arranged at the tip of the insertion section for approaching the vicinity of the subject in order to observe a desired region, and the insertion section In an endoscope having a proximal end connected to an operating section, an attaching / detaching means for detachably connecting the inserting section to the operating section is provided, and an entrance end surface for injecting an image of the subject is provided in the inserting section. A first light-transmissive member is disposed, and the first light-transmissive member and a composition are provided in the operation portion;
A second light-transmissive member having the same shape and an optical equivalent, a phase conjugate light generator that generates a phase conjugate light of incident light, and an image of the subject transmitted through the first light-transmissive member. Is incident on the phase conjugate light generator, and at this time, the phase conjugate light output from the phase conjugate light generator is guided to the second light transmissive member side, and the second light transmissive member. Image detecting means for detecting the image guided through the member are respectively provided.

[0009]

When the endoscope is observed, the image of the subject transmitted through the first light-transmissive member of the insertion portion is made incident on the phase conjugate light generator on the operation portion side, and is output from the phase conjugate light generator at this time. The phase conjugate light is guided to the second transparent member side, and the image guided through the second transparent member is detected. As a result, the same image as the image incident on the incident end surface on the first transparent member side can be obtained on the emission end surface on the second transparent member side. Further, the insertion portion can be attached to and detached from the operation portion, and only the insertion portion can be replaced with respect to the operation portion.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
Will be described with reference to. FIG. 1 shows the appearance of the entire endoscope 1. An insertion portion 2 to be inserted into a desired observation site in the body of the endoscope 1 and a proximal end portion of the insertion portion 2 are provided to grip the main body of the endoscope 1 and perform necessary treatment operations. The operation unit 3 on the hand side for performing the operation is provided.

Further, a universal cord 4 has a base end portion connected to the operation portion 3. The tip of the universal cord 4 is detachably connected to a light source device (not shown) via a connector. Then, the illumination light necessary for observation is supplied through the inside of the universal cord 4, and a signal line for transmitting an observation image converted into a video signal to a video processor is connected.

FIG. 2 shows the internal structure of the insertion portion 2 of the endoscope 1. The insertion portion 2 is provided with a tubular insertion portion cover 5 forming an outer cover. A tip forming portion 6 is fitted in the tip opening portion of the insertion portion cover 5, and a rear end connecting portion 7 is fitted in the rear end opening portion.

Further, the tip of the light guide fiber 8 for transmitting the illumination light for supplying the illumination light necessary for observation is fixed to the center of the tip forming portion 6. An illumination lens 9 is arranged on the front surface of the light guide fiber 8. In addition, a distal end opening portion 11 of a treatment channel 10 for performing a necessary treatment is formed around the light guide fiber 8 in the distal end configuration portion 6, and an observation portion 12 for observing an object is provided. Has been done.

Here, the tip end portion of the connection pipe 13 is watertightly bonded and fixed to the tip end opening portion 11 of the treatment channel 10. The rear end portion of the connection pipe 13 is the tip end portion 6
Is projected to the rear of. And this connection pipe 13
The distal end of the tube 14 of the treatment channel 10 is watertightly adhered and fixed to the rear end protruding portion.

A T-shaped plug 15 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rear end portion of the insertion portion cover 5 so as to project therefrom. Inside the T-shaped plug 15, a shaft hole 15a is formed in the shaft center portion in a direction orthogonal to the shaft center direction of the insertion portion cover 5, and in a direction orthogonal to the shaft center hole 15a. The side hole 15b is formed, and a substantially T-shaped flow path is formed. Here, the rear end of the tube 14 is connected to the inner end of the axial hole 15a and is watertightly fixed. A valve 16 is attached to the outer end of the shaft hole 15a.

The valve 16 is closed at the time of suction or water supply. For example, when it is desired to treat the abdominal cavity with a laser, the valve 16 is opened and a treatment tool such as a laser probe is inserted into the axial center hole 15a. The necessary treatment can be carried out by guiding the inside of the treatment channel 10 to the distal end side of the insertion portion 2.

Further, the inner end of the side hole 15b of the T-shaped plug 15 is connected to the shaft center hole 15a. Furthermore, this side hole 1
One end of an outer tube 17 arranged outside the insertion portion 2 is connected to the outer end of 5b. This tube 17
The other end is connected to a pump unit (not shown) so that blood collected in the abdominal cavity can be sucked from the distal end of the treatment channel 10 or water can be supplied for cleaning by remote control. It has become.

