JP2015116235A - Endoscope system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate insertion of an endoscope into an indwelling catheter.SOLUTION: An endoscope system 1 includes: an insertion portion 11 in which an imaging optical system and an illumination optical system are covered with a protection tube; an operational part 12 connected to a base end of the insertion portion; a solution sending means 20; and a joint 30. The joint includes: a first connector part 31 which is connected to a proximal end 103 of an indwelling catheter 100 indwelled in a human body; a second connector part 32 connected to an output end of the solution sending means; an insertion port 33 where the insertion portion is inserted; and a path 34 which communicates with the first connector part and communicates with the second connector part at one side and the insertion port at the another side via a confluence part. The insertion portion entering the path from the insertion port passes through the confluence part and the first connector part to be able to enter the indwelling catheter connected to the first connector part, and a liquid sent from the solution sending means connected to the second connector part passes through the confluence part and the first connector part to be able to flow in the indwelling catheter connected to the first connector part.

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope system.

  In the endoscope system described in Patent Literatures 1-3, an endoscope internal insertion portion is configured by inserting an optical system for image acquisition constituted by an optical fiber or the like into a catheter. A function of bending an endoscopic insertion portion configured to include this catheter is provided.

Special table 2012-517309 gazette Japanese Patent No. 4764417 Japanese Patent No. 4966195

By the way, by inserting a small-diameter endoscope using an optical fiber into an indwelling catheter placed in the human body for peritoneal dialysis, it was possible to observe the inside of the indwelling catheter and the body, which was useful for examinations and treatments. Can be expected.
However, in an endoscope system including a catheter as described in Patent Documents 1-3 above, the catheter is a dedicated product for the endoscope system, and the dedicated product before insertion into the body. A catheter is incorporated into the endoscope system.
When the endoscopic insertion portion is inserted into an indwelling catheter that is indwelled in a human body, it may not be able to be inserted smoothly. Because the indwelling catheter is not configured to insert the endoscope, a material with high frictional properties such as silicone may be employed, and the insertion part in the endoscope is caught on the inner wall of the indwelling catheter. The indwelling catheter may be indwelled in the human body with a spiral part, a bent part, etc., and cannot be extended linearly when an endoscope is inserted. This is because the insertion is difficult due to factors such as difficulty in applying a strong force for insertion of the endoscope because it is indwelled in the human body or directly grasping the internal part of the indwelling catheter.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems in the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide an endoscope system that facilitates insertion into an indwelling catheter.

The invention according to claim 1 for solving the above-described problems includes an insertion portion in which the imaging optical system and the illumination optical system are covered with a protective tube;
An operation unit connected to a proximal end of the insertion unit;
Liquid feeding means;
A first connector portion connected to a proximal end of an indwelling catheter to be placed on a human body, a second connector portion connected to an output end of the liquid feeding means, an insertion port for inserting the insertion portion, and the first connector portion; On the other hand, the second connector portion has a path that communicates with the insertion port on the other side through the communication junction portion, and the insertion portion that enters the path from the insertion port has the junction portion and the first connector portion. It is configured to be able to enter the indwelling catheter connected to the first connector part through the liquid supplied from the liquid supply means connected to the second connector part. The liquid is supplied to the confluence part and the first connector part. A joint configured to be able to flow into the indwelling catheter connected to the first connector portion through;
Is an endoscope system.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the joint includes a backflow prevention valve for preventing the liquid from flowing out from the insertion port between the insertion port and the junction. It is.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the endoscope system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the insertion portion and the operation portion are detachably connected.

  A fourth aspect of the present invention is the endoscope system according to any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising a bending operation mechanism for bending the insertion portion.

  A fifth aspect of the present invention is the endoscope system according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the insertion portion is formed by bending.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the endoscope system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the insertion portion is configured to have a bending rigidity that is lower toward a distal end.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the endoscope system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the insertion portion has a member that can be detected from outside the body by X-rays or ultrasonic waves at a predetermined position. It is.

  The invention according to claim 8 has a third connector portion connected to the first connector portion at one end and is connected to an indwelling catheter of a type different from the indwelling catheter to which the first connector portion can be connected at the other end. It is an endoscope system as described in any one of Claims 1-7 provided with 1 type or multiple types of conversion connectors which have a 4th possible connector part.

  According to the present invention, in the joint connected to the indwelling catheter and in the indwelling catheter, the liquid from the liquid feeding means can flow toward the body around the insertion part, and this fluid causes the insertion part and the inner wall of the indwelling catheter to flow. And the force that pushes the insertion portion toward the body acts, so that the insertion portion can be easily inserted into the indwelling catheter.

