JP2015100560A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope including a sensor for detecting a rotation quantity and having an insertion part rotatable around a longitudinal axis relative to an operation part, the endoscope being capable of preventing an index, etc. detected by the sensor from coming into contact with a built-in component and wearing out, thereby always detecting the rotation quantity of the insertion part accurately.SOLUTION: An endoscope 2 comprises: a long flexible tube part 23 having a longitudinal axis; a long built-in component 40 arranged within the flexible tube part 23; an operation part 6 connected to the proximal end part of the flexible tube part 23 such that the flexible tube part 23 is rotatable around the longitudinal axis; a scale 42 provided at a position corresponding to the rotation angle of the flexible tube part 23; a rotation quantity detection unit 13 for detecting the scale 42; and a cover member 43 for covering at least a part of the scale 42 so as to prevent the built-in component 40 from coming into contact.

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope, and more particularly to an endoscope in which an insertion portion can rotate around a longitudinal axis with respect to an operation portion.

Conventionally, endoscopes have been widely used in the medical field and the industrial field. In recent years, an endoscope in which an insertion portion rotates with respect to an operation portion has been proposed.
For example, an endoscope in which the insertion portion can rotate is provided with, for example, an insertion portion rotation dial on the proximal side of the insertion portion, and by rotating the insertion portion rotation dial, the insertion portion is moved relative to the operation portion. And can be rotated around the longitudinal axis. The surgeon can insert the insertion portion of the endoscope into the subject and observe the affected area while rotating the insertion portion rotating dial as necessary. Confirmation of the rotation angle of the insertion portion at this time is performed by visually observing the insertion portion rotation dial.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-254002 discloses an endoscope in which an insertion portion rotating portion is provided at a proximal end portion of the insertion portion. By rotating the operation ring of the insertion portion rotation portion, the operator can rotate the insertion portion around the axis of the insertion portion by a desired amount.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-301226 discloses an endoscope apparatus that includes an endoscope holding unit that supports an insertion unit so as to be rotatable about a longitudinal axis, and a detection mechanism that detects a rotation amount of the insertion unit. Has been. The detection mechanism detects light transmitted through the slit in order to detect the amount of rotation of the insertion portion.

JP 2005-254002 A JP 2007-301226 A

  However, in the case of an endoscope apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-301226, a detection mechanism must be provided so as to cover the outer periphery of the insertion part in the middle of the insertion part, and the entire apparatus is increased in size. There's a problem.

It is also conceivable to provide a detection mechanism that detects the amount of rotation of the insertion portion in the endoscope without providing a detection mechanism that covers the outer periphery of the insertion portion.
However, various internal objects are inserted into the endoscope. When the insertion portion is bent along the shape of the lumen of the subject or the bending portion provided at the distal end portion of the insertion portion is bent by a bending operation, various built-in objects are placed in the endoscope. There is a risk that it will be moved by and hit an index for detecting rotation, or it may interfere with rotation detection.

For example, when the surface of a built-in object such as a bending wire is rubbed strongly against an index for detecting the amount of rotation, the printed index is worn, worn, deformed, or the like.
If an index or the like for detecting the rotation amount is worn, an error may occur in detection of the rotation amount. Further, when the built-in object moves, it may enter the rotation amount detection mechanism, and the rotation amount may not be detected temporarily.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a sensor for detecting the amount of rotation in an endoscope, and an endoscope in which an insertion portion can rotate about a longitudinal axis with respect to an operation portion, and an index detected by the sensor is built-in. It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope capable of always accurately detecting the amount of rotation of an insertion portion while preventing contact and wear.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, a long flexible tube portion having a longitudinal axis, a long built-in object disposed in the flexible tube portion, and the flexible tube portion around the longitudinal axis An operation unit that is rotatably connected to a proximal end portion of the flexible tube unit, a position indicating unit provided at a position corresponding to a rotation angle of the flexible tube unit, and a detection that detects the position indicating unit It is possible to provide an endoscope including a portion and a cover portion that covers at least a part of the position indicating portion so that the built-in object does not come into contact therewith.

