JP2012024371A - Probe driving device, and probe - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To limit the rotation range of a probe body even under a simple control, and to prevent the probe body from growing in size.SOLUTION: A probe driving device 60 includes: an external cylinder 61; a rotating body 62 which is connected to the base end part of the probe body 40 so as to be disposed coaxially with the probe body 40, and is inserted into the external cylinder 61 so as to relatively move straight in the axial direction with respect to the external cylinder 61 and relatively rotate circumferentially with respect to the external cylinder 61; guide grooves 63 which are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 62; engaging protrusions 71 which are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the external cylinder 61, and inserted into the guide grooves 63; and direct-drive portion 73 which directly moves the rotating body 62 in the axial direction. The guide grooves 63 are formed in a corrugated state so as to undulate in the circumferential direction.

Description

  The present invention relates to a probe driving device and a probe.

  Conventionally, probes have been developed that irradiate an observation target site of biological tissue with irradiation light such as excitation light and detect emitted light such as fluorescence (autofluorescence) generated from the biological tissue by this irradiation light. It is used for diagnosis of disease states such as degeneration and cancer (for example, disease type and infiltration range).

  Such a probe is used by being inserted into a lumen in a living body, and has a double structure including an outer tube and a probe main body inserted into the outer tube, and rotates the probe main body in the circumferential direction. This is known. In this type of probe, the irradiation light emitted from the tip of the irradiation optical fiber built in the probe main body is reflected in the radial direction by the mirror, and the radiated light is emitted from the tip of the light receiving optical fiber built in the probe main body. Receive light. By alternately performing the rotation of the probe body and the projection of the irradiation light and the reception of the emitted light, the lumen can be measured and observed along the circumferential direction.

On the other hand, in a probe incorporating an optical fiber, when the probe body rotates, the optical fiber is twisted. Therefore, Patent Documents 1 to 3 propose a technique for preventing the optical fiber from being excessively twisted.
Patent Document 1 describes a technique for rotating and vibrating a probe main body within the range of the torsional elastic limit of an optical fiber.
Patent Document 2 describes that the twist range of an optical fiber is set to 360 °.
Patent Document 3 describes a technique in which an optical fiber and a mirror are built in a probe body, and light emitted from the optical fiber is reflected in the radial direction by the mirror. In the technique described in Patent Document 3, the mirror and the optical fiber are mechanically separated, and the mirror is rotated in the circumferential direction and moved in the longitudinal direction.

International Publication No. 2010/047190 JP 2007-121257 A International Publication No. 2006/119173

  However, in the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, control for rotating the probe main body within a predetermined range of the optical fiber becomes complicated. Moreover, in the technique described in Patent Document 3, it is necessary to provide a mechanism for rotating the mirror at the tip of the probe body, which increases the size of the probe body. When the probe becomes larger, the burden on the patient increases, and when the control becomes complicated, the cost increases, and it is difficult to adopt a usage pattern in which the probe is discarded every measurement from the viewpoint of hygiene.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object to be able to limit the rotation range of the probe main body even with simple control and to prevent the probe main body from becoming large. To do.

In order to solve the above problem, according to the invention according to claim 1,
The probe drive is
An outer cylinder,
It is connected to the base end portion of the probe main body, is provided so as to be coaxial with the probe main body, is inserted into the outer cylinder, and can be moved linearly in the axial direction relative to the outer cylinder, A rotating body rotatable in the circumferential direction relative to the cylinder;
A guide groove formed on one of the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body;
An engaging projection formed on the other of the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body, and inserted into the guide groove;
A linear motion drive unit that linearly moves the rotating body in the axial direction;
The guide groove is formed so that the rotating body reciprocally rotates in the circumferential direction when the rotating body is linearly moved by the linear drive unit toward the distal end or the proximal end.

According to the invention of claim 2, in claim 1,
The guide groove is formed in a wave shape so as to swell in the circumferential direction.

According to the invention of claim 3, in claim 2,
The waveform of the guide groove is a trapezoidal wave, a sine wave, a triangular wave, a semicircular wave, or a semielliptical wave.

According to the invention of claim 4, in claim 2 or 3,
The width of the vibration along the circumferential direction of the waveform of the guide groove is equal to or greater than the length of one of the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder and the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body, and less than twice the circumferential length. It was decided.

According to the invention of claim 5, in claim 1,
The guide groove has a left-hand thread channel portion formed in a spiral shape of a left-hand thread on one of the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body, the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder, and the rotating body The right-handed thread channel part formed in the spiral shape of the right-handed thread is alternately connected to one of the outer peripheral surfaces.

According to the invention of claim 6, in claim 5,
The number of the left-handed thread channel portion and the right-handed thread channel portion wound around one of the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body is 1 or more and less than 2.

According to the invention of claim 7, in any one of claims 1 to 6,
A plurality of protrusions or recesses formed in the guide groove are arranged along the guide groove,
The said engaging convex part is a sensor which detects the said protrusion or the said recessed part, or the sensor which detects the said protrusion or the said recessed part is provided in the said engaging convex part. A probe driving apparatus according to claim 1.

In order to solve the above problem, according to the invention according to claim 8,
The probe
A probe body that irradiates the observation target site of the living tissue with the excitation light from the tip part, and receives the radiated light emitted from the observation target part due to the irradiation light at the tip part,
An outer cylinder,
It is connected to the base end portion of the probe main body, is provided so as to be coaxial with the probe main body, is inserted into the outer cylinder, and is linearly movable relative to the outer cylinder in the axial direction, A rotating body rotatable in the circumferential direction relative to the outer cylinder;
A guide groove formed on one of the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body;
An engaging projection formed on the other of the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body, and inserted into the guide groove;
A linear motion drive unit that linearly moves the rotating body in the axial direction;
The guide groove is formed so that the rotating body reciprocally rotates in the circumferential direction when the rotating body is linearly moved by the linear drive unit toward the distal end or the proximal end.

According to the invention of claim 9, in claim 8,
The guide groove is formed in a wave shape so as to swell in the circumferential direction.

According to the invention of claim 10, in claim 9,
The waveform of the guide groove is a trapezoidal wave, a sine wave, a triangular wave, a semicircular wave, or a semielliptical wave.

According to the invention concerning Claim 11, in Claim 9 or 10,
The width of the vibration along the circumferential direction of the waveform of the guide groove is equal to or greater than the length of one of the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder and the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body, and less than twice the circumferential length. .

