JP2012110468A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope which can achieve a small diameter of an endoscope body.SOLUTION: The endoscope 1 includes: a long shape endoscope body 2; an imaging element 3 installed at a tip of the endoscope body 2; an imaging optical system 4 installed at a tip of the imaging element 3; and two light guides 5. In the endoscope body 2, two light guide lumens 21 are formed, each light guide 5 is inserted in the light guide lumens 21 to move in an axial direction. Moreover, at an end of the endoscope body 2, two side holes 22 which open to a side surface of the endoscope body 2, and communicate to ends of the two light guide lumens 5 are formed. Each side hole 22 is formed in a proximal end side rather than the imaging element 3. Thus the light guide 5 is moved to an axial direction, then the endoscope 1 can take the condition that an end of the light guide 5 projects from the side hole 22, and the condition that the end thereof is contained in the endoscope body 2.

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope.

  Endometriosis is a disease in which the endometrium and similar tissues grow in the pelvis other than the uterine lumen and the uterine body, and it takes 1 in 10 women. Symptoms such as dysmenorrhea and excessive menstruation due to endometriosis significantly reduce QOL. In addition, there are reports that about half of endometriosis becomes infertile. On the other hand, infertility occurs at a rate of 1 out of 10 couples. Causes of infertile women include fallopian tube factor, ovulation factor, uterine factor, cervical factor and the like. In particular, the fallopian tube factor is very high due to increased endometriosis and Chlamydia infection.

  A definitive diagnosis of endometriosis or fallopian tube factor infertility is performed by a laparoscope (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This laparoscope, that is, an endoscope, is installed at the long endoscope main body, the distal end portion of the endoscope main body, and guides light that illuminates the observation site, an imaging element that images the observation site, And a plurality of light guides for emitting the light from the tip. Further, the distal end portion of the light guide is positioned on the distal end side with respect to the image sensor, and the light guide is disposed on the outer side of the image sensor when viewed from the axial direction of the endoscope body.

  However, since there are no facilities or sufficient facilities for performing laparoscopes, and laparoscopes are highly invasive, the number of implementations is small. For this reason, there is a need for a less invasive test method for early detection and early treatment.

  That is, the problem with a laparoscope that inserts an endoscope from the abdomen is that scars remain in the abdomen and that hospitalization by general anesthesia is required. Further, when it is desired to observe the back side of the organ, it is necessary to lift the target organ with forceps or the like and observe it, and damage or adhesion to the organ becomes a problem.

  Therefore, examination and treatment with a transvaginal laparoscope have attracted attention. A transvaginal laparoscope is a small endoscope that is difficult to treat or test, but does not hurt the abdomen, can be used for local anesthesia day tests, and is very minimally invasive . In addition, since the abdominal cavity is filled with physiological saline or the like at the time of examination, the organ is in a floating state, and movement of the organ can be performed simply by avoiding pushing, so there is no worry of damage.

  As described above, the transvaginal laparoscope is minimally invasive and very good. However, since the diameter of the endoscope is still as thick as about 3 mm, puncture resistance and bleeding from the puncture site are problematic, There is a great burden on patients and a thinner endoscope is required.

Japanese Patent No. 4530128

  An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope capable of reducing the diameter of an endoscope main body.

Such an object is achieved by the present inventions (1) to (13) below.
(1) an elongated endoscope body having at least one light guide lumen and inserted into a living body lumen;
An image sensor that is installed at the tip of the endoscope body and images an observation site;
At least one light guide that is inserted into the lumen for the light guide so as to be movable in the axial direction of the endoscope main body, guides light that illuminates the observation site, and emits the light from the distal end portion;
The endoscope main body is formed on a proximal end side with respect to the imaging element, has an opening on a side surface of the endoscope main body, and has a side hole communicating with a distal end portion of the light guide lumen.
By moving the light guide in the axial direction of the endoscope main body, it is possible to adopt a state in which the tip portion of the light guide protrudes from the side hole and a state in which the light guide is housed in the endoscope main body. An endoscope characterized by being configured.

  (2) The endoscope according to (1), further including a moving operation unit that is provided on a proximal end side of the endoscope main body and moves the light guide.

