JP5238294B2

JP5238294B2 - Endoscope

Info

Publication number: JP5238294B2
Application number: JP2008050150A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 亮北野; 一昭高橋; 孝矢代; 恒喜山本
Original assignee: Fujifilm Corp
Current assignee: Fujifilm Corp
Priority date: 2008-02-29
Filing date: 2008-02-29
Publication date: 2013-07-17
Anticipated expiration: 2028-02-29
Also published as: JP2009201938A

Description

本発明は、挿入部の先端に、撮像光学系、照明光学系および鉗子口を備えた内視鏡に関する。 The present invention relates to an endoscope including an imaging optical system, an illumination optical system, and a forceps port at a distal end of an insertion portion.

内視鏡手技において、鉗子口から鉗子などの処置具を出して作業を行うことがある。内視鏡の先端部の模式図を図９に示す。図９（ａ）に示すように、被検体内に挿入される挿入部５００の先端には、観察窓５０１が配設された撮像光学系５０３と、光照射窓５０５が配設された照明光学系５０７と、鉗子口５０９と、送気送水口５１１が配設されている。図９（ｂ）に示すように、鉗子口５０９から処置具５１３を出して作業するときには、鉗子口５０９から見て照明光学系５０７と反対側に影５１５ができる。この影５１５は、撮像光学系５０３を通して図１０に示すように画面５１７に映り、実質の視野を狭めることになる。 In endoscopic procedures, there are cases where a treatment tool such as a forceps is taken out from a forceps opening. FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram of the distal end portion of the endoscope. As shown in FIG. 9A, an imaging optical system 503 provided with an observation window 501 and illumination optics provided with a light irradiation window 505 at the distal end of an insertion portion 500 to be inserted into a subject. A system 507, a forceps port 509, and an air / water supply port 511 are provided. As shown in FIG. 9B, when working with the treatment tool 513 taken out from the forceps opening 509, a shadow 515 is formed on the side opposite to the illumination optical system 507 when viewed from the forceps opening 509. The shadow 515 is reflected on the screen 517 as shown in FIG. 10 through the imaging optical system 503, and the substantial visual field is narrowed.

このような不具合を解消しようとしたものに、例えば、特許文献１に開示される内視鏡がある。この内視鏡は、挿入部先端にレンズ群とプリズムを配設してなる前方斜視型の観察光学系と、挿入部先端に設けられた複数の照明光学系とを備えた内視鏡において、複数の照明光学系のうち、少なくとも２つの照明光学系の出射方向を異なる向きで配置することで、観察する範囲を均一に陰なく照明できるようになされている。 For example, there is an endoscope disclosed in Patent Document 1 in order to solve such a problem. The endoscope includes a front perspective observation optical system in which a lens group and a prism are disposed at the distal end of the insertion portion, and a plurality of illumination optical systems provided at the distal end of the insertion portion. By arranging the emission directions of at least two of the plurality of illumination optical systems in different directions, the observation range can be illuminated uniformly and without shadows.

また、特許文献２に開示される内視鏡装置は、被検体を照明する照明光学系と、照明された被検体の画像を形成する観察光学系とを備える内視鏡装置において、観察光学系の視野角を変化させるズーム機構と、ズーム機構による観察光学系の視野角の変化に連動して照明光学系の配光特性を変化させる配光特性変化手段とを備えることで、観察系の視野角の変化に応じて照明系の配光特性を変化させ、広角時にも望遠時にも最適な配光特性を得るようになされている。
特開平８−２４８３２９号公報特開平１０−２３９７４０号公報特開平４−８３４５号公報 In addition, an endoscope apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2 is an endoscope optical apparatus that includes an illumination optical system that illuminates a subject and an observation optical system that forms an image of the illuminated subject. And a light distribution characteristic changing means for changing the light distribution characteristic of the illumination optical system in conjunction with a change in the viewing angle of the observation optical system by the zoom mechanism. The light distribution characteristic of the illumination system is changed in accordance with the change of the angle so as to obtain the optimum light distribution characteristic at both wide angle and telephoto.
JP-A-8-248329 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-239740 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-8345

