JP2002065583A - Endoscope shape detecting probe - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope shape detecting probe improved in durability without causing disconnection at a connection part between a coil part and a signal line. SOLUTION: In this endoscope shape detecting probe disposed in an insertion part, the coil parts 34 each comprising a coil 35 with a lead wire 42 wound around a hollow core material 40, and a substrate 41, are stuck to a bar-like support member 33. In the case of connecting the coil 35 and a signal line 36 by the substrate 41, a length Y projecting in the direction of the insertion part from the end face of the substrate 41 at a hard part in the case the end part of a core exposed by taking off the coat of the signal line 36 is soldered to the substrate 4, and a length Z projecting in the direction of the insertion part from the end face of the substrate 41 to the end face reaching the coated part of the signal line 36, are formed not to exceed a length X projecting in the direction of the insertion part from the end face of the substrate 41 at a support member side hard part when fixing the substrate 41, or the like, to the support member 33 with an adhesive 44. Even if bent, there is no breaking of wire at the connection part between the coil part 34 and signal line 36, thus improving durability.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope shape detection probe used for detecting the shape of an insertion portion of an endoscope inserted into a body cavity or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, endoscopes have been widely used in the medical and industrial fields. This endoscope, especially if the insertion part is flexible, can be inserted into a bent body cavity to diagnose organs deep inside the body cavity without making an incision, and if necessary, insert a treatment tool into the channel. Therapeutic treatment such as resection of polyps and the like.

[0003] In this case, for example, as in the case of examining the lower digestive tract from the anal side, some skill may be required to smoothly insert the insertion portion into a bent body cavity.

[0004] In other words, when the insertion operation is performed, it is necessary to perform an operation such as bending a bending portion provided in the insertion portion in accordance with the bending of the conduit to perform smooth insertion. It is convenient to be able to know the position of the distal end and the like in the body cavity, the current bending state of the insertion portion, and the like.

[0005] For this reason, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-111969.
And Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-28662, there is an endoscope shape detecting device. By providing an endoscope with an endoscope shape detecting probe, the endoscope insertion detecting section can be inserted using the endoscope shape detecting probe. Detect the shape.

In the endoscope shape detection probe, a coil is provided on a support member of the probe, and a signal line for electrically connecting the endoscope shape detection device and the coil is provided from the coil. The part where the coil of the probe is arranged is a hard part, and the part without the coil is a flexible part.

When the endoscope shape detecting probe is curved in accordance with the shape of the endoscope insertion portion, the bending force is concentrated on the boundary position between the hard portion and the flexible portion, and the probe is bent with a small radius. become. The signal line is soldered to the lead wire forming the coil or the film substrate at the end face of the coil. Since the signal wire is covered and a single-core copper wire or the like is used for the core wire, the coating of the signal line is peeled off at the portion to be soldered and the core wire is exposed.

[0008]

Since the core wire is thin, the strength is weak at the portion where the insulating coating is peeled off and the core wire is exposed, or at the boundary between the portion where the solder is permeated and the portion where the solder is not permeated. Furthermore, if the core wire is fixed in a bent state with respect to the axial direction of the probe, when the core wire is bent in a certain direction, it may be bent at a steep angle, and the strength is weakened.

Therefore, when the bending force of the endoscope insertion portion is repeatedly applied as described above, the boundary position between the portion where the solder permeates the core wire and the portion where the solder does not permeate, and the insulating coating may not be formed. The core wire is easily broken at the portion where the core wire is peeled off and the core wire is exposed, and it is difficult to maintain resistance.

(Object of the Invention) The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned point, and an endoscope shape detecting probe capable of improving durability without cutting or the like occurring at a connection portion between a coil portion and a signal line. The purpose is to provide.

[0011]

Means for Solving the Problems A coil portion provided in an insertion portion of an endoscope to be inserted into a body cavity and used for detecting each position of the insertion portion, and a support inserted through the lumen of the coil portion In an endoscope shape detection probe in which a member, the coil portion, and a signal line are connected along a longitudinal axis of the insertion portion, a part of a conductor portion exposed by peeling off a coating of the signal line and the coil portion The length of the rigid portion generated at the connection portion from the base end side of the connection portion to the base surface of the coil is A, and the coating of the signal line connected to the coil portion is stripped. The length in the insertion portion direction from the base end side of the portion to the coil portion base end surface is B, and the insertion portion from the base end portion of the hard member extending from the coil portion base end surface to the coil portion base end surface When the length in the direction is C, , C satisfying the condition of C ≧ A and C ≧ B, the length of the hard part extending from the coil part end face to the signal line side generated by the connection between the coil part and the signal line is reduced by the supporting member. Does not exceed the length of the support member-side hard portion extending from the coil portion end surface to the signal line side, so that even when bent, the connection portion between the coil portion and the signal line does not break due to the support member-side hard portion. So that the durability can be improved.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 5 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 shows an entire configuration of an endoscope system having the first embodiment. 3 shows the internal configuration of the endoscope, FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the endoscope shape detection probe according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 4A and 4B show the structure around the coil portion. , And lead wires, and FIG.
(A), (B) and (C) show the connection part of a coil part, a signal line, and a signal line.

An endoscope system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is used with an endoscope apparatus 3 for performing an endoscopic examination on a patient using an endoscope 2, and is used together with the endoscope apparatus 3. An endoscope shape detecting device 5 for estimating the shape of the insertion portion 4 and displaying a modeled image of the endoscope insertion portion shape corresponding to the estimated shape.

