Optical probe system

Abstract

To provide an optical probe system capable of mainly suppressing high cost.SOLUTION: An optical probe system comprises: an endoscope 10 including a plug 14A connected to an insertion part 11 to be inserted into a target site via a cord 13; and an adapter 20A into which the plug 14A is inserted and which is inserted into a socket 34A provided in an optical device 30. The plug 14A includes a light guide part 61 that propagates an optical signal toward the insertion part 11 or an optical signal from the insertion part, and does not include a lens that converges or diverges the optical signal. The adapter 20A includes lenses 70L, 80L that converge or diverge the optical signal propagating between the endoscope 10 and the optical device 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to optical probe systems, such as illumination probe systems and endoscopy systems. [Background technology]

[0002] As an example of an optical probe system, an endoscope system consisting of an endoscope, a light source device, and an imaging device is used for various treatments. For example, in ophthalmology, vitreous surgery is performed using an intraocular endoscope, and lacrimal duct surgery (DCR) is performed using a nasal endoscope. Such an endoscope system includes an illumination optical system and an observation optical system, as exemplified in Patent Document 1. The illumination optical system guides light from the light source device to a target site to illuminate it, and the light reflected from the target site is guided to the observation optical system and received by the imaging device, and an image of the target site is displayed on a monitor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-177604 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, the diameter of the light guide (a bundle of optical fibers that propagate light) included in the optical probe system varies depending on the application of the optical probe. In the optical probe system, in order to ensure the necessary amount of light for illumination, it is necessary to appropriately guide the light (illumination light) from the light source to the light guide. Therefore, the optical probe system generally includes a focusing optical system including a dedicated lens or the like according to the application in the optical probe or light source device. That is, the optical probe and the light source device of the optical probe system are dedicated according to the application.

[0005] However, the cost of making an optical probe system a dedicated product for each application is high, and since it is necessary to store multiple light source devices according to the application, the management cost and the required space also increase. Furthermore, in the case of an optical probe equipped with a dedicated light collecting optical system, the optical probe is a consumable item, so the cost becomes even higher. The above-mentioned problems regarding the optical probe and light source device of the illumination optical system also apply to the optical probe and imaging device of the observation optical system.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an optical probe system that can suppress increases in costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An optical probe system according to a first aspect of the present disclosure comprises an optical probe having a plug connected via a cord to an insertion section to be inserted into a target site, and an adapter that is inserted by the plug of the optical probe and inserted into a socket of an optical device, wherein the plug of the optical probe comprises a light guiding section that propagates an optical signal toward or from the insertion section, but does not comprise a lens that converges or diverges the optical signal, and the adapter comprises a lens that converges or diverges the optical signal propagating between the optical probe and the optical device.

[0008] This allows one optical device to be used with various types of optical probes by selecting an adapter according to the application. Moreover, by providing a lens that converges or diverges an optical signal (illumination light or image signal) in the adapter rather than in the plug of the optical probe, the cost of the optical probe, which is a consumable item, can be reduced.

[0009] An optical probe system according to a second aspect of the present disclosure may be such that, in the first aspect, the light-guiding section is configured by housing a bundle of multiple optical fibers inside a tubular member, and ends of the optical fibers protrude outward from an opening of the tubular member.

[0010] This makes it possible to precisely determine the positions of the light guiding section of the plug of the optical probe and the lens of the adapter, enabling a clear image to be captured.

[0011] In the optical probe system according to the third aspect of the present disclosure, in the second aspect, the adapter has a plug hole into which the light-guiding section is inserted, the plug hole including a first hole having a first inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the tubular member, a second hole having a second inner diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the tubular member, and a tapered hole between the first hole and the second hole, the diameter of which gradually decreases from the first inner diameter to the second inner diameter, and the lens of the adapter may be arranged adjacent to the second hole on the opposite side to the tapered hole.

[0012] This allows the light guiding portion of the optical probe to be smoothly inserted all the way into the plug hole of the adapter, while ensuring high positioning accuracy between the inserted light guiding portion and the lens of the adapter.

[0013] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, in the optical probe system of the third aspect, the second hole and the lens may be disposed at a distance apart according to a focal length of the lens.

[0014] This allows the optical signal to be efficiently propagated between the light guiding portion of the optical probe and the lens of the adapter.

[0015] An optical probe system according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure may, in the third aspect, be provided at an inner end of the second hole with a locking portion against which an end of the tubular member of the inserted light-guiding portion abuts.

[0016] This ensures that the end of the tubing is accurately positioned within the adapter.

