Endoscopy

Abstract

This endoscope comprises a convex lens protruding from a tip-end surface (131) of an insertion portion, and an air / water delivery nozzle (140) protruding from the tip-end surface (131) to spray a fluid to the convex lens. The air / water delivery nozzle (140) has one or a plurality of jet orifices (141). When the air / water delivery nozzle (140) has one jet orifice (141), the jet orifice (141) extends in an intersecting direction intersecting the direction in which the convex lens protrudes, wherein, among the two edges of the jet orifice (141) which are opposite each other in the protruding direction, at least one edge closer to the tip end of the air / water delivery nozzle (140) is convex in the protruding direction. When the air / water delivery nozzle (140) has a plurality of jet orifices (141), the plurality of jet orifices (141) are formed along the intersecting direction, and a tangent line that is tangent to each of the plurality of jet orifices (141) from the tip-end side of the air / water delivery nozzle (140) is curved to be convex in the protruding direction.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an endoscope having a convex lens protruding from the distal end surface of an insertion section and a nozzle for spraying a fluid onto the convex lens. This application claims priority from Japanese Application No. 2022-175798, filed November 1, 2022, and incorporates by reference all of the contents of said Japanese application. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, endoscopes have been provided with an observation optical system at the tip of an insertion section that is inserted into the body to capture images of the subject. Contamination such as mucus, blood, and debris easily accumulates on the surface of this observation optical system. This makes it difficult to capture clear images of the subject.

[0003] In response to this, Patent Document 1 discloses an endoscope that has a convex observation window and a nozzle that protrudes beyond the observation window, and that cleans the observation window by spraying a fluid from the nozzle toward the apex of the observation window. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-120701 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when a convex observation window is provided on the distal end surface of the insertion section for a wide-angle field of view, the nozzle needs to spray fluid within a predetermined range in the protruding direction of the observation window. However, if the fluid is sprayed toward the top of the observation window, it may be difficult for the fluid to reach the edge of the observation window, resulting in insufficient cleaning. Furthermore, if the fluid is sprayed toward the edge of the observation window, it may be more likely to collide with the observation window and be repelled, making it difficult for the fluid to reach the top of the observation window.

[0006] However, the endoscope of Patent Document 1 does not provide any countermeasures to such problems and is unable to solve them.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide an endoscope that can thoroughly and efficiently clean the convex lens provided on the distal end surface of the insertion portion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The endoscope according to the present invention is an endoscope comprising a convex lens protruding from the distal end surface of an insertion section, and a nozzle protruding from the distal end surface for injecting a fluid onto the convex lens, wherein the nozzle has one or more injection ports, and when the nozzle has one injection port, the injection port extends in an intersecting direction that intersects with the protrusion direction of the convex lens, and of the two edges of the injection port that face each other in the protrusion direction, at least one edge closer to the tip of the nozzle is convex in the protrusion direction, and when the nozzle has multiple injection ports, the multiple injection ports are formed along the intersecting direction, and a tangent line that contacts each of the multiple injection ports from the distal end side of the nozzle is convex in the protrusion direction.

[0009] In the present invention, when the nozzle has one injection port, of the two edges of the injection port that face each other in the protrusion direction, at least one edge closer to the tip of the nozzle is convex in the protrusion direction, and when the nozzle has multiple injection ports, tangents from the tip side of the nozzle to each of the multiple injection ports are convex in the protrusion direction. Therefore, when the nozzle injects air or water, the air or water is injected in accordance with the curved shape of the surface of the convex lens, and the convex lens can be cleaned thoroughly and efficiently. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, an endoscope can be provided that can sufficiently and efficiently clean a convex lens provided on the distal end surface of an insertion section. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is an external view of an endoscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is an external view of a distal end portion of an endoscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram showing an air and water supply nozzle of an endoscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a case where the distal end surface is a flat surface in the endoscope according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an air / water supply nozzle of an endoscope according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an air / water supply nozzle of an endoscope according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an air / water supply nozzle of an endoscope according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a modified example of the air and water nozzle of FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an air / water supply nozzle of an endoscope according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of the air / water nozzle of FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an air / water supply nozzle of an endoscope according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] An endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0013] (Embodiment 1) 1 is an external view of an endoscope 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The endoscope 10 according to this embodiment has an insertion section 14, an operation section 20, a universal cord 25, and a connector section 24. The operation section 20 has a button 201 and a curved knob 21 that accept user operations, and a channel inlet 22 provided in a substantially cylindrical case 205. A forceps plug 23 having an insertion port for inserting a treatment tool or the like is attached to the channel inlet 22.

[0014] The insertion section 14 is inserted into the body of the subject. The insertion section 14 has an elongated cylindrical shape and has, in order from one end of the tip, a tip section 13, a bending section 12, and a flexible section 11. In other words, the tip section 13, the bending section 12, and the flexible section 11 are positioned on the same axis. The other end of the insertion section 14 is connected to the operation section 20 via a folding section 16. The bending section 12 bends in response to the operation of a bending knob 21.

