JPH1189794A - Electronic endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic endoscope which takes a good image and can be inserted into a narrower tube. SOLUTION: Tip structure is provided with the tip of the insertion part of an electronic endoscope with a front-squint-eyed lens. The tip structure consists of object lens 21 and image taking unit 14. The object lens 21 catches an object obliquely from the center of an axis of the insertion part. The image taking unit 14 which has image taking part 22 which converts an optical image taken by the object lens 21 into an electric signal. The tip of the insertion part which can be inserted into a narrower tube is formed by installing peripheral circuit base 32 of the image taking part 22 in the image taking unit 14 parallel to the center axis of the insertion part, by setting the object lens 21 leaning toward the center axis of the insertion part, and by providing an image of image element tip 31 vertically with the light axis of the object lens 21.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a front oblique type electronic endoscope having a field of view obliquely forward.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various types of medical or industrial electronic endoscopes using a solid-state image pickup device such as a CCD as an image pickup means have recently been proposed as endoscopes for observing an invisible part such as a lumen. ing. As the electronic endoscope, not only a normal viewing type and a side viewing type, but also a perspective type for observing a site to be observed from an oblique direction is used. JP-A-63002, JP-A-9-122070, JP-A-9-1220071
An example of the configuration is shown in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. HEI 9-86.

[0003]

In the conventional front oblique type electronic endoscope described above, in the configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-63002, the center axes of the objective lens unit and the image pickup unit of the image pickup unit are aligned. The imaging unit is provided in parallel, and the axis of the imaging unit is inclined with respect to the center axis of the insertion unit. The volume occupied by the unit increases, and the dead space increases. For this reason, the outer diameter of the insertion portion becomes large, which causes problems such as deterioration of the insertability into the test site and unnecessary pain for the patient.

In the configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 9-122070, the angle between the entrance surface and the exit surface between the objective lens unit of the imaging unit and the imaging device chip is (90-α).
The angle of the objective lens section is inclined from the insertion axis by inserting a prism which is a degree. However, there is a problem that the use of a prism increases the number of reflections, causes optical loss, and causes a declination, which makes it difficult to adjust the angle. Further, the angle between the incident surface and the exit surface is (90-
α) degree prism, there is also a problem that it is difficult to design and process the prism itself so that the aspect ratio on the screen does not change. When a prism whose aspect ratio on the screen may be changed is used, a means for correcting this distortion must be provided somewhere, and there is also a problem that the circuit configuration becomes complicated.

[0005] In addition, in the configuration of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-122070, in addition to the same problems as those of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-12070, an image which is inclined with respect to the image sensor chip is incident. In this case, the image projected on the screen is tilted clockwise by a predetermined angle from the actual angle, and there is a problem that it is difficult to compare the image with other images during observation.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an electronic endoscope that can render a good image and can reduce the diameter of the insertion portion.

[0007]

An electronic endoscope according to the present invention comprises an objective lens section for observing an object to be observed obliquely with respect to a center axis of an insertion section, and an optical image obtained by the objective lens section. A front perspective electronic endoscope provided with an imaging unit having an imaging unit that converts
A signal processing circuit unit of the imaging unit is provided substantially parallel to a center axis of the insertion unit, and the objective lens unit is arranged at an angle from a center axis of the insertion unit, and an imaging device chip of the imaging unit. The imaging surface is provided perpendicular to the optical axis of the objective lens section.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an entire configuration of an electronic endoscope, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a configuration of a distal end portion of an insertion portion, and FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the imaging unit of FIG.

An object of the first embodiment is to provide a front oblique type electronic endoscope which can render a better optical image, can reduce the diameter of the insertion portion, and does not cause pain to the patient at the time of insertion. That is.

Here, the following description will be made using a front oblique ultrasonic electronic endoscope as a representative of a perspective electronic endoscope.

In FIG. 1, a front oblique ultrasonic electronic endoscope (hereinafter abbreviated as an electronic endoscope) 1 includes an insertion portion 2 inserted into a body cavity or the like, and a hand near the insertion portion 2. Operating section 3 and sub-operating section 4 connected to the side, a universal cord 5 extending from the side of the operating section 3, and a camera control (not shown) provided at a hand-side end of the universal cord 5. A universal connector 8 detachably connected to a peripheral device 6 having a unit (hereinafter referred to as a CCU) and a light source device 7; an ultrasonic code 9 extending from a side of the sub-operation unit 4; 9
And an ultrasonic connector 11 detachably connected to the ultrasonic observation apparatus 10.

The peripheral device 6 and the light source device 7 are connected via a signal cable, and the peripheral device 6 and the ultrasonic observation device 10 are connected to a monitor 12 via a signal cable. , An endoscope image and an ultrasonic image are displayed.

FIG. 2 shows an insertion section 2 of the electronic endoscope 1.
3 shows the internal configuration of the tip portion of the. A distal end component 13 is provided at the distal end of the insertion portion 2.
An image pickup unit 14 formed by arranging a solid-state image pickup device such as an objective lens and a CCD is provided. The signal cable 35 having a plurality of signal lines extending from the rear end of the imaging unit 14 includes the insertion unit 2, the operation unit 3 shown in FIG.
It passes through the inside of the universal cord 5 and is electrically connected to the peripheral device 6 via the universal cord connector 8.