The endoscope 2 has a flexible insertion portion 4 and an operation portion 6 connected to a rear end thereof, a universal cord 7 extending from the side of the operation portion 6, and an end portion of the universal cord 7. It has a connector 8 provided, and this connector 8 is detachably connected to the light source device 9.

The connector 8 is further detachably connected to a video processor 11 via a scope cable 10, and a video signal generated by signal processing is output to a monitor 12, which displays an endoscope image. Is displayed. Further, the shape detection signal cable 13 connected to the connector 8 is connected to a shape detection device main body 14 of the endoscope shape detection device 5.
It is detachably connected to.

The shape detection signal cable 13 is connected to the endoscope 2
An endoscope shape detection probe 15 (see FIG. 2) disposed therein and a shape detection signal connector 13a provided in the connector 8
It is connected detachably.

Then, an AC signal is applied from the shape detection device main body 14 to a coil in the endoscope shape detection probe 15 disposed in the endoscope 2 inserted into a body cavity or the like of a patient to generate a magnetic field. The generated magnetic field is detected by a plurality of coils (not shown) in a coil unit 17 disposed at a predetermined position around the patient, and the detected signal is input to the shape detection device main body 14 via the connection cable 18. The shape of the insertion portion 4 is estimated by detecting the position of each coil in the endoscope shape detection probe 15 by the shape detection device main body 14, and the shape of the insertion portion is displayed on the shape detection display monitor 19. I have.

As shown in FIG. 2, the insertion section 4 of the endoscope 2 comprises a hard distal end portion 21, a bendable bending portion 22, and a flexible tube 23, and is provided on the operation portion 6. By operating the bending knob 24, the bending portion 22 can be bent in a desired direction.

A light guide 25 is inserted into the insertion section 4. The light guide 25 is inserted through the universal cord 7 extended from the operation section 6, and reaches the connector 8 at the end. Illumination light is supplied to the end face of the connector 8 from a lamp (not shown) incorporated in the light source device 9, transmitted by the light guide 25, and fixed to the illumination window 26 of the distal end portion 21 of the insertion section 4. The illumination light transmitted from the surface through the illumination lens 27 attached to the illumination window 26 facing the front end surface is emitted forward.

A subject such as an inner wall or a diseased part in a body cavity illuminated by the illumination light emitted from the illumination lens 27 is an objective lens 29 attached to an observation window 28 formed adjacent to an illumination window 26 at the distal end portion 21. Charge-coupled device (CC) as a solid-state imaging device
An image is formed at 30).

The CCD 30 receives a CCD drive signal output from a CCD drive circuit in a signal processing unit (not shown) incorporated in the video processor 11 so that an image signal photoelectrically converted by the CCD 30 is read and inserted. Signal processing is performed by a signal processing circuit in the video processor 11 through a video signal line 31 inserted through the unit 4 and the like, converted into a standard video signal, output to the monitor 12, and photoelectrically converted by the objective lens 29 into the CCD 30. The endoscope image formed on the screen is displayed in color.

The insertion section 4 of the endoscope 2 is provided with a treatment instrument channel or a forceps channel (hereinafter, abbreviated as a channel) 32.
A treatment tool (not shown) can be inserted from the channel 2a into the channel 32.

In the present embodiment, an endoscope shape detection probe (hereinafter abbreviated as a probe) 15 is inserted through the insertion section 4, and the tip of the probe 15 is connected to the tip 2 of the insertion section 4.
1 is fixed, for example, by adhesion.

The rear end of the probe 15 is electrically connected to the shape detection signal cable 13 from the connector 8 via the shape detection signal connector 13a as described above, and the shape detection signal cable 13 is further connected to the shape detection device. Body 14
It is connected to the. A coil unit 17 for detecting a magnetic field is connected to the shape detection device main body 14 by a detachable connection cable 18, and a signal of the shape of the insertion portion detected by the shape detection device main body 14 is transmitted to a shape display monitor 19.
Is output to. The shape of the insertion portion is displayed on the display screen of the shape detection monitor 19.

As shown in FIG. 3, the probe 15 includes a support member 33 and a plurality of coil units 3 disposed on the support member 33.
4, the coil part 34 and the connector 8 are connected, and the coil part 34
Signal line 36 for supplying current to coil 35 formed in
And an outer tube 37 of the probe 15 and a bonding material 38 such as silicon filled around the coil portion 34 and the support member 33 in the outer tube 37.

The position and the number of the coils 34 to be bonded and fixed to the support member 33, and the distance A between the coils 34 are the number optimized in consideration of the length and shape detection capability of the insertion section 4 of the endoscope 2. It can be a position and an interval.

The support member 33 is made of chemical fiber and has sufficient strength so that it does not break when the insertion portion 4 is bent or looped. A support member 33 and a coil portion 34,
The signal line 36 soldered to the coil part 34 is bundled together by an outer tube 37 over the entire length.

The hardness and resilience of the outer tube 37 affect the hardness and resilience of the insertion section 4 of the endoscope 2. Therefore, the outer tube 37 is made of a material having a hardness optimized for each endoscope 2. For example, it is selected from resin tubes such as polyolefin, polyethylene, and Teflon (registered trademark).

Further, a blade made of metal or synthetic fiber may be used for the outer tube 37. In this case, the bonding material 38 need not be filled. The tip of the probe 15 may be joined to the tip 21 with solder.

