JP4407203B2 - Endoscope bending operation device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope bending operation apparatus, and more particularly to an endoscope bending operation apparatus in which a bending operation lever is disposed on the back of a hand operation unit.

  A medical endoscope includes a hand operating part and an insertion part connected to the hand operating part, and a bending part is provided near the distal end of the insertion part. The bending portion is bent by operating an angle knob or an operation lever provided in the hand operation portion.

Patent Document 1 describes an endoscope in which an operation lever is provided on the back of a hand operation unit, and a bending portion is bent up and down by rotating the operation lever. According to this endoscope, the bending portion is bent upward by rotating the operation lever toward the distal end side of the hand operation portion, and the bending portion is bent downward by rotating the operation lever toward the proximal end side. It has become so.
JP 2000-126119 A

  By the way, when operating the operating lever, the hand operating unit is gripped so that the tip side is downward. For this reason, Patent Document 1 has a problem in that the rotation operation direction of the operation lever is opposite to the bending operation direction of the bending portion. That is, there is a problem that when the operation lever is turned downward (that is, toward the distal end), the bending portion is bent upward, and when the operation lever is turned upward (that is, toward the proximal end), the bending portion is bent downward. there were. For this reason, in Patent Document 1, the surgeon may be confused and misoperated.

  In the case of a two-stage bending type endoscope, two sets of operation levers for operating the two sets of bending portions are provided on the front and back of the hand operation unit, so two sets of operations are performed. There is a problem that the operation feeling of the lever is different and it is easy to cause an erroneous operation. For example, when the operation lever provided on the front surface is rotated downward (that is, toward the distal end), the bending portion is bent downward, whereas when the operation lever provided on the back surface is rotated downward, the bending portion is bent upward. There was a problem. For this reason, there is a problem that the surgeon is easily confused.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope bending operation device that can prevent a surgeon from being confused.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 includes two sets of wires for operating two sets of bending portions connected to the distal end side of the endoscope insertion portion along the insertion axis. Bending operation of an endoscope provided with two sets of pulleys that are respectively wound and arranged with the respective rotation axes being coaxial, and two sets of operation levers for rotating the two sets of pulleys In the device
One rotation operation range of the two sets of operation levers and the other rotation operation range of the two sets of operation levers are perpendicular to the rotation shaft and substantially parallel to the insertion shaft. The two sets of operating levers are connected to the two sets of pulleys so as to be substantially axially symmetric with respect to the two sets of pulleys,
By rotating the two sets of pulleys in opposite directions with the two sets of operating levers , the two sets of bending portions are operated to bend in the same direction ,
The rotation operation ranges of the two sets of levers for rotating the two sets of pulleys according to the bending operation ranges of the two sets of bending portions are configured to be substantially the same .

According to the first aspect of the present invention, even when two sets of operating levers for rotating the two sets of pulleys are arranged on the opposite side (for example, the front and the back) of the hand operating unit, The rotating operation direction of the operating lever and the bending operation directions of the two sets of bending portions are made to coincide with each other. For example, when the two sets of operation levers are rotated downward (to the distal end side), both of the two sets of bending portions can be bent downward. Thereby, the surgeon can bend the bending portion in a desired direction with certainty without being confused. Moreover, even when the bending ranges of the two sets of bending portions are different, the operating range of the two sets of operating levers is the same, so that the operational feeling can be improved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the invention further includes an operation restricting means for restricting one of the rotational operation ranges of the two sets of operation levers .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the operation restricting means is disposed on a proximal end side of the endoscope insertion portion, and restricts one rotational operation range of the two sets of operation levers. It is characterized by that.

  According to the bending operation apparatus for an endoscope according to the present invention, the two sets of bending portions are operated in the same direction by rotating the two sets of pulleys in opposite directions. Even when the lever is placed on the opposite side of the hand control unit, the turning operation direction of the two sets of control levers and the bending operation direction of the two sets of bending parts will be the same, which will confuse the surgeon. Can be prevented.

  A preferred embodiment of an endoscope bending operation apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a side view showing an appearance of an endoscope including a bending operation device according to the present invention.

  The endoscope shown in FIG. 1 mainly includes a hand operation unit 10 and an insertion unit 12 connected to the distal end of the hand operation unit 10.

  The insertion portion 12 includes a distal end portion 14, a first bending portion 16, a second bending portion 18, and a flexible portion 20 from the distal end side, and the first bending portion 16 and the second bending portion 18 can be bent in the vertical direction. Composed. A forceps port (not shown), an illumination optical system, and an observation optical system are disposed at the distal end portion 14. An image guide (not shown) is connected to the rear of the observation optical system. The image guide is inserted through the insertion unit 12 and extends to the eyepiece unit 22 at the proximal end of the hand operation unit 10. Thereby, an image can be observed by looking into the eyepiece 22.