  According to the present invention, in the endoscope in which the sensor for detecting the rotation amount is provided in the endoscope and the insertion portion can rotate around the longitudinal axis with respect to the operation portion, the index detected by the sensor is a built-in object. Thus, it is possible to provide an endoscope that can always detect the amount of rotation of the insertion portion accurately by preventing contact and wear.

1 is a block configuration diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the endoscope 2 in connection with 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing along the axial direction of the connection part of the operation part 6 and the insertion part 5 in connection with 1st Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the principle which detects the rotation amount of the rotation amount detection part 13 in connection with 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing along the axial direction of the connection part of the operation part 6 and the insertion part 5 in connection with 2nd Embodiment. 6 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a distal end portion of a biopsy forceps inserted from a treatment instrument insertion port 29. FIG.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
In each drawing used for the following description, the scale is different for each component in order to make each component large enough to be recognized on the drawing. It is not limited only to the quantity of the component described in the figure, the shape of the component, the ratio of the size of the component, and the relative positional relationship of each component.
(First embodiment)
(Configuration of endoscope system)
FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The endoscope apparatus 1 is an electronic endoscope system, and includes an electronic endoscope (hereinafter simply referred to as an endoscope) 2, a video processor 3, and a display unit 4. FIG. 1 mainly shows a configuration relating to a function of detecting the rotation amount of the insertion portion.

  The endoscope 2 includes an operation unit 6 on the hand side that is held and operated by an operator, and an elongated insertion unit 5 that extends from the operation unit 6 to the distal end side. Here, the endoscope 2 is a bronchial endoscope.

The insertion portion 5 is configured to be rotatable around a central axis O (a longitudinal axis of the insertion portion 5; see FIG. 3 and the like) with respect to the operation portion 6. The insertion unit 5 includes an optical system 11 including an objective lens and the like, and an imaging element 12 that photoelectrically converts an optical image of a subject imaged by the optical system 11 to generate an electronic image. I have.
The operation unit 6 is provided with a rotation amount detection unit 13 that detects the rotation amount of the insertion unit 5.

The video processor 3 processes an image captured by the image sensor 12. The video processor 3 includes a rotation angle calculation unit 14 that calculates a rotation angle value corresponding to the rotation angle of the insertion unit 5 based on the rotation amount detected by the rotation amount detection unit 13 described above.
Note that the rotation angle calculation unit 14 may be provided in the operation unit 6 instead of being provided in the video processor 3.

The display unit 4 includes, for example, a monitor, displays an endoscopic image of the subject processed by the video processor 3, and operates based on the rotation angle value calculated by the rotation angle calculation unit 14. The rotation angle of the insertion part 5 with respect to the part 6 is displayed.
(Endoscope configuration)
Next, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of the endoscope 2.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the insertion portion 5 described above has, in order from the distal end side, a distal end rigid portion 21, a curved portion 22 that can be bent in one direction and two opposite directions, and a longitudinal axis. A long and flexible flexible tube portion 23 and a taper-shaped folding preventing portion 24 are provided. The optical system 11 and the image sensor 12 described above are disposed in the distal end rigid portion 21 among them. The operation unit 6 is connected to the proximal end portion of the flexible tube portion 23, and the flexible tube portion 23 can rotate around the longitudinal axis of the insertion portion 5. In order to prevent bending of the insertion portion 5 with respect to the operation portion 6, a bend preventing portion 24 is provided at the proximal end portion of the insertion portion 5.

  An insertion portion rotating dial 25 having an annular shape and having a knurling formed on the outer peripheral surface is provided at a connection portion with the operation portion 6 on the proximal end side of the insertion portion 5. The insertion portion rotation dial 25 is configured to rotate integrally with the insertion portion 5. Therefore, when the surgeon rotates the insertion portion rotating dial 25, the insertion portion 5 is rotated with respect to the operation portion 6. Therefore, the surgeon can bend the distal rigid portion 21 in a desired direction in the subject by bending the bending portion 22 after adjusting the insertion portion 5 to a desired rotation angle. Yes.

