JPWO2016194634A1 - Endoscope, endoscope system - Google Patents

Abstract

The side observation lens 12a is provided on the insertion portion, the columnar outer peripheral side surface 6g of the insertion portion, acquires a subject image from a predetermined region in the subject, and the side observation lens 12a is provided on the outer peripheral side surface 6g. The side illumination lenses 42a and 42b that illuminate a predetermined region in the provided region and the region R that is deviated from the region on the straight line V on the outer peripheral side surface 6g and fluid R with respect to the side observation lens 12a. And a nozzle 52 for supplying.

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope and an endoscope system that are provided on an outer peripheral side surface of an insertion portion that is inserted into a subject and that includes a subject image acquisition unit that acquires a subject image from a predetermined region in the subject. .

In recent years, endoscopes are widely used in the medical field and the industrial field. The endoscope can observe the inside of the subject by inserting an elongated insertion portion into the subject.

The endoscope is a known direct view in which an observation lens and an illumination lens are provided on the distal end surface of the distal end portion provided on the distal end side in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion (hereinafter simply referred to as the distal end side). Known type endoscopes and known side-view type endoscopes in which an observation lens and an illumination lens are provided on a part of an outer peripheral side surface of a distal end portion of an insertion portion are well known.

In Japanese National Table 2013-544617, the radial direction of the distal end of the insertion portion of the endoscope, that is, the field of view of the side area, and the front in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion of the endoscope (hereinafter simply referred to as “front”). An endoscope system is disclosed that expands the observation range in the subject by simultaneously observing the visual field of the area of the subject in the display unit.

In the endoscope system disclosed in Japan Special Table 2013-544617, a lateral observation lens for observing a lateral region on the outer peripheral side surface of the distal end portion of the insertion portion of the endoscope; A side illumination lens that supplies illumination light to the side region and a nozzle that supplies fluid to the side observation lens are provided. Furthermore, a front observation lens for observing the front region, a front illumination lens for supplying illumination light to the front region, and a fluid for the front observation lens are provided on the distal end surface of the insertion portion of the endoscope. Nozzles are provided.

  Here, for example, in a medical endoscope, when the insertion portion is inserted into the body cavity, the outer peripheral side surface of the distal end portion easily comes into contact with the body cavity wall. Is easy to get dirty.

Therefore, in order to obtain a good lateral field of view, that is, to remove dirt adhering to the side observation lens, fluid is frequently supplied to the side observation lens from the nozzle provided on the outer peripheral side surface. It tends to be.

It is well known that the nozzle is supplied with a liquid for removing dirt adhered to the side observation lens and then supplied with a gas for removing the liquid from the side observation lens.

However, in the configuration of the endoscope system disclosed in Japanese National Table 2013-544617, the illumination light is uniformly and uniformly supplied to a predetermined region on the outer peripheral side surface of the distal end portion. The side illumination lens is provided so as to sandwich the side observation lens. Further, the pair of side illumination lenses, the side observation lens, and the nozzle are provided in a straight line so that the fluid supplied from the nozzle is also supplied to the pair of side illumination lenses.

Therefore, since the fluid supplied from the nozzle is also supplied to the pair of side illumination lenses as described above, there is an advantage that dirt on each side illumination lens can be removed.

However, after supplying the fluid, if water droplets of the liquid remain in the pair of side illumination lenses without being removed, the water droplets are supplied when the illumination light is supplied from the pair of side illumination lenses to a predetermined side region. Halation due to the occurrence of the. As a result, there is a problem that it becomes difficult to observe a predetermined side region using the side observation lens.

The above halation problem is particularly likely to occur due to the liquid remaining in the side illumination lens located on the distal side of the nozzle among the pair of side illumination lenses. This is because water droplets are likely to remain on the side illumination lens located on the distal side of the nozzle because the gas for removing the liquid is difficult to reach.

The above-mentioned halation problem is not limited to the case where the illumination unit is configured from a lens, but is the same when the illumination unit is configured from a light emitting element such as an LED. Further, the same applies to the case where the illumination unit is composed of not only a pair but also one.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and when supplying fluid from a nozzle to a subject image acquisition unit provided on the outer peripheral side surface of the distal end portion of the insertion unit, the illumination unit provided on the outer peripheral side surface An endoscope and an endoscope system having a configuration capable of ensuring a good lateral field of view due to the fact that liquid does not easily remain.

  An endoscope according to an aspect of the present invention is provided with an insertion portion to be inserted into a subject, and a columnar outer peripheral side surface of the insertion portion, and a subject that acquires a subject image from a predetermined region in the subject An image acquisition unit, an illumination unit that illuminates the predetermined region, and an illumination unit on the outer peripheral side surface of the insertion unit, provided in an area where the subject image acquisition unit is provided on the outer peripheral side surface of the insertion unit; And a nozzle that is provided in a region shifted from a straight line region in which the subject image acquisition unit is provided, and that supplies a fluid to the subject image acquisition unit.

An endoscope system according to an aspect of the present invention includes the endoscope, an image signal generation unit that generates an image signal based on the subject image, and the image signal generated by the image signal generation unit And at least one display unit displayed as a subject image.