FIG. 4A is a sectional view of the vicinity of the coil section 34. The coil portion 34 includes a core member 40, a substrate 41, and a coil 35.
Are formed from the lead wires 42 that form. Core material 40
Is made of a magnetic material such as ferrite or permalloy,
A lead wire 42 forming a coil 35 is provided around the core material 40.
Is tightly wound.

The core material 40 and the substrate 41 are fixed at their end faces with an adhesive. This bonding method may be soldering. The core member 40 and the substrate 41 have a hollow cylindrical shape so that the support member 33 passes through the center. The support member 33 has flexibility and is curved, but the core member 40 and the substrate 41 are rigid, and this portion is not curved.

The lead wire 42 forming the coil 35 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (B), the single-axis line having the insulating film 45 is formed. The insulating film 45 is peeled off near both ends of the lead wire 42 so that the exposed core wire 46 is formed on a land portion provided on the substrate 41 described later. 47 is soldered.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show the coil unit 3 respectively.
4 and a detailed diagram of the signal line 36. As shown in FIG. 5A, the substrate 41 is provided with a land portion 47 for fixing the lead wire 42 by soldering. This land part 47
Are located at two places on the end face of the substrate 41, and both have a semicircular arc shape. The signal line 36 is also connected to the land portion 47 by soldering.

As shown in FIG. 5 (B), the signal line 36 is a single axis line having an insulating film 48. The insulating film 48 is peeled off near the end of the signal line 36, and the core wire 49 is exposed. The exposed portion 39 of the signal line 36 from which the insulating film 48 has been peeled off is soldered to the land portion 47 described above. Note that reference numeral 50 indicates a covering portion of the signal line 36.

FIG. 5 (C) shows the coil section 34 and the signal line 36.
3 shows a detailed view of the connection part 51 of FIG. The connection portion 51 between the substrate 41 and the signal line 36 is connected to the solder joint portion 52 and a core wire 4 described later.
9 includes a portion 53 in which solder is soaked, and the core wire 49 does not bend at the portion of the connection portion 51. This substrate 4
The solder joint 52 between the lead wire 1 and the signal line 36 may be separated from the solder joint 54 between the lead wire 42 and the board 41, and may be overlapped with the solder joint 54 between the lead wire 42 and the board 41.
There is no need to solder.

After joining the coil section 34 and the signal line 36, the coil section 34 is bonded and fixed on a supporting member 33 at a desired position as shown in FIG. Coil part 34
The adhesive 44 when fixing the support member 33 to the core member 40 of the coil portion 34 and the gap between the support member 33 of the substrate 41 and the substrate 41 is filled with the support member 33 through the coil portion 34. In FIG. 4, the adhesive 44 is soaked into the support member 33 and hardened, and this hard portion protrudes from the end surface of the coil portion 34 (in FIG. 4A, the portion protruding from the end surface of the substrate 41 or the land portion 47). The portion where the adhesive 44 is soaked is indicated by reference numeral 55).

As described above, the coil part 34 is connected to the support member 33.
The hard member 56 is formed by infiltrating the support member 33 with the adhesive 44 from the end of the coil portion 34 (on the side to which the signal line 36 is connected). In addition, in the axial direction of the probe 15, the length of the hard member 56 hardened by the adhesive 44 from the coil portion 34 is represented by X, and the coil portion, which is also the length of the connection portion 51 in the axial direction of the probe 15. When the length from Y to the boundary 53a of the solder soak is defined as Y, and the length from the coil portion 34 to the end surface 36a of the covering portion of the signal line 36 is defined as Z, FIG.
> Y and FIG. 4A shows that X>Z> Y, and the length X of the hard member 56 is the longest.

The support member 33 may be a metal wire such as a wire. In this case, when the coil part 34 is disposed on the support member 33, the support member 33 is not the adhesive 55 as described above.
The hard member 56 having the above-described length may be formed by infiltrating the solder 3. Although not shown, the boundary 53a is covered
0, and also at this time, the X, the Y, and the Z
Then, X may be the longest, and X = Y. When the boundary 53a and the end face 36a are at the same position (Y = Z)
But it is good.

In this embodiment, a coil section 34 provided in the insertion section 4 of the endoscope 2 to be inserted into a body cavity and used for detecting the position of the insertion section 4 is provided. In the endoscope shape detection probe 15 in which the support member 33 inserted into the cavity, the coil part 34 and the signal line 36 are connected along the longitudinal axis of the insertion part 4, the coating of the signal line 36 is removed. Part of the exposed conductor portion and the coil portion 3
4, the length in the insertion direction from the base end side of the hard portion generated at this connection portion to the base end surface of the coil portion 34 is Y, and the coating of the signal line 36 connected to the coil portion 34 is The length in the insertion direction from the base end side of the stripped coating stripped portion to the base end surface of the coil portion 34 is Z, and the base end of a hard member formed by bonding the coil portion 34 and the support member 33 When the length in the insertion portion direction from the portion to the base end face of the coil portion 34 is X, the relationship between the Y, Z, and X satisfies the condition that X ≧ Y and X ≧ Z. , Coil part 34 and signal line 36
Since the length of the hard portion extending from the end face of the coil portion 34 toward the signal line 36 due to the connection of the support member 33 does not exceed the length of the hard portion of the support member 33 extending from the end face of the coil portion 34 to the signal line 36 side, Even when it is bent, it is characterized in that the rigid portion on the support member side holds the connecting portion between the coil portion 34 and the signal line 36 so that disconnection does not occur, thereby improving durability. I have.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. In the case of the above configuration, not only the coil part 34 but also a part of the support member 33 is hardened, so that the bending force applied when the insertion part 4 is bent is reduced by the solder joint part 52 between the substrate 41 and the signal line 36. And a portion 39 from which the insulating coating 48 has been removed, and a core wire 49.
To prevent the solder from penetrating into the boundary portion 53a.

