JPH11216102A - Image-pickup device for endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a subject image from being eccentric while having an autoclave sterilization resistance. SOLUTION: A subject image which is projected from an endoscope passes through a focus lens 14 and an optical filter 108 and is image-formed on a CCD 109. As the focus lens 14, the optical filter 108 and the CCD 109 are hermetically sealed in an air-tight units 13 on 17, they are possible to endure an autoclave sterilization. By sealing hermetically the focus lens 14 and the CCD 109 in different airtight unit 13, 107 and setting an eccentricity adjusting system 206, which is consist of, for example, two pairs of adjusting screw that put it from the eccentric direction, in the airtight unit 107, it is possible to control an eccentricity of the image.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope image pickup apparatus for picking up a subject image emitted from an endoscope.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the case of using an optical endoscope that optically transmits a subject image to a hand side by a relay lens or the like, the subject image obtained by the endoscope is displayed on a TV monitor or an image recording device. For example, an endoscope imaging apparatus that captures the subject image and converts the captured image into an electric signal is widely used for storage in a camera.

In general, an endoscope image pickup apparatus includes a focus lens for converging a subject image emitted from the endoscope, and a CC for picking up the subject image converged by the focus lens.
An imaging device such as D is provided, and in order to capture a good subject image, it is necessary to align the focus lens with the imaging device. The alignment between the focus lens and the image sensor is performed by adjusting the distance between the image sensor and the focus lens in the optical axis direction, the eccentric direction of the image sensor and the focus lens, that is, the alignment in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis, and the image sensor. It is necessary to align the angle of the optical axis between the lens and the focusing lens.

If the distance between the image sensor and the focusing lens in the optical axis direction is not properly adjusted, the focus of the subject displayed on the TV monitor will be deviated. Therefore, the endoscope imaging apparatus may include a focus adjustment mechanism for performing focus adjustment.

In addition, high precision is required for the positioning of the image sensor and the focusing lens in the eccentric direction, and if the positioning in the eccentric direction is not properly performed, the image of the subject displayed on the TV monitor will be displayed. Image eccentricity such as a shift in the display position occurs, and when the degree of image eccentricity is large, a problem such as lack of a visual field in which an image of a subject is lost may occur. Therefore, by increasing the processing accuracy of the imaging device, the focusing lens, and the members such as the optical system disposed therebetween, the alignment in the eccentric direction can be appropriately maintained. However, there is a disadvantage that the member cost is increased because high precision is required. Therefore, in order to provide an inexpensive endoscope imaging apparatus by reducing the cost of members, an eccentricity adjusting mechanism for adjusting the misalignment in the eccentric direction may be provided.

In the present specification, the focus adjustment mechanism, the eccentricity adjustment mechanism, and the like for adjusting the fixed position between the focus lens and the image sensor are referred to as a fixed position adjustment mechanism.

In recent years, in order to sterilize an imaging device for an endoscope, a method called autoclave sterilization in which an object to be sterilized is left in high-pressure steam for a certain time is used as an inexpensive sterilization method. In order to make the endoscope imaging apparatus resistant to autoclave sterilization, it is necessary to hermetically seal the focus lens and the imaging element.

However, when it is necessary to provide the fixed position adjusting mechanism as described above, it is difficult to hermetically seal the movable portion of the fixed position adjusting mechanism, so that the fixed position adjusting mechanism is resistant to autoclave sterilization. It has been conventionally desired to provide

As a solution having a fixed position adjusting mechanism while having resistance to autoclave sterilization, there is a conventional technique proposed in, for example, JP-A-8-280610. In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-280610, an airtight unit in which a focus lens is hermetically sealed is provided, and a mechanism for moving the airtight unit with respect to the frame in the optical axis direction is provided. Suggesting solutions to make adjustments.

[0010]

Problems to be Solved by the Invention Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-28061
In the prior art proposed in No. 0 or the like, although a focus adjustment mechanism is provided while being resistant to autoclave sterilization, a solution for providing an eccentric adjustment mechanism while being resistant to autoclave sterilization is disclosed. Since there was no such member, there was a possibility that image eccentricity would occur in the case of using an inexpensive member with low processing accuracy.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides an imaging apparatus for an endoscope which has resistance to autoclave sterilization and prevents image eccentricity of a subject image.

[0012]

A TV camera adapter having a built-in focus lens for converging a subject image emitted from an endoscope, and an image pickup device for picking up the subject image converged by the focus lens are provided. An imaging device for an endoscope having a built-in TV camera head, wherein the image sensor and the focus lens are hermetically sealed in at least two airtight units, and at least one of these airtight units is airtightly sealed. By fixing the unit to the frame of the endoscope imaging device so that the position can be adjusted in the eccentric direction, that is, the direction perpendicular to the optical axis, the image eccentricity of the subject image is prevented while having resistance to autoclave sterilization. .

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration in which an endoscope imaging apparatus and other devices are connected. FIG. 2 is a configuration of a TV camera adapter. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the TV camera head, and FIG.
It is AA sectional drawing of.

(Construction) As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope imaging apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is a TV camera having a built-in focusing lens 14 for converging a subject image emitted from an endoscope 4. An adapter 2 and a CCD 1 serving as an image sensor for capturing the converged subject image and converting the image into an electric signal
And a TV camera head 3 having a built-in 09.

A light guide cable 5a for transmitting illumination light extends from the endoscope 4, and a light source device 5 for generating illumination light can be connected to the other end of the light guide cable 5a. It has become. The endoscope 4 can illuminate the subject with the illumination light supplied from the light source device 5.

