JP2007054511A - Endoscope apparatus and endoscope imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope apparatus and an endoscope imaging device, which have favorable operability in operating an endoscope by one hand, and prevent on increase in size of a grip part. <P>SOLUTION: An endoscope connecting part 12 of a camera head 3 is removably connected to the grip part 9 of the endoscope 2, and an operating ring 27 of the endoscope connecting part 12 is rotated around the axis of an insert part 8 relative to the grip part 9, thereby transmitting the turning operation of the operating ring 27 through a gear mechanism 28 to the insert part 8. At this time, the rotation amount of the insert part 8 is adjusted to increase the rotation amount of the insert part 8 relative to the rotating operation of the operating ring 27 by the rotation amount adjusting means 33 and transmitted to the grip part 9. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus including an endoscope and an imaging unit that captures an endoscope image thereof, and an endoscope imaging apparatus connected to the endoscope.

  A general optical endoscope includes a light guide cable that transmits illumination light for illuminating a subject, and an image guide optical system that includes an optical fiber that transmits an optical image of the subject. Here, an endoscope apparatus is known that incorporates an image sensor that captures a subject image transmitted by an image guide optical system as an endoscopic image and converts it into an imaging signal that is an electrical signal.

  In addition, an electronic endoscope apparatus that uses an image sensor that eliminates the image guide optical system and converts image information into an electric signal instead of an optical fiber is also known. Here, an objective optical system and an image sensor are incorporated at the distal end of the insertion portion of the endoscope. When the endoscope is used, the illumination light from the light source device is transmitted to the distal end of the insertion portion of the endoscope by a light guide cable made of a fiber bundle, and the imaging signal imaged by the imaging device of the endoscope is an electric signal line. Generally, it takes the form of transmission to a video signal processing device (processor device) via a cable. On the other hand, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 show an endoscope apparatus in which a light guide cable and an electric signal line are integrated into a cable.

  For example, Patent Document 3 shows an endoscope apparatus in which an observation optical system for perspective or side view is disposed at a distal end portion of an insertion portion of an endoscope. Here, the insertion portion is configured to be rotatable with respect to the grip portion (operation portion) disposed at the proximal end portion of the insertion portion of the endoscope, and the operator holds the grip portion (operation portion). However, the insertion portion can be easily rotated. Further, in Patent Document 4, similarly to Patent Document 3, an endoscope apparatus that has an eyepiece optical system and does not have an image sensor is provided with a grip portion (disposed at the proximal end portion of the insertion portion of the endoscope). A configuration is shown in which the insertion portion is rotatable with respect to the operation portion).

  Patent Document 5 discloses an endoscope apparatus configured such that the insertion portion is rotatable with respect to the gripping portion as in Patent Literature 3 and Patent Literature 4, and the rotation of the insertion portion at a predetermined angle or more. An endoscope apparatus incorporating a stopper structure for preventing operation is shown. Here, when the insertion portion is rotated with respect to the grip portion, the light guide cable and the electric signal line cable built in the grip portion are twisted more than necessary due to the rotation operation of the insertion portion. This prevents the light guide cable and the electric signal line cable from being stressed.

  Moreover, in the endoscope apparatus described in Patent Document 5, the proximal end portion of the endoscope is connected to an endoscope receiving portion of a camera head that is an endoscope imaging device. The endoscope receiving portion is rotatable with respect to the camera head about the axis about the optical axis of the endoscope. The rotation angle of the endoscope receiving portion is suppressed by the stopper mechanism so as not to rotate beyond a predetermined angle.

  Furthermore, a key mechanism is provided at the joint between the endoscope receiving portion and the endoscope base end portion, and the rotational position when the endoscope receiving portion and the endoscope are connected is uniquely determined. It is like that. Thereby, when the endoscope receiving portion and the endoscope are connected, it is possible to prevent a relative rotational deviation or the like from occurring between the endoscope receiving portion and the endoscope.

  When such an endoscope imaging apparatus is used, the operator holds the camera head and rotates the operation ring provided on the endoscope or the endoscope receiving portion, thereby Rotate operation. When the endoscope is in perspective or side view, it is possible to change the visual field direction of the endoscope by this turning operation.