According to the invention of claim 12, in claim 8,
The guide groove has a left-hand thread channel portion formed in a spiral shape of a left-hand thread on one of the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body, the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder, and the rotating body The right-handed thread channel part formed in the spiral shape of the right-handed thread is alternately connected to one of the outer peripheral surfaces.

According to the invention of claim 13, in claim 12,
The number of the left-handed thread channel portion and the right-handed thread channel portion wound around one of the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body is 1 or more and less than 2.

According to the invention of claim 14, in any one of claims 8 to 13,
A plurality of protrusions or recesses formed in the guide groove are arranged along the guide groove,
The engaging convex portion is a sensor that detects the protrusion or the concave portion, or a sensor that detects the protrusion or the concave portion is provided on the engaging convex portion.

  According to the present invention, when the rotating body is linearly moved by the linear drive unit in the distal direction or the proximal direction, the rotating body and the probe main body do not continuously rotate in the same direction but rotate clockwise and counterclockwise. Turn around alternately. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the optical fiber provided in the probe body from being twisted excessively. Moreover, it is not necessary to provide a device for preventing twisting of the optical fiber in the probe main body or the optical fiber. Therefore, it is possible to suppress optical loss and ghost in the optical fiber and to reduce the cost.

  In addition, the linear motion drive unit does not cause the rotating body to move alternately in the distal direction and the proximal direction, but the linear motion drive unit simply rotates the rotational body in the distal direction or the proximal direction. The body and the probe body repeat clockwise and counterclockwise alternately. This eliminates the need for precise control of the linear drive. Since a control device for precisely controlling the linear motion drive unit is not required, the cost can be reduced.

  Further, since the probe driving device is not built in the distal end portion of the probe main body but is connected to the proximal end of the probe main body, an increase in size of the distal end portion of the probe main body can be suppressed.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows the whole structure of a diagnostic apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of a diagnostic apparatus. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected and showed the probe used for a diagnostic apparatus by the cut surface along a radial direction. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected and showed the part near the base end of the probe with the cut surface along radial direction. It is the perspective view which showed an example of the rotary body used for a probe drive device. FIG. 6 is a development view showing the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body shown in FIG. 5 in a developed state. It is the perspective view which showed another example of the rotary body used for a probe drive device. FIG. 8 is a development view in which the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body shown in FIG. 7 is developed. It is the perspective view which showed another example of the rotary body used for a probe drive device. FIG. 10 is a development view in which the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body shown in FIG. 9 is developed. It is the perspective view which showed another example of the rotary body used for a probe drive device. FIG. 12 is a development view in which the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body shown in FIG. 11 is developed. It is the perspective view which showed another example of the rotary body used for a probe drive device. It is the perspective view which showed another example of the rotary body used for a probe drive device. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected and showed the probe of another example with the cut surface in alignment with a radial direction.

  EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Below, the form for implementing this invention is demonstrated using drawing. However, the embodiments described below are given various technically preferable limitations for carrying out the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and illustrated examples.

  FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an overall configuration of a diagnostic apparatus 1 to which a probe 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the diagnostic apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the diagnostic apparatus 1 includes a light source 2, a photometric unit 3, a liquid feeding device 4, a cleaning liquid tank 5, a personal computer 6, a display device 7, a controller 8, a probe 30, and the like. The diagnostic apparatus 1 analyzes the optical information output from the probe 30 inserted into the lumen K in the body by the photometry unit 3 and the controller 8, and causes a disease state (such as degeneration of a living tissue in the lumen K or cancer) ( For example, it is a device for diagnosing disease types and infiltration ranges.

The probe driving device 60, the camera 47, and the illumination 46 shown in FIG. The probe 30 will be described in detail later.
The controller 8 controls the operation of each part of the diagnostic apparatus 1. The controller 8 includes a CPU 9, a light emission control unit 10, an interface 11, a drive control unit 12, a camera control unit 13, a cleaning control unit 14, a lighting control unit 15, a ROM 16, a RAM 17, an interface 18, a signal processing unit 19, and a balloon control unit 20. Etc. The ROM 16 stores a program that can be read by the CPU 9. The CPU 9 executes a program stored in the ROM 16, and according to the program, the light emission control unit 10, the interface 11, the drive control unit 12, the camera control unit 13, the cleaning control unit 14, the illumination control unit 15, the interface 18, and signal processing The unit 19 and the balloon control unit 20 are controlled, and signals and data are transferred between them. The RAM 17 provides a work area for the CPU 9.

The light emission control unit 10 controls the light source 2 according to a command from the CPU 9. The light emission timing, light extinction timing, light emission intensity and the like of the light source 2 are controlled by the light emission control unit 10.
The light source 2 generates irradiation light and is connected to the probe 30 via a wavelength selection filter. Irradiated light emitted from the light source 2 is guided to the distal end portion of the probe 30, and the irradiated light is irradiated from the distal end portion of the probe 30 toward the observation target site of the living tissue in the lumen K in the radial direction. Irradiation light is excitation light such as xenon light, and more specifically indicates X-rays, ultraviolet rays, visible rays, electromagnetic waves, and the like.

The interface 11 transfers data between the CPU 9 and the photometry unit 3 in accordance with instructions from the CPU 9.
The photometry unit 3 separates the radiated light received by the probe 30 and measures the intensity of the radiated light for each wavelength. The emitted light is light emitted from the observation target site when the irradiation light is irradiated onto the observation target site of the living tissue. The emitted light is X-rays, ultraviolet rays, visible rays, electromagnetic waves and the like. The emitted light is fluorescence (autofluorescence), and the wavelength of the emitted light and the wavelength of the irradiated light are different. The emitted light may be scattered light or Raman scattered light.

  The intensity for each wavelength (hereinafter referred to as spectrum data) measured by the photometric unit 3 is output to the interface 11 of the controller 8. The spectrum data is transferred to the signal processing unit 19 by the CPU 9 or transferred to the personal computer 6 by the CPU 9 and the interface 18.

  The signal processing unit 19 processes the spectrum data and generates an image representing the intensity distribution for each wavelength (hereinafter referred to as spectrum image data) from the spectrum data. The spectral image data generated by the signal processing unit 19 is transferred to the personal computer 6 by the CPU 9 and the interface 18.

  The personal computer 6 stores spectrum data and spectrum image data input from the interface 18 of the controller 8. Furthermore, the personal computer 6 displays the spectrum data on the display device 7 as numerical values or the like, or displays the spectrum image data on the display device 7.

