KR20240028871A - Endoscope camera module with light reflection improvement structure - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a camera module for an endoscope. More specifically, the present invention relates to a camera module for an endoscope, and more specifically, by appropriately adjusting the gap between the LED terminal and the cover glass using the thickness and length of the guide metal tube inside the distal end pipe that constitutes the tip of the scope of the endoscope, thereby producing light. It relates to an endoscope camera module having a light reflection improvement structure to improve reflection to obtain as clear and accurate images as possible.
For this purpose, the present invention includes a distal end pipe, a PCB module, an LED ring part, a guide metal tube, and a cover glass.

Description

Endoscope camera module with light reflection improvement structure}

The present invention relates to a camera module for an endoscope, and more specifically, to appropriately adjust the gap between the LED terminal and the cover glass using the thickness and length of the guide metal tube inside the distal end pipe that constitutes the distal end tip of the endoscope. It relates to an endoscope camera module having a light reflection improvement structure to improve light reflection and obtain as clean and accurate images as possible.

[Gyeonggi-do technology development project]

[Assignment identification number] D2121032

[Ministry name] Gyeonggi-do

[Research management agency] Gyeonggi Province Economic and Science Promotion Agency

[Research project name] Gyeonggi-do technology development project

[Research project name] ENT Flexible Fiber Scope

[Contribution rate] 100%

[Host organization] Chammed Co., Ltd.

[Research period] 2021.8.1 ~ 2022.7.31 (12 months)

An endoscope is a type of optical device. A medical endoscope allows the inside of the human body to be visually confirmed and diagnosed by inserting it directly into the human body and taking pictures. In medicine, endoscopy can obtain high-quality images of the internal features of the human body without requiring invasive surgery.

Current endoscopes are being used not only in the medical field, but also in various industrial fields, such as enabling observation of the inside of precise machines without disassembling them or observing abnormalities inside various pipes.

Meanwhile, a generally well-known existing endoscope system includes an illumination (light source) unit that irradiates light to view internal organs of the body or the internal surface of a machine (subject), and the light irradiated from this light source unit enters the surface of the internal organs of the human body. A camera consisting of a camera unit that acquires electrical signals (images, video signals) by receiving reflected signals, and a PCB module that converts these signals so that they can be observed through a monitor and transmits them to the monitor or receives control signals from the monitor. The distal end (D) to which the module 10 and the camera module 10 are fixed is formed at the distal end of the insertion tube (I) of the endoscope.

In addition, it can be configured to be equipped with such an insertion tube (I) and include a handle (h), which is a gripping part (see Figure 1).

The handle (h) is made of synthetic resin or metal, forms a gripping portion during endoscopic treatment, and includes a number of components for image acquisition, processing, and transmission.

The insertion tube (I) is a component that is inserted into the human body of the examinee (subject) and performs image acquisition. An optical fiber is placed inside as needed, and the above-described camera module 10 for image acquisition is configured at the tip. This insertion tube (I) may be made of various materials such as metal or synthetic resin, but is made of a hard material with a certain hardness or higher.

On the other hand, when acquiring an image of a subject through the camera module 10 of the distal end (D), most of the light is illuminated while the surface of the subject (object) is uneven and bumpy, so the reflected light is directed in various directions. It was inevitably scattered due to diffuse reflection, which made it difficult to obtain accurate and clean images.

For example, due to differences in the camera's angle of view, there was a problem in that the front of the cover glass received light and the reflected light from the LED, which is a light source, re-entered the camera.

Republic of Korea Registered Utility Model Publication No. 20-0386923 (registered on June 4, 2005)

The present invention was developed to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the light is controlled by appropriately adjusting the gap between the LED terminal and the cover glass using the thickness and length of the guide metal tube inside the distal end pipe that constitutes the distal end tip of the endoscope. The purpose is to provide an endoscope camera module with a light reflection improvement structure that improves reflection to obtain as clear and accurate images as possible.

In order to achieve the above object, an endoscope camera module having a light reflection improvement structure according to the present invention includes a distal end pipe provided at the front end of the distal end and having a hollow internal space; A PCB module provided in the inner space of the distal end pipe and including a camera unit; an LED ring unit including a plurality of LED terminals that provide a light source to the front of the PCB module; A guide metal tube in the form of a hollow tube, located between the LED ring portion and the cover glass provided at the tip of the distal end pipe, to adjust the gap between the LED terminal and the cover glass; It consists of:

At this time, the diameter of the cover glass is smaller than the diameter of the distal end pipe so that the LED terminal is exposed to the outside, and the space between the LED terminal and the cover glass is filled with optical epoxy.