A first image guide fiber (first translucent member) 18 which is an optical transmission means for transmitting the image of the subject H to the rear end is disposed inside the insertion portion 2.
In this first image guide fiber 18, a protective tube 20 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of a glass rod 19. Further, the first image guide fiber 18 is inserted into the guide tube 21. The tip portion of the guide tube 21 is fixed to the tip forming portion 6.

An insertion hole 22 for inserting the first image guide fiber 18 is formed in the tip forming portion 6. A glass cover 23 is provided at the tip of the insertion hole 22. The glass cover 23 is watertightly adhered and fixed to the tip forming portion 6. Then, the glass cover 23 arranged on the front surface of the first image guide fiber 18
Through the glass rod 19 to the incident end surface 19a of the subject H
Image is incident, and the observation part 12 of the tip forming part 6 is formed.

Further, the rear end portion of the light guide fiber 8 and the rear end portion of the image guide fiber 18 are fixed to the rear end connecting portion 7 of the insertion portion 2, respectively. Here, a fiber fixing member 25 is detachably attached to the insertion hole 24 of the image guide fiber 18 formed in the rear end connecting portion 7 by means such as screwing.

FIG. 3 shows the internal structure of the operation section 3 of the endoscope 1. The operation unit 3 is provided with a tubular operation unit cover 3A that forms an exterior cover. A connection end portion 26 with the insertion portion 2 is fitted in the tip end opening portion of the operation portion cover 3A, and a rear end constituent portion 27 is fitted in the rear end opening portion.

Furthermore, a concave connecting recess 28 is formed on the outer end surface of the connecting end 26. Then, with the rear end connecting portion 7 of the inserting portion 2 inserted in the connecting concave portion 28,
The insertion section 2 is detachably connected to the operation section 3.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a tip end portion of a light guide fiber 29 for transmitting illumination light which is connected to the light guide fiber 8 of the insertion portion 2 is fixed to the connecting end portion 26 of the operation portion 3. At the same time, the first optical unit 3 connected to the first image guide fiber 18 of the insertion portion 2
0 is fixed.

Here, the base end side of the light guide fiber 29 is connected to a light source unit (not shown) for generating illumination light of laser light which is coherent light through the universal cord 4. Then, with the insertion section 2 connected to the operation section 3, the illumination light emitted from the light source unit is guided from the light guide fiber 29 of the operation section 3 to the light guide fiber 8 of the insertion section 2, and further passed through the illumination lens 9 to insert the insertion section. The subject H at the tip of 2 is irradiated.

A second image guide fiber (second transparent member) which is optically equivalent in composition and shape to the glass rod 19 of the first image guide fiber 18 is provided inside the operating portion 3. 31 is provided. This second
Like the first image guide fiber 18, the image guide fiber 31 is a glass rod 32 with a protective tube 33 attached to the outer peripheral surface thereof. Further, the second image guide fiber 31 is inserted into the guide tube 34. The tip of the guide tube 34 is fixed to the connecting end 26.

Further, in the first optical unit 30 of the connecting end portion 26, a phase conjugate mirror (phase conjugate light generator) 36 for generating a phase conjugate light of the incident light in the casing 35, and a first image guide fiber. The image of the subject H transmitted through the glass rod 19 of 18 is incident on the phase conjugate mirror 36, and the phase conjugate light output from the phase conjugate mirror 36 at this time is guided to the second image guide fiber 31 side. (Light guiding means) 37 is provided. Here, as the phase conjugate mirror 36, barium titanate (BaTiO 3) is used.
The single crystal of ₃ ) is used. As the phase conjugate mirror 36, a medium other than this, for example, lithium niobate, BS
You may use O etc. Further, the phase conjugate mirror 36 is arranged to face the glass rod 19 of the first image guide fiber 18 via the lens 38 of the light guiding optical system 37 and the beam splitter 39.

Further, in the light guide optical system 37, a reflecting mirror 40 is arranged opposite to the front surface of the second image guide fiber 31.
And a lens 41 are provided. Here, the glass rod 19 of the first image guide fiber 18 and the glass rod 32 of the second image guide fiber 31 are configured so that their materials, outer diameters, lengths, etc. are exactly the same, and the lens 38 and the lens 41 is also formed by the same lens. Further, the distance until the light emitted from the emission end face 19b of the glass rod 19 is incident on the phase conjugate mirror 36, and the phase conjugate light output from the phase conjugate mirror 36 is the beam splitter 39, the reflecting mirror 40, and the lens 41. The distance until the light is incident on the incident end face 32a of the glass rod 32 through the above is set to be completely the same.

