JPS63136015A - Endoscope device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate observing and diagnosing operation by shielding the outer periphery of a projection part by a light shield part except the projection end surface of an illumination light projection part projected from an observation window in an observing direction. CONSTITUTION:The connector 11 of the light guide cable 4 of an endoscope 3 is mounted on a light source unit 5, an insertion part 2 is inserted into the body cavity from the oral cavity, etc., and the tip surface of the insertion part 2 is set nearby an organization to be observed. In this state, the surface of the organization 27 is irradiated with illumination light and observed by using the image pickup means consisting of a lens 19 and a solid-state image pickup element 21. The observation can be made as well as a normal endoscope in the presence of white lighting obtained by cutting infrared rays of illumination light from an illumination lamp 12 by a visible light transmission filter 15. When the state under the organization is observed, on the other hand, the tip surfaces of a projecting external cylinder 25 is pressed against the surface of the organization 27 to bring the surface of the organization 27 into contact with the surface of a lens 14. Consequently, the observation can be made while reflected light is prevented from being incident.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an endoscope device having a protruding illumination light emitting portion whose side outer periphery is shielded from light.

[Prior Art] In recent years, endoscopes have become widely used, allowing them to observe the inside of a body cavity without requiring an incision and to perform therapeutic procedures using treatment instruments by inserting an elongated insertion section. became.

Conventional endoscopic observation is performed by irradiating light emitted from a light guide at the tip of the endoscope onto the observation site within the living body, forming an image of the reflected light with a lens, and using an image transmission means. was.

In addition, not only visible light but also infrared light, ultraviolet light, and the like have been used as the illumination light.

In particular, infrared light is often used to observe the state of submucosal US and blood vessels in living organisms because it has excellent penetration characteristics within living organisms. However, even though infrared light has good transmission characteristics into living tissue, compared to a photometer that transmits into the tissue, a large proportion of the light is reflected from the tissue surface, so conventional illumination methods However, only surface information such as surface irregularities and differences in color tone could be obtained. Even if the state of blood vessel running beneath the surface could be identified, it was very unclear and not at a level that could be used for practical diagnosis.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Conventional observation of the subsurface of a tissue of a living body involves only a lot of light reflected from the surface, and almost no subsurface information of the tissue can be obtained. Therefore, it has been easy to observe cancers that have changed shape or color on the tissue surface using conventional methods, but early stage cancers that do not appear on the surface or submucosal l!
! There was a problem in that it was difficult to detect tumors.

In addition, the device disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application No. 58-1687114 has the front part of the output end of the illumination light guide protruding to prevent the observation window from coming into close contact with the inner wall of the body cavity and blocking the view. However, it is possible to illuminate a wide range, but it does not solve the above problems. Further, since the protruding portion is transparent, even if it is pressed against the inner wall surface of the body cavity, it is difficult to completely prevent the light emitted from the side peripheral side from being reflected on the body cavity surface. In addition, since the protrusion has a curved surface, it is difficult to make the entire protrusion come into close contact with the protrusion. In addition, even if it were possible to emit light to the body cavity, normal illumination light is assumed, which would greatly reduce the amount of light inside the body cavity, and it would be impossible to observe deep inside the tissue surface due to observation using visible light. Can not.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and is an endoscope device that allows illumination light to pass through the tissue and prevent reflection on the tissue surface, thereby making it possible to easily observe and diagnose the tissue below the surface. The purpose is to provide

[Means and effects for solving the problem] In the present invention, the light guide exit end face is provided at a position that projects beyond the observation lens surface at the distal end of the insertion section, and the light guide exit end face is covered with an optical light shielding member except for the light guide exit end face. This output end face is brought into close contact with the tissue surface, so that the illumination light can be efficiently emitted into the tissue to enable observation of the interior of the tissue.

[Example] Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 4 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention.
The figure shows an enlarged view of the distal end side of the first embodiment, and FIG.
The entire embodiment is shown, with FIG. 3 showing a filter interposed in the illumination optical path, and FIG. 4 showing an example of a usage state.

