JP2013066638A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope capable of securing a wide view field without reducing operability in observation and procedure.SOLUTION: The endoscope 1 includes: an imaging section 10 provided at a distal end; a support tube 60 fixed to the imaging section 10; a traction tube 80 retreating/advancing relative to the support tube 60 and having a bending rigidity higher than that of the support tube 60; and a connecting part 90 bendably connecting the traction tube 80 and the imaging section 10. The endoscope can change the imaging direction of the imaging section 10 by making the traction tube 80 retreat relative to the support tube 60 and bending the support tube 60.

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope, and more particularly to an endoscope for observing the inside of a body cavity.

  In recent years, techniques for performing observation and treatment by inserting an endoscope into a body cavity have been performed. For example, in laparoscopic surgery, a very thin endoscope of about 3 mm is used to perform a less invasive operation.

  On the other hand, the imaging device of the endoscope is usually installed with the imaging surface facing the front so that the front direction is observed at the tip. For this reason, if an endoscope becomes thin, an image pick-up element will also become small and an observation visual field will become narrow.

  For this reason, in Patent Document 1, for example, an endoscope in which an image pickup element having an image pickup surface longer than the diameter of the endoscope is arranged by arranging the image pickup element so that the image pickup surface faces the side surface of the endoscope. Has been proposed. When observing the front direction using this endoscope, the imaging surface is directed in the front direction by bending the shaft on the proximal end side of the image sensor with an actuator.

JP 2011-30640 A

  However, as in the endoscope described in Patent Document 1, when the imaging element facing in the lateral direction is bent toward the front direction in order to observe the front, the axis of the shaft on the proximal side from the bent portion The center of the image sensor is shifted, making observation and treatment with an endoscope difficult.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide an endoscope that can ensure a wide field of view without reducing operability in observation and treatment with an endoscope. .

  An endoscope of the present invention that achieves the above object is provided with an imaging unit provided at a distal end, a first long unit fixed to the imaging unit, and relatively to the first long unit. A second long portion that can move forward and backward and has higher bending rigidity than the first long portion; and a connection portion that flexibly connects the second long portion and the imaging portion. An internal view that can change the imaging direction of the imaging unit by bending the first long unit by retracting the second long unit relative to the first long unit. It is a mirror.

  The endoscope according to the present invention is configured such that the second long portion having higher bending rigidity than the first long portion is moved backward relative to the first long portion, whereby the first long length Since the imaging direction of the imaging unit can be changed by bending the part, the imaging unit can be arranged on the axis of the second long part with high bending rigidity even if the imaging direction of the imaging unit is changed. Therefore, a wide field of view can be ensured by making it possible to change the imaging direction of the imaging unit without reducing operability in observation and treatment with an endoscope.

  If the imaging unit has an imaging element and a lens facing the side surface direction of the endoscope, an imaging element having an imaging surface longer than the diameter can be used, and the diameter of the endoscope can be reduced. A wide field of view can be secured while planning.

  If the connecting portion is a wire, the connecting portion can be configured with a simpler configuration, and the diameter of the endoscope can be reduced.

  The first elongate portion is fixed to the imaging unit and has a bending rigidity lower than that of the second elongate portion, and is connected to the proximal end side of the flexible portion and from the flexible portion. If it has a rigid part with high bending rigidity, it is possible to change the imaging direction of the imaging part by the flexible part while maintaining the rigidity by the rigid part and maintaining the posture of the endoscope appropriately. it can.

  If the rigid portion is slidably connected to the second long portion, the rigid portion and the second long portion are connected while sliding when the second long portion is retracted. Therefore, only the flexible part can be efficiently deformed in the side surface direction.

  If the flexible part can move forward and backward relative to the rigid part, the flexible range of the flexible part can be freely changed, and the imaging direction and position can be adjusted according to the situation.

  If the imaging unit, the first long part, and the second long part have an extendable outer sheath part that covers at least part of the imaging part, the gap is not generated between the covering members, and the gap It is possible to prevent a phenomenon such as an object being caught between the two and improve safety.

