Objective optical system for endoscope and endoscope

Abstract

An objective optical system for an endoscope forms an intermediate image at a position conjugate to an object surface and forms the intermediate image on an imaging plane again, and is adapted to satisfy Conditional expressions (1) to (3) in a case in which a maximum effective image height on the imaging plane is denoted by HI, a focal length of the entire system is denoted by f, an effective luminous flux diameter on a lens surface closest to an object is denoted by FD, an F-Number of the entire system is denoted by FNo, and a paraxial relay magnification of the intermediate image on the imaging plane is denoted by R.
0.7<HI/|f|(1)
FDFNo/|f|6(2)
2<R<0.8(3).

Claims

1. An objective optical system for an endoscope comprising a plurality of lenses, that forms an intermediate image at a position conjugate to an object surface and forms the intermediate image on an imaging plane again, wherein Conditional expressions (1) to (3) are satisfied in a case in which a maximum effective image height on the imaging plane is denoted by HI, a focal length of the objective optical system for an endoscope is denoted by f, an effective luminous flux diameter on a lens surface closest to an object of the objective optical system for an endoscope is denoted by FD, an F-Number of the objective optical system for an endoscope is denoted by FNo, and a paraxial relay magnification of the intermediate image on the imaging plane is denoted by R,
0.7<HI/|f|(1)
FDFNo/|f|<6(2)
2<R<0.8(3).

2. The objective optical system for an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein Conditional expression (4) is satisfied in a case in which a maximum effective luminous flux diameter among effective luminous flux diameters on lens surfaces of the objective optical system for an endoscope is denoted by BD,
BD/(2HI)<1.2(4).

3. The objective optical system for an endoscope according to claim 2, wherein Conditional expression (4-1) is satisfied,
0.5<BD/(2HI)<1.1(4-1).

4. The objective optical system for an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein Conditional expression (5) is satisfied,
3<2HI/FD(5).

5. The objective optical system for an endoscope according to claim 4, wherein Conditional expression (5-1) is satisfied,
3.5<2HI/FD<30(5-1).

6. The objective optical system for an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein Conditional expression (6) is satisfied in a case in which a half angle of view of the objective optical system for an endoscope is denoted by w,
HI/(tan()|f|)<0.75(6).

7. The objective optical system for an endoscope according to claim 6, wherein Conditional expression (6-1) is satisfied,
0.01<HI/(tan()|f|)<0.65(6-1).

8. The objective optical system for an endoscope according to claim 1, further comprising: a plane-parallel plate that is provided to be closer to the object than the lens surface closest to the object.

9. The objective optical system for an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein Conditional expression (1-1) is satisfied,
0.75<HI/|f|<10(1-1).

10. The objective optical system for an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein Conditional expression (2-1) is satisfied,
0.9<FDFNo/|f|<4.5(2-1).

11. The objective optical system for an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein Conditional expression (3-1) is satisfied,
1.5<R<0.9(3-1).

12. An endoscope comprising: the objective optical system for an endoscope according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure (common to Example 1) of an objective optical system for an endoscope according to an embodiment of the invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of an objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 2 of the invention.

(3) FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of an objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 3 of the invention.

(4) FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of an objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 4 of the invention.

(5) FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of an objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 5 of the invention.

(6) FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of an objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 6 of the invention.

(7) FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of an objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 7 of the invention.

(8) FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the respective aberrations of the objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 1 of the invention.

(9) FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the respective aberrations of the objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 2 of the invention.

(10) FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the respective aberrations of the objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 3 of the invention.

(11) FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the respective aberrations of the objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 4 of the invention.

(12) FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the respective aberrations of the objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 5 of the invention.

(13) FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the respective aberrations of the objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 6 of the invention.

(14) FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the respective aberrations of the objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 7 of the invention.

(15) FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of an endoscope according to an embodiment of the invention.

