JPH10229965A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an easy handling endoscope for attaching/detaching with an adapter unit into which an optical system is incorporated in a free fashion of attaching-to/detaching-from a tip of insertion part and with a head hood. SOLUTION: This endoscope is made to have an adapter unit 3 incorporating at least a part of the objective optical system 11 for observation at a tip 1a of insertion part in a free fashion of attaching-to/detaching-from externally. A head hood 21 enclosing the outer periphery of the adapter unit 3 is then formed, with which the adapter unit 3 is fixed to the tip 1a of the insertion part.

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 adapter unit having at least a part of an objective optical system is detachably attached to a distal end portion of an insertion portion from outside.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In endoscopy, depending on the case,
There are cases where it is desired to roughly observe a wide range and cases where it is desired to precisely observe a narrow range. In such a case, it is not economical to prepare two endoscopes having only different optical characteristics.

Therefore, a plurality of optical performances can be obtained by a single endoscope by detachably attaching an adapter unit containing a lens group to the end of the endoscope which can perform normal observation. There is something that I did.

In such an endoscope, conventionally, as shown in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-131512, a connection ring disposed at a distal end portion of an insertion portion is screwed into an adapter unit from behind. , The adapter unit was fixed to the tip of the insertion section.

[0005]

When observing the inside of a thin lumen such as the esophagus or large intestine, the observation window is too close to the mucosal surface, making it difficult to observe or guiding the tip. May disappear.

In such a case, an endoscope is used in which a tip hood protruding forward from the observation window is provided so that the distance between the observation window and the mucosal surface can be properly maintained. You.

However, an adapter unit having a built-in optical system is connected to the distal end of the insertion portion by a connection ring.
Further, when the tip hood is attached to the adapter unit, it is necessary to tighten the connection ring to the adapter unit and to attach / detach the tip hood, so that there is a disadvantage that the handling becomes complicated and the use becomes extremely difficult.

Therefore, the present invention provides an adapter unit having a built-in optical system, which is detachably attached to a distal end portion of an insertion portion.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope having a distal end hood, which is easy to handle for attachment and detachment.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, an endoscope according to the present invention comprises an adapter unit having at least a part of an objective optical system for observation, which is detachably attached to a distal end portion of an insertion portion from outside. In the freely configured endoscope, a tip hood surrounding the outer periphery of the adapter unit is provided,
The adapter unit is fixed to the distal end portion of the insertion section by the distal end hood.

[0010] When an objective optical system for normal observation is incorporated in the distal end portion of the insertion portion and the distal end portion of the insertion portion is connected to the adapter unit, the objective optical system is incorporated in the adapter unit. The optical system may be optically connected to the objective optical system for normal observation.

[0011] The adapter unit may have a built-in objective optical system for observation and a solid-state image sensor for capturing an endoscope observation image formed by the objective optical system.

The tip hood may be detachable from both the tip portion of the insertion portion and the adapter unit, and the tip of the tip hood projects forward from the tip surface of the adapter unit. May be.

The distal end of the distal end hood may be formed so as to extend like a front end of the wrapper on the front side of the adapter unit, or the outer surface of the distal end hood may be formed in a spherical shape. Alternatively, the outer shape of the tip hood may be a smooth arc shape as a whole.

The distal end of the distal end hood may be located substantially in the same plane as the distal end surface of the adapter unit, and the distal end hood may be screwed to the distal end of the insertion portion.

The distal end hood is formed of a flexible material, and the distal end hood is partially fitted into the distal end portion of the insertion portion by being elastically deformed so as to be fitted to the distal end portion of the insertion portion. You may make it connect.

Further, the adapter unit having a built-in optical system for front observation and the one having a built-in optical system for side observation may be freely exchangeable with respect to a distal end portion of the insertion portion.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 shows an endoscope, in which a proximal end of an insertion section 1 made of a flexible tube is connected to an operation section 2, and an adapter unit 3 having a built-in optical system is attached to and detached from a distal end section 1 a of the insertion section 1. They are freely connected. Reference numeral 4 denotes a bending portion that can be bent by remote control from the operation portion 2.

FIG. 1 shows a distal end portion 1a of the insertion portion 1. Numeral 6 is attached to a distal end of a flexible tube (including a curved portion 4), and an adapter unit 3 is detachably attached to the distal end thereof. This is the tip base connected to.

