JP2009165722A

JP2009165722A - Endoscope

Info

Publication number: JP2009165722A
Application number: JP2008008904A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Masahiro Seki; 正広関
Original assignee: Fujinon Corp
Current assignee: Fujinon Corp
Priority date: 2008-01-18
Filing date: 2008-01-18
Publication date: 2009-07-30

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to eliminate the disconnection of a linear member to be wound around a wheel, to be made simpler in structre and lighter in weight as compared to a chain, and further to obtain excellent responsiveness in a curving operation. <P>SOLUTION: A belt 16 is obtained by forming a projection/recession surface 16s, having projections/recessions in a movement direction, in a belt shape body made of rubber, forming a smooth surface 16T on the opposite side surface of the projection/recession surface 16s, and integrally molding high-strength fiber linear bodies 17 in the whole longitudinal and inner part of the belt shape body. A sprocket 14 is engaged with the projection/recession surface 16c of the belt 16, so as to connect wires 20a, 20b to the belt 16. Since the high-strength fiber linear bodies 17 are put into the belt 16, pulling strength in the curving operation is raised and also the disconnection is prevented. It is adequate that a roller tensioner for raising the response of the curving operation may be abutted on to the belt 16 or a wire loosening remover may be arranged. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

本発明は、先端側の湾曲部がワイヤを用いて曲げ操作される内視鏡で、上記ワイヤを引張り駆動するための構成に関する。 The present invention relates to a configuration for pulling and driving a wire in an endoscope in which a bending portion on a distal end side is bent using a wire.

図５（Ａ），（Ｂ）には、従来の内視鏡の構成が示されており、この内視鏡１は、操作部１Ａ、湾曲自在となる湾曲部１Ｂ、観察又は撮像光学系が配置される先端部１Ｃ等からなる。この内視鏡１の内部には、巻取り車２が設けられ、この巻取り車２に例えば２本の線状部材（ワイヤ等）３ａ，３ｂが巻き取られ、この線状部材３ａ，３ｂには連結部を介してワイヤ４ａ，４ｂが連結されており、このワイヤ４ａ，４ｂが先端部１Ｃまで配設される。また、上記操作部１Ａには、上記巻取り車２に軸接続される操作ノブ５が設けられる。 5A and 5B show a configuration of a conventional endoscope. The endoscope 1 includes an operation unit 1A, a bending unit 1B that can be bent, and an observation or imaging optical system. The tip portion 1C is disposed. Inside the endoscope 1, a winding wheel 2 is provided, and for example, two linear members (wires or the like) 3a, 3b are wound around the winding wheel 2, and the linear members 3a, 3b are wound up. The wires 4a and 4b are connected to each other through a connecting portion, and the wires 4a and 4b are arranged up to the tip portion 1C. The operation unit 1A is provided with an operation knob 5 that is axially connected to the winding wheel 2.

このような内視鏡１によれば、操作ノブ５を操作し、巻取り車２を回転させて、例えばワイヤ４ａを引っ張ることにより、湾曲部１Ｂを湾曲させ、先端部１Ｃを図の左側へ向けることができる。一方、ワイヤ４ｂを引っ張れば、先端部１Ｃが図の右側を向くことになる。
特開平９−１０１７１号公報特開２００３−１２１７５９号公報特開２００２−２３３４９６号公報 According to such an endoscope 1, the operation knob 5 is operated, the winding wheel 2 is rotated, and, for example, the wire 4 a is pulled to bend the bending portion 1 B, and the distal end portion 1 C is moved to the left side in the drawing. Can be directed. On the other hand, when the wire 4b is pulled, the distal end portion 1C faces the right side of the drawing.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-10171 JP 2003-121759 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-233496