(16) FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a relay magnification.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(17) An embodiment of the invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of an objective optical system for an endoscope according to an embodiment of the invention. A structure example shown in FIG. 1 is common to the structure of an objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 1 to be described later. In FIG. 1, a left side is an object side, a right side is an image side, and an aperture stop St shown FIG. 1 does not necessarily represent a size or a shape and represents the position on an optical axis Z. Further, in FIG. 1, luminous flux a on an axis, luminous flux b corresponding to the maximum angle of view, and the like are shown together with symbols of the respective conditional expressions.

(18) FIG. 1 shows an example in which an optical member PP, of which an incident surface and an emitting surface are parallel to each other, is disposed between the objective optical system for an endoscope and an imaging plane Sim. The optical member PP is assumed as an optical path-converting prism that is used to bend an optical path, a filter, and/or a cover glass, and the optical member PP may be omitted in the invention. A bent optical path is formed in a case in which an optical path-converting prism is used, but a drawing in which an optical path is not bent is shown in FIG. 1 for easy understanding.

(19) The objective optical system for an endoscope of this embodiment forms an intermediate image at a position conjugate to an object surface and forms the intermediate image on the imaging plane Sim again, and is adapted to satisfy Conditional expressions (1) to (3) in a case in which the maximum effective image height on the imaging plane Sim is denoted by HI, the focal length of the entire system is denoted by f, the effective luminous flux diameter on a lens surface closest to an object is denoted by FD, the F-Number of the entire system is denoted by FNo, and a paraxial relay magnification of the intermediate image on the imaging plane Sim is denoted by R.
0.7<HI/|f|(1)
FDFNo/|f|<6(2)
2<R<0.8(3)

(20) Since the intermediate image is formed in the objective optical system for an endoscope, the diameter of a lens can be reduced while an aberration in an increase in the angle of view is corrected.

(21) Since it is possible to prevent the angle of view from being excessively reduced by making HI/|f| larger than the lower limit of Conditional expression (1), it is possible to ensure a sufficient angle of view for an endoscope. Better characteristics can be obtained in a case in which Conditional expression (1-1) is satisfied. Since it is possible to prevent the angle of view from being excessively increased by making HI/|f| smaller than the upper limit of Conditional expression (1-1), it is possible to prevent the lack of the amount of illumination light to be applied to an object to be observed.
0.75<HI/|f|<10(1-1)

(22) Since it is possible to prevent the diameter of a front lens from being excessively increased by making FNo/|f| smaller than the upper limit of Conditional expression (2), it is advantageous in ensuring a space in which an illumination optical system is disposed and/or disposing a plane-parallel plate, such as a cover glass. Further, since the amount of light sufficient for imaging can be taken in, it is advantageous in observing an object. Better characteristics can be obtained in a case in which Conditional expression (2-1) is satisfied. Since it is possible to prevent a distance between an object and a lens from being excessively reduced by making FDFNo/|f| larger than the lower limit of Conditional expression (2-1), endoscopic observation becomes easy.
0.9<FDFNo/|f|<4.5(2-1)

(23) Since it is possible to prevent an aberration caused by a lens, which is closer to the object than the intermediate image, from being excessively increased on the imaging plane Sim by making R larger than the lower limit of Conditional expression (3), it is advantageous in correcting an aberration. It is possible to prevent an increase in the diameter of a lens, which is provided near the intermediate image, by making R smaller than the upper limit of Conditional expression (3). Better characteristics can be obtained in a case in which Conditional expression (3-1) is satisfied.
1.5<R<0.9(3-1)

