JPH11216113A - Endoscope device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope device in which the diameter of an endoscope is made smaller and an endoscope is prevented from being thermally damaged by heat radiated from LED for white lighting. SOLUTION: A lighting part 65 which is consisted by arranging more than one small type LEDs for white lighting 64,..., 64 is set on the top face of a rigid mirror 2a as a lighting means and a top cap 74 which has an opening 74a of air supply pipe 73 is set near the lighting part 65. The top of air supply pipe 73 is fixed with the top cap 74 which is formed by metallic member having high thermal conductivity such as stainless or brass. When illuminating light is emitted from the lighting part 65, heat radiated from LED for white lighting 64,...,64 is transmitted to the top cap 74. The heat transmitted to the top cap 74 is taken by an air supply gas to be sent to an abdominal cavity.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus using a white illumination LED as illumination means for an endoscope.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in order to minimize invasion of patients,
A trocar that guides the endoscope for observation into the body cavity and a trocar that guides the treatment tool to the treatment site are punctured into the abdomen of the patient,
Laparoscopic surgery for performing a therapeutic treatment while observing a treatment site and a treatment instrument with an endoscope without performing laparotomy is performed. In this method, an endoscope apparatus having an insufflator for sending an insufflation gas such as carbon dioxide gas into the abdominal cavity is used to secure a visual field of the endoscope and a space area for treatment.

As the illumination means of the endoscope for observation, a tip lamp type or a light guide fiber type, or a three-color LED formed into one chip to emit white light or a blue LED is used. In some cases, observation using excitation light is performed, but in recent years, an LED for white illumination has been developed as an LED that independently emits white light. Since this white illumination LED emits white light by itself, it can be made smaller in size than a three-color LED integrated into a single chip or an illumination means that uses a blue LED to perform observation using excitation light. It is. For this reason, by using this white illumination LED as the illumination means, it is possible to further reduce the diameter of the endoscope.

[0004]

However, the above-described white illumination LED is easy to generate heat, although not as much as the conventional tip lamp type, and when the white illumination LED is arranged at the tip, the LED generates heat. The heat may heat the surface of the distal end portion of the endoscope, or may be transmitted to the CCD built in the distal end portion to cause malfunction or breakage of the CCD.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances.
An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope apparatus that does not thermally damage the endoscope due to heat generated from the endoscope.

[0006]

An endoscope apparatus according to the present invention comprises:
An endoscope device including a white illumination LED as an illumination means of the endoscope, wherein the control of the LED is performed by a control device provided outside the endoscope. An endoscope cooling means is provided for preventing the surface of the distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion and the internal components of the distal end portion from becoming hot.

[0007] According to this configuration, the heat generated from the white illumination LED is cooled by the endoscope cooling means to prevent the heat from being transmitted to the surface of the endoscope distal end portion or the built-in distal end portion.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an endoscope device, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a distal end portion of the endoscope, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the front end surface of the LED for use.

As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is an apparatus for laparoscopic surgery, for example, an insertion section 2.
Reference numeral 1 denotes a rigid endoscope having a rigid endoscope 22 having an eyepiece 22 at a base end thereof, and is detachably connected to the eyepiece 22 of the rigid endoscope 2 to capture an endoscope image transmitted to the eyepiece 22. For example, CCD
And a camera control unit (hereinafter abbreviated as CCU) for generating an electric signal photoelectrically converted by a CCD in the camera head 3 into a video signal.
4, a monitor 5 for transmitting a video signal from the CCU 4 to display an endoscope image, and adjusting the brightness of a white illumination LED (see FIG. 2) disposed at the distal end of the insertion section 21. It is mainly composed of an LED control unit (abbreviated as LCU) 6 as a control device and an insufflator 7 for supplying an insufflation gas for inflating the abdominal cavity in order to secure a field of view of the rigid endoscope 2 and a treatment area. ing.

A camera cable 31 extends from a base end of the camera head 3. A CCU connector 3 detachable from the CCU 4 is connected to a base end of the camera cable 31.
2 are provided.

