JP2002350742A - Endoscope optical components and endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide an optical component for an endoscope which is less likely to be deteriorated or deteriorated by a chemical or a sterilizing gas. An optical component for an endoscope according to the present invention comprises a resin as a constituent material. The resin forms a plate having a thickness of 3 mm by the resin, and the plate is immersed in a next chemical under the following conditions. Then, based on the light transmittance before the test, it has the property that the reduction rate of the light transmittance after the test is within 5%: 2
3 weeks at 2 ° C, 12 wt% hydrogen peroxide disinfectant; 55 ° C,
0.8wt% peracetic acid disinfectant for 3 weeks; 60 ℃, 0.5wt
% Glutaraldehyde disinfectant for 3 weeks;
3 weeks for wt% enzyme-based detergent; 3 weeks for aqueous solution of 22 vol.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical component used for an endoscope and an endoscope.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An endoscope must be cleaned, disinfected and sterilized each time it is used. An endoscope usually has a plurality of optical components, in which, for each cleaning and disinfection,
Some are frequently exposed to various chemicals such as cleaning agents and disinfectants, or sterilizing gas.

[0003] By the way, optical components for endoscopes include:
For reasons such as excellent moldability, it has been proposed to use a resinous one. However, optical parts made of resin are often inferior in resistance to disinfection and sterilization, and are not practical.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope optical component and an endoscope which are less likely to be deteriorated or deteriorated by a chemical or a sterilizing gas.

[0005]

This and other objects are achieved by the present invention described below.

(1) An optical component for an endoscope made of a resin, wherein the resin forms a plate having a thickness of 3 mm by the resin, and the plate is immersed in the following chemical solution under the following conditions. In any case, the optical component for an endoscope is characterized in that a decrease rate of light transmittance after the test is within 5% based on the light transmittance before the test in any case.・ 3 weeks for 22 ° C, 12 wt% hydrogen peroxide disinfectant ・ 3 weeks for 55 ° C, 0.8 wt% peracetic acid disinfectant ・ 3 for 60 ° C, 0.5 wt% glutaraldehyde disinfectant
Weeks ・ 3 weeks for 22 ° C., 10 wt% enzyme-based cleaning agent ・ 3 weeks for 22 ° C., 85 vol% ethanol aqueous solution Such optical components for endoscopes have excellent chemical resistance. In particular, it has chemical resistance to various chemicals.

(2) When the resin is subjected to ethylene oxide gas sterilization under the following conditions,
The optical component for an endoscope according to the above (1), which has a property that a reduction rate of a light transmittance after the test is within 5% based on a light transmittance before the test. -Ethylene oxide gas: carbon dioxide = 20:80, temperature 5
5 ° C., humidity 50%, gas concentration 450 mg / L, sterilization time 5 hours Such an optical component for an endoscope has excellent sterilization gas resistance.

(3) The optical component for an endoscope according to the above (1) or (2), wherein the resin contains a polycarbonate resin and / or a cyclic polyolefin resin. Thereby, chemical resistance and sterilization gas resistance are further improved.

(4) The above (1), which is attached to the endoscope so that at least a part thereof is exposed on the surface of the endoscope.
An optical component for an endoscope according to any one of (3) to (3). When the optical component for an endoscope of the present invention is attached to such a portion, the subject display capability of the endoscope is unlikely to be extremely deteriorated for a long time.

(5) The optical component for an endoscope according to any one of the above (1) to (4), having a coat layer on at least a part of the surface. Thereby, the durability, chemical resistance, sterilization gas resistance, and the like of the endoscope optical component are further improved.

(6) The optical component for an endoscope according to the above (5), wherein the coat layer is made of a silicone material. Silicone materials have excellent adhesion to the resin. In addition, silicone-based materials are also excellent in chemical resistance and sterilization gas resistance. Therefore, the durability, chemical resistance, sterilization gas resistance, and the like of the endoscope optical component are further enhanced.

