【０００１】
【技術分野】
本発明は、挿入部と操作部の軸線のなす角度を可変にした内視鏡に関する。
【０００２】
【従来技術及びその問題点】
内視鏡は、操作部と、該操作部から前方に向かって延出する挿入部とを具備しており、操作部に設けた回転自在な湾曲操作ノブを回転操作すると、挿入部の一部をなす湾曲部が湾曲する。挿入部の先端部を除く部分は可撓性のある材料によって成形されているが、その基端部（操作部側端部）を硬質材料からなる筒状の折れ止めゴムで覆っているので、挿入部の基端部は変形不能となっている。そして、この内視鏡の挿入部の基端部の軸線は、通常、操作部の軸線と同一方向を向いているため、内視鏡の挿入部を体腔内へ挿入するとき、術者の姿勢や患部の位置によっては、挿入部が体腔内で大きく曲がってしまい、折れ止めゴムに大きな負荷が掛かり、折れ止めゴムが破損してしまう可能性がある。
【０００３】
このため、特許文献１の内視鏡では、操作部の軸線に対して挿入部の基端部の軸線を傾けることにより、挿入部の基端部の軸線が操作部の軸線と同一方向を向いている内視鏡では挿入操作が難しい場合であっても、挿入部を体腔内に挿入し易いようにしている。
【０００４】
しかし、術者の姿勢や患部の位置によっては、特許文献１の内視鏡では操作が難しい場合もあるので、従来は、挿入部の基端部の軸線と操作部の軸線が同一の内視鏡と、両軸線が傾いている内視鏡とを用意する必要があり、経済的負担が大きかった。
【０００５】
【特許文献１】
実公平６−４７４４１号公報
【０００６】
【発明の目的】
本発明は、挿入部の軸線と操作部の軸線がなす角度を可変にすることにより、術者の姿勢や患部の位置に応じて、常に、その挿入部を体腔内へ挿入し易い状態にすることが可能な内視鏡を提供することを目的とする。
【０００７】
【発明の概要】
本発明の内視鏡は、操作部とこの操作部に連なる挿入部を、該操作部の軸線と挿入部の軸線とがなす角度を変化させる可動連結部を介して接続し、上記可動連結部を所定の変形状態に保持する保持手段を設けたことを特徴としている。
【０００８】
上記可動連結部が、上記操作部と挿入部のいずれか一方に固定された第１係合部材と、他方に固定され、その軸線と上記第１係合部材の軸線とがなす角度を変化させる方向に、上記第１係合部材に対して相対移動自在な第２係合部材とを具備し、上記第２係合部材に係合突部を設け、上記第１係合部材に、該第１係合部材と上記第２係合部材の軸線が所定の角度をなしたときに上記係合突部が選択的に嵌合する複数の係止孔を穿設するのが実際的である。
【０００９】
さらに、上記保持手段が、上記係合突部がいずれかの係止孔に嵌合したときに、上記第１係合部材及び第２係合部材に穿設した保持孔に挿入して、上記第１係合部材及び第２係合部材を所定の角度に保持する操作ピンであるのが実際的である。
【００１０】
さらに、上記操作ピンと、上記第２係合部材の保持孔とに、該操作ピンがその軸線方向に移動するときに互いに摺接し、該操作ピンが一方向に移動するときは、上記係合突部がいずれかの係止孔に嵌合する方向に上記第２係合部材を上記第１係合部材に対して相対移動させ、かつ、該操作ピンが反対方向に移動するときは、上記係合突部が上記係止孔から抜け出す方向に上記第２係合部材を上記第１係合部材に対して相対移動させる傾斜面を形成するのが好ましい。
【００１１】
さらに、上記操作部の軸線と挿入部の基端部の軸線がなす角度を最大にする係止孔の近傍に、上記第１係合部材に対して相対移動する第２係合部材の係合突部が当接することにより、該係止孔と該係合突部の軸線が同一直線上に並ぶようにするストッパ面を設けるのが良好である。
【００１２】
さらに、上記操作部と挿入部とを、上記可動連結部の外周側に位置して該可動連結部を覆う、可撓性材料からなる連結筒部で接続すれば、内視鏡の外観を向上させることができる。
【００１３】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、添付図面を参照して本発明の一実施形態について説明する。
まず、本発明の対象とする内視鏡の構成例を説明する。図１に示す内視鏡は医療用の電子内視鏡１０であり、体腔内に挿入する挿入部１１と、術者が左手で把持する操作部１２と、挿入部１１と操作部１２とを連結する可動連結部１３とを有しており、操作部１２からはユニバーサルチューブ１４が延設し、ユニバーサルチューブ１４の末端に設けたコネクタ部（図示略）が、内視鏡本体とは別体のプロセッサ（図示略）に着脱可能となっている。
【００１４】
