Endoscope

Abstract

An endoscope is provided with: a circular observation window disposed at the tip of an insertion part; an air / water supply nozzle disposed on the front end portion; the front end cover covers the front end part; the front end surface of the front end cover comprises an annular first region surrounding the observation window; an annular second region having an inner periphery in contact with the first region; and a third region in contact with the outer periphery of the second region, the first region being a first inclined surface comprising a flat surface, the second region being a second inclined surface comprising a curved surface, and the third region being a flat surface comprising a flat surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an endoscope having a distal end cover at a distal end portion of an insertion portion. Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-210388 discloses an endoscope in which a distal end cover provided on a distal end surface of an insertion portion has an annular inclined portion surrounding an observation window, and fluid is ejected from an air and water supply nozzle toward the inclined portion. Summary of the invention

[0003] An endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a circular observation window, which is arranged at the front end portion of an insertion portion; an air and water supply nozzle, which is arranged at the front end portion; and a front end cover covering the front end portion, the front end surface of the front end cover including: an annular first area surrounding the observation window; an annular second area formed on the outside of the first area; and a third area formed on the outside of the second area, the first area being a first inclined surface formed by a plane, the second area being a second inclined surface formed by a curved surface, and the third area being a flat surface formed by a plane. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of an endoscope system including the endoscope according to the embodiment.

[0005] Figure 2 It is a plan view of the front end surface of the endoscope according to the first embodiment.

[0006] Figure 3 It is along Figure 2 Cross-sectional view along line III-III.

[0007] Figure 4 This is a partially enlarged view of the surface shape of the distal end cover of the endoscope according to the first embodiment.

[0008] Figure 5 It is a plan view of the distal end surface of the endoscope according to Modification 1 of the first embodiment.

[0009] Figure 6 This is a partial plan view of the front end surface of an endoscope according to Modification 1 of the first embodiment.

[0010] Figure 7 It is a diagram showing a change in the width of the distal end cover of the endoscope according to Modification 1 of the first embodiment.

[0011] Figure 8 It is a partial plan view of the front end surface of an endoscope according to Modification 2 of the first embodiment.

[0012] Fig. 9It is a partial plan view of the front end surface of the endoscope according to Modification 3 of the first embodiment.

[0013] Fig.10 It is a partial plan view of the front end surface of an endoscope according to Modification 4 of the first embodiment.

[0014] Fig.11 It is a partial plan view of the front end surface of the endoscope according to Modification 5 of the first embodiment.

[0015] Fig.12 It is a partial plan view of the front end surface of the endoscope according to Modification 6 of the first embodiment.

[0016] Fig.13 It is a partial plan view of the front end surface of the endoscope according to the second embodiment.

[0017] Fig.14 It is a partial plan view of the front end surface of the endoscope according to the third embodiment.

[0018] Fig.15 It is a partial plan view of the front end surface of an endoscope according to a modified example of the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Hereinafter, an endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] In addition, in the following description, the drawings based on the embodiments are schematic. The relationship between the thickness and width of each part in the drawings, the ratio of the thickness of each part, etc. are different from the actual. The drawings contain parts with different size relationships and ratios. In addition, in the drawings, the illustration and labeling of some components are omitted.

[0021] <Endoscope System>

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, the endoscope system 2 includes the endoscope 1 according to the embodiment, a light source device 3 , a video processor 4 , and a monitor 5 .

[0023] The endoscope 1 includes an insertion portion 6 inserted into a body cavity, an operation portion 7, and a universal cable 8. The insertion portion 6 is provided with a front end portion 12, a bending portion 13, and a flexible portion 14 in order from the front end side. The universal cable 8 is provided with a connector 9 connected to the light source device 3, and a cable 10 connected to the video processor 4 extends from the connector 9. The video signal captured by the endoscope 1 is processed by the video processor 4, and the endoscopic image is displayed on the monitor 5.

[0024] <First Embodiment>

[0025] Figure 2This is a front view of the front end portion 12 of the endoscope 1 of the embodiment as viewed from the front end face side. An observation window 15 including an objective lens, a channel opening 16, lighting windows 17, 18, and an air and water supply nozzle 19 are arranged on the front end face of the front end portion 12. The front end portion 12 is covered by a front end cover 30 having a plurality of openings corresponding to the observation window 15, the channel opening 16, and the lighting windows 17, 18, respectively.