  (3) The endoscope according to (2), wherein the movement operation means has a function of regulating a protruding length of the light guide from the side hole.

  (4) The endoscope according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein a distal end portion of the light guide lumen is inclined with respect to a central axis of the endoscope body.

  (5) The endoscope according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the light guide lumen is located inside the imaging element when viewed from an axial direction of the endoscope body. mirror.

  (6) The device according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein when viewed from an axial direction of the endoscope main body, at least a distal end portion of the endoscope main body does not protrude outward from the imaging element. Endoscope.

(7) At least the distal end portion of the endoscope body has flexibility,
The endoscope according to any one of (1) to (6), further including a bending unit configured to bend the distal end portion of the endoscope main body.

(8) The endoscope body includes a linear body lumen;
Formed along the axial direction of the endoscope main body, open to the side surface of the distal end portion of the endoscope main body, and has a long hole communicating with the linear body lumen;
The bending means includes a linear body that is movably inserted into the linear body lumen, has a distal end portion fixed to the distal end portion of the endoscope body, and pulls the distal end portion of the endoscope body. The endoscope according to (7).

  (9) The endoscope according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the light guide is configured to emit light from at least a part of a side surface of the distal end portion and the distal end.

  (10) The endoscope according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein a distal end portion of the light guide is bent or bent into a predetermined shape in a natural state.

  (11) The endoscope according to any one of (1) to (10), wherein the light guide is inserted into the light guide lumen so as to be rotatable about a central axis thereof.

(12) having two or more light guides,
The endoscope main body has two or more light guide lumens, and the light guide lumens are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the endoscope main body (1). The endoscope according to any one of (11) to (11).

  (13) The endoscope according to any one of (1) to (12), wherein the endoscope is a hysteroscope or a laparoscope.

  According to the present invention, the light guide is movable, and the distal end portion of the light guide is stored in the endoscope main body on the proximal end side with respect to the image sensor except during use. Since it can be made to project from the side hole of the endoscope main body, the diameter of the endoscope main body can be reduced. Thereby, the burden on the examinee and the patient can be reduced.

  Further, by moving the light guide according to the situation and disposing its tip at an optimum position, it is possible to perform optimum illumination according to the situation.

It is the top view and side view which show 1st Embodiment of the endoscope of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the endoscope shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the shaft connector and light guide slide in the AA in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the endoscope shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows 2nd Embodiment of the endoscope of this invention. It is a bottom view which shows 3rd Embodiment of the endoscope of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the endoscope shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the endoscope shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows 4th Embodiment of the endoscope of this invention.

Hereinafter, an endoscope of the present invention will be described in detail based on a preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.
<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of an endoscope of the present invention, in which FIG. 1 (a) is a plan view and FIG. 1 (b) is a side view. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the endoscope shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a shaft connector and a light guide slide along the line AA in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is an internal view shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of a mirror.

  In the following description, the left side in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 to 9 is “tip”, the right side is “base end (rear end)”, the upper side is “upper”, and the lower side is “lower”. Do.

  2, 4, 5, 7, and 9, the vertical direction in the drawing is shown more emphasized than the horizontal direction with respect to the other drawings.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the endoscope 1 is installed at a long endoscope main body 2 to be inserted into a lumen of a living body and at the distal end of the endoscope main body 2, and an observation site is displayed. The imaging device 3 for imaging, the imaging optical system 4 that is installed at the tip of the imaging device 3 and configured by a plurality or a single lens, and the like, guides the light that illuminates the observation site, and emits the light from the tip Two light guides 5 are provided.

  Although the use of the endoscope of the present invention is not particularly limited, for example, it is preferably used as a hysteroscope for observing the inside of the uterus, a colposcope for observing the inside of the vagina, and a laparoscope used transvaginally. In the present embodiment, a case where the endoscope 1 is a laparoscope, that is, a transvaginal laparoscope will be described as a representative example.

Hereinafter, each component of the endoscope 1 will be sequentially described.
As the imaging device 3, for example, a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor can be used.