Further, the image pickup unit 1 of the tip component 13
An ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 16 is provided below the front end of the transmission unit 4. This figure shows an example of the configuration of a mechanical radial type ultrasonic electronic endoscope.
6 is provided with an ultrasonic transducer 17 which rotates around a rotation axis and performs radial scanning. This ultrasonic vibrator 17
Is fixedly adhered to a hollow vibrator holder 18, and the vibrator holder 18 is rotatably attached to the distal end component 13 via a bearing 19. The vibrator holder 18 is connected to a hollow flexible shaft 20 arranged substantially parallel to the center axis of the insertion section 2 on the rear end side of the bearing 19, and the ultrasonic vibrator 17 and the vibrator holder 18 are connected to the flexible shaft 20. Is rotated in the circumferential direction (radial direction) around the rotation axis. The flexible shaft 20 includes the insertion section 2 and the operation section 3 shown in FIG.
Are connected to a drive unit (not shown) provided in the sub-operation unit 4 via the inside of the sub-operation unit 4.

A signal line (not shown) extending from the ultrasonic vibrator 17 passes through a hollow portion of the vibrator holder 18 and the flexible shaft 20 and is a drive unit (not shown) in the sub-operation unit 4 shown in FIG. Is electrically connected to an ultrasonic observation apparatus 10 via an ultrasonic cord 9 and an ultrasonic connector 11 via a slip ring or the like provided in the.

The ultrasonic scanning system in the ultrasonic transmitting / receiving section 16 is not limited to the mechanical radial system shown here, and an ultrasonic scanning unit such as an electronic scanning system may be used.

FIG. 3 shows a detailed configuration of the image pickup unit 14. As shown in FIG. The imaging unit 14 mainly includes a plurality of lenses, and an objective lens group 21 serving as an objective lens.
An image pickup unit 22 is provided at the image forming position of the objective lens group 21 and photoelectrically converts an optical image formed on the image pickup surface into an electric signal.

The objective lens group 21 includes a first lens frame 23
A first lens group 21a housed in the second lens group 21d housed in a second lens frame 24, a prism 21b having an angle between the entrance end and the exit end of 45 °, and a first lens group 21d housed in the second lens frame 24; And an insulating frame 25 fitted inside the inner periphery of the lens frame 23 and outside fitted on the outer periphery of the second lens frame 24.

The first lens group 21a and the second lens group 21d are composed of a first lens frame 23 and a second lens frame 24.
Are respectively fixed by an adhesive. Also,
The prism 21b is fixed so as to be sandwiched between the first lens group 21a and the second lens group 21d in the first lens frame 23. Further, the first lens frame 23 and the second
The lens frame 24 is bonded and fixed by an adhesive via an insulating frame 25. Among them, the first first lens 21c in the first lens group 21a is bonded and fixed after the declination is adjusted last in the assembly of the imaging unit 14.

An imaging section holder 26 is fitted around the outer periphery of the second lens frame 24 and is integrally fixed to the second lens frame 24 by an adhesive. It should be noted that the second lens frame 24 and the imaging unit holder 26 are integrally fixed with an adhesive after performing focus adjustment.

On the other hand, the image pickup section 22 includes an image pickup device chip 31 having an image pickup surface and a peripheral circuit board 32 on which a signal processing circuit is formed.

On the front surface of the image pickup element chip 31, there is provided a chip protection member 33 made of an optical material and externally fitted with the image pickup section holder 26. The imaging surface of the imaging element chip 31 is disposed so as to be substantially orthogonal to the optical axis of the objective lens group 21.

Further, a plurality of external leads 34 protrude from the back side of the imaging surface of the imaging element chip 31. The external leads 34 are inclined by an angle α (5 ° in this figure) with respect to the optical axis direction of the objective lens group 21 near the bottom of the back surface of the imaging element chip 31, and the longitudinal direction is also the light of the objective lens group 21. It is electrically connected by soldering or the like to the peripheral circuit board 32 disposed at an angle α with respect to the axial direction. This angle α may be any number as long as it is larger than 0 °. The method of tilting the external lead 34 is as follows.
What is provided substantially perpendicular to the back surface of the imaging element chip 31 may be bent near the base, or may be provided at an angle α to the back surface of the imaging element chip 31 in advance.

One plane (back side) of the peripheral circuit board 32
Here, electronic components such as ICs and capacitors not shown here are electrically wired to form a signal processing circuit. On the other hand, a signal cable 35 is connected and arranged on the non-mounting surface (front surface) of the peripheral circuit board 32 where no circuit such as a signal processing circuit is formed. The signal cable 35 includes a plurality of signal lines including a shield wire 35a as an inner coating and a plurality of single wires 35b.

The shield lines 3 of the plurality of signal lines
The outer conductors 5a are bundled together so as to be electrically conductive by a cable stopper 36 which is a metal binding member. On the other hand, the single line 35b of the plurality of signal lines
Are electrically connected and fixed to the external leads 34 of the imaging unit 22 and the peripheral circuit board 32, respectively.

Further, the image pickup device chip 31 of the image pickup section 22
The periphery of the peripheral circuit board 32 is covered with a shield member 37, and the outer periphery of the shield member 37 and the outermost covering portion of the signal cable 35 are covered with a protective member 38.

The imaging unit 1 thus configured
Reference numeral 4 denotes an image sensor chip 31 and a peripheral circuit board 32 whose optical axis is bent by approximately 45 ° by a prism 21 b of the objective lens group 21.
And the peripheral circuit board 32
And the first lens 21c has a relative angle of 45 ° + α.

Next, the operation of the electronic endoscope 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. In the imaging unit 14 shown in FIG. 3, the center axis of the insertion section 2 (hereinafter, referred to as an insertion axis) is 45 degrees.
The optical image in the ° + α direction enters from the objective lens group 21, forms an image on the imaging surface of the imaging element chip 31 of the imaging unit 22, is photoelectrically converted, and is connected to the peripheral circuit board 32 through the external lead 34.
And is subjected to signal processing, and is output from the signal cable 35 as an electric signal. This electric signal is transmitted to the CCU in the peripheral device 6 shown in FIG.
The image is output to the monitor 12 and displayed on the screen as an endoscope image.