挿入部１１は、先端側から順に硬質材料からなる先端部１５、湾曲部１６及び柔軟で可撓性のある可撓管部１７を有している。図２に示すように、可撓管部１７の基端部には、硬質材料からなる円筒状の小径筒部材１８が固着されており、可撓管部１７の内部と小径筒部材１８の内部通路１８ａは互いに連通している。この小径筒部材１８の操作部１２側端面には、正面視方形の環状突部１８ｂが突設されており、この環状突部１８ｂに、断面形状が略方形をなすとともに硬質材料からなる筒状の可動係合部材（第２係合部材）１９の一端が嵌合固定されている。この可動係合部材１９の操作部１２側端部の上面には係合突部１９ａが設けられており、係合突部１９ａの直前には係合凹部１９ｂが形成されている。さらに、図３、図６、及び図９に示すように、可動係合部材１９の両側面には貫通孔（保持孔）１９ｃが穿設されており、可動係合部材１９の内周面の貫通孔１９ｃと対応する位置には、上向きの一対の突起１９ｄが設けられている。さらに、貫通孔１９ｃの上面と突起１９ｄの外側面はともに、下方に向かうにつれて外側に向かう傾斜面１９ｃ１、１９ｄ１となっている。
【００１５】
小径筒部材１８の外周部は環状傾斜面１８ｃとなっており、この環状傾斜面１８ｃにゴム製の連結筒部２０の一端部が嵌合しており、環状傾斜面１８ｃと連結筒部２０は互いに固定されている。小径筒部材１８の外側には、環状傾斜面１８ｃとの間に連結筒部２０を挟んだ状態で大径筒部材２１が位置しており、大径筒部材２１は小径筒部材１８の挿入部１１側端面に固着されている。
さらに、可撓管部１７の基端部は、硬質材料からなる筒状部材（挿入部の基端部）２２により覆われており、この筒状部材２２の基端側端面が大径筒部材２１に固着されている。さらに、筒状部材２２の先端面には、硬質ゴムからなる筒状の折れ止めゴムＧが装着されており、折れ止めゴムＧの先端部を可撓管部１７の中間部に固着している。この折れ止めゴムＧは硬質ゴムからなる補強材であり、可撓管部１７が大きく曲がっても、可撓管部１７の基端部が破損しないように作用するものである
【００１６】
連結筒部２０の他端部は、操作部１２の端面に形成された凹部１２ａに挿入されており、連結筒部２０の内側から嵌合部材２３を凹部１２ａに嵌合固定し、凹部１２ａと嵌合部材２３とにより、連結筒部２０が凹部１２ａから抜け出さないようにしている。図２に示すように、嵌合部材２３の中心部には、嵌合部材２３を貫通する内部通路２３ａが形成されており、この内部通路２３ａは操作部１２の内部に形成された内部通路１２ｂと連通している。嵌合部材２３の挿入部１１側端面には、正面視方形をなす環状突部２３ｂが突設されており、この環状突部２３ｂに、正面視下向きコ字形をなすとともに、硬質材料からなる固定係合部材（第１係合部材）２４の一端が嵌合固定されている。この固定係合部材２４は可動係合部材１９の外側に位置して、可動係合部材１９の上面と両側面を覆っている。固定係合部材２４の上面には、上下方向を向く第１の係止孔（係止孔）２４ａと、第１の係止孔２４ａに対して３０°の角度で傾斜する第２の係止孔（係止孔）２４ｂとが、前後に並べて穿設されており、可動係合部材１９の内周面上部の第２の係止孔２４ｂの直前には、第２の係止孔２４と同方向を向く係合突起２４ｃが設けられている。さらに、係合突部２４ｃの先端部後面はストッパ面２４ｃ１となっている（図４、図７、及び図１０参照）。
なお、上記の可動係合部材１９、連結筒部２０、及び固定係合部材２４により可動連結部１３が構成されている。
【００１７】
図３、図６、及び図９に示すように、固定係合部材２４の両側面の貫通孔１９ｃと対応する位置には挿通孔（保持孔）２４ｄが穿設されており、固定係合部材２４の両側面には、挿通孔２４ｄを囲むようにして環状壁２４ｅが設けられている。左右の挿通孔２４ｄには、操作ピン（保持手段）２５の軸部２５ａが摺動自在に嵌合しており、軸部２５ａの外側端部には略半球状の頭部２５ｂが連設されている。そして、環状壁２４ｅの内部には、左右方向に伸縮自在なコイル圧縮ばねＳが挿入されており、頭部２５ｂを常時外側に付勢している。さらに、軸部２５ａの内側端部にも頭部２５ｃが連設されている。この頭部２５ｃは、軸部２５ａに連なりその周面が傾斜面２５ｃ３となっている切頭円錐形の外側半部２５ｃ１と、略半球状の内側半部２５ｃ２とからなっている。そして、頭部２５ｃの外側半部２５ｃ１が貫通孔１９ｃ内に位置して、その周面上部が貫通孔１９ｃの傾斜面１９ｃ１に摺接自在となっており、その内側半部２５ｃ２の下部が突起１９ｄの内面に圧接している。
なお、上述した連結筒部２０の表面の両操作ピン２５と対応する位置には目印（図示略）が付されている。
【００１８】
