JP2012213436A - Insertion assisting tool for endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To derive smoothly and easily the insertion part of an endoscope from the side wall opening of a cylindrical body.SOLUTION: The insertion assisting tool 60 for an endoscope is used to insert and guide the insertion part 12 of the endoscope 10, which includes: a tube 64 having an insertion passage 66 into which the insertion part 12 is inserted; a side wall opening 68 provided at a distal end of a side wall section 65 of the tube 64, from which a distal end of the insertion part 12 inserted into the insertion passage 66 can be derived; and an indicator 70 formed on an inner circumference surface of the tube 64 along a tube axis direction, which indicates a position of the side wall opening 68 in the circumferential direction of the tube.

Description

  The present invention relates to an insertion aid for an endoscope, and more particularly to an insertion aid for an endoscope used when an insertion portion of an endoscope is inserted into a small-diameter lumen such as a biliary tract or a pancreatic duct.

  In recent years, endoscopic examinations and treatments for bile and pancreatic diseases such as biliary tract cancer, pancreatic cancer, cholelithiasis, and common bile duct stones are becoming widespread in the medical field. These have the advantage of being less invasive and less burdening the patient as compared to conventional surgical treatments.

  As one of these examination methods and treatment methods, for example, ERCP (Endscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography) is known. ERCP is a diagnostic technique in which a contrast medium is injected into the biliary tract or pancreatic duct using an endoscope, and the portion is imaged with an X-ray fluoroscope. In the method of injecting the contrast agent, first, the insertion portion of the endoscope is inserted up to the duodenum. Then, the cannula (thin tube) is taken out from the forceps opening of the insertion part, the cannula is selectively inserted into the biliary tract and pancreatic duct from the duodenal papilla, the contrast medium is injected into the biliary tract and pancreatic duct through the cannula, and the portion is fluoroscopically seen. Take pictures with the device.

  In addition, by inserting the insertion part of a small-diameter endoscope generally called a bile duct or pancreatoscope into the bile duct or pancreatic duct, the presence or absence of a stenosis in the biliary or pancreatic duct can be confirmed, and cell and tissue sampling tests Methods for performing cytodiagnosis, biopsy), stone removal, and the like are also known.

  Under such circumstances, when an endoscope insertion portion is inserted into a body cavity, an endoscope insertion aid (also referred to as an overtube or sliding tube) is used in combination. As an example of an insertion assisting tool for an endoscope, Patent Document 1 includes a cylindrical body that is used as a guide through the insertion portion of the endoscope, and the distal end of the insertion portion is disposed on the distal end side of the side wall portion of the cylindrical body. Is provided with an opening (hereinafter, referred to as a side wall opening) that can be led out. According to this endoscope insertion aid, when the insertion portion of the endoscope is inserted into the body cavity, the insertion portion is covered with a cylindrical body, so that the insertion portion can be bent or bent excessively. Thus, it is possible to easily perform the insertion operation of the insertion portion. Moreover, the insertion portion can be pushed deeper into the body cavity by taking out the distal end of the insertion portion from the side wall opening of the cylindrical body and guiding it into the body cavity (for example, in the biliary tract).

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228667 discloses a balloon provided with a balloon that can be inflated and contracted on the distal end side with respect to the side wall opening of the cylindrical body. According to this endoscope insertion aid, after the insertion portion covered with the cylindrical body as described above is inserted to a desired position in the body cavity, the balloon is inflated to closely contact the inner wall in the body cavity. The side wall opening can be held at a desired position (for example, a position facing the duodenal papilla). Thereby, an insertion part can be pushed forward to the deep part in a body cavity in the stable state.