The tip base 6 has an objective optical system 11 built in parallel to the axial direction. A cover glass 11 a is water-tightly fixed to the tip of the tip at the position of the tip face of the tip base 6.

Reference numeral 10 denotes an image guide fiber bundle for optically transmitting the image of the subject formed by the objective optical system 11, and the tip of the bundle is fixed to the tip base 6.

Reference numeral 28 denotes a light guide fiber bundle arranged in parallel with the image guide fiber bundle 10 to illuminate the subject, and the tip of the bundle is also fixed to the tip base 6. A cover glass 17 is water-tightly fixed to the tip end of the tip end cap 6 at the emission end.

An observation window 8 and an illuminating window 9 are arranged on the distal end surface of a unit body 7 constituting a block of the adapter unit 3. An objective adapter optical system 71 is built inside the observation window 8, and a glass rod 72 is built inside the illumination window 9.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the adapter unit 3 is mounted on the end cap 6, the optical axis of the objective adapter optical system 71 and the optical axis of the objective optical system 11 are aligned. I have. Then, the objective optical system 1
The observation field of view is widened (or narrowed) by coupling the objective adapter optical system 71 to 1.

The glass rod 72 is for transmitting illumination light, and the illumination light emitted from the illumination light guide fiber bundle 28 passes through the cover glass 17 and the glass rod 72 and from the illumination window 9 to the subject. Irradiated toward.

When the adapter unit 3 is attached to the distal end portion 1a of the insertion portion 1, the rear end portion of the unit body 7 and the distal end portion of the distal end cap 6 are fitted in the fitting portion 18. Are adapted.

On the other hand, an overall cylindrical tip hood 21 is rotatably and detachably fitted on the outer periphery of the unit body 7. A female screw is formed near the rear end of the inner peripheral surface of the tip hood 21, and a male screw to be screwed with the female screw is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the tip base 6. 22 is the screw portion. Further, a step portion 5 is formed in the middle of the inner surface of the distal end hood 21 and the middle of the outer surface of the unit body 7 in contact with the front-rear direction.

When connecting the adapter unit 3 to the end cap 6, first, at the fitting portion 18, the unit body 7
Is fitted to the end cap 6. Then, the distal end hood 21 is tightened so that the distal end hood 21 and the distal end cap 6 are screwed together with the screw portion 22.

Then, the unit main body 7 is pushed by the tip hood 21 at the step 5 and pressed against the tip base 6,
As a result, the adapter unit 3 is fixed to the distal end portion 1a of the insertion section 1.

In this state, the unit main body 7 is surrounded by the tip hood 21 so that the outer peripheral surface is not exposed at all.
And protrude forward from the position. Therefore,
Even in a narrow lumen or the like, the distance to the subject can be appropriately maintained.

When removing the adapter unit 3 from the distal end portion 1a of the insertion portion 1, the distal end hood 21 is rotated in a direction in which the screwing of the screw portion 22 is loosened. Then, the tip hood 21 is removed forward, and the unit body 7 can also be removed forward from the tip of the tip base 6.

The objective optical system 11 of this embodiment is an optical system for normal observation with a standard observation viewing angle, and the observation viewing angle can be arbitrarily changed by combining the objective adapter optical system 71 with it.

The tip base 6 and the unit body 7 are provided with the optical axis of the objective adapter optical system 71 and the objective optical system 11.
And the cover glass 17 is positioned relative to the glass rod 72 so that the optical axis coincides with the optical axis. When the tip hood 21 is rotated, the two are relatively rotated. Although a rotation stopping portion is provided to prevent the rotation, the illustration is omitted.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the present invention is applied to an electronic endoscope. The unit main body 7 constituting the block of the adapter unit 3 is formed of, for example, an electrically insulating plastic, and has an observation window 8 and an illumination window 9 disposed on the tip surface thereof.

An objective optical system 11 is built in the observation window 8 of the unit body 7, and an imaging surface of a solid-state image pickup device 12 composed of, for example, a CCD is provided on the image forming surface of the object by the objective optical system 11. Are located.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a circuit board on which the solid-state imaging device 12 is mounted. In addition to the solid-state imaging device 12, an electronic component 14 for driving the solid-state imaging device 12 and the like are mounted.