  In the illustrated configuration, the imaging element 3 and the imaging optical system 4 are housed in a casing and integrated into a single package. In this specification, the part of the image pickup device 3 including the casing is referred to as the image pickup element 3, and the portion of the image pickup optical system 4 is referred to as the image pickup optical system 4. The imaging device 3 and the imaging optical system 4 constitute imaging means. Needless to say, the imaging device 3 and the imaging optical system 4 may be provided separately.

  In addition, the outer shapes of the imaging element 3 and the imaging optical system 4 when viewed from the axial direction of the endoscope body 2 are not particularly limited, but are circular in the illustrated configuration. Further, the outer diameter of the image sensor 3 and the outer diameter of the imaging optical system 4 are equal.

  Further, the outer shape of the endoscope main body 2 when viewed from the axial direction is not particularly limited, but is circular in the illustrated configuration. The endoscope main body 2 has a linear shape, and is composed of a flexible member, that is, a flexible member over the entire length thereof. When the endoscope body 2 is linear, the endoscope body 2 can easily penetrate the living body. Although it does not specifically limit as a constituent material of the endoscope main body 2, For example, various resin materials can be used.

  Note that the proximal end portion of the endoscope body 2 may be formed of a hard member, and the portion on the distal end side of the proximal end portion may have flexibility, and the distal end portion of the endoscope body 2 may be flexible. May have flexibility, and the part of the base end side rather than the tip may be constituted by a hard member. Moreover, the endoscope main body 2 may be comprised with the hard member over the full length.

  The endoscope main body 2 is formed with two light guide lumens 21. Each light guide lumen 21 is formed from the proximal end to the distal end of the endoscope body 2. That is, the distal end portion of each light guide lumen 21 is positioned at the distal end portion of the endoscope body 2, and the proximal ends are opened at the proximal end of the endoscope body 2, respectively. The light guide lumens 21 are arranged so as to face each other with the central axis O of the endoscope body 2 interposed therebetween. Since each light guide lumen 21 is the same, one light guide lumen 21 will be typically described below.

  Further, when viewed from the axial direction of the endoscope body 2, at least the distal end portion of the endoscope body 2 does not protrude outward from the image sensor 3. In the illustrated configuration, the outer diameter of the endoscope body 2 is constant over its entire length, and the endoscope body 2 captures images over its entire length when viewed from the axial direction of the endoscope body 2. It does not protrude outward from the element 3. That is, the outer diameter of the endoscope body 2 is equal to the outer diameter of the image sensor 3, and the outer peripheral surface of the image sensor 3 and the outer peripheral surface of the endoscope body 2 form a continuous surface without a step. Further, when viewed from the axial direction of the endoscope body 2, the light guide lumen 21 is located inside the image sensor 3.

  Thereby, the outer diameter of the endoscope main body 2 can be reduced, and thereby, the burden on the examinee and the patient can be reduced.

  The outer diameters of the endoscope body 2 and the image sensor 3 are each preferably 10 mm or less, more preferably about 0.3 to 5.0 mm, and about 0.5 to 2.0 mm. More preferably.

  In addition, a cable lumen 23 is formed in the endoscope body 2. The cable lumen 23 is formed from the proximal end to the distal end of the endoscope body 2. That is, the distal end portion of the cable lumen 23 opens at the distal end of the endoscope body 2, and the proximal end opens at the proximal end of the endoscope body 2. The cable lumen 23 is disposed at the center of the endoscope body 2.

  The cable 6 including each wiring of the image sensor 3 is inserted through the cable lumen 23, and the base end portion of the cable 6 is connected to the connector 72.

  The connector 72 is detachably connected to a corresponding connector of a control / light source device having a light source, a control unit, etc. (not shown), and each image signal, control signal, etc. is connected between the control / light source device and the image sensor 3. Signals are transmitted and received.

  Each light guide 5 is inserted into the light guide lumen 21 so as to be movable in the axial direction of the endoscope body 2. Since each light guide 5 is the same, one light guide 5 will be typically described below.

