JP2005126843A - Woven fabric structure, and endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a small thin curvature-operating, hardness-adjusting member, and to provide an endoscope using the member. <P>SOLUTION: This woven fabric structure is characterized by having a fabric-like member 10 in which elastic members 11 capable of controlling hardness and elasticity in response to supplied electric currents are woven as weaving yarns, and having an electrode member 12 for supplying the electric currents to the weaving yarns of elastic members 11 at both the ends of the fabric-like member 10. The endoscope is characterized by disposing a curvature-controlling portion 21 formed of the woven fabric structure and a hardness-controlling portion 22 in the insertion portion of the endoscope, and disposing a control portion 24 for controlling electric currents supplied to the curvature-controlling portion 21 and the hardness-controlling portion 22 in an endoscope-operating portion. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a fabric structure whose shape can be controlled according to a supply current, and an endoscope using the fabric structure as a bending and deformation operation member of an endoscope insertion portion.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, endoscopes that are inserted into body cavities and observe and treat living tissue in body cavities have been utilized in the medical field. As this endoscope, a plurality of types of endoscopes corresponding to the organ in the body cavity to be observed and treated have been developed and put into practical use. A common demand for these types of endoscopes is that the diameter of the insertion portion to be inserted into the body cavity can be reduced, and that the shape and hardness of the insertion portion can be controlled according to the complex shape in the body cavity.

  In response to this demand, the insertion portion to be inserted into the body cavity is generated by a bending portion that is inserted at the distal end along the shape of the body cavity, and a flexible member that is connected to the rear end of the bending portion. It consists of a flexible tube. The bending portion is arranged with a plurality of continuous bending pieces and can be bent up and down and left and right. The surgeon inserts the distal end into the deep part of the body cavity while bending the bent part vertically and horizontally along the shape of the body cavity.

  The bending portion of the insertion portion is generally formed by a plurality of connected bending pieces, and the bending piece at the tip of the bending piece has two or four bending wires operated from the operation portion. It is connected. By pulling the bending wire, the bending piece is bent vertically or vertically and horizontally. Further, since the flexible tube portion is formed of a flexible member having a certain degree of softness, the flexible tube portion is deformed and inserted along the shape of the body cavity.

  Further, as described above, the bending piece is bent by manually pulling or pushing the bending wire connected to the bending piece, or winding or unwinding the bending wire by a motor. However, for example, in order to improve insertion into a complex lumen such as the large intestine, an actuator using a shape memory alloy (SMA) in addition to the first bending portion that is bent by the manual bending operation. There has also been proposed an endoscope having a second bending portion that performs a bending operation by using (see Patent Document 1).

In addition, it is desired that the flexible tube portion of the insertion portion is in a soft state when inserted into the body cavity, and is in a rigid state when reaching the observation site in the body cavity. For this purpose, in order to vary the hardness of each portion of the flexible tube portion, spiral first and second frames formed of shape memory alloys having different widths and lengths are arranged at fixed lengths. An endoscope that can adjust and control the rigidity of the first and second frames has also been proposed (see Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-14862. JP 2001-346753 A.

  In a conventional endoscope, the bending portion provided at the distal end of the insertion portion is composed of a plurality of bending pieces for bending up, down, left, and right, and a bending wire connected to the bending piece is pulled manually or by a motor. I'm going to push it. In addition to the manual operation and the motor, various actuators such as a shape memory alloy actuator proposed in Patent Document 1 may be used for the operation of the bending wire.

  Further, in order to adjust the hardness of the flexible tube portion of the insertion portion, as proposed in Patent Document 2, a plurality of spiral frames formed of a shape memory alloy are arranged in the flexible tube portion, There is also an endoscope apparatus in which the flexibility of the flexible tube portion can be partially adjusted by adjusting and controlling the rigidity by a supply current to the shape memory alloy that generates the plurality of frames.

  A plurality of bending pieces are indispensable for the bending portion of the insertion portion in the conventional endoscope, and this bending piece is an obstruction factor for reducing the outer diameter of the bending portion. In addition, it is desired that the flexibility of the insertion tube at the time of insertion into the body cavity and the deformation hardness for maintaining the shape along the body cavity shape after the insertion can be adjusted and controlled.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a member capable of bending operation of an insertion portion, adjustment control of softness and hardness during insertion operation, and an endoscope using the member. The purpose is that.

  The fabric structure of the present invention includes a cloth-like member woven into a cloth shape using an elastic member whose hardness and expansion / contraction can be controlled according to the amount of current supplied, and the elastic member woven into the cloth-like member And an electrode member provided for supplying a current to the yarn.

  The cloth-like member of the woven fabric structure of the present invention is a fully knitted cloth-like member woven using only the elastic members for warp and weft.

  The cloth-like member of the woven fabric structure of the present invention uses the elastic member and another fiber member other than the elastic member as a weaving yarn, and the elastic member and the other fiber member are alternately used as warp yarns and weft yarns. It is a blended and knitted cloth-like member woven into a blend.

  The cloth-like member of the woven structure of the present invention is woven into a cylindrical shape.

  The cloth-like member woven in the cylindrical shape of the woven fabric structure of the present invention is characterized in that the weaving yarns of the elastic members used for warp and weft are arranged obliquely with respect to the central axis of the cylindrical shape. To do.

  The cloth-like member woven in the cylindrical shape of the woven structure of the present invention is characterized in that at least the weaving yarn of the elastic member used for the warp is arranged in parallel to the central axis of the cylindrical shape.

  Because the woven structure of the present invention can control the expansion / contraction rigidity of the expansion / contraction member by the amount of current supplied to the expansion / contraction member of the flexible cloth-like member woven using the expansion / contraction member as a woven yarn, various shape memory members, And it can be used as a drive control member.

  In addition, the endoscope of the present invention includes a cloth-like member woven into a cloth shape using an elastic member capable of controlling expansion and contraction according to the amount of current supplied, and the elastic member woven into the cloth-like member. A woven fabric structure composed of an electrode member connected to the weaving thread, an insertion portion to be inserted into an observation site provided with the woven fabric structure, and an operation portion for operating the insertion portion. And an insertion portion shape control means for controlling the amount of current supplied to the weaving yarn of the elastic member of the woven fabric structure arranged to control at least one of the hardness or the curved shape of the insertion portion. To do.

  The textile structure of the endoscope according to the present invention is provided in a curved portion of an insertion portion of the endoscope.

  The textile structure of the endoscope of the present invention is provided in a flexible tube portion of an insertion portion of the endoscope.

  The textile structure of the endoscope of the present invention is characterized in that a plurality of the fabric structures are provided at predetermined intervals on either the bending portion of the insertion portion of the endoscope or the flexible tube portion. .

  With the endoscope apparatus of the present invention, the entire structure of the insertion portion can be reduced in diameter by using a woven fabric structure with a stretchable member as a weaving thread for the bending portion and the flexible tube portion of the endoscope insertion portion. The bending operation of the part and the hardness adjustment of the flexible tube part can be easily controlled.

  The fabric structure of the present invention can be used as various shape memory members and drive control members because it can be deformed from a flexible fabric to a hard fabric of a predetermined shape by controlling the supply current of the elastic member woven as a woven yarn. This has the effect of making it possible to reduce the size and thickness of memory products, drive control products and the like.