For example, in arthroscopic techniques in orthopedics, an angle operation of 360 ° or more is desirable as the rotation operation from the viewpoint of simplifying the observation operation and simplifying the securing of the observation visual field range.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-18790 JP-A-4-309325 Japanese Patent No. 2539887 JP-A-62-275425 JP 2003-290119 A

  In a conventional electronic endoscope apparatus, two cables, a light guide cable and an electric signal line cable, extend from the endoscope. For this reason, the endoscope operation becomes complicated and the operability is deteriorated.

  In order to solve such problems, the endoscope apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 has a configuration in which a light guide cable and an electric signal line cable are integrated. In addition, the light guide cable and the electric signal cable shown in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 are integrated, and the insertion portion is rotatable with respect to the gripping portion as in Patent Document 3 and Patent Document 4. In the endoscope apparatus configured as described above, the light guide cable and the electric signal line cable built in the grip portion are twisted by the rotation operation of the insertion portion.

  Therefore, in the endoscope device of Patent Document 5, the base end portion of the endoscope is connected to the endoscope receiving portion of the camera head that is the endoscope imaging device, and the endoscope receiving portion is connected to the camera head. Thus, the endoscope is connected so as to be rotatable about the optical axis of the endoscope. As a result, when the insertion portion is rotated with respect to the grip portion, the light guide cable and the electric signal line cable built in the grip portion are twisted more than necessary due to the rotation operation of the insertion portion. This prevents the light guide cable and the electric signal line cable from being stressed.

  However, in the endoscope apparatus of Patent Document 5, the rotation angle of the endoscope receiving portion is suppressed by the stopper mechanism so as not to rotate more than a predetermined angle. It is difficult to perform the above angle operation.

  In the endoscope apparatus of Patent Document 5, this is achieved by rotating the operation ring by 360 °. However, the operation of rotating the operation ring by 360 ° is difficult for the operator. This is a relatively troublesome operation.

  That is, for example, an orthopedic surgeon holds a camera head in one hand as an operator and holds a treatment tool such as a shaver or an insulator in the other hand to treat the patient. In this case, when the camera head is held with one hand, it is difficult to rotate the operation ring by 360 °. Therefore, the operator can rotate the operation ring little by little with the fingers on the side holding the camera head (so-called “feed operation”), or once stop the procedure and rotate the operation ring with both hands. One of the means to do it must be taken.

  Further, a projection for improving the operability for the operator is usually provided on the operation ring. However, when the operation ring is rotated 360 ° by the above-described means, the protrusions must be projected in a plurality of directions over the entire circumference of the ring, so that the apparatus may be enlarged and difficult to handle. There is.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide an endoscope apparatus and an internal device that have good operability for operating the endoscope with one hand and can prevent an increase in the size of the gripping portion. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope imaging apparatus.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging device including an insertion portion to be inserted into a body, a grip portion disposed at a proximal end portion of the insertion portion, and an endoscope connection portion detachably connected to the grip portion Means, an operating ring provided in the endoscope connecting portion, and connected to the grasping portion so as to be rotatable relative to a center line of the insertion portion, and a rotating operation of the operating ring. Motion transmitting means for transmitting the rotational movement of the insertion portion, and the motion transmission means increases the rotational amount of the insertion portion with respect to the rotational operation amount of the operation ring. An endoscope apparatus comprising: a rotation amount adjusting unit that adjusts a rotation amount and transmits the rotation amount to the grip portion.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the operation ring of the endoscope connecting portion is rotated while the endoscope connecting portion of the imaging means is detachably connected to the holding portion of the endoscope. The rotation operation of the operation ring of the endoscope connecting portion is transmitted to the rotation operation of the insertion portion via the operation transmitting means. At this time, the rotation amount of the insertion portion is adjusted to be transmitted to the gripping portion so that the rotation amount of the insertion portion is increased with respect to the rotation amount of the operation ring by the rotation amount adjusting means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the rotation amount adjusting means includes detection means for detecting a rotation angle of the insertion portion with respect to the gripping portion, and notification means for notifying a rotation angle detection result by the detection means. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1.
In the second aspect of the invention, the rotation angle of the insertion portion relative to the gripping portion is detected by the detection means of the rotation amount adjustment means, and the rotation angle detection result by the detection means is notified by the notification means. .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging means having an endoscope connecting portion that is detachably connected to a grip portion disposed at a proximal end portion of an insertion portion of an endoscope that is inserted into a body, and the endoscope An operation ring provided in the mirror connecting portion and connected to the gripping portion so as to be relatively rotatable about a center line of the insertion portion, and a rotation operation of the operation ring is a rotation operation of the insertion portion. Motion transmitting means for transmitting to the control ring, and the motion transmitting means adjusts the amount of rotation of the insertion portion to increase the amount of rotation of the insertion portion relative to the amount of rotation of the operation ring. An endoscope imaging apparatus comprising rotation amount adjusting means for transmitting to the grip portion.
In the third aspect of the invention, the operation ring of the endoscope connecting portion is inserted into the gripping portion while the endoscope connecting portion of the imaging means is detachably connected to the gripping portion of the endoscope. When the center ring is rotated relative to the center line, the rotation operation of the operation ring is transmitted to the rotation operation of the insertion portion via the operation transmission means. At this time, the rotation amount of the insertion portion is adjusted to be transmitted to the gripping portion so that the rotation amount of the insertion portion is increased with respect to the rotation amount of the operation ring by the rotation amount adjusting means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the rotation amount adjusting means includes detection means for detecting a rotation angle of the insertion portion with respect to the gripping portion, and notification means for notifying a rotation angle detection result by the detection means. The endoscope imaging apparatus according to claim 3.
In the invention of claim 4, the rotation angle of the insertion portion with respect to the grip portion is detected by the detection means of the rotation amount adjustment means, and the rotation angle detection result by the detection means is notified by the notification means. .