A short light guide fiber bundle 16 for transmitting illumination light for illuminating a subject is arranged inside the illumination window 9, and a cover glass 17 is fitted into the illumination window 9. .

The unit main body 7 is formed in a columnar shape, is detachable from the front end base 6 of the insertion portion 1 from the front, and is formed on the front end surface of the front end base 6 on the rear end surface of the unit main body 7. A convex portion 19 that fits into the concave portion 20 protrudes, and plays a role of positioning and stopping rotation.

A tip hood 21 is provided on the outer periphery of the unit body 7.
And a screw portion 22 formed near the rear end of the inner peripheral surface of the tip hood 21 and the outer peripheral surface of the tip base 6.
Are screwed into each other, and the unit main body 7 is fixed in a state of being pressed against the front end cap 6 from the front (left side in FIG. 3).

The distal end portion 21a of the distal end hood 21 projects forward from the distal end surface of the unit body 7 in which the observation window 8 and the illumination window 9 and the like are arranged, and has a shape that is widened like the distal end portion of a horn. Is formed. Therefore,
The mucous membrane surface or the like as a subject can be displaced farther.

A plurality of pin-shaped electrical contacts 24 connected to the circuit on the circuit board 13 via the connection lines 23 are provided on the rear end face of the unit body 7 in the rearward direction.
Projecting in parallel to the axial direction of.

On the other hand, a plurality of cylindrical electrical contacts 25 connected to the electrical wiring 26 inside the distal end face 6 are formed on the distal end surface of the distal end base 6 so as to face the electrical contacts 24 on the unit body 7 side in the axial direction. They are arranged in parallel. 27 is an electrical insulating member.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, when the adapter unit 3 is connected to the distal end portion 1a of the insertion portion 1, the two electrical contacts 24 and 25 are connected, and the Signals (such as an imaging signal and a CCD driving signal) are transmitted to and from the electric wiring 26 in the unit 1.

The adapter unit 3 is connected to the tip base 6
3, the front end hood 21 is first shifted toward the front side of the unit body 7 by about half its length as compared with the state shown in FIG. It is connected to the tip of the base 6. At this time, the positioning between the unit main body 7 and the end cap 6 is performed by the engagement between the projection 19 and the recess 20 and the connection of the electrical contacts 24 and 25.

Then, the tip hood 21 is displaced rearward (in a direction to approach the tip cap 6) from this state, and the tip hood 21 and the tip cap 6 are screwed together with the screw portion 22. Since the unit main body 7 and the end cap 6 are engaged so as not to rotate relatively, the unit main body 7 does not rotate during the screwing operation.

The tip hood 2 is screwed so that the screw portion 22 is screwed.
When the unit 1 is tightened, the step 21e formed on the inner peripheral surface of the tip hood 21 is pressed against the flange 7a protruding from the rear end of the outer peripheral portion of the unit main body 7, and the unit main body 7 is moved forward. The base 6 is pressed and fixed to the front end face.

When the connection between the tip hood 21 and the tip base 6 at the screw portion 22 is released and the unit body 7 is pulled forward with respect to the tip base 6, the adapter unit 3 is disengaged from the tip base 6, and the electric power is removed. The contacts 24 and 25 are disconnected.

Reference numeral 28 denotes an illumination light guide fiber inserted through the insertion section 1, and its emission end face is located at the tip end face of the tip end cap 6. When the adapter unit 3 is connected to the distal end portion 1a of the insertion section 1, the end faces of the light guide fiber bundles 16 and 28 in both the adapter unit 3 and the insertion section 1 come to face exactly. I have.

On the inner peripheral surface near the tip of the tip hood 21,
An O-ring 31 for sealing that is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the unit body 7 is mounted. The screw portion 22 of the tip base 6
An O-ring 32 for sealing that is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface at the mouth of the tip hood 21 is attached to the rear end portion of the hood 21.

As a result, when the adapter unit 3 is connected to the distal end portion 1a of the insertion portion 1, the electrical contacts 2 are formed by the sealing effect of the O-rings 31 and 32.
External moisture does not enter the 4, 25 portions or the screw portion 22.

Therefore, in the use state in which the adapter unit 3 is attached to the distal end portion 1a of the insertion section 1, there is no possibility that moisture adheres to the electric contacts 24 and 25 to cause a signal failure or the like.

