JP6180195B2 - Endoscope, endoscope system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope and an endoscope system in which an adapter is detachable at a distal end in an insertion direction of an insertion portion.

  As is well known, endoscopes are widely used in the medical field and the industrial field. Endoscopes used in the medical field are treatments in which an elongated insertion portion is inserted into a body cavity that is a subject, thereby observing an organ in the body cavity or inserting it into an insertion channel of a treatment instrument as necessary. Various kinds of treatments can be performed using tools.

  Endoscopes used in the industrial field are used to observe wounds and corrosion in a subject and perform various treatments by inserting a long and thin insertion portion into a jet engine or a pipe of a factory. Etc. can be performed.

  An imaging unit including an observation optical system and an imaging element such as a CCD is provided in the distal end portion located on the distal end side in the insertion direction of the insertion portion of the endoscope (hereinafter simply referred to as the distal end side). A configuration in which an illumination unit or the like for illuminating the inside of a specimen is provided is well known.

  Further, a configuration in which an observation optical system and an illumination unit are provided in a known optical adapter (hereinafter simply referred to as an adapter) that is detachably attached to the distal end portion of the insertion portion is also well known.

  Further, as the adapter, a direct-view adapter for observing the front of the insertion portion in the insertion direction (hereinafter simply referred to as the front) and a side-view adapter for observing a side different from the insertion direction are well known. Each adapter is properly used according to the observation object and application.

  Furthermore, in each of the direct-view adapter and the side-view adapter, there are a plurality of adapters having different viewing angles by changing the lens used in the observation optical system provided in the adapter for each adapter. It is properly used according to the purpose. Therefore, a plurality of types of adapters can be individually attached to and detached from the tip portion.

  In addition, if a light source such as a light emitting element is provided in the adapter or the distal end of the insertion portion, it is difficult to reduce the diameter of the adapter or the distal end. Therefore, the light source is provided in the apparatus main body to which the endoscope is connected. In the endoscope, a light guide that guides illumination light emitted from the light source to a tip surface located at the tip in the insertion direction of the tip (hereinafter simply referred to as a tip) is inserted, and the light guide is inserted into the adapter. A configuration is also known in which an illumination optical system that receives illumination light emitted from the tip of the lens and that supplies illumination light into the subject is provided.

  Hereinafter, not only the front end side of the light guide but also a general term for members that supply illumination light to an adapter such as a light source or an illumination lens provided in the front end portion is referred to as an illumination unit.

  Here, when the adapter is attached to the tip portion, the illumination light emitted from the exit end surface of the illumination unit exposed on the tip surface of the tip portion enters the illumination optical system in the adapter, and then from the illumination optical system. Irradiated into the subject.

  However, leakage light that has not been incident on the illumination optical system of the adapter is exposed to the distal end surface from the gap between the proximal end surface of the adapter in the insertion direction (hereinafter simply referred to as the proximal end) and the distal end surface of the distal end portion. When the light is incident on the exposed surface of the observation lens in the observation optical system, the brightness of the observation image captured by the image sensor via the observation optical system is disturbed.

  In view of such a problem, Patent Document 1 discloses that a proximal end (hereinafter referred to as the following) of the insertion direction of an adapter when the adapter is attached to the distal end portion of the distal end portion of the distal end portion that protrudes forward from the distal end surface. A convex portion that fits into a concave portion provided on the base end surface of the observation optical system, and the observation lens is exposed to the projection surface of the convex portion within the convex portion. A configuration with a side is disclosed. Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which when the adapter is attached to the distal end portion, the emission end surface of the light guide is exposed at the distal end surface of the distal end portion that faces the proximal end surface of the adapter.

  That is, in Patent Document 1, the exposed surface of the observation lens is positioned in front of the exit end surface of the light guide by the convex portion, so that the illumination light emitted from the exit end surface is reflected by the convex portion of the observation lens. A configuration that prevents light from entering the exposed surface is disclosed.

JP 2007-29429 A

  Here, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the adapter is attached to the tip portion, the position of the tip portion is regulated with respect to the adapter by bringing the protruding surface of the convex portion into contact with the bottom surface of the concave portion. Since it is a structure, if the protruding surface is formed with high accuracy, the front end surface of the tip cannot be formed with high accuracy. For this reason, when the adapter is attached to the distal end portion, the distal end surface of the distal end portion does not contact the proximal end surface of the adapter, and a gap is generated between the distal end surface and the proximal end surface.

  As a result, the illumination light emitted from the exit end face of the light guide leaks through this gap, so that the amount of light supplied to the illumination optical system of the adapter is reduced, that is, there is a problem that a loss of light amount occurs. .

