JPH06254047A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To manufacture the endoscope at a low cost, and to make the endoscope main body disposable by providing at least a part of operating switches for executing an operation of the endoscope main body, in the endoscope main body to be freely attachable and detachable. CONSTITUTION:An electronic endoscope 1 provided with a CCD 17 is provided with an inserting part main body 2 having an inserting part 2a inserted into an observation part of an examinee, and this inserting part main body 2 is connected through a light guide cord 31 to a light source unit 34 for supplying an illuminating light, and also, connected through an electric cable 28 to a CCU 25 for executing a processing, etc., of an image pickup signal from the CCD 17. In a connector part 2b of such an inserting part main body 2, an operating switch installing part 7 is formed, and in this installing part 7, a switch fitting margin 5 on which a first and a second operating switches 3, 4 such as a freeze unit control switch, a changeover switch, etc., of photometry, etc., are mounted is installed so as to be freely attachable and detachable. In such a way, the inserting part main body 2 can be manufactured at a low cost.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to endoscopes.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in the medical field, an endoscope which can observe an organ in a body cavity by inserting an elongated insertion portion into the body cavity is widely used. Includes an optical endoscope that can be observed with the naked eye from an eyepiece, and an electronic endoscope in which a solid-state imaging device such as a charge-coupled device (CCD) is provided in the imaging unit at the tip of the insertion unit.
A light source device for generating illumination light to a subject, an image processing device for processing an image pickup signal from an external camera attached to the CCD of the electronic endoscope or the eyepiece part of the optical endoscope, and this image processing device It is configured and used as an endoscope apparatus in which an observation monitor or the like for displaying a video signal processed in (3) is connected via a connector.

[0003]

By the way, after use, the body of an endoscope having an insertion portion is contaminated with dirt and bacteria such as blood, gastric juice, and feces of a patient, which must be washed and disinfected. If it is left alone and used in the next test, it causes infection. Therefore, the surface of the endoscope main body and the internal duct are cleaned and disinfected each time it is used, thereby preventing infection from a contaminated endoscope. Particularly, in recent years, after using an endoscope for a patient who has a problem of nosocomial infection and has a illness that may cause infection, the body of the endoscope is carefully washed and disinfected.

However, since such cleaning and disinfecting work requires a considerable amount of time, there is a disadvantage in that surgery cannot be performed one after another. Further, such cleaning and disinfection is troublesome in terms of work since it takes time and effort.

Therefore, recently, from the viewpoint of reducing the work load, hygiene, and surgical efficiency, there is a demand for disposing the endoscope body as a disposable body. is there. For that purpose, it is necessary to provide a disposable inexpensive endoscope. On the other hand, in recent years, C
The unit price of endoscope parts such as CDs is decreasing, and the endoscope body is becoming disposable.

However, since the main body of the endoscope is provided with expensive switches such as video peripheral device control switches, for example, freeze unit control switches, photo switch remote switches, VTR pause switches, etc. In order to realize the disposable use of the mirror body, mounting these switches on the body of the endoscope is an obstacle to reducing the manufacturing cost. Further, if the endoscope main body is made to be disposable while these switches are mounted on the endoscope main body, it is not possible to support a user who desires only a part of these switches. On the other hand, if various types of endoscopes having different types of switches are manufactured, it is difficult to standardize the configuration of the endoscopes, which is an obstacle to reducing the manufacturing cost of the endoscopes.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an endoscope including an inexpensive and disposable endoscope main body.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides at least a part of an operation switch for operating the endoscope main body, which is detachably provided on the endoscope main body. Is. As a result, it is not necessary to provide the operation switch integrally with the insertion section main body, and the insertion section main body can be manufactured at low cost. Therefore, as a result, the insertion portion main body can be disposable.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope 1 of this embodiment is a CCD.
The electronic endoscope 1 includes an endoscope main body 2 having an insertion portion 2a to be inserted into an observation site of a subject. The insertion section main body 2 is connected to a light source device 34 that supplies illumination light to the insertion section main body 2 through a light guide cord 31, and also through an electric cable 28 to a CCU 25 that processes an image pickup signal from the CCD 17. It is connected.

Inside the light guide cord 31, a light guide 18 which will be described later on the insertion section body 2 is optically connected through a connector 30 to transmit illumination light from the light source device 34 to the light guide 18. Fiber is inserted. Further, this optical fiber can be optically connected to the connector 33 of the light source device 34 via the connector 32.

Inside the electric cable 28, a signal line 19 (to be described later) of the insertion section main body 2 is electrically connected via a connector 29 so that the CCU 25 and the CCD 17 together with the signal line 19 are connected.
A transmission line is inserted to allow an electrical connection with. In addition, this transmission line is C through the connector 27.
It can be electrically connected to the connector 26 of the CU 25.

