JP4772410B2 - Endoscope device and optical adapter - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus used for industrial and medical purposes, and an optical adapter used therefor.

As a conventional endoscope apparatus, there is an endoscope apparatus configured such that an optical adapter including an optical system unit such as a lens, an illumination unit, and a mirror is detachably attached to a distal end of an insertion portion inserted into a lumen. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). In this type of endoscope apparatus, an optical system unit is also provided at the distal end of the insertion portion. When the optical adapter is attached to the distal end of the insertion portion, the two optical system units described above are connected to each other. Will be.
Further, this endoscope apparatus is configured to insert the distal end of the insertion portion into the proximal end side of the annular optical adapter. In this insertion state, the optical adapter and the distal end of the insertion portion are mutually connected. It is designed to be fixed. An annular O-ring groove for mounting an O-ring is formed on the outer surface of the distal end of the insertion part, and the O-ring is sandwiched between the inner surface of the proximal end side of the optical adapter and the outer surface of the insertion part. It has become. Accordingly, moisture is prevented from entering between the connection portion between the optical adapter and the distal end of the insertion portion between the distal end of the insertion portion and the two optical system units provided in the optical adapter.
JP 2003-164418 A

  However, in the above-described conventional endoscope apparatus, in a state where the optical adapter is removed from the distal end of the insertion portion, the O-ring attached to the distal end of the insertion portion is exposed to the outside. That is, in this state, since the user of the endoscope apparatus can easily touch the O-ring, there is a problem that the O-ring is unexpectedly removed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and is used for an endoscope apparatus capable of preventing an O-ring arranged at a connection portion between an optical adapter and a distal end portion of an insertion portion from being unexpectedly removed. An object is to provide an optical adapter.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following means.
An optical adapter according to the present invention is an optical adapter that is detachably provided at a distal end portion of an insertion portion that is inserted into a lumen of an endoscopic object, for observing or photographing the endoscopic object, and the distal end portion An annular groove portion for mounting an O-ring sandwiched together with the distal end portion is formed on the outer surface of the proximal end side of the adapter body that can be inserted into the adapter body. Of the pair of side wall portions constituting the annular groove portion, the base of the adapter body A proximal side wall portion located on the end side is formed with a notched portion in which a part in the circumferential direction is notched, and the annular groove portion is covered with an annular covering member attached to the adapter body. It is characterized by that.

When the optical adapter is attached to the distal end portion of the insertion portion, the annular distal end portion is inserted into the gap between the inner surface of the covering member and the outer surface of the adapter main body from the proximal end side of the adapter main body. In this mounted state, the tip portion and the groove portion of the adapter body are sandwiched so as to crush the O-ring disposed in the groove portion, so that moisture is transferred from the connection portion between the adapter body and the tip portion to the inside of the adapter body and the tip portion. Intrusion can be prevented.
Here, since the covering member covers the O-ring attached to the annular groove portion from the outer surface side of the adapter main body, the O-ring is not exposed to the outside when the optical adapter is removed from the distal end portion of the insertion portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the O-ring from coming out of the groove portion by directly touching the fingers of the user of the optical adapter, and to easily prevent the O-ring from being damaged.
Further, the O-ring arranged in the groove through the notch can be exposed outward from the base end side of the adapter body. When removing the O-ring attached to the groove, simply insert a jig such as tweezers between the bottom surface of the groove and the O-ring through the notch from the base end side of the adapter body. Since the groove portion can be separated from the bottom surface, the O-ring can be easily removed from the groove portion.

Moreover, you may make it the front end side wall part located in the front end side of the said adapter main body among the pair of side wall parts which comprise the said annular groove part extend to the position which reaches | attains the inner surface of the said covering member substantially.
In this configuration, when the optical adapter is attached to the insertion portion, the annular tip portion comes into contact with the distal side wall portion via the O-ring, so that the tip portion passes over the annular groove and the tip of the adapter body. In other words, the O-ring can be prevented from being rubbed and worn against the inner surface of the distal end portion of the insertion portion at the time of mounting, thereby improving the durability of the O-ring. . In addition, since the O-ring does not rub against the distal end of the insertion portion, the force for moving the O-ring with respect to the groove is prevented from acting on the O-ring, and the O-ring is detached from the groove. Can be reliably prevented.

