JP3432884B2 - Endoscope - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a guiding mechanism for a body cavity inserting means to be inserted into a body cavity.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a bending operation mechanism of an endoscope, a method of bending the tip bending portion is generally used by rotating a knob of a hand side operation portion and pulling an angle wire connected to the tip bending portion. (Prior art example 1).

A method of performing the above-described pulling operation using an actuator such as a motor is also generally known (prior art example 2). Further, the correction document of Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 57-123101 discloses an endoscope having a flexible operation rod having a plurality of wires along it and having the plurality of wires fixed to the tip as an operation device of an operation portion. (Prior art example 3). In recent years, endoscopic surgery for percutaneously inserting an endoscope or a treatment tool into the abdominal cavity and removing, for example, a gallbladder stone in the abdominal cavity together with the gallbladder has rapidly become popular.

[0004]

However, in the method of the first conventional example, it is necessary to operate the endoscope holding operation and the bending operation at the same time, and therefore, the operation of the endoscope must always be performed by one operator. However, there is a problem that the operation becomes complicated.

In order to solve such a problem, it is conceivable to adopt the method of Conventional Example 2, but it is necessary to provide the actuator side with a structure that can withstand autoclave sterilization, and further to provide various safety mechanisms. There is also. Therefore, there is a problem that the structure of the endoscope becomes complicated.

In order to solve such a problem and improve the operability, it is possible to adopt the endoscope of Conventional Example 3, but at least one operator is always required to hold the endoscope. There is no solution to this point. In addition, there remains a problem that a complicated operation is required because there is no bending performance with multiple degrees of freedom.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to have a simple and safe structure,
An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope capable of bending operation with multiple degrees of freedom.

[0008]

In order to achieve such an object , the endoscope of the present invention has a bay configured to be bendable.
It has a curved portion and is configured to be insertable into and removable from the body cavity.
Holds the endoscope insertion part and the proximal end of this endoscope insertion part
The connection part and itself can be curved three-dimensionally with respect to the body cavity
The endoscope is inserted through the connecting portion.
Holding means having a curved portion for holding the portion, and this holding hand
Bending part of the endoscope insertion part whose proximal end is held at the step connection part
The desired amount in the desired direction and hold the
The curved portion of the means can be bent in the desired direction and in the desired amount.
And a remote control unit capable of
To do . In addition, the bending portion of the endoscope insertion portion has a distal end side.
The first and second curved portions in order from the
The remote control is bent in the desired direction.
Desired the first bending portion by receiving the operation
The first joystick that performs an operation to bend a desired amount in the direction of
Be sure to accept the stick and the operation to bend it in the desired direction.
And the second curved portion is moved in a desired direction in a desired amount.
The second joystick that performs the operation to make a song and the desired joystick
The holding means by receiving an operation of bending in the direction
Perform the operation to bend the curved part of the
It is preferable to have a third joystick
It Also, the bending portion of the endoscope insertion portion and the holding hand.
A curved portion of a step and the first to third joysticks
Are connected by angle wires, respectively, and
The first to third joysticks of Sakube are in the desired direction
Bending operation of the endoscope insertion part
And the angle wire of the curved part of the holding means is
The bending part and the front part of the endoscope insertion part are respectively pulled by the pulling operation.
Bend the curved portion of the holding means in a desired direction by a desired amount.
It is preferable to do so.

[0009]

[ Operation ] When the remote control is operated, the bay of the endoscope insertion part
The bending part is in the desired direction and corresponds to the operation of the remote control part.
It is arbitrarily bent, and the bending part of the holding means is a remote control part.
3D in any desired direction in any desired amount
It is curved and the proximal end of the endoscope insertion part is moved three-dimensionally.
The endoscope insertion part is moved in a desired direction .

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A guide mechanism for body cavity inserting means according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope 1 includes a base end portion 11 and an insertion portion 10 that extends from the base end portion 11 and that is insertable into and removable from a body cavity. Furthermore, this insertion part 10
The second bending portion 5, the first bending portion 4, and the tip portion 3 are sequentially connected to the tip of the insertion portion 10 side.

