Endoscope, endoscope system, endoscope tool, and endoscope mounting method

Abstract

This invention relates to an endoscope, an endoscope system, an endoscope fixture, and an endoscope installation method. The endoscope includes a head and a light guide element. The head has a mounting groove; the light guide element has its end inserted into the mounting groove. The head also includes a support structure disposed within the mounting groove, and the light guide element abuts against the support structure and bends towards the side where the support structure is located. In this endoscope, the light guide element bends within the head, which improves the accuracy and reliability of illumination field adjustment and the consistency of endoscope products, thus facilitating mass production of endoscopes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of endoscopy technology, and in particular to an endoscope, an endoscope system, an endoscope tooling, and an endoscope installation method. Background Technology

[0002] Endoscopes can be inserted into the human body for more precise diagnosis and treatment, and their application in the medical field is becoming increasingly widespread. Endoscopes typically require light guide elements to transmit light emitted from a light source into the body for supplemental illumination, improving image quality. The imaging field of view of an endoscope may be tilted relative to its length to accommodate different shooting angles. Related technologies usually require adjustment of the illumination field of view of the light guide element to match the imaging field of view. However, traditional methods of adjusting the illumination field of view in endoscopes suffer from low precision, poor reliability, and difficulty in mass production. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides an endoscope, an endoscope system, an endoscope fixture, and an endoscope installation method, which can improve the adjustment accuracy and reliability of the illumination field of view, and is beneficial to the mass production of endoscopes.

[0004] An endoscope comprising:

[0005] The end cap is equipped with a mounting groove;

[0006] A light guide element, with its end inserted into the mounting groove;

[0007] The end cap further includes a support structure disposed within the mounting groove, and the light guide element abuts against the support structure and bends toward the side where the support structure is located.

[0008] The aforementioned endoscope incorporates a support structure within the endcap as a turning fulcrum for the light guide element, allowing the element to bend within the endcap to adjust the illumination field of view. The light guide element bends towards the side of the support structure, which limits its bending angle, improving the precision of illumination field of view adjustment and facilitating mass production. Furthermore, the partial bending of the light guide element within the endcap for adjusting the illumination field of view, compared to end-face tilting, exhibits lower sensitivity to processes such as grinding and polishing, resulting in higher reliability and further enhancing adjustment precision, thus benefiting mass production.

[0009] In one embodiment, the inner wall of the end cap has a convex arc surface to form the support structure. Providing a convex arc surface for the light guide element to bend and conform to it allows for a smoother bending curve. Simultaneously, the support structure provides effective structural support for each part of the bending position of the light guide element 13, thereby reducing the likelihood of breakage or damage due to excessively steep bending curves or insufficient support in certain areas.

[0010] In one embodiment, the endoscope includes two light guide elements disposed within the same mounting groove. The end cap includes two support structures located on opposite sides of the two light guide elements. This allows the light guide elements within the same mounting groove to bend towards opposite sides, which helps to increase the illumination range of the superimposed light guide elements.

[0011] In one embodiment, the endoscope includes two light guide elements and two mounting slots. The two light guide elements are inserted into the two mounting slots in a one-to-one correspondence. The end cap includes two support structures, which are correspondingly disposed in the two mounting slots, and are respectively located on the same side of the two light guide elements. This allows the corresponding light guide elements in the two mounting slots to bend towards the same side, thereby adjusting the illumination angle after the two light guide elements are superimposed.

[0012] In one embodiment, the inner wall of the mounting groove is further provided with a guide notch near the end face of the end cap. The guide notch is located on the side of the light guide element facing away from the support structure. The bottom wall of the guide notch forms a guide surface that abuts against the light guide element, and the guide surface is inclined to the axis of the end cap. By setting the guide surface to cooperate with the support structure to limit the opposite sides of the light guide element, the accuracy and reliability of the bending angle of the light guide element can be improved.

[0013] In one embodiment, four light guide elements are provided, and two mounting slots are provided. The light guide elements are arranged in pairs in the two mounting slots. The corresponding two light guide elements are arranged sequentially along a first direction, and the two mounting slots are arranged sequentially along a second direction. The first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0014] In the first direction, support structures are provided on both opposite sides of the two corresponding light guide elements. In the second direction, support structures are provided on the same side of all four light guide elements. The support structures in the two directions of the light guide elements cooperate to adjust the illumination range and illumination angle of the four light guide elements after they are stacked, thereby improving the adjustment range of the endoscope illumination.

