JP2017046854A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the size and the cost of an endoscope.SOLUTION: An endoscope includes: a lens unit 35 in which lenses L1, L2, L3 are accommodated in a lens support member 39; an image sensor 33 having an imaging area 41 covered with sensor cover glass 43; a bonding resin 37 with which the lens unit 35 is fixed to the sensor cover glass 43 such that the optical axes of the lenses L1, L2, L3 coincide with the center of the imaging area 41; a distal portion 15, the maximum outer diameter Dmax of which is set to a range between 1.8 mm and a finite diameter equivalent to the diameter of the circumscribed circle of a substrate of the image sensor 33 which can be obtained via dicing; a molded part 65 in which at least a portion of the lens unit 35 and the image sensor 33 are coated with and are fixed by a molded resin 17; and a tubular sheath 61 that is formed to have the same outer diameter as that of the distal portion 15 and connected to cover at least a portion of the molded part 65.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, endoscopes for imaging the inside of a patient's body, equipment, or structure are widely used in the medical field or the industrial field. In this type of endoscope, light from an imaging region is imaged on a light receiving surface of an image sensor by an objective lens system in an insertion portion inserted into an observation target. The endoscope converts the imaged light into an electrical signal and transmits it as a video signal to an external image processing device or the like via a signal cable.

  For example, in an endoscope used in the medical field, in order to reduce the burden on the patient, it is important to further reduce the outer diameter of the insertion portion on the distal end side inserted into the body of the patient. ing. Conventionally, the normal outer diameter of the oral endoscope has a maximum outer diameter of about 8 to 9 mm. For this reason, it is easy to touch a tongue base part at the time of insertion, and the patient may be accompanied by nausea and breathlessness. Therefore, in recent years, small-diameter nasal endoscopes are rapidly spreading. The small-diameter nasal endoscope has a maximum outer diameter of about 5 to 6 mm, which is about half that of a conventional oral endoscope. For this reason, the small-diameter nasal endoscope can be inserted through the nasal cavity, coupled with the thinness of about 5 mm, there are few vomiting reflections, and the insertion is often not bothered.

  For example, the electronic endoscope system 501 of Patent Document 1 shown in FIG. 26 mainly includes an endoscope 503, a light source device 505, a video processor 507, and a monitor 509. The endoscope 503 includes a long and narrow insertion portion 511, an operation portion 513, and a universal cable 515 that is an electric cable. The insertion portion 511 of the endoscope 503 is configured to include a distal end portion 517, a bending portion 519, and a flexible tube portion 521 in this order from the distal end side inserted into the patient. The operation unit 513 includes an operation unit main body 523 and a treatment instrument channel insertion part 525 for inserting various treatment instruments into the insertion part 511. A bending operation knob 527 for bending the bending portion 519 is disposed on the operation portion main body 523. The bending operation knob 527 includes a UD bending operation knob 529 for bending the bending portion 519 in the vertical direction and an RL bending operation knob 531 for bending the bending portion 519 in the left-right direction.

  In addition, an endoscope 533 of Patent Document 2 shown in FIG. 27 includes an outer cylinder 535 at the tip. The outer cylinder 535 is provided with an imaging mechanism 539 covered with a light-shielding material 537 filled. The imaging mechanism 539 is optically coupled to the imaging element 543 having the light receiving part 541 on one surface, the cover member 545 covering the surface on which the light receiving part 541 of the imaging element 543 is provided, and the light receiving part 541 of the imaging element 543. A lens unit 547 and a flexible printed wiring board 549 are provided. The lens unit 547 includes an objective cover member 551, a diaphragm 553, a plano-convex lens 555, a plano-convex lens 557, and a lens barrel 559 to which these are fixed, from the object side. The plano-convex lens 557 and the cover member 545 are fixed with an adhesive 561.

International Publication No. 2013/031276 International Publication No. 2013/146091

  By the way, the endoscope is required to further reduce the outer diameter (for example, to reduce the outer diameter of the insertion portion on the distal end side of Patent Document 1 or the objective side of Patent Document 2). This is not the above-described existing small-diameter nasal endoscope, but the existing small-diameter nasal endoscope is difficult to insert into the body of the patient (for example, a very thin tube such as a blood vessel). Based on a medical request to insert it into a hole and observe the details inside.

  However, the endoscope 503 disclosed in Patent Document 1 has an appearance and description of an application example shown in FIG. 1 of the same document (for example, an insertion portion 511 for inserting into an upper or lower digestive organ of a living body). It is presumed that it is mainly inserted into the human digestive tract from a so-called flexible mirror having flexibility. For this reason, it is difficult to observe the inside by inserting into a tube or hole having a very small diameter such as a blood vessel of a human body.

  In the endoscope 533 disclosed in Patent Document 2, in the imaging mechanism 539, the imaging element 543 and the flexible printed wiring board 549 are larger in the radial direction than the outer diameter of the lens barrel 559. In addition, the endoscope 533 has a configuration in which an imaging mechanism 539 made of these members is accommodated in an outer cylinder 535 and the imaging mechanism 539 is covered with a light-shielding material 537 filled in the outer cylinder 535. For this reason, the distance between the imaging element 543 and the flexible printed wiring board 549 that protrudes outward in the radial direction from the lens barrel 559 and the thickness of the outer cylinder 535 are disadvantageous for downsizing. Moreover, since the outer cylinder 535 is required, the number of parts increases and the cost also increases.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and provides an endoscope that can be reduced in size (for example, the outer diameter of the insertion portion on the distal end side is reduced) and cost can be reduced. There is to do.

  According to the present invention, a lens unit that houses a plurality of lenses in a lens support member, an image pickup device whose image pickup surface is covered with an element cover glass, and the optical axes of the plurality of lenses coincide with the center of the image pickup surface. An adhesive resin for fixing the lens unit and the element cover glass, and a tip portion formed in a range of a finite diameter corresponding to a diameter of a circumscribed circle of the substrate of the imaging element to 1.8 mm; A mold part that covers and fixes at least a part of the lens unit and the imaging element with a mold resin, and a tubular part that is formed with the same outer diameter as the tip part and covers at least a part of the mold part An endoscope comprising a sheath.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the size and cost of an endoscope.

Overall configuration diagram showing an example of an endoscope system using the endoscope of each embodiment The perspective view which shows a mode that the front-end | tip part of the endoscope of 1st Embodiment was seen from the front side. Sectional drawing which shows an example of the front-end | tip part of the endoscope of 1st Embodiment Sectional drawing which shows an example of the structure with which adhesive resin was filled in the separation part of the endoscope of 1st Embodiment. The perspective view which shows a mode that the image pick-up element by which the transmission cable was connected to the conductor connection part of the endoscope of 1st Embodiment was seen from the back side. Front view showing an example of a tip portion representing an arrangement example of light guides as an example of illumination means Characteristic diagram showing an example of the relationship between the thickness of the mold part and the transmittance (A) The figure which shows an example of the captured image when there is stray light, (B) The figure which shows an example of the captured image when there is no stray light Characteristic diagram showing an example of the relationship between the additive amount and tensile strength in the mold part The figure which shows an example of the relationship between the addition amount of the additive in a mold part, resistance value, and light-shielding rate Sectional drawing which shows an example of the structure by which the thin sheath was connected to the front-end | tip part Sectional drawing which shows an example of a structure of the optical lens group in a lens unit Explanatory drawing which shows the lens data as an optical characteristic of the lens unit shown in FIG. The figure which shows an example of the captured image based on the measurement result in which the ring-shaped stray light appeared Measurement figure obtained by simulation of the presence or absence of stray light at multiple locations appearing in the captured image (A) Ray tracing diagram of upper stray light scattered in ring shape, (B) Ray tracing diagram of stray light on both sides of stray light scattered in ring shape, (C) Ray tracing diagram of lower stray light of stray light scattered in ring shape Measured figure obtained by illuminance distribution simulation to determine the presence or absence of stray light due to the rough surface. The figure which shows an example of the captured image of the actual measurement result in which the stray light was reduced by providing a rough surface part The perspective view which shows a mode that the front-end | tip part of the endoscope of 2nd Embodiment was seen from the front side. Sectional drawing which shows an example of the front-end | tip part of the endoscope of 2nd Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows an example in the state in which the lens and image pick-up element in the endoscope of 2nd Embodiment were directly attached via adhesive resin. The perspective view which shows a mode that the image pick-up element by which the transmission cable was connected to the conductor connection part of the endoscope of 2nd Embodiment was seen from the back side. Side view showing examples of dimensions of objective cover glass, lens, and element cover glass (A) Configuration diagram of the position adjustment jig, (B) Side view when the lens unit and the image sensor are fixed, (C) Image explanation diagram when aligning in the XY direction, (D) When aligning in the Z direction Illustration of video (A) Configuration diagram of a camera-equipped position adjustment jig, (B) Side view when the lens unit and the image sensor are fixed, (C) Image explanation diagram during alignment using the second camera, (D) First Video explanatory diagram at the time of alignment using the camera, (E) Video explanatory diagram at the time of alignment in the Z direction Overall configuration diagram of an electronic endoscope system including a conventional endoscope Partial sectional view showing an example of a conventional endoscope end structure

  Hereinafter, embodiments that specifically disclose an endoscope according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, more detailed description than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of already well-known matters and repeated descriptions for substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to avoid the following description from becoming unnecessarily redundant and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. The accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

  First, a basic configuration example common to the endoscopes of the embodiments will be described first. The configuration example is a configuration requirement that can be provided in the endoscope according to the present invention. The endoscope according to the present invention does not exclude that the following configuration examples are provided overlapping each other.

(First embodiment)
<Example of basic configuration>
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating an example of an endoscope system using the endoscope of each embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire configuration of the endoscope system 13 including the endoscope 11 and the video processor 19.

  Note that the directions used in the description in the present specification are the same as those in each direction. Here, “upper” and “lower” correspond to the upper and lower sides of the video processor 19 placed on the horizontal plane, respectively, and “front (front)” and “rear” refer to the endoscope main body (hereinafter “endoscope 11”). Corresponds to the distal end side of the insertion portion 21 and the proximal end side of the plug portion 23 (in other words, the video processor 19 side).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope system 13 includes, for example, an endoscope 11 that is a medical flexible endoscope and a still image or a moving image obtained by photographing the inside of an observation target (for example, a blood vessel of a human body). On the other hand, it has a configuration including a video processor 19 for performing known image processing and the like. The endoscope 11 includes an insertion portion 21 that extends substantially in the front-rear direction and is inserted into the observation target, and a plug portion 23 to which the rear portion of the insertion portion 21 is connected.

  The video processor 19 has a socket portion 27 that opens to the front wall 25. The rear portion of the plug portion 23 of the endoscope 11 is inserted into the socket portion 27, whereby the endoscope 11 can send and receive power and various signals (video signals, control signals, etc.) to and from the video processor 19. It is.

  The electric power and various signals described above are guided from the plug portion 23 to the soft portion 29 via the transmission cable 31 (see FIG. 3 or FIG. 4) inserted into the soft portion 29. Image data output from the image sensor 33 provided at the distal end portion 15 is transmitted from the plug portion 23 to the video processor 19 via the transmission cable 31. The video processor 19 performs known image processing such as color correction and gradation correction on the image data transmitted from the plug unit 23, and outputs the image data after the image processing to a display device (not shown). The display device is a monitor device having a display device such as a liquid crystal display panel, for example, and displays an image of a subject imaged by the endoscope 11 (for example, image data indicating a state in a blood vessel of a person who is the subject).