  In addition, the endoscope of the present invention can reduce the diameter of the insertion portion, facilitate the bending operation of the reduced diameter insertion portion, and can control the hardness and deformation switching at a plurality of locations of the insertion portion. It is possible to provide an endoscope with excellent insertion operability.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the woven fabric structure according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an explanatory view for explaining the configuration of the first embodiment of a woven fabric structure according to the present invention. FIG. 1 (a) shows a state in which no current is supplied to the woven fabric structure, and FIG. Indicates a state in which an electric current is supplied to the woven structure. FIG. 2 is an explanatory view for explaining the configuration of the second embodiment of the fabric structure according to the present invention. FIG. 2 (a) shows a state in which no current is supplied to the fabric structure, and FIG. Indicates a state in which an electric current is supplied to the woven structure. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view for explaining the configuration of the third embodiment of the woven fabric structure according to the present invention. FIG. 3 (a) shows the configuration of the woven fabric structure woven only with the elastic members, and FIG. ) Shows a configuration of a woven structure woven by blending an elastic member and a member other than the elastic member. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view for explaining the configuration of the fourth embodiment of the woven fabric structure according to the present invention. FIG. 4 (a) shows a state in which no current is supplied to the woven fabric structure, and FIG. Indicates a state in which a current having a current value is supplied to the woven structure, and FIG. 4C illustrates a state in which a current having a total current value is supplied to the woven structure. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view for explaining the configuration of the fifth embodiment of the fabric structure according to the present invention. FIG. 5 (a) shows a state in which no current is supplied to the fabric structure, and FIG. Indicates a state in which an electric current is supplied to the woven structure. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view for explaining the elastic member used in the woven structure according to the present invention. FIG. 6 (a) shows an initial state in which no current is supplied to the elastic member, and FIG. 6 (b) shows the elastic member. FIG. 6C shows a state where a current having a certain current value is supplied, and FIG. 6C shows a state where a current having a predetermined total current value is supplied to the expandable member.

  In recent years, an elastic member has been developed that usually has flexibility, is hard like a piano wire when it is supplied with electric current, and contracts with a strong force, and becomes flexible again when the supply of electric current is stopped, and expands to its original length. .

  This stretchable member will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 6A, the elastic member 11 is in a flexible state having an initial length L when no current is supplied from the power source 1. Next, as shown in FIG. 6 (b), when the switch 2 is turned on and the current of the current value i is supplied from the power source 1 to the elastic member 11, the elastic member 11 is cured according to the current value i, Shrink to length L ′ (L> L ′). Further, as shown in FIG. 6C, when the current supplied from the power source 1 to the expansion / contraction member 11 is increased and the current value i ′ (i <i ′) is supplied to the expansion / contraction member 11, the expansion / contraction member 11 Further curing is performed according to the current value i ′, and the film shrinks to a length L ″ (L ′> L ″). Further, when the switch 2 is turned off from the state shown in FIG. 6C, when the current supply from the power source 1 to the expansion member 11 is stopped, the expansion member 11 is longer than the original flexible state of FIG. Stretch to L.

  The present invention has been made by paying attention to the elastic member 11 whose hardness and length can be controlled in accordance with the supply current. A first embodiment of a woven fabric structure according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  The cloth-like member 10 includes elastic member woven yarns 11a1, 11a2, and 11a3 (hereinafter also referred to as 11a) and 11b1, 11b2, and 11b3 (hereinafter also referred to as 11b) made by the elastic member 11, and the elastic member 11. This is a cloth-like woven fabric woven by using other members, such as other fiber members woven yarns 13a and 13b, made of fibers such as biological materials and chemicals. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, three elastic member woven yarns 11a1, 11a2, and 11a3 are arranged between a plurality of other fiber member woven yarns 13a as weft yarns, and three yarns are arranged between the plurality of other fiber member woven yarns 13b as warp yarns. The stretchable member weaving threads 11b1, 11b2 and 11b3 are arranged and woven.

  As described above, the cloth-like member 10 is woven in a cloth shape by the elastic member woven yarns 11a and 11b and the other fiber member woven yarns 13a and 13b. Electrodes 12a1, 12a2, and 12a3 are provided at both ends of the three elastic member woven yarns 11a1, 11a2, and 11a3 of the weft yarn of the cloth-like member 10, and the three elastic member woven yarns 11b1, 11b2, and 11b3 of the warp yarn are provided. Electrode portions 12 b 1, 12 b 2, 12 b 3 are provided at both ends, and the electrode portions 12 a 1, 12 a 2, 12 a 3, 12 b 1, 12 b 2, 12 b 3 at both ends of the elastic member weaving yarns 11 a, 11 b are connected to the power supply 1 through the switch 2.

  The electrode portions 12a1, 12a2, 12a3, 12b1, 12b2, and 12b3 may be conductive electrode members, or may be formed by forming the stretchable member weaving yarns 11a and 11b themselves so as to function as electrodes.

  The cloth-like member 10 woven by the elastic member woven yarns 11a and 11b and the other fiber member woven yarns 13a and 13b has an elastic member as shown in FIG. The weaving yarns 11a and 11b and the other fiber member weaving yarns 13a and 13b are both in a flexible state. By turning on the switch 2 from this state and supplying a current to the elastic member weaving yarns 11a and 11b, the elastic member weaving yarns 11a and 11b are hardened according to the current value i as shown in FIG. At the same time, the length shrinks, and the shape of the woven portion of the elastic member woven yarns 11a and 11b can be deformed.

  Next, a second embodiment of the woven fabric structure according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. The difference of the second embodiment from the first embodiment described above is that when the elastic member woven yarns 11a, 11b and the other fiber member woven yarns 13a, 13b are woven in a cloth shape, the elastic member woven yarns 11a, 11b. This is a fabric member 10 'that is molded and woven so as to have a predetermined shape when an electric current is supplied thereto.

  In the cloth-like member 10 ′, when the switch 2, which is normal, is in an OFF state, as shown in FIG. 2 (a), the stretchable member woven yarns 11 a and 11 b and the other member woven yarns 13 a and 13 b are both in a flexible state. is there. When the switch 2 is turned on from this state and current is supplied to the elastic member weaving yarns 11a and 11b, the elastic member weaving yarns 11a and 11b arranged as warp yarns and weft yarns are pulled together as shown in FIG. 2 (b). In addition, an extremely small fixing action occurs, the entire surface does not return to a flat surface, and a hardness change is performed in which the shape before turning on the switch 2 is hard deformed.

  In the cloth-like members 10 and 10 'described above, a plurality of elastic member weaving yarns 11a and 11b are woven side by side between the other fiber member weaving yarns 13a and 13b. For this reason, the shape of the elastic member woven yarns 11a and 11b is changed.

  Next, a third embodiment of the woven fabric structure according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. The difference between the third embodiment and the first and second embodiments described above is that, as shown in FIG. 3A, only the stretchable member weaving yarns 11a and 11b are used as weft yarns and warp yarns. Is a cloth-like member 10-1 woven into a rectangular shape. That is, the entire knitted cloth-like member 10-1 woven only with the elastic member woven yarns 11a and 11b.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), other fiber member weaving yarns 13a and 13b are alternately arranged between a plurality of elastic member weaving yarns 11a which are a plurality of weft yarns and a plurality of warping member weaving yarns 11b which are a plurality of warp yarns. The shape and figure are a blended and knitted cloth-like member 10-2 woven into a rectangular shape. It should be noted that the mixing ratio of the stretchable member woven yarns 11a and 11b and the other fiber member woven yarns 13a and 13b of the blended and knitted cloth-like member 10-2, the interval between the woven yarns, and the like can be appropriately changed and set.

  The all knitted cloth-like member 10-1 and the mixed knitted cloth-like member 10-2 are provided with electrode portions 12a at both ends of the plurality of elastic member woven yarns 11a which are the weft yarns, and the plurality of elastic member woven yarns 11b which are warp yarns. The electrode part 12b is provided in both ends of the.

  The electrode portions 12a and 12b at both ends of the elastic members 11a and 11b are connected to the power source 1 via the switch 2, respectively. When the switch 2 is turned off, the entire knitted fabric member 10-1 and the mixed knitted fabric member 10-2 are in a flexible state, but the switch 2 is turned on and the all knitted fabric member 10-2 is turned on. -1 and all the stretchable member woven yarns 11a and 11b of the blended and knitted fabric member 10-2 are hardened and the entire shape shrinks. That is, it is possible to change the overall hardness and shape of all the knitted cloth-like members 10-1 and the mixed knitted cloth-like member 10-2.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The cloth-like member of the fourth embodiment is a cylindrical cloth-like member 10- woven into a cylindrical shape by blending and knitting the elastic member weaving yarns 11a, 11b and the other fiber member weaving yarns 13a, 13b used for the weft and warp. 3. In this cylindrical cloth-like member 10-3, the elastic member woven yarns 11a 'and 11b' used for the weft and warp and the other fiber member woven yarns 13a 'and 13b' cross obliquely with respect to the cylindrical central axis. It is woven to do.