  A state in which the imaging direction of the imaging unit is changed by having a fixing unit that maintains the state in which the second long unit is moved forward and backward relative to the first long unit. Can be maintained in a fixed manner, improving operability.

  The connecting portion has a wire extending to the proximal end side, and the second long portion is a cylindrical body through which the wire penetrates and can be moved forward and backward relative to the wire. For example, by changing the position of the second long portion with respect to the wire, it is possible to freely adjust the imaging direction and position of the imaging portion that is changed by retracting the second long portion.

  By providing a lumen that opens to the side surface of the flexible portion, a medical instrument or the like can be protruded from the side surface of the flexible portion that has been bent.

  If the flexible portion has a smaller outer diameter than the rigid portion, and the rigid portion has a lumen that opens to the distal end side, a medical instrument or the like is projected by the lumen provided in the rigid portion. Treatment can be performed.

It is a top view which shows the endoscope which concerns on this embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the front-end | tip part of the endoscope which concerns on this embodiment. It is sectional drawing which follows the 3-3 line of FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the base end part of the endoscope which concerns on this embodiment. It is a fragmentary top view which shows the operation lever of the endoscope which concerns on this embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the time of facing the imaging surface of the endoscope which concerns on this embodiment to the front. It is sectional drawing which shows the time of facing the imaging surface of the endoscope which concerns on this embodiment to the front. It is sectional drawing which shows the time of facing the imaging surface of the endoscope which concerns on this embodiment to the front. It is a top view which shows the other example of the endoscope which concerns on this embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the front-end | tip part of the further another example of the endoscope which concerns on this embodiment. It is sectional drawing which follows the 12-12 line of FIG.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the dimension ratio of drawing is exaggerated on account of description, and may differ from an actual ratio.

  An endoscope 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a device that is inserted into a body cavity and performs observation and treatment inside the body cavity. Examples of the object to be observed and treated by the endoscope 1 include the uterus, the ovary, and the fallopian tube, but may be other living tissues.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope 1 is provided with an imaging unit 10 for imaging, an insertion unit 20 extending from the imaging unit 10 to the proximal side, and a proximal side of the insertion unit 20. An operation unit 30 for operating the mirror 1 and a connector 50 for connecting to an external endoscope apparatus main body 40 are provided. In this specification, the proximal side of the endoscope 1 is referred to as a “proximal end side”, and the inserted side is referred to as a “distal end side”.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the imaging unit 10 includes a hollow case 11, an imaging element 12 installed inside the case 11, a light source 13 that irradiates light to the subject, and light from the subject to the imaging element 12. A condensing lens 14 for condensing light and a wiring 15 connecting the image sensor 12 and the connector 50 are provided.

  In the case 11, a light incident part 16 that transmits light from a subject to the condenser lens 14 is provided on a side surface, and the condenser lens 14 is disposed in the light incident part 16. Further, the case 11 is provided with a light emitting portion 17 that transmits light from the light source 13 and irradiates the subject on a side surface, and the light source 13 is disposed facing the light emitting portion 17.

  The image pickup device 12 is a two-dimensional image pickup device such as a CCD or a CMOS, and the image pickup surface 12A is installed in a side surface direction, that is, a direction intersecting with the extending direction of the endoscope 1.

  The light source 13 is an LED, which is disposed on the proximal end side of the image sensor 12 and can be illuminated by receiving power supplied from the wiring 15.

  The wiring 15 serves to supply power to the image sensor 12 and the light source 13 and to transmit an image signal acquired by the image sensor 12 to the endoscope apparatus body 40 (see FIG. 1).