JP 60-185532 A JP-A-62-26233

  However, in the conventional endoscope insertion aid disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, in a state where the side wall opening is not included in the field of view of the endoscope, the side wall opening and the insertion portion of the cylindrical body Therefore, it is difficult to align the side wall opening at a desired position in the body cavity, and the distal end of the insertion portion can be easily derived from the side wall opening. There is a problem that can not be.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and is an endoscope insertion aid that can smoothly and easily lead out the insertion portion of the endoscope from the side wall opening of the cylindrical body. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, an endoscope insertion aid according to a first aspect of the present invention is an endoscope insertion aid that guides through an insertion portion of an endoscope. A cylindrical body having an insertion passage to be inserted; a side wall opening provided on a distal end side of the side wall portion of the cylindrical body; and a leading end of the insertion portion inserted through the insertion path; And an index indicating the position of the side wall opening in the cylindrical body circumferential direction, which is formed along the cylindrical body axis direction on the inner circumferential surface of the body.

  According to the first invention, since the index indicating the position of the side wall opening in the cylindrical body circumferential direction is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body, the position of the index is confirmed by the observation image of the endoscope This makes it possible to easily grasp the position of the side wall opening. And the side wall opening part of a cylindrical body is easily aligned with the desired position in a body cavity, maintaining the positional relationship of the cylindrical body circumferential direction of the insertion part and side wall opening part of an endoscope in an appropriate state. It becomes possible. As a result, the insertion portion of the endoscope can be led out smoothly and easily from the side wall opening of the cylindrical body.

  The endoscope insertion aid according to the second invention is the endoscope insertion aid according to the first invention, wherein the index is a marker that is visible in an observation image of the endoscope. It is characterized by that.

  According to the second invention, since the index is made of a marker that can be visually recognized in the observation image of the endoscope, the side wall portion of the cylindrical body can be thinned, and the diameter of the cylindrical body can be reduced. It becomes possible. Thereby, a patient's physical burden can be reduced.

  The endoscope insertion aid according to the third invention is the endoscope insertion aid according to the first or second invention, wherein the index is the same as the side wall opening in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body. It is provided in the position.

  According to the third invention, since the side wall opening is provided on the extension line of the index, the position of the side wall opening can be grasped instantaneously by confirming the position of the index from the observation image of the endoscope. It becomes.

  An endoscope insertion aid according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the endoscope insertion aid according to the first or second aspect of the invention, wherein the index is relative to the side wall opening in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body. The phase difference is provided at a position shifted by a predetermined angle.

  According to the fourth aspect of the invention, it is possible to dispose the index without being influenced by the position of the side wall opening, and the degree of freedom in designing the endoscope insertion aid is widened.

  The endoscope insertion assisting tool according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the endoscope insertion assisting tool according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the invention, wherein the indicator is the side wall with respect to the cylindrical body axis direction. It is provided in the front end side rather than the opening part.

  According to the fifth aspect of the invention, this is a preferred mode when the field of view of the endoscope is on the tip side of the side wall opening, and by confirming the position of the index by the image of the endoscope, The position can be easily grasped.

  An endoscope insertion aid according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the endoscope insertion aid according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, wherein the index is provided over the entire tubular body in the tubular body axial direction. It is characterized by.

  According to the sixth invention, the position of the index can be confirmed from the endoscope image regardless of the position of the insertion portion of the endoscope inserted through the cylindrical body. It is possible to always keep the positional relationship between and.

  An endoscope insertion aid according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the endoscope insertion aid according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the index is the side wall with respect to the cylindrical body axis direction. It is provided in the base end side rather than the opening part.

  According to the seventh aspect, it is possible to easily perform an operation when the insertion portion of the endoscope is removed from the cylindrical body and reinserted.

  An endoscope insertion assisting tool according to an eighth invention is the endoscope insertion assisting tool according to any one of the first to seventh inventions, wherein the index is a side wall portion of the cylindrical body. It consists of the convex part or recessed part formed inside.

  According to the eighth aspect of the invention, since the index is composed of a convex part or a concave part formed inside the side wall part of the cylindrical body, the position of the index can be confirmed with an endoscope image. Thereby, it becomes possible to grasp the position of the side wall opening.

  An endoscope insertion assisting tool according to a ninth invention is the endoscope insertion assistance tool according to any one of the first to eighth inventions, wherein the tube is located on the distal end side with respect to the side wall opening. A balloon that can be inflated and contracted is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the position of the side wall opening can be held in a stable state by inflating the balloon and abutting against the wall surface in the body cavity, and the insertion portion led out from the side wall opening can be held at a desired position. It becomes easy to guide to.