  The upper and lower ends of the cylindrical cloth member 10-3 are provided with electrode portions 12a 'and 12b' connected to both ends of the elastic member woven yarns 11a 'and 11b'. The electrode portions 12 a ′ and 12 b ′ at both ends of the elastic members 11 a ′ and 11 b ′ are connected to the power source 1 through the switch 2.

  When the switch 2 is off, the cylindrical cloth member 10-3 is in a flexible state as shown in FIG. 4 (a). Next, when the switch 2 is turned on to supply the current of the current value i from the power source 1 to the cylindrical cloth member 10-3, as shown in FIG. 4B, the cylindrical cloth member 10- 3 hardens to a certain hardness. Further, when the current of the current value i ′ (i <i ′) is supplied from the power source 1 to the cylindrical cloth member 10-3 in the ON state of the switch 2, the cylindrical shape is changed according to the current value i ′. As shown in FIG. 4C, the cloth-like member 10-3 is further improved in hardness.

  That is, when a current is supplied to the elastic members 11a ′ and 11b ′ of the elastic members 10-3 of the cylindrical cloth member 10-3, the hardness changes so that it is fixed minimally at the intersection of the yarns and becomes hard as it is before the current is applied. It is possible to change the hardness into a cylindrical member 10-3 having an initial shape set when the hardness is changed and woven into a cylindrical shape.

  Next, a fifth embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The cloth-like member of the fifth embodiment is a cylindrical cloth-like member 10-4 woven into a cylindrical shape with the elastic member weaving thread 11a as warp and the other fiber member weaving thread 13a as weft. In the cylindrical cloth-like member 10-4, the elastic member weaving thread 11a used for the warp is woven in parallel to the central axis of the cylindrical shape.

  At the upper end of the cylindrical cloth member 10-4, there is provided one first electrode portion 12a to which all ends of the elastic member weaving thread 11a are electrically connected. At the other end of the elastic member weaving thread 11a, for example, a plurality of electrode portions 12c1, 12c2, 12c3, 12c4, 12c5... Are electrically connected as a set of two elastic member weaving threads 11a. .

  The electrode 12 a is connected to one end of the switch 12 via the power source 1. Each of the electrodes 12c1, 12c2, 12c3, 12c4, 12c5... Is connected to the other end of the switch 2 via a child switch 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, 3-4, 3-5. Yes. It is assumed that the plurality of elastic member woven yarns 11a, which are the warp yarns of the cylindrical cloth member 10-4, have the same deformation expansion / contraction rate.

  In the cylindrical cloth-like member 10-4 having such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the switch 2 and all the child switches 3-1 to 3-5 are in the off state, the cylindrical cloth-like member 10-4 The shaped member 10-4 is in a flexible state. Next, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the switch 2 is turned on and the child switch 3-3 is turned on, the current from the power source 1 is supplied to the electrode 12c3 via the switch 2 and the child switch 3-3. To the elastic member woven yarn 11a connected to the elastic member. The elastic member weaving thread 11a supplied with this current contracts, solidifies and deforms, but the other elastic member weaving thread 11a is flexible, so that the cylindrical cloth member 10-4 is contracted, solidified and deformed. Curve to the side.

  That is, if the current supplied to the plurality of warp elastic yarns 11a forming the vertical cylindrical cloth member 10-4 is switched by the child switches 3-1 to 3-5, it can be curved in all directions by 360 °. .

  As described above, the woven structure of the present invention can be used for various shape memory products, drive control products, etc. because it can control expansion and contraction according to the current supplied to the expansion and contraction member woven into the cloth-like member. These products can be made smaller and thinner.

  Next, an endoscope in which the above-described fabric structure is provided in the endoscope insertion portion will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of the endoscope according to the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a curve control unit and hardness control by a fabric structure provided in the insertion unit of the first embodiment of the endoscope according to the present invention. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the bending control unit and the hardness control by the fabric structure provided in the insertion unit of the second embodiment of the endoscope according to the present invention.

  First, the overall configuration of the endoscope will be described with reference to FIG. The endoscope 5 is provided at an insertion portion 7 to be inserted into a body cavity, a proximal end of the insertion portion 7, an operation portion 6 that operates the insertion portion 7, and extends from the proximal end of the operation portion 6. It consists of 8 universal codes.

  The insertion portion 7 includes a distal end portion 7a, a curved portion 7b continuously provided on the proximal end side of the distal end portion 7a, and a flexible tube portion 7c continuously provided on the proximal end side of the curved portion 7b. . The operation portion 6 is connected to the base end of the flexible tube portion 7c. The distal end portion 7a of the insertion portion 7 is provided with an illumination window, an observation window, a treatment instrument insertion opening, a water supply / air supply opening, and the like. The insertion portion 7 includes a light guide that communicates with the illumination window of the distal end portion 7a, an image guide that communicates with the observation window, a treatment instrument insertion channel that communicates with the treatment instrument insertion opening, and a water supply / air supply communication that communicates with the water supply / air supply opening. Channels are provided.

  The bending portion 7b of the insertion portion 7 is provided with a bending control portion for bending operation, which will be described later, formed using the woven fabric structure, and is operated to bend up, down, left and right. The flexible tube portion 7c of the insertion portion 7 is provided with a hardness control portion for hardness control, which will be described later, formed using the woven fabric structure.

  The operation unit 6 communicates with an operation controller knob 6a for bending operation of the bending portion 7b of the insertion portion 7, hardness control of the flexible tube portion 7c, and the treatment instrument insertion channel of the insertion portion 7. A treatment instrument insertion hole 6b, an eyepiece (not shown) connected to the image guide (not shown), a base to which water supply / air supply and water intake / intake pumps are connected, and the like are provided. The universal cord 8 incorporates the light guide and is connected to the light source device. When a solid-state imaging device is provided in the observation window of the distal end portion 7a of the insertion unit 7, the signal cable for driving the solid-state imaging device and transmitting / receiving an imaging signal is the insertion unit 7, the operation unit 6, and It is built in the universal cord 8 and connected to the video processor.

  In the endoscope having such a configuration, when the insertion portion 7 is inserted into the body cavity from the distal end portion 7a, the insertion portion 7 is inserted while the bending portion 7b is bent along the shape of the body cavity. . For this purpose, the bending portion 7b needs to be able to bend about 360 ° with respect to the insertion direction axis of the insertion portion 7 in the vertical and horizontal directions. In addition, the flexible tube portion 7c of the insertion portion 7 can flexibly correspond to the shape of the body cavity during the insertion operation into the body cavity, and the positional relationship between the target portion and the distal end portion 7a when reaching the observation treatment target portion. The shape needs to be fixed in order to be fixed.

  The endoscope of the present invention corresponding to this requirement will be described with reference to FIG. The inner periphery of the bending portion 7b of the insertion portion 7 of the endoscope is bent using a cylindrical cloth-like member 10-4 in which the elastic member weaving thread 11a described above with reference to FIG. 5 is woven in parallel to the central axis direction. A control unit 21 is arranged. Further, on the inner periphery of the flexible tube portion 7c of the insertion portion 7, a cylindrical cloth in which the elastic member woven yarns 11a ′ and 11b ′ described above with reference to FIG. 4 are woven so as to obliquely intersect the central axis direction. Two hardness control units using the shaped member 10-3, that is, the first hardness control unit 22a and the second hardness control unit 22b are arranged in series. The first hardness control unit 22a and the second hardness control unit 22b are formed in a predetermined length at predetermined intervals in the axial direction of the flexible tube portion 7c.

  The distal ends of the respective elastic member woven yarns 11a of the bending control unit 21 are electrically connected to the switch 2 through a common first electrode unit. The base ends of the respective elastic member woven yarns 11a of the bending control section 21 are variable for current control built in the controller 24 provided in the operation control knob 6a of the operation section 6 via the second electrode section. Each of the resistors 24d to 24f is electrically connected.

