Endoscope Camera and Endoscope Imaging System

Abstract

An endoscope camera and an endoscope imaging system. The endoscope camera includes an optical module, and the optical module includes a lens barrel, a lens assembly, a front window fixing seat, and a front window lens. The chip module includes a housing and an image sensor. The imaging light beam obtained by the endoscope camera is transmitted to the image sensor through the front window lens and the lens assembly to generate an image signal. The front window lens is disposed obliquely on the front window fixing seat, and the front window fixing seat is circumferentially positioned and connected to the end of the lens barrel. Since the front window fixing seat of the endoscope camera is circumferentially positioned and connected to the end of the lens barrel, the direction in which the front window lens is inclined forms a preset positional relationship with the image sensor. For example, the inclination direction of the front window lens can be set to align with or be close to the short side of the imaging surface, so that the front window lens can form a smaller inclination. The front window lens with a smaller inclination forms a shallower pit with the front window fixing seat, is not easy to accumulate water, and is also easy to wipe the accumulated water, and finally can ensure the imaging quality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of endoscopes, and particularly to an endoscope camera and an endoscope imaging system. Background Art

[0002] With the increasing demand for images during clinical use, the optical system of the imaging system has become more complex. Currently, general optical systems will generate ghost images. To solve this problem, one of the lenses in the system is generally set to be installed in an inclined manner.

[0003] After the traditional lens is installed, the inclined direction of the lens relative to the image sensor is arbitrary. Therefore, a lens with a large inclination angle is required to ensure the elimination of ghost images. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In one embodiment, an endoscope camera is provided, which includes an optical module and a chip module. The optical module includes a lens barrel, a lens assembly, a front window fixing seat, and a front window lens. The chip module includes a housing and an image sensor. The imaging light beam obtained by the endoscope camera is transmitted to the image sensor through the front window lens and the lens assembly to generate an image signal.

[0005] The lens assembly is disposed in the lens barrel, the lens barrel is connected to the housing, and the image sensor is disposed in the housing.

[0006] The front window lens is inclinedly disposed on the front window fixing seat. The front window fixing seat is connected to the end of the lens barrel. The front window fixing seat is located at a circumferential position relative to the lens barrel, so that the inclined direction of the front window lens forms a preset positional relationship with the image sensor.

[0007] In one embodiment, the inclined direction of the front window lens is aligned with the short side of the imaging surface of the image sensor.

[0008] In one embodiment, the lens barrel is provided with a first thread, and the front window fixing seat is provided with a second thread. The first thread is adapted to the second thread. The first thread and the second thread have a preset initial position or end position. The initial position or end position is used to position the front window fixing seat relative to the lens barrel to rotate to the preset circumferential position, so that the inclined direction of the front window lens forms a preset positional relationship with the image sensor.

[0009] In one embodiment, a first positioning portion is provided on the lens barrel, and a second positioning portion is provided on the front window fixing seat. The first positioning portion is used to position the initial position or end position for machining the first thread, and the second positioning portion is used to position the initial position or end position for machining the second thread.

[0010] In one embodiment, a first positioning portion is provided on the lens barrel, and a second positioning portion is provided on the front window fixing base. The first positioning portion and the second positioning portion are used to position the front window fixing base to rotate relative to the lens barrel to a preset circumferential position.

[0011] In one embodiment, the second positioning portion is radially aligned with the lowest point and / or the highest point where the front window lens is inclined.

[0012] In one embodiment, the front window fixing base is located inside the lens barrel, the first positioning portion is located on the end surface of the lens barrel, the second positioning portion is located on the end surface of the front window fixing base, and the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion are located in a radial plane.

[0013] In one embodiment, the first positioning portion is a notch, the second positioning portion is a boss, or the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion are marks.

[0014] In one embodiment, a first positioning portion is provided on the lens barrel, and a second positioning portion is provided on the front window fixing base. The first positioning portion and the second positioning portion are clamped together. The first positioning portion and the second positioning portion are used to position the circumferential position of the front window fixing base relative to the lens barrel, so that the inclination direction of the front window lens forms a preset positional relationship with the image sensor.

[0015] In one embodiment, one of the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion is a radial protrusion, and the other is a radial card slot. The protrusion is clamped in the card slot; or, one of the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion is a protrusion located on the end surface, and the other is a card slot opposite to the end surface. The protrusion is clamped in the card slot.