This embodiment has the following effects. The portion 39 or the core wire 49 from which the insulating coating 48 having a weak strength is removed.
Can be prevented from breaking at the boundary 53a of the portion 53 where the solder is soaked into the solder, and the resistance of the probe 15 can be improved. Since the substrate 41 is used, the work range of soldering is wide and reliable work can be easily performed.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The differences from the first embodiment are described below. FIGS. 6 and 7 show the second embodiment, and FIG. 6A is a detailed sectional view of the coil portion 34 of the probe 15. The coil portion 34 is bonded and fixed on the support member 33, and is provided on the support member 33 as a protective member according to the end surface of the substrate 41 and the signal line 36 where the solder joint portion 52 exists and the end surface of the coil pipe 58 described later. Coil pipe 5
8 is adhesively fixed.

The portion of the coil pipe 58 into which the adhesive 44 that adheres to the support member 33 is impregnated is a hard portion 60. As shown in FIG. 6B, the length of the hard member 60 that protrudes from the end of the substrate and is formed by the adhesive 44 soaking into the coil pipe 58 is defined as X, and the length of the coil portion 34, which is the length of the connection portion 51, is determined. X is the longest when the length from the solder penetration boundary portion 53a to Y and the length from the coil portion 34 to the covering end face 36a of the signal line 36 are Z.

Before the coil pipe 58 is passed through the supporting member 33, the coil pipe 58 and the end face of the substrate 41 may be fixed by soldering.
May be present not only on the end face of the substrate 41 as shown in FIG. Although not shown, the boundary portion 53a may be present in the covering portion 50. At this time, X is the longest in X, Y, and Z, and X = Y. Further, the boundary portion 53a and the covering portion end surface 36a of the signal line 36 may be at the same position (Y = Z).

The operation of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. This embodiment has the following effects. Breakage of the signal line 36 at the solder penetration boundary 53a and the core 49 of the signal line 36 can be prevented, and the resistance of the portion 39 of the signal line 36 where the insulating coating of the core 49 has been removed can be increased. Therefore, the resistance of the probe 15 can be increased. Since the coil pipe 58 is used as a protection member, the quality of operation is less varied and stable quality can be maintained as compared with the first embodiment in which a hard portion is formed with an adhesive or the like.

Since the work of soldering the lead wires and the board at the end face of the board 41 can be performed on the side face of the board 41, the workability is good. Concentration of bending force on the end face of the hard portion can be prevented, and the resistance of the probe 15 can be increased.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The differences from the first embodiment are described below. FIG. 8A shows the third embodiment, and shows a cross-sectional view of the coil unit 34. An adhesive 61 is provided around the end of the signal line 36 (on the substrate 41 side) so as to cover at least the connection portion 51 of the substrate 41 and the signal line 36 and the entire portion 39 from which the insulating coating has been removed from the coil portion 34.
To form a hard member 62 (shown by cross hatching).

As shown in FIG. 8B, the length X of the hard portion 62 formed by the adhesive 61 is the length from the coil portion 34, which is the length of the connection portion 51, to the solder penetration boundary portion 53a. X is the longest when Z is the length from the coil portion 34 to the covering end face 36a of the signal line 36.

Although not shown, the boundary portion 53a may be present in the covering portion 50. In this case, X is the longest of X, Y and Z, and X = Y. Also,
The boundary portion 53a and the covering portion end surface 36a of the signal line 36 may be at the same position (Y = Z).

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. The adhesive 61 causes the solder joint 52, the portion 53 soaked in the solder core wire 49, and the solder soaked boundary 53 a
And the covering portion 50 of the signal line 36 is hardened beyond the portion 39 of the signal line 36 from which the insulating coating 48 is peeled off, and is hardened when the insertion portion 4 is bent. It does not concentrate on parts and does not deform.
The portion 39 of the signal line 36 from which the insulating film 48 has been peeled off is insulated and covered with an adhesive 61.

This embodiment has the following effects. Disconnection at the portion 39 of the signal line 36 from which the insulating coating 48 has been peeled off can be prevented, and furthermore, the resistance of the substrate 41 and the signal line 36 can be increased, so that the resistance of the probe 15 can be increased. Portion 39 of signal line 36 from which insulating coating 48 has been peeled off
Can be reliably insulated. (Fourth Embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The differences between the first and second embodiments are described below. A fourth embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 are detailed illustrations of the coil section 34 of the probe 15. FIG.

The pipe member 65 is adhered to the substrate 41 at the outer periphery of the solder joint 52 between the substrate 41 and the signal line 36, and an insulating adhesive 66 is applied inside the pipe member 65. The pipe member 65 is made of metal, and the outer diameter of the pipe member 65 is equal to or smaller than the outer diameter of the substrate 41.
The adhesive 66 is an adhesive having an elasticity after curing, such as silicon.