[0015] In one embodiment, the endoscope's imaging field of view has a first angle in the first direction and a second angle in the second direction;

[0016] In the first direction, the angle between the axes of two light guide elements positioned opposite each other at the light emission position is less than or equal to two-thirds of the first angle;

[0017] In the second direction, the angle between the axes of two corresponding light guide elements at the light emission position is less than or equal to two-thirds of the second angle. This not only increases the illumination range of the stacked light guide elements but also prevents vignetting in the central area of ​​the illumination range.

[0018] An endoscope system includes a light source and an endoscope as described in any of the above embodiments, wherein the other end of the light guide element is used to receive light emitted by the light source.

[0019] An endoscope fixture, characterized in that it is used for mounting an endoscope as described in any of the above embodiments, the endoscope fixture comprising:

[0020] A fixing structure is used to fix the end cap;

[0021] A guide structure is provided on the fixed structure and has a guide groove. One end of the guide groove corresponds to the mounting groove, and the guide groove is inclined relative to the axis of the end cap towards the bending direction of the light guide element. When the endoscope is installed using the above-mentioned endoscope fixture, the guide structure can cooperate with the endoscope's support structure, allowing the shape of the light guide element to better match the support structure, thereby improving the accuracy of the light guide element's angle adjustment.

[0022] In one embodiment, the endoscope fixture further includes a locking structure disposed on the guide structure and corresponding to the guide groove. The locking structure is used to fix the light guide element when it is embedded in the guide groove. The locking structure can provide a limiting effect on the light guide element during installation, preventing the light guide element from swinging and affecting the accuracy of the installation angle.

[0023] In one embodiment, four light guide elements are provided, and two mounting slots are provided, with the light guide elements arranged in pairs in the two mounting slots;

[0024] Two guide grooves are provided on each of the opposite sides of the guide structure. One end of each of the four guide grooves corresponds to the position of one of the four light guide elements, and the four guide grooves are inclined relative to the axis of the end cap in the bending direction of the corresponding light guide element. The four guide grooves correspond to four support structures, which facilitates the effective adjustment of the illumination range and illumination angle of the endoscope.

[0025] In one embodiment, supporting structures are provided on both opposite sides of the two corresponding light guide elements. The endoscope fixture also includes guiding elements, which are inserted between the two corresponding light guide elements to drive the two light guide elements to bend toward the supporting structures on both sides. The guiding elements enable the light guide elements to fit more tightly against the supporting structures, thereby allowing the angle of the light guide elements to better match the supporting structures and improving the accuracy of angle adjustment.

[0026] In one embodiment, the fixing structure has a receiving groove, and the endoscope fixture further includes a support plug. The support plug is at least partially inserted into the fixing structure to divide the receiving groove into a first groove and a second groove, which correspond to the two mounting grooves, respectively. The support plug separates the light guide elements, preventing them from becoming entangled during installation and affecting the installation process.

[0027] An endoscope mounting method is provided for mounting an endoscope as described in any of the above embodiments, the endoscope mounting method comprising:

[0028] The light guide element is inserted through the mounting groove, with the end of the light guide element exposed outside the end cap;

[0029] The end of the light guide element is tilted relative to the axis of the end cap toward the side where the support structure is located, so that the portion of the light guide element located in the mounting groove abuts against the support structure and bends toward the side where the support structure is located;

[0030] The light guide element and the end cap are encapsulated and fixed.

[0031] Remove the light guide element from the end of the end cap. Using the above installation method to install the endoscope allows the bending angle of the light guide element in the endoscope to match well with the support structure, improving the accuracy of the endoscope's angle adjustment and product consistency. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the endoscope and its illumination range in some embodiments;

[0033] Figure 2 These are schematic diagrams of the end cap structure in some embodiments;

[0034] Figure 3 This is a structural schematic diagram of the end cap at another angle in some embodiments;

[0035] Figure 4 This is a structural schematic diagram of the end cap at another angle in some embodiments;

[0036] Figure 5 for Figure 4 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the head along the AA direction;

[0037] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure in which the light guide element is attached to the support structure in some embodiments;

[0038] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the end cap at another angle in some embodiments;

[0039] Figure 8 for Figure 7 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the head along the BB direction;

[0040] Figure 9 These are schematic diagrams of the endoscope fixture in some embodiments;

[0041] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the endoscope fixture from another angle in some embodiments;

[0042] Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the endoscope fixture in some embodiments;

[0043] Figure 12 Explosion-proof diagrams of the fixing structure and support in some embodiments;

[0044] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the structure in which the guide element is inserted into the mounting slot in some embodiments.