しかしながら、従来の内視鏡１では、上記巻取り車２に巻き取られるワイヤ等の線状部材３ａ，３ｂにおいて、断線が生じたり、引張り強度が不足したりする等の問題があった。即ち、上記線状部材３ａ，３ｂとして、金属製の撚りワイヤ（上記特許文献１）、非金属繊維を編んだロープ（上記特許文献１）、チェーン（上記特許文献２）等が用いられるが、金属製の撚りワイヤの場合は、内視鏡１の経年使用によりワイヤ（３ａ，３ｂ）が弛んだとき、その弛みを吸収することが難しく、屈曲して断線し、また非金属繊維のロープの場合は、材質に廉価な綿やナイロンが選定されると、引張り強度が不足し、ケブラー等の高強度繊維を選定すれば、引張り強度は高くなるが、圧縮強度が低いため、屈曲に弱く断線し易くなる。更に、チェーンの場合は、構造が複雑となると共に、重量が重くなるという不都合がある。 However, the conventional endoscope 1 has problems such as disconnection or insufficient tensile strength in the linear members 3a and 3b such as wires wound around the winding wheel 2. That is, as the linear members 3a, 3b, metal twisted wires (Patent Document 1), ropes knitted from non-metallic fibers (Patent Document 1), chains (Patent Document 2), etc. are used. In the case of a stranded wire made of metal, when the wires (3a, 3b) are slackened due to the aging of the endoscope 1, it is difficult to absorb the slack, bend and break, and non-metallic fiber ropes If low-cost cotton or nylon is selected as the material, the tensile strength will be insufficient, and if high-strength fibers such as Kevlar are selected, the tensile strength will be high, but the compressive strength will be low, so it will be weak against bending and broken. It becomes easy to do. Furthermore, in the case of the chain, there are inconveniences that the structure is complicated and the weight is increased.

また、上記特許文献３には、線状部材３ａ，３ｂとして、伸縮性はないが可撓性を有するタイミングベルトを用いることが開示されているが、このタイミングベルトとしてゴム材料を用いれば、断線の可能性がある。 Further, Patent Document 3 discloses that, as the linear members 3a and 3b, a timing belt that is not stretchable but has flexibility is used. There is a possibility.

更に、従来の内視鏡１では、ワイヤ等の線状部材３ａ，３ｂに伸縮性がある場合、操作ノブ５による操作時に、伸びて縮むことにより操作の応答遅れが発生し、ダイレクト感が損なわれるという問題もある。 Furthermore, in the conventional endoscope 1, when the linear members 3 a and 3 b such as wires are stretchable, when the operation is performed by the operation knob 5, an operation response delay occurs due to expansion and contraction, and direct feeling is impaired. There is also the problem of being.

本発明は上記問題点に鑑みてなされたものであり、その目的は、巻取り車に巻き取られる線状部材の断線をなくし、またチェーンと比較して構造が簡単で、重量も軽くなり、更には湾曲操作において良好な応答性が得られる内視鏡を提供することにある。 The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to eliminate the disconnection of the linear member wound around the winding wheel, and the structure is simpler and lighter than the chain, It is another object of the present invention to provide an endoscope that can obtain good responsiveness in bending operation.

上記目的を達成するために、請求項１の発明は、内視鏡先端側へ配設されたワイヤを引張り駆動することにより、湾曲部を曲げ操作する内視鏡において、ゴム材質の帯状体に、移動方向へ向けて凹凸のある凹凸面を形成すると共に、この凹凸面の反対側面を平滑面（平面）に形成し、かつこの帯状体内部の長手方向全体に高強度繊維（線状体、面状体）を一体成形したベルトと、このベルトの凹凸に係合する外歯（凹凸）を形成したスプロケットとを設け、上記スプロケットに係合させた上記ベルトを上記ワイヤに連結し、湾曲操作で上記スプロケットを回転させ、上記ワイヤを引張り駆動することを特徴とする。
請求項２の発明は、上記ベルト及びワイヤの弛みを解消するローラテンショナー（ローラ及び付勢力発生器）を上記ベルトの平滑面に当接・配置したことを特徴とする。
請求項３の発明は、上記ワイヤの弛みを除去するための弛緩除去器を設けたことを特徴とする。 In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to a rubber band-like body in an endoscope that bends a bending portion by pulling and driving a wire disposed on the distal end side of the endoscope. In addition to forming an uneven surface with unevenness in the moving direction, the opposite side of the uneven surface is formed into a smooth surface (flat surface), and high-strength fibers (linear bodies, A belt formed integrally with the belt and a sprocket having external teeth (unevenness) to be engaged with the unevenness of the belt, and the belt engaged with the sprocket is connected to the wire to perform a bending operation. Then, the sprocket is rotated and the wire is pulled and driven.
The invention of claim 2 is characterized in that a roller tensioner (roller and urging force generator) for eliminating slack of the belt and the wire is brought into contact with and arranged on the smooth surface of the belt.
The invention of claim 3 is characterized in that a slack remover for removing slack of the wire is provided.