操作部１２の上面には、上下方向の回転軸を介して上下方向湾曲操作ノブ２６と左右方向湾曲操作ノブ２７とを、上下に重ねて装着してある。上下方向湾曲操作ノブ２６と左右方向湾曲操作ノブ２７の回転軸はともに操作部１２の内部に位置しており、両回転軸の下端部にそれぞれに固着されたプーリには、それぞれ湾曲操作ワイヤ（いずれも図示略）の中間部が巻回されている。両湾曲操作ワイヤの先端は、湾曲部１６内に設けた節輪に接続し、さらに、その先端は先端部１５の内面に固定されている。そして、上下方向湾曲操作ノブ２６を正逆両方向に回動させると、湾曲部１６が上側及び下側に湾曲し、さらに、左右方向湾曲操作ノブ２７を正逆両方向に回動させると、湾曲部１６が左側及び右側に湾曲する。
【００１９】
先端部１５の先端面１５ａには対物レンズと配光レンズ（照明窓）（いずれも図示略）を設けてあり、先端部１５内の対物レンズの直後にはＣＣＤ（図示略）を設けてある。そして、ＣＣＤからユニバーサルチューブ１４のコネクタ部まで配設した画像信号伝送用ケーブル（図示略）によって、対物レンズで結像した観察像を、電子画像信号としてプロセッサの画像処理装置に送るようになっている。プロセッサでは、電子画像をモニタに表示したり画像記録媒体に記録することができる。操作部１２には、画像処理関連の遠隔操作を行うための複数のリモート操作ボタンスイッチ２８が設けられている。
【００２０】
また、プロセッサに設けた光源からの照明光が、ユニバーサルチューブ１４のコネクタ部から挿入部１１の先端部１５まで配設したライトガイドファイババンドル（図示略）によって、先端部１５の配光レンズに与えられる。
【００２１】
筒状部材２２には筒状の鉗子口突起２２ａが設けられており、鉗子口突起２２ａの鉗子口にはスリット（図示略）が穿設されたゴム製キャップ２９が着脱自在に被せられている。鉗子口突起２２ａの出口側端部は筒状部材２２の内部において開口しており、この出口側端部にはゴム製の処置具挿通用チューブ（図示略）の入口側端部が接続している。この処置具挿通用チューブは、挿入部１１の内部を挿通しており、その出口側端部が挿入部１１の先端面１５ａに設けた処置具挿通孔（図示略）に接続している。
さらに、処置具挿通用チューブの中間部には、一端を負圧源に接続した吸引チューブ（いずれも図示略）が接続しており、吸引チューブは、小径筒部材１８の内部通路１８ａ、可動係合部材１９、嵌合部材２３の内部通路２３ａ、操作部１２の内部通路１２ｂ、及びユニバーサルチューブ１４の内部を通ってコネクタ部まで達している。
【００２２】
操作部１２に設けた吸引ボタン３０を押圧しなければ、例えば、スリットから鉗子口の内部及び処置具挿通用チューブに、鉗子等の処置具（図示略）を挿通可能であり、処置具を処置具挿通孔から電子内視鏡１０の外部に突出可能である。
一方、吸引ボタン３０を押圧すると、負圧源の負圧が吸引チューブを介して処置具挿通用チューブまで及ぶようになり、処置具挿通孔から体液等の流体を吸引可能となる。
【００２３】
電子内視鏡１０の内部には、コネクタ部から先端部１５にわたって送気チューブと送水チューブ（いずれも図示略）を配設してあり、両チューブの中間部は、嵌合部材２３の内部通路、可動係合部材１９、及び小径筒部材１８の内部通路１８ａを挿通し、その出口側端部は、先端部１５の先端面１５ａに設けた送気送水ノズル３１に接続している。
コネクタ部に設けた送気チューブと送水チューブの入口には図示を省略した送気送水源が接続しており、送気送水源は、送気チューブに常時圧縮空気を送っている。送気チューブと送水チューブの中間部は、操作部１２に設けた送気送水シリンダ（図示略）に接続しており、送気送水シリンダには送気送水ボタン３２が摺動自在に嵌合している。そして、送気送水ボタン３２の端面に穿設した孔（図示略）を術者が指で塞ぐと、圧縮空気が送気送水ノズル３１から噴射する。また、送気送水ボタン３２の孔を指で塞いだまま、送気送水ボタン３２を送気送水シリンダ内に押し込むと、水が送気送水ノズル３１から噴射する。
【００２４】
次に、操作部１２に対する挿入部１１の基端部の角度変更操作について説明する。
図１の実線に示すように、操作部１２の軸線Ａに対する挿入部１１の筒状部材（基端部）２２の軸線Ｂの角度を０°にすると、図２乃至図４に示すように、圧縮コイルばねＳの付勢力により操作ピン２５が外側に移動させられ、この際、外側半部２５ｃ１の傾斜面２５ｃ３が貫通孔１９ｃの傾斜面１９ｃ１を上方に押圧し、係合突部１９ａが第１の係止孔２４ａに嵌合する。そして、外側半部２５ｃ１全体が貫通孔１９ｃに隙間なく嵌合し、さらに、内側半部２５ｃ２の下部に突起１９ｄの傾斜面１９ｄ１が圧接するので、電子内視鏡１０は図１の実線の状態に保持される。
【００２５】