特許文献１に開示される内視鏡のように、２眼以上の照明光学系を備えて、その向きをコントロールすれば、陰を消すことは原理的に可能であるが、複数の照明光学系を備えなければならず、挿入部が大径化する新たな問題を招請する。内視鏡は、これからさらなる細径化、小型化が予想されており、一眼のみの照明光学系が適用され続ける可能性が高い。しかしながら、一眼のみの照明光学系を備える内視鏡では、影が顕著に観測されてしまう。このため、照明レンズを必要とする照明光学系を増設せずに鉗子の影を消すことのできる照明系の開発要請があった。
また、特許文献２に開示される内視鏡装置では、観察系の視野角の変化に応じて照明系の配光特性を変化させることで、広角時にも望遠時にも最適な配光特性を得ることはできるが、同一位置の照明光学系の配光特性をどのように変化させても、相対的な位置関係に起因して問題の生じている処置具の影は消すことができない。
そこで、影が生じる部位に向けて別途に補助照明手段から照明光を供給する特許文献３に記載のような構成が考えられる。しかし、図１１（ａ）に示すように、単に補助照明手段５１９を増設したのでは、この補助照明手段５１９に照明レンズ等の各光学部材が必要とされ、内視鏡先端部の大口径化が避けらず、細径化に不向きである。さらに、図１１（ｂ）に示すように、照明光学系５０７の光のみによる被照射面Ａや、補助照明手段５１９のみによる被照射面Ｃの照度は適正となるが、双方の光が共に照射される被照射面Ｂでは照明レンズの集光性が高い場合に過剰照明となり、ハレーションの生じる虞もあった。
本発明は上記状況に鑑みてなされたもので、照明レンズを必要とする照明光学系を増設せずに鉗子の影が画像内に映ることを防止できる内視鏡を提供することにある。 As in the endoscope disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is possible in principle to erase the shade by providing two or more illumination optical systems and controlling the direction thereof. It invites a new problem that the insertion part becomes larger in diameter. Endoscopes are expected to be further reduced in diameter and size, and there is a high possibility that an illumination optical system with only one eye will continue to be applied. However, in an endoscope provided with a single-lens illumination optical system, shadows are significantly observed. For this reason, there has been a demand for the development of an illumination system that can erase the shadow of the forceps without adding an illumination optical system that requires an illumination lens.
In the endoscope apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2, the light distribution characteristic of the illumination system is changed in accordance with the change in the viewing angle of the observation system, so that the optimum light distribution characteristic can be obtained at both wide angle and telephoto. However, no matter how the light distribution characteristic of the illumination optical system at the same position is changed, the shadow of the treatment tool in which the problem has occurred due to the relative positional relationship cannot be erased.
Therefore, a configuration as described in Patent Document 3 in which illumination light is separately supplied from the auxiliary illumination means toward a portion where a shadow occurs can be considered. However, as shown in FIG. 11A, when the auxiliary illumination means 519 is simply added, each auxiliary illumination means 519 requires optical members such as an illumination lens, and the diameter of the endoscope distal end is increased. However, it is not suitable for reducing the diameter. Further, as shown in FIG. 11B, the illumination intensity of the illuminated surface A by only the light of the illumination optical system 507 and the illuminated surface C by only the auxiliary illumination means 519 are appropriate, but both lights are irradiated. In the irradiated surface B to be irradiated, excessive illumination occurs when the condensing property of the illumination lens is high, which may cause halation.
The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope that can prevent the shadow of a forceps from appearing in an image without adding an illumination optical system that requires an illumination lens.