(24) It is preferable that Conditional expression (4) is satisfied in the objective optical system for an endoscope of this embodiment in a case in which the maximum effective luminous flux diameter among the effective luminous flux diameters on the respective lens surfaces of the entire system is denoted by BD and the maximum effective image height on the imaging plane Sim is denoted by HI. Since it is possible to prevent the diameter of a lens from being excessively increased by making BD/(2HI) smaller than the upper limit of Conditional expression (4), it is advantageous in reducing the size of an insertion part of an endoscope. Better characteristics can be obtained in a case in which Conditional expression (4-1) is satisfied. In a case in which BD/(2HI) is made larger than the lower limit of Conditional expression (4-1), it is advantageous in correcting astigmatism and distortion.
BD/(2HI)<1.2(4)
0.5<BD/(2HI)<1.1(4-1)

(25) Further, it is preferable that Conditional expression (5) is satisfied in a case in which the maximum effective image height on the imaging plane Sim is denoted by HI and the effective luminous flux diameter on a lens surface closest to an object is denoted by FD. Since it is possible to prevent the diameter of a front lens from being excessively increased by making 2HI/FD larger than the lower limit of Conditional expression (5), it is advantageous in ensuring a space in which an illumination optical system is disposed and/or disposing a plane-parallel plate, such as a cover glass. Better characteristics can be obtained in a case in which Conditional expression (5-1) is satisfied. Since it is possible to take in the amount of light sufficient for imaging by making 2HI/FD smaller than the upper limit of Conditional expression (5-1), it is advantageous in observing an object.
3<2HI/FD(5)
3.5<2HI/FD<30(5-1)

(26) Furthermore, it is preferable that Conditional expression (6) is satisfied in a case in which the maximum effective image height on the imaging plane Sim is denoted by HI, the half angle of view of the entire system is denoted by , and the focal length of the entire system is denoted by f. It is possible to prevent an image of a portion, which is to be observed in detail and positioned near an optical axis, from being excessively reduced in size and to ensure the amount of light at a peripheral portion by making HI/(tan()|f|) smaller than the upper limit of Conditional expression (6). Better characteristics can be obtained in a case in which Conditional expression (6-1) is satisfied. Since it is possible to prevent the angle of view from being excessively increased by making HI/(tan()|f|) larger than the lower limit of Conditional expression (6-1), it is possible to prevent the lack of the amount of illumination light to be applied to an object to be observed.
HI/(tan()|f|)<0.75(6)
0.01<HI/(tan()|f|)<0.65(6-1)

(27) Further, it is preferable that a plane-parallel plate, such as a cover glass, is provided to be closer to the object than a lens surface closest to the object. In a case in which such a plane-parallel plate is provided, it is possible to simplify a countermeasure for a sterilization treatment for preventing an infection and a repair countermeasure.

(28) Next, numerical examples of the objective optical system for an endoscope of the invention will be described. First, an objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 1. In FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2 to 7 corresponding to Examples 2 to 7 to be described later, a left side is an object side, a right side is an image side, and an aperture stop St shown FIG. 1 does not necessarily represent a size or a shape and represents the position on the optical axis Z. Further, in FIGS. 1 to 7, luminous flux a on an axis and luminous flux b corresponding to the maximum angle of view are shown together with each other.

(29) The objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 1 includes 13 lenses, that is, lenses L1 to L13 in this order from the object, and has a structure in which the aperture stop St is disposed to be closest to the object.

(30) The lens data of the objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 1 is shown in Table 1. Numerical values of the lens data are numerical values in a case in which the focal length f is standardized as 1. The meanings of symbols shown in Table 1 will be described in the following description using the objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 1 by way of example, but are basically the same as those of Examples 2 to 7.

(31) In the lens data of Table 1, surface numbers, which are sequentially increased toward an image surface from the surface of a component closest to the object as a first surface, are shown in the column of a surface number, the curvature radii of the respective surfaces are shown in the column of a curvature radius, and a spacing between each surface and the next surface on the optical axis Z is shown in the column of a surface spacing. Further, the refractive indexes of the optical elements with respect to a d line (a wavelength of 587.6 nm (nanometer)) are shown in the column of n, Abbe's numbers of the respective optical elements with respect to a d line (a wavelength of 587.6 nm (nanometer)) are shown in the column of v, and the effective luminous flux diameter on a lens surface closest to an object and the effective luminous flux diameter on a lens surface having the maximum effective luminous flux diameter are shown in the column of an effective luminous flux diameter. Further, the value of the maximum effective image height HI on the imaging plane Sim is shown together in the lens data.