  A knob convex portion 25a projects from the circumferential portion of the insertion portion rotating dial 25 in the outer diameter direction. The knob convex portion 25 a is aligned with the UP curve index 26 a protruding from a predetermined position in the circumferential direction of the index ring 26 on the distal end side of the insertion section 5, so that the insertion section 5 is neutral with respect to the operation section 6. It is an index for positioning at a position. The neutral position is a position at which the bending operation direction of the bending lever 28 serving as the bending operation unit matches the bending direction of the bending unit 22. In addition, you may provide the separate parameter | index (for example, scale etc.) for aligning more correctly in the knob convex part 25a and the UP curve parameter | index 26a.

  The operation unit 6 is provided with a gripping unit 27 for an operator to grip, and for example, a rotationally operated bending lever 28 that can be bent by a hand such as a thumb holding the gripping unit 27. The bending lever 28 is for bending the bending portion 22 by performing a bending operation by rotation.

A universal cable 7 extends from the base end of the operation unit 6 and is connected to the video processor 3 and a light source device (not shown).
Furthermore, a treatment instrument insertion port 29 is provided in the grip portion 27 of the operation unit 6. The surgeon can insert a treatment tool such as forceps from the treatment tool insertion port 29 into a treatment tool insertion channel (not shown) in the insertion portion 5 and project the forceps and the like from the distal end of the distal end rigid portion 21. it can.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along the axial direction of the connecting portion between the operation unit 6 and the insertion unit 5.
A cylindrical insertion portion base 31 is disposed at the proximal end portion of the flexible tube portion 23 of the insertion portion 5 so as to protrude toward the proximal end side in the central axis O direction. An insertion portion housing 32 is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the insertion portion base 31. The insertion portion rotating dial 25 described above is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the insertion portion housing 32. The above-described folding preventing portion 24 is disposed on the distal end side of the insertion portion rotating dial 25.

On the other hand, a cylindrical operation portion base 33 is disposed at the distal end portion inside the operation portion 6 so as to protrude toward the distal end side in the central axis O direction. The base end portion of the insertion portion base 31 described above is fitted into the cylindrical inside of the distal end portion of the operation portion base 33 so as to be rotatable around the central axis O.
An operation unit exterior 36 is disposed on the outer periphery of the operation unit base 33 on the proximal end side.

  Further, a first annular member 34 is disposed to be pressed against the operation portion exterior 36 on the middle outer periphery of the operation portion base 33 in the center axis O direction. The base end portion of the second annular member 35 is fixed to the outer peripheral side of the first annular member 34, and the above-described indicator ring 26 is attached to the first annular member 34 via the second annular member 35. Inserted and fixed.

  The endoscope interior 38 in which various signal cables, bending wires, light guides, forceps channels, and the like are disposed also uses a plurality of O-rings or the like at the connection portion between the operation unit 6 and the insertion unit 5. Therefore, it is configured to be watertight from the outside.

When the surgeon rotates the insertion portion rotating dial 25 with respect to the index ring 26, the insertion portion base 31, the insertion portion housing 32, the folding prevention portion 24, and the flexible tube portion 23 together with the insertion portion rotation dial 25 are inserted into the insertion portion. Rotate together around 5 axes. When the insertion portion rotating dial 25 is rotated with respect to the operation portion 6, the operation portion base 33, the first annular member 34, the second annular member 35, and the index ring 26 do not rotate.
(Configuration of rotation amount detector)
An annular index member 41 is fixed to the proximal end portion of the insertion portion base 31. A predetermined scale 42 is provided on the surface 41a of the index member 41 (FIG. 4). The scale 42 constitutes a position indicating unit provided at a position corresponding to the rotation angle of the flexible tube unit 23.

