Endoscope

Abstract

To provide an endoscope comprising a zoom operation mechanism enabling a distal end optical system to be efficiently advanced and retreated in the direction of an optical axis.SOLUTION: An endoscope comprises: movable lens groups 56F and 56L capable of advancing and retreating in the direction of an optical axis P; a flexible shaft 74 which comprises a shaft axis B, is constituted to be rotatable in a rotation direction around the shaft axis B, and moves the movable lens groups 56F and 56L in the direction of the optical axis P when the flexible shaft 74 rotates in the rotation direction; a zoom operation knob 24; a slider 92 advancing and retreating in the direction of the shaft axis B in accordance with operation of the zoom operation knob 24; and a power conversion transmission mechanism 94 rotating the flexible shaft 74 on the basis of advance and retreat of the slider 92.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an endoscope, and more particularly to an endoscope equipped with a zoom operation mechanism for moving a distal end optical system provided on the distal end side of an insertion portion back and forth in an optical axis direction. [Background technology]

[0002] In general, an endoscope comprises an elongated insertion section that is inserted into the body and a handheld control section that is connected to the base end of the insertion section. The insertion section has a distal end optical system at its distal end, and an observation image of a subject captured by the distal end optical system is displayed on a display device such as a monitor.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an endoscope that adjusts focus by moving an objective lens back and forth along the optical axis. According to this endoscope, a focus adjustment knob on a handheld operation unit is operated to rotate a flexible shaft, and the rotational movement is converted into linear movement by a feed screw mechanism, and the converted linear movement is transmitted to a lens frame to move the objective lens back and forth along the optical axis.

[0004] In addition, the endoscope disclosed in Patent Document 2 rotates a linear transmission member using the power of a motor, converts the rotational movement into linear movement by a feed screw mechanism, and transmits the converted linear movement to a lens frame to move a movable lens back and forth in the optical axis direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-108828 [Patent Document 2] JP 2001-166225 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The endoscope disclosed in Patent Document 1 is an apparatus in which a lens is moved forward and backward by manually operating a focus adjustment knob, and has the advantage of being able to reduce costs (manufacturing costs, running costs) compared to the endoscope of Patent Document 2 in which a lens is moved forward and backward by a motor. However, Patent Document 1 does not disclose anything about a zoom operation mechanism for efficiently transmitting the operating force of the focus adjustment knob to the shaft. In other words, Patent Document 1 does not disclose anything about a zoom operation mechanism for efficiently moving the distal optical system forward and backward in the optical axis direction.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide an endoscope equipped with a zoom operation mechanism that can efficiently move the distal optical system forward and backward in the optical axis direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, the endoscope of the present invention comprises a tip optical system capable of moving back and forth in an optical axis direction, a shaft having a shaft axis and configured to be rotatable in a rotational direction about the shaft axis, and which moves the tip optical system in the optical axis direction when rotated in the rotational direction, an operating member, a slider that moves back and forth in the shaft axial direction in response to operation of the operating member, and a power conversion transmission mechanism that rotates the shaft by the forward and backward movement of the slider.

[0009] According to one form of the present invention, the operating member is a rotational operating member configured to be rotatably operated, and preferably has a oscillating member that oscillates when the rotational operating member is rotated, and a link member that connects between the oscillating member and the slider, and moves the slider forward and backward in the shaft axial direction when the oscillating member oscillates.

[0010] According to one form of the present invention, the power conversion transmission mechanism has an engaging member provided on the slider, and an axial member connected to the shaft and having a spiral-shaped engaged portion formed on its outer surface with which the engaging member engages, and it is preferable that the axial member rotates in a rotational direction centered on the shaft axis due to the linear movement of the engaging member accompanying the forward and backward movement of the slider.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the engaging member is a nut having a female thread, and the shaft member is a screw shaft having a male thread that is the engaged portion.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the engaging member is a cam pin, and the shaft member is a cam shaft having a cam groove that is the engaged portion.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is preferable to have a rotation detection means for detecting the rotation angle of the shaft.

[0014] According to one form of the present invention, the device comprises an insertion section and a hand-operated operating section connected to the base end side of the insertion section, and it is preferable that the operating member, slider, and power conversion transmission mechanism are provided in the hand-operated operating section, a shaft is provided from the hand-operated operating section to the insertion section, and a distal optical system is provided on the distal side of the insertion section.