A signal cable 6 for transmitting the electric signals and the like extends from the rear end side (the right-hand side in the drawing) of the endoscope imaging apparatus 1. The other end of the signal cable 6 is connected to a signal processing device 7 having a function of receiving the electric signal and converting it into a video signal for monitor display. The signal processing device 7 has a T for displaying an endoscope image.
The V monitor 8 is connected.

The configuration of the TV camera adapter 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

A frame T of the TV camera adapter 2
The V camera adapter body 9 is hollow and formed in a substantially cylindrical shape.

A mount 10 for detachably attaching the TV camera adapter 2 to the endoscope 4 is externally fitted on the front end side (left side in the drawing) of the TV camera adapter body 9. The mount 9 and the mount 10 are integrally fixed by screws or the like.

On the inner peripheral surface on the rear end side of the TV camera adapter body 9, a screwing portion 11 for screwing with the TV camera head 3 is formed.

An O-ring 12 is provided on the inner periphery of the TV camera adapter main body 9 near the screwing portion 11 to maintain watertightness between the TV camera adapter 2 and the TV camera head 3.

The TV camera adapter 2 has a focus lens 14 composed of a plurality of lenses for converging the subject image emitted from the endoscope 2 on the front end side and sending it to the TV camera head on the rear end side. . The focus lens 14 is housed in a hermetic unit 13 for hermetically sealing the focus lens 14, and is fixed in position to the hermetic unit 13 by a spacer or the like. This airtight unit 13 is a TV
The camera adapter body 9 is provided so as to be slidable in the rotation direction and the longitudinal direction.

A hermetic sealing structure for hermetically sealing the inside of the hermetic unit 13 will be described.

The airtight unit main body 13a, which is the main body of the airtight unit 13, is formed in a hollow substantially cylindrical shape. Since the airtight unit main body 13a needs to allow the subject image to pass from the front end side to the rear end side, the front end side and the rear end side need to be hermetically sealed by a member through which a light beam can pass.

A glass frame 17 is externally fitted to the front end side of the airtight unit body 13a, and is airtightly joined by brazing, welding, bonding, screw fastening using a metal seal, or the like. A high heat-resistant cover glass 15 made of sapphire glass or the like is fitted to the front end of the glass frame 17.
Airtightly joined by brazing. Similarly to the front end side, the glass frame 18 and the cover glass 16 are hermetically joined on the rear end side of the airtight unit main body 13a.
Thus, the front end side and the rear terminal side of the airtight unit main body 13a are airtightly sealed, and the airtight unit 13 is configured.

In this specification, hermetic sealing refers to hermetically sealing with a member having resistance to autoclave sterilization by high-temperature and high-pressure steam as described above.

O-rings 19 and 20 maintain watertightness between the airtight unit 13 and the TV camera adapter body 9.

The structure of a focus adjusting mechanism for adjusting the focus by moving the airtight unit 13 in the optical axis direction will be described.

A cam pin 22 for moving the airtight unit 13 in the optical axis direction is fixed to the airtight unit 13. This pin 2 is attached to the TV camera adapter body 9.
A cam groove 21 is formed to guide 2 in the longitudinal direction, and a cam pin 22 penetrates the cam groove 21 and protrudes outside the TV camera adapter body 9. On the outer periphery of the TV camera adapter 9, a focus ring 23 that can rotate around the outer periphery of the TV camera adapter 9 is provided. The focus ring 23 is attached to the TV camera adapter main body 9.
The stopper 27 fixed to the outer periphery of the TV camera adapter 9 and the step 28 formed on the TV camera adapter main body 9 prevent movement to the front end side and the rear end side, so that it cannot move in the longitudinal direction. On the inner surface of the focus ring 23, there is formed a long hole 24 which is elongated in the optical axis direction and is large enough to fit the cam pin 22. The cam pin 22 is fitted in the long hole 24. Therefore, when the focus ring 23 is rotated, the cam pin 22 is guided and moved by the cam groove 21, and the airtight unit 13 is moved in the longitudinal direction while rotating, so that the focus of the focus lens 14 can be adjusted. It has a configuration. According to this focus adjustment mechanism, since the movable member penetrating the inside and outside of the airtight unit 13 is unnecessary, the inside of the airtight unit 13 is completely sealed.

O-rings 25 and 26 are provided on the inner periphery of the focus ring 23 on the front end side and the rear end side, respectively.
The focus ring 23 and the TV camera adapter body 9
The watertightness is maintained between.

The configuration of the TV camera head 3 will be described with reference to FIGS.

A TV camera head main body 101, which is a frame of the TV camera head 3, is screwed to a metal-made, substantially cylindrical TV camera head rear main body 101a, and to a distal end of the TV camera head rear main body 101a. And a substantially cylindrical TV camera head front side main body 101b.

An exterior cover 123 is externally fitted to the rear end of the TV camera head front side main body 101b.
Reference numeral 23 covers the outer circumference of the rear end side of the TV camera head front side main body 101b and the entire outer circumference of the TV camera head rear side main body 101a. The fitting portion between the TV camera head front side main body 101b and the outer cover 123 is kept watertight by an O-ring.

A screw portion 105 for screwing with the screw portion 11 of the TV camera adapter 2 is formed on the outer periphery of the TV camera head front side main body 101b. Thereby, the TV camera adapter 2 and the TV camera head 3 are fixed. When the TV camera adapter main body 9 and the TV camera head main body 101 are screwed together, a frame of the endoscope imaging apparatus 1 is configured.

Inside the TV camera head main body 101,
Hermetic unit 1 for hermetically sealing CCD 109 and the like
07 are accommodated. Inside the airtight unit 107, an optical filter group 108 and a flexible substrate 110 are housed in addition to the CCD 109.