[0045] Figure label:

[0046] 10. Endoscope; 11. Endcap; 111. Mounting groove; 112. Image acquisition port; 113. Support structure; 114. Guide surface; 12. Outer tube of endoscope; 13. Light guide element; 14. First direction; 15. Second direction; 20. Endoscope fixture; 21. Fixing structure; 211. Receiving groove; 212. First groove; 213. Second groove; 214. First clamping block; 215. Second clamping block; 22. Guide structure; 221. Guide groove; 23. Locking structure; 24. Support plug; 25. Guide element. Detailed Implementation

[0047] To make the above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention can be practiced in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0048] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0049] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0050] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0051] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0052] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may be an intervening element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.

[0053] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of some components of the endoscope 10 in some embodiments. Figure 2 and Figure 3 These are schematic diagrams showing the structure of the endcap 11 at different angles in some embodiments. This application provides an endoscope 10, which includes, but is not limited to, any type of rigid or flexible endoscope, such as a laparoscope. In some embodiments, the endoscope 10 includes an outer tube 12, an endcap 11, and a light guide element 13. The endcap 11 is located at the end of the outer tube 12 and has a mounting groove 111. The light guide element 13 can be any suitable light-guiding element, such as an optical fiber, and its radial dimension can be any suitable size, such as 30µm or 50µm. The light guide element 13 is housed within the outer tube 12, and its end is inserted into the mounting groove 111. The light guide element 13 receives light emitted from an external light source and can guide the light emitted from the external light source to the endcap 11. For example, the end of the light guide element 13 away from the end cap 11 is opposite to the light source, or is connected to an external optical fiber used to conduct the light emitted by the light source. The light guide element 13 conducts the light through the lens tube 12 to the end cap 11 and exits from the end face of the end cap 11 to illuminate the subject such as human tissue.

[0054] In some embodiments, the endoscope 10 may further include an image sensor, and the end cap 11 may also be provided with an image acquisition port 112. The image sensor may be disposed inside the end cap 11 or inside the outer tube 12 of the endoscope. The image sensor can acquire images of subjects such as human tissue through the image acquisition port 112. The endoscope 10 may further include a lens assembly, which may be disposed between the image sensor and the image acquisition port 112. The lens assembly includes one or more lenses of any suitable type. The lens assembly is used to adjust the light entering the image acquisition port 112 and / or filter out interfering wavelengths such as infrared light to improve the imaging quality of the image sensor.

[0055] Further, refer to Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, in some embodiments, the end cap 11 further includes a support structure 113 disposed within the mounting groove 111. The light guide element 13 abuts against the support structure 113 and bends toward the side where the support structure 113 is located. The support structure 113 can be a structure protruding from the inner wall of the end cap 11, or it can be a support element disposed on the inner wall of the end cap 11. It is understood that the support structure 113 can provide a fulcrum for the bending of the light guide element 13, so that the bending of the light guide element 13 within the end cap 11 can change the orientation of the end of the light guide element 13, thereby changing the light emission range of the light guide element 13.

[0056] The endoscope 10 described above, by providing a support structure 113, allows the light guide element 13 to bend within the endcap 11, thereby changing the light output range of the light guide element 13. Thus, when the imaging field of view of the endoscope 10 is tilted relative to its axis, for example, when the endoscope 10 is a 30° or 70° endoscope, the angle between the illumination field of view of the light guide element 13 and the axis can be adjusted, increasing the overlap between the illumination field of view and the imaging field of view, thereby improving the supplementary lighting effect of the light guide element 13 on the image sensor imaging. Simultaneously, the light guide element 13 uses the support structure 113 as a turning fulcrum. The support structure 113 can define the bending angle and shape of the light guide element 13. By changing the height and / or surface shape of the support structure 113, the bending angle and shape of the light guide element 13 can be adjusted, which is beneficial for improving the accuracy of illumination field of view adjustment, thus facilitating the mass production of the endoscope 10. In addition, the light guide element 13 is bent inside the end cap 11 to adjust the angle of the illumination field of view. Compared with the traditional endoscope method of adjusting the illumination field of view by tilting the end or end face of the light guide element, the illumination field of view of the light guide element 13 of this application has low sensitivity to grinding, polishing and other processes, high reliability of angle adjustment, and is also conducive to improving adjustment accuracy and mass production of endoscope 10.

[0057] In some embodiments, the inner wall of the end cap 11 is provided with a convex arc surface to form a support structure 113, and the light guide element 13 is attached to the support structure 113. Providing a convex arc surface for the light guide element 13 to bend allows for a smoother bending curve, while the support structure 113 provides effective structural support for each part of the bending position of the light guide element 13, thereby reducing the probability of breakage or damage due to excessively steep bending curves or insufficient support in some areas. In this embodiment, the support structure 113 and the end cap 11 are an integral structure. In other embodiments, the support structure 113 may be an independent structure located within the end cap 11, with the side of the support structure 113 facing the light guide element 13 having a convex arc surface. Of course, in other embodiments, the support structure 113 may only abut against a portion of the bent portion of the light guide element 13, in which case the portion of the light guide element 13 abutting against the support structure 113 may be the part with the greatest degree of bending.