[0015] According to one form of the present invention, the operating member is a rotating operating member configured to be rotatably operated, and a bending operation knob for bending the insertion portion is rotatably provided on the hand operating portion, and it is preferable that the rotation axis of the rotating operating member is arranged coaxially with the rotation axis of the bending operation knob. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently move the distal end optical system forward and backward in the optical axis direction. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the tip rigid portion along the longitudinal axis of the insertion portion. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the observation optical system taken along the longitudinal axis of the insertion portion. FIG. [Diagram 5]FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a zoom mechanism according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of the power conversion and transmission mechanism employed in the first form. [Figure 7] 7 is a perspective view of a nut which is one of the components of the power conversion and transmission mechanism shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 7 is a perspective view of a screw shaft which is one of the components of the power conversion and transmission mechanism shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a zoom mechanism according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is an overall perspective view of a power conversion and transmission mechanism employed in a second embodiment. [Figure 11] 11 is a perspective view of a cam pin, which is a component of the power conversion transmission mechanism shown in FIG. 10. [Figure 12] 11 is a perspective view of a camshaft, which is a component of the power conversion and transmission mechanism shown in FIG. 10. [Figure 13] 2 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a processor device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 14] 11 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing by a processor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an endoscope according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an endoscope 10 according to the embodiment.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope 10 includes an insertion section 12 and a handheld operation section 14 to which the base end side of the insertion section 12 is connected. The base end of a universal cable 16 is connected to the handheld operation section 14. A connector device (not shown) connected to a processor device 200 is provided at the tip of the universal cable 16. The processor device 200 includes a light source device 300 and an image processing device 400. The light source device 300 includes a processor side connector (not shown) to which the connector device is connected. In addition, a display (not shown) that displays an image processed by the image processing device 400 is connected to the image processing device 400. The endoscope system of this example including the endoscope 10 and the processor device 200 has a configuration in which power, optical signals, etc. are transmitted contactlessly between the endoscope 10 and the processor device 200 via a connector section consisting of a connector device and a processor side connector.

[0020] The handheld operation section 14 has an air / water supply button 18, a suction button 20, a shutter button 22, a zoom operation knob 24, a pair of bending operation knobs 26, and a forceps insertion section 28 provided at predetermined positions.

[0021] The insertion section 12 has a longitudinal axis A, and from the base end side to the tip end side, has a flexible section 30, a bending section 32, and a tip hard section 34. The bending section 32 is remotely bent by rotating a pair of bending operation knobs 26 provided on the handheld operation section 14. This allows the tip surface 36 of the tip hard section 34 to be oriented in a desired direction.

[0022] 2 is a front view of the distal end surface 36 of the distal end hard portion 34. As shown in FIG. 2, an observation window 38, a pair of illumination windows 40A and 40B, an air / water nozzle 42, and a forceps port 44 are disposed at predetermined positions on the distal end surface 36 of the distal end hard portion 34. As an example, the observation window 38 is disposed approximately in the center of the distal end surface 36, and the illumination windows 40A and 40B are disposed on both sides of the observation window 38. The air / water nozzle 42 is disposed facing the observation window 38, and the forceps port 44 is disposed in a space surrounded by the observation window 38, the illumination window 40A, and the air / water nozzle 42.

[0023] Next, a configuration of the observation optical system 39 including the observation window 38 provided in the tip hard portion 34 will be described. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the tip hard portion 34 along the longitudinal axis A. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the observation optical system 39 along the optical axis P of the observation optical system 39. The longitudinal axis A and the optical axis P are parallel to each other.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 3, the observation window 38 is attached to the tip body 46. The tip body 46 is configured to be approximately cylindrical, and a through hole 46A is formed in the direction of the longitudinal axis A. The observation window 38 is inserted into the through hole 46A from the base end side toward the tip side of the through hole 46A, and then fixed to the tip body 46 by a screw 50. In the tip rigid portion 34, after the contents such as the observation window 38 are fixed to the tip body 46, an outer cover 49 is placed on the outer peripheral surface of the tip body 46, and a cap 48 is attached to the tip surface of the tip body 46.

[0025] 4, the observation optical system 39 includes fixed lens groups 54F, 54L and movable lens groups 56F, 56L, and these lens groups are housed inside the housing 52. The fixed lens groups 54F, 54L and the movable lens groups 56F, 56L are each composed of one or more lenses.

[0026] The fixed lens groups 54F, 54L are attached to fixed lens frames 58F, 58L, respectively, and are fixed to the housing 52 via the fixed lens frames 58F, 58L. The fixed lens frames 58F, 58L are disposed with an interval between them in the direction of the optical axis P shown in FIG.

