Patent Publication Number: US-2015087904-A1

Title: Endoscope

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a Continuation Application of PCT Application No. PCT/JP2014/052631, filed Feb. 5, 2014, which was published under PCT Article 21(2) in Japanese. 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-030838, filed Feb. 20, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an endoscope in which an optical system for front and side observation is arranged at a distal end of an insertion unit. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In general, there has been known an endoscope having an insertion unit that is inserted into a lumen to observe an image acquired by an imaging unit provided at a distal end portion. An observation optical system provided in the imaging unit is configured with an optical system element (an imaging lens) that can perform not only front observation but also side observation in some cases. For example, in Japanese Patent No. 4955838, a front observation window (a front observation lens) is arranged in a distal end face of a protruding portion provided to protrude from a distal end face of an insertion unit, and a side observation window (a dual purpose lens) having a circular curved surface is arranged on a peripheral surface of the protruding portion. 
     The front observation window takes in an observation target in a predetermined viewing field region in an inserting direction (an axial direction), and the side observation window takes in an observation target in a side periphery crossing the axial direction. In the observation optical system according to this Japanese Patent No. 4955838, two lenses arranged in the respective windows are integrally configured so that they are aligned in an optical axis direction by a lens frame. 
     Further, as another example of this observation optical system, in regard to the side observation lens that guides a side observation image taken in from the dual purpose lens which is the side observation window to an imaging element by using a lens surface of the front observation lens as a reflection surface in Japanese Patent No. 4955838, Jpn. Pat. Appin. KOKAI Publication No. 2010-169792 suggests an exit side observation lens that reflects a side observation image taken in from a side observation window on a lens of itself and guides the reflected image to an optical element. In this side observation lens, an exit surface (on a proximal end side) is scraped into a spherical shape, a rear end of the side surface observation window has an acute angle shape extending from a side surface to a back surface, and a side surface has a conical shape having a steps formed due to different diameters. 
     Furthermore, Jpn. Pat. Appin. KOKAI Publication No. 2001-299677 discloses a countermeasure technology for a problem that heat generated by a light-emitting element (an LED) provided in an insertion unit of an endoscope causes deterioration of quality of a lens or an imaging element. 
     Specifically, a holding member for the lens or the imaging element is made of a material superior in thermal conductivity, and an outer peripheral surface of the holding member abuts on an outer case having a small wall thickness, thereby efficiently radiating heat. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an endoscope comprising: a first lens that is provided in an insertion unit inserted into a lumen and used for observing a first direction; a second lens that is provided in the insertion unit and used for observing a second direction different from the first direction; a frame member that supports at least the second lens; a light guide portion that guides illumination light into the insertion unit and is provided to be adjacent to the second lens; a heat influence reducing portion that is provided on a bottom surface side of the second lens, abuts on the frame member, and alleviates concentration of heat generated with light guide of the light guide portion and conducted to the second lens onto a local portion in the second lens. 
     Advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a view showing an appearance configuration of an endoscope having an imaging unit provided with a front observation Window and a side observation window mounted therein according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 2A  is a view showing an appearance configuration of a distal end of an insertion unit according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 2B  is a view showing a configuration of the distal end of the insertion unit seen from a front side; 
         FIG. 3  is a view showing a cross-sectional configuration of a distal end portion including a lens unit taken along a line segment A-A in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 4  is a view showing a cross-sectional configuration of a distal end portion including a lens unit according to a modification of the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 5A  is a view showing a cross-sectional configuration of a distal end portion of an insertion unit according to a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 5B  is a view showing a cross-sectional configuration of a lens unit taken along a line segment B-B in depicted in  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 6A  is a view showing a cross-sectional configuration of a distal end portion of an insertion unit according to a modification of the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 6B  is a view showing a cross-sectional configuration of a lens unit taken along a line segment B-B depicted in  FIG. 6A ; 
         FIG. 7  is a view showing a cross-sectional configuration of a distal end portion of an insertion unit in an endoscope according to a third modification; and 
         FIG. 8  is a view showing a cross-sectional configuration of a distal end portion of an insertion unit in an endoscope according to a modification of the third embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     An embodiment according to the present invention will now be described hereinafter with reference to the drawings. 
     First Embodiment 
       FIG. 1  is a view showing an appearance configuration of an endoscope that has an imaging unit having a front observation window (a direct-viewing observation window) and a side observation window (a side-viewing observation widow) mounted therein according to a first embodiment. 
