JP2003024270A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope in which the flexibility of an insertion portion can be changed into a desired state by preventing troubles in expansion/ shrinkage of a balloon. SOLUTION: When fluid is injected into a bag portion 34a of the balloon 34 by pressing, the balloon 34 begins to expand and the external surface of the balloon 34 is regulated from deforming in an external direction by a mesh- like coating 38, and the balloon 34 is so expanded that the entire surface of internal pores contacts with the external surface of a channel tube 22 closely. When the fluid is injected by pressing, the balloon 34 expands to have a prescribed outer dimension and is integrated with the tube 22.

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a balloon which is inserted into an endoscope insertion portion, and supplies and discharges fluid to the balloon so as to increase the flexibility of the endoscope insertion portion. An endoscope that is changed. 2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, by inserting an elongated endoscope insertion portion (hereinafter, referred to as an insertion portion) into a body cavity, a site to be inspected in the body cavity can be reduced without requiring an incision. 2. Description of the Related Art Endoscopes capable of observing or performing a therapeutic treatment using a treatment tool as necessary are widely used. For example, in a strongly bent lumen such as the sigmoid colon, it is desirable that the insertion portion has high flexibility (softness), and a straight and distant tube such as the transverse colon or the descending colon is desirable. On the contrary, it is desirable that the cavity has low flexibility (hard). In a conventional endoscope, the insertion portion has a certain hardness. For this reason, it has been difficult to meet the above-mentioned conflicting demands. [0005] However, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 5-237056, the flexibility of the insertion section can be changed by providing a long elastic tube in the insertion section of the endoscope and supplying and discharging a fluid to and from the tube. Such an endoscope has been proposed. [0006] However, in the endoscope disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 5-237056, when the elastic tube 100 is inflated as shown in FIG. When this occurs, local bending is likely to occur in the middle portion of the elastic tube 100, and this bending causes the elastic tube 100 to be bent.
In some cases, the bending resistance changes in a direction in which the bending resistance rapidly decreases, and the hardness of the inserted portion cannot be sufficiently obtained. Further, the elastic tube exhibits a strong elastic force when expanded. For this reason, when the insertion portion is curved, the elastic tube may move to push apart the adjacent internal components, and may enter the gap between these internal components and disturb the arrangement of the internal components. When the arrangement of the internal components is disturbed, the motion of the internal components in the insertion portion deteriorates, and when the insertion portion is bent, a strong compressive load is applied to the internal components, causing problems such as breakage. There was a risk of doing so. In addition, when the fluid is injected, the outer diameter of the elastic tube becomes too large, and the adjacent built-in components are compressed. There was a risk of doing so. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an endoscope which can solve the problem at the time of balloon inflation and change the flexibility of the insertion portion to a desired state. Is aimed at. [0010] An endoscope according to the present invention is inserted and arranged along the longitudinal axis of an endoscope insertion portion, and is inserted into a body cavity by injecting or discharging a fluid. An endoscope provided with a balloon for changing the flexibility of the endoscope insertion portion, wherein the balloon is formed of a flexible member having a bag-like shape in a tubular shape with both ends opened. The core member is inserted through the hole. [0011] According to this configuration, the balloon in which the core member is inserted is arranged so that the bag portion expands and contracts along the core member without being bent or the like. Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 relate to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an internal configuration of an endoscope;
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the balloon and the configuration of the channel tube and the balloon, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. FIG. 3A shows a state before the balloon is inflated, and FIG. 3B shows a state when the balloon is inflated. As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope 1 of the present embodiment
Is mainly composed of an elongated insertion portion 2 inserted into a body cavity or the like, an operation portion 3 provided at a base end of the insertion portion 2, and a universal cord 4 extending from the operation portion 3. I have. The insertion portion 2 includes, in order from the distal end, a hard distal end portion 5, a bendable bending portion 6 connected to the base end of the distal end portion 5, and a soft bending portion 6 connected to the base end of the bending portion 6. And a long flexible portion 7 whose base end is connected to the operation portion 3. A light guide fiber 8 for transmitting illumination light is inserted into the insertion portion 2, and the light guide fiber 8 is inserted through the universal cord 4 and a connector provided at an end of the universal cord 4. It extends to nine. An end of the light guide fiber 8 is fixed to a pipe member 10 to form a light guide base 11 of the connector 9. By connecting the light guide base 11 to a light source device (not shown),
Illumination light from a lamp in the light source device is transmitted by a light guide fiber 8 and emitted from a distal end surface fixed to an illumination window (not shown) provided on a distal end hard member 12 constituting the distal end portion 5. Illuminate a subject such as an affected area. The light guide fiber 8 is a bundle of a large number of optical fibers, and a lubricant is applied between the optical fibers to prevent abrasion. Examples of the lubricant include boron nitride, carbon, and molybdenum disulfide. The subject illuminated by the illumination light forms an image of the subject at an image forming position by an objective lens 14 arranged in an imaging hole 13 which is an imaging window arranged adjacent to the illumination window. The solid-state imaging device 1 such as a CCD is located at the image forming position.