  The insertion portion 21 has a flexible soft portion 29 whose rear end is connected to the plug portion 23, and a distal end portion 15 connected to the distal end of the soft portion 29. The flexible portion 29 has an appropriate length corresponding to various methods such as endoscopic examination and endoscopic surgery. The soft part 29 is configured by covering the outer periphery of a thin metal plate wound in a spiral shape with a net and further covering the outer periphery thereof, and is formed to have sufficient flexibility. The flexible part 29 connects between the tip part 15 and the plug part 23.

  The endoscopes 11 and 111 of each embodiment described below can be inserted into a narrow body cavity by being formed with a small diameter. The narrow body cavity is not limited to the blood vessels of the human body, and includes, for example, the ureter, pancreatic duct, bile duct, bronchiole and the like. That is, the endoscopes 11 and 111 can be inserted into blood vessels, ureters, pancreatic ducts, bile ducts, bronchioles, and the like of the human body. In other words, the endoscopes 11 and 111 can be used for observing lesions in blood vessels. The endoscopes 11 and 111 are effective in identifying atherosclerotic plaques. Further, the present invention can be applied to observation with an endoscope at the time of cardiac catheter examination. Furthermore, the endoscopes 11 and 111 are also effective in detecting thrombus and arteriosclerotic yellow plaque. In arteriosclerotic lesions, color tone (white, light yellow, yellow) and surface (smooth, irregular) are observed. In the thrombus, a color tone (red, white, dark red, yellow, brown, mixed color) is observed.

  Further, the endoscopes 11 and 111 can be used for diagnosis and treatment of renal pelvis / ureter cancer and idiopathic renal bleeding. In this case, the endoscopes 11 and 111 can be inserted into the bladder from the urethra and further advanced into the ureter to observe the inside of the ureter and the renal pelvis.

  In addition, the endoscopes 11 and 111 can be inserted into the papilla that opens to the duodenum. Bile is made from the liver and passes through the bile duct, and pancreatic juice is made from the pancreas and passes through the pancreatic duct and drains from the papilla in the duodenum. The endoscopes 11 and 111 can be inserted from a pharter papilla, which is an opening of the bile duct and pancreatic duct, to enable observation of the bile duct or pancreatic duct.

  Furthermore, the endoscopes 11 and 111 can be inserted into the bronchus. The endoscopes 11 and 111 are inserted from the oral cavity or nasal cavity of a specimen (that is, a patient) in a supine position. The endoscopes 11 and 111 pass through the pharynx and larynx and are inserted into the trachea while visually checking the vocal cords. The bronchi get thinner every time they branch. For example, according to the endoscopes 11 and 111 having the maximum outer diameter Dmax of less than 2 mm, the lumen can be confirmed up to the sub-region bronchus.

  Next, various configuration examples included in the endoscope according to the first embodiment will be described. The endoscope 11 of the first embodiment can have each configuration from the first configuration example to the seventeenth configuration example.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the distal end portion 15 of the endoscope 11 according to the first embodiment is viewed from the front side. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the distal end portion 15 of the endoscope 11 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a configuration in which the bonding resin 37 is filled in the separation portion 47 of the endoscope 11 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the imaging element 33 in which the transmission cable 31 is connected to the conductor connection portion 49 of the endoscope 11 according to the first embodiment is viewed from the rear side.

  2, the configuration of the distal end portion 15 of the endoscope 11 shown in FIG. 1 is shown in a perspective view. 3, the structure of the front-end | tip part 15 shown in FIG. 2 is shown with sectional drawing. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration in which the mold resin 17 is removed from the distal end portion 15 shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a configuration in which the image sensor 33 shown in FIG. 4 is viewed from the side opposite to the lens unit 35.

<First configuration example>
The endoscope 11 of the first configuration example includes a lens unit 35 that accommodates a lens in a lens support member 39, an image sensor 33 whose imaging surface is covered by an element cover glass 43, and an optical axis of the lens at the center of the imaging surface An adhesive resin 37 for fixing the matched lens unit 35 and the element cover glass 43, and each of the four conductor connecting portions 49 provided on the surface opposite to the imaging surface (that is, the rear side) of the imaging device 33. A transmission cable 31 having four electric wires 45 connected to each other.

  The lens support member 39 is formed by being sandwiched between a plurality of (three in the illustrated example) lenses L1 to L3, and the lenses L1 and L2 formed of an optical material (for example, glass, resin, etc.). The stop 51 is incorporated in a state of being close to each other in the direction of the optical axis. The diaphragm 51 is provided for adjusting the amount of light incident on the lens L2 or the lens 93, and only light that has passed through the diaphragm 51 can enter the lens L2 or the lens 93. Note that the proximity means that the lens is slightly separated in order to avoid damage due to contact between the lenses. The lenses L1 to L3 are fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the lens support member 39 with an adhesive over the entire circumference.

  In the following description, the term “adhesive” does not have a strict meaning of a substance used for bonding the surfaces of solid objects, but is a substance that can be used to bond two objects or has been cured. When the adhesive has a high barrier property against gas and liquid, it is used in a broad sense as a substance having a function as a sealing material.

  The front end of the lens support member 39 is sealed (sealed) by the lens L1 and the rear end of the lens support member 39 is sealed by the lens L3, so that air or moisture does not enter the lens support member 39. . Therefore, air or the like cannot escape from one end of the lens support member 39 to the other end. In the following description, the lenses L1 to L3 are collectively referred to as an optical lens group LNZ.

  As a metal material constituting the lens support member 39, for example, nickel is used. Nickel has a relatively high rigidity and high corrosion resistance, and is suitable as a material constituting the tip portion 15. Further, around the lens support member 39 before the examination or before the operation, the nickel constituting the lens support member 39 is not directly exposed from the distal end portion 15 during the examination using the endoscope 11 or during the operation. It is preferable that the resin is uniformly coated with the mold resin 17 and the tip portion 15 is provided with a biocompatible coating. Instead of nickel, for example, a copper nickel alloy may be used. The copper nickel alloy also has high corrosion resistance and is suitable as a material constituting the tip portion 15. Moreover, as a metal material which comprises the lens support member 39, Preferably, the material which can be manufactured by electroforming (electroplating) is selected. Here, the reason why electroforming is used is that the dimensional accuracy of a member manufactured by electroforming is extremely high, less than 1 μm (so-called submicron accuracy), and the variation when a large number of members are manufactured is small. Further, as the metal material constituting the lens support member 39, stainless steel (for example, SUS316) may be used. Stainless steel (also referred to as a SUS tube) has high biocompatibility and is considered suitable as an endoscope that is inserted into a small-diameter site such as a blood vessel of a human body. The lens support member 39 is an extremely small member, and an error in the inner and outer diameter dimensions affects the optical performance of the endoscope 11 (that is, the image quality of the captured image). By configuring the lens support member 39 with, for example, a nickel electroformed tube, it is possible to obtain the endoscope 11 capable of capturing a high-quality image while ensuring high dimensional accuracy despite a small diameter.

  The lens support member 39 may be a sheet material or the like other than metal. The lens support member 39 only needs to achieve positioning when aligning the optical axes of the lenses of the lens unit 35. When the lens unit 35 is covered with the mold resin 17, the relative positions of the lenses are fixed. For this reason, the lens support member 39 can be made of a material that has a lower strength, a smaller thickness, and a lighter weight than a conventional barrel used to support a plurality of lenses. Thereby, it becomes possible to contribute to the diameter reduction of the front-end | tip part 15 in the endoscope 11. FIG. The lens support member 39 does not exclude the use of a metal barrel similar to the conventional one.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the imaging element 33 is configured by a small CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) imaging device having a square shape when viewed from the front-rear direction, for example. In the imaging element 33, light incident from the outside forms an image on the imaging surface 41 by the optical lens group LNZ in the lens support member 39. In the imaging device 33, the imaging surface 41 is covered with an element cover glass 43.

  The adhesive resin 37 is made of, for example, a UV / thermosetting resin. The adhesive resin 37 preferably has a light transmitting property and has a refractive index close to that of air. When a UV / thermosetting resin is used as the adhesive resin 37, the outer surface portion can be cured by ultraviolet irradiation, and the inside of the filled adhesive that cannot be irradiated with ultraviolet rays can be cured by heat treatment. The adhesive resin 37 fixes the lens unit 35 with the optical axis of the lens coincident with the center of the imaging surface 41 to the element cover glass 43. Thereby, the lens unit 35 and the image sensor 33 are directly bonded and fixed by the adhesive resin 37, that is, the lens unit 35 and the image sensor 33 are directly attached via the adhesive resin 37. The adhesive resin 37 is, for example, an adhesive that requires heat treatment in order to obtain final hardness, but cures to a certain degree of hardness even when irradiated with ultraviolet rays.

  In the endoscope 11, when the light exit surface of the lens facing the element cover glass 43 is a concave surface, the edge portion 55 that is an end surface of the ring around the lens is bonded to the element cover glass 43. At this time, the outer periphery of the lens and the outer periphery of the lens support member 39 may be simultaneously fixed by the adhesive resin 37. By bonding the edge portion 55 of the lens to the element cover glass 43, an air layer is provided between the lens and the imaging element 33. By providing an air layer between the lens and the image sensor 33, the optical performance of the lens can be improved. For example, the difference in refractive index of the emitted light from the lens to the air layer can be increased, and power for refracting light can be obtained. This facilitates optical design such as increasing the resolution and increasing the angle of view. As a result, the image quality of the image captured by the endoscope 11 is improved.

  Four conductor connection portions 49 are provided on the rear side of the image sensor 33. The conductor connecting portion 49 can be formed by, for example, an LGA (Land grid array). The four conductor connection parts 49 are composed of a pair of power connection parts and a pair of signal connection parts. The four conductor connection portions 49 are electrically connected to the four electric wires 45 of the transmission cable 31. The transmission cable 31 includes a pair of power lines that are the electric wires 45 and a pair of signal lines that are the electric wires 45. That is, a pair of power lines of the transmission cable 31 are connected to the pair of power connection portions of the conductor connection portion 49. A pair of signal lines of the transmission cable 31 are connected to the pair of signal connection parts of the conductor connection part 49.

  As described above, according to the endoscope 11 of the first configuration example, the lens unit 35 and the imaging device 33 are fixed in a state where they are held at a predetermined distance by the adhesive resin 37. In the fixed lens unit 35 and the imaging device 33, the optical axis of the lens unit 35 and the center of the imaging surface 41 are aligned. In addition, the distance between the lens unit 35 and the image sensor 33 is aligned at a distance at which incident light from a subject passing through the lens unit 35 is focused on the imaging surface 41 of the image sensor 33. The lens unit 35 and the image sensor 33 are fixed after being aligned.

  A separation portion 47 (see FIG. 4) is formed between the fixed lens unit 35 and the image sensor 33. The shape of the separating portion 47 is determined by relatively aligning the lens unit 35 and the image sensor 33 and fixing them with an adhesive resin 37. That is, the separation portion 47 serves as an adjustment gap for alignment between the lens unit 35 and the image sensor 33. This adjustment gap does not disappear even when the adhesive resin 37 is filled. In the specific example of the dimensions described above, the adjustment is performed at least between about 30 μm and about 100 μm. The tolerance at this time is ± 20 μm. Therefore, the minimum adjustment gap in this case remains at 10 μm.