The LCU 6 and the rigid mirror 2 are connected by an LCU cable 61. One end of the LCU cable 61 is provided with an LCU connector 62 detachable from the LCU 6, and the other end of the rigid mirror 2 A detachable illumination connector 63 is provided in the illumination connection port 24 provided on the side of the grip 23. This CCU4 and the LCU
6 are electrically connected to each other by a signal cable 41. In the LCU 6, white light L for white illumination is used based on brightness information of an endoscope image obtained when a video signal is generated by the CCU 4.
The brightness of the ED is always adjusted to the best observation state.

[0012] The rigid endoscope 2 and the insufflator 7 are connected by an insufflation tube 71 extending from the insufflator 7. A detachable fluid connector 72 is provided on the fluid base 25 provided on a side portion of the fluid nozzle 23. The insufflation gas sent from the insufflator 7 passes through an insufflation tube 71, a fluid connector 72, and an insufflation line 73 which is a fluid supply line constituting a below-described endoscope cooling means indicated by a broken line in the figure. Sent to the abdominal cavity.

The configuration of the distal end of the insertion section of the rigid endoscope 2 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the front view of the distal end portion of the rigid mirror in FIG. 2A, a plurality of small white illumination LEDs 64,... A portion 65 and a lens cover 26 that constitutes an observation optical system are provided. A tip cap 74 that becomes an opening 74 a of the air supply pipe 73 is provided in close proximity to the illumination section 65 and the lens cover 26, for example. It is provided in places.

As shown in the longitudinal sectional view of the distal end of FIG. 1B, a signal line 64a extends from the base end side of the plurality of white illumination LEDs 64,.
4a is inserted into the insertion portion 21 and connected to the lighting connection port 24.

The distal end of the air supply conduit 73 is fixed to a distal end cap 74 having the opening 74a. The tip cap 74 and the air supply conduit 73 are formed of, for example, a metal member such as stainless steel or brass having a high thermal conductivity, or a silicone rubber which is a thermal conductivity improving resin.
The tip cap 74 and the air supply line 73 have high thermal conductivity,
The endoscope cooling means is fixed by way of, for example, a silicone for heat dissipation having an effect of improving the adhesion.

The observation optical system is a relay lens 29 formed by arranging the lens cover 26 and a plurality of optical lenses 27a, 27b,... In a metal pipe 28. The illumination light reflected from the subject is transmitted to the eyepiece unit 22 via the relay lens 29, and is picked up by the CCD in the camera head 3.

When the illuminating light is emitted from the illuminating section 65 and the observation of the subject is continued, the white illumination LED 64,
.., 64 generate heat. Then, these LEDs 64, ..., 6
The heat generated from 4 is conducted to the tip base 74 close to the lighting section 65. An insufflation gas at a temperature slightly lower than the body temperature, for example, is supplied from the insufflator 7 toward the abdominal cavity of the distal end cap 74, and the insufflation gas is supplied from the white illumination light LEDs 64,. Emitting tip cap 74
It takes away the heat conducted to the abdominal cavity and sends it to the abdominal cavity. In addition, the LED 6 for white illumination light transmitted to the tip base 74.
A part of the heat generated from 4,.
Through the metal pipe 28.

As described above, by arranging a plurality of small-sized white illumination LEDs at the end of the endoscope to constitute the illumination section, the diameter of the insertion section can be reduced.

In addition, by providing an air supply duct and a tip base close to an illumination unit constituted by providing a plurality of white illumination LEDs at the end of the endoscope, the endoscope passes through the air supply duct and the inside of the tip base. The air gas sent into the abdominal cavity takes away the heat emitted from the LED for white illumination light and conducted to the tip base, so the temperature at the end of the endoscope rises due to the heat generated by the LED for white illumination light Can be prevented.

Further, since the air supply pipe and the end cap are made of a member having high thermal conductivity, the heat generated from the white illumination light LED can be effectively removed by the gas supplied through the air supply pipe. Can be.

Further, since the gas supplied through the gas supply line and the tip cap deprives the heat generated from the LED for white illumination light, the gas supplied is warmed and flows into the abdominal cavity. The gas can prevent the temperature in the abdominal cavity from lowering.

Further, a part of the heat generated from the LED for white illumination light conducted to the tip base is conducted to the metal pipe close to the tip base via the tip base. The heat is also conducted to the lens cover disposed in the inside, and the temperature of the lens cover can be increased, albeit little by little, to prevent clouding of the lens cover.