  A rotation amount detection unit 13 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the operation unit base 33. A cable 13 a extends from the rotation amount detection unit 13. The rotation amount detection unit 13 includes a light emitting unit 13b and a light receiving unit 13c (FIG. 4). The rotation amount detection unit 13 is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the operation unit base 33 so that the spot light emitted from the light emitting unit 13b is reflected by the index member 41 and the light receiving unit 13c receives the reflected light of the spot light. .

  The index member 41 is fixed to the insertion portion base 31, and the rotation amount detection unit 13 is fixed to the operation portion base 33. Therefore, when the insertion portion rotation dial 25 is rotated, the index member 41 rotates together with the insertion portion rotation dial 25 according to the rotation. However, the rotation amount detection unit 13 is rotated according to the rotation of the insertion portion rotation dial 25. Do not rotate together.

  For example, the insertion portion 5 can be rotated 120 degrees in the left-right direction from the position where the knob convex portion 25a is aligned with the position of the UP curve index 26a. That is, the insertion portion 5 can be rotated 120 degrees in a predetermined positive direction and can be rotated 120 degrees in a direction opposite to the positive direction. In other words, the insertion portion 5 is rotatable with respect to the operation portion 6 within a range of 240 degrees around the longitudinal axis of the insertion portion 5.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the principle of detecting the rotation amount of the rotation amount detection unit 13.
The rotation amount detection unit 13 includes a light emitting unit 13b that emits spot light (for example, laser light) L1, and a light receiving unit 13c that receives reflected light L2 of the spot light. The light emitting unit 13b and the light receiving unit 13c are provided on a substrate (not shown). The cable 13a extending from the substrate includes a cable 13a1 that supplies power to the light emitting unit 13b and a signal line 13a2 that outputs a detection signal from the light receiving unit 13c. The light receiving unit 13c is a non-contact sensor that detects the scale 42 in a non-contact manner. That is, the rotation amount detection unit 13 is a detection unit including a sensor that detects the scale 42 that is a position instruction unit.

  On the surface 41a of the index member 41 on the rotation amount detection unit 13 side, a scale 42 serving as an index indicating the rotation amount is provided by printing or the like. The scale 42 is a plurality of lines, marks, and the like provided by printing or the like on the surface 41a. The plurality of lines is a position indicating unit provided at a position corresponding to the rotation angle of the flexible tube unit 23. is there.

  The back surface of the index member 41 is fixed to the base end surface of the base end portion of the insertion portion base 31 by an adhesive or the like. The index member 41 rotates around the central axis O as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 4 according to the rotation of the insertion portion 5.

The scale 42 provided on the surface 41 a of the index member 41 is rotated in one direction around the central axis O and the amount of rotation thereof, and rotated in the direction opposite to the one around the rotation axis of the insertion portion 5 and its rotation. The rotation amount detection unit 13 can detect the amount.
For example, the scale 42 is a scale composed of an outer peripheral side mark group A and an inner peripheral side mark group B provided on the surface 41a of the index member 41 at equal intervals along the circumferential direction and in a circular shape. A plurality of marks of the two mark groups are arranged on the surface 41a so that each mark A in the mark group makes a pair with one mark B of the inner peripheral mark group. The pair of marks A and B correspond in the radial direction and are arranged so as to be shifted from each other by a predetermined amount in the circumferential direction.
The light receiving unit 13c has two light receivers, one of which receives reflected light from the outer peripheral side mark group A and the other receives reflected light from the inner peripheral side mark group B. The phase shift between the two detection signals from the two light receivers differs depending on the rotation direction of the indicator member 41. For example, when the index member 41 rotates in one direction around the central axis O, the light receiving unit 13c receives light for detecting the mark A after the mark B, and rotates in the direction opposite to the one direction. The light receiving unit 13c detects the mark B after the mark A. That is, the scale 42 is an index such that when the rotation direction of the index member 41 is reversed, the phases of the two detection signals are also reversed.

