JPS59151119A - Endoscope for measuring length - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable measurement of the distance up to an object or the size of the object with a simple construction by disposing an index member in the rear end part of a light guide, projecting the image of the index. CONSTITUTION:A universal code 6 is mounted to a light source device 5, and when an index member 12 attached to the rear end face of a light guide 11 is irradiated by an illuminating lamp 13, the light projects the image of the index 12A on an object A-A or B-B via a lens 14. The image of the index is formed via an objective lens 17 and an image guide 16 on a scale member 19 in the visual field for observation by an eyepiece lens 18. The distance from the object A-A or B-B is measured by the position of said image.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention 1] The present invention relates to a length-measuring endoscope that is capable of measuring the size of up to 9 pairs of tuna or observation parts with a simple structure.

[Technical background of the invention and its problems] In recent years, endoscopes have been widely used in the medical and industrial fields.

Using the above-mentioned endoscope, the size of a lesion is measured, for example, in order to diagnose a lesion that has occurred on the inner wall of the stomach, or to investigate how the lesion changes over time. It is often necessary to know the distance to the lesion.

In conventional endoscopes or length-measuring endoscopes, when the size can be determined from the distance or field of view to an object to be examined (target object) such as a lesion, when the focus of the endoscope's observation optical system is adjusted. In this case, due to the characteristics of the optical system in the endoscope, a lens with a large depth of field is used, and the object to be examined has little change in color or pattern, so accurate detection is possible. It is difficult to perform focus adjustment and it is difficult to obtain the required measurement accuracy.

In addition, in the conventional example disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 51-45911, a light projection device disposed on the distal end side of the insertion section is used to project light onto the object side so that it intersects with the optical axis of the objective lens system at a large angle. By projecting light onto the spora] and placing a scale near the focal plane of the eyepiece along the direction in which the position of the spora 1 changes depending on the distance of the object, the field of view can be adjusted. It is configured so that distances and the like can be measured from the scale corresponding to the position of the spot within. In this conventional example, since the parallel spot light is used so that the size of the spora 1 does not change depending on the distance, the spot becomes difficult to observe before long distance viewing, and when the object is illuminated by the illumination optical system. (At the end, it becomes difficult to identify the location of the spot.

In addition, in the conventional example disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 53-80284, an optical system for projecting an index light is provided in addition to the normal observation optical system and illumination optical system, resulting in a complicated structure. This method has disadvantages in that the manufacturing cost is high, and the outer diameter of the insertion portion is increased, or the distal end of the insertion portion that cannot be bent is lengthened, which increases the pain caused to the patient during insertion.

Furthermore, since the projected index light flux is a spot light,
As described above, in the state of illumination with illumination light, it has a drawback that it is almost impossible to distinguish the index.

[Purpose of Purpose J] The present invention was made in view of the above points, and the purpose is to provide a length measuring device that can measure the distance to an object or the size of the object with a simple structure. purpose.

[Summary of the Invention 1 The present invention (c. Tip of the light guide forming the illumination optical system)
At the same time, a projection lens is disposed on the back of the light guide, and a keyaki member is disposed on the entry side end surface of the seat j1 (21 and 21) behind the light guide to target the index. One illumination light is projected on the object side, and a shadowed finger (7
The scale is arranged so that the image of the image appears at a different position in the observation field depending on the distance.
It is [2] so that it can be determined.

[Embodiment of the invention j Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically explained with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 4 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention.
The figure shows the appearance of the first embodiment, FIG. 2 shows an outline of the main parts of the optical system of the first embodiment, FIG. 3 shows the optical system for projecting the index and the shape of the index, and the fourth The figure shows the eyepiece field of view observed from behind the eyepiece.

As shown in FIG. 1, (χ, 1 object 211
The mirror 1 has an elongated and flexible insertion section 2, and an operation section 3 connected to the rear end of the insertion section 2 and having a diameter of t=human diameter. , the eyepiece part 4 formed on the rear side of the 12 working part 3, and a connector extending outside from the side part of the operating part 3 and attachable to the light source device 5; flexible universal It consists of a cord <lie 1-guide cable flow.

As shown in FIG. 2, the insertion section 2 has a rigid distal end component section 8 housing an observation optical system, etc., and a curved section 9 that are successively connected from the distal end side. Turn the curved operation knob 10 formed in flJ'? The bending portion 8 can be bent left and right or -1-downward by bending.