A hermetic sealing structure for hermetically sealing the inside of the hermetic unit 107 will be described.

A glass frame 113 is fitted to the front end side of the airtight unit main body 107a, which is the main body of the airtight unit 107, and a cover glass 112 is fitted to the glass frame 113. The joining of the glass frame 113 and the cover glass 112 to the hermetic unit main body 107 is performed in the same manner as in the case of the hermetic sealing structure of the hermetic unit 13 in the TV camera adapter 2 described above, whereby the front end side of the hermetic unit main body 107a is airtight. Hermetically sealed.

A lid 114 is fitted on the rear end side of the airtight unit main body 107a to cover the entire rear end side. Lid 11
4 and the airtight unit main body 107a
3 are hermetically sealed in the same manner as in the case of joining, whereby the rear end side of the hermetic unit 107a is hermetically sealed.

As described above, the front end side and the rear end side of the hermetic unit main body 107a are hermetically sealed to form the hermetic unit 107.

An electric contact pin 115 for outputting an electric signal from the CCD 109 to the outside of the airtight unit 107 passes through the cover 114. Electrical contact pin 11
The gap between 5 and lid 114 is hermetically sealed by filling with glass material 300. This electrical contact pin 115
Is connected to the flexible substrate 110 inside the airtight unit 111. Outside the lid 114,
The substrate 117 is fixed with the spacer 118 interposed therebetween.
The electrical contact pins 115 are connected to the board 117, and a cable group 116 extends from the board 117 to the rear end side. The cable group 116 further extends from the rear end side of the TV camera head 3 to constitute the signal cable 6.

The substrate 117 has a circular portion fixed outside the lid 114 with a spacer 118 interposed therebetween,
For example, a rectangular portion extending from the circular portion to the upper side in a rectangular shape is formed. The rectangular portion of the substrate 117 projects out of the notch 119 provided in the TV camera head rear side main body 101a to the outside of the TV camera head rear side main body 101a, curves toward the front end side, and has an outer periphery of the TV camera head rear side main body 101a. It is fixed along a plane portion 120 provided on the upper side of the surface. This substrate 11
The switches 121 and 122 and the wiring patterns required for the switches 121 and 122 are formed in the rectangular portion 7. Button portions 124, 125 are provided on the exterior cover 123 in accordance with the positions of these switches 121, 122.
Is provided. These buttons 124 and 125 are
Each of the rubber covers 126 is fastened and fixed with a fixing ring 127, and a switch pin 128 is placed in the rubber cover 126.
It has a structure having. These switches 121, 1
The signal from 22 is transmitted to the signal processing device 7 via the signal cable, and is used to give an instruction for recording an image, an instruction for various screen settings, and the like.

The configuration of an eccentricity adjusting mechanism for fixing the airtight unit 107 in an eccentric direction, that is, a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, will be described.

On the outer periphery of the hermetic unit main body 107, two pairs, that is, four flat portions 12 are formed as a pair of two flat portions 129 facing each other around the optical axis in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis.
9 are formed. In the example of FIG. 4, a pair of flat portions 129 is formed above and below the plane of the paper, and a pair of flat portions 129 are formed on the left and right.

V-shaped grooves 130 each having a V-shape in a plane including the optical axis are formed in two pairs of opposed flat portions 129. Of the two pairs of opposing V-grooves 130, one V-groove formed, for example, upward in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis.
The groove 130 is used as an index for identifying an upward direction, for example, by forming a length in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis shorter than the other V grooves 130.

A screw groove is formed at each position of the rear body 101a of the TV camera head corresponding to the positions of the two pairs of V grooves 130 facing each other, and a pointed adjusting screw 131 is provided.
Are screwed into these screw grooves, penetrate from the outer periphery to the inner periphery of the TV camera head rear side main body 101a, and protrude inside the TV camera head rear side main body 101a. The V-groove 130 is in contact with the front end side slope. Two pairs of adjusting screws 13 facing each other
By holding the airtight unit 107 by 1
The position of the airtight unit 107 in the eccentric direction is fixed.

On the front end side of the V-groove 130 of the hermetic unit main body 107a, a step is formed in which the outer diameter of the hermetic unit main body 107a is small, and the step is formed at the front end side of the hermetic unit main body 107a. T to be described later
A contact surface 132 that contacts the contact surface 133 of the rear body 101a of the V camera head is formed. This contact surface 13
2, a step is formed in which the inner surface of the TV camera head rear side main body 101a has a smaller diameter toward the front end side, and the inner surface of the TV camera head rear side main body 101a is formed at this step. A contact surface 133 that contacts the contact surface 132 is formed facing the rear end side. The abutment surfaces 132 and 133 allow the airtight unit 10
7 is prevented from moving to the front end side. Adjustment screw 13
When the screw 1 is tightened, the adjustment screw 131 is
Since the airtight unit main body 107a is pressed against the front end side because it is in contact with the slope on the front end side of the zero, the airtight unit main body 107a is sandwiched between the adjustment screw 131 and the abutting surface 133. Thereby, the position of the airtight unit 107 in the optical axis direction is fixed.

The contact surfaces 132 and 133 are formed by surfaces substantially perpendicular to the optical axis, and are configured so that the airtight unit 107 does not tilt with respect to the optical axis even when the airtight unit 107 is moved in an eccentric direction. Have been.

An inward flange 103 is formed on the distal end surface of the front body 101b of the TV camera head. This inward flange 103 covers a part of the front end surface of the airtight unit 107. An O-ring 104 is provided between the rear end face of the inward flange 103 and the airtight unit 107, and watertightness is maintained even when the airtight unit 107 moves in an eccentric direction.