次に、連結筒部２０の目印部分を術者が指で内側に押圧すると、図６に示すように、圧縮コイルばねＳの付勢力に抗して、左右の操作ピン２５が内側に移動し、外側半部２５ｃ１が貫通孔１９ｃから脱出するので、図５及び図７に示すように、係合突部１９ａが第１の係止孔２４ａから抜け出し、可動係合部材１９が固定係合部材２４に対して相対的に下降する。
この状態で、図１の仮想線に示すように、挿入部１１の筒状部材２２を操作部１２に対して回動させ、さらに、指を目印部分から離すと、図９に示すように、圧縮コイルばねＳの付勢力により、操作ピン２５が外側に移動し、外側半部２５ｃ１の傾斜面２５ｃ３が貫通孔１９ｃの傾斜面１９ｃ１を上方に押圧し、可動係合部材１９が固定係合部材２４に対して相対的に上昇する。そして、軸線Ｂが軸線Ａに対して３０°の角度をなしたときに、係合突部１９ａがストッパ面２４ｃ１に当接して、係合突部１９ａと第２の係止孔２４ｂの軸線が同一直線上に並ぶ。さらに、可動係合部材１９が固定係合部材２４に対して相対的に上昇するので、図８及び図１０に示すように、係合突部１９ａが第２の係止孔２４ｂに嵌合するとともに係合凹部１９ｂに係合突起２４ｃが嵌合し、かつ、外側半部２５ｃ１全体が貫通孔１９ｃに隙間なく嵌合し、内側半部２５ｃ２の下部に突起１９ｄの傾斜面１９ｄ１が圧接する。このため、電子内視鏡１０は、軸線Ｂが軸線Ａに対して３０°の角度をなす図１の仮想線の状態に保持される。
【００２６】
このような本実施形態の電子内視鏡１０によれば、挿入部１１の筒状部材（基端部）２２の軸線Ｂの操作部１２の軸線Ａに対する角度を、０°と３０°とに変えることにより、術者の姿勢や患部の位置に応じて、電子内視鏡１０を、その挿入部１１を体腔内へ簡単に挿入し易い状態にすることができる。
【００２７】
なお、固定係合部材２４に設ける係止孔２４ａ、２４ｂの位置や向きを変えて、両軸線Ａ、Ｂがなす角度を３０°以外の角度に保持できるようにしたり、係止孔の数を増やして、両軸線Ａ、Ｂがなす角度を３つ以上に変化可能とすることもできる。
さらに、可動係合部材１９を操作部１２側に固定し、固定係合部材２４を挿入部１１側に固定してもよい。
【００２８】
【発明の効果】
本発明によれば、挿入部の軸線と操作部の軸線がなす角度を可変にすることにより、術者の姿勢や患部の位置に応じて、常に、その挿入部を体腔内へ挿入し易い状態にすることが可能になる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一実施形態の電子内視鏡の全体構造を示す平面図である。
【図２】挿入部の基部と操作部の軸線のなす角度が０°のときの、操作部、可動連結部、及び挿入部の基部の拡大縦断側面図である。
【図３】図２のＩＩＩ−ＩＩＩ線に沿う縦断正面図である。
【図４】図２のＩＶ部の拡大図である。
【図５】操作ピンを押したときの、操作部、可動連結部、及び挿入部の基部の拡大縦断側面図である。
【図６】図５のＶＩ−ＶＩ線に沿う縦断正面図である。
【図７】図５のＶＩＩ部の拡大図である。
【図８】挿入部の基部と操作部の軸線のなす角度が３０°のときの、操作部、可動連結部、及び挿入部の基部の拡大縦断側面図である。
【図９】図８のＩＸ−ＩＸ線に沿う縦断正面図である。
【図１０】図８のＸ部の拡大図である。
【符号の説明】
１０ 電子内視鏡（内視鏡）
１１ 挿入部
１２ 操作部
１２ａ 凹部
１３ 可動連結部
１４ ユニバーサルチューブ
１５ 先端部
１５ａ 先端面
１６ 湾曲部
１７ 可撓管部
１８ 小径筒部材
１８ａ 内部通路
１８ｂ 環状突部
１８ｃ 環状傾斜面
１９ 可動係合部材（第２係合部材）
１９ａ 係合突部
１９ｂ 係合凹部
１９ｃ 貫通孔（保持孔）
１９ｃ１ 傾斜面
１９ｄ 突起
１９ｄ１ 傾斜面
２０ 連結筒部
２１ 大径筒部材
２２ 筒状部材
２２ａ 鉗子口突起
２３ 嵌合部材
２３ａ 内部通路
２３ｂ 環状突部
２４ 固定係合部材（第１係合部材）
２４ａ 第１の係止孔（係止孔）
２４ｂ 第２の係止孔（係止孔）
２４ｃ 係合突起
２４ｃ１ ストッパ面
２４ｄ 挿通孔（保持孔）
２４ｅ 環状壁
２５ 操作ピン（保持手段）
２５ａ 軸部
２５ｂ 頭部
２５ｃ 頭部
２５ｃ１ 外側半部
２５ｃ２ 内側半部
２５ｃ３ 傾斜面
２６ 上下方向湾曲操作ノブ
２７ 左右方向湾曲操作ノブ
２８ リモート操作ボタンスイッチ
２９ キャップ
３０ 吸引ボタン
３１ 送気送水ノズル
３２ 送気送水ボタン
Ｇ 折れ止めゴム[0001]
【Technical field】
The present invention relates to an endoscope in which an angle between an axis of an insertion section and an operation section is variable.