     The endoscope according to this embodiment is roughly constituted of an endoscope main body  1  and an endoscope device  7  mounted in a movable trolley  2 . This embodiment can be applied to a biological endoscope for observing the inside of a body cavity or the inside of a lumen of a living matter or an industrial endoscope for observing the inside of a device such as an engine or the inside of a pipe line. Further, in this embodiment, a flexible scope will be taken as an example and described, but this embodiment can be likewise mounted in a rigid scope. 
     The endoscope main body  1  is constituted of an insertion unit (a flexible tune)  4  that is inserted into a lumen that is an observation target, a bending unit  9  provided at a distal end of the insertion unit  4 , and an operation unit  3  that operates the bending unit  9  to bend. A distal end portion  5  where an imaging unit or an illumination unit is arranged is provided on a distal end side of the bending unit  9 . In the following description, the insertion unit  4  is determined as a center, a side closer to the distal end portion  5  will be referred to as distal end side, and a side closer to the operation unit  3  will be referred to as a proximal end side. 
     The endoscope device  7  has a light source device that generates illumination light applied to an observation target region, a video processor that executes predetermined image processing to an acquired video signal, a monitor that displays the video signal as an observation image, a keyboard as an input unit, and others. 
     Moreover, a bottle  8  that stores a liquid used for cleaning or the like (a cleaning liquid: e.g., a liquid mainly containing water such as a physiological saline solution) is detachably disposed to a main column of the trolley  2 . Additionally, an air supply pump unit is arranged in the endoscope device  7 . Further, a suction unit  10  that sucks a liquid or a gas for cleaning that has been injected into a lumen from a later-described cleaning nozzle in the lumen is provided on a rack of the trolley  2 . 
     The endoscope main body  1  and a light source unit  11  are connected to a universal cable  6  through a connector. The universal cable  6  includes not only a light guide formed of an optical fiber but also signal lines through which a video signal and others are transmitted, and a supply path (an air supply/liquid supply channel) and a discharge path for a gas and a liquid that are formed of tubes. A connector portion  12  connected to the endoscope device  7  side of the universal cable  6  is branched relative to the signal lines, the tubes, and the light guide and connected to respective constituent portions. 
       FIG. 2A  is a view showing an appearance configuration of a distal end of the insertion unit according to the first embodiment, and  FIG. 2B  is a view showing a configuration of the distal end of the insertion unit seen from the front side.  FIG. 3  is a view showing a cross-sectional configuration of the distal end portion  5  including a lens unit  21  taken along a line section A-A in  FIG. 2A . It is to be noted that a direction along which the insertion unit travels in a body cavity will be referred to as an inserting direction or an axial direction, a surface seen from the axial direction will be referred to as a front surface (a distal end face), and a surface orthogonal to the axial direction will be referred to as a side surface or a peripheral side surface. 
     A protruding portion (a pedestal)  13  that has the lens unit  21  and the a pedestal  26  integrally provided thereto and protrudes in a tubular form is provided on the distal end face of the distal end portion  5  of the insertion unit  4 . The lens unit  21  is part of an imaging optical system of the endoscope, and it is constituted of a front observation window (a first observation window: a cylindrical concave lens  23  [a first lens])  23   a  for observing a predetermined viewing field region (a first viewing field region) in the inserting direction (the axial direction), a side observation window (a second observation window: a truncated conical lens  24  [a second lens])  24   a  for observing a predetermined viewing field region in a direction (a lateral side) crossing the inserting direction, and a lens group  34  that leads an optical image of an observation image condensed by the truncated conical lens  24  to a non-illustrated imaging element. It is to be noted that, in this embodiment, a surface of the cylindrical concave lens  23  is the front observation window  23   a  and a tapered conical surface (or a side surface) of the truncated conical lens  24  is the side observation window  24   a . Two side illumination windows (second illumination windows)  25  used for illuminating entire circumferences on lateral sides are arranged at the rear of the lens unit  21 . 
     Moreover, the pedestal  26  is a distal end structure having the same surface height (a height of projection toward the front side) as the front observation window  23   a . Additionally, a cleaning nozzle  28  arranged near the front observation window  23   a  and a front illumination window (a first illumination window)  27  that applies illumination light for front observation are arranged on a front surface side of the pedestal  26 . Further, two cleaning nozzles  29  used for cleaning the side observation window  24   a  are arranged on both side surfaces of the pedestal  26 . A liquid supply path and an air supply path, which are not shown, connected to the cleaning nozzles  28  and  29  are arranged in the pedestal  13 , and a switching valve is provided in the middle of the pipe arrangement. Furthermore, an opening portion  30  as a forceps hole through which a non-illustrated forceps or the like is inserted is formed in the distal end face near the lens unit  21 . 