[0016] In one embodiment, the front window fixing base is fixed on the lens barrel by gluing or welding.

[0017] In one embodiment, the front window fixing base is made of stainless steel or kovar alloy material, and the lens barrel is made of aluminum alloy or titanium alloy material.

[0018] In one embodiment, after the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion are clamped, the circumferential surface where the front window fixing base and the lens barrel are in contact is a non-circular cross-section, so that the front window fixing base is circumferentially limited on the lens barrel.

[0019] In one embodiment, the cross-section after the front window fixing base and the lens barrel are in contact is a D-shaped surface.

[0020] In one embodiment, the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion are clamped together by a fixing block.

[0021] In one embodiment, an endoscopic camera system is provided, which includes a light source, a light guide beam, an endoscope, an optical bayonet, a camera connecting line, a display, a video connecting line, a host, and the above-mentioned endoscopic camera. The optical module of the light source is connected to the endoscope through the light guide beam. One end of the endoscopic camera is connected to the endoscope through the optical bayonet, and the other end of the endoscopic camera is connected to the host through the camera connecting line in a pluggable manner. The host is connected to the display through the video connecting line.

[0022] According to the endoscopic camera and the endoscopic camera system of the above embodiment, the purpose of lightening the camera can be achieved. Moreover, since the front window fixing seat of the endoscopic camera is circumferentially positioned and connected to the end of the lens barrel, so that the direction in which the front window lens is inclined forms a preset positional relationship with the image sensor. For example, the inclination direction of the front window lens can be set to align with or be close to the short side of the imaging surface, enabling the front window lens to form a smaller inclination. The front window lens with a smaller inclination forms a shallower pit with the front window fixing seat, which is not prone to water accumulation and is also easy to wipe off the accumulated water, ultimately ensuring the imaging quality. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of an endoscopic camera in one embodiment;

[0024] Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram of an optical module in one embodiment;

[0025] Figure 3 It is an exploded structural diagram of an optical module in one embodiment;

[0026] Figure 4 It is a schematic structural diagram of the end face of the axis of an endoscopic camera in one embodiment;

[0027] Figure 5-1 It is a schematic diagram of the offset of the reflected light imaging of the front window lens relative to the image sensor in one embodiment;

[0028] Figure 5-2 It is a side view of the alignment of the inclined surface of the front window lens with the short side of the image sensor in one embodiment;

[0029] Figure 5-3 It is a front view of the alignment of the inclined surface of the front window lens with the short side of the image sensor in one embodiment;

[0030] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the positioning principle of the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion in one embodiment;

[0031] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the positioning principle of the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion in one embodiment;

[0032] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the positioning principle of the first positioning part and the second positioning part in an embodiment;

[0033] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the positioning principle of the first positioning part and the second positioning part in an embodiment;

[0034] Figure 10 Schematic diagram of the structure of an endoscopic camera system in an embodiment. Specific embodiments

[0035] The present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings through specific embodiments. Similar elements in different embodiments are labeled with related similar element numbers. In the following embodiments, many detailed descriptions are provided to enable a better understanding of the present application. However, those skilled in the art can easily recognize that some of the features can be omitted in different situations, or can be replaced by other elements, materials, or methods. In some cases, some operations related to the present application are not shown or described in the specification to avoid overwhelming the core part of the present application with excessive descriptions. For those skilled in the art, it is not necessary to describe these related operations in detail, and they can fully understand the related operations based on the descriptions in the specification and the general technical knowledge in the art.

[0036] In addition, the features, operations, or characteristics described in the specification can be combined in any appropriate manner to form various embodiments. At the same time, the steps or actions in the method description can also be reordered or adjusted in an obvious manner by those skilled in the art. Therefore, the various sequences in the specification and the drawings are only for clearly describing a certain embodiment and do not mean that they are necessary sequences, unless it is stated that a certain sequence must be followed.

[0037] The serial numbers assigned to the components herein, such as "first", "second", etc., are only used to distinguish the described objects and do not have any sequential or technical meaning. The "connection" and "coupling" mentioned in the present application, unless otherwise specified, both include direct and indirect connection (coupling). In this article, the end facing the human body is defined as the front end, and the opposite end is defined as the rear end.

[0038] In an embodiment, an endoscopic camera is provided. The endoscopic camera is used for optically imaging human tissues to determine lesions.