[0002]
[Prior art and its problems]
The endoscope includes an operation section and an insertion section extending forward from the operation section. When the rotatable bending operation knob provided on the operation section is rotated, a part of the insertion section is provided. Is curved. Although the portion of the insertion portion excluding the distal end portion is formed of a flexible material, its base end (the end of the operation portion) is covered with a cylindrical rubber stopper made of a hard material. The base end of the insertion portion is not deformable. Since the axis of the proximal end of the insertion section of the endoscope is usually oriented in the same direction as the axis of the operation section, when inserting the insertion section of the endoscope into a body cavity, the posture of the operator Depending on the position of the affected part or the affected part, the insertion part may bend greatly in the body cavity, a large load may be applied to the rubber, and the rubber may be damaged.
[0003]
For this reason, in the endoscope of Patent Document 1, by inclining the axis of the base end of the insertion section with respect to the axis of the operation section, the axis of the base end of the insertion section is oriented in the same direction as the axis of the operation section. Even if the insertion operation is difficult with an endoscope, the insertion section is easily inserted into the body cavity.
[0004]
However, depending on the posture of the operator and the position of the affected part, it may be difficult to operate with the endoscope of Patent Document 1, and conventionally, the axis of the base end of the insertion section and the axis of the operation section are the same. It was necessary to prepare a mirror and an endoscope in which both axes were inclined, which was economically burdensome.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-47441
[Object of the invention]
According to the present invention, the angle formed by the axis of the insertion section and the axis of the operation section is made variable, so that the insertion section is always easily inserted into the body cavity according to the posture of the operator or the position of the affected part. It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope capable of performing the operation.
[0007]
Summary of the Invention
The endoscope according to the present invention is configured such that the operation unit and the insertion unit connected to the operation unit are connected via a movable connection unit that changes an angle between an axis of the operation unit and an axis of the insertion unit. In a predetermined deformed state.
[0008]
The movable connection portion is fixed to one of the operation portion and the insertion portion, and is fixed to the other, and changes an angle between an axis of the first engagement member and an axis of the first engagement member. A second engaging member that is movable relative to the first engaging member in the direction, an engaging protrusion is provided on the second engaging member, and the first engaging member is It is practical to form a plurality of locking holes into which the engaging protrusions selectively fit when the axis of the first engaging member and the axis of the second engaging member form a predetermined angle.
[0009]
Further, when the holding projection is fitted into any one of the locking holes, the holding means is inserted into the holding holes formed in the first and second engaging members, and It is practical to be an operation pin that holds the first engagement member and the second engagement member at a predetermined angle.
[0010]
Further, when the operation pin moves in the axial direction, the operation pin and the holding hole of the second engagement member are in sliding contact with each other, and when the operation pin moves in one direction, the engagement protrusion is formed. When the second engaging member is moved relative to the first engaging member in a direction in which the portion fits into one of the locking holes, and the operation pin moves in the opposite direction, It is preferable to form an inclined surface for relatively moving the second engagement member with respect to the first engagement member in a direction in which the projection comes out of the locking hole.
[0011]
Further, an engagement of a second engagement member relatively moving with respect to the first engagement member is provided near an engagement hole that maximizes an angle formed by an axis of the operation portion and an axis of a base end of the insertion portion. It is preferable to provide a stopper surface such that the axis of the locking hole and the axis of the engaging projection are aligned on the same straight line when the projection abuts.
[0012]
Furthermore, the external appearance of the endoscope can be improved by connecting the operating portion and the insertion portion with a connecting tubular portion made of a flexible material that is located on the outer peripheral side of the movable connecting portion and covers the movable connecting portion. Can be done.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
First, a configuration example of an endoscope to which the present invention is applied will be described. The endoscope shown in FIG. 1 is an electronic endoscope 10 for medical use, and includes an insertion unit 11 inserted into a body cavity, an operation unit 12 held by an operator with a left hand, and an insertion unit 11 and an operation unit 12. A universal tube 14 extends from the operation unit 12, and a connector (not shown) provided at the end of the universal tube 14 is separate from the endoscope main body. (Not shown).