     Moreover, a light guide (a light guide portion)  31 , which is inserted from a proximal end of the insertion unit to be adjacent to the lens unit  21  in the protruding portion, is arranged to reach the front illumination winnow  27  arranged on the distal end face of the pedestal  26  and guides illumination light (a light flux). The guided illumination light is applied toward the front direction to illuminate an observation viewing field of the front observation window  23   a . The light guide  31  and the front illumination window  27  serve as heat generation sources at the time of illumination as described above. It is to be noted that, in this embodiment, the configuration using the light guide  31  is provided, but the present invention can be likewise applied to heat generation effected by a light source other than the light guide  31  or a heat source (e.g., a heater), e.g., a configuration where a light-emitting element such as a light-emitting diode is provided on the distal end side of the insertion unit. 
     The lens unit  21  will now be described in detail. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the cylindrical concave lens  23  arranged on the front surface has a cylindrical shape, its front surface side (an incidence side) exposed to the front side has a flat surface, and a semispherical concave curved surface is formed at the center of a back surface side (an exit side) that abuts on the truncated conical lens  24 . 
     A periphery of a top surface of the truncated conical lens  24  (a surface on a small-diameter side) is cut off in an annular shape, and a step portion  24   b  having the same diameter as the cylindrical concave lens  23  is formed. The cylindrical concave lens  23  is arranged to abut on the top face of the truncated conical lens  24  so that their optical axes overlap, and these members are integrally supported by a lens frame  22   a.    
     Additionally, a semispherical concave surface is formed at the center of a bottom surface (a surface on a large-diameter side) side of the truncated conical lens  24 , and a heat influence reducing portion  24   c  projecting in a ring-like shape is formed around the concave surface. This heat influence reducing portion  24   c  is a peripheral side surface whose outer peripheral surface connected with the side observation window  24   a  forming at least a conical surface is a vertical. That is, the bottom surface side of the truncated conical lens  24  is annularly projected with a uniform thickness around the optical axis so that a conventional acute angle shape is changed into an obtuse angle shape. Further, the truncated conical lens  24  is fitted into the lens frame  22   b  except a portion abutting on the pedestal  26  by using the peripheral side surface of the heat influence reducing portion  24   c . Furthermore, the truncated conical lens  24  (the heat influence reducing portion  24   c ) has its bottom surface fitted to a frame member  33  that supports the lens group  34 , and it is fixed in an abutting or close contact manner. 
     An abutting surface  24   d  of the truncated conical lens  24  and the cylindrical concave lens  23  forms a reflection surface of the truncated conical lens  24 . The truncated conical lens  24  is supported by the frame member  33  in the pedestal  13 . 
     In the frame member  33 , a tubular portion serving as a light path is arranged at the center, and a flange-like projecting portion  33   a  is formed at a distal end and appressed against the bottom surface of the truncated conical lens  24 . The lens group  24  formed of image forming lenses is fitted in the tubular portion so that it is aligned on the optical axis. 
     A relationship between such a lens unit  21  and heat generated by the light guide  31  will now be described. 
     As described above, the truncated conical lens  24  of the lens unit  21  is arranged in proximity to the light guide  31 . Therefore, as shown in  FIG. 3 , heat generated by the light guide  31  is conducted a portion  24   e  of the heat influence reducing portion  24   c  of the truncated conical lens  24  which is closest. On the other hand, a portion on the opposite side in the radial direction has a temperature that is substantially equal to an ambient temperature, and a temperature difference is produced in the truncated conical lens  24  at the beginning. 
     A specific example of the temperature difference produced in the truncated conical lens  24  due to heat will now be described. If the heat influence reducing portion  24   c  is not formed on the truncated conical lens  24 , heat is prone to be stored in an angular portion having an acute angle that is connected with the bottom portion (the proximal end face) on the lens lower side, and a temperature rises to a value close a temperature of the light guide that increases by the illumination light. For example, a temperature near the adjoining angular portion is assumed to increase to approximately 80° C. A temperature of the truncated conical lens  24  is lowered as distanced from this angular portion, and it becomes a temperature closer to an outside air temperature at the portion on the opposite side. 
     That is, a temperature difference between 80° C. and 20° C. is generated in the same lens. When this temperature difference is multiplied by a general glass linear thermal expansion coefficient (e.g., 7×10 −6 /° C.), 0.42 μm can be obtained. That is, a large error difference, which is 0.42 μm, is generated in the same lens. This value becomes a large error with respect to an optical surface shape error (a requested accuracy) of the lens and results in image deterioration such as an aberration. 