A second end is provided on the rear end forming portion 27 of the operating portion 3.
The base end of the image guide fiber 31 is fixed, and the second optical unit 43 is attached. Inside the second optical unit 43, a cover glass 44 arranged to face the emission end face 32b of the glass rod 32 of the second image guide fiber 31 and the lens 4
5 and a prism lens 46 are provided as a lens unit. Here, a unit fixing member 48 is provided at the entrance of the rear end of the unit mounting hole 47 of the rear end forming portion 27.
Is removably fixed by means such as screwing. Then, the unit fixing member 48 is screwed and fixed to the rear end forming section 27 so that the second image guide fiber 31 and the second optical unit 43 are fixed in the operation section 3. This unit fixing member 4
By removing 8 from the rear end forming portion 27, it is possible to replace it with an objective lens unit having a different specification or another second image guide fiber 31 as required. The cover glass 44 of the second optical unit 43
Is a lens equivalent to the glass cover 23 of the tip forming section 6.

Further, an image pickup unit 49 which is an image detecting means for detecting the image guided through the second image guide fiber 31 is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the rear end forming portion 27. A solid-state imaging device such as a CCD is incorporated in the imaging unit 49. Then, the image of the subject H formed through the second optical unit 43 is converted into a video signal by the solid-state imaging device of the imaging unit 49,
This video signal is input to the video processor through the signal line in the universal code 4.

Further, with the insertion section 2 separated from the operation section 3, the fiber fixing member 25 is attached to the rear end connecting section 7 of the insertion section 2.
The first image guide fiber 18 can be detached from the rear end side of the insertion section 2 by removing the first image guide fiber 18 from the first image guide fiber 18.
Can be exchanged.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
First, the insertion portion 2 of the endoscope 1 is inserted into the body, and the tip of the insertion portion 2 is directed to the subject H to be observed. In this state, the coherent light for illumination emitted from the light source unit is guided from the light guide fiber 29 of the operation section 3 to the light guide fiber 8 of the insertion section 2, and further passes through the illumination lens 9 to the subject H at the tip of the insertion section 2. Is irradiated.

The image of the subject H illuminated by the coherent illumination light is transmitted through the glass cover 23 to the first image.
The light is incident on the incident end surface 19a of the glass rod 19 of the image guide fiber 18. Then, it passes through the inside of the glass rod 19 and is transmitted to the base end side of the insertion portion 2 and emitted from the emission end face 19b.

Further, the emission end face 19 of the glass rod 19
The light emitted from b is incident on the phase conjugate mirror 36 via the lens 38 of the light guiding optical system 37 and the beam splitter 39. At this time, the phase conjugate mirror 36 emits phase conjugate light whose propagation direction is reversed (this light can be regarded as a time-reversal wave of the incident light) while maintaining the wavefront of the incident light due to its original property.

The phase conjugate light emitted from the phase conjugate mirror 36 has its traveling direction reversed and travels backward in the optical path upon incidence. That is, this phase conjugate light is transmitted by the beam splitter 39.
After being reflected by the reflecting mirror 40, the light is reflected by the reflecting mirror 40, and then is incident on the incident end face 32a of the glass rod 32 of the second image guide fiber 31 through the lens 41. Then, it propagates through the inside of the glass rod 32.

At this time, the first image guide fiber 1
The glass rod 19 of No. 8 and the glass rod 32 of the second image guide fiber 31 are configured so that their materials, outer diameters, lengths, etc. are completely the same, and the lenses 38 and 41 are also formed by the same lens, Similarly, the glass cover 23 of the tip forming section 6 and the cover glass 44 of the second optical unit 43 are also equivalent lenses. Further, the distance until the light emitted from the emission end face 19b of the glass rod 19 is incident on the phase conjugate mirror 36, and the phase conjugate light output from the phase conjugate mirror 36 is the beam splitter 39, the reflecting mirror 40, and the lens 41. The distance until the light is incident on the incident end face 32a of the glass rod 32 through the above is set to be completely the same. Therefore, the beam splitter 39
The glass rod 32 of the second image guide fiber 31 has the same effect as that of the case where the glass rod 19 of the first image guide fiber 18 propagates in the direction opposite to the original incident light. As a result, the image of the subject H is reproduced on the emission end face 32b of the glass rod 32 of the second image guide fiber 31. Further, the phase conjugate light emitted from the glass rod 32 of the second image guide fiber 31 is guided to the image pickup unit 49 via the cover glass 44, the lens 45, and the prism lens 46 of the second optical unit 43, and this image pickup unit 49. After being converted into an electric signal (video signal) by the solid-state image sensor 49,
The image of the subject H, which is sent to the image display device such as a TV monitor (not shown) connected to the video processor via the universal cord 4 and reproduced, is displayed.