[Note] 1 Nibar reel - Inside the drawer is a light beam formed by a flexible fiber handle that serves as an illumination light transmission means and faithfully transmits the image formed on one end surface to the curved end side. is inserted. This J-Nihasaru]-
For example, on the rear end surface attached to the light source device 5 which is inserted into the line 1 to the line 1 to 11 inserted through the inside of indicator 12
Cross the index plate 12 marked with A ^1) and use the illumination light from the illumination lamp 13 - C finger (by illuminating the end face of the rear end of the kite 11,
The image of the index 12A is transmitted together with the illumination light to the distal end surface of the light kite 11 inserted through the insertion section 2.

2. The distal end surface of the light guide 1-11 inserted into the insertion section 2 is fixed to the inner surface of the through hole formed in the distal end forming section 8 with a base member, and the image guide 11 is inserted into the through hole in front of the front end surface. A projection lens 14 is disposed at a focal length f apart from the front end surface, and together with the illumination light irradiated to the rear end surface by the light guide 11, the transmitted index 12A
The rear is projected onto the front object side. In this case, the angle at which the light is projected by the lens 14, that is, the optical axis of the lens 14 and α as shown in FIG. The front part within the angle is illuminated, and the image of the index 12A is projected inside it in a conical shape with an angle of β.

On the other hand, an image guide 16 for image transmission formed of a flexible fiber bundle is inserted into the insertion section 2.
The distal end side of the image guide 16 is fixed to the inner wall of the through hole formed in the distal end forming portion 8 and arranged in parallel with the through hole with a base member. An objective lens 17 for image formation is arranged in front of the image kite 16, and the object in front of the image formation rotation angle (objective field of view) is at an angle θ with the optical axis of the image guide 1G. An image is formed on the distal end surface, transmitted to the rear end surface on the proximal side by the image guide 16, and enlarged from behind the eyepiece lens 18 in the eyepiece section 4 disposed behind the rear end surface.I! An observation optical system is formed that allows observation.

In this first embodiment, on the rear end surface of the image guide 16 on the proximal side, as shown in FIG. This scale 19A is provided in the eyepiece visual field as seen from the eyepiece section 4, connecting the optical axis of the object 1 nonce 17 and the optical axis of the projection lens 14 in a straight line direction.

That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the objects are marked A-Δ, B-
J shown as B: Sea urchin (shown in perspective for easy understanding),
At the distance Plf[l+ and L2 from the tip surface (front end surface) of the tip component 8, the size of the index 12A projected in a ring shape and the circular shape of the objective object imaged by the objective l lamp 17 are determined. The imaging range is also different.

In this case, the position of the projected mark 12A that falls within the objective field (or the same in the ocular field) of the objective lens 17 is:
On the straight line connecting the optical axis of the lens 14 and the optical axis of the objective L/lamp 7, when observing at the part where a part of the circle of the circular index 12A intersects (crosses) the straight line, as the distance increases, Gradually approaches the optical axis of the objective lens 17 (or approaches the center of the field of view), and then moves away from the optical axis (or in the opposite direction to the direction of approaching the optical axis) (or moves away from the center of the field of view)
Therefore, the distance is determined by the scale 19△ at the crossing position, which is displayed in the direction of movement. For example, in FIG. 4, the straight line pointing downward at -V connects the optical axis of the objective lens 17 and the optical axis of the lens 14, and the straight line 5 coincides (or may be parallel) with the two straight lines d'-3. There is a scale 19A indicating the distance that gradually increases from the bottom to the top after reaching 100.

Furthermore, with respect to the angle θ of the objective field of view, the finger If, 12 A
The angle β at which is projected is approximately equal or slightly different. By setting o2, the distance P! The index 12A moves (largely) along with +, making it possible to read the distance PIl with high accuracy.

The indicator member 12 can be attached to and removed from the end face of the light kite and replaced with an indicator 12A having a different radius.

For example, in Figure 3, if an index with a radius of 11 is used, the projection is at an angle β, but if an index with a radius h+ (tll<h) is used, as shown by the two-dot chain line in Figure 3(b), the angle γ
(γ<β), and the image of this index changes its position within the observation field at a long distance, making it suitable for long distance measurement.