It is a mimetic diagram showing the outline of the endoscope system concerning one embodiment of the present invention, and shows the state where each part was separated. It is a mimetic diagram showing the outline of the endoscope system concerning one embodiment of the present invention, and shows the state where each part was connected. It is a mimetic diagram showing the outline of the endoscope system concerning one embodiment of the present invention, and shows the state where each part including a conversion connector was connected. It is a figure of various tube connectors. It is a figure which shows the connector part provided in the infusion device, and the syringe connected to this. It is a cut perspective view of a snap fit type connector part. FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram (a) showing an embodiment of an endoscope and a distal end view (b) of an insertion portion. It is a schematic diagram which shows the use scenery of the endoscope shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram (a) showing an embodiment of an endoscope and a distal end view (b) of an insertion portion. FIG. 2 is an external view (a) and a configuration diagram (b) showing an embodiment of an endoscope operation section, and a longitudinal sectional view (c) showing an embodiment of an endoscope insertion section. They are a longitudinal cross-sectional view (a) and a front end view (b) showing one embodiment of the distal end structure of the endoscope insertion portion. It is a front end view which shows one form of the front-end | tip structure of an endoscope insertion part. It is a front end view which shows one form of the front-end | tip structure of an endoscope insertion part. It is a front end view which shows one form of the front-end | tip structure of an endoscope insertion part. It is a general view which shows one form of an endoscope insertion part. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows one form of an endoscope insertion part. An overall view (a) showing an embodiment of an endoscope insertion portion having a bending formation portion, views (b) and (c) showing how the endoscope insertion portion is inserted into an indwelling catheter, and a bending formation portion FIG. 11 (d) is a diagram showing a state in which a linearly formed endoscope insertion portion that does not have is inserted into an indwelling catheter. It is a general view which shows each one form of the endoscope insertion part which has a bending formation part. Overall view showing each form of the endoscope insertion part having a bending formation part (a) (b) and (b) showing how the endoscope insertion part shown in (b) is inserted into the indwelling catheter It is. It is a general view which shows each one form of the endoscope insertion part which has a bending formation part. It is a perspective view of the front-end | tip part of the endoscope insertion part for demonstrating one form of an insertion part bending operation mechanism. It is a perspective view of the endoscope insertion part for demonstrating one form of an insertion part bending operation mechanism. It is a perspective view of the front-end | tip part of the endoscope insertion part for demonstrating one form of an insertion part bending operation mechanism. It is a perspective view of the front-end | tip part of the endoscope insertion part for demonstrating one form of a detection marker. It is a perspective view of the endoscope insertion part for demonstrating one form of a detection marker. It is the perspective view (a) and the cross-sectional view (b) of the protective tube which comprise the exterior of the endoscope insertion part for demonstrating one form which changes the bending rigidity of an insertion part. It is a block diagram which shows one form of an endoscope operation part. The block diagram which shows one form of the endoscope operation part which has an operation dial as an operation member of an insertion part bending operation mechanism, and the block diagram which shows one form of the endoscope operation part which has an operation lever as the operation member (b).

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The following is one embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the present invention.

[Overview of system configuration]
First, an overall outline of the endoscope system will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the endoscope system 1 of this embodiment includes an endoscope 10, a liquid feeding means 20, and a joint 30. FIG. 1 shows a state where the joint 30 and each part are separated, FIG. 2 shows a state where each part is connected to the joint 30 and an endoscope is inserted, and FIG. 3 shows a case where the conversion connector 40 is further connected.
The endoscope 10 includes an insertion unit 11 and an operation unit 12. The insertion unit 11 is configured by covering an imaging optical system and an illumination optical system with a protective tube.
As the imaging optical system, an image fiber that transmits an image formed by the imaging lens or an imaging element that captures an image is applied in addition to the imaging lens disposed at the distal end of the insertion portion 11.
For the illumination optical system, a solid light emitting element disposed at the distal end portion of the insertion portion 11 or a light guide fiber that guides light of a light source provided in the operation portion 12 to the distal end of the insertion portion 11 is applied.

  The protective tube houses the imaging optical system and the illumination optical system, and constitutes the exterior of the insertion portion 11. The protective tube is made of a material having moderate flexibility and good surface slipperiness.

The operation unit 12 is connected to the proximal end of the insertion unit 11. In particular, it is preferable to implement a configuration in which the insertion portion 11 and the operation portion 12 are detachably connected. In this case, the insertion unit 11 can be removed from the operation unit 12 and only the insertion unit 11 of the endoscope 10 can be cleaned and sterilized, and the insertion unit 11 can be made disposable (disposable specification). Hygiene can be maintained.
That is, in order to prevent the occurrence of infectious diseases, the catheter and the endoscope inserted into the body cavity are provided sterilized, but the parts to be sterilized can be limited to the insertion portion 11. Sterilization methods include EOG sterilization, autoclave, and γ-ray sterilization.
Moreover, there is a problem that the characteristics of the slippery coat applied to the outer peripheral surface of the protective tube are deteriorated by repeatedly sterilizing the insertion portion 11. Therefore, when the connector 10 is provided so that the endoscope 10 can be separated into the insertion portion 11 and the operation portion 12, and the insertion portion 11 is designed to be disposable for each use, the insertion portion 11 having good slipperiness is always provided. And facilitates insertion into the indwelling catheter 100. Further, when it is disposable, there is no risk of infectious diseases due to lack of cleaning and sterilization as compared with a general endoscope that is reused.

The operation unit 12 is a hand-held configuration that is held by an operator and used for operations such as forward and backward movement of the insertion unit 11 and rotation about an axis, and for illumination and imaging via the insertion unit 11. This is a base unit in which the optical or electrical configuration is accommodated.
Further, a bending operation mechanism for bending the insertion portion 11 with a wire or the like connected to the protective tube can be provided. In this case, operation members such as a dial and a lever are installed on the connector portion at the base end of the insertion portion 11 described above or on the operation portion 12.