The perspective view which shows roughly an example of the endoscope system comprised from the endoscope which shows 1st Embodiment, and a peripheral device. The partial perspective view which expands and shows the front-end | tip part of FIG. The figure which shows schematically the structure which displays the to-be-photographed image and other to-be-photographed image acquired by the image acquisition part and other image acquisition part provided in the front-end | tip part of FIG. 2 on a monitor. The figure which shows schematically the structure of the pipe line connected to each nozzle which supplies the fluid to the objective optical system of the image acquisition part provided in the front-end | tip part of FIG. 2, and the objective optical system of another image acquisition part. The figure which shows the arrangement | positioning angle of the nozzle provided in the outer peripheral side surface of the front-end | tip part of FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a modification in which a subject image and another subject image are displayed adjacent to each other in one screen of the display unit in FIG. 3. The figure which shows schematically the modification in which the monitor of FIG. 3 was comprised from two or more. Sectional view of the nozzle along the line VIII-VIII in FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the definition of the extension line of the nozzle opening different from FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the definition of the extension line of a nozzle opening different from FIG. 8, FIG. The fragmentary perspective view of the front-end | tip part which shows the arrangement position of the nozzle different from FIG. The fragmentary perspective view of the front-end | tip part which shows the arrangement position of the nozzle different from FIG. The partial perspective view of the front-end | tip part which shows the arrangement position of the nozzle different from FIG.2, FIG.11, FIG.12. The partial perspective view of the front-end | tip part which shows the arrangement position of the nozzle different from FIG. 2, FIG. The partial perspective view of the front-end | tip part which shows the arrangement position of the nozzle different from FIG. 2, FIG. The fragmentary sectional view which shows schematically the lens for a side observation, the lens for a side illumination, and the nozzle which were provided in the outer peripheral side surface of the columnar front-end | tip part in the endoscope of 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows the modification which provided the wall part around the protrusion part of FIG. FIG. 16 is a partial sectional view schematically showing a modification in which the side illumination lens of FIG. 16 is positioned lower in the radial direction than the side observation lens. The perspective view which shows roughly the modification by which the image acquisition unit was mounted | worn with the insertion part of the endoscope FIG. 19 is a perspective view schematically showing a modification in which the image acquisition unit is removed from the insertion portion in FIG. 19. FIG. 19 is a perspective view schematically showing a modified example different from FIG. 19 in which an image acquisition unit is attached to the insertion portion of the endoscope. The partial perspective view of the front-end | tip part which shows the arrangement position of the nozzle different from FIG. 2 and FIGS. The partial perspective view of the front-end | tip part which shows the arrangement position of the nozzle different from FIG. 2 and FIGS. The partial perspective view of the front-end | tip part which shows the arrangement position of the nozzle different from FIG. 2 and FIGS. The partial perspective view of the front-end | tip part which shows the arrangement position of the nozzle different from FIG. 2, FIG.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The drawings are schematic, and it should be noted that the relationship between the thickness and width of each member, the ratio of the thickness of each member, and the like are different from the actual ones. Of course, the part from which the relationship and ratio of a mutual dimension differ is contained.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of an endoscope system including an endoscope and peripheral devices showing the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope system 1 includes an endoscope 2 and a peripheral device 100.

The endoscope 2 includes an insertion portion 4 to be inserted into a subject, an operation portion 3 connected to a proximal end in the longitudinal direction N of the insertion portion 4 (hereinafter simply referred to as a proximal end), and the operation The main part is configured by including a universal cord 5 extending from the portion 3 and a connector 32 provided at an extended end of the universal cord 5.

The peripheral device 100 includes a keyboard 31, a light source device 33, a video processor 34 that is an image signal generation unit, and a connection cable 35 that electrically connects the connector 32 and the video processor 34. And a monitor 36 which is a display unit.

Further, the endoscope 2 and the peripheral device 100 having such a configuration are connected to each other by, for example, a connector 32 connected to the light source device 33 of the peripheral device 100.

A bending operation knob 9 is provided on the operation unit 3 of the endoscope 2. The insertion portion 4 of the endoscope 2 includes a columnar distal end portion 6 that is located on the distal end side of the insertion portion 4, a bending portion 7 that is connected to the proximal end of the distal end portion 6, and a base of the bending portion 7. It is comprised by the flexible tube part 8 provided in a line by the end.

The bending portion 7 is operated to bend in four directions, for example, up, down, left, and right by a bending operation knob 9 provided in the operation unit 3.

  Next, the structure of the front-end | tip part 6 is demonstrated using FIGS. 2 is an enlarged partial perspective view showing the tip of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a subject image and other subject acquired by the image acquisition unit and other image acquisition units provided at the tip of FIG. It is a figure which shows schematically the structure which displays an image on a monitor.

  FIG. 4 schematically shows the configuration of a pipe line communicating with each nozzle that supplies fluid to the objective optical system of the image acquisition unit and the objective optical system of another image acquisition unit provided at the tip of FIG. FIG. 5 and FIG. 5 are diagrams showing the arrangement angle of the nozzles provided on the outer peripheral side surface of the tip portion of FIG.

  Further, FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a modified example in which a subject image and another subject image are displayed adjacent to each other in one screen of the display unit of FIG. 3, and FIG. It is a figure which shows roughly the modification comprised from multiple.

  8 is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle along the line VIII-VIII in FIG. 2, FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the definition of the extension line of the nozzle opening different from FIG. 8, and FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the definition of the extended line of the nozzle opening part different from FIG.

First, the front end portion 6 is a component having a columnar portion extending in the longitudinal direction N (long axis direction) of the insertion portion 4 in which various members to be described later are arranged.