  An endoscope insertion aid according to a tenth aspect of the invention is the endoscope insertion aid according to the ninth aspect of the invention, wherein the balloon has the side wall opening portion on the side wall opening side in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body. It is comprised so that it may expand | swell largely in a cylindrical body radial direction rather than the direction on the opposite side.

  According to the tenth invention, a wide gap is ensured between the side wall opening and the wall surface in the body cavity, so that it is easier to guide the insertion portion led out from the side wall opening to a desired position.

  According to the present invention, the insertion portion of the endoscope can be led out smoothly and easily from the side wall opening of the cylindrical body.

1 is an external view showing an endoscope apparatus to which an insertion assisting tool according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. The perspective view which shows the front-end | tip part of the insertion part of an endoscope The top view which showed the example of composition near the tip of the tube main part of an insertion auxiliary tool Side sectional view of the tube body shown in FIG. Front sectional view of the tube body shown in FIG. Fig. 3 is a development view in which the inner peripheral surface of the tube body shown in Fig. 3 is developed on a plane. The sectional side view which showed the state which the balloon of the insertion auxiliary tool shown in FIG. 3 expanded Explanatory drawing showing the operation procedure of the insertion aid Explanatory drawing showing the operation procedure of the insertion aid Explanatory drawing showing the operation procedure of the insertion aid Explanatory drawing showing the operation procedure of the insertion aid Side sectional view showing a configuration in which indicators are provided over the entire tube body Side sectional view showing a configuration in which an index is provided only on the base end side with respect to the side wall opening in the tube axial direction. Side sectional view in which an index is provided at a position shifted in phase from the side wall opening of the tube body Front view showing a configuration in which the tube body is provided with an index composed of a convex portion. Front view showing a configuration in which the tube body is provided with an index composed of a recess. Side sectional view showing another structural example of a balloon provided on the tube body

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an external view showing an endoscope apparatus to which an endoscope insertion aid (hereinafter simply referred to as “insertion aid”) 60 according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope apparatus mainly includes an endoscope 10 and an insertion assisting tool 60.

  The endoscope 10 includes a hand operation unit 14 and an insertion unit 12 that is connected to the hand operation unit 14 and is inserted into the body. A universal cable 16 is connected to the hand operation unit 14, and a light guide (LG) connector (not shown) is provided at the tip of the universal cable 16. The LG connector is detachably connected to a light source device (not shown), whereby illumination light is sent to an illumination optical system 54 (see FIG. 2) described later. In addition, an electrical connector is connected to the LG connector, and this electrical connector is detachably coupled to a processor that performs image signal processing and the like.

  The hand operation unit 14 is provided with an air / water supply button 28, a suction button 30, and a shutter button 32, and a pair of angle knobs 36 and 36.

  The insertion portion 12 is composed of a flexible portion 40, a bending portion 42, and a distal end portion 44 in order from the hand operation portion 14 side. The bending portion 42 is remotely controlled by rotating the angle knobs 36, 36 of the hand operation portion 14. The bending operation. Thereby, the front-end | tip part 44 can be turned to a desired direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an observation optical system 52, illumination optical systems 54 and 54, an air / water supply nozzle 56, and a forceps port 58 are provided on the distal end surface 45 of the distal end portion 44. A CCD (not shown) is disposed behind the observation optical system 52, and a signal cable (not shown) is connected to a substrate that supports the CCD. The signal cable is inserted into the insertion portion 12, the hand operating portion 14, the universal cable 16 and the like of FIG. 1 and extends to the electrical connector, and is connected to the processor. Therefore, the observation image captured by the observation optical system 52 is formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD and converted into an electric signal, and this electric signal is output to the processor via the signal cable and converted into a video signal. The As a result, the observation image is displayed on the monitor connected to the processor.