[0058] Combination Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 6 As shown, in some embodiments, the endoscope 10 includes two light guide elements 13 disposed within the same mounting groove 111. For example, the mounting groove 111 extends along a first direction 14, and the two light guide elements 13 are spaced apart from each other in the first direction 14. The end cap 11 includes two support structures 113, which are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the two light guide elements 13 in the first direction 14; in other words, the two light guide elements 13 are bent in opposite directions. This arrangement increases the angle between the axes of the two light guide elements 13 at the light emission position, thereby increasing the illumination range of the endoscope 10 in the first direction 14.

[0059] refer to Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments, the endoscope 10 may include four light guide elements 13, and the end cap 11 may be provided with two mounting slots 111. The two mounting slots 111 are respectively provided on both sides of the image acquisition port 112. For example, the two mounting slots 111 are arranged alternately along the second direction 15, and each pair of light guide elements 13 is correspondingly provided in one mounting slot 111. Support structures 113 are provided on the opposite sides of the corresponding two light guide elements 13. In this way, the illumination range of the corresponding two light guide elements 13 in the first direction 14 can be increased, thereby improving the illumination range of the four light guide elements 13 stacked in the first direction 14. The included angle between the axes of the two sets of corresponding light guide elements 13 at the light emission position can be equal or unequal, and can be designed according to the requirements of the illumination field of view. The first direction 14 and the second direction 15 can be two mutually perpendicular directions on a plane parallel to the end face of the end cap 11, and the plane containing the first direction 14 and the second direction 15 can be parallel to the target surface of the endoscope 10.

[0060] Combination Figure 1 , Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, in some embodiments, two light guide elements 13 in one mounting groove 111 are respectively arranged opposite to two light guide elements 13 in the other mounting groove 111 in the second direction 15. A support structure 113 is provided on the same side of the two light guide elements 13 arranged opposite each other in the second direction 15, causing the two light guide elements 13 arranged opposite each other in the second direction 15 to bend towards the same side. Therefore, the bending angle of the light guide elements 13 in the second direction 15 can be adjusted according to the tilt direction of the end face of the end cap 11 relative to the axis, which is beneficial for expanding the illumination range of the endoscope 10 in the second direction 15 and for matching the illumination field of view with the imaging field of view. Of course, in other embodiments, the endoscope 10 may also have only two light guide elements 13 arranged opposite each other along the second direction 15, and the angle and range of the illumination field of view of the endoscope 10 in the second direction 15 can be adjusted by providing a support structure 113 on the same side of the two light guide elements 13 along the second direction 15.

[0061] refer to Figure 8 As shown, in some embodiments, the end cap 11 is provided with guide surfaces 114 on the inner walls of the two mounting grooves 111 near the end faces of the end cap 11. In the second direction 15, the guide surfaces 114 are located on the side of the two opposing light guide elements 13 facing away from the support structure 113. The guide surfaces 114 are inclined relative to the axis of the end cap 11, for example, in the second direction 15, they are inclined relative to the axis of the end cap 11 towards the bending direction of the light guide element 13. The light guide element 13 abuts against the guide surfaces 114. In the second direction 15, the guide surfaces 114 cooperate with the support structure 113 to limit the opposing sides of the light guide element 13, which can improve the accuracy and reliability of the bending angle of the light guide element 13 and is beneficial to the consistency of the endoscope 10 product.

[0062] In some embodiments, the endoscope 10 is provided with four light guide elements 13. In the first direction 14, support structures 113 are provided on both sides of two corresponding light guide elements 13 located in the same mounting groove 111. In the second direction 15, support structures 113 are provided on the same side of all four light guide elements 13, and guide surfaces 114 are provided on the other side. Thus, by adjusting the bending angles of the four light guide elements 13 in the first direction 14 and the second direction 15, the illumination range of the endoscope 10 in the first direction 14 and the second direction 15 can be adjusted, which is beneficial to both increasing the size of the illumination range and matching the illumination field of view with the imaging field of view.

[0063] It should be noted that the provision of a convex arc surface on the inner wall of the end cap 11 to form the support structure 113 is only one example of the implementation of the support structure 113. In other embodiments, the support structure 113 may also be an arc-shaped boss structure connected to the inner wall of the end cap 11 or other applicable structures. The arrangement of any two of the four support structures 113 can be the same or different. Furthermore, the shape and size of the support structure 113 affect the bending angle of the corresponding light guide element 13. The shape and size of any one of the four support structures 113 can be set according to the bending angle requirements of the corresponding light guide element 13. The shape and size of any two of the four support structures 113 can be the same or different.