By selecting the indicator member 12 in this way, it is possible to use one suitable for near or far vision. In this case, when the indicator member 12 is replaced, by multiplying the number of the indicator member 12 or a certain magnification, the same scale '19A can be used, and the magnification etc. can be displayed in the same poem. It is now possible to tell which finger (vote) was used to measure the distance.

(Of course, the scale member 19 may be replaced.

) The operation of the first practical seat example configured in this manner will be described below.

Within the length measurement of the first example? Attach the J'211 universal cord 6 to the light source device 5, and turn on the light! The power switch of the device 5 is turned on and the end face of the light guide 11 is irradiated with light from the illumination lamp 13. This irradiated light is transmitted to the light guide 1
The index member 1 is illuminated within the range of the illumination angle α by the lens 14 from the tip surface of the index member 1 and transmitted together with the illumination light.
The index 12A having a radius 1) of 2 projects an image of the circular index 12A onto the object side by the lens 14 at an angle β.

On the other hand, since the objective viewing angle of the objective lens 17 is θ, the position at which the image of the projected circular index 12A appears in the field of view along with the illumination by the illumination optical system is located at the target as shown in FIG. It depends on the distance of the object. For example, in FIG. 2, if there is an object at distance L1, then the index 12
The image of A is located near the center of the field of view, and a part of the circle of this image intersects with the scale 19A near the center of the scale member 19 as shown in FIG. The distance can be determined by reading the position of the scale 19A.If the object is further away, the position where the projected index 12A intersects moves to the upper side in FIG. By reading the position of the object, the distance to the object can be determined.

In this way, according to the first embodiment, along with the illumination light, the index 1
Since 2A is projected, distance information can always be obtained within the observation screen, making it possible to perform operations appropriately without making mistakes in perspective sense, and making it easier to estimate the size of the object. .

For example, the distance I to the object is determined by the scale 19A!
! If llL is known, either the index 12A with radius 1) or the radius r (well, r =
l+(L-f)/f, and if the distance is sufficiently larger than the focal length [that is, L)f), then r=111/
By f, the size of the affected area within the field of view can also be determined from the size of this radius r, and by comparison, it can be known more accurately. In this case, the projected image is circular, so even if a part of it is difficult to see, it can be determined by extrapolating from other parts, so the distance p
H and size can always be easily known, which is very useful for diagnosis and observation. Further, since the index member 12 can be easily replaced, it is possible to use an index member 12 suitable for distance measurement, and distance measurement can be performed with high accuracy.

FIG. 5 shows a second model using a scale 19B that displays the magnification of the field of view that changes depending on the distance of the object on the scale member 19.
2 shows an ocular visual field image in an example.

The rest is the same as the first embodiment. In this case,
The image of the anti-drop object in my field of vision is finger 1! ? ! Scale 19 where the circle of the projected image 12A intersects the straight line marked with scale 19B
Since it has been expanded (or reduced in some cases) by the value of B, the actual length is divided by that value. In FIG. 5, the fingers +ff112A and 12A appearing at the lower and upper sides of the visual field are projected onto a nearby object and a distant object, respectively. In this case as well, by comparing and comparing how much of the image power of the projected index 12Δ is observed within the gastrointestinal field, it can be used as a clue to know the size of the observed area such as the affected area within the visual field.

FIG. 6 shows an eyepiece visual field image in the third embodiment Jc, that is,
In this embodiment, a scale 19C drawn d51 on the scale member 19 indicates the length of a certain length (for example, 2 mm) within the field of view. For example, in FIG. 6, within the field of view, the projected index 12
When the image of A (indicated by 12A+) intersects at the upper side of the figure, the length of the symbol C corresponds to a constant length of 2 [mm] for the object within the field of view. It represents.

Similarly, the projected image of the index 12A (shown by 12Δ1'C)
In the case of a short distance that intersects at the bottom of the figure, the object in the field of view observed at that distance is d3, and the length of the symbol d is equivalent to 2 [mm] in the field of view1-. become. That is, from the top point of the field of view, the projected index II 2
The length up to the point where A (or 12A) intersects is till! within the field of view! In the object being sensed, 2 [
mi]. Therefore, by comparing the length or size of the object or breath part whose length or size you want to measure with the above length, you can find out the length or size of the object. ] is very useful for diagnosis, etc., because a certain length of the image is shadowed along with objects within the field of view.