[0039] Please refer to Figure 1 , in this embodiment, the endoscopic camera mainly includes an optical module 1, a chip module 2, a handle 3, and a handwheel 4. The endoscopic camera can achieve zoom adjustment through the handwheel 4, and the endoscopic camera can also be set as a lens with a fixed focal length.

[0040] In this embodiment, the handle 3 has the functions of accommodating components and being held. The handle 3 has an accommodation cavity 31. Both ends of the handle 3 have openings communicating with the accommodation cavity 31. The openings at both ends of the handle 3 are respectively used for connecting a cable and an optical module 1. A chip module 2 is accommodated in the handle 3, and a button assembly 32 is further installed on the handle 3. The button assembly 32 is connected to the chip module 2 through a cable. A doctor can hold the handle 3 and control the imaging detection of the endoscope camera through the button assembly 32. One end of the handle 3 close to the handwheel 4 is provided with a front cover 5. The front cover 5 has a through hole. The front cover 5 is mounted on the opening of the handle 3. The front cover 5 is used for installing the chip module 2 and the optical module 1 in the accommodation cavity 31 of the handle 3.

[0041] The chip module 2 is located in the accommodation cavity 31 of the handle 3. One end of the chip module 2 is fixedly connected to the front cover 5. The chip module 2 includes a housing 21 and an image sensor 22. One end of the housing 21 is a light incident end. The image sensor 22 is installed at the light incident end of the housing 21. The image sensor 22 is an optical sensor. The imaging light beam obtained by the endoscope camera is transmitted to the image sensor 22 through the optical module 1 to generate an image signal.

[0042] One end of the optical module 1 passes through the through hole of the front cover 5 and is connected to the chip module 2. The end of the optical module 1 passing through the through hole of the front cover 5 is fixedly connected to the front cover 5 by a screw. The end of the optical module 1 far from the chip module 2 is connected to an optical bayonet 40.

[0043] Please refer to Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the optical module 1 includes a lens barrel 11, a lens assembly 12, a front window fixing seat 13 and a front window lens 14.

[0044] A first thread 111 is provided at the front end of the lens barrel 11. The first thread 111 is an internal thread. A connecting plate 112 is provided at the rear end of the lens barrel 11. The connecting plate 112 is used for connecting to the chip module 2. The lens assembly 12 includes several lenses. The lens assembly 12 is arranged in the lens barrel 11. The lens assembly 12 includes a fixed lens group and a movable lens group. The fixed lens group is fixedly installed relative to the lens barrel 11. The movable lens group is axially movably installed in the lens barrel 11. The movable lens group is connected to the handwheel 4 through a pin shaft. Rotating the handwheel 4 can adjust the axial position of the movable lens group, so that the movable lens group can axially move relative to the fixed lens group, thereby realizing zoom adjustment. In one embodiment, the lens assembly 12 is fixedly connected to the lens barrel 11 and is a non-focus-adjustable structure.

[0045] In this embodiment, the front window fixing seat 13 is an annular structure. The front window fixing seat 13 has a second thread 131, and the second thread 131 is an external thread. The second thread 131 is adapted to the first thread 111 of the lens barrel 11. The front window fixing seat 13 is connected to the first thread 111 of the lens barrel 11 through the second thread 131, and the front window fixing seat 13 is threadedly connected inside the front end of the lens barrel 11. There is an installation hole in the middle of the front window fixing seat 13, and the front window lens 14 is inclined and installed in the installation hole of the front window fixing seat 13, that is, the front window lens 14 is in a non-vertical state with respect to the optical axis. The front window lens 14 has a certain inclination angle with the optical axis, and there is also a certain inclination angle between the front window lens 14 and the front end face of the front window fixing seat 13.

[0046] In one embodiment, the front window fixing seat 13 is sleeved on the lens barrel 11. The first thread 111 is an external thread, and the second thread 131 is an internal thread. The front window fixing seat 13 can also be installed on the lens barrel 11 through threaded connection.