  An exit end of a light guide (not shown) is disposed behind the illumination optical systems 54 and 54 in FIG. This light guide is inserted through the insertion section 12, the hand operating section 14, and the universal cable 16 shown in FIG. 1, and an incident end is disposed in the LG connector. Therefore, by connecting the LG connector to the light source device, the illumination light emitted from the light source device is transmitted to the illumination optical systems 54 and 54 via the light guide, and is irradiated forward from the illumination optical systems 54 and 54.

  The air / water supply nozzle 56 in FIG. 2 communicates with a valve (not shown) operated by the air / water supply button 28 in FIG. 1, and this valve is further connected to an air / water supply connector (on the LG connector). (Not shown). An air / water supply means (not shown) is connected to the air / water supply connector to supply air and water. Therefore, by operating the air / water supply button 28, air or water can be ejected from the air / water supply nozzle 56 toward the observation optical system 52.

  The forceps port 58 in FIG. 2 is communicated with the forceps insertion portion 46 in FIG. 1 via a forceps channel (not shown). Therefore, by inserting a treatment tool such as a forceps from the forceps insertion portion 46, the treatment tool can be led out from the forceps port 58. The forceps port 58 communicates with a valve (not shown) operated by the suction button 30, and this valve is further connected to a suction connector (not shown) of the LG connector. Therefore, by connecting a suction means (not shown) to the suction connector and operating the valve with the suction button 30, a lesioned part or the like can be sucked from the forceps opening 58.

  On the other hand, the insertion assisting tool 60 shown in FIG. 1 includes a gripping part 62 and a tube main body 64. The tube main body 64 is formed in a cylindrical shape and has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the insertion portion 12 so that the insertion portion 12 of the endoscope 10 can be inserted. The tube body 64 is a molded product of a flexible urethane resin, and the outer peripheral surface thereof is covered with a lubrication coat, and the inner peripheral surface is also covered with a lubrication coat. A rigid gripping portion 62 shown in FIG. 1 is fitted to the tube main body 64 in a watertight manner, and the gripping portion 62 is detachably connected to the tube main body 64. The insertion portion 12 is inserted from the proximal end opening 62A of the grip portion 62 toward the tube main body 64.

  Here, the configuration of the insertion assisting tool 60 will be described in detail.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration near the tip of the tube main body 64 of the insertion assisting tool 60. 4 is a side sectional view of the tube main body 64 shown in FIG. 3 (a sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3). 5 is a front sectional view of the tube main body 64 shown in FIG. 3 (a sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4). FIG. 6 is a development view in which the inner peripheral surface of the tube main body 64 shown in FIG. 3 is developed on a plane.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, an opening (hereinafter referred to as “tip opening”) 67 is formed at the tip of the tube main body 64, and an insertion communicating with the tip opening 67 is provided in the inside thereof. A passage 66 extends along the axial direction of the tube main body 64 (hereinafter referred to as “tube axial direction”). The insertion passage 66 is a conduit through which the insertion portion 12 of the endoscope 10 is inserted, and a cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the tube axis direction is formed in a substantially circular shape. Then, by leading the distal end of the insertion portion 12 inserted through the insertion passage 66 from the distal end opening 67, the observation optical system 52 of the insertion portion 12 substantially matches the tube axis direction (ie, the extension of the insertion passage 66). Various operations can be performed while observing (direction).

  The side wall 65 on the distal end side of the tube body 64 is provided with an opening (hereinafter referred to as “side wall opening”) 68 for leading out the distal end of the insertion portion 12 inserted through the insertion passage 66. Yes. The side wall opening 68 is a long hole-like through hole (hole) whose longitudinal direction is the tube axial direction, and the opening width (length in the short direction) is outside the insertion portion 12 of the endoscope 10. It is slightly larger than the diameter (diameter), and the length in the longitudinal direction (length in the tube axis direction) is sufficiently larger than the opening width. As described later, the distal end of the insertion portion 12 can be led out from the side wall opening 68 of the tube body 64 by bending the insertion portion 12 inserted through the insertion passage 66 of the tube body 64. ing. Thereby, various operations can be performed while observing a direction substantially perpendicular to the tube axis direction by the observation optical system 52 of the insertion portion 12.

  An inflatable balloon 96 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 65 of the tube main body 64 that is on the tip side of the side wall opening 68. The balloon 96 communicates with a fluid conduit 98 extending along the tube axial direction in the side wall 65 of the tube body 64, and the fluid conduit 98 extends to the proximal end side of the tube body 64. It communicates with the pipe line in the tube 90 shown in FIG. A connector 92 is provided at the end of the tube 90, and the tube 90 is connected to the balloon control device 94 by the connector 92.

  The balloon control device 94 is a device that supplies fluid such as air to a conduit in the tube 90 connected by the connector 92 and sucks fluid from the conduit in the tube 90. By supplying the fluid to the conduit in the tube 90 by the balloon control device 94, the fluid supplied to the conduit flows through the fluid conduit 98 of the tube body 64 and is injected into the balloon 96. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the balloon 96 is inflated around the tube body 64 in an annular shape. On the other hand, when the fluid is sucked from the conduit in the tube 90 by the balloon controller 94, the fluid injected into the balloon 96 is discharged from the balloon 96 to the fluid conduit 98 of the tube body 64, and the fluid conduit 98. And it flows through the pipe line in the tube 90 and is sucked into the balloon control device 94. As a result, the balloon 96 is deflated.

  By the way, in the insertion assisting tool 60 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. An index 70 indicating the position of the side wall opening 68 is provided in the circumferential direction (hereinafter referred to as “tube circumferential direction”). The index 70 is composed of markers (for example, black lines) formed in a line shape along the tube axis direction, and is configured to be visible in an observation image observed by the observation optical system 52 of the insertion unit 12. The index 70 is formed at the same position as the side wall opening 68 in the tube circumferential direction, and the side wall opening 68 exists on the extension line of the index 70. It is more preferable that the side wall opening 68 and the index 70 are formed so that the center positions thereof coincide. Accordingly, even when the side wall opening 68 does not enter the field of view of the observation optical system 52 of the insertion portion 12, the position of the index 70 is confirmed by the observation optical system 52 of the insertion portion 12. It becomes possible to grasp the position of the direction instantaneously (intuitively).

  Next, an operation method of the endoscope apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, the case where the insertion portion 12 of the endoscope 10 is inserted into the biliary tract 104 will be described as an example, but the same applies to the case where the insertion portion 12 is inserted into the pancreatic duct 106.

  First, the insertion assisting tool 60 is put on the insertion portion 12 of the endoscope 10, and the insertion portion 12 is inserted into the insertion passage 66 of the tube main body 64 as shown in FIG. 8. In this state, the insertion portion 12 and the tube main body are inserted. 64 is inserted through the patient's mouth and inserted into the duodenum 100 via the stomach. At this time, the distal end of the insertion portion 12 is led out from the distal end opening portion 67 so that the observation direction (viewing direction) of the observation optical system 52 of the insertion portion 12 substantially coincides with the tube axis direction. The balloon 96 is in a deflated state.

  Next, when the duodenal papilla 102 can be confirmed from the observation image observed by the observation optical system 52 of the insertion portion 12, the insertion assisting tool 60 is placed in the deep portion (front end side) of the duodenum 100 as shown in FIGS. The tube body 64 is gradually pushed in and aligned so that the side wall opening 68 of the tube body 64 faces the duodenal papilla 102. At this time, since the index 70 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the side wall 65 that is on the tip side of the side wall opening 68, the side wall opening 68 does not enter the field of view of the observation optical system 52 of the insertion unit 12. However, by confirming the position of the index 70 from the observation image observed by the observation optical system 52 of the insertion portion 12, it can be instantly understood that the side wall opening 68 exists on the extension line of the index 70. Accordingly, it is possible to move the insertion portion 12 relatively with respect to the insertion assisting tool 60 in a state where the position of the side wall opening 68 is always grasped, and the side wall opening 68 of the tube main body 64 is moved to the duodenal papilla 102. It can be easily aligned to the opposing position.

  After positioning so that the side wall opening 68 of the tube main body 64 faces the duodenal papilla 102 in this way, a fluid is injected into the balloon 96 by the balloon controller 94 as shown in FIG. Is inflated, and the balloon 96 is brought into close contact with the inner wall of the duodenum 100 to fix the position of the tube main body 64 in the duodenum 100 and the side wall opening 68 of the tube main body 64 is held at a position facing the duodenal papilla 102 To do.

  Next, the insertion portion 12 is pushed while being bent, and the distal end of the insertion portion 12 is led out from the side wall opening 68 of the tube main body 64 as shown in FIG. Insert into 104. At this time, since the positional relationship between the insertion portion 12 and the side wall opening 68 is maintained in an appropriate state with respect to the tube circumferential direction, the tip of the insertion portion 12 can be easily derived from the side wall opening 68. Then, a bending operation is performed by pushing the insertion portion 12 while supporting the insertion portion 12 led out from the side wall opening 68 at the distal end edge of the side wall opening 68, so that the distal end of the insertion portion 12 is moved into the biliary tract 104. Can be easily inserted into. Further, when the distal end side of the insertion portion 12 is bent into a J shape by the bending portion 42 and inserted into the biliary tract 104, the distal end of the insertion portion 12 is guided while the bending portion 42 is supported by the outer surface of the balloon 96. Therefore, the force in the insertion direction works effectively, and the distal end of the insertion portion 12 can be easily inserted into the biliary tract 104. And the front-end | tip of the insertion part 12 can be pushed further into the deep part.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the indicator 70 indicating the position of the side wall opening 68 in the tube circumferential direction is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the side wall 65 of the tube main body 64. Even in a state where the side wall opening 68 does not enter the field of view of the system 52, the position of the side wall opening 68 in the tube circumferential direction is confirmed by confirming the position of the index 70 with the observation image observed by the observation optical system 52 of the insertion unit 12. Can be grasped. Accordingly, the insertion portion 12 can be moved back and forth relative to the tube main body 64 while keeping the positional relationship between the side wall opening 68 and the insertion portion 12 in an appropriate state. It is possible to easily align the position. Further, since the positional relationship in the tube circumferential direction between the tube main body 64 and the insertion portion 12 can be maintained in an appropriate state without being displaced, the distal end of the insertion portion 12 can be easily derived from the side wall opening 68. It becomes possible. As a result, the insertion portion 12 can be led out smoothly and easily from the side wall opening 68 without being proficient in the bending operation of the insertion portion 12.

  In the present embodiment, the index 70 of the tube main body 64 has been illustrated as being formed only on the distal end side with respect to the side wall opening 68 with respect to the tube axial direction. In addition, the tube main body 64 may be formed over the entire length from the proximal end to the distal end. According to such a configuration, the position of the side wall opening 68 and the insertion portion 12 in the tube circumferential direction is always grasped without being influenced by the position of the insertion portion 12 inserted through the insertion passage 66 of the tube body 64. The insertion portion 12 can be moved forward and backward relative to the tube main body 64.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 13, the indicator 70 of the tube main body 64 may be formed only on the base end side with respect to the side wall opening 68 in the tube axial direction. According to such a configuration, it is possible to easily perform an operation when the insertion portion 12 is removed from the tube main body 64 and reinserted.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the index 70 of the tube main body 64 is formed at the same position as the side wall opening 68 in the tube circumferential direction is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the side wall opening 68 in the tube circumferential direction. May be formed at a position shifted in phase by a predetermined angle. As an example, FIG. 14 shows a configuration in which an index 70 is provided at a position where the phase is shifted by 180 degrees with respect to the side wall opening 68. Thereby, it becomes possible to arrange | position the parameter | index 70, without being influenced by the position of the side wall opening part 68, and there exists an advantage that the design freedom degree of the insertion auxiliary tool 60 improves.

  In the present embodiment, the index 70 of the tube main body 64 is configured with a marker (high concentration portion or low concentration portion) that can be visually recognized in the observation image by the observation optical system 52 of the insertion portion 12. The side wall 65 can be thinned, the outer diameter of the tube body 64 can be reduced, and the physical burden on the patient can be reduced.