  In the endoscope 11, after the positioning of the lens unit 35 and the image sensor 33 is completed with the separation portion 47 serving as an adjustment gap, the separation portion 47 is used as a fixing space for the adhesive resin 37. Thereby, the lens unit 35 and the image sensor 33 can be directly fixed. Thereby, an interposing member such as a frame or a holder for fixing the lens unit 35 to the image sensor 33, which has been necessary in the past, is not necessary. Further, since the frame or the holder can be omitted, the number of parts is reduced and the fixing structure is simplified. As a result, the diameter of the distal end portion 15 of the endoscope 11 can be reduced, and even when a further miniaturization (for example, a reduction in the outer diameter of the insertion portion on the distal end side) is achieved, the minimum dimension is achieved. Can be configured. In addition, component costs can be reduced. Furthermore, since there are few intervening parts at the time of fixing the lens unit 35 and the image pick-up element 33, the work man-hour required for the operation | work concerning alignment and fixation can be reduced, and highly accurate position alignment becomes possible easily. In addition, the manufacturing cost can be reduced and the productivity can be improved.

  Further, according to the endoscope 11, the transmission cable 31 including the four electric wires 45 is connected to the image sensor 33. The endoscope 11 can achieve both size reduction and cost reduction by using the transmission cable 31 as the four electric wires 45. For example, the number of the electric wires 45 of the transmission cable 31 may be four or less (for example, three) because of the arrangement space of the conductor connecting portion 49 with respect to the rear portion on the back side of the image sensor 33. When the signal line of the book is abolished, the signal of the captured image or the control signal sent from the video processor 19 must be superimposed on the waveform of power passing through the power line. Then, a modulation circuit, a demodulation circuit, and the like are required for signal superposition, and the number of parts increases and the total cost increases. In addition, if a dedicated signal line is used for transmission and reception of various signals (signals of captured image images, control signals, etc.), the circuit configuration becomes easy, but it is disadvantageous for reducing the diameter of the endoscope. . On the other hand, when the number of the electric wires 45 of the transmission cable 31 is more than four (for example, five), the arrangement space of the individual conductor connection portions 49 with respect to the rear portion on the back surface side of the image sensor 33 is narrowed. When the endoscope 11 having a maximum outer diameter of 1.8 mm or less is manufactured, connection work by soldering becomes difficult, and manufacture of the endoscope 11 becomes difficult. As described above, in the endoscope 11, the transmission cable 31 has the four electric wires 45, so that a remarkable effect is achieved in achieving both miniaturization and cost reduction.

<Second configuration example>
In the endoscope 11 of the second configuration example, in the endoscope 11 of the present embodiment, the maximum outer diameter Dmax of the distal end portion 15 is a finite diameter corresponding to the diameter of the circumscribed circle of the substrate of the imaging element 33 that can be diced. It can be formed in a range of 1.8 mm.

  In the endoscope 11 of the present embodiment, one having a side dimension of 1.0 mm is used as the imaging element 33 having a square cross section in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis. Thereby, in the endoscope 11, the diagonal dimension of the image pickup device 33 is about 1.4 mm, and the maximum outer diameter Dmax is 1.8 mm or less if the light guide 57 (for example, 150 μm φ) as the illumination unit is included. Things are possible.

  As described above, according to the endoscope 11 of the second configuration example, when the maximum outer diameter Dmax is less than 1.8 mm, for example, insertion into a blood vessel of a human body can be easily performed.

<Third configuration example>
In the endoscope 11 of the third configuration example, as shown in FIG. 5, in the endoscope 11 of the present embodiment, the substrate of the image sensor 33 is formed in a square shape, and the four conductor connection portions 49 include the image sensor. Arranged along one side of 33 substrates. One conductor connection portion 49 is formed in a rectangular shape. The four conductor connecting portions 49 are arranged so that the long sides are parallel to each other and are separated from each other. These four conductor connection portions 49 are arranged at the center of the substrate of the image sensor 33. Accordingly, each conductor connecting portion 49 is separated from the peripheral edge of the substrate of the image sensor 33.

  In the transmission cable 31, the conductors of the power line and the signal line that are the electric wires 45 are covered with an insulating coating. The four electric wires 45 are arranged in two stages, two on the left and two on the upper and lower sides, and the outer periphery of the insulating coating is further bundled by a jacket to form one transmission cable 31. Each conductor has a bent portion 53 bent in a U shape along the longitudinal direction of the conductor connecting portion 49. The bent portion 53 of the electric wire 45 is formed in advance and is abutted against the conductor connecting portion 49. As for the electric wire 45, the front-end | tip of this bending part 53 is connected to the conductor connection part 49 with solder. The image sensor 33 and the transmission cable 31 are covered with the mold resin 17. Accordingly, the conductor connecting portion 49, the bent portion 53, the electric wire 45, and the outer jacket of the transmission cable 31 are embedded in the mold resin 17.

  As described above, according to the endoscope 11 of the third configuration example, the four conductor connection portions 49 can be arranged in parallel to the central portion of the substrate of the image sensor 33, so that the conductor connection portions 49 can be easily formed. Since the conductor of the electric wire 45 is connected to each of the four conductor connecting portions 49 separated in one direction by soldering, the connection work can be facilitated. Since the conductor connecting portion 49 is disposed at the center of the substrate of the image sensor 33, the bent portion 53 can be formed in the conductor. Since the bent portion 53 is embedded and fixed by the mold portion 65, it is possible to reduce the tension acting on the transmission cable 31 from acting on the joint portion between the conductor and the conductor connecting portion 49 (working as a strain relief). Thereby, the connection reliability of the electric wire 45 and the conductor connection part 49 can be improved.

<Fourth configuration example>
In the endoscope 11 of the fourth configuration example, illumination means is provided along the lens unit in the endoscope 11 of the present embodiment. That is, the endoscope 11 of the fourth configuration example includes a light guide 57 as an example of an illumination unit. Hereinafter, although the case where the illumination means is the light guide 57 will be described as an example, the illumination means may be an LED directly attached to the insertion tip surface of the tip portion 15. In this case, the light guide 57 is unnecessary.

  The light guide 57 includes a single optical fiber 59. For the optical fiber 59, for example, a plastic optical fiber (POF) is preferably used. The plastic optical fiber is made of plastics for both the core and the clad using silicon resin or acrylic resin as a material. The optical fiber 59 may be, for example, a bundle fiber (bundle fiber) in which a plurality of optical fiber strands are bundled and end fittings are attached to both ends thereof. The optical fiber 59 has a distal end at the distal end 15 serving as an emission end surface, and a proximal end connected to the ferrule of the plug portion 23. The light source is, for example, an LED provided in the socket portion 27 or the like. The endoscope 11 connects the plug portion 23 to the socket portion 27 so that light from the LED propagates through the optical fiber 59 of the light guide 57 and is emitted from the tip. According to this configuration, it is possible to configure a single optical fiber from the light source to the illumination light emission end, and it is possible to reduce light loss.

  As described above, according to the endoscope 11 of the fourth configuration example, by including the light guide 57, it is possible to use the endoscope 11 alone to perform imaging in a dark part.

<Fifth configuration example>
FIG. 6 is a front view illustrating an example of a tip portion representing an arrangement example of the light guide 57 as an example of an illumination unit. In the endoscope 11 of the fifth configuration example, a plurality of light guides 57 as an example of illumination means are provided in the circumferential direction of the lens unit 35 in the endoscope 11 of the present embodiment. Four light guides 57 can be provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the lens unit 35.

  As described above, according to the endoscope 11 of the fifth configuration example, the four light guides 57 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the lens unit 35, so that it is difficult for shadows to be generated on the top, bottom, left, and right of the subject. Thereby, the endoscope 11 can obtain a clear captured image as compared with a configuration with one light guide 57 or two configurations.

<Sixth configuration example>
In the endoscope 11 of the sixth configuration example, the imaging element 33 is formed in a square shape in the endoscope 11 of the present embodiment. The optical fibers 59 of the four light guides 57 are arranged at substantially the center of each side of the substrate of the image sensor 33 in a space between the substrate of the image sensor 33 and a circumscribed circle of the substrate of the image sensor 33. Yes.

  As described above, according to the endoscope 11 of the sixth configuration example, the space between the square imaging element 33 and the circular mold part 65 substantially circumscribing the imaging element 33 can be effectively used. A plurality (particularly four) of optical fibers 59 can be easily arranged without increasing the outer diameter. Thereby, the endoscope 11 can obtain a clear image while facilitating manufacture without increasing the outer diameter of the distal end portion 15.

<Seventh configuration example>
In the endoscope 11 of the seventh configuration example, at least a part of the lens unit, the imaging device, a part of the transmission cable, and a part of the illumination unit are fixed and covered with the mold resin in the endoscope 11 of the present embodiment. The mold part 65 made of the mold resin is made of a resin material containing an additive, and the light transmittance can be 10% or less.

  FIG. 7 is a characteristic diagram showing an example of the relationship between the thickness of the mold part 65 and the transmittance. FIG. 7 shows a measurement example of transmittance when carbon black is added as an additive to a mold resin material (epoxy resin). In FIG. 7, black circles and broken lines indicate the case where 5 wt% (wt%) of carbon black is added, and black diamonds and one-dot chain lines indicate the case where 1 wt% (wt%) of carbon black is added.

  When 5% by weight of carbon black is added, the light transmittance is about 0.5% even when the thickness is 30 μm or less without depending on the thickness of the mold part 65 (light shielding rate 99.5%). High shading performance can be obtained. When 1% by weight of carbon black is added, the transmittance increases as the thickness of the mold portion 65 decreases. In the case of addition of 1% by weight, the transmittance can be suppressed to 8.0% or less if the thickness of the mold part 65 is 30 μm or more. Therefore, the mold part 65 can fully satisfy | fill the conditions of the transmittance | permeability 10% or less by setting thickness T to 30 micrometers or more. For example, when the thickness of the mold part 65 is 50 μm or more, the transmittance becomes 4.5% or less when added by 1% by weight, and the transmittance becomes 0.5% or less when added by 5% by weight, so that light can be blocked more reliably.

  If the transmittance in the mold unit 65 is 10% or less, a good captured image with little influence of stray light can be obtained in the imaging unit including the lens unit 35 and the imaging element 33. If the transmittance of the mold part 65 is 6% or less, the influence of stray light can be sufficiently suppressed even if the sensitivity of the image sensor 33 is high. When the transmittance is higher than 10%, the effect of stray light is generated and there is a problem as a captured image.

  FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating an example of a captured image when there is stray light. FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating an example of a captured image when there is no stray light. When stray light is generated as shown in FIG. 8A, whiteout due to stray light occurs, for example, in a ring shape in the captured image, and a clear image cannot be obtained. The imaging unit that is using the endoscope 11 needs to be in a state where stray light does not occur as shown in FIG.

  When an additive is added to the mold part 65, the light shielding performance is improved as the additive amount (content) is increased as in the example shown in FIG. 7, but the adhesive strength of the mold part 65 is decreased. There is a nature. Therefore, it is necessary to add an appropriate amount to the mold resin material according to the adhesive strength characteristics of the additive.