Between the inner periphery of the TV camera head main body 101 and the outer periphery of the hermetic unit 107, the hermetic unit 107 is provided.
There is a moving space 134 that can move in the eccentric direction, and the eccentricity can be adjusted in the range of the moving space 134.

The vicinity of the front end of the airtight unit 107 and the V
O-rings 10 are provided on the outer periphery of the groove 130 on the slightly rear end side.
6 is provided to maintain watertightness in the moving space 134.

By the way, two pairs of the adjusting screws 1 opposed to each other
Reference numeral 31 denotes a pair of adjustment screws 131 facing each other around the optical axis in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis, and includes two sets of adjustment screws 131. Here, for convenience, one set is called a first set, and the other set is called a second set. Also, on a plane perpendicular to the optical axis, a direction connecting the first set of two screws 131 is referred to as a first direction, and a direction connecting the second set of two screws 131 is referred to as a second direction. Call.

The adjusting screw 131 is disposed so that the first direction and the second direction are orthogonal to each other. Therefore, if the two adjustment screws 131 of the first set are loosened to the extent that the gap with the airtight unit 107 is not opened, one of the two adjustment screws 131 of the second set is loosened. By tightening the other adjustment screw 131, the airtight unit 10
7 can be moved in the second direction. Similarly, the airtight unit 107 can be moved in the first direction. As described above, the adjusting screw 131 and the V groove 13
The airtight unit 107 can be fixed to the TV camera head main body 101 so that the position can be adjusted in the eccentric direction by an eccentricity adjusting mechanism constituted by 0 or the like.

The configuration of the first embodiment described above has the following features.

TV camera head 2 having a built-in focusing lens 14 for converging a subject image emitted from endoscope 4
And a T with a built-in CCD 109 serving as an image pickup device for picking up a subject image converged by the focus lens 14.
The imaging apparatus 1 for an endoscope according to the present embodiment including the V camera head 3 includes the CCD 109 and the focusing lens 1.
4 are hermetically sealed in two airtight units 13 and 107, respectively, and one airtight unit 107 is eccentric to a TV camera head main body 101 which is a frame of the endoscope imaging apparatus 1, that is, perpendicular to the optical axis. It is fixed so that the position can be adjusted in various directions.

The CCD 109 and the optical filter 108, which are image pickup devices, are hermetically sealed in the same hermetic unit 107.

An eccentricity adjusting mechanism is provided in an airtight unit 107 for hermetically sealing the CCD 109 serving as an image sensor.

The first is disposed near the front end of the airtight unit 107 to maintain watertightness between the airtight unit 107 and the TV camera head main body 101 which is a frame of the TV camera head 3.
O-ring 106, which is a seal member, and the airtight unit 107 and the frame body of the TV camera head 3, which are disposed on the rear end side of the first seal member with respect to the eccentricity adjustment mechanism. An O-ring 135 for preventing backlash with a certain TV camera head main body 101.

An inward flange 103 formed at the front end of the TV camera head main body 101 and covering a part of the front end surface of the airtight unit 107; a rear end surface of the inward flange 107 and a front end surface of the airtight unit 107. O-ring 104 as a third seal member disposed in the gap
And

An airtight unit 107 in which two pairs of flat portions 129 facing each other around the optical axis in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis are formed on the outer periphery, V-shaped V-groove 13 in section including axis
0 and the front end of the TV camera head main body 1 with its tapered tip contacting the front slope of the V-groove 130 respectively.
An adjusting screw 131 for fixing the airtight unit 107 to the eccentric direction so as to adjust the position with respect to the airtight unit 107;
The TV camera unit main body 101 and the airtightness for preventing the airtight unit pressed against the front end side by the force of the component in the optical axis direction of the force for tightening the slope on the front end side of the V-groove 130 to move to the front end side; Unit 1
07, the contact surfaces 132 and 133 formed respectively.

(Operation) First, the light source device 5 is connected to the endoscope 4 via the light guide cable 5a to illuminate the subject. The subject is observed by performing a known operation on the endoscope 4 to obtain a subject image.

The TV camera adapter 2 and the TV camera head 3 are screwed together by screwing portions 11 and 105 to assemble the endoscope imaging device 1, and the endoscope imaging device 1 is mounted on the endoscope 4 by the mounting portion 10. Attach by.

The signal cable 6 is connected to the signal processing device 7, the signal processing device 7 is connected to the TV monitor 8, and these are activated.

The image of the subject obtained by the endoscope 4 is converged by the focusing lens 14 in the TV camera adapter 2 and forms an image on the light receiving surface of the CCD 109 in the TV camera head 3. The CCD 109 converts an optical image of a subject into an electric signal, and the electric signal is transmitted to a signal processing device 7 via a signal cable 6, and the signal processing device 7 converts the electric signal into a displayable video signal. Upon receiving the video signal, the monitor 8 displays the video of the subject.

Here, when the image displayed on the monitor 8 is out of focus, the focus ring 23 is rotated to perform focus adjustment. When the focus ring 23 is rotated, the cam pin 22 fitted in the groove 24 of the focus ring 23 moves while being guided by the cam groove 21, and the airtight unit 13 to which the pin 22 is fixed rotates. The airtight unit 13 moves in the optical axis direction.
The focus lens 14 is moved in the optical axis direction to adjust the focus. As a result, defocus of the image of the subject displayed on the monitor 8 is eliminated.

Here, if there is image eccentricity such as the display position of the image of the subject displayed on the monitor 8 is shifted or the image is missing, the eccentricity of the airtight unit 107 in the TV camera head 3 is adjusted. Next, the adjusting screw 131 constituting the eccentricity adjusting mechanism is adjusted in the following procedure.