  The camera control unit 13 controls the camera 47 in accordance with a command from the CPU 9. The camera 47 is provided at the tip of the probe 30. The camera 47 images the observation target site of the living tissue in the lumen K and outputs an image signal representing the captured image to the camera control unit 13. The image signal output to the camera control unit 13 is transferred to the signal processing unit 19 by the CPU 9. The signal processing unit 19 performs image signal processing. The image signal processed by the signal processing unit 19 is transferred to the personal computer 6 by the CPU 9 and the interface 18. The personal computer 6 converts image signals into still image data and moving image data, and stores still image data and moving image data. Further, the personal computer 6 outputs an image signal to the display device 7 and causes the display device 7 to display an image captured by the camera 47.

  The illumination control unit 15 controls the illumination 46 according to a command from the CPU 9. The lighting control unit 15 controls the lighting timing, lighting timing, lighting intensity, and lighting range of the lighting 46. The illumination 46 is provided at the tip of the probe 30. The illumination 46 illuminates the observation target site of the living tissue. The light source of the illumination 46 may be provided at the tip of the probe 30 or may be provided outside the probe 30. When the light source of the illumination 46 is provided outside the probe 30, the optical fiber is routed from the tip of the probe 30 to the light source, and the illumination light emitted from the light source is guided to the tip of the probe 30 by the optical fiber. The illumination light is projected from the illumination 46 at the tip of the probe 30.

  The cleaning control unit 14 controls the liquid feeding device 4 in accordance with a command from the CPU 9. The operation timing, stop timing, supply flow rate, and the like of the liquid delivery device 4 are controlled by the cleaning control unit 14. The liquid feeding device 4 is a pump or the like. The cleaning liquid (for example, water) is stored in the cleaning liquid tank 5, and the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank 5 is supplied to the tip of the probe 30 by the liquid supply device 4. The cleaning liquid sent by the liquid feeding device 4 is ejected from the distal end portion of the probe 30, and the surface of the distal end portion of the probe 30 and the observation target site are cleaned with the cleaning liquid.

  The balloon control unit 20 controls the fluid device 21 according to a command from the CPU 9. The fluid device 21 is an air pump, a liquid pump, or the like, and sends a fluid to a balloon 34 provided in the probe 30, extracts a fluid from the balloon 34, or stops the flow of the fluid. When the fluid is sent to the balloon 34 by the fluid device 21, the balloon 34 is inflated, and when the fluid is withdrawn from the balloon 34 by the fluid device 21, the balloon 34 is deflated.

  The drive control unit 12 controls the probe driving device 60 in accordance with a command from the CPU 9. The drive control unit 12 controls operation timing, stop timing, speed, and the like of the probe driving device 60. The probe driving device 60 drives the main body 40 (see FIG. 3) of the probe 30.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the main part showing the distal end portion of the probe 30 and a portion closer to the proximal end than that and a part of the proximal end portion of the probe 30. However, for ease of understanding, the cross section of the rotating body 62 is not shown, but the side surface of the rotating body 62 is shown. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the proximal end portion of the probe 30. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the probe 30 includes an outer tube 31, a balloon 34, a probe main body 40, and a probe driving device 60.

  The outer tube 31 is a bendable cylindrical member, and a window 32 made of a transparent member is formed on the peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the outer tube 31. Between the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the outer tube 31, hollow pores 33 capable of flowing a liquid are formed. The pores 33 extend along the axial direction (longitudinal direction) of the outer tube 31. The pore 33 is opened at the distal end surface of the outer tube 31, and the distal end opening of the pore 33 is a jet outlet. The pore 33 is connected to the liquid feeding device 4 by a tube on the proximal end side of the outer tube 31. The cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank 5 is sent to the pore 33 by the liquid feeding device 4, and the cleaning liquid is ejected from the tip opening of the pore 33 on the tip side of the outer tube 31.

  A balloon 34 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the outer tube 31. The balloon 34 is formed in a bag shape and has an annular shape provided so as to surround the outer peripheral surface of the outer tube 31 in the circumferential direction. The balloon 34 can be inflated and deflated. The balloon 34 is communicated with the fluid device 21 through a fluid tube disposed along the outer tube 31.

  The external appearance of the probe main body 40 is substantially cylindrical, and the probe main body 40 is inserted into the outer tube 31, and the probe main body 40 can be freely rotated and moved in the axial direction with respect to the outer tube 31. Yes. The probe main body 40 observes the observation target site of the living tissue by irradiating the irradiated light in the radial direction, receiving the radiated light, photographing, and the like. Here, the probe body 40 includes an inner tube 41, optical fibers 42 and 43, an observation head 44, and the like.

  The inner tube 41 is inserted into the outer tube 31, the outer peripheral surface of the inner tube 41 is covered with the outer tube 31, and the outer tube 31 and the inner tube 41 constitute a long double cylindrical structure. The inner tube 41 is a bendable tube and has a configuration in which a coil member (not shown) is covered with a sheath. Since the inner tube 41 is not fixed to the outer tube 31, the inner tube 41 can move in the axial direction in the outer tube 31 and can rotate in the circumferential direction.

  In the inner tube 41, an irradiation optical fiber 42 and a light receiving optical fiber 43 are accommodated. These optical fibers 42 and 43 extend along the axial direction of the inner tube 41. The tips of the optical fibers 42 and 43 are fixed to the observation head 44. The portions near the base ends of the optical fibers 42 and 43 extend from the inner tube 41, the base end of the irradiation optical fiber 42 is connected to the light source 2, and the base end of the light receiving optical fiber 43 is connected to the photometry unit 3. ing.

  The observation head 44 is attached to the distal end portion of the probe main body 40 and to the distal end of the inner tube 41. The observation head 44 observes the observation target part of the living tissue by irradiating the irradiated light in the radial direction, receiving the radiated light, and photographing. Note that the observation head 44 may be detachable from the inner tube 41 and the observation head 44 may be replaced.

  The observation head 44 includes a unit frame 45, an illumination 46, a camera 47, a mirror 48, and a condenser lens 49. The unit frame 45 has a hollow cylindrical shape and is attached to the tip of the inner tube 41. The unit frame 45 and the inner tube 41 are arranged concentrically. A transmission window 50 and an imaging window 51 made of a transparent member are formed on the peripheral surface of the unit frame 45. The transmission window 50 is arranged closer to the base end than the imaging window 51. The optical fibers 42 and 43 are connected to the unit frame 45 so as to penetrate the base end face of the unit frame 45, and the distal ends of the optical fibers 42 and 43 are exposed in the unit frame 45.