本発明に係る上記目的は、下記構成により達成される。
（１）被検体内に挿入される挿入部と、該挿入部の先端に観察窓が配設された撮像光学系と、前記挿入部の先端に光照射窓が配設された照明光学系と、前記挿入部の先端に形成された鉗子口とを備えた内視鏡であって、
前記鉗子口の前記光照射窓側とは反対側の、前記鉗子口から突出される処置具により生じ得る前記照明光学系からの光の影位置に対応する、開口周部の領域のみに、補助照明手段が前記鉗子口の外周に沿って設けられたことを特徴とする内視鏡。
（２）（１）記載の内視鏡であって、
前記開口周部の領域は、前記光照射窓の出射有効円と前記処置具の移動先における各移動先仮想円に対して、前記光照射窓の中心と前記鉗子口の中心を通る線分を中心として、該線分の両脇のそれぞれの側で、前記出射有効円と前記移動先仮想円に外接する接線により挟まれ、且つ、前記光照射窓の中心と前記鉗子口の中心を通る線分に直交し該鉗子口の中心を通る線分より外側の領域である内視鏡。
この内視鏡によれば、処置具に遮られて照明光学系からの光の照射されない暗部（すなわち、影）に、補助照明手段から光が照射され、処置具を用いた内視鏡手技の際に画像に発生する処置具の影が消される。このため、照明光学系において、照明レンズを必要とする照明光学系の数を増やさずに影の問題が解決可能となる。
また、この内視鏡によれば、影の位置に対応する開口周部の領域に補助照明手段が配設され、補助照明手段からの光が影のみに照射され、補助照明手段が必要最小量に抑えられるとともに、照明光学系からの光の照射される被照射面への補助照明手段からの光の照射を抑止でき、照度差を小さくして、良好な視認性を得ることができる。
（３）（１）又は（２）記載の内視鏡であって、
前記照明光学系と前記補助照明手段の光学系とは、双方の光学系の照明照度をそれぞれ独立して調整できることを特徴とする内視鏡。
この内視鏡によれば、内視鏡の使用シーンに応じたより適切な照明が行える。
（４）（１）〜（３）のいずれか１項記載の内視鏡であって、
前記照明光学系は、光源と導光用繊維束を有し、
前記補助照明手段は、前記照明光学系の前記導光用繊維束の一部を分岐させ前記鉗子口の外周に沿って光出射端が配設されたことを特徴とする内視鏡。
この内視鏡によれば、照明光学系の導光用繊維束の一部が分岐されて利用可能となるので、照明レンズを必要とする補助照明光学系を別途に設ける必要がなくなる。光源が同一であるので、照明光学系と補助照明手段における出射光の色味を同一にでき、視認性が良好となる。分岐する導光用繊維束の本数により補助照明手段の光出射端光量が自在に調整可能となる。導光用繊維束を配置するのみでよいので、照明光学系を増設する場合に比べ、配置スペースを格段に小さくすることができ、これにより、鉗子口の狭小な外周に沿うような配置を、高い設計自由度で実現可能となる。さらに、影を確実に消すための、影のグラデーションに応じたキメ細かな照度制御が導光用繊維本数の調整により実現可能となる。
（５）（１）〜（３）のいずれか１項記載の内視鏡であって、
前記照明光学系は、光源と導光用繊維束を有し、
前記補助照明手段は、補助光源と該補助光源からの光を入射させ前記鉗子口の外周に沿って光出射端が配設された補助導光用繊維束を有することを特徴とする内視鏡。
この内視鏡によれば、照明光学系と補助照明手段が独立した照明系となるので、独立の照明動作が可能となる。例えば、処置具が突出されずに影が生じない状態では補助照明手段からの光照射を行わず、処置具が突出されて、影が生じたときに補助照明手段からの光を照射して影を消すことが可能となる。これにより、不要時に補助照明手段から光が照射されることによる照度差をなくすことができる。
（６）（４）又は（５）記載の内視鏡であって、
前記補助照明手段が設けられる前記鉗子口の開口周部の領域の周方向両端は、端部に向かって前記導光用繊維束の繊維本数が徐々に少なく配置されたことを特徴とする内視鏡。
この内視鏡によれば、影のグラデーションに対応させた照度の均一化が可能となる。
（７）（１）〜（３）のいずれか１項記載の内視鏡であって、
前記照明光学系は、光源と導光用繊維束を有し、
前記補助照明手段は、前記鉗子口の外周に沿って配設されたＬＥＤ光源を有することを特徴とする内視鏡。
この内視鏡によれば、照明レンズを必要とする補助照明光学系の数を増やさずに影の問題が解決可能となる。照明光学系と独立した照明系となるので、独立の照明動作が可能となる。これにより、上述同様に、処置具が突出されて、影が生じたときに補助照明手段からの光を照射して影を消すことが可能となり、不要時に補助照明手段から光が照射されることによる照度差をなくすことができる。また、補助照明手段のために照明光学系の導光用繊維束を分岐する必要がなくなる。 The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following configuration.
(1) An insertion portion to be inserted into the subject, an imaging optical system in which an observation window is disposed at the distal end of the insertion portion, and an illumination optical system in which a light irradiation window is disposed at the distal end of the insertion portion An endoscope provided with a forceps opening formed at the distal end of the insertion portion,
Auxiliary illumination only in the peripheral area of the aperture corresponding to the shadow position of the light from the illumination optical system that can be generated by the treatment tool protruding from the forceps port on the opposite side of the forceps port from the light irradiation window side An endoscope characterized in that means are provided along the outer periphery of the forceps opening.
(2) The endoscope according to (1),
The region of the opening peripheral portion is a line segment passing through the center of the light irradiation window and the center of the forceps port with respect to the emission effective circle of the light irradiation window and each movement destination virtual circle in the movement destination of the treatment tool. As a center, on both sides of the line segment, a line that is sandwiched by a tangent line circumscribing the emission effective circle and the destination virtual circle and passes through the center of the light irradiation window and the center of the forceps opening An endoscope that is an area outside a line segment that is perpendicular to the minute and passes through the center of the forceps opening.
According to this endoscope, light from the auxiliary illumination means is irradiated to a dark part (that is, a shadow) that is blocked by the treatment tool and is not irradiated with light from the illumination optical system, and the endoscope technique using the treatment tool is performed. At this time, the shadow of the treatment tool generated on the image is erased. For this reason, in the illumination optical system, the problem of shadow can be solved without increasing the number of illumination optical systems that require illumination lenses.
Further, according to this endoscope, the auxiliary illumination means is disposed in the area of the opening peripheral portion corresponding to the position of the shadow, the light from the auxiliary illumination means is irradiated only to the shadow, and the auxiliary illumination means has the minimum necessary amount. In addition, it is possible to suppress the irradiation of light from the auxiliary illumination means to the irradiated surface irradiated with light from the illumination optical system, and to reduce the illuminance difference and obtain good visibility.
(3) The endoscope according to (1) or (2),
The endoscope characterized in that the illumination optical system and the optical system of the auxiliary illumination means can independently adjust the illumination illuminance of both optical systems.
According to this endoscope, more appropriate illumination can be performed according to the use scene of the endoscope.
(4) The endoscope according to any one of (1) to (3),
The illumination optical system has a light source and a light guide fiber bundle,
The endoscope characterized in that the auxiliary illumination means branches a part of the light guiding fiber bundle of the illumination optical system, and a light emitting end is disposed along an outer periphery of the forceps opening.
According to this endoscope, a part of the light guide fiber bundle of the illumination optical system can be branched and used, so that it is not necessary to separately provide an auxiliary illumination optical system that requires an illumination lens. Since the light source is the same, the color of the emitted light in the illumination optical system and the auxiliary illumination means can be made the same, and the visibility is improved. The light output end light quantity of the auxiliary illumination means can be freely adjusted according to the number of branched light guide fiber bundles. Since it is only necessary to arrange the fiber bundle for light guide, compared with the case where the illumination optical system is added, the arrangement space can be remarkably reduced, and thereby, the arrangement along the narrow outer periphery of the forceps opening can be achieved. This can be realized with a high degree of design freedom. Furthermore, fine illuminance control according to the gradation of the shadow for surely erasing the shadow can be realized by adjusting the number of light guide fibers.
(5) The endoscope according to any one of (1) to (3),
The illumination optical system has a light source and a light guide fiber bundle,
The endoscope characterized in that the auxiliary illumination means includes an auxiliary light source and an auxiliary light guide fiber bundle in which light from the auxiliary light source is incident and a light emitting end is disposed along the outer periphery of the forceps opening. .
According to this endoscope, since the illumination optical system and the auxiliary illumination means are independent illumination systems, independent illumination operations are possible. For example, in the state where the treatment tool is not projected and no shadow is generated, the light from the auxiliary illumination unit is not irradiated, and when the treatment tool is projected and a shadow is generated, the light from the auxiliary illumination unit is irradiated and the shadow is not reflected. Can be erased. Thereby, the illuminance difference due to the light being irradiated from the auxiliary illumination means when unnecessary can be eliminated.
(6) The endoscope according to (4) or (5),
An internal view characterized in that the number of fibers of the light guide fiber bundle is gradually reduced toward both ends of both ends in the circumferential direction of the opening peripheral portion of the forceps opening provided with the auxiliary illumination means mirror.
According to this endoscope, it is possible to make the illuminance uniform corresponding to the gradation of the shadow.
(7) The endoscope according to any one of (1) to (3),
The illumination optical system has a light source and a light guide fiber bundle,
The endoscope, wherein the auxiliary illumination means includes an LED light source disposed along an outer periphery of the forceps opening.
According to this endoscope, the shadow problem can be solved without increasing the number of auxiliary illumination optical systems that require illumination lenses. Since the illumination system is independent of the illumination optical system, an independent illumination operation is possible. Thus, as described above, when the treatment tool is projected and a shadow is generated, it becomes possible to irradiate the light from the auxiliary illumination means to erase the shadow, and light is emitted from the auxiliary illumination means when unnecessary. The difference in illuminance due to can be eliminated. Further, it is not necessary to branch the light guide fiber bundle of the illumination optical system for the auxiliary illumination means.