  Further, in Patent Document 1, a light guide is formed by curing a plurality of fibers in advance, and the distal end side of the light guide after the formation is in the insertion direction in the distal end hard member constituting the distal end portion. After being inserted into the through hole penetrating, it is fixed in the through hole with an adhesive or the like.

  However, in this configuration, since a space for filling the adhesive that fixes the tip end side of the light guide formed in advance in the through hole is required, the outer diameter of the light guide is larger than the diameter of the through hole. In other words, the number of fibers that can be inserted into the through-hole is limited, so that the adhesive is also filled in the light guide end face of the light guide, so that the adhesive on the light end face is light-transmitted. As a result, the amount of illumination light is reduced.

  Furthermore, in Patent Document 1, as described above, when the adapter is mounted on the tip, the protruding surface of the convex portion of the tip is brought into contact with the bottom surface of the concave portion of the adapter, thereby Since the position is regulated, if the position accuracy is increased and the backlash of the adapter with respect to the tip is reduced, a large contact area to the bottom surface of the protruding surface must be secured. As a result, there has been a problem that the diameter of the tip is increased.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and can ensure light shielding from the illumination unit to the observation optical system at the distal end surface of the distal end portion, and can further supply illumination light from the distal end portion to the adapter without loss of light amount. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope and an endoscope system capable of realizing the configuration with a reduction in the diameter of the distal end portion.

  In order to achieve the above object, an endoscope according to an aspect of the present invention is an endoscope in which an adapter is detachable at a distal end in an insertion direction of an insertion portion, and the adapter is attached to the distal end of the insertion portion. The distal end surface of the distal end of the insertion portion that contacts the contact surface formed on the flat surface of the adapter, and the observation lens provided in the insertion portion is the same as the distal end surface. An observation optical system that is exposed so as to be a surface, an illumination unit that is provided in the insertion portion and that is exposed so that an emission end surface is flush with the distal end surface and the observation lens, and the distal end surface A concave groove formed between the observation lens and the emission end face and linearly formed so as to connect between the outer circumferences of the front end face in the radial direction of the front end face, and is fitted into the concave groove , In front of the insertion direction before the tip surface And has an open shape that blocks the illumination light irradiated from the exit end face from entering the observation lens when the adapter is attached to the distal end of the insertion portion. A rod-shaped light shielding member.

  An endoscope system according to an aspect of the present invention includes the endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 12 and the adapter detachably attached to the distal end of the insertion portion of the endoscope. And.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to secure a light shielding from the illumination unit to the observation optical system on the distal end surface of the distal end portion, and further to realize a configuration capable of supplying illumination light from the distal end portion to the adapter without loss of light amount with a reduction in the diameter of the distal end portion. An endoscope and an endoscope system can be provided.

The perspective view of the endoscope system which comprises the endoscope of 1st Embodiment 1 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the tip portion of FIG. Sectional drawing which removes and shows the light-shielding member of FIG. 2 from a ditch | groove 2 is a plan view of the distal end surface of the distal end portion of FIG. 2 viewed from the IV direction in FIG. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing a state where the adapter of FIG. 1 is attached to the tip of FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which a part of the light guide tip side is protruded forward from the tip surface when the tip end side of the light guide is assembled into the through hole of the tip portion main body of FIG. The figure which shows schematically the state filled with the some fiber which comprises a light guide in the through-hole of FIG. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a modification in which the cross-sectional shape of the concave groove in FIG. FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a modification in which the concave groove in FIG. The fragmentary sectional view of the endoscope system by the endoscope and adapter of 2nd Embodiment FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a modification in which the lens frame of FIGS. 5 and 10 is provided in a position overlapping with the concave groove when the tip surface is viewed in plan in the tip body. The top view which shows the modification which protruded a part of concave groove of FIG. 11 to the through-hole side by which the front end side of a light guide is penetrated 2 and 10 are partial cross-sectional views of the tip portion showing a modification of the groove formed on the tip surface of FIG. The top view which looked at the front end surface of the front-end | tip part of FIG. 13 from the XIV direction in FIG. The top view which shows the light-shielding member which can be attached or detached to the ditch | groove of FIG.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, the endoscope will be described by taking an industrial endoscope as an example.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an endoscope system including the endoscope according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope system 100 includes a main part that includes an endoscope 80, an apparatus main body 50 connected to the endoscope 80, and two or more types of adapters 1. Hereinafter, in order to simplify the drawings and description, the adapter 1 is common to all two or more types of adapters.

  The endoscope 80 includes an elongated and flexible insertion portion 10, an operation portion 15 having a grasping portion 15 h connected to the proximal end of the insertion portion 10 in the insertion direction S, and a grasping portion of the operation portion 15. The main part is comprised including the universal cord 17 extended from the part 15h.