Here, the columnar shape includes various shapes such as a shape obtained by extending a shape such as a letter D obtained by cutting a part of a cylinder or a circle in the longitudinal direction, a polygonal column, a shape obtained by removing the tip of a cone, and the like. Is included.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the outer peripheral side surface 6 g located in the radial direction K that intersects the longitudinal direction N of the distal end portion 6 of the insertion portion 4 includes the radial direction K of the insertion portion 4 and the inside of the subject. A first subject image acquisition unit 12 that is a predetermined subject image acquisition unit that acquires a first subject image that is a predetermined subject image located in the first region from a first region that is a predetermined region of , 13 which are objective optical systems, are provided at substantially equal angles, for example, 180 ° intervals, along the circumferential direction Q of the insertion portion.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the first subject image acquired by the first subject image acquisition unit 12 is positioned at the image formation position of the first subject image acquisition unit 12 in the distal end portion 6. A first image pickup unit 80b, which is an image pickup unit such as a CCD or a CMOS, is arranged so as to be imaged and photoelectrically converted. Furthermore, the first subject image acquired by the first subject image acquisition unit 13 is arranged at the imaging position of the first subject image acquisition unit 13 so as to be imaged and photoelectrically converted on the light receiving surface 80cj. A first imaging unit 80c, which is an imaging unit such as a CCD or a CMOS, is provided.

Note that the number of side observation lenses (first subject image acquisition unit) is not limited to two, and three or more may be provided on the outer peripheral side surface 6g at substantially equal angles in the circumferential direction Q.

Furthermore, only one of the first subject image acquisition units 12 and 13 may be provided on the outer peripheral side surface 6g of the distal end portion 6. In this case, only one of the side observation lenses 12a and 13a and the imaging unit 80b or 80c corresponding to the first subject image acquisition unit is provided.

That is, the number of first subject image acquisition units is not limited to two.

It should be noted that a second region observed by a second subject image acquisition unit 11 described later and a first region observed by the first subject image acquisition units 12 and 13 may not partially overlap each other. Also good.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the distal end surface 6 s of the distal end portion 6 of the insertion portion 4 includes another region at least partially different from the first region including the front side of the distal end surface 6 s. In the objective optical system of the second subject image acquisition unit 11 that is another subject image acquisition unit that acquires a second subject image that is another subject image located in the second region from a certain second region. A certain front observation lens 11a is exposed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the imaging position of the second subject image acquisition unit 11 is different from that of the first imaging units 80 b and 80 c in the distal end portion 6, and the second subject image acquisition unit 11. A second image pickup unit 80a, which is another image pickup unit such as a CCD or a CMOS, is provided so that the second subject image obtained by the above is formed on the light receiving surface 80aj and subjected to photoelectric conversion.
That is, for example, the first region observed by the first subject image acquisition unit and the second region observed by the second subject image acquisition unit are regions having different optical axes.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the region where the side observation lens 12 a is provided on the outer peripheral side surface 6 g of the tip portion 6, illumination light is supplied to the side of the outer peripheral side surface 6 g which is the first region. One illumination part 62a is provided.

The first illumination unit 62a includes a side illumination lens 42a exposed on the outer peripheral side surface 6g of the tip 6 and a light emitting element 22a whose surface is covered with the side illumination lens 42a.

Further, as the first illumination unit, a first illumination unit 62b including a side illumination lens 42b exposed on the outer peripheral side surface 6g and a light emitting element 22b covered with the side illumination lens 42b on the surface is provided. Furthermore, you may have.

That is, as shown in FIG. 2, on the outer peripheral side surface 6g, for example, the optical axis 12ac of the side observation lens 12a and the optical axes 42ac and 42bc of the side illumination lenses 42a and 42b are along the longitudinal direction N. By arranging on the straight line V, the first observation parts 62a and 62b (side illumination lenses 42a and 42b) sandwich the lateral observation lens 12a on the straight line V along the longitudinal direction N. A pair of illumination units may be provided.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, illumination light is supplied to the side of the outer peripheral side surface 6g, which is the first region, in the region where the side observation lens 13a is provided on the outer peripheral side surface 6g of the distal end portion 6. A first illumination unit 63a is provided.

The first illumination unit 63a includes a side illumination lens 43a exposed on the outer peripheral side surface 6g of the tip 6 and a light emitting element 23a having a surface covered with the side illumination lens 43a.

Further, as the first illumination unit, a first illumination unit 63b having a side illumination lens 43b exposed on the outer peripheral side surface 6g and a light emitting element 23b covered with the side illumination lens 43b on the surface is provided. Furthermore, you may have.

Note that the number of first illumination units that sandwich the side observation lens 12a is not limited to two, and the number of first illumination units that sandwich the side observation lens 13a is not limited to two.

In addition, illumination light may be supplied from the light source device 33 to the side illumination lenses 42a and 42b and to the side illumination lenses 43a and 43b via a light guide (not shown).

Although not shown, on the outer peripheral side surface 6g, for example, the optical axis of the side observation lens 13a and the optical axes of the side illumination lenses 43a and 43b are aligned on the straight line V along the longitudinal direction N. A pair of first illumination units are provided so that the side observation lens 13a is sandwiched between the first illumination units 63a and 63b (side illumination lenses 43a and 43b) on a straight line V along the longitudinal direction N. Also good.

  As shown in FIG. 2, another illumination unit that supplies illumination light forward of the second region, that is, the front end surface 6 s to the region where the front observation lens 11 a is provided on the front end surface 6 s of the front end unit 6. The 2nd illumination part 61a which is is provided.