In the adapter unit 3, the tip hood 21 is rotatable and slidable with respect to the unit main body 7, and can be removed from the unit main body 7. However, the entire surface of the unit main body 7 is sealed in a watertight manner. Has been stopped,
Moisture is prevented from entering the inside from the outside.
Therefore, the adapter unit 3 can be sufficiently cleaned and disinfected in a single state removed from the insertion section 1.

On the other hand, the insertion section 1 also has a waterproof structure in which no moisture enters from inside to outside when the adapter unit 3 is removed. Therefore,
When this electronic endoscope is used for inspection, the insertion unit 1 side (including the operation unit 2) can be put in an autoclave device and sterilized with high-pressure steam in a state where the adapter unit 3 is removed.

In this way, if the adapter unit 3 is removed and sterilization is performed, the solid-state imaging device 12 does not need to be placed in the autoclave device, and the solid-state imaging device 12 can be protected from thermal destruction.

Further, since the adapter unit 3 in which the solid-state imaging device 12 is incorporated is detachable from the insertion portion 1, if the solid-state imaging device 12 is damaged during assembly or use, only the adapter unit 3 is used. Need not be changed, and there is no need to modify the insertion portion 1 side at all.

FIG. 4 shows the distal end of the insertion section 1 of the electronic endoscope according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and a circumferential groove 53 formed on the outer peripheral surface near the front end of the distal end cap 6. In addition, a projection 54 projecting rearward from the unit body 7 is elastically engaged, so-called click-coupled.

A number of slits are cut into the projection 54 from the rear, so that the projection 54 has a spring property. In addition, the protrusion 54 does not need to be formed on the entire circumference, and may be formed partially, for example, at about three positions on the circumference. And in that case, the projection 5
In accordance with 4, the circumferential groove 53 may be partially formed.

The tip hood 21 is detachably attached to the unit main body 7 with a screw 55 so as to be detachable.
The tip portion 21a projects forward from the tip surface of the unit body 7.

The outer peripheral surface of the forward portion of the tip hood 21 is formed in a spherical shape. Therefore, the resistance at the time of insertion into the body cavity is small, and the insertability is good. Other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment.

In connecting the distal end unit 3 to the distal end cap 6 in this embodiment, first, the screwing between the unit body 7 and the distal end hood 21 in the screw portion 55 is loosened.
The tip hood 21 is shifted to the front side or removed from the unit main body 7, and in this state, the protrusion 54 at the rear end portion of the unit main body 7 is elastically deformed, and the circumferential groove 5 of the tip base 6 is formed.
3 is engaged.

The positioning at this time is performed by connecting the electric contacts 24 and 25. However, the protrusion 54 and the circumferential groove 53
Are formed partially asymmetrically in the circumferential direction, positioning by the protrusion 54 and the circumferential groove 53 is also possible.

In this state, when the tip hood 21 is screwed into the unit body 7 at the screw portion 55, the tip hood 21 covers the projection 54 with the engaging portion with the circumferential groove 53.
The unit body 7 does not come off the tip base 6.

FIG. 5 shows a distal end portion of the insertion section 1 of the electronic endoscope according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a plurality of electrical contacts 2 are provided on a protrusion 19 projecting rearward from a rear end portion of the adapter unit 3.
4 is provided, and a concave portion 20 having a size into which the convex portion 19 is fitted is formed in the distal end face of the distal end base 6.

The plurality of electrical contacts 24 on the adapter unit 3 side are arranged at an interval from each other in the axial direction, and each is provided so as to surround the projection 19 in a circumferential shape. Then, it is connected to the circuit of the circuit board 13 by a connection line 23 passed inside the projection 19.

On the other hand, a plurality of electric contacts 25 on the tip base 6 side
Is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the concave portion 20 so as to face the electrical contact 24 on the adapter unit 3 side in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the unit main body 7. It is connected.

The number of the electrical contacts 24 and 25 may be increased or decreased as necessary. The connection position between each of the electrical contacts 24 and 25 and the wiring is determined in the rotational direction around the axis of the projection 19 and the recess 20. The positions may be shifted in order.