The position of the white illuminating LED 64 on the distal end surface 2a of the rigid endoscope is not limited to the position shown in FIG. 2A, but is as shown in FIG. 3A. The plurality of LEs for white illumination light
D64 is arranged radially to form the illumination unit 65, or as shown in FIG. 9B, the illumination unit 65 is arranged by arranging a plurality of white illumination light LEDs 64 along the outer periphery of the air supply duct 73. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3C, a plurality of white illumination light LEDs 64 are radially arranged on the outer peripheral surface side of the rigid mirror distal end surface 2a to constitute the illumination unit 65, while each white illumination light LE
A configuration in which a plurality of air supply conduits 73 are arranged to correspond to D64 may be employed.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a schematic configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention and a configuration of a distal end portion of the endoscope. As shown in the diagram of the schematic configuration of the endoscope apparatus of FIG. 1A, in the endoscope apparatus 1A of the present embodiment, the air supply pipe 73 and the tip as the endoscope cooling means in the first embodiment are used. Instead of the base 74, a water supply line 83, which is one of the fluid lines,
The water supply nozzle 84 is used as an endoscope cooling unit. That is,
The endoscope apparatus 1A of the present embodiment is provided with a water supply source 8 for supplying a cleaning liquid for removing dirt from the lens cover 26 disposed on the rigid end surface 2a of the rigid endoscope 2 instead of the insufflator 7 in place of the insufflator 7. ing.

The rigid endoscope 2 and the water supply source 8 are connected by a water supply tube 81 extending from the water supply source 8, and the end of the water supply tube 81 is connected to the side of the grip 23 of the rigid endoscope 2. A detachable fluid connector 82 is provided on the provided fluid base 25. The cleaning liquid sent from the water supply source 8 is supplied to the water supply tube 81 and the fluid connector 8.
2. The water is jetted toward the lens cover 26 through a water supply pipe 83 which is indicated by a broken line in the drawing and constitutes an endoscope cooling means described later. Reference numeral 85 denotes a water supply valve for adjusting a water supply state.

As shown in the longitudinal sectional view of the distal end portion of FIG. 2B, the distal end of the water supply pipe 83 is provided with an opening 84a facing the surface of the lens cover 26, and a plurality of white illumination light Illumination section 65 composed of LEDs 64,.
Is fixed. The nozzle 84 and the water supply pipe 83 are formed of a metal member having high thermal conductivity, silicon rubber, or the like. It constitutes mirror cooling means. Note that L
The CU 6, the LCU cable 61, the LCU connector 62, the lighting connector 63, and the lighting connection port 24 have the same configuration and operation as those in the first embodiment.
These are omitted from (a). Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

By configuring the endoscope apparatus 1A as described above, the illumination light is emitted from the illumination section 65 and the observation of the object is continued.
The heat generated from 64,..., 64 is conducted to the nozzle 84 which is close to the illumination unit 65. At this time, for example, by sending a cleaning liquid having a temperature slightly lower than the body temperature from the water supply source 8 toward the lens cover 26, the heat emitted from the white illumination light LEDs 64,... It is robbed and ejected from the nozzle 84 toward the lens cover 26.

As described above, by providing the water supply pipe and the nozzle in close proximity to the illumination unit configured by providing a plurality of white illumination LEDs at the distal end of the endoscope, the inside of the water supply pipe and the nozzle is provided. It is possible to prevent the passing cleaning liquid from depriving the heat generated from the white illumination light LED and raising the temperature of the distal end portion of the endoscope due to the heat generated by the white illumination light LED.

Further, since the water supply pipe and the nozzle are made of a member having high thermal conductivity, the heat generated from the white illumination light LED can be effectively removed by the cleaning liquid passing through the water supply pipe.

Further, since the cleaning liquid passing through the water supply pipe and the nozzle removes heat generated from the white illumination LED, the cleaning liquid is heated, and thus the lens cover is rapidly cooled by the cleaning liquid jetted to the lens cover. This eliminates the occurrence of fogging on the lens cover. Other functions and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

In the first and second embodiments, the endoscope is an endoscope provided with a relay lens. However, as shown in FIG. Instead of the relay lens 29, an electronic endoscope 2A provided with the objective optical system 11 composed of a plurality of optical lenses and the CCD 12 may be used. Further, the endoscope 2A may be a flexible endoscope such as a digestive endoscope or a bronchial endoscope in which the insertion portion 21 can be bent.