  The second illumination unit 61a includes a front illumination lens 41a exposed on the distal end surface 6s of the distal end portion 6, and a light emitting element 21a whose surface is covered with the front illumination lens 41a.

  Further, as the second illumination unit, there is further provided a second illumination unit 61b including a front illumination lens 41b exposed on the front end surface 6s and a light emitting element 21b covered on the surface with the front illumination lens 41b. You may do it.

  Note that the number of second illumination units is not limited to two. Further, illumination light may be supplied from the light source device 33 to the front illumination lenses 41a and 41b via a light guide (not shown).

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, in the outer peripheral side surface 6g, the side observation is performed in a region shifted from the region on the straight line V where the side observation lens 12a and the side illumination lens 42a (and 42b) are provided. A nozzle (first nozzle) 52 for supplying the fluid R to the working lens 12a is provided.

As shown in FIG. 4, the nozzle 52 is connected to a conduit 92 branched from a fluid supply conduit 90 provided in the endoscope 2.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a tip opening 17 of a channel (not shown) provided in the endoscope 2 is formed on the tip surface 6s of the tip 6 and supplied to at least the front observation lens 11a. A nozzle 51 that supplies fluid R from an opening 51k that is a mouth is provided.

As shown in FIG. 4, a pipe 91 branched from a fluid supply pipe 90 provided in the endoscope 2 is connected to the nozzle 51.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the side observation lens 13a is located in a region shifted from the region on the straight line V where the side observation lens 13a and the side illumination lenses 43a and 43b are provided on the outer peripheral side surface 6g. A nozzle 53 for supplying the fluid R is provided.

As shown in FIG. 4, a conduit 93 branched from a fluid supply conduit 90 provided in the endoscope 2 is connected to the nozzle 53.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first imaging units 80 b and 80 c and the second imaging unit 80 a are electrically connected to an image generation unit 34 a provided in the video processor 34, for example. The image generation unit 34a is electrically connected to an image output unit 34b provided in the video processor 34, for example.

The image generation unit 34a generates first images (image signals) B and C, which are image signals based on the first subject images acquired by the first imaging units 80b and 80c, and performs image processing. The second image (image signal) A, which is another image signal based on the second subject image acquired by the second imaging unit 80a, is generated, image-processed, and output to the image output unit 34b. .

The image output unit 34b is arranged such that the first images B and C based on the first image signal generated by the image generation unit 34a and the second image A based on the second image signal are adjacent to each other on the monitor 36. A signal to be displayed is generated.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the second image A is displayed on the screen 36a in the center of the monitor 36 by the image generation unit 34a and the image output unit 34b, and the first images B are displayed. , C are displayed in a plane on the screens 36b and 36c separate from the screen 36a, respectively, next to the screen 36a, more specifically, on both sides of the screen 36a.

As shown in FIG. 6, the first image B, C, and the second subject image A are formed in a circular shape substantially at the center of the monitor 36 in one screen of the monitor 36. The first images B and C may be displayed adjacent to each other so as to be displayed in a substantially annular shape around the second image A.

As described above, in addition to the form in which images based on a plurality of subject images are displayed on one screen of the monitor, the monitors 136, 236, which are display units arranged so as to be adjacent to each other, 336 may be configured in plural, and one monitor may be displayed corresponding to each image.

That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the second image A is displayed on the monitor 136, and the first images B and C are displayed adjacent to the second image A on the monitors 236 and 336 different from the monitor 136. It does not matter.

Hereinafter, the arrangement position of the nozzles 52 and 53 on the outer peripheral side surface 6g will be described by taking the nozzle 52 as an example.

As shown in FIG. 2, on the outer peripheral side surface 6g, the nozzle 52 is provided at a position having a set angle θ with respect to the longitudinal direction N and supplying fluid to the side observation lens 12a.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, in the outer peripheral side surface 6g, the nozzle 52 has an extension line E of the opening 52k of the nozzle 52 in the region shifted from the region on the straight line V. , 42b, for example, is provided behind the side observation lens 12a in the longitudinal direction N (that is, the base end side in the longitudinal direction N, hereinafter simply referred to as the rear).

This makes it difficult for the liquid to adhere to the side illumination lenses 42a and 42b when the liquid is supplied from the opening 52k to the side observation lens 12a in the forward direction (the front end side in the longitudinal direction N).

As shown in FIG. 8, the extension line E of the opening 52k is defined as the outer diameter of the opening 52k when the fluid R is supplied from the opening 52k substantially parallel to the surface of the side observation lens 12a. 9, the extension line of the opening 52k when supplying the fluid R obliquely downward from the opening 52k toward the outer peripheral side surface 6g, as shown in FIG. 9, or the opening of the nozzle 52 as shown in FIG. The present invention can be applied to any of the extended lines extending substantially in parallel with the surface of the side observation lens 12a from the entire outer diameter in the radial direction K of the end face 52t where the portion 52k is formed.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the nozzle 52 on the outer peripheral side surface 6 g is inclined by 55 ° forward and backward, which is a set angle θ with respect to the straight line V, in a region shifted from the region on the straight line V. It is preferably provided within a range T of °. This makes it more difficult for the liquid supplied from the opening 52k to adhere to the side illumination lenses 42a and 42b more reliably. In addition, the above is the same also in the arrangement position of the nozzle 53 with respect to the outer peripheral side surface 6g.