  In the unit frame 45, an illumination 46, a camera 47, a mirror 48, and a condenser lens 49 are accommodated. A camera 47, a mirror 48, and a condenser lens 49 are arranged in this order from the front end side to the base end side of the unit frame 45.

  The condenser lens 49 is disposed so as to face the tips of the optical fibers 42 and 43, and the irradiation light emitted from the tip of the irradiation optical fiber 42 is collected by the condenser lens 49. Irradiation light refracted by the condenser lens 49 is reflected by the mirror 48 toward the transmission window 50 in the radial direction. The transmission window 50 is arranged in the reflection direction of the irradiation light by the mirror 48, and the irradiation light reflected by the mirror 48 passes through the transmission window 50. Thereby, irradiation light is projected to radial direction. On the other hand, the radiated light emitted from the irradiation light outside the unit frame 45 is transmitted through the transmission window 50 and further reflected toward the condenser lens 49 by the mirror 48. The radiated light reflected by the mirror 48 is condensed on the tip of the light receiving optical fiber 43 by the condenser lens 49. Thus, the condensing lens 49 and the mirror 48 constitute an optical system that performs projection of irradiated light and reception of radiated light onto the observation target site in the lumen K. At the time of irradiation of irradiation light and reception of radiation light, the transmission window 50 faces the window 32 or protrudes from the tip of the outer tube 31.

  The camera 47 is arranged toward the imaging window 51 so that its imaging optical axis is in the radial direction. An illumination 46 is provided in the vicinity of the camera 47, and the imaging range of the camera 47 is illuminated by the illumination 46. The illumination 46 is preferably turned off when the irradiation light is irradiated and the radiation light is detected. During imaging by the camera 47, the imaging window 51 faces the window 32 or protrudes from the tip of the outer tube 31. Although not shown, an image transmission cable connecting the camera 47 and the camera control unit 13 of the controller 8 is accommodated in the inner tube 41, and an image signal representing an image captured by the camera 47 is controlled by the image transmission cable. Is transmitted to the unit 13.

  The probe driving device 60 moves the probe main body 40 in the axial direction and rotates it in the circumferential direction around the axis. 3 shows a portion near the distal end of the probe driving device 60, and FIG. 4 shows a portion near the proximal end.

  The probe driving device 60 includes an outer cylinder 61, a rotating body 62, a guide groove 63, an engaging convex portion 71, a box 72, a linear motion driving portion 73, and the like.

  The outer cylinder 61 is a cylindrical member. A portion near the base end of the outer cylinder 61 is connected to the box 72 so as to be inserted into the box 72. The distal end of the outer tube 61 is connected to the proximal end of the outer tube 31, and the opening on the distal end side of the outer tube 61 and the opening on the proximal end side of the outer tube 31 communicate with each other. The outer cylinder 61 is disposed concentrically with the proximal end portion of the outer tube 31. The diameter of the outer cylinder 61 and the diameter of the outer tube 31 are preferably equal. The outer tube 61 and the outer tube 31 may be integrally formed, or the outer tube 61 and the outer tube 31 may be formed separately and assembled. Further, the outer tube 31 may be detachable from the outer tube 61 and the outer tube 31 may be exchanged.

  On the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 61, an engaging convex portion 71, which is a pin, is provided so as to project. The number of the engaging convex portions 71 may be one or two or more. When the number of the engaging protrusions 71 is two or more, the positions of the mutual protrusions are arranged so that the movement of the rotating body 62 is not restricted or excessive force is not applied to the engaging protrusions 71. .

  The rotating body 62 is a columnar or cylindrical member. The rotating body 62 is inserted into the outer cylinder 61, and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 62 is covered with the outer cylinder 61. A radial load of the rotating body 62 is received by the outer cylinder 61. Therefore, the rotating body 62 can move in the axial direction in the outer cylinder 61 and can rotate in the circumferential direction.

  On the outer peripheral surface of the rotator 62, a wave-shaped guide groove 63 undulating in the circumferential direction is provided. An engaging convex portion 71 is inserted into the guide groove 63, and the engaging convex portion 71 is slidable along the guide groove 63. The rotating body 62 (particularly where the guide groove 63 is formed) is made of a highly wear-resistant resin. Further, the guide groove 63 is easy to slide with respect to the engaging convex portion 71.

The amplitude direction of the waveform of the guide groove 63 is along the circumferential direction of the rotating body 62. Further, the wavelength direction of the waveform of the guide groove 63 is along the axial direction of the rotating body 62.
Although it is more preferable that the amplitude of the waveform of the guide groove 63 is constant, it may not be constant. The width of the vibration along the circumferential direction of the waveform of the guide groove 63 (the width of the vibration is twice the amplitude) is preferably shorter than twice the length of the outer periphery of the rotating body 62. More preferably, the width of the vibration along the circumferential direction of the waveform of the guide groove 63 is shorter than the length of the outer periphery of the rotating body 62.
Although the wavelength of the waveform of the guide groove 63 is more preferably constant, it may not be constant.
The number of corrugated folded portions (tops appearing on both sides in the amplitude direction) of the guide groove 63 is 1 or 2 or more. If the number of folded portions of the waveform of the guide groove 63 is 1, the waveform is a single pulse wave, and if the number of folded portions of the waveform of the guide groove 63 is 2 or more, it is a continuous wave.
The waveform of the guide groove 63 is preferably a trapezoidal wave, a sine wave, a triangular wave, a semicircular wave, or a semielliptical wave. When the waveform of the guide groove 63 is a trapezoidal wave or a triangular wave, it is preferable that the corners of the waveform are rounded. It is preferable that the inner angle of the corner is large.
Hereinafter, the waveform of the guide groove 63 will be described with reference to FIGS. The arrow A shown in FIGS. 5, 7, 9, and 11 is the direction toward the distal end of the probe 30, and the arrow B is the direction toward the proximal end of the probe 30.

[Example 1]
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a part of the rotating body 62, and FIG. 6 is a development view of the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 62.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the guide groove 63 according to Example 1 has a trapezoidal wave shape with a constant amplitude. The width of the vibration of the trapezoidal wave (the width of vibration is the distance along the circumferential direction of the rotating body 62 from the folded portion 66 on one side to the folded portion 67 on the other side) than the length of the outer periphery of the rotating body 62. Also short. The folded portions 66 on one side of the trapezoidal wave are formed in a straight line parallel to the axis of the rotating body 62 and are arranged at regular intervals. The folded portion 67 on the other side is also formed in a straight line parallel to the axis of the rotating body 62, and the folded portion 66 and the folded portion 67 are staggered when viewed in the axial direction of the rotating body 62. A portion 64 corresponding to one side of the trapezoid (hereinafter referred to as a left-hand thread channel portion 64) has a left-handed spiral shape, and a portion 65 corresponding to the other side of the trapezoid (hereinafter referred to as a right-hand thread channel portion). 65 is a right-handed spiral. The left screw channel portion 64 and the right screw channel portion 65 are alternately arranged along the axial direction of the rotating body 62. The left-hand thread channel portion 64 and the right-hand thread channel portion 65 are alternately connected in series via the turn-back portion 66 and the turn-back portion 67. Since the width of the vibration of the trapezoidal wave is shorter than the length of the outer periphery of the rotator 62, the number of the left-handed channel portion 64 and the right-handed channel portion 65 wound around the rotator 62 is more than zero and less than 1.

[Example 2]
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a part of the rotating body 62, and FIG. 8 is a development view of the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 62. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the guide groove 63 according to the second example has a trapezoidal wave shape with a constant amplitude, like the guide groove 63 according to the first example. The width of the vibration of the trapezoidal wave is not less than the length of the outer periphery of the rotating body 62. More preferably, the width of the vibration of the trapezoidal wave is not less than the length of the outer periphery of the rotating body 62 and is shorter than twice the length of the outer periphery of the rotating body 62. Therefore, the number of each left-handed channel portion 64 and each right-handed channel portion 65 wound around the rotating body 62 is 1 or more, more preferably 1 or more and less than 2. Of the guide groove 63, the portion near the folded portion 66 and the portion near the folded portion 67 overlap.

[Example 3]
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a part of the rotating body 62, and FIG. 10 is a development view of the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 62. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the guide groove 63 according to Example 3 has a sinusoidal shape with a constant amplitude. The width of the vibration of the sine wave is shorter than the length of the outer periphery of the rotating body 62. The folded portion 66 on one side is the top of the sine wave, and the folded portion 66 on the other side is the bottom of the sine wave. Left-handed screw channel portions 64 having a left-handed spiral shape and right-handed screw channel portions 65 having a right-handed spiral shape are alternately arranged along the axial direction of the rotating body 62. The left-handed thread channel part 64 and the right-handed thread channel part 65 are alternately connected in series via the folded part 66 and the folded part 67. Since the width of the vibration of the sine wave is shorter than the length of the outer periphery of the rotator 62, the number of the left-handed channel portion 64 and the right-handed channel portion 65 wound around the rotator 62 is less than zero and less than two.

[Example 4]
FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a part of the rotating body 62, and FIG. 12 is a development view of the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 62. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the guide groove 63 according to the fourth example has a sine wave shape with a constant amplitude, like the guide groove 63 according to the third example. The width of the vibration of the sine wave is not less than the length of the outer periphery of the rotating body 62. More preferably, the width of the vibration of the sine wave is not less than the length of the outer periphery of the rotating body 62 and is shorter than twice the length of the outer periphery of the rotating body 62. Therefore, the number of each left-handed channel portion 64 and each right-handed channel portion 65 wound around the rotating body 62 is 1 or more, more preferably 1 or more and less than 2. Of the guide groove 63, the portion near the folded portion 66 and the portion near the folded portion 67 overlap.

  The shape of the guide groove 63 shown in Examples 1 to 4 is an example, and the shape of the guide groove 63 is not limited to Examples 1 to 4. For example, if the turned-up portions 66 and 67 are not straight but corners, the waveform of the guide groove 63 is a triangular wave.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the distal end portion of the rotating body 62 is connected to the proximal end portion of the inner tube 41 of the probe main body 40. For example, a male thread is formed at the distal end of the rotating body 62 and a female thread is formed at the proximal end of the inner tube 41, and the male thread and the female thread are screwed together to connect the rotating body 62 and the inner tube 41. . The inner tube 41 may be detachable from the rotating body 62, and the probe main body 40 may be replaced.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the rotating body 62 is driven by the linear motion drive unit 73. The linear drive unit 73 linearly moves the rotating body 62 in the axial direction, and includes a motor 74, a ball screw 75, a carriage 76, and a shaft unit 77.

  The motor 74, the ball screw 75, the carriage 76 and the shaft portion 77 are accommodated in the box 72. A ball screw 75 is attached to the box 72 so as to be parallel to the axis of the rotating body 62. A thrust load and a radial load of the ball screw 75 are received by a bearing or the like (not shown), and the ball screw 75 is rotatable about its axis and its movement in the axis direction is fixed. The end of the ball screw 75 is connected to a motor 74 attached to the box 72, and the ball screw 75 is rotated by the motor 74. A transmission mechanism such as a speed increaser / speed reducer may be provided between the ball screw 75 and the motor 74.

  The carriage 76 is attached so as to be screwed onto the ball screw 75, and the carriage 76 moves along the ball screw 75 by the rotation of the ball screw 75. The carriage 76 is guided in a direction along the ball screw 75 by a guide member (not shown) so as not to rotate around the ball screw 75.

  A shaft portion 77 parallel to the ball screw 75 is attached to the carriage 76. A shaft hole 68 is formed along the axial center of the rotating body 62 at the base end portion of the rotating body 62, and a shaft portion 77 is inserted into the shaft hole 68. The rotating body 62 is provided so as to be rotatable around a shaft portion 77, and a radial load of the rotating body 62 is received by the shaft portion 77. Further, the rotating body 62 is provided so as not to move in the axial direction relative to the shaft portion 77, and the shaft portion 77 is prevented from coming off from the shaft hole 68 of the rotating body 62.

The operation of the probe 30 will be described.
When the motor 74 rotates clockwise, the carriage 76, the shaft portion 77, and the rotating body 62 are driven in the direction of the arrow A shown in FIG. When the rotating body 62 moves along the axis in the direction of arrow A, the rotating body 62 reciprocates. This is because the engaging projection 71 is inserted into the guide groove 63.