[0017] An optical probe system according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure is the optical probe system of the fifth aspect, wherein the plug has a grip portion provided on a base end side of the light-guiding portion, and the adapter has a grip hole into which the grip portion is inserted when the light-guiding portion is inserted into the plug hole, and the grip portion and the grip hole may be provided with positioning portions that determine positions in the insertion direction between the plug and the adapter.

[0018] This allows the positioning of the plug and the adapter to be achieved between the grip of the plug and the grip hole of the adapter, thereby improving the positioning accuracy of the light guide and the lens, and preventing the light guide from coming into excessively strong contact with the inside of the adapter and causing damage.

[0019] A seventh aspect of the present disclosure relates to an optical probe system, and in the sixth aspect, the positioning portion may urge the plug toward the inside of the adapter to abut the end of the tubular member against the engaging portion of the second hole.

[0020] This makes it possible to prevent the occurrence of unnecessary play (gap) at the connection point between the plug and the adapter, thereby further improving the positioning accuracy between the plug and the adapter.

[0021] An optical probe system according to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure may be such that, in the second aspect, the light guiding section has an opening of the tube member coated with a protective layer so as to cover an end of the optical fiber.

[0022] This makes it possible to prevent the optical fiber at the end of the tube member from coming into contact with the outside and being damaged, thereby suppressing a decrease in illumination light and deterioration of the image signal, and enabling clear images to be captured.

[0023] An optical probe system according to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure is, in the eighth aspect, the plug has a grip portion provided on the base end side of the light-guiding portion, the adapter has a grip hole into which the grip portion is inserted when the light-guiding portion is inserted into the plug hole, and an inner end of the grip hole is provided with a locking portion against which the end of the inserted grip portion abuts, and the grip portion and the grip hole may be provided with positioning portions that determine the position of the plug and the adapter in the insertion direction.

[0024] With this, by positioning using the positioning portion provided between the grip portion and the grip hole, it is possible to prevent the protective layer at the end portion of the light guiding portion from coming into contact with the outside and being damaged.

[0025] In the optical probe system according to the tenth aspect of the present disclosure, in the first aspect, the optical probe may be provided in an endoscope as an illumination optical system that propagates light to illuminate the target area, or may be provided in an endoscope as an observation optical system that propagates an optical signal representing an image of the target area.

[0026] As a result, when the optical probe system is applied to an endoscope system, the cost of the illumination optical system or observation optical system of the endoscope can be reduced. Effect of the Invention

[0027] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to realize an optical probe system that can mainly suppress increases in cost. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of an endoscope system to which the optical probe system of the present disclosure is applied. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a connection unit made up of a plug and an adapter. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the connection unit taken along a plane including the axis. [Figure 4] Fig. 4A is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the plug, and Fig. 4B is a schematic enlarged view showing one end of the plug. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the adapter. [Figure 6] Fig. 6A is a vertical cross-sectional view of the inner member, and Fig. 6B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of one end of the inner member. [Figure 7] FIG. 7A is a vertical cross-sectional view of the outer member, and FIG. 7B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of one end of the outer member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] Hereinafter, an example will be described in which the optical probe system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is applied to an endoscope system, particularly an intraocular endoscope system used for endoscopic vitreous surgery, etc. However, the application of the optical probe system according to the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the optical probe system according to the present disclosure can also be applied to, for example, a transnasal endoscope system used in neurosurgery, and other endoscope systems. In addition, the optical probe included in the optical probe system according to the present disclosure can also be applied to an endoscope that does not include an illumination optical system and only includes an observation optical system, and can also be applied to an illumination probe alone.

[0030] [Overall configuration of endoscope system] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of an endoscope system (optical probe system) of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 1, the endoscope system 1 includes an endoscope (optical probe) 10, adapters 20A and 20B, an optical device 30, and a monitor 40. Among these, the endoscope 10 includes an insertion section 11 that is inserted into a patient's eyeball, which is a target site, a base section 12 that supports the insertion section 11, and two plugs 14A and 14B that are connected to a cord 13 extending from the base section 12. The plug 14A and the adapter 20A, and the plug 14B and the adapter 20B each form a connection unit 50 that connects the endoscope 10 to the optical device 30 (details will be described later).

[0031] The insertion section 11 is configured such that an optical fiber bundle, which is a bundle of optical fibers, is housed inside an outer tube, which is a hollow tubular member made of hard plastic, metal, or the like. Of the optical fibers constituting the optical fiber bundle, some optical fibers form an illumination optical system that propagates light (optical signal) that illuminates the target site, and the remaining optical fibers form an observation optical system that propagates a signal (optical signal) that represents an image of the target site. A base section 12 is provided at the proximal end of the insertion section 11. The base section 12 forms a gripping section that is gripped by the practitioner, and is rod-shaped with a larger diameter than the insertion section 11.