FIG. 6 is a view showing another configuration of the distal end portion of the endoscope used in the endoscope apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the endoscope according to the present embodiment is an endoscope having no air supply pipe and water supply pipe, and is an air supply pipe which is the endoscope cooling means of the first embodiment. 73, a plurality of white illumination LEDs 64 disposed at the distal end of the insertion section 21 in place of the water supply pipe 83 and the water supply nozzle 84 which are the endoscope cooling means of the second embodiment. Illumination unit 65 provided with the optical system 64, the objective optical system 11 and the CC
A partition member 91 formed of a metal member having high thermal conductivity, such as stainless steel or brass, is disposed as an endoscope cooling unit between the optical system and the observation optical system configured with D12.

The partition member 91 is formed of the above-mentioned white illumination LED.
Lighting unit 6 so that the heat generated from
5, the white illumination LED is provided on a lens cover 26 provided in the objective optical system 11.
The objective optical system 11 is formed in a shape and length so as to cover the objective optical system 11 so as to transmit the heat generated from the objective optical system 64. And
The partition member 91 and at least a part of the exterior member 13 in which the objective optical system 11 is arranged on the inner peripheral surface side are tightly fixed via heat dissipation silicone.

For this reason, when the illuminating light is emitted from the illuminating section 65 and the observation of the subject is continued, the LE for white illuminating light is used.
The heat generated from D64,..., 64 is conducted through the partition member 91 and the exterior member 13 close to the illumination section 65, and is conducted to the lens cover 26, thereby warming the lens cover 26.

As described above, the partition member is provided in the vicinity of the illuminating section constituted by providing a plurality of white illumination LEDs at the distal end of the endoscope, and the heat generated from the white illumination LED is divided by the partition member and the exterior. By transmitting the light to the lens cover through the member, the temperature of the distal end portion of the endoscope can be reduced by the white illumination light L.
It is possible to prevent the lens cover from rising due to the heat generated by the ED, and to actively warm the lens cover to suppress the fogging of the lens cover in the abdominal cavity where the relative humidity is 95% or more.

It is to be noted that, instead of the structure in which the heat generated from the white illumination light LEDs 64,..., 64 transmitted to the partition member 91 is conducted to the lens cover 26, the partition member 91 is elongated as shown in FIG. And the insertion portion is inserted through the insertion portion, extended to a grip portion (not shown), and a base end portion of the extended partition member 91 is brought into contact with a grip portion main body constituting the grip portion. Is also good.

As a result, the heat generated from the LED for white illumination light is conducted to the grip portion that has come into contact with the outside air through the partition member and is radiated into the air. It can be prevented from rising due to heat generated by the illumination light LED. Reference numeral 92 denotes a relief groove provided at a position corresponding to the CCD 12 at an intermediate position in order to prevent heat conducted through the partition member 91 from being transmitted to the CCD 12.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another configuration of the endoscope used in the endoscope apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the endoscope of the present embodiment is a rigid endoscope 1B similar to the first embodiment and the second embodiment,
Inside, a relay lens 101 for observation and a relay lens 102 for illumination configured by arranging a plurality of optical systems are provided.

An observation lens cover 103 is provided at the distal end of the observation relay lens 101, and a CCD 104 for picking up a transmitted optical image is provided at the relay lens base end located in the grip portion 23. Are arranged. On the other hand, an illumination lens cover 105 is provided on the distal end side of the illumination relay lens 102, and a white illumination light LED 106 serving as a light source unit is disposed on the relay lens base end side located in the grip portion 23. Have been. The CCD 1
A signal cable 107 extending from the rear of the LED 04 and the white illumination light LED 106 is connected to a camera control unit (not shown) by passing through a cable 108 extending from the base end side of the gripping portion.

As a result, the white light emitted from the white illumination light LED 106 disposed in the grip portion 23 is transmitted to the illumination lens cover 105 via the illumination relay lens 102 and is directed toward the observation site. Irradiated.

As described above, since the white illumination LED for illuminating the subject is provided in the gripping portion that is in contact with the atmosphere at a position distant from the distal end, the heat generated by the white illumination LED is provided. Can be prevented from being released from the gripping part into the atmosphere and increasing the temperature of the endoscope end portion.