[0015] The universal cord 25 is long, with one end connected to the operation unit 20 and the other end connected to the connector unit 24. The universal cord 25 is flexible. The connector unit 24 is connected to an endoscope processor, a light source device, a display device, an air / water supply device, etc. (not shown). By appropriately operating the operation unit 20, the cleaning fluid (air or water) sent via the connector unit 24 is sent to the tip end 13 via the folding portion 16.

[0016] Figure 2 is an external view of the tip portion 13 of the endoscope 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2A is a perspective view of the tip portion 13, and Figure 2B is a view taken along arrow B. Hereinafter, the axial direction of the tip portion 13 (insertion portion 14) will also be referred to as the Z direction. In addition, in Figure 2B, a plane perpendicular to the Z direction (XY plane) is indicated by a two-dot chain line. The tip portion 13 is generally elliptical in axial cross section, i.e., in cross section in the X or Y direction, and its tip protrudes in the Z direction to form a generally conical shape. An objective lens 132 (convex lens), an air / water supply nozzle 140, a channel outlet 18, etc. are provided on a tip surface 131 of the tip portion 13.

[0017] The tip portion 13 also has a cylindrical housing tube 19 that houses an imaging element (not shown) that captures image light of the subject through an objective lens 132 and captures an image, and a tip surface 131 of the tip portion 13 is connected to the edge of the housing tube 19. A path (not shown) for air or water to be sprayed onto the objective lens 132 through an air / water nozzle 140 is formed inside the housing tube 19, the curved portion 12, and the flexible portion 11.

[0018] The objective lens 132 is a hemispherical convex lens that projects in the Z direction from approximately the center of the tip surface 131 and is compatible with a wide viewing angle. In addition, on the tip surface 131, an air / water supply nozzle 140 and a channel outlet 18 are provided around the objective lens 132.

[0019] The tip surface 131 of the tip portion 13 has an appearance similar to that of a circular truncated cone. The tip surface 131 is an inclined surface extending tangentially from the circular edge of the objective lens 132, and an air / water supply nozzle 140 is attached to this inclined surface (tip surface 131), and a channel outlet 18 is formed thereon. That is, the objective lens 132 protrudes in the Z direction from the tip of the tip portion 13, and the tip surface 131 forms an inclined surface so as to surround the edge of the objective lens 132, and the air / water supply nozzle 140 and the channel outlet 18 are provided on the tip surface 131 away from the objective lens 132.

[0020] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the air and water supply nozzle 140 of the endoscope 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in Fig. 4. For ease of explanation, in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the distal end surface 131 of the distal end portion 13 is indicated by a dashed line. In Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the Z direction is indicated by an outline arrow, and a plane perpendicular to the Z direction (XY plane) is indicated by a dashed line.

[0021] The air and water nozzle 140 is inserted into and fixed in a recess formed on the distal end surface 131 closer to the operation unit 20 than the objective lens 132 (see FIG. 2). The distal end of the air and water nozzle 140 protrudes in the Z direction from the distal end surface 131. The air and water nozzle 140 sprays air or water toward the objective lens 132 along the distal end surface 131 (see the dashed arrow in FIG. 2B). The air and water nozzle 140 sprays air or water toward the objective lens 132 over a predetermined range in a direction intersecting the protruding direction of the objective lens 132, i.e., the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2A (Y direction). The air and water nozzle 140 sprays air or water over a range corresponding to the objective lens 132 or a slightly wider range in the intersecting direction.

[0022] As described above, the field of view of the objective lens 132 is wide (180 degrees or more), and therefore, when the air and water nozzle 140 is disposed at the same position as the objective lens 132 in the axial direction of the insertion section 14, the air and water nozzle 140 appears in the image captured by the objective lens 132. However, in the endoscope 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as described above, the air and water nozzle 140 is disposed closer to the operation section 20 than the objective lens 132, and therefore the air and water nozzle 140 does not appear in the image captured by the objective lens 132 and does not interfere with imaging by the objective lens 132.

[0023] The air / water nozzle 140 has a cylindrical portion 147 through which air or water flows, a lid portion 148 that covers one open end of the cylindrical portion 147, a jet portion 149 formed between the cylindrical portion 147 and the lid portion 148, and a first guide wall 144 and a second guide wall 145 that guide the air or water from the cylindrical portion 147 to the jet portion 149. The lid portion 148, the jet portion 149, the cylindrical portion 147, the first guide wall 144, and the second guide wall 145 are integrally formed. Most of the air / water nozzle 140, excluding the jet portion 149, the lid portion 148, the first guide wall 144, and the second guide wall 145, is inserted into the recess in the tip surface 131. That is, the air / water nozzle 140 protrudes in the Z direction from the tip surface 131, similar to the objective lens 132.

[0024] The lid portion 148 is a deformed plate-like portion whose central portion is thinner in the protruding direction than other portions when viewed from the opening 143 side described below, and is disposed at an angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the tubular portion 147. A jetting portion 149, a first guide wall 144, and a second guide wall 145 are provided at one end of the tubular portion 147 on the lid portion 148 side. The tubular portion 147 has a connecting pipe portion 142 on the inside that extends along the longitudinal direction of the tubular portion 147. The connecting pipe portion 142 is circular in cross section, and sends air or water sent via the connector portion 24 and the folding stopper portion 16 to the first guide wall 144, the second guide wall 145, and the jetting portion 149. In other words, the connecting pipe portion 142 is in communication with the jetting portion 149.