[0014]
The insertion portion 11 has a distal end portion 15 made of a hard material, a curved portion 16, and a flexible and flexible flexible tube portion 17 in this order from the distal end side. As shown in FIG. 2, a cylindrical small-diameter tubular member 18 made of a hard material is fixed to the base end of the flexible tubular portion 17, and the inside of the flexible tubular portion 17 and the inside of the small-diameter tubular member 18 are fixed. The passages 18a communicate with each other. An annular projection 18b having a rectangular shape as viewed from the front is projected from an end face of the small-diameter cylindrical member 18 on the operation portion 12 side. The annular projection 18b has a substantially rectangular cross section and is made of a hard material. One end of the movable engagement member (second engagement member) 19 is fitted and fixed. An engagement projection 19a is provided on the upper surface of the end of the movable engagement member 19 on the operation unit 12 side, and an engagement recess 19b is formed immediately before the engagement projection 19a. Further, as shown in FIGS. 3, 6, and 9, through holes (holding holes) 19 c are formed on both side surfaces of the movable engagement member 19, and the inner peripheral surface of the movable engagement member 19 is formed. At a position corresponding to the through-hole 19c, a pair of upward projections 19d is provided. Further, both the upper surface of the through hole 19c and the outer surface of the projection 19d are inclined surfaces 19c1 and 19d1 that are outwardly directed downward.
[0015]
An outer peripheral portion of the small-diameter cylindrical member 18 is an annular inclined surface 18c, and one end of a rubber connecting cylindrical portion 20 is fitted to the annular inclined surface 18c. Fixed to each other. A large-diameter tubular member 21 is located outside the small-diameter tubular member 18 with the connecting tubular portion 20 sandwiched between the small-diameter tubular member 18 and the annular inclined surface 18c. 11 is fixed to the end face.
Further, the proximal end of the flexible tube portion 17 is covered with a tubular member (a proximal end of the insertion portion) 22 made of a hard material, and the proximal end surface of the tubular member 22 is a large-diameter tubular member. 21. Further, a cylindrical buckle rubber G made of hard rubber is mounted on the distal end surface of the tubular member 22, and the distal end portion of the buckle rubber G is fixed to an intermediate portion of the flexible tube portion 17. . The buckling rubber G is a reinforcing material made of hard rubber, and functions to prevent the base end of the flexible tube 17 from being damaged even if the flexible tube 17 is greatly bent.
The other end of the connecting tubular portion 20 is inserted into a concave portion 12a formed on the end face of the operating portion 12, and the fitting member 23 is fitted and fixed to the concave portion 12a from inside the connecting tubular portion 20, and The fitting member 23 prevents the connecting tubular portion 20 from coming out of the concave portion 12a. As shown in FIG. 2, an inner passage 23 a penetrating through the fitting member 23 is formed at a central portion of the fitting member 23, and the inner passage 23 a is formed in an inner passage 12 b formed inside the operation unit 12. Is in communication with An annular protrusion 23b having a square shape in a front view is protruded from an end surface of the fitting member 23 on the insertion portion 11 side. The annular protrusion 23b has a downward U-shape in a front view and is fixed from a hard material. One end of the engagement member (first engagement member) 24 is fitted and fixed. The fixed engagement member 24 is located outside the movable engagement member 19 and covers the upper surface and both side surfaces of the movable engagement member 19. On the upper surface of the fixed engagement member 24, a first locking hole (locking hole) 24a facing in the vertical direction and a second locking inclined at an angle of 30 ° with respect to the first locking hole 24a. Holes (locking holes) 24b are drilled side by side in the front and rear direction. Immediately before the second locking holes 24b on the inner peripheral surface of the movable engagement member 19, the second locking holes 24b are formed. An engagement protrusion 24c facing in the same direction is provided. Further, the rear surface of the distal end portion of the engaging projection 24c is a stopper surface 24c1 (see FIGS. 4, 7, and 10).
The movable connecting member 13 is constituted by the movable engaging member 19, the connecting cylinder 20, and the fixed engaging member 24.
[0017]
As shown in FIGS. 3, 6, and 9, insertion holes (holding holes) 24d are formed at positions corresponding to the through holes 19c on both side surfaces of the fixed engagement member 24. An annular wall 24e is provided on both side surfaces of 24 so as to surround the insertion hole 24d. A shaft portion 25a of an operation pin (holding means) 25 is slidably fitted into the left and right insertion holes 24d, and a substantially hemispherical head 25b is continuously provided at an outer end of the shaft portion 25a. ing. Further, a coil compression spring S that is expandable and contractible in the left-right direction is inserted into the inside of the annular wall 24e, and constantly urges the head 25b outward. Further, a head 25c is also provided at the inner end of the shaft 25a. The head 25c is composed of a truncated conical outer half 25c1 that is continuous with the shaft 25a and whose peripheral surface is an inclined surface 25c3, and a substantially hemispherical inner half 25c2. The outer half 25c1 of the head 25c is located in the through hole 19c, the upper part of the peripheral surface thereof is slidable on the inclined surface 19c1 of the through hole 19c, and the lower part of the inner half 25c2 is a protrusion. It is in pressure contact with the inner surface of 19d.
