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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an endoscope apparatus whereby NMR (nuclear
magnetic resonance) can be metered from within a body by leading an
antenna into the body through an endoscope.
2. Related Art Statement
Conventionally, in detecting and diagnosing a cuticle cancer or the like
generated on the inner surface of a digestive organ of a human body or
particularly in the upper layer part of a stomach wall, there has been a
general method wherein the generating position is detected with an
endoscope or X-ray photographing and the living body tissue of such
position is collected and is diagnosed to be bad or not. However, in such
conventional method, there have been problems that the sample collecting
position is in an area so comparatively wide that the diagnosis can not be
immediately made, that the effort of collecting the living body tissue is
very large and that the human body is damaged.
On the other hand, against it, recently, there has come to be developed a
non-attacking human body diagnosing method utilizing a nuclear magnetic
resonance (abbreviated as NMR hereinafter) phenomenon. For example, in an
NMR imaging apparatus utilizing the above mentioned NMR phenomenon, a
human body is placed in a magnetic field, a high frequency (magnetic
field) of a predetermined frequency is given to the human body, a nucleus
having a spin within the human body is excited and an NMR signal of a
predetermined frequency from this excited nucleus is sensed and is
processed with a computer to obtain a sectioned image. The sectioned image
obtained by this NMR imaging apparatus is very useful for diagnosing a
cancer or the like. That is to say, generally, the NMR signals obtained
from a cancer cell and normal cell are known to be different in the
relieving time. The diagnosis of whether it is a cancer or not is made
possible by measuring this relieving time.
However, in the above mentioned NMR imaging apparatus, in order to obtain a
sectioned image, enormous NMR signals must be processed, a high speed
large capacity computer is required and the entire apparatus becomes large
and expensive.
Conventionally, at the time of the endoscope observation, in case a
visually abnormal part is discovered, whether this abnormal part is, for
example, bad or not, will be desired to be judged to some extent. However,
for such desire, there are problems that the above mentioned NMR imaging
apparatus is expensive and large and that further it is difficult to make
the part recognized to be visually abnormal and the sectioned image
correspond to each other.
In order to cope with it, as show, for example, in the gazettes of a
Japanese patent applications laid open Nos. 88140/1984 and a Japanese
patent application publication No. 500048/1987 (international laid open
No. @086/01093), there is suggested an NMR endoscope wherein, in the tip
part of an endoscope insertable part, a high frequency magnetic field is
formed and a high frequency coil detecting NMR signals is provided.
According to this NMR endoscope, when the above mentioned high frequency
coil is pressed against an abnormal position and the NMR signal of the
abnormal position is detected, the physiological variation of this
abnormal position, for example, whether it is a cancer or not can be
detected and diagnosed.
However, in the conventional NMR endoscope, there is a problem that, as the
high frequency coil is contained within the tip part body of the
endoscope, the tip part becomes so large that the pain given to the
patient will be great.
In case a diseased part within a body cavity is to be NMR metered through
an endoscope, unless the antenna is pressed against an object position,
for example, for several tens of seconds to several minutes, no accurate
metering will be able to be made. However, in an endoscope containing an
antenna in the tip part, it has been difficult to fix the above mentioned
antenna in an object position.
Now, there is a case that an antenna is inserted into a body cavity through
an endoscope to meter NMR from within the body and such NMR apparatus as
an NMR imaging apparatus is used simultaneously to observe NMR from
without the body. However, as the antenna to be inserted into the body
cavity is conventionally made of a metal, when the NMR image from without
the body is to be observed with this antenna as inserted within the body
cavity, the magnetic field of the NMR apparatus for observing from without
the body will be disturbed and no good picture image will be obtained.
Therefor, in case the NMR image from without the body is to be observed,
it will be necessary to pull out the endoscope and the operation will be
complicated.
In the above mentioned antenna, it is desirable to make the detecting
direction coincide with the direction of the high frequency magnetic field
made by this antenna itself. However, in the conventional NMR endoscope,
as the antenna is fixed to the tip part, it has been difficult to make the
detecting direction coincide with the high frequency magnetic field.
OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope apparatus
wherein an NMR metering antenna can be provided without enlarging the
outside diameter of the insertable part.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope
apparatus wherein an NMR metering antenna can be easily fixed in an object
position.
Further another object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope
apparatus wherein the direction of the high frequency magnetic field
generated by an NMR metering antenna and the detecting direction can be
easily made to coincide with each other.