本発明に係る内視鏡によれば、鉗子口の光照射窓側とは反対側の開口周部の少なくとも一部分に、補助照明手段を鉗子口の外周に沿って設けたので、処置具に遮られて照明光学系からの光の照射されない暗部に、補助照明手段から光を照射することができ、処置具を用いた内視鏡手技の際に画像に発生する処置具の影を消すことができる。これにより、照明レンズの必要な照明光学系の数を増やさずに影の問題を解決できるので、内視鏡の細径化、小型化に寄与することができる。 According to the endoscope of the present invention, the auxiliary illumination means is provided along the outer periphery of the forceps opening at least at a part of the opening peripheral portion of the forceps opening opposite to the light irradiation window side. Thus, it is possible to irradiate light from the auxiliary illumination means to a dark part where the light from the illumination optical system is not irradiated, and to erase the shadow of the treatment tool generated in the image during the endoscopic procedure using the treatment tool. . As a result, the shadow problem can be solved without increasing the number of illumination optical systems required for the illumination lens, which can contribute to a reduction in the diameter and size of the endoscope.

以下、本発明に係る内視鏡の好適な実施の形態について、図面を参照して詳細に説明する。
図１は本発明に係る内視鏡が用いられる内視鏡システム構成図である。
内視鏡システム２１は、主に内視鏡１００、光源装置２３、プロセッサ２５、モニタ２７で構成される。 Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an endoscope according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an endoscope system in which an endoscope according to the present invention is used.
The endoscope system 21 mainly includes an endoscope 100, a light source device 23, a processor 25, and a monitor 27.

内視鏡１００は、本体操作部２９と、この本体操作部２９に連設され、被検体（体腔）内に挿入される挿入部３１とを備える。本体操作部２９には、ユニバーサルケーブル３３が接続され、このユニバーサルケーブル３３の先端にライトガイド（ＬＧ）コネクタ３５が設けられる。 The endoscope 100 includes a main body operation unit 29 and an insertion unit 31 connected to the main body operation unit 29 and inserted into a subject (body cavity). A universal cable 33 is connected to the main body operation unit 29, and a light guide (LG) connector 35 is provided at the tip of the universal cable 33.

図２は図１に示した内視鏡の拡大平面図である。
本体操作部２９には、送気・送水ボタン４５、吸引ボタン４７、シャッターボタン４９、及び機能切替ボタン５１が並設されるとともに、一対のアングルノブ５３、５３が設けられる。 FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the endoscope shown in FIG.
The main body operation unit 29 is provided with an air / water feed button 45, a suction button 47, a shutter button 49, and a function switching button 51, and a pair of angle knobs 53 and 53.

挿入部３１は、本体操作部２９側から順に軟性部５５、湾曲部５７、及び先端部５９で構成され、湾曲部５７は、本体操作部２９のアングルノブ５３、５３を回動することによって遠隔的に湾曲操作される。これにより、先端部５９を所望の方向に向けることができる。 The insertion portion 31 is composed of a flexible portion 55, a bending portion 57, and a tip portion 59 in order from the main body operation portion 29 side. The bending portion 57 is remotely controlled by rotating the angle knobs 53, 53 of the main body operation portion 29. Bending operation. Thereby, the front-end | tip part 59 can be orient | assigned to a desired direction.

図３は挿入部の正面図である。
先端部５９の先端面６１には、撮像光学系６３の観察窓６５と、照明光学系６７の光照射窓６９と、鉗子口７１と、送気・送水ノズル７３が設けられる。鉗子口７１は、図１の鉗子挿入部６７に連通され、鉗子挿入部６７から鉗子等の処置具を挿入することによって、この処置具を導出することができる。 FIG. 3 is a front view of the insertion portion.
On the distal end surface 61 of the distal end portion 59, an observation window 65 of the imaging optical system 63, a light irradiation window 69 of the illumination optical system 67, a forceps port 71, and an air / water supply nozzle 73 are provided. The forceps port 71 communicates with the forceps insertion portion 67 of FIG. 1, and this treatment tool can be led out by inserting a treatment tool such as forceps from the forceps insertion portion 67.