  The tips of the elastic member woven yarns 11a 'and 11b' of the first and second hardness control units 22a and 22b are electrically connected to the switch 2 via a common electrode unit. The base ends of the respective elastic member weaving yarns 11a ′ and 11b ′ of the first and second hardness control units 22a and 22b are variable resistors for current control built in the controller 24 through a common electrode unit. 24a and 24b are electrically connected to each other.

  The controller 24 includes current control variable resistors 24 a to 24 f that variably adjust the amount of current supplied to the first and second hardness control units 22 a and 22 b and the bending control unit 21. A power source 1 and a switch 2 are connected in series to the other ends of the variable resistors 24a to 24f. The controller 24 is built in the operation unit 6 of the endoscope 5, and the variable resistors 24a to 24f are operated by the operation control knob 6a.

  That is, an electric current is supplied from the power source 1 to the bending control unit 21 and the first and second hardness control units 22a and 22b through the variable resistors 24a to 24f of the controller 24 by the on / off operation of the switch 2. It is like that.

  In the endoscope 5 having such a configuration, for example, when the switch 2 is in an OFF state, the power from the power source 1 is not supplied to the bending control unit 21 and the first and second hardness control units 22a and 22b. Therefore, the bending portion 7b and the flexible tube portion 7c are in a flexible state. Even if the switch 2 is turned on in a state where all the variable resistors 24a to 24f of the controller 24 are adjusted and set so that the maximum resistance value, that is, the current value becomes zero, the bending control unit 21, Since the power from the power source 1 is not supplied to the first and second hardness control units 22a and 22b, the bending control unit 21 and the first and second hardness control units 22a and 22b are in a flexible state.

  When the insertion portion 7 is in a flexible state, an insertion operation is performed in the body cavity, and when the bending portion 7b of the insertion portion 7 is bent along the shape of the body cavity to be inserted, the operator operates the switch 2. The variable resistors 24c to 24f of the controller 24 are operated to supply current to the elastic member woven yarn 11a of the bending control unit 21 located in the direction in which the bending portion 7b is to be bent. The elastic member weaving thread 11a of the bending control section 21 contracts and hardens according to the current value of the current supplied by operating the variable resistors 24c to 24f, and the bending section 7b is bent and deformed.

  That is, by operating each of the variable resistors 24c to 24f to variably adjust the current from the variable resistors 24c to 24f to the elastic member woven yarn 11a of the bending control unit 21, the bending portion 7b can be moved in the vertical and horizontal directions. It becomes possible to control the bending. The bending angle of the bending control unit 21 can also be adjusted by adjusting the amount of current supplied by the variable resistors 24c to 24.

  The bending of the flexible tube portion 7c of the insertion portion 7 for performing the bending operation of the bending portion 7b and inserting the insertion portion 7 into the body cavity to perform observation of the observation site and treatment treatment will be described. By operating the variable resistors 24a and 24b of the controller 24 with respect to the first hardness control unit 22a or the second hardness control unit 22b arranged in the portion where the flexible tube portion 7c is desired to be hardened. The current is supplied to the first hardness control unit 22a and the second hardness control unit 22b. The first and second hardness control units 22a and 22b are hardened and deformed by the amount of current from the variable resistors 24a and 24b, and the position in the body cavity can be fixed.

  Next, a second embodiment of the endoscope apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same parts as those in FIG. 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. The bending portion 7b of the insertion portion 7 of the endoscope apparatus is provided with a first bending control portion 21a and a second bending control portion 21b. The flexible tube portion 7c is provided with a first hardness control unit 22a, a second hardness control unit 22b, and a third hardness control unit 22c.

  As shown in FIG. 9 (a), the first and second bending control portions 21a and 21b have six stretchable member woven yarns parallel to each other at 60 ° intervals with respect to the central axis of the insertion shaft of the insertion portion. Is provided.

  The first bending control unit 21a is connected to the first bending operation unit 25a, and the second bending control unit 21b is connected to the second bending operation unit 25b. The first and second bending operation portions 25a and 25b are composed of changeover switches 26a and 26b, variable resistors 27a and 27b, and main switches 28a and 28b. The change-over switches 26a and 26b sequentially connect the respective fixed contacts connected to the respective elastic member weaving yarns provided at intervals of 60 ° between the first and second bending control sections 21a and 21b, and the respective fixed contacts. And a movable piece to be switched. The variable resistors 27a and 27b are connected to the movable pieces of the changeover switches 26a and 26b, and variably adjust the current supplied to the first and second bending control units 21a and 21b. The main switches 28a and 28b turn on / off the current supplied to the variable resistors 27a and 27b. The main switches 28a and 28b are supplied with a power supply voltage + V through resistors 29a and 29b.

  In other words, when the main switches 28a and 28b of the first and second bending operation sections 25a and 25b are turned on, the current generated by the power supply voltage + V is changed to the resistors 29a and 29b, the main switches 28a and 28b, and the variable resistor 27a. , 27b and the first and second bending control sections 21a through the changeover switches 26a, 26b. When the movable piece of the changeover switch 26a, 26b is switched to a fixed contact in a direction in which the first and second bending control portions 21a, 21b are operated to be bent, and the supply current value is adjusted by the variable resistors 27a, 27b, a desired direction is obtained. The bending operation can be performed at a desired bending angle. Thus, by providing the first and second bending control units 21a and 21b in the bending portion 7b, not only the diameter can be reduced, but also a complicated complicated bending operation can be performed.

  The first, second, and third hardness control units 22a, 22b, and 22c have first, second, and third hardness operation units 30a, 30b, and 30c, and resistors 33a, 33b, and 33c, respectively. To the power supply voltage + V. The first, second, and third hardness operation units 30a, 30b, and 30c include variable resistors 31a, 31b, and 31c and switches 32a, 32b, and 32c, respectively.

  When the switches 32a, 32b, and 32c of the first, second, and third hardness operation units 30a, 30b, and 30c are turned on, the current caused by the power supply voltage + V is changed to the resistors 33a, 33b, and 33c, and the switches 32a, 32b, 32c and the variable resistors 31a, 31b, and 31c are supplied to the first, second, and third curing controllers 22a, 22b, and 22c. When the variable resistors 31a, 31b, and 31c adjust and control the current values supplied to the first, second, and third hardness control units 22a, 22b, and 22c, the cured shape is deformed. Thus, by providing the first, second, and third hardness control units 22a, 22b, and 22c in the flexible tube portion 7c, it is possible to reduce the diameter and to change the cured shape corresponding to a complicated shape.

  As described above, the bending control unit 21 and the hardness control unit 22 using the cloth-like member 10 produced by weaving the elastic member as the weaving yarn in the bending portion 7b and the flexible tube portion 7c of the insertion portion 7, respectively. Is provided, the bending control section 21 and the hardness control section 22 can be made thin, and the overall shape of the insertion section 7 can be reduced. Further, by adjusting and controlling the current supplied to the elastic member woven yarn 11 of the bending control unit 21 and the hardness control unit 22, the bending direction, angle, hardness, and shape deformation can be easily managed.

  The controller 24, the bending operation unit 25, and the hardness operation unit 30 are switches 2, 28, and 32 for switching on / off the current supplied to the bending control unit 21 and the hardness control unit 22 and adjusting the current amount. Although the resistors 24, 27, and 31 are used for control, the joystick may be used instead of turning on / off the current supplied to the bending control unit 21 and the hardness control unit 22 and adjusting the current value. good.

  By the way, in the observation of the living tissue in the body cavity by the endoscope, the surgeon explains the observation site, the state of the observation site, and the like to the patient using the endoscopic image being observed. The surgeon in this description will be described using the observation site name of the displayed endoscopic image. For this reason, patients with poor medical knowledge may not be able to understand the surgeon's explanation because they do not understand which part of the body the observation site is.

  Therefore, it is desired that a graphic indicating the position of the observation part on the body or an animation image is displayed on the monitor together with the endoscopic image of the observation part. In this way, when an endoscopic image of the observation site and a graphic indicating the body position of the observation site and an animation image (hereinafter simply referred to as a body position image) are displayed at the same time, the surgeon can easily explain and understand the patient. It becomes easy.