  However, the index 70 is not particularly limited as long as it can be visually recognized in the observation image by the observation optical system 52 of the insertion portion 12. As the index 70 provided on the inner peripheral surface of the side wall portion 65 of the tube main body 64, for example, The convex part 72 may be formed as shown in FIG. 15, and the concave part 74 may be formed as shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the balloon 96 provided on the distal end side of the tube main body 64 is configured to expand in a direction perpendicular to the tube axial direction (hereinafter referred to as a tube radial direction) uniformly over the entire tube circumferential direction. However, as shown in FIG. 17, it is more preferable that the side opposite to the side wall opening 68 is expanded more in the tube radial direction than the side wall opening 68 with respect to the tube circumferential direction. . According to such a configuration, the gap between the side wall opening 68 and the wall surface in the body cavity can be made larger than the gap between the opposite side of the side wall opening 68 and the wall surface in the body cavity, and is derived from the side wall opening 68. It is possible to easily guide the distal end of the inserted portion 12 to a desired position.

  Although the endoscope insertion aid of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above examples, and various improvements and modifications are made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course it is also good.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Endoscope, 12 ... Insertion part, 14 ... Hand operation part, 40 ... Soft part, 42 ... Bending part, 44 ... Tip part, 45 ... Tip surface, 52 ... Observation optical system, 60 ... Insertion aid, 62 ... gripping part, 64 ... tube main body, 66 ... insertion passage, 68 ... side wall opening, 70 ... indicator

In the present embodiment, the balloon 96 provided on the distal end side of the tube main body 64 is configured to expand in a direction perpendicular to the tube axial direction (hereinafter referred to as a tube radial direction) uniformly over the entire tube circumferential direction. It has been, as shown in FIG. 17, more that towards the opposite side wall opening 6 8 side than the side wall opening 68 is configured so as to increase the expansion in the tube radially with respect to the tube circumferential direction preferable. According to such a configuration, the gap between the side wall opening 68 and the wall surface in the body cavity can be made larger than the gap between the opposite side of the side wall opening 68 and the wall surface in the body cavity, and is derived from the side wall opening 68. It is possible to easily guide the distal end of the inserted portion 12 to a desired position.

Claims (10)

An insertion aid for an endoscope that guides through an insertion portion of an endoscope,
A cylindrical body having an insertion passage through which the insertion portion is inserted;
A side wall opening provided on a distal end side of the side wall portion of the cylindrical body and capable of deriving a front end of the insertion portion inserted through the insertion passage;
An indicator that is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body along the cylindrical body axial direction, and indicates the position of the side wall opening in the cylindrical body circumferential direction;
An insertion assisting tool for an endoscope, comprising:   The endoscope insertion assisting tool according to claim 1, wherein the index is a marker that is visible in an observation image of the endoscope.   The endoscope insertion aid according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the index is provided at the same position as the side wall opening in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body.   The insertion aid for an endoscope according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the index is provided at a position shifted in phase by a predetermined angle with respect to the side wall opening with respect to the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body. .   The endoscope insertion aid according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the index is provided on a distal end side with respect to the cylindrical body axis direction with respect to the side wall opening.   The endoscope insertion assisting tool according to claim 5, wherein the index is provided over the entire cylindrical body in the cylindrical body axial direction.   The endoscope insertion assisting tool according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the index is provided on a proximal side with respect to the side wall opening in the cylindrical body axis direction.   The insertion aid for an endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the index includes a convex portion or a concave portion formed inside the side wall portion of the cylindrical body.   The endoscope insertion device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a balloon that can be inflated and contracted is disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body that is on a distal end side with respect to the side wall opening. Auxiliary tool.   The said balloon is comprised so that the said side wall opening part side may expand | swell largely in a cylindrical body radial direction rather than the side opposite to the said side wall opening part regarding a cylindrical body circumferential direction. Insertion aids for endoscopes.

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