[0027] The movable lens groups 56F, 56L are disposed between the fixed lens groups 54F, 54L on the optical axis P, and are held by the movable lens frames 60F, 60L, respectively. The movable lens frames 60F, 60L are connected to the arms 64F, 64L, and the arms 64F, 64L have ring portions 66F, 66L formed at their tips. A camshaft 68 is inserted into the ring portions 66F, 66L, and the ring portions 66F, 66L are supported by the camshaft 68 so as to be freely slidable. The ring portions 66F, 66L have cam pins 70F, 70L protruding toward the inside of the ring portions 66F, 66L, and the cam pins 70F, 70L are engaged with cam grooves 68F, 68L formed in a spiral shape on the outer surface of the camshaft 68. Therefore, by rotating the camshaft 68 around the axis of the camshaft 68, the ring parts 66F, 66L move toward the tip side (the right side in FIG. 4) or the base side (the left side in FIG. 4), and the movable lens groups 56F, 56L move forward and backward along the optical axis P. At that time, the movable lens groups 56F, 56L move toward or away from each other, thereby performing focus adjustment or zoom operation. Note that the lens configuration of the observation optical system 39 shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 is not limited to the above-mentioned form, and may be, for example, a form in which the fixed lens group is composed of one group, or a form in which the movable lens group is composed of one group or three groups. The movable lens groups 56F, 56L in this example are an example of the tip optical system of the present invention, and are provided on the tip side of the insertion part 12.

[0028] The cam shaft 68 is disposed so that its axis is parallel to the optical axis P of the observation optical system 39, and is rotatably supported by the housing 52. A flexible shaft 74 is attached to the base end of the cam shaft 68 via a connector 72.

[0029] The flexible shaft 74 has a shaft axis B and is provided from the hand operation unit 14 to the insertion unit 12 in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the tip end of the flexible shaft 74 is connected to the cam shaft 68 via a connector 72, and the base end is connected to a connector 76 (see FIG. 5) described later, so that the flexible shaft 74 is rotatable in a rotation direction centered on the shaft axis B. When the flexible shaft 74 rotates in the above-mentioned rotation direction, the cam shaft 68 rotates about the axis. As a result, the movable lens groups 56F and 56L are moved in the direction of the optical axis P to perform focus adjustment or zoom operation. The flexible shaft 74 in this example is an example of the shaft of the present invention, and is formed by a close-fitting coil spring as an example. Note that operation members for rotating the flexible shaft 74 will be described later.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 4, the tip side of a protective tube 78 is fixed to the base end side of the housing 52. The flexible shaft 74 is inserted inside the protective tube 78 for protection, and other contents (light guide, signal cable, air / water supply tube, etc.) housed inside the insertion section 12 (see Fig. 1) are prevented from coming into contact with the flexible shaft 74. This protective tube 78 is provided from the hand operation section 14 in Fig. 1 to the insertion section 12, similar to the flexible shaft 74.

[0031] An imaging device 80 is also attached to the housing 52. The imaging device 80 is disposed on the handheld operation unit 14 (see FIG. 1) side with respect to the fixed lens frame 58L. The imaging device 80 mainly has a prism 82 that bends the optical path of the observation optical system 39 by 90 degrees, and a solid-state imaging element 84 disposed at an image forming position of the observation optical system 39. The imaging device 80 is attached to the observation optical system 39 by fixing a lens barrel holder 86 bonded to the prism 82 to the housing 52.

[0032] Next, several forms (first and second forms) of a zoom operation mechanism that rotates the flexible shaft 74 about the shaft axis B to perform a zoom operation will be described.

[0033] [First form of zoom operation mechanism] Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a zoom operation mechanism 90 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 5, the zoom operation mechanism 90 according to the first embodiment includes a zoom operation knob 24, a slider 92, and a power conversion transmission mechanism 94. The zoom operation knob 24, the slider 92, and the power conversion transmission mechanism 94 are each provided in the handheld operation unit 14.

[0034] The zoom operation knob 24 is provided exposed to the outside of the handheld operation unit 14 as shown in FIG. 1, and is manually operated by the surgeon who operates the endoscope 10. The zoom operation knob 24 is rotatably supported by a frame 96 of the handheld operation unit 14 shown in FIG. 5, and is configured to be rotatable. In addition, the rotation axis C of the zoom operation knob 24 is arranged coaxially with the rotation axis D (see FIG. 5) of the bending operation knob 26 (see FIG. 1), as an example. With this configuration, the zoom operation knob 24 can be easily operated by the fingers of the surgeon who operates the bending operation knob 26. In addition, by sharing the rotation axis C with the rotation axis D, there is no need to provide a separate rotation axis C, and therefore the zoom operation mechanism 90 can be simplified. The zoom operation knob 24 is an example of an operation member of the present invention, and is an example of a rotation operation member.