At this time, the illuminating light emitted from the light source device 7 passes through the universal connector 8, the universal cord 5, the operation unit 3, and the insertion unit 2 to the tip configuration unit 13 via a light guide bundle (not shown). The light is transmitted and emitted from an illumination lens (not shown) provided in the distal end portion 13 to illuminate the test site.

Here, the field of view of the imaging unit 14 is 4
Since the angle with respect to the insertion axis is 5 ° + α, the ultrasonic transmitting and receiving unit 16 in front of the first lens 21c is
I can't get into that field of view.

In FIG. 1, an ultrasonic observation device 10
The ultrasonic pulse signal generated from the ultrasonic connector 1
1. The ultrasonic pulse signal is transmitted to the ultrasonic vibrator 17 of the ultrasonic transmitting / receiving unit 16 via the ultrasonic code 9 and the driving unit in the sub-operation unit 4, and the ultrasonic vibrator 17 converts the ultrasonic pulse signal into a sound wave. It is emitted to the test site. The reflected wave from the test site enters the ultrasonic vibrator 17 again, is received, and is converted into an electric signal by the ultrasonic vibrator 17. This received signal is transmitted through the ultrasonic observation device 10 in the reverse order of the path through which the ultrasonic pulse signal has passed.
To be processed into an image signal, output to the monitor 12, and displayed on the screen as an ultrasonic image.

In the present embodiment, the image pickup unit is arranged at an angle α behind the image pickup device chip and arranged at an angle α, so that even if the image pickup section of the image pickup unit and the longitudinal axis of the tip component are arranged in parallel, The inclination in the viewing direction is 45 ° + α. Therefore, when the front component of the front perspective electronic endoscope having the component (here, the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit) in front of the imaging unit is not viewed, but viewed from the side,
Since the first lens can be arranged above the distal end configuration portion, the diameter of the insertion portion can be reduced, and the pain at the time of insertion into the patient can be reduced.

Further, since the image pickup unit of the image pickup unit and the longitudinal axis of the tip component and the central axis of the insertion unit are parallel to each other so that the image pickup unit is not disposed at an angle, the image pickup unit is inserted behind the tip component. A useless space can be eliminated in the portion, and the diameter of the insertion portion can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to make it difficult to cause pain when inserted into a patient.

In the first embodiment, a front oblique type ultrasonic electronic endoscope has been described as an example of a front oblique type electronic endoscope. However, a front oblique type electronic endoscope having no ultrasonic observation function has been described. An electronic endoscope may be used.

In the first embodiment, the image pickup unit having the prism is bent at the external lead portion on the back surface of the image pickup device chip in the first embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

FIG. 4 shows a modified image pickup unit 14a. As in this modified example, the same configuration can be obtained by using an imaging unit that does not use a prism and bending the external leads on the back surface of the imaging element chip of this imaging unit. In this modification, the same operation and effect as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, it is not necessary to use a prism having a special shape for the objective lens group in the front oblique type electronic endoscope, so that the deterioration of the image can be reduced. In addition, since the space occupied by the built-in object in the distal end configuration portion and the bending portion of the insertion portion can be minimized,
The diameter of the distal end of the insertion section can be reduced. For this reason,
There is an effect that a better optical image is drawn and pain is less likely to be given when inserted into a patient.

Next, as a second embodiment, an example of the configuration of an ultrasonic probe having an ultrasonic vibrator at the tip will be described. An object of the second embodiment is to provide an electronic scanning ultrasonic probe which does not cause pain to a patient at the time of insertion and can reliably draw a treatment tool on an ultrasonic image.

FIGS. 5 to 7 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a partial cutaway view of the tip of the ultrasonic probe viewed from above, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal configuration of the distal end of the acoustic wave probe.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 5.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a tip component 41 is formed at the tip of the electronic scanning ultrasonic probe.
An ultrasonic vibrator 42 is provided at the distal end component 41,
An ultrasonic cable 43 extends from the ultrasonic transducer 42. The ultrasonic transducer 42 is configured by arranging a plurality of probes 44 in a row, and a signal line 45 extends from each of the probes 44, and the signal lines 45 are bundled to form an ultrasonic wave. A cable 43 is formed. The ultrasonic cable 43 extends toward the base end of the probe, and is electrically connected to an ultrasonic observation device (not shown).

The ultrasonic probe is provided with a channel 46 for inserting a treatment tool 48 extending therethrough.
1, the distal end of the channel 46 is provided so as to open obliquely forward with respect to the insertion axis. The channel 46 and the central axis of the ultrasonic transducer 42 are arranged substantially on the same line when viewed from above the probe.

Here, the ultrasonic cable 43 in which the signal lines 45 are bundled is bifurcated near the most proximal side of the ultrasonic vibrator 42, and the bifurcated portion 47 of the ultrasonic cable 43 is bifurcated. The channel 46 is provided so as to cross and pass therethrough. The cross-sectional shape of the branch portion 47 of the ultrasonic cable 43 is flat as shown in FIG. In addition, in the example of the figure, the ultrasonic cable 43 divided into two branches is reunited into one at the hand side, but may be kept separated.

In the ultrasonic probe according to the present embodiment, an ultrasonic pulse signal emitted from an ultrasonic observation device (not shown) is transmitted to the ultrasonic vibrator 42 through the ultrasonic cable 43, and is transmitted to the ultrasonic vibrator 42. The sound wave pulse signal is converted into a sound wave and radiated toward a test site. The reflected wave from the test site is again incident on the ultrasonic vibrator 42 and received, and is converted into an electric signal by the ultrasonic vibrator 42. This received signal is transmitted to the ultrasonic observation device via the ultrasonic cable 43, and an ultrasonic image is generated and displayed on the screen.