  In order from the distal end side of the insertion portion 10 to the insertion portion 10, two or more types of adapters 1 can be individually attached and detached, and a joystick 15j provided in the operation portion 15 is operated, for example, up, down, left and right 4 A bending portion 12 that can be bent in a direction and a long flexible tube portion 13 formed of a flexible member are connected to each other, and a proximal end of the flexible tube portion 13 is connected to the operation portion 15. ing.

  In addition to the joystick 15j, the operation unit 15 is provided with various switches (not shown) for instructing an imaging operation in an imaging unit (not shown) provided in the distal end portion 11.

  The apparatus main body 50 has, for example, a box shape, and a monitor 55 that displays an endoscopic image captured by the above-described imaging unit of the endoscope 80 on an exterior casing 50g configured by, for example, magnesium die casting. However, it is fixed to the exterior housing 50g so as to be freely opened and closed. The monitor 55 may be detachable from the outer casing 50g, or may be fixed with the monitor surface exposed at all times.

Next, the structure of an adapter and the structure of a front-end | tip part are demonstrated using FIGS.
2 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the tip portion of FIG. 1 centering on the light shielding member and the groove, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the light shielding member of FIG. 2 removed from the groove, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the distal end surface of the distal end portion of FIG. 2 as viewed from the direction IV in FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view schematically showing a state in which the adapter of FIG. .

  6 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which a part of the tip side of the light guide protrudes forward from the tip surface when the tip side of the light guide is assembled to the through hole of the tip body of FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which the through hole in FIG. 6 is filled with a plurality of fibers constituting a light guide.

  In FIG. 2, to simplify the drawing, the description of the observation optical system, the imaging element located behind the observation optical system in the insertion direction S (hereinafter simply referred to as “rear”), and the light guide are omitted. As shown.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the distal end portion 11 includes a distal end portion main body 11h formed in a substantially columnar shape, and an observation optical system configured with, for example, three lenses 30a and 30b in the distal end portion main body 11h. 30 and the front end side of the light guide 35 which is an illumination unit. Note that the number of lenses constituting the observation optical system 30 is not limited to two.

  Through holes 33 and 34 are formed in the distal end portion body 11h so as to penetrate the distal end portion body 11h in the insertion direction S.

  A light guide 35 is fixed to the through-hole 33 with an adhesive or the like. The light guide 35 is inserted through the insertion unit 10, the operation unit 15, and the universal cord 17. For example, the light guide 35 guides illumination light from a light source provided in the apparatus main body 50 to the distal end portion 11, that is, the flat distal end surface 11s of the distal end portion main body 11h. The front end side of the light guide 35 is fixed so that the emission end surface 35s of the light guide 35 is exposed in the same plane as the front end surface 11s. The light source may be provided in the operation unit 15.

  That is, in the configuration of the present embodiment, the emission end surface 35s of the light guide 35 is directly exposed to the distal end surface 11s without using a lens or the like. This simplifies the fixing structure on the front end side of the light guide 35 in the through hole 33.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the light guide 35 is fixed to the through-hole 33 at the front end side first from the rear with respect to the through-hole 33. After inserting the distal ends of the plurality of fibers 35f constituting the guide 35, the distal ends of the respective fibers 35f are projected forward from the distal end surface 11s, and then the protruding portions of the respective fibers 35f are projected forward from the distal end surface 11s. In Y, the tip end side of each fiber 35f (see FIG. 7) is cured using the adhesive 37, and the adhesive 37 is also injected into the through hole 33. Finally, the protruding portion Y and the adhesive 37 are polished or the like. This is done by removing.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the emission end face 35s is exposed to the front end face 11s so as to be flush with the front end face 11s. Further, as in the prior art, a plurality of fibers 35f are hardened and cured in advance in the through hole 33, and an adhesive filling space for adhering the distal end side of the light guide 35 having a smaller diameter than the through hole 33 is provided. It becomes unnecessary. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 7, the light guide 35 composed of the plurality of fibers 35 f can be filled in the through hole 33. That is, since the number of the fibers 35f can be increased more than before, the amount of illumination light supplied from the emission end face 35s to the adapter 1 can be increased more than before.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the adhesive does not adhere to the output end face 35s due to polishing, the illumination light is blocked by the adhesive attached to the output end face 35s as in the prior art, It is possible to prevent the amount of illumination light supplied from the emission end face 35s to the adapter 1 from being reduced.

  The observation optical system 30 held in the through-hole 34 by the lens frame 31 that is a frame body is a lens 30a (hereinafter referred to as an observation lens) positioned most forward among the lenses 30a and 30b constituting the observation optical system 30. 30a) is exposed and fixed to the front end surface 11s so as to be flush with the front end surface 11s and the emission end surface 35s. The front end surface 31s of the lens frame 31 is also exposed on the front end surface 11s so as to be flush with the front end surface 11s.