It should be noted that instead of transmitting the white light emitted from the white illumination light LED provided in the grip portion through the illumination relay lens, the white light emitted from the white illumination light LED is transmitted by the light guide. A configuration for transmitting the information may be used.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, a prism 109 for converting the optical axis into a right angle direction is disposed at the base end of the illumination relay lens 102 as shown in FIG. LED for white illumination light located
LED mounting part 11 capable of detachably mounting 106
0 may be provided on the side surface of the grip portion. Accordingly, in addition to the effects shown in the fourth embodiment, when a problem occurs in the emission of the white illumination light LED, the LED can be easily replaced.

When an observation or treatment is performed using an endoscope provided with a conventional illumination means, the illumination range of the illumination light emitted from the illumination optical system of the endoscope changes the shape of the target organ. And could not be changed according to differences in inspection areas. For this reason, there has been a demand for an endoscope that can change an illumination state as desired by an operator according to a situation such as an examination or a treatment.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the endoscope according to the present embodiment is an endoscope capable of changing the illumination range, and FIG. 10 shows a schematic configuration of the endoscope end portion from the front. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation of switching the illumination range of the endoscope.

As shown in FIG. 10, the end surface 111 of the endoscope
A lens cover 112 of an observation optical system is disposed in the center of the lens cover 112. For example, eight inner peripheral white illumination LEDs (hereinafter abbreviated as inner peripheral LEDs) 1 around the lens cover 112
13 are provided. Also, these eight inner circumference LEDs 1
Further on the outer peripheral side of the LED 13, eight white illumination LEDs (outer peripheral LEDs) 114 larger than the inner peripheral LED 113 are arranged.

The inner LED 113 and the outer LED 11
Reference numeral 4 denotes a chip-shaped wide-area illumination LED 113w, 114w, for example, which is formed in such a manner that the orientation range of light emitted from the LED is widened, and a circular shape in which the orientation range of light emitted from the LED is narrowed. For example, it is a lamp-shaped narrow-range illumination LED 113n, 114n, in which wide-range illumination LEDs 113w, 114w and narrow-range illumination LEDs 113n, 114n are alternately arranged. In addition, the LED 113w, 1
In 14w, a wide range is evenly illuminated with illumination light having a substantially constant light amount, and the narrow-range illumination LEDs 113n and 114n are illuminated with illumination light in which the light amount on the optical axis center side is increased.

As described above, the wide-range illumination LEDs 113w and 114w and the narrow-range illumination L arranged on the distal end surface of the endoscope are used.
Switching of illumination with the EDs 113n and 114n will be described. As shown in step S1 of FIG. 11, when inserting the distal end portion of the endoscope into the body cavity, first, the wide-area illumination LED 1
Insertion is performed up to the target observation site with 13w and 114w turned on. Then, when the distal end portion of the endoscope reaches the target observation site, the process proceeds to step S2, and it is determined whether or not the target observation can be performed by illuminating the observation site with the wide-range illumination LEDs 113w and 114w.

Here, the wide-area illumination LEDs 113w, 1
If it is determined that the illumination by 14w is suitable for observation, the process proceeds to step S3, and the wide-area illumination LED 113
Observation is performed in the w, 114w lighting state. On the other hand, when it is determined that the illumination by the wide-area illumination LEDs 113w and 114w is not suitable for performing the intended observation, step S is performed.
4, the wide-area illumination LEDs 113w and 114w are turned off, and instead, the narrow-area illumination LEDs 113n and 114w are turned off.
n is turned on, and the process proceeds to step S5. Then, it is determined whether or not the intended observation can be performed by illuminating with the narrow-range illumination LEDs 113n and 114n.

Here, the narrow-range illumination LEDs 113n, 1
If it is determined that the illumination by 14n is suitable for observation, the process proceeds to step S6 and the narrow-range illumination LED 113 is used.
Observation is performed in the n, 114n lighting state. On the other hand, when it is determined that the illumination by the narrow-range illumination LEDs 113n and 114n is not suitable for performing the intended observation, step S is performed.
7 and the LEs of both the wide-range illumination LEDs 113w and 114w and the narrow-range illumination LEDs 113n and 114n.
Light D to observe.