  Therefore, the rotation amount detection unit 13 generates a detection signal corresponding to the rotation direction and the amount (rotation amount) of the insertion unit 5 and outputs the detection signal to the signal line 13a2. The detection signal of the rotation amount detection unit 13 is supplied from the operation unit 6 to the rotation angle calculation unit 14 of the video processor 3 through the signal line 13a2.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the cylindrical cover member 43 is provided in the insertion portion base 31 so as to cover the index member 41. Specifically, the cover member 43 is bonded with an adhesive or the like so that the distal end portion of the cover member 43 is fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the opening portion on the proximal end side of the cylindrical insertion portion base 31. 43 is fixed to the insertion portion base 31.

  The cover member 43 is a resin or metal cylindrical member. Furthermore, the cover member 43 is a light shielding member having a light shielding property that does not transmit light. The cover member 43 has a length that covers not only the index member 41 but also the rotation amount detection unit 13.

  In addition, the inner edge portions 43a and 43b of the openings at both ends of the cylindrical cover member 43 have a rounded curved shape without corners. That is, in the cross section along the axial direction of the cover member 43, the inner edge 43 a of the proximal end side opening of the cover member 43 and the inner edge 43 b of the distal end side opening of the cover member 43 are in an annular curved shape. have.

The inner edge portions 43a and 43b are not curved, and are tapered so that the inner edge portions 43a and 43b of the openings at both ends of the cover member 43 do not form a right angle in the cross section along the axial direction of the cover member 43. You may make it have a shape.
(Function)
Inside the flexible tube portion 23 and the operation portion 6, long built-in objects 40 (indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 3) such as various signal cables, bending wires, light guides, and forceps channels are arranged. Yes. As shown in FIG. 3, the built-in object 40 extends from the flexible tube portion 23 into the operation portion 6 and is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the cover member 43.

  Since the bending portion 22 can only bend in two directions, the operator inserts the insertion portion 5 into the subject, here the bronchus, and rotates the bending portion 22 and the insertion portion rotating dial 25. By performing the rotation operation around the axis of the insertion portion 5 by doing so, the insertion operation into the bronchus and the observation of a desired site can be performed.

  As described above, since various kinds of built-in objects 40 such as various signal cables, bending wires, light guides, forceps channels, and the like are arranged inside the insertion portion 5 and the operation portion 6, the bending operation of the bending portion 22 is performed. The built-in object 40 moves forward or backward along the axial direction of the insertion portion 5 or moves in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction inside the insertion portion 5 and the operation portion 6 during rotation operation around the axis of the insertion portion 5. Or bump and rub against various other parts.

  However, since the cover member 43 is provided in the endoscope interior 38 so as to cover the surface 41a of the index member 41, the built-in object 40 does not directly hit the surface 41a or rub the surface 41a. That is, a part of the scale 42 provided on the surface 41a of the index member 41 is not worn by the cover member 43, and the shape is not unclear or worn. Further, a part of the built-in object 40 does not enter between the rotation amount detection unit 13 and the index member 41, and the rotation amount cannot be detected. As a result, it is possible to prevent a decrease in detection accuracy of the rotation amount detection unit 13.

Furthermore, since the cover member 43 has a light shielding property, the rotation amount detection unit 13 is not affected by light leaking from the light guide.
Furthermore, the inner edge portions 43a and 43b of the insertion portion side opening of the cover member 43 have a curved shape that is not a right angle, so that when the built-in object 40 hits the cover member 43, the cover member 43 The built-in object 40 is not damaged.

As described above, according to the embodiment described above, in the endoscope in which the sensor for detecting the rotation amount is provided in the endoscope, and the insertion portion can rotate around the longitudinal axis with respect to the operation portion, the sensor It is possible to provide an endoscope that can prevent an index detected by the wearer from coming into contact with a built-in object and wear and can always accurately detect the amount of rotation of the insertion portion.
(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the cover member 43 is fixed to the insertion portion base 31 of the insertion portion 5, but in this embodiment, the cover member is fixed to the operation portion base 33.