上記請求項１の構成によれば、長手方向全体の高強度繊維により、ゴム材質のベルトは長手方向の強度が高まると共に、伸縮することがなく、またこのベルトとスプロケットとが凹凸によって確実に係合するので、ベルト自体の弛みも生じない。従って、断線の心配がなく、湾曲操作の応答性も良好となる。 According to the first aspect of the present invention, the high-strength fibers in the entire longitudinal direction increase the strength of the rubber belt, and the elastic belt does not expand and contract, and the belt and the sprocket are reliably engaged by the unevenness. As a result, the belt itself does not sag. Accordingly, there is no fear of disconnection, and the responsiveness of the bending operation is improved.

上記請求項２の構成によれば、ローラテンショナーによってベルトに押圧力が与えられるので、特に引張り駆動されるベルト及びワイヤの弛みがなくなり、弛みによる応答性の遅れを防止することができる。上記請求項３の構成によれば、ワイヤ自体の弛みが吸収、除去され、ベルト及びワイヤが円滑に駆動される。 According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the pressing force is applied to the belt by the roller tensioner, the slack of the belt and the wire driven in particular by tension is eliminated, and the delay in response due to the slack can be prevented. According to the configuration of the third aspect, the slack of the wire itself is absorbed and removed, and the belt and the wire are driven smoothly.

本発明の内視鏡によれば、高強度繊維を一体成形したベルトとしたので、巻取り車としてのスプロケットに取り付けられる部材の断線をなくすことができ、またチェーンと比較して構造が簡単で、重量も軽くなり、更には湾曲操作において良好な応答性が得られるという効果がある。
また、請求項２の構成によれば、ワイヤ等の弛みに基づく湾曲操作の応答性の遅れを防止することができ、請求項３の構成によれば、ベルト及びワイヤの駆動が円滑に行えるという効果がある。 According to the endoscope of the present invention, since the belt is formed by integrally molding high-strength fibers, it is possible to eliminate the disconnection of the member attached to the sprocket as the winding wheel, and the structure is simple compared to the chain. In addition, the weight is reduced, and further, good responsiveness can be obtained in the bending operation.
Further, according to the configuration of claim 2, it is possible to prevent a delay in the response of the bending operation based on the slackness of the wire or the like, and according to the configuration of claim 3, it is possible to smoothly drive the belt and the wire. effective.

図１及び図２には、第１実施例に係る内視鏡の構成が示され、この第１実施例の内視鏡は、図５に示されたものと同様の構成からなり、図１には、その操作部１０Ａ内の一部が示されている。この内視鏡１０の操作部１０Ａ内には、湾曲操作の操作ノブ（図５の５）の回転軸となる軸１２に固定されたスプロケット（巻取り車）１４が配置されると共に、このスプロケット１４に係合するベルト１６が設けられる。 1 and 2 show the configuration of the endoscope according to the first embodiment. The endoscope of the first embodiment has the same configuration as that shown in FIG. Shows a part of the operation unit 10A. In the operation portion 10A of the endoscope 10, a sprocket (winding wheel) 14 fixed to a shaft 12 serving as a rotation shaft of a bending operation knob (5 in FIG. 5) is disposed. A belt 16 is provided that engages 14.

即ち、このベルト１６は、ゴム材質からなる帯状体（本体）の一方面（内側面）に、長手方向へ向かって凹凸が交互に形成された凹凸面（ギヤ歯状面）１６ｓと、他方面（外側面）の平滑面（平面）１６ｔ（タイミングベルトと呼ばれるものと同様のもの）を有し、図２に示されるように、この帯状体の内部に、長手方向全体に渡って高強度繊維の線状体１７が一体成形される。なお、この線状体１７の代わりに、高強度繊維で編んだ面状体を一体成形してもよい。 That is, the belt 16 has an uneven surface (gear tooth surface) 16s in which unevenness is alternately formed in the longitudinal direction on one surface (inner surface) of a belt-shaped body (main body) made of a rubber material, and the other surface. (Outer surface) has a smooth surface (plane) 16t (similar to what is called a timing belt), and as shown in FIG. 2, high-strength fibers are formed throughout the longitudinal direction inside the strip. The linear body 17 is integrally formed. Instead of the linear body 17, a planar body knitted with high-strength fibers may be integrally formed.

一方、上記スプロケット１４には、上記凹凸面１６ｓの凹凸に係合する外歯（凹凸）が設けられており、図１に示されるように、このスプロケット１４の外歯に、ベルト１６の凹凸面１６ｓが噛み合うように取り付けられる。そして、このベルト１６の端部は、連結具１９ａ，１９ｂによってワイヤ２０ａ，２０ｂに連結され、このワイヤ２０ａ，２０ｂが湾曲部を通って先端部まで配設される。 On the other hand, the sprocket 14 is provided with external teeth (unevenness) that engage with the unevenness of the uneven surface 16s, and the uneven surface of the belt 16 is provided on the external teeth of the sprocket 14 as shown in FIG. It is attached so that 16s may mesh. And the edge part of this belt 16 is connected with the wires 20a and 20b by the coupling tools 19a and 19b, and these wires 20a and 20b are arrange | positioned to a front-end | tip part through a curved part.

このような第１実施例によれば、操作ノブの回転操作によって、スプロケット１４が回転し、ベルト１６を介してワイヤ２０ａ，２０ｂを引張り駆動することによって、湾曲部（及び先端部）が上下（又は左右）に曲げられることになる。そして、上記ベルト１６では、内部の高強度繊維線状体１７によってベルト自体の引張りに対する強度が高まり、断線の発生が防止される。 According to the first embodiment, the sprocket 14 is rotated by rotating the operation knob, and the wires 20a and 20b are pulled and driven via the belt 16, so that the bending portion (and the tip portion) is moved up and down (and the tip portion). (Or left and right). And in the said belt 16, the intensity | strength with respect to the tension | tensile_strength of belt itself increases with the high strength fiber linear body 17 inside, and generation | occurrence | production of a disconnection is prevented.

また、ベルト１６は、伸縮することがなく、しかもその凹凸面１６ｓがスプロケット１４の外歯と確実に噛み合うので、ベルト１６自体に弛みが生じることなく、湾曲操作の応答性も良好となる。 Further, the belt 16 does not expand and contract, and the uneven surface 16s reliably meshes with the external teeth of the sprocket 14, so that the belt 16 itself is not slackened and the responsiveness of the bending operation is improved.

図３及び図４には、ローラテンショナーと弛緩除去器を設けた第２実施例の構成が示されており、この第２実施例の内視鏡２２の操作部２２Ａでも、第１実施例と同様に、凹凸面１６ｓと平滑面１６ｔを持つベルト１６とスプロケット１４が配置される。そして、図３に示されるように、ベルト１６の平滑面１６ｔに当接して押圧力を与えるためのローラテンショナー２４が設けられており、このローラテンショナー２４は、ローラ２４ａを回転可能に支持体２４ｂの一方端に軸支させ、この支持体２４ｂの他方端を回動可能に軸２４ｃに軸支させると共に、この支持体２４ｂを付勢部材２４ｄでベルト１６の方向（反時計方向）へ付勢する構成となる。 3 and 4 show the configuration of the second embodiment in which a roller tensioner and a relaxation remover are provided, and the operation portion 22A of the endoscope 22 of the second embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment. Similarly, a belt 16 having a concavo-convex surface 16s and a smooth surface 16t and a sprocket 14 are disposed. As shown in FIG. 3, a roller tensioner 24 is provided for abutting against the smooth surface 16t of the belt 16 to give a pressing force. The roller tensioner 24 supports the support 24b so that the roller 24a can rotate. The other end of the support 24b is pivotally supported on the shaft 24c, and the support 24b is urged in the direction of the belt 16 (counterclockwise) by the urging member 24d. It becomes the composition to do.