The NMR metering endoscope apparatus of the present invention is provided
with an endoscope body and an NMR metering loop-like antenna. The above
mentioned endoscope body is provided with an elongate insertable part
having an observing window and illuminating window in the tip part, an
observing means for observing an object by receiving a light coming from
the object and entering through the above mentioned observing window and
an illuminating light outputting means emitting an illuminating light out
of the above mentioned illuminating window. The above mentioned NMR
metering antenna is fitted to the outer periphery including the tip
surface of the insertable part of the above mentioned endoscope body and
can be connected to the NMR metering apparatus.
The other features and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent enough with the following explanation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1 to 5 relate to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a sectioned view of the tip part of the insertable part of an
endoscope.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of an endoscope apparatus as being used.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tip part as a hood is removed.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the hood.
FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing an NMR metering means.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the hood in the first modification of the
first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the hood in the second modification of the
first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the hood in the third modification of the
first embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the hood in the fourth modification of the
first embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the hood in the fifth modification of the
first embodiment.
FIGS. 11 and 12 relate to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a sectioned view of the tip part of the insertable part of an
endoscope.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory view of an endoscope apparatus as being used.
FIGS. 13 to 18 relate to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the tip part of the insertable part of an
endoscope.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing an endoscope apparatus.
FIG. 15 is an explanatory view showing an essential part of the endoscope.
FIG. 16 is a circuit diagram showing an NMR metering means.
FIG. 17 is an explanatory view showing a pipe line when used as an antenna.
FIG. 18 is an explanatory view showing the pipe line when not used as an
antenna.
FIGS. 19 to 21 relate to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the tip part of the insertable part
of an endoscope when metering NMR.
FIG. 20 is a sectioned view of the tip part of the insertable part of the
endoscope.
FIG. 21 is an explanatory view showing an endoscope apparatus.
FIGS. 22 and 23 relate to the first modification of the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the tip part of the insertable part as a
balloon is contracted.
FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the tip part of the insertable part as the
balloon is inflated.
FIGS. 24 and 25 relate to the second modification of the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the tip part of the insertable part as the
balloon is contracted.
FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the tip part of the insertable part as the
balloon is inflated.
FIGS. 26 and 27 relate to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 26 is an explanatory view showing the formation of an endoscope.
FIG. 27(A) is an explanatory view of the tip part of the insertable part as
an antenna is bent at right angles.
FIG. 27(B) is an explanatory view of the tip part of the insertable part as
the antenna is bent at a predetermined angle.
FIG. 28 relates to a modification of the fifth embodiment.
FIG. 28(A) is an explanatory view showing an antenna before the
modification.
FIG. 28(B) is an explanatory view showing the antenna after the
modification.
FIGS. 29 to 31 relate to the sixth embodiment of the preset invention.
FIG. 29 is a perspective view showing an entire endoscope apparatus.
FIG. 30 is a sectioned view of the tip part of the insertable part of an
endoscope.
FIG. 31 is an explanatory view showing an NMR metering means.
FIG. 32 is a sectioned view of the tip pat of the insertable part of an
endoscope in the seventh embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 33 is a sectioned view of the tip part of the insertable part of an
endoscope in a modification of the seventh embodiment.
FIGS. 34 and 35 relate to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 34 is an explanatory view showing the formation of an endoscope
apparatus.
FIG. 35 is a sectioned view of an angle wire.
FIG. 36 is a sectioned view of the tip part of the insertable part of an
endoscope in the ninth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 37 is an explanatory view showing the formation of an endoscope
apparatus in the 10th embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 38 is an explanatory view showing the formation of an endoscope
apparatus in the 11th embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 39 is an explanatory view showing the formation of an endoscope
apparatus in the 12th embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 40 is an explanatory view showing the formation of an endoscope
apparatus in the 13th embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 41 is an explanatory view of the tip part of the insertable part of an
endoscope in the 14th embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 42 is an explanatory view of the tip part of the insertable part of an
endoscope in the 15th embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 43 is an explanatory view of the tip part of the insertable part of an
endoscope in the 16th embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 44 is an explanatory view of the tip part of the insertable part of an
endoscope in the 17th embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 45 is a perspective view showing a sliding tube in the 18th embodiment
of the present invention.