(32) The sign of a curvature radius is positive in a case in which the shape of a surface is convex toward the object, and is negative in a case in which the shape of a surface is convex toward the image surface. The object surface, the aperture stop St, the optical member PP, and the imaging plane Sim are also included and shown in the lens data, and a plane-parallel plate CP is also included and shown in the lens data in the case of an example including the plane-parallel plate CP The expression of (St) is shown together with a surface number in the column of the surface number of a surface corresponding to the aperture stop St.

(33) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Example 1LENS DATA (n, ARE d LINE) Effective Surface Curvature Surface Luminous Flux Number Radius Spacing n Diameter Object 8.110 Surface 1(St) 0.535 1.72916 54.7 0.142 2 0.489 0.314 1.89286 20.4 3 1.137 0.081 4 4.707 0.531 1.77250 49.6 5 1.382 0.081 6 9.424 0.519 1.89190 37.1 7 2.946 0.892 2.012 8 1.308 0.661 2.00100 29.1 9 14.334 0.121 10 13.335 0.243 1.89286 20.4 11 0.733 1.522 12 3.746 0.243 1.78470 26.3 13 0.836 0.734 1.73800 32.3 14 2.071 0.081 15 0.738 1.050 1.48749 70.2 16 3.192 0.118 17 0.537 0.243 1.84666 23.8 18 1.222 0.091 19 1.755 0.793 1.62041 60.3 20 1.134 0.081 21 3.343 0.714 1.59522 67.7 22 1.692 0.243 1.89286 20.4 23 2.310 0.336 24 2.799 1.55920 53.9 Imaging Plane HI = 1.114

(34) Diagrams showing the respective aberrations of the objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 1 are shown in FIG. 8. A spherical aberration, astigmatism, distortion, and a lateral chromatic aberration are shown in this order from the left side in FIG. 8. Aberrations, which are obtained in a case in which a d line (a wavelength of 587.6 nm (nanometer)) is used as a reference wavelength, are shown in the diagrams that show the spherical aberration, the astigmatism, and the distortion. In the diagram showing the spherical aberration, aberrations corresponding to a d line (a wavelength of 587.6 nm (nanometer)), an F line (a wavelength of 486.1 nm (nanometer)), and a C line (a wavelength of 656.3 nm (nanometer)) are shown by a solid line, a dotted line, and a two-dot chain line, respectively. In the diagram showing the astigmatism, aberrations in a sagittal direction and a tangential direction are shown by a solid line and a dotted line, respectively. In the diagram showing the lateral chromatic aberration, aberrations corresponding to an F line (a wavelength of 486.1 nm (nanometer)) and a C line (a wavelength of 656.3 nm (nanometer)) are shown by a dotted line and a two-dot chain line, respectively. FNo in the diagram showing the spherical aberration means an F-Number and in the diagrams showing the other aberrations means the half angle of view.

(35) Next, an objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 2 will be described. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 2. The objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 2 includes 13 lenses, that is, lenses L1 to L13 in this order from an object, and has a structure in which an aperture stop St is disposed in the objective optical system for an endoscope. Further, the lens data of the objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 2 is shown in Table 2, and diagrams showing the respective aberrations of the objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 2 are shown in FIG. 9.