[0035] 5 moves forward and backward in the direction of the shaft axis B in response to the rotational operation of the zoom operation knob 24. An example of a transmission mechanism 98 for transmitting the rotational operation force of the zoom operation knob 24 to the slider 92 will be described below.

[0036] The transmission mechanism 98 of this example has a rocking member 100 and a link member 102. The rocking member 100 is a rotary ring 104 formed integrally with the zoom operation knob 24, and is configured as a protruding portion protruding from the outer periphery of the rotary ring 104 which is rotatable around a rotation axis C. With this configuration, the rocking member 100 can rock in the direction of arrow F around the rotation axis C when the zoom operation knob 24 is rotated in the direction indicated by arrow E in Fig. 5. The rocking member 100 is an example of a rocking member of the present invention.

[0037] The link member 102 connects the swing member 100 and the slider 92. Specifically, in FIG. 5, the left end of the link member 102 is pivotally supported by the swing member 100 via a pin 106, and the right end of the link member 102 is pivotally supported by the slider 92 via a pin 108. With this configuration, the link member 102 can linearly move the slider 92 to the right in FIG. 5 in the direction of the shaft axis B when the swing member 100 pivots clockwise about the rotation axis C. Also, the link member 102 can linearly move the slider 92 to the left in FIG. 5 in the direction of the shaft axis B when the swing member 100 pivots counterclockwise about the rotation axis C. Thus, the link member 102 functions as a member that moves the slider 92 back and forth in the direction of the shaft axis B. The link member 102 is an example of a link member of the present invention.

[0038] 5 rotates the flexible shaft 74 about the shaft axis B by the forward and backward movement of the slider 92. Hereinafter, a specific configuration of the power conversion transmission mechanism 94 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0039] Fig. 6 is an overall perspective view of the power conversion transmission mechanism 94. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a nut 110, which is one of the components of the power conversion transmission mechanism 94. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a screw shaft 112, which is one of the components of the power conversion transmission mechanism 94. As shown in Figs. 6 to 8, the power conversion transmission mechanism 94 has the nut 110 and the screw shaft 112.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 7, the nut 110 is provided on the slider 92. The nut 110 is configured as a generally cylindrical body having a nut axis G, and a female thread 114 is formed helically on its inner circumferential surface along the nut axis G direction. The nut 110 is an example of the engaging member of the present invention. The slider 92 of this example is configured as a generally cylindrical body that covers the outer surface of the nut 110 (excluding the flat bottom surface 110A in Fig. 7).

[0041] As shown in Fig. 8, the screw shaft 112 is an axial body having an axis H, and a male thread 116 is formed on its outer circumferential surface in a spiral shape along the axis H direction. This male thread 116 and the female thread 114 of the nut 110 (see Fig. 7) are engaged (screwed together) to form the power conversion transmission mechanism 94 of this example, as shown in Fig. 6. The power conversion transmission mechanism 94 is an example of a power conversion transmission mechanism of the present invention. The screw shaft 112 is an example of a shaft member of the present invention, and the male thread 116 is an example of an engaged portion of the present invention.

[0042] The power conversion transmission mechanism 94 configured as above is provided in the handheld operation unit 14 as follows, for example. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the axis H of the screw shaft 112 is arranged on an extension line of the shaft axis B of the flexible shaft 74, and the tip end (right end 112A in FIG. 6) of the screw shaft 112 is connected to the base end of the flexible shaft 74 via the connector 76. Then, the base end (left end 112B in FIG. 6) of the screw shaft 112 is attached to the frame 96 via a bearing (not shown). In this way, the power conversion transmission mechanism 94 is provided in the handheld operation unit 14. Then, according to the power conversion transmission mechanism 94 of this example, when the slider 92 moves forward and backward by rotating the zoom operation knob 24, the nut 110 moves linearly in accordance with the forward and backward movement of the slider 92. Then, the linear movement of the nut 110 is converted into a rotational movement by the female screw 114 and the male screw 116, so that the screw shaft 112 rotates in a rotational direction about the shaft axis B. As a result, the rotation of the screw shaft 112 is transmitted to the flexible shaft 74 via the connector 76, and the flexible shaft 74 rotates about the shaft axis B.

[0043] Next, the operation of the zoom operation mechanism 90 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0044] When the zoom operation knob 24 shown by the solid line in Fig. 5 is rotated counterclockwise around the rotation axis C, the rocking member 100 rocks counterclockwise from the position shown by the solid line together with the rotating ring 104. As a result, the link member 102 connected to the rocking member 100 is pulled by the rocking member 100 and moves leftward in Fig. 5, and the slider 92 connected to the link member 102 moves leftward in Fig. 5.