[0032] The cord 13 has a flexible tube through which the optical fiber bundle extending from the insertion portion 11 passes. The cord 13 branches into a cord 13a that houses an optical fiber bundle of an illumination optical system and a cord 13b that houses an optical fiber bundle of an observation optical system. A plug 14A is attached to the end of the cord 13a, and a plug 14B is attached to the end of the cord 13b. Thus, the insertion portion 11 is connected to the plug 14A via the cord 13a, and is connected to the plug 14B via the cord 13b.

[0033] The optical device 30 includes a light source 31, an image sensor 32, an image signal generating unit 33, and two sockets 34A and 34B. The light source 31 includes, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) and emits high-luminance light. The image sensor 32 includes, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and converts an input optical signal into an electrical signal. The image signal generating unit 33 includes, for example, an image signal processing circuit including an analog front end (AFE) and a digital signal processor (DSP) and generates image data from the electrical signal input from the image sensor 32. The image signal generating unit 33 also includes an interface circuit that outputs an image signal to the outside, and is connected to the monitor 40 via the interface circuit.

[0034] The two sockets 34A, 34B are socket 34A for the illumination optical system and socket 34B for the observation optical system. A plug 14A of the endoscope 10 is detachably connected to the socket 34A via an adapter 20A. As a result, the optical fiber bundle constituting the illumination optical system in the endoscope is optically coupled to an optical path 35a from the light source 31. Similarly, a plug 14B of the endoscope 10 is detachably connected to the socket 34B via an adapter 20B. As a result, the optical fiber bundle constituting the observation optical system in the endoscope is optically coupled to an optical path 35b to the image sensor 32.

[0035] In such an endoscope system 1, illumination light (optical signal) from the light source 31 propagates through the optical path 35a, and is guided to the optical fiber bundle constituting the illumination optical system of the endoscope 10 through the socket 34A, the adapter 20A, and the plug 14A. The light propagated through the optical fiber bundle reaches the insertion section 11, and is finally irradiated to the outside from the tip of the insertion section 11. Therefore, in endoscopic vitreous surgery or the like, a target site inside the eyeball into which the insertion section 11 is inserted is illuminated by the light.

[0036] Meanwhile, the reflected light from the illuminated target site is input from the tip of the insertion section 11 to the optical fiber bundle constituting the observation optical system. The reflected light input to the optical fiber bundle is an optical signal representing an image of the target site, and propagates along the optical fiber bundle. Then, this optical signal is guided to the optical path 35b of the observation optical system of the optical device 30 through the plug 14B, the adapter 20B, and the socket 34B, and input to the image sensor 32. The image sensor 32 converts the input optical signal into an electrical signal and outputs it to the image signal generation section 33, the image signal generation section 33 converts the input electrical signal into image data and outputs it, and the monitor 40 displays the image of the target site based on this image data.

[0037] [Connection unit configuration] Next, the connection unit 50 will be described taking an example of an illumination optical system including a plug 14A and an adapter 20A. The optical probe system according to the present disclosure can be suitably applied to this illumination optical system. The connection unit 50 of the illumination optical system consisting of the plug 14A and the adapter 20A and the connection unit 50 of the observation optical system consisting of the plug 14B and the adapter 20B can be of the same configuration. That is, the optical probe system according to the present disclosure can be applied to this observation optical system as well. However, the illumination optical system and the observation optical system may have different configurations.

[0038] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the connection unit 50. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the connection unit 50 cut along a plane including the axis A. The connection unit 50 is composed of a plug 14A of the endoscope 10 and an adapter 20A that is inserted by the plug 14A and is inserted into the socket 34A of the optical device 30. The plug 14A and the adapter 20A are connected to each other so as to be coaxial with each other, and the connection unit 50 is configured to be substantially symmetrical about the axis A. Hereinafter, the direction in which the adapter 20A is located relative to the plug 14A along the axis A is referred to as one side, and the one end is referred to as one end. The opposite direction is referred to as the other side, and the other end is referred to as the other end.

[0039] [plug] Fig. 4A is a perspective view showing the external configuration of plug 14A, and Fig. 4B is a schematic view showing an enlarged view of one end of plug 14A. As shown in Fig. 4A, plug 14A has a cylindrical grip portion 60 and a rod-shaped light guiding portion 61. Grip portion 60 has a larger diameter than cord 13a, and one end of cord 13a is inserted into the other end of grip portion 60. Also, as shown in Fig. 4B, light guiding portion 61 has a tube member 62 made of hard plastic or metal, and the other end of tube member 62 is inserted into one end of grip portion 60.