FIGS. 46 to 48 relate to the 19th embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 46 is a perspective view showing the insertable part of an endoscope.
FIG. 47 is a sectioned view of the insertable part of the endoscope.
FIG. 48 is a sectioned view showing the vicinity of an antenna.
FIG. 49 is an explanatory view showing an antenna shape in the first
modification of the 19th embodiment.
FIG. 50 is an explanatory view showing an antenna shape in the second
modification of the 19th embodiment.
FIGS. 51 and 52 relate to the 20th embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 51 is a perspective view showing the insertable part of an endoscope.
FIG. 52 is a sectioned view of the insertable part of the endoscope.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIGS. 1 to 5 show the first embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 2, an NMR endoscope 1 is provided with an elongate, for
example, flexible insertable part 2 to the rear end of which a thick
operating part 3 is connected. An eyepiece part 4 is connected to the rear
end of the above mentioned operating part 3. A flexible universal cord 5
is extended sidewise from the rear end part of the above mentioned
operating part 3. A connector 6 is provided at the tip of this universal
cord 5. The NMR endoscope 1 is to be connected to a light source apparatus
7 containing, for example, an NMR metering apparatus.
The above mentioned insertable part 2 is formed of a flexible part 11
provided on an operating part 3 side, a curvable part 12 connected to the
tip of this flexible part 11 and a tip part 13 connected to the tip of
this curvable part 12. The above mentioned curvable part 12 can be curved
vertically and horizontally by rotating and operating a curving operation
knob not illustrated provided on the above mentioned operating part 3.
In the case of metering NMR, as shown in FIG. 2, the above mentioned NMR
endoscope 1 will be used as combined with an NMR apparatus 17 arranged to
enclose an examinee 16 mounted on a bed 15. This NMR apparatus 17 is
provided with such means for generating a static magnetic field as a
permanent magnet, paraconductive magnet or superconductive magnet.
The above mentioned tip part 13 is formed as shown in FIG. 1.
That is to say, the tip part 13 is provided with a tip part body 21 made of
such rigid material as a metal and formed to be substantially columnar and
to be small in the diameter on the tip side as shown in FIG. 3. An
engaging part 23 consisting of a peripheral recess is formed in the body
21. An observing through hole 24 and illuminating through hole 25 passing
parallelly in the axial direction through the insertable part 2 are formed
in the above mentioned tip part body 21. The above mentioned observing
through hole 24 is fitted with an objective lens system 26 on the tip
side. The tip surface of an image guide 27 made of a fiber bundle and
inserted through the above mentioned insertable part 2 is arranged in the
image forming position of this objective lens system 26. An object image
formed by the above mentioned objective lens system 26 will be led to the
above mentioned eyepiece part 4 through the above mentioned image guide of
fibers 27 so as to be able to be observed from this eyepiece part 4. The
above mentioned illuminating through hole 25 is fitted with a light
distributing lens 28 on the tip side. A light guide 29 made of a fiber
bundle is arranged on the rear end side of this light distributing lens
28, is inserted through the above mentioned insertable part 2 and
universal cord 5 and is connected to the above mentioned connector 6. When
this connector 6 is connected to the above mentioned light source
apparatus 7, an illuminating light will be able to be fed to the entrance
and of the light guide 29.
A condenser box 33 is arranged on the outer peripheral side within the
large diameter part 30 on the rear end side of the above mentioned tip
part body 21. Such signal cable 34 as a coaxial cable is connected to the
rear end of this condenser box 33, is inserted through the above mentioned
insertable part 2 and universal cord 5 and is connected to the above
mentioned connector 6. For example, two connector pins 35 are provided to
project on the tip side of the above mentioned condenser box 33 and
project toward the tip side out of a step between the large diameter part
30 and small diameter part 22 of the above mentioned tip part body 21 as
shown in FIG. 3.
A flexible tube 37 forming a jacket tube of the insertable part 2 is
connected to the rear end part of the above mentioned tip part body 21 and
contains the above mentioned image guide 27, light guide 29 and signal
cable 34.