Figure 7 shows the ocular field image shown in the fourth embodiment.

In this embodiment, the finger tX attached to the indicator part 1o12
12 B is not circular but linear by 1".

In this case, finger +M 12 B becomes easier to see. This pond is similar to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows an indicator member 1 provided with an indicator 12B shown in FIG.
2 is made into a movable 111 structure 'f, 5th embodiment (koo(
-4° In this fifth example, the distance between the optical axis of the objective lens 17 and the optical axis of the projection lens 14 <m is S. Zuru. ) The indicator member 12 can be slid in a straight line direction connecting the lens 14 and the indicator member 12 is slidable in a straight line direction. It is provided on a fixed frame or the like (not shown) in contact with the sliding index 12B, and the index 12 is placed at both ends of the target area of the affected area to be measured by moving the index member 12.
The size of the target area can be measured by matching B and reading each of the scales.

That is, by moving the indicator member 12 and changing the projection angle of the indicator 12B, the images of the indicator 12B in the shape of a horizontal line (horizontal line) projected at the center of the observation field of view coincided with each other, as shown in the eyepiece field image in FIG. If the position (distance from the optical axis) of the index 12B in this state is Hl, and the projection angle in this case is β1, then
As shown in FIG. 8, S/'L=tanβ1. On the other hand, since the lens 14 is located at a distance of its focal length f from the tip surface of the light guide 11, HI - f
5lllβ1. If we eliminate the angle β1 from both of these equations, we get L-=S, rr"-=-i+了-'-/'H
1, target 11! The distance 11'1tl- of Ima-C is determined by measuring the index positions FR, H+.

Next, the indicator member 12 was moved so that the projected image of the indicator 12B coincided with the lower end of the target area and -F pane.
In this case, the respective positions and projection angles of the index 12B are set as H2, H3 and β2. Assuming β3, the vertical size D of the target region is D=L<tFinβ2−t:anβ
3). H2-fsinβ2, H
3-f Using sin β3, angle β2. Eliminating β3, D=S (H2/ JT]x”'-L1' -
H3/t-H1]”-■1-1),
1 (The size D is determined by measuring each position H2 and H3 of the slip 12B. (In Fig. 8, the index member 12 is slid downward by -1. However, for convenience, the index member 12 is shown shifted in the left-right direction.) Since the index member 12 can be provided outside the body of the length-measuring endoscope 1, the structure of the body of the length-measuring endoscope 1 is simple. be.

In the fifth embodiment, the lighting lamp 1 is shaped so that it moves parallel to the rear end surface of the light guide 11.
An index 12B is projected onto the rear end surface by disposing a lens that condenses and irradiates light immediately in front of the lens 3, and moving the index member 12 between the lens and the rear end surface in the optical axis direction of the lens. By varying the distance from the optical axis of the light nod 11, the angle projected by the lens 14 from the tip surface of the light nod 11 can be varied, and the distance and size can be measured.

In each of the embodiments described above, for example, the indicator member 12 is formed using a filter that passes only light of a specific wavelength,
(An additional filter plate may be provided.) The illumination may be performed using monochromatic light (or monochromatic light that has passed through a filter), and the projected images of the indicators 12A, 12B, etc. may be indicated by black lines (dark lines). good.

? Furthermore, the shapes of the indicators 12A and the like are not limited to those described above.

In addition, when the illumination light is white light or the like, the indicator 12A is used.

By configuring 12B with a filter that passes only light of a certain wavelength, the projected images of fingers 1112A and 12B can be displayed in blue, red, green, etc.

In this case, it is also possible to select a color that is easier to see depending on the color scheme of the object being observed.

Furthermore, the scale member 19 disposed in the eyepiece 4 is made detachable and replaceable, so that, for example, the one in the first embodiment and the one in the second embodiment can be replaced as necessary. It can also be used as

The scale member 19 is not limited to being disposed on the eyepiece 4 side, but may be disposed at an appropriate position in the observation optical system near the position where the image is formed by the objective lens 17 or behind it. I can do it.