When performing various treatments on the test site during ultrasonic observation, a treatment tool 48 is inserted from an operation unit (not shown) through the channel 46 and protrudes from the probe tip side. At this time, the treatment tool 48 projects obliquely forward with respect to the insertion axis from the opening at the distal end through the channel 46 and appears on the ultrasonic scanning surface, so that an ultrasonic image of the treatment tool 48 is displayed on the ultrasonic image. You.

In the present embodiment, in the electronic scanning type ultrasonic probe, the ultrasonic cable is bifurcated into a part or the whole from the base of the ultrasonic transducer, and a treatment instrument insertion channel is provided between them. In addition, the treatment tool can be projected obliquely forward on the ultrasonic scanning surface without making the insertion portion of the ultrasonic probe thick. For this reason, it is hard to give a pain at the time of insertion into a patient, and the treatment tool can be reliably drawn on the ultrasonic image.

Next, as a third embodiment, a configuration example of a front oblique ultrasonic endoscope will be described.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show the structure of the distal end of a conventional front oblique ultrasonic endoscope. As shown in FIG. 8, conventionally, when viewed from the rear end side of the distal end component, the objective optical system 51 is located substantially above the central portion, the ultrasonic cable 52 is located substantially below the central portion, and the light guide bundles 53 And a forceps channel 54, and an air / water supply channel 55 above the light guide bundle 53, and a balloon channel 56 below the forceps channel 54, respectively.
And a structure in which the objective lens 51a, the light guide lens 53a, the channel opening 54a, and the air / water nozzle 55a are disposed on the oblique surface 57.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9, when viewed from the rear end side of the leading end component, the objective optical system 51 is located substantially above the center, the ultrasonic cable 52 is located substantially below the center, and the right and left sides of the ultrasonic cable 52 are written. A guide bundle 53 and a forceps channel 54 are arranged, and an air supply / water supply channel 55 and a balloon conduit 56 are provided below the forceps channel 54, respectively. The objective lens 51a, the light guide lens 53a, the channel opening 54a, and the air / water supply nozzle 55a may be disposed on the oblique surface 57.

However, in the configuration shown in FIG. 8, the air / water supply nozzle 55a exists between the light guide lens 53a and the objective lens 51a, and the illumination light emitted from the light guide lens 53a receives the air / water supply nozzle 55a. In this case, there is a problem that the lens directly jumps into the objective lens 51a and a flare occurs. Further, in the configuration as shown in FIG. 9, although the problem in the configuration in FIG. 8 is solved, the arrangement of the channels and cables in the bending portion is biased.
When excessive force is applied to the cable, image defects occur, and each channel and cables meander, and as a result, the curved portion also meanders. There was also the problem of getting worse.

In view of such a problem, the following embodiment will show an example of the configuration of a front perspective ultrasonic endoscope which does not cause shadows and flares in an optical image and has excellent durability.

FIGS. 10 to 15 relate to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is an external structural view showing a distal end portion of an insertion portion of an ultrasonic endoscope viewed from above and partially cut away. 11, FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 10, and FIG.
13 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal configuration of the distal end portion of the insertion portion, FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along line DD of FIG. 11, and FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along line EE of FIG. .

An object of the third embodiment is to provide a front oblique ultrasonic endoscope which is excellent in durability, does not produce shadows and flares in an optical image, and hardly causes pain to a patient at the time of insertion. That is.

Here, the following description will be made using a front oblique ultrasonic electronic endoscope as a representative of the oblique ultrasonic endoscope.

The device configuration of the front oblique ultrasonic electronic endoscope (hereinafter, abbreviated to ultrasonic ultrasonic endoscope) is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and the description is omitted here. .
Hereinafter, the configuration of the distal end portion of the ultrasonic endoscope will be described.

As shown in FIG. 10, a bending portion 102 is provided on the distal end side of the insertion portion 101 of the ultrasonic endoscope, and a distal end portion 103 is connected to the distal end thereof. An ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 104 is provided on the distal end side of the unit 103.

The front surface of the tip component 103 has a perspective surface 1
The objective lens 106 a of the imaging unit 106, the light guide lens 107, and the channel opening 10 of the multipurpose channel 108 are provided on the perspective surface 105.
8a, an air / water nozzle 109 is provided. These arrangements include an objective lens 106a substantially at the center, a light guide lens 107 on the right side toward the tip, a channel opening 108a on the left, and an air / water nozzle 109 on the left front.
It is arranged.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, the image pickup unit 106 and the image pickup unit 106 are disposed substantially on the center axis toward the distal end of the insertion portion in the insertion portion near the connection between the distal end portion 103 and the bending portion 102. Vibrator cables 110 extending from the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 104 are provided below the respective components. The vibrator cable 110 is a case of an electronic scanning type ultrasonic endoscope, and in the case of a mechanical operation type ultrasonic endoscope, a flexible shaft (not shown) in which the vibrator cable is inserted at the center is provided. A coated tube is provided instead.

Further, a balloon tube 111 is provided on the left side of the vibrator cable 110, a dummy tube 112 is provided in close contact with the balloon line 111, and a multipurpose channel 108 is provided above the balloon line 111. The light guide bundle 114 is located on the right side, and the air / water supply nozzle 10 is located above the light guide bundle 114.
An air supply / water supply channel 115 communicating with the air passage 9 is provided. Here, there are spaces on the left and right sides of the imaging unit 106, and two connection screws 116 for connecting the bending portion 102 and the distal end portion 103 are provided in the space as shown in FIG. .

Also, one bending wire 117 is provided on each of the upper, lower, left, and right sides of the bending portion 102. One end of each of the bending wires 117 is fixed at the tip of the bending portion 102, and the other end is on the hand side. And is connected to a bending mechanism (not shown) in the operation unit.