[0025] The ejection section 149 is a section including an ejection port 141 from which air or water is ejected. The air or water from the connecting pipe section 142 flows out from an opening 143 on the lid section 148 side of the connecting pipe section 142, is guided to the ejection port 141 by a first guide wall 144 and a second guide wall 145, and is ejected through the ejection port 141 toward the objective lens 132.

[0026] When injecting air or water, injector 149 injects the air or water so that the central portion of the injected air or water in the intersecting direction is higher than the other portions in the protruding direction (Z direction) of air and water nozzle 140 or objective lens 132 from tip surface 131 (or XY plane). In the following, the protruding direction of air and water nozzle 140 will also be simply referred to as the protruding direction.

[0027] The end face of the cylindrical portion 147 on the opening 143 side is inclined corresponding to the tip surface 131 (see FIG. 4), and a first guide wall 144 and a second guide wall 145 are provided on this end face of the cylindrical portion 147. The first guide wall 144 and the second guide wall 145 surround the opening 143, and only a portion thereof on the objective lens 132 side is open. In addition, a lid portion 148 covers the opening 143 of the cylindrical portion 147 via the first guide wall 144 and the second guide wall 145.

[0028] That is, a cavity is formed around the opening 143 of the tubular portion 147 by the first guide wall 144 and the second guide wall 145, the lid portion 148, and the end face of the tubular portion 147 on the opening 143 side, and the injection port 141 is formed by the aforementioned open portions of the first guide wall 144 and the second guide wall 145, the lid portion 148, and the end face of the tubular portion 147 on the opening 143 side.

[0029] The first guide wall 144 has a substantially U-shape and is provided at a position radially away from the opening 143. The second guide walls 145 are respectively connected to both ends of the open side of the first guide wall 144 and extend to the injection port 141. The inner walls of the first guide wall 144 and the second guide wall 145 intersect with the end face of the tubular portion 147 on the opening 143 side. The two opposing inner wall portions of the first guide wall 144 are spaced apart radially from the opening 143 by the same distance.

[0030] Furthermore, the distance L (see FIG. 5) between the two opposing inner wall portions of the first guide wall 144 is constant in the direction in which the ejection port 141 and the opening 143 are arranged side by side. However, the distance L in the second guide wall 145 increases as the distance approaches the ejection port 141. That is, the distance L extends from the boundary between the first guide wall 144 and the second guide wall 145 to the ejection port 141.

[0031] The ejection port 141 opens toward the objective lens 132 and has a substantially elliptical shape with the intersecting direction as its major axis. That is, the ejection port 141 extends along the XY plane in a direction intersecting the Z direction (see FIG. 3). Of the two edges of the ejection port 141 facing each other in the protruding direction (Z direction), one edge closer to the tip of the air and water nozzle 140 is convex in the protruding direction, similar to the objective lens 132. On the other hand, the other edge closer to the tip surface 131 of the two edges is parallel to the XY plane (see FIG. 3).

[0032] 3, the closer to the central portion 141a of the injection port 141 in the cross direction, the wider the opening width W. Here, the opening width W indicates the dimension between the one edge and the other edge of the injection port 141, as shown in FIG.

[0033] In other words, in the Z direction perpendicular to the XY plane, the dimension H (see FIG. 4) from a point on the other edge of the nozzle 141 (see point P in FIG. 3) to a position corresponding to the one edge is larger at the central part 141a in the intersecting direction than at other parts. That is, the nozzle 141 is formed so that the dimension H becomes larger the closer to the central part 141a in the intersecting direction. Furthermore, the nozzle 141 has rounded corners at both ends of one edge and at both ends of the other edge in the cross direction, which prevents a decrease in cleaning effect due to a decrease in ejection pressure caused by turbulence in the fluid at the corners of the nozzle 141.

[0034] With the above configuration, the air / water nozzle 140 of the endoscope 10 according to the first embodiment sprays air or water according to the shape of the objective lens 132, which is a convex lens. That is, in the endoscope 10 according to the first embodiment, as described above, the nozzle 141 is formed so that the opening width W in the protruding direction (Z direction) becomes wider as it approaches the central portion 141a, and the dimension H becomes larger as it approaches the central portion 141a.

[0035] Therefore, when air or water is sprayed from the air / water nozzle 140 (spray nozzle 141), the central portion of the sprayed air or water in the intersecting direction is higher in the protruding direction (Z direction) from the tip surface 131 (or XY plane) than the other portions. That is, the air or water is sprayed according to the curved shape of the surface of the objective lens 132, which is a convex lens. Therefore, the objective lens 132 can be cleaned sufficiently and efficiently.

[0036] The Coanda effect is known, in which a fluid flowing near a wall surface is attracted to the wall surface due to the effect of fluid viscosity. Due to this Coanda effect, the air or water injected from the injection port 141 flows along the surface (curved surface) of the objective lens 132.