Thus, in the present embodiment, the nozzles 52 and 53 that supply the fluid R to the side observation lenses 12a and 13a are the side observation lens 12a and the side illumination lenses 42a and 42b on the outer peripheral side surface 6g. Are provided in a region deviated from the region on the straight line V provided with the above, a region deviated from the region on the straight line V provided with the side observation lens 13a and the side illumination lenses 43a and 43b on the outer peripheral side surface 6g. It showed.

According to this, the liquids respectively supplied to the side observation lenses 12a and 13a from the openings 52k and 53k which are supply ports of the nozzles 52 and 53 are respectively supplied to the side illumination lenses 42a, 42b, 43a, Since it is difficult to be supplied to 43b, the liquid hardly adheres to the side illumination lenses 42a, 42b, 43a, 43b.

Therefore, halation that occurs when illumination light is supplied to the first region due to liquid adhering to the side illumination lenses 42a, 42b, 43a, and 43b can be prevented.
In particular, in the case of the outer peripheral side surface 6g of the distal end portion 6, since it is closer to the body wall than the distal end surface 6s, the illumination light is more strongly reflected and is likely to cause halation, so that fluid is supplied to the side observation lenses 12a and 13a, respectively. It is particularly effective to devise the arrangement of the nozzles 52 and 53 to be performed than to devise the arrangement of the nozzles 51 arranged on the tip surface 6s.

From the above, when the fluid R is supplied from the nozzles 52 and 53 to the side observation lenses 12a and 13a provided on the outer peripheral side surface 6g, the side illumination lenses 42a, 42b and 43a provided on the outer peripheral side surface 6g. , 43b, the endoscope 2 and the endoscope system 1 having a configuration that can secure a good lateral field of view can be provided.

Hereinafter, a modification will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 is a partial perspective view of the tip portion showing a nozzle arrangement position different from that in FIG. 2, and FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view of the tip portion showing a nozzle arrangement position different from that in FIG.

In the present embodiment described above, the nozzle 52 on the outer peripheral side surface 6g is provided within a range T of 70 ° inclined 55 ° forward and backward with respect to the straight line V in a region shifted from the region on the straight line V. It was shown that it is preferable.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, the nozzle 52 may be provided at a position inclined by 90 ° with respect to the straight line V in the range T on the outer peripheral side surface 6g. This also applies to the nozzle 53.

In the present embodiment and FIG. 11 described above, the side observation lens 12a is sandwiched on the straight line V along the longitudinal direction N in the region where the side observation lens 12a is provided on the outer peripheral side surface 6g. As described above, a pair of side illumination lenses 42a and 42b are provided.

Not limited to this, as shown in FIG. 12, a pair of side illumination lenses 42a and 42b are provided so as to sandwich the side observation lens 12a on a straight line V along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction N. Even in this case, the above-described embodiment and the configuration shown in FIG. 11 can be applied. This also applies to the nozzle 53.

Hereinafter, another modification will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view of the tip portion showing the nozzle arrangement positions different from those in FIGS. 2, 11, and 12.

In the present embodiment described above and FIGS. 11 and 12, the nozzle 52 is located behind the side observation lens 12a and is used for side observation from the opening 52k behind the side observation lens 12a. The case where the fluid R is supplied forward with respect to the lens 12a is shown as an example.

Not limited to this, as shown in FIG. 13, the nozzle 52 is positioned in front of the side observation lens 12 a in the longitudinal direction N, that is, on the distal end side in the longitudinal direction N, and in front of the side observation lens 12 a. The fluid R may be supplied from the opening 52k on the distal end side in the longitudinal direction N toward the lateral observation lens 12a toward the rear side, that is, the proximal end side in the longitudinal direction N.

According to such a configuration, in the above-described embodiment and FIGS. 11 and 12, since the fluid R is supplied from the nozzle 52 toward the front, the liquid supplied from the nozzle 52 or the liquid supplied from the nozzle 52 is supplied. There is a possibility that the liquid, dirt, etc. blown off from the side observation lens 12a by the generated gas may adhere to the front observation lens 11a and the front illumination lenses 41a and 41b located on the front end surface 6s.

However, in the configuration shown in FIG. 13, since the fluid R is supplied backward from the nozzle 52 toward the side observation lens 12a, the forward observation lens 11a and the front observation lens are caused by the supply of the fluid R from the nozzle 52. It is possible to reliably prevent liquid and dirt from adhering to the lenses 41a and 41b.

This also applies to the nozzle 53. Other effects are the same as those of the present embodiment described above.

Hereinafter, a further modification of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 22 is a partial perspective view of the tip portion showing the nozzle arrangement positions different from those in FIGS. 2 and 11 to 13.

As shown in FIG. 22, even when a pair of side illumination lenses 42a and 42b are provided so as to sandwich the side observation lens 12a on a straight line V along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction N. The nozzle 52 is positioned in front of the side observation lens 12a in the longitudinal direction N, and is fluid R from the opening 52k in front of the side observation lens 12a toward the rear with respect to the side observation lens 12a. May be supplied.

This also applies to the nozzle 53.

Hereinafter, another modification will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a partial perspective view of the tip portion showing the nozzle arrangement positions different from those in FIGS. 2 and 11 to 13.

In the present embodiment described above, the nozzle 52 on the outer peripheral side surface 6g is provided within a range T of 70 ° inclined 55 ° forward and backward with respect to the straight line V in a region shifted from the region on the straight line V. It was shown that it is preferable.