  The body position image displayed simultaneously with the endoscopic image desirably displays the current position in the body cavity of the endoscope insertion portion in accordance with the progress of the endoscopic observation. However, the size, length, shape, etc. of body organs vary depending on sex, age, height, weight, and the like. For this reason, specifying the current in-vivo observation site from only the insertion amount of the endoscope insertion unit into the body and displaying the body position image indicates the relationship between the actual endoscope insertion unit and the observation site. It will be wrong.

  In view of such circumstances, based on patient information such as gender, age, height, weight, etc. and information on the amount of insertion into the body cavity of the endoscope insertion section, the body position for each patient corresponding to the endoscopic image being observed An endoscope position display device that displays images simultaneously will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the endoscope position display device, and FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a mouse and a sheath used in the endoscope position display device.

  The endoscope of the endoscope position display device includes an insertion unit 7 that is inserted into a body cavity and generates an observation site image, and an operation unit 6 that is provided at the proximal end of the insertion unit 7 and operates the insertion unit 7. It has become. Although not illustrated in the insertion portion 7, as described above with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, as described above with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, a bending control portion using a woven fabric structure in which elastic members are woven into the bending portion, and a flexible tube portion. Similarly, a hardness control unit using a woven structure is provided.

  The operation unit 6 is connected to a not-shown bending control unit of the insertion unit 7, a bending knob for operating and controlling the hardness control unit, a universal cord connected to a light source for supplying illumination light to the light guide, and an image guide There are provided an eyepiece portion, a forceps insertion hole connected to the forceps treatment instrument channel, a base for connecting a pump to the water suction intake channel, and the like. The operation unit 6 is provided with a bending angle detection device 61 and an insertion portion flexibility changing device 62 in addition to the bending knob, the universal cord, the eyepiece, the forceps insertion hole, and the water / air supply base described above.

  The bending angle detection device 61 provided in the operation unit 6 is connected to an image composition and composite image output circuit (hereinafter referred to as an image composition output circuit) 65 via a curvature angle output circuit 63. The insertion portion flexibility changing device 62 is connected to the image composition output circuit 65 via an insertion portion hardness output circuit 64.

  The insertion portion 7 is inserted into a body cavity organ through a mouthpiece 51 held in the mouth of the patient or a sheath 52 mounted in the body cavity. The mouthpiece 51 or the sheath 52 is provided with insertion amount detection sensors 51c and 52c for detecting the insertion amount of the insertion portion 7 described later. An insertion amount detection device 66 is connected to the insertion amount detection sensors 51 c and 52 c of the mouthpiece 51 or the sheath 52, and the output of the insertion amount detection device 66 is output through the insertion amount output circuit 67 to the image composition output. The circuit 65 is connected.

  A simple model selection image output 69 is connected to the image synthesis output circuit 65, and an observation state data input circuit 68 and a database 70 are connected to the simple model selection image output circuit 69. Further, a monitor display device 71 is connected to the output of the image composition output circuit 65.

  The configuration of the mouthpiece 51 and the sheath 52 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 11A, the mouthpiece 51 is provided with an insertion port 51a through which the insertion portion 7 is inserted in the center axis direction with a substantially cylindrical shape. The outer shape is easy to hold and the distal end of the insertion portion 7 is inserted. It is formed in a shape having a collar portion 51b that facilitates insertion of the portion. An insertion amount detection sensor 51c for detecting the insertion amount of the insertion portion 7 exposed at the insertion port 51a is provided on the inner surface of the flange portion 51b. This insertion amount detection sense 51c, as the simplest, is provided with a rotating wheel that rotates in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 7 to be inserted, and the insertion amount of the insertion portion 7 is determined by the rotational drive amount of this rotating vehicle. Is detected. In addition to this rotating wheel, various sensors that can detect the insertion amount of the insertion portion 7 are used.

  The sheath 52 has substantially the same configuration as the mouthpiece 51, and is inserted into a body cavity. The portion having the insertion port 52a through which the insertion portion 7 is inserted is relatively long. The proximal end portion is provided with a collar portion 52b that is easy to insert the distal end of the insertion portion 7 and that is held by an operator. An insertion amount detection sensor 52c exposed to the insertion port 52a is provided on the inner surface of the flange portion 52b. This insertion amount detection sense 52 c is the same as the insertion amount detection sense 51 c of the mouthpiece 51.

  In such a configuration, when the insertion portion 7 is inserted into the body cavity via the mouthpiece 51 or the sheath 52, the insertion amount detection senses 51c and 52c provided in the mouthpiece 51 or the sheath 52 are: Insertion drive information detected according to the insertion operation of the insertion unit 7 is output to the insertion amount detection device 66. The insertion amount detection device 66 detects the insertion amount of the insertion unit 7 based on the insertion drive information from the insertion amount detection senses 51c and 52c, and the detected amount information is inserted into the image composition via the insertion amount output circuit 67. Output to the output circuit 65.

  On the other hand, the bending angle detection device 61 provided in the operation unit 6 has the number of times of bending and the bending direction in which the bending control unit provided in the insertion unit 7 is bent in the process of inserting the insertion unit 7 into the body cavity. Then, the bending angle and the like are detected, and the detected bending information such as the number of bendings, the bending direction and the bending angle are output from the bending angle output circuit 63 to the image composition output circuit 65. Further, the insertion flexibility changing device 64 provided in the operation unit 6 has a hardness change count obtained by operating the hardness control unit provided in the insertion unit 7 in the operation of inserting the insertion unit into the body cavity, The hardness value at the time of changing the hardness (for example, a value expressed in three stages of hard, standard, and soft) is detected, and the detected hardness change number, hardness value, and other hardness information are sent from the insertion unit hardness output circuit 64 to the image. Output to the combined output circuit 65.

  Note that the number of times of bending, the bending direction, and the bending angle of the bending control unit are, for example, the fixed contact and variable resistance selected by the changeover switches 26a and 26b of the first and second bending operation units 25a and 25b shown in FIG. Detection is performed using the resistance values of 27a and 27b. In addition, the number of hardness changes and the hardness value of the hardness control unit are, for example, the number of times the switches 32a to 32c of the first to third hardness operation units 30a to 30c illustrated in FIG. 9 are turned on and off, and the variable resistors 31a to 31c. This is detected using the resistance value.

  The selection image output circuit 69 of the simple model includes an observation state data input circuit 68 for inputting an observation site (observation organ), sex, age, height, weight, and the like, which are patient information for endoscopic observation, and various body types. It is connected to a database 70 in which image data such as graphics such as the position of the organ, the shape and size of the organ, and animation are stored. The selection image output circuit 69 of the simple model uses the patient information input from the observation state data input circuit 68 to select and extract image data of an observation site organ corresponding to patient information from the database 70, and The image is output to the image composition output circuit 65.

  The image composition output circuit 65 includes insertion amount information of the insertion portion 7 from the insertion amount output circuit 67, bending information from the bending angle output circuit 63, hardness information from the insertion hardness output circuit 64, and the simple information. Using the image data of the observation site organ from the selected image output circuit 69 of the model, the position of the distal end portion of the insertion portion 7 in the organ is detected. That is, the tip position of the insertion portion 7 corresponding to the shape of the organ due to individual differences such as sex, age, height, and weight can be detected.

  The detected tip position of the insertion portion 7 is a body position image display signal for endoscopic observation displayed on the monitor display device 71 based on the body organ image data supplied from the selection image output circuit 69 of the simple model. Generate.

  The endoscopic observation body position image 71b generated by the image synthesis output circuit 65 and displayed on the monitor display device 71 is inserted into a graphic indicating the shape and size of the organ including the path through which the insertion portion is inserted. The insertion position of the part 7 is displayed in graphic form. The monitor image 71 ′ displayed on the monitor display device 71 includes an endoscopic image 71 a of an observation site imaged and generated by an imaging unit (not shown) provided at the distal end of the insertion unit 7, and the endoscopy. Mirror observation body position image 71b, insertion portion information 71c indicating the insertion amount, bending angle, and hardness of insertion portion 7 are displayed. The surgeon and the patient can observe the state of the affected part while confirming and recognizing the position of the insertion part 7 in the currently observed organ using the monitor image 71 ′ displayed on the monitor display device 71.