By filling the pipe member 65 with the adhesive 66, the solder joint 52 of the substrate 41 and the signal line 36, the portion 53 where the solder permeates the core 49, the boundary 53a where the solder permeates, and the signal A hard member is provided up to the portion 39 of the signal line 36 beyond the portion 39 where the insulating coating 48 of the line 36 has been peeled off. Let X be the length hardened by the hard member from the coil portion 34 and the connecting portion 51
From the coil portion 34 having the length of
The length up to 3a is Y, and the signal line 36
X is the longest when Z is the length to the covering portion end surface 36a.

The pipe member 65 may be used as a jig for filling the adhesive 66, and may be removed after filling the adhesive 66 as shown in FIG. 10A, and the material may be plastic. . Although not shown, the boundary 53a
May be present in the covering portion 50, and also at this time, X is the longest among X, Y, and Z, and X = Y may be satisfied. The boundary portion 53a and the end face 3 of the covering portion of the signal line 36
6a may be at the same position (Y = Z).

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. The adhesive 41 filled in the pipe member 65 causes the substrate 41
Joint portion 52 between the wire 49 and the signal line 36, a portion 53 where the solder is soaked into the core wire 49, and a boundary portion 53 a where the solder is soaked
And the portion 39 of the signal line 36 from which the insulating coating 48 has been peeled off, to the covering portion 50 of the signal line is hardened, and when the insertion portion 4 is bent, the hardened portion There is no force or deformation.

The portion 39 of the signal line 36 from which the insulating film 48 has been peeled off is insulated and covered with an adhesive 66. Since the adhesive 66 is an adhesive having elasticity after hardening, the covering portion 50 of the signal line 36 slightly moves in the direction bent at the boundary between the portion hardened by the adhesive 66 and the portion that is not hardened. I can do it.

This embodiment has the following effects. The disconnection at the portion 39 of the signal line 36 from which the insulating coating 48 has been peeled off can be prevented, and the resistance of the solder joint 52 between the substrate 41 and the signal line 36 can be increased.
Resistance can be increased. Insulation coating 4 for signal line 36
The insulation at the portion 39 from which 8 has been removed can be reliably insulated.

The work is easy because the pipe member 65 is set and the adhesive is incorporated. Since the hardening can be reliably performed by bonding in a desired range, the variation due to the operation is reduced, and the quality is stabilized.

The covering portion 50 of the signal line 36 is concentrated at the boundary between the portion hardened by the adhesive 66 and the portion that is not hardened and does not bend due to a force.
Can be improved in the covering portion 50.

(Fifth Embodiment) Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The differences from the first embodiment are described below. FIGS. 11 to 1 show a fifth embodiment.
6 will be described.

In the endoscope system 71 shown in FIG. 11, a probe 72 for detecting a shape is independent of the endoscope 2,
The probe 72 is installed in the channel 32. At the rear end of the probe 72, there is provided a connector 73 that can be connected to the shape detecting device main body 14. A stopper 74 is provided on the probe 72 as shown in FIG. 12, and the forceps light insertion port 32a abuts against the stopper 74, so that the tip 75 of the probe 72 can be positioned without protruding from the tip 21 of the insertion portion 4. Fixed.

FIG. 13 is a detailed view of the operation unit 6 of the endoscope 2. The universal cord 7 is connected to the operation section 6 with a folding member 75, and the insertion section 4 is connected to the grip 76 with a folding member 77.
The operation unit 6 is usually operated by holding it with the left hand.
The left hand is hard to touch the appearance near the joint between the operation unit 6 and the universal cord 7 and does not interfere with the operation.
In the vicinity of the connection between the cable and the universal cord 7, there is provided a display 78 on which a manufacturer and a model name are displayed by a seal.
Is arranged. This display section 78 may be printed.

FIG. 14 is a view taken in the direction of arrow B in FIG. When the endoscope 2 is placed on a desk or a tray for washing,
Normally, it can be stably placed, so that the bending knob 24 provided on the operation section 6 is placed on the upper surface as shown in FIG. When the protection member 79 in the form of a protrusion is placed as described above, the protection member 79 directly touches the installation surface 80, and the display unit 78 moves the installation surface 8.
It has a height that does not touch 0.

FIGS. 15 to 17 show the details of the substrate 41 and the coil section 34. FIG. As shown in FIG.
Is provided with a land portion 47. The shape of the land portion 47 extends from one end surface of the substrate 41 to the outer peripheral side surface. In addition, a concave portion 81 provided for soldering the signal line 36 exists on the outer peripheral side surface of the substrate 41, and a land portion 47 is also formed on the outer surface of the concave portion 81.
As shown in FIG. 16, a portion 39 of the signal line 36 from which the insulating film 48 has been peeled off (the core wire 49) and a concave portion 81 of the land portion 47 are soldered.

FIG. 17A shows a cross section around the connecting portion of the probe 72. As shown in FIG. 17B which is a detailed view of the connecting portion of FIG.
The substrate 41 and the signal line 36 with an adhesive 44 for bonding
And a portion 53 where the solder is infiltrated into the core wire 49 and a portion 39 of the signal line 36 from which the insulating coating 48 has been peeled off, and adheres to the covering portion 50 of the signal line 36 to form a hard A member is formed.

At this time, the length of the hard member formed by the adhesive 44 from the coil portion is X, the length from the coil portion 34 to the solder penetration boundary 53a is Y, and the coil portion 3
4 to the end face 36a of the covering portion of the signal line 36.
X is the longest. Although not shown, the boundary portion 53a may be present in the covering portion 50. At this time, X is the longest in X, Y, and Z, and X = Y. Further, the boundary portion 53a and the covering portion end surface 36a may be at the same position (Y = Z).