[0045] Then, the nut 110 (see FIG. 6) moves linearly to the left in accordance with the leftward movement of the slider 92. The leftward linear movement of the nut 110 is converted into a rotational movement by the female thread 114 (see FIG. 7) of the nut 110 and the male thread 116 (see FIG. 8) of the screw shaft 112. As a result, the screw shaft 112 rotates smoothly in a rotational direction about the shaft axis B (for example, clockwise CW when the screw shaft 112 is viewed from the left end 112B in FIG. 6), and the rotation of the screw shaft 112 is transmitted to the flexible shaft 74 via the connector 76, and the flexible shaft 74 rotates about the shaft axis B. As a result, the cam shaft 68 shown in FIG. 4 is rotated, and the movable lens groups 56F and 56L are moved in the direction of the optical axis P, and a zoom operation is performed, for example, to the wide side.

[0046] Conversely, when the zoom operation knob 24 indicated by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 5 is rotated clockwise around the rotation axis C, the rocking member 100 rocks clockwise from the position indicated by the two-dot chain line together with the rotation ring 104. As a result, the link member 102 connected to the rocking member 100 is pushed by the rocking member 100 and moves to the right in Fig. 5, and the slider 92 connected to the link member 102 moves to the right in Fig. 5.

[0047] Then, the nut 110 moves linearly to the right in accordance with the rightward movement of the slider 92. The rightward linear movement of the nut 110 is converted into a rotational movement by the female thread 114 of the nut 110 (see FIG. 7) and the male thread 116 of the screw shaft 112 (see FIG. 8). As a result, the screw shaft 112 rotates smoothly in a rotational direction about the shaft axis B (for example, counterclockwise CCW when the screw shaft 112 is viewed from the left end 112B in FIG. 6), and the rotation of the screw shaft 112 is transmitted to the flexible shaft 74 via the connector 76, and the flexible shaft 74 rotates about the shaft axis B. As a result, the cam shaft 68 shown in FIG. 4 is rotated, and the movable lens groups 56F and 56L are moved in the direction of the optical axis P, and a zoom operation is performed, for example, toward the telephoto side.

[0048] Therefore, according to the zoom operation mechanism 90 of the first form, a configuration is adopted in which the slider 92 is moved back and forth in the direction of the shaft axis B in response to the rotational operation of the zoom operation knob 24, and the forward and backward movement of the slider 92 rotates the flexible shaft 74 by the power conversion transmission mechanism 94, so it is possible to efficiently move the movable lens groups 56F, 56L back and forth in the direction of the optical axis P. In addition, since a feed screw mechanism having a nut 110 and a screw shaft 112 is adopted as the power conversion transmission mechanism 94, the linear movement of the slider 92 can be effectively converted into rotational movement.

[0049] [Second embodiment of zoom operation mechanism] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the zoom operation mechanism 120 according to the second mode.

[0050] Here, the difference between the configuration of the second embodiment shown in Fig. 9 and the first embodiment shown in Fig. 5 will be explained in that while the power conversion and transmission mechanism 94 of the first embodiment employs a feed screw mechanism having a nut 110 and a screw shaft 112, the power conversion and transmission mechanism 130 of the second embodiment shown in Fig. 9 employs a cam mechanism having a cam pin 132 (see Fig. 11) and a cam shaft 134. Since the other configurations (zoom operation knob 24, slider 92, swing member 100, and link member 102) are the same, the zoom operation mechanism 120 of the second embodiment will mainly be explained with reference to the power conversion and transmission mechanism 130 shown in Figs. 10 to 12.

[0051] Fig. 10 is an overall perspective view of the power conversion transmission mechanism 130. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a pair of cam pins 132, which are one of the components of the power conversion transmission mechanism 130. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a cam shaft 134, which is one of the components of the power conversion transmission mechanism 130. As shown in Figs. 10 to 12, the power conversion transmission mechanism 130 has the pair of cam pins 132 and the cam shaft 134.

[0052] 11, the slider 92 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a pair of cam pins 132 are provided facing each other and protruding from the inner circumferential surface of the slider 92. The cam pins 132 are an example of an engaging member of the present invention.

[0053] As shown in Fig. 12, the camshaft 134 is a shaft-shaped body having an axis J, and a cam groove 136 is formed in a spiral shape on its outer circumferential surface along the axis J. This cam groove 136 engages with a pair of cam pins 132 (see Fig. 11), thereby forming the power conversion transmission mechanism 130 of this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 10. The power conversion transmission mechanism 130 is an example of a power conversion transmission mechanism of the present invention. The camshaft 134 is an example of a shaft member of the present invention, and the cam groove 136 is an example of an engaged portion of the present invention.