  Specifically, when the engaging convex portion 71 is located in the left-hand thread channel portion 64, the rotating body 62 is pushed in the direction of arrow A as shown in FIGS. 5, 7, 9, and 11. As a result, the rotating body 62 receives a reaction from the engaging projection 71 and the rotating body 62 rotates in the direction of arrow C. When the engaging convex portion 71 is located in the right-hand thread channel portion 65, the rotating body 62 is pushed in the direction of arrow A, and the rotating body 62 receives a reaction from the engaging convex portion 71 and rotates. The body 62 rotates in the direction of arrow D.

  As the rotating body 62 rotates in the directions of arrows C and D and moves directly in the direction of arrow A, the probe body 40 also rotates in the directions of arrows C and D and in the direction of arrow A. Moving.

  On the other hand, when the motor 74 rotates counterclockwise, the carriage 76, the shaft portion 77, and the rotating body 62 are driven in the direction of the arrow B shown in FIG. When the rotator 62 moves along the axis in the direction of arrow B, the rotator 62 reciprocates. Specifically, when the engaging convex portion 71 is located in the left-hand thread channel portion 64, the rotating body 62 is pulled in the direction of the arrow B as shown in FIGS. 5, 7, 9, and 11. As a result, the rotating body 62 receives a reaction from the engaging projection 71 and the rotating body 62 rotates in the direction of the arrow D. When the engaging projection 71 is located in the right-hand thread channel portion 65, the rotating body 62 is pulled in the direction of the arrow B, so that the rotating body 62 receives a reaction from the engaging projection 71 and rotates. The body 62 rotates in the direction of arrow C.

  As the rotator 62 rotates alternately in the directions of arrows C and D, and directly moves in the direction of arrow B, the probe body 40 also rotates in the directions of arrows C and D and in the direction of arrow B. Moving.

  When the waveform of the guide groove 63 is a trapezoidal wave as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, when the engaging convex portion 71 is positioned in the linear folded portions 66 and 67, the rotating body 62 is moved to the arrow A or Even if it moves in the direction of the arrow B, the rotation of the rotating body 62 is stopped.

When the waveform of the guide groove 63 is as shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, the number of windings of the left-handed channel portion 64 and the right-handed channel portion 65 around the rotating body 62 is less than 1. Therefore, the rotating body 62 The range in which the probe main body 40 can rotate in the direction of arrow C is less than 360 °. The same applies to the range in which the rotating body 62 and the probe main body 40 can rotate in the direction of the arrow D.
On the other hand, when the waveform of the guide groove 63 is as shown in FIGS. 7 and 11, the number of the left-handed channel portion 64 and the right-handed channel portion 65 wound around the rotating body 62 is 1 or more and less than 2. The maximum range in which the rotating body 62 and the probe main body 40 can rotate in the direction of arrow C is 360 ° or more and less than 720 °. The same applies to the maximum range in which the rotating body 62 and the probe main body 40 can rotate in the direction of the arrow D.

  When the motor 74 rotates clockwise, the carriage 76, the shaft portion 77, and the rotating body 62 move in the direction of the arrow B shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 7, 9, and 11, and the motor 74 is moved. When rotated counterclockwise, the carriage 76, the shaft 77, and the rotating body 62 may move in the direction of the arrow A shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 7, 9, and 11.

  As described above, since the guide groove 63 is formed by alternately connecting the left-hand thread channel section 64 and the right-hand thread channel section 65, the rotating body 62 and the probe body 40 do not rotate continuously in the same direction. Rotate back and forth. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the optical fibers 42 and 43 provided in the probe main body 40 from being twisted excessively. Also, it is not necessary to provide the optical fibers 42 and 43 with a device (for example, a mechanical breakpoint) for preventing twisting of the optical fibers 42 and 43. Such a device causes light loss, ghost, and the like. However, in the present embodiment, since such a device is not provided in the optical fibers 42 and 43, light loss, ghost, and the like can be suppressed, and cost can be reduced. Can be achieved.

  Further, since the spiral left-hand thread channel portion 64 and the right-hand thread channel portion 65 are formed in the rotating body 62, the probe body 40 can be directly moved and rotated by one linear motion drive portion 73. Therefore, the probe driving device 60 can be made simple.

  Further, in order to alternately rotate the rotating body 62 and the probe main body 40 in the directions of the arrows C and D, the motor 74 is not alternately rotated clockwise and counterclockwise. By simply rotating the motor 74 clockwise (or counterclockwise), the rotating body 62 and the probe body 40 can be alternately rotated in the directions of arrows C and D. Therefore, it is not necessary to precisely control the motor 74, and a control device for precisely controlling the motor 74 is not required, so that the cost can be reduced.

  In addition, since the probe driving device 60 is not built in the distal end portion of the probe main body 40 but is provided on the proximal end side of the probe main body 40, an increase in size of the distal end portion of the probe main body 40 can be suppressed. .

Subsequently, a diagnostic procedure using the diagnostic apparatus 1 will be described.
First, the distal end of the probe body 40 (the distal end of the observation head 44) is positioned closer to the proximal end than the distal end of the outer tube 31, and the imaging window 51 and the window 32 face each other.

  Then, the outer tube 31 in which the probe main body 40 is inserted is inserted into the lumen K (for example, the esophagus) through the nostril or the mouth. Since the outer tube 31 and the inner tube 41 of the probe main body 40 are bendable, the inner tube 41 advances in the lumen K while being bent freely following the shape of the lumen K. Also, through this insertion process, the inside of the lumen K is imaged by the camera 47 while illuminating the inside of the lumen K by the illumination 46, and the captured image is displayed on the display device 7 through the controller 8 and the personal computer 6, or the captured image is displayed. Or recorded in a storage unit of the personal computer 6.

  When the operator confirms that the outer tube 31 and the distal end portion of the probe main body 40 have reached a predetermined diagnostic site by looking at the captured image, the controller 8 drives the fluid device 21 to move the balloon 34. Inflate. Thereby, the balloon 34 comes into contact with the inner wall of the lumen K, and the outer tube 31 is fixed to the inner wall of the lumen K.

Next, by driving the motor 74 of the probe driving device 60 according to a command from the controller 8, the rotating body 62 and the probe main body 40 are moved in the direction of the arrow A along the axial direction. As a result, the imaging window 51 and the transmission window 50 are drawn out before the tip of the outer tube 31. Prior to the measurement, an image of the measurement target part is taken by the camera 47.
Here, when the illumination 46 is turned off and the transmission window 50 is positioned at the measurement point by moving the rotating body 62 and the probe main body 40 in the direction of arrow A, the motor 74 of the probe driving device 60 is stopped by the controller 8. Is done.

  Next, the light source 2 is turned on by the controller 8. Irradiation light emitted from the light source 2 is emitted from the tip of the irradiation optical fiber 42, and the emitted irradiation light is collected by the condenser lens 49, reflected laterally by the mirror 48, and transmitted through the transmission window 50. Then, it is irradiated to the observation target part of the living tissue. Then, due to the irradiation light, the living tissue emits light reflecting the state of the living body. Radiated light emitted from the living tissue passes through the transmission window 50, is reflected by the mirror 48 to the condensing lens 49, and is collected by the condensing lens 49 at the tip of the light receiving optical fiber 43. The light incident on the tip of the light receiving optical fiber 43 is guided to the photometry unit 3, and the light is dispersed by the photometry unit 3, and the intensity for each wavelength of the light is measured by the photometry unit 3. The spectrum data representing the measurement result is transferred to the personal computer 6 by the controller 8. Further, the spectrum data is converted into spectrum image data by the signal processing unit 19, and the spectrum image data is transferred to the personal computer 6.

  Next, when the first measurement is completed, the controller 8 controls the motor 74 of the probe driving device 60 to further move the rotating body 62 and the probe main body 40 in the direction of arrow A, whereby the rotating body 62 and the probe are moved. Rotate in the circumferential direction. Then, when the second measurement point is reached, the measurement as described above is performed again. Thereafter, the rotation / linear motion of the rotating body 62 and the probe body 40 and the measurement as described above are alternately repeated. Thereby, it is possible to perform measurement on a plurality of measurement points. During this measurement, the controller 8 can automatically measure the band-like diagnosis target region by performing the direct movement of the rotating body 62 and the probe main body 40 and controlling the light source 2 and the photometry unit 3.

  In the above description, it is assumed that the measurement is performed intermittently by stopping the motor 74 of the probe driving device 60 during irradiation of irradiation light and reception of radiation light. On the other hand, the motor 74 of the probe driving device 60 is driven by the controller 8 when the irradiation light is emitted and the radiated light is received, and the rotating body 62 and the probe main body 40 move in the axial direction, and the directions of the arrows C and D. It is good also as what rotates alternately. Thereby, measurement is performed continuously.

Each time the probe body is positioned at each measurement point, the illumination 46 may be turned on and the measurement target area may be imaged by the camera prior to measurement. In this case, it is preferable that the camera and the light projecting / receiving window are arranged at appropriate positions and that the guide groove has an appropriate shape and size so that measurement can be performed on a part imaged by the camera.
When the measurement as described above is repeated several times (or the measurement is continuously performed) and the diagnosis of the current observation target part is completed, the motor 74 of the probe driving device 60 is driven by the controller 8, The rotating body 62 and the probe main body 40 are moved in the direction of arrow B along the axial direction. When the tip of the probe main body 40 is drawn into the outer tube 31, the fluid device 21 is driven by the controller 8 to contract the balloon 34.
Then, the outer tube 31 and the probe main body 40 are taken out from the lumen K. Alternatively, if there is a next observation target site, the outer tube 31 and the tip of the probe main body 40 are moved to the next observation target site, and the same operation is repeated.

  If mucus or the like adheres to the imaging window 51 or the transmission window 50 during measurement / diagnosis, the controller 8 drives the liquid feeder 4 to send the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank 5 to the pores 33 of the outer tube 31. . Then, the cleaning liquid is ejected from the opening of the pore 33 at the tip of the outer tube 31 toward the transmission window 50 and the imaging window 51. Thereby, the transmission window 50 and the imaging window 51 are cleaned.

  By using the diagnostic apparatus 1 as described above, a wide range including a suspicious range can be measured at high speed and at regular intervals. As a result, it is possible to diagnose and measure at high speed, including diseases under tissues that are often overlooked in the diagnosis and measurement using the insertion channel of the endoscope.

  Embodiments to which the present invention is applicable are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Hereinafter, some modifications will be described. The following modifications may be combined as much as possible.

<Modification 1>
As shown in FIG. 13, a plurality of protrusions 81 are formed in the guide groove 63, and these protrusions 81 are arranged along the guide groove 63. These protrusions 81 are preferably arranged at equal intervals. Such protrusions 81 are provided not only in the trapezoidal wave and sine wave guide grooves 63 shown in FIGS. 5, 7, 9, and 11, but also in the guide grooves 63 of triangular waves, semicircular waves, and semielliptical waves. It may be formed.

  On the other hand, the engaging projection 71 is provided with a sensor 83 for detecting the protrusion 81. The sensor 83 outputs a detection signal to the controller 8 when it contacts the protrusion 81. The controller 8 can recognize the position of the rotating body 62 by inputting a detection signal. In addition, the engagement convex part 71 itself may be a sensor.

<Modification 2>
As shown in FIG. 14, a plurality of recesses 82 are formed in the guide groove 63, and these recesses 82 are arranged along the guide groove 63. These recesses 82 are preferably arranged at equal intervals. Such a recess 82 is provided not only in the trapezoidal wave and sine wave guide grooves 63 shown in FIGS. 5, 7, 9, and 11, but also in the triangular, semicircular, and semielliptical wave guide grooves 63. It may be formed.

  On the other hand, the engaging convex portion 71 is provided with a sensor 83 for detecting the concave portion 82. The sensor 83 outputs a detection signal to the controller 8 when positioned in the recess 82. The controller 8 can recognize the position of the rotating body 62 by inputting a detection signal. In addition, the engagement convex part 71 itself may be a sensor.

<Modification 3>
As shown in FIG. 15, the guide groove 63 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 61, and the engaging convex portion 71 is convexly provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 62. The engaging convex portion 71 is inserted into the guide groove 63, and the engaging convex portion 71 is slidable along the guide groove 63.

  The guide groove 63 is formed in a wavy shape in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 61. The amplitude direction of the waveform of the guide groove 63 is along the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 61. The wavelength direction of the waveform of the guide groove 63 is along the axial direction of the outer cylinder 61. Although the wavelength of the waveform of the guide groove 63 is more preferably constant, it may not be constant. Although it is more preferable that the amplitude of the waveform of the guide groove 63 is constant, it may not be constant. The width of the waveform vibration of the guide groove 63 is preferably shorter than twice the length of the inner circumference of the outer cylinder 61, and more preferably shorter than one time of the inner circumference of the outer cylinder 61. preferable. The waveform of the guide groove 63 is preferably a trapezoidal wave, a sine wave, a triangular wave, a semicircular wave, or a semielliptical wave. As a specific example, a guide groove 63 having the same shape as that of the guide groove 63 shown in FIGS. 5 to 12 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 61. 6, 8, 10, and 12 are wound outward so that the guide groove 63 shown in FIGS. 6, 8, 10, and 12 is formed in the rotating body 62. If these developed views are wound inwardly, the guide groove 63 shown in FIGS. 6, 8, 10, and 12 is formed in the outer cylinder 61.

Even when the guide groove 63 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 61, a plurality of protrusions 81 or recesses 82 may be formed in the guide groove 63 as in the first and second modifications. . In this case, the sensor 83 is provided in the engagement convex part 71, or the engagement convex part 71 itself is a sensor.
In order to facilitate understanding, in FIG. 15, the cross section of the rotating body 62 is not shown, but the side surface of the rotating body 62 is shown.

<Modification 4>
In the above embodiment, the power transmission mechanism that transmits the power of the motor 74 to the rotating body 62 and converts the rotational motion of the motor 74 into the linear motion of the rotating body 62 is a ball screw transmission mechanism. The transmission mechanism is not limited to the ball screw transmission mechanism. For example, a pinion rack mechanism can be applied to the transmission mechanism.

<Modification 5>
In the above embodiment, the measurement / diagnosis is automatically performed by sequentially controlling the respective units of the diagnostic apparatus 1 by the controller 8. On the other hand, the measurement / diagnosis may be performed manually by manually operating / stopping each unit of the diagnostic apparatus 1. Further, the above-described operation order is an example, and each unit of the diagnostic apparatus 1 may be operated in another order.

<Modification 6>
Before setting the probe body 40 to the initial position (position where the window 32 and the imaging window 51 face each other) before inserting the probe into the lumen, rotation is performed so that the probe body 40 can be quickly placed at the initial position. You may make it provide the linear guide groove in alignment with the axial center of a rotary body in the front-end | tip part of the body 62. FIG. By moving the carriage in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 4, the rotating body 62 moves linearly along the linear guide groove, so that the probe body 40 can be quickly set to the initial position. .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 Probe 40 Probe main body 60 Probe drive device 61 Outer cylinder 62 Rotating body 63 Guide groove 64 Left-hand thread channel part 65 Right-hand thread channel part 71 Engagement convex part 73 Linear motion drive part 81 Protrusion 82 Concave part 83 Sensor

Claims (14)

An outer cylinder,
It is connected to the base end portion of the probe main body, is provided so as to be coaxial with the probe main body, is inserted into the outer cylinder, and can be moved linearly in the axial direction relative to the outer cylinder, A rotating body rotatable in the circumferential direction relative to the cylinder;
A guide groove formed on one of the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body;
An engaging projection formed on the other of the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body, and inserted into the guide groove;
A linear motion drive unit that linearly moves the rotating body in the axial direction;
The guide groove is a probe driving device formed so that the rotating body reciprocally rotates in the circumferential direction when the rotating body moves linearly by the linear drive unit toward the distal end or the proximal end.   The probe driving device according to claim 1, wherein the guide groove is formed in a wave shape so as to swell in the circumferential direction.   The probe driving device according to claim 2, wherein the waveform of the guide groove is a trapezoidal wave, a sine wave, a triangular wave, a semicircular wave, or a semielliptical wave.   The width of the vibration along the circumferential direction of the waveform of the guide groove is equal to or greater than the length of one of the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder and the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body, and less than twice the circumferential length. The probe driving device according to claim 2 or 3.   The guide groove has a left-hand thread channel portion formed in a spiral shape of a left-hand thread on one of the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body, the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder, and the rotating body The probe driving device according to claim 1, wherein right-handed thread channel portions formed in a spiral shape of right-handed threads are alternately connected to one of the outer peripheral surfaces of the probe driving device.   6. The probe driving apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the number of the left-hand thread channel portion and the right-hand thread channel portion wound around one of the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body is 1 or more and less than 2. 6. A plurality of protrusions or recesses formed in the guide groove are arranged along the guide groove,
The said engaging convex part is a sensor which detects the said protrusion or the said recessed part, or the sensor which detects the said protrusion or the said recessed part is provided in the said engaging convex part. A probe driving apparatus according to claim 1. A probe body that irradiates the observation target site of the living tissue with the irradiation light from the tip part, and receives the radiated light emitted from the observation target part due to the irradiation light at the tip part,
An outer cylinder,
It is connected to the base end portion of the probe main body, is provided so as to be coaxial with the probe main body, is inserted into the outer cylinder, and is linearly movable relative to the outer cylinder in the axial direction, A rotating body rotatable in the circumferential direction relative to the outer cylinder;
A guide groove formed on one of the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body;
An engaging projection formed on the other of the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body, and inserted into the guide groove;
A linear motion drive unit that linearly moves the rotating body in the axial direction;
The guide groove is a probe formed so that the rotating body reciprocally rotates in the circumferential direction when the rotating body is linearly moved by the linear drive unit toward the distal end or the proximal end.   The probe according to claim 8, wherein the guide groove is formed in a wave shape so as to swell in the circumferential direction.   The probe according to claim 9, wherein a waveform of the guide groove is a trapezoidal wave, a sine wave, a triangular wave, a semicircular wave, or a semielliptical wave.   The width of the vibration along the circumferential direction of the waveform of the guide groove is equal to or greater than the length of one of the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder and the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body, and less than twice the circumferential length. The probe according to claim 9 or 10.   The guide groove has a left-hand thread channel portion formed in a spiral shape of a left-hand thread on one of the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body, the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder, and the rotating body The probe according to claim 8, wherein right-handed thread channel portions formed in a spiral shape of right-handed threads are alternately connected to one of the outer peripheral surfaces of the probe.   13. The probe according to claim 12, wherein the number of the left-hand thread channel portion and the right-hand thread channel portion wound around one of the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body is 1 or more and less than 2. 13. A plurality of protrusions or recesses formed in the guide groove are arranged along the guide groove,
The said engaging convex part is a sensor which detects the said protrusion or the said recessed part, or the sensor which detects the said protrusion or the said recessed part is provided in the said engaging convex part. The probe according to 1.

Images