5 is arranged and photoelectrically converts the formed optical image. The solid-state image pickup device 15 includes a signal cable 1
6 and the electrical connector 1 provided on the connector 9 via
7 is connected. The electric connector 17 is connected to a video processor (not shown) via a connection cable (not shown).
, The photoelectrically converted image signal is transmitted to the video processor. The imaging signal transmitted to the video processor is converted into a video signal by signal processing, input to a monitor (not shown), and displays a subject image on the monitor screen. The foremost bending piece 18a constituting the bending portion 6 is fixed to the distal end hard member 12. The bending piece 18a is rotatably connected to a rear bending piece 18b, and the bending piece 18b is further rotatably connected to the next bending piece 18c.
, 18n are rotatably connected to form a curved portion 6. The bending piece 18n at the rearmost end is fixed to a connecting pipe 19 arranged at a boundary portion on the front end side of the flexible portion 7. These bending pieces 18a, 18b,..., 18n
A bending operation wire (not shown) is inserted through the inside. The distal end of each bending operation wire is fixed to the bending piece 18a, and the base end of each bending operation wire is connected to a rotating member such as a pulley (not shown) in the operation unit 3. For this reason,
Bending operation knob (not shown) connected to the shaft of this rotating member
By rotating the wire, the wire for bending operation is pulled,
.., 18n are moved up (UP), down (DOWN), left (LEFT), right (RI
GHT) to form a bending mechanism. These bending pieces 18a, 18b,..., 18n
Is covered with a jacket tube 20 such as a rubber tube. The distal end of the jacket tube 20 is fixed to the distal rigid member 12, and the base end is fixed to the connection pipe 19. A soft channel tube 22 forming a treatment instrument channel 21 is inserted into the insertion section 2. The distal end of the channel tube 22
The proximal end of the channel tube 22 is fixed to a pipe material fixed to a channel hole 23 of the distal end hard member 12, and the treatment tool insertion opening 2 bent near the distal end of the operation section 3.
4 is fixed. The treatment instrument insertion port 24 is closed by the treatment instrument stopper 25 when the treatment instrument is not used. Further, the flexible portion 7 is provided with a spiral tube 2 from the inside.
8, a flexible tube 27 having a multilayer tube structure in which a mesh tube 29 and an outer skin 30 are laminated. The proximal end of the flexible tube 27
It is connected to a casing 32 of the operation unit 3 by a hand connection pipe 31. Air is supplied to the objective lens 14 through a nozzle (not shown) in addition to the light guide fiber 8, the signal cable 16, the channel tube 22, etc. An air supply tube (see reference numeral 36 in FIG. 3) and a liquid supply tube (see reference numeral 37 in FIG. 3) for supplying a cleaning liquid such as water are inserted therethrough. Inside the flexible portion 7, a balloon 34 formed of a long flexible member having an inner hole open at both ends is formed.
Is arranged. The balloon 34 is formed of a flexible elastomer member such as synthetic rubber, for example, in a bag portion (FIG. 3).
(See reference numeral 34a in (b)). The channel tube 22 is inserted into the inner hole of the balloon 34 as a core member. Then, a solid lubricant such as molybdenum disulfide is applied to a surface side where the channel tube 22 and the balloon 34 are in contact with each other. A pressure tube 33 is provided from the balloon 34.
The pressure tube 33a extends through the operation section 3 and the universal cord 4, and is connected to a pressure base 9a provided on the connector 9.
A connection tube 33b communicating with the compressor device 26 is connected to the pressurizing base 9a. The compressor device 26 is provided with a compressor pump 26a and an electromagnetic valve 26b for switching supply or discharge of the pressurized fluid to the connection tube 33b and stopping. The solenoid valve 26b is connected to operating means such as a foot switch (not shown) via a signal line (not shown), and is electrically operated remotely. As shown in FIG. 2, the base end of the balloon 34 is integrally fixed to the channel tube 22 by an elastic adhesive 35. That is, the balloon 34 and the channel tube 22 are fixed at one end, and one end of the pressurizing tube 33a communicates with the inside of the bag portion 34a and is integrally attached to the base end of the balloon 34. On the outer surface of the balloon 34, a small-diameter wire is knitted in a tubular shape to form a predetermined outer dimension, and when the balloon 34 is inflated, a mesh-like coating which serves as expansion dimension regulating means for limiting the outer dimension. 38 are coated. Both ends of the mesh coating 38 are bonded to the balloon 34 by an adhesive 39.