First, the two adjustment screws 131 of the first set are loosened so that a gap with the airtight unit 107 hardly remains. Since the first set of adjustment screws 131 has been loosened,
The fixed position of the airtight unit 107 can be moved in the second direction by the set of adjustment screws. Here, the fixing position of the airtight unit 107 in the second direction is adjusted by loosening one of the two adjustment screws 131 and tightening the other of the two adjustment screws 131. At this time, since the first set of adjustment screws 131 is loosened so that there is almost no gap between the first set of adjustment screws 131 and the airtight unit 107, the first set of fixing screws generated in the middle of adjusting the fixed position in the second direction. The displacement is small.

Next, the operation of the first set of adjustment screws 131 and the operation of the second set of adjustment screws 131 are switched to operate the first set of the airtight unit 107.
The fixed position in the direction can be adjusted.

As described above, the operation of adjusting the fixing position of the airtight unit 107 in the first direction and the second direction orthogonal to each other in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis is performed alternately, so that the airtight unit 107 is moved in the eccentric direction. To adjust the fixed position. By the above operation, the image eccentricity of the subject image displayed on the TV monitor 8 is eliminated.

After the focus adjustment and the eccentricity adjustment are performed as described above, if the subject is observed by the endoscope 4, a focused image without image eccentricity is displayed on the monitor 8.

During the observation of the subject, the button sections 124 and 125
When the is pressed, a signal is sent to the signal processing device 7 through the signal cable 6. With this signal, for example, it is possible to cause the image recording apparatus to perform recording, or to instruct setting change of image display.

When the observation of the subject is completed, the endoscope imaging apparatus 1 is subjected to autoclave sterilization in order to keep the endoscope imaging apparatus 1 in a sanitary condition. Focusing lens 14, optical filter 108, CC
A precision member such as D109 is hermetically sealed in the airtight unit 13 and the airtight unit 107, so that it is not damaged or water vapor adheres.

Since the cover glasses 15, 16, and 112, which are glass materials that are not hermetically sealed, are members having high heat resistance, they do not break even when subjected to autoclave sterilization.

Since the outer surface of the cover glass 15 is exposed, the attached water vapor can be easily wiped off. Regarding the water vapor adhering to the outer surfaces of the cover glasses 16 and 112, the TV camera adapter 2 and the TV camera head 3 are removed by the screwing portions 11 and 115, or they are removed before the autoclave sterilization is performed. Since the outer surfaces of the cover glasses 16 and 112 are exposed, water vapor can be easily wiped off.

(Effects) According to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide the endoscope imaging apparatus 1 having resistance to autoclave sterilization and preventing image eccentricity of a subject image.

By providing an eccentricity adjusting mechanism for preventing image eccentricity, image eccentricity of the subject image displayed on the TV monitor 8 and visual field loss can be prevented.

Since it has resistance to autoclave sterilization, it can be easily and inexpensively put into an autoclave sterilizer in a sterilization step after use.

The parts that are not hermetically sealed, that is, the joint part between the TV camera adapter 2 and the TV camera head 3 are detachably formed by screwing this part to expose the cover glasses 16, 112 and the like. The steam that has entered the cover glass 16, 112
It can be easily wiped off even if condensation forms on the outer surface of the device.
Thereby, two airtight units 13 and 107 can be provided while having resistance to autoclave sterilization.

Even in the case where three or more airtight units are provided, a structure having resistance to autoclave sterilization can be similarly obtained.

Since a plurality of hermetic units can be provided like the two hermetic units 13 and 107, the eccentricity adjusting mechanism constituted by the adjusting screw 131 and the like for the hermetic unit 107, which is one of the hermetic units, is provided. Is arranged so that the eccentricity adjustment and the firm fixing of the airtight unit 107 can be performed at the same time, so that the members do not need to have high processing accuracy and can be reduced in cost.

Since the O-rings 106 and 135 are arranged in the moving space of the airtight unit 107, watertightness between the TV camera head main body 101 and the airtight unit 107 is ensured, and the light when the airtight unit 107 is moved. Tilt to the axis is prevented.

Even when the position of the airtight unit 107 in the eccentric direction is adjusted, the angle of the front end face of the airtight unit 107 with respect to the TV camera head 107 is kept constant by the contact surfaces 132 and 133. Inclination with respect to the optical axis is prevented.

Since the inclination of the airtight unit 107 is prevented, the angle between the light receiving surface of the CCD 109 and the optical axis is kept vertical, so that the inclination of the subject image displayed on the TV monitor 8 may occur. Can be prevented, and the occurrence of defocus in a part of the subject image can be prevented.

Even if the fixed position in the eccentric direction of the airtight unit 107 is moved, the O-ring 104 can ensure reliable watertightness in the TV camera head main body 101, so that the endoscope imaging apparatus 1 with high durability is provided. it can.

(Second Embodiment) FIGS. 5 and 6 are used for explaining the present embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a hermetic seal according to the first embodiment for comparison with the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a member configuration in the unit, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a member configuration in the airtight unit according to the present embodiment. The configuration of the parts not described in the present embodiment is the same as the configuration in the first embodiment.

(Construction) As shown in FIG. 5, in the first embodiment, the focus lens 14 is hermetically sealed in the hermetic unit 13 in the TV camera adapter 2, and the optical filter 108 and the CCD 109 are the TV camera. The airtight unit 107 in the head 3 was hermetically sealed. Since the focus lens 14 and the CCD 109 are housed in different airtight units, one of the airtight units, for example, the TV camera head 3 is used by using the eccentricity adjusting mechanism constituted by the adjusting pins and the like described in the first embodiment. Airtight unit 10 inside
The eccentricity was adjusted by adjusting the fixed position in the eccentric direction of No. 7.