Therefore, the following effects can be obtained with the above-mentioned structure. That is, the insertion section 2 is detachably connected to the operation section 3 of the endoscope 1, and the insertion section 2 is connected to the operation section 3.
Since it is made possible to replace only the insertion part 2 after the endoscopy, remove the insertion part 2 from the connection recess 28 of the operation part 3 and connect the unused insertion part 2 to the connection recess 28 of the operation part 3. Cleans the used dirty insert part 2
Disinfection work can be omitted. Therefore, the troublesome work of cleaning and disinfecting the used endoscope 1 can be omitted, so that the endoscopic inspection time can be shortened and the work efficiency thereof can be improved.

Among the plurality of optical components constituting the observation optical system, the expensive phase conjugate mirror 36, the light guiding optical system 37,
Since the lens unit such as the second optical unit 43 and the image pickup unit 49 are arranged in the operation portion 3 and only the first image guide fiber 18 is arranged in the insertion portion 2, this insertion is performed. The part 2 can be manufactured at low cost. Therefore, even when the insertion portion 2 is used in a disposable manner, the disposable portion is inexpensive and the endoscope 1
The cost can be significantly reduced as compared with the case where the whole is used in a disposable system. In addition, the disposable part does not require any troublesome work such as cleaning and disinfection, so it is efficient.

Further, by removing the unit fixing member 48 from the rear end forming portion 27, the second optical unit 43 can be attached to and detached from the rear end of the operating portion 3.
Even when the endoscope 1 is used, an objective lens unit having different specifications as needed or an objective lens unit for magnifying or the like can be attached as needed to perform desired observation.

Further, the unit fixing member 48 is removed from the rear end forming portion 27, and the second optical unit 43 is attached to the operating portion 3.
The second image guide fiber 31 can be replaced by detaching the second image guide fiber 31 from the operation section 3 in a state where the second image guide fiber 31 is removed from the rear end.

Further, the first image guide fiber 18
Since the glass rod 19 of No. 1 is detachably attached inside the insertion section 2 and the glass rod 32 of the second image guide fiber 31 is detachably attached inside the operation section 3, Either of the glass rod 19 and the glass rod 32 of the second image guide fiber 31 can be easily exchanged so that the length thereof is the same. Therefore, the first
The length of the glass rod 19 of the image guide fiber 18 and the length of the glass rod 32 of the second image guide fiber 31 are held as they are different, and the properties of the optical system before and after the phase conjugate mirror 36 are completely different. When the image of the subject H is formed by using the phase conjugate mirror 36 as in the case where they are not the same, it is possible to prevent the image of the subject H from being distorted, and a clear image of the subject H is obtained.

Further, FIG. 4 shows a modification of the insertion portion 2 of the first embodiment. This is a glass rod 5
The first image guide fiber 18 in the insertion portion 2 is configured by arranging 1 in series. Here, the glass rods 51 forming the first image guide fiber 18 are exchangeably connected,
The glass rod 51 at any position can be replaced.

Therefore, in the above configuration, one or more of the glass rods 51 constituting the first image guide fiber 18 can be replaced at any position, so that the phase conjugate mirror can be replaced. The optical system before and after 36 can be finely adjusted with higher accuracy.

FIG. 5 shows a modified example of the operation unit 3 of the first embodiment. This is a multiple glass rod 6
The second image guide fiber 31 in the operation unit 3 is configured by arranging 1 in series. Here, the glass rods 61 constituting the second image guide fiber 31 are exchangeably connected,
The glass rod 61 at any position can be replaced.

Therefore, even with the above-mentioned structure, one or a plurality of glass rods 61 at arbitrary positions can be exchanged among the glass rods 61 constituting the second image guide fiber 31, so that the phase conjugate mirror can be replaced. The optical system before and after 36 can be finely adjusted with higher accuracy.