In this embodiment, the objective optical system 1
1, the solid-state imaging device 12, the circuit board 13, and the like have different shapes from those of the first and second embodiments, but are functionally the same, and therefore are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first and second embodiments. The description is omitted.

Reference numeral 38 denotes a forceps channel inserted into the insertion section 1, and the tip thereof is fixed to the tip base 6. When the adapter unit 3 is attached to the distal end cap 6, the forceps passage hole 39 formed in the unit body 7 is connected to the forceps channel 38 in a straight line. Reference numeral 40 denotes an O-ring for sealing the connection.

Also in this embodiment, the adapter unit 3 is fixed to the distal end portion 1a of the insertion portion 1 by the distal end hood 21 provided so as to screw with the distal end base 6 at the screw portion 22.

The distal end hood 21 has an outer peripheral surface formed into a smooth elliptical sphere having a shape similar to an acorn and has good insertability, and the distal end portion 21a has a unit main body in which the observation window 8 and the like are arranged. 7 protrudes forward from the front end surface. Reference numeral 37 denotes an O-ring for waterproofing the electrical contacts 24 and 25 when the adapter unit 3 is attached to the tip base 6.

An inner projecting portion 21d is formed in the middle of the inner peripheral surface of the tip hood 21 so as to project inward. An intermediate small-diameter portion 29 having an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the inner projecting portion 21d is formed as a unit. It is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the main body 7.

Therefore, the tip hood 21 is formed such that the inner protruding portion 21 d is formed with step portions 29 a, 2 at the front and rear ends of the intermediate small diameter portion 29.
It can be moved in the axial direction only in the range between the collision with the unit 9 b and does not come off the unit main body 7.

When the adapter unit 3 is connected to the tip base 6, first, the tip hood 21 is shifted forward to a position where the inner protruding portion 21d hits the front step portion 29a. 7 is connected to the front end of the front end cap 6. Positioning is performed by engagement between the convex portion 19 and the concave portion 20.

Next, the tip hood 21 is displaced rearward (in a direction to approach the tip cap 6), and the tip hood 21 and the tip cap 6 are screwed together with the screw portion 22, and the rear step 29b is formed with the inner protruding portion 21d. Tighten the tip hood 21 until it is pressed firmly. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the unit main body 7 is firmly pressed and fixed to the front end face of the front end cap 6.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a fifth embodiment of the present invention, in which an adapter unit 3A for front view and an adapter unit for side view are provided with respect to the distal end portion 1a of the insertion portion 1. FIG. 3B can be used as desired.

FIG. 6 shows a state in which the adapter unit 3A for front view is attached to the tip end cap 6. As shown in FIG. The unit main body 7 has a built-in objective adapter optical system 71 for front view, and a light guide fiber bundle 73 is used for transmitting illumination light inside the unit main body 7. The attachment of the adapter unit 3 </ b> A to the tip base 6 is performed by a tip hood 21 which is screwed to the tip base 6 at the screw portion 22.

FIG. 7 shows an adapter unit 3 for front view.
A state in which the adapter unit 3B for side view is attached to the distal end cap 6 instead of A is shown. The unit main body 7 has a built-in side view objective adapter optical system 81 including a right-angle roof prism 81a. Reference numeral 83 denotes a light guide fiber bundle for transmitting illumination light in the unit main body 7.

Adapter unit 3 for tip 6
The attachment of B is performed by the tip hood 21 screwed to the tip base 6 in the screw portion 22. The tip portion 21a and the rear end portion 21b of the tip hood 21 are formed to have a larger diameter than the other portions. ing.

However, the intermediate portion 21c of the tip hood 21
Is formed to be thin along the surface of the unit body 7, and the side portion where the observation window 8 and the illumination window 9 are arranged is open. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the distance to the subject located on the side surface of the adapter unit 3B can be ensured by the distal end hood 21 for observation.

FIG. 8 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention. The distal end of the distal end hood 21 of the adapter unit 3 having the same structure as that of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. It is substantially flush with the surface of the main body 7. The adapter unit 3 is fixed by screwing the tip hood 21 to the tip base 6.

If a somewhat flexible material such as tetrafluoroethylene resin or Delrin is used as the material of the tip hood 21, the objective optical system 1 against impact due to dropping or the like can be used.
1 and the protection function of the solid-state imaging device 12 is improved.