As shown in FIG. 17C, when bonding, the signal line 36 and the support member 33 are temporarily fixed with a temporary fixing member 84 such as tape so that the signal line 36 is parallel to the support member 33. In this state, the signal line 36 and the board 41 are soldered.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. The solder joint 5 between the substrate 41 and the signal line 36 is formed by the adhesive 44.
2, a portion 53 where the solder has permeated the core wire 49, a boundary portion 53a where the solder has permeated, and the insulating film 4 of the signal line 36.
8 is hardened up to the covering portion 50 of the signal line 36 beyond the stripped portion 39, and when the insertion portion 4 is bent, a force is applied or deformed to the hardened portion. There is nothing.

Since the stopper 74 abuts the forceps insertion port 32a, the probe 72 can be set in the insertion section 4 by a predetermined length. The protection member 79 in the form of a projection is provided on
Touch 0 and the seal or print 78 does not touch the installation surface 80. The signal line 36 is connected by soldering so as to be parallel to the support member 33 from the connection portion with the coil portion 34.

The solder joint 52 between the substrate 41 and the signal line 36 is on the outer peripheral side surface of the substrate 41, and the distance from the end surface of the substrate 41 to the covering portion 50 of the signal line 36 is shorter than in the first embodiment.

After the signal line 36 and the supporting member 33 are temporarily fixed with a tape, the solder joint 52 between the substrate 41 and the signal line 36 is connected to the portion 53 where the solder has permeated the core 49 and the signal line 36.
The signal line 36 can be securely fixed in parallel with the supporting member 33 because the portion up to the covering portion 50 of the signal line 36 beyond the portion 39 where the insulating coating 48 has been peeled off is hardened by bonding.

This embodiment has the following effects. Disconnection at the portion 39 where the insulating film 48 of the signal line 36 has been removed can be prevented, and the resistance of the solder joint 52 between the substrate 41 and the signal line 36 can be increased. Can do things. Since the probe 72 can always be installed in the insertion section 4 by the same length, conditions such as the range of shape detection do not change.

Since the display section 78 does not contact the installation surface 80, the seal or printing of the display section 78 is not rubbed or stained, and the durability can be improved. Since the signal line 36 is connected to the coil portion 34 so as to be parallel to the support member 33, soldering is not performed in a state where the core wire 49 is bent as in the first embodiment. Therefore, the core wire 4
Bending of the wire 9 can be prevented.

When the bending force is applied to the core wire 49 by the bending of the probe due to insufficient bonding and fixing, since the core wire 49 is not bent and connected as in the first embodiment, the bending applied to the core wire 49 is not performed. Stress can be minimized and tolerance can be maintained.

The solder joint 52 between the substrate 41 and the signal line 36 is located on the outer peripheral side surface of the substrate 41, and the distance from the end surface of the substrate 41 to the covering portion 50 of the signal line 36 is shorter than in the first embodiment. In addition, the distance for hardening with an adhesive can be short.
Since the rigid portion is short, the effect on the curved shape of the probe 72 is small.

If the signal line 36 is bent and fixed, the signal line 36 may be bent at a steep angle with respect to a certain direction.
Signal lines 36 and the support member 33 is good durability because the force is applied equally be bent in any direction because it is fixed parallel to.

(Sixth Embodiment) Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The differences from the first embodiment are described below. 18 and 19 show the sixth embodiment. FIG. 18 (A) is a detailed sectional view of the coil portion 34 of the probe 15, and FIG. 18 (B) is a connection between the coil portion 34 and the signal line 36. It is a detailed view of a part.

The coil portion 34 composed of the core member 40, the lead wires 42, and the substrate 41 is adhered and fixed on a support member 33, and the signal line 36 is joined to the substrate 41 with a conductive adhesive. Reference numeral 100 denotes an adhesive portion 102 between the substrate 41 and the signal line 36, and a portion 103 in which the adhesive is soaked into the core wire 49, and a portion from the adhesive 102 to the boundary portion 104 where the adhesive is soaked by the conductive adhesive. Signal line 36
Core wire 49 does not bend. The adhesive does not permeate the core wire 49 at the portion beyond the boundary portion 104 where the adhesive permeates from the coil portion 34, and the core wire 49 has flexibility.

The substrate 41 is provided with the bending preventing member 10.
1 are fixed by bonding, and the substrate 41 and the signal line 36 are fixed.
The structure and size cover the connection portion 100 and the covering portion 50 of the signal line 36 beyond the core wire 49. The substrate 41 and the bending preventing member 101 are provided inside the bending preventing member 101.
Or the connection portion 1 between the substrate 41 and the signal line 36.
The resin member 106 made of silicon or the like is filled to prevent the bending force or the twisting force from being applied to the core wire 49 and the core wire 49. And the bending-preventing member 101 are bonded and fixed.

X is the total length of the bending preventing member 101, Y is the axial length of the boundary portion 104 from which the adhesive penetrates the adhesive from the coil portion 34, and the end surface 3 of the covering portion of the signal line 36 from the coil portion 34.
When the distance to 6a is Z, the length of X is the longest.
Although not shown, the boundary portion 104 may be present in the covering portion 50 of the signal line 36. In this case, X is the longest in X, Y, and Z, and X = Y. Also,
The boundary portion 104 and the covering portion end surface 36a of the signal line 36 may be at the same position (Y = Z).