In addition, an introduction surface that is inclined from the inner side of the annular groove portion toward the bottom surface of the annular groove portion from the proximal end side to the distal end side of the adapter main body may be formed in the notch portion. .
In the case of this configuration, when removing the O-ring attached to the groove, the tip of the jig is inserted by abutting the leading end of the jig from the proximal end side to the leading end side of the adapter body and contacting the introduction surface. Is guided to the bottom surface of the groove along the introduction surface, the jig can be easily inserted between the O-ring and the bottom surface of the groove. That is, the O-ring can be removed more easily.

Furthermore, you may comprise at least one part of the circumferential direction of the base end side wall part located in the base end side of the said adapter main body among a pair of side wall parts which comprise the said annular groove part with an elastic member.
In the case of this configuration, the elastic member can be exposed outward from the proximal end side of the adapter body. When removing the O-ring attached to the groove, the elastic member is elastically deformed by the tip of the jig and the tip of the jig is inserted between the O-ring and the bottom of the groove. The ring can be removed. Further, in a state where the elastic member is not elastically deformed, the O-ring can be held so as not to be detached from the groove portion because it stands upright as the base side wall portion of the groove portion.

Moreover, you may form the said base end side wall part which consists of the said elastic member cyclically | annularly.
In the case of this configuration, when removing the O-ring attached to the groove, the jig is placed between the O-ring and the bottom surface of the groove from any position in the circumferential direction on the proximal side wall made of an elastic member. Therefore, the O-ring can be removed more easily.

Further, of the pair of side wall portions constituting the annular groove portion, the base end side wall portion positioned on the base end side of the adapter main body is at least partially in the circumferential direction from the base end side of the adapter main body. A guide surface that is inclined radially outward may be formed toward the distal end side.
In this configuration, when the O-ring is installed in the groove, the jig tip is inserted from the base end side of the adapter body toward the tip side while the inner surface of the O-ring is supported by the jig tip. By simply abutting on the guide surface, the tip of the jig is guided along the guide surface to the radially outer side of the proximal side wall portion, so that the O-ring can be easily mounted in the groove portion.

  Since this invention is set as the structure which covers the O-ring attached to the outer surface of the adapter main body with the covering member, the O-ring can be prevented from dropping off from the adapter main body unexpectedly. Further, since the O-ring can be prevented from being damaged, the durability of the O-ring can be improved.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description of each embodiment, the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

First, the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 will be described.
FIG. 1 shows an overall schematic configuration of an endoscope apparatus 1 according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, the endoscope apparatus 1 includes an insertion portion 3 for examining a subject and a main body storage box 5 for storing the insertion portion 3.
The main body storage box 5 includes a lid portion 7 and a main body portion 9, and the lid portion 7 and the main body portion 9 are attached so as to be openable and closable with respect to each other. A cylindrical take-up drum 13 that is rotatable with respect to the main body 9 is provided inside the main body 9. One end surface of the winding drum 13 is exposed to the outside from the side surface of the main body 9, and a handle 15 is provided on the one end surface.

Inside the space of the winding drum 13, a light source unit (not shown) that supplies illumination light, and a CCU (camera control unit) (not shown) that performs signal processing on the image sensor provided at the distal end portion 27 of the insertion unit 3. ), An electric bending device (not shown) provided with a drive mechanism that electrically drives the bending portion 29 of the insertion portion 3, and an electric bending circuit portion (not shown) that controls the bending state of the bending portion 29. Has been.
The top surface 9 a of the main body 9 is provided with a monitor 17 for displaying an image and a remote controller 19 for operating the bending portion 29 of the insertion portion 3. In addition, the code | symbol 21 in a figure has shown the caster for conveyance.