1 and 2 schematically show the construction of the guiding mechanism of the body cavity inserting means of this embodiment applied to such an endoscope 1. As shown in FIG. The guide mechanism of the body cavity insertion means, while holding the endoscope 1 of the proximal end 11 removably, serving holding means that the insertion portion 10 is movable in a predetermined direction, that three-dimensionally holder 2 and a remote control unit 21 configured to control the bending direction and the bending amount of the first and second bending portions 4 and 5 and to control the moving direction and the moving amount of the holder 2. .

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the remote control section 21 includes a first pulley 28 and a first pulley 28.
A second pulley 29 having a smaller diameter than that is rotatably accommodated and held in a state of being connected to each other, and first and second joysticks 22 and 23 are continuously provided.

Both ends of a first angle wire 6 wound around a first pulley 28 are fixed to the first bending portion 4, and the first pulley 28 is rotated in a predetermined direction by a predetermined amount. As a result, the first bending portion 4 is configured to be bendable in a predetermined direction by a predetermined amount.

The first angle wire 6 is inserted into the first connecting tube 12 which is connected between the base end 11 and the remote control section 21, so that the first angle wire 6 has the entire length. A portion of the first outer tube 7 excluding the first bending portion 4 and the first pulley 28 is inserted into the first outer tube 7.

Both ends of the first outer tube 7 are fixed to predetermined portions so that the first outer tube 7 does not move with the movement of the first angle wire 6.

Four first outer tubes 7 through which the above-mentioned first angle wires are inserted are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction (a cross section is shown in FIG. 3B). In addition, the first joystick 22 has a second pulley 2
Both ends of the second angle wire 30 wound around 9 are fixed, and by displacing the first joystick 22 in a predetermined direction by a predetermined amount, the second pulley 29 can be rotated by the displacement amount. Is configured.

Therefore, when the first joystick 22 is displaced by a predetermined amount in a predetermined direction, the displacement amount is transmitted to the second pulley 29 via the second angle wire 30, and this second pulley 29 is transmitted. 29 is rotated in a predetermined direction by a predetermined amount. The rotational force of the second pulley 29 is transmitted to the first pulley 28 and rotates the first pulley 28. At this time, the first bending portion 4 is bent in the predetermined direction by a predetermined amount by the movement of the first angle wire 6 in accordance with the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the first pulley 28.

The second angle wire 30 has a second outer tube 31 fixed in the remote control section 21.
It is inserted inside. This second outer tube 31
Is extended and fixed over a portion of the entire length thereof excluding the first joystick 22 and the second pulley 29.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, a third pulley 32 and a fourth pulley 33 having a smaller diameter than the third pulley 32 are connected to the remote control section 21. It is rotatably accommodated and held in the open state.

Both ends of the third angle wire 8 wound around the third pulley 32 are fixed to the second bending portion 5, and the third pulley 32 is rotated by a predetermined amount in a predetermined direction. As a result, the second bending portion 5 can be bent in a predetermined direction by a predetermined amount.

The third angle wire 8 is inserted into the first connecting tube 12 connected between the base end portion 11 and the remote control portion 21, and the total length of the third angle wire 8 is increased. A portion of the third outer tube 9 except the second bending portion 5 and the third pulley 32 is inserted into the third outer tube 9.

Both ends of the third outer tube 9 are fixed to predetermined portions so that the third outer tube 9 does not move with the movement of the third angle wire 8.

The third outer tube 9 through which the above-mentioned third angle wire 8 is inserted is arranged adjacent to the first outer tube 7 (the cross section is shown in FIG. 4B).

Further, the second joystick 23 has
Fourth angle wire 3 wound around fourth pulley 33
Both ends of 4 are fixed, the second joystick 2
By displacing 3 in a predetermined direction by a predetermined amount, the fourth pulley 33 can be rotated by the displacement amount.

Therefore, when the second joystick 23 is displaced by a predetermined amount in a predetermined direction, the displacement amount is transmitted to the fourth pulley 33 via the fourth angle wire 34, and the fourth pulley 33 is transmitted. 33 is rotated in a predetermined direction by a predetermined amount. The turning force of the fourth pulley 33 is transmitted to the third pulley 32 and rotates the third pulley 32. At this time, the second bending portion 5 is bent in the predetermined direction by a predetermined amount by the movement of the third angle wire 8 in accordance with the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the third pulley 32.