Further, a liquid crystal plate or the like may be used for at least one of the indicator member 12 or the scale member 19 described above. for example,
When used as the indicator member 12, the indicators 12A, 128, etc. can be displayed in the part that does not pass through the liquid crystal plate, or the indicators 12A, 12B can be displayed by operating the switch that turns on and off the voltage application.
You can choose not to display it when it becomes a nuisance. Also, when used as the scale member 19, the scale 19A etc. can be displayed as necessary, or can be selected not to be displayed when unnecessary. Furthermore, displaying a distance scale of 1.9A, etc.
It is also possible to switch between displaying the scale 198 and the like for determining the size of an object, and it is also possible to control the display in conjunction with the index side.

In the above, the lie 1-guide 11 is formed of a fiber bundle used for an image guide that enables image transmission, but is not limited to this.
PA ON so that it is projected in an appropriate shape from the tip surface.
By adjusting the shape of the surface index 12A, a normal light guide for transmitting illumination light can also be used.

Note that the present invention is applicable not only to a flexible endoscope that uses the image guide 16 as an image transmission means, but also to a rigid endoscope that uses a relay optical system. Also, objective lens 1
COD (charge-coupled device), BBD at imaging position 7
An internal view of a structure in which a solid-state m-sensing element using a bucket relay device or the like is installed, and the image formed on the imaging violet surface is transmitted via a signal cable and displayed on a display device such as a cathode ray tube. It can also be applied to mirrors. In this case, one scale member may be provided in front of the solid-state image sensor, or the scale may be provided on the surface of the display device without using a scale member. Furthermore, by providing a means for illuminating this scale with a light emitting diode, a lamp, etc., selection can be made for easier identification.

Furthermore, the present invention can be applied not only to direct-viewing type flexible endoscopes, but also to rigid endoscopes using a relay optical system as an image transmission means, as well as oblique-viewing and side-viewing flexible endoscopes. be.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, in addition to illumination, indicators are displayed and a scale is provided that allows at least the distance or size of the object to be known, so it is easy to reach the object. You can know the distance or the size of an object. Therefore, since distances, sizes, etc. can be grasped, operations can be performed quickly and accurately.

In addition, the structure is simple and can be realized at low cost,
Since this can be done without substantially covering the shape of the distal end of the insertion portion, the insertion causes less pain to the patient.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIGS. 1 to 4 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention.
The figure is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of the length measuring endoscope of the first embodiment,
Figure 2 shows the optical system of the first embodiment.
The figure shows a part of the distal end side of the illumination optical system as an enlarged L. FIG. Figure (a) shows the shape of the index when viewed from C-Ca.
The figure shows the eyepiece visual field image from the eyepiece.'74 Explanatory diagram, No.5
The figure shows a second embodiment of the present invention f? Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the ocular field image in the third embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the ocular field image in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the main parts of the fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the ocular visual field image in the fifth embodiment. 1... Length measuring endoscope 2... Insertion section 4...
Eyepiece 5...Light source device 6...To universal call 8...Tip component 11...Light guy i~ 12...Indicator member 1
2A, 12B... Indicator 13... Illumination lamp 14
...(projection) lens 16...image guide 17...objective lens 1
8... Eyepiece lens 19... Scale member 19
A, 19B, 19C...Scale PaX Agent Patent Attorney Ifi Shou (,1)
Internal Internal 99-

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) An endoscope having an illumination optical system that illuminates an object, and an observation optical system that images the illuminated object using an objective lens; J3, a projection lens is disposed on the front end side of the light guide 1~ of the illumination optical system, and a projection lens (7 members with a wa) is disposed on the rear end side of the light guide 1~. , depending on the angle of the moon, the device changes within the field of view of the visual optics, and the distance to the target 1 or 9 points relative to the position of the finger (upwards of the left) changes. It is characterized in that a scale indicating the size of the objective L nonce T: is formed at an appropriate position of the observation optical system at the rear of the objective L nonce T: 14 or 1η. Length-measuring endoscope. (2) The finger (1 refers to the fact that it is internal or linear). 3) Within the length measurement set forth in claim 1, characterized in that it is projected in one of black, red, green, and blue. Ji! Tsuba. (4) The length measuring endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the illumination optical system is colored by a filter and projects the index as a black line. (5) The indicator member is drawn using a liquid crystal panel whose display of the indicator is selectively controlled by controlling the application of voltage. (6) The scale can be formed on a liquid crystal panel whose display is selectively controlled by controlling the application of voltage. Length Measuring Endoscope. (7) A length measuring endoscope, characterized in that the index member is movably covered (and secondly, the size of the target region can be measured).