撮像光学系６３は、先端部５９にＣＣＤ型固体撮像素子（不図示）を有し、ＣＣＤ型固体撮像素子に接続される信号ケーブルは挿入部３１、本体操作部２９、ユニバーサルケーブル３３等に挿通されてビデオコネクタ４３まで延設され、プロセッサ２５に接続される。撮像光学系６３で取り込まれた観察像は、ＣＣＤ型固体撮像素子の受光面に結像されて電気信号に変換され、その電気信号が信号ケーブルを介してプロセッサ２５に出力され、映像信号に変換される。これにより、プロセッサ２５に接続されたモニタ２７に観察画像が表示される。 The imaging optical system 63 has a CCD solid-state imaging device (not shown) at the tip 59, and a signal cable connected to the CCD solid-state imaging device is inserted into the insertion unit 31, the main body operation unit 29, the universal cable 33, and the like. Then, it extends to the video connector 43 and is connected to the processor 25. The observation image captured by the imaging optical system 63 is imaged on the light receiving surface of the CCD solid-state imaging device and converted into an electrical signal. The electrical signal is output to the processor 25 via a signal cable and converted into a video signal. Is done. Thereby, an observation image is displayed on the monitor 27 connected to the processor 25.

図４は先端部の軸線と平行な面による断面図、図５は光源と導光用繊維束を表した照明光学系の構成図である。
内視鏡システム２１では、ＬＧコネクタ３５が光源装置２３に着脱自在に連結され、照明光学系６７へ照明光が送られる。図４に示す凹レンズ７５の後方には導光用繊維束であるライトガイド７７の照明光学系出射端７９が配設されている。このライトガイド７７は、挿入部３１、本体操作部２９、ユニバーサルケーブル３３に挿通され、ＬＧコネクタ３５内に入射端が配設される。ＬＧコネクタ３５を光源装置２３に連結することによって、図５に示す光源装置２３の光源８１から照射された照明光が、集光レンズ８３によって所定範囲に集束された後、ライトガイド７７を介して伝送され、凹レンズ７５、光照射窓６９から光路前方に照射される。 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane parallel to the axis of the tip, and FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of an illumination optical system showing a light source and a light guide fiber bundle.
In the endoscope system 21, the LG connector 35 is detachably connected to the light source device 23, and illumination light is sent to the illumination optical system 67. An illumination optical system exit end 79 of a light guide 77 that is a light guide fiber bundle is disposed behind the concave lens 75 shown in FIG. The light guide 77 is inserted into the insertion portion 31, the main body operation portion 29, and the universal cable 33, and an incident end is disposed in the LG connector 35. By connecting the LG connector 35 to the light source device 23, the illumination light emitted from the light source 81 of the light source device 23 shown in FIG. 5 is focused on a predetermined range by the condenser lens 83, and then passed through the light guide 77. The light is transmitted and irradiated from the concave lens 75 and the light irradiation window 69 to the front of the optical path.

図６は補助照明手段の光出射端の配置を表す先端部の正面図である。
鉗子口７１の光照射窓６９側（矢線ａ，ａ側）とは反対側（矢線ｂ，ｂ側）の開口周部８５の少なくとも一部分８７には、補助照明手段８９が鉗子口７１の外周９１に沿って設けられている。上記の一部分８７とは、鉗子口７１から突出される処置具９３により生じた照明光学系６７からの光の影位置に対応する開口周部８５の領域（図中ハッチ部）とされている。処置具９３は、鉗子口７１にクリアランスを有して挿通されるため鉗子口７１内で移動する。影に影響する処置具９３の移動は、照明光学系６７と鉗子口７１の中心９５，９７を通る線分Ｌに直交して、鉗子口７１の中心９７を通る線分９９上の移動となる。この移動を考慮すると、影に対応する開口周部８５の領域は、光照射窓６９の出射有効円と処置具移動先の仮想円Ｋ１，Ｋ２の外側の接線１０１，１０３に挟まれた矢線ｂ，ｂ側の領域８７となる。 FIG. 6 is a front view of the tip portion showing the arrangement of the light emitting ends of the auxiliary illumination means.
Auxiliary illumination means 89 is provided on at least a portion 87 of the opening peripheral portion 85 on the side opposite to the light irradiation window 69 side (arrow line a, a side) of the forceps port 71 (arrow line b, b side). It is provided along the outer periphery 91. The portion 87 is a region (hatched portion in the drawing) of the opening peripheral portion 85 corresponding to the shadow position of the light from the illumination optical system 67 generated by the treatment tool 93 protruding from the forceps port 71. Since the treatment tool 93 is inserted into the forceps port 71 with a clearance, the treatment tool 93 moves in the forceps port 71. The movement of the treatment instrument 93 that affects the shadow is a movement on a line segment 99 that passes through the center 97 of the forceps port 71 perpendicular to the line segment L that passes through the centers 95 and 97 of the illumination optical system 67 and the forceps port 71. . Considering this movement, the region of the opening peripheral portion 85 corresponding to the shadow is an arrow line sandwiched between the effective emission circle of the light irradiation window 69 and the tangent lines 101 and 103 outside the virtual circles K1 and K2 of the treatment tool movement destination. It becomes the area | region 87 of the b and b side.