  Since the endoscope system according to the present embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the endoscope system according to the first embodiment, the same configuration as that of the first embodiment among the components of the present embodiment. The elements are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted, and a configuration different from the first embodiment will be described in the present embodiment. The endoscope system according to the second embodiment has the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the detection principle of the rotation amount is the same as that shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along the axial direction of a connection portion between the operation unit 6 and the insertion unit 5 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 5, the cover member 51 is a cylindrical member having an outward flange 52 on the base end side (that is, the operation unit 6 side). Similar to the cover member 43 described above, the cover member 51 is made of a resin or metal having a light blocking property that does not transmit light.

  The rotation amount detection unit 13 and the index member 41 are arranged in a space formed by the outer peripheral surface of the cover member 51 having the outward flange 52, the proximal end surface of the insertion portion base 31, and the inner peripheral surface of the operation portion base 33. Further, the cover member 51 is fixed to the operation portion base 33.

  In addition, the inner edge portions 51 a and 51 b of the openings at both ends of the cylindrical cover member 51 also have a rounded curved shape with no corners, similar to the cover member 43 described above. That is, in the cross section along the axial direction of the cover member 51, the inner edge portion 51a of the proximal end side opening portion of the cover member 51 and the inner edge portion 51b of the distal end side opening portion of the cover member 51 have curved shapes that are not perpendicular. Have.

  The inner edge portions 51a and 51b are not curved, and the inner edge portions 51a and 51b of the openings at both ends of the cover member 51 are not perpendicular to each other in a cross section along the axial direction of the cover member 51. You may make it have a taper shape.

  The cover member 51 is fixed to the operation portion base 33 by bonding the outer peripheral surface of the outward flange 52 and the inner peripheral surface of the operation portion base 33 with an adhesive or the like. The distal end side of the cover member 51 (that is, the insertion portion 5 side) has a length that goes into the insertion portion base 31 so as to cover the index member 41.

  When the insertion portion rotation dial 25 rotates, the index member 41 rotates together with the rotation of the insertion portion rotation dial 25. However, the cover member 51 is fixed to the operation portion base 33 but is not fixed to the insertion portion base 31. Therefore, the rotation amount detection unit 13 and the cover member 51 are rotated by the insertion portion rotation dial 25. Does not rotate together.

  That is, the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the cover member 51 and the inner peripheral surface of the proximal end portion of the insertion portion base 31 are in contact with the cover member 51 so that the insertion portion base 31 can rotate, or A slight gap is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the cover member 51 and the inner peripheral surface of the proximal end portion of the insertion portion base 31.

  According to the configuration shown in FIG. 5, the cover member 51 covers the surface 41a of the index member 41 and the built-in object 40 does not directly hit the surface 41a or rub against the surface 41a. Is provided. That is, a part of the scale 42 provided on the surface 41a of the index member 41 is not worn by the cover member 51, and the shape is not unclear or worn. Further, a part of the built-in object 40 does not enter between the rotation amount detection unit 13 and the index member 41, and the rotation amount cannot be detected. As a result, it is possible to prevent a decrease in detection accuracy of the rotation amount detection unit 13.

  Further, in the case of the present embodiment, dust such as a member piece of the built-in object 40 peeled off from the built-in object 40 generated inside the endoscope 38 adheres to the rotation amount detection unit 13 and the surface 41a of the index member 41. The cover member 51 covers the rotation amount detection unit 13 and the index member 41 so as not to occur. Therefore, the occurrence of an error in the rotation amount detection value due to dust or the like inside the endoscope 38 is prevented.