Further, as shown in FIG.
Inside 03, the imaging unit 106 is attached so as to be tilted away from the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 104 with respect to the insertion axis. Then, the air / water supply channel 115
Is inserted obliquely toward the air / water supply nozzle 109 in the distal end component 103 as shown in FIGS.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the light guide bundle 114
The light guide lens 107 is provided so as to be bent so as to be directed substantially at right angles to the light guide lens 107. Accordingly, the light guide bundle 114 is assembled from below to the distal end component 103, and a spacer 118 is fitted and disposed below the light guide bundle 114, and the distal end component 103 and the curved portion 102 are disposed. When assembled, the light guide bundle 114 is held by the spacer 118.

As shown in FIG. 15, the multipurpose channel 108 is bent in the distal end portion 103, and is provided so that the channel opening 108a is opened in the perspective surface 105. The balloon conduit 111 is provided substantially linearly so as to open in the groove 104 a at the base of the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 104 in the distal end configuration unit 103.

Next, the operation of the ultrasonic endoscope according to the present embodiment will be described. In FIG. 13, the imaging unit 106
The optical image incident from the objective lens 106a is converted into an electric signal in the imaging unit 106, and is transmitted to the CCU in the peripheral device 6 through the insertion unit 2, the operation unit 3, the universal cord 5, and the universal connector 8. The image signal is processed, output to the monitor 12, and displayed on the screen as an endoscope image.

The ultrasonic pulse signal emitted from the ultrasonic observation device 9 passes through the ultrasonic connector 11, the ultrasonic code 9, and the driving unit in the sub-scanning unit 4 to the ultrasonic transmitting / receiving unit 104 shown in FIG. The ultrasonic pulse signal is converted into a sound wave by the ultrasonic vibrator 17 and radiated to the test site.
The reflected wave from the test site is again transmitted to the ultrasonic transmitting / receiving unit 104.
And is received by the ultrasonic transducer 17, and is converted into an electric signal by the ultrasonic transducer 17. This received signal is transmitted to the ultrasonic observation apparatus 10 in the reverse order of the path along which the ultrasonic pulse signal has passed, processed into an image signal, output to the monitor 12, and displayed on the screen as an ultrasonic image.

When performing the bending operation of the insertion portion, the bending portion 1
02, the bending wire 117 fixed to the tip of the operating unit 3
By operating the bending knob, the bending portion 102 is bent. At this time, the dummy tube 11
Numeral 2 has an effect of increasing the filling rate in the curved portion 102 and bends in close contact with the balloon channel 111 and the like, thereby playing a role of preventing buckling of the balloon channel 111 and the like.

The air and water supplied from the peripheral device 6 pass through the universal connector 8, the universal cord 5, the operation unit 3, and the air supply / water supply channel 115 inserted into the insertion unit 2, and the air supply and water supply at the tip end. The water is sent to the water supply nozzle 109 and emitted. Here, the imaging unit 106 is attached in the distal end component 103 at an angle in a direction away from the transducer cable 110, and the air / water supply channel 115 is inserted into the gap formed here when viewed from above the insertion portion. Imaging unit 106 and transducer cable 110
Therefore, the air / water supply channel 115 does not interfere with other cables.

On the oblique surface 105, the air / water supply nozzle 109 is connected to the objective lens 106 a of the imaging unit 106.
, The illumination light emitted from the light guide bundle 114 via the light guide lens 107 directly enters the objective lens 106 a even if it strikes the air / water nozzle 109. Also, there is no possibility that the air supply / water supply nozzle 109 becomes a hindrance and a shadow of illumination is formed in the optical image.

Further, when inflating a balloon (not shown) which is detachably provided outside the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 104, air and water sent from the peripheral device 6 are supplied to the universal connector 8, the universal cord 5,
The inside of the operation unit 3 is sent through the same route as that sent to the air / water supply nozzle 109 to the balloon conduit 111 in the insertion unit 2 by a switching cock (not shown) in the operation unit 3, and the tip of the The sound is transmitted into the balloon outside the sound wave transmitting / receiving unit 104.

Further, forceps, degassed water, and the like (not shown) can be inserted through a channel insertion port provided in the operation unit 3 communicating with the multipurpose channel 108.
Further, by operating the suction button provided on the operation unit 3 after closing the channel insertion opening, it is possible to suck mucus and the like in the body cavity.

In this embodiment, a bending portion bent by pulling the operation wire is disposed at the distal end of the insertion portion, and a distal end portion is provided at the distal end side of the bending portion. An ultrasonic transmission / reception unit is provided, and an ultrasonic cable connected to the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit is drawn down substantially below the central portion of the bending portion and the insertion portion, and a front perspective surface provided on the distal end component portion. An objective optical system is provided substantially at the center, a light guide lens is provided adjacent thereto, and an air / water nozzle and a multipurpose channel opening are provided on the opposite side of the light guide lens with the objective optical system interposed therebetween, and an optical image is transmitted to the objective optical system. Means are connected, a light guide bundle is connected to the light guide lens, an air supply channel is connected to the air supply nozzle, and a multipurpose channel is connected to the multipurpose channel opening. And, the balloon has an opening in the distal end portion near the proximal end of the balloon detachably attached to the ultrasonic transmitting and receiving unit, and the liquid transfer / suction conduit in the balloon communicates with this opening, When viewed from the rear end side of the distal end component in the curved portion and the insertion portion, the optical image transmission means is substantially above the center, a multipurpose channel next to the optical image transmission means, and an air supply / water supply channel on the opposite side of the multipurpose channel with the optical image transmission means interposed therebetween.
Under the multipurpose channel, the liquid supply / suction line in the balloon,
In a front oblique ultrasonic endoscope in which a light guide bundle is respectively drawn below an air / water channel, the air / water channel is crossed between an objective optical system and an ultrasonic cable in a distal end portion. The illumination light emitted from the light guide lens is supplied by being provided obliquely and communicating with the air supply / water supply nozzle located in the opposite direction of the light guide lens across the objective optical system toward the front end of the front perspective surface. Even if it hits the water supply nozzle, it is possible to eliminate such a problem that the light is directly incident on the objective lens unit or that the air supply / water supply nozzle interferes with the shadow of illumination in the optical image. As a result, it is possible to prevent flare and shadow from occurring in the optical image, and it is possible to obtain a good optical image.