[0054] The power conversion transmission mechanism 130 configured as described above is provided in the handheld operation unit 14 as follows, for example. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the axis J of the cam shaft 134 is disposed on an extension line of the shaft axis B of the flexible shaft 74, and the tip end (right end 134A in FIG. 10) of the cam shaft 134 is connected to the base end of the flexible shaft 74 via the connector 76. Then, the base end (left end 134B in FIG. 10) of the cam shaft 134 is attached to the frame 96 via a bearing (not shown). In this way, the power conversion transmission mechanism 130 is provided in the handheld operation unit 14. According to the power conversion transmission mechanism 130 of this example, when the slider 92 moves forward and backward by rotating the zoom operation knob 24, the pair of cam pins 132 move linearly in accordance with the forward and backward movement of the slider 92. The linear movement of the pair of cam pins 132 is converted into rotational movement by the cam grooves 136, causing the cam shaft 134 to rotate in a rotational direction about the shaft axis B. As a result, the rotation of the cam shaft 134 is transmitted to the flexible shaft 74 via the connector 76, causing the flexible shaft 74 to rotate about the shaft axis B.

[0055] Next, the operation of the zoom operation mechanism 120 according to the second embodiment will be described. Note that the same points as those of the zoom operation mechanism 90 in the first embodiment will also be described again.

[0056] 9 is rotated counterclockwise around the rotation axis C, the rocking member 100 rocks counterclockwise from the position shown by the solid line together with the rotating ring 104. As a result, the link member 102 connected to the rocking member 100 is pulled by the rocking member 100 and moves leftward in FIG. 9, and the slider 92 connected to the link member 102 moves leftward in FIG.

[0057] Then, the pair of cam pins 132 move linearly to the left in association with the leftward movement of the slider 92. The leftward linear movement of the pair of cam pins 132 is converted into a rotational movement by the cam groove 136 (see FIG. 12) of the cam shaft 134. This allows the cam shaft 134 to rotate smoothly in a rotational direction about the shaft axis B (for example, in a clockwise direction CW when the cam shaft 134 is viewed from the left end 134B in FIG. 10), and the rotation of the cam shaft 134 is transmitted to the flexible shaft 74 via the connector 76, causing the flexible shaft 74 to rotate about the shaft axis B. As a result, the cam shaft 68 shown in FIG. 4 is rotated, whereby the movable lens groups 56F and 56L are moved in the direction of the optical axis P, and a zoom operation is performed, for example, to the wide-angle side.

[0058] Conversely, when the zoom operation knob 24 indicated by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 9 is rotated clockwise around the rotation axis C, the rocking member 100 rocks clockwise from the position indicated by the two-dot chain line together with the rotation ring 104. As a result, the link member 102 connected to the rocking member 100 is pushed by the rocking member 100 and moves to the right in Fig. 9, and the slider 92 connected to the link member 102 moves to the right in Fig. 9.

[0059] Then, the pair of cam pins 132 move linearly to the right in accordance with the rightward movement of the slider 92. Then, the rightward linear movement of the pair of cam pins 132 is converted into a rotational movement by the cam groove 136 (see FIG. 12) of the cam shaft 134. As a result, the cam shaft 134 rotates smoothly in a rotational direction about the shaft axis B (for example, in a counterclockwise direction CCW when the cam shaft 134 is viewed from the left end 135B in FIG. 10), and the rotation of the cam shaft 134 is transmitted to the flexible shaft 74 via the connector 76, and the flexible shaft 74 rotates about the shaft axis B. As a result, the cam shaft 68 shown in FIG. 4 is rotated, and the movable lens groups 56F and 56L are moved in the direction of the optical axis P, and a zoom operation is performed, for example, toward the telephoto side.

[0060] Therefore, according to the zoom operation mechanism 120 of the second form, a configuration is adopted in which the slider 92 is moved back and forth in the direction of the shaft axis B in response to the rotational operation of the zoom operation knob 24, and the flexible shaft 74 is rotated by the power conversion transmission mechanism 130 due to the forward and backward movement of the slider 92, so it is possible to efficiently move the movable lens groups 56F, 56L back and forth in the direction of the optical axis P. In addition, since a cam mechanism having a pair of cam pins 132 and a cam shaft 134 is adopted as the power conversion transmission mechanism 130, the linear movement of the slider 92 can be effectively converted into rotational movement.

[0061] <Rotary Encoder> Here, the first embodiment shown in Fig. 5 and the second embodiment shown in Fig. 9 also have a rotary encoder 140. The rotary encoder 140 detects the rotation angle of the flexible shaft 74, and in the first embodiment shown in Fig. 5, as an example, is connected to the left end 112B (see Fig. 6) of the screw shaft 112, and in the second embodiment shown in Fig. 9, as an example, is connected to the left end 134B (see Fig. 10) of the cam shaft 134. The rotary encoder 140 is an example of a rotation detection means of the present invention.