FIG. 19 shows details of the appearance of the bending preventing member 101. The bending preventing member 101 is made of a flexible material such as hard rubber. Bending member 10
In the vicinity of the substrate-side end face 108, the outer diameter is large and the wall thickness is sufficiently large, so that it hardly bends when it is bent in the axial direction of the probe 15, but it easily bends steplessly as it reaches the mouth-side end face 107. .

When assembling the probe 15, the coil portion 34 is connected to the signal line 36, and the necessary number and positions of the coil portions 34 are arranged on the support member 33 and adhered. When arranging the coil portion 34 on the support member 33, it is necessary to arrange the bending preventing member 101 at the same time.
As shown in FIG. 19E, the bending preventing member 101
A cut 105 and a slit 109 may be provided over the entire length of the support member 33 so that the coil portion 34 is adhered to the support member 33 so that the bending preventing member 101 can be attached later.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. Since a bending force is applied to a portion 103 where the adhesive is infiltrated into the adhesive portion 102 and the core 49 of the probe 15 and a portion where the core 49 is present, the portion 103 where the adhesive is infiltrated into the adhesive 102 and the core 49 is connected to the core 103. No bending or torsion stress is applied to 49.

The bending-preventing member 101 is provided at the mouth end face 10.
On the side 7, the flexibility changes steplessly, and when the bending force is concentrated on the bending preventing member 101, the bending force is dispersed, and on the substrate 41 side of the bending preventing member 101, the bending preventing member 101 Is not deformed, but is deformed so as to be largely bent as approaching the mouth side end surface 107.

This embodiment has the following effects. Breakage at the core 103 and the portion 103 where the adhesive has permeated the adhesive 102 and the core 49 can be prevented, and the durability of the probe 15 can be improved. Covering portion 5 of signal line 36
It is possible to prevent the bending force from being concentrated by applying the bending force to zero, and the bending preventing member 101 can
Since it is deformed so as to be largely bent as it approaches 7, the durability of the covering portion 50 of the signal line 36 can also be improved.

The cut portion 105 and the slit 109 are formed in the bending preventing member 101 so that the coil portion 34 is supported by the supporting member 33.
After bonding, the bending preventing member 101 can be attached, and the operation can be performed easily.

[Appendix] A coil portion provided in an insertion portion of an endoscope to be inserted into a body cavity and used for detecting positions of the insertion portion; a support member inserted through the lumen of the coil portion; and the coil portion and a signal line Are connected along the longitudinal axis of the insertion portion in the endoscope shape detection probe, the connection between the coil portion and the portion of the conductor portion exposed by peeling off the coating of the signal line is generated at this connection portion. The length in the insertion portion direction from the base end side of the hard portion to the coil base end surface is A, and the coil portion is formed from the base end side of the coating stripping portion where the coating of the signal line connected to the coil portion is stripped. When the length in the insertion portion direction up to the base end surface is B, and the length in the insertion portion direction from the base end portion of the hard member extending from the coil portion base end surface to the coil portion base end surface is C In addition, the relationship between A, B, and C is C ≧ A and C ≧ The endoscope shape detecting probe, characterized in that it.

1. A coil unit that is installed on an endoscope inserted into a body cavity and is used for detecting the position of the endoscope using a magnetic field, a coated signal line including an electric conductor inside, and the coating of the signal line is peeled off. Part, a rigid connection part for connecting the coil part and the signal line, and an endoscope shape detection probe having a hard part including the connection part, wherein the length of the connection part in the axial direction is A, When the axial length of the portion where the coating of the signal line is removed is B, and the axial length of the hard portion is C, the following conditional expressions C ≧ A and C ≧ B are satisfied. Endoscope shape detection probe.

2. 2. The endoscope shape detection probe according to claim 1, wherein the hard portion is provided on a support member to which the coil portion is fixed. 3. 3. The endoscope shape detection probe according to claim 1, wherein the hard portion is formed by applying an adhesive to the support member. 4. 3. The endoscope shape detection probe according to claim 1, wherein the hard portion is formed by impregnating solder into the support member.

5. 3. The endoscope shape detection probe according to claim 1, wherein the hard portion is formed by providing a protection member on the support member. 6. 6. The endoscope shape detection probe according to claim 5, wherein the protection member is a close-wound coil. 7. 6. The endoscope shape detection probe according to claim 5, wherein the protection member is made of a material having elasticity. 8. The endoscope shape detection probe according to claim 7, wherein the protection member is formed of rubber.

(Operation of Supplementary Notes 1 to 8) Since not only the coil portion but also a portion of the axis is hardened, the bending force applied when the insertion portion of the endoscope is bent or twisted is a signal. It is possible to prevent the exposed portion of the core wire from being concentrated on the boundary portion where the solder penetrates into the core wire.

9. 2. The endoscope shape detection probe according to claim 1, wherein the hard portion is provided on the signal line. 10. 10. The endoscope shape detection probe according to claim 9, wherein the hard portion is formed of an adhesive.

(Operation of Supplementary Notes 9 and 10)
The solder joint between the board and the signal line, the part where the solder has permeated the core wire, the boundary where the solder has permeated, and the part where the insulating coating of the signal line has been peeled off, are hard to the signal line coating part. When the insertion portion of the endoscope is bent and twisted, the hardened portion is not deformed by applying a force.