  The insertion part of the conventional endoscope employs a screw stopper for the attachment of the tip frame at the distal end of the insertion part and the joint piece attached to the tip frame. Screw fixing has a problem of poor work efficiency during repair and replacement. There is a demand for a distal end of the insertion portion that is efficient in repair and replacement work between the tip frame and the joint piece and has excellent replacement and repairability.

  The distal end of the insertion portion with excellent replacement repairability will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a distal end frame and a joint piece provided at the distal end of the insertion portion of the endoscope. The distal end frame 72 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a hole 72a is provided in a part of the outer periphery of the cylindrical shape. A spherical rotating body 74 is fitted in the hole 72a.

  On the other hand, the joint piece 73 is formed in a cylindrical shape into which the outer shape of the distal end frame 72 is inserted and fitted, and a concave portion into which the rotating body 74 of the distal end frame 72 is slidably fitted in a part of the inner periphery thereof. A certain latch 73a is provided. The joint piece 73 is formed of a springy member.

  When the distal end frame 72 is inserted and mounted on the inner peripheral surface of the joint piece 73, the rotating body 74 of the distal end frame 72 is fitted into the latch 73 a against the spring property of the joint piece 73. Thereby, the front end frame 72 and the joint piece 73 can be fitted and mounted by the rotating body 74, and the work efficiency of the exchange repairability is improved.

  Conventionally, during endoscopic observation, a disposable sheath formed of a thin sheet is externally used at the endoscope insertion portion. As shown in FIG. 13A, when the disposable sheath 76 is attached to the insertion portion 7 of the endoscope 5 and inserted and observed in a diseased portion that is normally collapsed, such as the hypopharynx, the disposable sheath 76 is observed. The distal end of the insertion part 7 covered with is closely attached to the mucous membrane of the affected part. For this reason, since the mucous membrane, which is the observation site, is located within the focal length of the objective lens provided at the observation window provided at the distal end of the insertion portion 7, a sharp observation image cannot be formed. That is, a predetermined distance between the objective lens and the observation site cannot be secured.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13 (b), the disposable sheath 77 to be mounted on the insertion portion 7 is located at the mounting portion 78 to be mounted on the insertion portion 7, the distal end of the insertion portion 7, and the It has a hood part 79 protruding from the tip part of the mounting part 78. The distal end of the hood portion 79 comes into contact with the observation site at a predetermined distance of the objective lens provided in the observation window at the distal end of the insertion portion 7. Thereby, since the mucous membrane of the affected part contacts the hood part 79, a predetermined distance between the affected mucous membrane and the objective lens can be secured.

  Further, the conventional endoscope apparatus 5 is subjected to a therapeutic treatment such as incision removal by inserting the insertion portion 7 into the affected part in the body cavity and observing and projecting the treatment forceps to the affected part through the insertion portion 7. . For this purpose, a treatment forceps channel is provided from the operation section 6 to the insertion section 7 of the endoscope 5. The distal end portion 7a of the insertion portion 7 is provided with a treatment forceps opening through which the treatment forceps protrude from the treatment forceps channel. The operation unit 6 is provided with a treatment forceps insertion hole 6b for inserting treatment forceps into the treatment forceps channel.

  As shown in FIG. 14, a forceps hole base 81 inserted into the treatment forceps channel is provided in the treatment forceps insertion hole 6b provided in the operation section 6, and a forceps plug 82 is covered with the forceps hole base 81. It has become so. The forceps plug 82 is formed of an elastic member, and a slit 83 is provided in a closing membrane for closing the forceps hole base 81. A treatment forceps is inserted through a slit 83 provided in the closing membrane of the forceps plug 82, and a shaft 84 connected to the treatment forceps is held in a watertight manner.

  In this way, the proximal side of the shaft of the treatment forceps inserted into the slit 83 provided in the closing membrane of the forceps plug 82 hangs down from the slit 83 at an acute angle. For this reason, the slit 83 of the forceps plug 82 is subjected to a sagging force of the shaft 84, which deforms and damages the slit 83, which accelerates the deterioration of the sealing performance of the forceps plug 82.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15, a forceps plug 85 having excellent water-tightness against the sagging of the shaft of the treatment forceps is formed. The forceps plug 85 has a substantially cylindrical shape as a whole, a forceps hole attachment portion 86 fitted and attached to the forceps hole base 81, and a cylindrical portion 87 having a predetermined length extending from the forceps hole attachment portion 86. A treatment forceps insertion passage 88 communicating from the forceps hole attachment portion 86 to the tubular portion 87, an obstruction membrane 89 provided at the head of the tubular portion 87 and closing the treatment forceps insertion passage 88, The slit 90 is provided in the blocking film 89. The forceps plug 85 is made of an elastic member. Further, the forceps hole attaching portion 86 is formed to be thick in order to fit and attach to the forceps hole base 81.

  When the forceps hole attaching portion 86 of the forceps plug 85 having such a configuration is attached and fixed to the forceps hole base 81 and the treatment forceps are inserted from the slit 90, the inserted treatment forceps as shown in FIG. The proximal side of the shaft 84 hangs down, but the sag is relaxed at an obtuse angle by the tubular portion 87 of the forceps plug 85. For this reason, since the force applied to the slit 90 of the occlusion film 89 due to the sagging of the shaft 84 is alleviated, deformation damage can be reduced, and water tightness between the forceps plug 85 and the shaft of the treatment forceps is ensured for a long period of time. it can.

  Furthermore, in the conventional endoscope 5, the treatment forceps channel provided from the operation section 6 to the insertion section 7 may be used in combination as a water supply or air supply channel in addition to inserting the treatment forceps. Therefore, the treatment forceps insertion hole 6b of the operation unit 6 is provided with a water supply / treatment instrument insertion adapter. This water supply / treatment instrument insertion adapter will be described with reference to FIG. In the description of the water supply / treatment instrument insertion adapter, the endoscope attachment side is referred to as the distal end side, and the treatment forceps insertion side is referred to as the proximal side.

  This adapter for water / treatment instrument insertion includes a main body 101, a valve body 102, and a fixing portion 103. The main body 101 has a treatment instrument insertion passage 104 in the longitudinal direction and a water supply passage 105 in a direction perpendicular to the treatment instrument insertion passage 104. A flange portion 106 is provided on the proximal side of the treatment instrument insertion passage 104. The valve body 102 is detachably attached to the flange portion 106.

  The valve body 102 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape by an elastic member such as silicon rubber. A groove 107 that is engaged with the flange 106 of the main body 101 is provided on the inner peripheral surface on the distal end side of the valve body 102. Further, the proximal side of the valve body 102 is provided with an occlusion film, and the occlusion film is provided with a slit 108 for keeping the sheath of the treatment instrument watertight.

  The fixing portion 103 includes a connection member 109 made of a metal material such as stainless steel and a fixing screw 110 made of a metal material such as stainless steel. The connection member 109 is screwed and fixed to the distal end side of the main body 101 on the hand side. Further, a tapered portion 112 is formed on the distal end side of the connecting member 109 to be fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the treatment forceps hole base 111 provided in the treatment forceps insertion hole 6b of the operation portion 6 of the endoscope 5. Has been. A concave portion 113 extending in the axial direction is provided on the inner surface of the treatment forceps hole base 111. Further, a convex portion 114 fitted to the concave portion 113 extends in the taper portion 112 of the connecting member 109 in the axial direction. An annular stopper portion 115 is provided on the proximal side of the tapered portion 112 of the connecting member 109.

  The fixing screw 110 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and a fitting screw portion 117 fitted to the fitting portion 116 formed in the treatment forceps hole base 111 is provided on the inner peripheral surface on the distal end side. It has been. Further, a sliding portion 118 having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer shape of the connection member 109 is formed on the proximal side of the fixing screw 110, and is fitted so as to be rotatable around the axis of the connection member 109. Has been.