このように、影に対応する開口周部８５の領域８７に補助照明手段８９を配設することにより、補助照明手段８９からの光が影のみに照射され、補助照明手段８９が必要最小量に抑えられる。また、照明光学系６７からの光の照射される被照射面への補助照明手段８９からの光の照射を抑止でき、照度差を小さくして、良好な視認性を得ることができる。なお、突出される処置具９３は必ずしも先端部５９の軸線と平行とならず、また、同一径ではないので、傾斜突出時の影を考慮して、光出射端１０５は領域８７の全領域に配設してもよい。 As described above, by arranging the auxiliary illumination means 89 in the region 87 of the opening peripheral portion 85 corresponding to the shadow, the light from the auxiliary illumination means 89 is irradiated only to the shadow, and the auxiliary illumination means 89 is reduced to the necessary minimum amount. It can be suppressed. In addition, it is possible to suppress irradiation of light from the auxiliary illumination unit 89 to the irradiated surface irradiated with light from the illumination optical system 67, and to reduce the illuminance difference, thereby obtaining good visibility. Note that the protruding treatment tool 93 is not necessarily parallel to the axis of the distal end portion 59 and is not the same diameter, so that the light emitting end 105 is located in the entire region 87 in consideration of the shadow when tilting and protruding. It may be arranged.

上記のように、照明光学系６７は、光源８１とライトガイド７７を有して構成される。本実施の形態では、補助照明手段８９は、図４に示すように、ライトガイド７７の一部７７ａを分岐させ、鉗子口７１の外周９１に沿って光出射端１０５を配設している。 As described above, the illumination optical system 67 includes the light source 81 and the light guide 77. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the auxiliary illumination unit 89 branches a part 77 a of the light guide 77 and arranges the light emitting end 105 along the outer periphery 91 of the forceps port 71.

これにより、照明光学系６７のライトガイド７７の一部７７ａが分岐されて利用可能となるので、照明レンズを必要とする補助照明光学系を別途に設ける必要がなくなる。また、光源８１が同一であるので、照明光学系６７と補助照明手段８９における出射光の色味を同一にでき、視認性が良好となる。そして、分岐するライトガイド７７の本数により補助照明手段８９の光出射端光量が自在に調整可能となる。また、ライトガイド７７を配置するのみでよいので、照明光学系６７を増設する場合に比べ、配置スペースを格段に小さくすることができ、これにより、先端部５９の外周と鉗子口７１に挟まれた狭小な外周９１に沿うような配置が、高い設計自由度で実現可能となる。さらに、影を確実に打ち消すため、影のグラデーションに応じたキメ細かな照度制御が光ファイバの本数調整により実現可能となる。例えば、領域８７の周方向両端は、端部に向かって光ファイバ本数を徐々に少なくすることで、影のグラデーションに対応させた照度の均一化が可能となる。 As a result, a part 77a of the light guide 77 of the illumination optical system 67 is branched and can be used, so that it is not necessary to separately provide an auxiliary illumination optical system that requires an illumination lens. Moreover, since the light source 81 is the same, the color of the emitted light in the illumination optical system 67 and the auxiliary illumination unit 89 can be made the same, and the visibility is improved. And the light emission end light quantity of the auxiliary illumination means 89 can be freely adjusted by the number of the light guides 77 branched. Further, since only the light guide 77 needs to be arranged, the arrangement space can be remarkably reduced as compared with the case where the illumination optical system 67 is added, and thus, it is sandwiched between the outer periphery of the distal end portion 59 and the forceps port 71. The arrangement along the narrow outer periphery 91 can be realized with a high degree of design freedom. Furthermore, in order to cancel the shadow with certainty, fine illuminance control according to the gradation of the shadow can be realized by adjusting the number of optical fibers. For example, at both ends in the circumferential direction of the region 87, by gradually reducing the number of optical fibers toward the end, it is possible to make the illuminance uniform corresponding to the shadow gradation.

このように、上記構成の内視鏡１００では、処置具９３に遮られて照明光学系６７からの光の照射されない暗部（すなわち、影）に、補助照明手段８９から光が照射され、処置具９３を用いた内視鏡手技の際に画像に発生する処置具９３の影が消される。これにより、照明光学系６７において、照明レンズを必要とする照明光学系の数を増やさずに影をなくすことができる。 As described above, in the endoscope 100 having the above-described configuration, light is irradiated from the auxiliary illumination unit 89 to a dark part (that is, a shadow) that is blocked by the treatment tool 93 and is not irradiated with the light from the illumination optical system 67, and the treatment tool. The shadow of the treatment instrument 93 generated in the image during the endoscopic procedure using the 93 is erased. Thereby, in the illumination optical system 67, shadows can be eliminated without increasing the number of illumination optical systems that require illumination lenses.

したがって、上記構成の内視鏡１００によれば、鉗子口７１の光照射窓６９側とは反対側の開口周部８５の少なくとも一部分８７に、補助照明手段８９を鉗子口７１の外周９１に沿って設けたので、処置具９３に遮られて照明光学系６７からの光の照射されない暗部に、補助照明手段８９から光を照射することができ、処置具９３を用いた内視鏡手技の際に画像に発生する処置具の影を消すことができる。これにより、照明光学系６７において照明レンズの必要な照明光学系の数を増やさずに影の問題を解決でき、内視鏡１００の細径化、小型化に寄与することができる。 Therefore, according to the endoscope 100 having the above-described configuration, the auxiliary illumination means 89 is provided along the outer periphery 91 of the forceps port 71 in at least a part 87 of the opening peripheral portion 85 opposite to the light irradiation window 69 side of the forceps port 71. Therefore, it is possible to irradiate light from the auxiliary illumination means 89 to a dark part that is blocked by the treatment instrument 93 and is not irradiated with light from the illumination optical system 67. The shadow of the treatment tool generated on the image can be erased. Thus, the shadow problem can be solved without increasing the number of illumination optical systems that require illumination lenses in the illumination optical system 67, and the endoscope 100 can be reduced in diameter and size.