  FIG. 9 is a characteristic diagram showing an example of the relationship between the additive amount of the mold part 65 and the tensile strength. FIG. 9 shows an example of measurement of tensile strength when carbon black is added to the mold resin material (epoxy resin) as an additive. Here, the tensile strength corresponds to the adhesive strength of the mold part 65. As shown in FIG. 9, when the added amount is 1% by weight, the tensile strength decreases only by about 2.5%. When the addition amount is 5% by weight, the tensile strength is reduced by about 12%. If the tensile strength is reduced by about 20%, sufficient adhesive strength as a mold member may not be obtained. Therefore, when carbon black is added, the amount added is preferably 5% by weight or less.

  Further, when a conductive material such as carbon black is used as an additive, the electrical resistance decreases as the amount added increases, and conductivity is added.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between the additive amount in the mold portion 65, the resistance value, and the light shielding rate. FIG. 10 shows a measurement example of the resistance value and the light shielding rate when carbon black is added as an additive to the mold resin material (epoxy resin). As the addition amount of carbon black, three cases of no addition (0 wt% addition), 1 wt% addition, and 5 wt% addition were measured. The light blocking ratio is an example when the thickness of the mold part 65 is 50 μm. In the case of no addition, the resistance value is 1.8 to 5.0 × 10 ¹³ . When 1% by weight is added, the resistance value is 2.5 to 3.0 × 10 ¹³ , and the light shielding ratio is 95% or more. When 5% by weight is added, the resistance value is 3.5 to 5.0 × 10 ^10. The light shielding rate is 99% or more. In the case of addition of 5% by weight, the value of electric resistance is reduced by 1000 times or more compared to the case of addition of 1% by weight. For this reason, it is necessary to add an appropriate amount to the mold resin material in accordance with the conductive characteristics of the additive and the insulating characteristics required for the internal components (electronic circuit or the like) to be sealed.

  When the electrical resistance in the mold part 65 is small, a leakage current or the like may occur in the conductor connection part 49 and the transmission cable 31 connected to the imaging element 33, and the electrical characteristics around the signal processing part of the imaging unit may deteriorate. On the other hand, by providing appropriate conductivity in the mold unit 65, when static electricity is generated in the imaging unit, the impact of electrostatic discharge can be reduced, an excessive current to the imaging device 33 can be suppressed, and the static electricity of the imaging device 33 can be suppressed. Electric breakdown can be suppressed. That is, it is possible to take surge countermeasures for the imaging unit.

  As described above, according to the endoscope 11 of the seventh configuration example, by adding the additive to the resin material (mold resin 17) of the mold part 65, the light transmittance in the mold part 65 is reduced to 10% or less. In addition, the thickness of the mold part 65 can be reduced. As a result, the imaging unit of the endoscope 11 can be reduced in size while having sufficient light shielding characteristics.

<Eighth configuration example>
As shown in FIG. 3, the endoscope 11 of the eighth configuration example includes a lens unit 35 that accommodates a lens in a lens support member 39 and an imaging surface 41 that is an element cover glass 43 in the endoscope 11 of the present embodiment. An image pickup element 33 covered with the lens, an adhesive resin 37 for fixing the element cover glass 43 to the lens unit 35 in which the optical axis of the lens coincides with the center of the image pickup surface 41, and an image pickup element capable of dicing the maximum outer diameter Dmax. A mold for covering and fixing at least a part of the lens unit 35 and the image sensor 33 with a mold resin 17, the tip 15 formed in a range of a finite diameter corresponding to the diameter of a circumscribed circle of 33 substrates, and 1.8 mm. And a tubular sheath 61 that is formed to have the same outer diameter as that of the distal end portion 15 and is connected to cover at least a part of the mold portion 65.

  In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the same members or configurations, and the description is simplified or omitted. Further, in the description of the endoscope 11 (see FIG. 3) of the eighth configuration example, the description will be made while appropriately comparing with the endoscope 11 (see FIG. 11) of the tenth configuration example.

  The sheath 61 is made of a flexible resin material. The sheath 61 can be provided with a single wire, a plurality of wires, and a braided tensile strength wire on the inner peripheral side for the purpose of imparting strength. Tensile wires include aramid fibers such as poly-p-phenylene terephthalamide fiber, polyarylate fibers, polyparaphenylene benzbisoxazole fibers, polyester fibers such as polyethylene terephthalate fibers, nylon fibers, tungsten fine wires, or stainless steel An example is a thin line.

  In the endoscope 11 of the eighth configuration example, as in the endoscope 11 (see FIG. 11) of the tenth configuration example described later, the entire image sensor 33 and at least a part of the lens unit 35 on the image sensor 33 side are provided. A part of the transmission cable 31 and a part of the light guide 57 are covered and fixed by the mold resin 17. “At least” is a concept including that the mold resin 17 covers the entire outer periphery of the lens support member 39. The mold resin 17 covers the imaging element 33 and the lens unit 35, thereby continuously covering the separation portion 47 therebetween. An X-ray impermeable marker may be included in the distal end portion 15 of the endoscope 11 of the eighth configuration example. Thereby, the endoscope 11 of the eighth configuration example can easily confirm the tip position under fluoroscopy.

  In addition, the endoscope 11 of the eighth configuration example includes a distal end flange portion 63 at the distal end portion 15, similarly to the endoscope 11 (see FIG. 11) of the tenth configuration example described later. The tip flange portion 63 can be formed of, for example, stainless steel. The distal end flange portion 63 is formed in a cylindrical shape in which a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion are continuous from the distal end side. The outer diameter of the large-diameter portion of the tip flange portion 63 is formed with a maximum outer diameter Dmax (1.8 mm), and insertion holes (not shown) for inserting four optical fibers 59 are inserted in the large-diameter portion. Each optical fiber 59 is inserted through the insertion hole. The small-diameter portion is provided with an insertion hole (not shown) for inserting the lens unit 35, and the lens unit 35 is inserted from the insertion hole. The tip flange portion 63 holds the lens unit 35 coaxially. A fiber holding hole 67 for holding the tip end side of the optical fiber 59 is formed in the large diameter portion of the tip flange portion 63 outside the small diameter portion. Four fiber holding holes 67 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The optical fiber 59 having the distal end inserted into the fiber holding hole 67 is led backward along the small diameter portion.

  In the endoscope 11 of the eighth configuration example, the optical fiber 59 behind the distal end flange portion 63 is disposed inside the cover tube 69 (see FIG. 3). The cover tube 69 is formed with the same outer diameter as the tip flange portion 63. The cover tube 69 is made of metal, resin, or the like. The cover tube 69 has a total length such that the front end abuts on the large diameter portion of the front flange portion 63 and at least the rear end reaches the transmission cable 31. Inside the cover tube 69 is filled with mold resin 17. That is, in the endoscope 11 of the eighth configuration example, the mold part 65 is covered with the cover tube 69. In the endoscope 11 of the tenth configuration example to be described later, the cover tube 69 is omitted, and the distal end of the sheath 61 abuts on the rear end of the distal end flange portion 63 and is bonded with an adhesive or the like (FIG. 11). Except for reference, the configuration is the same as that of the endoscope 11 of the first configuration example.

  The mold portion 65 filled in the cover tube 69 has a small-diameter extending portion 71 (see FIG. 3) that extends rearward from the rear end of the cover tube 69. The small-diameter extending portion 71 is formed in a cylindrical shape and has four optical fibers 59 embedded therein. The small diameter extending portion 71 has the transmission cable 31 embedded inside the four optical fibers 59. An inner diameter side of the sheath 61 is fixed to the outer periphery of the small diameter extending portion 71 with an adhesive or the like. That is, in the endoscope 11 of the eighth configuration example shown in FIG. 3, the distal end flange portion 63, the cover tube 69, and the sheath 61 are connected with a coaxial maximum outer diameter Dmax of 1.8 mm. In the endoscope 11 of the tenth configuration example shown in FIG. 11, the distal end flange portion 63 and the sheath 61 are connected with a coaxial maximum outer diameter Dmax of 1.8 mm.

  As described above, according to the endoscope 11 of the eighth configuration example and the tenth configuration example, at least a part of the lens unit 35, a part of the imaging element 33 and the transmission cable 31 are covered and fixed by the mold resin 17. Therefore, there are few intervening parts at the time of fixing the lens unit 35 and the image pick-up element 33. FIG. Thereby, the diameter of the distal end portion 15 of the endoscope 11 can be reduced, and even when the diameter is further reduced, it can be configured with a minimum size. In addition, component costs can be reduced. For example, it is possible to realize the endoscope 11 that can be applied so as to be capable of imaging a diseased part having a very small diameter such as a blood vessel of a human body. As a result, the endoscope 11 can be reduced in size and cost.

  In addition, the mold resin 17 is continuously formed over the imaging element 33 and the lens unit 35, thereby contributing to an increase in fixing strength between the imaging element 33 and the lens unit 35. The mold resin 17 also improves the air tightness (that is, there are few fine gaps), water tightness, and light shielding properties of the separation portion 47. Furthermore, the mold resin 17 also improves the light shielding property when the optical fiber 59 for the light guide 57 is embedded.

  In the endoscope 11, the light guide 57 is molded on the distal end portion 15 with the molding resin 17, so that the light guide 57 acts as a structural material, and even in the small-diameter endoscope 11, the flexible portion 29 and the distal end are formed. The connection strength with the part 15 can be improved. Further, in the endoscope 11, when the distal end portion 15 is viewed from the outermost surface on the insertion side of the distal end flange portion 63 (see FIG. 6), an insertion hole (not-fit) for the lens unit 35 provided in the distal end flange portion 63 in advance is provided. Between the four fiber holding holes 67 provided in advance corresponding to the optical fibers 59 in the distal end flange portion 63 and the optical fibers 59, respectively. Filled by. For this reason, in the endoscope 11, there are no gaps between the insertion holes and the fiber holding holes 67 and the members (that is, the lens support member 39 and the optical fiber 59). Further, in the endoscope 11, the tip flange portion 63 and the cover tube 69, the cover tube 69 and the sheath 61, or the tip flange portion 63 and the sheath 61 are respectively bonded by the adhesive resin 37. , There is no gap between them. Therefore, when the endoscope 11 is sterilized after being used in an examination or surgery (that is, washed), a cleaning residue such as unnecessary liquid may adhere to the endoscope 11. It can be reduced and can have a high degree of convenience in terms of hygiene when used for the next examination or operation.

  Further, in the conventional endoscope 533 shown in Patent Document 2, the axis of the tip portion and the optical axis of the lens unit 547 are eccentric. For this reason, the distance to the subject is easily changed depending on the rotation angle of the tip, and it is difficult to stably obtain a good image. Furthermore, if the axis of the tip and the optical axis of the lens unit 547 are eccentric, the degree of interference between the inner wall of the tube and the tip changes depending on the rotation angle of the tip, especially when entering a hole with a small diameter. Sex is reduced. On the other hand, according to the endoscope 11 of the eighth configuration example, the distal end flange portion 63, the cover tube 69, and the sheath 61 are coaxially connected, and according to the endoscope 11 of the tenth configuration example, the distal end flange Since the part 63 and the sheath 61 are coaxially connected, it is easy to reduce the diameter of both, and a good image can be stably obtained, and the insertion operability can be improved.