As shown in FIG. 2, the endoscope apparatus 1 of the first embodiment (first embodiment) has an endoscope 1!3 having an insertion section 2 shaped like a cylindrical shape so that it can be inserted into a body cavity, and a The light guide cable 4 includes a light source device 5 that supplies illumination light to the light guide cable 4 , and a television monitor 6 that displays a captured image from an electrical signal captured by the endoscope 3 .

In the above-mentioned endoscope &J13, a light guide fiber (bundle) 8 is inserted into the elongated insertion part 2, and this light guide fiber 8 is a replaceable light guide cable protruding from a large diameter or large operating part 9. 4, and by attaching the connector 11 provided at the end of the light guide cable 4 to (the connector holder of) the light source device R15, the end (incident end surface) of this connector 11 contains infrared light. The illumination light from the illumination lamp 12 that emits light in a wavelength range is irradiated.

The illumination light irradiated onto the input end surface of the light guide fiber 8 passes through the light guide cable 4 and the light guide fiber 8 inside the insertion section 2, and then passes through the end surface of the distal illumination section 13 protruding from the distal end of the insertion section 2, that is, the output end surface. is emitted from
This emitted light is diffused by an illumination lens 14 formed of a concave lens shade so that it can be irradiated in front of the lens 14. Note that the illumination light from the illumination lamp 13 is filtered by a visible light transmission filter 15 that can be freely inserted into the optical path between the lamp 13 and the input end of the light guide fiber 8, so that infrared light is cut and only visible light is transmitted. Illumination or infrared light transmission filter 1
6 can be interposed to block visible light and illuminate only with infrared light.

Incidentally, these filters 15 and 16 are formed, for example, in a fan-shaped portion of a rotary filter 17 as shown in FIG.
It can be arranged as follows. Note that the reference numeral 318 is a transparent portion, which can be set to allow both infrared and visible light to pass through.

Incidentally, one dynamic image lens is disposed on the distal end surface of the insertion section 2, and the solid-state image sensor 21 is disposed so that the image carrying plane faces the focal plane of this one lens. However,
The optical image formed on this image plane is photoelectrically converted and inserted into the insertion section 2.
The signal is transmitted through a cable 22 that is inserted through the cable 22. This cable 22 is further inserted into the light guide cable 4,
The connector 11 connects to a cable 23 inside the light source device 5 . This cable 23 connects the video processing circuit 24
The video signal is input to the TV monitor 6 as a composite video signal of the NTSC system or the like.

In addition, the solid-state imager 21 has a red color on the front side of its ratio chip.
A filter that passes green, blue, that is, R, G, and B wavelengths, as well as infrared light (IR), that is, R+ IR,
A color filter 25 is provided in which G+ IR and B+ IR filters are arranged in a checkerboard pattern or a mosaic pattern.

Incidentally, the distal end illumination section 13, which is the main part of the first embodiment, has an outer peripheral side surface other than the end surface covered with an outer tube 26 made of a metal duplex or the like that blocks infrared light and visible light. Therefore, illumination light does not leak to the surroundings from this outer peripheral side surface. The outer tube 26 is filled with the distal end side of the light guide fiber 8 inserted through the insertion portion 2 . Furthermore, outside I
The protrusion L caused by n26 is beyond the minimum focal length that can be observed with the lens 19.

An example of the use of the first embodiment configured as described above will be described below.

Connect the connector 11 of the light guide cable 4 of the endoscope 3 to the light source VT device 5, insert the insertion section 2 into the body cavity from the oral cavity, etc., and insert the insertion section 1 as shown in FIG. 1 or 2, for example. 2 is set near the tissue 27 of the vA detection target portion.

In this state, the surface of the tissue 27 can be irradiated with illumination light, and the surface of the tissue 27 can be observed using the image conveying means formed by the lens 19 and the solid-state image conveying element 21. In this case, for example, if the observation is performed under white illumination with the illumination light from the illumination lamp 12 cut off infrared light by the visible light transmitting filter 15 as shown in FIG. This can be done in the same way as with a mirror.