(36) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Example 2LENS DATA (n, ARE d LINE) Effective Surface Curvature Surface Luminous Flux Number Radius Spacing n Diameter Object 8.110 Surface 1 0.535 1.72916 54.7 0.224 2 0.489 0.314 1.89286 20.4 3 1.137 0.081 4 4.707 0.531 1.77250 49.6 5 1.382 0.081 6 9.424 0.519 1.89190 37.1 7 2.946 0.892 1.995 8 1.308 0.661 2.00100 29.1 9 14.334 0.121 10 13.335 0.243 1.89286 20.4 11 0.733 1.522 12 3.746 0.243 1.78470 26.3 13 0.836 0.734 1.73800 32.3 14 2.071 0.081 15 0.738 1.050 1.48749 70.2 16 3.192 0.000 17(St) 0.118 18 0.537 0.243 1.84666 23.8 19 1.222 0.091 20 1.755 0.793 1.62041 60.3 21 1.134 0.081 22 3.343 0.714 1.59522 67.7 23 1.692 0.243 1.89286 20.4 24 2.310 0.336 25 2.799 1.55920 53.9 Imaging Plane HI = 1.114

(37) Next, an objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 3 will be described. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 3. The objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 3 includes a plane-parallel plate CP and 13 lenses, that is, lenses L1 to L13 in this order from an object, and has a structure in which an aperture stop St is disposed to be closest to the object. Further, the lens data of the objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 3 is shown in Table 3, and diagrams showing the respective aberrations are shown in FIG. 10.

(38) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Example 3LENS DATA (n, ARE d LINE) Effective Surface Curvature Surface Luminous Flux Number Radius Spacing n Diameter Object 8.110 Surface 1 0.400 1.88299 40.8 2 0.100 3(St) 0.535 1.72916 54.7 0.142 4 0.489 0.314 1.89286 20.4 5 1.137 0.081 6 4.707 0.531 1.77250 49.6 7 1.382 0.081 8 9.424 0.519 1.89190 37.1 9 2.946 0.892 2.012 10 1.308 0.661 2.00100 29.1 11 14.334 0.121 12 13.335 0.243 1.89286 20.4 13 0.733 1.522 14 3.746 0.243 1.78470 26.3 15 0.836 0.734 1.73800 32.3 16 2.071 0.081 17 0.738 1.050 1.48749 70.2 18 3.192 0.118 19 0.537 0.243 1.84666 23.8 20 1.222 0.091 21 1.755 0.793 1.62041 60.3 22 1.134 0.081 23 3.343 0.714 1.59522 67.7 24 1.692 0.243 1.89286 20.4 25 2.310 0.336 26 2.799 1.55920 53.9 Imaging Plane HI = 1.114

(39) Next, an objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 4 will be described. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 4. The objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 4 includes 13 lenses, that is, lenses L1 to L13 in this order from an object, and has a structure in which an aperture stop St is disposed to be closest to the object. Further, the lens data of the objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 4 is shown in Table 4, and diagrams showing the respective aberrations of the objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 4 are shown in FIG. 11.

(40) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Example 4LENS DATA (n, ARE d LINE) Effective Surface Curvature Surface Luminous Flux Number Radius Spacing n Diameter Object 8.490 Surface 1(St) 0.552 1.51680 64.2 0.170 2 0.515 0.085 3 126.275 0.400 1.89286 20.4 4 1.132 1.053 1.84666 23.8 5 1.511 0.362 6 2.252 1.299 1.89190 37.1 2.296 7 10.277 0.085 8 1.011 0.551 2.00100 29.1 9 1.499 0.118 10 9.557 0.255 1.89286 20.4 11 0.511 0.365 12 0.972 0.682 1.85896 22.7 13 0.723 0.536 1.85150 40.8 14 1.317 0.085 15 1.190 0.415 1.89286 20.4 16 5.203 0.410 17 1.014 0.789 1.89286 20.4 18 1.478 0.096 19 2.330 0.485 1.83481 42.7 20 1.402 0.085 21 3.931 0.601 1.59522 67.7 22 0.999 0.255 1.78472 25.7 23 2.235 1.622 24 2.971 1.51633 64.1 Imaging Plane HI = 1.165

(41) Next, an objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 5 will be described. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 5. The objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 5 includes a plane-parallel plate CP and 13 lenses, that is, lenses L1 to L13 in this order from an object, and has a structure in which an aperture stop St is disposed in the objective optical system for an endoscope. Further, the lens data of the objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 5 is shown in Table 5, and diagrams showing the respective aberrations of the objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 5 are shown in FIG. 12.