[0037] Furthermore, as described above, the endoscope 10 according to the first embodiment uses the objective lens 132, which is a convex lens, to accommodate a wide viewing angle, and therefore the central portion of the captured image is enlarged. That is, the proportion of the captured image captured by the central portion of the objective lens 132 is greater than the proportion of the captured image captured by the peripheral portion excluding the central portion. Therefore, it is necessary to intensively clean the central portion of the objective lens 132.

[0038] In contrast, in the air and water nozzle 140 of the endoscope 10 according to the first embodiment, as described above, the closer the nozzle 141 is to the central portion 141a, the wider the opening width W, and therefore the amount of air or water sprayed at the central portion increases. Therefore, the central portion of the objective lens 132 can be cleaned intensively, and a better captured image can be obtained.

[0039] Meanwhile, the air or water flowing out from opening 143 spreads as it flows over first guide wall 144 and second guide wall 145. However, between first guide wall 144 and lid portion 148, and between first guide wall 144 and the end face of tubular portion 147 on the opening 143 side, vortices of air or water with vectors in various directions are formed due to R (curved surface) that is unavoidable during manufacturing. When vortices are formed, losses occur, and the cleaning power of the air or water is reduced.

[0040] In contrast, in the endoscope 10 according to the first embodiment, as described above, the distance L between the two opposing inner wall portions is constant at the first guide wall 144, but is configured to expand from the boundary between the first guide wall 144 and the second guide wall 145 to the nozzle 141. With this configuration, in the endoscope 10 according to the first embodiment, the air or water is rectified toward the objective lens 132 at the boundary between the first guide wall 144 and the second guide wall 145, and then the flow spreads to the second guide wall 145. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the formation of vortices in the air or water, and to prevent a deterioration in the cleaning power of the air or water.

[0041] In the above, an example has been described in which the tip surface 131 has an appearance similar to that of a truncated cone, i.e., is inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 14, but this is not limited to this. 6 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a case where the distal end surface 131A is a flat surface in the endoscope 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It goes without saying that the air and water supply nozzle 140 can achieve the above-described effects even when the distal end surface 131A is a flat surface as in FIG.

[0042] (Embodiment 2) Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an air and water supply nozzle 140 of an endoscope 10 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. For ease of explanation, in Fig. 7, the distal end surface 131 of the distal end portion 13 is indicated by a dashed line. In Fig. 7, the Z direction is indicated by an outline arrow, and a plane perpendicular to the Z direction (XY plane) is indicated by a dashed double-dashed line.

[0043] As in embodiment 1, the air and water supply nozzle 140 has a tubular portion 147, a spray portion 149, a lid portion 148, a first guide wall 144, and a second guide wall 145, and the lid portion 148, the spray portion 149, the tubular portion 147, the first guide wall 144, and the second guide wall 145 are integrally formed.

[0044] The ejection unit 149 is a portion including an ejection port 141A from which air or water is ejected. When ejecting air or water, the ejection unit 149 ejects the air or water so that the central portion of the ejected air or water in the intersecting direction is higher than the other portions in the protruding direction (Z direction) of the air / water nozzle 140 (or objective lens 132) from the tip surface 131 (or XY plane). The ejection section 149 of the second embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, but the shape of the ejection port 141A is different.

[0045] The ejection port 141A opens toward the objective lens 132, and has a generally oval shape extending in the intersecting direction, forming an inverted V-shape. Of the two edges of the ejection port 141A facing each other in the protruding direction (Z direction), one edge closer to the tip of the air / water nozzle 140 is convex in the protruding direction, similar to the objective lens 132. The other edge closer to the tip surface 131 is also convex in the protruding direction, similar to the one edge (see FIG. 7). The ejection port 141A has an opening width W1 in the protruding direction that is constant in the intersecting direction.

[0046] Furthermore, in the ejection port 141A, a dimension H1 (see dashed arrow in FIG. 7) from a point on the other edge of the ejection port 141A (see point P in FIG. 7) to a position corresponding to the other edge in the protruding direction (Z direction) is larger at the central part 141a in the intersecting direction than at other parts. More specifically, the ejection port 141A is formed such that the dimension H1 increases toward the central part 141a in the intersecting direction. In the example of FIG. 7, the case where the point (point P) is the position closest to the tip surface 131 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0047] With the above configuration, the air / water nozzle 140 of the endoscope 10 according to the second embodiment can jet air or water according to the curved shape of the objective lens 132, which is a convex lens.

[0048] That is, in the endoscope 10 according to the second embodiment, as described above, the nozzle 141A is formed so that the dimension H1 increases as it approaches the central portion 141a. Therefore, when the air or water nozzle 140 (jet port 141A) jets air or water, the central portion of the jetted air or water in the intersecting direction is higher in the protruding direction (Z direction) from the tip surface 131 (or XY plane) than the other portions. That is, the air or water is jetted according to the curved shape of the surface of the objective lens 132, which is a convex lens. Therefore, the objective lens 132 can be cleaned sufficiently and efficiently.