Further, by arranging the balloon conduit and the air / water supply channel on the rear end side of the distal end portion separately with respect to the ultrasonic cable and the objective optical system, the arrangement of the channels and cables in the curved portion is uniform. Therefore, the meandering of the channels and cables is reduced, and the shape of the curved portion does not meander, so that the built-in components can be arranged almost uniformly. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a load from being applied to the bending wire in a specific direction, so that there is also an effect that durability is improved.

In the third embodiment, the front oblique ultrasonic electronic endoscope has been described as an example of the front oblique ultrasonic endoscope. However, the present invention is not limited to the electronic endoscope. Alternatively, a front perspective ultrasonic optical endoscope using an image guide bundle may be used.

In the following fourth and fifth embodiments, examples of the configuration of an endoscope provided with a bending mechanism at the distal end of the insertion section will be described.

As a structure of the bending mechanism of the insertion portion of the endoscope, there is one disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 64-43901. However, such a conventional bending mechanism rotates a flexible tube. Since a complicated mechanism is required, there is a problem that the reliability may decrease and the cost may increase.

In view of such a problem, an example of the configuration of an endoscope having a simple, highly reliable and low-cost bending mechanism will be described in the following embodiments.

FIGS. 16 to 19 relate to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 16 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the entire configuration of an endoscope, FIG. FIG. 18 is an explanatory sectional view showing a joint of a bending piece when the U-shaped spring is in a natural state, and FIG.
It is a line sectional view.

The object of the fourth embodiment is to provide an endoscope having a simple, highly reliable and low-cost structure for the bending mechanism, a thinner bending tube, easy insertion, and less pain to the patient. To provide.

As shown in FIG. 16, an endoscope 151 according to the present embodiment has an insertion portion 155 formed by connecting a distal end portion 152, a curved tube 153, and a flexible tube 154 from a distal end to the endoscope 151.
And an operation unit 156 connected to the hand side of the control unit 5.
7 are provided.

The structure of the bending mechanism of the endoscope 151 is shown in FIG.
7 will be described. The inside of the bending tube 153 is constituted by a plurality of bending pieces rotatably connected like a first bending piece 158, a second bending piece 159,.... The joint between the first bending piece 158 and the second bending piece 159 is provided with a U-shaped spring 160 for urging the bending pieces on both sides in one direction. The U-shaped spring 160 is fixed to both the first bending piece 158 and the second bending piece 159 by welding. Note that the fixing means of the U-shaped spring 160 may be bonding, caulking, integral molding or the like instead of welding.

The U-shaped spring 160 is in the natural state as shown in FIG.
An elastic leaf spring member having the following shape is used, and stainless steel for spring is used as a material. The material of the U-shaped spring 160 may be a hard steel wire, a phosphor bronze for a spring, a piano wire, a carbon steel oil-tempered wire, a chrome vanadium steel, a silicon chrome steel, or the like, in addition to the stainless steel for the spring.

FIG. 19 shows a cross section taken along the line FF of FIG. U
The U-shaped spring 160 is disposed at a position overlapping the thickness of each bending piece when viewed from the bending tube axial direction. Although not shown in the drawing, a similar U-shaped spring is provided at the joint between the other bending pieces.

One angle wire 161 is inserted into the bending tube 153 and provided.
The tip of 61 is fixed to the first bending piece 158. Each bending piece is provided with a wire receiver 162, and an angle wire 161 is inserted into the wire receiver 162 to support the angle wire 161. The proximal side of the angle wire 161 is wound around a drum 163 provided in the operation unit 156. This drum 163
Rotates in conjunction with the angle knob 157, and pulls and relaxes the angle wire 161.

In the operation section 156, the rear end of the angle wire 161 is connected to one end of a spring 163, and the other end of the spring 163 is fixed to an operation section main body 156a forming an outer shell of the operation section 156. It is fixed to a fixing substrate 164. As the spring 163,
A coiled spring member having a length and a spring constant is used such that when the bending tube 153 is in a straight state, it is stretched from its natural length and is in a state of being balanced with the U-shaped spring 160.

Next, the operation of the bending mechanism in the endoscope of this embodiment will be described. When the angle knob 157 is rotated to the right (clockwise), the angle wire 161 is pulled and wound, so that the bending tube 153 bends in the α direction. This operation is the same as that of the conventional endoscope bending mechanism.

On the other hand, when the angle knob 157 is rotated to the left (counterclockwise), the angle wire 161 is pushed out and relaxed. Therefore, the joint between the first bending piece 158 and the second bending piece 159 is rotated by the elastic restoring force of the U-shaped spring 160 as shown in FIG. Each joint formed by the other bending pieces rotates in the same manner, and as a result, the bending tube 153 curves in the β direction.

Also, when the bending tube 153 is straight and the hand is released from the angle knob 157, the U-shaped spring 160 and the spring 163 in the operation portion 156 are balanced, so that the bending tube 153 is maintained in the straight state. You.

As described above, according to the bending mechanism of the present embodiment, it is possible to bend the bending tube in two directions with one angle wire. In the conventional bending mechanism, two angle wires are required for bending in two directions, whereas in the present embodiment, only one angle wire is required.
The number of angle wires can be reduced, and the number of wire receivers can be reduced accordingly. This makes it possible to reduce the number of internal components of the bending tube, and as a result, to reduce the diameter of the bending tube. Therefore, it is possible to realize an endoscope that can be easily inserted and causes less pain to a patient.