  Moreover, there is an advantage in applying what was bent as the insertion part 11. FIG. It has a bent shape initially in an unloaded state. The bending shape is a shape bent in the range of 30 degrees to 180 degrees in the vicinity of the distal end of the insertion portion 11. By operating the operation unit 12 and rotating the insertion unit 11 about the axis, the distal end of the insertion unit 11 is inserted in the inward direction of the indwelling catheter 100 at a bent portion such as the bending portion 101 or the spiral portion 102 of the indwelling catheter 100. This makes it easier to feed the insert 11 into the distal end 104 of the indwelling catheter 100. Further, by operating the operation unit 12 and rotating the insertion unit 11 about the axis, the viewing direction changes, and a wider range can be observed. At this time, the specific bending shape of the insertion portion 11 is optimal depending on the positional relationship between the distal end 104 of the indwelling catheter 100 and the object to be observed and the viewing angle of the imaging optical system of the insertion portion 11. It is desirable to make it. For example, in the case of an imaging optical system with a viewing angle of 60 degrees in all angles, if the bending shape is set to 30 degrees, when the insertion section 11 is rotated around the axis, the axial front is always in the field of view. The operation can be performed while ensuring the field of view in the depth direction of the indwelling catheter into which 11 is inserted.

  Moreover, as the insertion part 11, there exists an advantage in applying what was comprised by bending rigidity so that the front-end | tip was low. In this case, the insertion portion 11 can be easily entered even in a bent portion having a high curvature of the indwelling catheter 100, and an axial force for insertion by a portion having a relatively high bending rigidity on the proximal end side is easily transmitted. It becomes easy to insert the part 11.

  Further, the insertion portion 11 has an advantage in having a member that can be detected by X-rays or ultrasonic waves at a predetermined position. This is because when the insertion portion 11 is inserted into the indwelling catheter 100, the insertion depth of the insertion portion 11 can be confirmed and the distal end of the insertion portion 11 can be guided to a desired position with high positional accuracy.

  As the liquid feeding means 20, an infusion bag, a syringe, an infusion pump, a syringe pump, or the like provided for medical use is applied. For example, the infusion bag is connected to the joint 30 via the infusion tube 21. When an infusion bag is applied, power can be delivered by using an infusion pump. As an infusion pump, a roller method, a finger method, a voltmetric method, or the like is used. Further, instead of the infusion bag, a syringe is connected to the joint 30 via the infusion tube 21 or directly. When a syringe is applied, power can be fed by applying a syringe pump.

The joint 30 includes a first connector part 31, a second connector part 32, an insertion port 33, and a communication path 34.
The first connector part 31 is connected to the proximal end 103 of the indwelling catheter 100. The second connector portion 32 is connected to the output end 22 of the liquid feeding means 20. The insertion port 33 is for inserting the insertion portion 11.
The communication path 34 communicates with the first connector part 31 through the joining part 34a, communicates with the second connector part 32 on the one hand, and communicates with the insertion port 33 on the other side, and is divided into three parts at the joining part 34a. The flow path member. The communication path from the first connector portion 31 to the insertion port 33 is preferably formed linearly. This is to facilitate insertion of the insertion portion 11.
In addition, the joint 30 includes a backflow prevention valve 35 that prevents the liquid from flowing out from the insertion port 33 between the insertion port 33 and the merging portion 34a.

The joint 30 is configured as described above. As shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, the insertion portion 11 that enters the communication path 34 from the insertion port 33 passes through the joining portion 34a and the first connector portion to the first connector portion. The liquid can be entered into the connected indwelling catheter 100 and the liquid fed from the liquid feeding means 20 connected to the second connector part 32 is connected to the first connector part 31 through the merging part 34a and the first connector part 31. It can flow into the indwelling catheter 100.
Therefore, in the joint 30 connected to the indwelling catheter 100 and in the indwelling catheter 100, the liquid from the liquid feeding means 20 can flow around the insertion portion 11 toward the body. This fluid reduces the friction between the insertion portion 11 and the inner wall of the indwelling catheter 100. That is, by sending a liquid such as physiological saline between the indwelling catheter 100 and the insertion part 11, the contact resistance between the inner surface of the indwelling catheter 100 and the outer surface of the insertion part 11 is reduced, and the condition of high slipperiness is achieved. The insertion part 11 can be inserted into the indwelling catheter 100 below. Moreover, since the force which pushes the insertion part 11 toward the body acts by this fluid, the insertion of the insertion part 11 into the indwelling catheter 100 is facilitated.

  As the liquid fed from the liquid feeding means 20, a liquid having biocompatibility is applied. For example, if the indwelling catheter 100 is for peritoneal dialysis, there is no problem if a peritoneal dialysis solution is applied. Lubricants such as those used in urinary catheters may be used. In addition, physiological saline can be applied. On the premise of having biocompatibility, it is preferable to select a liquid having a high property that improves the slipperiness between the insertion portion 11 and the inner wall of the indwelling catheter 100.

The first connector part 31 is connected to the proximal end 103 of the indwelling catheter 100. There are the following two methods for dealing with the various sizes, shapes, attached connector parts, and the like of the indwelling catheter 100 at the proximal end 103.
One is to prepare various joints 30 having different structures of the first connector part 31 and select the joint 30 having the first connector part 31 to which the indwelling catheter 100 can be connected to the proximal end 103. However, according to this method, the resource utilization efficiency is not excellent.
Therefore, another method is to use a conversion connector 40 as shown in FIG. The conversion connector 40 has a third connector part 41 connected to the first connector part 31 at one end 40a, and is connected to a mating structure of a type different from the mating structure to which the first connector part 31 can be connected to the other end 40b. A possible fourth connector part 42 is provided. This can be dealt with by preparing various conversion connectors 40 having different structures of the fourth connector portion 42.