[0064] refer to Figure 1 As shown, it can be understood that the illumination ranges of two light guide elements 13 located in the same mounting groove 111 overlap to form a single light spot. The overlap of the two light spots formed by the light guide elements 13 in the two mounting grooves 111 increases the bending angle of the light guide elements 13 in the first direction 14, thereby increasing the illumination range of the two light spots in the first direction 14, and thus increasing the illumination range of the endoscope 10 in the first direction 14. Increasing the angle between the axes of the light-emitting positions of the two opposing light guide elements 13 in the second direction 15 not only helps to increase the illumination range of the endoscope 10 in the second direction 15, but also helps to reduce the overlapping area of ​​the two light spots, thus reducing the probability of excessive illumination brightness in the central area of ​​the endoscope 10 affecting image quality.

[0065] In some embodiments, the imaging field of view of the endoscope 10 has a first angle in the first direction 14 and a second angle in the second direction 15. For example, if the target surface size of the imaging field of view of the endoscope 10 can be 1080P 16:9, then the first angle of the imaging field of view of the endoscope 10 in the first direction 14 can be 58°, and the second angle in the second direction 15 can be 32.8°. In some embodiments, in the first direction 14, the included angle between the axes of two corresponding light guide elements 13 at the light emission position is less than or equal to two-thirds of the first angle, for example, less than or equal to 40°; and in the second direction 15, the included angle between the axes of two opposite light guide elements 13 at the light emission position is less than or equal to two-thirds of the second angle, for example, less than or equal to 20°. Therefore, while increasing the illumination range of the endoscope 10 in the first direction 14 and the second direction 15 and reducing the brightness of the center of the illumination range, it also helps to prevent the light from being excessively dispersed and the two light spots from moving away from each other, resulting in the central area being too dim. At the same time, when the illumination field of view is matched with the imaging field of view, the central energy positions of the illumination spots of the four light guide elements 13 can all fall on the target surface, which can reduce the probability of excessive light energy loss leading to the central area being too dim.

[0066] Furthermore, in some embodiments, in the first direction 14, the angle between the axes of two corresponding light guide elements 13 at the light-emitting positions is greater than or equal to 10° and less than or equal to 40°; in the second direction 15, the angle between the axes of two corresponding light guide elements 13 at the light-emitting positions is greater than or equal to 6° and less than or equal to 20°. Thus, while effectively increasing the illumination range of the endoscope 10 in the first direction 14 and the second direction 15, the brightness in the central area is not too high or too low, preventing local vignetting, which is beneficial for improving the imaging quality of the endoscope 10. For example, in some embodiments, in the first direction 14, the angle between the axes of two corresponding light guide elements 13 at the light-emitting positions can be 26°; in the second direction 15, the angle between the axes of two corresponding light guide elements 13 at the light-emitting positions can be 16°. The endoscope 10 has a sufficient illumination range, and the central illumination area will not have excessive brightness or vignetting, resulting in high illumination uniformity and good illumination effect.

[0067] In some embodiments, provided that the bending angles of the two opposing light guide elements 13 in the first direction 14 are within the aforementioned reasonable range, the angle between the guide surface 114 and the axis of the end cap 11 in the first direction 14 is 30°±10°. This not only facilitates a better match between the illumination field of view and the imaging field of view, but also allows the light guide elements 13 to bend reasonably, reducing the probability of breakage or damage due to excessive bending of the light guide elements 13.

[0068] Of course, the above are only examples of some embodiments of the endoscope 10. The number of image acquisition holes 112, the number of mounting slots 111, the number of light guide elements 13, and the relative relationship between the image acquisition holes 112 and the mounting slots 111 are not limited. They can be designed according to the structural design of the endcap 11 and the illumination and image acquisition requirements of the endoscope 10, as long as the light guide elements 13 can be bent inside the endcap 11 by the support structure 113. In some embodiments, the endoscope 10 includes two image sensors, and the endcap 11 is provided with two image acquisition holes 112, which correspond to the two image sensors respectively. The two mounting slots 111 are respectively provided on opposite sides of the image acquisition holes 112, and each mounting slot 111 is provided with two spaced-apart light guide elements 13. In other embodiments, the end cap 11 may also be provided with four mounting slots 111, with each light guide element 13 correspondingly disposed in one mounting slot 111. In the first direction 14, the opposite sides of the two corresponding light guide elements 13 may be provided with guide surfaces 114 to better limit the bending angle of the light guide element 13 in the first direction 14 in cooperation with the support structure 113.