[0040] Inside the grip portion 60, the internal space of the tube of the cord 13a communicates with the internal space of the tubular member 62 of the light guide portion 61. As shown in FIG. 4B, the optical fiber bundle 63 of the illumination optical system extending inside the tube of the cord 13a is also passed through the tubular member 62. That is, the light guide portion 61 is configured to accommodate the optical fiber bundle 63 inside the tubular member 62. One end of the optical fiber bundle 63 faces outward from one opening 62a of the tubular member 62. In the example shown in FIG. 4B, one opening 62a of the tubular member 62 and one end of the optical fiber bundle 63 are located at approximately the same position, and the optical fiber bundle 63 is surrounded by the tubular member 62.

[0041] The light guiding section 61 of the plug 14A described above forms a propagation path for an optical signal that propagates illumination light from the light source 31 toward the insertion section 11 of the endoscope 10. When the plug 14B of the observation optical system includes a similar light guiding section 61, the light guiding section 61 forms a propagation path for an optical signal that propagates an image signal from the insertion section 11 toward the optical device 30. However, the plug 14A does not include a lens that converges or diverges an optical signal.

[0042] In addition, a circumferential groove 64a is provided on the circumferential surface 64 of the grip portion 60, which is formed around the axis A. The circumferential groove 64a is provided at a position closer to one end of the grip portion 60 than the other end, and is provided so that the center of the groove width coincides with a position at a predetermined distance X1 from the one end. The cross section of the circumferential groove 64a (a cross section cut on a plane including the axis A) has an arc-shaped contour. Furthermore, an end face 65 on one side of the grip portion 60 forms a surface perpendicular to the axis A of the grip portion 60. The intersection of the circumferential surface 64 and the end face 65 of the grip portion 60 is chamfered to form a tapered surface 66. The tapered surface 66 is a surface that is inclined with respect to both the circumferential surface 64 and the end face 65.

[0043] [adapter] 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the adapter 20A. The adapter 20A has an inner member 70 and an outer member 80 inserted by the inner member 70. The inner member 70 has an internal shape into which the plug 14A is inserted, and the outer member 80 has an external shape into which the socket 34A of the optical device 30 is inserted. The configurations of the inner member 70 and the outer member 80 will be described.

[0044] [Inner part] Fig. 6A is a vertical cross-sectional view of the inner member 70, and Fig. 6B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of one end of the inner member 70. As shown in Fig. 6A, the inner member 70 has a cylindrical inner large diameter portion 71 and a cylindrical inner small diameter portion 72 having a smaller diameter than the inner large diameter portion 71. A cylindrical lens holder 73 is attached to one end of the inner small diameter portion 72, and a lens 70L is held at one end of the inner small diameter portion 72 by this lens holder 73.

[0045] More specifically, the internal space of the inner large diameter portion 71 forms a grip hole 71a into which the grip portion 60 is inserted. The grip hole 71a has an inner diameter that is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the grip portion 60, while the dimension in the direction of the axis A is shorter than that of the grip portion 60. Furthermore, a first locking portion 71b having a shape that matches the end face 65 and tapered surface 66 of the grip portion 60 is formed at the end portion on the inner side (one side) of the grip hole 71a.

[0046] Furthermore, the inner large diameter portion 71 is provided with a ball plunger 74 having a ball 74a, a coil spring, and a holder for accommodating these. The ball 74a of the ball plunger 74 is biased by a coil spring, and is in a state in which a part of the ball protrudes (advances) inward from the inner circumferential surface of the grip hole 71a (in a direction approaching the axis A in a radial direction perpendicular to the axis A) when no external force is applied. When a radially outward force is applied to the ball 74a in this state, the ball 74a retreats into the holder.

[0047] The ball plunger 74 is provided so that the center of the ball 74a is located at a predetermined distance X2 from the first locking portion 71b. This distance X2 is set to be equal to the distance X1 related to the circumferential groove 64a described above or slightly shorter than the distance X1 (a dimension sufficiently smaller than the groove width of the circumferential groove 64a).

[0048] When the grip portion 60 is inserted into the grip hole 71a of such an inner large diameter portion 71, the end face 65 and tapered surface 66 located at one end of the grip portion 60 abut against the first locking portion 71b inside the grip hole 71a, and the grip portion 60 is positioned relative to the inner large diameter portion 71. Furthermore, the ball 74a of the ball plunger 74 engages with the circumferential groove 64a of the grip portion 60, thereby fixing the position of the grip portion 60 relative to the inner large diameter portion 71. Therefore, the circumferential groove 64a and the ball plunger 74 form a positioning portion 76.