また、上記ベルト１６に連結部材１９ａ，１９ｂを介して連結されたワイヤ２６ａ，２６ｂとワイヤ２６ｃ，２６ｄとの間に、弛緩除去器２７−１，２７−２が設けられる。この弛緩除去器２７−１，２７−２は、例えば図４（Ａ）に示されるように、ワイヤ２６ａ，２６ｂが接続・固定された筒状体２７ａの内部に、ワイヤ２６ｃ，２６ｄが接続・固定されたスライド体２７ｂを上下摺動可能に取り付けたものであり、ワイヤ２６ｃ，２６ｄを筒状体２７ａの内部へ引き込むことによって、ワイヤ（２６ａ〜２６ｄ）全体の弛みを除去することができる。 Further, relaxation removers 27-1 and 27-2 are provided between the wires 26a and 26b and the wires 26c and 26d connected to the belt 16 through connecting members 19a and 19b. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, the slack removers 27-1 and 27-2 have wires 26c and 26d connected to the inside of a cylindrical body 27a to which wires 26a and 26b are connected and fixed. The fixed slide body 27b is attached to be slidable up and down, and the slack of the entire wires (26a to 26d) can be removed by drawing the wires 26c and 26d into the cylindrical body 27a.

このような第２実施例によれば、ローラテンショナー２４のローラ２４ａがベルト１６の平滑面１６ｔに当接され、ベルト１６に対し内側へ付勢する押圧力が与えられることにより、ベルト１６とワイヤ２６ａ〜２６ｄの全体の弛みがなくなり、例えば操作ノブの操作に連動したスプロケット１４の時計方向の回転で、ワイヤ２６ａ，２６ｃを引っ張るとき、ダイレクトな操作感の下で、即座の良好な応答性の湾曲駆動が行われる。逆に、スプロケット１４が反時計方向へ回転する操作の場合でも、ローラテンショナー２４によってワイヤ２６ａ〜２６ｄの全体の弛みが解消されるので、良好な応答性が得られる。 According to the second embodiment, the roller 24a of the roller tensioner 24 is brought into contact with the smooth surface 16t of the belt 16, and a pressing force that urges the belt 16 inward is applied to the belt 16. When the wires 26a and 26c are pulled by the clockwise rotation of the sprocket 14 interlocked with the operation of the operation knob, for example, when the wires 26a and 26c are pulled, an immediate good responsiveness can be obtained. Curvature driving is performed. Conversely, even when the sprocket 14 is rotated counterclockwise, the overall slackness of the wires 26a to 26d is eliminated by the roller tensioner 24, so that excellent responsiveness can be obtained.

また、湾曲部を真っ直ぐに戻したり、逆方向へ湾曲させたりする湾曲操作時には、弛緩除去器２７−１，２７−２によりワイヤ２６ａ〜２６ｄの弛みが常に除去されるので、ワイヤ２６ａ〜２６ｄ及びベルト１６の駆動が円滑になり、湾曲動作もスムーズに行われることになる。 Further, during the bending operation in which the bending portion is returned straight or bent in the opposite direction, the slackness of the wires 26a to 26d is always removed by the slack removers 27-1 and 27-2, so that the wires 26a to 26d and The belt 16 can be driven smoothly and the bending operation can be performed smoothly.