The insertion part 3 extends in a long shape and has flexibility, so that it can be inserted into the lumen of a subject that is an endoscopic object.
The proximal end side of the insertion portion 3 is attached to the winding drum 13 through an opening 25 formed in the top surface 9a of the main body portion 9. For this reason, the insertion portion 3 extends outward from the main body storage box 5 by being pulled out through the opening 25. Further, the insertion portion 3 is wound around the take-up drum 13 and stored in the main body storage box 5 by applying a hand to the handle 15 and rotating the take-up drum 13.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the distal end portion 27 of the insertion portion 3 is formed in a substantially thick cylindrical shape as a whole, and is a substantially annular annular projection that protrudes in the axial direction from the periphery of the distal end surface 27 a. A portion 27b is formed. Furthermore, the distal end portion 27 of the insertion portion 3 is configured by forming a small-diameter cylindrical portion 27c protruding from the center portion of the distal end surface 27a.
In addition, the 1st external thread 30 is formed in the outer peripheral surface of the cyclic | annular protrusion part 27b. Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion 27, a second male screw 31 positioned on the proximal end side of the distal end portion 27 with respect to the first male screw 30 is formed. The first male screw 30 and the second male screw 31 are formed at a predetermined distance from each other.

Inside the distal end portion 27 of the insertion portion 3, a solid-state imaging device 33, an optical filter 35, and a first objective lens group 37 are sequentially arranged from the proximal end side to the distal end side of the distal end portion 27. . Here, the solid-state imaging device 33 is for obtaining an observation image of the subject like a CCD (charge coupled device), for example, and the optical filter 35 is a reflection from the subject taken in the distal end portion 27. It cuts infrared rays out of light. The first objective lens group 37 is for causing the solid-state imaging device 33 to form an image of the reflected light from the subject taken into the distal end portion 27.
In addition, a light guide 39 that guides light emitted from the light source unit to the distal end surface 27 a of the distal end portion 27 is provided inside the distal end portion 27.

An optical adapter 41 for direct viewing is detachably provided at the distal end portion 27 of the insertion portion 3 configured as described above. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the optical adapter 41 includes an adapter main body 43, an adapter housing 45, and a connection ring (cover member) 47.
The adapter main body 43 is formed in a substantially thick cylindrical shape as a whole, and a second objective lens group 49 made of a lens, a cover glass, or the like is accommodated therein. The second objective lens group 49 is arranged on the distal end side of the first objective lens group 37, and adjusts the angle of view, brightness, and focus of the observation image formed on the solid-state image sensor 33. To play a role. That is, observation images having various angles of view, brightness, and focus can be acquired by appropriately changing the type of the optical adapter 41 attached to the insertion unit 3. The solid-state imaging device 33, the optical filter 35, the first objective lens group 37, and the second objective lens group 49 constitute an observation optical system 51 for acquiring an observation image of the subject.

  Further, a cover glass 53 is provided inside the adapter main body 43 adjacent to the second objective lens group 49. The cover glass 53 is arranged on the distal end side of the light guide 39 of the insertion portion 3 in a state where the optical adapter 41 is mounted on the distal end portion 27 of the insertion portion 3, and emits light emitted from the light guide 39. It plays a role of guiding to the distal end side of the adapter main body 43. That is, an illumination optical system 55 for irradiating the subject with light is constituted by the light guide 39, the cover glass 53, and a light source unit (not shown).

A positioning recess 57 that is recessed in the axial direction is formed at the base end 43 a of the adapter main body 43. The positioning recess 57 is formed in a shape in which the small diameter cylindrical portion 27 c of the insertion portion 3 can be inserted. In the state where the small diameter cylindrical portion 27 c is inserted into the positioning recess 57, the adapter main body 43 is connected to the insertion portion 3. It becomes impossible to rotate with respect to the distal end portion 27.
Further, the base end 43a side of the adapter main body 43 is formed so that its outer diameter dimension is smaller than the inner diameter dimension of the annular projecting portion 27b of the insertion portion 3, so that it can be inserted into the annular projecting portion 27b. An annular O-ring groove (groove portion) 61 for mounting the O-ring 59 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the adapter main body 43 on the base end 43a side. The O-ring groove 61 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in sectional view.