[0069] In some embodiments, this application also provides an endoscope system, including a light source and an endoscope 10 as described in any of the above embodiments. The end of the endoscope 10 with a light guide element 13 located away from the end cap 11 is used to receive light emitted by the light source. The light guide element 13 can guide the light to the end cap 11 for emission to illuminate the object. Because of the use of the endoscope 10, the endoscope system can also achieve the various effects of the endoscope 10 described above, which will not be elaborated further here.

[0070] Please see Figure 9 , Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown, this application also provides an endoscope fixture 20 for mounting an endoscope 10 as described in any of the above embodiments, for example, for mounting a light guide element 13 inside a head 11. In some embodiments, the endoscope fixture 20 includes a fixing structure 21 and a guide structure 22. The guide structure 22 is disposed on the fixing structure 21. The fixing structure 21 is used to fix the head 11, and when the head 11 is fixed to the guide structure 22, the end face of the head 11 with the mounting groove 111 faces the guide structure 22. The guide structure 22 has a guide groove 221, one end of which corresponds to the mounting groove 111. The guide groove 221 is inclined relative to the axis of the head 11 towards the bending direction of the light guide element 13, for example, towards the side where the support structure 113 abuts against the light guide element 13 is located. Therefore, when the light guide element 13 passes through the end cap 11 and its end is located in the guide groove 221, the guide structure 22 will drive the light guide element 13 to tilt toward the side where the support structure 113 is located so as to abut against the support structure 113. The cooperation between the guide structure 22 and the support structure 113 can effectively limit the bending curve of the light guide element 13.

[0071] It is understandable that the number of guide grooves 221 corresponds to the number of light guide elements 13. When the endoscope 10 is provided with four light guide elements 13, and the four light guide elements 13 are arranged in pairs in one mounting groove 111, two guide grooves 221 can be provided on each of the opposite sides of the guide structure 22, and one end of each of the four guide grooves 221 corresponds to the position of the four light guide elements 13. Furthermore, in the first direction 14, the four guide grooves 221 are inclined relative to the axis of the end cap 11 toward the bending direction of the corresponding light guide element 13.

[0072] It should be noted that when the four guide elements 25 are arranged in pairs within a mounting groove 111, the two guide elements 25 within the mounting groove 111 are spaced apart. The opposing sides of the two guide elements 25 in the first direction 14 are limited by the support structure 113, while the opposite sides of the two guide elements 25 in the first direction 14 do not require a limiting mechanism. Therefore, by setting the four guide grooves 221 to be inclined relative to the bending direction of the end cap 11 towards the corresponding light guide element 13 in the first direction 14, they can cooperate with the support structure 113 to effectively limit the bending curve of the guide element 25 in the first direction 14. In the second direction 15, the opposing sides of the light guide element 13 can be effectively limited by the support structure 113 and the guide surface 114, respectively, so the guide grooves 221 do not need to be inclined relative to the axis of the end cap 11 in the second direction 15.

[0073] In some embodiments, the endoscope fixture 20 further includes a locking structure 23 disposed on the guide structure 22 and corresponding to the guide groove 221. The locking structure 23 is used to fix the light guide element 13 when it is embedded in the guide groove 221. The locking structure 23 is rotatably connected to the guide structure 22, and each locking structure 23 may correspond to two guide grooves 221, for example, the locking structure 23 spans two guide grooves 221. After the light guide element 13 is embedded in the guide groove 221, the locking structure 23 is driven to rotate relative to the guide structure 22 until it abuts against the light guide element 13, thereby fixing the light guide element 13 in the guide groove 221.

[0074] Combination Figure 11 and Figure 12 As shown, in some embodiments, the fixing structure 21 has a receiving groove 211. For example, the fixing structure 21 may include a first clamping block 214 and a second clamping block 215 that are detachably connected. When the first clamping block 214 and the second clamping block 215 are fixed together, the end cap 11 can be clamped between the first clamping block 214 and the second clamping block 215. The first clamping block 214 and the second clamping block 215 together form the receiving groove 211. In some embodiments, the endoscope tooling 20 also includes a support plug 24. The support plug 24 is at least partially inserted into the receiving groove 211 of the fixing structure 21 to divide the receiving groove 211 into a first groove 212 and a second groove 213, wherein the first groove 212 and the second groove 213 are respectively opposite to the two mounting grooves 111 of the end cap 11. The support plug 24 can separate the four light guide elements 13 in pairs, thereby ensuring that every two light guide elements 13 enter a mounting groove 111, and then the guide groove 221 separates the two guide elements 25 located in the same mounting groove 111.