図３の第２実施例では、ローラテンショナー２４を片側に設けたが、このローラテンショナー２４はベルト１６の左右の両側に設けてもよく、また図４（Ｂ）のような構成にすることもできる。即ち、図４（Ｂ）のローラテンショナー３０は、支持片３０ｃの両端に設けられたガイド孔（長孔）内に、ローラ３０ａ，３０ｂの軸部３２をスライド自在に係合させ、これらローラ３０ａ，３０ｂを付勢部材（バネ等）３０ｄで互いに内側へ引っ張るようにする。このような構成によっても、スプロケット１４の下側の２本のベルト１６を内側へ押圧することにより、ベルト１６及びワイヤ２６ａ〜２６ｄの全体の弛みをなくすことができる。 In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the roller tensioner 24 is provided on one side. However, the roller tensioner 24 may be provided on both the left and right sides of the belt 16 or may be configured as shown in FIG. it can. That is, in the roller tensioner 30 of FIG. 4B, the shaft portions 32 of the rollers 30a and 30b are slidably engaged in guide holes (long holes) provided at both ends of the support piece 30c. , 30b are pulled inward by a biasing member (spring etc.) 30d. Even in such a configuration, the entire slack of the belt 16 and the wires 26a to 26d can be eliminated by pressing the two belts 16 below the sprocket 14 inward.

本発明の第１実施例に係る内視鏡の内部構成（湾曲部駆動に関する部分）を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the internal structure (part regarding a curved part drive) of the endoscope which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. 実施例のベルトの構成を示し、図（Ａ）は図１のＡ−Ａ線で切断した断面図、図（Ｂ）は図１のベルトを縦方向に切断した断面図である。FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 1 and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the belt of FIG. 第２実施例の内視鏡の内部構成を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the endoscope of 2nd Example. 第２実施例の弛緩除去器の構成［図（Ａ）］及びローラテンショナーの他の構成［図（Ｂ）］を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the structure [Figure (A)] of the slack remover of 2nd Example, and the other structure [Figure (B)] of a roller tensioner. 従来の内視鏡の湾曲部駆動に関する構成を示し、図（Ａ）は巻取り車を側面方向から見た図、図（Ｂ）は図（Ａ）の内視鏡を９０度回転させたときの図である。FIG. 1A shows a configuration related to driving of a bending portion of a conventional endoscope, FIG. 1A is a view of a winding wheel viewed from the side, and FIG. 2B is a view when the endoscope of FIG. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

１，１０，２２…内視鏡、１Ａ，１０Ａ，２２Ａ…操作部、
１Ｂ…湾曲部、１Ｃ…先端部、
２…巻取り車、１４…スプロケット、
１６…ベルト、１６ｓ…凹凸面、
１６ｔ…平滑面、１７…高強度繊維線状体、
２０ａ，２０ｂ，２６ａ〜２６ｄ…ワイヤ、
２４，３０…ローラテンショナー、２４ａ，３０ａ，３０ｂ…ローラ、
２７−１，２７−２…弛緩除去器。 1, 10, 22 ... Endoscope, 1A, 10A, 22A ... Operation part,
1B: curved portion, 1C: tip portion,
2 ... Winding wheel, 14 ... Sprocket,
16 ... belt, 16s ... uneven surface,
16t ... smooth surface, 17 ... high-strength fiber linear body,
20a, 20b, 26a-26d ... wire,
24, 30 ... roller tensioner, 24a, 30a, 30b ... roller,
27-1, 27-2 ... Relaxation removers.

Claims

In an endoscope that bends a bending portion by pulling and driving a wire arranged on the distal end side of the endoscope,
The rubber band is formed with an irregular surface with irregularities in the moving direction, the opposite side of the irregular surface is formed as a smooth surface, and high-strength fibers are integrated in the entire longitudinal direction inside the band. A molded belt,
A sprocket having external teeth that engage with the belt irregularities is provided,
An endoscope, wherein the belt engaged with the sprocket is connected to the wire, the sprocket is rotated by a bending operation, and the wire is pulled and driven.

2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein a roller tensioner that eliminates the slack of the belt and the wire is in contact with and disposed on the smooth surface of the belt.

3. The endoscope according to claim 1, further comprising a relaxation remover for removing the slack of the wire.