  Note that an imaging element or the like is fixed to the through hole 34 behind the observation optical system 30. However, in order to simplify the drawing, the illustration of the imaging element is omitted in FIG. 5.

  Further, the exposed surface 30as of the observation lens 30a and the front end surface 31s of the lens frame 31 are exposed so as to be flush with the front end surface 11s, and the front end surface 11s is formed as a flat surface. As described above, the protruding portion Y of the light guide 35 when the front end side of the light guide 35 is fixed to the through hole 33 can be polished.

  In other words, the tip surface 11s is formed as a flat surface by polishing, and the tip surface 11s, the tip surface 31s, the emission end surface 35s, and the exposed surface 30as are the same surface.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the adapter 1 is mounted on the distal end portion 11, the distal end portion 11 is fitted into a recess 6 formed so that the distal end main body 11 h is recessed forward with respect to the base end surface 1 k of the adapter 1. It has become a part. The position of the adapter 1 is defined with respect to the distal end portion 11 when the adapter 1 is attached to the distal end portion 11 by fitting the distal end portion main body 11 h into the recess 6.

  The tip surface 11 s comes into contact with a bottom surface 6 t that is a contact surface formed on the flat surface of the recess 6 when the adapter 1 is mounted on the tip portion 11.

  As described above, the tip surface 11s is formed as a flat surface, and the bottom surface 6t is also formed as a flat surface. Therefore, when the adapter 1 is attached to the tip portion 11, the tip surface 11s. Contacts the bottom surface 6t.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the adapter 1 includes an adapter body 1h, and an objective lens unit 2 composed of a plurality of lenses and an illumination optical system 3 are provided in the adapter body 1h.

  Specifically, the objective lens unit 2 is provided such that the lens located in the foremost position is exposed on the front end surface 1s of the adapter 1 and the lens located in the rearmost position is exposed on the bottom surface 6t. Therefore, when the adapter 1 is attached to the distal end portion 11, the observation site in the subject is imaged by the imaging unit (not shown) via the objective lens unit 2 and the observation optical system 30.

  The illumination optical system 3 includes an illumination lens 3a exposed on the front end surface 1s and a rod lens 3b whose base end is exposed on the bottom surface 6t.

  Therefore, when the adapter 1 is attached to the distal end portion 11, the illumination light irradiated from the emission end face 35s enters the proximal end of the rod lens 3b, is guided to the distal end of the rod lens 3b, and then is used for illumination. The object is irradiated by the lens 3a.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, in the flat tip surface 11 s, a straight line is formed so as to connect the outer circumference 11 sg of the tip surface 11 s in the radial direction K at a position between the exposed surface 30 as and the emission end surface 35 s. The recessed groove 20 formed in is formed so as to be recessed backward from the front end surface 11s.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the groove 20 has a cross-sectional shape that is recessed rearward because the diameter b of the bottom portion 20 t is formed larger than the opening diameter a of the opening 20 a in the tip surface 11 s (a <b). Are formed in a trapezoidal shape, and are linearly formed so as to connect the outer periphery 11sg of the distal end surface 11s in the radial direction K while having a trapezoidal cross section with respect to the distal end surface 11s.

  A light shielding member 25 made of an elastic member shown in FIG. The light shielding member 25 can be fitted into the concave groove 20 and is formed in a linear bar shape having the same length as the concave groove 20 in the radial direction K and having an open shape.

  In addition, since the light shielding member 25 is detachable with respect to the concave groove 20, if the light shielding member 25 is detached from the concave groove 20, the concave groove 20 can be easily cleaned. Will not accumulate. For this reason, dust or the like accumulated in the groove 20 and jumping out of the groove 20 adheres to the exposed surface 30as of the observation lens 30a, and the image quality of the observation image captured by the above-described imaging unit (not shown). Is prevented from deteriorating.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the light shielding member 25 has an outer diameter g that is larger than the opening diameter a of the concave groove 20 and smaller than the diameter b of the bottom portion 20t (a <g < b).

  As a result, when the light shielding member 25 is fitted into the concave groove 20, the outer diameter g is formed larger than the opening diameter a of the concave groove 20 (a <g), so that the radial direction K is near the opening 20a. In this case, the groove 20 is prevented from being removed from the groove 20 by being crushed by the groove 20, and a part of the groove 20 is reduced in diameter in the radial direction K and inserted.

  Further, since the outer diameter g of the light shielding member 25 is formed to be smaller than the diameter b of the bottom portion 20t of the concave groove 20 (g <b), as shown in FIG. A large escape space 20n when 25 is crushed is formed.

  Further, the light shielding member 25 has an outer diameter g larger than the depth c in the insertion direction S of the concave groove 20 (c <g), so that when the light shielding member 25 is fitted into the concave groove 20, it is more than the tip surface 11s. Also partly protrudes forward.