Furthermore, since the cover member 51 has light shielding properties, the rotation amount detection unit 13 is not affected by light leaking from the light guide.
Furthermore, since the inner edge portions 51a and 51b of the insertion portion side opening of the cover member 51 have a curved shape that is not perpendicular, when the built-in object 40 hits the cover member 51, the cover member 51 is The built-in object 40 is not damaged.

  In the above-described example, the cover member 51 and the rotation amount detection unit 13 are separately attached. However, the cover member 51 and the rotation amount detection unit 13 are integrally fixed to the operation unit base 33. May be.

  As described above, according to the two embodiments described above, in the endoscope in which the sensor for detecting the rotation amount is provided in the endoscope and the insertion portion can rotate around the longitudinal axis with respect to the operation portion. In addition, it is possible to provide an endoscope which can always detect the rotation amount of the insertion portion accurately by preventing the index detected by the sensor from being in contact with the built-in object and being worn.

In the two embodiments described above, the cover members 43 and 51 are formed or provided so as to cover the entire scale 42 of the index member 41, but the cover members 43 and 51 are provided on the index member 41. It may be formed or provided so as to cover at least a part of the indicator member 41. By providing the cover members 43 and 51 so as to cover at least a part of the scale 42 which is the index position portion, an effect equivalent to the above-described effect can be obtained.
Furthermore, the positional relationship between the index member 41 and the rotation amount detection unit 13 may be reversed with respect to the configuration described above. That is, the index member 41 may be fixed to the operation unit base 33, and the rotation amount detection unit 13 may be fixed to the insertion unit base 31. Also in this case, an effect equivalent to the effect described above can be obtained.

  In the above-described example, the light receiving unit 13c that is a sensor of the rotation amount detection unit 13 is a non-contact type sensor that detects the scale 42 that is an index position unit in a non-contact manner, but may be a contact type sensor. For example, a resistance pattern printed according to the rotation angle of the flexible tube portion 23 is provided on the surface 41a of the index member 41, and the resistance pattern constitutes a position indicating portion. The contact-type sensor has a contact piece that contacts the resistance pattern, and detects the resistance value of the resistance pattern. In that case, the sensor outputs a detection signal corresponding to a resistance value corresponding to the rotation amount of the flexible tube portion 23. That is, the sensor of the rotation amount detection unit 13 may be a contact type sensor that detects the position instruction unit.

Furthermore, the sensor may be a non-contact type using other than light, or may be a contact type that detects a physical quantity other than a resistance value by a contact type.
3 and 5, only the inner edge portions 43a and 51a may have a round shape or a tapered shape. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the inner edge portions 43 b and 51 b on the proximal end side have a small inner diameter on the inner peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the insertion portion base 31. This is because it is difficult to hit 43b and 51b.

Next, the biopsy forceps inserted from the treatment instrument insertion port 29 of the endoscope 2 will be described. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the distal end portion of the biopsy forceps inserted from the treatment instrument insertion port 29.
The biopsy forceps 60 has two cup-shaped members 62 at the distal end portion of a long and narrow insertion portion 61 that is inserted into the treatment instrument insertion channel of the endoscope 2. Each cup-shaped member 62 has a cup portion 62a on the distal end side and a wire locking portion 62b for locking the operation wire 63 on the proximal end side.

  A hole through which the shaft member 64 is passed is formed at the center of each cup-shaped member 62, and the shaft member 64 is fixed to a distal end support portion 66 provided at the distal end portion of the insertion portion 61 of the biopsy forceps 60. ing. Specifically, the shaft member 64 is fixed to the distal end support portion 66 so as to penetrate through the center portion of the two cup-shaped members 62 disposed in the slit portion formed in the distal end support portion 66.

  The two cup-shaped members 62 can be rotated around the axis of the shaft member 64. The operation wire 63 is connected to a handle portion (not shown) of the biopsy forceps 60 and advances and retreats along the axial direction of the insertion portion 61 in accordance with an operation on the handle portion. Therefore, the two cup-shaped members 62 can be opened and closed by operating the handle portion by the surgeon.