As described above, a wide-range illumination LED in which the orientation range is set wide so as to irradiate a substantially constant amount of illumination light evenly over a wide range on the distal end surface of the endoscope, and a light amount on the optical axis center side. A narrow-range illumination LED whose orientation range is set narrow so as to emit brighter illumination light is arranged, and the illumination state is such that only the wide-range illumination LED is lit, only the narrow-range illumination LED is lit, Lighting LED
By enabling the switching in three stages, i.e., the state where both the narrow-range illumination LED and the narrow-area illumination LED are lit, it is possible to perform the endoscope observation in the best illumination state desired by the operator.

As described above, the LE for wide-area illumination is used.
D113w, 114w and the LED for narrow-range illumination 11
Instead of providing 3n and 114n on the same plane as the distal end face 111, a wide-range illumination LED 115 is arranged on the distal end face 111 and a plurality of narrow-range illumination LEDs 116 are provided on the distal end outer peripheral side 117 as shown in FIG. Alternatively, it may be arranged on the bottom surface of the notch 118 that is lowered a predetermined distance from the tip surface. With this, LED for wide area illumination
When it is determined that the brightness of the peripheral portion of the image is insufficient with only the portion 115, the peripheral brightness is improved by turning on the narrow-range illumination LED 116, so that observation with uniform illumination can be performed.

Further, as shown in FIG.
While the ED 116 is disposed on the distal end surface 111, a plurality of LEDs for wide-area illumination 115 may be disposed on the distal end outer peripheral surface side portion 117 so as to illuminate a direction orthogonal to the insertion axis direction. Accordingly, when the viewing angle of the observation optical system provided in the endoscope is large, the plurality of wide-range illumination LEDs 115 arranged on the outer peripheral surface side 117 of the distal end portion are turned on to sufficiently increase the brightness of the peripheral portion. Observation can be performed in a bright state.

In the above-described embodiment, when the treatment in the abdominal cavity is performed under an endoscope, an insufflation gas such as carbon dioxide gas is supplied into the abdominal cavity in order to secure a field of view of the endoscope and a space area for treatment. However, in order to secure a space area in the abdominal cavity, an abdominal wall lifting device may be used instead of insufflation gas.

14 and 15 are views showing the abdominal wall lifting device. FIG. 14 is a side view of the abdominal wall lifting device, and FIG. 15 is a view of the abdominal wall lifting device of FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the abdominal wall lifting device 120 of this embodiment has a spiral abdominal wall lifting portion 121, and has a built-in opposing surface portion 122 facing the inside of the abdominal wall of the abdominal wall lifting portion 121. Multiple white light LE
D123 is provided.

As described above, a plurality of white illumination LEDs are provided on the built-in facing surface portion of the abdominal wall lifting portion constituting the abdominal wall lifting device.
By setting the white illumination LED to a lighting state when the abdominal wall is lifted, observation can be performed by illuminating the internal organs of the abdominal wall from multiple directions like a surgical light state in open surgery. As a result, oversight of the lesion is greatly reduced as compared with the case of the endoscopy performed by illumination from only one direction of the endoscope tip.

The construction of the abdominal wall lifting device is the same as that shown in FIG.
The abdominal wall lifting device 120 shown in FIGS. 4 and 15 is not limited to a plurality of thin plate members 1 rotatable with respect to the lifting shaft 131 as shown in FIGS.
The abdominal wall lifting device 130 provided with 32 may be used.
In this abdominal wall lifting device 130, at least one white illumination LED 123 is disposed on the built-in facing surface portion 133 of each of the thin plate members 132.

The present invention is not limited to only the above-described embodiments, but can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the invention.

[Appendix] According to the embodiment of the present invention described in detail above, the following configuration can be obtained.

(1) In an endoscope apparatus provided with a white illumination LED as illumination means of the endoscope, and the LED is controlled by a control device provided outside the endoscope, the white illumination L
An endoscope apparatus provided with endoscope cooling means for preventing the surface of the distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion and the internal components of the distal end portion from becoming hot due to heat generated from the ED.

(2) The endoscope apparatus according to appendix 1, wherein the endoscope cooling means is a fluid supply pipe disposed near the white illumination LED.

(3) The endoscope apparatus according to appendix 2, wherein the fluid supply conduit is an air supply conduit.