As shown in the figure, inside the insertion portion main body 2,
An illumination optical system such as a light guide 18 for transmitting illumination light,
An observation optical system including a plurality of objective lenses 16, CCDs 17, signal lines 19 and the like is provided. Further, on the base end side of the insertion portion main body 2, there are provided connectors 20 and 21 to which the light guide cord 31 and the electric cable 28 are connected, and an operation switch attachment portion 7 to which various operation switches 3 and 4 are detachably attached. Is formed as a connector portion 2b.

The light guide 18 comprises a fiber bundle formed by bundling a plurality of optical fibers, and its base end is optically connected to a light guide connector 20 provided on the connector portion 2b. Therefore, if the connector 30 of the light guide cord 31 connected to the light source device 34 is connected to the light guide connector 20 of the connector portion 2b, the light guide 18 in the insertion portion main body 2 and the optical fiber in the light guide cord 31 are connected to each other. The illumination light from the light source device 34 which is optically connected and transmitted by the optical fiber in the light guide cord 31 is emitted from the tip of the insertion portion main body 2 through the light guide 18.

The CCD 17 has a plurality of objective lenses 16
It is located behind. The CCD 17 is electrically connected with a plurality of signal lines 19 for transmitting a drive signal of the CCD 17 and an image pickup signal from the CCD 17. The base ends of these signal lines 19 are electrically connected to a video connector 21 provided in the connector portion 2b. Therefore, the CCU is attached to the video connector 21 of the connector portion 2b.
By connecting the connector 29 of the electric cable 28 connected to 29, the signal line 19 in the insertion portion main body 2 and the transmission line in the cable 28 are electrically connected, and the CCU 25 is connected through the transmission line and the signal line 19. And CCD 17 are electrically connected.

Further, a switch mount 5 on which a first operation switch 3 and a second operation switch 4 are mounted can be freely attached to and detached from an operation switch mounting portion 7 provided in the connector portion 2b of the insertion portion main body 2. It can be attached to. First
Both the operation switch 3 and the second operation switch 4 of the connector 2 of the cable 22 provided on the switch mount 5 are
By connecting 3 to the connector 24 of the CCU 25,
It is designed to be electrically connected to the CCU 25. Further, in this connection state, by mounting the switch mounting base 5 on the operation switch mounting portion 7, the electric system of the endoscope main body 2 and the CCU 25 are electrically connected via the cable 22, and the operation switch 3, The endoscope body 2 by the operation of 4.
The operation of the CCU 25 can be performed according to the information from the.

In the above configuration, when the illumination light from the light source device 34 is applied to the observation site of the subject from the tip of the insertion section body 2 through the light guide 18, the optical image of this observation site is converted into an image pickup signal by the CCD 17. The signal is sent to the CCU 25 via the signal line 19, converted into a video signal by the CCU 25, and an image of the observation site is displayed on an observation monitor (not shown) connected to the CCU 25. Then, when the first operation switch 3 which is a freeze unit control switch is pressed while the switch mount 5 is attached to the operation switch attachment portion 7, the operation signal is transmitted to the CCU 25 and the screen of the observation monitor is displayed. It becomes a still image. Further, for example, when the second operation switch 4, which is a photometric changeover switch, is pressed, the average and maximum display of the photometric values transmitted from the endoscope body 2 to the CCU 25 are switched.

As described above, in the endoscope 1 of this configuration, since the relatively expensive operation switches 3 and 4 can be detachably attached to the endoscope body 2, the operation switches 3 and 4 are attached to the insertion portion body 2. Since it is not necessary to integrally provide it, the insertion portion main body 2 can be manufactured at low cost. Therefore, as a result, the insertion portion main body 2 can be disposable.

Further, the operation switches 3 and 4 are set to the endoscope main body 2
Since it can be detachably attached to the user, it can be adapted to a user who desires only a part of a large number of operation switches. That is, in this case, the user may mount only the operation switch used by the user on the endoscope main body 2 or select and use the operation switch mountable on the endoscope main body used.

Further, the operation switches 3 and 4 are connected to the insertion portion main body 2
Since it is not necessary to integrally provide the endoscope body 2 with each other, it is possible to make the configuration of the endoscope body 2 uniform and to provide a variation in the type of the switch that is separate from the insertion portion body 2. This makes it possible to improve the endoscope performance while reducing the manufacturing cost of the endoscope body.