(7) The endoscope optical component according to the above (5) or (6), wherein the hardness of the coat layer is 4H or more as a pencil scratch value. Thereby, the durability of the endoscope optical component is further improved.

(8) The part exposed on the surface of the endoscope is:
The optical component for an endoscope according to any one of the above (5) to (7), which is covered with at least the coat layer. As a result, the subject display capability of the endoscope is unlikely to deteriorate extremely over a long period of time.

(9) An endoscope comprising the endoscope optical component according to any one of (1) to (8). This makes it possible to obtain an endoscope whose image quality and the like are unlikely to deteriorate over a long period of time.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an overall view showing an electronic endoscope (electronic scope) to which an optical component for an endoscope according to the present invention is applied.
Hereinafter, in FIG. 1, the upper side will be described as a “base end” and the lower side as a “distal end”. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a distal end portion of the electronic endoscope shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the left side is the tip direction,
The right side is the proximal direction.

As shown in FIG. 1, an electronic endoscope 10 is provided at a flexible insertion section flexible tube 1 of a long object having flexibility (flexibility) and at a distal end portion of the insertion section flexible tube 1. Operating section 6 provided at the proximal end of the flexible tube 1, the insertion section flexible tube 1 and held by an operator to operate the entire electronic endoscope 10, and a connecting section connected to the operating section 6. The flexible tube 7 includes a flexible tube 7 and a light source insertion portion 8 provided on a distal end side of the flexible tube 7.

The flexible tube 1 is used by inserting it into a lumen of a living body. As shown in FIG.
Has an illuminating unit 4 for illuminating the subject with illumination light, and an imaging unit 3 for capturing an image of the subject.

The illuminating means 4 includes optical fiber bundles (light guides) 44 and 45 disposed along the longitudinal direction of the flexible tube 1 (and the flexible tube 7 at the connecting portion), and the distal end of the optical fiber bundle 44. And a projection lens system 42 disposed at the tip of the optical fiber bundle 45. The projection lens system 41 includes the optical fiber bundle 4
4 comprises a plano-concave lens 46 attached to the tip. Further, the projection lens system 42 includes the optical fiber bundle 4
5 comprises a plano-concave lens 47 attached to the distal end.

The imaging means 3 comprises an objective lens system 32 installed at the distal end 51 of the curved tube 5 and the objective lens system 32
And an image pickup device (C) provided adjacent to the base end of the optical filter 37.
A CD image sensor) 31 and a signal line 311 connected to the image sensor 31 and arranged along the longitudinal direction of the flexible tube 1 (and the flexible tube 7). The objective lens system 32 includes a plano-concave lens 33 provided at the distal end of the insertion section flexible tube 5, a plano-convex lens 34 provided at a distance from the base end of the plano-concave lens 33, and a base end of the plano-convex lens 34. It is composed of a plano-concave lens 35 provided on the side via a spacing ring 38, and a biconvex lens 36 joined to the base end side of the plano-concave lens 35.

At the tip 51, the plano-concave lens 4
6, 47, and the distal end surface of the plano-concave lens 33 are exposed on the distal end surface of the electronic endoscope 10. As will be described later, the electronic endoscope 10 of the present embodiment has a significant feature in the optical components exposed on the endoscope surface.

At the base end of such a flexible insertion tube 1,
An operation unit 6 is provided. The operation knob 6 is provided with operation knobs 61 and 62 on its side surface. When the operation knobs 61 and 62 are operated, a wire (not shown) provided in the insertion portion flexible tube 1 is pulled, and the bending tube 5 is pulled.
It can bend in a direction and change its direction.

A flexible connection tube 7 is connected to the operation unit 6. The optical fiber bundles 44 and 45 and the signal line 311 are connected to the light source insertion portion 8 through the connection portion flexible tube 7. The light source insertion unit 8 has a signal processing circuit 83 for processing an image signal therein. Further, the light source insertion section 8 has a light source connector 81 at the tip thereof,
And an image signal connector 82. The optical fiber bundles 44 and 45 are connected to a light source connector 81. The signal line 311 is connected to the signal processing circuit 83. This signal processing circuit 83 is connected to the image signal connector 82. This image signal connector 82
Is connected to a light source processor (not shown). Further, a monitor device (not shown) is connected to the light source processor device. In addition, the light source connector 81 includes:
A light source processor (not shown) is connected.

When the light source processor is operated,
Light (illumination light) emitted from the light source processor device is transmitted to the optical fiber bundles 44 and 45 via the light source connector 81.
Incident inside. This light passes through the optical fiber bundles 44 and 45 and exits from the ends of the optical fiber bundles 44 and 45. The emitted light passes through the plano-concave lenses 46 and 47 and irradiates the observation site (subject). At this time, the emitted light is
By passing through the plano-concave lenses 46 and 47, the light is diffused and uniformized. As a result, the electronic endoscope 10 can uniformly illuminate the observation site over a wide range.

The irradiated illumination light is reflected at the observation site,
The reflected light forms a subject image. Part of the reflected light enters the plano-concave lens 33. Then, the reflected light is guided by the plano-concave lens 33, the plano-convex lens 34, the plano-concave lens 35, and the biconvex lens 36 so as to form an image on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 31. At this time, the optical filter 37
Accordingly, high-frequency components are removed from the reflected light before the light enters the image sensor 31.

The image sensor 31 receives the reflected light guided to its light receiving surface. As a result, a subject image is captured.
Then, the image sensor 31 outputs an image signal (CCD signal) corresponding to the captured subject image. This image signal is transmitted to the light source insertion unit 8 via the signal line 311.

This image signal is input to the signal processing circuit 83 in the light source insertion section 8. Then, the signal processing circuit 83
As a result, predetermined signal processing is performed on the image signal. The processed image signal is output to the light source processor via the image signal connector 82. The output image signal is converted into a predetermined television signal by the light source processor. Therefore, when the monitor device is connected to the light source processor device, a television signal is output to the monitor device. As a result, in the monitor device, an image of the subject (electronic image) captured by the image sensor,
That is, an endoscope monitor image of a moving image is displayed.

After being used in this manner, the electronic endoscope 10 is cleaned, disinfected, and sterilized. At this time, the surface of the electronic endoscope 10 is exposed to a cleaning agent, a disinfecting solution, a sterilizing gas, or the like.

As described above, in the electronic endoscope 10 of the present embodiment, a part of the optical component located at the forefront side of the optical system is exposed on the surface of the electronic endoscope 10. That is, in the electronic endoscope 10 of the present embodiment, the plano-concave lens 4
6, 47 and a part of the plano-concave lens 33 are exposed on the surface of the electronic endoscope 10. For this reason, the electronic endoscope 1
When cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, and the like are performed on 0, the plano-concave lenses 46 and 47 and the plano-concave lens 33 are exposed to various chemicals such as a cleaning agent, a disinfecting solution, or a sterilizing gas. Therefore, in the present invention, such a cleaning agent, an optical component to be exposed to a disinfecting solution, a sterilizing gas, and the like,
It was composed of a material having the following properties.

Assumption: The constituent material of the optical component is resin (plastic). Properties: The resin forms a plate having a thickness of 3 mm by the resin, and when the plate is immersed in the following chemical solution under any of the following conditions, based on the light transmittance before the test,
It has the property that the reduction rate of light transmittance after the test is within 5%. In addition, the light transmittance in this specification is, for example,
The transmittance of visible light can be used as an index. Condition: 3 weeks for 22 ° C, 12 wt% hydrogen peroxide disinfectant Condition: 3 weeks for 55 ° C, 0.8 wt% peracetic acid disinfectant Condition: 3 weeks for 60 ° C, 0.5 wt% glutaraldehyde disinfectant Conditions: 22 ° C, 10 wt% enzyme-based detergent (for example, RUH
3 weeks for OFC “ENDOZIM”) Condition: 3 weeks for 22 ° C, 85vol% ethanol aqueous solution

Further, when the resin is formed into a plate having a thickness of 3 mm by the resin, and the plate is subjected to ethylene oxide gas sterilization under the following conditions, the light transmittance before the test is defined as 5% reduction in light transmittance after test
It is preferable to have the property of being within. Conditions: Volume of ethylene oxide gas: Volume of carbon dioxide = 2
0:80, temperature 55 ° C, humidity 50%, gas concentration 450mg
/ L, sterilization time 5 hours

Such a resin is preferably made of a resin containing a polycarbonate resin and / or a cyclic polyolefin resin.

An optical component for an endoscope made of such a resin has high chemical resistance or sterilization gas resistance. Therefore, when such an endoscope optical component is used for an endoscope, the chemical resistance or sterilization gas resistance of the endoscope is improved. In this case, it is preferable to use the endoscope optical component of the present invention as a component at least partially exposed on the surface of the endoscope.

Specifically, the electronic endoscope 10 of the present embodiment
Now, the plano-concave lenses 46 and 47 and the plano-concave lens 33
Is preferably configured at least by the endoscope optical component of the present invention. These optical components are exposed to various chemicals or sterilizing gases every time they are cleaned, disinfected, or sterilized. In other words, the optical component located at such a part is likely to deteriorate. Therefore, if the optical component for an endoscope of the present invention is used for an optical component located at such a site, even if the endoscope is repeatedly subjected to cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, and the like, these optical components become cloudy, The occurrence of discoloration or the like is suitably prevented. Therefore, washing,
Even if processing such as disinfection and sterilization is repeatedly performed on the endoscope, the image of the subject is prevented from being unclear in the electronic endoscope 10. As described above, when the optical components for an endoscope of the present invention are used for the plano-concave lenses 46 and 47 and the plano-concave lens 33, the electronic endoscope 10 can continue to display a clear image for a long time. .

Hereinafter, the optical component for an endoscope of the present invention will be further described.

When the optical component for an endoscope of the present invention contains a polycarbonate resin as a constituent material, examples of the polycarbonate resin include bisphenol A-based polycarbonate resin.

The weight average molecular weight of such a polycarbonate resin is not particularly limited.
It is preferably about 3,000, and
More preferably, it is about 000.

The heat distortion temperature of the polycarbonate resin is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 90 to 140 ° C.

When the optical component for an endoscope contains a resin other than the polycarbonate resin together with the polycarbonate resin, the optical component for an endoscope preferably contains 50 wt% or more of the polycarbonate resin, and 80 wt% or more.
%, More preferably 95% by weight or more. Thereby, the above-described effects can be more remarkably obtained.

When the optical component for an endoscope of the present invention contains a cyclic polyolefin resin as a constituent material, examples of the cyclic polyolefin resin include a cyclic olefin polymer, a cyclic conjugated diene polymer, and a norbornene polymer. Copolymers, copolymers of these, and copolymers of these with other monomers, and the like.

The weight average molecular weight of such a cyclic polyolefin-based resin is not particularly limited, but may be 1,000 to 1
It is preferably about 00,000, and 5,000 to
More preferably, it is about 50,000.

The heat distortion temperature of the cyclic polyolefin resin is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 90 to 140 ° C.

When the optical component for an endoscope contains a resin other than the cyclic polyolefin resin together with the cyclic polyolefin resin, the optical component for an endoscope may contain 50 wt% or more of the cyclic polyolefin resin. More preferably, the content is 80% by weight or more,
More preferably, the content is at least wt%. This allows
The above-mentioned effects can be obtained more effectively.

The optical component for an endoscope may be made of a polymer blend of a polycarbonate resin and a cyclic polyolefin resin, a polymer alloy, or the like. Further, the optical component for an endoscope may be made of a resin other than these.

The refractive index nd of the resin constituting such an endoscope optical component is not particularly limited, but is 1.50 to 1.50.
It is preferably about 1.70. The Abbe number νd of such a resin is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 25 to 70.

The Rockwell hardness of the resin constituting the optical component for an endoscope is not particularly limited.
It is preferably about 0. When the Rockwell hardness of the resin described above is set within such a range, the surface of the optical component is prevented from being scratched, and the chemical resistance and sterilization gas resistance of the obtained optical component are further improved. Also,
When the optical component is manufactured by injection molding or the like (see below), the moldability is further improved if the Rockwell hardness of the resin satisfies such a value.

When the optical component is a lens like the plano-concave lens 33, the diameter of the lens is not particularly limited, but is preferably 5 mm or less, more preferably 3 mm or less. An advantage of the present invention is that high chemical resistance and sterilization gas resistance can be ensured even with such a minute lens. The lower limit of the preferable range of the diameter of the lens described above is not particularly limited.
It can be about 5 mm.

It is preferable that such an optical component for an endoscope is manufactured by molding by injection molding or the like. Resins satisfying the above-mentioned conditions, among them, polycarbonate resin and cyclic polyolefin-based resin,
It can be easily and accurately formed into fine parts such as optical parts for endoscopes. Moreover, such a resin can easily and suitably form and manufacture the plano-concave lens 33 even when the plano-concave lens 33 has an aspherical fine and complicated surface shape. In addition, such a resin is hardly deteriorated by heating during molding. In addition to these advantages, such resins also have the advantage of being suitable for mass production.

In this case, as a molding method, any known method may be used, but it is preferable to use an injection molding method. The resin described above is particularly easy to mold by an injection molding method. Therefore, when the injection molding method is used, an optical component for an endoscope which is extremely excellent in surface accuracy or the like can be obtained though it is minute.

At this time, it is preferable to use a molding die whose surface in contact with the resin is made of nickel. When the above-mentioned resin is molded using a mold whose surface in contact with the resin is made of nickel, while suppressing deterioration of the surface properties,
An endoscope optical component can be suitably manufactured. Examples of such a mold include a mold made of nickel and a mold having a nickel-plated surface in contact with a resin. In the latter case, it is preferable to use an iron-based material such as stainless steel for the base material of the mold.

Although the molding temperature is not particularly limited,
The temperature is preferably set to about 120 to 350 ° C.,
More preferably, the temperature is about 300 ° C. The above-mentioned resin can be suitably molded by setting the molding temperature within such a temperature range. Molding pressure is not particularly limited and is preferably 220~500kg / cm ² or so, and more preferably a 250~300kg / cm ² approximately.

Such an optical component for an endoscope preferably has a coat layer on at least a part of its surface. As a result, the optical characteristics, scratch resistance, chemical resistance, sterilization gas resistance, and durability of the optical component can be improved.

In this case, it is preferable that at least a portion exposed on the surface of the endoscope is covered with a coat layer.
Therefore, in the case of the present embodiment, the plano-concave lenses 46, 4
It is preferable that the top surface of the lens 7 and the plano-concave lens 33 be covered with a coat layer. Thereby, the endoscope can obtain higher chemical resistance, sterilization gas resistance, and the like. This also allows the endoscope optical component to be suitably protected from damage and the like. The illustration of the coat layer is omitted in the drawings. The coat layer may be a laminate of two or more layers.

It is more preferable that the surface of the optical component for an endoscope is entirely covered with a coat layer. This facilitates the formation of the coat layer. Moreover,
Further improvements in chemical resistance, sterilization gas resistance, etc. can also be desired.

Such a coat layer may be made of a material other than a resin, but is preferably made of a resin. Examples of such a resin include a silicone-based material and a fluorine-based material.