The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the imaging means includes a cable in which a light guide cable for transmitting illumination light and an electrical cable for an imaging element that captures an endoscope image of the endoscope are integrated. An endoscope imaging apparatus according to claim 3.
In the invention of claim 5, the light guide cable for transmitting the illumination light and the electric cable for the image pickup device for picking up the endoscope image of the endoscope are integrated into the cable of the image pickup means. It is.

  According to the present invention, since the insertion portion can be rotated with a small amount of operation during the operation of rotating the insertion portion in the direction around the axis, the burden on the operator for the rotation operation of the insertion portion can be reduced. It is possible to provide an endoscope apparatus and an endoscope imaging apparatus that can concentrate on the expression, have good operability to operate the endoscope with one hand, and can prevent an increase in the size of the grip portion. .

The present invention will be described below with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings.
(First embodiment)
1 to 6 show the overall configuration of the endoscope imaging apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The endoscope imaging apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an endoscope 2 and a camera head (imaging means) 3. One end of a universal cable (general cable) 4 is connected to the camera head 3. A light guide connector 5 is connected to the other end of the universal cable 4. Further, one end of an electric cable 6 is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the light guide connector 5. An electric connector 7 is connected to the other end of the electric cable 6.

  Further, the endoscope 2 is formed by a rigid endoscope. The endoscope 2 includes a straight tubular non-bending insertion portion 8 formed of a hard material such as metal, and a grip portion 9 connected to a proximal end portion of the insertion portion 8. On the outer periphery of the grip portion 9, there are a key groove 10 that extends straight along the axial direction of the insertion portion 8, and a ring-shaped lock groove 11 that extends along the circumferential direction of the grip portion 9. Is formed.

  On the other hand, the camera head 3 is provided with an endoscope connecting portion 12 on the distal end side (the end opposite to the connecting portion with the universal cable 4). FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a detailed structure of a connecting portion between the grip portion 9 of the endoscope 2 and the endoscope connecting portion 12 of the camera head 3.

  The endoscope connecting portion 12 of the camera head 3 is provided with an endoscope insertion hole 13 into which the grip portion 9 of the endoscope 2 is inserted. A key 14 projects from the inner peripheral surface of the endoscope insertion hole 13 in an inward direction. When the endoscope 2 and the camera head 3 are connected, the key 14 of the endoscope connecting portion 12 is removably inserted into the key groove 10 on the grip portion 9 side. When the endoscope 2 and the camera head 3 are connected, the optical axis of the endoscope 2 is engaged by the engaging portion between the key groove 10 on the grip 9 side and the key 14 on the endoscope connecting portion 12 side. A key mechanism is formed that can be connected in a state where the rotational direction around the axis and the vertical direction of the camera head 3 are uniquely determined.

  In addition, a lock pin 15 is disposed behind the key 14 inside the endoscope connecting portion 12. The lock pin 15 is supported so as to advance and retract along the radial direction. Further, the camera head 3 is provided with a lock pin operation ring 16, a slide cover 17, and a spring 18 on the outer peripheral surface of the endoscope connecting portion 12.