[Indwelling catheter configuration]
The applied indwelling catheter will be described.
Examples of the indwelling catheter to be applied include a peritoneal dialysis catheter, a urinary catheter, a renal pelvis catheter, a urinary bladder catheter, and a drainage tube. Examples of drainage tubes include abdominal drainage, thoracic drainage, and ventricular drainage.

[Connector type]
An example of a connector that can be applied to the proximal end 103 of the indwelling catheter 100, the first connector portion 31, the second connector portion 32, the third connector portion 41, the fourth connector portion 42, and the output end 22 of the liquid delivery means 20 will be described. To do.
Examples thereof include a peritoneal dialysis connector shown in FIG. 4 (a), a luer connector shown in FIG. 4 (b), and a screw lock connector shown in FIG. 4 (c). These are applied to the connection between the tube 401 and the tube 402, respectively. The spike type connector shown in FIG. 4D is applied to the connection between the tube 404 integrated with the infusion bag 403 and the tube 405.
The connector for peritoneal dialysis shown in FIG. 4A is composed of a connector part main body (male type) 406, a lock nut 407, and a connector part (female type) 408. The luer connector shown in FIG. 4B is composed of a connector part (female type) 409 and a connector part (male type) 410. The screw lock type connector shown in FIG. 4C includes a connector part (female type) 411 and a connector part (male type) 412. The spike type connector shown in FIG. 4 (d) includes a connector part (female type) 413 and a connector part (male type) 414.

For example, when the tube 401 shown in FIG. 4A is the indwelling catheter 100, the indwelling catheter 100 and the joint 30 can be connected if the connector part (female type) 408 is employed as the first connector part 31. . However, in this case, the first connector part 31 cannot be connected to the connector part (female type) 409 and the connector part (female type) 411. Therefore, the conversion connector 40 is used. The third connector portion 41 of the conversion connector 40 may be formed in the shape of the connecting end portion of the connector portion main body (male type) 406, and the fourth connector portion 42 may be formed in the shape of the connecting end portion of the connector portion (male type) 410. For example, the first connector portion 31 can be connected to the connector portion (female type) 409 through the conversion connector 40. Similarly, the third connector part 41 of the conversion connector 40 is formed in the connection end part shape of the connector part main body (male type) 406, and the fourth connector part 42 is formed in the connection end part shape of the connector part (male type) 412. Then, the first connector part 31 can be connected to the connector part (female type) 411 through the conversion connector 40.
Such a conversion connector can also be applied between the liquid feeding means 20 and the second connector portion 32. FIG. 5 shows an example of the connector portion 502 that is connected to the syringe 501. By adopting the connector portion 502 as the second connector portion 32, the syringe 501 can be connected without using an infusion tube.

  Also, a snap-fit connector is proposed as shown in FIG. A tube 601 is connected to one end of the connector component shown in FIG. The tube 601 is used as the indwelling catheter 100 or the infusion tube 21. The other end 602 is connected to the joint 30 in a snap-fit manner. The structure of the other party that receives the other end 602 in a snap-fit manner is configured in the first connector portion 31 and the second connector portion 32.

[Form of endoscope]
Several forms of the endoscope 10 will be described.

(Form 1)
FIG. 7 shows a form of an endoscope in which an imaging element 701 is applied as an imaging optical system and a solid-state light emitting element 702 is applied as an illumination optical system.
An endoscope 10A shown in FIG. 7 includes an insertion portion 11A and an operation portion 12A. The insertion portion 11A is configured by covering an imaging optical system and an illumination optical system with a protective tube 703.
As the imaging optical system, an imaging element 701 and an electrical cable 705 that capture an image formed by the imaging lens 704 are applied in addition to the imaging lens 704 disposed at the distal end of the insertion portion 11A. As the image sensor 701, an electronic device that performs photoelectric conversion, such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or a CMOS image sensor, is applied. The electric cable 705 is used to supply drive power to the image sensor 701 and the solid state light emitting device 702 and to transmit a video signal captured by the image sensor 701. Here, the solid light emitting element 702 is an LED (Light Emitting Diode).

  The protective tube 703 accommodates the imaging optical system and the illumination optical system inside and constitutes the exterior of the insertion portion 11A. The protective tube 703 is made of a material having moderate flexibility and good surface slipperiness.

12 A of operation parts are connected to the base end of 11 A of insertion parts. In particular, a connector portion 722 is configured at the proximal end of the insertion portion 11A and is detachably connected to the operation portion 12A. The operation unit 12A is a hand-held configuration that is held by an operator and used for operations such as forward and backward movement of the insertion unit 11A and rotation about an axis, and for illumination and imaging through the insertion unit 11A. This is a base unit in which the optical or electrical configuration is accommodated.
Further, a bending operation mechanism is provided for bending the insertion portion 11 </ b> A with a wire 706 connected to the protective tube 703. An operation dial 707 is installed as an operation member on the connector portion 722.
A member (detection marker) 708 that can be detected by X-rays or ultrasonic waves is embedded in the protective tube 703 at a predetermined position.

The video processor 709 configured in the operation unit 12A receives the video captured by the image sensor 701 via the electric cable 705, performs necessary image processing, and outputs the image to the video output terminal 710. The captured video is displayed on the video display monitor 711 connected to the video output terminal 701. The video output from the video output terminal 710 can be recorded in the recording device 712.
The light source driver 713 applies a driving current to the solid state light emitting device 702 via the electric cable 705 to drive the solid state light emitting device 702 to emit light. The operation unit 12A is provided with an operation member such as a light amount adjustment knob 714, and the light amount of the solid state light emitting element 702 can be adjusted. The power source of the electric drive unit including the video processor 709 and the light source driver 713 in the operation unit 12A is an AC power source connected via a battery 716 or a power cable 717 loaded in the loading unit 715 provided in the operation unit 12A. The power switch 718 is provided in the operation unit 12A. The remaining amount of the battery 716 is displayed by an indicator 721.
The connector portion 722 is provided with a channel port 719. The channel port 719 communicates with the channel 720.