It is fixed to one. The operation of the endoscope 1 configured as described above will be described. As shown in FIG. 3A, the balloon 34 is in a normal state, that is, a state in which the pressurized fluid is not supplied into the bag portion 34a of the balloon 34. On the other hand, when it is in a leaked open state, it is in a loose state in which a gap is formed between the balloon 34 and the channel tube 22. In this state, even if the channel tube 22 is bent, the balloon 34 does not receive an elastic force which is a resistance to bending. The balloon 34 and the channel tube 22 are fixed at one end, and the balloon 34
Since the lubricant is applied between both the channel tube 22 and the channel tube 22, even if the channel tube 22 is curved, the frictional force generated between the balloon 34 and the channel tube 22 is extremely reduced. By the above operation, the hardness of the soft tube 27 is low, that is, the flexibility of the soft tube 27 is sufficiently high. Next, by operating a foot switch (not shown) to operate the solenoid valve 26b, the compressor pump 26
a and the connecting tube 33b are brought into a communicating state. Then
This connecting tube 33b is supplied from the compressor pump 26a.
And the bag portion 3 of the balloon 34 via the pressure tube 33a.
A fluid is pressurized and injected into 4a. Then, the balloon 34 starts to expand, and as shown in FIG. 3B, the outer surface of the balloon 34 is restricted from being deformed outward by the mesh coating 38, and the inner surface of the balloon 34 is The whole is in an expanded state in close contact with the outer surface of the channel tube 22. That is, when the fluid is injected under pressure, the balloon 3
4 expands along the channel tube 22 until it has a predetermined inner diameter, and is integrated with the channel tube 22. The outer diameter of the balloon 34 at the time of inflation is preferably set so that the filling ratio of the built-in material into the flexible tube 27 is 70% or less.
(Here, the filling rate of the built-in material refers to the cross-sectional area of the inner hole of the soft tube 27 and the balloon 3 inserted through the soft tube.
This is the ratio occupied by the sum of the cross-sectional areas of all the built-in components including No. 4. In this case, since the frictional resistance between the built-in components is reduced, the motion of the built-in components is improved, and the durability is improved. In the state where the balloon 34 is inflated, the outer skin of the balloon 34 is stretched without loosening. Therefore, when the channel tube 22 is bent, a large resistance force is generated in order to greatly expand the balun 34, and a soft tube is formed. 2
7 has low flexibility, that is, high hardness. Next, by operating the foot switch,
The electromagnetic valve 26b is again communicated with the outside. As a result, the fluid in the balloon 34 is discharged to the outside, and the state gradually changes from the high hardness state to the low hardness state, and finally returns to the initial low hardness state. At this time, a gap is created again between the balloon 34 and the channel tube 22. As described above, by arranging the channel tube, which is a built-in member whose both ends are fixed in the insertion portion, through the inner hole of the balloon, the arrangement position of the balloon can be regulated by the channel tube. . Thus, when the flexible tube is bent, it is possible to prevent the balloon from pressing the adjacent internal components and entering the gap between the internal components, thereby preventing the arrangement of the internal components from being disturbed. . Therefore, it is possible to solve the problem that the movement of the built-in member in the insertion portion is deteriorated due to the disorder of the arrangement, and the strong compression load generated when the insertion portion is bent acts on the built-in member to cause damage. Further, by arranging the channel tube, which is a built-in member whose both ends are fixed in the insertion portion, through the inner hole of the balloon, it is possible to prevent the balloon from being locally bent. As a result, the bending resistance when the balloon is inflated is sufficiently increased, the hardness of the soft tube is greatly changed, and the insertability into the deep part of the intestine is improved. Further, by setting the arrangement position of the balloon by the channel tube, the arrangement position of the balloon is set to be smaller than when the arrangement position is set by a built-in object such as a thin wire or coil having both ends fixed in the insertion portion. The necessary space can be utilized effectively. Thereby, the diameter of the insertion portion can be reduced. Further, by providing a net-like coating on the outer surface side of the balloon to prevent the outer diameter of the balloon from becoming larger than a predetermined size, the overfilling of the balloon increases the filling rate of the internal substance. This makes it possible to prevent malfunction of the built-in components caused by the above-mentioned problem and damage to the built-in components caused by strongly pressing the adjacent built-in components. Also, when the balloon is inflated, by integrating the balloon with the channel tube, the contact state between the channel tube and the balloon becomes uniform, so that a gap is formed between the channel tube and the balloon during bending. Local contact caused by the operation can be prevented, and the balloon can be prevented from being worn out and damaged by long-term use. Note that, instead of providing the net-like coating over the entire length of the balloon, the net-like coating is provided only on a portion that is likely to be damaged, whereby the manufacturing cost can be suppressed. Further, a built-in component such as a channel tube is inserted