  An inclined surface 16 a that contacts the head 15 a of the lock pin 15 is formed at the tip of the lock pin operating ring 16. Further, the lock pin operating ring 16 is urged by the spring force of the spring 18 in a direction in which the inclined surface 16 a comes into contact with the head 15 a of the lock pin 15. At this time, the head 15 a of the lock pin 15 is biased so as to be pressed inward of the endoscope connecting portion 12 by the pressing force from the inclined surface 16 a of the lock pin operating ring 16. When the endoscope 2 and the camera head 3 are connected, the lock pin 15 is detachably engaged with the lock groove 11 of the grip portion 9. Therefore, when the endoscope 2 and the camera head 3 are connected, the lock pin 15 is urged by the urging force of the spring 18 so as to engage with the lock groove 11. It will not drop out.

  Further, the slide cover 17 is supported so as to be movable in the axial direction along the outer peripheral surface of the endoscope connecting portion 12. By pressing the slide cover 17 toward the rear of the camera head 3, the lock pin operation ring 16 is moved in a direction away from the head 15 a of the lock pin 15 against the spring force of the spring 18. It has become. The lock by the lock pin 15 is released by operating the slide cover 17.

  An imaging unit 19 is disposed at the axial center of the camera head 3. The imaging unit 19 is provided with a cover glass 20 at the end on the endoscope 2 side. Further, an imaging optical system 21 and an image sensor 22 are provided inside the image pickup unit 19.

  In addition, a light guide bundle 23 formed of an optical fiber is disposed outside the imaging unit 19 inside the camera head 3. Furthermore, a flange surface that abuts when the grip 9 is inserted into the endoscope connecting portion 12 and connected to the terminal end portion of the endoscope insertion hole 13 in the endoscope connecting portion 12 is disposed. . A cover glass 24 of the light guide bundle 23 is disposed on the flange surface. The front end of the light guide bundle 23 is connected and fixed to the cover glass 24.

  The insertion portion 8 of the endoscope 2 is provided with a light guide bundle (not shown) that supplies illumination light and an image guide optical system (not shown) having an optical fiber that transmits an optical image of the subject. Further, the grasping portion 9 of the endoscope 2 is provided with an eyepiece portion at an axial center portion and an end portion of a light guide bundle at a peripheral portion thereof. An end portion of the light guide bundle is optically exposed at a portion facing the cover glass 24 in the endoscope connecting portion 12.

  In addition, the endoscope connecting portion 12 of the camera head 3 is provided with an imaging unit holding portion 12 a that is fitted on the imaging unit 19. The image pickup unit 19 is fixed to the image pickup unit holding portion 12a by a restraining ring 26 via a washer 25. An internal thread is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the holding ring 26. The restraining ring 26 is screwed into a male screw formed on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the imaging unit 19 and is fixed by screws.

  Further, the endoscope connecting portion 12 includes an operation ring 27 disposed outside the imaging unit holding portion 12 a and a gear mechanism (operation that transmits the rotation operation of the operation ring 27 to the rotation operation of the insertion portion 8. Transmission means) 28. Here, the operation ring 27 is provided to be rotatable about the optical axis of the endoscope 2 with respect to the camera head 3. At this time, the operation ring 27 can freely rotate with respect to the imaging unit 19. A lever 27 a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the operation ring 27.

  The gear mechanism 28 extends to the internal gear ring 29 provided at the rear end portion of the operation ring 27 and the rear end portion of the imaging unit holding portion 12a, and as shown in FIG. A gear 30 inserted into the gear 29, and a pinion 31 inserted between the internal gear ring 29 and the gear 30. The pinion 31 is rotatably attached to a rotation shaft 32 fixed to the camera head body 3a. The pinion 31 meshes with the internal gear ring 29 and the gear 30 respectively. Then, the user operates the lever 27a of the operation ring 27 to freely rotate the internal gear ring 29, and rotates the pinion 31 in conjunction with the rotation of the internal gear ring 29. Further, the pinion The gear 30 can be rotated in conjunction with the rotation of the gear 31.

  Further, the gear mechanism 28 adjusts the rotation amount of the insertion portion 8 so as to increase the rotation amount of the insertion portion 8 with respect to the rotation operation amount of the operation ring 27 and transmits the rotation amount adjustment means 33 to the grip portion 9. It has. The rotation amount adjusting means 33 is configured such that the gear ratio between the internal gear ring 29 and the gear 30 is set smaller than 1.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the camera head main body 3a is provided with a photo reflector (detecting means) 34 at a position facing the rear end surface of the gear 30 of the imaging unit holding portion 12a. Here, a plurality of reflective markings 35 are provided on the rear end surface of the gear 30 over the entire circumference of the gear 30 in the circumferential direction. The detection light emitted from the photo reflector 34 is reflected by the reflective marking 35 and returns to the photo reflector 34.

  Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. When the endoscope imaging apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is used, the endoscope 2 is connected to the camera head 3. When the camera head 3 and the endoscope 2 are connected, the grip portion 9 of the endoscope 2 is inserted into the endoscope insertion hole 13 of the endoscope connecting portion 12. At this time, the grip portion 9 is fitted into the endoscope insertion hole 13, and the key 14 of the endoscope connecting portion 12 is engaged with the key groove 10 on the grip portion 9 side, whereby the grip portion 9 and the endoscope are connected. The rotational position of the connecting portion 12 with respect to the two optical axes is uniquely determined. Thereby, the rotation direction around the axis with respect to the optical axis of the endoscope 2 and the vertical direction of the camera head 3 are uniquely determined.

  Further, the lock pin 15 of the endoscope connecting portion 12 engages with the lock groove 11 of the grip portion 9. At this time, the lock pin operation ring 16 is urged by the spring force of the spring 18 in a direction in which the inclined surface 16 a comes into contact with the head portion 15 a of the lock pin 15, and the lock pin 15 is further inclined. Therefore, the grip portion 9 does not fall off the endoscope connecting portion 12. Thereby, the endoscope 2 is set to be connected to the camera head 3.

  In this state, the illumination light from the light source device is transmitted through the light guide bundle 23 in the universal cable 4 of the camera head 3 and then inserted into the endoscope 2 by the light guide bundle in the insertion portion 8 of the endoscope 2. It is transmitted to the tip of the part 8. Further, the observation image of the endoscope 2 is transmitted to the eyepiece through the image guide optical system in the insertion portion 8 of the endoscope 2, and then formed on the image sensor 22 by the imaging optical system 21 of the camera head 3. Is done. The observation image of the endoscope 2 formed at this time is converted into an electric signal by the image pickup device 22, and the image pickup signal output from the image pickup device 22 is a video signal processing device (processor device) via the electric signal line cable. Is transmitted to.

  During observation with the endoscope 2, the user operates the lever 27 a of the camera head 3 to operate the gear mechanism 28 as necessary. At this time, the internal gear ring 29 is rotated about the optical axis of the endoscope 2 integrally with the operation ring 27 by the operation of the lever 27a. At this time, the pinion 31 meshed with the internal teeth of the internal gear ring 29 is rotated, and the rotational force is transmitted to the gear 30 through the pinion 31. Therefore, the endoscope connecting portion 12 is rotated by operating the lever 27a. At this time, the light guide bundle 23 moves around the imaging unit holding portion 12a of the endoscope connecting portion 12 as indicated by an arrow in FIG. Move along the direction. Therefore, the light guide bundle 23 is moved while twisting in the camera head 3.

  Further, since the gear ratio between the internal gear ring 29 and the gear 30 is set to be smaller than 1 by the rotation amount adjusting means 33, the rotation angle of the lever 27a is 360 ° or less even if the gear 30 is rotated 360 °. Just do it. At this time, the rotation angle of the gear 30 is detected by detecting the number of the reflective markings 35 that the photo reflector 34 passes when the gear 30 rotates, and is output from the photo reflector 34 as an electrical detection signal.

  Therefore, the above configuration has the following effects. That is, in the endoscope imaging apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the gear mechanism 28 having the pinion 31 interposed between the internal gear ring 29 and the gear 30 of the camera head 3 is provided, and the lever 27a of the camera head 3 is moved. By operating and rotating the internal gear ring 29, the pinion 31 meshed with the internal teeth of the internal gear ring 29 is rotated, and the rotational force is transmitted to the gear 30 via the pinion 31 so as to be viewed internally. The mirror connecting portion 12 can be rotated. At this time, since the gear ratio between the internal gear ring 29 and the gear 30 is set smaller than 1 by the rotation amount adjusting means 33, the rotation angle of the lever 27a of the camera head 3 by the user is made smaller than 360 °. Even in this case, the endoscope connecting portion 12 and the gripping portion 9 can be rotated 360 °. Therefore, the amount of operation of the user's lever 27a is small, and the operation of rotating the endoscope connecting portion 12 and the grip portion 9 can be simplified.