[0075] Combination Figure 9 , Figure 10 and Figure 13As shown, in some embodiments, the endoscope fixture 20 further includes a guide element 25. In the first direction 14, the guide element 25 can be inserted between two corresponding light guide elements 13 to drive the two light guide elements 13 to bend towards the support structures 113 on both sides. It is understood that the guide element 25 is used to limit the opposite sides of the two light guide elements 13 in the first direction 14. Combined with the guide groove 221 and the support structure 113, it can effectively limit the bending curve of the light guide elements 13. In some embodiments, the guide element 25 is used to abut against the two surfaces of the two light guide elements 13, which can be tilted in the first direction 14 towards the axis of the end cap 11, and the tilt angle is adapted to the angle between the axis of the light-emitting position of the light guide element 13 and the axis of the end cap 11, thereby more accurately limiting the bending curve of the light guide elements 13.

[0076] In some embodiments, this application also provides an endoscope 10 mounting method for mounting the endoscope 10 of any of the above embodiments, for example, using the endoscope fixture 20 of any of the above embodiments to mount the light guide element 13 on the endcap 11. The endoscope 10 mounting method includes the following steps:

[0077] The light guide element 13 is inserted through the mounting groove 111, with the end of the light guide element 13 exposed outside the end cap 11. The light guide elements 13 can be inserted into the fixing structure 21 in pairs through the first groove 212 and the second groove 213, and then into the end cap 11.

[0078] The end of the light guide element 13 is tilted relative to the axis of the end cap 11 toward the side where the support structure 113 is located, so that the portion of the light guide element 13 located in the mounting groove 111 abuts against the support structure 113 and bends toward the side where the support structure 113 is located. For example, the portion of the light guide element 13 exposed outside the end cap 11 is embedded in the guide groove 221 of the guide structure 22, and the light guide element 13 bends toward the side where the corresponding support structure 113 is located due to the guiding effect of the guide groove 221. This step may also include inserting the guide element 25 into the mounting groove 111 of the end cap 11 to push the light guide element 13 to fit against the corresponding support structure 113, thereby cooperating with the support structure 113 and the guide groove 221 to effectively define the bending curve of the light guide element 13.

[0079] The light guide element 13 and the end cap 11 are encapsulated and fixed. For example, the light guide element 13 and the end cap 11 are fixed together by means of adhesive. In some embodiments, the materials of each component of the endoscope fixture 20 may include Teflon material, which helps to reduce the probability of the endoscope fixture 20 sticking to the end cap 11 during the adhesive bonding process of the light guide element 13 and the end cap 11, or multiple components of the endoscope fixture 20 sticking together.

[0080] Remove the portion of the light guide element 13 exposed outside the end cap 11. For example, cut off the portion of the light guide element 13 exposed outside the end cap 11 so that the light emitting surface of the light guide element 13 is flush with the end face of the end cap 11.

[0081] In some embodiments, the endoscope 10 installation method may further include grinding and polishing the end face of the end cap 11, detaching the end cap 11 and the light guide element 13 as a whole from the endoscope fixture 20, and connecting the end cap 11 to the outer tube 12 of the endoscope. The specific steps can be adjusted according to the structural design of the endoscope 10, and will not be elaborated here. In the above-described endoscope 10 installation method, due to the cooperation of the guide groove 221, the guide element 25, and the support structure 113, the light guide element 13 can be bent inside the end cap 11. Therefore, the grinding and polishing processes of the end cap 11 will not affect the bending angle of the light guide element 13, which is beneficial to improving the adjustment accuracy of the illumination field of view and the consistency of the endoscope 10 product, and is conducive to the mass production of the endoscope 10.

[0082] The aforementioned endoscope fixture 20, through adaptive design of the tilt angle of the surfaces of the guide groove 221 and guide element 25 abutting the light guide element 13 relative to the axis of the end cap 11, and the support structure 113, can effectively limit the curvature of the light guide element 13. This eliminates the need for angle adjustments during installation, effectively shortening the installation time of the endoscope 10 and improving installation efficiency. Simultaneously, the guide groove 221 and guide element 25 of the external fixture of the endoscope 10 limit the light guide element 13, simplifying the structure of the end cap 11 itself, reducing the space occupied by the end cap 11, and preventing situations where the internal space of the end cap 11 is too small to accommodate the limiting structure. Of course, when the included angle between the axes of the light-emitting positions of the two opposing light guide elements 13 in the second direction 15 changes, the tilt angle of the surfaces of the guide groove 221 and guide element 25 abutting the light guide element 13 relative to the axis of the end cap 11, as well as the size and surface curvature of the support structure 113, can also be adjusted accordingly. Similarly, when the angle between the axes of the light-emitting positions of the two opposing light guide elements 13 on the first direction 14 changes, the support structure 113 and the guide surface 114 located on both sides of the light guide element 13 on the first direction 14 can also be adjusted accordingly.