The glass rods 19, 32, 51, 6
1 may be a glass fiber glass lens, a plastic lens, or the like. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the first image guide fiber 18 in the insertion section 2 and the operation section 3
The second image guide fiber 31 on the side may be arranged in a substantially T-shape to form an image forming optical path. Here, the beam splitter 39 and the phase conjugate mirror 3 are arranged on the optical axis of the glass rod 19 of the first image guide fiber 18.
6 are provided.

FIG. 7A shows a schematic structure of the endoscope 71 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The endoscope 1 is provided with a tubular insertion portion 72 to be inserted into the body, and a hand side operation portion 73 arranged at the base end portion of the insertion portion 72.

Here, the operation portion 73 is provided with a connecting ring 74 at the connecting portion with the insertion portion 72 so as to project. A male screw portion 74a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the connecting ring 74.
Further, the insertion portion 72 has a ring-shaped connecting portion 7 which is externally fitted to a connecting ring 74 of the operating portion 73 at a connecting portion with the operating portion 73.
5 is formed. On the inner peripheral surface of the connecting portion 75, a screw hole portion 75a that is screwed into the male screw portion 74a is formed. Then, the insertion portion 72 is detachably connected to the operation portion 73 by screwing.

A first image guide fiber 76, which is an optical transmission means, is arranged in the tube of the insertion portion 72. A first lens 77 is arranged on the front surface of the first image guide fiber 76.

Further, in the operation portion 73, a light guide fiber 78 formed of an optical fiber bundle, a second image guide fiber 79 having the same composition and shape as the first image guide fiber 76 and being optically equivalent, The phase conjugate mirror 80 that generates the phase conjugate light of the incident light and the image of the subject H transmitted through the first image guide fiber 76 are incident on the phase conjugate mirror 80, and the phase output from the phase conjugate mirror 80 at this time. A light guide optical system 81 for guiding the conjugate light to the second image guide fiber 79 side is provided.

Here, in the light guide optical system 81, a half mirror 82 arranged between the exit end face of the first image guide fiber 76 and the phase conjugate mirror 80, and the entrance end face of the second image guide fiber 79. And a plane mirror 83 arranged facing each other with a space therebetween. Further, the first part generated when the insertion part 72 and the operating part 73 are connected between the incident end face of the second image guide fiber 79 and the plane mirror 83.
A misalignment adjusting mechanism 84 for adjusting misalignment between the image guide fiber 76 and the second image guide fiber 79 is provided.

Further, the second image guide fiber 79
A second lens 85, which is optically identical to the first lens 77, is disposed on the rear surface of the exit end face of the. Further, on the rear surface of the second lens 85, the second image guide fiber 7
A solid-state image pickup device 86 such as a CCD, which is an image detection means for detecting an image guided through the image pickup device 9, is arranged oppositely. This solid-state image sensor 86 is a CC in the universal cord 87.
It is connected to a video processor (not shown) via a D cable 88.

Further, a prism 89 is arranged to face the illumination light emitting end face of the light guide fiber 78. The prism 89 is arranged opposite to the plane mirror 83 with the half mirror 82 of the light guiding optical system 81 as the center.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
First, the laser light for illumination emitted from a laser light source (not shown) is guided from the light guide fiber 78 to the half mirror 82 side through the prism 89. The laser light is split into two directions by the half mirror 82, one of which is incident on the first image guide fiber 76, and the other is guided to the plane mirror 83 side.

Here, the laser light guided to the plane mirror 83 side is introduced into the misalignment adjusting mechanism 84, and the first image guide fiber 76 and the second image generated when the insertion portion 72 and the operation portion 73 are connected to each other. It is used to adjust the misalignment with the guide fiber 79.

In addition, the first image guide fiber 76
The laser light incident on is irradiated onto the subject H through the first lens 77. The image of the subject H is incident on the phase conjugate mirror 80 through the first lens 77, the first image guide fiber 76, and the half mirror 82. At this time, the phase conjugate mirror 80 emits phase conjugate light whose propagation direction is reversed while maintaining the wavefront of the incident light due to its original property.