The fourth angle wire 34 is provided with a fourth outer tube 35 fixed in the remote control section 21.
It is inserted inside. This fourth outer tube 35
Is extended and fixed over a portion of the entire length excluding the second joystick 23 and the fourth pulley 33.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, the holder 2 includes a connecting portion 14 that detachably holds the base end portion 11 of the endoscope 1 and a base end portion via the connecting portion 14. The insertion portion 1 of the endoscope 1 is curved by a predetermined amount in a predetermined direction while supporting 11
And a third bending portion 15 for moving 0 in three dimensions,
A rotating portion 18 that horizontally rotates the bending portion 15 and a first pedestal 19 that rotatably supports the rotating portion 18 are provided.

The remote control unit 21 includes a fifth pulley 38.
And a sixth pulley 3 having a diameter smaller than that of the fifth pulley 38.
9 and 9 are rotatably accommodated and held in a state of being connected to each other, and the first and second joysticks 22,
Third joystick 2 configured to support 23
4 and the third joystick 24 to the second pedestal 6
And a rotation knob 25 arranged so as to be supported with respect to zero.

Both ends of the fifth angle wire 16 wound around the fifth pulley 38 are fixed to the third bending portion 15, and the fifth pulley 38 is rotated in a predetermined direction by a predetermined amount. Thus, the third bending portion can be bent in the predetermined direction by a predetermined amount.

The fifth angle wire 16 has a first
Is inserted into the second connecting tube 20 connected between the pedestal 19 and the second pedestal 60, and the third bending portion 15 and the fifth pulley 38 of the entire length of the fifth angle wire 16 are inserted. The part except for is inserted into the fifth outer tube 17.

Both ends of the fifth outer tube 17 are fixed to predetermined portions so that the fifth outer tube 17 does not move with the movement of the fifth angle wire 16.

Four fifth outer tubes 17 through which the fifth angle wires 16 are inserted are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction (the cross section is shown in FIG. 5B). Further, both ends of the sixth angle wire 36 wound around the sixth pulley 39 are fixed to the third joystick 24, and by displacing the third joystick 24 in a predetermined direction by a predetermined amount. The sixth pulley 39 is configured to be rotatable by the displacement amount.

Therefore, when the third joystick 24 is displaced in the predetermined direction by the predetermined amount, the displacement amount is transmitted to the sixth pulley 39 via the sixth angle wire 36, and the sixth pulley 39 is transmitted. 39 is rotated in a predetermined direction by a predetermined amount. The turning force of the sixth pulley 39 is transmitted to the fifth pulley 38 and rotates the fifth pulley 38. At this time, as the fifth angle wire 16 moves according to the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the fifth pulley 38, the third bending portion 15 is bent in the predetermined direction by a predetermined amount.

The bending amount of the third bending portion 15 is
It is transmitted to the base end portion 11 of the endoscope 1 via the connection portion 14,
The insertion section 10 is three-dimensionally moved in a predetermined direction by a predetermined amount.

The sixth angle wire 36 is provided with a sixth outer tube 37 fixed in the remote control section 21.
It is inserted inside. This sixth outer tube 37
Is extended and fixed over the entire length thereof except the third joystick 24 and the sixth pulley 39.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, a first gear 40 is connected to the lower end of the rotating portion 18 of the holder 2. A second gear 41 having a seventh pulley 42 is engaged with this first gear.