That is, as shown in FIG. 2, in a state where the base end 43a of the adapter body 43 is completely inserted into the annular protrusion 27b of the insertion portion 3, the O-ring 59 attached to the O-ring groove 61 is It will be pinched and crushed between the inner surface of 27b and the bottom surface of the O-ring groove 61. In this state, the tip end of the annular projecting portion 27 b is positioned closer to the tip end side of the adapter main body 43 than the O-ring groove 61.
In this state, it is possible to prevent moisture from entering the adapter body 43 and the inside of the distal end portion 27 of the insertion portion 3 from the connection portion between the distal end portion 27 of the insertion portion 3 and the adapter main body 43. Specifically, it is possible to prevent moisture from intervening between the first objective lens group 37 and the light guide 39 at the distal end portion 27 and the second objective lens group 49 and the cover glass 53 of the adapter main body 43. Based on the presence of the moisture, it is possible to prevent the light irradiated on the subject and the observation image of the subject from being disturbed.
In addition, a large-diameter flange portion 63 having a stepped diameter is integrally formed on the outer peripheral surface of the adapter main body 43. The large-diameter flange portion 63 is formed at a position separated from the O-ring groove 61 by a predetermined distance from the distal end side of the adapter main body 43.

  The connection ring 47 is formed in a substantially annular shape, and is configured to be attached to the adapter main body 43 by being inserted from the distal end side of the adapter main body 43. An inward stopper flange 65 that can abut on the large-diameter flange portion 63 of the adapter main body 43 from the axial direction is integrally formed on the distal end side of the connection ring 47. That is, the connection ring 47 is prevented from falling off from the base end 43 a side of the adapter main body 43 in a state where it is attached to the adapter main body 43.

The adapter housing 45 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape that accommodates the distal end side of the adapter main body 43, and is fixed to the adapter main body 43 by screws 69.
The outer diameter of the adapter housing 45 is formed larger than the inner diameter dimension of the stopper flange 65 of the connection ring 47. For this reason, in a state where the connection ring 47 and the adapter housing 45 are assembled to the adapter body 43, the stopper flange 65 of the connection ring 47 is attached to the adapter housing 45 even if the connection ring 47 is moved to the distal end side of the adapter body 43. Abut. Therefore, the adapter housing 45 functions as a retainer that prevents the connection ring 47 from falling off from the distal end side of the adapter main body 43.

In addition, the connection ring 47 described above can be displaced in the rotational direction with respect to the adapter main body 43 when attached to the adapter main body 43.
Further, the annular connection ring 47 is arranged so as to extend further to the rear side in the axial direction than the base end 43a of the adapter main body 43, and includes the O-ring groove 61 via the annular gap S1. The outer peripheral surface of is covered. Here, the annular gap S <b> 1 indicates a space between the outer peripheral surface of the adapter main body 43 on the base end 43 a side and the inner peripheral surface of the connection ring 47, and can insert the annular projecting portion 27 b of the insertion portion 3. It has the size.

Further, on the inner peripheral surface of the connection ring 47, a female screw 67 that can be screwed into the first male screw 30 and the second male screw 31 of the insertion portion 3 is formed.
That is, when the optical adapter 41 is attached to the distal end portion 27 of the insertion portion 3, first, the distal end portion 27 of the insertion portion 3 is inserted from the proximal end side of the optical adapter 41 and the connection ring 47 is rotated. The female screw 67 of the ring 47 is screwed into the first male screw 30 of the insertion portion 3. When the connection ring 47 is further rotated from this state, the female screw 67 gets over the first male screw 30 and engages with the second male screw 31, and the optical adapter 41 is fixed to the distal end portion 27 of the insertion portion 3. Will be. Therefore, the first male screw 30 of the insertion portion 3 functions as a retaining for preventing the optical adapter 41 from falling off the insertion portion 3.
In the state where the female screw 67 is screwed into the second male screw 31, the annular projecting portion 27 b is inserted into the annular gap S 1, and the small-diameter cylindrical portion 27 c is inserted into the positioning recess 57.

  According to the endoscope apparatus 1 and the optical adapter 41 of this embodiment, the O-ring groove 61 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the adapter main body 43, and the O-ring 59 attached to the O-ring groove 61 by the connection ring 47 is used as the adapter main body. Since it covers from the outer peripheral surface side of 43, even when the optical adapter 41 is removed from the distal end portion 27 of the insertion portion 3, the O-ring 59 is not exposed to the outside. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the O-ring 59 from dropping from the O-ring groove 61 by directly touching the fingers of the user of the optical adapter 41 or the endoscope apparatus 1. Further, since it is possible to prevent the O-ring 59 from being damaged, the durability of the O-ring 59 can be improved.

  The optical adapter 41 according to the first embodiment includes an O-ring groove 61 and a large-diameter flange so that the annular protrusion 27b of the insertion portion 3 can be inserted to a position beyond the O-ring groove 61 in the annular gap S1. The parts 63 are formed at positions separated from each other by a predetermined distance. However, as in the optical adapter 101 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the annular O-ring groove (groove part) 103 and the large-diameter flange part 105 are provided. The adapter main body 107 formed at positions adjacent to each other may be provided. That is, among the pair of side wall portions constituting the O-ring groove 103, the front end side wall portion 109 is connected by forming the large-diameter flange portion 105 as the front end side wall portion 109 located on the front end side of the adapter main body 107. The ring 47 is formed so as to extend until it substantially reaches the inner surface of the ring 47.

  In the case of this configuration, as shown in FIG. 6, when the optical adapter 101 is attached to the distal end portion 27 of the insertion portion 3, the distal end of the annular projecting portion 27 b is connected to the distal end side wall portion 109 via the O-ring 59. Because of the abutment, the annular protrusion 27 b is not inserted into the distal end side of the adapter body 107 beyond the O-ring groove 103. That is, at the time of the above mounting, it is possible to further improve the durability of the O-ring 59 by suppressing the O-ring 59 from being rubbed and worn against the inner surface of the annular protrusion 27b. Further, since the O-ring 59 is not rubbed against the annular protrusion 27b, a force for moving the O-ring 59 relative to the O-ring groove 103 is prevented from acting on the O-ring 59, and the O-ring 59 can be reliably prevented from coming off the O-ring groove 103.

7 and 8 show a third embodiment of the present invention. In the optical adapter 151 of this embodiment, of the pair of side wall portions constituting the O-ring groove (groove portion) 153, the base end side wall portion 157 located on the base end 155a side of the adapter main body 155 has a circumferential direction. A pair of cutout portions 159 are formed by cutting out a part thereof.
In the case of this configuration, the contact portion between the bottom surface 153a of the O-ring groove 153 and the O-ring 59 can be exposed outwardly from the base end 155a side of the adapter body 155 through the notch 159. When removing the O-ring 59 attached to the O-ring groove 153, tweezers are inserted between the bottom surface 153a of the O-ring groove 153 and the O-ring 59 through the notch 159 from the base end 155a side of the adapter body 155. Since the O-ring 59 can be separated from the bottom surface 153a of the O-ring groove 153 by simply inserting the tip of the jig P1, such as the jig P1, the O-ring 59 can be easily removed from the O-ring groove 153.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the pair of cutout portions 159 are formed at symmetrical positions of the annular proximal side wall portions 157, for example, the tips are tipped like tweezers. When taking out the O-ring 59 using a jig divided into two branches, the tips of the jig are simultaneously inserted between the O-ring 59 and the bottom surface 153a of the O-ring groove 153 through the two notches 159. Can do. For this reason, it becomes possible to remove the O-ring 59 more easily.
In the optical adapter 151 according to the third embodiment, a pair of notches 159 are formed in the base end side wall 157, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the base end side wall 157 has at least one notch. Should just be formed.

In addition to forming the notch 159 as in the optical adapter 151 of the third embodiment described above, the base end of the O-ring groove (groove) 161 as in the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. The bottom surface of the notch 165 formed in the side wall portion 163 approaches the bottom surface 161a of the O-ring groove 161 from the inner side of the O-ring groove 161 from the proximal end 167a side of the adapter main body 167 toward the distal end side. It may be formed on an inclined introduction surface (introduction surface) 165a that is inclined in the direction.
In the case of this configuration, when removing the O-ring 59 attached to the O-ring groove 161, the distal end of the jig P1 is inserted from the proximal end 167a side of the adapter main body 167 toward the distal end side to the inclined introduction surface 165a. By abutting, the tip end of the jig P1 is guided to the bottom surface 161a of the O-ring groove 161 along the inclined introduction surface 165a. Therefore, the jig P1 can be easily inserted between the O-ring 59 and the bottom surface 161a of the O-ring groove 161, that is, the O-ring 59 can be removed more easily.

Furthermore, in all of the above-described embodiments, the base side wall portion constituting the O-ring groove is formed integrally with the adapter main body. However, as in the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. Of the annular proximal side wall portion 205 constituting the O-ring groove (groove portion) 203 of the main body 201, a part of the circumferential direction thereof may be constituted by an elastic member 207 that can be elastically deformed. In this configuration, the base end portion of the elastic member 207 may be integrally fixed to the adapter main body 201 by adhesion or the like.
In the case of this configuration, the elastic member 207 is exposed outward from the base end 201 a side of the adapter main body 201. When removing the O-ring 59 attached to the O-ring groove 203, the elastic member 207 is elastically deformed by the tip of the jig P1, and the jig P1 is interposed between the O-ring 59 and the bottom surface 203a of the O-ring groove 203. Therefore, the O-ring 59 can be easily removed. Further, in a state where the elastic member 207 is not elastically deformed, the O-ring 59 can be held so as not to be detached from the O-ring groove 203 since it is erected as the proximal side wall portion 205 of the O-ring groove 203. .

Further, in addition to the configuration of the fifth embodiment described above, the elastic member 207 is formed on a part of the bottom surface 203a of the O-ring groove (groove portion) 203 as in the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. An inclined surface 203b that is inclined inward from the bottom surface 203a of the O-ring groove 203 may be formed toward the base end side wall portion 205.
In the case of this configuration, when removing the O-ring 59 attached to the O-ring groove 203, the elastic member 207 is elastically moved by the jig P1 simply by inserting the jig P1 from the proximal end side to the distal end side of the optical adapter. Can be deformed. That is, since the tip of the elastic member 207 can be elastically deformed in the insertion direction of the jig P1 and brought into contact with the inclined surface 203b of the O-ring groove 203, the gap between the O-ring 59 and the bottom surface 203a of the O-ring groove 203 can be reduced. The tip of the jig P1 can be easily inserted.

In the fifth embodiment and the sixth embodiment described above, a part of the base end side wall portion 205 is composed of the elastic member 207. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an annular base end side wall is formed. The entire part 205 may be composed of the elastic member 207. That is, in this configuration, the elastic member 207 is formed in an annular shape.
In the case of this configuration, when removing the O-ring 59 attached to the O-ring groove 203, the distal end of the jig P1 is moved from any position in the circumferential direction on the proximal-side side wall portion 205 made of the elastic member 207. Since it can be inserted between the O-ring 59 and the bottom surface 203a of the O-ring groove 203, the O-ring 59 can be removed more easily.

FIG. 12 shows a seventh embodiment of the present invention. In the optical adapter according to this embodiment, the adapter main body 255 has a portion in the circumferential direction of the base-end side wall 253 that forms the O-ring groove (groove portion) 251, and the adapter main body 255 has a base end 255 a side toward the front end side. An inclined guide surface (guide surface) 257 that is inclined outwardly in the radial direction of 255 is formed.
In the case of this configuration, when the O-ring 59 is installed in the O-ring groove 251, the inner surface of the O-ring 59 is supported by the tip of the jig P1, and the adapter body 255 is directed from the proximal end 255a side toward the distal end side. By simply inserting the tip of the jig P1 and bringing it into contact with the inclined guide surface 257, the tip of the jig P1 is guided along the inclined guide surface 257 to the tip of the proximal side wall portion 253. Can be attached to the O-ring groove 251.
The inclined guide surface 257 formed on the base end side wall portion 253 is not limited to a part of the base end side wall portion 253 in the circumferential direction, and is formed annularly on the entire base end side wall portion 253. Also good.

  The configuration of the seventh embodiment can also be applied to the configurations of the third to sixth embodiments described above. That is, for example, the notches 159 and 165 (see FIGS. 8 and 9) of the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment are arranged in the circumferential direction of the proximal side wall 253 with respect to the formation position of the inclined guide surface 257. Each may be formed at a shifted position. In addition, for example, a similar inclined guide surface 257 is formed at the distal end of the proximal end side wall portion 205 (see FIGS. 10 and 11) configured by the elastic member 207 of the fifth embodiment and the sixth embodiment. It doesn't matter.

  In all the embodiments described above, the annular protrusion of the insertion portion and the proximal end side of the adapter main body are formed in a cylindrical shape. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be formed in an annular shape at least. . That is, the annular projecting portion of the insertion portion and the proximal end side of the adapter main body may be formed in a substantially rectangular annular shape in cross-sectional view. In this configuration, the O-ring groove is also formed in a substantially rectangular ring shape.

Furthermore, although the O-ring mounted in the O-ring groove is covered with the connection ring, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is sufficient that the O-ring is covered with an annular covering member that is not exposed at least on the outer peripheral surface side. In the case of this configuration, this covering member may be formed integrally with the adapter main body.
In all the embodiments described above, the direct-view optical adapter has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the configurations of all the embodiments may be applied to the side-view optical adapter.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was explained in full detail with reference to drawings, the concrete structure is not restricted to this embodiment, The design change etc. of the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention are included.

1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state where an optical adapter is attached to a distal end portion of an insertion portion in the endoscope apparatus of FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a method of mounting an optical adapter on a distal end portion of an insertion portion in the endoscope apparatus of FIG. 1. The optical adapter with which the endoscope apparatus of FIG. 1 is equipped is shown, (a) is an expanded sectional view, (b) is AA arrow sectional drawing of (a). It is an expanded sectional view showing the optical adapter concerning a 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is an expanded sectional view which shows the state which mounted | wore the optical adapter of FIG. The optical adapter which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention is shown, (a) is an expanded sectional view, (b) is BB arrow sectional drawing of (a). It is an expanded sectional view which shows the principal part of the optical adapter of FIG. It is an expanded sectional view showing an important section of an optical adapter concerning a 4th embodiment of this invention. It is an expanded sectional view showing an important section of an optical adapter concerning a 5th embodiment of this invention. It is an expanded sectional view showing an important section of an optical adapter concerning a 6th embodiment of this invention. It is an expanded sectional view showing an important section of an optical adapter concerning a 7th embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope apparatus 3 Insertion part 27 Tip part 41,101,151 Optical adapter 43,107,155,167,201,255 Adapter main body 43a, 155a, 167a, 201a, 255a Base end 47 Connection ring (covering member)
59 O-ring 61, 103, 153, 161, 203, 251 O-ring groove (groove)
109 Front side wall portion 157, 163, 205, 253 Base end side wall portion 159, 165 Notch portion 161a, 203a Bottom surface 165a Inclined introduction surface (introduction surface)
207 Elastic member 257 Inclined guide surface (guide surface)
S1 gap

Claims (7)

Removably provided at the distal end portion of the insertion portion to be inserted into the lumen of the endoscope subject, an optical adapter for observing or photographing the inside visual object,
On the outer surface of the proximal end side of the adapter main body that can be inserted into the distal end portion, an annular groove portion is formed for mounting an O-ring sandwiched together with the distal end portion,
Of the pair of side wall portions constituting the annular groove portion, the base end side wall portion located on the base end side of the adapter main body is formed with a notch portion in which a part in the circumferential direction is cut out,
The optical adapter, wherein the annular groove is covered with an annular covering member attached to the adapter body. An introduction surface that is inclined from the inner side of the annular groove portion toward the bottom surface of the annular groove portion is formed in the notch portion from the proximal end side to the distal end side of the adapter main body. The optical adapter according to claim 1 . Of the pair of side wall portions constituting the annular groove portion, the base end side wall portion positioned on the base end side of the adapter main body is formed of an elastic member at least in part in the circumferential direction. The optical adapter according to claim 1 or 2 . The optical adapter according to claim 3 , wherein the base end side wall portion made of the elastic member is formed in an annular shape. Of the pair of side wall portions constituting the annular groove, the base side wall portion located on the base end side of the adapter main body is at least partially in the circumferential direction from the base end side of the adapter main body to the front end side. The optical adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a guide surface that is inclined radially outward is formed. Of the pair of side wall portions constituting the groove of the annular, wherein the distal side wall portion located on the distal end side of the adapter body, characterized in that it extends to a position substantially reaches the inner surface of the cover member Item 6. The optical adapter according to any one of Items 1 to 5 . An endoscope comprising the optical adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 6 detachably provided at a distal end portion of an insertion portion to be inserted into a lumen of an endoscopic object. apparatus.

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