Preferably, the distal end pipe is characterized in that it is an assembled structure in which a connection pipe portion having a diameter and extending rearward is further formed and detachably coupled to the tip of the main tube constituting the distal end.

In one embodiment, the PCB module includes a PCB and a camera unit protruding in front of the PCB, and is supported on the inner peripheral surface of the inner space of the distal end pipe and extends laterally between the PCB and the camera unit to be fixed in position. Includes one more flange.

In one embodiment, the LED ring unit includes a ring body arranged in a circular ring shape so that the camera unit of the PCB module penetrates the center, and supported on the inner peripheral surface of the inner space of the distal end pipe; It is configured to include a plurality of LED terminals provided radially at equal intervals along the front outer peripheral surface of the ring body.

Preferably, four LED terminals are provided in all directions.

Meanwhile, the cover glass is included and supported at the tip of the guide metal tube.

In a preferred embodiment, the diameter of the distal end pipe has a length set to 3.5 mm, the thickness of the cover class is 1.0 mm, and the thickness (t) of the guide metal tube is 0.06 mm to 1 mm, The length (h) is 2.6 mm to 3.0 mm, and the distance between the LED terminal and the cover glass is 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm.

In a preferred embodiment, the diameter of the distal end pipe has a length set to 3.5 mm, the thickness of the cover class is 1.0 mm, and the thickness (t) of the guide metal tube is 0.1 mm to 0.6 mm, The length (h) is 0.8 mm to 1.5 mm, and the distance between the LED terminal and the cover glass is 1.0 mm to 1.5 mm.

In a preferred embodiment, the diameter of the distal end pipe has a length set to 3.5 mm, the thickness of the cover class is 1.0 mm, and the thickness (t) of the guide metal tube is 0.1 mm to 0.6 mm, The length (h) is 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm, and the distance between the LED terminal and the cover glass is 1.0 mm to 1.5 mm.

In this way, the endoscope camera module with the light reflection improvement structure according to the present invention uses the thickness and length of the guide metal tube inside the distal end pipe, which constitutes the distal end tip of the endoscope, to narrow the gap between the LED terminal and the cover glass. By adjusting it appropriately, light reflection can be improved to obtain the clearest and most accurate image possible.

Figures 1 and 2 are pictures instead of drawings showing an example of an endoscope according to the prior art and the light reflection phenomenon of the endoscope that occurs when it is used.
Figures 3 and 4 are diagrams showing a first embodiment of an endoscope camera module having a structure for improving light reflection according to the present invention.
Figures 5 and 6 are diagrams showing a second embodiment of an endoscope camera module having an improved light reflection structure according to the present invention.
Figures 7 and 8 are diagrams showing a third embodiment of an endoscope camera module having an improved light reflection structure according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of an endoscope camera module having an improved light reflection structure according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

In explaining the present invention, the front or front refers to the part or direction where the cover glass is located when the cover glass is coupled to the distal end pipe, and the back or rear refers to the opposite part or direction. Let's explain by pointing.

In addition, the inside or inside refers to the central part of the support having an inner diameter or its direction, and the outside or outside refers to the opposite part or its direction.

Additionally, in describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of related known functions or configurations will be omitted in order to not obscure the gist of the present invention.

Additionally, when a part "includes" a certain component, this means that it may further include other components, rather than excluding other components, unless specifically stated to the contrary.

Meanwhile, it should be noted that the same components among the drawings are indicated with the same reference numbers and symbols as much as possible, even if they are shown in different drawings.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 8, as shown, the endoscope camera module 100 having a light reflection improvement structure according to the present invention has a gap between the LED terminal 132 that provides a light source and the cover glass 150. By appropriately adjusting, light reflection is improved to obtain the clearest and most accurate image possible. In other words, the front of the cover glass 150 receives light and has a structure that can prevent LED reflected light from re-entering the camera as much as possible.

For this purpose, the present invention consists of an insertion tube (I) coupled to the handle (h) and a distal end (D) located at the front end of the insertion tube (I). The length and diameter of the insertion tube (I) It can be set in various ways depending on the purpose of the endoscope, and the diameter of the tip is usually 3.5 mm or less, which minimizes pain and resistance from the examinee (subject) when inserted into the human body.