On the other hand, when it is desired to observe the condition under the tissue, the distal end side of the insertion section is brought close to the surface of the tissue 27, and the protruding outer cylinder 25
The distal end surface of the lens 14 is pressed against the inside of the tissue 27 to bring the lens 14 surface into close contact with the surface of the tissue 27 as shown in FIG.

Once this state is set, the filter in the light source device 5 is switched to the infrared light transmitting filter 16, and the inside of the tissue 27 is irradiated with infrared light. Since this infrared light causes less loss in 6 biological tissues 27 than visible light, it can irradiate deeper parts. As shown in FIG. 4, if there is a submucosal tumor 2 days old or a congested blood vessel 29 inside the surface of the tissue 27, the light reflected from that part is reflected by the lens 19 to the JI of the solid-state imaging device 21.
Q can be focused on the G image plane, and the output of this solid-state image carrier 21 can be displayed on the television monitor 6 via the video processing circuit 24. When the output end surfaces of the tip illuminating section 13 are brought into close contact with each other in this manner, the outer peripheral surface of the protruding tip illuminating section 13 other than the tip surface is formed by the outer cylinder 26 formed by the light shielding hole. It is possible to reliably prevent leakage light from being reflected on the surface of the tissue 27 and conveyed as an image without being emitted inward.

Therefore, according to this first embodiment, it is possible to form an image of only the light reflected inside the tissue, which was almost impossible in the conventional example, and it is therefore possible to obtain an extremely clear subsurface image. , a very effective endoscopic device can be realized.

5 and 7 show the arrangement shape of the distal end of an endoscope in a second embodiment of the present invention.

An image carrying lens 19, a forceps channel 32, and a distal end illumination section 13 are arranged at the distal end 31 of the insertion section of the endoscope 3. In this embodiment, with respect to the imaging system using the lens 19 and the solid-state image carrier 21, the distal illumination section 13 is arranged so that the front end illumination section 13 is positioned at one side of the outer periphery of the field of view 33 of the endoscope 3, as shown in FIG. It is arranged at a position away from the center so that a part of the tip illumination section 13 can be seen. In other words, in Figure 5, 8-
When looking at the viewing angle of the image carrier system from the direction of line A', it becomes as shown in FIG. 7, and a part of the tip illumination section 13 falls within the field 61.

The operation of the second embodiment arranged in this way will be explained below.
Ru.

When using the endoscope 1'13 inside the body to observe various parts, the endoscope 3 may be rotated around the axial direction of the insertion section 2, or the curved section formed near the tip of the insertion section 2 may be used. Observations are often made with the object curved.

When such an operation is performed, if there is no marker indicating the position within the field of view 33, it is inconvenient that the direction in which the object is being observed cannot be determined. Since a part of the illumination part 13 is visible in the area away from the center of the peripheral area, it is easy to observe while determining the I direction of the vA sensor.
Diagnosis can be made.

FIG. 8 shows an endoscope 41 in a third embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the protrusion length of the tip illumination section 13 is made variable.

The operating section 42 of the endoscope v141 is provided with an operating lever 43 that can be slid along the upper surface of the operating section, for example, and by moving this operating lever 43, the distal illumination section can be adjusted as shown in FIG. 8(a). 13 can be made to protrude or the protrusion length can be reduced to zero as shown in FIG. 13(b).

The operating lever 43 can move within a channel tube 44 formed in the insertion section 2 as shown in FIG. connected.

The light guide fiber 8 inserted through the channel tube 44 of the insertion section 2 is covered with a highly flexible silicone tube 46 in the operating section 42 . In other words, in the channel inside the insertion section 2, the light guide fiber 8
Is it easy to move ffl? It is coated with a Teflon tube 45 that has a low X resistance and is easy to slide, and is attached to a silicon tube 46 at the bent channel portion of the operation section 42. Incidentally, O-rings 47, 47 are interposed near both ends of the channel 1ν channel cove 44.