  The adapter for inserting a water supply / treatment tool having such a configuration is such that the fixing screw 110 is fitted in a state where the convex portion 114 of the tapered portion 112 of the connecting member 109 is aligned with the concave portion 113 of the treatment forceps hole base 111. The fitting portion 117 and the fitting portion 116 of the treatment forceps hole base 111 are fitted. When the fixing screw 110 is rotated from this state, the fixing screw 110 moves to the treatment forceps hole base 111 side. At this time, the sliding portion 118 of the fixing screw 110 presses the stopper portion 115 of the connecting member 109, and the tapered portion 112 of the connecting member 109 is pressed by the treatment forceps hole base 111.

  As a result, the treatment instrument insertion passage 104 of the main body 101 and the conduit 119 of the treatment forceps hole base 111 are communicated in a watertight manner. As a result, the water supply / treatment instrument insertion adapter is attached to the treatment forceps hole base 111 of the operation unit 6, the main body 101 does not rotate in the axial direction, and the treatment forceps hole base 111 and the connection member 109 are connected. The tapered portions 112 do not bite away from each other, and the main body 101 does not rotate carelessly.

  Next, another embodiment of the water supply / treatment instrument insertion adapter will be described with reference to FIG. This water supply / treatment instrument insertion adapter includes a main body 121 and a valve body 122. The main body 121 has a fixing screw 123 on the distal end side, a treatment instrument insertion passage 124 in the longitudinal direction, a water supply passage 125 substantially perpendicular to the treatment instrument insertion passage 142, and a flange portion 126 on the proximal side of the treatment instrument insertion passage 124. doing. The valve body 122 is detachably attached to the flange portion 126.

  The valve body 122 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape by an elastic member such as silicon rubber. A groove 127 that is engaged with the flange 126 of the main body 121 is provided on the inner peripheral surface on the distal end side of the valve body 122. Further, the proximal side of the valve body 122 is provided with an occlusion film, and the occlusion film is provided with a slit 128 for keeping the sheath of the treatment instrument watertight.

  The fixing screw 123 of the main body 121 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and a treatment forceps hole base 129 provided in the treatment forceps insertion hole 6b of the operation unit 6 of the endoscope 5 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the distal end side thereof. A female screw portion 131 that is screwed into the formed male screw portion 130 is provided. Further, a packing 133 that is pressed against the fitting portion 132 formed on the treatment forceps hole cap 129 is provided on the proximal side of the fixing screw 123.

  In the water supply / treatment instrument insertion adapter having such a configuration, the fixing screw 123 and the male screw portion 130 of the treatment forceps hole base 129 are screwed together. When the fixing screw 123 is rotated from this state, the fixing screw portion 123 moves to the treatment forceps hole base 129 side. By the movement of the fixing screw 123, the packing 133 is pressed against the fitting portion 132 of the treatment forceps hole base 129, and the treatment instrument insertion passage 124 and the pipe line 134 of the treatment forceps hole base 129 are connected in a watertight manner. In addition, the biting phenomenon between the main body 121 and the treatment forceps hole cap 129 does not occur.

[Appendix]
According to the embodiment of the present invention described in detail above, the following configuration can be obtained.

(Supplementary note 1) A cloth-like member woven into a cloth shape using an elastic member that can control expansion and contraction according to the amount of current supplied;
An electrode member provided for supplying a current to the yarn of the elastic member woven into the cloth-like member;
A woven structure characterized by comprising:

  (Supplementary note 2) The fabric structure according to supplementary note 1, wherein the cloth-like member is an all-woven fabric member woven using only the elastic member for warp and weft.

  (Additional remark 3) The said cloth-like member uses the said elastic member and other fiber members other than the said elastic member as a weaving thread, and weaves the elastic member and another fiber member alternately with a predetermined space | interval as a warp and a weft. 2. The woven fabric structure according to appendix 1, wherein the woven fabric is a mixed knitted and woven fabric member.

  (Appendix 4) The fabric structure according to either appendix 1 or appendix 23, wherein the cloth-like member is woven into a cylindrical shape.

  (Supplementary note 5) In the supplementary note 4, the cloth-like member woven in the cylindrical shape is characterized in that the woven yarn of the elastic member used for the warp and the weft is arranged obliquely with respect to the central axis of the cylindrical shape. The woven structure described.

  (Supplementary note 6) The supplementary note 4, wherein the cloth-shaped member woven in the cylindrical shape is arranged such that at least the weaving yarn of the elastic member used for the warp is arranged parallel to the central axis of the cylindrical shape. Textile structure.

(Supplementary note 7) A cloth-like member woven into a cloth shape using an elastic member whose expansion and contraction can be controlled according to the amount of current supplied, and the woven yarn of the elastic member woven into the cloth-like member. A woven structure comprising electrode members;
An insertion part to be inserted into an observation site provided with the fabric structure;
An insertion portion that is provided in an operation portion that operates the insertion portion and controls the hardness and shape of the insertion portion by controlling the amount of current supplied to the weaving yarn of the elastic member of the woven fabric structure disposed in the insertion portion. Shape control means;
An endoscope characterized by comprising:

  (Additional remark 8) The said textile structure is provided in the curved part of the insertion part of the said endoscope, The endoscope of Additional remark 7 characterized by the above-mentioned.

  (Additional remark 9) The said textile structure is provided in the flexible tube part of the insertion part of the said endoscope, The endoscope of Additional remark 7 characterized by the above-mentioned.

  (Supplementary note 10) The supplementary note 7 is characterized in that a plurality of the woven fabric structures are arranged at a predetermined interval on either the bending portion of the insertion portion of the endoscope or the flexible tube portion. The endoscope described.

(Additional remark 11) The insertion amount detection means which detects the insertion amount in the body cavity of an endoscope insertion part, and produces | generates the insertion information of an insertion part,
A bending angle detecting means for detecting a bending direction and a bending angle of the bending portion of the endoscope insertion portion, and generating bending information of the insertion portion;
Hardness detecting means for detecting the hardness of the flexible tube portion of the endoscope insertion portion and generating hardness information of the insertion portion;
Body position image generating means for selectively generating a body position image to be endoscopically observed based on a body cavity part to be endoscopically observed, patient information, and the like;
Using the insertion amount information from the insertion amount detection means, the bending information from the bending angle detection means, and the hardness information from the hardness detection means, the insertion position of the endoscope insertion portion is determined as the body position from the body position image generation means. Image synthesizing means for synthesizing the image;
Display means for displaying a body position image indicating an insertion position of the endoscope insertion portion synthesized by the image synthesis means;
An endoscope apparatus characterized by comprising:

  (Additional remark 12) The said insertion amount detection means is provided in the mouse | mouth or sheath which inserts and guides an endoscope insertion part, The insertion amount detection sense which detects the insertion amount of an endoscope insertion part, and this insertion amount detection sense The endoscope apparatus according to appendix 11, further comprising an insertion amount output unit that generates insertion amount information from the detected insertion amount of the endoscope insertion unit.

  (Additional remark 13) The said bending angle detection means consists of the bending control part provided in the bending part of the said endoscope insertion part, and the bending operation part which carries out operation control of the bending control part. The endoscope apparatus described.

  (Additional remark 14) The said hardness control means consists of the hardness control part provided in the flexible tube part of the said endoscope insertion part, and the hardness operation part which carries out operation control of the hardness control part. The endoscope apparatus described.

  (Additional remark 15) The said bending control part or the said hardness control part is a cloth-like member woven up into a cloth form using the weaving thread | yarn produced | generated with the elastic member which can control hardness and expansion / contraction according to the electric current amount supplied. And an electrode member provided at both ends of the cloth-like member and connected to the weaving yarn of the stretchable member. Endoscopic device.

  (Supplementary note 16) The endoscope apparatus according to supplementary note 11, wherein the body position image generation unit is a schematic figure of a body organ corresponding to patient information to be observed with an endoscope.