[0049] The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0050] (Embodiment 3) Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an air / water supply nozzle 140 of an endoscope 10 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. For ease of explanation, in Fig. 8, the distal end surface 131 of the distal end portion 13 is indicated by a dashed line. In Fig. 8, the Z direction is indicated by an outline arrow, and a plane perpendicular to the Z direction (XY plane) is indicated by a dashed double-dashed line.

[0051] As in embodiment 1, the air and water supply nozzle 140 has a tubular portion 147, a spray portion 149, a lid portion 148, a first guide wall 144, and a second guide wall 145, and the lid portion 148, the spray portion 149, the tubular portion 147, the first guide wall 144, and the second guide wall 145 are integrally formed.

[0052] The ejection unit 149 is a portion including an ejection port 141B from which air or water is ejected. When ejecting air or water, the ejection unit 149 ejects the air or water so that the central portion of the ejected air or water in the intersecting direction is higher than the other portions in the protruding direction (Z direction) of the air / water nozzle 140 (or objective lens 132) from the tip surface 131 (or XY plane). The ejection section 149 of the third embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, but the shape of the ejection port 141B is different.

[0053] The ejection port 141B opens toward the objective lens 132, and has a generally oval shape extending in the intersecting direction, forming an arc shape. Of the two edges of the ejection port 141B facing each other in the protruding direction (Z direction), one edge closer to the tip of the air / water nozzle 140 is convex in the protruding direction, similar to the objective lens 132. The other edge closer to the tip surface 131 is also convex in the protruding direction, similar to the one edge (see FIG. 8). The ejection port 141B has an opening width W2 in the protruding direction that is constant in the intersecting direction.

[0054] Furthermore, in the ejection port 141B, a dimension H2 (see dashed arrow in FIG. 8) from a point on the other edge of the ejection port 141B (see point P in FIG. 8) to a position corresponding to the other edge in the protruding direction (Z direction) is larger at the central part 141a in the intersecting direction than at other parts. More specifically, the ejection port 141B is formed such that the dimension H2 increases as it approaches the central part 141a in the intersecting direction. In the example of FIG. 8, the case where the point (point P) is the position closest to the tip surface 131 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0055] With the above configuration, the air / water nozzle 140 of the endoscope 10 according to the third embodiment can jet air or water according to the curved surface shape of the objective lens 132, which is a convex lens.

[0056] That is, in the endoscope 10 according to the third embodiment, as described above, the nozzle 141B is formed so that the dimension H2 increases as it approaches the central portion 141a. Therefore, when the air or water nozzle 140 (jet port 141B) jets air or water, the central portion of the jetted air or water in the intersecting direction is higher in the protruding direction (Z direction) from the tip surface 131 (or XY plane) than the other portions. That is, the air or water is jetted according to the curved shape of the surface of the objective lens 132, which is a convex lens. Therefore, the objective lens 132 can be cleaned sufficiently and efficiently.

[0057] The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0058] (Fourth embodiment) Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an air and water supply nozzle 140 of an endoscope 10 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. For ease of explanation, in Fig. 9, the distal end surface 131 of the distal end portion 13 is indicated by a dashed line. In Fig. 9, the Z direction is indicated by an outline arrow, and a plane perpendicular to the Z direction (XY plane) is indicated by a dashed double-dashed line.

[0059] As in embodiment 1, the air and water supply nozzle 140 has a tubular portion 147, a spray portion 149, a lid portion 148, a first guide wall 144, and a second guide wall 145, and the lid portion 148, the spray portion 149, the tubular portion 147, the first guide wall 144, and the second guide wall 145 are integrally formed.

[0060] The ejection portion 149 has two ejection ports 141C for ejecting air or water, and is a portion including the two ejection ports 141C and the space between the two ejection ports 141C.

[0061] When injecting air or water, ejection unit 149 ejects the air or water so that the central portion of the injected air or water in the intersecting direction is higher than the other portions in the protruding direction (Z direction) of air and water nozzle 140 (or objective lens 132) from tip surface 131 (or XY plane). Injection unit 149 has the same configuration as in embodiment 1, but differs in that it has two ejection ports 141C and the shape of ejection ports 141C is different.

[0062] The two jet ports 141C are arranged side by side in the intersecting direction. Also, a tangent line T (see solid line T in FIG. 9) that contacts each of the two jet ports 141C from the tip side of the air / water nozzle 140 is curved convexly in the protruding direction, similar to the objective lens 132. Each injection port 141C opens toward the objective lens 132, has a substantially elliptical shape extending in the intersecting direction, and forms an arc shape. Each injection port 141C has an opening width W3 in the protruding direction (Z direction) that is constant in the intersecting direction.

[0063] Furthermore, each injection port 141C is formed so that the dimension H3 (see dashed arrow in Figure 9) from a point on the side edge of the tip surface 131 in the protruding direction to the opposite side edge becomes larger the closer it is to one end 141b on the other injection port 141C side. In the example of FIG. 9, the case where the point (point P) is the position closest to the tip surface 131 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0064] The two injection ports 141C are arranged on the same arc. That is, a line (see the dashed line in FIG. 9) connecting the midpoint between the edge of the lid portion 148 side and the edge of the tip surface 131 side of each injection port 141C forms a single arc with its center outside the injection port 141C. Note that this arc may have the same radius of curvature as the objective lens 132.