As shown in FIG. 6, the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the optical filter 108 is hermetically sealed in the hermetic unit 107 in the TV camera adapter 2.

Even if the hermetic unit for hermetically sealing the optical filter 108 is changed, the eccentricity of the CCD 109 with respect to the focus lens 14 cannot be adjusted because the hermetic units 13 and 107 are different from the focus lens 14 and the CCD 109. , Can be performed by the eccentricity adjusting mechanism as in the first embodiment.

The features specific to the configuration of the present embodiment are as follows.

The focus lens 14 and the optical filter 108 were hermetically sealed in the same hermetic unit 13.

(Operation) The operation is the same as that of the first embodiment.

As in the first embodiment, the airtight units 13, 10 different from the focus lens 14 and the CCD 109 are provided.
7, the eccentricity can be adjusted in the same procedure as in the first embodiment.

(Effect) This is the same as the effect in the first embodiment.

(Third Embodiment) FIGS. 7 and 8 are used for describing the present embodiment, and FIG. 7 is an eccentricity adjusting mechanism according to the first embodiment for comparison with the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view for explaining an arrangement position of the eccentricity adjusting mechanism according to the present embodiment. The configuration of the parts not described in the present embodiment is the same as the configuration in the first embodiment.

(Construction) As shown in FIG. 7, in the first embodiment, the focus lens 14 is hermetically sealed in an airtight unit 13 in the TV camera adapter 2, and the optical filter 10
8 and the CCD 109 are housed in an airtight unit 107 in the TV camera head 3. Focus lens 14 and CCD
Because it is housed in an airtight unit different from 109,
In order to adjust the eccentricity of the CCD 109 with respect to the focus lens 14, an eccentricity adjusting mechanism 206 including an adjustment pin or the like is disposed on one airtight unit 107, and the eccentricity adjusting mechanism 206 fixes the eccentricity of the airtight unit 107 in the eccentric direction. Was adjusted. In FIG. 7 and the subsequent figures, two intersecting arrows indicate that the airtight unit marked with the arrow can adjust the fixed position in the eccentric direction.

As shown in FIG. 8, the first embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the eccentricity adjusting mechanism 206 is provided not in the airtight unit 107 in the TV camera head 3 but in the airtight unit 13 in the TV camera adapter 2. This embodiment is different from the embodiment.

Since the purpose of the eccentricity adjusting mechanism 206 is to adjust the relative fixed position of the airtight unit 13 and the airtight unit 107 in the eccentric direction, the eccentricity adjusting mechanism 206 is eccentric to the airtight unit 107 as in the first embodiment. The adjustment mechanism 206 may be provided, or the eccentricity adjustment mechanism 206 may be provided in the airtight unit 201 as in the present embodiment.

The features specific to the configuration of the present embodiment are as follows.

An eccentricity adjusting mechanism 206 is provided in the hermetic unit 13 for hermetically sealing the focus lens 14.

(Operation) The eccentricity adjusting mechanism 206 disposed on the airtight unit 13 is adjusted in the same manner as the operation on the eccentricity adjusting mechanism 206 disposed on the airtight unit 107 in the first embodiment. By adjusting the fixed position in the eccentric direction, the eccentricity of the focus lens 14 with respect to the CCD 109 is adjusted.

(Effect) This is the same as the effect in the first embodiment.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 9 is a view for explaining the arrangement of an eccentricity adjusting mechanism according to the present embodiment. The configuration of the parts not described in the present embodiment is the same as the configuration in the first embodiment.

(Structure) As shown in FIG. 9, the eccentricity adjusting mechanism 206 composed of an adjusting pin and the like is provided in both the airtight unit 13 in the TV camera adapter and the airtight unit 107 in the TV camera head. .

In the first to third embodiments, the eccentricity adjusting mechanism 206 is provided in one airtight unit. However, in the present embodiment, the eccentricity adjusting mechanism 206 is connected to both airtight units 13. 107 is different. In the present embodiment, any of the two eccentricity adjusting mechanisms 206 can be used for performing eccentricity adjustment.

The features specific to the configuration of the present embodiment are as follows.

An eccentricity adjusting mechanism 206 is provided in both the hermetic unit 13 for hermetically sealing the focus lens 14 and the hermetic unit 107 for hermetically sealing the CCD 109 as an image pickup device. (Operation) By operating the two eccentricity adjusting means 206, the fixed positions of the airtight units 13 and 107 on the plane perpendicular to the optical axis are adjusted, and the lens 203 and the C
The eccentricity with the CD 205 is adjusted. Each eccentricity adjusting means 206
Is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

(Effects) In addition to the same effects as in the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

Since the eccentricity adjustment of the focus lens 14 and the CCD 109 can be mutually performed, the eccentricity adjustment can be performed even if the processing accuracy of the parts is lower than in the first embodiment.

Further, as compared with the case where the eccentricity adjusting mechanism 206 is provided at one position, the adjustment range in which the eccentricity can be adjusted is larger.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in the first to fourth embodiments, but can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the invention. is there.

The members hermetically sealed by the airtight unit incorporated in the imaging device for an endoscope according to the present invention are not limited to the focus lens, the optical filter, and the CCD, but may include other members.

The number of airtight units incorporated in the imaging device for an endoscope according to the present invention is not limited to two, and three or more airtight units may be provided.

In the imaging device for an endoscope according to the present invention, the number of airtight units provided with the eccentricity adjusting mechanism is not limited to one as described in the first to third embodiments. There may be two cases as described in the fourth embodiment. Further, when the endoscope imaging apparatus includes three or more airtight units, it is within the scope of the present invention to provide an eccentricity adjustment mechanism in three or more airtight units.