[0062] The detection signal output from the rotary encoder 140 is, for example, input to a processor device 200 (see FIG. 1) of the endoscope 10. FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the processor device 200. The processor device 200 includes a processor 202 and a memory 204.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 13, the processor 202 has an encoder signal acquisition unit 206 that acquires a detection signal output from the rotary encoder 140, an imaging magnification acquisition unit 208 that acquires from the memory 204 information indicating the imaging magnification corresponding to the detection signal acquired by the encoder signal acquisition unit 206, a shutter speed setting unit 210 that sets a shutter speed corresponding to the imaging magnification acquired by the imaging magnification acquisition unit 208, and a light amount setting unit 212 that sets a light amount corresponding to the imaging magnification acquired by the imaging magnification acquisition unit 208.

[0064] The shutter speed setting unit 210 sets a shutter speed corresponding to the shooting magnification for the shutter control unit 214, and the shutter control unit 214 controls the shutter 216 at the set shutter speed. Also, the light amount setting unit 212 sets a light amount corresponding to the shooting magnification for the light source control unit 302 of the light source device 300, and the light source control unit 302 controls the light source 304 at the set light amount.

[0065] The processor 202 executes instructions stored in the memory 204. The hardware structure of the processor 202 is various processors as shown below. The various processors include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), which is a general-purpose processor that executes software (programs) and acts as various functional units, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), which is a processor specialized for image processing, a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), which is a processor whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacture such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and a dedicated electric circuit, which is a processor having a circuit configuration designed specifically for executing specific processing such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0066] A processing unit may be configured with one of these various processors, or may be configured with two or more processors of the same or different types (for example, multiple FPGAs, or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA, or a combination of a CPU and a GPU). Also, multiple functional units may be configured with one processor. As an example of configuring multiple functional units with one processor, first, as represented by a computer such as a client or a server, there is a form in which one processor is configured with a combination of one or more CPUs and software, and this processor acts as multiple functional units. Second, as represented by a SoC (System On Chip), there is a form in which a processor is used that realizes the functions of the entire system including multiple functional units with one IC (Integrated Circuit) chip. In this way, the various functional units are configured using one or more of the above various processors as a hardware structure.

[0067] Furthermore, the hardware structure of these various processors is, more specifically, an electric circuit that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

[0068] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the process flow of the setting of the shutter speed and the light amount by the processor 202 shown in FIG. 13. As shown in FIG. 14, in step S10, the encoder signal acquisition unit 206 (see FIG. 13) acquires a detection signal from the rotary encoder 140 (see FIG. 13). Next, in step S20, the shooting magnification acquisition unit 208 (see FIG. 13) acquires information indicating the shooting magnification corresponding to the detection signal acquired by the encoder signal acquisition unit 206 (see FIG. 13) from the memory 204. Next, in step S30, the shutter speed setting unit 210 (see FIG. 13) sets the shutter speed corresponding to the shooting magnification acquired by the shooting magnification acquisition unit 208 (see FIG. 13). Next, in step 40, the light amount setting unit 212 (see FIG. 13) sets the light amount corresponding to the shooting magnification acquired by the shooting magnification acquisition unit 208 (see FIG. 13). The above is the process flow of the setting of the shutter speed and the light amount by the processor 202. Note that steps S30 and S40 may be processed in parallel, or the order of these steps may be interchanged.

[0069] To briefly explain the processing of the processor 202, when the shooting magnification is increased by zooming, image blurring is likely to occur, so in order to prevent image blurring, the processor 202 sets the shutter speed to a high speed and sets the amount of light to obtain a sufficient amount of light even at that shutter speed. This makes it possible to suppress image blurring when the shooting magnification is increased.

[0070] [Modifications] The following describes modified examples of the "shaft" and "operating member" which are constituent elements of the present invention.

[0071] <shaft> In the embodiment, the flexible shaft 74 is exemplified as the shaft, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a rigid (non-flexible) shaft may be applied as the shaft. In this case, the rigid shaft is applicable to a rigid endoscope whose insertion portion is made of a rigid member.