<Ninth configuration example>
In the endoscope 11 of the ninth configuration example, the thickness of the sheath 61 can be in the range of 0.1 to 0.3 mm in the endoscope 11 of the present embodiment. The thickness of the sheath 61 coincides with the step size at the step portion between the cover tube 69 and the small diameter extending portion 71. The small-diameter extending portion 71 is a portion that protrudes to the opposite side of the lens unit 35 with the image sensor 33 interposed therebetween. That is, the small-diameter extending portion 71 has only one transmission cable 31 arranged at the center and only four optical fibers 59 arranged outside thereof. Therefore, the diameter of the small diameter extending portion 71 can be easily reduced compared to the portion of the mold portion 65 in which the image sensor 33 is embedded. That is, since the outer diameter of the sheath 61 is the same as that of the cover tube 69, the degree of freedom in designing the wall thickness is improved.

  As described above, according to the endoscope 11 of the ninth configuration example, since the thickness of the sheath 61 can be increased to 0.3 mm, it is easy to increase the tensile strength of the sheath 61.

<10th configuration example>
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a configuration in which a thin sheath is connected to a distal end portion.

  In the endoscope 11 of the tenth configuration example, the thickness of the sheath 61 can be 0.1 mm in the endoscope 11 of the present embodiment. When the thickness of the sheath 61 is 0.1 mm, the endoscope 11 can dispense with the cover tube 69 described in the endoscope 11 of the eighth configuration example. That is, in the endoscope 11 of the tenth configuration example, the imaging element 33 and the lens unit 35 are embedded by setting the sheath 61 to a thickness (0.1 mm) substantially equal to the thickness of the cover tube 69. It is possible to cover the part 65 of the mold. In the endoscope 11 of the tenth configuration example, the distal end of the sheath 61 comes into contact with the rear end surface of the distal end flange portion 63 and is fixed by an adhesive or the like. The sheath 61 can compensate for the decrease in tensile strength caused by the thinning by the above-described tensile strength line or the like.

  As described above, according to the endoscope 11 of the tenth configuration example, the cover tube 69 can be omitted and the sheath 61 can be directly connected to the distal flange portion 63, so that the number of parts can be reduced.

<Eleventh configuration example>
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the optical lens group LNZ in the lens unit.

The endoscope 11 of the eleventh configuration example is the same as the endoscope 11 of the present embodiment, the lens support member 39, the front group lens and the rear group lens housed in the lens support member 39, and the front group lens. A lens unit 35 having a diaphragm 51 disposed between the rear group lens, an image sensor 33 whose imaging surface 41 is covered with an element cover glass 43, an imaging side final surface of the rear group lens in the lens unit 35, and imaging. An adhesive layer made of an adhesive resin 37 for fixing the element cover glass 43 of the element 33, and a maximum outer diameter Dmax in a range from a finite diameter to 1.8 mm corresponding to a diameter of a circumscribed circle of the substrate of the imaging element 33 that can be diced. And a tip portion 15 to be formed. In the endoscope 11 of the eleventh configuration example, the imaging side final surface of the rear group lens and the imaging side end surface of the lens support member 39 are fixed to the element cover glass 43 via an adhesive layer made of an adhesive resin 37. Yes, the focal length f _{F of} the front group lens, the focal length f _{B of} the rear group lens, the front group lens, the rear group lens, the adhesive layer of the adhesive resin 37, and the focal length f _{el of the} entire optical system including the element cover glass 43. And the total optical length OL corresponding to the distance from the foreground front surface of the front group lens to the imaging side rear end surface of the element cover glass 43, and the front side end surface of the element cover glass 43 from the imaging end surface of the rear lens group. The metal back MB corresponding to the distance up to
It is possible to satisfy the relationship of f _el / f _F <0 and f _el / f _B > 0 and 7.0 ≦ OL / MB ≦ 1200.

  In the lens unit 35, the first lens L1 functions as a front group lens, and the second lens L2 and the third lens L3 function as a rear group lens. Here, the first lens L1 is the leading lens of the optical lens group LNZ, and the third lens L3 is the final lens of the optical lens group LNZ. In the lens unit 35, the first surface L1R1 of the first lens L1, which is the forefront, is concave, the second surface L1R2 is concave, and the first of the second lens L2 in order from the subject side to the imaging side. The surface L2R1 has a convex surface, the second surface L2R2 has a convex surface, the first surface L3R1 of the third lens L3 has a concave surface, and the second surface L3R2, which is the final surface, has a concave surface.

  A diaphragm 51 is provided between the first lens L1 and the second lens L2, that is, between the front group lens and the rear group lens. Between the second surface L3R2 (final surface) of the third lens L3 that is a concave surface and the element cover glass 43 of the image sensor 33, an adhesive resin 37 is filled to form an adhesive layer.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing lens data as optical characteristics of the lens unit shown in FIG. In FIG. 13, the surfaces correspond to the surfaces L1R1 to L3R2 of the first lens L1 to the third lens L3, the diaphragm 51, and the adhesive layer (adhesive resin 37), respectively. ), Conic coefficient, and effective diameter (mm). The thickness (mm) indicates the distance (thickness) in the optical axis direction at the optical center from the corresponding surface to the next surface, and the refractive index and the Abbe number are the refractive index of the optical member forming the corresponding surface. Indicates the Abbe number. Here, the outer diameter φ of the optical lens group LNZ (the outer diameters of the first lens L1 and the third lens L3) is about φ = 0.9 to 1.0 mm. The element cover glass 43 of the image sensor 33 has a thickness of 0.4 mm.

The focal length _{f el} of the total optical lens group LNZ _is, f el = _0.58mm, the focal length _{f F} of the front lens group (first lens L1) _is, f F = _-0.714, the rear lens group (the The focal length f _B of the second lens L2 and the third lens L3) is f _B = 0.481. Further, the total optical length OL of the optical lens group LNZ is changed from the forefront surface (first surface L1R1 of the first lens L1) to the imaging surface (the rear end surface on the imaging side of the element cover glass 43 of the imaging device 33). The total optical length OL = 2.287 mm.

  Further, the length from the peripheral end surface of the final surface of the final lens (the second surface L3R2 of the third lens L3) to the front end surface on the subject side of the element cover glass 43 of the image sensor 33 is a metal back. Assuming MB, the metal back MB = 0.04 mm. Note that the metal back MB may be referred to as a back focus due to irregularities on the final surface of the final lens. Here, the metal back MB is used as a conceptual parameter including the back focus BF, and the description is made unified with the metal back MB. As shown in FIG. 13, the thickness of the adhesive layer at the optical center is 0.05 mm. However, since the second surface L3R2 of the third lens L3 is a concave surface, from the peripheral end surface of the second surface L3R2. The metal back MB corresponding to the distance to the front end face of the element cover glass 43 is shorter than the optical center.

At this time, f _el / f _F = −0.812, f _el / f _B = 1.206, OL / MB = 38.12,
f _el / f _F <0 and f _el / f _B > 0 and 7.0 ≦ OL / MB
Meet the relationship.

Here, the MB range is 0.005 ≦ MB ≦ 0.250 mm.
OL range is 2.000 ≤ OL ≤ 6.000mm
Therefore, 8.0 ≦ OL / BF ≦ 1200.
Together with the above 7.0 ≦ OL / MB,
7.0 ≦ OL / BF ≦ 1200
It can be.
The MB is the maximum based on MB = 0.005 mm for underwater near-point observation, and the MB minimum is based on MB = 0.190 mm for aerial far-point observation.

  More specifically, examples of the long distance in the air include the trachea and the larynx. Examples of the short distance in the air include segmental bronchi and bronchioles. Examples of the long distance in water include the uterus and the stomach. Examples of the short distance in water include the bladder, the coronary artery, the knee joint, and the hip joint.

  As described above, according to the endoscope 11 of the eleventh configuration example, the endoscope 11 can be used for, for example, a human blood vessel, the metal back MB can be reduced with respect to the total optical length OL, and the lens unit 35 and the element cover glass 43 of the image sensor 33 can be directly bonded and fixed by an adhesive layer. In addition, the imaging unit can have a structure with high strength and a small number of parts, an imaging lens with a short focal length can be realized, and the length and size of the imaging lens can be reduced. As a result, the endoscope 11 can be reduced in size and cost.

<Twelfth configuration example>
In the endoscope 11 of the twelfth configuration example, similarly to the endoscope 11 of the eleventh configuration example, the imaging side final surface of the rear group lens is a curved surface, and the refractive index n of the final lens on the imaging side of the rear group lens is _be and the refractive index _nad of the adhesive layer when the rear lens group is fixed by the adhesive layer are _nbe ≠ _nad .

  As described above, according to the endoscope 11 of the twelfth configuration example, since the final surface on the imaging side of the rear group lens is a curved surface, the final surface of the rear group lens can have refractive power, and thus the lens unit. The convergence of light rays from the subject passing through 35 can be further improved. Thereby, the aberration in the lens unit 35 can be reduced and the effect that the resolution can be improved can be acquired. Note that, when the imaging side final surface of the rear lens group is a concave surface, the image height of the subject on the imaging surface 41 can be increased, and therefore the lens can be further reduced in diameter.

<Thirteenth configuration example>
In the endoscope 11 of the thirteenth configuration example, in the endoscope of the eleventh configuration example, the Abbe number ν _be of the final lens on the imaging side of the rear group lens is ν _be > 25, and the rear group lens The refractive index n _be of the final lens on the imaging side is 1.40 <n _be <1.90.

As described above, according to the endoscope 11 of the thirteenth configuration example, the Abbe number ν _be of the final lens on the imaging side of the rear group lens is ν _be > 25, and the refractive index n of the final lens on the imaging side of the rear group lens _By setting _be to _be 1.40 <n _be <1.90, the chromatic aberration of magnification of the lens unit 35 can be reduced and the pixel pitch can be made smaller than the pixel pitch of the image sensor 33, so that color blur in the peripheral portion of the captured image is reduced. It becomes possible.

<Fourteenth configuration example>
In the endoscope 11 of the 14th configuration example, similarly to the endoscope of the 11th configuration example, the forefront surface of the front group lens is a concave surface or a convex surface, and the sag amount d of the concave surface or the convex surface, The lens outer diameter φ of the optical lens group including the front group lens and the rear group lens satisfies the relationship −0.1 <d / φ <0.1.

  As described above, according to the endoscope 11 of the fourteenth configuration example, the forefront surface of the front group lens is a concave surface or a convex surface, the sag amount d of the concave surface or the convex surface, and the optical lens including the front group lens and the rear group lens When the lens outer diameter φ of the group satisfies the relationship of −0.1 <d / φ <0.1, the foremost surface of the lens unit 35 can be brought close to a flat surface, and the endoscope is used. It is possible to reduce the adhesion of dirt. In addition, when the forefront lens of the front group lens is a concave surface, the field angle of the lens unit 35 can be increased while the front lens group is a negative power lens. Further, it is possible to reduce the lens diameter.

<Fifteenth configuration example>
In the endoscope 11 of the fifteenth configuration example, the front lens group and the rear lens group are accommodated in the lens support member 39 in the endoscope 11 of the present embodiment, and a diaphragm 51 is provided between the front lens group and the rear lens group. The lens unit 35 to be arranged, the imaging element 33 in which the imaging surface 41 is covered by the element cover glass 43, the lens unit 35 in which the optical axis of the lens coincides with the center of the imaging surface 41, and the element cover glass 43 are fixed. An adhesive resin 37 and a rough surface portion 73 (see FIG. 4) that is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rear group lens and suppresses total reflection on the outer peripheral surface of the light propagating through the rear group lens.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a captured image based on an actual measurement result in which ring-shaped stray light appears. FIG. 14 is a captured image 75 obtained by being inserted into the bronchus of an animal using a prototype endoscope corresponding to the endoscope shown in FIG.