[Supplementary Notes] (1) A TV camera adapter with a built-in focus lens for converging the subject image emitted from the endoscope, and an image sensor for picking up the subject image converged by the focus lens An imaging device for an endoscope including a built-in TV camera head, wherein the imaging element and the focus lens are hermetically sealed in at least two hermetic units, and at least one of these hermetic units is hermetically sealed. An endoscope imaging apparatus characterized in that is fixed to a frame of the endoscope imaging apparatus such that its position can be adjusted in an eccentric direction, that is, in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

(2) The endoscope imaging apparatus according to (1), wherein the imaging element and the optical filter are hermetically sealed in the same airtight unit.

(3) The endoscope imaging apparatus according to (1), wherein the focus lens and the optical filter are hermetically sealed in the same hermetic unit.

(4) The airtight unit for hermetically sealing the image sensor is provided with an eccentricity adjusting mechanism (1).
The imaging device for an endoscope according to the above.

(5) An endoscope imaging apparatus according to (1), wherein an eccentricity adjusting mechanism is provided in an airtight unit for hermetically sealing the focus lens.

(6) An endoscope imaging apparatus according to (1), wherein both the airtight unit for hermetically sealing the focus lens and the airtight unit for hermetically sealing the image pickup device are provided with an eccentricity adjusting mechanism. .

(7) A first seal member disposed near the front end of the airtight unit to maintain watertightness between the airtight unit and the frame of the TV camera head, and eccentricity adjustment with respect to the first seal member. 2. The endoscope imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second seal member disposed on a rear end side of the position where the mechanism is disposed.

(8) An inward flange formed at the tip of the frame of the TV camera head and covering a part of the front end surface of the airtight unit, and is disposed in a gap between the inward flange and the airtight unit. The imaging device for an endoscope according to (7), further comprising: a third seal member.

(9) An airtight unit in which two pairs of flat portions facing each other around the optical axis in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis are formed on the outer periphery, and grooves formed in the flat portions, respectively. In the cross section including the axis, the V-shaped V-groove and the tapered tip contact the slope on the front end side of the V-groove, respectively, so that the airtight unit is eccentric with respect to the frame of the TV camera head. An adjusting screw fixed so that the position can be adjusted, and moving the airtight unit, which is pressed against the front end side by a force of an optical axis component of a force for tightening a slope on the front end side of the V-groove, to the front end side. The T to block
The imaging device for an endoscope according to (1), further comprising a frame body of the V camera unit and a contact surface formed on the airtight unit.

(Prior Art According to Supplementary Notes (7) to (8))
In an endoscope provided with a fixed position adjusting mechanism for adjusting a fixed position of an image pickup device or an optical system incorporated in the endoscope imaging device with respect to the frame of the endoscope imaging device, As a conventional technique for maintaining watertightness, for example,
No. 632172 proposes a configuration in which a portion of a frame provided with a fixed position adjusting mechanism is kept watertight by an O-ring, and a lens cover made of sapphire glass or the like is provided near a frame surface crossing the optical axis. ing.

(Problems to be Solved by the Inventions According to Supplementary Notes (7) to (8)) With the configuration proposed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2632172, watertightness inside the frame can be maintained.
When resistance to autoclave sterilization is required, the movable portion of the fixed position adjusting mechanism is not sufficiently hermetically sealed, so that it may not be possible to maintain airtightness with respect to an image sensor, an optical system, and the like.

Therefore, in order to make the imaging device or the optical system resistant to autoclave sterilization, a cover glass having high heat resistance such as sapphire glass is brazed to a metal frame separately from the watertight structure provided in the frame. In the case where the airtight unit configured as described above is provided inside the frame, the image sensor and the optical system are stored inside the airtight unit, and the position of the airtight unit is to be fixed to the frame so as to be adjustable, Both the watertight structure of the body and the hermetic sealing structure of the hermetic unit have a cover glass such as sapphire glass, resulting in an increase in component costs and assembly costs.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has been described in the above (1), which has an inexpensive watertight structure for maintaining watertightness inside the frame of the endoscope imaging apparatus. An imaging device for an endoscope is provided.

(Means for Solving the Problems According to Supplementary Notes (7) to (8)) In the imaging device for an endoscope according to supplementary note (1), the airtight unit is disposed near the front end of the airtight unit. A first seal member for maintaining watertightness between the frame of the TV camera head and a second seal member disposed on the rear end side of the first seal member with respect to the eccentricity adjustment mechanism.
A sealing member, an inward flange formed at the front end portion of the frame of the TV camera head and having a shape covering a part of the front end surface of the airtight unit, and disposed in a gap between the inward flange and the airtight unit. By providing the third seal member, the watertight structure for maintaining the watertightness inside the frame of the endoscope imaging device is configured at low cost.

(Effects of Supplementary Notes (7) to (8)) In the imaging device for an endoscope according to supplementary note (1), the airtight unit is disposed near the front end of the airtight unit and a frame of the TV camera head. A first sealing member for maintaining watertightness between
A second seal member disposed on the rear end side with respect to the first seal member at a position where the eccentricity adjustment mechanism is disposed;
An inward flange formed at the distal end of the frame of the V camera head and covering a part of the front end surface of the airtight unit; and a third seal member disposed in a gap between the inward flange and the airtight unit. The watertight structure for maintaining the watertightness inside the frame of the endoscope imaging apparatus can be configured at low cost.