[0049] In addition, as described above, when the distance X2 is slightly smaller than the distance X1, the ball 74a presses against one side of the inner surface of the circumferential groove 64a. This pressing force urges the plug 14A (grip portion 60) toward one side, i.e., toward the inside of the grip hole 71a. Therefore, in this case, the position of the grip portion 60 relative to the inner large diameter portion 71 is more stably fixed.

[0050] On the other hand, the internal space of the inner small diameter portion 72 forms a plug hole 72a into which the light guiding portion 61 is inserted. The plug hole 72a includes a first hole 72b having an inner diameter (first inner diameter) larger than the outer diameter of the tube member 62 and located on the other end side, a second hole 72d having an inner diameter (second inner diameter) substantially the same as the outer diameter of the tube member 62 and located on one end side with respect to the first hole 72b, and a first tapered hole 72c located between the first hole 72b and the second hole 72d. The first tapered hole 72c gradually reduces in diameter linearly from the first inner diameter to the second inner diameter as it moves from the other end side to the one end side.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 6B, a second tapered hole 72e is provided on one side of the second hole 72d, which communicates the second hole 72d with the outside. The second tapered hole 72e is a hole that forms a truncated cone-shaped space whose diameter increases from the other end to one end, and the opening of the other end is smaller than the inner diameter of the second hole 72d. Since the other end opening diameter of the second tapered hole 72e is smaller than the inner diameter of the second hole 72d, an end face perpendicular to the axis A is formed at the inner end of the second hole 72d. This end face forms a second locking portion 72f against which the end of the tube member 62 of the inserted light guiding portion 61 abuts.

[0052] That is, when plug 14A is inserted into inner member 70, grip portion 60 is inserted into grip hole 71a, and light guiding portion 61 is inserted into plug hole 72a. At this time, the end of tube member 62 of light guiding portion 61 abuts against second locking portion 72f and is positioned. Furthermore, as described above, when distance X2 is smaller than distance X1, plug 14A is urged inwardly of grip hole 71a. Therefore, in this case, the end of tube member 62 reliably abuts against second locking portion 72f, thereby achieving more stable positioning.

[0053] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the plug 14A is positioned by both the first locking portion 71b and the second locking portion 71f when inserted into the inner member 70, but this is not limiting. For example, a configuration in which the plug 14A is positioned by only the first locking portion 71b or by only the second locking portion 71f may be adopted.

[0054] The outer shape of the inner small diameter portion 72 is a stepped cylindrical shape. That is, the inner small diameter portion 72 has a first portion 721 corresponding to the first hole 72b and the first tapered portion 72c, and a second portion 722 corresponding to the second hole 72d and the second tapered hole 72e. The second portion 722 has an outer diameter dimension smaller than that of the first portion 721. Furthermore, a circumferential groove 72g that circles the second portion 722 around the axis A is provided at the other end of the second portion 722.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 6B, the lens holder 73 is a generally cylindrical member, and has a covering portion 731 that covers the second portion 722 of the inner small diameter portion 72, and a holding portion 732 that holds the lens 70L. The covering portion 731 has an inner diameter that is the same as or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the second portion 722 of the inner small diameter portion 72, and houses the entire second portion 722 in its internal space. A protrusion 73a that protrudes radially inward is provided on the other end of the covering portion 731 at a part of the inner circumferential direction of the covering portion 731. Therefore, when the lens holder 73 is attached so as to fit externally around the second portion 722 of the inner small diameter portion 72, the protrusion 73a fits into the circumferential groove 72g, and the lens holder 73 is fixed to the inner small diameter portion 72.

[0056] The outer diameter of the lens holder 73 is almost constant throughout the direction of the axis A, and is almost the same as the outer diameter of the first portion 721 of the inner small diameter portion 72. Therefore, when the lens holder 73 is fitted onto the inner small diameter portion 72, the outer peripheral surface of the inner small diameter portion 72 and the outer peripheral surface of the lens holder 73 become almost flush with each other.

[0057] The holding portion 732 of the lens holder 73 has an internal space with an inner diameter smaller than that of the covering portion 731, and the lens 70L is held in this internal space. In this embodiment, the lens 70L is a spherical lens having a substantially spherical shape, and its diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the second portion 722 of the inner small diameter portion 72. The internal space of the holding portion 732 is defined by a first inner peripheral surface 73b having an inner diameter equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of the lens 70L, and a second inner peripheral surface 73c located on one side of the first inner peripheral surface 73b and having an inner diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the lens 70L. In addition, a third tapered hole 73d that communicates the internal space of the holding portion 732 with the outside is provided at one end of the holding portion 732. The third tapered hole 73d forms a truncated cone-shaped space whose diameter increases from the second inner peripheral surface 73c toward one side.