An eighth pulley 44 is connected to the lower end of the rotary knob 25 provided below the third joystick 24. A connecting wire 43 is wound and fixed between the seventh pulley 42 and the eighth pulley 44. Therefore, when the rotating knob 25 is rotated by a predetermined amount in the predetermined direction, the turning force is transmitted to the connecting wire 43 via the pulley 44, and the connecting wire 43 is moved by the predetermined amount in the predetermined direction. Just move. The moving state of the connecting wire 43 is such that the second gear 41 passes through the seventh pulley 42.
And the second gear 41 is rotated in a predetermined direction by a predetermined amount. The turning power of the second gear 41 at this time is
It is transmitted to the first gear 40 and rotates the first gear 40. As a result, the rotating unit 18 is rotated in a predetermined direction by a predetermined amount. The rotating operation of the rotating portion 18 acts on the connecting portion 14 via the third bending portion 15 and rotates the connecting portion 14 in a predetermined direction by a predetermined amount. As a result, the endoscope 1 rotates about the base end portion 11 in a predetermined direction by a predetermined amount.

The connecting wire 43 is inserted in the seventh outer tube 45, and the second connecting tube 2
The seventh outer tube 45 is arranged in the holder 0 at one end and the remote control unit 21 at the other end so that the seventh outer tube 45 does not move with the movement of the connecting wire 43. It is fixed.

The third connecting tube 13 extending from the base end portion 11 of the endoscope 1 is constructed so that an image transmission system signal line such as CCD or a light guide fiber can be inserted therein. Further, the first to seventh outer tubes (7, 31, 9, 35, 17, 37, 45) are respectively
It is composed of a coil sheath, a pipe sheath, and the like. Further, the holder 2 is used by being fixed to the bedside of the patient.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be briefly described. In the endoscopic abdominal surgery, the endoscope 1 is percutaneously inserted into the body cavity. At this time, the operator operates the remote operation unit 21 while observing the endoscopic image on the TV monitor (not shown).

Specifically, the first and second joysticks 22 and 23 are bent in a desired direction with one hand, and the first to the fourth angle wires (6, 30, 8, 34) are provided.
By pulling the first and second bending portions 4,
Bend 5 in the desired direction and by the desired amount.

By bending the third joystick 24 in a desired direction, the fifth and sixth angle wires 16,
By pulling 36, the third bending portion 15 is bent in a desired direction by a desired amount.

Further, by rotating the rotary knob 25 in a desired direction by a desired amount, the endoscope 1 is rotated about the proximal end portion 11 in a desired direction by a desired amount. Since the entire endoscope 1 is driven and operated by such a remote operation, the operator can freely and accurately drive the endoscope 1 with respect to the body cavity without holding the endoscope 1. It becomes possible to observe a desired site very easily.

Further, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the configuration on the endoscope 1 side and the configuration on the remote operation section 21 side are defined in substantially the same form. Therefore, it is possible to easily confirm how the operation state of the remote operation unit 21 side acts on the endoscope 1 side. Therefore, a reliable endoscope operation can be realized.

Further, in this embodiment, since the wire drive system is used, when the endoscope side exerts an excessive force on the living body in the body cavity, the reaction force is directly applied to the remote control section 21 side. It can be sensed by and the safety is ensured so that it is possible to prevent unintended operations. Further, even if a high pressure is applied at a high temperature for sterilization, the structure can withstand this.

As a result, the present invention can be configured as follows. (1) Inserting means having a bending portion configured to be bendable by a bending mechanism and configured to be insertable into and removable from a body cavity; and the insertion means having a predetermined size while detachably holding the inserting means. Holding means having a moving mechanism configured to be movable in any direction, and operation driving means for driving the bending mechanism and the moving mechanism, and remotely operating the bending mechanism and the moving mechanism via the operation driving means. A remote control unit configured to arbitrarily control the bending direction and bending amount of the bending portion and the moving direction and moving amount of the holding unit. Guidance mechanism. (2) The remote operation unit remotely controls at least one of the bending mechanism and the moving mechanism in a direction coinciding with the operating direction thereof, and guides the body cavity inserting means according to (1). mechanism.

Next, the guide mechanism of the body cavity inserting means according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 7. In the description of this embodiment, the same components as those in the above embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 7 schematically shows the structure of forceps applied to the endoscope 1 via the third connecting tube 13. As shown in FIG. 7, the forceps applied to this embodiment includes a link portion 46 provided at the tip of the first bending portion 4,
A forceps portion 47 connected to the link portion 46 is provided, and a movable handle 48 provided on the tip side of the first joystick 22 and a fixed handle 49 are provided. The link portion 46 and the movable handle 48 are connected by a connecting wire 50. The connecting wire 50 is
It is inserted through the eighth outer wire 51 and
The outer tube 51 has one end fixed to the tip of the first bending portion 4 and the other end fixed to the tip of the first joystick 22.