Now, in this embodiment, a hood 41 for protecting, for example, the above
mentioned objective lens system 26 and light distributing lens 28 is
removably provided on the tip side of the above mentioned tip part body
21, is formed to be substantially like a thick walled cylinder of an
outside diameter substantially the same as or somewhat larger than of the
above mentioned tip part body 21 as shown in FIG. 4 and has an engaging
part 42 consisting of a peripheral projection engaging with the engaging
part 23 provided on the above mentioned tip part body 21 formed on the
rear end side of the inner peripheral part. When the above mentioned hood
41 is externally fitted to the tip side of the above mentioned tip part
body 21 and the engaging parts 23 and 42 are engaged with each other, the
above mentioned hood 41 will be fixed to the above mentioned tip part body
21. When fixed to the above mentioned tip part body 21, the above
mentioned hood 41 will project at the tip forward of the tip surface of
the above mentioned tip part body 21. In this embodiment, a peripheral
groove 45 opening on the tip side is formed on the tip part of the above
mentioned hood 41 and contains an NMR metering antenna (coil) 46 so as to
be exposed. This antenna 46 is formed to be like a single winding loop, is
bent at both ends to the rear end side and is connected to two connector
receptacles 47 provided in the positions corresponding to connector pins
35 projecting out of the above mentioned tip part body 21.
The NMR metering means including the above mentioned antenna 46 is formed
as shown, for example, in FIG. 5.
The condenser box 33 within the tip part body 21 is connected to the above
mentioned antenna 46 through the above mentioned connector receptacles 47
and connector pins 35. For example, a high frequency generated from a high
frequency generator 51 provided within the above mentioned light source
apparatus 7 and tuned to a resonance frequency corresponding to a metering
object nucleus kind by a tuning circuit will be delivered to the above
mentioned antenna 46 through the above mentioned condenser box 33 and a
high frequency magnetic field will be delivered to a living body from this
antenna 46. By the way, in this embodiment, the direction of the above
mentioned high frequency magnetic field, that is, the detecting direction
will be parallel with the axial direction of the insertable part 2. A
condenser C.sub.1 in parallel with the above mentioned antenna 46 and a
variable condenser C.sub.2 in series with the above mentioned antenna 46
are contained within the above mentioned condenser box 33. A matching
circuit matching the impedances on the above mentioned antenna 46 side and
high frequency generator 51 side is formed of these condensers C.sub.1 and
C.sub.2.
In this embodiment, the above mentioned antenna 46 is to transmit and
receive signals. An NMR signal from a living body will be received by the
above mentioned antenna 46 and will be input into an NMR signal detecting
circuit 53 through the above mentioned condenser box 33. Such information
(NMR parameter) as the relieving time (T.sub.1, T.sub.2) will be obtained
in this NMR signal detecting circuit 53.
The operation of this embodiment formed as in the above shall be explained
in the following.
As shown in FIG. 2, the examinee 16 is mounted on the bed 15 and a static
magnetic field is given to the examinee 16 by the NMR apparatus 17. In
this state, the insertable part 2 of the NMR endoscope 1 is inserted
through the mouth cavity or the like of the examinee 16, an illuminating
light is fed to the light guide 29 of the NMR endoscope 1 and a stomach
wall upper layer part or the like is observed with the observing optical
system consisting of the objective lens system 26, image guide 27 and
eyepiece part 4. For example, in case an abnormal position is discovered
in the stomach wall upper layer part, a curving operation knob or the like
of the operating part 3 is operated to press the antenna 46 provided in
the hood 41 on the tip side of the tip part 13 against the abnormal
position. In this state, a high frequency will be delivered to the above
mentioned antenna 46 through the high frequency generator 51, tuning
circuit 52 and condenser box 33 and a high frequency magnetic field will
be delivered to the abnormal position from this antenna 46. By the way, it
is desirable that the direction of this high frequency magnetic field
intersects at right angles with the direction of the magnetic field. When
the NMR signal from the abnormal position is received by the above
mentioned antenna 46 and is metered by the NMR signal detecting circuit
53, the physiological variation of the abnormal position, for example,
whether it is a cancer or not will be able to be detected.
In this embodiment, the NMR metering antenna 46 is provided in the hood 41
of the tip part 13. Therefore, the antenna 46 can be provided in the tip
part 13 at a high space efficiency and the tip part 13 can be made smaller
in the size and diameter than in the case that the antenna 46 is contained
within the tip part 13.
Further, the antenna 46 can be formed to be like a loop having
substantially the same diameter as the outside diameter of the tip part
13. FIGS. 6 to 10 show a modification of the first embodiment.
In the first modification shown in FIG. 6, a condenser box 33 connected to
connector receptacles 47 is provided within a thick-walled substantially
cylindrical hood 61 and is connected with an NMR metering antenna 62. This
antenna 62 is embedded in the above mentioned hood 61 and is wound several
times, for example, twice in the peripheral direction.