  In the endoscope 11 of the fifteenth configuration example, it has been confirmed that a ring-shaped stray light 77 may appear in the captured image 75 in the actual measurement result. In the course of development, the endoscope 11 generates stray light when the number of lenses housed in the lens unit is changed from a four-lens configuration (not shown) to a three-lens configuration (not shown). Was confirmed. Further, when the configuration is changed from the three-lens configuration to the configuration of a directly-attached three-lens (see FIG. 4) in which the final lens and the element cover glass 42 of the image sensor 33 are directly attached, the output level of stray light is further deteriorated. (In other words, it was confirmed that the captured image was unclear) (see FIG. 14).

  FIG. 15 is a measurement diagram obtained by simulating the presence or absence of stray light at a plurality of locations appearing in a captured image. According to the simulation, it was confirmed that the stray light scattered in the ring shape appears prominently in the upper stray light 79 of the ring, both side stray light 81 of the ring, and the lower stray light 83 of the ring.

  FIG. 16A is a ray tracing diagram of upper stray light of stray light scattered in a ring shape. FIG. 16B is a ray tracing diagram of stray light on both sides of stray light scattered in a ring shape. FIG. 16C is a ray tracing diagram of the lower stray light of the stray light scattered in a ring shape.

  As shown in FIG. 16 (A), the upper stray light 79 is subjected to ray tracing by simulation. As a result, reflection at the outer peripheral surface portion 85 of the lens L3 and at the portion 87 where the lens L3 protrudes from the lens support member 39 are performed. The effect on reflection was significant.

  As shown in FIG. 16B, the both-side stray light 81 is subjected to ray tracing by simulation. As a result, reflection from the inner diameter edge 89 of the stop 51, reflection from the outer peripheral surface portion 85 of the lens L3, and lens L3 is a lens. The influence of the reflection at the portion 87 protruding from the support member 39 was significant.

  As shown in FIG. 16C, the lower stray light 83 is significantly affected by the reflection from the inner diameter edge 89 of the diaphragm 51 and the reflection from the outer peripheral surface portion 85 of the lens L3, as shown in FIG. 16C. there were.

  The light forming the stray light is reflected at the portion 85 on the outer peripheral surface of the lens L3 and the reflection at the portion 87 where the lens L3 protrudes from the lens support member 39 by the simulations of FIGS. 16 (A) to 16 (C). As a result, most of the light enters the image pickup surface 41 of the image pickup device 33. In particular, the stray light scattered in a ring shape is reflected by the outer peripheral surface portion 85 of the lens L3 and the portion 87 where the lens L3 protrudes from the lens support member 39 (that is, the lens L3 protrudes from the lens support member 39). It can be verified that the light reflected by the portion 87 passing therethrough passes through the edge portion 55 which is the end surface of the ring around the lens L3 after reflection.

  Therefore, the outer peripheral surface of the lens L3 in the prototype endoscope was ground glass. That is, a rough surface portion 73 (see FIG. 4) for suppressing total reflection on the outer peripheral surface of the light propagating through the rear lens group (lens L3) is provided.

  FIG. 17 is a measurement diagram in which the presence or absence of stray light due to the provision of the rough surface portion is obtained by simulation of the illuminance distribution. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a captured image of an actual measurement result in which stray light is reduced by providing a rough surface portion.

  In the endoscope 11 of the fifteenth configuration example, the outer peripheral surface of the lens L3 is ground, so that the reflected light at the portion 85 on the outer peripheral surface of the lens L3 is reduced by the scattering effect by the rough surface portion 73 (ground glass surface). In the simulation shown in FIG. 17 and the actual measurement result shown in FIG. 18, most of the upper stray light 79, the both-side stray light 81, and the lower stray light 83 are reduced and disappeared.

  As described above, according to the endoscope 11 of the fifteenth configuration example, by providing the rough surface portion 73 on the outer peripheral surface of the lens L3, it is possible to add no light shielding member (such as a black cylinder) to the outer periphery of the lens L3. Most of the stray light scattered in the ring shape can be eliminated. As a result, the endoscope 11 can be reduced in size and cost while suppressing stray light.

<16th configuration example>
In the endoscope 11 of the sixteenth configuration example, the surface roughness of the rough surface portion 73 in the endoscope 11 of the fifteenth configuration example is preferably in the range of arithmetic average roughness Ra = 0.1 to 10 μm. The rough surface portion 73 can be applied by polishing on the outer peripheral surface of the lens L3 using, for example, abrasive grains. It has been found that when the roughness Ra of the rough surface portion 73 is 0.1 μm or less, the rough surface portion 73 approaches the mirror surface and the intensity of reflected light tends to increase gradually. Further, it has been found that when the roughness Ra of the rough surface portion 73 is 10 μm or more, the ratio of the rough surface to the reflection surface decreases, and this also tends to increase the intensity of the reflected light gradually.

  As described above, according to the endoscope 11 of the sixteenth configuration example, stray light can be suppressed without increasing the cost by applying an optimum roughness to the lens L3 without using other members.

<17th configuration example>
The endoscope 11 of the seventeenth configuration example is the same as the endoscope 11 of the sixteenth configuration example, in which the rough surface portion 73 surrounds the imaging light emission effective surface on the imaging side final surface of the rear lens group (lens L3) ( The edge portion 55) may be formed. The endoscope 11 can suppress stray light by providing the rough surface portion 73 on the outer peripheral surface of the lens L3. In addition to this, the endoscope 11 is also provided with the rough surface portion 73 in the edge portion 55, so that the outer peripheral surface portion 85 of the lens L3 or the portion 87 where the lens L3 protrudes from the lens support member 39 is completely provided. Upper stray light 79, both-side stray light 81, and lower stray light 83 generated without being scattered can be further suppressed.

  As described above, according to the endoscope of the seventeenth configuration example, stray light can be further suppressed by applying the rough surface portion 73 to the edge portion 55 of the lens L3 without using other members.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, the endoscope 111 according to the second embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the distal end portion of the endoscope 111 according to the second embodiment is viewed from the front side. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the distal end portion of the endoscope 111 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a state in which the lens and the image sensor in the endoscope of the second embodiment are directly attached via an adhesive resin. FIG. 22 is a perspective view of an imaging device in which a transmission cable is connected to a conductor connection portion of an endoscope according to the second embodiment when viewed from the side opposite to the lens unit. In the second embodiment, the same members as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

<18th configuration example>
The endoscope 111 shown in FIG. 19 has a maximum outer diameter Dmax of the distal end portion 15 shown in FIG. 20 formed in a range of a finite diameter to 1.0 mm corresponding to the diameter of the circumscribed circle of the substrate of the imaging element 33 that can be diced. can do.

  In the endoscope 111 according to the present embodiment, the imaging element 33 having a square cross section in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the optical axis has a side dimension of 0.5 mm. Thereby, in the endoscope 111, the diagonal dimension of the image sensor 33 is about 0.7 mm, and the maximum outer diameter Dmax is 1.0 mm or less if the light guide 57 (for example, 50 μm φ) as the illumination unit is included. Things are possible.

  As described above, according to the endoscope 111 of the eighteenth configuration example, by setting the maximum outer diameter Dmax to be less than 1.0 mm, for example, insertion into a blood vessel of a human body can be further facilitated.

<Nineteenth configuration example>
In the endoscope 111 of the nineteenth configuration example, as shown in FIG. 22, in the endoscope 111 of the present embodiment, the substrate of the image sensor 33 is formed in a square shape, and the conductor connection portion 49 is formed of the image sensor 33. Arranged at the four corners of the substrate. One conductor connection portion 49 is formed in a circular shape, for example. The four conductor connecting portions 49 are arranged at the four corners of the square, so that the four conductor connecting portions 49 can be arranged at a maximum distance from each other.

  In the transmission cable 31, the conductors of the power line and the signal line that are the electric wires 45 are covered with an insulating coating. The four electric wires 45 are arranged in two stages, two on the left and two on the upper and lower sides, and the outer periphery of the insulating coating is further bundled by a jacket to form one transmission cable 31. Each conductor is formed into four parallel straight lines with the insulation coating removed. The end of the conductor of the electric wire 45 is connected to the conductor connecting portion 49 by solder. The image sensor 33 and the transmission cable 31 are covered with the mold resin 17 as shown in FIG. Therefore, the conductor connecting portion 49, the conductor, the insulation coating of the electric wire 45, and the outer jacket of the transmission cable 31 are embedded in the mold resin 17.

  As described above, according to the endoscope 111 of the nineteenth configuration example, the four conductor connection portions 49 can be arranged at the four corners of the substrate of the image sensor 33, so the four conductor connection portions 49 are arranged on the square image sensor 33. As shown in FIG. 22, the substrates can be arranged so as to be evenly spaced from each other at the maximum distance. Thereby, two adjacent conductor connection portions 49 are not connected by solder in the soldering process, and it is easy to secure an insulation distance, and the diameter of the tip portion 15 can be easily reduced. . In the endoscope 11 of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 22, four conductor connection portions 49 may be disposed at the four corners of the substrate of the image sensor 33.

<20th configuration example>
As shown in FIG. 21, the endoscope 111 of the twentieth configuration example includes an objective cover glass 91, an element cover glass 43, an imaging element 33 whose imaging surface 41 is covered by the element cover glass 43, and an objective cover glass 91. And the element cover glass 43, the lens 93 having the optical axis coincident with the center of the imaging surface 41, the diaphragm 51 provided between the objective cover glass 91 and the lens 93, the lens 93 and the element cover. An adhesive resin 37 for fixing the glass 43 and an air layer 95 provided between the lens 93 and the element cover glass 43 are provided.

  In the endoscope 11 of the first embodiment, the adhesive resin 37 is applied to the separation portion 47 having a finite width between the final lens L3 and the element cover glass 43 among the three lenses. The lens L3 and the element cover glass 43 are directly attached. On the other hand, in the endoscope 111 of the second embodiment, the lens 93 and the element cover glass 43 are directly attached via the adhesive resin 37. As a result, in the endoscope 111, the adhesive resin 37 is substantially linear in a side view (see FIG. 22). In the endoscope 111 of the second embodiment, the lens 93 and the element cover glass 43 are directly attached to the edge portions on both ends of the lens 93 by the adhesive resin 37. It is applied only to the part.

  The lens 93 is, for example, a single lens, and has an outer shape formed in the same prismatic shape as that of the image sensor 33 and has a square cross section in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the optical axis. The lens 93 focuses incident light from the subject that has passed through the objective cover glass 91 on the imaging surface 41 of the imaging element 33 via the element cover glass 43. A concave portion is formed on the surface of the lens 93 on the element cover glass 43 side. On the bottom surface of the concave portion, a convex curved surface portion 97 protruding in a substantially spherical shape is formed. The lens 93 has a function as an optical element that focuses light by the convex curved surface portion 97. The protruding tip of the convex curved surface portion 97 is slightly separated from the element cover glass 43. On the other hand, the lens 93 is bonded to the element cover glass 43 through a bonding resin 37 at a square annular end surface surrounding the recess. As a result, air is sealed in the recess between the lens 93 and the element cover glass 43. It is preferable that the air enclosed in the recessed part which became this sealed space is dry air. Moreover, nitrogen may be enclosed in the recess. As described above, an air layer 95 having a concave portion as an internal volume is formed between the lens 93 and the element cover glass 43. A convex curved surface portion 97 is disposed in the air layer 95. That is, in the lens 93, the light exit surface of the convex curved surface portion 97 is in contact with air.