  On the other hand, the hand operation unit 10 includes a forceps introduction unit 24, a gripping unit 26, a first operation lever 28, a second operation lever 30, a lock lever 32, and an LG connector 34. The forceps introducing portion 24 has a forceps insertion port (not shown) inside the cap 36, and this forceps insertion port is connected to the forceps port of the distal end portion 14 via a forceps channel (not shown). Thereby, by introducing a treatment tool such as a forceps from the forceps insertion opening of the forceps introduction portion 24, the treatment tool can be led out from the forceps opening of the distal end portion 14.

  The LG connector 34 protrudes from the lower surface on the proximal end side of the hand operation unit 10. The LG connector 34 is connected to a light source device (not shown) via a cable (not shown). Thereby, the illumination light irradiated from the light source device is transmitted to the LG connector 34 via the cable. The illumination light transmitted to the LG connector 34 is sent to the illumination lens at the distal end portion 14 through a light guide (not shown) inserted through the insertion portion 12. Thereby, illumination light is irradiated from the illumination lens of the front-end | tip part 14. FIG.

  The grasping portion 26 is a part grasped by the operator, and the operator rotates the first operation lever 28, the second operation lever 30, and the lock lever 32 while grasping the grasping portion 26. The first operation lever 28 is disposed on the back surface of the hand operation unit 10, and the first bending portion 16 is bent up and down by rotating the first operation lever 28. The second operation lever 30 is disposed on the front surface of the hand operation unit 10, and the second bending portion 18 is bent up and down by rotating the second operation lever 30. The lock lever 32 is disposed on the back surface of the hand operation unit 10, and the second operation lever 30 is locked by operating the lock lever 32. The configuration of the bending operation device will be described below.

  FIG. 2 schematically shows the configuration of the bending operation device according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first bending portion 16 is configured to be bent in the vertical direction by connecting a plurality of node rings 40, 40. Similarly, the second bending portion 18 is configured to be bent in the vertical direction by connecting a plurality of node rings 50, 50. The most proximal node ring 40 of the first bending portion 16 is connected to the most distal node ring 50 of the second bending portion 18.

  A pair of second angle wires 52 a and 52 b are connected to the node ring 50 on the most distal side of the second bending portion 18. The pair of second angle wires 52a, 52b are arranged vertically and are guided along the inner peripheral surface of each node ring 50, 50. The base end portions of the pair of second angle wires 52a and 52b are connected to the distal end portions of the pair of second pulling wires 56a and 56b via the second connecting members 54a and 54b. The base end portions of the second pulling wires 56a and 56b are wound around the second pulley 58 while maintaining their vertical positions without crossing each other. The second pulley 58 is connected to the second operation lever 30, and rotates in the same direction as the second operation lever 30 as the second operation lever 30 is operated. When the second operation lever 30 is operated to rotate the second pulley 58, the second pulling wires 56a and 56b and the second angle wires 52a and 52b are pushed and pulled, thereby causing the second bending portion 18 to move up and down. Curved operation. For example, when the second operation lever 30 is rotated to the distal end side, the second angle wire 52a is drawn out and the second angle wire 52b is pulled, so that the second bending portion 18 is bent downward. Conversely, when the second operation lever 30 is rotated to the proximal end side, the second angle wire 52a is pulled and the second angle wire 52b is drawn out, so that the second bending portion 18 is bent upward. .

  FIG. 3 schematically shows only the device for operating the first bending portion 16 among the bending operation devices shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a pair of first angle wires 42 a and 42 b are coupled to the most distal node ring 40 among the plurality of node rings 40, 40. The pair of first angle wires 42a, 42b are arranged vertically and are guided along the inner peripheral surface of each node ring 40, 40. The proximal end portions of the first angle wires 42a and 42b are connected to the distal end portions of the pair of first pulling wires 46a and 46b via the first connecting members 44a and 44b. After the first pulling wires 46 a and 46 b intersect and the vertical position is reversed, the base end portion is wound around the first pulley 48. The first pulley 48 is formed in the same size as the second pulley 58 (see FIG. 2) and is arranged coaxially with the second pulley 58. The first pulley 48 is connected to the first operation lever 28, and rotates in the same direction as the first operation lever 28 as the first operation lever 28 is operated.