[0026] The observation window 15 is the frontmost part of the imaging optical system 15A including the lens holding member 15B. An adhesive (not shown) may be provided between the imaging optical system 15A and the lens holding member 15B. In the following figures, the outer surface 15SA of the observation window 15 shows the frontmost part including the imaging optical system 15A, the adhesive and the lens holding member 15B. The air and water supply nozzle 19 is provided with an opening C19 for ejecting a fluid toward the observation window 15.

[0027] The front end surface 30SA of the front end cover 30 includes an annular first area 31 surrounding the observation window 15, an annular second area 32 whose inner periphery is connected to the first area 31, and a third area 33 connected to the outer periphery of the second area 32. The second area 32 is formed outside the first area 31, and the third area 33 is formed outside the second area 32.

[0028] The third region 33 is a plane parallel to the outer surface 15SA of the observation window 15. The outer surface 15SA of the observation window 15 protrudes, for example, by 0.3 mm relative to the third region 33. That is, there is a step between the third region 33 and the outer surface 15SA of the observation window 15. Therefore, the front end cover 30 has an inclined surface between the third region 33 and the outer surface 15SA of the observation window 15. The inclined surface includes a first region 31 as a first inclined surface composed of a flat surface and a second region 32 as a second inclined surface composed of a curved surface.

[0029] Figure 3 is along Figure 2 The cross-sectional view taken along line III-III shows the cross section from the air and water supply nozzle 19 to the observation window 15. Figure 3 As shown, the distal end portion 12 is provided with a distal end hard member 20 on which an imaging optical system 15A and the like are arranged, and a distal end cover 30 is covered thereon.

[0030] The inner periphery of the first region 31 (the outer periphery of the observation window 15 ), the outer periphery of the first region 31 (the inner periphery of the second region 32 ), and the inner periphery of the third region 33 are all concentric circles centered on the center C15 of the observation window 15 .

[0031] The front end cover 30 covers not only the front end surface of the front end rigid member 20 but also a part of the outer peripheral surface of the front end rigid member 20. The boundary area between the front end surface 30SA and the outer peripheral surface 30SS of the front end cover 30 is a so-called outer rounded area (OR (OutR)) chamfered by a curved surface.

[0032] The water ejected from the opening of the air and water supply nozzle 19 toward the observation window 15 collides with the first region 31 and greatly expands, flowing over the entire outer surface 15SA of the observation window 15. The water flowing over the outer surface 15SA of the observation window 15 converges to a width that is the same level as the width of the opening of the air and water supply nozzle 19 while descending along the first region 31.

[0033] However, due to the step between outer surface 15SA of observation window 15 and third region 33 , there is a region where water ejected from air and water supply nozzle 19 is unlikely to flow toward observation window 15 along the inclined surface (second region 32 ).

[0034] For example, after water is supplied, water tends to remain at the lower portion of the step near the air and water supply nozzle 19. If air is supplied to remove water droplets adhering to the outer surface 15SA of the observation window 15, the water remaining at the lower portion of the step is rolled up by the air supply and adheres to the observation window 15. That is, although air is supplied to remove water droplets adhering to the outer surface 15SA of the observation window 15, water is supplied to the outer surface 15SA again, so the air supply efficiency is low.

[0035] When water flowing on the outer surface 15SA of the observation window 15 flows down to the third area 33 via the first area 31 as an inclined surface, water drops tend to accumulate under the step. In an endoscope having an optical system with a wide viewing angle, these water drops may be captured in the image.

[0036] like Figure 4 As shown, the front end cover 30 of the endoscope 1 has a second area 32 as an inner fillet (IR (InnerR)) area at the boundary between the first area 31 and the third area 33. Therefore, water is less likely to remain at the boundary between the first area 31 and the third area 33. Therefore, the air and water supply efficiency of the endoscope 1 is good.

[0037] The width W31 of the first region 31 and the width W32 of the second region 32 are, for example, about 1 mm. For example, the width W31 of the first region 31 is the length of the first region 31 along the shortest line connecting the center C15 of the observation window 15 and the first region 31 .

[0038] The distal end cover 30 has the second region 32 formed of a curved surface with a curvature radius R32 exceeding 0.5 mm, thereby preventing water from remaining. In order to prevent the outer diameter of the distal end portion 12 of the endoscope 1 from increasing, the curvature radius R32 of the second region 32 is preferably less than 2 mm.