[0065] The air or water jetted from the two jet ports 141C spreads in the intersecting direction and partially joins together. Due to the Coanda effect, in which a fluid flowing near a wall surface is attracted to the wall surface due to the effect of fluid viscosity, the air or water jetted from each jet port 141C joins together and then flows along the surface (curved surface) of the objective lens 132.

[0066] With the above configuration, the air / water nozzle 140 of the endoscope 10 according to the fourth embodiment can jet air or water according to the curved surface shape of the objective lens 132, which is a convex lens.

[0067] That is, in the endoscope 10 according to the fourth embodiment, as described above, each of the nozzles 141C is formed so that the dimension H3 increases as it approaches the one end 141b on the side of the other nozzle 141C. Therefore, when the two jetting ports 141C jet air or water, the central portion of the jetted air or water in the intersecting direction is higher in the protruding direction (Z direction) from the tip surface 131 (or the XY plane) than the other portions. That is, the air or water is jetted according to the curved shape of the surface of the objective lens 132, which is a convex lens. Therefore, the objective lens 132 can be cleaned sufficiently and efficiently.

[0068] The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0069] (Variation) Figure 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a modified example of the air and water nozzle 140 of Figure 9. For ease of explanation, in Figure 10, the tip surface 131 of the tip portion 13 is indicated by a dashed line. In Figure 10, the Z direction is indicated by a hollow arrow, and a plane perpendicular to the Z direction (XY plane) is indicated by a dashed double-dashed line.

[0070] The ejection portion 149 in the air and water nozzle 140 according to this modification has two ejection ports 141D from which air or water is ejected, and is a portion including the two ejection ports 141D and the space between the two ejection ports 141D.

[0071] When injecting air or water, the injection unit 149 injects the air or water so that the central part of the injected air or water in the intersecting direction is higher than the other parts in the protruding direction (Z direction) of the air and water nozzle 140 (or objective lens 132) from the tip surface 131 (or XY plane).

[0072] The two jet ports 141D are arranged side by side in the intersecting direction. Also, a tangent line T (see solid line T in FIG. 10) that contacts each of the two jet ports 141D from the tip side of the air / water nozzle 140 is curved convexly in the protruding direction (Z direction) similarly to the objective lens 132. Each jetting port 141D is open toward the objective lens 132 and has a substantially arcuate shape. The jetting port 141D has a different shape from the jetting port 141C. The closer each jetting port 141D is to one end 141b on the other jetting port 141D side, the wider the opening width W4 in the protruding direction becomes.

[0073] Furthermore, each injection port 141D is formed so that the dimension H4 (see dashed arrow in Figure 10) from a point on the side edge of the tip surface 131 in the protruding direction to the opposite side edge becomes larger the closer it is to one end 141b on the other injection port 141D side. In the example of FIG. 10, the case where the point (point P) is the position closest to the tip surface 131 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0074] The two injection ports 141D may be arranged on the same arc, and the arc may have the same radius of curvature as the objective lens 132.

[0075] With the above configuration, the air and water supply nozzle 140 of this modified example can also spray air or water according to the curved shape of the objective lens 132, which is a convex lens, just like the air and water supply nozzle 140 of Figure 9, and achieves the same effect.

[0076] Furthermore, in the air and water nozzle 140 according to this modification, as described above, the opening width W4 of each nozzle 141D is wider the closer it is to the end 141b of the nozzle 141D, so that the amount of air or water sprayed increases at the central portion. This allows the central portion of the objective lens 132 to be cleaned intensively, resulting in a better captured image.

[0077] The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0078] (Embodiment 5) Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an air and water supply nozzle 140 of an endoscope 10 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. For ease of explanation, in Fig. 11, the distal end surface 131 of the distal end portion 13 is indicated by a dashed line. In Fig. 11, the Z direction is indicated by an outline arrow, and a plane perpendicular to the Z direction (XY plane) is indicated by a dashed double-dashed line.

[0079] As in embodiment 1, the air and water supply nozzle 140 has a tubular portion 147, a spray portion 149, a lid portion 148, a first guide wall 144, and a second guide wall 145, and the lid portion 148, the spray portion 149, the tubular portion 147, the first guide wall 144, and the second guide wall 145 are integrally formed.

[0080] The ejection section 149 has three or more ejection ports 141E from which air or water is ejected, and is a portion including the three or more ejection ports 141E and the spaces between the ejection ports 141E. When injecting air or water, the injection unit 149 injects the air or water so that the central part of the injected air or water in the intersecting direction is higher than the other parts in the protruding direction (Z direction) of the air and water nozzle 140 (or objective lens 132) from the tip surface 131 (or XY plane).

[0081] The ejection unit 149 has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, but differs in that it has three or more ejection ports 141E and the shape of the ejection ports 141E is different. For convenience, the following description will be given taking an example in which there are five ejection ports 141E.