  The insertion section 20 (first long section) includes a support tube 60 (first long section, flexible section) fixed to the case 11 of the imaging section 10 and an outer tube 70 (outside of the support tube 60). A first elongate portion, a rigid portion), a traction tube 80 (second elongate portion) that can pull the imaging unit 10, and a connection unit 90 that connects the traction tube 80 to the imaging unit 10. Yes.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the support tube 60 is fixed to the case 11 of the imaging unit 10, the wiring 15 is disposed in the lumen 61 formed inside, and slides with respect to the outer tube 70. It is possible to move forward and backward relatively. On the side surface in the vicinity of the distal end portion of the support tube 60, a lumen 61 is opened to form a distal end opening hole 62. The proximal end portion of the support tube 60 penetrates the operation portion 30 and reaches the proximal end side with respect to the operation portion 30, and the lumen 61 opens at the proximal end opening hole 63. By inserting a medical instrument into the tip opening hole 62, the medical instrument can be reached. The support tube 60 is formed of a flexible material having flexibility, for example, polyamide, polyester, polyamide elastomer, polyester elastomer, polyolefin (for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-propylene copolymer, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer). Polymers and their cross-linked or partially cross-linked products), resin materials such as thermoplastic resins such as polyvinyl chloride and polyurethane, but the materials are not limited as long as they can be bent.

  The outer tube 70 covers the outside of the support tube 60 and the traction tube 80. The proximal end portion of the outer tube 70 is fixedly connected to the operation portion 30, and the distal end portion is located on the proximal end side with respect to the support tube 60 and the traction tube 80. The outer tube 70 has higher bending rigidity than the support tube 60 and covers the support tube 60 to suppress the bending of the support tube 60. The support tube 60 is formed of, for example, a metal material such as stainless steel or a resin material, but the material is not limited.

  The pulling tube 80 is arranged inside the outer tube 70 along with the support tube 60, the distal end portion is connected to the case 11 via the connection portion 90, and the proximal end portion is connected to the operation portion 30. The distal end portion of the pulling tube 80 is substantially coincident with the center position of the image pickup surface 12A of the image pickup device 12, and is connected to the surface opposite to the image pickup direction of the case 11. The pulling tube 80 is formed to have higher bending rigidity than the support tube 60. The pulling tube 80 is formed of a metal material such as stainless steel or a resin material, for example, but the material is not limited.

  The connecting portion 90 includes a pulling wire 91 that penetrates the pulling tube 80 and a holding member 92 that is disposed on the surface opposite to the imaging direction inside the case 11 and to which the pulling wire 91 is connected.

  The pulling wire 91 can be bent, and the base end portion is connected to the operation unit 30. The pulling wire 91 is formed of, for example, a metal material such as stainless steel, a superelastic material such as nickel-titanium, or a resin material, but the material is not limited.

  The holding member 92 is a member for securely connecting the pulling wire 91 to the case 11, and is formed of, for example, a metal material such as stainless steel, a super elastic material such as nickel-titanium, or a resin material. Is not limited. A portion of the holding member 92 to which the pulling wire 91 is connected substantially coincides with the center position of the imaging surface 12A of the imaging element 12.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6, the operation unit 30 includes first to third operation levers that are fixed to the gripping case 31 held by the operator and the base ends of the support tube 60, the traction tube 80, and the traction wire 91. 32A, 32B, 32C (hereinafter, the first to third operation levers 32A, 32B, 32C may be collectively referred to as the operation lever 32). The first to third operation levers 32A, 32B, and 32C can move the support tube 60, the pulling tube 80, and the pulling wire 91 individually by moving forward and backward with respect to the gripping case 31, The case 31 is disposed through the lever through holes 33A, 33B, and 33C (hereinafter, the lever through holes 33A, 33B, and 33C may be collectively referred to as a lever through hole 33).

  As shown in FIG. 5, each of the lever through holes 33 is formed with a plurality of concave and convex portions 34 at regular intervals on the edge, and is provided on the operation lever 32 to be elastically deformable. The convex part 35 can be fitted. Accordingly, the convex portion 35 can be fitted to the concave and convex portion 34 to fix the operation lever 32 to the gripping case 31, and the convex portion 35 can be deformed by applying a force of a predetermined value or more to the operation lever 32. The operation lever 32 can be moved forward and backward by being separated from the uneven portion 34. As described above, the concavo-convex portion 34 and the convex portion 35 are fixed portions that hold each of the support tube 60, the outer tube 70, the traction tube 80, and the traction wire 91 in an arbitrary position where they are relatively advanced and retracted. 36 is configured. The configuration of the fixing portion 36 is not limited to this as long as it can be fixedly held at an arbitrary position.