The two cup parts 62a can store a living tissue in an internal space formed when the two cup-shaped members 62 are closed.
And the opening part 67 is formed in the center part of each cup part 62a. A thin film-like elastic member 68 such as silicone is adhered or welded to the opening 67 so as to close the opening 67 so as to close the opening 67. The elastic member 68 is a film-like, elastic material that is easily deformed.

  The biological tissue collected by biopsy is stored in the internal space formed when the two cup-shaped members 62 are closed, but when the two cup-shaped members 62a are closed, the inner wall surface of the cup portion 62a. As a result, the living tissue may be pressed and crushed.

  However, according to the biopsy forceps 60 shown in FIG. 6, since the elastic member 68 extends, the elastic member 68 becomes a refuge for the pressed biological tissue and the two cup-shaped members 62 are closed. The living tissue will not collapse.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope apparatus, 2 Endoscope, 3 Video processor, 4 Display part, 5 Insertion part, 6 Operation part, 7 Universal cable, 11 Optical system, 12 Image sensor, 13 Rotation amount detection part, 13a cable, 13a1 cable , 13a2 Signal line, 13b Light emitting portion, 13c Light receiving portion, 14 Rotation angle calculation portion, 21 Tip rigid portion, 22 Bending portion, 23 Flexible tube portion, 24 Anti-bending portion, 25 Insertion portion rotating dial, 25a Convex portion, 26 Index ring, 26a UP curve index, 27 gripping part, 28 curve lever, 29 treatment instrument insertion port, 31 insertion unit base, 32 insertion unit housing, 33 operation unit base, 34 annular member, 35 annular member, 36 operation unit exterior, 38 Endoscope, 40 Built-in object, 41 Index member, 41a Surface, 43 Cover member, 43a Inner edge, 43b Inner edge 51 cover member, 51a inner edge, 51b inner edge, 52 outward flange, 60 biopsy forceps, 61 insertion part, 62 cup-shaped member, 62a cup part, 62b wire locking part, 63 operation wire, 64 shaft member , 66 Tip support, 67 Opening, 68 Elastic member.

Claims (11)

A long flexible tube having a longitudinal axis;
A long built-in object disposed in the flexible tube portion;
An operation unit coupled to a proximal end of the flexible tube unit so that the flexible tube unit is rotatable about the longitudinal axis;
A position indicating section provided at a position corresponding to the rotation angle of the flexible tube section;
A detecting unit for detecting the position indicating unit;
A cover portion covering at least a part of the position indicating portion so that the built-in object does not contact;
An endoscope characterized by comprising:   The built-in object is provided to extend from the flexible tube portion to the operation portion and to be disposed on an inner peripheral side of the range of the cover portion. The endoscope described.   The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the cover portion is a cylindrical member. A first base provided in the flexible tube portion;
A second base provided in the operation portion and engaged with the first base;
Have
The position indicating unit is provided on the first base,
The detection unit is provided in the second base,
The endoscope according to claim 3, wherein the cover portion is provided in the first base.   The endoscope according to claim 3, wherein the cover portion has an outward flange at one end of the cylindrical member. A first base provided in the flexible tube portion;
A second base provided in the operation portion and engaged with the first base;
Have
The position indicating unit is provided on the first base,
The detection unit is provided in the second base,
The endoscope according to claim 5, wherein the cover portion is provided in the second base.   The internal position according to claim 6, wherein the position instruction unit and the detection unit are disposed in a space formed by the outward flange, the first base, and the second base. mirror.   The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the cover member is a light shielding member that does not transmit light.   The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the detection unit is a sensor that detects the position instruction unit in a non-contact type or a contact type.   The said position instruction | indication part is the parameter | index provided in the position according to the rotation angle of the said flexible tube part, when the said detection part is the said non-contact-type sensor, The Claim 9 characterized by the above-mentioned. Endoscope.   The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a bending portion that is provided on a distal end side of the flexible tube portion and can be bent.

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