By providing another set of the same mechanism at a position shifted by 90 ° in the circumferential direction of the bending tube, it is possible to bend in four directions with two angle wires. In this case as well, the four-way bending as in the prior art has
Since the number of angle wires can be reduced as compared with the case where the number of angle wires is provided, it is possible to reduce the diameter of the curved tube. Therefore, similarly to the above, it is possible to realize an endoscope which is easy to insert and causes less pain to a patient.

FIGS. 20 and 21 relate to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing the internal structure of an operation section relating to a bending mechanism of an endoscope. FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the periphery of the drum.

The fifth embodiment is a partial modification of the configuration of the fourth embodiment. The configuration of the bending tube is the same as that of the fourth embodiment, and the description is omitted here.

As shown in FIG. 20, a drum 16 rotating in conjunction with an angle knob 157 is provided in an operation unit 156.
3 is provided, and a helical spring 165 having elasticity in the rotational direction is provided so as to be coaxial with the drum 163. One end 165 a of the helical spring 165 is fixed to a fixed portion 166 on the drum 163,
b is fixed to a fixing substrate 164 similar to that of the fourth embodiment.

The helical spring 165 is an elastic member having a shape as shown in FIG. 21 in a natural state, and a member which is pulled when the bending tube 153 is in a straight state so that the tension is balanced with the U-shaped spring 160. Is used.

In the fifth embodiment, the same operation as that of the fourth embodiment is generated by the elasticity of the spiral spring 165 instead of the elasticity of the spring 163.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the same effect as that of the fourth embodiment can be obtained, and the occupied space of the spiral spring can be smaller than that of the spring of the fourth embodiment. The operation unit can be reduced in size.

According to the fourth and fifth embodiments, the bending mechanism can be realized with a simple, highly reliable, low-cost structure, and the bending tube can be reduced in diameter, so that it can be easily inserted. It is possible to provide an endoscope that can reduce the pain given to the patient.

[Supplementary Notes] (1) An objective lens section that captures the object to be observed obliquely with respect to the center axis of the insertion section, and an imaging section that converts an optical image obtained by the objective lens section into an electric signal. In a front perspective electronic endoscope provided with an imaging unit having: a signal processing circuit unit of the imaging unit is provided substantially parallel to a center axis of the insertion unit, and the objective lens unit is provided. An electronic endoscope, wherein the electronic endoscope is arranged to be inclined from a central axis of an insertion section, and an imaging surface of an imaging element chip of the imaging section is provided perpendicular to an optical axis of the objective lens section.

An object of Appendix 1 is to provide a front oblique electronic endoscope that renders a better optical image and does not cause pain when inserted into a patient.

By adopting the configuration of Appendix 1, there is no need to use a specially shaped prism and no need to use image correction means, so that deterioration of the optical image can be reduced. Furthermore, since the space occupied by the imaging unit and the like in the distal end configuration portion and the curved portion can be minimized, the diameter of the distal end portion of the insertion portion can be reduced.

(2) The signal processing circuit section of the image pickup section and the image pickup surface of the image pickup element chip are inclined by bending an external lead base on the back surface of the image pickup element chip of the image pickup section. An electronic endoscope according to claim 1.

(3) The signal processing circuit section of the imaging section and the imaging surface of the imaging element chip can be connected to each other by providing external leads on the back side of the imaging element chip of the imaging section at an angle to the imaging plane of the imaging element chip in advance. 2. The electronic endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the electronic endoscope is tilted.

(4) The electronic endoscope according to attachment 1, wherein an ultrasonic probe is provided at a tip of the insertion section.

(5) A bending portion that bends by pulling the operation wire is disposed at the distal end of the insertion portion, and a distal end portion is provided on the distal end side of the bending portion. An ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving unit is provided, and an ultrasonic signal transmitting unit connected to the ultrasonic transmitting / receiving unit is drawn substantially below the center of the bending portion and the insertion portion, and a front perspective surface provided on the distal end component portion. An objective optical system is provided substantially in the center, a light guide lens is provided next to the objective optical system, and an air / water nozzle and a multipurpose channel opening are provided on the opposite side of the light guide lens with the objective optical system interposed therebetween. A transmission means is connected, a light guide bundle is connected to the light guide lens, an air supply channel is connected to the air supply nozzle, and a multipurpose channel is connected to the multipurpose channel opening. The balloon has an opening in the distal end portion near the proximal side of the balloon which is detachably attached to the ultrasonic transmitting / receiving section, and the liquid supply / suction pipe in the balloon communicates with this opening, and When viewed from the rear end side of the distal end component in the curved portion and the insertion portion, the optical image transmission means is located substantially above the central portion, a multipurpose channel next to the optical image transmission means, and an air supply / water supply channel opposite to the multipurpose channel with the optical image transmission means interposed therebetween. , Liquid delivery in the balloon below the multipurpose channel.
A suction conduit, a front perspective ultrasonic endoscope in which a light guide bundle is respectively drawn below the air / water supply channel, wherein the air / water supply channel and the optical image transmission means in the distal end component. The optical signal transmitting means is provided obliquely so as to intersect with the ultrasonic signal transmitting means through the ultrasonic signal transmitting means, and is provided in the opposite direction of the light guide lens across the objective optical system toward the front end of the front oblique surface. An ultrasonic endoscope characterized by communicating a pneumatic water nozzle.

The object of Appendix 5 is to provide a front perspective ultrasonic endoscope with excellent durability, which does not cause shadows or flares in an optical image.

By adopting the structure of Appendix 5, the illumination light irradiated from the light guide lens directly enters the objective optical system even if it strikes the air / water nozzle, or the illumination light is disturbed by the air / water nozzle so that the illumination light is not included in the optical image. This has the effect that the shadow of the illumination can be eliminated. In addition, since the arrangement of the channels and cables in the curved portion is uniform, the meandering of the channels and cables is reduced, and the shape of the curved portion can be prevented from meandering.