  FIG. 8 shows a usage scene. For example, a video display monitor 711 and a recording device 712 are installed on the table 801, and a syringe 802 or an infusion pump 803 as the liquid feeding means 20 is placed as necessary. A syringe 802 or an infusion pump 803 is connected to the joint 30 via the infusion tube 21. Further, the indwelling catheter 100 and the joint 30 are connected. Thereafter, infusion is started and the liquid is delivered to the indwelling catheter 100. At the same time as or after the start of the infusion, the insertion portion 11A of the endoscope 10A is inserted from the insertion port 33 of the joint 30. By detecting the member 708 by the X-ray or ultrasonic detection device 804, the insertion portion 11A is moved deeper while the insertion portion 11A is bent by the operation dial 707 if necessary while monitoring the position and posture of the insertion portion 11A. And insert. When the distal end of the insertion portion 11A is in the indwelling catheter 100, the inside of the indwelling catheter 100 can be observed while performing the bending operation of the insertion portion 11A as necessary. Further, when the distal end portion of the insertion portion 11A comes out from the distal end 104 of the indwelling catheter 100, the inside of the body cavity in which the indwelling catheter 100 is placed can be observed while performing the bending operation of the insertion portion 11A as necessary. Further, if necessary, forceps 805 is inserted through channel port 719 and used.

(Form 2)
FIG. 9 shows a form of an endoscope to which an image fiber 901 is applied as an imaging optical system and a light guide fiber 902 is applied as an illumination optical system.
An endoscope 10B illustrated in FIG. 9 includes an insertion unit 11B and an operation unit 12B. As in FIG. 7, the same reference numerals are given to the portions and description thereof is omitted.
As an imaging optical system, in addition to an imaging lens (see reference numeral 904 in FIG. 11) held by a lens frame 903 disposed at the distal end of the insertion portion 11B, an image for transmitting an image formed by this imaging lens. Fiber 901 is applied.
A light guide fiber 902 is applied as the illumination optical system.

The operation unit 12B is connected to the proximal end of the insertion unit 11B. The image fiber 901 is optically coupled to a relay optical system 905 disposed in the operation unit 12B. The relay optical system 905 relays between the image fiber 901 and the eyepiece lens 906, and an image transmitted by the image fiber 901 can be observed with the eyepiece unit 907.
The operation unit 12B is provided with a light source 908 for illumination light. Light from the light source 908 enters the light guide fiber 902 through the coupling lens 909 and is guided to the distal end surface of the insertion unit 11B by the light guide fiber 902. To be irradiated.

  Further, in order to output an image transmitted by the image fiber 901 to the video display monitor 711, a signal conversion adapter 910 is used by being connected to the eyepiece unit 907. The signal conversion adapter 910 includes an imaging lens 911, an imaging device 912, a video processor 913, and a video output terminal 914, and outputs an image emitted from the eyepiece lens 906 to the video output terminal 914 as a video signal.

As described above, the image pickup optical system uses the image fiber 901 in which thousands of optical fibers are formed in a bundle shape, and a GRIN lens that is closely fixed to the image fiber 901 is provided at the tip of the image fiber 901. And plays the role of an imaging lens.
The illumination optical system includes a light guide fiber 902 in which hundreds of optical fibers for propagating light from an illumination light source to an observation target are formed in a bundle.
A flexible protective tube 703 is provided outside the imaging optical system and the illumination optical system, and protects the contact between the living body and the optical component.

The optical fiber that makes up the image fiber and light guide fiber can be any of multi-component glass, quartz glass, and plastic (polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, styrene acrylonitrile, polyurethane, etc.) with transparency and color that suits the application. You may choose. Further, the diameter, NA, number, etc. of the optical fiber to be used may be arbitrarily selected within a range in which assembly is possible.
Note that as in the first embodiment, a photoelectric element used in an electronic endoscope or the like may be used in the imaging optical system instead of the image fiber. In this case, an image with higher image quality than the image fiber can be obtained.

(Form 3)
An embodiment in which the imaging optical system according to the first aspect and the illumination optical system according to the second aspect are combined can be given.
(Form 4)
An embodiment in which the imaging optical system according to the second aspect and the illumination optical system according to the first aspect are combined may be mentioned.
(Form 5)
The function of the video display monitor and / or the recording device shown in FIG. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, a thin image display device 1001 is mounted on the operation unit 12C. Further, as shown in FIG. 10B, the writing device 1003 of the recording medium 1002 is mounted on the operation unit 12C. 10B illustrates an example in which the connector unit 1004 and the image fiber 1005 are configured in the insertion unit 11C illustrated in FIG. 10B, and the imaging lens 1006, the imaging element 1007, and the video processor 1008 are configured in the operation unit 12C. .
(Form 6)
As shown in FIG. 10 (c), the illumination optical system transmits light from the light source 1010 through the light guide fiber 902 to the phosphor 1009 applied to the distal end surface of the light guide fiber 902 located at the distal end surface of the insertion portion 11B. An optical system that irradiates the observation object from the phosphor 1009 as illumination light by irradiating the guided excitation light and exciting the phosphor 1009 may be used. That is, the phosphor 1009 is used as an illumination light source.
By applying the phosphor 1009 to the distal end surface of the light guide fiber 902, the light emitting surface serving as the illumination light source can be disposed near the observation target, so that the illumination light can be irradiated with a strong light amount, and The size can be reduced as compared with a general LED.