  The gripping case 31 and the operation lever 32 are formed of a resin material such as a thermoplastic resin such as polycarbonate, polyamide, polysulfone, polyarylate, methacrylate-butylene-styrene copolymer, or a metal material, but the material is not limited.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope apparatus main body 40 supplies and controls power to the main body side connector 41 to which the connector 50 is connected, the image sensor 12 and the light source 13, and based on the image signal from the image sensor 12. A control unit 42 that generates an image and a monitor 43 that displays the generated image.

  Next, the operation of the endoscope 1 according to the first embodiment will be described.

  First, the connector 50 is connected to the main body side connector 41 of the endoscope apparatus main body 40, and the first operation lever 32 </ b> A is operated so that the distal end opening hole 62 of the support tube 60 is positioned on the distal end side with respect to the outer tube 70. The support tube 60 is disposed on the surface. Further, the second operation lever 32B is operated until the third operation lever 32C connected to the pulling wire 91 is operated so that the support tube 60 is straight without being bent, and the tip of the pulling tube 80 is in contact with the imaging unit 10. Operate to move forward. Thereby, the front-end | tip part of the endoscope 1 will be in the state shown in FIG.

  In this state, the endoscope 1 is inserted into the body cavity from the imaging unit 10 side. At this time, the imaging surface 12A of the imaging device 12 is installed in the side surface direction, that is, in the direction intersecting with the extending direction of the endoscope 1, and since the outer diameter of the endoscope 1 is small, it is less invasive. Can be inserted.

  Next, when the second operation lever 32B and the third operation lever 32C are simultaneously retracted, the traction tube 80 and the traction wire 91 are retracted as shown in FIG. Since the bending rigidity of the traction tube 80 is higher than that of the support tube 60, the traction tube 80 hardly bends, and a portion of the support tube 60 that is not covered by the outer tube 70 is bent in the lateral direction. And since the connection part 90 which connects the pulling tube 80 and the imaging part 10 can be bent, the case 11 inclines in response to the pulling force from the pulling tube 80 and the pulling wire 91 and the reaction force from the support tube 60. At this time, since the traction tube 80 and the traction wire 91 are connected to the surface opposite to the imaging direction of the case 11, the case 11 is inclined so that the imaging surface 12A faces the front direction, and a wide field of view is secured in the front direction. it can. And since the front-end | tip part of the pulling tube 80 substantially corresponds to the center position of 12 A of imaging surfaces of the image pick-up element 12, and is connected with the surface opposite to the image pick-up direction of the case 11, the axial center of the pulling tube 80 and an image pick-up element are connected. The centers of the 12 imaging surfaces 12A substantially coincide with each other. For this reason, the imaging location when the imaging surface 12A faces the front direction is located on the axial center of the pulling tube 80 that linearly extends from the operation unit 30, without reducing the operability of observation and treatment. A wide field of view can be secured. At this time, since each of the first to third operation levers 32A, 32B, and 32C can be fixed at an arbitrary position of the gripping case 31, the state in which the imaging surface 12A is directed in the front direction is fixedly maintained. be able to.

  Thereafter, the control unit 42 controls the light source 13 and the image sensor 12 to irradiate light from the light source 13 facing the front direction, and the image sensor 12 receives light from the subject via the condenser lens 14. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the image sensor 12 transmits an image signal acquired by receiving light to the control unit 42 via the wiring 15, and the control unit 42 generates an image signal as an image, and the monitor 43. To display.

  Then, if necessary, while observing the monitor 43, a medical instrument is inserted into the lumen 61 from the proximal end opening hole 63 of the support tube 60, and the medical instrument is projected from the distal end opening hole 62, Take action. Examples of the medical instrument include forceps and a puncture needle.