The light guide 5 is not particularly limited as long as it can guide light, but in the present embodiment, from the viewpoint of efficiently guiding light, one optical fiber or an optical fiber bundle formed by bundling a plurality of optical fibers is used. It is configured. Each optical fiber of the optical fiber bundle is fixed and integrated with each other. Examples of the constituent material of the optical fiber include various resin materials and glass, and a resin material is preferable. Examples of the resin material constituting the fiber include polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, styrene acrylonitrile, polycarbonate, and polychlorostyrene.
A light projection lens (not shown) may be provided at the tip of the light guide 5.

  Here, at the distal end portion of the endoscope main body 2, two side holes 22 that open to the side surface of the endoscope main body 2 and communicate with the distal end portions of the two light guide lumens 21 are formed. Each side hole 22 is formed closer to the base end side than the image sensor 3. In addition, since each side hole 22 is the same, below, one side hole 22 is demonstrated typically.

  As a result, the endoscope 1 moves the light guide 5 in the axial direction of the endoscope body 2 so that the distal end portion of the light guide 5 protrudes from the side hole 22 (hereinafter also referred to as “projection state”). ) (See FIG. 4) and a state of being housed in the endoscope main body 2 (hereinafter also referred to as “housed state”) (see FIG. 2).

  By placing the endoscope 1 in the retracted state, the endoscope body 2 can be smoothly moved.

  Then, by placing the endoscope 1 in a protruding state, the observation site can be illuminated with light emitted from the distal end portion of the light guide 5. Further, by moving the light guide 5 according to the situation and disposing its tip at an optimum position, it is possible to perform optimum illumination according to the situation.

  The tip of the light guide lumen 21 is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the central axis O. Thereby, the front-end | tip part of the light guide 5 can be smoothly protruded from the side hole 22. FIG.

  The inclination angle θ of the distal end portion of the light guide lumen 21 with respect to the central axis O is preferably about 1 to 45 °, and more preferably about 1 to 30 °. Thereby, the amount of movement of the light guide 5 when the tip portion of the light guide 5 protrudes from the side hole 22 can be made relatively small, and the tip portion of the light guide 5 can be smoothly protruded from the side hole 22. .

  Further, the inner peripheral surface of the light guide lumen 21 of the endoscope body 2 may be subjected to a friction reduction process such as applying a lubricant. Thereby, the light guide 5 can be moved smoothly.

  The light guide 5 is inserted through the light guide lumen 21, and the base end of the light guide 5 is connected to the connector 71.

  The connector 71 is detachably connected to a corresponding connector of the control / light source device. Light emitted from the light source of the control / light source device enters from the proximal end of the light guide 5, is guided by the light guide 5, exits from the distal end of the light guide 5, and a predetermined part is illuminated. The illumination light is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include monochromatic light such as white light and laser light.

  Further, a shaft connector 8 and a light guide slide 9 are installed at the proximal end portion of the endoscope body 2 as operation means for moving each light guide 5 in the axial direction of the endoscope body 2.

  The shaft connector 8 has a cylindrical shape. The endoscope body 2 is separated at its proximal end into a distal end side member and a proximal end side member, and the two members are connected via a shaft connector 8. In this case, the inner peripheral surface of the shaft connector 8 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the endoscope body 2.

  The shaft connector 8 is formed with a pair of long holes 81 penetrating the side walls. Each elongated hole 81 is formed from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion of the shaft connector 8 along the axial direction of the endoscope body 2. Further, the long holes 81 are arranged so as to face each other with the central axis O therebetween. Each light guide 5 and cable 6 are inserted through the shaft connector 8.

  The light guide slide 9 is installed so as to be movable in the axial direction of the endoscope body 2 with respect to the shaft connector 8.

  The overall shape of the light guide slide 9 is cylindrical, and its outer diameter is set larger than the outer diameter of the shaft connector 8. In addition, a hole 91 having a shape corresponding to a portion where the long hole 81 of the shaft connector 8 is located when viewed from the axial direction of the endoscope body 2 is formed inside the light guide slide 9. The distal end of the hole 91 opens at the distal end of the light guide slide 9, the proximal end opens at the proximal end of the light guide slide 9, and the shaft connector 8 is inserted through the hole 91. Thereby, the light guide slide 9 is supported by the shaft connector 8 so as to be movable.