[0082] The five jet ports 141E are arranged side by side in the intersecting direction. Also, a tangent line T (see solid line T in FIG. 11) that contacts each of the five jet ports 141E from the tip side of the air / water nozzle 140 is curved convexly in the protruding direction (Z direction) like the objective lens 132. Furthermore, each of the injection ports 141E has a circular shape and opens toward the objective lens 132. Each of the injection ports 141E has the same size.

[0083] The five jet ports 141E are arranged such that the dimension H5 (see dashed arrows in FIG. 11) increases toward the center of the jet port 141E in the arrangement direction (intersecting direction). Dimension H5 is the dimension from a point (see point P in FIG. 11) on the side edge of the tip surface 131 of any of the jet ports 141E in the protruding direction (Z direction) to the opposing side edge of each jet port 141E, i.e., to the tip edge of the air / water nozzle 140. In the example of FIG. 11, the dimension H5 of the central jet port 141EC of the five jet ports 141E is the largest. In the example of FIG. 11, the case where the point (point P) is the position closest to the tip surface 131 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0084] The five jet ports 141E are arranged on the same arc. That is, a line connecting the centers of the jet ports 141E (see the dashed line in FIG. 11) forms a single arc whose center is outside the jet port 141E. Note that this arc may have the same radius of curvature as the objective lens 132.

[0085] Due to the Coanda effect described above, the air or water jetted from each jet port 141E joins together and then flows along the surface (curved surface) of the objective lens 132.

[0086] With the above configuration, the air / water nozzle 140 of the endoscope 10 according to the fifth embodiment can jet air or water according to the curved shape of the objective lens 132, which is a convex lens.

[0087] That is, in the endoscope 10 according to the fifth embodiment, as described above, the ejection ports 141E are provided so that the dimension H5 increases as the ejection ports 141E are closer to the center in the arrangement direction. Therefore, the central portion of the sprayed air or water in the intersecting direction is higher in the protruding direction (Z direction) from the tip surface 131 (or the XY plane) than the other portions. That is, the air or water is sprayed according to the curved shape of the surface of the objective lens 132, which is a convex lens. Therefore, the objective lens 132 can be cleaned sufficiently and efficiently.

[0088] Although the above description has been given taking an example in which there are five injection ports 141E, the present invention is not limited to this, and there may be three to four injection ports 141E, or six or more injection ports 141E.

[0089] The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0090] (Variation) Figure 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating a modified example of the air and water nozzle 140 of Figure 11. For ease of explanation, in Figure 12, the tip surface 131 of the tip portion 13 is indicated by a dashed line. In Figure 12, the Z direction is indicated by a hollow arrow, and a plane perpendicular to the Z direction (XY plane) is indicated by a dashed double-dashed line.

[0091] The ejection portion 149 in the air and water nozzle 140 according to this modification has five ejection ports 141F from which air or water is ejected, and is a portion that includes the five ejection ports 141F and the spaces between the ejection ports 141F.

[0092] When injecting air or water, the injection unit 149 injects the air or water so that the central part of the injected air or water in the intersecting direction is higher than the other parts in the protruding direction (Z direction) of the air and water nozzle 140 (or objective lens 132) from the tip surface 131 (or XY plane).

[0093] The five jet ports 141F are arranged side by side in the intersecting direction. A tangent line T (see solid line T in FIG. 12) that contacts each of the five jet ports 141F from the tip side of the air / water nozzle 140 is curved convexly in the protruding direction (Z direction) like the objective lens 132. Furthermore, each jet port 141F opens toward the objective lens 132 and has a circular shape.

[0094] The five jet ports 141F each have a different size. The five jet ports 141F are configured so that the closer to the center the jet port 141F is, the larger the size. That is, the closer to the center the jet port 141F is, the larger the radius of the five jet ports 141F is, and in the example of Fig. 12, the central jet port 141FC is the largest of the five jet ports 141F.

[0095] Furthermore, the five jet ports 141F are arranged such that the closer the jet port 141F is to the center in the arrangement direction (intersection direction), the larger the dimension H6 (see dashed arrows in FIG. 12). Dimension H6 is the dimension from a point (see point P in FIG. 12) on the side edge of the tip surface 131 of any of the jet ports 141F in the protruding direction (Z direction) to the opposing side edge of each jet port 141F, i.e., to the tip edge of the air / water nozzle 140. In the example of FIG. 12, dimension H6 of the central jet port 141FC of the five jet ports 141F is the largest. In the example of FIG. 12, the case where the point (point P) is the position closest to the tip surface 131 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0096] The five injection ports 141F may be arranged on the same arc, and the arc may have the same radius of curvature as the objective lens 132.

[0097] With the above configuration, the air and water supply nozzle 140 of this modified example can also spray air or water according to the curved shape of the objective lens 132, which is a convex lens, just like the air and water supply nozzle 140 of Figure 11, and achieves the same effect.

[0098] Furthermore, in the air and water nozzle 140 according to this modification, as described above, the five jet ports 141F have larger radii toward the center, so that the amount of jetted air or water increases at the center portion. Therefore, the center portion of the objective lens 132 can be cleaned intensively, and better captured images can be obtained.