According to this structure, the fixed handle 4
By operating the movable handle 48 back and forth with respect to 9, the forceps 47 can be opened and closed. Since the other operations and effects are similar to those of the first embodiment,
The description is omitted.

Further, the forceps applied to this embodiment can be configured to be directly held by the connecting portion 11 instead of the endoscope 1. Since the operation and effect at this time are similar to those of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

Next, a guide mechanism of the body cavity inserting means according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 8 to 11. In the description of this embodiment, the same components as those in the above-described embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 8A shows the appearance of a snare treatment tool 80 applied to this embodiment. The snare treatment tool 80 has a hollow cylindrical flexible tube portion 82 and a flexible tubular portion 82. A hollow cylindrical bending portion 84 provided at the distal end of the flexible tube portion 82, and a snare operating portion 86 provided at the proximal end of the flexible tube portion 82 and configured to bend the bending portion 84 in a desired direction. Is equipped with.

The snare operating portion 86 is connected to the base end of the flexible tube portion 82 and the bending operating portion 86a and the tip end opening portion 84a of the bending portion 84 (see FIG. 8 (b)).
Handle 8 configured so that the tip of 8 can protrude by a desired amount
6b and.

Specifically, the snare wire 88 is inserted into a channel 90 formed in the snare treatment tool 80 (in FIG. 8B, the curved portion 84 is shown).
The base end of the snare wire 88 is connected to the handle 86b. More specifically, FIG. 10A shows a half cross-sectional view of the bending operation portion 86a of the snare treatment tool 80. As is clear from this figure, the snare wire 88 is shown.
The base end of is connected to a rod 92 connected to the handle 86b.

Further, in the snare treatment tool 80, angle wires 94 are arranged at positions equally divided into three along the circumferential direction of the treatment tool, and these angle wires 94 are
Along the longitudinal direction of the snare treatment instrument 80, it extends from the curved portion 84 to the snare operation portion 86 via the flexible tube portion 82.

FIGS. 8B and 9 disclose the structure of the angle wire 94 arranged on the bending portion 84.
The curved portion 84 is formed with a pair of curved insertion holes 96 at positions equally divided into three along the circumferential direction (FIG. 9).
(See (a)) and the pair of curved insertion holes 96 are connected via the distal end sides of the curved portions 84 (see FIG. 9B).

Therefore, the angle wire 94 inserted into the pair of bending insertion holes 96 extends from the bending portion 84 toward the flexible tube portion 82 via the tip side of the bending portion 84 ( See FIG. 8B).

A flexible insertion hole 98, which is connected to the pair of curved insertion holes 96, is formed in the flexible tube portion 82 (see FIGS. 8 (b) and 10 (a)). The angle wire 94 extending from 84 extends in the bending operation portion 86 a direction through the flexible insertion hole 98.

FIG. 10 discloses the configuration near the bending operation portion 86a. The bending operation portion 86a is provided with an inner tube 100 that can communicate with the channel 90. The outer peripheral portion of the inner tube 100 on the distal end side is covered with the first jacket 102, and the outer peripheral portion on the remaining base end side is covered with the plurality of rings 104. Then, the plurality of rings 104 are
It is covered by a jacket 106 of.

The flexible tube portion 82 is made up of the first outer cover 102.
At the base end portion 102a of the above, it communicates with the inner tube 100 and is also connected to the first jacket 102. A first insertion hole 108 communicating with the flexible insertion hole 98 is formed in the first outer cover 102, and the angle wire 94 is inserted into the first insertion hole 108 (FIG. 10 (b)).

Further, each of the plurality of rings 104 has a ring insertion hole 110 communicating with the first insertion hole 108 (see FIG. 10C), and the first insertion hole 108.
The angle wire 94 inserted through the plurality of ring insertion holes 110 via the is fixed to the snare operation portion 86.