(Conventional technology according to appendix (9)) As a conventional technology which can be used to constitute an eccentricity adjusting mechanism for fixing an image pickup device, an optical system, and the like in an eccentric direction so as to be adjustable, for example, Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. No. 65365 proposes an eccentricity adjusting mechanism that fixes an image sensor or the like so that the position of the image sensor or the like can be adjusted in the eccentric direction by two pairs of adjustment screws sandwiched from the eccentric direction.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention According to the Supplementary Note (9)) If the eccentricity adjusting mechanism according to Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 3-65365 is applied and used as the eccentricity adjusting mechanism for the airtight unit in the supplementary note (1), an adjustment screw is required. Although the airtight unit is firmly fixed in the eccentric direction by tightening,
Since the adjusting screw is only fixed by friction with the end face of the adjusting screw in the optical axis direction, the adjusting screw may move in the optical axis direction due to an impact or the like. Further, there is a possibility that the image sensor and the optical system hermetically sealed in the hermetic unit may be inclined with respect to the optical axis.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has a structure in which an airtight unit is firmly fixed so that its position can be adjusted in an eccentric direction, and the airtight unit is firmly fixed in an optical axis direction. Further, the present invention provides an imaging device for an endoscope according to (1), further comprising an eccentricity adjusting mechanism capable of preventing the airtight unit from being inclined with respect to an optical axis.

(Means for Solving the Problem According to Supplementary Note (9)) In the imaging device for an endoscope described in Supplementary Note (1), two pairs of opposing optical axes are provided in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. An airtight unit having a flat portion formed on the outer periphery, a V-shaped groove formed in the cross-section including the optical axis, and a V-shaped groove formed in the flat portion, and a tapered V-shaped tip;
An adjusting screw that abuts against a slope on the front end side of the groove to fix the airtight unit to the frame of the TV camera head so that the position of the airtight unit can be adjusted in an eccentric direction; Abutment surfaces respectively formed on the TV camera unit frame and the airtight unit for preventing the airtight unit pressed toward the front end side by the force of the optical axis direction component of the tightening force from moving to the front end side; An eccentricity adjusting mechanism capable of firmly fixing the airtight unit so that the position of the airtight unit can be adjusted in the eccentric direction, and firmly fixing the airtight unit in the optical axis direction, and preventing inclination of the airtight unit with respect to the optical axis. Prepare.

(Effect of Supplementary Note (9)) In the imaging device for an endoscope according to Supplementary Note (1), two pairs of flat portions opposing the optical axis in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis are formed on the outer periphery. An airtight unit, a groove formed in the plane portion, a V-shaped groove in a cross section including the optical axis, and a tapered front end having a slope on the front end side of the V-groove. And an adjusting screw for abutting against the TV camera head frame so as to adjust the position of the airtight unit in the eccentric direction in an eccentric direction, and an optical axis direction in which the adjusting screw tightens a slope on the front end side of the V groove. By providing a frame body of the TV camera unit for preventing the airtight unit pressed toward the front end side by the force of the component from moving toward the front end side, and a contact surface formed on the airtight unit, Airtight unit Located adjustably firmly fixed to the center direction, and the air-tight unit firmly fixed in the optical axis direction, it is possible and provided with an eccentric adjustment mechanism to tilt with respect to the optical axis of the airtight unit can be prevented.

[0133]

According to the present invention, a TV camera adapter having a built-in focus lens for converging a subject image emitted from an endoscope,
A TV camera head having a built-in image pickup device for picking up an image of a subject converged by the focus lens, wherein the image pickup device and the focus lens are provided in at least two airtight units. By hermetically sealing, by fixing at least one of these airtight units so that the position can be adjusted in the eccentric direction, that is, the direction perpendicular to the optical axis, with respect to the frame of the endoscope imaging apparatus, It is possible to prevent image eccentricity of a subject image while having resistance to autoclave sterilization.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1 to 4 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration in which an imaging device for an endoscope and other devices are connected.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a TV camera adapter.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a TV camera head.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 relate to a description of a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 shows an inside of an airtight unit according to the first embodiment for comparison with the second embodiment. Conceptual diagram for explaining the structure of a member to be hermetically sealed

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a member configuration airtightly sealed in an airtight unit according to a second embodiment.

FIGS. 7 and 8 relate to a description of a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 shows an eccentricity adjusting mechanism according to the first embodiment for comparison with the third embodiment. Conceptual diagram explaining the location

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an arrangement location of an eccentricity adjusting mechanism according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an arrangement position of an eccentricity adjusting mechanism according to a fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope imaging device 2 ... TV camera adapter 3 ... TV camera head 4 ... Endoscope 6 ... Signal cable 7 ... Signal processing device 8 ... TV monitor 9 ... TV camera adapter main body 11 ... Screw part 13 ... Airtight Unit 14 Focus lens 15 Lens cover 16 Lens cover 19 O-ring 25 O-ring 26 O-ring 21 Cam groove (focus adjustment mechanism) 22 Cam pin (focus adjustment mechanism) 23 Focus ring (focus adjustment mechanism) 101: TV camera head main body 101a: TV camera head rear side main body 101b: TV camera head front side main body 103: inward flange 104: O-ring 105: screwing portion 106: O-ring 135: O-ring 107: focal lens Reference numeral 108: Optical filter 109: CCD 112: Lens cover 129: Flat portion 130: V (Eccentricity adjustment mechanism) 131 ... adjustment screw (eccentricity adjustment mechanism) 132 ... contact surface 133 ... contact surface

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A TV camera adapter having a built-in focus lens for converging a subject image emitted from an endoscope, and a TV camera having a built-in image sensor for picking up a subject image converged by the focus lens. A head, an imaging device for an endoscope comprising: the image sensor and the focusing lens hermetically sealed in at least two hermetic units;
At least one of the airtight units is fixed to the frame of the imaging device for an endoscope so that the position thereof can be adjusted in an eccentric direction, that is, in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. Imaging device.