(Type of insertion part)
Next, various forms of the insertion portion 11 will be disclosed.

As shown in FIG. 9, the insertion portion 11B is configured by combining an image fiber and a light guide fiber. In this case, as shown in FIG. 11, the insertion structure having a small diameter can be configured with a simple structure by configuring the tip structure.
As shown in FIG. 11, the imaging optical system is configured by fixing an imaging lens 904 with a lens frame 903 on the tip surface of an image fiber 901. The light guide fiber 902 is a tube-shaped optical fiber bundle and is disposed on the outer periphery of the imaging optical system. A protective tube 703 covers the outer periphery of the light guide fiber 902. As shown in FIG. 11B, it is possible to adopt a structure in which the imaging optical system is arranged at the center, and the light guide fiber 902 is arranged concentrically around the periphery. With this structure, the insertion portion 11B of the endoscope can be reduced in diameter, and uniform illumination light can be emitted to the field of view of the imaging optical system.

As described above, the pipe-shaped lens frame 903 is provided around the distal ends of the imaging lens 904 and the image fiber 901. By fixing the image forming lens 904 and the image fiber 901 in the lens frame 903, the adhesion between the image forming lens 904 and the image fiber 901 is improved, and the image forming lens 904 is dropped during use of the endoscope. Reduce the risk of doing so.
A transparent adhesive is used to fix the imaging lens 904, the image fiber 901, and the lens frame 903. The material of the adhesive may be a UV curable adhesive or an epoxy adhesive.
The lens frame 903 also has an effect of blocking stray light that enters the imaging optical system by reflection or scattering from the illumination optical system. In order to block stray light, the outer peripheral surface of the imaging lens 904 may be painted black with black carbon or the like instead of the lens frame 903. Further, if the entire outer peripheral surface of the image fiber 901 is painted black, the light shielding effect is further improved.

Further, by adopting a light guide fiber 902A shown in FIG. 12 in which the inner periphery is unevenly distributed with respect to the outer periphery, the imaging optical system can be arranged eccentrically from the center of the insertion portion 11B. A portion having a large radial thickness can be formed in 902A.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, a thick optical fiber 1301 can be arranged, and the imaging optical system and the illumination optical system can be arranged in a smaller cross-sectional area. The periphery of the thick optical fiber 1301 is sealed with a sealing material 1302.
Further, since the light guide fiber 902A can be formed with a portion having a large radial thickness, the exit surface of the light guide fiber 902A is widened, and it is easy to install an optical component such as a filter on the exit surface. .

  Further, the channel 720 can be provided as shown in FIG. A tube-shaped optical fiber bundle is used as the light guide fiber 902B, but this is cut in the axial direction, and by placing an imaging optical system (image fiber) thicker than the original inner diameter, the cut end faces are separated from each other and a gap is left. And this gap can be a channel 720.

  As shown in FIG. 15, a hydrophilic coat is preferably applied to a range 1501 from the tip of the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 11. This is to reduce friction with the inner surface of the indwelling catheter 100. When the insertion portion 11 is inserted into the indwelling catheter 100, the liquid is fed by the liquid feeding means 20 to wet the insertion portion 11, thereby reducing friction with the inner surface of the indwelling catheter 100. Therefore, the area 1501 to which the hydrophilic coat is applied should be an area that can come into contact with the indwelling catheter 100 and extends from the distal end to the proximal end, but the area 1502 that cannot protrude from the joint 30 may be excluded.

In order to configure the insertion portion 11 such that the distal end has a lower bending rigidity, for example, as shown in FIG. 16A, the outer diameter of the protective tube 703A is changed so as to become thinner toward the distal end. The protective tube 703A includes a small-diameter portion 1601 on the distal end side and a large-diameter portion 1602 on the proximal end side, and a tapered portion 1603 in which the outer diameter gradually changes between the small-diameter portion 1601 and the large-diameter portion 1602. To do.
Further, as shown in FIG. 16B, even if the outer diameter of the protective tube 703B is constant, the bending rigidity is lowered toward the tip by increasing the softness of the constituent material toward the tip. The protective tube 703B has a strong soft portion 1605 on the distal end side and a weak soft portion 1606 on the proximal end side, and a mixed portion of both materials between the strong soft portion 1605 and the weak soft portion 1606. 1607 is configured.

  The softness of the constituent material can be adjusted, for example, by adjusting the mixing amount of the metal filler kneaded into the resin material constituting the protective tube 703 at the time of extrusion molding. The mixing amount of the metal filler can be changed according to the position of the protective tube 703 in the axial direction, and the flexibility of the protective tube 703 can be freely changed according to the position in the axial direction. The metal filler can function as a detection marker that is detected by X-rays.