Further, the bending operation portion 86a has a structure shown in FIG.
(A) A cover 112 that is movable in the direction of the middle arrow S is provided. That is, the cover 112 is configured to be movable between the first and second outer covers 102 and 106,
For example, by positioning in the state shown by the solid line in the figure,
It is possible to coat a portion of the second jacket 106.

The portion of the second jacket 106 is in a state in which it can be arbitrarily curved in a desired direction by the plurality of rings 104. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the bending operation of the bending operation portion 86a by covering the bending operation portion 86a via the cover 112 as needed.

The cover 112 is constructed so that it can be locked on the first and second casings 102 and 106 by a click mechanism. This click mechanism is shown in FIG.
As disclosed in (a), the locking projection 114 provided on the back surface side of the cover 112 and the first and second outer jackets 10 are provided.
It is not limited to the type in which the engaging recesses 116 provided on the 2, 106 are engaged, and a mechanism for engaging with a spring, a mechanism for engaging with the friction between the cover and the outer cover, or the like can be used instead. Is.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. The snare treatment tool 80 is inserted through the forceps opening 118 provided in the endoscope 1 and protruded from the channel opening 120 formed in the distal end portion 3 by a predetermined amount.

Next, in order to easily hook the snare wire 88 on the affected area 122 such as a polyp, first, the first bending section 4 and the second bending section 4 of the endoscope 1 are operated by the remote operation section 21 (see FIG. 2). The part 5 (see FIG. 1) is curved in a predetermined direction.

However, depending on the position of the affected part 122, the snare wire 88 may not be satisfactorily hooked only by the remote operation. In this case, the bending portion 84a is bent in the arrow direction in FIG. 11 by bending the bending operation portion 86a in the arrow direction in FIG. 11 via the snare operation portion 86.

As a result, the snare wire 88 is
It is located at a position where it is easy to get to 2. While maintaining this state, the snare wire 88 is pushed out from the tip opening 84a (see FIG. 8B) of the bending portion 84 by pushing in the handle 86b (see FIG. 8A) with the thumb, for example.

At this time, the spread snare wire 8
8 is in a state in which it can be easily hung on the affected area 122. As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide the guide mechanism of the body cavity insertion means that can be easily and reliably hung on the affected area 122 by the snare treatment tool 80.

The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and for example, the snare treatment tool 80 is
In addition to the snare, the present invention can be applied to various treatment tools used with the endoscope 1, such as biopsy forceps, papillotomy knife, grasping forceps, and basket forceps.

Instead of the flexible tube portion 82, for example, a hard tube may be used. This case is effective when a snare treatment tool is inserted through a small hole formed in the abdominal cavity and a predetermined treatment is performed.

Further, the bending operation portion 86a may be semi-rigid. In this case, since the curved shape is maintained even if the hand is released, it is possible to further improve the operability of the operator.

Furthermore, the present invention can also be configured as follows. (1) An endoscope treatment tool having a bending mechanism capable of bending in a predetermined direction by a pulling operation of an angle wire on the distal end side of the insertion portion and configured to be inserted into and removed from a body cavity, and an insertion portion base. A bending operation section mechanically connected to the angle wire and a treatment tool driving operation section are provided on the end side, and the bending operation section bends the bending operation section itself in a predetermined direction, A guiding mechanism for an insertion means in a body cavity, wherein the bending mechanism is configured to be bendable in a predetermined direction by pulling an angle wire. (2) The guiding mechanism of the body cavity inserting means according to (1), wherein the treatment tool driving operation section is provided on the proximal end side of the bending operation section. (3) The guiding mechanism of the body cavity inserting means according to (1) or (2), further comprising a bending operation blocking unit configured to appropriately block the bending operation of the bending operation unit itself. .

According to such a structure, it is possible to provide a guide mechanism for the insertion means in the body cavity which has a simple and safe structure and is capable of performing a bending operation with multiple degrees of freedom, and requires a complicated operation. The conventional problems described above are also solved.

[0075]

According to the present invention, since the entire insertion means can be driven and operated by the remote operation part, the operator can freely and accurately drive the insertion means without holding the insertion means. It becomes possible to guide the insertion means to a desired site very easily.

Further, according to the present invention, since the configuration on the insertion side and the configuration on the remote operation part side are defined in substantially the same form, how the operation state on the remote operation part side acts on the insertion side. You can easily check if there is something. Therefore, a reliable guiding operation can be realized.

Further, according to the present invention, since it is constituted by the wire drive system, when the insertion side gives an excessive force to the living body in the body cavity, the reaction force can be directly sensed by the remote operation part side, The safety is ensured so that it is possible to prevent unreasonable guidance operations. Further, even if a high pressure is applied at a high temperature for sterilization, the structure can withstand this. According to the present invention, when the remote operation unit is operated,
The curved part of the mirror insertion part can be operated as desired by operating the remote control part.
Can be curved in any desired amount in any direction
The bending part of the means is operated in the desired direction in response to the operation of the remote control part.
The desired amount can be arbitrarily curved in three dimensions,
The mirror insertion part can be moved three-dimensionally. others
Therefore, it has a simple and safe structure, and bending operation with multiple degrees of freedom is possible.
A possible endoscope can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of an endoscope to which a guiding mechanism for body cavity insertion means according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied, and a holder for holding the endoscope.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of a remote control unit applied to the guiding mechanism shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a connection relationship between a first bending portion of the endoscope and a first joystick of the remote control portion.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a connection relationship between a second bending section of the endoscope and a second joystick of the remote control section.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a connection relationship between a third bending section of the endoscope and a third joystick of the remote control section.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a connection relationship between a rotation unit of a holder and a rotation knob of a remote control unit.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of forceps applied to the guide mechanism of the body cavity inserting means according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8A is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a snare treatment instrument applied to a guide mechanism of a body cavity inserting means according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8B is a snare treatment instrument. FIG.

9A is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 8B, and FIG. 9B is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 9A.

10A is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration in the vicinity of a bending operation portion, and FIG. 10B is a CC of FIG. 10A.
An enlarged cross-sectional view along the line, (c) is DD of FIG. 10 (a).
The expanded sectional view which follows the line.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which the snare treatment tool is actually applied to the guiding mechanism of the body cavity inserting means according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

4 ... 1st bending part, 6 ... 1st angle wire, 22 ... 1st joystick, 28 ... 1st pulley, 29 ... 2nd pulley, 30 ... 2nd angle wire.

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A bendable portion that is configured to be bendable, and
An endoscope insertion part configured to be insertable into and removable from a body cavity
And the connection part that holds the proximal end part of the endoscope insertion part, and
If the body is constructed so that it can be curved three-dimensionally with respect to the body cavity
A bend that holds the endoscope insertion part through the connection part
Holding means having a portion, and an endoscope insertion in which a proximal end portion is held at a connecting portion of the holding means
Bend the curved part of the part in the desired direction in the desired amount.
The desired amount of bending of the holding means in the desired direction
It is composed of a remote control unit that can be bent
An endoscope characterized in that . 2. The bending portion of the endoscope insertion portion has a distal end thereof.
The first and second curved portions in order from the side toward the base end side.
The remote operation unit receives an operation that can be bent in a desired direction.
The first curved portion in a desired direction by a desired amount.
The first joystick for bending and bending
The second by receiving the operation of bending in the desired direction
Perform the operation to bend the curved part of the
A second joystick that bends in the desired direction
By receiving the operation, the curved portion of the holding means is moved to a desired position.
A third joystick that bends in the desired direction
The method according to claim 1, further comprising a tick.
Endoscope. 3. A curved portion of the endoscope insertion portion and the protective portion.
The curved portion of the holding means and the first to third joysty
Are connected to each other by angle wires, and the first to third joysticks of the remote control unit are connected to each other.
When it is bent in a desired direction, the endoscope is inserted.
An angle wire for the curved portion of the insertion portion and the curved portion of the holding means.
Each of the ears pulls to bend the endoscope insertion portion.
And the curved portion of the holding means in the desired direction and in the desired amount.
3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that it is curved.
Mounted endoscope.