Marks (not shown) are provided at positions corresponding to the two operation pins 25 on the surface of the connection tube portion 20 described above.
[0018]
On the upper surface of the operation unit 12, a vertical bending operation knob 26 and a horizontal bending operation knob 27 are mounted vertically one above the other via a vertical rotation axis. The rotation axes of the vertical bending operation knob 26 and the horizontal bending operation knob 27 are both located inside the operation unit 12, and the pulleys fixed to the lower ends of both rotation shafts respectively have bending operation wires ( An intermediate part (not shown) is wound. The distal ends of both bending operation wires are connected to a node ring provided in the bending portion 16, and the distal ends are fixed to the inner surface of the distal end portion 15. When the vertical bending operation knob 26 is rotated in both forward and reverse directions, the bending portion 16 bends upward and downward. Further, when the left and right bending operation knob 27 is rotated in both forward and reverse directions, the bending portion is bent. 16 curves left and right.
[0019]
An objective lens and a light distribution lens (illumination window) (both not shown) are provided on a distal end surface 15 a of the distal end portion 15, and a CCD (not shown) is provided immediately after the objective lens in the distal end portion 15. . The observation image formed by the objective lens is transmitted to the image processing device of the processor as an electronic image signal by an image signal transmission cable (not shown) arranged from the CCD to the connector portion of the universal tube 14. I have. In the processor, the electronic image can be displayed on a monitor or recorded on an image recording medium. The operation unit 12 is provided with a plurality of remote operation button switches 28 for performing remote operations related to image processing.
[0020]
Further, illumination light from a light source provided in the processor is given to the light distribution lens at the distal end portion 15 by a light guide fiber bundle (not shown) provided from the connector portion of the universal tube 14 to the distal end portion 15 of the insertion portion 11. Can be
[0021]
The cylindrical member 22 is provided with a cylindrical forceps port projection 22a, and the forceps port of the forceps port projection 22a is removably covered with a rubber cap 29 having a slit (not shown). . The outlet side end of the forceps opening projection 22a is open inside the tubular member 22, and the inlet side end of a rubber treatment tool insertion tube (not shown) is connected to the outlet side end. I have. The treatment instrument insertion tube passes through the inside of the insertion section 11, and the outlet side end thereof is connected to a treatment instrument insertion hole (not shown) provided in the distal end surface 15 a of the insertion section 11.
Further, a suction tube (one of which is not shown) having one end connected to a negative pressure source is connected to an intermediate portion of the treatment instrument insertion tube, and the suction tube is connected to the internal passage 18 a of the small diameter cylindrical member 18, The connection member 19, the internal passage 23 a of the fitting member 23, the internal passage 12 b of the operation portion 12, and the inside of the universal tube 14 reach the connector portion.
[0022]
If the suction button 30 provided on the operation unit 12 is not pressed, a treatment tool (not shown) such as forceps can be inserted through the slit into the inside of the forceps port and the treatment tool insertion tube, for example. It can protrude from the tool insertion hole to the outside of the electronic endoscope 10.
On the other hand, when the suction button 30 is pressed, the negative pressure of the negative pressure source reaches the treatment instrument insertion tube via the suction tube, and fluid such as body fluid can be sucked from the treatment instrument insertion hole.
[0023]
Inside the electronic endoscope 10, an air supply tube and a water supply tube (both not shown) are provided from the connector portion to the distal end portion 15, and an intermediate portion between both tubes is an internal passage of the fitting member 23. The movable engagement member 19 and the internal passage 18 a of the small-diameter cylindrical member 18 are inserted, and the outlet end thereof is connected to the air / water nozzle 31 provided on the distal end surface 15 a of the distal end 15.
An air supply / water supply source (not shown) is connected to the inlets of the air supply tube and the water supply tube provided in the connector section, and the air supply / water supply source always sends compressed air to the air supply tube. An intermediate portion between the air supply tube and the water supply tube is connected to an air supply / water supply cylinder (not shown) provided in the operation section 12, and an air supply / water supply button 32 is slidably fitted to the air supply / water supply cylinder. ing. Then, when the operator closes a hole (not shown) formed in the end face of the air / water supply button 32 with a finger, compressed air is jetted from the air / water supply nozzle 31. When the air / water button 32 is pushed into the air / water cylinder while closing the hole of the air / water button 32 with a finger, water is jetted from the air / water nozzle 31.
[0024]
Next, an operation of changing the angle of the base end of the insertion section 11 with respect to the operation section 12 will be described.