Furthermore, the phase conjugate light emitted from the phase conjugate mirror 80 has its traveling direction reversed and travels backward in the optical path upon incidence. That is, the phase conjugate light is reflected by the half mirror 82, then reflected by the plane mirror 83, further propagated through the second image guide fiber 79, and the subject H is formed on the emission end face of the second image guide fiber 79. The image of is reproduced. Further, the phase conjugate light emitted from the second image guide fiber 79 is guided to the solid-state image sensor 86 via the second lens 85, and after being converted into an electric signal (video signal) by the solid-state image sensor 86, It is sent to an image display device such as a TV monitor (not shown) connected to a video processor via a CCD cable 88 in the universal cord 87, and a reproduced image of the subject H is displayed.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, since only the first image guide fiber 76 and the first lens 77 are mounted inside the insertion portion 72, the diameter of the insertion portion 72 can be reduced. Furthermore, since the insertion section 72 is detachable from the operation section 73, after the use of the endoscope 71, the used dirty insertion section 72 is removed from the operation section 73, and a new unused insertion section 72 is operated. By mounting on the portion 73, it is possible to omit the cleaning and disinfecting work of the used dirty insertion portion 72. Therefore, the used endoscope 71
Since you can save the troublesome work of cleaning and disinfecting
The endoscopic examination time can be shortened and the work efficiency can be improved.

Further, since the insertion section 72 is an optical system having a simple internal structure, it is inexpensive and therefore disposable. Therefore, the used dirty insertion portion 72 after being inserted into the body is preferably disposable.

FIG. 7B shows the third embodiment of the present invention. This is the endoscope 71 of the second embodiment.
A light guide fiber 91 composed of an optical fiber bundle is arranged in the insertion portion 72 of the, and the laser light for illumination sent from the light guide fiber 78 in the operation portion 73 is directly incident on the light guide fiber 91 and An illumination lens 92 is arranged in front of the light guide fiber 91.

Therefore, in the structure described above, the light guide fiber 91 is arranged in the insertion portion 72 of the endoscope 71, and the illumination laser light sent from the light guide fiber 78 in the operation portion 73 is supplied. This light guide fiber 91
Since the light is directly incident on the illumination light, the illumination light emitted from the light guide fiber 91 to the subject H through the illumination lens 92 has no uneven light distribution, and a good image can be obtained.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic structure of the laser probe 101 used for the treatment of the endoscope. The laser probe 101 has an insertion portion 1 to be inserted into a treatment portion.
02 and a grip portion 103 on the near side for gripping the laser probe 101 are provided.

Here, the first laser transmission fiber 104 is arranged in the grip portion 103. Also, the insertion part 1
The second laser transmission fiber 1 having the same material, outer diameter, length, etc. as the first laser transmission fiber 104 is provided at the axial center of 02.
05 is arranged.

Further, the front end of the laser light guide fiber 106 for transmitting the laser light emitted from the laser device is connected to the rear end of the grip portion 103. Then, the laser light emitted from the laser light guide fiber 106 is made to enter the first laser transmission fiber 104 via the condenser lens 107. Here, the incident angle of the laser light incident on the first laser transmission fiber 104 is 30 °.
It is set as follows. The incident angle may be set to parallel light.

Further, a phase conjugate mirror 109 for generating a phase conjugate light of the incident light and a laser beam transmitted through the first laser transmission fiber 104 are phase-conjugated at the connecting portion 108 between the insertion portion 102 and the grip portion 103. The light guide optical system 11 that makes the phase conjugate light output from the phase conjugate mirror 109 incident on the mirror 109 be guided to the second laser transmission fiber 105 side.
0 and 0 are provided.

Here, in the light guide optical system 110, a reflecting mirror 111 is arranged opposite to the front surface of the emission end surface of the first laser transmission fiber 104, the incident end surface of the second laser transmission fiber 105 and the phase conjugate mirror 109. And a beam splitter 112 which is arranged between and.

The distance of the optical path of the laser light guided from the emission end face of the first laser transmission fiber 104 to the phase conjugate mirror 109 via the reflecting mirror 111 and the beam splitter 112, and the second laser from the phase conjugate mirror 109. The distance of the optical path of the laser light guided to the incident end surface of the transmission fiber 105 is also set to the same length.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
First, laser light emitted from a laser device (not shown) is transmitted by the laser light guide fiber 106 and then transmitted through the condenser lens 107 into the first laser transmission fiber 104. Further, the laser light emitted from the first laser transmission fiber 104 is incident on the phase conjugate mirror 109 through the reflecting mirror 111 and the beam splitter 112. At this time, the phase conjugate mirror 109 emits phase conjugate light whose propagation direction is reversed while maintaining the wavefront of the incident light.