(Supplementary Note 17) A tip frame provided in an insertion portion of an endoscope apparatus and having a rotating body disposed outside a substantially cylindrical shape;
A joint piece formed of an elastic member for fitting the selection frame;
A latch for fitting a rotating body provided in the tip frame to the inner peripheral surface of the joint piece;
An endoscope characterized by comprising:

(Supplementary Note 18) In a disposable sheath attached to an insertion portion of an endoscope apparatus,
A mounting portion fitted and mounted to the insertion portion;
When the fitting part is fitted to the insertion part, a hood part provided to protrude from the distal end of the insertion part to the observation site side;
An endoscope disposable sheath comprising:

(Supplementary note 19) A forceps hole cap provided in a treatment forceps insertion hole provided in an operation unit of the endoscope apparatus;
A cylindrical part formed into a cylindrical shape of a predetermined length using an elastic member, and having a treatment forceps insertion path;
A forceps hole mounting portion provided at one end of the cylindrical portion and attached to the forceps hole base;
An occlusive membrane that is provided at the other end of the cylindrical portion and closes the treatment forceps insertion passage;
A forceps plug for an endoscope apparatus, comprising: a slit provided on the obstruction membrane, through which the treatment forceps are inserted, and a shaft for holding the treatment forceps in a watertight manner.

(Supplementary Note 20) A main body having a treatment instrument insertion passage, and a water supply path provided in a direction substantially perpendicular to the treatment instrument insertion passage and communicated with the treatment instrument insertion pain passage,
A valve body that is provided on one end side of the treatment instrument insertion passage of the main body, and holds the treatment instrument to be inserted in a watertight manner;
A fixing portion that is provided on the other end side of the treatment instrument insertion passage of the main body and is fitted and fixed to a treatment instrument insertion hole cap provided in an operation portion of the endoscope apparatus;
An adapter for water supply / treatment instrument insertion of an endoscope apparatus characterized by comprising:

  (Additional remark 21) The said fixing | fixed part has a connecting member which has a taper part by which one end is connected and fixed to the said main body, and the other end is mounted | worn with the said treatment tool insertion hole mouthpiece, The taper part of the said connecting member has said treatment tool A convex portion provided in the axial direction for fitting into a concave portion provided in the axial direction outside the insertion hole cap, an annular stopper portion provided at the end of the tapered portion of the connection member, and A fixing screw that houses the stopper portion and is slidably disposed on the outer periphery of the connection member, and has a fitting screw on the inner circumferential surface for fitting with the fitting portion of the treatment instrument insertion hole cap. The adapter for water supply / treatment instrument insertion of the endoscope apparatus according to appendix 20, wherein the adapter is provided.

  (Supplementary Note 22) The solid portion is provided on the inner peripheral portion of the treatment instrument insertion passage of the main body so that the solid portion is provided on the outer periphery of the treatment instrument insertion hole cap and is engaged with the male screw, and the treatment The water supply / treatment instrument insertion adapter for an endoscope apparatus according to appendix 20, wherein a packing with which the tip of the instrument insertion hole cap abuts is provided on an inner peripheral portion of the main body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is explanatory drawing explaining the structure of 1st Embodiment of the fabric structure which concerns on this invention, FIG.1 (a) shows the state which is not supplying the electric current to a fabric structure, FIG.1 (b) is a fabric structure. It shows a state where current is supplied to the body. FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a second embodiment of a woven fabric structure according to the present invention. FIG. 2A shows a state in which no current is supplied to the woven fabric structure, and FIG. It shows a state where current is supplied to the body. FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a third embodiment of a woven fabric structure according to the present invention. FIG. 3A shows the configuration of a woven fabric structure woven only with elastic members, and FIG. The structure of the fabric structure woven by the blending of a member and members other than an elastic member is shown. FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a fourth embodiment of a woven fabric structure according to the present invention. FIG. 4A shows a state where no current is supplied to the woven fabric structure, and FIG. FIG. 4C shows a state in which a current having a current value supplied to the body is supplied, and FIG. FIG. 5A is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a fifth embodiment of a fabric structure according to the present invention. FIG. 5A shows a state in which no current is supplied to the fabric structure, and FIG. It shows a state where current is supplied to the body. FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram for explaining an elastic member used in the woven fabric structure according to the present invention, FIG. 6A shows an initial state in which no current is supplied to the elastic member, and FIG. 6B shows a current value in the elastic member. FIG. 6C shows a state in which a current having a predetermined total current value is supplied to the expandable member. The perspective view which shows the whole structure of the endoscope which concerns on this invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the curvature control part and hardness control part by the textile structure provided in the insertion part of 1st Embodiment of the endoscope which concerns on this invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the curvature control part by the textile structure provided in the insertion part of 2nd Embodiment of the endoscope which concerns on this invention, and hardness control. The block diagram which shows the structure of the endoscope position display apparatus which concerns on this invention. Explanatory drawing explaining the mouse | mouth and sheath which are used for the endoscope position display apparatus which concerns on this invention. The perspective view which shows the front-end | tip frame and joint piece used for the insertion part of the endoscope which concerns on this invention. The disposable sheath used for the endoscope according to the present invention is shown, FIG. 13 (a) shows a conventional disposable sheath, and FIG. 13 (b) shows the disposable sheath according to the present invention. Sectional drawing which shows the conventional forceps stopper used for the treatment forceps insertion hole of the endoscope which concerns on this invention, Sectional drawing which shows the forceps stopper used for the treatment forceps insertion hole of the endoscope which concerns on this invention. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of 1st Embodiment of the water supply / treatment tool penetration adapter to which the treatment forceps insertion hole of the endoscope which concerns on this invention is attached. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of 2nd Embodiment of the adapter for water supply / treatment tool insertion to which the treatment forceps insertion hole of the endoscope which concerns on this invention is attached.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 Endoscope 6 Operation part 7 Insertion part 11 Elastic member 12 Electrode 13 Other fiber weaving yarn 21 Bending control part 22 Hardness control part 24 Controller 25 Bending operation part 30 Hardness operation part Attorney Susumu Ito

Claims (10)

A cloth-like member woven into a cloth shape using an elastic member that can control expansion and contraction according to the amount of current supplied;
An electrode member provided for supplying a current to the yarn of the elastic member woven into the cloth-like member;
A woven structure characterized by comprising:   2. The woven fabric structure according to claim 1, wherein the cloth-like member is an all-knitted cloth-like member woven using only the elastic member for warp and weft.   The cloth-like member is blended and woven using the elastic member and another fiber member other than the elastic member as a woven yarn, and the elastic member and the other fiber member are alternately woven as warps and wefts at predetermined intervals. The woven structure according to claim 1, wherein the woven structure is a mixed knitted fabric-like member.   The woven structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cloth-like member is woven into a cylindrical shape.   5. The fabric according to claim 4, wherein the cloth-like member woven in the cylindrical shape has a woven yarn of the elastic member used for warp and weft arranged obliquely with respect to the central axis of the cylindrical shape. Structure.   5. The fabric structure according to claim 4, wherein the cloth-like member woven in the cylindrical shape has at least the weaving yarn of the elastic member used for the warp yarn arranged parallel to the central axis of the cylindrical shape. body. A cloth-like member woven into a cloth shape using an elastic member whose expansion and contraction can be controlled according to the amount of current supplied, and an electrode member connected to the yarn of the elastic member woven into the cloth-like member A woven fabric structure,
An insertion part to be inserted into an observation site provided with the fabric structure;
Controlling the amount of current supplied to the weaving yarn of the elastic member of the woven fabric structure disposed in the insertion portion and operating at the insertion portion, to at least one of the hardness or the curved shape of the insertion portion Insert shape control means for controlling;
An endoscope characterized by comprising:   The endoscope according to claim 7, wherein the fabric structure is provided in a curved portion of an insertion portion of the endoscope.   The endoscope according to claim 7, wherein the fabric structure is provided in a flexible tube portion of the insertion portion of the endoscope.   8. The inner structure according to claim 7, wherein a plurality of the fabric structures are arranged at a predetermined interval on either the bending portion of the insertion portion of the endoscope or the flexible tube portion. Endoscope.

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