As shown by the solid line in FIG. 1, when the angle of the axis B of the cylindrical member (base end) 22 of the insertion section 11 with respect to the axis A of the operation section 12 is set to 0 °, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, The operating pin 25 is moved outward by the urging force of the compression coil spring S. At this time, the inclined surface 25c3 of the outer half portion 25c1 presses the inclined surface 19c1 of the through hole 19c upward, and the engagement projection 19a is moved to the second position. One engagement hole 24a is fitted. The entire outer half 25c1 fits into the through-hole 19c without any gap, and the inclined surface 19d1 of the projection 19d is pressed against the lower part of the inner half 25c2, so that the electronic endoscope 10 is in the state of the solid line in FIG. Is held.
[0025]
Next, when the operator presses the mark portion of the connecting cylinder portion 20 inward with a finger, the left and right operation pins 25 move inward against the urging force of the compression coil spring S, as shown in FIG. Since the outer half 25c1 escapes from the through hole 19c, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the engagement projection 19a escapes from the first engagement hole 24a, and the movable engagement member 19 is It descends relatively to 24.
In this state, as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 1, the tubular member 22 of the insertion portion 11 is rotated with respect to the operation portion 12, and further, when the finger is separated from the mark portion, as shown in FIG. Due to the urging force of the compression coil spring S, the operation pin 25 moves outward, the inclined surface 25c3 of the outer half part 25c1 presses the inclined surface 19c1 of the through hole 19c upward, and the movable engagement member 19 is fixedly engaged. 24 relative to 24. When the axis B forms an angle of 30 ° with the axis A, the engaging projection 19a comes into contact with the stopper surface 24c1, and the axis of the engaging projection 19a and the second locking hole 24b is aligned. Align on the same straight line. Further, since the movable engaging member 19 is relatively raised with respect to the fixed engaging member 24, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the engaging projection 19a is fitted into the second locking hole 24b. At the same time, the engagement projection 24c is fitted into the engagement recess 19b, and the entire outer half 25c1 is fitted into the through hole 19c without a gap, and the inclined surface 19d1 of the projection 19d is pressed against the lower part of the inner half 25c2. Therefore, the electronic endoscope 10 is maintained in a state of a virtual line in FIG. 1 in which the axis B forms an angle of 30 ° with the axis A.
[0026]
According to the electronic endoscope 10 of this embodiment, the angle of the axis B of the tubular member (base end) 22 of the insertion portion 11 with respect to the axis A of the operation portion 12 is set to 0 ° and 30 °. By changing the position, the electronic endoscope 10 can be easily inserted into the body cavity of the electronic endoscope 10 according to the posture of the operator or the position of the affected part.
[0027]
The positions and orientations of the locking holes 24a and 24b provided in the fixed engaging member 24 are changed so that the angle between the two axes A and B can be maintained at an angle other than 30 °, or the number of the locking holes is reduced. It is also possible to increase the angle between the two axes A and B to three or more.
Further, the movable engagement member 19 may be fixed to the operation unit 12 side, and the fixed engagement member 24 may be fixed to the insertion unit 11 side.
[0028]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, by changing the angle between the axis of the insertion section and the axis of the operation section, the insertion section can always be easily inserted into the body cavity according to the posture of the operator or the position of the affected area. It becomes possible to.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the overall structure of an electronic endoscope according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional side view of the operation unit, the movable connection unit, and the base of the insertion unit when the angle between the base of the insertion unit and the axis of the operation unit is 0 °.
FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional front view taken along the line III-III of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion IV in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional side view of a base of an operation unit, a movable connection unit, and an insertion unit when an operation pin is pressed.
FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional front view taken along the line VI-VI of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion VII in FIG. 5;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional side view of the operation unit, the movable connection unit, and the base of the insertion unit when the angle formed by the base of the insertion unit and the axis of the operation unit is 30 °.
FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional front view taken along line IX-IX of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a portion X in FIG. 8;
[Explanation of symbols]
10. Electronic endoscope (endoscope)
11 Insertion part 12 Operation part 12a Recess 13 Movable connection part 14 Universal tube 15 Tip part 15a Tip surface 16 Curved part 17 Flexible tube part 18 Small diameter cylindrical member 18a Internal passage 18b Annular protrusion 18c Annular inclined surface 19 Movable engagement member ( Second engagement member)
19a Engagement projection 19b Engagement recess 19c Through hole (holding hole)
19c1 Inclined surface 19d Projection 19d1 Inclined surface 20 Connecting cylindrical portion 21 Large-diameter cylindrical member 22 Cylindrical member 22a Forceps opening protrusion 23 Fitting member 23a Internal passage 23b Annular protrusion 24 Fixed engaging member (first engaging member)
24a First locking hole (locking hole)
24b Second locking hole (locking hole)
24c Engagement projection 24c1 Stopper surface 24d Insertion hole (holding hole)
24e annular wall 25 operating pin (holding means)
25a Shaft 25b Head 25c Head 25c1 Outer half 25c2 Inner half 25c3 Inclined surface 26 Vertical bending operation knob 27 Left / right bending operation knob 28 Remote operation button switch 29 Cap 30 Suction button 31 Air supply / water supply nozzle 32 Air supply Water button G Folding rubber