  Further, through holes 92 are formed at positions corresponding to the respective light guide lumens 21 of the light guide slide 9. The corresponding light guide 5 is inserted and fixed in each through hole 92.

  A through hole 93 is formed at a position corresponding to the cable lumen 23 of the light guide slide 9. The cable 6 is inserted through the through hole 93.

  When the light guide slide 9 is moved in the distal direction, each light guide 5 is moved in the distal direction, and when the light guide slide 9 is moved in the proximal direction, each light guide 5 is moved in the proximal direction. Move in the direction.

  When the proximal end of the light guide slide 9 is in contact with the edge facing the proximal end of each long hole 81 of the shaft connector 8, the distal end of each light guide 5 is in the light guide lumen 21. That is, it is stored in the endoscope body 2.

  When the light guide slide 9 is moved in the distal direction, each light guide 5 is moved in the distal direction, and the distal end portion of each light guide 5 protrudes from the side hole 22 to the outside.

  When the light guide slide 9 is further moved in the front end direction, each light guide 5 is further moved in the front end direction, and the front end portion of each light guide 5 protrudes further from the side hole 22 to the outside. The protrusion of the tip of each light guide 5, that is, the movement of each light guide 5 in the tip direction, until the tip of the light guide slide 9 comes into contact with the edge of the shaft connector 8 facing the tip of each long hole 81. It can be carried out.

  Here, the maximum value of the protrusion length from the side hole 22 at the tip of each light guide 5 is not particularly limited, but the tip of each light guide 5 is positioned closer to the tip than the tip of the imaging optical system 4. It is preferable to set to. Thereby, an observation site can be illuminated reliably.

  In the present embodiment, each light guide 5 is configured to move integrally. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and each light guide 5 may be configured to move separately.

  The number of light guides 5 and light guide lumens 21 is not limited to two, but may be one or three or more.

  When the endoscope 1 has two or more light guides 5 and the endoscope main body 2 has two or more light guide lumens 21, each light guide lumen 21 has an endoscope. It is preferable that they are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the main body 2. Needless to say, the arrangement of the light guide lumens 21 may not be equal.

  Further, the light guide 5 is not limited to a configuration that emits light only from the tip thereof, and may be configured to emit light from at least a part of the side surface of the tip portion and the tip, for example. In this case, for example, the light guide 5 can be configured to emit light from the entire side surface of the tip portion, or can be configured to emit light from a plurality of discontinuous portions of the side surface. .

  Thereby, the whole observation part imaged with the image pick-up element 3 can be illuminated brightly, and a visual field can be widened. In addition, by providing a scale at the tip of the light guide 5, the scale can be imaged by the image pickup device 3, thereby making it easier to grasp the position of the diagnosis unit.

  As a method of emitting light from the side surface of the front end portion of the light guide 5, for example, the front end portion of the light guide 5, that is, the side surface of the front end portion of the optical fiber constituting the light guide 5 is polished or ground, or a plurality of minute A concave portion is formed.

Next, the operation of the endoscope 1 will be described.
First, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the endoscope 1 is placed in a stored state. That is, the light guide slide 9 is moved in the proximal direction until the proximal end of the light guide slide 9 comes into contact with the edge facing the proximal end of each long hole 81 of the shaft connector 8. In this storage state, the distal end portion of the endoscope main body 2, the image pickup device 3 and the imaging optical system 4 (hereinafter, the distal end portion of the endoscope main body 2, the image pickup device 3 and the imaging optical system 4 are representatively represented as an endoscope. The tip of the mirror body 2 is referred to as the vicinity of the observation site. At this time, the distal end portion of the endoscope main body 2 penetrates the living body, but since the outer diameter of the endoscope main body 2 is small, the burden on the examinee and the patient can be reduced.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the light guide slide 9 is moved in the distal direction, and each light guide 5 is moved in the distal direction. Thereby, the front-end | tip part of each light guide 5 protrudes outside from the side hole 22. FIG. At this time, each light guide 5 is moved until a bright and clear image is obtained while viewing an image captured by the image sensor 3. The preparation is completed, and the examination and treatment are performed.