Meanwhile, a camera module 100 is configured at the distal end D to acquire an image of the subject. In the embodiment of the present invention, the endoscope camera module 100 is largely composed of a distal end pipe 110. ), PCB module 120, LED ring part 130, guide metal tube 140, and cover glass 150 (see Figure 3).

Specifically, the distal end pipe 110 is a configuration that forms the tip of the distal end (D), and substantially supports the PCB module 120 including the camera unit 122 that acquires an image of the subject and provides an accommodation space. It is provided at the tip of the distal end (D) and has a hollow internal space (111).

This distal end pipe 110 may be made of the same material or a harder material as the main tube constituting the insertion tube (I), and is preferably formed at the tip of the main tube constituting the insertion tube (I). It is characterized by an assembled structure that is detachably coupled to.

For this purpose, the distal end pipe 110 further forms a connection pipe portion 112 that has a predetermined diameter and extends rearward.

With this detachable assembly structure, the camera module 100 required for the endoscope can be easily inspected and replaced depending on needs and situations.

Additionally, the PCB module 120 is provided in the internal space 111 of the distal end pipe 110 and includes a camera unit 122. Specifically, the PCB module 120 includes a PCB 121 and a camera unit 122 having a housing protruding forward from the PCB 121 and a lens on the front.

The operating method for acquiring an image of a subject through the camera unit 122 is known in general endoscope devices, and since it is a known function, detailed description will be omitted in order to not obscure the gist of the present invention.

However, the PCB module 120 applied to the present invention is a flange extending laterally between the PCB 121 and the camera unit 122 to be supported and positioned on the inner peripheral surface of the internal space 111 of the distal end pipe 110. It further includes (123).

This flange 123 supports the PCB module 120 in the internal space 111 of the distal end pipe 110 and prevents it from being displaced. In addition, it performs the function of supporting and supporting the LED ring part 130 and the guide metal tube 140, which will be described later, as needed.

Next, the LED ring part 130 is used to provide an LED terminal 132 that receives power and provides a light source at a predetermined position on the internal space 111 of the distal end pipe 110, and is installed in the PCB module 120. It includes a plurality of LED terminals 132 that provide a light source to the front.

In one specific embodiment, as shown, the LED ring part 130 is arranged in a circular ring shape so that the camera part 122 of the PCB module 120 penetrates the center, and the It includes a ring body 131 supported on the inner peripheral surface of the internal space 111, and a plurality of LED terminals 132 provided radially at equal intervals along the front outer peripheral surface of the ring body 131.

These LED terminals 132 are arranged so that the camera unit 122 can obtain a clear and accurate image while not affecting the angle of view. Preferably, four LED terminals 132 may be provided in all directions as in a city.

Meanwhile, the endoscope camera module 100 with the light reflection improvement structure of the present invention is located between the above-described LED terminal 132 and the cover glass 150 provided at the tip of the distal end pipe 110, It is characterized by including a guide metal tube 140 that adjusts the gap between the LED terminal 132 and the cover glass 150.

Preferably, the guide metal tube 140 has a hollow tube shape, and the cover glass 150 is supported by being included at the tip of the guide metal tube 140.

This guide metal tube 140 can be changed to various thicknesses and lengths so that the camera unit 122 can obtain a clear image depending on the brightness of the LED terminal 132 and the endoscope use environment.

The guide metal tube 140 supports the cover glass 150 and determines the gap between the LED terminal 132 and the cover glass 150.

Meanwhile, the diameter d1 of the cover glass 150 is smaller than the diameter d2 of the distal end pipe 110 so that the LED terminal 132 is exposed, and the space between the LED terminal 132 and the cover glass 150 is is filled with optical epoxy (160).

In this way, through filling with the optical epoxy 160, the cover glass 150 prevents foreign substances from entering the interior and has a set thickness, thereby enabling the acquisition of a clear and accurate image of the subject through the camera unit 122.

As described above, the present invention provides a cover while maintaining the brightness of the light source by the LED terminal 132 to the maximum in an endoscope used by appropriately adjusting the thickness (t) and length (H) of the guide metal tube 140. The front of the glass 150 receives light and prevents LED reflected light from re-entering the camera, thereby improving light reflection.

As an embodiment for this purpose, referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, in the endoscope camera module 100 having an improved light reflection structure according to the present invention, the diameter of the distal end pipe 110 is set to 3.5 mm. With a length of, when the thickness of the cover class 150 is 1.0 mm, the thickness (t) of the guide metal tube 140 is 0.06 mm to 1.0 mm, and the length (h) is 2.0 mm to 3.0 mm. In this case, the distance between the LED terminal 132 and the cover glass 150 is 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm.