Among them, the coat layer is more preferably made of a silicone material. The inventor has
It has been found that the silicone-based material has particularly excellent adhesion with the above-mentioned resins, particularly with a resin containing a polycarbonate resin or a cyclic polyolefin-based resin. In addition, silicone-based materials are also excellent in chemical resistance and sterilization gas resistance. Therefore, when the coat layer formed on the surface of the endoscope optical component is made of a silicone material, the durability, chemical resistance, and sterilization gas resistance of the endoscope optical component are further improved. As a result, the optical component for an endoscope is less likely to deteriorate even if it is repeatedly exposed to various chemicals such as a cleaning agent and a disinfectant or a sterilizing gas for a long period of time.

Examples of the silicone-based material include polysiloxanes, and mixed reactants of a silane coupling agent and an inorganic substance. Among them, as the silicone-based material used in the present invention, a mixed reaction product of a silane coupling agent and an inorganic substance is preferable. Such a material is particularly excellent in chemical resistance and sterilization gas resistance.

The thickness of such a coating layer is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 0.1 to 100 μm, and more preferably about 0.1 to 50 μm.
If the coat layer is too thin, the effect of improving chemical resistance and sterilization gas resistance may not be greatly expected. On the other hand, when the coat layer is too thick, the internal stress of the coat layer increases, and the adhesion between the coat layer and the above-described resin may decrease. As a result, it is conceivable that the chemical resistance and the sterilization gas resistance may decrease in the long term.

The hardness of the coating layer is preferably 4H or more, more preferably 5H or more, as measured by a pencil scratch value (JIS K 5400). When the coat layer has such a pencil scratch value, the durability of the optical component for an endoscope is improved. Further, when the coating layer has such a pencil scratch value, the chemical resistance and sterilization gas resistance of the optical component for an endoscope are less likely to decrease over a long period of time.

As a method of forming such a coat layer, for example, a coating method such as spin coating, a dipping method such as dipping and the like can be mentioned. Among them, a dipping method is preferable as a method of forming the coat layer. According to the immersion method,
A uniform coating layer having improved durability can be easily formed.

In the plano-concave lenses 46 and 47 and the optical components located on the base end side of the plano-concave lens 33, specifically, the plano-convex lens 34, the plano-concave lens 35 and the biconvex lens 36, all the optical components of the present invention are used. The optical component for an endoscope may be constituted, or at least a part of the optical component may not be constituted by the optical component for an endoscope of the present invention.

In the embodiment described above, a lens is described as an optical component. However, the present invention relates to an optical component other than a lens,
For example, the present invention can be applied to a cover member and the like.

In the above-described embodiment, the objective lens system and the projection lens system have been described as the lens system provided in the endoscope (that is, the endoscope lens system). However, the present invention is not limited to the objective lens system and the projection lens system. , For example, an eyepiece system.

In the embodiment described above, the case where the optical component for an endoscope of the present invention is applied to an electronic endoscope has been described as an example. However, the optical component for an endoscope of the present invention and an endoscope lens system are described. Can also be applied to an optical endoscope (fiber endoscope).

[0065]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described.

Resins as shown in Table 1 below were prepared.

[0067]

[Table 1]

The resin of each Example and Comparative Example was applied to a thickness of 3 mm
, And the following (1-
Any one of the operations 1) to (6) was performed.

(1-1) The plate was immersed in a 12 wt% hydrogen peroxide-based disinfectant for 3 weeks. The temperature of the hydrogen peroxide-based disinfectant was maintained at 22 ° C.

(1-2) The plate was immersed in a 12 wt% hydrogen peroxide-based disinfectant for 3 weeks. The temperature of the hydrogen peroxide-based disinfectant was maintained at 22 ° C. Thereafter, this plate was subjected to ethylene oxide gas sterilization under the following conditions; ethylene oxide gas: carbon dioxide = 20: 80, temperature 55.
° C, humidity 50%, reduced pressure 71 kPa, pressurized 69 kPa, gas concentration 450 mg / L, pretreatment 1 hour, sterilization time 5 hours, ventilation (5
5 ° C) 12 hours.