17 to 20 show the insertion part 11 having a bend forming part.
17 (a), 17 (b), and 17 (c) has a bend forming portion 1701 that is bent at about 90 degrees at the tip. By rotating the insertion portion 11 about the axis, the direction of the tip of the insertion portion 11 can be changed, and the visual field 1704 shown in FIGS. 17B and 17C can be changed.
Further, the fact that the direction of the distal end of the insertion portion 11 can be changed by rotating the insertion portion 11 about the axis brings about the following effects.
As shown in FIGS. 17B, 17C, and 17D, the bent indwelling catheter 100 has a bent inner path. If the distal end of the insertion section 11 can be directed in the back direction along the inner path of the indwelling catheter 100 at the arrival point of the distal end of the insertion section 11 in the indwelling catheter 100, the distal end of the insertion section 11 is directed to the inner wall of the indwelling catheter 100. It can be advanced without barking and delivered to the distal end 104 of the indwelling catheter 100.
For example, when the distal end of the insertion portion 11 reaches the position 1702a in the indwelling catheter 100 shown in FIG. 17B, the insertion portion 11 is appropriately rotated around the axis so that the distal end of the insertion portion 11 is moved in the back direction. When the distal end of the insertion portion 11 reaches a position 1703a bent in a direction opposite to the position 1702a as a result of the advancement, the insertion portion 11 is rotated 180 degrees around the axis. Further advancement is facilitated by rotating the insertion portion 11 toward the back direction 1703b. In the indwelling catheter 100 bent as described above, the distal end of the insertion portion 11 is made to reach the distal end 104 by an insertion operation in which the distal end of the insertion portion 11 is advanced in the advancing direction along the inner path. Is easy.
On the other hand, in the linearly formed insertion portion 11 that does not have the bending formation portion shown in FIG. 17D, the direction of the tip of the insertion portion 11 is changed even if the insertion portion 11 is rotated. Therefore, the field of view cannot be changed, and the distal end of the insertion portion 11 cannot be oriented in the direction in which insertion is easy in the bent indwelling catheter.

The insertion part 11 shown in FIG. 18 (a) has a bend forming part 1801 that is bent at the tip part by about 180 degrees. In this insertion portion 11, when the distal end position 1802 is at the distal end 104 of the indwelling catheter 100, it is possible to observe almost the front, and a position 1803 bent about 90 degrees from the distal end is the distal end of the indwelling catheter 100. When at the end 104, approximately 360 degrees lateral can be observed, and when the position 1804 bent about 180 degrees from the tip is at the distal end 104 of the indwelling catheter 100, approximately 360 degrees rearward is observed. By changing the protruding length of the bending portion 1801 from the distal end 104, the viewing direction can be changed from the front side to the rear side. The observation at 360 degrees is performed by rotating the insertion portion 11 around the axis as described above.
The insertion portion 11 shown in FIG. 18 (b) has a bending portion 1805 bent at about 45 degrees at the distal end, and further bent at about 180 degrees via a straight portion 1806. Have

The insertion portion 11 shown in FIG. 19A has a bend forming portion 1902 formed by bending about 45 degrees following the straight portion 1901 from the tip.
The insertion portion 11 shown in FIG. 19 (b) has a bending portion 1904 bent at about 40 degrees following the straight portion 1903 from the tip, and further bent at about 80 degrees in the opposite direction. A portion 1905 and a bending portion 1906 bent from the portion 1905 in the opposite direction to about 40 degrees. FIG. 19 (c) shows a state where the insertion section 11 shown in FIG. 19 (b) is inserted into the indwelling catheter 100.
For example, as shown in FIG. 19 (c), since there are straight portions 1901, 1903 at the distal end of the insertion portion 11, the straight portions 1901, 1903 can be viewed along the axial direction of the indwelling catheter 100 and in the depth direction of the indwelling catheter 100. Can be directed. Therefore, when the distal end of the insertion part 11 approaches or reaches the distal end 104 of the indwelling catheter 100, the indwelling catheter including the direction in which the insertion part 11 protrudes before the distal end 104 protrudes from the distal end 104 of the indwelling catheter 100. The field of view outside 100 can be sufficiently secured, and it is possible to safely advance and project.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 17 (b), when there is no straight portion at the distal end of the insertion portion 11, the visual field is directed to the side wall of the indwelling catheter 100, so that the insertion portion 11 is removed from the distal end 104 of the indwelling catheter 100. Before projecting, it becomes difficult to secure a sufficient field of view outside the indwelling catheter 100 including the projecting direction.

The insertion portion 11 shown in FIG. 20 (a) has a bend forming portion 2001 that is bent at about 50 degrees from the tip, and a bend forming portion 2003 that is bent at about 50 degrees following the straight portion 2002 from there. . The curvature radius of the bend forming part 2001 is larger than the curvature radius of the bend forming part 2003.
The insertion portion 11 shown in FIG. 20B has a bend forming portion 2004 that is bent to about 50 degrees from the tip, and further includes a bend forming portion 2006 that is bent to about 50 degrees following the straight portion 2005. . The radius of curvature of the bend forming portion 2004 is smaller than the radius of curvature of the bend forming portion 2006.
As described above, the insertion portion 11 is configured by arbitrarily combining an angle amount to be bent, a bending direction, a radius of curvature, a linear portion and its length, etc., so that the indwelling catheter 100 placed in various shapes can be used. The insertion can be performed and the desired direction can be observed.
Further, if there is a bent shape near the distal end of the insertion portion 11, it exists in front of the distal end 104 of the indwelling catheter 100 when the distal end of the insertion portion 11 protrudes forward from the distal end 104 of the indwelling catheter 100. The distal end surface of the insertion portion 11 does not come into contact with the observation target object, and the distal end portion of the insertion portion 11 contacts obliquely. Further, the direction can be changed so that the distal end portion of the insertion portion 11 is in contact with the observation object obliquely by rotating the insertion portion 11 about the axis. When the insertion portion 11 whose tip is in contact with the observation target is obliquely sent further in the inward direction of the indwelling catheter 100, the insertion portion 11 advances while sliding along the observation target. Therefore, the insertion portion 11 can be safely inserted deep into the body without causing perforation or other damage to the observation object.