Further, the phase conjugate light emitted from the phase conjugate mirror 109 is guided to the second laser transmission fiber 105 through the beam splitter 112 and emitted from the tip end surface of the insertion portion 102 to the outside. At this time, the emitted light emitted from the emission end face of the second laser transmission fiber 105 is emitted at the same angle as the incident angle when the laser light is incident on the first laser transmission fiber 104 via the condenser lens 107. Emitted at an angle.

Therefore, in the above-mentioned structure, when the laser beam is incident on the first laser transmission fiber 104 via the condenser lens 107, the laser beam is emitted at a narrow incident angle of 30 ° or less. When incident, since the emission angle of the emission light emitted from the emission end face of the second laser transmission fiber 105 is the same, the change in the energy density of the laser light is small in the range where the substantial treatment is performed, and the treatment is performed. It can be done efficiently.

When the incident light entering the first laser transmission fiber 104 through the condenser lens 107 is collimated, the emitted light emitted from the emission end face of the second laser transmission fiber 105. Since they are also parallel to each other, there is no change in energy density and treatment can be performed efficiently.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Next, other characteristic technical matters of the present application will be additionally described as follows.

Note (Additional Item 1) In an endoscope in which a light transmission unit for observing a subject is provided at the tip of the insertion portion of the endoscope approaching the vicinity of the subject to observe a desired region, The endoscope insertion portion is detachably provided from the operation portion for operating the endoscope, and the optical transmission means includes a first optical transmission means on the subject side and a second optical transmission means on the subject observation side, and an intermediate portion therebetween. It is characterized in that a phase conjugate mirror is provided in the optical system, the optical transmission means on the subject side and the subject observation side are made to be exactly the same with the phase conjugate mirror at the center, and the objective lens unit is arranged in the endoscope operation section. An endoscope that does.

(Supplementary Note 2) The endoscope of Supplementary Note 1 in which the subject side optical transmission means is provided in the endoscope insertion section, and the phase conjugate mirror and the subject observation side optical transmission means are provided in the endoscope operation section. mirror.

(Additional Item 3) The endoscope according to Additional Item 1, in which the objective lens unit is detachably provided from the operation portion. (Supplementary Note 4) The suction, air supply, and water supply conduits used during an endoscopic examination are provided inside the endoscope insertion portion, and the conduits are provided outside the vicinity of the rear end of the endoscope insertion portion. The endoscope according to appendix 1.

(Additional Item 5) At the tip of the insertion portion of the endoscope approaching the vicinity of the subject in order to observe a desired portion,
In an endoscope provided with light transmitting means for observing a subject, the light transmitting means includes a first light transmitting means on the subject side and a second light transmitting means on the subject observing side, and in the middle thereof. A phase conjugate mirror is provided so that the optical transmission means on the subject side and the subject observation side are exactly the same with respect to the line object centered on the phase conjugate mirror, and the subject image is formed from the tip of the endoscope insertion part. An endoscope characterized in that the observation optical path is arranged in a T shape.

(Additional Item 6) At the tip of the insertion portion of the endoscope approaching the vicinity of the subject in order to observe a desired site,
In an endoscope provided with light transmitting means for observing a subject, the light transmitting means includes a first light transmitting means on the subject side and a second light transmitting means on the subject observing side, and in the middle thereof. A phase conjugate mirror is provided so that the optical transmission means on the subject side and the subject observation side are exactly the same with respect to the line object with the phase conjugate mirror at the center, and the subject side of the optical transmission means and the subject observation are performed on the phase conjugate mirror. An endoscope characterized in that at least one side is detachably attached to the endoscope.

(Additional Item 7) The endoscope according to Additional Item 6 in which the optical transmission means on the object side is divided into a plurality of parts and arranged in series. (Additional Item 8) The endoscope according to Additional Item 6, in which the optical transmission means on the object observing side is divided into a plurality and arranged in series.

(Additional Item 9) The endoscope according to Additional Item 6 in which the light transmitting means on both the subject side and the subject observing side is divided into a plurality and arranged in series. (Additional Item 10) The endoscope according to Additional Item 6, wherein a glass lens is used for the optical transmission means.

(Additional Item 11) The endoscope according to Additional Item 6, wherein a plurality of glass fibers are used for the optical transmission means. (Additional Item 12) The endoscope according to Additional Item 6, wherein a plastic lens is used for the optical transmission means.