[0039] In addition, a fillet region may be formed between the first region 31 as an inclined plane and the third region 33 as a flat plane. The fillet region is included in the second region and has a small curvature radius R32, so the effect of preventing water residue is small.

[0040] In addition, if Figure 4 As shown by the middle dotted line, a rounded corner region may be formed between the first region 31 and the outer surface 15SA of the observation window 15 .

[0041] <Modification of First Embodiment>

[0042] Endoscopes 1A to 1F according to the modified examples of the first embodiment are similar to the endoscope 1 and have the same effects as the endoscope 1. Therefore, in the following, components having the same functions as those of the endoscope 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description is omitted.

[0043] <Modification 1 of the First Embodiment>

[0044] In the front end cover 30 of the endoscope 1, the width W31 of the annular first area 31 is substantially the same over the entire circumference. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, in the front end cover 30A of the endoscope 1A of this modified example, the width W31B (first width) of the first area 31 where the distance L31 from the air and water supply nozzle 19 is the longest is greater than the width W31A (second width) of the first area 31 where the distance from the air and water supply nozzle 19 is the shortest.

[0045] In addition, if Figure 6 As shown, for example, the width W31 of the first area 31 is the length of the first area 31 in the direction along the shortest line connecting the center C15 of the observation window 15 and the first area 31. The distance L31 is the length between the center of the width W31 in the direction along the shortest line and the opening center C19 of the air and water supply nozzle 19. Hereinafter, the "opening center C19" is referred to as the "opening C19".

[0046] In the front end cover 30A, in the first region 31, as the distance L31 from the air and water supply nozzle 19 increases, the width W31 gradually increases ( Figure 7 A).

[0047] The outer periphery of the observation window 15 (the inner periphery of the first region 31), the outer periphery of the first region 31 (the inner periphery of the second region 32), and the outer periphery of the second region 32 (the inner periphery of the third region 33) are all circular. The center C31 of the first region 31 and the center C32 of the second region 32 are located at the same position of the center line CL, but are located farther from the air and water supply nozzle 19 than the center C15 of the observation window 15.

[0048] In the endoscope 1A, water flowing on the outer surface 15SA of the observation window 15 is less likely to remain under the step than in the endoscope 1. Therefore, even in an endoscope having an optical system with a wide viewing angle, water drops are not captured in the image.

[0049] In addition, if Figure 7 As shown, in the endoscope 1A, as the distance L31 from the air and water supply nozzle 19 increases, the width W31 of the first region 31 gradually increases in a curve (A). In contrast, the width W31 may increase linearly with respect to the distance L31 (B). In addition, at least a portion of the width W31 may increase with respect to the distance L31 (C, D).

[0050] In order to improve the efficiency of air and water supply, the width W31B is preferably larger than 1.2 times the width W31A.

[0051] <Modification 2 of the First Embodiment>

[0052] like Figure 8 As shown, in the front end cover 30B of the endoscope 1B of this modified example, the width W32 of the second region 32 also increases as the distance L32 from the air and water supply nozzle 19 increases. Therefore, the width W32B (third width) at the longest distance L32 from the air and water supply nozzle 19 in the second region 32 is greater than the width W32A (fourth width) at the shortest distance from the air and water supply nozzle 19 in the second region 32. In order to improve the efficiency of air and water supply, the width W32B is preferably more than 3 times the width W32A, and more preferably more than 5 times.

[0053] The outer periphery of the first area 31 and the outer periphery of the second area 32 are both circular. The center C32 of the second area 32 is located on the center line CL at a position farther from the opening C19 of the air and water supply nozzle 19 than the center C31 of the first area 31. In other words, the center C15 of the observation window 15, the center C31 of the first area 31, and the center C32 of the second area 32 are located on the same line (center line CL), and are close to the opening C19 of the air and water supply nozzle 19 in the above order.

[0054] In the endoscope 1B, compared with the endoscope 1A, water flowing on the outer surface 15SA of the observation window 15 is less likely to remain under the step when it further descends in the second area 32 and flows toward the third area 33. Therefore, even in an endoscope having an optical system with a wide viewing angle, water drops are not captured in the image.

[0055] <Modification 3 of the First Embodiment>

[0056] exist Fig. 9 In the front end cover 30C of the endoscope 1C of the present modification shown, the outer periphery of the first region 31 (the inner periphery of the second region 32) and the outer periphery of the second region 32 are elliptical. The center C31 of the first region 31 and the center C32 of the second region 32 are located on the center line CL. In addition, the center of the ellipse refers to the middle point of the two foci. The distance between the center C32 and the air and water supply nozzle 19 is longer than the distance between the center C31 and the air and water supply nozzle 19.