Not limited to this, the nozzle 52 may be provided outside the range T as long as it is a region shifted from the region on the straight line V on the outer peripheral side surface 6g.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, the nozzle 52 extends on the outer peripheral side surface 6 g in an area shifted from the area on the straight line V, for example, behind the side observation lens 12 a, and is an extension of the opening 52 k of the nozzle 52. The line E may be provided in a region partially overlapping with the side illumination lenses 42a and 42b.

According to such a configuration, a part of the liquid supplied from the nozzle 52 is also supplied to the side illumination lenses 42a and 42b, so that the liquid remains in the side illumination lenses 42a and 42b. The effect is inferior to that of the present embodiment.

However, since it is more difficult for the liquid to adhere to each of the side illumination lenses 42a and 42b than the conventional configuration in which the side observation lens 12a, the side illumination lenses 42a and 42b, and the nozzle 52 are positioned in a straight line, An effect similar to that of the present embodiment described above can be obtained. This also applies to the nozzle 53.

Further, a further modification of this embodiment will be shown below using FIG. FIG. 23 is a partial perspective view of the tip portion showing the nozzle arrangement positions different from those in FIGS. 2 and 11 to 14.

As shown in FIG. 23, when the extended line E of the opening 52k of the nozzle 52 is provided in a region partially overlapping the side illumination lenses 42a and 42b on the outer peripheral side surface 6g, the nozzle 52 is long. Even if the fluid R is supplied to the side observation lens 12a from the opening 52k in front of the side observation lens 12a in the direction N and forward from the side observation lens 12a, the fluid R is supplied. I do not care.

This also applies to the nozzle 53.

Further, another modification will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view of the tip portion showing the nozzle arrangement positions different from those in FIGS. 2 and 11 to 14.

In the present embodiment and FIGS. 11 to 14 described above, illumination is performed on the side of the outer peripheral side surface 6g, which is the first region, so as to sandwich the side observation lens 12a on the straight line V along the longitudinal direction N. It is shown that a pair of side illumination lenses 42a and 42b for supplying light are provided, and the nozzle 52 is provided in a region shifted from the region on the straight line V on the outer peripheral side surface 6g.

Not limited to this, as shown in FIG. 15, the side observation lens 12a, the side illumination lens 42b, and the nozzle 52 are provided in a region on a straight line V along the longitudinal direction N, and the region shifted from the region is provided. A side illumination lens 42a may be provided.

In other words, the nozzles may be arranged so as to deviate from the line connecting the side observation lens 12a and one of the two side illumination lenses 42a.

According to such a configuration, since the liquid is also supplied from the nozzle 52 to the side illumination lens 42b, the liquid adheres to the side illumination lens 42b. However, since the side illumination lens 42 b is provided adjacent to the nozzle 52, the liquid attached to the side illumination lens 42 b can be reliably removed by the gas supplied from the nozzle 52.

Since the fluid R is difficult to be supplied from the nozzle 52 to the side illumination lens 42a as in the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain substantially the same effects as those of the present embodiment described above. This also applies to the nozzle 53 and the side illumination lens 43a.

Hereinafter, a further modification of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 24 is a partial perspective view of the tip portion showing the nozzle arrangement positions different from those in FIGS. 2 and 11 to 15.

As shown in FIG. 24, on the outer peripheral side surface 6g, the side observation lens 12a, the side illumination lens 42b, and the nozzle 52 are provided in a region on a straight line V along the longitudinal direction N, and in a region shifted from the region. Even in the case where the side illumination lens 42a is provided, the nozzle 52 is positioned in front of the side observation lens 12a in the longitudinal direction N and from the opening 52k in front of the side observation lens 12a. The fluid R may be supplied rearward with respect to the side observation lens 12a.

This also applies to the nozzle 53.

Furthermore, another modification will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 25 is a partial perspective view of the tip portion showing the nozzle arrangement positions different from those in FIGS. 2 and 11 to 24.

As shown in FIG. 25, on the outer peripheral side surface 6g, if the nozzle 52 is arranged in a region shifted from the line connecting the side observation lens 12a and the side illumination lens 42a, a pair of side illumination use The lenses 42a and 42b may not be provided as shown in FIGS. 13 and 22 that sandwich the side observation lens 12a on a straight line V along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction N.

That is, the side illumination lens may not be a pair sandwiching the side observation lens 12a on a straight line, but may be provided as one side illumination lens 42a on one side of the outer peripheral side surface 6g.

Also in this embodiment, the nozzle 52 is positioned in front of the side observation lens 12a in the longitudinal direction N, and the side observation lens 12a from the opening 52k in front of the side observation lens 12a. Alternatively, the fluid R may be supplied rearward.

This also applies to the nozzle 53.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing a side observation lens, a side illumination lens, and a nozzle provided on the outer peripheral side surface of the columnar tip in the endoscope of the present embodiment.

  The configuration of the endoscope and endoscope system according to the second embodiment has a distal end portion as compared with the endoscope and endoscope system according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. The side illumination lens is different from the outer circumferential side surface in that the side illumination lens is provided at a different height in the radial direction than the side observation lens.

Therefore, only this difference will be described, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 16, in the present embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment described above, the side observation lens 12a is an extension of the central axis of the opening 52k of the nozzle 52 on the outer peripheral side surface 16g. In a state where a part of D is positioned overlapping D, for example, the protruding amount in the radial direction K of the pair of side illumination lenses 42a and 42b is different from that of the side observation lens 12a.