[0047] Please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 4 In this embodiment, two first positioning parts 113 that are symmetric about the center are provided on the front end face of the lens barrel 11, and a second positioning part 132 is provided on the front end face of the front window fixing seat 13. The first positioning part 113 is a convex platform that protrudes axially, and the second positioning part 132 is an axial notch. When the front window fixing seat 13 is installed into the lens barrel 11, the first positioning part 113 and the second positioning part 132 are arranged on the cross-section perpendicular to the optical axis, and the two first positioning parts 113 and one second positioning part 132 are aligned on a straight line in the cross-section perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0048] The first positioning part 113 is used to position the initial position or the end position for machining the first thread 111, and the second positioning part 132 is used to position the initial position or the end position for machining the second thread 131, so that after the first thread 111 and the second thread 131 are tightened and fitted, the front window fixing seat 13 is located at a preset circumferential position relative to the lens barrel 11, that is, the inclination direction of the front window lens 14 forms a preset positional relationship with the imaging surface of the image sensor 22. In one embodiment, the inclination direction of the front window lens 14 is aligned with the short side of the imaging surface of the image sensor 22. In this way, the ghosting problem is solved, and the inclination angle of the front window lens 14 can be made as small as possible to avoid the phenomenon of water accumulation in the pit.

[0049] For thread machining, as long as the initial position is determined, after determining the thread depth (pitch), its end position is also determined; similarly, as long as the end position is determined, after determining the thread depth (pitch), its initial position is also determined. In different embodiments, the depth (pitch) and number of turns of the first thread and the second thread can be designed differently according to actual needs. In one embodiment, the first thread and the second thread can adopt multi-start threads.

[0050] In addition to positioning the initial or end positions of the first thread 111 and the second thread 131 for machining, the first positioning portion 113 and the second positioning portion 132 are also used to correct whether the inclination direction of the front window lens 14 is aligned with the short side of the imaging surface of the image sensor 22. If the inclination direction of the front window lens 14 is aligned with the short side of the imaging surface of the image sensor 22, the two first positioning portions 113 and one second positioning portion 132 are aligned on a straight line within the cross-section perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0051] In this embodiment, the first positioning portion 113 and the second positioning portion 132 are located on the cross-section perpendicular to the optical axis, which is beneficial to observing whether they are radially aligned.

[0052] In one embodiment, the initial or end positions of the first thread 111 and the second thread 131 can also be positioned and machined through components such as the original mounting holes of the lens barrel 11 and the front window fixing seat 13.

[0053] Please refer to Figure 5-1 , in this embodiment, in order to avoid the formation of ghost images due to the reflection of the front window lens 14, the virtual image formed by the reflected light of the front window lens 14 must be entirely offset from the imaging surface. The imaging surface of the image sensor 22 is usually a rectangular structure, and thus a rectangular image is obtained. The width of the imaging surface is a, the length is b, and the diagonal is c.

[0054] If the reflected light imaging A1 of the front window lens 14 is offset from the imaging surface A0 in the width direction, the reflected light imaging A2 of the front window lens 14 is offset from the imaging surface A0 in the length direction, and if the reflected light imaging A3 of the front window lens 14 is offset from the imaging surface A0 in the diagonal direction; then the offset amounts of the reflected light imaging A1, A2, and A3 of the front window lens 14 are a, b, and c respectively. It can be seen that the offset distance of A1 offset in the width direction is the smallest, and the offset distance of A3 offset in the diagonal direction is the largest.

[0055] The inclined setting of the front window lens 14 can achieve the offset of the reflected light imaging of the front window lens 14 relative to the image sensor 22. Therefore, when the inclination direction of the front window lens 14 is aligned with the width direction (short side) of the imaging surface, the front window lens 14 can achieve the offset of the reflected light imaging from the imaging surface with the smallest inclination angle to eliminate the ghost image phenomenon.

[0056] In the prior art, the circumferential position of the front window lens 14 is randomly set. To ensure the elimination of ghost images, the offset of the front window lens 14 must be greater than or equal to the diagonal of the imaging surface of the image sensor 22 to ensure that no ghost image phenomenon occurs in any direction. If the offset of the front window lens 14 is large, the inclination of the front window lens 14 is large, and a large concave pit will be formed between the outer side surface of the front window lens 14 and the front window fixing seat 13, which is prone to water accumulation and not easy to wipe and clean. In this embodiment, when the inclination direction of the front window lens 14 is aligned with the width direction (short side) of the imaging surface, the inclination of the front window lens 14 is the smallest, the concave pit formed between the outer side surface of the front window lens 14 and the front window fixing seat 13 is the smallest, not prone to water accumulation, and easier to wipe and clean.

[0057] Figures 5-2 to 5-3 Fig. shows a situation in an embodiment where when the front window lens 14 is inclined, its inclined surface is aligned with the short side of the image sensor 22.

[0058] In an embodiment, the first positioning portion 113 is a notch, the second positioning portion 132 is a boss, or the first positioning portion 113 and the second positioning portion 132 are marks such as patterns and lines, which can also play a role in positioning the initial position or the end position of machining the first thread 111 and the second thread 131, and can also be used to proofread that the inclination direction of the front window lens 14 is aligned with the width direction (short side) of the imaging surface.

[0059] In an embodiment, the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion are used to cooperate with a tooling for positioning. After the front window fixing seat is rotated relative to the lens barrel to a preset circumferential position by the tooling, the front window fixing seat can be fixed by gluing or welding.

[0060] As Figure 6 shown, in an embodiment, the first positioning portion 113 and the second positioning portion 132 are connected to each other. The first positioning portion 113 and the second positioning portion 132 are used to position the circumferential position of the front window fixing seat 13 relative to the lens barrel 11 so that the inclination direction of the front window lens 14 is aligned with the short side of the image sensor 22. The first positioning portion 113 is a slot or a boss provided on the inner side surface of the front end of the lens barrel 11, and the second positioning portion 132 is a protrusion or a slot provided on the outer side surface of the front window fixing seat 13. The first positioning portion 113 and the second positioning portion 132 are snap-connected through the cooperation of the slot and the protrusion, and the cooperation connection of the protrusion and the slot limits the circumferential position of the front window fixing seat 13 relative to the lens barrel 11. And the front window fixing seat 13 is fixed to the front end of the lens barrel 11 by gluing or welding.

[0061] As Figure 7As shown, in one embodiment, the second positioning portion 132 is a protrusion or a card slot provided on the end face of the front window fixing base 13, and the first positioning portion 113 is a card slot or a boss provided on the end face of the lens barrel 11 opposite to the front window fixing base 13. The first positioning portion 113 and the second positioning portion 132 are snap-connected through the cooperation of the card slot and the protrusion, and the cooperation connection of the protrusion and the card slot limits the circumferential position of the front window fixing base 13 relative to the lens barrel 11. Moreover, the front window fixing base 13 is fixed to the front end of the lens barrel 11 by means of gluing or welding to fix the circumferential position of the front window fixing base 13 relative to the lens barrel 11.

[0062] As Figure 8 shown, in one embodiment, after the first positioning portion 113 and the second positioning portion 132 are snap-connected, the circumferential surface where the front window fixing base 13 and the lens barrel 11 are in contact is a non-circular cross-section, so that the front window fixing base 13 is circumferentially limited on the lens barrel 11. For example, the cross-section after the front window fixing base 13 and the lens barrel 11 are in contact is a D-shaped surface.

[0063] As Figure 9 shown, in one embodiment, the first positioning portion 113 and the second positioning portion 132 are connected to each other. The first positioning portion 113 and the second positioning portion 132 are used to position the circumferential position of the front window fixing base 13 relative to the lens barrel 11 so that the inclination direction of the front window lens 14 is aligned with the short side of the image sensor 22. The first positioning portion 113 is a card slot provided on the inner side surface of the front end of the lens barrel 11, and the second positioning portion 132 is a card slot provided on the outer side surface of the front window fixing base 13. The first positioning portion 113 and the second positioning portion 132 are snap-connected through the cooperation of a fixing block 901 to limit the circumferential position of the front window fixing base 13 relative to the lens barrel 11. Moreover, the front window fixing base 13 is fixed to the front end of the lens barrel 11 by means of gluing or welding.

[0064] In one embodiment, the first positioning portion 113 and the second positioning portion 132 only play the role of alignment and positioning and do not play the role of connection and limitation. During the process of installing the front window fixing base 13 onto the lens barrel 11, after adjusting the alignment of the first positioning portion 113 and the second positioning portion 132, the front window fixing base 13 is fixed to the front end of the lens barrel 11 by means of gluing or welding to fix the circumferential position of the front window fixing base 13 relative to the lens barrel 11, so that the inclination direction of the front window lens 14 is aligned with the short side of the imaging surface.

[0065] In one embodiment, the second positioning portion 132 is radially aligned with the lowest point of the inclination of the front window lens 14, or is radially aligned with the highest point of the inclination of the second positioning portion 132 and the front window lens 14, which is beneficial for the second positioning portion 132 to more accurately position the inclination direction of the front window lens 14.

[0066] Please refer to Figure 10, in one embodiment, an endoscopic camera system 1000 is provided. The endoscopic camera system 1000 includes the endoscopic camera 50 in the above embodiment, as well as a light source 10, a light guide beam 20, a rigid endoscope 30, an optical bayonet 40, a camera connection cable 81, a host 60, a display 70, and a video connection cable 82.

[0067] The host 60 is connected to the endoscopic camera 50 through the camera connection cable 81, and the image signal obtained by the endoscopic camera 50 is transmitted to the host 60 through the camera connection cable 81 for processing.

[0068] In some embodiments, the camera connection cable 81 can be an optical communication cable, such as an optical fiber, or the camera connection cable 81 can also be an electrical communication cable, such as an electric wire.

[0069] The endoscopic camera 50 converts the image signal (electrical signal) into an optical signal, which is transmitted to the host 60 through the camera connection cable 81, and the host 60 then converts the optical signal into an electrical signal. The host 60 is connected to the display 70 through the video connection cable 82 for sending the video signal to the display 70 for display.

[0070] The light source 10 is used to provide an illumination light source for the part to be observed 100, including laser light illumination and white light illumination.

[0071] In this embodiment, the light source 10 includes a visible light source and a laser light source corresponding to a fluorescent reagent. The visible light source is an LED light source. In one embodiment, the visible light source can respectively provide multiple monochromatic lights in different wavelength ranges, such as blue light, green light, red light, etc. In other embodiments, the visible light source can also provide a combined light of the multiple monochromatic lights, or a broadband white light source. The wavelength range of the monochromatic light is approximately 400 nm to 700 nm. The laser light source is used to generate laser light. The laser is, for example, near-infrared light (Near Infrared; NIR). The peak wavelength of the laser takes at least any one value within the range of 780 nm or 808 nm.

[0072] Since the light source 10 can simultaneously provide continuous white light and laser light corresponding to the fluorescent reagent to the part to be observed, the acquisition efficiency of the visible light image signal and the fluorescent image signal reflected by the part to be observed 100 by the endoscopic camera 50 is improved.

[0073] Before imaging with the endoscopic camera system 1000, a contrast agent, such as Indocyanine Green (ICG), is introduced into the part to be observed 100 through intravenous or subcutaneous injection, so as to image the tissue structure and function (such as blood / lymph / bile in blood vessels) that are not easily seen by standard visible light imaging techniques. The part to be observed 100 includes, but is not limited to, the blood circulation system, the lymphatic system, and tumor tissues. ICG, commonly known as indocyanine green, diagnostic green needle, and indocyanine green flower, is a contrast agent commonly used in the clinical diagnosis of cardiovascular system diseases and is widely used in choroidal and retinal vascular imaging. When the contrast agent in the part to be observed 100 absorbs the laser corresponding to the fluorescent reagent generated by the laser light source, fluorescence can be generated.

[0074] In the embodiment of the present application, since the front window fixing seat 13 of the endoscopic camera 50 is circumferentially positioned and connected to the end of the lens barrel 11, the inclination direction of the front window lens 14 can be set to align with the short side of the imaging surface, so that the front window lens 14 can form the smallest inclination. The front window lens 14 with the smallest inclination forms a shallower pit with the front window fixing seat 13, which is not easy to accumulate water and is also easy to wipe the accumulated water, and finally can ensure the imaging quality.

[0075] In the embodiment of the present application, the front window lens is first fixed on the front window fixing seat, and then fixed on the lens barrel through the front window fixing seat. This separated design can ensure the lightweight of the camera and simplify the processing technology. Generally, most front window lenses use glass materials. When fixed by gluing or welding, materials that are easy to fix, such as stainless steel and kovar alloy, need to be selected. Therefore, in some embodiments, the front window fixing seat is made of stainless steel or kovar alloy. If the separated design of the front window fixing seat is not used, but the front window lens is directly fixed on the lens barrel, then the entire lens barrel needs to use heavier materials such as stainless steel. For the embodiment of the present application, the lens barrel can use lightweight materials such as aluminum alloy and titanium alloy, so the front window fixing seat is provided. In addition, the integrated design of directly fixing the front window lens on the lens barrel belongs to blind hole processing, and the processing difficulty is greater. While using the separated design in the embodiment of the present application belongs to through hole processing, and the processing difficulty is small. In the embodiment of the present application, gluing and welding both belong to the sealing process. In other embodiments, other methods can also be used to achieve sealing.

[0076] The above uses specific examples to elaborate on the present invention, which is only used to help understand the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the technical field to which the present invention belongs, according to the idea of the present invention, several simple deductions, deformations or substitutions can also be made.

Claims

1. An endoscope camera, characterized in that, It includes an optical module and a chip module. The optical module includes a lens barrel, a lens assembly, a front window fixing seat, and a front window lens. The chip module includes a housing and an image sensor. The imaging light beam obtained by the endoscope camera is transmitted to the image sensor through the front window lens and the lens assembly to generate an image signal. The lens assembly is arranged inside the lens barrel. The lens barrel is connected to the housing, and the image sensor is arranged inside the housing. The front window lens is obliquely arranged on the front window fixing seat. The front window fixing seat is connected to the end of the lens barrel. The front window fixing seat is located at a circumferential position relative to the lens barrel, so that the inclined direction of the front window lens forms a preset positional relationship with the image sensor. The inclined direction of the front window lens is aligned or close to the short side of the imaging surface of the image sensor.

2. The endoscope camera according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lens barrel is provided with a first thread, and the front window fixing seat is provided with a second thread. The first thread is adapted to the second thread. The first thread and the second thread have a preset initial position or end position. The initial position or end position is used to position the front window fixing seat relative to the lens barrel to rotate to the preset circumferential position, so that the inclined direction of the front window lens forms a preset positional relationship with the image sensor.

3. The endoscope camera according to claim 2, wherein The lens barrel is provided with a first positioning portion, and the front window fixing seat is provided with a second positioning portion. The first positioning portion is used to position the initial position or end position for machining the first thread, and the second positioning portion is used to position the initial position or end position for machining the second thread.

4. The endoscope camera according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lens barrel is provided with a first positioning portion, and the front window fixing seat is provided with a second positioning portion. The first positioning portion and the second positioning portion are used to position the front window fixing seat relative to the lens barrel to rotate to the preset circumferential position.

5. The endoscope camera according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that The second positioning portion is radially aligned with the lowest point and / or the highest point of the inclination of the front window lens.

6. The endoscopic camera according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The front window fixing seat is located inside the lens barrel. The first positioning portion is located on the end face of the lens barrel, and the second positioning portion is located on the end face of the front window fixing seat. The first positioning portion and the second positioning portion are located in a radial plane.

7. The endoscope camera according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The first positioning portion is a notch, the second positioning portion is a boss, or the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion are marks.

8. The endoscope camera according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lens barrel is provided with a first positioning portion, and the front window fixing seat is provided with a second positioning portion. The first positioning portion and the second positioning portion are clamped together. The first positioning portion and the second positioning portion are used to position the front window fixing seat relative to the circumferential position of the lens barrel, so that the inclined direction of the front window lens forms a preset positional relationship with the image sensor.

9. The endoscope camera according to claim 8, wherein, One of the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion is a radial protrusion, and the other is a radial slot. The protrusion is clamped in the slot; or, one of the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion is a protrusion located on the end face, and the other is a slot opposite to the end face. The protrusion is clamped in the slot; or, the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion are clamped together by a fixing block.

10. The endoscopic camera according to claim 1, characterized in that, The front window fixing seat is fixed on the lens barrel by caulking or welding.

11. The endoscope camera according to claim 1, characterized in that, The front window fixing seat is made of stainless steel or kovar alloy, and the lens barrel is made of aluminum alloy or titanium alloy.

12. The endoscopic camera according to claim 8, characterized in that, After the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion are clamped, the circumferential surface where the front window fixing seat and the lens barrel are in contact is a non-circular cross-section, so that the front window fixing seat is circumferentially limited on the lens barrel.

13. The endoscopic camera according to claim 12, characterized in that, The cross-section after the front window fixing seat and the lens barrel are in contact is a D-shaped surface.

14. An endoscope imaging system, characterized in that, It includes a light source, a light guide beam, an endoscope, an optical bayonet, a camera connecting line, a display, a video connecting line, a host, and an endoscope camera according to any one of claims 1 to 13. The optical module of the light source is connected to the endoscope through the light guide beam. One end of the endoscope camera is connected to the endoscope through the optical bayonet, and the other end of the endoscope camera is connected to the host through the camera connecting line in a pluggable manner. The host is connected to the display through the video connecting line.

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