  When the first operating lever 28 is operated to rotate the first pulley 48, the first pulling wires 46a and 46b and the first angle wires 42a and 42b are pushed and pulled. At this time, since the first pulling wires 46a and 46b intersect each other, the rotation operation of the first operating lever 28 is transmitted to the first bending portion 16 by being turned upside down at the positions of the first pulling wires 46a and 46b. The That is, by rotating the first operating lever 28 toward the distal end side, the base end portion of the first pulling wire 46b disposed on the upper side is pulled, and when the first pulling wire 46a disposed on the lower side is fed out, The distal end portion of the first pulling wire 46a disposed on the lower side is fed out, and the distal end portion of the first pulling wire 46b disposed on the lower side is pulled. As a result, the first angle wire 42a is drawn out, and the first angle wire 42b disposed on the lower side is pulled, so that the first bending portion 16 is bent downward. Similarly, when the first operating lever 28 is rotated to the proximal end side, the first angle wire 42a is pulled and the first angle wire 42b is drawn out, so that the first bending portion 16 is bent upward. .

  Next, the operation of the bending operation device configured as described above will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the hand operating unit 10 is gripped in a posture in which the proximal end side is upward and the distal end side is downward. In this state, when the first operating lever 28 is rotated downward (that is, on the distal end side), the first bending portion 16 is bent downward as indicated by a solid line. Conversely, when the first operating lever 28 is rotated upward (that is, the base end side), the first bending portion 16 is bent upward. Therefore, the rotation operation direction of the first operation lever 28 matches the bending operation direction of the first bending portion 16. Thereby, there is no possibility of confusion during the bending operation of the first bending portion 16, and the operability is improved.

  Further, when the second operation lever 30 is rotated downward as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 4, the second bending portion 18 is bent downward as shown by a two-dot chain line. Conversely, when the second operation lever 30 is rotated upward, the second bending portion 18 is bent upward. Therefore, even during the bending operation of the second bending portion 18, the turning operation direction of the second operation lever 30 matches the bending operation direction of the second bending portion 18. Thereby, there is no possibility of confusion during the bending operation of the second bending portion 18, and the second bending portion 18 can be reliably operated.

  Furthermore, even when the first bending portion 16 and the second bending portion 18 are simultaneously bent, the bending operation of the first bending portion 16 and the bending operation of the second bending portion 18 can be reliably performed. . For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the second operation lever 30 is rotated upward, the second bending portion 18 is bent upward. Then, after the second operation lever 30 is locked by the lock lever 32, when the first operation lever 16 is rotated downward, the first bending portion 16 is bent downward. Therefore, even when the second bending portion 28 is bent, the turning operation direction of the first operating lever 28 and the bending operation direction of the first bending portion 16 coincide with each other, so that the bending operation is not confused. It can be done reliably.

  Thus, according to the first embodiment, the first pulling wires 46a and 46b of the first bending portion 16 are crossed and wound around the first pulley 48, while the second pulling wire of the second bending portion 18 is wound. Since 56a and 56b are wound around the second pulley 58 without crossing each other, when the first pulley 48 and the second pulley 58 are rotated in opposite directions, the first bending portion 16 and the second bending portion 18 Curved in the same direction. Thus, when the first operation lever 28 and the second operation lever 30 are operated in the same direction (for example, the distal end side), the first bending portion 16 and the second bending portion 18 are bent in the same direction (for example, downward). Therefore, the surgeon can be prevented from being confused.

  When the bending range of the first bending portion 16 and the bending range of the second bending portion 18 are different, the first pulley 48 and the second pulley 58 are formed in different sizes, and the operating range of the first operating lever 28 is set. And the operating range of the second operating lever 30 should be equal. For example, when the bending range of the first bending portion 16 is smaller than the bending range of the second bending portion 18, the operating range of the first operating lever 28 is reduced by making the first pulley 48 smaller than the second pulley 58. And the operating range of the second operating lever 30 is made equal. This makes it easier for the surgeon to grasp the operating ranges of the first operating lever 28 and the second operating lever 30, and can eliminate erroneous operations caused by differences in operating ranges. That is, when the operating ranges are different, the operator has difficulty in grasping the operating range, so there is a possibility that the first operating lever 28 or the second operating lever 30 is rotated too much to cause a malfunction. Can be prevented.

  FIG. 6 schematically shows the structure of the bending operation device according to the second embodiment.

  According to the bending operation device of the second embodiment, the pair of first angle wires 42a and 42b are connected to the pair of first pull wires 46a and 46b in a crossed state, and the pair of first pull wires 46a and 46b. Is wound around the first pulley 48 without crossing. Therefore, the turning operation of the first operating lever 28 is transmitted to the first bending portion 16 with its vertical direction reversed at the positions of the first angle wires 42 a and 42 b. That is, when the first operation lever 28 is rotated to the distal end side (that is, the lower side during operation), the first bending portion 16 is bent downward, and the first operation lever 28 is moved to the base end side (that is, during operation). 1st bending portion 16 is bent upward. Thereby, the turning operation direction of the first operating lever 28 and the bending operation direction of the first bending portion 16 coincide.

  Also in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, when the bending range of the first bending portion 16 and the second bending portion 18 is different, the first pulley 48 and the second pulley 58 are used. It is preferable that the first operating lever 28 and the second operating lever 30 have the same operating range.

  FIG. 7 shows a bending operation device according to the third embodiment.

  According to the bending operation device of the third embodiment, the gear 60 is attached to the first operation lever 28, and the gear 60 meshes with teeth (not shown) formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first pulley 48. The gear 60 rotates in the same direction as the first operation lever 24 by rotating the first operation lever 24, and the first pulley 48 rotates in the opposite direction to the gear 60. That is, the turning operation of the first operation lever 28 is transmitted to the first bending portion 16 with its vertical direction reversed between the gear 60 and the first pulley 48. Therefore, when the first operation lever 28 is rotated to the distal end side (that is, the lower side during operation), the first bending portion 16 is bent downward, and the first operation lever 28 is moved to the base end side (that is, during operation). When it is rotated upward, the first bending portion 16 is bent upward. Thereby, the turning operation direction of the first operating lever 28 and the bending operation direction of the first bending portion 16 coincide.

  In the third embodiment, when the bending range of the first bending portion 16 and the bending range of the second bending portion 18 are different, the operating range of the first operating lever 28 and the operating range of the second operating lever 30 are different. It is preferable to set the size of the gear 60 so that. That is, FIG. 7 shows the gear 60 having the same size as the first pulley 48, but the size of the gear 60 may be changed. For example, when the gear 60 having the same size as the first pulley 48 is used and the operating range of the first operating lever 48 is 60 ° and the operating range of the second operating lever 58 is 90 °, By using a gear 60 having a size of 2/3 with respect to one pulley 48, the operating range of the first operating lever 48 can be 90 °. As a result, the operating range of the first operating lever 48 and the operating range of the second operating lever 58 are equalized, so that an operator's erroneous operation can be eliminated.

The side view which shows the external appearance of the endoscope to which the bending operation apparatus which concerns on this invention was applied The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the bending operation apparatus of 1st Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the bending operation apparatus of a 1st bending part. Explanatory drawing which shows the effect | action of the bending operation apparatus of 1st Embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows the effect | action of the bending operation apparatus of 1st Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the bending operation apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the bending operation apparatus of 3rd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Hand operation part, 12 ... Insertion part, 14 ... Tip part, 16 ... 1st bending part, 18 ... 2nd bending part, 20 ... Soft part, 22 ... Eyepiece part, 24 ... Forceps introduction part, 26 ... Grasp 28 ... first operating lever, 30 ... second operating lever, 32 ... lock lever, 34 ... LG connector, 36 ... cap, 40 ... node ring, 42a, 42b ... first angle wire, 44a, 44b ... first Connection member, 46a, 46b ... first pull wire, 48 ... first pulley, 50 ... node ring, 52a, 52b ... second angle wire, 54a, 54b ... second connection member, 56a, 56b ... second pull wire, 58 ... second pulley

Claims (3)

Two sets of wires for operating two sets of bending parts connected to the distal end side of the endoscope insertion part along the insertion axis are wound and the respective rotation axes are arranged coaxially. In an endoscope bending operation device comprising two sets of pulleys and two sets of operation levers for rotating the two sets of pulleys ,
One rotation operation range of the two sets of operation levers and the other rotation operation range of the two sets of operation levers are perpendicular to the rotation shaft and substantially parallel to the insertion shaft. The two sets of operating levers are connected to the two sets of pulleys so as to be substantially axially symmetric with respect to the two sets of pulleys,
By rotating the two sets of pulleys in opposite directions with the two sets of operating levers , the two sets of bending portions are operated to bend in the same direction ,
A bending operation device for an endoscope, wherein the rotation operation ranges of the two sets of levers for rotating the two sets of pulleys according to the bending operation ranges of the two sets of bending portions are configured to be substantially the same. . 2. The bending operation apparatus for an endoscope according to claim 1, further comprising an operation restricting unit that restricts one of the rotation operation ranges of the two sets of operation levers. 3. The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the operation restricting unit is disposed on a proximal end side of the endoscope insertion portion and restricts a rotation operation range of one of the two sets of operation levers. Bending operation device.

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