Specifically, the pair of side illumination lenses 42a and 42b is higher in the radial direction K by the protrusions 142a and 142b than the side observation lens 12a, and does not enter the observation field of view of the side observation lens 12a. It is located protruding to the extent.

In such a configuration, the fluid R discharged from the nozzle 52 is supplied to the side observation lens 12a through the outer periphery of the protrusion 142b, and is laterally observed through the outer periphery of the protrusion 142a. It is discharged ahead of the lens 12a.

  According to such a configuration, the side illumination lenses 42a and 42b are positioned higher than the side observation lens 12a in the radial direction K. This makes it difficult for the liquid supplied from the nozzle 52 to adhere to the side illumination lenses 42a and 42b, so that the occurrence of halation can be prevented more reliably than in the first embodiment described above.

Other effects are the same as those of the first embodiment described above. This also applies to the nozzle 53 and the side observation lens 13a, for example, the pair of side illumination lenses 43a and 43b.
Further, the side illumination lenses 42a, 42b or 43a, 43b may be provided one by one, for example, on the left and right side surfaces of the outer periphery of the insertion portion.

  Hereinafter, a modification will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 is a view showing a modification in which a wall portion is provided around the protruding portion of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 17, wall portions 71 and 72 may be provided at positions facing the nozzles 52 around the protrusions 142 a and 142 b. The walls 71 and 72 also have a height in the radial direction K that does not enter the observation field of view of the side observation lens 12a.

This makes it difficult for the liquid supplied from the nozzle 52 to reliably adhere to, for example, the pair of side illumination lenses 42a and 42b by the walls 71 and 72. Other configurations and effects are the same as those of the present embodiment described above.

  The wall portions 71 and 72 can be similarly applied to the nozzle 53, the side observation lens 13a, and the side illumination lenses 43a and 43b.

  Hereinafter, another modification will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 18 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing a modification in which the side illumination lens of FIG. 16 is positioned lower in the radial direction than the side observation lens.

As shown in FIG. 18, contrary to the present embodiment, for example, the pair of side illumination lenses 42a and 42b may be positioned lower in the radial direction K than the side observation lens 12a.

According to such a configuration, since the side illumination lenses 42a and 42b are positioned lower than the side observation lens 12a in the radial direction K, the liquid supplied from the nozzle 52 is a pair of side illuminations. Since it becomes difficult to adhere by the lenses 42a and 42b for use, the same effect as the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

Other effects are the same as those of the present embodiment described above. This also applies to the nozzle 53, the side observation lens 13a, and the side illumination lenses 43a and 43b.
Further, the side illumination lenses 42a, 42b or 43a, 43b may be provided one by one, for example, on the left and right side surfaces of the outer periphery of the insertion portion.

(Third embodiment)
Hereinafter, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 19, 20, and 21. 19 is a perspective view schematically showing a modification in which the image acquisition unit is mounted on the insertion part of the endoscope, and FIG. 20 is a schematic example in which the image acquisition unit is removed from the insertion part in FIG. FIG. 21 is a perspective view schematically showing a modified example different from FIG. 19 in which the image acquisition unit is attached to the insertion portion of the endoscope.

  The configuration of the endoscope and endoscope system of the third embodiment is compared with the endoscope and endoscope system of the first and second embodiments shown in FIGS. By attaching the image acquisition unit 500 to a normal endoscope 600 that acquires a front subject image (second subject image), a left and right side subject image (first subject image) is acquired. The difference is that it can be an endoscope.

As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, a predetermined subject image (first subject image) on the left and right sides with respect to a normal endoscope 600 that acquires another subject image (second subject image) in front. ) To obtain the subject image acquisition unit (first subject image acquisition unit) 501, illumination units (first illumination units) 502 a and 502 b that respectively illuminate the left and right sides, and the first subject image acquisition unit 501. The same configuration as in the first and second embodiments described above can also be applied to a device that is equipped with a detachable image acquisition unit 500 that includes a nozzle 522 that supplies a fluid R.

As shown in FIG. 21, if the nozzle 522 is provided in a region shifted from the straight line region where the illumination unit and the subject image acquisition unit are provided, the illumination unit (first illumination unit) is not one pair. Only (502a) may be provided, and the nozzles 522 may be provided in a substantially parallel arrangement with respect to a straight line area in which the illumination unit and the subject image acquisition unit are provided.

In the case of the embodiment described above as illustrated in FIG. 21, a wall portion 571 may be provided at a position facing the nozzle 522. The wall 571 also has a height that does not enter the observation field of view of the subject image acquisition unit 501.
According to this, the liquid supplied from the nozzle 522 is reliably guided to the subject image acquisition unit 501 by the wall portion 571 and is difficult to adhere to the illumination unit 502a. Other configurations and effects are the same as those of the present embodiment described above.

In the above embodiment, it is preferable to have a supply pipe for supplying the fluid R to the nozzle 522 provided in the image acquisition unit 500 from the outside.
As one of such examples, inside the cable 511 for transferring power and signals between the image acquisition unit 500 and the video processor 34 described above, the nozzle 522 provided in the image acquisition unit 500 from the outside. A method of arranging a supply pipe for supplying the fluid R is conceivable.