[0057] Compared with the front end cover 30B, the width W31 of the first area 31 of the front end cover 30C changes greatly depending on the distance from the air and water supply nozzle 19. Therefore, compared with the endoscope 1B, the water flowing on the outer surface 15SA of the observation window 15 is less likely to remain under the step in the endoscope 1C. Therefore, even in an endoscope with an optical system having a wide viewing angle, water droplets are not captured in the image.

[0058] Furthermore, the shapes of the first region 31 and the second region 32 may not be a perfect circle or an ellipse, but may be a substantially circular shape or a substantially elliptical shape.

[0059] <Variation 4 of the First Embodiment>

[0060] Fig.10 The front end face 30SA of the front end cover 30D of the endoscope 1D of the present modification shown has an annular fourth region 34 between the observation window 15 and the first region 31. The outer periphery of the observation window 15 is in contact with the inner periphery of the fourth region 34, and the inner periphery of the first region 31 is in contact with the outer periphery of the fourth region 34. The fourth region 34 is a plane parallel to the outer surface 15SA of the observation window 15 and the third region 33. A rounded corner region may be formed at the boundary between the first region 31 and the fourth region 34.

[0061] In Modifications 1 and 2, the fourth region 34 may also be formed.

[0062] Fig.10 The width W34 of the fourth region 34 of the front end cover 30D shown is fixed, but the width W34 of the fourth region 34 may be variable.

[0063] <Variation 5 of the First Embodiment>

[0064] Fig.11 In the distal end surface 30SA of the distal end cover 30E of the endoscope 1E of the present modification shown, the fourth region 34 protrudes toward the air and water supply nozzle 19. Therefore, the first region 31 and the second region 32 also protrude toward the air and water supply nozzle 19.

[0065] The flow rate of water and air ejected from the air and water supply nozzle 19 of the endoscope 1E toward the observation window 15 is greater than that of the endoscope 1 and the like. Therefore, the endoscope 1E has a higher cleaning efficiency than the endoscope 1 and the like.

[0066] <Variation 6 of the First Embodiment>

[0067] Fig.12 In the front end surface 30SA of the front end cover 30F of the endoscope 1F of the present modified example shown, the fourth area 34 protrudes toward the air and water supply nozzle 19, and the outer edge opposite to the air and water supply nozzle 19 is a straight line. Therefore, the outer edges of the first area 31 and the second area 32 opposite to the air and water supply nozzle 19 are also straight lines. In other words, the areas of the first area 31 and the second area 32 opposite to the air and water supply nozzle 19 are roughly rectangular.

[0068] In the endoscope 1F, the flow rate of the water and air ejected from the air and water supply nozzles 19 toward the observation window 15 is increased compared to the endoscope 1E. Therefore, the endoscope 1F has a higher cleaning efficiency than the endoscope 1E.

[0069] <Second Embodiment>

[0070] An endoscope 1G according to a modification of the second embodiment is similar to the endoscope 1 and the like. Therefore, in the following, components having the same functions as those of the endoscope 1 and the like are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

[0071] like Fig.13 As shown, in the distal end cover 30G of the endoscope 1G of the present embodiment, the width W31A of the first region 31 at the shortest distance from the air and water supply nozzle 19 is larger than the width W31B of the first region 31 at the longest distance L31 from the air and water supply nozzle 19. As the distance from the air and water supply nozzle 19 increases, the widths of the first region 31 and the second region 32 gradually decrease.

[0072] In the front end cover 30G, the center C31 of the first region 31 and the center C32 of the second region 32 are closer to the air and water supply nozzle 19 than the center C15 of the observation window 15 .

[0073] As already described, water is likely to remain around the opening of the air and water supply nozzle 19 after water supply. However, the inclination angle of the first area 31 of the width W31A is smaller than that of the first area 31 of the width W31B. Therefore, it is unlikely that water will remain around the opening of the air and water supply nozzle 19 after water supply by the front end cover 30 of the endoscope 1. Therefore, the air supply efficiency of the endoscope 1 is high.

[0074] In the distal end cover 30G of the endoscope 1G, the width W32A of the second region 32 at the shortest distance from the air and water supply nozzle 19 is larger than the width W32B of the second region 32 at the longest distance L32 from the air and water supply nozzle 19 .