(4) The endoscope apparatus according to appendix 2, wherein the fluid supply conduit is a water supply conduit.

(5) The endoscope apparatus according to appendix 1, wherein the endoscope cooling means is a heat conductive member having a high heat conductivity disposed close to the white illumination LED.

(6) The endoscope apparatus according to appendix 5, wherein the heat transmitted through the heat conducting member is transmitted to a lens cover of an objective optical system provided at an end of the endoscope.

(7) The endoscope apparatus according to appendix 5, wherein the heat transmitted from the heat conducting member is conducted to an exterior member constituting an endoscope operation section.

(8) In the endoscope apparatus provided with an LED for white illumination as illumination means of the endoscope, and the LED is controlled by a control device provided outside the endoscope, a white light is inserted into the endoscope insertion portion. An endoscope device provided with a relay lens for transmitting illumination light emitted from an illumination LED to a distal end portion of the endoscope.

(9) The endoscope apparatus according to appendix 8, wherein the white illumination LED is arranged on a base end side of the relay lens located in an endoscope operation section.

(10) The white illumination LED can be exchanged at a predetermined position of the endoscope operation section, and illumination light emitted from the white illumination LED enters the base end portion of the relay lens and enters the endoscope. 9. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the endoscope apparatus transmits the distal end portion.

(11) In an endoscope provided with an illumination LED and an objective optical system at the end of the endoscope, the illumination LED
Are a narrow-range illumination LED for illuminating a narrow range and a wide-range illumination LED for illuminating a wide range, and at least one of the narrow-range illumination LED or the wide-range illumination LED is turned on to perform endoscopic observation. Endoscope device.

(12) The endoscope device according to appendix 11, wherein the narrow-range illumination LED and the wide-range illumination LED are arranged on the same plane.

(13) The endoscope apparatus according to appendix 11, wherein one of the narrow-range illumination LED and the wide-range illumination LED is arranged on the peripheral surface of the endoscope insertion portion side.

(14) An abdominal cavity lifting tool having a lifting portion inserted into the abdominal cavity through a through-hole formed in the abdominal wall and communicating with the abdominal cavity to lift the abdominal wall. An abdominal wall lifting device equipped with a.

[0075]

As described above, according to the present invention, while reducing the diameter of the endoscope, the endoscope which does not thermally damage the endoscope due to the heat generated from the LED for white illumination. An apparatus can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1 to 3 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a view showing a schematic configuration of an endoscope apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a distal end portion of an endoscope.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement of a front end surface of a white illumination LED;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention and a configuration of a distal end portion of the endoscope.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an application example of an endoscope.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another configuration of a distal end portion of an endoscope used in an endoscope apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the partition member.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another configuration of the endoscope used in the endoscope apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another configuration example of a relay lens for illumination.

10 and 11 show an endoscope according to the present embodiment, which is capable of changing an illumination range. FIG. 10 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of an endoscope distal end portion. Schematic diagram shown from

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation of switching the illumination range of the endoscope.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing another arrangement example of the lighting LED.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another arrangement example of the illumination LED.

14 and 15 are views showing an abdominal wall lifting device, and FIG. 14 is a side view of the abdominal wall lifting device.

15 is a view of the abdominal wall lifting device of FIG. 14 when viewed from the direction of arrow A.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the abdominal wall lifting device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2: Hard mirror 2a: Hard mirror tip surface 73: Air supply line 64: LED for white illumination light 74: Tip base 74a: Opening

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hirofumi Miyanaga 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kota Ishibiki 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Within Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Takashi Mihori, Inventor 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Yu, Konomura 2-43-2, Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo No. Within Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Kenji Harano, Inventor 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Katsuyoshi Sasakawa 2-43-2, Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo No. Olympus Optical Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yoshinao Daiaki 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Inside the Optical Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Kenji Yoshino, Inventor Kenji Yoshino 2-43-2, Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Company, Ltd. Optical Industry Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An LE for white illumination as illumination means for an endoscope.
D, wherein the control of the LED is performed by a control device provided outside the endoscope, wherein the heat generated from the white illumination LED causes the end surface of the endoscope insertion portion or the end portion to be built-in. An endoscope apparatus comprising an endoscope cooling means for preventing an object from becoming hot.