According to such a configuration, an endoscope that can acquire left and right subject images by including an image acquisition unit with respect to a normal endoscope that acquires a front subject image. However, it is possible to obtain an effect that the liquid supplied from the nozzle is less likely to adhere to the side illumination lens.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

This application is filed on the basis of the priority claim of Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-1111589 filed in Japan on June 1, 2015, and the above contents include the present specification, claims and drawings. Is quoted in

The endoscope according to one aspect of the present invention includes an insertion portion to be inserted into a subject, together are more provided along the circumferential direction of the insertion portion on the outer peripheral side surface of the insertion portion, predetermined in the subject A subject image acquisition unit that acquires a subject image from each of the regions, and a plurality of illumination units that are provided in the region where the subject image acquisition unit is provided on the outer peripheral side surface of the insertion unit, and that illuminates the predetermined region; , together with the eclipsed set to the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion, anda plurality of nozzles having an opening for supplying the fluid respectively to the object image acquiring unit, wherein each nozzle, the said insertion portion In the region shifted from the straight line region where the illumination unit and the subject image acquisition unit are provided on the outer peripheral side surface, the extension line of the opening does not overlap the illumination unit. The opening is provided with a set angle to the longitudinal direction.

An endoscope according to an aspect of the present invention includes an insertion portion that is inserted into a subject in a longitudinal direction, and a plurality of endoscopes that are provided on an outer peripheral side surface of the insertion portion along the circumferential direction of the insertion portion. A subject image acquisition unit that acquires a subject image from a lateral region of the outer peripheral side that intersects with the longitudinal direction in the region, and a subject image acquisition unit on the outer peripheral side of the insertion unit. A plurality of illuminating units that illuminate a lateral region of the outer peripheral side surface that intersects with the longitudinal direction in the subject, and are provided on the outer peripheral side surface of the insertion unit, and fluids are respectively applied to the subject image acquisition unit. a plurality of nozzles having a supply opening, the respectively provided with a plurality of the side facing at least the nozzle around the lighting unit, the subject image obtaining section It provided the height of the wall does not enter the field, and each nozzle is in said illumination unit and the subject image obtaining section in the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion is shifted from the region of a straight line that is provided a region, The opening is provided with a set angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion so that an extension line of the opening does not overlap the wall and the illumination portion.

Claims (12)

An insertion part to be inserted into the subject;
A subject image acquisition unit that is provided on a columnar outer peripheral side surface of the insertion unit and acquires a subject image from a predetermined region in the subject;
An illumination unit that is provided in an area where the subject image acquisition unit is provided on the outer peripheral side surface of the insertion unit, and that illuminates the predetermined region;
A nozzle that is provided in a region deviated from a linear region in which the illumination unit and the subject image acquisition unit are provided on the outer peripheral side surface of the insertion unit, and that supplies a fluid to the subject image acquisition unit;
An endoscope comprising:   The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein a pair of the illumination units are provided so as to sandwich the subject image acquisition unit on a straight line.   The nozzle is provided on the outer peripheral side surface on the distal end side in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion with respect to the subject image acquisition portion, and the longitudinal direction base from the distal end side in the longitudinal direction to the subject image acquisition portion. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the fluid is supplied toward an end side.   The subject image acquisition unit and the illumination unit are positioned with respect to the outer peripheral side surface so that the optical axis of the subject image acquisition unit and the optical axis of the illumination unit are positioned on a straight line along the longitudinal direction of the insertion unit. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope is provided. Others that are provided on the distal end surface of the insertion portion and that acquire other subject images from other regions at least partially different from the predetermined region including the front of the insertion portion in the longitudinal direction relative to the distal end surface A subject image acquisition unit;
Another illumination unit that illuminates the other region, provided in the region where the other subject image acquisition unit is provided on the distal end surface;
The endoscope according to claim 1, further comprising:   The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle supplies the fluid to the subject image acquisition unit at a set angle with respect to a longitudinal direction of the insertion portion on the outer peripheral side surface. The subject image acquisition unit has an objective optical system, and the objective optical system is positioned so as to partially overlap the extension line of the central axis of the supply port of the nozzle,
2. The internal view according to claim 1, wherein the illumination unit has a radial protrusion amount different from the objective optical system in a direction intersecting with a longitudinal direction of the insertion portion on the outer peripheral side surface. mirror. The endoscope according to claim 1;
An image signal generator for generating an image signal based on the subject image;
At least one display unit on which the image signal generated by the image signal generation unit is displayed as the subject image;
An endoscope system comprising: Others that are provided on the distal end surface of the insertion portion and that acquire other subject images from other regions at least partially different from the predetermined region including the front of the insertion portion in the longitudinal direction relative to the distal end surface A subject image acquisition unit;
Another illumination unit that illuminates the other region, provided in the region where the other subject image acquisition unit is provided on the distal end surface;
Further comprising
The endoscope system according to claim 8, wherein the image signal generation unit further generates another image signal based on the other subject image.   The image signal generation unit generates the image signal and the other image signal so that the subject image and the other subject image are displayed at adjacent positions on the display unit. The endoscope system according to 9. The display unit is composed of a plurality of units,
The endoscope system according to claim 9, wherein among the plurality of display units, the subject image and the other subject image are displayed on the display unit different from each other. The subject image acquisition unit includes an imaging unit that photoelectrically converts the subject image;
The endoscope system according to claim 9, wherein the other subject image acquisition unit includes another imaging unit that photoelectrically converts the other subject image and is different from the imaging unit.

Images