[0083] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0084] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of the present invention, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these all fall within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of this invention patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An endoscope, characterized in that, include: The end cap is equipped with a mounting groove; A light guide element, with its end inserted into the mounting groove; The end cap further includes a support structure disposed within the mounting groove, and the light guide element abuts against the support structure and bends toward the side where the support structure is located; The endoscope includes two light guide elements, which are disposed in the same mounting groove. The end cap includes two support structures, which are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the two light guide elements to increase the illumination range after the two light guide elements are superimposed.

2. The endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner wall of the end cap has a convex arc surface to form the support structure.

3. The endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that, The endoscope includes two mounting slots. In the endoscope, two light guide elements are inserted into the two mounting slots in a one-to-one correspondence. Two support structures are disposed in the two mounting slots in a one-to-one correspondence. The two support structures disposed in the two mounting slots are respectively disposed on the same side of the two light guide elements located in the two mounting slots.

4. The endoscope according to claim 3, characterized in that, The inner wall of the mounting groove is provided with a guide surface near the end face of the end cap. The guide surface is located on the side of the light guide element facing away from the support structure and is inclined to the axis of the end cap.

5. The endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that, The light guide element is provided with four, and the mounting slot is provided with two. The light guide element is arranged in pairs in the two mounting slots. The corresponding two light guide elements are arranged in sequence along the first direction, and the two mounting slots are arranged in sequence along the second direction. The first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other. In the first direction, support structures are provided on both sides of the two corresponding light guide elements facing away from each other. In the second direction, support structures are provided on the same side of all four light guide elements.

6. The endoscope according to claim 5, characterized in that, The imaging field of the endoscope has a first angle in the first direction and a second angle in the second direction; In the first direction, the angle between the axes of two light guide elements positioned opposite each other at the light emission position is less than or equal to two-thirds of the first angle; In the second direction, the included angle between the axes of the two corresponding light guide elements at the light emission position is less than or equal to two-thirds of the second angle.

7. An endoscope system, characterized in that, Includes a light source and an endoscope as described in any one of claims 1-6, wherein the other end of the light guide element is used to receive light emitted by the light source.

8. An endoscope fixture, characterized in that, For installing the endoscope as described in any one of claims 1-6, the endoscope fixture includes: A fixing structure is used to fix the end cap; A guide structure is provided on the fixed structure and has a guide groove. One end of the guide groove corresponds to the mounting groove, and the guide groove is inclined relative to the axis of the end cap toward the bending direction of the light guide element.

9. The endoscope fixture according to claim 8, characterized in that, The endoscope fixture also includes a locking structure, which is disposed on the guide structure and corresponds to the guide groove. The locking structure is used to fix the light guide element when the light guide element is embedded in the guide groove.

10. The endoscope fixture according to claim 8, characterized in that, The light guide element is provided with four elements and the mounting slot is provided with two slots. The light guide elements are arranged in pairs in the two mounting slots. Two guide grooves are provided on each of the opposite sides of the guide structure. One end of each of the four guide grooves corresponds to the position of the four light guide elements, and the four guide grooves are inclined relative to the axis of the end cap toward the bending direction of the corresponding light guide element.

11. The endoscope fixture according to claim 10, characterized in that, The two corresponding light guide elements are provided with support structures on opposite sides. The endoscope fixture also includes a guide element. The light guide element is used to be inserted between the two corresponding light guide elements to drive the two light guide elements to bend toward the support structures on both sides respectively.

12. The endoscope fixture according to claim 10, characterized in that, The fixing structure has a receiving groove, and the endoscope tooling also includes a support plug. The support plug is at least partially inserted into the fixing structure to divide the receiving groove into a first groove and a second groove, and the first groove and the second groove correspond to the two mounting grooves respectively.

13. A method for installing an endoscope, characterized in that, For mounting an endoscope as described in any one of claims 1-6, the endoscope mounting method includes: The light guide element is inserted through the mounting groove, with the end of the light guide element exposed outside the end cap; The end of the light guide element is tilted relative to the axis of the end cap toward the side where the support structure is located, so that the portion of the light guide element located in the mounting groove abuts against the support structure and bends toward the side where the support structure is located; The light guide element and the end cap are encapsulated and fixed. Remove the light guide element from the end of the end cap.

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