[0072] <Operation Member> In the embodiment, the zoom operation knob 24 configured to be rotatable is exemplified as the operation member, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, an operation member configured to be linearly movable may be applied. Specifically, a knob member corresponding to the operation member may be directly connected to the slider 92, and the knob member may be moved linearly to move the slider 92 forward and backward. In this case, the zoom operation knob 24 and the transmission mechanism 98 (the swing member 100 and the link member 102) shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 9 are not required. However, from the viewpoint of making it possible to easily operate the operation member with the fingers of the surgeon who operates the bending operation knob 26 (see FIG. 1), it is preferable to adopt the configurations of the first form (see FIG. 5) and the second form (see FIG. 9) having the zoom operation knob 24 and the transmission mechanism 98.

[0073] Although the endoscope according to the embodiment has been described above, the present invention may be improved or modified in several ways without departing from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 10 Endoscopy 12 Insertion section 14 Handheld operation unit 16 Universal Cable 18 Air / water supply button 20 Suction button 22 Shutter button 24 Zoom control knob 26 Curvature control knob 28 Forceps insertion part 30 Soft part 32 Curved section 34 Hard tip 36 Tip surface 38 Observation window 39 Observation Optical System 40A Lighting window 40B Lighting window 42 Air and water supply nozzle 44 Forceps mouth 46 Tip body 46A through hole 48 Cap 49 Outer cover 50 Screw 52 Housing 54F fixed lens group 54L Fixed lens group 56F Movable Lens Group 56L Movable Lens Group 58F Fixed lens frame 58L fixed lens frame 60F Movable lens frame 60L movable lens frame 64F Arm 64L Arm 66 Camshaft 66F Ring section 66L Ring section 68F Cam groove 68L Cam groove 70F Cam Pin 70L Cam Pin 72 Connector 74 Flexible Shaft 76 Connectors 78 Protective tube 80 Imaging device 82 Prism 84 Solid-state imaging element 86 Lens barrel holder 90 Zoom operation mechanism 92 Slider 94 Power conversion and transmission mechanism 96 frames 98 Transmission Mechanism 100 Swinging member 102 Link member 104 Rotating Ring 106 pins 108 pins 110 Nut 110A bottom 112 Screw shaft 112A Right end 112B Left end 114 Female thread 115 Female thread 116 Male thread 120 Zoom operation mechanism 130 Power conversion and transmission mechanism 132 Campin 134 Camshaft 134A Right end 134B Left end 136 Cam groove 200 Processor Unit 202 Processor 204 Memory 206 Encoder signal acquisition unit 208 Shooting magnification acquisition unit 210 Shutter speed setting section 212 Light amount setting section 214 Shutter control section 216 Shutter 300 Light source device 302 Light source control unit 304 Light source 400 Image processing device A Longitudinal axis B Shaft axis

Claims

1. a tip optical system that can move forward and backward in an optical axis direction; a shaft having a shaft axis, configured to be rotatable in a rotation direction about the shaft axis, and moving the tip optical system in the optical axis direction when rotated in the rotation direction; An operating member; a slider that moves forward and backward in the shaft axial direction in response to operation of the operating member; a power conversion and transmission mechanism that rotates the shaft by the forward and backward movement of the slider; Equipped with Endoscope.

2. The operating member is a rotation operating member configured to be rotatably operated, a swinging member that swings when the rotation operation member is rotated; a link member connecting the swinging member and the slider, the link member moving the slider forward and backward in the shaft axial direction when the swinging member swings; having The endoscope according to claim 1 .

3. The power conversion and transmission mechanism includes: an engagement member provided on the slider; a shaft member connected to the shaft and having a spiral engaged portion formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof with which the engaging member is engaged; Has the shaft member rotates in a rotational direction about the shaft axis by the linear movement of the engagement member accompanying the advancement and retreat of the slider; 3. An endoscope according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the engaging member is a nut having an internal thread, The shaft member is a screw shaft having a male screw which is the engaged portion. The endoscope according to claim 3.

5. the engaging member is a cam pin, The shaft member is a cam shaft having a cam groove which is the engaged portion. The endoscope according to claim 3.

6. A rotation detection means for detecting a rotation angle of the shaft is provided.

3. An endoscope according to claim 1 or 2.

7. A rotation detection means for detecting a rotation angle of the shaft is provided. The endoscope according to claim 3.

8. An insertion section and a hand-held operation section connected to a base end side of the insertion section, the operating member, the slider, and the power conversion transmission mechanism are provided in the hand-held operation unit, The shaft is provided from the hand operation portion to the insertion portion, The tip optical system is provided on the tip side of the insertion section.

3. An endoscope according to claim 1 or 2.

9. The operating member is a rotation operating member configured to be rotatably operated, The hand-held operation unit is provided with a bending operation knob for bending the insertion unit in a rotatable manner, The rotation axis of the rotation operation member is arranged coaxially with the rotation axis of the bending operation knob. The endoscope according to claim 8.

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