(Additional Item 13) The endoscope according to Additional Item 6, wherein a glass rod is used as the optical transmission means. (Additional Item 14) The endoscope according to Additional Item 6, wherein a plastic rod is used for the optical transmission means.

(Additional Item 15) In a laser probe provided with transmission means for transmitting laser light for coagulation of biological tissue from a laser light source to a laser irradiation side tip, the transmission means is provided on the laser light source side and the laser irradiation side. A laser probe characterized by dividing and providing a phase conjugate mirror between the divided optical paths.

(Additional Item 16) The laser probe according to Additional Item 15 in which the incident angle of the laser light incident on the transmitting means from the laser light source is 30 ° or less. (Additional Item 17) The laser probe according to Additional Item 15, wherein the laser light incident on the transmission means from the laser light source is collimated.

(Additional Item 18) A rigid insertion having a pair of objective lenses having substantially the same refractive index, a pair of transmissive members having substantially the same transmissivity, and one phase conjugate mirror. In a rigid endoscope having a portion, an entrance side objective lens and a transmissive member are built-in, and an insertion section detachably provided to the main body section, an exit side objective lens and a transmissive member are provided. A rigid endoscope consisting of a main body containing a phase conjugate mirror.

(Prior Art of Supplementary Note 18) Up to now, an endoscope inserted into a body cavity has been sterilized. However, sterilization work is time-consuming, and a disposable endoscope has been demanded. However, the endoscopes so far used are expensive in optical system and are not suitable for disposables. (Purpose of Additional Item 18) A rigid endoscope having an inexpensive optical system and suitable for disposable use is provided.

[0085]

According to the present invention, the attaching / detaching means for detachably connecting the insertion portion to the operation portion is provided, and the first light-transmissive member is arranged in the insertion portion to make the first transmission member in the operation portion. A second translucent member having the same composition and shape as the optical member and being optically equivalent, a phase conjugate light generator that generates a phase conjugate light of the incident light, and the first translucent member are transmitted. An image of an object to be incident on the phase conjugate light generator, and at this time, the phase conjugate light output from the phase conjugate light generator is guided to the second light transmitting member side; Since the image detection means for detecting the image guided through the member is provided,
It is possible to shorten the endoscopic examination time and improve the work efficiency by omitting the cleaning / disinfecting work after the endoscopic examination, and it is possible to obtain a clear and clear subject image at a low cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing the outer appearance of the entire endoscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a main part showing an internal configuration of an insertion part of the endoscope of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a main part showing an internal configuration of an operation unit of the endoscope of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a main part showing a modified example of the insertion part of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a main part showing a modified example of the operation unit of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a main part showing a modified example of the imaging optical path of the first embodiment.

7A is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an endoscope of a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7B shows a schematic configuration of an endoscope of a third embodiment of the present invention. Vertical sectional view.

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a main part showing a schematic configuration of a laser probe used for treatment of an endoscope.

[Explanation of symbols]

H ... subject, 2, 72 ... insertion part, 3, 73 ... operation part, 5
... Optical fiber for illumination light (illumination means), 18, 76 ... First
Image guide fiber (first transparent member), 3
1, 79 ... Second image guide fiber (second translucent member), 36, 80 ... Phase conjugate mirror (phase conjugate light generator), 37, 81 ... Light guiding optical system (light guiding means), 49 ... image pickup unit (image detection means), 86 ... solid-state image pickup element (image detection means).

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yoshinao Daimei 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Hiroshi Ishii 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Katsuya Ono 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masahiro Ohno 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Go Ogasawara 2-34-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An observation section for observing a subject is arranged at the tip of an insertion section that approaches the vicinity of the subject to observe a desired site, and an operation section is provided at the base end of the insertion section. In the connected endoscope, a first light-transmissive member is provided, which is provided with an attaching / detaching means for detachably connecting the insertion section to the operation section, and which has an incident end surface for making the image of the subject incident into the insertion section. A second translucent member having the same composition and shape as the first translucent member and being optically equivalent to the first translucent member, and a phase conjugate light for generating a phase conjugate light of incident light. An image of the subject transmitted through the generator and the first translucent member is made incident on the phase conjugate light generator, and the phase conjugate light output from the phase conjugate light generator at this time is changed to the second conjugate light. And a second light-transmitting member that guides the light-transmitting member to the light-transmitting member side. An endoscope comprising: an image detecting unit that detects an image guided through a member.