[Supplementary explanation of bending operation mechanism]
The insertion portion bending operation mechanism will be further described with reference to FIGS.
The distal end portion of the wire 706 shown in FIG. 7 and the like is fixed to the protective tube 703 of the insertion portion 11 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 21, a portion of the wire 706 passed to the outside of the protective tube 703 may be configured, or may be passed only through the inside. When the wire 706 is pulled by operating an operation member such as the operation dial 707 (FIG. 7) or the operation lever 2201 (FIG. 22), the insertion portion 11 can be bent as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 22, by forming a groove 2202 in the protective tube 703 inside the portion to be bent, it can be easily bent.
As shown in FIG. 23, a balloon 2301 is formed inside a portion to be bent of the protective tube 703, a wire 706 is passed and fixed to the balloon 2301, and fluid is passed through a path 2302 formed as a sublumen in the protective tube 703. The insertion portion 11 can be bent by being sent to 2301 and expanded.

[Supplementary explanation of detection marker]
The detection marker will be further described.
In the configuration shown in FIG. 7 and the like, a member (detection marker) 708 that can be detected by X-rays or ultrasonic waves is embedded in the protective tube 703, but the lens frame 903 and the wires 706 can also be detected by X-rays or ultrasonic waves. By using a simple material, it can function as a detection marker. For example, examples of materials that can be detected by X-rays include iron-based metals, ceramics, and composite resins. In addition, for the wire 706, metal such as tungsten or platinum may be used.
Further, as shown in FIG. 24, a mesh cylindrical body made of metal (such as that used for a stent) 2401 is fitted and fixed at a desired position on the outer periphery of the protective tube 703, thereby fixing this. It can function as a detection marker.
Further, as shown in FIG. 25, the detection markers 2501 are preferably arranged at regular intervals along the axial direction of the insertion portion 11 so that the reference of the length is clearly indicated. Further, by arranging detection markers 2502 having different shapes for every certain length exceeding the minimum scale (for example, 10 cm when the minimum scale is 1 cm), the length of a unit longer than the minimum scale is also clearly indicated. It is preferable.

[Supplementary information on the bending rigidity of the insertion section]
The change form of the bending rigidity of the insertion portion will be further described.
As shown in FIG. 26, a groove 2601 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the protective tube 703, and the processing dimensions such as the pitch and depth of the groove 2601 are changed depending on the position of the protective tube 703 in the axial direction. The bending rigidity can be changed depending on the position.

[Other forms of operation unit]
In the configuration shown in FIG. 9, the relay optical system 905 is disposed in the operation unit 12B. However, the relay optical system is eliminated as in the operation unit 12D shown in FIG. 27, and the image fiber 901 and the eyepiece lens 906 are directly coupled. May be. In this case, since it is necessary to arrange the connector part 722 and the eyepiece part 907 close to each other, the grip part 2701 is formed so as to project to the side, and electric components and the like are arranged in the grip part 2701. Is done.

  The operation unit 12E illustrated in FIG. 28A and the operation unit 12F illustrated in FIG. 28B include operation members for bending the insertion unit 11 such as the operation dial 707 and the operation lever 2201. In this case, the wire joint 2801 which connects the wire 706 is comprised by the connector part 722 side and the operation part 12E (12F) side.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope system 10 Endoscope 11 Insertion part 12 Operation part 20 Liquid feeding means 21 Infusion tube 22 Output end 30 Joint 31 1st connector part 32 2nd connector part 33 Insertion port 34 Communication path 34a Merging part 35 Backflow prevention valve 40 Conversion connector 41 Third connector portion 42 Fourth connector portion 100 Indwelling catheter 101 Bending portion 102 Spiral portion 103 Proximal end 104 Distal end

Claims (8)

An insertion part in which the imaging optical system and the illumination optical system are covered with a protective tube;
An operation unit connected to a proximal end of the insertion unit;
Liquid feeding means;
A first connector portion connected to a proximal end of an indwelling catheter to be placed on a human body, a second connector portion connected to an output end of the liquid feeding means, an insertion port for inserting the insertion portion, and the first connector portion; On the other hand, the second connector portion has a path that communicates with the insertion port on the other side through the communication junction portion, and the insertion portion that enters the path from the insertion port has the junction portion and the first connector portion. It is configured to be able to enter the indwelling catheter connected to the first connector part through the liquid supplied from the liquid supply means connected to the second connector part. The liquid is supplied to the confluence part and the first connector part. A joint configured to be able to flow into the indwelling catheter connected to the first connector portion through;
An endoscope system comprising:   The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the joint includes a backflow prevention valve that prevents the liquid from flowing out from the insertion port between the insertion port and the junction.   The endoscope system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the insertion unit and the operation unit are detachably connected.   The endoscope system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a bending operation mechanism for bending the insertion portion.   The endoscope system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the insertion portion is formed by bending.   The endoscope system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the insertion portion is configured to have lower bending rigidity toward a distal end.   The endoscope system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the insertion unit includes a member that can be detected from outside the body by X-rays or ultrasonic waves at a predetermined position.   One end has a third connector portion connected to the first connector portion, and the other end has a fourth connector portion connectable to an indwelling catheter of a different type from the indwelling catheter to which the first connector portion can be connected. The endoscope system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising one or more conversion connectors.

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