In the third embodiment configured in this manner, when performing illumination similar to the conventional one, the operating lever 43 is pulled toward the user's hand, and the amount of protrusion of the tip illumination section 13 is adjusted as shown in FIG. 8(b). Make it zero. On the other hand, when observing and diagnosing the subsurface of the tissue 27, as shown in FIG. 8(a) or FIG. I2 observation is made by closely viewing the front surface of the area to be observed.

In this case, if you want to magnify and observe beneath the tissue surface,
It is sufficient to make the protrusion length of the tip illumination section 13 a little short.On the other hand, if it is desired to observe a wide range, it can be realized by making the protrusion length longer. By changing the protrusion length like this? l! Observations can be made by setting appropriate regulations.

In addition, when inserting the insertion section 2 into a body cavity, the tip illumination section 1
Even if there is a risk of the outer tube 26 hitting the inner wall of the body cavity with the tube 3 protruding, the insertion operation can be performed with the outer tube 26 retracted, thereby ensuring safety.

Note that in this third embodiment, the light guide fiber 8
As the channel through which the light guide fiber 8 is passed, a channel provided exclusively for this light guide fiber 8 may be used, but a normal shield channel may also be used.

In the above-described embodiment, the visible light imaging means is a solid-state unit provided with a color filter 25 under white illumination.
Although the laI&element is used, the present invention is not limited to this, and a monochrome solid-state image carrier with a field sequential illumination method and without the color filter 25 may be used. In this case,
For example, as shown in FIG. 10, in addition to red, green, and blue, infrared light (that is, R+IR, G+IR, and B+IR) is passed through the filter 51R', the filter 51G', and the filter 51.
A rotary filter 51 with B' arranged in a fan shape may be provided between the lamp 12 and the input DI Da surface of the light guide fiber 8, and rotated by a motor (not shown).

The outer cylinder 26 is not limited to a metal light shielding member, and may be made of resin or other non-metallic material as long as it can shield visible light and infrared light. Further, even if the outer cylinder 26 is formed of a light-transmitting member, it may be coated with a light-blocking paint to make it a light-blocking member. Further, the protruding outer cylinder 26 is not limited to a hard one, and may be a flexible one.

Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to side-viewing endoscopes;
It is good because the light guide fiber is inserted into the treatment instrument channel of the side-viewing endoscope so that it can be protruded and retracted.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, an illumination light emitting device is provided on the distal end side of the insertion portion of the endoscope, protruding beyond the surface of the observation window, and whose side outer surface is shielded by a light shielding member. Since the part is installed in place, by bringing it into close contact with the tissue surface, it is possible to prevent light reflected from the tissue surface from entering and to detect the state inside the tissue surface.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIGS. 1 to 4 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention.
The figure is a side view showing the distal end of the insertion section in the first embodiment, Figure 2 is a configuration diagram showing the entire configuration of the first embodiment, Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the filter, and Figure 4 is the state in use. FIG. 5 is a 1'tE plane view showing the distal end surface of the insertion portion in the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the field of view in the second embodiment, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing the field of view of the image carrier system from the direction of line A' in FIG. 5, FIG. 8 is a side view showing the endoscope in the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the movable mechanism of the light guide fiber in FIG. 1... Endoscope device 2... Insertion section 3... Endoscope 4... Light guide cable 5... Light source bag opening 6... Television monitor 8.
...Light guide fiber 13...Tip illumination section 14...Illumination lens 2
1... Imaging lens 21... Solid layer image element 25
...Outer tube 27...Organization Fig. 1 16age hL straightening L filter Fig. 3 Fig. 4 Fig. 8 Procedure Neichi Sho Toku 1 (Voluntary) July 1, 1988

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In an endoscope apparatus that includes an illumination light emitting section that emits illumination light and an observation window that has an imaging lens system, the illumination light that is projected in the observation direction beyond the observation window. An endoscope device characterized in that the outer periphery of the output part other than the output end face of the output part is shielded with a light shielding member. 2. The endoscope device according to claim 1, wherein the light shielding member is a metal, synthetic resin, or paint that shields visible light and infrared light.