  When the adapter 1 is mounted on the distal end portion 11, the light shielding member 25 comes into contact with a bottom surface 6 t of the adapter 1 and a portion protruding forward from the distal end surface 11 s, and as shown in FIG. It collapses in the insertion direction S.

  At this time, the light shielding member 25 is crushed in the insertion direction S using the relief space 20 n of the concave groove 20. Further, the light shielding member 25 is crushed while being in contact with the bottom surface 6t so that the tip of the light shielding member 25 is substantially flush with the tip surface 11s.

  When the adapter 1 is attached to the distal end portion 11, the light shielding member 25 is slightly between the bottom surface 6t generated in the insertion direction S and the distal end surface 11s between the exposed surface 30as and the emission end surface 35s of the distal end surface 11s. It is a member that blocks the illumination light irradiated from the emission end face 35s from entering the exposed surface 30as by closing the gap.

  If the tip surface 11s and the bottom surface 6t are formed as flat surfaces, for example, if they are mirror-finished, when the adapter 1 is attached to the tip portion 11, there is a gap between the bottom surface 6t and the tip surface 11s. Although a gap does not occur, in normal processing, a gap is slightly formed between the bottom surface 6t and the tip surface 11s due to the roughness of the tip surface 11s and the bottom surface 6t. Further, since the bottom surface 6t is positioned so as to be recessed forward of the base end surface 1k, it is difficult to perform mirror processing on the bottom surface 6t. Therefore, when the adapter 1 is attached to the distal end portion 11, the bottom surface 6t A slight gap is formed between the tip surface 11s.

  Therefore, the light shielding member 25 closes a slight gap formed between the bottom surface 6t and the front end surface 11s between the exposed surface 30as and the output end surface 35s on the front end surface 11s, thereby irradiating the light irradiated from the output end surface 35s. Light is shielded so that light does not enter the exposed surface 30as.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the distal end surface 11s is formed as a flat surface, and when the adapter 1 is attached to the distal end portion 11, the distal end portion main body 11h is fitted into the recessed portion 6, It is shown that it contacts the flat bottom surface 6t of the adapter 1.

  According to this, when the adapter 1 is mounted on the distal end portion 11, the distal end portion main body 11 h is fitted into the recess 6, whereby the position of the distal end portion 11 with respect to the adapter 1 is defined. Is in contact with the bottom surface 6t, that is, the contact area of the distal end surface 11s can be secured large without increasing the diameter of the distal end portion 11, so that the positional accuracy of the adapter 1 with respect to the distal end portion 11 is improved. In addition, the backlash of the adapter 1 with respect to the distal end portion 11 can be reduced.

  Further, in the present embodiment, it has been shown that the emission end face 35s of the light guide 35 is exposed to the front end face 11s so as to be flush with the front end face 11s.

  According to this, when the adapter 1 is mounted on the distal end portion 11, when the distal end surface 11s formed on the flat surface comes into contact with the bottom surface 6t formed on the flat surface, the distal end surface 11s is exposed. Since the exit end face 35s is substantially in contact with the base end of the rod lens 3b exposed to the bottom face 6t without any gap, the illumination light irradiated from the exit end face 35s is reduced in leakage light, that is, without loss of light amount. Therefore, the amount of illumination light supplied from the emission end face 35s to the adapter 1 side can be increased as compared with the prior art.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the distal end side of the light guide 35 is inserted into the through hole 33 of the distal end portion main body 11h so that the distal end protrudes forward from the distal end surface 11s, and then a plurality of fibers. The front ends of 35f are collectively cured by the adhesive 37, and then the portion Y protruding from the front end surface 11s is fixed by being removed by polishing. From this, since the light guide 35 comprised of the plurality of fibers 35f can be filled in the through hole 33, the amount of illumination light supplied from the emission end face 35s to the adapter 1 side can be increased as compared with the conventional case. .

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the adhesive does not adhere to the output end face 35s due to polishing, the illumination light is blocked by the adhesive attached to the output end face 35s as in the prior art, The amount of illumination light supplied from the emission end face 35s to the adapter 1 is not reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the front end surface 11s is linearly connected to the position between the exposed surface 30as of the observation lens 30a and the emission end surface 35s of the light guide 35 so as to connect the outer periphery 11sg of the front end surface 11s. It was shown that the formed groove 20 was formed.

  In addition, when the adapter 1 is attached to the distal end portion 11 in the concave groove 20, the light shielding member 25 that shields the illumination light irradiated from the emission end surface 35s from entering the exposed surface 30as is removable. It was.

  Further, the light shielding member 25 is made of an elastic member, and when the adapter 1 is mounted on the distal end portion 11, the light shielding member 25 is crushed in the insertion direction S in the concave groove 20 and emitted while the distal end is in contact with the bottom surface 6 t. It is shown that the illumination light irradiated from the end face 35s is shielded from entering the exposed surface 30as.

  According to this, since the light shielding member 25 can block a slight gap between the bottom surface 6t and the front end surface 11s at a position between the exposed surface 30as and the output end surface 35s, the illumination irradiated from the output end surface 35s. Since it is possible to reliably prevent light from entering the exposed surface 30as and to improve the adhesion between the tip surface 11s and the bottom surface 6t, the illumination light irradiated from the emission end surface 35s can be used as leakage light. Can be supplied to the adapter 1 side without any loss of light amount, and the amount of illumination light supplied from the emission end face 35s to the adapter 1 side can be increased as compared with the prior art.

  Further, when the light shielding member 25 is crushed in the insertion direction S, the light shielding member 25 is crushed by using the escape space 20n in the concave groove 20, so that it cannot be sufficiently crushed in the insertion direction S due to the absence of the escape space. Further, it is possible to prevent a gap from being generated between the front end surface 11s and the bottom surface 6t.

  Further, since the light shielding member 25 is detachably attached to the concave groove 20, it is easy to check the deterioration, and even if it is deteriorated, it can be easily replaced. 20 can be inserted.

  Further, since the light shielding member 25 is formed in a bar shape having an open shape, dust or the like does not accumulate in the O ring unlike a light shielding member having a closed shape such as an O ring. In addition, since the concave groove can be easily cleaned after the light shielding member 25 is removed, dust or the like does not accumulate in the concave groove 20.

  Therefore, dust or the like that has accumulated and protruded in the concave groove 20 and the light shielding member adheres to the exposed surface 30as of the observation lens 30a, and the image quality of the observation image captured by the imaging unit (not shown) is deteriorated. Can be prevented.

  From the above, it is possible to ensure the light shielding from the emission end surface 35s to the exposed surface 30as on the distal end surface 11s of the distal end portion 11, and further, it is possible to supply illumination light from the distal end portion 11 to the adapter 1 without loss of light amount. It is possible to provide the endoscope 80 and the endoscope system 100 that can be realized together.

  Hereinafter, modified examples will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a modified example in which the cross-sectional shape of the concave groove in FIG. 2 is a U-shape, and a light shielding member is inserted into the concave groove, and FIG. 9 is an insertion of the concave groove in FIG. It is a fragmentary sectional view which shows the modification which inclined the setting angle with respect to the direction in the state by which the light shielding member was inserted in the ditch | groove.

  In the present embodiment described above, the concave groove 20 is recessed rearward because the diameter b of the bottom portion 20t is formed larger than the opening diameter a of the opening 20a in the distal end surface 11s (a <b). The cross-sectional shape is formed in a trapezoidal shape, and the tip surface 11s is linearly formed so as to connect the outer periphery 11sg of the tip surface 11s in the radial direction K while maintaining the trapezoidal shape in cross section. .

  Not only this, but as shown in FIG. 8, the concave groove 20 has a diameter d of the bottom 20t that is the same as the opening diameter of the opening 20a, and the same diameter d along the insertion direction S. The cross-sectional shape is formed in a U shape by being formed in the diameter, and the outer periphery 11 sg of the front end surface 11 s is in the radial direction K while having a U-shaped cross section with respect to the front end surface 11 s. It may be formed in a straight line so as to be connected.

  In this configuration, the diameter d of the groove 20 is smaller than the outer diameter g of the light shielding member 25 in order to prevent the light shielding member 25 fitted in the groove 20 from being removed from the groove 20. (D <g). In other words, the light shielding member 25 is fitted in the concave groove 20 in a state of being crushed in the radial direction K.

  Also in the configuration shown in FIG. 8, when the light shielding member 25 is fitted in the concave groove 20, the distal end side of the light shielding member 25 projects forward from the distal end surface 11 s.

  Further, in the configuration shown in FIG. 8, as described above, the escape space 20n when the light shielding member 25 is crushed cannot be secured as in the first embodiment, but as shown in FIG. In addition, if the concave groove 20 is formed to be inclined with respect to the insertion direction S by the set angle θ, a large escape space 20m is secured on the opening 20a side even if the concave groove 20 is formed in a U-shaped cross section. In addition, it is possible to more reliably prevent the light shielding member 25 from coming off the concave groove 20. Other configurations are the same as those of the present embodiment described above.

  According to such a configuration, in the above-described embodiment, the concave groove 20 has a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape, so that it is difficult to process the groove 20 when it is formed. Then, since the cross-sectional shape is a U-shape, the groove 20 can be formed more easily than the present embodiment. Other effects are the same as those of the present embodiment described above.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of an endoscope system including an endoscope and an adapter according to the present embodiment.

  The configuration of the endoscope and endoscope system according to the second embodiment has a light shielding member as compared with the endoscope and endoscope system according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. Is different from that of the hard member. Therefore, only this difference will be described, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the groove 20 is formed in a U-shaped cross section as shown in FIG. 8 described above, and the light shielding member 25 having a rectangular cross section formed of a hard member in the groove 20. 'Is detachable. The light shielding member 25 ′ may be fixed to the concave groove 20 by adhesion or the like.

  Further, on the bottom surface 6t of the adapter 1, when the adapter 1 is mounted on the tip portion 11, a groove 8 is formed at a position facing the light shielding member 25 '.

  In the groove 8, when the adapter 1 is attached to the tip portion 11, the light shielding member 25 ′ is fitted in a non-contact manner.

  As in the first embodiment described above, the light shielding member 25 ′ is configured such that when the adapter 1 is attached to the tip portion 11 and the tip surface 11s is in contact with the bottom surface 6t, the exposed surface 30as and the emission end surface of the tip surface 11s. The gap between the bottom surface 6t generated in the insertion direction S and the front end surface 11s is blocked between the front end surface 11s and the illumination light irradiated from the output end surface 35s so as not to enter the exposed surface 30as.

  In addition, when the adapter 1 is attached to the distal end portion 11, the light shielding member 25 ′ comes into contact with the surface of the groove 8 by fitting the light shielding member 25 ′ in the groove 8 in a non-contact manner. It is prevented that the front end surface 11s and the bottom surface 6t are not in contact with each other, that is, a gap is generated.

  Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment described above.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the light shielding member 25 ′ is shown to be composed of a hard member.

  According to this, since the light shielding member 25 ′ is hardly deteriorated if it is made of a hard member, it is not necessary to replace it.

  Further, if the light shielding member 25 ′ is fixed to the concave groove 20, dust or the like does not accumulate in the concave groove 20, so that the concave groove 20 need not be cleaned. Other effects are the same as those of the first embodiment described above.

  Hereinafter, a modification will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a modified example in which the lens frame of FIGS. 5 and 10 is provided in a position overlapping the concave groove when the tip surface is viewed in plan in the tip body. FIG. It is a top view which shows the modification which protruded a part of concave groove | channel to the through-hole side by which the front end side of a light guide is penetrated.

  As shown in FIG. 11, a position in which the lens frame 31 fixed in the through-hole 34 overlaps the concave groove 20 when the lens frame 31 fixed in the through hole 34 is viewed from the top surface 11 s in a plan view. May be provided. That is, the concave groove 20 may be formed in part of the lens frame 31.

  According to this, from the first and second embodiments described above, the lens frame 31 can be provided on the through hole 33 side by moving by the overlapping portion of the lens frame 31 to the concave groove 20. The diameter of the tip end portion 11 can be reduced by the overlapping portion.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 11, the concave groove 20 is also formed in the lens frame 31. However, as shown in FIG. 12, the portion of the concave groove 20 that overlaps the lens frame 31 protrudes to the through hole 33 side. Thus, the entire tip surface 31s of the lens frame 31 may be exposed to the tip surface 11s. In this case, the light shielding member 25 is not linear but has a shape along the shape of the groove 20.

  Other configurations and effects are the same as those of the first and second embodiments described above.

  Hereinafter, another modification will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of the tip portion showing a modification of the groove formed on the tip surface of FIGS. 2 and 10, and FIG. 14 shows the tip surface of the tip portion of FIG. 13 from the XIV direction in FIG. FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a light-shielding member that can be attached to and detached from the concave groove in FIG. In FIG. 13, the illustration of the observation optical system, the image sensor, and the light guide is omitted to simplify the drawing.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, in the tip surface 11s, the concave groove 20 is positioned between the exposed surface 30as and the emission end surface 35s, and between the outer periphery 11sg of the tip surface 11s in the radial direction K. It was shown that it was formed in a straight line to connect.

  Further, the light shielding member 25 is shown to be able to be fitted into the groove 20 and to be formed in a linear bar shape having the same length as the groove 20 in the radial direction K and having an open shape.

  Not only this but as shown in Drawing 13 and Drawing 14, in addition to straight groove 120a similar to the 1st and 2nd execution, concave groove 120 was formed in the shape of a ring so that circumference 11sg of tip face 11s might be surrounded. The ring groove 120b may be provided. The linear groove 120a and the ring groove 120b communicate with each other.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the light shielding member 125 includes a ring portion 125b that can be fitted into the ring groove 120b in addition to the straight portion 125a that can be fitted into the linear groove 120a, as in the first and second embodiments. You may comprise and comprise. Note that the straight portion 125a and the ring portion 125b are integrally formed.

  According to such a configuration, the light shielding member 125 exposes the illumination light irradiated from the emission end face 35s by the straight portion 125a fitted in the straight groove 120a, as in the first and second embodiments described above. It is possible to block the light from entering the surface 30as, and when the adapter 1 is attached to the tip portion 11 by the ring portion 125b fitted into the ring groove 120b, moisture that has entered from the outside into the recess 6 is attached to the tip surface. It can prevent entering between 11s and the bottom face 6t, and adhering to the exposed surface 30as and the output end surface 35s.

  Other configurations and effects are the same as those of the first and second embodiments described above.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the illumination unit is the light guide 35. However, the illumination unit is not limited to this, and may be a light source provided in the distal end portion 11. Of course.

  Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, an industrial endoscope has been described as an example, but it goes without saying that it may be applied to a medical endoscope.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Adapter 1k ... Base end surface of adapter 6 ... Recessed part of adapter 6t ... Bottom face (contact surface) of recessed part
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 8 ... Adapter groove | channel 10 ... Insertion part 11s ... Tip surface 11sg ... Outer periphery of tip surface 20 ... Concave groove 20t ... Concave groove bottom part 25 ... Light shielding member 25 '... Light shielding member 30 ... Observation optical system 30a ... Observation lens 31 ... Lens frame (frame)
35 ... Light guide (lighting unit)
35s ... Light guide exit end face 80 ... Endoscope 100 ... Endoscope system a ... Concave groove opening diameter b ... Concave groove bottom diameter d ... Concave groove bottom diameter g ... Outer diameter of light shielding member K ... Radial direction S ... Insertion direction θ ... Setting angle

Claims (13)

An endoscope in which the adapter is detachable at the distal end in the insertion direction of the insertion portion,
When the adapter is attached to the distal end of the insertion portion, the distal end surface of the distal end of the insertion portion that abuts on a contact surface formed on a flat surface of the adapter;
An observation optical system that is provided in the insertion portion and is exposed so that the observation lens is flush with the distal end surface;
An illumination unit that is provided in the insertion portion and is exposed so that an emission end surface is flush with the distal end surface and the observation lens;
A concave groove that is positioned between the observation lens and the emission end surface in the front end surface, and is formed in a straight line so as to connect the outer periphery of the front end surface in the radial direction of the front end surface;
Illumination irradiated from the emission end surface when a part of the insertion portion is projected forward of the insertion direction from the front end surface, and the adapter is attached to the front end of the insertion portion. A rod-shaped light shielding member having an open shape that shields light from entering the observation lens;
An endoscope characterized by comprising: The light-shielding member is made of an elastic member, and at least a part of the light-shielding member is inserted into the concave groove with a reduced diameter.
When the adapter is attached to the distal end of the insertion portion, the elastic member is crushed in the insertion direction by abutting against the abutment surface of the adapter, and between the observation lens and the emission end surface The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein a gap between the contact surface generated in the insertion direction and the tip surface is closed.   The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the elastic member is detachable from the groove.   The concave groove is formed in a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape by forming a diameter of a bottom of the concave groove larger than an opening diameter of the concave groove at the tip end surface. The endoscope according to any one of Items 1 to 3.   The endoscope according to claim 4, wherein an outer diameter of the light shielding member is formed to be larger than the opening diameter of the concave groove and smaller than the diameter of the bottom portion. The concave groove is formed such that the diameter of the bottom of the concave groove is the same as the opening diameter of the tip surface of the concave groove and the same diameter along the insertion direction. The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the endoscope is formed in a U-shape and has a smaller diameter than the outer diameter of the light shielding member.   The endoscope according to claim 6, wherein the concave groove is formed at a set angle with respect to the insertion direction. The light shielding member is composed of a hard member,
When the adapter is attached to the distal end of the insertion portion, the hard member is fitted in a groove formed in the contact surface of the adapter in a non-contact manner, whereby the observation lens and the emission end surface The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein a gap between the contact surface generated in the insertion direction and the distal end surface is closed. The endoscope according to claim 8 , wherein the hard member is fixed to the concave groove. The observation optical system is held by a frame body in the tip of the insertion portion,
The frame body is provided at a position where a part of the frame body overlaps the concave groove when the front end surface is viewed in plan in the front end, and the concave part is also formed on a part of the frame body. The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a groove is formed.   The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the illumination unit is a light guide that guides the illumination light to the distal end surface.   When the adapter is attached to the distal end of the insertion portion, the distal end is fitted into a recess formed in a proximal end surface of the adapter, and the distal end surface forms the bottom surface of the recess. The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the endoscope contacts a surface. The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
The adapter detachably attached to the distal end of the insertion portion of the endoscope;
An endoscope system comprising:

Images