[0058] The lens 70L is sandwiched between the lens holder 73 and the inner small diameter portion 72 together with the annular rubber packing 75. That is, as shown in Fig. 6B, the lens 70L is accommodated in the internal space of the holding portion 732 of the lens holder 73, and the packing 75 is arranged inside the covering portion 731. The lens holder 73 is fitted onto the second portion 722 of the inner small diameter portion 72, and the protrusion 73a is fitted into the circumferential groove 72g as described above. As a result, the lens 70L is biased to one side by the packing 75, and is positioned in the holding portion 732 of the lens holder 73 by abutting against the step portion between the first inner peripheral surface 73b and the second inner peripheral surface 73c.

[0059] The lens 70L positioned in this manner is disposed adjacent to the second hole 72d on the opposite side to the first tapered hole 72c. When the lens 70L is positioned, the relative positions of the end of the light guiding section 61 of the plug 14A inserted in the inner member 70 and the lens 70L are also fixed. Here, the second hole 72d into which the light guiding section 61 is inserted and the lens 70L are set to be spaced apart by a dimension corresponding to the focal length of the lens 70L. Specifically, the distance between the end of the light guiding section 61 and the lens 70L is determined so that the illumination light converged (collected) by the lens 70L is input to the optical fiber bundle 63 to the maximum extent.

[0060] The lens 70L described above functions to converge (collect) the illumination light propagating from the optical device 30 to the endoscope 10 in the adapter 20A of the illumination optical system. However, when the adapter 20B of the observation optical system includes a similar lens 70L, the lens 70L can function to diffuse the image signal propagating from the endoscope 10 to the optical device 30.

[0061] [Outer parts] Fig. 7A is a vertical cross-sectional view of the outer member 80, and Fig. 7B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of one end of the outer member 80. As shown in Fig. 7A, the outer member 80 has a cylindrical outer large diameter portion 81 and a cylindrical outer small diameter portion 82 having a smaller diameter than the outer large diameter portion 81. A cylindrical lens holder 83 is attached to one end of the outer small diameter portion 82, and a lens 80L is held by this lens holder 83 at one end of the outer small diameter portion 82.

[0062] More specifically, the internal space of the outer large diameter portion 81 forms a large diameter hole 81a in which the inner large diameter portion 71 is housed. The large diameter hole 81a has an inner diameter that is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the inner large diameter portion 71, and its dimension in the direction of the axis A is slightly shorter than that of the inner large diameter portion 71. A female screw hole 81b that penetrates radially is provided in the wall of the outer large diameter portion 81, and a headless set screw 81c can be screwed into this female screw hole 81b.

[0063] Therefore, when the inner member 70 is inserted into the outer member 80, the inner large diameter portion 71 is accommodated in the large diameter hole 81a of the outer large diameter portion 81. Also, as shown in FIG. 6A, a conical recess 71c is formed in the outer wall of the inner large diameter portion 71 at a position opposite the ball plunger 74 across the axis A. Then, with the recess 71c and the female screw hole 81b aligned, a set screw 81c is screwed into the female screw hole 81b, and the tip of the set screw 81c is engaged with the recess 71c. This determines the positions of the inner member 70 and the outer member 80 in the direction of the axis A and in the circumferential direction.

[0064] On the other hand, the internal space of the outer small diameter portion 82 forms a small diameter hole 82a that houses the inner small diameter portion 72 (the inner small diameter portion 72 with the lens 70L and the lens holder 73 attached). The small diameter hole 82a has an inner diameter that is approximately the same as the large diameter of the inner small diameter portion 72, and the dimension in the direction of the axis A is slightly longer than that of the inner small diameter portion 72.

[0065] The outer diameter of the outer small diameter portion 82 forms a stepped cylindrical shape. That is, the outer small diameter portion 82 has a first portion 821 that occupies the majority of the outer small diameter portion 82 and has a predetermined constant outer diameter, a second portion 822 that is located at one end of the outer small diameter portion 82 and has a smaller outer diameter than the first portion 821, and a third portion 823 that is located away from the outer large diameter portion 81 on the other end side of the outer small diameter portion 82 and has a larger outer diameter than the first portion 821. A circumferential groove 82g that circles the second portion 822 around the axis A is provided at the other end of the second portion 822.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 7B, the lens holder 83 is a generally cylindrical member having a covering portion 831 that covers the second portion 822 of the outer small diameter portion 82, a holding portion 833 that holds the lens 80L, and an intermediate portion 832 located between the covering portion 831 and the holding portion 833.