(6) A bending portion which is bent by pulling the operation wire, a distal end portion connected to the distal end side of the bent portion, and a distal end portion located substantially below the center of the distal end portion. In a front perspective ultrasonic endoscope having an ultrasonic transmission / reception unit at the distal end of an insertion unit, an objective optical system is provided at a substantially central portion of a front perspective surface provided at the distal end component, a light guide lens next to the objective optical system, An air supply / water supply nozzle and a multipurpose channel opening are disposed on the opposite side of the light guide lens across the objective optical system, and the ultrasonic signal transmission means connected to the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit includes the distal end component. And an optical image transmitting unit including the objective optical system, an illumination light transmitting unit including the light guide lens, and a multipurpose channel communicating with the multipurpose channel opening. The channel is at least substantially linearly extended from the distal end component to the curved portion, while the air supply channel communicating with the air supply nozzle is configured such that the optical image transmitting means and the ultrasonic wave in the distal end component. An air-supplying / water-supplying device which is provided obliquely so as to intersect with the optical image transmitting means and intersects with the signal transmitting means, and which is located in a direction opposite to a light guide lens across the objective optical system toward a front end of the front oblique surface. An ultrasonic endoscope, wherein the endoscope communicates with a nozzle.

(7) A plurality of bending pieces are rotatably connected to each other, and a bending tube constituting a part of the insertion portion is inserted into the insertion portion and one end is fixed near the distal end of the bending tube. One angle wire for bending in two opposing directions, and the bending tube, when both ends are fixed to the bending tube axial direction end surfaces of both adjacent bending pieces, when viewed from the bending tube axial direction. A first elastic member which is disposed at a position overlapping the thickness of the bending piece, elastically deforms in accordance with the bending of the bending tube, and becomes a natural state when the bending tube is bent in a direction opposite to the bending due to the pulling of the angle wire. A drum rotatably supported in an operating portion provided continuously on the hand side of the insertion portion, the angle wire being wound around the operating portion, and a rotating shaft connected to a bending knob for bending operation; Provided in the unit, A second elastic member that is deformed with the rotation of the drum and becomes in a natural state when the drum rotates in a direction in which the angle wire is pulled, and a bending mechanism for an endoscope.

The object of Appendix 7 is that the bending mechanism can be constructed with a simple, reliable and low-cost structure, and the bending tube of the endoscope can be made thinner, easy to insert, and less painful to the patient. To provide a bending mechanism for an endoscope.

By adopting the structure of Appendix 7, the number of angle wires can be reduced, so that the bending tube of the endoscope can be reduced in diameter, and the bending mechanism has a simple, highly reliable and low-cost structure. Has the effect of being feasible.

(8) The bending mechanism for an endoscope according to appendix 7, wherein the first elastic member is formed of a U-shaped leaf spring member.

(9) One of the second elastic members is fixed to one end of the angle wire on the operation portion side, and the other is a coil-shaped spring member fixed to the operation portion main body. 8. The bending mechanism for an endoscope according to 7.

(10) The bending mechanism for an endoscope according to attachment 7, wherein the second elastic member comprises a spiral spring member provided coaxially with the drum.

[0112]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electronic endoscope which can render a good image and can reduce the diameter of the insertion portion.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an overall configuration of an electronic endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a configuration of a distal end portion of the insertion section according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the imaging unit of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a modification of the imaging unit.

FIG. 5 is an external configuration diagram in which a tip of an ultrasonic probe according to a second embodiment is viewed from above and partially cut away.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an internal configuration of a distal end portion of an ultrasonic probe according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 shows a first example of a distal end portion of a conventional front perspective ultrasonic endoscope.
Explanatory diagram showing the configuration of

FIG. 9 shows a second example of the distal end portion of the conventional front oblique ultrasonic endoscope.
Explanatory diagram showing the configuration of

FIG. 10 is an external configuration diagram in which a distal end portion of an insertion portion of the ultrasonic endoscope according to the third embodiment is partially cut away and viewed from above.

11 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an internal configuration of a distal end portion of an insertion portion according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along line DD of FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along line EE of FIG. 11;

FIG. 16 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the entire configuration of an endoscope according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory sectional view showing the internal structure of a portion related to the bending mechanism according to the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 18 is an explanatory sectional view showing a joint portion of a bending piece when the U-shaped spring is in a natural state.

19 is a sectional view taken along line FF of FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of an operation unit related to the bending mechanism of the endoscope according to the fifth embodiment;

FIG. 21 is an explanatory view showing the periphery of the drum when the spiral spring is in a natural state.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Front perspective ultrasonic electronic endoscope 2 ... Insertion part 13 ... Tip construction part 14 ... Imaging unit 16 ... Ultrasonic transmission / reception part 20 ... Flexible shaft 21 ... Objective lens group 21a ... First lens group 21b ... Prism 21d ... second lens group 22 ... imaging unit 31 ... imaging element chip 32 ... peripheral circuit board 34 ... external leads 35 ... signal cable

Claims (1)

[Claims] An objective lens section for observing an object to be observed obliquely with respect to a center axis of an insertion section; and an imaging section for converting an optical image obtained by the objective lens section into an electric signal. A front perspective electronic endoscope provided with an imaging unit, wherein a signal processing circuit unit of the imaging unit is provided substantially parallel to a central axis of the insertion unit, and the objective lens unit is disposed at a center of the insertion unit. An electronic endoscope, wherein the electronic endoscope is arranged to be inclined from an axis, and an imaging surface of an imaging element chip of the imaging unit is provided perpendicular to an optical axis of the objective lens unit.