次に、本発明に係る内視鏡の第２の実施の形態を説明する。
図７は補助光源を備えた第２の実施の形態に係る内視鏡の要部構成図である。なお、以下の各実施の形態において、図１〜図６に示した部材と同一の部材には同一の符号を付し、重複する説明は省略するものとする。
この実施の形態による内視鏡２００は、照明光学系６７が、前述の光源８１と集光レンズ８３と、ライトガイド７７に接続するための光ケーブル１１２とを有する。光源８１からの光は光照射窓６９（図６参照）から照射される。 Next, a second embodiment of the endoscope according to the present invention will be described.
FIG. 7 is a main part configuration diagram of an endoscope according to the second embodiment including an auxiliary light source. In the following embodiments, the same members as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.
In the endoscope 200 according to this embodiment, the illumination optical system 67 includes the light source 81, the condensing lens 83, and the optical cable 112 for connecting to the light guide 77. Light from the light source 81 is emitted from a light irradiation window 69 (see FIG. 6).

一方、補助照明手段８９Ａは、補助光源１１１と集光レンズ１１５と、ライトガイド７７に接続するための光ケーブル１１３とを有する。この補助光源１１１からの光は、補助照明手段８９の光出射端１０５（図６参照）から照射される。つまり、照明光学系６７と補助照明手段８９Ａの光学系は独立の照明系で構成されている。 On the other hand, the auxiliary illumination unit 89 </ b> A includes an auxiliary light source 111, a condenser lens 115, and an optical cable 113 for connecting to the light guide 77. The light from the auxiliary light source 111 is irradiated from the light emitting end 105 (see FIG. 6) of the auxiliary illumination unit 89. That is, the illumination optical system 67 and the optical system of the auxiliary illumination means 89A are constituted by independent illumination systems.

この内視鏡２００によれば、照明光学系６７と補助照明手段８９Ａの光学系が独立した照明系となるので、独立の照明動作が可能となる。例えば、処置具９３が突出されずに影が生じない状態では補助照明手段８９Ａからの光照射を行わず、処置具９３が突出されて、影が生じたときに補助照明手段８９Ａからの光を照射して影を消すことが可能となる。これにより、不要時に補助照明手段８９Ａから光が照射されることによる照度差をなくすことができる。また、双方の照明照度をそれぞれ独立して調整でき、内視鏡の使用シーンに応じたより適切な照明が行える。 According to the endoscope 200, since the illumination optical system 67 and the optical system of the auxiliary illumination means 89A are independent illumination systems, independent illumination operations are possible. For example, in the state where the treatment tool 93 is not projected and no shadow is generated, the light from the auxiliary illumination unit 89A is not irradiated, and when the treatment tool 93 is projected and a shadow is generated, the light from the auxiliary illumination unit 89A is emitted. Irradiation can eliminate shadows. As a result, it is possible to eliminate the difference in illuminance due to the irradiation of light from the auxiliary illumination means 89A when not required. Moreover, both illumination illuminances can be adjusted independently, and more appropriate illumination can be performed according to the use scene of the endoscope.

次に、本発明に係る内視鏡の第３の実施の形態を説明する。
図８はＬＥＤ光源を備えた第３の実施の形態に係る内視鏡の先端部断面図である。
この実施の形態による内視鏡３００は、照明光学系６７は、光源８１とライトガイド７７を有する。補助照明手段８９Ｂは、鉗子口７１の外周９１に沿って配設されたＬＥＤ光源１２１を有する。ＬＥＤ光源１２１には電源配線１２３が接続され、電源配線１２３は挿入部３１に挿通されてビデオコネクタ４３に接続される。 Next, a third embodiment of the endoscope according to the present invention will be described.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the distal end portion of an endoscope according to the third embodiment provided with an LED light source.
In the endoscope 300 according to this embodiment, the illumination optical system 67 includes a light source 81 and a light guide 77. The auxiliary illumination unit 89 </ b> B has an LED light source 121 disposed along the outer periphery 91 of the forceps port 71. A power supply wiring 123 is connected to the LED light source 121, and the power supply wiring 123 is inserted through the insertion portion 31 and connected to the video connector 43.

この内視鏡３００によれば、照明光学系６７において、照明レンズやライトガイドの光ファイバ束等の光学部材を必要とする補助照明光学系の数を増やさずに影による影響を解消できる。また、補助照明手段８９Ｂが、照明光学系６７と独立した照明系となるので、独立の照明動作が可能となる。これにより、上述同様に、処置具９３が突出されて、影が生じたときに補助照明手段８９Ｂからの光を照射して影を消すことが可能となり、不要時に補助照明手段８９Ｂから光が照射されることによる照度差をなくすことができる。 According to this endoscope 300, in the illumination optical system 67, the influence of shadows can be eliminated without increasing the number of auxiliary illumination optical systems that require optical members such as illumination lens and optical fiber bundles of light guides. Further, since the auxiliary illumination unit 89B becomes an illumination system independent of the illumination optical system 67, an independent illumination operation is possible. Thus, as described above, when the treatment tool 93 is projected and a shadow is generated, it is possible to irradiate the light from the auxiliary illumination unit 89B to erase the shadow, and light is emitted from the auxiliary illumination unit 89B when unnecessary. It is possible to eliminate the difference in illuminance due to being performed.

本発明に係る内視鏡が用いられる内視鏡システム構成図である。It is an endoscope system block diagram in which the endoscope according to the present invention is used. 図１に示した内視鏡の拡大平面図である。FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the endoscope shown in FIG. 1. 挿入部の正面図である。It is a front view of an insertion part. 先端部の軸線と平行な面による断面図である。It is sectional drawing by the surface parallel to the axis line of a front-end | tip part. 光源と導光用繊維束を表した照明光学系の構成図である。It is a block diagram of the illumination optical system showing the light source and the light guide fiber bundle. 補助照明手段の光出射端の配置を表す先端部の正面図である。It is a front view of the front-end | tip part showing arrangement | positioning of the light emission end of an auxiliary | assistant illumination means. 補助光源を備えた第２の実施の形態に係る内視鏡の要部構成図である。It is a principal part block diagram of the endoscope which concerns on 2nd Embodiment provided with the auxiliary light source. ＬＥＤ光源を備えた第３の実施の形態に係る内視鏡の先端部断面図である。It is a front-end | tip part sectional drawing of the endoscope which concerns on 3rd Embodiment provided with the LED light source. 従来の内視鏡先端部の正面視を（ａ）、その処置具突出状態を（ｂ）で表した先端部正面図である。It is the front view of the front-end | tip part which represented the front view of the conventional endoscope front-end | tip part with (a) and the treatment tool protrusion state with (b). 撮像光学系により得られた画像図である。It is an image figure obtained by the imaging optical system. 従来の補助照明手段の設けられた内視鏡先端部の正面視を（ａ）、その処置具突出状態の画像を（ｂ）で表した作用説明図である。It is action explanatory drawing which represented the front view of the endoscope front-end | tip part in which the conventional auxiliary illumination means was provided, (a), and represented the treatment tool protrusion state by (b).

Explanation of symbols

３１挿入部
５９挿入部の先端部
６３撮像光学系
６５観察窓
６９光照射窓
６７照明光学系
７１鉗子口
７７ライトガイド（導光用繊維束）
７７ａ導光用繊維束の一部
８１光源
８５開口周部
８７一部分
８９，８９Ａ，８９Ｂ補助照明手段
９１鉗子口の外周
９３処置具
１００，２００，３００内視鏡
１０５光出射端
１０７照明光学系の光軸
１１１補助光源
１１３ライトガイド（補助導光用繊維束）
１２１ＬＥＤ光源 31 Insertion part 59 Tip part of insertion part 63 Imaging optical system 65 Observation window 69 Light irradiation window 67 Illumination optical system 71 Forceps port 77 Light guide (fiber bundle for light guide)
77a Part of light guide fiber bundle 81 Light source 85 Opening peripheral part 87 Part 89, 89A, 89B Auxiliary illumination means 91 Outer periphery of forceps port 93 Treatment instrument 100, 200, 300 Endoscope 105 Light emitting end 107 of illumination optical system Optical axis 111 Auxiliary light source 113 Light guide (fiber bundle for auxiliary light guide)
121 LED light source

Claims

An insertion portion to be inserted into a subject; an imaging optical system in which an observation window is disposed at a distal end of the insertion portion; an illumination optical system in which a light irradiation window is disposed at a distal end of the insertion portion; and the insertion An endoscope provided with a forceps opening formed at the tip of a section,
Auxiliary illumination only in the peripheral area of the aperture corresponding to the shadow position of the light from the illumination optical system that can be generated by the treatment tool protruding from the forceps port on the opposite side of the forceps port from the light irradiation window side An endoscope characterized in that means are provided along the outer periphery of the forceps opening.

The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein
The region of the opening peripheral portion is a line segment passing through the center of the light irradiation window and the center of the forceps port with respect to the emission effective circle of the light irradiation window and each movement destination virtual circle in the movement destination of the treatment tool. As a center, on both sides of the line segment, a line that is sandwiched by a tangent line circumscribing the emission effective circle and the destination virtual circle and passes through the center of the light irradiation window and the center of the forceps opening An endoscope that is an area outside a line segment that is perpendicular to the minute and passes through the center of the forceps opening.

The endoscope according to claim 1 or claim 2,
The endoscope characterized in that the illumination optical system and the optical system of the auxiliary illumination means can independently adjust the illumination illuminance of both optical systems .

The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The illumination optical system has a light source and a light guide fiber bundle,
The endoscope characterized in that the auxiliary illumination means branches a part of the light guiding fiber bundle of the illumination optical system, and a light emitting end is disposed along an outer periphery of the forceps opening.

The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The illumination optical system has a light source and a light guide fiber bundle,
The endoscope characterized in that the auxiliary illumination means includes an auxiliary light source and an auxiliary light guide fiber bundle in which light from the auxiliary light source is incident and a light emitting end is disposed along the outer periphery of the forceps opening. .

An endoscope according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein
An internal view characterized in that the number of fibers of the light guide fiber bundle is gradually reduced toward both ends of both ends in the circumferential direction of the opening peripheral portion of the forceps opening provided with the auxiliary illumination means mirror.

The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The illumination optical system has a light source and a light guide fiber bundle,
The endoscope, wherein the auxiliary illumination means includes an LED light source disposed along an outer periphery of the forceps opening.