[0067] Covered portion 831 has an inner diameter that is the same as or slightly larger than the outer diameter of second portion 822 of outer small diameter portion 82, and houses the entire second portion 822 in its internal space. A protrusion 83a that protrudes radially inward is provided on the other end of covered portion 831, at a part of the inner circumferential direction of covered portion 831. Therefore, when lens holder 83 is attached so as to fit externally onto second portion 822 of outer small diameter portion 82, protrusion 83a fits into circumferential groove 82g, and lens holder 83 is fixed to outer small diameter portion 82.

[0068] The outer diameter of lens holder 83 is almost constant throughout the direction of axis A, and is almost the same as the outer diameter of first portion 821 of outer small diameter portion 82. Therefore, when lens holder 83 is fitted onto outer small diameter portion 82, the outer peripheral surface of outer small diameter portion 82 and the outer peripheral surface of lens holder 83 become almost flush with each other.

[0069] The intermediate portion 832 of the lens holder 83 has an internal space with an inner diameter smaller than that of the covering portion 831, and the annular member 84 is accommodated in this internal space. In other words, the annular member 84 has a shape that can be expressed as a cylinder whose dimension in the axial center A direction is smaller than its diameter dimension. The outer diameter of the annular member 84 is almost the same as the inner diameter of the intermediate portion 832, and the inner diameter is slightly smaller than the small diameter hole 82a of the outer small diameter portion 82. The dimension of the annular member 84 in the axial center A direction is slightly smaller than the dimension of the internal space of the intermediate portion 832 in the axial center A direction. Therefore, the annular member 84 accommodated in the internal space of the intermediate portion 832 has a slight play (gap) in the axial center A direction.

[0070] The holding portion 833 of the lens holder 83 has an internal space with an inner diameter smaller than that of the intermediate portion 832, and the lens 80L is held in this internal space. In this embodiment, the lens 80L is a spherical lens having a substantially spherical shape and has a larger diameter than the lens 70L held by the inner member 70. The internal space of the holding portion 833 is defined by a first inner peripheral surface 83b having an inner diameter equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of the lens 80L, and a second inner peripheral surface 83c located on one side of the first inner peripheral surface 83b and having an inner diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the lens 80L. In addition, a fourth tapered hole 83d that communicates the internal space of the holding portion 833 with the outside is provided at one end of the holding portion 833. The fourth tapered hole 83d forms a truncated cone-shaped space whose diameter increases from the second inner peripheral surface 83c toward one side.

[0071] The lens 80L is sandwiched between the lens holder 83 and the outer small diameter portion 82 together with the annular member 84 and the coil spring 85. That is, as shown in FIG. 7B, the lens 80L is accommodated in the internal space of the holding portion 833 of the lens holder 83, the annular member 84 is accommodated in the internal space of the intermediate portion 832, and the coil spring 85 is disposed between the lens 80L and the annular member 84. The lens holder 83 in this state is fitted onto the second portion 822 of the outer small diameter portion 82, and the protrusion 83a is fitted into the circumferential groove 82g as described above. As a result, the lens 80L is biased to one side by the coil spring 85, and is positioned in the holding portion 833 of the lens holder 83 by abutting against the step portion between the first inner peripheral surface 83b and the second inner peripheral surface 83c.

[0072] When the lens 80L is positioned in this manner, the relative positions of the lens 80L and the lens 70L of the inner member 70 inserted into the outer member 80 are also fixed. Here, the lens 70L and the lens 80L are set to be separated by a dimension according to the focal length of the lens 80L. Specifically, the distance between the lens 70L and the lens 80L is determined so that the illumination light converged (collected) by the lens 80L is input to the lens 70L to the maximum extent.

[0073] The lens 80L described above functions to converge (collect) the illumination light propagating from the optical device 30 to the endoscope 10 in the adapter 20A of the illumination optical system. However, when the adapter 20B of the observation optical system includes a similar lens 80L, the lens 80L can function to diffuse the image signal propagating from the endoscope 10 to the optical device 30.

[0074] [Effects and other] The adapter 20A is configured by inserting and fixing the above-described inner member 70 into the outer member 80 (see FIG. 5). The plug 14A is inserted into and held in the adapter 20A to configure the connection unit 50 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The connection unit 50 thus configured connects the plug 14A of the endoscope 10 to the optical device 30 via the adapter 20A. Therefore, by selecting an adapter 20A according to the application, one optical device 30 can be used for various types of endoscopes 10.