[0099] The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0100] (Sixth embodiment) Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an air and water supply nozzle 140 of an endoscope 10 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. For ease of explanation, in Fig. 13, a distal end surface 131 of the distal end portion 13 is indicated by a dashed line. In Fig. 13, the Z direction is indicated by an outline arrow, and a plane perpendicular to the Z direction (XY plane) is indicated by a dashed double-dashed line.

[0101] As in embodiment 1, the air and water supply nozzle 140 has a tubular portion 147, a spray portion 149, a lid portion 148, a first guide wall 144, and a second guide wall 145, and the lid portion 148, the spray portion 149, the tubular portion 147, the first guide wall 144, and the second guide wall 145 are integrally formed.

[0102] The ejection unit 149 is a portion including an ejection port 141G from which air or water is ejected. When ejecting air or water, the ejection unit 149 ejects the air or water so that the central portion of the ejected air or water in the intersecting direction is higher than the other portions in the protruding direction (Z direction) of the air / water nozzle 140 (or objective lens 132) from the tip surface 131 (or XY plane). The ejection section 149 of the sixth embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, but the shape of the ejection port 141G is different.

[0103] The ejection port 141G opens toward the objective lens 132 and has a substantially elliptical shape with the intersecting direction as the major axis direction. In the ejection port 141G, one edge is convex in the protruding direction, similar to the objective lens 132, and the other edge is parallel to the XY plane.

[0104] Furthermore, the closer the ejection port 141G is to the central portion 141a in the cross direction, the wider the opening width W5 thereof. Here, the opening width W5 indicates the dimension between the one edge and the other edge of the ejection port 141G.

[0105] Furthermore, both ends of the ejection port 141G in the intersecting direction are shaped like a semicircular arc, that is, the edges of both ends of the ejection port 141G are curved in a semicircular shape and are not angular.

[0106] With the above configuration, in the endoscope 10 according to the sixth embodiment, when air or water is sprayed, the central portion of the sprayed air or water in the intersecting direction is higher in the protruding direction (Z direction) from the distal end surface 131 (or the XY plane) than the other portions. That is, the air or water is sprayed according to the curved shape of the surface of the objective lens 132, which is a convex lens. Therefore, the objective lens 132 can be cleaned sufficiently and efficiently.

[0107] Furthermore, in the endoscope 10 according to embodiment 6, as described above, both ends of the nozzle 141G are shaped like semicircular arcs, so that the occurrence of ejection pressure loss due to turbulence in the fluid at both ends of the nozzle 141G can be suppressed, and the fluid can be efficiently ejected onto the objective lens 132.

[0108] The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0109] The technical features (constituent elements) described in the first to sixth embodiments can be combined with each other, and by combining them, new technical features can be formed. The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above meaning, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0110] 10 Endoscopy 14 Insertion section 131,131A Tip surface 132 Objective Lens 140 Air and water supply nozzle 141,141A~141F Nozzle 141a central part 141b One end 149 Injection part H, H1 to H6 dimensions P one point T tangent W,W1~W5 Opening width

Claims

1. An endoscope comprising: a convex lens protruding from a distal end surface of an insertion section; and a nozzle protruding from the distal end surface for injecting a fluid onto the convex lens, the nozzle has one or more jets; When the nozzle has one injection port, the injection port extends in a direction intersecting the protruding direction of the convex lens, Of the two edges of the injection port that face each other in the protruding direction, at least one edge closer to the tip of the nozzle is convex in the protruding direction, When the nozzle has a plurality of nozzles, the plurality of injection ports are formed along the intersecting direction, An endoscope in which a tangent line extending from the tip side of the nozzle to each of the plurality of injection ports is convexly curved in the protruding direction.

2. When the nozzle has one injection port, The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the dimension of the injection port from a point on the other edge to the one edge is larger at a central portion in the intersecting direction than at other portions.

3. The endoscope according to claim 2 , wherein the ejection port has an opening width in the protruding direction that increases as the ejection port approaches the central portion.

4. The endoscope according to claim 2 , wherein the other edge of the injection port is convex in the protruding direction.

5. The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the injection port has an inverted V-shape and an opening width in the protruding direction is constant.

6. The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the injection port is arc-shaped and has a constant opening width in the protruding direction.

7. the nozzle has two injection ports formed along the intersecting direction, 2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the dimension from a point on the side edge of the tip surface to an opposite side edge in the projection direction increases in each of the injection ports as it approaches the end on the other injection port side.

8. The endoscope according to claim 7, wherein the two injection ports are arranged on the same arc.

9. 9. The endoscope according to claim 7, wherein the opening width of each nozzle in the protruding direction increases as the nozzle approaches the one end.

10. the nozzle has three or more injection ports formed along the intersecting direction, 2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the dimension from a point on the side edge of the tip surface of any one of the injection ports to the tip side edge of the nozzle of each injection port in the protruding direction is larger toward the center of the injection port.

11. The endoscope according to claim 10, wherein the three or more injection ports are arranged on the same arc.

12. The endoscope according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the three or more jet nozzles have larger sizes toward the center.

Images