     The truncated conical lens  24  diffuses the heat propagated from the light guide  31  in the lens and radiates it through the frame member  33  and the lens frame  22   a . In this embodiment, when the heat influence reducing portion  24   c  is formed on the lower portion of the truncated conical lens  24 , to which heat is conducted most, to provide the obtuse angle shape, concentration of heat can be alleviated, a difference of heat in the lens can be reduced, and deformation (a distortion) or crack damage due to heat can be avoided. Further, when the distortion produced due to a local temperature difference in the lens is suppressed, an observation image can pass through a designed light path, and image quality of an acquired image can be prevented from lowering. 
     Modification of First Embodiment 
     A modification of the first embodiment will now be described with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 4  is a view showing a cross-sectional configuration of the distal end of the insertion unit including the lens unit taken along a line segment A-A in  FIG. 2A . In this modification, a technique of fixing the truncated conical shape  24  of the lens unit  21  is different, other constituent part as well as the endoscope system are the same except for these members, and like reference numerals are provided to omit a description thereof. 
     The cylindrical concave lens  23  is arranged to be continuous with the truncated conical shape  24  in such a manner that their optical axes can be matched with each other. A semispherical concave surface is formed at the center of the lower surface side of the truncated conical lens  24 , and the heat influence reducing portion  24   c  projecting in a ring-like shape is formed around the concave surface. In this heat influence reducing portion  24   c , at least its outer peripheral surface is formed as a vertical surface, and a bottom surface of the heat influence reducing portion  24   c  is fixed to the flange-like projecting portion  33   a  of the frame member  33  with the use of an adhesive. For example, when an epoxy-based adhesive material is used as the adhesive, hardening shrinkage of the adhesive due to heat occurs, and the surface of the lens is contracted. 
     On the other hand, in this modification, since the heat influence reducing portion  24   c  is provided on the lower side of the truncated conical lens  24  and the bottom surface (a bonding surface) that is affected by heat most and the optical function surface (the side observation window  24   a ) are separated from each other, an influence of shrinkage of the adhesive is hardly exerted, and an excellent image can be provided. 
     Second Embodiment 
     A heat influence reducing portion according to a second embodiment will now be described. 
       FIG. 5A  is a view showing a cross-sectional configuration of a distal end portion of an insertion unit in an endoscope according to a second embodiment, and  FIG. 5B  is a view showing a cross-sectional configuration of a lens unit  21  taken along a line segment B-B depicted in  FIG. 5A . That is, the cross-sectional configuration of the distal end portion taken along the line segment A-A in  FIG. 2A  described in the first embodiment is shown. It is to be noted that, in constituent parts in this embodiment, like reference numerals denote constituent parts equal to the constituent parts in the first embodiment to omit a detailed description thereof. 
     The lens unit  21  in this embodiment has a configuration that a heat conduction member (a gel-like material, a paste-like material, or a sheet-like material)  35  that is a heat influence reducing portion annularly provided in a flange-like projecting portion  33   a  provided at a distal end of a frame member  33  is arranged to abut on or to be appressed against a bottom surface of a truncated conical lens  24  of a side observation window  24   a  and a heat radiation effect of the truncated conical lens  24  is thereby enhanced. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , an annular groove  33   b  is formed at a portion of the projecting portion  33   a  to which the bottom surface of the truncated conical lens  24  is fixed. The inside of the annular groove  33   b  is filled with a heat conduction portion  36 , the bottom surface portion of the truncated conical lens  24  excluding the groove is bonded and fixed by an adhesive  37  and sealed so that the heat conduction portion  36  does not protrudes. At this time, the heat conduction member  35  must abut on or must be appressed against the bottom surface of the truncated conical lens  24 . It is to be noted that the heat conduction member is not restricted to a gel state or the like, and it may be formed into a sheet-like shape or may be fitted in the groove. 
     The heat conduction portion  36  has high thermal conductivity and, for example, one containing silicone as a main starting material is known. When a later-described heat conductive adhesive is adopted as the adhesive  37 , heat can be released to a lens, a frame member  33 , or a lens frame  22  through bonding surfaces of the bottom surface of the truncated conical lens  24  and the projecting portion  33   a.    
     The truncated conical lens  24  in the thus configured lens unit  21  releases the heat, which has been conducted from a light guide  31 , to the annular heat conduction portion  36  from the bottom surface of the lens, thereby efficiently radiating the heat through the frame member  33  or the lens frame  22 . 
     Therefore, according to this embodiment, the heat can be conducted to a portion having a temperature close to a room temperature in the truncated conical lens  24 , i.e., the opposite side of the side adjacent to the light guide  31  through the heat conduction portion  36 , the heat on the adjacent side can be diffused to the opposite side, and releasing the stored heat enables alleviating a local temperature difference in the truncated conical lens  24 , thereby increasing a temperature of the entire lens. Therefore, when a distortion caused due to a temperature difference in the lens is suppressed, image quality of an acquired image can be prevented from lowering. 
     Modification of Second Embodiment 
     A modification of the second embodiment will now be described. 
       FIG. 6A  is a view showing a cross-sectional configuration of the distal end portion of the insertion unit in the endoscope according to a modification of the second embodiment, and  FIG. 6B  is a view showing a cross-sectional configuration of the lens unit  21  taken along a line segment B-B depicted in  FIG. 6A . It is to be noted that, in constituent parts according to this embodiment, like reference numerals denote constituent parts equal to the constituent parts in the first embodiment to omit a detailed description thereof. 
     This modification has a configuration that an arc groove  33   c  is formed at a position on the projecting portion  33   a  close to the light guide  31  in the second embodiment and an arc-shaped heat conduction portion  36   a  filled with a heat conduction material is arranged. 
     This modification can provide the same functions and effects as those of the second embodiment. Moreover, when a later-described heat conductive adhesive is adopted as the adhesive, heat can be further released to the lens, the frame member  33 , or the lens frame  22  through bonding surfaces of the bottom surface of the truncated conical lens  24  and the projecting portion  33   a . That is, even if a local temperature increase at an angular portion on the lower side of the truncated conical lens  24  close to the light guide  31  is suppressed and heat is conducted, the heat can be diffused in the lens. Therefore, when a distortion caused due to a local temperature difference (concentration of the heat) in the lens is suppressed, an observation image can pass through a light path in the designed lens, and image quality of an acquired image can be prevented from lowering. 
     Third Embodiment 
     A heat influence reducing portion according to a third embodiment will now be described. 
       FIG. 7  is a view showing a cross-sectional configuration of a distal end portion of an insertion unit in an endoscope according to a third embodiment. 
     This embodiment has a configuration in which an overall bottom surface of a truncated conical lens  24  is bonded to a projecting portion  33   a  through a heat conductive adhesive having high thermal conductivity and heat is released to the lens, a frame member  33 , or a lens frame  22  through the adhesive. 
     As an adhesive  41 , this embodiment adopts the heat conductive adhesive that functions as a heat influence reducing portion. There is known an adhesive using a resin material (e.g., an epoxy material, a polyimide material, a silicone material, and others) as the heat conductive adhesive  41 . 
     According to this embodiment, since the heat conducive adhesive  41  is used, conducting the heat to a position in the truncated conical lens  24  having a temperature close to a room temperature, i.e., the opposite side of the side close to a light guide  31  enables diffusing the heat on the adjacent side to the opposite side, and a local temperature difference (concentration of the heat) in the truncated conical lens  24  is alleviated. Therefore, when a distortion produced due to a temperature difference in the lens is suppressed, image quality of an acquired image can be prevented from lowering. It is to be noted that the description has been given as to the example where the heat is diffused by interposing the heat conductive adhesive  41 , but the same functions and effects can be provided when a heat conductive sheet is sandwiched between bonding surfaces of the truncated conical lens  24  and the projecting portion  33   a  in place of the adhesive. 
     Modification of Third Embodiment 
     A modification of the third embodiment will now be described. 
       FIG. 8  is a view showing a cross-sectional configuration of the distal end portion of the insertion unit in the endoscope according to a modification of the third embodiment. Although the third embodiment has the configuration where the overall bottom surface of the truncated conical lens  24  is bonded to the projecting portion  33   a  through the heat conductive adhesive, this modification has a configuration where a bottom surface of the truncated conical lens  24  on an outer peripheral side is bonded to the projecting portion  33   a  through a heat conductive adhesive that functions as the heat influence reducing portion. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the outer peripheral side of the surface of the projecting portion  33   a  is scraped away to form a step  33   d . The heat conductive adhesive is put to fill this step  33   d , and the outer peripheral side portion of the bottom surface of the truncated conical lens  24  is bonded to the projecting portion  33   a.    
     In this modification, likewise, heat conducted to the truncated conical lens  24  can be released to the opposite side of the lens (the opposite side of a light guide  31 ), a frame member  33 , or a lens frame  22  through the heat conductive adhesive  42 . This heat release can ease a local temperature difference (concentration of the heat) in the truncated conical lens  24 , suppress a distortion produced due to a temperature difference in the lens, and prevent image quality of an acquired image from lowering. 
     Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.