  Next, when the endoscope is removed, as shown in FIGS. That is, the light guide slide 9 is moved in the proximal direction until the proximal end of the light guide slide 9 comes into contact with the edge facing the proximal end of each long hole 81 of the shaft connector 8. Then, in this stored state, the endoscope is removed.

  As described above, according to the endoscope 1, the endoscope main body 2 can be reduced in diameter, thereby reducing the burden on the examinee and the patient.

  Further, by moving each light guide 5 according to the situation and disposing its tip at an optimum position, it is possible to perform optimum illumination according to the situation.

  In the present invention, the moving operation means may be provided with a function of regulating the protruding length of the light guide 5 from the side hole 22.

  As an example of this configuration, a plurality of projections and depressions are formed on one of the light guide slide 9 and the shaft connector 8 along the axial direction of the endoscope body 2, and a projection inserted into the recess of the projections and depressions is formed on the other side. Form. Thereby, the light guide slide 9 is positioned in the axial direction of the endoscope main body 2 with respect to the shaft connector 8, thereby preventing the light guide slide 9 from moving unintentionally. In addition, when the light guide slide 9 is moved, the light guide slide 9 moves while the protrusions get over the convex portions of the concaves and convexes, so that a click feeling can be obtained.

  Therefore, the click mechanism, which is a means for positioning the light guide 5 in the axial direction of the endoscope body 2 by the plurality of projections and depressions, that is, the main means for regulating the protrusion length of the light guide 5 from the side hole 22. The part is composed.

  In the present invention, the shaft connector 8 or the like may be provided with a scale indicating the protruding length from the side hole 22 of the light guide 5. Thereby, the protrusion length from the side hole 22 of the light guide 5 can be grasped | ascertained easily and reliably.

  In the present invention, the endoscope body 2 may be provided with other lumens for performing puncture, administration / aspiration of a liquid such as a drug solution, biopsy, suturing, clipping, and the like. In this case, the distal end of the lumen opens on the side surface closer to the proximal end side than the imaging element 3 of the endoscope body 2. Thereby, the diameter of the endoscope body 2 can be reduced.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of the endoscope of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described with a focus on the differences from the first embodiment described above, and the description of the same matters will be omitted.

  In the endoscope 1 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the distal end portion of the light guide 5 is bent or bent into a predetermined shape in a natural state where no external force is applied. Therefore, when the distal end portion of the light guide 5 protrudes outside from the side hole 22, it returns to the original curved or bent shape due to its restoring force. In this case, the shape of the distal end portion of the light guide 5 in the natural state is not particularly limited as long as it is other than a linear shape. However, in the illustrated configuration, the distal end surface of the light guide 5 is the central axis O of the endoscope body 2. The tip of the light guide 5 is curved so as to be perpendicular to the surface. Thereby, it becomes easy to illuminate the front of the endoscope body 2, the observation site imaged by the image sensor 3 can be reliably illuminated, and a clearer image can be obtained.

  The light guide 5 is inserted into the light guide lumen 21 so as to be rotatable about its central axis. Thereby, the front-end | tip of the light guide 5 can be pointed in various directions, and especially the site | part which wants to illuminate brightly can be illuminated brightly.

  Specifically, the light guide 5 cannot be moved in the axial direction of the endoscope body 2 with respect to the light guide slide 9, and is installed so as to be able to rotate around the central axis of the light guide 5. Yes. Thereby, when the light guide slide 9 is moved in the axial direction of the endoscope body 2, the light guide 5 moves in the axial direction of the endoscope body 2 together with the light guide slide 9. Further, a portion of the light guide 5 that protrudes in the proximal direction from the proximal end of the endoscope body 2 can be grasped, and the light guide 5 can be rotated about its central axis.

<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 6 is a bottom view showing a third embodiment of the endoscope of the present invention, and FIGS. 7 and 8 are sectional views of the endoscope shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, the third embodiment will be described with a focus on differences from the first embodiment described above, and descriptions of the same matters will be omitted.

  The endoscope 1 of the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 can be used as, for example, a hysteroscope, a laparoscope, and the like.

  The distal end portion of the endoscope main body 2 of the endoscope 1 has flexibility. That is, a bendable portion is provided at the distal end portion of the endoscope body 2. Thereby, the front-end | tip part of the endoscope main body 2 can be turned to arbitrary directions. Note that the distal end portion of the endoscope main body 2 is linear in a natural state where no external force is applied.

  On the other hand, the base end side portion of the endoscope main body 2 is composed of a linear hard member. Thereby, it becomes difficult to bend | curve the site | part of the base end side rather than the front-end | tip part of the endoscope main body 2, and the light guide 5 can be moved easily.

  Note that the proximal end portion of the endoscope body 2 may be formed of a hard member, and the portion on the distal end side of the proximal end portion may have flexibility. It may have flexibility over it.

  In the present embodiment, the number of light guides 5, light guide lumens 21 and side holes 22 is one each.

  A pulling thread lumen (linear body lumen) 24 is formed in the endoscope body 2. The retractable thread lumen 24 is formed from the proximal end to the distal end of the endoscope body 2. That is, the distal end portion of the retractable thread lumen 24 is located at the distal end portion of the endoscope main body 2, and the proximal end is open to the proximal end of the endoscope main body 2. Further, the retractable thread lumen 24 and the light guide lumen 21 are disposed so as to face each other via the central axis O of the endoscope body 2. The pulling thread lumen 24 and the light guide lumen 21 do not have to face each other.

  In addition, a long hole 25 is formed at the distal end of the endoscope main body 2 so as to open to the side surface of the endoscope main body 2 and communicate with the retractable thread lumen 24. The long hole 25 is formed on the base end side with respect to the imaging element 3. The long hole 25 is formed along the axial direction of the endoscope body 2. Further, the long hole 25 and the side hole 22 are arranged so as to face each other with the central axis O when viewed from the axial direction of the endoscope body 2. The long hole 25 and the side hole 22 do not have to face each other.

  The endoscope 1 has a pulling thread (linear body) 11 that pulls the distal end portion of the endoscope main body 2 as a bending means for bending the distal end portion of the endoscope main body 2. The traction thread 11 is inserted into the traction thread lumen 24 so as to be movable in the axial direction of the endoscope body 2. Further, the distal end portion of the traction thread 11 is fixed to the distal end portion of the endoscope body 2, and the proximal end side is inserted through the through hole 92 of the light guide slide 9, and from the proximal end of the traction thread lumen 24 to the outside. Has been pulled out.

  In the endoscope 1, the light guide 5 is protruded to the outside from the side hole 22 before or after the distal end portion of the endoscope body 2 is bent.

  When the distal end portion of the endoscope main body 2 is bent, the traction thread 11 is pulled in the proximal direction with respect to the endoscope main body 2 as shown in FIGS. 8 (a) and 8 (b). Thereby, the front-end | tip part of the pulling thread 11 protrudes outside from the long hole 25, and the front-end | tip part of the endoscope main body 2 is bent. By adjusting the movement amount of the pulling thread 11 in the proximal direction, the bending state of the distal end portion of the endoscope body 2 can be adjusted.

  Moreover, when returning the front-end | tip part of the endoscope main body 2 to the linear shape which is an original shape, it stops pulling the traction thread | yarn 11. FIG. Thereby, the front-end | tip part of the endoscope main body 2 returns to linear form with the restoring force.

  In the present invention, a holding means for holding the state in which the pulling thread 11 is pulled and moved in the proximal direction may be provided.

<Fourth embodiment>
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a fourth embodiment of the endoscope of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, the fourth embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment described above, and description of similar matters will be omitted.

  The endoscope 1 of 4th Embodiment shown in FIG. 9 is comprised so that the light source of a control and a light source device can be light-emitted automatically besides manual operation.

  That is, the endoscope 1 includes the touch sensor 12 as a detection unit that detects that the distal end portion of the light guide 5 protrudes to the outside from the side hole 22. A base end portion of a wiring (not shown) of the touch sensor 12 is connected to a connector 72. When the connector 72 is connected to a corresponding connector of the control / light source device, a signal is sent from the touch sensor 12 to the control / light source device. Can be sent.

  The touch sensor 12 is installed at a predetermined portion of the shaft connector 8, and when the light guide slide 9 moves to a position where the tip end portion of the light guide 5 protrudes outside from the side hole 22, The guide slide 9 is configured to come into contact.

  When the light guide 5 protrudes to the outside from the side hole 22 and the light guide slide 9 comes into contact with the touch sensor 12, the tip of the light guide 5 extends from the side hole 22 to the control / light source device. A signal indicating that it has protruded is transmitted. When receiving the signal, the control unit of the control / light source device causes the light source to emit light. Thereby, light is emitted from the tip of the light guide 5 and a predetermined part is illuminated. Thus, according to this endoscope 1, it is not necessary to manually perform the operation of causing the light source of the control / light source device to emit light, and the operation can be simplified.

  In addition, when the control unit of the control / light source device detects that the tip portion of the light guide 5 protrudes from the side hole 22 by the detection unit, a control unit is configured to control the light source to emit light.

  As mentioned above, although the endoscope of the present invention has been described based on the illustrated embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and the configuration of each part is replaced with an arbitrary configuration having the same function. can do. In addition, any other component may be added to the present invention.

  Further, the present invention may be a combination of any two or more configurations of the above embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope 2 Endoscope body 21 Light guide lumen 22 Side hole 23 Cable lumen 24 Traction thread lumen 25 Long hole 3 Imaging element 4 Imaging optical system 5 Light guide 6 Cable 71, 72 Connector 8 Shaft connector 81 Long Hole 9 Light guide slide 91 Hole 92, 93 Through hole 11 Traction thread 12 Touch sensor

Claims (13)

An elongated endoscope body that has at least one light guide lumen and is inserted into the lumen of a living body;
An image sensor that is installed at the tip of the endoscope body and images an observation site;
At least one light guide that is inserted into the lumen for the light guide so as to be movable in the axial direction of the endoscope main body, guides light that illuminates the observation site, and emits the light from the distal end portion;
The endoscope main body is formed on a proximal end side with respect to the imaging element, has an opening on a side surface of the endoscope main body, and has a side hole communicating with a distal end portion of the light guide lumen.
By moving the light guide in the axial direction of the endoscope main body, it is possible to adopt a state in which the tip portion of the light guide protrudes from the side hole and a state in which the light guide is housed in the endoscope main body. An endoscope characterized by being configured.   The endoscope according to claim 1, further comprising a movement operation unit that is provided on a proximal end side of the endoscope main body and moves the light guide.   The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the moving operation unit has a function of regulating a protruding length of the light guide from the side hole.   The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a distal end portion of the light guide lumen is inclined with respect to a central axis of the endoscope body.   The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the light guide lumen is located on an inner side than the imaging element when viewed from an axial direction of the endoscope body.   The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least a distal end portion of the endoscope main body does not protrude outward from the imaging element when viewed from an axial direction of the endoscope main body. At least the distal end portion of the endoscope body has flexibility,
The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a bending means for bending a distal end portion of the endoscope main body. The endoscope body includes a linear body lumen;
Formed along the axial direction of the endoscope main body, open to the side surface of the distal end portion of the endoscope main body, and has a long hole communicating with the linear body lumen;
The bending means has a linear body that is movably inserted into the linear body lumen, has a distal end portion fixed to the distal end portion of the endoscope body, and pulls the distal end portion of the endoscope body. The endoscope according to Item 7.   The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the light guide is configured to emit light from at least a part of a side surface of a distal end portion thereof and the distal end.   The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a distal end portion of the light guide is bent or bent into a predetermined shape in a natural state.   The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the light guide is inserted into the light guide lumen so as to be rotatable about a central axis thereof. Having two or more light guides,
2. The endoscope main body includes two or more light guide lumens, and the light guide lumens are arranged at equal intervals along a circumferential direction of the endoscope main body. The endoscope in any one of thru | or 11.   The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the endoscope is a hysteroscope or a laparoscope.

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