Further, since the insertion portion main body 2 can be disposable, it is not necessary to wash and disinfect the insertion portion main body 2 after use, so that the operation efficiency can be improved and, at the same time, nosocomial infection can be prevented. It can be prevented. The configuration of the present embodiment can be applied to all endoscopes regardless of whether it is a rigid endoscope or a flexible endoscope.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, an expensive operation switch 41 (for example, a photometry changeover switch or a VTR switch) which is relatively frequently used and has durability is detachably attached to the operation switch mounting portion 7, and an operation of a release switch or the like which is not used often is performed. The switch 40 is provided integrally with the insertion portion main body 2, and other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment. In this configuration, the operation switch 40 is, for example, the electric cable 28.
Is electrically connected to the CCU 25 through. Further, the operation switch 41 is electrically connected to the CCU 25 via the cable 22 provided on the switch mount 5 as in the first embodiment. Of course, the operation switch 40 may be detachably attached to the operation switch mounting portion 7.

In order to manufacture the insertion portion main body 2 at a lower cost, it is necessary to change the structure of not only the operation switch but also other endoscope parts to a low cost structure. With the conventional endoscope structure, even if the individual parts are simply replaced with inexpensive ones, a significant cost reduction cannot be expected. Therefore, in the endoscope 60 shown in FIG. 3, by changing the arrangement of the endoscope parts from the conventional one, the manufacturing cost of the insertion portion main body can be reduced and the insertion portion 50 of the endoscope 60 can be disposable. is there.

As shown in the figure, the endoscope 60 is composed of an insertion section 50 which is a disposable section and a grip section 51 which is a reuse section. Inside the insertion section 50, an illumination optical system such as a light guide 58 that transmits illumination light, a drive signal for the cover glass 55, the objective lens 56, the CCD 57, and the CCD 57, and an image pickup signal from the CCD 57 are transmitted. And an observation optical system including a signal line 59 and the like. Also, inside the grip portion 51, a light guide 58, an illumination optical system such as an infrared cut filter 65 for cutting infrared rays of incident light, a signal line 59, and CC.
An observation optical system such as a V _out cable drive circuit 62 as a reading circuit from D57 is provided. Then, the insertion portion 50 and the grip portion 51 are connected to the respective connectors 6
By connecting the members 1, 72, the optical connector members 77, 78 and the electric connector members 75, 76 are connected to each other, and optical and electrical connections are made. The signal line 59 and the light guide 58 in the grip portion 51 are inserted into the cable 54, and are optically and electrically connected to the control unit 53 including the light source device and the CCU via the cable connector 80. The image of the observation site in which the insertion section is inserted is displayed on the monitor 52 connected to the control unit 53. Figure 4
_Shows a circuit diagram of the V _out cable drive circuit 62. In the figure, φ _s , φ _p , φ _AB , and V _DD are drive signals for driving the CCD 57, and V _out is an output signal from the CCD 57, that is, an image pickup signal. These signals are signal line 5
It goes back and forth between CCD57 and CCU through 9. Further, 86 is a hybrid IC circuit, and 87 is a capacitor.

In the endoscope 60 having the above-mentioned structure, the infrared cut filter 65 and V
By arranging an expensive component such as the _out cable drive circuit 62 in the grip portion 51 which is a reusable portion, the insertion portion 50 which is a disposable portion has an inexpensive structure.

Further, in this structure, the insertion portion 50 and the grip portion 5 are provided.
1. The grip portion 51 and the control unit 53 are detachable via the connectors 72, 61, 80 and 84, respectively. Therefore, there is an advantage that not only the insertion section 50 is disposable, but also when the grip section 51 and the control unit 5 are broken, they can be immediately replaced.
In this configuration, the infrared cut filter 65 and the V _out cable drive circuit 62 may be provided anywhere on the grip portion. Further, it may be provided in the control unit 5. In addition, the connectors 72, 61, 80,
Of the contacts of 84, the portion excluding the power supply line may be configured by signal transmitting means by optical communication. In addition, the endoscope 60
A part of the light guide 58 inside may be guided to a photoelectric cell, and the circuit inside the endoscope 60 may be driven by electricity generated in this photoelectric cell. As a result, the connectors 72, 61, 80, 84 can be downsized and the manufacturing cost can be reduced, and the electrical contact failure can be avoided.

An endoscope 90 shown in FIG. 5A is composed of an insertion portion 91 and an operating portion 92, and has a bending portion 93 on the distal end side of the insertion portion 91. Inside the insertion portion 91, a light guide 96 that transmits illumination light and a channel 95 through which a treatment tool is inserted are provided. Further, a light guide cord 100 connected to the light source device 102 is connected to the operation portion 92, so that the illumination light from the light source device 102 can be transmitted to the light guide 96 in the insertion portion 91 through the light guide cord 100. Has become.

Further, the insertion portion 91 is provided with mounting grooves 110 and 112 into which the signal cable 99 having the image pickup unit 98 at its tip is removably mounted. With the signal cable 99 connected to the CCU 101, the imaging unit 9
8 is arranged in the unit mounting groove 110 at the tip of the insertion portion 91, the signal cable 99 is arranged in the cable mounting groove 112 connected to the unit mounting groove 110, and the insertion portion 91 and the signal cable 99 are bound by the binding member 94. Illumination light from the light source device 102 is applied to the observation site through the light guide 96, an optical image of the observation site is converted into an imaging signal by the CCD of the imaging unit 98, and the signal cable 99.
Is sent to the CCU 101, converted into a video signal by the CCU 101, and an observation image is displayed on an observation monitor (not shown) connected to the CCU 101.

As described above, the insertion portion 91 having the illumination optical system including the light guide 96 and the signal cable 99 as the observation optical system having the image pickup unit 98 are provided separately.
Since the original operation of the endoscope is performed by binding these components together, either the signal cable 99 or the insertion portion 91 can be disposable depending on the situation. That is, when the imaging unit 98 is expensive, it is reused to make the insertion section 91 disposable, or
When the imaging unit 98 is inexpensive, the imaging unit 98
In view of the situation in which the autoclave cannot be sterilized, the imaging unit 98 is made disposable and the insertion section 91 is reused.

As the signal cable 99, the signal line 105 is simply provided in the protective tube 199 (see FIG. 5B), or the shield for shielding the signal line 105 in the protective tube 199. Various configurations are conceivable, such as one in which the member 106 is embedded (see FIG. 5C) and one in which the shield member 107 is fitted on the outer circumference of the protective tube 199 in which the signal line 105 is arranged. When using the electric scalpel together with the endoscope 90,
It suffices to use the signal cable 99 having the configuration shown in FIGS. 5C and 5D in which the signal line 105 is shielded.
When only observing with the endoscope 90,
The signal cable 99 having the configuration shown in FIG. 5A may be used. If the signal cable 99 is detachably attached to the insertion portion 91 as in this configuration, various signal cables 99 can be obtained.
It is very convenient that you can use different types.

As shown in FIG. 6, CC (not shown)
The imaging device 121 including the objective lens 125, the CCD 126, and the signal line may be detachably attached to the insertion portion 91 that is electrically connected to the U via the relay cable 123. In this case, each signal line is electrically connected to the relay cable 123 connected to a CCU (not shown) via the connector 122 of the insertion portion 91. In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, the imaging unit 131 including only the objective lens 125 and the CCD 126 is detachably attached to the insertion unit 91 that is electrically connected to the CCU (not shown) via the relay cable 123. May be. Also in this case, the CCD 126 is electrically connected to the signal line 123 arranged in the insertion portion 91 via the connector 122.

[0031]

As described above, in the endoscope of the present invention, since a relatively expensive operation switch can be detachably attached to the endoscope main body, it is necessary to integrally provide the operation switch with the insertion portion main body. Therefore, the insertion portion main body can be manufactured at low cost. Therefore, as a result, the insertion portion main body can be disposable.

Further, since the operation switches can be detachably attached to the endoscope body, it is possible to deal with a user who desires only a part of the many operation switches. In other words, in this case, the user may attach only the operation switch used by the user to the endoscope main body, or select and use the operation switch attachable to the endoscope main body used.

Further, since it is not necessary to provide the operation switch integrally with the main body of the insertion section, there is a variation in the type of the switch which is a separate body from the main body of the insertion section while the configuration of the endoscope main body is standardized. It becomes possible. This makes it possible to improve the endoscope performance while reducing the manufacturing cost of the endoscope body.

Furthermore, since the main body of the insertion section can be disposable, it is not necessary to wash and disinfect the main body of the insertion section after use, so that it is possible to improve the efficiency of surgery and also prevent hospital infection. Can be planned.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an endoscope showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an endoscope showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an internal configuration diagram of an endoscope formed by detachably connecting an insertion portion and a grip portion.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a V _out cable drive circuit.

5A is a schematic configuration diagram of an endoscope unit in which an imaging system and an illumination system are separately provided, FIG. 5B is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 5A, and FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the modification of b),
(D) is sectional drawing which shows the other modification of (b).

6 is a configuration diagram of a main part of an endoscope showing a modified example of FIG.

7 is a main part configuration diagram of an endoscope showing another modified example of FIG. 5. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... endoscope, 2 ... endoscope body, 3, 4 ... operation switch.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Shigeru Nakajima 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Hideki Koyanagi 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shinji Yamashita 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Masao Uehara 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shinkichi Tanizawa 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Masahito Goto 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope, wherein at least a part of an operation switch for operating the endoscope body is detachably provided on the endoscope body.