JP6214792B2 - Endoscope - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope in which an outer skin of an insertion portion to be inserted into a subject is formed of a tube portion, and a light guide fiber bundle is provided in the tube portion.

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

As an endoscope, illumination light from a light source device to which the endoscope is connected is bundled with a light guide fiber (hereinafter referred to as LG fiber) bundle provided in a tube portion that constitutes the outer skin of the insertion portion. Transmits from the proximal end to the distal end and irradiates the subject from the distal end of the LG fiber bundle located on the distal end surface of the insertion portion, and reflects light from within the subject with an optical unit provided in the distal end of the insertion portion. An optical endoscope that forms an optical image in the subject by receiving light, and an electronic endoscope that generates an observation image in the subject using an image sensor that picks up an optical image formed from reflected light. It is well known.

  Furthermore, an illumination light irradiation unit that emits illumination light into the distal end of the insertion portion and changes the emission direction over time by the operation of the actuator is provided, and the reflected light from the subject of the illumination light emitted from the illumination light irradiation unit Is incident on the distal end of the LG fiber bundle and transmitted to the proximal end of the LG fiber bundle, and then the intensity, position, etc. of the light is detected by the detection unit of the main unit to which the endoscope is connected. The configuration of an optical scanning endoscope that generates an image in a specimen is also well known.

  Here, the distal end of the LG fiber bundle facing the distal end surface of the insertion portion is not resistant to the cleaning / disinfecting sterilization process. For this reason, in order to protect the distal end, a configuration in which a concave portion of the LG fiber bundle insertion hole on the distal end surface of the insertion portion facing the distal end of the LG fiber bundle is filled with a transparent adhesive is well known.

However, in this configuration, it is necessary to replace the adhesive whenever it deteriorates. Therefore, a configuration in which a protective member such as a cover glass or a lens is bonded to the end of the LG fiber bundle via a transparent adhesive is well known.

  However, since the protective member is also bonded to the end of the LG fiber bundle with an adhesive, a protective member dropping prevention mechanism must be additionally provided to prevent the protective member from dropping due to deterioration of the adhesive. Since the protective member is used separately, there is a problem that it is difficult to reduce the diameter of the insertion portion.

  In view of such a problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-207529 discloses a frame body provided in the distal end of the insertion portion and holding the optical unit, the distal end side of the LG fiber bundle, etc., as a metal member and a transparent member. And a configuration of an endoscope that uses the transparent member of the frame body as a protective member to protect the tip of the LG fiber bundle.

However, in the configuration of the endoscope disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-207529, a transparent member is used in addition to a normal metal member for the frame provided in the distal end of the insertion portion. There was a problem that the cost would be high.

In addition, there is also a problem that it cannot be applied to a configuration in which the diameter of the insertion portion is reduced without providing a frame body in the distal end of the insertion portion.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides an endoscope having a configuration capable of protecting the tip of the LG fiber bundle by reducing the diameter without separately providing a protective member. Objective.

An endoscope according to an aspect of the present invention is an endoscope that includes an insertion portion that includes a flexible tube and is inserted into a subject , and an operation portion that is disposed on a proximal end side of the insertion portion. there are, the insertion portion is an outer skin of the the light guide fiber bundle to be inserted into the insertion portion, which is formed by one over the tip from a proximal end of the insertion portion and the insertion portion, the diameter of the insertion portion A bent portion having a covering portion that is bent inward in the direction and covers the tip of the light guide fiber bundle is formed integrally with the tip, and the tube portion is formed to be transparent as a whole .

The perspective view which shows roughly an example of the endoscope system comprised from the endoscope and peripheral device of 1st Embodiment. Partial sectional view of the distal end side of the insertion section along the line II-II in FIG. The top view which looked at the tip of the insertion part of Drawing 2 from the III direction in Drawing 2 2 is a perspective view of the tube of FIG. Partial sectional view of the tube section along the line V-V in FIG. The fragmentary sectional view of the tube part which comprises the outer skin of the insertion part of the endoscope of 2nd Embodiment The fragmentary sectional view of the tube part which comprises the outer skin of the insertion part of the endoscope of 3rd Embodiment Partial sectional drawing of the tube part which comprises the outer skin of the insertion part of the endoscope of 4th Embodiment Partial sectional view of the distal end side of the insertion portion of the endoscope according to the fifth embodiment The top view which looked at the front-end | tip of the insertion part of FIG. 9 from X direction in FIG. A block diagram schematically showing a configuration of an endoscope system including an optical scanning endoscope

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The drawings are schematic, and it should be noted that the relationship between the thickness and width of each member, the ratio of the thickness of each member, and the like are different from the actual ones. Of course, the part from which the relationship and ratio of a mutual dimension differ is contained.
In the embodiment described below, the endoscope will be described by taking an electronic endoscope as an example.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of an endoscope system including an endoscope and peripheral devices according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope system 90 includes an endoscope 1 and a peripheral device 95.