[0075] <Third Embodiment>

[0076] The endoscope 1H of the third embodiment is similar to the endoscope 1 and has the same effects as the endoscope 1. Therefore, the same reference numerals are attached to the components having the same functions as those of the endoscope 1 and the like, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0077] like Fig.14 As shown, in the front end cover 30H of the endoscope 1H, in the first region 31, the width W31B of the region with the longest distance from the air and water supply nozzle 19 and the width W31A of the region with the shortest distance from the air and water supply nozzle 19 are larger than the width W31X of the region between the longest region and the shortest region. In the second region 32, the width W32B of the region with the longest distance from the air and water supply nozzle 19 and the width W32A of the region with the shortest distance from the air and water supply nozzle 19 are larger than the width W32X of the region between the longest region and the shortest region.

[0078] In other words, in the front end cover 30H, the width of the first region 31 near the center line CL is wider than that of the region far from the center line CL. The width of the second region 32 near the center line CL is wider than that of the region far from the center line CL.

[0079] In the endoscope 1H, not only is it difficult for water to remain around the opening of the air and water supply nozzle 19 after water supply, but also it is difficult for water flowing on the outer surface 15SA of the observation window 15 to remain under the step. Therefore, the air supply efficiency is high, and even if it is an endoscope with an optical system with a wide viewing angle, water droplets will not be captured in the image.

[0080] The outer edges of the first region 31 and the second region 32 of the front end cover 30H are substantially elliptical. However, the shapes of the first region 31 and the second region 32 can be changed in various ways.

[0081] For example, in Fig.15In the endoscope 1J according to the modified example of the third embodiment shown, the outer edges of the first region 31 and the second region 32 of the distal end cover 30J are shaped like a track for track and field competitions.

[0082] The endoscope 1 of the embodiment may be a flexible endoscope whose insertion portion 6 is flexible, or may be a rigid endoscope whose insertion portion 6 is rigid. The endoscope 1 may be used for medical purposes or industrial purposes.

[0083] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the like, and various modifications, combinations, and applications are possible without departing from the gist of the invention.

Claims

1. An endoscope, wherein: The endoscope comprises: A circular observation window disposed at the front end of the insertion portion; An air and water supply nozzle, which is arranged at the front end; as well as a front end cover covering the front end portion, The front end surface of the front end cover includes: an annular first area surrounding the observation window; an annular second area formed outside the first area; and a third area formed outside the second area. The first region is a first inclined surface consisting of a plane, The second region is a second inclined surface consisting of a curved surface, The third region is a flat surface consisting of a plane.

2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein: The second area is an inner fillet area with a curvature radius exceeding 0.5 mm.

3. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein: In the first region, a width of a region that is the longest distance from the air and water supply nozzle is larger than a width of a region that is the shortest distance from the air and water supply nozzle.

4. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein: In the first region, the width gradually increases as the distance from the air and water supply nozzle increases.

5. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein: In the second region, a width of a region that is the longest distance from the air and water supply nozzle is larger than a width of a region that is the shortest distance from the air and water supply nozzle.

6. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein: In the second region, the width gradually increases as the distance from the air and water supply nozzle increases.

7. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein: The outer periphery of the first region and the outer periphery of the second region are circular.

8. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein: The outer periphery of the first region and the outer periphery of the second region are elliptical.

9. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein: The front end surface of the front end cover further includes an annular fourth area, the inner periphery of the fourth area is connected to the observation window and the outer periphery of the fourth area is connected to the first area. The fourth region is a plane parallel to the third region.

10. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein: The first region and the second region protrude toward the air and water supply nozzle.

11. The endoscope according to claim 10, wherein: The first region and the second region have a substantially rectangular shape in which the regions face the air and water supply nozzles.

12. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein: In the first region, a width of a region that is shortest from the air and water supply nozzle is larger than a width of a region that is longest from the air and water supply nozzle.

13. The endoscope according to claim 12, wherein: In the first region, the width gradually decreases as the distance from the air and water supply nozzle increases.

14. The endoscope according to claim 13, wherein: In the second region, the width gradually decreases as the distance from the air and water supply nozzle increases.

15. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein: In the first area and the second area, the width of the area with the longest distance from the air and water supply nozzle and the width of the area with the shortest distance from the air and water supply nozzle are greater than the width of the area between the area with the longest distance from the air and water supply nozzle and the area with the shortest distance from the air and water supply nozzle.

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