(Effects of Supplementary Notes 1 to 10)
A bending force is not applied to a connection portion between the signal line and the substrate and a portion where the core wire of the signal line is exposed, thereby improving the durability of the probe against stress when the insertion portion is bent or twisted. I can do things.

11. An endoscope shape detection probe, characterized in that the support member of the endoscope shape detection probe and the signal line are fixed so as to be substantially parallel in the vicinity of the hard portion. (Function of Supplementary Note 11) At the time of bending the endoscope shape detection probe, a joint portion between the coil portion and the signal line, a portion where the core wire of the signal line is exposed, and a portion where the signal line is hardened by the connection portion. Is the same in all bending directions.

(Effect of Supplementary Note 11) The signal line is attached in parallel with the support member of the endoscope shape detection probe. When the endoscope shape detection probe is bent, the signal line is connected when the endoscope shape detection probe is bent in a specific direction. Without the core wire bending at a steep angle,
The signal line and the core wire are evenly bent with respect to the bending of the endoscope shape detection probe in all directions, so that the durability can be enhanced.

[0097]

As described above, according to the present invention, a coil unit provided in an insertion portion of an endoscope inserted into a body cavity and used for detecting the position of the insertion portion, In the endoscope shape detection probe in which the support member inserted into the lumen, and the coil portion and the signal line are connected along the longitudinal axis of the insertion portion, the conductor portion exposed by peeling off the coating of the signal line And the length of the insertion portion from the base end side of the hard portion generated in the connection portion to the coil base end surface by connection between the coil portion and the coil base surface is A, and the length of the signal line connected to the coil portion is The length in the insertion direction from the base end side of the coating stripped portion from which the coating has been stripped to the base surface of the coil portion is B, and the coil portion extends from the base end of a hard member extending from the coil portion base end surface. The length in the insertion portion direction up to the base end surface is C. In this case, since the relationship of A, B, and C satisfies the condition that C ≧ A and C ≧ B, the rigidity extending from the coil portion end face to the signal line side due to the connection between the coil portion and the signal line. Since the length of the portion does not exceed the length of the support member side hard portion extending from the coil portion end face to the signal line side of the support member, even when bent, the support member side hard portion allows the coil portion and the signal line to be connected. Can be held so as not to cause disconnection at the connection portion, and the durability can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope system including a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the endoscope.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a configuration of an endoscope shape detection probe according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a structure around a coil portion and a lead wire.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a connection portion between a coil portion, a signal line, and a signal line.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a connection portion between a periphery of a coil unit and a signal line according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a coil unit.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a connection portion between a coil portion and a signal line according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a connection portion between a coil portion and a signal line according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a connection portion between a coil portion and a signal line according to a modification of the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 11 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope system including a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of an endoscope.

FIG. 13 is an external view showing the periphery of an operation unit of the endoscope.

FIG. 14 is a view in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a substrate.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a coil unit.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of a connection portion of the signal line of the coil portion and a part thereof, and a diagram showing a state where the signal line is temporarily fixed.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a connection portion between a periphery of a coil portion and a signal line according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an appearance, a cross-sectional shape, and the like of a bending prevention member.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope system 2 ... Endoscope 3 ... Endoscope apparatus 4 ... Insertion part 5 ... Endoscope shape detection apparatus 6 ... Operation part 7 ... Universal code 8 ... Connector 9 ... Light source device 11 ... Video processor 12 ... Monitor 13 ... Shape detection signal cable 14 ... Shape detection device main body 15 ... (Endoscope shape detection) probe 17 ... Coil unit 18 ... Connection cable 19 ... Monitor for shape display 21 ... Tip 30 ... CCD 33 ... Support member 34 ... Coil part 35 ... Coil 36 ... Signal line 36a ... End face 37 ... Outer tube 38 ... Bonding material 39 ... Exposed part (the insulation coating 48 of the signal line 36 is removed) 40 ... Core material 41 ... Substrate 42 ... Lead wire 44 ... Adhesive 46 ... Core wire 47 ... Land portion 48 ... Insulating coating 49 ... Core wire 50 ... Coated portion of signal line 36 51 ... Connecting portion 52 ... Solder joint 53 ... (Core Part 53a is steeped solder to 49 ... solder penetration boundary portion 56 ... the hard part

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Michio Sato 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takayasu Miyagi 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Atsushi Watanabe 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo F-term within Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. 2H040 BA00 BA23 DA11 DA17 4C061 AA00 AA04 BB00 CC00 DD03 FF21 HH51 HH52 JJ06 JJ11 JJ17

Claims (1)

[Claims] A coil provided in an insertion portion of an endoscope to be inserted into a body cavity and used for detecting each position of the insertion portion; a support member inserted into the lumen of the coil portion; In an endoscope shape detection probe in which a coil portion and a signal line are connected along a longitudinal axis of the insertion portion, a part of a conductor portion that is exposed by peeling off a coating of the signal line and a connection between the coil portion and the coil portion The length in the insertion direction from the base end side of the hard portion generated in the connection portion to the base end surface of the coil portion is A, and the base of the coating stripping portion where the coating of the signal line connected to the coil portion is stripped is defined. The length in the insertion portion direction from the end side to the coil portion base end surface is B, and the length in the insertion portion direction from the base end portion of the hard member extending from the coil portion base end surface to the coil portion base end surface. Where C is the relationship between A, B, and C Is C ≧ A and C ≧ B
An endoscope shape detection probe, characterized in that: