Capsule endoscope

• US 7,022,066 B2
• Filed: 01/28/2003
• Issued: 04/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Olympus Corporation
• Original Assignee: Olympus Corporation
• Inventors: Matsumoto, Shinya, Hasegawa, Akira, Takizawa, Hironobu, Suzuki, Takayuki, Segawa, Hidetake, Yokoi, Takeshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Leubecker, John P.
• Application Number:
  US10/352,110
• Publication Number:
  US 20030171649A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,162 Days
• Field of Search: 600/109, 600/160, 600/167, 348/65, 348/76, 348/340, 348/294
• US Class Current: 600/109
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/04 combined with photographic or television appliances
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/52 Elements optimising image sensor operation, e.g. for electromagnetic interference [EMI] protection or temperature control by heat transfer or cooling elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/54 Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/55 Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/555 for picking-up images in sites, inaccessible due to their dimensions or hazardous conditions, e.g. endoscopes or borescopes

Abstract

A capsule endoscope includes an image sensor that is fixed to a substrate and is covered by a transparent cover member such that a sealed air space is provided between the objective optical system and the image sensor. Also, a capsule endoscope is disclosed that includes a transparent cover member, an image sensor having an imaging area that is covered by the transparent cover member; and an objective optical system which includes at least two lenses. The lens of the objective optical system that is nearest the image side is either integral with, or is adhered to, the transparent cover member. The transparent cover member seals an air space above the imaging area of the image sensor from dust which may be generated during a focusing adjustment of the two lenses. A focusing method adjusts the position of a first lens, in order from the object side, relative to that of a second lens which is nearest the image side.

Claims

1. A capsule endoscope, comprising:

a transparent cover member;

an image sensor that is fixed to a substrate and covered by the transparent cover member, said image sensor detecting images that are formed on a surface within an imaging area, and outside of the imaging area lies a periphery portion;

an objective optical system; and

a transparent dome arranged in front of the objective optical system that is sealed in an airtight and watertight manner to a rear portion of the capsule endoscope;

wherein

the transparent cover member is either fixed to the substrate or to said periphery portion such that a space is provided between the surface of the imaging area and the transparent cover member; and

a single lens frame, in a part of the capsule that is near the transparent dome, supports the objective optical system, with the lens frame having a light-blocking effect.

2. The capsule endoscope as set forth in claim 1, wherein the image sensor is an MOS-type image sensor.

3. The capsule endoscope as set forth in claim 1, wherein the image sensor is a CCD-type image sensor.

4. The capsule endoscope as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

at least one protrusion is arranged in the periphery portion outside the imaging area of the image sensor;

the transparent cover member is fixed to said at least one protrusion; and

,

surfaces of the imaging area and the transparent cover member are substantially parallel.

5. The capsule endoscope as set forth in claim 4, wherein the at least one protrusion is integrally formed with the image sensor.

6. The capsule endoscope as set forth in claim 4, wherein the at least one protrusion is formed of a member which is separate from the image sensor.

7. The capsule endoscope as set forth in claim 1, wherein

the transparent cover member is fixed to the substrate;

and,

surfaces of the imaging area and the transparent cover member are substantially parallel.

8. The capsule endoscope as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

at least one protrusion is provided at the periphery of the transparent cover member;

the protrusion is fixed to the surface of said image sensor at multiple spot locations; and

,

surfaces of the imaging area and the transparent cover member are substantially parallel.

9. The capsule endoscope as set forth in claim 1, wherein a lens that is located in the objective optical system nearest the image sensor is adhered to the transparent cover member.

10. The capsule endoscope as set forth in claim 1, wherein,

the external diameter of a lens in the objective optical system nearest the image sensor is the same diameter or a larger diameter than the external diameter of the transparent cover member.

11. The capsule endoscope as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

the transparent cover member and a lens in the objective optical system that is nearest the image sensor are integral;

the image sensor side of the transparent cover member includes a planar surface; and

the transparent cover member is fixed to the substrate.

12. The capsule endoscope as set forth in claim 11, wherein the transparent cover member is an integrally molded product made of synthetic resin or glass.

13. A capsule endoscope comprising:

a transparent cover member;

an image sensor having an imaging area that is covered by the transparent cover member; and

an objective optical system which includes at least two lenses;

wherein

the lens of the objective optical system that is nearest the image side is integral with, or adhered to, the transparent cover member;

the transparent cover member and the lens of the objective optical system nearest the image side are integrally formed as one member; and

,

the image side of the transparent cover member is planar except for a protruding portion that extends toward the image sensor outside an imaging area of the image sensor.

14. The capsule endoscope as set forth in claim 13, wherein the external diameter of the lens that is located nearest the image side in the objective optical system is the same as, or larger than, the external diameter of the transparent cover member.

15. The capsule endoscope as set forth in claim 13, wherein:

a lens, which is other than the lens of the objective optical system nearest the image side, is fixed to a single frame;

the lens of the objective optical system nearest the image side is engaged with the frame; and

,

a light shielding means is installed onto the surface of the frame.

16. The capsule endoscope as set forth in claim 13, wherein the objective optical system includes two lenses, each of positive refractive power.

17. The capsule endoscope as set forth in claim 15, wherein

an illumination source is fixed in a periphery region of the frame;

and,

a transparent dome is arranged in front of the illumination source and the objective optical system.

18. A capsule endoscope comprising:

an image sensor;

a transparent cover member that is fixed so as to seal an air space above a surface of the image sensor;

an objective optical system that includes at least two lenses, with the lens nearest the image side being integral with, or adhered to, the transparent cover member;

a lens of the objective optical system, other than the lens nearest the image side, is fixed to a single frame; and

,

focus adjustment is achieved by adjusting the relative position of a lens nearest the image side relative to the lens of the objective optical system that is fixed to said single frame.

19. A method of providing a focusing adjust to a capsule endoscope, wherein

a transparent cover member, which is integrally molded with a lens of an objective optical system that is located nearest the image side, is fixed so as to cover the surface of an image sensor;

a lens, which is other than the lens of the objective optical system that is located nearest the image side, is fixed to a single frame; and

the transparent cover member is engaged with said single frame, and focusing adjustment is performed by moving and then fixing said single frame relative to said transparent cover member.

20. A capsule endoscope, comprising:

a transparent cover member;

an image sensor that is fixed to a substrate and covered by the transparent cover member, said image sensor detecting images within an imaging area, and outside of the imaging area lies a periphery portion;

an objective optical system; and

a transparent dome arranged in front of the objective optical system;

wherein

the transparent cover member is either fixed to the substrate or to said periphery portion such that a space is provided between the surface of the imaging area and the transparent cover member; and

the transparent dome has a center of curvature, and the position of a pupil of the objective optical system substantially coincides with the center of curvature of the transparent dome.