through the inner hole of the balloon to prevent buckling when the balloon is inflated. The purpose is to prevent this buckling. In some cases, the material inserted into the inner hole of the balloon is not limited to a built-in material, but may be a metal coil shaft or a superelastic alloy wire as long as the material has sufficient flexibility and elasticity. Alternatively, anything such as a pipe or a fluororesin tube may be inserted. Further, since the mesh coating provided to set the outer diameter dimension when the balloon is inflated to a predetermined size is formed very thin, the outer diameter dimension of the insertion portion is increased by providing this mesh coating. And the diameter of the insertion portion can be reduced. Further, since one end of the balloon is fixed to the channel tube, when the fluid is not injected into the balloon, the load from the balloon does not act on the channel tube. At this time, the resistance generated in the balloon is prevented from changing in the direction in which the hardness of the soft tube increases. In the present embodiment, the balloon is fixed to the base end of the channel tube. However, the same operation and effect can be obtained if the balloon is fixed at one position in the longitudinal direction. Specifically, the fixing portion may be provided at the distal end position or the intermediate position, or a plurality of fixing portions may be provided on substantially the same circumference in the longitudinal direction. FIG. 4 is a view for explaining another configuration of the channel tube and the balloon according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, instead of providing the net-like coating 38 and the adhesive 39 of the first embodiment on the balloon 34, the compressor device 26A is provided with the tubes 33a, 33b and the inside of the bag portion 34a. A pressure sensor 26c, which is pressure detecting means for detecting pressure, and a control unit 26d for controlling the electromagnetic valve 26b based on an electric signal output from the pressure sensor 26c are provided. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted. With the above configuration, first, the pressure in the tubes 33a, 33b and the bag portion 34a is detected in real time by the pressure sensor 26c, and the detection signal is input to the control portion 26d. Therefore, when the injection of the fluid into the balloon 34 is started, the changes in the pressure in the pressurizing tube 33a and the connecting tube 33b are sequentially input to the control unit 26d. In the meantime, in the control unit 26d, the compressor pump 26a
The solenoid valve 26b is controlled so that the and the connection tube 33b communicate with each other. When the pressure in the tubes 33a, 33b and the bag portion 34a reaches a preset value, the control section 26d operates the solenoid valve 26b as appropriate so that no fluid is supplied to the connection tube 33b. I do. As a result, the pressure inside the balloon 34 is kept constant, and the size of the balloon 34 when inflated is prevented from expanding beyond a predetermined shape. As described above, while the pressure value in the pressurizing tube and the connecting tube is constantly detected, and the pressure value is controlled so as not to exceed a preset value, the same as in the first embodiment, Preventing the balloon from inflating beyond a certain size prevents over-inflation of the balloon from damaging adjacent internals. In addition, since the internal pressure of the balloon is always kept at a constant value regardless of the curved shape of the soft tube, and the hardness of the balloon is prevented from suddenly changing, the balloon of the first embodiment is always in a pressurized state. When the soft tube is bent in a state where the balloon is inflated, the problem that the hardness changes in a direction in which the hardness increases according to the degree of bending is eliminated. FIG. 5 shows an example of a configuration in which a protective member is provided on the built-in component. As shown in the figure, a protective member 40 formed of, for example, a Teflon (registered trademark) tube or a Gore-Tex (registered trademark) tube having flexibility on the outer peripheral side of the channel tube 22 and having a certain strength against compression is provided. By covering, when the fluid is injected into the balloon 34 and the balloon 34 is inflated inward, the pressure applied to the inward direction is suppressed by the protection member 40, thereby preventing the internal components from being damaged by compression. can do. Thus, when a built-in object having a low compressive strength is inserted and arranged, it is possible to mount the built-in object in the balloon by arranging the protective member. Instead of forming the protective member with a tube member, a pipe formed by spirally winding an elastic band-shaped metal or a coil formed by winding a wire may be used. As shown in FIG. 6 showing another example of the structure of the balloon, a flexible tube member is provided on the outer peripheral side of the balloon 34 and does not easily expand in the radial direction. By covering the outer cover member 41 formed of a Teflon (registered trademark) tube or the like, the same operation as that of the mesh covering of the first embodiment can be obtained. At this time, it is possible to eliminate the trouble of manufacturing the net-like coating and the bonding work of attaching the manufactured net-like coating to the balloon, thereby improving the productivity and reducing the manufacturing cost. Further, as shown in FIG. 7 which illustrates still another example of the structure of the balloon, all of the light guide fiber 8, signal cable 16, channel tube 22, and air supply are provided inside the balloon 34b. Tube 3
6. The water supply tube 37 may be inserted. Thus, the shape of the balloon 34b is increased without making the outer diameter of the insertion portion 2 so large, and the change in the hardness of the flexible tube 27 when the balloon 34b is inflated is reduced. By increasing the size, the insertability into the deep part of the intestine can be further improved. The present invention is not limited to only the above-described embodiments, but can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the invention. [Appendix] According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention as described in detail above, the following configuration can be obtained. (1) A balloon which is inserted and arranged along the longitudinal axis direction of the endoscope insertion portion and changes the flexibility of the endoscope insertion portion inserted into a body cavity by injecting or discharging a fluid. In the endoscope provided with, the balloon is formed of a flexible member having a bag portion in a tubular shape with both ends opened,
An endoscope in which a core member is inserted through an inner hole of the flexible member. (2) The endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein both ends of the core member are fixed in an insertion portion. (3) The endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein the core member is at least one of a built-in member inserted through the endoscope insertion portion. (4) When the inner peripheral surface of the balloon is inflated,
2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope is in close contact with an outer surface of the core member. (5) The endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein an outer diameter of the core member is smaller than an inner diameter of the balloon in a contracted state. (6) The endoscope according to appendix 3, wherein all the internal components provided in the insertion section are inserted through the inner hole of the balloon. (7) The endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein a lubricant is applied to at least one of an inner peripheral surface of the balloon and an outer peripheral surface of the core member. (8) The endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein the balloon is fixed at one position in a longitudinal direction of the core member. (9) The endoscope according to appendix 3, wherein a protective member is provided between the built-in member serving as the core member and the balloon. (10) The endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein an inflation size regulating means for limiting an outer diameter dimension of the balloon when inflated is provided on an outer surface side of the balloon. (11) The endoscope according to appendix 10, wherein the inflation size regulating means is a net-like covering having both ends fixed to the outer surface of the balloon. (12) The endoscope according to appendix 10, wherein the inflation size regulating means is a flexible tube member that covers the balloon. (13) The inflation size regulating means includes a valve for adjusting the pressure in the balloon, a detecting means for detecting the pressure in the balloon, and a pressure in the balloon based on information from the detecting means. 11. The endoscope according to appendix 10, wherein the endoscope comprises control means for controlling the valve so as to be equal to or less than a predetermined value. As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided an endoscope which can solve the problem at the time of balloon inflation and change the flexibility of the insertion portion to a desired state. can do.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1 to 3 relate to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a view for explaining an internal configuration of an endoscope. FIG. 2 is a configuration of a balloon and a channel tube. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a view illustrating another configuration of a balloon according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a view illustrating another configuration example of the balloon. FIG. 7 is a view illustrating another configuration example of the balloon. FIG. 8 is an intermediate view of a conventional elastic tube. FIG. 1 shows a state in which a portion is locally bent. [Description of References] 1 ... Endoscope 2 ... Insertion part 7 ... Flexible part 22 ... Channel tube 34 ... Balloon 34a ... Bag part 38 ... Reticulated coating

   ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page    (72) Inventor Hisao Yabe             2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Ori             Inside of Opus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hidehiro Kamiko             2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Ori             Inside of Opus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Eiichi Kobayashi             2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Ori             Inside of Opus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kota Ishibiki             2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Ori             Inside of Opus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Haruhiko Kaiya             2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Ori             Inside of Opus Optical Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2H040 BA00 DA15 DA17 DA57                 4C061 AA04 BB02 CC06 DD03 FF29                       FF50 HH02 JJ03

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. An endoscope insertion portion which is inserted and disposed along a longitudinal axis direction of an endoscope insertion portion and is inserted into a body cavity by injecting or discharging a fluid. In an endoscope provided with a balloon that changes the characteristics, the balloon is formed of a flexible member having a bag-like shape in a tubular shape with both ends opened, and a core member is inserted through an inner hole of the flexible member. Endoscope.