  In the endoscope 111 having a maximum outer diameter Dmax of 1.0 mm, whether or not the number of lenses can be reduced is an important requirement for reducing the diameter. Therefore, in the case where the lens 93 that is a single lens is provided in the endoscope 111, it is important how the refractive index difference is given to the lens 93 in a minute region in the width direction parallel to the optical axis direction. The endoscope 111 of the twentieth configuration example is characterized in that an air layer capable of obtaining a large refractive index difference with the lens 93 is provided on the optical element surface.

  As described above, according to the endoscope 111 of the twentieth configuration example, the concave portion is formed in the lens 93, the convex curved surface portion 97 is formed on the bottom surface, and the square annular end surface is bonded to the element cover glass 43. An air layer 95 for increasing the difference in refractive index from the lens 93 can be secured in such a region. At the same time, the lens 93 can easily align the optical axis with the imaging surface 41. Since the lens 93 can secure the air layer 95, it is possible to obtain a large lens power with the lens 93. As a result, the number of lenses in the endoscope 111 can be reduced to one. As a result, the endoscope 111 can be reduced in size and cost.

<21st configuration example>
FIG. 23 is a side view showing an example of dimensions of the objective cover glass, lens, and element cover glass. In the endoscope 111 of the twenty-first configuration example, in the endoscope 111 of the present embodiment, the thickness TGt in the direction along the optical axis of the objective cover glass 91, the thickness SRt of the lens 93, and the thickness SGt of the element cover glass 43 are the same. Both are formed in the range of 0.1 to 0.5 mm. The objective cover glass 91, the lens 93, the element cover glass 43, and the image sensor 33 are squares having a side length SQL of 0.5 mm. 20 to 23, the electrical circuit 99 is drawn with a thickness. In addition, a bonding resin 37 for bonding the element cover glass 43 and the imaging element 33 is drawn with a thickness.

  The element cover glass 43 has a function of maintaining the distance between the lens 93 and the imaging surface 41 in accordance with the focal length and optical characteristics of the lens 93. The element cover glass 43 can be adjusted easily by setting the thickness SGt to a range of 0.1 to 0.5 mm.

  When the lens 93 has a thickness SRt in the range of 0.1 to 0.5 mm, the function as an optical element and the air layer 95 can be secured.

  The objective cover glass 91 can be used alone without using other reinforcing members by setting the thickness TGt to a range of 0.1 to 0.5 mm. In addition, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the angle of view due to the kicking of the light beam due to an increase in thickness more than necessary.

  As described above, according to the endoscope 111 of the twenty-first configuration example, the lens 93 and the image sensor 33 are held at an appropriate distance, the air layer 95 is easily secured, and the reduction in the angle of view is suppressed. The enlargement of the dimension in the direction along the optical axis from the cover glass 91 to the image sensor 33 can be suppressed.

<Twenty-second configuration example>
As shown in FIG. 20, the endoscope 111 of the twenty-second configuration example includes an outer peripheral surface excluding the objective surface of the objective cover glass 91, an outer peripheral surface of the lens 93, and the imaging element 33 in the endoscope 111 of the present embodiment. Covered and fixed by the mold resin 17 and forming the outer shell of the tip portion 15 and exposed to the outside, and formed at the same outer diameter as the tip portion 15 and covering at least a part of the mold portion 65 And a tubular sheath 61 to be connected.

  The sheath 61 is made of a flexible resin material as described above. The sheath 61 can be provided with a single wire, a plurality of wires, and a braided tensile strength wire on the inner peripheral side for the purpose of imparting strength as described above. The material of the tensile strength wire is the same as described above.

  The endoscope 111 is fixed by covering the objective cover glass 91, the lens 93, the element cover glass 43, the entire imaging device 33, a part of the transmission cable 31, and a part of the light guide 57 with the mold resin 17. The mold resin 17 is exposed to the outside. Note that a radiopaque marker may be included in the distal end portion 15 of the endoscope 111. Thereby, the endoscope 111 can easily confirm the tip position under fluoroscopy.

  The endoscope 111 is fixed by covering the objective cover glass 91, the lens 93, the element cover glass 43, the imaging device 33, a part of the transmission cable 31, and a part of the light guide 57 (imaging unit) with the molding resin 17. Therefore, there are few intervening parts at the time of fixing each of these members. As a result, the diameter of the distal end portion 15 of the endoscope 111 can be reduced, and even when the diameter is further reduced, it can be configured with a minimum size. In addition, component costs can be reduced. For example, it is possible to realize the endoscope 111 that can be applied so as to be capable of imaging a diseased part having a very small diameter such as a blood vessel of a human body. As a result, the endoscope 11 can be reduced in size and cost.

  Further, since the mold resin 17 is formed so as to cover the imaging element 33 to the objective cover glass 91, it contributes to an increase in the fixing strength of these imaging units. The mold resin 17 also improves the airtightness of the air layer 95 (that is, no fine gaps), watertightness, and light shielding properties. Furthermore, the mold resin 17 also improves the light shielding property when the optical fiber 59 for the light guide 57 is embedded.

  In the endoscope 111, the light guide 57 is molded on the distal end portion 15 with the molding resin 17, so that the light guide 57 acts as a structural material, and even in the small diameter endoscope 111, the flexible portion 29 and the distal end are formed. The connection strength with the part 15 can be improved. In the endoscope 111, when the distal end portion 15 is viewed from the outermost surface on the insertion side (see, for example, FIG. 19), the mold resin 17 covers the objective cover glass 91 of the distal end portion 15 and the four optical fibers 59. Therefore, there is no clearance around the objective cover glass 91 and the four optical fibers 59 (that is, gaps between the respective surroundings). Therefore, when the endoscope 111 is sterilized after being used in an examination or surgery (that is, washed), a cleaning residue such as an unnecessary liquid may adhere to the endoscope 111. Compared with the endoscope 11 of the first embodiment, the degree of hygiene can be further enhanced in terms of hygiene when used for the next examination or operation.

  Further, in the conventional endoscope 533 shown in Patent Document 2, the axis of the tip portion and the optical axis of the lens unit 547 are eccentric. For this reason, the distance to the subject is easily changed depending on the rotation angle of the tip, and it is difficult to stably obtain a good image. Furthermore, if the axis of the tip and the optical axis of the lens unit 547 are eccentric, the degree of interference between the inner wall of the tube and the tip changes depending on the rotation angle of the tip, especially when entering a hole with a small diameter. Sex is reduced. On the other hand, according to the endoscope 111, the objective cover glass 91, the lens 93, the element cover glass 43, and the imaging element 33 are coaxially connected. That is, the objective cover glass 91 is disposed concentrically with the tip portion 15. As a result, the endoscope 111 of the twenty-second configuration example can be easily reduced in diameter, can stably obtain a good image, and can improve insertion operability.

<23rd configuration example>
In the endoscope 111 of the twenty-third configuration example, it is preferable that the thickness of the sheath 61 is in a range of 0.1 to 0.3 mm.

  The mold part 65 of the endoscope 111 has a small-diameter extending part 71 shown in FIG. 20 that extends backward from the rear end that covers the imaging element 33. The small-diameter extending portion 71 is formed in a cylindrical shape and has four optical fibers 59 embedded therein. The small-diameter extending portion 71 has the transmission cable 31 embedded inside the four optical fibers 59. An inner diameter side of the sheath 61 is fixed to the outer periphery of the small diameter extending portion 71 with an adhesive or the like. That is, the mold part 65 and the sheath 61 are continuous with a coaxial maximum outer diameter Dmax of 1.0 mm.

  As described above, according to the endoscope 111 of the twenty-third configuration example, since the thickness of the sheath 61 can be increased to 0.3 mm, the tensile strength of the sheath 61 can be easily increased. The minimum outer diameter of the transmission cable 31 is currently about 0.54 mm. When the maximum outer diameter Dmax of the distal end portion 15 is 1.0 mm, the thickness of the sheath 61 is 0.23 mm. Thereby, the endoscope 111 enables the maximum outer diameter Dmax of the distal end portion 15 to be 1.0 mm by setting the thickness of the sheath 61 in the range of 0.1 to 0.3 mm. be able to.

  Next, an endoscope manufacturing method (tip portion manufacturing process) having the configuration of each of the above embodiments will be described. The following endoscope manufacturing method will be described using the endoscope 11 of the first embodiment as a representative example.

  24A to 24D are diagrams illustrating a first example of an endoscope manufacturing method. FIG. 24A is a configuration diagram of the position adjustment jig. FIG. 24B is a side view when the lens unit and the image sensor are fixed. FIG. 24C is an explanatory diagram of video during alignment in the XY directions. FIG. 24D is an explanatory diagram of an image at the time of alignment in the Z direction. Here, the XY direction means the left and right vertical direction shown in FIG. 1, and the Z direction means the front and rear direction shown in FIG.

  In the first example of the endoscope manufacturing method, the position adjustment jig 113 is used to fix the rear end of the lens unit 35 so as to be closed by the image sensor 33. The position adjustment jig 113 includes a sensor support part 115, a first XYZ stage 117, a lens unit support part 119, a second XYZ stage 121, a flat table 123, and a test chart 125.

  The sensor support unit 115 supports the lower surface of the image sensor 33. The first XYZ stage 117 is capable of adjusting the position in the front / rear, left / right and up / down directions while holding the sensor support 115 (preferably using a microstage). The lens unit support part 119 supports the lens unit 35 horizontally from both side surfaces. The second XYZ stage 121 holds the lens unit support part 119 and can be adjusted in position in the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions. The test chart 125 is a subject of the lens unit 35, and has a pattern in which the vignetting and focus of the subject image can be referred to by being imaged. The flat table 123 supports the test chart 125, the sensor support unit 115, and the lens unit support unit 119 in common.

  The position adjustment jig 113 is used to assemble the distal end portion 15 and is basically performed manually by an operator using a microscope.

  First, an adhesive resin 37 is applied to at least one of the lens unit 35 and the image sensor 33 in advance. Then, while supporting the lens unit 35 and moving the image sensor 33 supported by the first XYZ stage 117, the image captured by the image sensor 33 is referred to and the optical axis of the lens unit 35 and the imaging surface 41 of the image sensor 33 are referred to. Align with the center of. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 24C, the center of the lens support member 39 and the lens L3 and the image center 127 are aligned. The image of the image sensor 33 is obtained by applying a probe (not shown) to the terminal of the image sensor 33 to extract an image signal and displaying the image on a display device (not shown).

  Subsequently, the direction along the optical axis of the lens unit 35 and the image sensor 33 is aligned. In this alignment step, by adjusting the position of the lens unit 35 in the front-rear direction, the incident light from the test chart 125 is focused on the imaging surface 41 of the imaging element 33 as shown in FIG. . That is, as shown in FIG. 24B, focusing is performed by adjusting the position of the lens unit 35 in the direction of the optical axis LC.

  When the position of the lens unit 35 is adjusted, the transmission cable 31 and the conductor connecting portion 49 may be either not connected or connected. When the transmission cable 31 and the conductor connection portion 49 are not connected, as described above, a probe is applied to the terminal of the image sensor 33 to extract an image signal, and a test subject image is displayed on the display device.

  On the other hand, when the transmission cable 31 is connected to the image sensor 33, the output of the image sensor 33 can be processed by the video processor 19 described above and displayed on the display device. By using a predetermined test chart 125 (for example, a resolution chart) as a subject, the position of the lens unit 35 can be easily adjusted, and the time required for the alignment process can be shortened.

  It is desirable that the adhesive resin 37 is slightly exposed from between the lens unit 35 and the image sensor 33 at the stage where the position adjustment between the lens unit 35 and the image sensor 33 is completed. When the amount of the adhesive resin 37 is insufficient, the adhesive resin 37 is injected between the lens unit 35 and the image sensor 33. The injected adhesive resin 37 is filled between the lens unit 35 and the image sensor 33 by capillary action.

  After aligning the image sensor 33 with the rear end of the lens unit 35, the adhesive resin 37 is cured by irradiating with ultraviolet rays, and the lens unit 35 and the image sensor 33 are temporarily fixed by the adhesive resin 37. The ultraviolet irradiation is performed on the exposed adhesive resin 37 in a state where the relative front and rear positions of the lens unit 35 and the image sensor 33 are maintained. The image pickup element 33 is temporarily fixed near the rear end of the lens unit 35 by the curing of the adhesive resin 37 by the ultraviolet irradiation. Since the adhesive resin 37 is cured in a short time of about several seconds by ultraviolet irradiation, the time required for the process can be shortened. The temporarily fixed lens unit 35 and the image sensor 33 are removed from the position adjustment jig 113.

  Thereafter, the adhesive resin 37 is further cured by heat treatment, and the lens unit 35 and the imaging element 33 are permanently fixed by the adhesive resin 37. The lens unit 35 and the image sensor 33 are firmly fixed by the curing of the adhesive resin 37 by the heat treatment.

  Next, the tip portion 15 is subjected to a molding process that covers the rear portion of the lens unit 35 and the imaging element 33 with the molding resin 17. In the molding process, at least the imaging element 33, the conductor connecting portion 49, and the distal end of the transmission cable 31 (electrically connected to the imaging element 33) located behind the rear end of the lens unit 35 with respect to the lens unit 35. A sealing resin is formed by applying and fixing the mold resin 17 so as to cover the connection part).

  At this time, the mold resin 17 is applied so as to cover the rear end of the lens unit 35 beyond the front surface of the image sensor 33, so that the separation portion 47 is reliably closed. The mold resin 17 used here has a viscosity that is high enough to cover at least the image sensor 33, the conductor connection portion 49, the tip of the transmission cable 31, and the gap, and from the rear of the image sensor 33 and the separation portion 47, the tip It is applied mainly for the purpose of sealing to prevent moisture from entering the inside of the portion 15.

  Further, in order to easily create the illustrated shape using the mold resin 17, the sealing portion may be formed using a resin mold. In this case, a resin mold (not shown) is disposed in advance so as to cover from the rear end of the lens unit 35 to the front end of the transmission cable 31, and the mold resin 17 is poured and cured therein, and the resin mold is removed.

  Various known adhesives can be used as the mold resin 17. For example, an adhesive made of a thermosetting resin such as an epoxy resin or an acrylic resin may be used. Furthermore, it is desirable to employ a black resin in which carbon particles are contained in these resins. Thereby, stray light from the outside can be prevented from entering the imaging surface 41 of the imaging element 33.

  Thereafter, the distal end portion 15 is placed in an environment of 60 ° C. to 80 ° C. for about 30 minutes, thereby completely molding the resin 17 that covers the imaging element 33, the conductor connecting portion 49, the distal end of the transmission cable 31, and the separating portion 47. Harden. When the mold processing step is completed, the assembly of the distal end portion 15 of the endoscope 11 is completed.

  FIG. 25A to FIG. 25E are diagrams for explaining a second example of the endoscope manufacturing method. FIG. 25A is a configuration diagram of a position adjustment jig with a camera. FIG. 25B is a side view when the lens unit and the image sensor are fixed. FIG. 25C is an explanatory diagram of an image at the time of alignment using the second camera. FIG. 25D is an explanatory diagram of an image at the time of alignment using the first camera. FIG. 25E is an explanatory diagram of a video at the time of alignment in the Z direction. Note that the same members as those illustrated in FIGS. 24A to 24D are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. As in the first example, the XY direction refers to the left-right and up-down directions shown in FIG. 1, and the Z direction refers to the front-rear direction shown in FIG.

  In the second example of the endoscope manufacturing method, the rear end of the lens unit 35 is fixed by the image sensor 33 using the camera-equipped position adjustment jig 129. The camera-equipped position adjustment jig 129 includes a first microscope with a moving image camera (hereinafter referred to as “first camera 131”) that observes the image sensor 33 from the front, and a second that observes the lens unit 35 from behind. And a video camera-equipped microscope (hereinafter referred to as “second camera 133”).

  The first camera 131 and the second camera 133 are configured integrally so that the left and right (or top and bottom, front and back) images can be taken simultaneously. Hereinafter, this integrated camera is referred to as a “left and right camera 135”. The first camera 131 and the second camera 133 are different in shooting direction by 180 degrees in a state where the optical axes are aligned with extremely high accuracy. The left and right cameras 135 are attached to the second XYZ stage 121 and are disposed between the sensor support 115 and the lens unit support 119 of the camera-equipped position adjustment jig 129. The sensor support unit 115 is supported by the first XYZ stage 117. The first XYZ stage 117, the second XYZ stage 121, and the lens unit support part 119 are provided on the flat table 123. A test chart 125 is attached to the flat table 123.

  In the camera-equipped position adjustment jig 129, the parallelism between the sensor support portion 115 supported by the first XYZ stage 117 and the lens unit support portion 119 is adjusted in advance and adjusted with high accuracy. When the image sensor 33 is attached, the bottom surface of the image sensor 33 is temporarily fixed to the sensor support 115. As a method for temporarily fixing, for example, the sensor support 115 may be provided with a large number of fine holes, and the fine holes may be connected to a vacuum pump to vacuum-suck the image sensor 33.

  The assembly of the distal end portion 15 uses the above-described position adjusting jig with camera 129 and is basically performed manually by an operator using a microscope. First, an adhesive resin 37 is applied to at least one of the lens unit 35 and the image sensor 33 in advance.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 25A, the left and right cameras 135 including the first camera 131 and the second camera 133 having the same optical axis are arranged between the image sensor 33 and the lens unit 35. Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 25D, the center of the imaging surface 41 of the imaging element 33 is moved to the image center 127 with reference to the image captured by the first camera 131. Then, as shown in FIG. 25C, the center of the lens unit 35 is moved to the image center 127 with reference to the image captured by the second camera 133. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 25B, after the left and right cameras 135 are retracted, as shown in FIG. 25E, the lens unit 35, the image sensor 33, and the image captured by the image sensor 33 are referred to. The distance in the direction along the optical axis is adjusted.

  In the positioning step, the position of the second XYZ stage 121 is adjusted with reference to an image obtained by photographing the rear end of the lens unit 35 by the second camera 133, so that the left and right cameras 135 (more precisely, the optical axes of the left and right cameras 135) ) To the center of the lens unit 35 (the center position in the radial direction). The left and right positions of the first XYZ stage 117 are adjusted with reference to the video imaged by the first camera 131, and the center of the imaging surface 41 of the imaging device 33 supported by the sensor support unit 115 is the center of the XY coordinates on the screen, that is, The lens unit 35 is moved to the center position. Thereby, even if the center of the image pickup surface 41 of the image pickup element 33, that is, the optical axis LC varies depending on the solid, the lens unit 35 and the image pickup element 33 can be aligned with respect to the optical axis LC.

  Then, the left and right cameras 135 are retracted from between the sensor support unit 115 and the lens unit support unit 119, the front and back positions of the first XYZ stage 117 are adjusted, and the image sensor 33 supported by the sensor support unit 115 is attached to the lens unit 35. It abuts on the rear end.

  After the image sensor 33 is aligned with the rear end of the lens unit 35 by the above operations, the exposed application portion of the adhesive resin 37 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays to cure the adhesive resin 37 as in the first example. Then, the lens unit 35 and the image sensor 33 are temporarily fixed by the adhesive resin 37. In this way, the image pickup device 33 is attached to the rear end of the lens unit 35 after alignment.

  Thereafter, as in the first example, the lens unit 35 and the image sensor 33 are permanently fixed with the adhesive resin 37 by heat treatment. Next, as in the first example, a molding process is performed to complete the assembly of the distal end portion 15 of the endoscope 11.

  While various embodiments have been described above with reference to the drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such examples. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. Understood. In addition, the constituent elements in the above-described embodiment may be arbitrarily combined without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  The present invention has an effect of reducing the size and cost of an endoscope, and is useful as, for example, a small-diameter endoscope used for medical surgery or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11, 111 ... Endoscope 15 ... Tip part 17 ... Mold resin 31 ... Transmission cable 33 ... Imaging element 35 ... Lens unit 37 ... Adhesive resin 39 ... Lens support member 41 ... Imaging surface 43 ... Element cover glass 45 ... Electric wire 49 ... Conductor connection 57 ... Light guide 59 ... Optical fiber 61 ... Sheath 65 ... Mold parts L1, L2, L3, 93 ... Lens Dmax ... Maximum outer diameter

The present invention includes at least one lens, the imaging surface is covered by the element cover glass, and the imaging element approximately square vertical cross-sectional shape with respect to the optical axis, before sharp lens to the center of the imaging surface light and adhesive resin for fixing the lens which is matched to the shaft and the said element cover glass, before Symbol finite diameter and 1 the length of the diagonal size of the image sensor. It is formed in a range of 4 mm, and at least part and the mold part for fixing the image pickup element covered with mold resin, a tubular sheath which is connected over at least a portion of the front SL mold portion of the lens And providing an endoscope.

The present invention includes an outer shape round at least one lens in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis, wherein an outer shape positive square perpendicular to the optical axis direction, the length of one side of the diameter of the lens An image sensor having the same length as the image sensor, an image sensor that covers the image sensing surface of the image sensor, has an outer shape in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, and has the same length as one side of the image sensor. A cover glass, an adhesive resin for fixing the lens and the element cover glass with the optical axis of the lens aligned with the center of the imaging surface, a transmission cable connected to the imaging element , the lens, and the lens illuminating means provided along the transmission cable, covers the sheath part and the Hare covering the transmission cable tubular of the illumination means, the lens, the imaging element, and a portion of the illumination means, the sheath Coaxial and the outer peripheral surface Connected so as to be continuous to one, includes a cover tube constituting the tip portion, wherein the thickness of the cover tube is smaller than the thickness of the sheath, said tip portion including said cover tube and the illuminating means and the lens maximum outer diameter of the Ru 1.8mm der to provide an endoscope.

Claims (3)

A lens unit that houses a plurality of lenses in a lens support member;
An imaging device whose imaging surface is covered by an element cover glass;
An adhesive resin for fixing the lens unit and the element cover glass in which the optical axes of the plurality of lenses coincide with each other at the center of the imaging surface;
A tip formed with a maximum outer diameter in a range of a finite diameter to 1.8 mm corresponding to the diameter of a circumscribed circle of the substrate of the imaging device;
A mold part for covering and fixing at least a part of the lens unit and the image sensor with a mold resin;
A tubular sheath formed with the same outer diameter as the tip and connected to cover at least a part of the mold part,
Endoscope. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein
The sheath has a thickness in the range of 0.1 to 0.3 mm.
Endoscope. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein
The sheath has a thickness of 0.1 mm;
Endoscope.