  Therefore, for example, even when the rotation angle of the internal gear ring 29 is 180 ° or less, the gear ratio between the internal gear ring 29 and the gear 30 is set so that the endoscope connecting portion 12 and the grip portion 9 rotate 360 °. Therefore, even if the lever 27a is provided only at one place on the entire circumference of the internal gear ring 29, the endoscope connecting portion 12 and the grip portion 9 can be sufficiently rotated. As a result, the operability of operating the endoscope 2 with one hand is good, and there is an effect that an increase in the size of the grip portion can be prevented. Further, the camera head 3 can be easily operated even when it is covered with a sterile drape or the like.

(First modification of the first embodiment)
FIG. 5 shows an example of display in which the notification device for displaying the rotation angle of the endoscope 2 is provided on the camera head 3 in the endoscope imaging apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. In this modification, as shown in FIG. 5, an arrow 41 is displayed on the internal gear ring 29 of the operation ring 27, and a scale 42 is displayed on the camera head body 3a.

  The combination of the arrow 41 and the scale 42 makes it easy for the user to understand how the rotation angle of the internal gear ring 29 is reflected in the rotation angles of the endoscope connecting portion 12 and the grip portion 9. .

  In the first embodiment, since the rotation angle of the internal gear ring 29 is not directly connected to the rotation angles of the endoscope connecting portion 12 and the grip portion 9, the rotation angle of the endoscope 2 is directly intuitive to the user. In this modification, the rotation angle of the endoscope 2 can be intuitively easily understood by the user by visually observing the display of the combination of the arrow 41 and the scale 42. Can do.

(Second modification of the first embodiment)
FIG. 6 shows notification means for displaying the rotation angle of the endoscope 2 on the output screen 52 of the monitor 51 of the camera head 3 of the endoscope imaging apparatus 1. In this modification, the rotation angle of the endoscope connecting portion 12 can be detected by a combination of the photo reflector 34 and the reflective marking 35. Based on the detection result, the rotation angles of the grip portion 9 and the endoscope connecting portion 12 are displayed as an arrow 53 on the output screen 52 of the monitor 51 of the endoscope imaging apparatus 1.

  A scale 54 may be displayed as a guide on the output screen 52 of the monitor 51 of the camera head 3 of the endoscope imaging apparatus 1 so that the position of the arrow 53 can be easily understood. The arrow 53 and the scale 54 are desirably displayed on the output screen 52 of the monitor 51 of the camera head 3 of the endoscope imaging apparatus 1 at a position that does not interfere with the observation of the endoscopic image 55.

  Therefore, in this modified example, the notification means for displaying the rotation angle of the endoscope 2 is provided on the output screen 52 of the monitor 51 of the camera head 3 of the endoscope imaging device 1, so that the user can use the endoscope. It is possible to know the rotation angle of the grip portion 9 and the endoscope connecting portion 12 without pulling the eyes from the output screen 52 of the monitor 51 of the camera head 3 of the imaging device 1, and thus the visual field direction of the insertion portion 8 of the endoscope 2. Can be convenient.

(Third modification of the first embodiment)
FIG. 7 shows a third modification of the first embodiment. This modification is a scale 56 linearly displayed on the output screen 52 of the monitor 51 of the camera head 3 of the endoscope imaging apparatus 1 according to the second modification (see FIG. 6) of the first embodiment. Is provided.

(Fourth modification of the first embodiment)
FIG. 8 shows a fourth modification of the first embodiment. In this modification, the scale displayed on the output screen 52 of the monitor 51 of the camera head 3 of the endoscope imaging apparatus 1 according to the second modification (see FIG. 6) of the first embodiment is further changed. Is. Here, a neutral display unit 61 that displays the neutral position on the output screen 52 of the monitor 51 of the camera head 3 and two rotation limit position display units 62 that respectively display the rotation limit positions on both sides of the neutral position are provided. Is.

  In the camera head 3 of the endoscope imaging apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, the rotational angle of the endoscope connecting portion 12 is limited by the mechanical twist resistance limit of the light guide bundle 23. In the example, the rotation limit position display unit 62 is displayed on the output screen 52 of the camera head 3 of the endoscope imaging apparatus 1 or blinks at a position slightly before reaching the rotation angle limit. Is set to do.

  According to the configuration of the present modification, the user can know the limit of the rotation angle of the endoscope connecting part 12 before the rotation angle of the endoscope connecting part 12 actually reaches the limit position of the rotation angle, It is possible to prevent damage to the device due to excessive use.

  Note that Patent Document 5 discloses a stopper mechanism that mechanically stops the limit of the rotation angle as described above. However, in this modification, an excessive force is mistakenly used for such a stopper mechanism. Can be prevented.

(Second Embodiment)
9 and 10 show a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a connecting portion between the grip portion 9 of the endoscope 2 and the endoscope connecting portion 12 of the camera head 3 in the second embodiment. Here, only the parts different from the first embodiment (see FIGS. 1 to 6) are shown. In addition, it has the same structure as the endoscope imaging apparatus 1 of 1st Embodiment except the following change part, and the same code | symbol is the same part as the endoscope imaging apparatus 1 of 1st Embodiment. The description is omitted here.

  That is, in the present embodiment, the pinion 31 of the gear mechanism 28 of the camera head 3 is fixed to the motor shaft 72 of the motor 71 fixed to the camera head main body 3a. The pinion 31 is in mesh with the gear 30.

  The lever 27 a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating ring 73. A plurality of reflective markings 74 are regularly arranged along the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface of the rotating ring 73. Further, a photo reflector 75 is provided in the camera head 3 at a position facing the reflective marking 74 on the inner peripheral surface of the rotating ring 73.

  Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. In the present embodiment, the user rotates the rotating ring 73 around the optical axis of the endoscope 2 by operating the lever 27a. At this time, the photo reflector 75 detects the number of the reflective markings 74 that pass in accordance with the rotation of the rotating ring 73, and calculates the rotation angle of the rotating ring 73 from the detection result. Based on this calculation result, the motor 71 rotates the motor shaft 72, and the pinion 31 rotates along with the rotation of the pinion 31, whereby the gear 30 rotates by a predetermined angle.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment configured as described above, the operator can rotate the endoscope connecting portion 12 by operating the lever 27a, and can obtain the same effects as those of the first embodiment. I can do it.

  As shown in FIG. 10, a push button switch 81 may be provided on the camera head 3, and the motor 71 may be rotated according to the pressing operation of the push button switch 81. In this case, the operator can rotate the endoscope connecting portion 12 by either the lever 27a or the push button switch 81. For example, in the rotation of the endoscope connecting portion 12, it is possible to share the roles of performing coarse movement adjustment with the lever 27a and fine movement adjustment with the push button switch 81, and to provide a camera head 3 that is easier to operate. I can do it.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Next, other characteristic technical matters of the present application are appended as follows.
Record
(Additional Item 1) In an endoscope apparatus having an insertion portion and a gripping portion, the endoscope device is rotatable relative to the gripping portion, and the rotation axis thereof substantially coincides with the central axis of the insertion portion. An insertion portion; an operation ring that is provided in the gripping portion and is rotatable with respect to the gripping portion; and an operation transmitting means for transmitting a rotation operation of the operation ring to a rotation operation of the insertion portion, The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the motion transmission means includes speed increasing means for increasing a rotation amount of the insertion portion with respect to a rotation operation amount of the operation ring.

  (Additional Item 2) The apparatus includes: a detection unit that detects a rotation angle of the insertion portion; and a notification unit or a display unit that notifies a user of a rotation angle detection result by the detection unit. 1. The endoscope apparatus described in 1.

  (Means for Solving the Problem of Additional Item 1) The light guide cable is integrated with the electric cable for the image sensor, and the insertion portion can be rotated about the central axis of the insertion portion. Is an endoscopic device that is operated by rotating an operation ring provided in the gripping portion, and is provided with speed increasing means for increasing the rotation angle of the insertion portion with respect to the rotation angle of the operation ring. .

  (Operation of Supplementary Item 1) By the speed increasing means, the insertion portion can be rotated 360 ° even if the rotation angle of the operation ring is small, thereby reducing the burden on the operator for the rotation operation. it can.

  (Effect of Supplementary Item 1) The light guide cable is integrated with the electric cable for the image sensor, the insertion portion is rotatable about the central axis of the insertion portion, and the rotation operation of the insertion portion is provided in the gripping portion. In an endoscope apparatus that is operated by rotating the operated ring, since the insertion portion can be rotated with a small amount of operation, the burden on the operator for the rotation operation of the insertion portion can be reduced. It is possible to provide an endoscope apparatus that can concentrate on a surgical procedure.