[0075] Furthermore, while the connection unit 50 includes lenses 70L, 80L in the adapter 20A, the plug 14A that forms part of the endoscope 10 does not include a lens. Therefore, endoscopes, which are consumable items that are discarded after one or several uses, can be produced at a relatively low price, and reductions in medical expenses can also be expected.

[0076] In addition, although the plug 14A is configured not to include a lens, as can be seen from the above description, the relative positions of the light guiding section 61 of the plug 14A and the lens 70L, as well as the relative positions of the lenses 70L and 80L, can be positioned with high precision. Therefore, according to the endoscope system 1 including such a connection unit 50, the illumination light from the light source 31 can be efficiently propagated to the insertion section 11, and the target site can be appropriately illuminated. Furthermore, when such a connection unit is applied to the observation optical system, the reflected light (image signal) from the target site can be efficiently propagated to the image sensor 32, and a clear image of the target site can be obtained.

[0077] Note that the above-described configurations are merely examples of suitable uses of the optical probe system according to the present disclosure, and application examples are not limited to these. For example, the adapter 20A is not limited to a configuration including the inner member 70 and the outer member 80, except for the configuration for holding the lens, and may be configured with one member or three or more members.

[0078] Furthermore, at the end of the light guiding section 61, the opening 62a of the tube member 62 may be coated with a protective layer so as to cover the end of the optical fiber bundle 63. In this case, in the connection unit 50, the end of the tube member 62 and the second locking section 72f may be set to be separated by a predetermined distance, and the positioning of the plug 14A and the inner member 70 may be performed between the grip section 60 and the first locking section 71b. This makes it possible to prevent damage to the protective layer while achieving accurate positioning. [Industrial Applicability]

[0079] The present disclosure is applicable to optical probe systems. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1 Endoscope system (optical probe system) 10 Endoscope (optical probe) 11 Insertion section 13 Code 14A, 14B plug 20A, 20B adapter 30 Optical equipment 34A, 34B Socket 60 Grip section 61 Light guide section 62 Pipe members 63 Optical fiber bundle 70L, 80L Lens 71a Grip hole 71b 1st locking part 72a Plug hole 72b Hole 1 72c First tapered hole 72d 2nd hole 72f Second locking part 76 Positioning part

Claims

1. an optical probe having a plug connected via a cord to an insertion section that is inserted into a target site; an adapter that is inserted by the plug of the optical probe and is inserted into a socket of an optical device; the plug of the optical probe includes a light guiding section that propagates an optical signal toward the insertion section or an optical signal from the insertion section, but does not include a lens that converges or diverges the optical signal; the adapter includes a lens that converges or diverges an optical signal propagating between the optical probe and the optical device; Optical probe system.

2. The light guide section is configured by accommodating a bundle of optical fibers inside a tube member, and ends of the optical fibers are exposed to the outside through an opening of the tube member. The optical probe system of claim 1 .

3. the adapter has a plug hole into which the light guiding portion is inserted, the plug hole includes a first hole having a first inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the tube member, a second hole having a second inner diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the tube member, and a tapered hole between the first hole and the second hole, the diameter of which gradually decreases from the first inner diameter to the second inner diameter, The lens of the adapter is disposed adjacent to the second hole on the opposite side to the tapered hole. The optical probe system of claim 2 .

4. The second hole and the lens are spaced apart from each other according to a focal length of the lens. The optical probe system of claim 3 .

5. An inner end of the second hole is provided with a locking portion against which an end of the tubular member of the inserted light guiding portion abuts. The optical probe system of claim 3 .

6. The plug has a grip portion provided on a base end side of the light guiding portion, the adapter has a grip hole into which the grip portion is inserted when the light guiding portion is inserted into the plug hole, The grip portion and the grip hole are provided with positioning portions that define positions between the plug and the adapter in the insertion direction. The optical probe system of claim 5 .

7. The positioning portion biases the plug toward the inside of the adapter so that the end of the tube member abuts against the engaging portion of the second hole. The optical probe system of claim 6.

8. The light guiding section has an opening of the tube member coated with a protective layer so as to cover the end of the optical fiber. The optical probe system of claim 2 .

9. The plug has a grip portion provided on a base end side of the light guiding portion, the adapter has a grip hole into which the grip portion is inserted when the light guiding portion is inserted into the plug hole, An engaging portion is provided at an inner end of the grip hole against which an end of the inserted grip portion abuts, The grip portion and the grip hole are provided with positioning portions that define positions between the plug and the adapter in the insertion direction. The optical probe system of claim 8.

10. The optical probe is provided in an endoscope as an illumination optical system that propagates light that illuminates the target site, or is provided in an endoscope as an observation optical system that propagates an optical signal that represents an image of the target site. The optical probe system of claim 1 .

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