  After the observation and treatment in the body cavity are completed, the second operation lever 32B and the third operation lever 32C are moved forward and operated to loosen the traction by the traction tube 80 and the traction wire 91, and support as shown in FIG. It is assumed that the tube 60 extends straight. Thereafter, the thinned endoscope 1 is pulled out from the body cavity, and the procedure using the endoscope 1 is completed.

  In addition, since the endoscope 1 can advance / retreat each of the support tube 60, the outer tube 70, the traction tube 80, and the traction wire 91 independently, it can also be used as follows.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the case 11 can be pulled by the pulling wire 91 exposed to the tip side of the pulling tube 80 without causing the leading end of the pulling tube 80 to reach the case 11 of the imaging unit 10. By doing in this way, the imaging location when 12 A of imaging surfaces face the front direction can be shifted from the axial center of the traction tube 80 extended linearly from the operation part 30. FIG.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the outer tube 70 is further retracted to increase the length of the support tube 60 exposed to the distal end side of the outer tube 70, and the distal end portion of the traction tube 80 is connected to the case of the imaging unit 10. The case 11 can also be pulled by the pulling wire 91 exposed to the distal end side of the pulling tube 80 without reaching 11. By doing in this way, the length of the support tube 60 increases and it becomes easy to curve, and the imaging surface 12A can be directed to the opposite direction beyond the front direction.

  As described above, the endoscope 1 according to the present embodiment has the traction tube 80 (second long portion) having higher bending rigidity than the support tube 60 (first long portion) with respect to the support tube 60. Therefore, even if the imaging direction of the imaging unit 10 is changed, the imaging unit 10 is pulled with high bending rigidity. It can be held on the axis of the tube 80. Therefore, the imaging direction of the imaging unit 10 can be changed and a wide field of view can be secured without reducing the operability in observation and treatment with the endoscope 1.

  Further, since the imaging element 12 and the condenser lens 14 are arranged in the case 11 so as to face the side surface direction of the endoscope 1, the imaging element 12 having an imaging surface 12 </ b> A that is longer than the diameter of the endoscope 1. And a wide field of view can be secured while reducing the diameter of the endoscope 1.

  Moreover, since the connection part 90 has the pull wire 91 which is a wire, the connection part 90 can be comprised by a simpler structure, and the diameter reduction of the endoscope 1 can be achieved.

  In addition, since the outer tube 70 having higher bending rigidity than the support tube 60 is connected to the proximal end side of the support tube 60 to which the imaging unit 10 is fixed, the endoscope 1 is maintained with rigidity by the outer tube 70. The image capturing direction of the image capturing unit 10 can be changed by the support tube 60 while maintaining the proper posture.

  Further, since the outer tube 70 is slidably connected to the traction tube 80, even if the traction tube 80 is retracted, the connection is maintained while the outer tube 70 and the traction tube 80 are slid. Only 60 can be efficiently deformed so as to bend in the lateral direction.

  In addition, since the support tube 60 can move forward and backward relative to the outer tube 70, the range in which the support tube 60 bends can be freely changed, and the imaging direction and position can be adjusted according to the situation.

  In addition, since the traction tube 80 is provided with the fixing portion 36 that maintains the state in which the traction tube 80 is moved forward and backward relative to the support tube 60, the imaging direction of the imaging unit 10 is changed by bending the traction tube 80. Can be maintained in a fixed manner, improving operability.

  Further, since the traction tube 80 is a cylindrical body through which the traction wire 91 that is a wire rod is slidably penetrated, the imaging that is changed by moving the traction tube 80 backward by changing the position of the traction tube 80 with respect to the wire rod. The imaging direction and position of the unit 10 can be freely adjusted.

  In addition, since the distal end opening hole 62 of the lumen 61 is formed on the side surface of the traction tube 80, a medical instrument or the like can be projected from the side surface of the bent support tube 60 in the front direction. it can.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art within the technical idea of the present invention. For example, if the imaging unit 10 can be tilted so that the imaging surface 12 </ b> A faces the front direction by retracting the pulling tube 80 and the pulling wire 91, the connecting unit 90 is not necessarily the imaging direction of the imaging unit 10. It does not need to be connected to the opposite surface side.

  In addition, the traction tube 80 and the traction wire 91 can be independently operated, but may be configured to move integrally.

  In the present embodiment, the outer tube 70 is fixedly connected to the operation unit 30 and the support tube 60 is operated by the first operation lever 32A, so that the outer tube 70 and the support tube 60 are relatively moved forward and backward. However, the support tube 60 may be fixedly connected to the operation unit 30 and the outer tube 70 may be operated by the operation lever, or both may be operated by the operation lever.

  Further, as in another modification of the endoscope shown in FIG. 10, an extendable outer sheath portion 100 that covers at least a part of the imaging unit 10, the support tube 60, the outer tube 70, and the traction tube 80 may be provided. Good. The outer sheath part 100 can be formed of, for example, a silicone resin. By providing the outer sheath portion 100, a gap is not generated between the covering members, and a phenomenon such as an object being caught in the gap can be prevented, and safety can be improved.

  In addition, the support tube 160 may be fixed to the distal end of the outer tube 170 without extending to the operation unit as in another modification of the endoscope shown in FIGS. The support tube 160 is formed with a smaller diameter than the outer tube 170, and thus an end surface 171 is formed at the tip of the outer tube 170. The outer tube 170 has two inner tubes 172 and 173 into which medical instruments and the like can be inserted from the proximal end side, and the lumens of the inner tubes 172 and 173 are opened on the end surface 171 of the outer tube 170. Opening holes 174 and 175 are formed. Even with such a configuration, it is possible to change the imaging direction of the imaging unit 110 by bending the support tube 160, and to perform treatment by projecting a medical instrument or the like through the opening holes 174, 175 in the front direction.

  Moreover, the target into which the endoscope is inserted is not limited to a living body.

10,110 imaging unit,
12 image sensor,
12A imaging surface,
14 condenser lens,
20 insertion section (first long section),
30 operation unit,
36 fixing part,
60,160 support tube (first long part, flexible part),
61 lumens,
62 Tip opening hole,
63 proximal opening hole,
70,170 outer tube (rigid part),
80 tow tube (second elongated part),
90 connections,
91 Towing wire (wire),
100 outer sheath part,
174, 175 Open holes.

Claims (11)

An imaging unit provided at the tip;
A first elongated portion fixed to the imaging unit;
A second elongate portion that is movable relative to the first elongate portion and has higher bending rigidity than the first elongate portion;
A connection part that connects the second elongated part and the imaging part so as to be bendable, and
An endoscope capable of changing the imaging direction of the imaging unit by bending the first long unit by retracting the second long unit relative to the first long unit.   The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the imaging unit includes an imaging element and a lens facing in a lateral direction of the endoscope.   The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the connection portion is a wire.   The first elongate portion is fixed to the imaging unit and has a lower bending rigidity than the second elongate portion, and is connected to the proximal end side of the flexible portion and from the flexible portion. The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a rigid portion having high bending rigidity.   The endoscope according to claim 4, wherein the rigid portion is slidably connected to the second long portion.   The endoscope according to claim 4, wherein the flexible portion is capable of moving forward and backward relative to the rigid portion.   The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising an extendable outer sheath part that covers at least a part of the imaging unit, the first long part, and the second long part.   The inside of any one of Claims 1-7 which has a fixing | fixed part which maintains the state which made the said 2nd elongate part move forward / backward relatively with respect to the said 1st elongate part fixedly. Endoscope.   2. The connection portion includes a wire extending toward a base end side, and the second long portion is a cylindrical body through which the wire penetrates and is capable of moving forward and backward relative to the wire. The endoscope according to any one of -8.   The endoscope according to any one of claims 4 to 6, further comprising a lumen that opens to a side surface of the flexible portion.   The endoscope according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the flexible portion has an outer diameter smaller than that of the rigid portion, and the rigid portion has a lumen that opens to a distal end side.