The other formations are the same as in the first embodiment.
According to this modification, as the condenser box 33 is provided within
the hood 61, the tip part body 21 can be made smaller in the size and
diameter.
In the second modification shown in FIG. 7, a saddle-like antenna 67 is
embedded on one side of the diametral direction within a substantially
cylindrical hood 66. The other formation are the same as in the first
embodiment.
In this modification, the direction of the high frequency magnetic field
delivered from the above mentioned antenna 67, that is, the detecting
direction is a direction intersecting at right angles with the axial
direction of the insertable part 2 and NMR can be metered by contacting
the side part of the above mentioned hood 66 with the part to be examined.
Also, the detecting direction can be changed in response to the examined
part by replacing the hood 66 of this modification with the hood 46 of the
first embodiment.
In the third modification shown in FIG. 8, an antenna 72 is wound to be
like saddles on both sides of the diametral direction within a
substantially cylindrical hood 71. The other formations are the same as in
the first embodiment.
According to this modification, the same as in the second modification, the
detecting direction is a direction intersecting at right angles with the
axial direction of the insertable part 2 and the magnetic field can be
made large.
In the fourth modification shown in FIG. 9, a substantially cylindrical
hood 76 is formed at the tip to be oblique to the axial direction of the
insertable part 2, has a peripheral groove formed at the tip and contains
an antenna 77 in this groove. The above mentioned hood 76 is provided with
two semicircular incisions 78 in symmetrical positions in the direction
vertical to the axial direction so as to be somewhat rotatable on the tip
side.
According to this modification, the above mentioned antenna 77 provided on
the rotatable tip side of the hood 76 can be positively closely contacted
with the part to be examined.
In the fifth modification shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of, for example,
two saddle-like antennae 82 and 83 are embedded in the peripheral
direction within a substantially cylindrical hood 81 and are connected
respectively to connector receptacles 47.
According to this embodiment, for example, when the detecting directions by
the above mentioned antennae 82 and 83 are made different from each other,
the detecting direction will be able to be changed without moving the tip
part 13. By the way, a plurality of NMR metering circuits may be provided
in conformity with the number of the above mentioned antennae 82 and 83 or
the antenna connected to one circuit may be switched.
By the way, in the first embodiment, the hood provided with an NMR metering
antenna may be fixed to the tip part body 21 instead of being removably
fitted or may be formed integrally with the tip part body.
The optical observing means may be provided with a television camera in the
eyepiece part 4 of the endoscope 1.
FIGS. 11 and 12 show the second embodiment of the present invention.
This embodiment is of an electronic endoscope.
As shown in FIG. 12, and NMR endoscope 91 is to be connected to a video
processor 92 containing a light source apparatus and signal processing
apparatus through a connector 6 provided at the tip of a universal cord 5.
A monitor 93 is to be connected to the above mentioned video processor 92.
As shown in FIG. 11, in the above mentioned NMR endoscope 91, instead of
the image guide 27, such solid state imaging device 97 as a CCD (charge
coupled device) is arranged in the image forming position of the objective
lens system 26. Signal lines 98 are connected to this solid state imaging
device 97, are inserted through the insertable part 2, operating part 3
and universal cord 5 and are connected to the above mentioned connector 6.
The above mentioned solid state imaging device 97 is to be connected to a
signal processing circuit within the video processor 92 through the above
mentioned connector. The above mentioned solid state imaging device 97
will be driven by the above mentioned signal processing circuit, the
signal read out will be processed to be a video signal by the above
mentioned signal processing circuit, the video signal output from this
signal processing circuit will be input into the above mentioned monitor
93 and the object image will be displayed in this monitor 93.
A hood 41 provided with an antenna is to be fitted to the tip part 13 of
the insertable part 2 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. By
the way, in this embodiment, too, instead of the above mentioned hood 41,
such various hoods as are shown in FIGS. 6 to 10 can be fitted.
By the way, the above mentioned NMR endoscope 91 is provided with no
eyepiece part.
The other formations, operations and effects are the same as in the first
embodiment.
As explained above, according to the first and second embodiments, as the
NMR metering antenna is provided in the hood part of the tip part of the
insertable part, there is an effect that the NMR metering antenna can be
provided in the tip part without making the tip part large.