FIG. 9 shows a seventh embodiment of the present invention. An electric contact 25 on the insertion section 1 side is provided on the outer peripheral surface of a light guide base 28a projecting forward from the front end base 6. As shown in FIG. The electrical contacts 24 on the adapter unit 3 side are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the fitting hole 41 on the unit body 7 side into which the light guide base 28a is inserted. In FIG. 9, the cross-section hatching of the adapter unit 7 is omitted.

In order to further secure the fixed state between the light guide base 28a and the tip base 6, a flange 28b sandwiching the front end wall of the tip base 6 is provided with a light guide base 28a.
It is projected. At that portion, the light guide cap 28a is adhesively fixed to the tip cap 6 in a watertight manner.

An O-ring 42 for sealing is provided at a position near the distal end of the light guide base 28a to prevent moisture from entering the electrical contacts 24 and 25 from the outside.

The distal end hood 21 for fixing the unit main body 7 to the distal end cap 6 has a distal end portion 21a located substantially on the same plane as the distal end surface of the unit main body 7, as in the sixth embodiment. It is formed of a flexible material such as resin, silicone resin, soft vinyl chloride resin or rubber material.

Then, a protrusion 86 protruding inward at the rear end portion of the inner peripheral surface of the tip hood 21 is elastically deformed to form a circumferential groove formed on the outer peripheral surface of the tip base 6. The unit main body 7 is fixed to the distal end base 6 by being fitted into the unit 87.

When removing the tip hood 21 from the tip cap 6, the protrusion 86 may be elastically deformed and pulled out from the circumferential groove 87. In each of the above-described embodiments, the tip hood 21 may be appropriately selected and used in a shape corresponding to the purpose of use.

[0087]

According to the present invention, the adapter unit containing the objective optical system and the like is fixed to the distal end of the insertion portion by the distal end hood. Can be easily attached and detached, and handling is very easy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a distal end portion of an insertion portion of an endoscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an overall schematic diagram of an endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of a distal end portion of an insertion portion of an endoscope according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of a distal end portion of an insertion portion of an endoscope according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of a distal end portion of an insertion portion of an endoscope according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing a state in which the endoscope according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is used in a forward view.

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view showing a state in which the endoscope according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is used in a side view.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of a distal end portion of an insertion portion of an endoscope according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of a distal end portion of an insertion section of an endoscope according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Insertion part 1a Tip part 3 Adapter unit 6 Tip base 7 Unit main body 11 Objective optical system 21 Tip hood 22 Screw part 71 Objective adapter lens

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope in which an adapter unit incorporating at least a part of an observation objective optical system is detachably mounted on the distal end portion of an insertion portion from the outside. An endoscope wherein the adapter unit is fixed to a distal end portion of the insertion section by the distal end hood. 2. An adapter according to claim 1, wherein an objective optical system for normal observation is built in the distal end portion of said insertion portion, and in a state where the distal end portion of said insertion portion is connected to said adapter unit. 2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the optical system is optically connected to the objective optical system for normal observation. 3. The adapter unit according to claim 1, wherein the adapter unit includes an objective optical system for observation and a solid-state image sensor for imaging an endoscope observation image formed by the objective optical system. Endoscope. 4. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the distal end hood is detachable from both the distal end portion of the insertion portion and the adapter unit. 5. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the tip of the tip hood projects forward from the tip surface of the adapter unit.
The endoscope according to 3 or 4. 6. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein a distal end portion of the distal end hood is formed so as to extend like a front end of the wrapper on a front side of the adapter unit. 7. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the tip hood is formed in a spherical shape. 8. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the tip hood has a smooth arc shape as a whole. 9. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein a tip of the tip hood is located substantially flush with a tip face of the adapter unit.
The endoscope according to 2, 3, or 4. 10. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the distal end hood is screwed to a distal end portion of the insertion portion. 11. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the distal end hood is formed of a flexible material. 12. The endoscope according to claim 11, wherein the distal end hood is partially fitted into the distal end portion of the insertion portion by elastic deformation and connected to the distal end portion of the insertion portion. 13. An adapter unit having a built-in optical system for forward observation and a unit having a built-in optical system for side observation.
2. The tip of the insertion portion is exchangeable.
13. The endoscope according to any one of items 12 to 12.