(2-1) The plate was immersed in a 0.8 wt% peracetic acid-based disinfectant for 3 weeks. The temperature of the peracetic acid disinfectant is 5
It was kept at 5 ° C.

(2-2) The plate was immersed in a 0.8 wt% peracetic acid-based disinfectant for 3 weeks. The temperature of the peracetic acid disinfectant is 5
It was kept at 5 ° C. Thereafter, the plate was subjected to ethylene oxide gas sterilization under the same conditions as described above.

(3-1) The plate material was immersed in a 0.5 wt% glutaraldehyde-based disinfecting solution for 3 weeks. The temperature of the glutaraldehyde-based disinfectant was kept at 60 ° C.

(3-2) The plate material was immersed in a 0.5 wt% glutaraldehyde-based disinfecting solution for 3 weeks. The temperature of the glutaraldehyde-based disinfectant was kept at 60 ° C. Thereafter, the plate was subjected to ethylene oxide gas sterilization under the same conditions as described above.

(4-1) A plate material was added to an aqueous solution of 10 wt% enzyme-based detergent ("ENDOZIM" manufactured by RUHOF) in an aqueous solution.
Soaked for a week. The temperature of the enzyme-based detergent aqueous solution was maintained at 22 ° C.

(4-2) The plate material was added to an aqueous solution of a 10 wt% enzyme-based detergent (“ENDOZIM” manufactured by RUHOF) in an aqueous solution.
Soaked for a week. The temperature of the enzyme-based detergent aqueous solution was maintained at 22 ° C. Thereafter, the plate was subjected to ethylene oxide gas sterilization under the same conditions as described above.

(5-1) The plate was immersed in an 85 vol% ethanol aqueous solution for 3 weeks. The temperature of the aqueous ethanol solution was maintained at 22 ° C.

(5-2) The plate was immersed in an 85 vol% ethanol aqueous solution for 3 weeks. The temperature of the aqueous ethanol solution was maintained at 22 ° C. Thereafter, the plate was subjected to ethylene oxide gas sterilization under the same conditions as described above.

(6) The plate material was subjected to ethylene oxide gas sterilization under the following conditions; ethylene oxide gas: carbon dioxide = 20: 80, temperature 55 ° C., humidity 50
%, Reduced pressure 71 kPa, pressurized 69 kPa, gas concentration 450 mg / L,
Pretreatment 1 hour, sterilization time 5 hours, ventilation (55 ° C) 12 hours.

The light transmittance of the plate before the operation and the light transmittance of the plate after the operation were measured, and from these values, the reduction rate of the light transmittance of each plate was obtained. In addition,
Visible light was used for these measurements.

The results are shown in Table 2 below. In the table, 0
% Means less than 0.5%.

[0082]

[Table 2]

Injection molding was performed using a resin having such properties to form the resin into a plano-concave lens shape. For this molding, a metal mold having a surface of a stainless steel substrate plated with nickel was used.

A coat layer (thickness: 5 μm) made of a silicone-based material was formed on the entire surface of the molded article made of the resin of each example by a dipping method. The molded article of the comparative example was not provided with a coat layer.

As described above, the diameter was 2 mm, the edge thickness was 1.2 mm,
A plano-concave lens with a maximum thickness of 1.2 mm was finally completed. The hardness of the coat layer of the optical component of Example 1 was 5H as a pencil scratch value. The hardness of the coat layer of the optical component of Example 2 was 5H as a pencil scratch value.
The hardness of the coat layer of the optical component of Example 3 was 5H as a pencil scratch value.

The plano-concave lenses of the examples and the comparative examples obtained as described above are incorporated into an electronic endoscope having the structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as the plano-concave lens 33 and the plano-concave lenses 46 and 47. 11 endoscopes were completed for each of the examples and comparative examples.

Then, any of the above-mentioned operations (1-1) to (6) was performed on these endoscopes.