The endoscope 1 includes an insertion portion 2 to be inserted into a subject, an operation portion 6 connected to the proximal end in the longitudinal direction N of the insertion portion 2, and a universal cord extending from the operation portion 6. 11 and a connector 12 provided at the extending end of the universal cord 11 constitute a main part.

The peripheral device 95 includes a keyboard 81, a light source device 83 to which the connector 12 is detachable, a video processor 84, and a connection cable 85 that electrically connects the light source device 83 and the video processor 84. And a monitor 86.

A base (not shown) in which a proximal end of a treatment tool channel 70 (see FIG. 9) provided in the universal cord 11 is connected to the connector 12, the insertion portion 2, and the operation portion 6. Further, an LG base (not shown) that constitutes a base end of an LG fiber bundle 30 (see FIG. 2), which will be described later, inserted into the universal cord 11, an electrical contact portion (not shown), and the like are provided.

The insertion portion 2 of the endoscope 1 is connected to the distal end portion 3 located on the distal end side in the longitudinal direction N of the insertion portion 2 and the proximal end in the longitudinal direction N of the distal end portion 3 and from the operation portion 6. The bending portion 4 is freely bendable in a plurality of directions by the operation input, and the flexible tube portion 5 is connected to the proximal end in the longitudinal direction N of the bending portion 4.

Next, the structure of the front end side of the insertion part 2 in the longitudinal direction N will be described with reference to FIGS.

2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the distal end side of the insertion portion along the line II-II in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a plan view of the distal end of the insertion portion in FIG. 2 as viewed from the III direction in FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the tube of FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the tube portion taken along the line VV in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, the outer skin covering the base portion N from the longitudinal direction N of the insertion portion 2 has a bent portion 23 that bends inward in the radial direction K at the distal end 22 s. It is composed of a single tube portion 22 formed. The bent portion 23 is formed integrally with the tube portion 22.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, for example, a circular opening 23 h that communicates with the inside of the tube portion 22 is formed in the bent portion 23.

That is, the bent portion 23 has a shape bent in an annular shape having a predetermined length from the outer peripheral edge of the tip 22s to the inside in the radial direction K so as to have a circular opening 23h at the center. .

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, an optical unit 50 that receives reflected light from the subject irradiated with illumination light emitted from the LG fiber bundle 30 described later is held in the opening 23h.

Specifically, the optical unit 50 includes a lens frame 52 fitted in the opening 23h, an optical member 51 held in the lens frame 52, and a reflection from the subject condensed on the optical member 51. The main part is configured by including an image guide fiber bundle 53 that transmits light from the distal end to the proximal end and has the distal end side in the longitudinal direction N bonded to the lens frame 52.

Note that the optical member 51 is exposed to the distal end surface of the distal end portion 3 by holding the optical unit 50 in the opening 23 h.

The reflected light transmitted through the image guide fiber bundle 53 is captured by, for example, an image sensor (not illustrated) provided in the operation unit 6, and the image signal is inserted into the universal cord 11 and the connector 12 (not illustrated). After being transmitted to the video processor 84 via the signal line, the video processor 84 processes the image and displays it on the monitor 86.

Note that the imaging element may be provided at the imaging position of the optical member 51 in the distal end portion 3.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the insertion portion 2, the operation portion 6, and the insertion portion 2 are disposed in the distal end side in the longitudinal direction N of the insertion portion 2, that is, in the distal end side in the longitudinal direction N of the tube portion 22. The distal end side in the longitudinal direction N of, for example, an annular LG fiber bundle 30 inserted into the universal cord 11 and the connector 12 is inserted.

The LG fiber bundle 30 transmits illumination light emitted from the light source device 83 from the proximal end to the distal end 30 s and irradiates the subject from the distal end 30 s.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the LG fiber bundle 30 has an annular tip 30 s covered with an annular bent portion 23.

Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the tube portion 22 is made of a transparent member so that at least the covering portion 23c covering the tip 30s of the bent portion 23 can transmit illumination light emitted from the tip 30s.

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, in the present embodiment, the entire tube portion 22 is made of a transparent member.

That is, the LG fiber bundle 30 transmits illumination light emitted from the light source device 83 from the proximal end to the distal end 30 s and irradiates the subject through the covering portion 23 c.

The bent portion 23 is bonded to the distal end 30 s of the LG fiber bundle 30 through a transparent adhesive so that illumination light can pass therethrough.

In addition, since the configuration of the other endoscope 1 is the same as the configuration of a general electronic endoscope, the description thereof is omitted.

Thus, in this Embodiment, the tube part 22 which comprises the outer skin of the insertion part 2 is formed in the front-end | tip 22s by the bending part 23 bent by the inner side of radial direction K, and the whole is from a transparent member. Indicated that it is configured.

Moreover, it has shown that the front-end | tip 30s of LG fiber bundle 30 is covered with the coating | coated part 23c of the bending part 23 comprised from the transparent member.

According to this, the tip 30s of the LG fiber bundle 30 can be protected by the bent portion 23 of the tip 22s of the tube part 22 constituting the outer skin without using a separate protection member as in the prior art.

Furthermore, since the covering portion 23c of the tip 30s of the bent portion 23 is made of a transparent member, the illumination light emitted from the tip 30s can be irradiated into the subject through the covering portion 23c.

Further, since it is not necessary to use a separate protective member for protecting the distal end 30s of the LG fiber bundle 30, there is no need to provide a protective member fall prevention mechanism in the distal end portion 3 because there is no fear of the protective member falling off. Alternatively, since it is not necessary to protect the tip 30s with a part of the frame constituting the tip 3 as in the prior art, the diameter of the insertion portion 2 can be reduced.

Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to the configuration of the endoscope 1 that does not use the frame constituting the distal end portion 3 as described above.

From the above, it is possible to provide the endoscope 1 having a configuration capable of protecting the distal end 30s of the LG fiber bundle 30 by reducing the diameter without separately providing a protection member.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the tube portion constituting the outer skin of the insertion portion of the endoscope according to the present embodiment.
Compared with the endoscope of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 described above, the configuration of the endoscope of the second embodiment is composed of a plurality of layers. The difference is that the portion including the bent portion is partially made of a transparent member.

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

As shown in FIG. 6, in this Embodiment, the tube part 22 is comprised integrally from multiple layers.

Specifically, the outer layer 22a is located outside the radial direction K, the inner layer 22c is located inside the radial direction K, and the intermediate layer 22b is located between the outer layer 22a and the inner layer 22c in the radial direction K. Has three layers.

In addition, the tube part 22 may be comprised from 2 layers or 4 layers or more. The outer layer 22a, the intermediate layer 22b, and the inner layer 22c are integrally formed by, for example, extrusion molding.

As will be described later, the inner layer 22c prevents the intermediate layer 22b formed of a mesh tube from coming into contact with the built-in material of the tube part 22, and facilitates the insertion of the built-in material of the tube part 22 into the tube part 22. Thus, it is comprised from the material with good slipperiness, such as a fluororesin.

In order to improve the torque followability of the insertion part 2, the intermediate | middle layer 22b is comprised, for example from the net-like tube | pipe which knitted the stainless steel strand in the cylinder shape.

The outer layer 22a is composed of a transparent portion 22ac and a colored soft portion 22am made of a material having flexibility in order to give the insertion portion 2 flexibility, and the bent portion described above is formed on the transparent portion 22ac. 23 is configured.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, only the transparent portion 22ac of the outer layer 22a having the bent portion 23 is configured of the tube portion 22 from a transparent member.

Note that the outer layer 22a may be entirely composed of the transparent portion 22ac as long as it protects the tip 30s of the LG fiber bundle 30 and only transmits the illumination light emitted from the tip 30s. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment described above.

Even with such a configuration, the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be obtained, and the tube portion 22 is composed of three layers. Therefore, the inner layer 22c allows the internal structure of the tube portion 22 to be inserted. Further, the intermediate layer 22b can improve the torque followability of the insertion portion 2, and the soft portion 22am of the outer layer 22a can improve the flexibility of the insertion portion 2.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the tube portion constituting the outer skin of the insertion portion of the endoscope according to the present embodiment.
Compared with the endoscope of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 6 described above, the configuration of the endoscope of the third embodiment is such that the covering portion of the bent portion of the outer layer of the tube portion is formed in a lens shape. Is different.

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

As shown in FIG. 7, in the present embodiment, the facing surface 23f of the tip 30s of the LG fiber bundle 30 of the covering portion 23c in the bent portion 23 of the transparent portion 22ac of the outer layer 22a is formed in a lens shape. Other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment described above.

Even with such a configuration, the same effects as those of the second embodiment described above can be obtained, and the distribution of the illumination light emitted from the tip 30s of the LG fiber bundle 30 can be reduced to the lens shape of the opposing surface 23f. It can be varied by being formed.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the tube portion constituting the outer skin of the insertion portion of the endoscope according to the present embodiment.
Compared with the endoscope of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 6 described above, the configuration of the endoscope of the fourth embodiment is composed only of a colored flexible member in the outer layer of the tube portion. In addition, the difference is that the bent portion of the tube portion is formed in the inner layer.

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

As shown in FIG. 8, in this Embodiment, the outer layer 22a of the tube part 22 is comprised from the colored soft part 22am as a whole.

Moreover, the inner layer 22c is comprised from the transparent member, and the bending part 23 is comprised in the inner layer 22c. Other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment described above.

Even with such a configuration, the same effects as those of the second embodiment described above can be obtained, and in the case where the entire outer layer 22a is composed of the transparent portion 22ac, the mesh tube of the intermediate layer 22b is externally provided. However, if the entire outer layer 22a is made up of colored soft portions 22am, the mesh tube of the intermediate layer 22b can be prevented from being seen from the outside.

(Fifth embodiment)
9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the distal end side of the insertion portion of the endoscope of the present embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a plan view of the distal end of the insertion portion in FIG. 9 viewed from the X direction in FIG.

  The configuration of the endoscope according to the fifth embodiment includes the endoscope according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 described above, the endoscope according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. Compared with the endoscope of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 7 and the endoscope of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the frame constituting the distal end portion at the opening of the bent portion of the tube portion is The point which is fitted and the LG fiber bundle differ from the point comprised from the column shape.

Therefore, only this difference is demonstrated, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure similar to 1st-4th embodiment, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the present embodiment, the distal end hard member 60, which is a frame constituting the distal end portion 3, is fitted into the opening 23h of the bent portion 23 of the tube portion 22 composed of a transparent member. Has been.

The distal end rigid member 60 communicates with the opening 23h, and an insertion hole 60p is formed along the longitudinal direction N of the treatment instrument channel 70 inserted into the insertion portion 2, the operation portion 6, the universal cord 11, and the connector 12. ing.

Furthermore, the distal end rigid member 60 is formed with an insertion hole 60q along the longitudinal direction N through which the distal end side of the LG fiber bundles 30a and 30b (the LG fiber bundle 30b is not shown in FIG. 9) is inserted.

Moreover, in this Embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the LG fiber bundle is comprised from the column shape, for example, and it is comprised from two as LG fiber bundle 30a, 30b. The number of cylindrical LG fiber bundles is not limited to two.

Further, though not shown, the distal end hard member 60 is formed with an insertion hole through which the optical unit 50 is inserted along the longitudinal direction N, and the distal end hard member 60 is not covered with the bent portion 23. The optical unit 50 is held in the region of the surface 60s so that the optical member 51 is exposed. That is, the optical member 51 is exposed at the distal end surface of the distal end portion 3.

The bent portion 23 is bonded to the distal end surface 60s of the distal end hard member 60 via a transparent adhesive so as to cover the distal ends of the LG fiber bundles 30a and 30b.

In other words, the bent portion 23 is formed in a shape partially protruding inward in the radial direction K as shown in FIG. 10 so as to cover only the tips of the LG fiber bundles 30a and 30b. Other configurations are the same as those in the first to fourth embodiments described above.

As described above, even if the distal end hard member 60 is provided in the distal end portion 3 and the LG fiber bundle is formed in a columnar shape, the bent portion 23 of the tube portion 22 formed of a transparent member is connected to each LG fiber bundle 30a. Since it is adhered to the tip surface 60s so as to cover the tip of 30b, the same effects as those of the first to fourth embodiments described above can be obtained.

Further, modifications will be shown below. In the first to fifth embodiments described above, the endoscope 1 has been described by taking an electronic endoscope in which an imaging element is provided in the operation unit 6 or the distal end portion 3 as an example. Of course, the present invention can also be applied to a known optical endoscope that does not have an image sensor.

Furthermore, the endoscope 1 can also be applied to the above-described known optical scanning endoscope. Hereinafter, an example of an optical scanning endoscope will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of an endoscope system including an optical scanning endoscope.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the endoscope system 100 includes an optical scanning endoscope 101 inserted into a subject, a main body device 103 connected to the optical scanning endoscope 101, and a main body device 103. The main part is composed of a monitor 104 to be connected.

  The optical scanning endoscope 101 includes an insertion portion 102 that is inserted into a subject, and a connector (not shown) that is connected to the base end in the longitudinal direction N of the insertion portion 102 and that is detachable from the main body device 103. It has.

  An illumination light irradiation unit 110 that emits illumination light and changes the emission direction with time is held in the opening 23h of the bent portion 23 of the tube portion 22 constituting the outer skin of the insertion portion 102.

The illumination light irradiation unit 110 is mainly composed of an illumination fiber 112, an objective optical system 114, and an actuator 115.

  The illumination fiber 112 is inserted from the proximal end to the distal end in the longitudinal direction N in the insertion portion 102, and transmits illumination light supplied from the light source unit 121 of the main body device 103 to the objective optical system 114. is there.

The proximal end portion including the light incident surface of the illumination fiber 112 is positioned to face the multiplexer 132 provided inside the main body device 103.

Further, the distal end portion including the light emission surface of the illumination fiber 112 is positioned in an unfixed state facing the objective optical system 114.

The objective optical system 114 includes a lens 114a that receives illumination light from the illumination fiber 112 and a lens 114b that emits illumination light into the subject through the lens 114a.

The actuator 115 is provided in the middle position of the illumination fiber 112 and is driven based on a drive signal output from the driver unit 122 of the main body device 103.

The actuator 115 includes a piezoelectric element that operates based on a drive signal output from the driver unit 122 of the main body device 103, and is arranged at a position where the distal end portion including the light emitting surface of the illumination fiber 112 can swing. A shaft actuator is provided. And the front-end | tip part containing the light-projection surface of the illumination fiber 112 is rock | fluctuated with operation | movement of the actuator for shafts.

Further, in the insertion portion 102, for example, two light receiving fibers 113 that are LG fiber bundles that receive reflected light from the subject, transmit the light from the distal end to the proximal end, and guide it to the detection unit 123 of the main body device 103 are inserted. Has been.

  The distal end portion including the light incident surface of the light receiving fiber 113 is fixed around the light emitting surface of the lens 114 b on the distal end surface of the insertion portion 102. The distal end portion of the light receiving fiber 113 is covered with a bent portion 23 of the tube portion 22 that constitutes the outer skin of the insertion portion 102.

In addition, the base end portion including the light emitting surface of the light receiving fiber 113 is positioned to face the duplexer 36 provided in the main body device 103.

The main device 103 includes a light source unit 121, a driver unit 122, a detection unit 123, a memory 124, and a controller 125, and a main part is configured.

  The light source unit 121 includes a light source 131a, a light source 131b, a light source 131c, and a multiplexer 132.

  The light source 131 a includes a laser light source, for example, and emits light in the red (R) wavelength band (hereinafter referred to as R light) to the multiplexer 132 when turned on under the control of the controller 125. It is configured.

  The light source 131b includes, for example, a laser light source, and emits light in the green (G) wavelength band (hereinafter referred to as G light) to the multiplexer 132 when turned on under the control of the controller 125. It is configured.

  The light source 131 c includes, for example, a laser light source, and emits light in a blue (B) wavelength band (hereinafter referred to as B light) to the multiplexer 132 when turned on under the control of the controller 125. It is configured.

The multiplexer 132 combines the R light emitted from the light source 131a, the G light emitted from the light source 131b, and the B light emitted from the light source 131c, and supplies it to the light incident surface of the illumination fiber 112. To do.

  The driver unit 122 includes a signal generator 133, digital analog (hereinafter referred to as D / A) converters 134a and 134b, and an amplifier 135.

  Based on the control of the controller 125, the signal generator 133 generates a signal having a predetermined waveform as a drive signal for swinging the end including the light emitting surface of the illumination fiber 112 and generates D / A converters 134a and 134b. It is configured to output to.

  The D / A converters 134 a and 134 b are configured to convert the digital drive signal output from the signal generator 133 into an analog drive signal and output the analog drive signal to the amplifier 135.

  The amplifier 135 is configured to amplify each drive signal output from the D / A converters 134 a and 134 b and output the amplified drive signal to the actuator 115.

Then, when each drive signal is supplied to the shaft actuator of the actuator 115, the end including the light emitting surface of the illumination fiber 112 is swung, and the surface of the subject is scanned in accordance with such swinging. The
The detection unit 123 includes a duplexer 136, detectors 137a, 137b, and 137c, and analog-digital (hereinafter referred to as A / D) converters 138a, 138b, and 138c.

  The demultiplexer 136 includes a dichroic mirror or the like, and separates the return light emitted from the light emitting surface of the light receiving fiber 113 into light for each of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) color components. And it is comprised so that it may radiate | emit to detector 137a, 137b, and 137c.

  The detector 137a detects the intensity of the R light output from the duplexer 136, generates an analog R signal according to the detected intensity of the R light, and outputs the analog R signal to the A / D converter 138a. It is configured.

  The detector 137b detects the intensity of the G light output from the demultiplexer 136, generates an analog G signal corresponding to the detected intensity of the G light, and outputs the analog G signal to the A / D converter 138b. It is configured.

  The detector 137c detects the intensity of the B light output from the duplexer 136, generates an analog B signal corresponding to the detected intensity of the B light, and outputs the analog B signal to the A / D converter 138c. It is configured.

  The A / D converter 138 a is configured to convert the analog R signal output from the detector 137 a into a digital R signal and output the digital R signal to the controller 125.

  The A / D converter 138b is configured to convert the analog G signal output from the detector 137b into a digital G signal and output the digital G signal to the controller 125.

  The A / D converter 138c is configured to convert the analog B signal output from the detector 137c into a digital B signal and output the digital B signal to the controller 125.

  The memory 124 stores scan pattern control information. Specifically, the memory 124 stores the amount of illumination light and a gain value used when generating an image as control information.

  The controller 125 includes a CPU and the like, and performs various controls on each unit of the main body device 103 and various processes related to generation of an image to be displayed on the monitor 104.

  Also in such an optical scanning endoscope 101, the light transmission direction with respect to the LG fiber bundle is only opposite to the first to fifth embodiments described above, and the first to fifth embodiments described above. Is applicable.

This application is filed on the basis of the priority claim of Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-116865 filed in Japan on June 9, 2015, and the above contents include the present specification, claims and drawings. Is quoted in

Claims (8)

An endoscope having an insertion portion that has a flexible tube and is inserted into a subject, and an operation portion that is disposed on a proximal end side of the insertion portion,
The insertion part is
A light guide fiber bundle to be inserted into the insertion portion;
The outer cover of the insertion section formed by one piece from the proximal end to the distal end of the insertion section and having a covering portion that is bent inward in the radial direction of the insertion section and covers the distal end of the light guide fiber bundle A tube part formed integrally with the tip, and formed entirely transparent;
An endoscope comprising:   2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the tube portion is formed in a lens shape on a surface facing the tip of the light guide fiber bundle in the bent portion.   The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the light guide fiber bundle is provided in an annular shape in the tube portion.   The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the light guide fiber bundle is provided in a cylindrical shape in the tube portion.   The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein an opening communicating with the inside of the tube portion is formed in the bent portion of the tube portion. A frame is fitted to the opening,
The endoscope according to claim 5 , wherein an insertion hole of a treatment instrument channel provided in the tube portion is formed in the frame body, and further, a distal end side of the light guide fiber bundle is held. . The light guide fiber bundle irradiates the illumination light transmitted from the proximal end of the light guide fiber bundle to the distal end into the subject through the bent portion,
The endoscope according to claim 5 , wherein an optical unit that receives reflected light from the subject irradiated with the illumination light is held in the opening. An illumination light irradiation unit that emits illumination light and changes the emission direction over time is held in the opening,
The endoscope according to claim 5 , wherein the light guide fiber bundle receives reflected light from the subject irradiated with the illumination light and transmits the reflected light from the distal end to the proximal end.

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