Through this, the brightness of the light source of the LED terminal 132 could be adjusted to the maximum, and diffuse reflection could be controlled.

In addition, in another embodiment, referring again to FIGS. 5 and 6, in the endoscope camera module 100 having an improved light reflection structure according to the present invention, the diameter of the distal end pipe 110 is set to 3.5 mm. When the cover class 150 has a length of 1.0 mm, the guide metal tube 140 has a thickness (t) of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm and a length (h) of 0.8 mm to 1.5 mm. In this case, the distance between the LED terminal 132 and the cover glass 150 is 1.0 mm to 1.5 mm.

In this case, it was possible to improve brightness by moving the LED ring part 130 to the front.

And, in another embodiment, referring again to FIGS. 7 and 8, in the endoscope camera module 100 having an improved light reflection structure according to the present invention, the diameter of the distal end pipe 110 is 3.5 mm. With the set length, when the thickness of the cover class 150 is 1.0 mm,

The guide metal tube 140 has a thickness (t) of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm and a length (h) of 0.5 mm to 0.1 mm, and the gap between the LED terminal 132 and the cover glass 150 is 0.1 mm. It is characterized in that it is from 0.5 mm.

In this case, the LED ring part 130 could be positioned at the forefront, thereby maximizing lighting brightness.

The above-described embodiment is an attempt to improve light reflection by adjusting the thickness and length of the guide metal tube 140, and is not limited to this. Guide metal tube 140 of various thickness and length depending on the diameter of the distal end (D) ) is of course possible to apply.

As described above, the endoscope camera module 100 having a light reflection improvement structure according to the present invention includes a guide metal tube 140 inside the distal end pipe 110 constituting the distal end (D) tip of the endoscope. ) By appropriately adjusting the gap between the LED terminal 132 and the cover glass 150 using the thickness and length of ), light reflection can be improved to obtain as clean and accurate an image as possible.

The present invention described above is limited to the above-described embodiments and attached drawings, as various substitutions, modifications and changes can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. It doesn't work.

100: Endoscope camera module with light reflection improvement structure
110: Distal end pipe
120: PCB module
121: PCB
122: Camera unit
123: flange
130: LED ring part
131: Ring body
132: LED terminal
140: Guide metal tube
150: Cover glass
160: Optical epoxy

Claims (5)

In the endoscope camera module,
A distal end pipe (110) provided at the distal end (D) connected to the insertion tube (I) and having a hollow internal space (111);
A PCB module 120 provided in the internal space 111 of the distal end pipe 110 and including a camera unit 122;
an LED ring unit 130 including a plurality of LED terminals 132 that provide a light source to the front of the PCB module 120;
It is in the form of a hollow tube and is located between the LED ring part 130 and the cover glass 150 provided at the tip of the end pipe 110 to adjust the gap between the LED terminal 132 and the cover glass 150. Guide metal tube (140); An endoscope camera module having a light reflection improvement structure comprising: According to clause 1,
The diameter (d1) of the cover glass 150 is smaller than the diameter (d2) of the distal end pipe 110 so that the LED terminal 132 is exposed,
An endoscope camera module with a light reflection improvement structure, wherein the space between the LED terminal 132 and the cover glass 150 is filled with optical epoxy 160. According to clause 1,
The distal end pipe 110,
A light reflection improvement structure characterized by an assembled structure in which a connection pipe portion 112 having a diameter and extending backward is further formed, and the insertion tube is detachably coupled to the tip of the main tube constituting (I). An endoscope camera module. According to clause 1,
The PCB module 120 is,
It includes a PCB 121 and a camera unit 122 protruding in front of the PCB 121,
Characterized in that it further includes a flange 123 extending laterally between the PCB 121 and the camera unit 122 so as to be supported on the inner peripheral surface of the internal space 111 of the distal end pipe 110 and fixed in position. An endoscope camera module having a light reflection improvement structure. According to clause 1,
The LED ring part 130 is,
A ring body 131 arranged in a circular ring shape so that the camera unit 122 of the PCB module 120 penetrates the center, and supported on the inner peripheral surface of the internal space 111 of the distal end pipe 110,
An endoscope camera module with a light reflection improvement structure, characterized in that it includes a plurality of LED terminals 132 provided radially and at equal intervals along the front outer peripheral surface of the ring body 131.

Images