Thereafter, the subject was observed using these electronic endoscopes. As a result, in the electronic endoscope provided with the optical component of the comparative example, the observation image was partially unclear due to clouding of the lens. On the other hand, in each of the electronic endoscopes provided with the optical components of the present embodiment, the observed image was clear without clouding of the lens.

[0089]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an optical component for an endoscope which is less likely to be deteriorated or deteriorated by a chemical or a sterilizing gas. Using this endoscope optical component,
It is possible to obtain an endoscope whose image quality and the like are unlikely to be degraded even if processing such as washing, sterilization and disinfection is repeated.

In particular, the optical component for an endoscope of the present invention is not one kind, but has chemical resistance to various chemicals.
In an endoscope provided with such an endoscope optical component, cleaning, sterilization, disinfection, and the like can be performed without selecting a chemical, and the versatility is wide. Further, the constituent material of the optical component for an endoscope of the present invention includes:
Excellent moldability. Therefore, the optical component for an endoscope of the present invention can be easily manufactured even if its shape is complicated, and has high dimensional accuracy, and thus has excellent optical performance. Further, since it is suitable for mass production, the manufacturing cost is also low.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall view showing an electronic endoscope to which an optical component for an endoscope of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a distal end portion of the electronic endoscope shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 electronic endoscope 1 insertion section flexible tube 3 imaging means 31 imaging element 311 signal line 32 objective lens system 33 plano-concave lens 34 plano-convex lens 35 plano-concave lens 36 biconvex lens 37 optical filter 38 spacing ring 4 illumination means 41, 42 projection lens Systems 44, 45 Optical fiber bundles 46, 47 Plano-concave lens 5 Curved tube 51 Tip 6 Operation section 61, 62 Operation knob 7 Connection section flexible tube 8 Light source insertion section 81 Light source connector 82 Image signal connector 83 Signal processing circuit

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yutaka Abe 2-36-9 Maeno-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo Asahi Gaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2H040 BA00 CA12 CA23 CA30 DA03 DA13 GA02 4C061 AA00 BB02 CC06 DD03 FF40 JJ03

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An optical part for an endoscope comprising a resin, wherein said resin forms a plate material having a thickness of 3 mm by said resin, and is immersed in a chemical solution described below under the following conditions. In any case, the optical component for an endoscope is characterized in that a reduction rate of the light transmittance after the test is within 5% based on the light transmittance before the test.・ 3 weeks for 22 ° C, 12 wt% hydrogen peroxide disinfectant ・ 3 weeks for 55 ° C, 0.8 wt% peracetic acid disinfectant ・ 3 for 60 ° C, 0.5 wt% glutaraldehyde disinfectant
Week ・ 3 weeks at 22 ℃, 10wt% enzyme detergent ・ 3 weeks at 85vol% ethanol aqueous solution at 22 ℃ 2. When the resin is subjected to ethylene oxide gas sterilization under the following conditions, the resin has a 5% reduction in light transmittance after the test based on the light transmittance before the test. The optical component for an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the optical component has a property of: -Ethylene oxide gas: carbon dioxide = 20:80, temperature 5
5 ℃, humidity 50%, gas concentration 450mg / L, sterilization time 5 hours 3. The optical component for an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the resin includes a polycarbonate resin and / or a cyclic polyolefin-based resin. 4. An endoscope attached to an endoscope such that at least a part thereof is exposed on a surface of the endoscope.
An optical component for an endoscope according to any one of the above. 5. The endoscope optical component according to claim 1, further comprising a coat layer on at least a part of the surface. 6. The endoscope optical component according to claim 5, wherein the coat layer is made of a silicone-based material. 7. The optical component for an endoscope according to claim 5, wherein the hardness of the coat layer is 4H or more as a pencil scratch value. 8. The endoscope optical component according to claim 5, wherein a portion exposed to the surface of the endoscope is covered with at least the coat layer. 9. An endoscope comprising the endoscope optical component according to claim 1. Description: