JP4451333B2 - Endoscope insertion part and endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

An insertion section for an endoscope has a distal section integrally having imaging portions for obtaining an endoscope image; a bend portion provided at a base end of the distal section and bendable in the direction substantially coincides with the up-down direction of a monitor screen on which the endoscope image is displayed; an insertion portion having at its head the distal section and the bend portion; and a tube path having at its head an opening and ejecting liquid toward an affected site in a body cavity. Because the opening is provided in the distal section so as to be able to eject the liquid within a observation field of view obtained by the imaging portions, operability for a user is improved so that the user can eject liquid from the opening of a forward water supply channel toward a desired affected site and that the distal section can be reduced in diameter.

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope insertion section and an endoscope that can eject liquid toward an affected area in a body cavity and have a plurality of observation optical systems.

  Conventionally, endoscopes are widely used in the medical field and the like. An endoscope, for example, observes an organ or the like in a body cavity by inserting an elongated insertion portion into the body cavity, and performs various treatments using a treatment instrument inserted into a treatment instrument insertion channel as necessary. Can be. A bending portion is provided at the distal end of the insertion portion, and the observation direction of the observation window at the distal end portion can be changed by operating the operation portion of the endoscope.

In general, the outer surface of the objective optical system of an endoscope is provided with an air supply / water supply nozzle for washing because it may interfere with observation due to attachment of body fluid or the like when inserted into a body cavity. . The outer surface of the objective optical system of the endoscope can ensure a clean observation field of view by, for example, jetting a cleaning liquid from an air / water supply nozzle or blowing air.
For example, as described in Patent Document 1, an endoscope having a plurality of objective optical systems has been proposed. This endoscope has a plurality of imaging units, and is arranged at the distal end of the insertion portion so that the plurality of objective optical systems and the openings of the air / water supply nozzles are arranged on a substantially straight line.

In addition, endoscopes used in recent years include a pipe line (hereinafter referred to as a treatment instrument channel) through which various forceps are inserted or a body fluid or filth in a body cavity is sucked, and an affected part that is a site to be examined. In order to wash the mucous membrane and the like adhering to the tube, it has a pipe line (hereinafter referred to as a forward water supply channel) for spraying a washing liquid toward the affected area. The openings of the treatment instrument channel and the front water supply channel are disposed on the distal end surface of the distal end portion.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-154155

  However, Patent Document 1 discloses an endoscope that does not include a forward water supply channel. The liquid from the opening of the front water supply channel is ejected by the user toward a desired affected part in the body cavity.

  In an endoscope having a plurality of imaging units, if the liquid ejection direction is not displayed on the monitor under observation by each unit, the operability for the user to eject the liquid toward a desired affected area is poor. turn into.

  Further, the forward water supply channel formed in the front end portion has a predetermined angle so that the liquid ejection direction is directed to the axial extension direction of the front end portion on the subject side so as to surely enter the observation field of view of the imaging unit. May be formed. In this case, the front end portion becomes larger in the outer diameter direction due to the front water supply channel formed so that the front end portion has a predetermined angle.

  Furthermore, in an endoscope having a plurality of image pickup units, for example, at least one image pickup unit capable of shooting with normal light is often provided. In such an endoscope, an imaging unit for observation with normal light is frequently used, and if there is an abnormality in an affected part in a body cavity, for example, an imaging unit for special observation such as fluorescence observation is further increased. Detailed observation of the affected area can be performed.

  That is, in an endoscope having a plurality of imaging units, the liquid from the opening of the front water supply channel is surely ejected toward the affected area of the user during observation with normal light that is frequently used. desirable.

  Therefore, the endoscope of the present invention is made in view of the above-described circumstances, and in an endoscope having a plurality of imaging units, the liquid is directed from the opening of the front water supply channel toward the desired affected area by the user. The purpose of this invention is to realize an endoscope in which the operability of jetting is improved and the diameter of the tip can be reduced.

In order to achieve the above object, the endoscope insertion portion of the present invention has a distal end portion and a bending portion that can be bent in a direction substantially coinciding with the vertical direction of the monitor screen on which the endoscope image is displayed. An endoscope having an insertion portion and a plurality of imaging means for obtaining the endoscopic image, the endoscope being disposed at the distal end portion so as to be aligned substantially in line with an observation window of the plurality of imaging means. A first air-feeding / water-feeding means for jetting a gas or liquid from the jet nozzle toward the observation window, and a pipe line for jetting the liquid toward the affected part in the body cavity. Each of the centers of the first and second openings, comprising: an opening; and a second opening disposed at the distal end and provided with a conduit for sucking unnecessary liquid in the body cavity. Is a predetermined line with respect to a line indicating the jet direction of the gas and liquid from the air / water supply means on the front end surface of the front end portion. They are respectively arranged at positions which substantially symmetrical to spaced away.

  According to the endoscope of the present invention, it has a plurality of imaging units, and even under each observation, the operability of the user ejecting liquid from the opening of the front water supply channel toward the desired affected area is improved. In addition, the diameter of the tip can be reduced.

(First embodiment)
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
First, the configuration of the endoscope system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the configuration of an endoscope system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope system 1 according to the present invention includes an endoscope 2 that can perform normal light observation and fluorescence observation, and a light source device 3 that supplies illumination light to the endoscope 2 in the present embodiment. And a processor 4 as a signal processing device for performing signal processing on the endoscope 2 and a video signal output from the processor 4, whereby each endoscope image for normal observation or fluorescence observation is displayed. A monitor 5 for displaying, an air / water supply device 6 for performing air / water supply, and a forward water supply device 6a for performing forward water supply are provided.

The endoscope 2 includes an elongated insertion portion 11 so as to be easily inserted into a body cavity, an operation portion 12 connected to a proximal end of the insertion portion 11, and a universal cable extending from a side portion of the operation portion 12. 13. A connector 14 provided at the end of the universal cable 13 is detachably connected to the light source device 3.
Further, the insertion portion 11 of the endoscope 2 is operated from the hard distal end portion 15 formed at the distal end thereof, the bending portion 16 formed at the proximal end of the distal end portion 15, and the proximal end of the bending portion 16. And a flexible tube portion 17 having flexibility formed up to the portion 12.

A light guide 21 that transmits illumination light is inserted into the insertion portion 11. The light guide 21 is inserted into the universal cable 13 via the operation unit 12, and the base end portion 22 is connected to a light guide connector (not shown) protruding from the connector 14.
Further, the tip portion of the light guide 21 is fixed in the tip portion 15. Note that an illumination lens 25 of an illumination unit, which will be described later, which is an illumination optical system, is disposed at the distal end portion of the distal end portion 15, and illumination light is emitted from the light guide 21 via the illumination lens 25. A tip cover 24 is provided on the tip surface of the tip portion 15.

  In the present embodiment, the light guide 21 is branched, for example, in the operation unit 12, divided into two parts in the insertion unit 11, and inserted. The front end surfaces of the light guides 21 divided into two are respectively arranged in the vicinity of the back surfaces of the two illumination lenses 25 provided on the front end cover 24.

Further, a treatment instrument channel (also referred to as a forceps channel), which is a first conduit that allows a treatment instrument such as forceps to be inserted (not shown in FIG. 1), is provided in the insertion portion 11. The distal end of the treatment instrument channel is open at the distal end surface of the distal end cover 24.
The treatment instrument channel branches near the proximal end of the insertion portion 11, and one of the treatment instrument channels is inserted to a treatment instrument insertion port (not shown) provided in the operation portion 12. The other is communicated with the suction channel through the insertion portion 11 and the universal cable 13, and its base end is connected to a suction means (not shown) via the connector 14.

  Two imaging units are disposed inside the distal end portion 15. In the present embodiment, there are a normal light observation imaging unit (hereinafter referred to as a normal light imaging unit) 31A which is a first imaging means for normal light observation, and a second imaging means for special observation. A fluorescence observation imaging unit (hereinafter referred to as a fluorescence imaging unit) 31B is incorporated.

  In the present embodiment, the second imaging means is a fluorescence observation imaging unit capable of performing fluorescence observation, which is special observation. For example, a night vision observation imaging unit, an infrared observation imaging unit, or the like may be used. It is not particularly limited for fluorescence observation.

One ends of signal cables 38a and 38b are connected to the normal light imaging unit 31A and the fluorescence imaging unit 31B, respectively. The other ends of the signal cables 38 a and 38 b are inserted into the operation unit 12 and the universal cable 13, and are connected to a common signal cable 43 in a switchable manner on a relay board 42 provided in the connector 14.
The common signal cable 43 is connected to the processor 4 through the scope cable 44 connected to the connector 14.

In the processor 4, drive circuits 45a and 45b for driving the image pickup devices of the normal light image pickup unit 31A and the fluorescence image pickup unit 31B, respectively, and image pickup signals output from the two image pickup devices via the relay substrate 42, respectively. A signal processing circuit 46 that performs signal processing and a control circuit 47 that controls the operation state of the signal processing circuit 46 and the like are provided.
The operation unit 12 of the endoscope 2 includes control switches 48a and 48b, an air / water supply button 63, a bending operation knob (not shown), and a switch (not shown) for performing a tele / zoom operation of the normal light imaging unit 31A. (Also referred to as a tele / zoom button), a forward water supply button (not shown), and the treatment instrument insertion port (not shown).
These control switches 48a and 48b are connected to the control circuit 47 of the processor 4 via signal lines 49a and 49b, respectively. In the present embodiment, for example, the control switch 48a generates a signal instructing switching, and the control switch 48b generates, for example, a freeze instruction signal.

  In the relay board 42, for example, in response to an operation of the control switch 48a, one of the signal cables 38a and 38b connected to each image sensor is connected to the common signal cable 43, and the other signal cable is connected. A switching operation is performed so as to be connected to the signal cable 43.

Specifically, for example, when the control switch 48 a is operated, it is inserted into the scope cable 44 and switched to the relay board 42 via a switching signal line 49 c electrically connected to the control circuit 47. A signal is output. In the relay board 42 to which the switching signal line 49c is connected, the input terminal of the signal from the control circuit 47 is normally in the L (LOW) level state, and the switching control terminal is pulled down. The signal cable 38a of the normal optical imaging unit 31A is connected to the common signal cable 43. Even in the start-up state, the switching control terminal is set to the L level. That is, the normal light observation state is set when the switching instruction operation is not performed.
In this state, when the user operates the control switch 48a, a control signal at which the signal from the control circuit 47 becomes H (HIGH) level is applied to the input terminal of the relay board 42 via the switching signal line 49c, and switching control is performed. The terminal is pulled up, and the signal cable 38b of the fluorescence imaging unit 31B is connected to the common signal cable 43 in this state.

  Further, when the control switch 48a is operated, an L level signal is supplied to the switching control terminal, and the signal cable 38a of the normal optical imaging unit 31A is connected to the common signal cable 43.

As the control switch 48a is operated, the control circuit 47 also sends a control signal to the control circuit 58 in the light source device 3 via the control signal line 49d in the scope cable 44, and the control circuit 58 controls the control circuit 58. Control is made to generate normal observation light or excitation light for fluorescence observation according to the signal. Furthermore, the control circuit 47 controls the operation state of the signal processing circuit 46 so as to perform the operation corresponding to each imaging element of the normal light imaging unit 31A and the fluorescence imaging unit 31B.
The light source device 3 is arranged in the optical path of the lamp 51 that generates white light including the wavelength of the excitation light, the collimator lens 52 that converts the light from the lamp 51 into a parallel light beam, and is, for example, visible light A rotary filter 53 provided with an RGB filter in the circumferential direction that passes light in the wavelength bands of R (RED), G (GREEN), and B (BULUE) in the wavelength band (380 nm to 780 nm), and transmitted light of the rotary filter 53 And a condensing lens 54 that collects the light and emits the light to the base end portion 22 of the light guide 21.

Further, the rotary filter 53 provided with the RGB filter is provided with a filter for excitation light that passes excitation light in a wavelength band shorter than the wavelength band of visible light on the outer side in the circumferential direction. The rotary filter 53 is rotationally driven by a motor 55. Further, the motor 55 is attached to a rack 56, and can be moved in a direction perpendicular to the illumination optical axis as indicated by an arrow by a geared motor 57 meshing with the rack 56.
The geared motor 57 is controlled by a control circuit 58. The control circuit 58 is connected to the control circuit 47 of the processor 4 through the control signal line 49d, and performs a corresponding control operation by operating the control switch 48a.
Further, at the distal end portion 15, the jet outlet faces the outer surface of each objective lens (hereinafter also referred to as an observation lens) of the normal light imaging unit 31 </ b> A and the fluorescence imaging unit 31 </ b> B disposed on the distal end cover 24. Thus, an air / water supply nozzle 60 which is an air / water supply means is arranged.
As will be described later, the air / water supply nozzle 60 is connected to an air / water supply pipe 61 that is joined together at the tip side, and the proximal end side of the air / water supply pipe 61 is connected to the air / air supply line 61a. It branches to the water supply pipeline 61b.
The air supply pipe 61a and the water supply pipe 61b communicating with the air / water supply nozzle 60 are inserted to the connector 14 of the universal cable 13 and are connected to the air / water supply apparatus 6 including a pump (not shown) for supplying and supplying air. Is done.

  The air supply pipe 61a and the water supply pipe 61b are provided with the above-mentioned air supply / water supply button 63 in the operation unit 12 in the middle of the operation. Water is delivered.

  As a result, the air / water supply nozzle 60 sprays a gas such as air or a liquid such as distilled water on the outer surfaces of the objective lenses of the normal light imaging unit 31A and the fluorescence imaging unit 31B arranged in the ejection direction, Kimonos and the like are removed and washed to ensure a clean imaging and observation field of view.

Furthermore, in the insertion portion 11, a forward water supply channel (not shown in FIG. 1) that is a second conduit for supplying a liquid such as distilled water to a test site in the body cavity is provided. The front end of the front water supply channel is open at the front end surface of the front end cover 24.
This forward water supply channel is connected to the forward water supply device 6a, and a front water supply button (not shown) disposed in the operation unit 12 is interposed. When this forward water supply button is operated, a liquid such as distilled water is sprayed from the distal end surface of the insertion portion 11 toward the insertion direction into the body cavity. Thereby, the body fluid adhering to the test site in the body cavity can be washed. As shown in FIG. 1, a foot switch 6b is connected to a cable extending from the forward water supply device 6a, and the user can insert the foot switch 6b into the body cavity from the distal end surface of the insertion portion 11 by operating the foot switch 6b. A liquid such as distilled water can be sprayed in the direction.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the distal end cover 24 disposed at the distal end portion 15 of the insertion portion 11 includes an observation lens 31 a that is a first observation window of the normal light imaging unit 31 </ b> A, and a fluorescence imaging unit 31 </ b> B. An observation lens 31b that is the second observation window, two illumination lenses 25a and 25b, an opening 26 of the treatment instrument channel, and an opening 27 of the front water supply channel are disposed. Further, as described above, the air supply / water supply nozzle 60 is disposed in the distal end cover 24 so that the jet outlet 60a faces the observation lenses 31a and 31b.
2 and 3 are perspective views showing the distal end cover portion of the endoscope, and FIG. 4 is a plan view of the distal end cover as viewed from the front. The two observation lenses 31a and 31b are optical members.

Specifically, when the distal end portion 15 is viewed from the distal end, an observation lens 31a is disposed substantially at the distal end surface of the substantially circular distal end cover 24, and the observation lens 31a is sandwiched between the observation lenses 31a in FIG. An illumination lens 25a and an illumination lens 25b are arranged on the left and right as viewed toward the paper surface. Further, on the front end surface of the front end cover 24, toward the paper surface of FIG. 4, the opening 27 of the front water channel on the right upper side of the observation lens 31 a, the air / water supply nozzle 60 on the upper left side, the observation lens 31 b on the lower right side, and An opening 26 of the treatment instrument channel is disposed on the lower left side.
Note that the arrangement of the observation lenses 31a and 31b, the openings 26 and 27, and the air / water supply nozzle 60 disposed on the tip cover 24 in the present embodiment will be described in detail later.

  Next, the internal configuration of the distal end portion of the insertion portion 11 of the endoscope 2 according to the present embodiment will be described based on FIGS. 5 is a sectional view of the distal end portion and the curved portion cut along the line AA in FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the distal end portion cut along the line BB in FIG. Is a cross-sectional view showing a branched portion of the air / water supply conduit, FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the tip section cut along the line CC in FIG. 4, and FIG. 9 is cut along the line DD in FIG. FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the distal end portion cut along the line EE of FIG. 5, and FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the curved portion cut along the line FF of FIG. is there.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of annular bending pieces 7 are rotatably connected to the bending portion 16 of the endoscope 2. Each bending piece 7 has four wire guards 7a fixed to the inner peripheral surface thereof by means such as welding. The four wire guards 7a are fixed to the inner peripheral surface of one bending piece 7 at positions shifted by approximately 90 ° around the insertion axis (see FIG. 10).

  Further, the plurality of bending pieces 7 are covered with a bending blade 9 in which a thin wire or the like is knitted in a cylindrical shape so as to cover the outer periphery thereof, and an outer skin 10 is provided on the bending blade 9 so as to keep water tightness. The bending portion 16 is formed by being covered.

  The outer skin 10 is coated so as to be integrated over the entire length of the insertion portion 11 including the distal end portion 15, the bending portion 16, and the flexible tube portion 17. It is fixed by the part 10a.

  Further, four bending operation wires 8 that are bending operation means extending from the bending portion 16 toward the proximal end are inserted into the insertion portion 11. These four bending operation wires 8 are provided by four fixing portions 18a (refer to FIG. 11; only one is shown in FIG. 5) of a fixing ring 18 having a tip portion provided in the tip portion 15. Each of them is held and fixed by being shifted by approximately 90 ° around the insertion shaft, and the base end side portion is provided so as to be inserted through each wire guard 7 a provided on the bending piece 7.

  In a state where the insertion axis of the bending portion 16 is substantially straight, it is held and fixed by each fixing portion 18a of the fixing ring 18 provided at the distal end portion 15, and is inserted into each wire guard 7a of each bending piece 7. The distal end portion 15 and each bending piece 7 are connected so that each bending operation wire 8 is substantially straight.

  Further, these bending operation wires 8 are provided in the operation section 12 (see FIG. 1) at the base end, and are connected to a bending operation mechanism (not shown) connected to the bending operation knob to be alternately pulled or relaxed. It is like that.

  The four bending operation wires 8 are pulled and loosened by predetermined operations of the bending operation knob, respectively, so that the bending portion 16 is bent in four directions. As will be described later, these four directions are four directions, up, down, left, and right of the endoscopic image displayed on the monitor 5 photographed by each of the imaging units 31A and 31B.

  Further, two bending operation wires 8 that are first bending operation means for operating the bending portion 16 in the up-down direction and two bending operation means that operate the bending portion 16 in the left-right direction. The bending operation wire 8 is paired with each other. That is, the two bending operation wires 8 respectively inserted and held in the two wire guards 7a in the direction corresponding to the vertical direction of the bending piece 7 in the bending portion 16 are the first bending operation means. The two bending operation wires 8 respectively inserted and held in the two wire guards 7a in the direction corresponding to the left-right direction of the bending piece 7 are the second bending operation means.

  A cylindrical member 15a made of a hard metal and formed with a plurality of, seven holes in the present embodiment, and an annular shape that externally fits the outer peripheral portion on the proximal end side of the cylindrical member 15a. The reinforcing ring 15b is provided. In addition, the fixed ring 18 having the four fixed portions 18 a described above is inserted into the inner peripheral side of the reinforcing ring 15 b of the distal end portion 15. Further, the reinforcing ring 15b is connected to the bending piece 7 having the most proximal end portion.

  Of the seven holes formed in the columnar member 15a in the distal end portion 15, two hole portions form the distal end portions of the treatment instrument channel 19 and the front water supply channel 20, and the remaining five hole portions include the above-described portions. The normal light imaging unit 31A, the fluorescence imaging unit 31B, the air / water feeding nozzle 60, and two illumination lens units to be described later are arranged.

The treatment instrument channel 19 includes a substantially cylindrical tube member that is fitted into an opening 26 opened in a distal end cover 24 provided on the distal end surface of the distal end portion 15 and a hole of a columnar member 15a of the distal end portion 15. 19 a and a treatment instrument pipe line 19 b made of a flexible tube whose distal end portion covers the proximal end portion of the tube member 19 a and is connected and fixed by thread winding.
This treatment instrument pipe line 19b is inserted through the insertion portion 11, and its proximal end is opened at the operation portion 12 at the treatment instrument insertion port (not shown in FIG. 1) as described above.

Similarly, the front water supply channel 20 having the opening 27 in the distal end cover 24 includes a substantially cylindrical tube member 20a inserted into a hole of the columnar member 15a of the distal end portion 15, and a proximal end portion of the tube member 20a. It has a front water supply pipe 20b that is covered and fixed with a front end connected by thread winding.
This forward water supply conduit 20b is inserted through the insertion portion 11, the operation portion 12 and the universal cable 13 to the connector 14 and is connected to the forward water supply device 6a. As described above, the front water supply pipe 20b, which is the front water supply channel 20, is provided with a front water supply button (not shown) in the operation unit 12.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the air / water supply nozzle 60 is a tubular member bent into a substantially L shape, and the opening 60a on the distal end side faces the outer surface side of each observation lens 31a, 31b. The proximal end portion is inserted into the hole of the columnar member 15 a of the distal end portion 15.

  The distal end portion of the pipe member 62 is inserted into the proximal end side of the hole portion of the columnar member 15 a corresponding to the air / water feeding nozzle 60, and the air / water feeding conduit 61 is inserted into the proximal end portion of the pipe member 62. It is connected. The pipe member 62 and the air / water supply conduit 61 are connected and fixed by thread winding.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the air supply / water supply pipeline 61 is connected at its base end portion to the branch pipe 50, and the branch ends of the branch pipe 50 are the tip portions of the air supply pipe 61a and the water supply pipe 61b. Connected to each. Thereby, the air / water supply pipeline 61 communicates with the air / water supply pipeline 61a and the water supply pipeline 61b. The pipes 61, 61a, 61b and the branch pipe 50 are connected and fixed by thread winding, and an adhesive or the like is applied around each connection part and the entire branch pipe 50 so that each connection part is airtight. (Watertight) retained.

  Of the seven holes formed in the cylindrical member 15a of the distal end portion 15, the illumination lens unit 23 is respectively inserted into the two holes from the distal end side, and the distal end portion of the light guide 21 is located at the proximal end portion. It is inserted. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the illumination lens unit 23 includes a plurality of illumination lenses 25 and a holding frame 23 a that holds the illumination lenses 25. Note that the two illumination lens units 23 in the present embodiment have illumination lenses 25 a and 25 b that are the forefront of each illumination lens 25.

  The light guide 21 is covered with a cylindrical member 21a at the tip and covered with an outer skin 29 that bundles a plurality of fiber fibers. The base end portion of the cylindrical member 21 a is connected and fixed to a tube 28 whose tip portion is fixed with a bobbin, and a light guide 21 covered with an outer skin 29 is inserted into the tube 28.

  Of the seven holes of the cylindrical member 15a, one hole is an observation lens that is a first observation optical system fixed by a first observation optical system fixing means such as a screw or an adhesive. The first observation optical system arrangement means in which the normal light imaging unit 31A including 31a is arranged, and the other one hole is formed by the second observation optical system fixing means such as a screw or an adhesive, for example. The second observation optical system arrangement means in which the fluorescence imaging unit 31B including the observation lens 31b that is the second observation optical system is arranged is configured, and each of the illumination lenses 25 that are the first and second illumination optical systems is provided. The other two hole portions in which the two illumination lens units provided are fixedly arranged by first and second illumination optical system fixing means such as screws and adhesives, respectively, are one of the first illumination optical arrangement means And the other is the second light Constitute an optical arrangement means.

  Of the seven holes, the hole in which the air / water supply means is arranged is an air supply in which the air / water supply nozzle 60 is fixedly arranged by a first air / water supply fixing means such as a screw or an adhesive. It constitutes the water supply arrangement means. Further, of the seven holes, the hole in which the treatment instrument channel 19 that is the first endoscope channel is arranged constitutes a first endoscope channel arranging means, and the second inner tube is arranged. The hole portion in which the front water supply channel 20 which is an endoscope channel is arranged constitutes a second endoscope channel arrangement means. The treatment instrument channel 19 is fixedly disposed in one of the seven holes by a first endoscope conduit fixing means such as a screw or an adhesive, and the front water supply channel 20 is For example, the second endoscope pipe fixing means such as a screw or an adhesive is fixedly arranged in the other one hole.

  Returning to FIG. 6, the normal light imaging unit 31 </ b> A includes a lens unit 32, an imaging device 33 such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor), and a circuit board 34.

  The lens unit 32 includes first to fourth lens groups 32A to 32D and first to fourth lens frames 32a to 32d. In the present embodiment, the first lens group 32A including four objective lenses including the observation lens 31a is held by the first lens frame 32a, and the second lens 32B including one objective lens is the second lens frame. A third lens group 32C composed of two objective lenses is held on the third lens frame 32c, and a fourth lens group 32D composed of three objective lenses is held on the fourth lens frame 32d.

  The second lens frame 32b that holds the second lens 32B is a movable frame that can advance and retreat with respect to the photographing optical axis direction for zooming. The second lens frame 32b is provided with a driving means such as a motor or an actuator (not shown) provided in the normal optical imaging unit 31A when a zooming operation lever (not shown) provided in the operation unit 12 is operated by the user. Thus, the forward / backward movement with respect to the photographing optical axis direction is performed.

  The driving means for moving the second lens frame 32b forward and backward with respect to the photographing optical axis direction is supplied with a driving / stop signal by a signal line 38c shown in FIG. The signal line 38c is inserted from the normal optical imaging unit 31A through the insertion unit 11 to the operation unit 12.

  The image pickup device 33 is provided with a cover lens 33a arranged in parallel with the base end side of the objective lens at the most base end of the fourth lens frame 32d on the light receiving surface side, and outputs an electric signal corresponding to the optical image to the circuit board 34. To do. The circuit board 34 has electrical components and wiring patterns, photoelectrically converts an optical image from the image sensor 33 into an electrical image signal, and outputs the image signal to a signal cable 38a. The circuit board 34 is connected to a plurality of signal lines of the signal cable 38a by means such as soldering.

  The cover lens 33a, the image sensor 33, the circuit board 34, and the tip end portion of the signal cable 38a are integrally covered with an insulating sealing resin or the like, and covered with a reinforcing annular portion 35a and an insulating tube 35b. ing.

  In addition, the signal cable 38a receives the image signal acquired by the imaging device 33 and the circuit board 34 of the normal light imaging unit 31A via the relay board 42 and the signal cable 43 of the connector 14 shown in FIG. The data is transmitted to the processing circuit 46.

  On the other hand, the fluorescence imaging unit 31B includes a lens unit 32, an imaging element 38 such as a CCD or a CMOS, and a circuit board 39, like the normal light imaging unit 31A.

  The lens unit 36 includes first and second lens groups 36A and 36B, and first and second lens frames 32a and 32b. In the present embodiment, the first lens group 36A composed of seven objective lenses including the observation lens 31b is held by the first lens frame 36a, and the second lens 36B is held by the second lens frame 36b. .

  The image pickup element 38 is provided with a cover lens 40 arranged in parallel on the base end side of the objective lens at the most base end of the second lens frame 36 b on the light receiving surface side, and outputs an electrical signal of an optical image to the circuit board 39. . This circuit board 39 has electrical components and wiring patterns as in the circuit board 34 of the normal optical imaging unit 31A, and a plurality of signal lines of the signal cable 38a are connected by means such as soldering, and the imaging element 38 The optical image is photoelectrically converted into an electrical image signal, and the image signal is output to the signal cable 38b.

  The cover lens 40, the image sensor 33, the circuit board 34, and the tip end portion of the signal cable 38a are each covered with an insulating sealing resin or the like, and covered with a reinforcing annular portion 37a and an insulating tube 37b. ing.

  In addition, the signal cable 38b performs signal processing of the processor 4 on the image signal acquired by the imaging element 38 and the circuit board 39 of the fluorescence imaging unit 31B via the relay board 42 and the signal cable 43 of the connector 14 shown in FIG. Transmit to circuit 46.

  The normal light imaging unit 31A and the fluorescence imaging unit 31B described above are respectively inserted into predetermined holes provided in the columnar member 15a of the distal end portion 15, and are firmly fixed with an adhesive or the like together with a fixing member such as a screw. It is fixed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the observation lens 31a that the normal light imaging unit 31A has at the tip thereof has a lens diameter (diameter) of the observation lens 31b that is arranged at the tip of the fluorescence imaging unit 31B. Has a larger diameter.

  In each of the image pickup units 31A and 31B, the light receiving surfaces of the two image pickup devices 33 and 38 are orthogonal to the insertion axis of the insertion unit 11, and the horizontal transfer direction and the vertical transfer direction of the two image pickup devices 33 and 38 are set. The installation directions in the tip 15 are determined so as to match each other.

  In addition, subject images captured by the imaging units 31A and 31B are displayed on the monitor 5 (see FIG. 1). The vertical direction of the monitor 5 is the vertical transfer of the CCD elements or CMOS elements of the imaging elements 33 and 38. The left and right directions coincide with the horizontal transfer direction of the CCD elements or CMOS elements of the image pickup elements 33 and 38. That is, the up / down / left / right directions of the endoscopic images taken by the imaging units 31 </ b> A and 31 </ b> B coincide with the up / down / left / right directions of the monitor 5.

The vertical and horizontal directions of the bending portion 16 of the insertion portion 11 are determined so as to correspond to the vertical and horizontal directions of the endoscopic image displayed on the monitor 5. That is, the four bending operation wires 8 inserted into the bending portion 16 are pulled and loosened by a predetermined operation of the bending operation knob provided in the operation portion 12 as described above, and the bending portion 16 is displayed on the monitor 5. It can be bent in four directions, up, down, left and right, corresponding to the up, down, left and right directions of the image.
That is, even if the observation with the normal light and the observation of the fluorescence are switched, the imaging units 31A, 31A, 31B In 31B, the installation direction in the distal end portion 15 is determined so that the horizontal transfer direction and the vertical transfer direction of the respective image sensors 33 and 38 coincide with each other.

  As a result, the bending portion 16 can be obtained without the user receiving an uncomfortable feeling in the vertical and horizontal directions of the endoscopic image displayed on the monitor 5 when the endoscopic image is switched between the observation image with normal light and the observation image with fluorescence. Can be bent in the vertical and horizontal directions.

  In the description to be described later, the up and down direction, which is the first direction, will be described as the up and down direction of the endoscopic image displayed on the monitor 5 and the up and down direction in which the bending portion 16 is bent. Further, in general, the monitor 5 is installed so that the vertical direction thereof substantially coincides with the vertical vertical direction. Furthermore, the left-right direction, which is the second direction substantially orthogonal to the up-down direction, is equal to the left-right direction of the endoscopic image displayed on the monitor 5 and the left-right direction in which the bending portion 16 is bent.

Here, the operation of the endoscope system 1 described above will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the user connects the connector 14 of the endoscope 2 to the light source device 3, connects one end of the scope cable 44 to the connector 14, and connects the other end of the scope cable 44 to the processor 4. Connect to. Further, the air supply pipe 61 a and the water supply pipe 61 b are connected to the air supply / water supply device 6.
And a user turns ON power switches, such as the light source device 3, and sets each to an operating state. At this time, the control circuits 47 and 58 of the processor 4 and the light source device 3 are in a state in which control signals and the like can be transmitted and received.
In the activated state, the relay board 42 is set so that the normal optical imaging unit 31A side is selected. The control circuit 47 performs a control operation for setting the normal light observation state. That is, the control circuit 47 sends a control signal to the control circuit 58 of the light source device 3 to set the illumination light supply state for normal light observation.

Further, the control circuit 47 controls the drive circuit 45a to be driven and sets the operation state of the signal processing circuit 46 to the normal light observation mode.
The user inserts the insertion portion 11 of the endoscope 2 into the body cavity and sets so that the affected part or the like to be diagnosed can be observed.
As described above, the light source device 3 is in a state of supplying illumination light for normal light observation. In this state, the rotary filter 53 is rotationally driven by the motor 55 in a state where the RGB filter is disposed in the illumination optical path. The light guide 21 is supplied with RGB illumination light in the order of frames. In synchronization with this, the drive circuit 45a outputs a drive signal, and illuminates the affected area in the body cavity of the patient via the illumination lenses 25a and 25b.

An illuminated subject such as an affected part passes through the lens unit 32 of the normal light imaging unit 31A, forms an image on the light receiving surface of the imaging element 33, and is subjected to photoelectric conversion. The image sensor 33 outputs a photoelectrically converted signal by applying a drive signal. This signal is input to the signal processing circuit 46 through the common signal cable 43 selected by the signal cable 38a and the relay board 42.
The signal input into the signal processing circuit 46 is A / D converted internally and then temporarily stored in the R, G, B memory.
Thereafter, the signals stored in the R, G, B memory are simultaneously read and synchronized into R, G, B signals, and further D / A converted into analog R, G, B signals, The color is displayed on the monitor 5.

The user turns on the control switch 48a when he wants to examine the affected part in more detail by fluorescent observation in addition to normal light observation. Then, the control circuit 47 receives this switching instruction signal, performs switching control of the relay substrate 42, and sets the light source device 3 to a supply state of excitation light for fluorescence observation via the control circuit 58.
The control circuit 47 controls the drive circuit 45b to the operating state and sets the signal processing circuit 46 to the fluorescence observation processing mode.
In this case, the control circuit 58 in the light source device 3 moves the rotary filter 53 in the direction orthogonal to the illumination optical path together with the motor 55 by the geared motor 57, and the excitation light filter is arranged in the illumination optical path. Like that.
In this state, the light from the lamp 51 is supplied to the light guide 21 through the light in the wavelength band near 400 to 450 nm, for example, by the excitation light filter. And this excitation light is irradiated to the affected part etc. in a body cavity through illumination lens 25a, 25b.

The affected part irradiated with the excitation light absorbs the excitation light when it is a cancer tissue, and emits stronger fluorescence than the normal tissue. The light of the part that emits fluorescence passes through the lens unit 36 of the fluorescence imaging unit 31B, forms an image on the light receiving surface of the imaging element 38, and is photoelectrically converted.
The image sensor 38 outputs a photoelectrically converted signal by applying a drive signal from the drive circuit 45b. In this case, the signal is amplified inside the image sensor 38 and output from the image sensor 38. This signal is input to the signal processing circuit 46 through the common signal cable 43 selected by the signal cable 38b and the relay board 42.
The signal input into the signal processing circuit 46 is A / D converted internally and then stored in, for example, the R, G, B memory simultaneously.

Thereafter, the signals stored in the R, G, B memory are simultaneously read and synchronized into R, G, B signals, and further D / A converted into analog R, G, B signals, The monitor 5 is displayed in monochrome.
Note that the level of the signal input into the signal processing circuit 46 may be compared with a plurality of threshold values, and the color to be assigned may be changed in accordance with the comparison result to display a pseudo color.
As described above, according to the present embodiment, since normal light observation and fluorescence observation can be performed, it is possible to realize an endoscope that can be more easily diagnosed than an endoscope that performs only normal light observation. Moreover, according to the present Example, since each imaging unit 31A, 31B is provided, a favorable normal light observation image and a fluorescence observation image are obtained.

Specifically, particularly when performing fluorescence imaging, it is necessary to capture weak light as compared with the case of normal observation, and it is desirable to have a high S / N. In this embodiment, an image with a low S / N is likely to be obtained. However, in the present embodiment, the imaging element 38 having high sensitivity to fluorescence is employed for the imaging element 33 for normal observation suitable for normal light imaging. A fluorescent image with good S / N can be obtained.

In addition, by providing a switching relay board 42 so that only one of the two imaging units 31A and 31B is connected to the processor 4, the two imaging units 31A and 31B are always driven and The endoscope system 1 having a compact configuration can be formed as compared with the case where signal processing has to be performed.
Further, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to ensure a good observation field of view by setting a clean state by blowing gas and liquid on the outer surfaces of both observation lenses 31a and 31b with one air / water supply nozzle 60. Therefore, the diameter of the insertion portion 11 can be reduced, the pain given to the patient at the time of insertion can be reduced, and the applicable range of insertion can be expanded.

  In addition, the endoscope 2 of the present embodiment has the same external structure as an existing endoscope that includes only an imaging unit for normal light observation, and imaging for normal light observation via a scope cable 44. By connecting to an unillustrated processor that performs driving and signal processing for an existing endoscope having only a unit, it can also be used as an endoscope for normal light observation in the same manner as an existing endoscope. That is, the endoscope 2 can be used by being connected to an existing processor while maintaining the same compatibility as an existing endoscope having only an imaging unit for normal light observation.

  Here, the endoscope 2 of the present embodiment has various features (effects) due to the structure described below.

First, with reference to FIG. 12, the arrangement of the air / water supply nozzle 60 and the observation lenses 31a and 31b disposed in the tip cover 24 will be described in detail.
FIG. 12 is a front view showing the distal end surface of the distal end cover. In the following description, the center of the tip cover 24 is O ₀ , the center of the observation lens 31 a of the normal light imaging unit 31 A is O _1, and the center of the observation lens 31 b of the fluorescence imaging unit 31 B is O ₂ . Further, the centers of two illumination lenses 25a and 25b, which will be described later, are O ₃ and O ₄ , respectively, the center of the opening 26 of the treatment instrument channel 19 is O _5, and the center of the opening 27 of the front water supply channel 20 is O _{5. 6} . Further, the vertical line X of the curved portion 16 passing through the center O ₀ of the distal end surface of the distal end cover 24 is defined as a vertical line X, and the horizontal line Y is defined as a curved horizontal line. In the following description, the vertical line X in the present embodiment is a line equal to the vertical line.

  As described above, the air / water supply nozzle 60 is disposed on the upper left side of the front end surface of the front end cover 24 as viewed toward the paper surface of FIG. 12 so that the jet outlet 60a faces the observation lens 31a. Yes. The air / water supply nozzle 60 may be disposed on the upper right side of the front end surface of the front end cover 24 as viewed toward the paper surface of FIG. 12 so that the jet outlet 60a faces the observation lens 31a side. At this time, the air / water supply nozzle 60 and the observation lenses 31a and 31b are arranged on the front end surface of the front end cover 24 so as to be aligned on a substantially straight line.

  In the present embodiment, the air / water supply nozzle 60 is disposed on the tip cover 24 so that gas / liquid such as distilled water or air ejected from the outlet 60a of the air / water supply nozzle 60 is ejected in the direction of the arrow line AR in the figure. It is disposed on the tip surface. The air / water supply nozzle 60 is jetted into the gas / liquid jet range A so as to diffuse gas / liquid such as distilled water or air from the jet outlet 60a. The arrow line AR is a line that is substantially perpendicular to the tip surface of the air / water supply nozzle 60 having the jet outlet 60a and passes through the center of the hole surface of the jet outlet 60a.

The installation direction around the axis of the air / water supply nozzle 60, that is, the direction in which the jet outlet 60 a faces is determined so as to intersect the observation optical axis passing through the center O ₁ of the observation lens 31 a on the arrow line AR. ing. In other words, the jet outlet 60a of the air / water feed nozzle 60 is arranged such that the arrow line AR, which is the jet direction of gas-liquid such as distilled water or air, has a predetermined angle θ1 that is a first angle with respect to the vertical line X. The direction to face is decided.

On the other hand, the observation lens 31b of the fluorescence imaging unit 31B has a tip cover that faces the paper surface of FIG. 10 so that its outer surface has at least a portion that intersects the arrow line AR when the tip cover 24 is viewed from the tip. 24 is arranged below the right side of the front end surface of 24. Also, the observation lens 31b has its center O ₂ is disposed on the distal end surface of the distal end cover 24 so as to be positioned on the lower side than the line of arrow line AR.

As described above, the air / water feeding nozzle 60 and the two observation lenses 31 a and 31 b are arranged in a substantially straight line on the distal end surface of the distal end cover 24.
More specifically, a line a connecting the center O1 of the observation lens 31a of the normal light imaging unit 31A and the center O2 of the observation lens 31b of the fluorescence imaging unit 31B has a predetermined angle θ2 with respect to the arrow line AR and is slightly larger. Further, when the tip cover 24 is viewed from the tip surface side, it is displaced downward. In other words, a line b connecting the center of the hole surface of the outlet 60a of the air / water supply nozzle 60 and the center O2 of the observation lens 31b has a predetermined angle θ3 with respect to the arrow line AR and slightly covers the tip cover 24. It is shifted to the lower side in when viewed from the distal end surface side.

Thereby, each position where each observation lens 31a, 31b is arrange | positioned at the front-end | tip cover 24 is determined, and the direction (arrow line AR direction) of the jet outlet 60a of the air / water supply nozzle 60 is determined according to it. Yes. Further, the angles θ2 and θ3 are set to a range in which the entire outer surface of the observation lens 31b is included in the range of the gas / liquid ejection range A from the air / water feeding nozzle 60.
The gas / liquid ejection range A of the air / water feeding nozzle 60 is set so as to include the entire outer surface of the observation lens 31a of the normal optical imaging unit 31A when viewed from the distal end side of the distal end cover 24.
The observation lens 31a having a lens diameter (diameter) larger than the outer diameter of the observation lens 31b is disposed on the distal end surface of the distal end cover 24 so as to be close to the air / water feeding nozzle 60.

  That is, the distal end cover 24 is curved in the vertical direction of the bending portion 16 with respect to the direction viewed from the distal end side, that is, the vertical processed by the respective imaging elements 33 and 38 included in the imaging units 31A and 31B. An air / water supply nozzle 60 is provided at a position above the horizontal line Y that bisects the vertical direction of the transfer direction. In other words, the air / water supply nozzle 60 is disposed on the tip cover 24 away from the horizontal line Y in the direction opposite to the ejection direction (arrow line AR direction).

  Further, the front end cover 24 is in the left-right direction with respect to the direction seen from the front end surface side (the direction opposite to the left-right direction of the bending portion 16), that is, the respective image pickup elements included in the respective image pickup units 31A, 31B. On the vertical line X that bisects the left-right direction of the vertical transfer direction processed by 33, 38, there is a cross section in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (axis parallel to the insertion direction) of the air / water feeding nozzle 60 An air / water supply nozzle 60 is disposed so as not to cause the trouble.

  In the present embodiment, the air / water feeding nozzle 60 is located at the position of the tip surface of the tip cover 24 that is separated from the vertical line X by a predetermined distance when viewed from the tip surface side of the tip cover 24. It is arranged. That is, the air / water supply nozzle 60 has a longitudinal axis that is above the horizontal line Y that bisects the tip cover 24 in the vertical direction when viewed from the tip surface side of the tip cover 24 and the tip cover 24. Are arranged so as to exist at a position shifted to the left side from the vertical line X that bisects the left and right.

  As a result, the endoscope 2 according to the present embodiment substantially includes the air / water supply nozzle 60 provided on the distal end surface of the distal end cover 24, the observation lens 31a of the normal light imaging unit 31A, and the observation lens 31b of the fluorescence imaging unit 31B. When arranged on a straight line, the gas / liquid is sprayed on the outer surface of each of the observation lenses 31a and 31b by one air / water supply nozzle 60 to set it in a clean state so that a good observation field can be secured.

  Further, the longitudinal axis of the air / water feeding nozzle 60 is above the horizontal line Y that bisects the tip cover 24 in the vertical direction, and a predetermined distance from the vertical line X that bisects the tip cover 24 in the left and right directions. Because of the deviation, the air / water supply conduit 61 communicating with the air / water supply nozzle 60 has four fixing portions 18a of the fixed ring 18 disposed in the distal end portion 15 when the insertion portion 11 is in a substantially straight state. Without being in contact with the four wire guards 7 a provided on each bending piece 7 disposed in the bending portion 16, the bending piece 16 is inserted substantially straight into the distal end portion 15 and the bending portion 16.

  Further, due to the arrangement of the air / water supply nozzle 60 described above, the air / water supply / pipe 61 is inserted into the four wire guards 7 a of the bending pieces 7 in the bending portion 16 and held by the four bending operation wires 8. Therefore, the movement of the bending operation wire 8 can be prevented from being hindered by pulling and loosening, and the bending operation wire 8 can be prevented from being deteriorated by rubbing.

  As a result, the endoscope 2 of the present embodiment can reduce the diameter of the insertion portion 11, particularly the distal end portion 15 and the bending portion 16, can reduce pain given to the patient during insertion, and can be inserted into the body cavity. The scope of application can be expanded.

  In general, the endoscope 2 is used by the user by matching the bending vertical direction of the bending portion 16 with the vertical direction. Therefore, a liquid such as distilled water ejected from the ejection port 60a of the air / water feeding nozzle 60 flows down downward from the ejection port 60a due to the influence of gravity.

  Further, when a gas or liquid such as distilled water or air is ejected from the ejection port 60a of the air / water feeding nozzle 60 and suction is performed by the treatment instrument channel 19, the treatment instrument channel 19 provided on the lower side of the distal end cover 24 is provided. Due to the suction force from the opening 26, the liquid or the gas receives a force attracted in the direction of the opening 26, and the flow changes to the curved lower side.

Such circumstances, the endoscope 2 of the present embodiment, the distal end surface of the distal end cover 24, the observation lens 31b of the fluorescent image pickup unit 31B is, the center O of the observation lens 31a of the center O ₂ and the normal light image pickup unit 31A ₁ is shifted by a predetermined angle θ2 toward the curved lower side of the curved portion 16 with respect to the arrow line AR, which is the ejection direction of a liquid such as distilled water ejected from the ejection port 60a of the air / water feeding nozzle 60. Has been.

  Therefore, the observation lens 31b located farther than the observation lens 31a from the air / water supply nozzle 60 on the distal end surface of the distal end cover 24 is liquid such as distilled water that has flowed down to the curved lower side than the ejection direction due to the influence of gravity. Are efficiently sprayed and washed in a clean state to ensure a good observation field. Furthermore, the observation lens 31b is similarly efficiently sprayed and washed in a clean state even in a gas or liquid such as distilled water or air whose flow changes to the lower side of the curve by suction. Is secured.

  Further, in the endoscope 2 inserted into the body cavity of the patient, dirt or the like is attached to the insertion portion 11. In particular, the front end surface of the front end cover 24 is a surface that is substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction, and dirt and the like are likely to adhere thereto. In particular, the observation lens 31a of the normal light imaging unit 31A and the observation lens 31b of the fluorescence imaging unit 31B need to surely wash the attached dirt and the like in order to secure their respective observation fields.

  In particular, the endoscope 2 has a higher frequency of observing the body cavity of a patient with normal light than that of fluorescence observation, and is superior to normal light observation as compared to observation of tissue pigments by fluorescence observation. It is necessary to ensure a good observation field.

  Moreover, the gas-liquid such as distilled water or air ejected from the ejection port 60a of the air / water feeding nozzle 60 has a large ejection power near the ejection port 60a, and the ejection power decreases as it goes farther in the ejection direction. At the same time, the density due to diffusion decreases.

  Due to such circumstances, the endoscope 2 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, captures normal light with a lens diameter (diameter) larger than the lens diameter (diameter) of the observation lens 31b of the fluorescence imaging unit 31B. The observation lens 31a of the unit 31A is disposed at the position of the distal end surface of the distal end cover 24 close to the air / water feeding nozzle 60. As described above, the entire outer surface of the observation lens 31a is included in the ejection range A of gas / liquid such as distilled water or air ejected from the ejection port 60a of the air / water feeding nozzle 60.

  Thereby, the endoscope 2 has an observation lens 31a having a large lens diameter (diameter) to which body fluid, filth and the like are likely to adhere, close to the air / water supply nozzle 60. Detergency is improved without being affected by a decrease in jetting power and density of gas and liquid such as air.

In the endoscope 2 according to the present embodiment, as described above, the air / water feeding nozzle 60, the observation lens 31a of the normal light imaging unit 31A, and the observation lens 31b of the fluorescence imaging unit 31B include the distal end cover 24 shown in FIG. Are arranged side by side on a substantially straight line. Further, on the arrow line AR, which is the direction of gas / liquid ejection, such as distilled water or air ejected from the ejection port 60a of the air / water feeding nozzle 60, other components are disposed on the distal end surface of the distal end cover 24. Absent.
That is, on the arrow line AR, no other component is disposed on the distal end surface of the distal end cover 24 from the observation lens 31b of the fluorescence imaging unit 31B.

  With such a configuration, the gas-liquid that has cleaned dirt and the like attached to the observation lenses 31a and 31b does not flow to other components, and the outer edge of the tip cover 24 faces the direction of the arrow line AR that is the ejection direction. Flowing into. As a result, the distal end surface of the distal end cover 24 of the endoscope 2 is surely washed when a gas / liquid jet such as distilled water or air from the air / water feeding nozzle 60 is ejected.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, the arrangement of the two illumination lenses 25 a and 25 b disposed on the distal end cover 24, the opening 26 of the treatment instrument channel 19 and the opening 27 of the front water supply channel 20 is described in detail. explain.
As described above, the distal end surface of the distal end cover 24 is positioned at the curved left and right direction so as to sandwich the observation lens 31a of the normal light imaging unit 31A in which the two illumination lenses 25a and 25b are disposed substantially at the center. The opening 26 of the treatment instrument channel 19 is disposed at the lower left position of the observation lens 31a, and the opening 27 of the front water supply channel 20 is disposed at the upper right position of the observation lens 31a.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the opening 26 of the treatment instrument channel 19 and the opening 27 of the front water supply channel 20 are such that the entire hole surface is exposed to gas such as distilled water or air from the jet outlet 60a of the air / water supply nozzle 60. It is disposed on the distal end surface of the distal end cover 24 outside the area of the gas / liquid ejection range A, which is the range in which the liquid is ejected so as to diffuse.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, the opening 26 of the treatment instrument channel 19 extends along an arrow line AR indicating a jet direction of gas / liquid such as distilled water or air from the jet outlet 60a of the air / water feed nozzle 60. It is a region on the lower side of the tip surface of the tip cover 24 that is divided into two, and is disposed in a region B on the tip surface of the tip cover 24 that does not include the gas-liquid ejection range A.

  The opening 27 of the front water supply channel 20 is a region above the tip surface of the tip cover 24 that bisects along the arrow line AR, and the tip surface of the tip cover 24 does not include the gas-liquid ejection range A. In the region C.

In other words, each of the openings 26 and 27 is disposed on the tip surface of the tip cover 24 at a position that is substantially symmetric with respect to the arrow line AR that indicates the ejection direction of gas-liquid such as distilled water or air. That is, the position where the center O ₆ of the center O ₅ and the opening 27 of the opening 26 is spaced a predetermined distance, each opening 26 and 27 is disposed on the distal end surface of the distal end cover 24.

  As described above, in the endoscope 2 according to the present embodiment, the opening 26 of the treatment instrument channel 19 and the opening 27 of the front water supply channel 20 are at the distal end surface of the distal end cover 24 and the air supply / water supply nozzle 60 performs air flow. Since it is disposed outside the region of the liquid ejection range A, gas liquid such as distilled water or air ejected from the air / water feeding nozzle 60 can be prevented from flowing into the openings 26 and 27.

  Thereby, gas-liquid such as distilled water or air ejected from the air / water feeding nozzle 60 is surely sprayed to the observation lens 31b of the far-side fluorescent imaging unit 31B. As a result, the observation lens 31b of the fluorescence imaging unit 31B is reliably and efficiently sprayed with gas and liquid, washed in a clean state, and a good observation field is ensured.

The openings 26 and 27 are disposed on the distal end surface of the distal end cover 24 so that the respective centers O5 and O6 are separated by a predetermined distance. Accordingly, when the endoscope 2 ejects a liquid such as distilled water from the opening 27 of the front water supply channel 20 while performing the suction operation from the opening 26 by the treatment instrument channel 19, the suction force to the opening 26 is obtained. The liquid can be ejected toward the affected part in the body cavity without being affected by the above. That is, the endoscope 2 according to the present embodiment is configured such that the ejection direction of the liquid ejected from the opening 27 is not disturbed by the suction from the opening 26.

Next, in more detail, the observation range of each imaging unit 31A, 31B and the arrangement position and operation of the opening portion 27 of the front water supply channel 20 on the distal end surface of the distal end cover 24 will be described based on FIGS.
14 is a front view of the tip cover as viewed from the tip side, FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the tip portion of the tip section cut along the line GG in FIG. 14, and FIG. 16 is a line HH in FIG. FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 are views for explaining the visual field range of each imaging unit and the action of liquid ejection from the front water supply channel opening.

  In the present embodiment, the opening 27 of the front water supply channel 20 extends from the vertical line X that bisects the curved vertical direction of the curved portion 16 when viewed from the front surface of the distal cover 24 toward the paper surface of FIG. It is arranged on the right side so as to be separated by a predetermined distance.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the opening 27 of the front water supply channel 20 of the present embodiment is above the horizontal line Y that bisects the curved vertical direction of the curved portion 16 at the distal end surface of the distal end cover 24. The center O ₆ is located between the lines X 1 and X 2 parallel to the vertical line X, passing through the centers O ₁ and O ₂ of the observation lenses 31 a and 31 b, respectively.

Furthermore, the opening 27 of the front water supply channel 20 is above the observation lens 31a of the normal light imaging unit 31A located above the vertical direction in which the curved portion 16 is curved on the distal end surface of the distal end cover 24. Arranged on the side. In other words, the opening 27 is disposed on the upper end side of the distal end surface of the distal end cover 24 with respect to the vertical direction in which the bending portion 16 bends, with respect to the closest observation lens 31a.
That is, the opening 27 of the front water supply channel 20 is provided on the distal end surface of the distal end cover 24 so as to be positioned above the observation lenses 31a and 31b.

The opening 27 is disposed on the distal end surface of the distal end cover 24 so that the direction of the liquid to be ejected enters the visual field range of each of the imaging units 31A and 31B.
More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 15 to 18, the opening 27 is formed on the object-side observation surface S at the focal distance of the imaging units 31 </ b> A and 31 </ b> B and the visual field range V <b> 1 of the normal light imaging unit 31 </ b> A and the fluorescence. It is disposed at the position of the distal end surface of the distal end cover 24 including the ejection range J of the liquid ejected in the common visual field range V3 that overlaps the visual field range V2 of the imaging unit 31B.

  15 to 18 is a common region of images captured on the observation surface S on the subject side by the visual field range V1 of the normal light imaging unit 31A and the visual field range V2 of the fluorescent imaging unit 31B. 15 and 16, the reference symbol L1 indicates the optical axis incident on the normal light imaging unit 31A, and the reference symbol L2 indicates the optical axis incident on the fluorescent imaging unit 31B. In the present embodiment, each of the imaging units 31A and 31B has an angle of view of, for example, 140 °, and is set so that the distances to the respective focal points on the subject side coincide. That is, the observation surface S is a range that is included within the angle of view of each of the imaging units 31A and 31B and includes the focal point of each of the imaging units 31A and 31B. The imaging units 31A and 31B have a depth of field including the observation surface S in a predetermined distance range in the predetermined optical axes L1 and L2.

  As a result of the above, the endoscope 2 of the present embodiment is configured so that the liquid ejected from the opening 27 of the front water supply channel 20 falls within the observation field of view of each of the imaging units 31A and 31B. The opening 27 is disposed on the distal end surface of the distal end cover 24 so as to enter the depth of field. Thereby, the operability of ejecting liquid from the opening 27 of the front water supply channel 20 is improved in the endoscope 2 during observation with normal light or fluorescence.

  Further, the liquid from the opening 27 is ejected while falling downwardly toward the affected part in the body cavity under the influence of gravity. In the endoscope 2, the opening 27 of the front water supply channel 20 is disposed on the upper side of the distal end surface of the distal end cover 24 relative to the observation lenses 31 a and 31 b of the imaging units 31 A and 31 B. Is set so that the jetting direction surely falls within the observation field of view by the imaging units 31A and 31B.

  Thereby, in the endoscope 2, the front water supply channel 20 is formed in a substantially straight pipe line in the distal end portion 15 without changing the liquid ejection direction, so that the distal end portion 15 does not increase in the outer diameter direction. . That is, it is not necessary to angle the axis of the front water supply channel 20 on the distal end side, so that the distal end portion 15 can be reduced in diameter.

  The endoscope 2 of the present embodiment having the various features (effects) described above includes an air / water supply nozzle 60 provided on the distal end surface of the distal end cover 24, an observation lens 31a of the normal light imaging unit 31A, and a fluorescence imaging unit 31B. When the observation lens 31b is arranged on a substantially straight line, a single air / water supply nozzle 60 sprays gas and liquid on the outer surfaces of the observation lenses 31a and 31b to set them in a clean state to ensure a good observation field. I can do it.

  In particular, the liquid from the opening 27 is ejected by the front water supply channel 20 into the observation visual fields of the normal light imaging unit 31A and the fluorescence imaging unit 31B. Therefore, since the user can easily confirm the liquid to be ejected by the monitor 5 under either observation of normal light or fluorescence, the liquid can be reliably ejected to a desired affected part in the body cavity. Furthermore, the endoscope 2 can make the front water supply channel 20 in the distal end portion 15 into a substantially linear pipe shape, and therefore, the distal end portion 15 can be particularly reduced in diameter and given to the patient at the time of insertion. The pain can be reduced, and the applicable range of the body cavity that can be inserted can be expanded.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the present embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, the description thereof is omitted, and only different configurations, operations, and effects are described.
In the endoscope 2 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, a liquid such as distilled water ejected from the opening 27 of the front water supply channel 20 is approximately at the center of the observation surface of the normal optical imaging unit 31 </ b> A. The hole axis of the front water supply channel 20 in the tip cover 24 provided with the opening 27 is inclined so as to be ejected to the front. FIG. 19 is a sectional view of the distal end portion and the bending portion according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 20 is an enlarged sectional view of the distal end portion of the distal end portion provided with the distal end cover of FIG.

  More specifically, in the normal light imaging unit 31A, a predetermined focal length is set on the subject side at the position of the point P through which the photographing optical axis LX passes. Further, the normal light imaging unit 31A can obtain a range of a predetermined viewing angle (for example, 140 °) as a photographed image with respect to the observation surface F1 where the point P at the focal length on the subject side exists. This observation surface F1 is a surface substantially orthogonal to the photographing optical axis LX.

  Further, the normal light imaging unit 31A has a depth of field d in the range from the observation surface F2 to the observation surface F3 with respect to the observation surface F1 at the focal length on the subject side. The depth of field d is set to a distance of about 3 to 100 mm, for example.

  That is, the normal light imaging unit 31A can focus on the affected area in the body cavity that is the subject included in the viewing angle at the position that becomes the observation plane F1, and can capture the range from the observation plane F2 to the observation plane F3. It is set to become.

  On the other hand, in the endoscope 2 of the present embodiment, the liquid ejected from the opening 27 of the front water supply channel 20 is substantially at the center of the subject image obtained by the normal light imaging unit 31A on the observation surface F1, that is, a point. The ejection direction toward P is set.

Specifically, in the present embodiment, the distal end cover 24 of the distal end portion 15 has an axis of the hole portion 27a that is the distal end portion of the forward water supply channel 20 formed from the opening 27 of the forward water supply channel 20 toward the proximal end. With respect to the central axis Q in the longitudinal direction of the front water supply channel in the distal end portion 15 on the proximal end side, it is inclined toward the observation lens 31a side with a predetermined angle θ4. Note that the axis of the hole 27 a is an arrow line AD indicating the ejection direction of the liquid ejected from the opening 27 of the front water supply channel 20.
In other words, the arrow line AD indicating the ejection direction of the liquid ejected from the opening 27 of the front water supply channel 20 has the predetermined angle θ4 in a direction approaching the photographing optical axis LX. That is, the central axis Q and the photographing optical axis LX are parallel axes. Moreover, the arrow line AD which becomes the ejection direction of the liquid ejected from the opening 27 of the front water supply channel 20 is a line passing through the point P on the observation surface F1.

Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the liquid ejection range J from the opening 27 is a substantially central portion of the field-of-view range V1 of the normal light imaging unit 31A on the observation surface F1, and further, the fluorescence imaging unit. It is included in the visual field range V2 of 31B. In other words, the ejection range J is captured on the observation plane F1 of the present embodiment on the subject side, which is the visual field range V1 of the normal light imaging unit 31A and the visual field range V2 of the fluorescent imaging unit 31B described in the first embodiment. It is included in the common visual field range V3 which is a common area of the image.
20 is a diagram showing the field of view of each imaging unit and the range of liquid ejection from the front water supply channel opening, and FIG. 21 is the field of view of each imaging unit and the range of liquid ejection from the front water feeding channel opening. FIG.

  Also in the present embodiment, the fluorescence imaging unit 31B has an angle of view of 140 °, for example, and is set so that the subject-side focal length matches the subject-side focal length of the normal light imaging unit 31A. ing. Further, each of the imaging units 31A and 31B has a portion where the visual field ranges V1 and V2 overlap each other on the observation surface F1. The visual field range V2 on the observation surface F1 of the fluorescence imaging unit 31B is set so as to include a point P that is substantially the center of the visual field range V1 on the observation surface F1 of the normal light imaging unit 31A.

That is, the liquid ejection range J from the opening 27 corresponds to the visual field range V1 of the normal light imaging unit 31A and the visual field range of the fluorescent imaging unit 31B on the observation plane F1 at the subject-side focal length of the imaging units 31A and 31B. It is included in the common visual field range V3 that is within the overlapping range of V2.
As a result, the endoscope 2 of the present embodiment is also configured such that the liquid ejected from the opening 27 of the front water supply channel 20 falls within the observation field of view of each of the imaging units 31A and 31B. Thereby, the operability of ejecting liquid from the opening 27 of the front water supply channel 20 is improved in the endoscope 2 during observation with normal light or fluorescence.

  Further, in addition to the effects described in the first embodiment, the endoscope 2 is configured such that the liquid from the opening 27 of the front water supply channel 20 is in the normal light imaging unit on the observation surface F1 at the focal length on the subject side. It is configured to be ejected approximately at the center of the visual field range V1 of 31A. Thereby, the operability of ejecting the liquid from the opening 27 of the front water supply channel 20 is improved in the endoscope 2 especially during normal light observation with high use frequency.

Note that the special light observation described in the first embodiment and the second embodiment is not limited to fluorescence observation, but magnification of a histological observation level including cells and glandular structures (preferably, An enlargement optical system having an enlargement ratio of 100 times level or more may be used.
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

It is explanatory drawing which showed schematically the endoscope system based on 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the front-end | tip cover of an endoscope similarly. It is a perspective view which shows the front-end | tip cover of an endoscope similarly. It is the top view which looked at the front-end | tip cover from the front similarly. It is sectional drawing of the front-end | tip part and curved part which were cut | disconnected along the AA line of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the front-end | tip part cut | disconnected along the BB line of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the branch part of an air / water supply pipe line. It is sectional drawing of the front-end | tip part cut | disconnected along CC line of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the front-end | tip part cut | disconnected along the DD line | wire of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the front-end | tip part cut | disconnected along the EE line of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the curved part cut | disconnected along the FF line of FIG. It is the top view which looked at the front-end | tip cover from the front similarly. It is the top view which looked at the front-end | tip cover from the front similarly. It is the top view which looked at the front-end | tip cover from the front similarly. It is sectional drawing of the front-end | tip part of the front-end | tip part cut | disconnected along the GG line of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the front-end | tip part of the front-end | tip part cut | disconnected along the HH line of FIG. It is a figure explaining the effect | action of the ejection of the liquid from the visual field range of each imaging unit and a front water supply channel opening part. It is a figure explaining the effect | action of the ejection of the liquid from the visual field range of each imaging unit and a front water supply channel opening part. It is sectional drawing of the front-end | tip part and a curved part based on 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 20 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the tip portion of the tip portion provided with the tip cover of FIG. 19. It is a figure explaining the effect | action of the ejection of the liquid from the visual field range of each imaging unit and a front water supply channel opening part. It is a figure explaining the effect | action of the ejection of the liquid from the visual field range of each imaging unit and a front water supply channel opening part.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope system, 2 ... Endoscope, 3 ... Light source device, 4 ... Processor, 5 ... Monitor, 6 ... Air / water supply device, 7a ... Wire Guard, 7 ... Bending piece, 8 ... Bending operation wire, 9 ... Bending blade, 10 ... Outer skin, 10a ... Adhesion part, 11 ... Insertion part, 12 ... Operation part , 13 ... Universal cable, 14 ... Connector, 15 ... Tip, 15a ... Cylindrical member, 15b ... Reinforcement ring, 16 ... Curved part, 17 ... Flexible tube part , 18a: fixing portion, 18 ... fixing ring, 19 ... treatment instrument channel, 19b ... treatment instrument conduit, 19a ... pipe member, 20 ... forward water supply channel, 20b ... Front water supply pipe, 20a ... pipe member, 21 ... light guide, 21a ... cylindrical member, 22 ... End portion, 23a ... holding frame, 23 ... illumination lens unit, 24 ... tip cover, 24 ... tip cover, 25, 25a, 25b ... illumination lens, 26, 27 ... opening Part, 28 ... tube, 29 ... outer skin, 30 ... curved blade, 31a, 31b ... observation lens, 31A ... imaging unit for normal light observation, 31B ... imaging unit for fluorescence observation 32B ... objective lens, 32 ... lens unit, 32a-32d ... lens frame, 32A-32D ... lens group, 33a ... cover lens, 33, 38 ... imaging element, 34 ... Circuit board, 35b ... Insulating tube, 35a ... Reinforcement ring part, 40 ... Cover lens, 36 ... Lens unit, 36a, 36b ... Lens frame, 36A, 36B ..Le 36, lens unit, 38a, 38b ... signal cable, 38c ... signal line, 38 ... image sensor, 39 ... circuit board, 42 ... relay board, 43 ... Signal cable, 44 ... scope cable, 45a, 45b ... drive circuit, 46 ... signal processing circuit, 47, 58 ... control circuit, 48a, 48b ... control switch, 49a ... Signal line 49c ... Switching signal line 49d ... Control signal line 50 ... Branch tube 51 ... Lamp 52 ... Collimator lens 53 ... Rotary filter 54 ... Condensing lens, 55, 57 ... motor, 56 ... rack, 58 ... control circuit, 60a ... jet port, 60 ... air / water nozzle, 60a ... opening, 61a ..Air supply pipes, 61 ... Air supply / water supply pipes Road, 61b ... Water supply pipeline, 62 ... Pipe member, 63 ... Air supply / water supply button, A ... Ejecting range, AR ... Arrow line, V1-V3 ... View range, AD ... Arrow line, J ... Ejection range, L1, L2 ... Optical axis, LX ... Imaging optical axis, P ... Point, Q ... Central axis, V3 ... Common imaging range
Agent Patent Attorney Susumu Ito

Claims (9)

A distal end portion, an insertion portion having a bending portion that can be bent in a direction substantially matching the vertical direction of the monitor screen on which the endoscopic image is displayed, and a plurality of imaging means for obtaining the endoscopic image An endoscope having
An air / water supply means disposed at the tip so as to be arranged substantially in a straight line with the observation windows of the plurality of imaging means, and for injecting a gas or a liquid from a jet port toward the observation window;
A first opening that is disposed at the distal end and in which a conduit that ejects liquid toward the affected area in the body cavity is disposed;
A second opening disposed at the distal end and provided with a conduit for sucking unnecessary liquid in the body cavity;
Comprising
The centers of the first and second openings are substantially symmetric so as to be separated from each other by a predetermined distance with respect to a line indicating the gas-liquid ejection direction from the air / water supply means on the front end surface of the front end. An insertion portion for an endoscope, which is disposed at each of the positions . The first opening is positioned on the tip surface of the tip so as to be positioned in the upward direction where the bending portion is curved than the observation windows of the plurality of imaging units. The endoscope insertion portion according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope insertion portion is disposed on the endoscope. The first opening is substantially perpendicular to the substantially coincident direction in which the bending portion is curved at the distal end surface of the distal end portion, and above the line passing through the center of the distal end surface. The endoscope insertion portion according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope insertion portion is disposed at the distal end portion so as to be positioned at a portion to be formed. The leading end portion of the pipe line of the first opening has a plurality of ejection directions of the liquid such that the liquid from the first opening is ejected into an observation field of view by the plurality of imaging units. The endoscope insertion device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the endoscope insertion portion is inclined with a predetermined angle in a direction close to the incident optical axis of the imaging means. Department. The tip portion of the conduit of the first opening, as ejection direction before Symbol liquid passes substantially the center of one of obtaining the imaging range of the plurality of image pickup means, with a predetermined angle The endoscope insertion portion according to claim 4, wherein the endoscope insertion portion is inclined.   6. The plurality of imaging units, wherein one of the plurality of imaging units is a first imaging unit that performs normal light observation, and the other is a second imaging unit that performs special observation. The endoscope insertion part according to any one of the above.   The endoscope insertion portion according to claim 6, wherein the special observation is fluorescence observation. The first imaging means and the second imaging means, for endoscope according to claim 6 or claim 7 one is characterized in that it comprises a optical system of high magnification with respect to the other Insertion section .   The endoscope provided with the insertion part for endoscopes in any one of Claims 1-8.