(42) TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Example 5LENS DATA (n, ARE d LINE) Effective Surface Curvature Surface Luminous Flux Number Radius Spacing n Diameter Object 8.490 Surface 1 0.250 2.00100 29.1 2 0.050 3 0.552 1.51680 64.2 0.233 4 0.515 0.085 5 126.275 0.400 1.89286 20.4 6 1.132 1.053 1.84666 23.8 7 1.511 0.362 8 2.252 1.299 1.89190 37.1 2.327 9 10.277 0.085 10 1.011 0.551 2.00100 29.1 11 1.499 0.118 12 9.557 0.255 1.89286 20.4 13 0.511 0.365 14 0.972 0.682 1.85896 22.7 15 0.723 0.536 1.85150 40.8 16 1.317 0.085 17 1.190 0.415 1.89286 20.4 18 5.203 0.260 19(St) 0.150 20 1.014 0.789 1.89286 20.4 21 1.478 0.096 22 2.330 0.485 1.83481 42.7 23 1.402 0.085 24 3.931 0.601 1.59522 67.7 25 0.999 0.255 1.78472 25.7 26 2.235 1.622 27 2.971 1.51633 64.1 Imaging Plane HI = 1.165

(43) Next, an objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 6 will be described. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 6. The objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 6 includes 10 lenses, that is, lenses L1 to L10 in this order from an object, and has a structure in which an aperture stop St is disposed to be closest to the object. Further, the lens data of the objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 6 is shown in Table 6, and diagrams showing the respective aberrations of the objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 6 are shown in FIG. 13.

(44) TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Example 6LENS DATA (n, ARE d LINE) Effective Surface Curvature Surface Luminous Flux Number Radius Spacing n Diameter Object 7.850 Surface 1(St) 0.070 2 0.416 2.00100 29.1 0.405 3 0.473 0.628 1.89286 20.4 4 1.106 0.328 5 1.541 0.559 2.00100 29.1 6 3.395 2.785 7 1.491 0.726 1.88300 40.8 1.745 8 4.662 0.079 9 2.877 0.236 1.89286 20.4 10 5.544 0.570 11 0.937 0.616 1.89286 20.4 12 3.675 0.141 13 0.675 0.236 1.95906 17.5 14 1.705 0.079 15 1.295 0.478 1.83481 42.7 16 0.783 0.079 17 1.588 0.631 1.72916 54,7 18 2.008 0.236 1.84666 23.8 19 5.952 0.348 20 2.474 1.55920 53.9 21 0.236 1.51633 51.6 Imaging Plane 0.000 HI = 1.079

(45) Next, an objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 7 will be described. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of an objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 7. The objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 7 includes 10 lenses, that is, lenses L1 to L10 in this order from an object, and has a structure in which an aperture stop St is disposed in the objective optical system for an endoscope. Further, the lens data of the objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 7 is shown in Table 7, and diagrams showing the respective aberrations of the objective optical system for an endoscope of Example 7 are shown in FIG. 14.