FIGS. 13 to 18 show the third embodiment of the present invention.
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, a hood 161 is to be removably
externally fitted to the tip part 13 of the insertable part 2 of the
endoscope 101.
The above mentioned endoscope 101 of substantially the same formation as of
the endoscope 1 of the first embodiment but, as shown in FIG. 14, a
treating tool channel 102 is formed within the insertable part 2 and a
leading inlet 111 communicating with the above mentioned treating tool
channel 102 is provided in the operating part 3.
As shown in FIG. 13, an observing window 122, for example, a channel
through hole 124, an air feeding nozzle not illustrated and water feeding
nozzle 126 both opening toward the above mentioned observing window 122
are provided on the tip surfaces of the tip part 13. The above mentioned
observing window 122 is fitted with an objective lens system 127 as an
observing optical system. The tip surface of an image guide not
illustrated inserted through the above mentioned insertable part 5 is
arranged in the image forming position of this objective lens system 127.
By the way, the optical axis of the above mentioned objective lens system
127 is substantially parallel with the axial direction of the insertable
part 2 and is of a straight viewing type.
The above mentioned illuminating window 123 is fitted with a light
distributing lens 128. A light guide not illustrated is arranged on the
rear and side of this light distributing lens 128. A channel tube not
illustrated forming the treating tool channel 102 is connected to the rear
end side of the above mentioned channel through hole 124, is inserted
through the above mentioned insertable part 2 and is connected to the
above mentioned leading inlet 111. An air feeding channel tube and water
feeding channel tube not illustrated are connected respectively to the
above mentioned air feeding nozzle and water feeding nozzle 26, are
inserted through the above mentioned insertable part 2 and universal cord
5 and are connected to the above mentioned connector 6.
By the way, in this embodiment, the insertable part 2 of the endoscope 1 is
formed of such non-metal as plastics so that, even with the insertable
part 2 left inserted within a body cavity 10, no influence may be given to
the NMR apparatus observing from outside the body.
The other formations of the endoscope 101 are the same as of the first
embodiment.
On the other hand, the hood 161 for protecting the above mentioned
objective lens 127 and light distributing lens 128 is formed of such
non-metal as plastics and has a loop like antenna part 162 made of an
electrically insulative tube embedded on the tip side. For example, an
antenna tube 163 inserted through the treating tool channel 102 is
connected to this antenna part 162 and forms a circulating pipe line
projecting out of the tip part 13 through the leading inlet 111 and
treating tool channel 102 of the endoscope 101 from a conductive liquid
delivering apparatus 140 provided outside the endoscope 101 and returning
to the above mentioned conductive liquid delivering apparatus 140 through
the above mentioned antenna part 162 and again through the treating tool
channel 102 and leading inlet 111.
As shown in FIG. 15, the above mentioned conductive liquid delivering
apparatus 140 is provided with a conductive liquid tank 141 interposed in
the pipe line of the above mentioned antenna tube 163 and storing a
conductive liquid 145 and a pump, for example, a rotary pump 142 for
delivering a conductive liquid or air into the above mentioned antenna
tube 163. The above mentioned conductive liquid tank 141 is provided on
the inflow side of the above mentioned rotary pump 142 and a switching
cock 143 is interposed in the antenna tube 163 between the conductive
liquid tank 141 and rotary pump 142. An air inflow tube 144 is connected
to the other inflow part of this switching cock 143. By switching the
above mentioned switching cock 143, the conductive liquid 145 stored in
the above mentioned conductive liquid tank 141 or air can be switched to
flow into the above mentioned rotary pump 142. By the way, the above
mentioned conductive liquid 145 as a fluid having a conductivity is such
liquid having a conductivity as a solution of an electrolyte, for example,
a saline solution.
As shown in FIG. 15, metallic tubes 151 are interposed in the parts led out
of the leading inlet 111 of the above mentioned antenna tube 163 between
the endoscope 101 and the above mentioned conductive liquid delivering
apparatus 140 and are connected respectively with signal line 152
connected to a high frequency transmitter and receiver 150 which transmits
high frequencies (currents) for metering NMR to the above mentioned signal
lines 152 and receives NMR signals from the above mentioned signal lies
152. The above mentioned high frequency transmitter and receiver 150 is
provided with a swi | | |