  (Problem to be solved by Supplementary Item 2) Since the rotation angle of the insertion portion is different from the rotation angle of the operation ring, the surgeon determines what state the rotation angle of the insertion portion is. It may be difficult to grasp intuitively.

  (Means for Solving the Problem of Additional Item 2) A detection means for detecting the rotation angle of the insertion portion is provided in the endoscope apparatus, and a notification means for notifying the operator of the detection result at any time is provided. It may be provided.

  (Operation of Supplementary Item 2) Since the rotation angle state of the insertion portion is appropriately notified to the surgeon, it is not necessary for the surgeon to calculate the state of the insertion portion in the head or to think about the idea. .

  (Effect of Additional Item 2) It is possible to prevent the surgeon from intuitively grasping what state the rotation angle of the insertion portion is.

  The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus in which a camera head is relatively rotatably connected to a grip portion on the proximal side of an insertion section of an endoscope, a technical field using an endoscope imaging apparatus, This is effective in the technical field of manufacturing an endoscope apparatus and an endoscope imaging apparatus.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an overall configuration of an endoscope imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the principal part which shows the connection state of the holding part of the endoscope of the endoscope imaging device of 1st Embodiment, and the endoscope connection part of a camera head. III-III sectional view taken on the line of FIG. The perspective view which showed the part of the gearwheel in the endoscope connection part of the endoscope imaging device of 1st Embodiment. The perspective view which shows an example of the display provided in the internal gear ring and camera head main body of the endoscope imaging device by the 1st modification of 1st Embodiment. The top view which shows the display state of the rotation angle of the endoscope displayed on the output screen of the camera head of the endoscope imaging device by the 2nd modification of 1st Embodiment. The top view which shows the display state of the scale displayed on the output screen of the camera head of the endoscope imaging device by the 3rd modification of 1st Embodiment. The top view which shows the display state of the scale displayed on the output screen of the camera head of the endoscope imaging device by the 4th modification of 1st Embodiment. The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the principal part which shows the connection state of the camera head connection part of the endoscope of the endoscope imaging device of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and the endoscope connection part of a camera head. The perspective view which shows the reflective marking provided on the camera head of the endoscope imaging device of 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

    DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Endoscope, 3 ... Camera head (imaging means), 8 ... Insertion part, 9 ... Gripping part, 12 ... Endoscope connection part, 27 ... Operation ring, 28 ... Gear mechanism (motion transmission means), 33 ... Rotation amount adjusting means.

Claims (5)

An insertion part to be inserted into the body,
A gripping portion disposed at a proximal end portion of the insertion portion;
An imaging means having an endoscope connecting portion detachably connected to the gripping portion;
An operation ring provided in the endoscope connecting portion and connected to the gripping portion so as to be relatively rotatable around a center line of the insertion portion;
An operation transmitting means for transmitting the rotation operation of the operation ring to the rotation operation of the insertion portion;
The operation transmitting means includes a rotation amount adjusting means that adjusts the rotation amount of the insertion portion so as to increase the rotation amount of the insertion portion with respect to the rotation operation amount of the operation ring and transmits the rotation amount to the gripping portion. An endoscope apparatus characterized by comprising: The rotation amount adjustment means includes a detection means for detecting a rotation angle of the insertion part with respect to the grip part,
Notification means for notifying the rotation angle detection result by the detection means;
The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: An imaging means having an endoscope connecting portion removably connected to a gripping portion disposed at a proximal end portion of an insertion portion of an endoscope inserted into the body;
An operation ring provided in the endoscope connecting portion and connected to the gripping portion so as to be relatively rotatable around a center line of the insertion portion;
An operation transmitting means for transmitting the rotation operation of the operation ring to the rotation operation of the insertion portion;
The operation transmitting means includes a rotation amount adjusting means that adjusts the rotation amount of the insertion portion so as to increase the rotation amount of the insertion portion with respect to the rotation operation amount of the operation ring and transmits the rotation amount to the gripping portion. An endoscope imaging apparatus characterized by comprising: The rotation amount adjustment means includes a detection means for detecting a rotation angle of the insertion part with respect to the grip part,
Notification means for notifying the rotation angle detection result by the detection means;
The endoscope imaging apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising:   The said imaging means has the cable which integrated the light guide cable for illumination light transmission, and the electrical cable for imaging devices which images the endoscopic image of the said endoscope, The inside of Claim 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Endoscopic imaging device.

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