(46) TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Example 7LENS DATA (n, ARE d LINE) Effective Surface Curvature Surface Luminous Flux Number Radius Spacing n Diameter Object 7.850 Surface 1 0.416 2.00100 29.1 0.437 2 0.473 0.628 1.89286 20.4 3 1.106 0.328 4 1.541 0.559 2.00100 29.1 5 3.395 2.785 6 1.491 0.726 1.88300 40.8 1.811 7 4.662 0.079 8 2.877 0.236 1.89286 20.4 9 5.544 0.570 10 0.937 0.616 1.89286 20.4 11 3.675 0.079 12(St) 0.063 13 0.675 0.236 1.95906 17.5 14 1.705 0.079 15 1.295 0.478 1.83481 42.7 16 0.783 0.079 17 1.588 0.631 1.72916 54.7 18 2.008 0.236 1.84666 23.8 19 5.952 0.348 20 2.474 1.55920 53.9 21 0.236 1.51633 51.6 Imaging Plane 0.000 HI = 1.079

(47) Values corresponding to Conditional expressions (1) to (6) of the objective optical systems for an endoscope of Examples 1 to 7 are shown in Table 8. A d line is also used as a reference wavelength in all examples, and the values shown in Table 8 are values that are obtained in a case in which this reference wavelength is used.

(48) TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8 Expression Conditional Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam- Number Expression ple1 ple2 ple3 ple4 (1) HI/|f| 1.11 1.11 1.11 1.17 (2) FD FNo/|f| 1.0 1.6 1.0 1.0 (3) R 1.13 1.13 1.13 1.06 (4) BD/(2 HI) 0.90 0.90 0.90 0.90 (5) 2 HI/FD 15.69 9.95 15.69 13.71 (6) HI/(tan() |f|) 0.23 0.23 0.23 0.11 Expression Conditional Exam- Exam- Exam- Number Expression ple5 ple6 ple7 (1) HI/|f| 1.17 1.08 1.08 (2) FD FNo/|f| 1.4 3.2 3.5 (3) R 1.06 1.36 1.36 (4) BD/(2 HI) 1.00 0.81 0.84 (5) 2 HI/FD 10.00 5.33 4.94 (6) HI/(tan() |f|) 0.11 0.56 0.57

(49) It is found from the above-mentioned data that all the objective optical systems for an endoscope of Examples 1 to 7 satisfy Conditional expressions (1) to (6), have wide total angles of view of 90 or more, have small effective luminous flux diameters on lens surfaces closest to the object, and have good optical performance.

(50) Next, an embodiment of an endoscope to which the objective optical system for an endoscope of the invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. 15. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the schematic structure of the entire endoscope. The endoscope 100 shown in FIG. 15 mainly includes an operation unit 102, an insertion part 104, and a universal cord 106 that is connected to a connector part (not shown). A large portion of the insertion part 104 is a soft portion 107 that is bendable in any direction along an insertion path, a bendable portion 108 is connected to the distal end of the soft portion 107, and a distal end portion 110 is connected to the distal end of the bendable portion 108. The bendable portion 108 is provided to allow the distal end portion 110 to turn in a desired direction, and can be operated to be bent by the rotational movement of a bending operation knob 109 provided on the operation unit 102. An objective optical system 1 for an endoscope according to the embodiment of the invention is provided in the distal end of the distal end portion 110. The objective optical system 1 for an endoscope is schematically shown in FIG. 15. Since the endoscope of this embodiment includes the objective optical system 1 for an endoscope, the distal end portion 110 of the endoscope can be reduced in size and the endoscope has a wide angle and can acquire good images.

(51) The invention has been described using the embodiment and examples, but the invention can have various modifications without being limited to the above-mentioned embodiment and the above-mentioned examples. For example, the curvature radius, the surface spacing, the refractive index, and Abbe's number of each lens may have other values without being limited to the values shown in the above-mentioned examples.

(52) Further, the objective optical system for an endoscope may include an aspherical lens, a GRIN lens, and/or a diffractive optical element other than a spherical lens.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES

(53) 1: objective optical system for endoscope 100: endoscope 102: operation unit 104: insertion part 106: universal cord 107: soft portion 108: bendable portion 109: bending operation knob 110: distal end portion CP: plane-parallel plate L1 to L13: lens PP: optical member Sim: imaging plane St: aperture stop a: luminous flux on axis h: luminous flux corresponding to maximum angle of view Z: optical axis