JP2015144625A - Operation part for intra-hole introduction device, and intra-hole introduction device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operation part for an intra-hole introduction device in which, even if a user performs work to push a pressing part while gripping a gripper, a need for firmly gripping the gripper is reduced, it is hard to apply a load to the gripped hand and is hard to make a user get tired, and to provide the intra-hole introduction device.SOLUTION: An operation part for an intra-hole introduction device includes: a cylindrical gripper with an insertion part connected thereto, having first to four surfaces, and defined in the longitudinal axis; and a switching part with a pressing unit having a pressing part provided in the third surface among the outside of the gripper, and biased to a pressing release position and having a pressing direction axis defined in a state of an acute angle in the circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical gripper to a first normal of the first surface.

Description

  The present invention relates to an operating portion for an in-hole introduction device and an in-hole introduction device for introducing an insertion portion into the hole.

  For example, a pressing unit for fluid control such as an air supply / water supply button or a suction button is provided on a grip portion of an operation portion of an intrabore introducing device such as an endoscope disclosed in Patent Document 1, and the insertion portion is curved. It is arrange | positioned in the direction orthogonal to the rotating shaft of the knob for curving a part. The pressing portion of the pressing unit of the in-hole introducing device has a pressing direction axis in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the knob, and is pressed against a spring biasing force such as a coil spring.

  For example, in the grip part of the operation part of the intra-hole introducing device such as an endoscope disclosed in Patent Document 2, the fluid control pressing unit is located away from the knob for bending the bending part of the insertion part. And the pressing direction axis of the pressing portion of the pressing unit is inclined with respect to the direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the knob.

JP-A-7-108036 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-84301

  The in-hole introduction device disclosed in Patent Document 1 firmly grips the gripping portion when pressing the pressing portion along the pressing direction axis in order to suppress the reaction force due to the urging force against the pressing operation of the pressing portion. There is a need to. For this reason, when the user of the in-hole introduction device repeatedly pushes the pressing portion, it is difficult to prevent a load on the gripped hand (particularly the thumb).

  When pressing the pressing portion of the in-hole introduction device disclosed in Patent Document 2, the grip portion of the operation portion rotates counterclockwise as viewed from above the in-hole introduction device operation portion, that is, the grip portion is a hand. Force is applied in the direction away from. When operating the pressing portion disclosed in Patent Document 2, in order to counter the force in the direction in which the gripping portion separates from the hand, the gripping portion is more firmly secured than when operating the pressing portion disclosed in Patent Document 1. Need to grip.

  Even if the user pushes the pressing part while gripping the grip part, the need for firmly gripping the grip part is reduced, it is difficult to apply a load to the gripped hand, and the user is not fatigued. An operation part and an in-hole introduction device are desired.

  The present invention reduces the necessity of firmly gripping the gripping part even when the user performs the operation of pushing the pressing part while gripping the gripping part, makes it difficult to put a load on the gripped hand and does not fatigue the user. It is an object of the present invention to provide an operation portion for an inner introduction device and an in-hole introduction device.

  An operation portion for an in-hole introduction device according to one aspect of the present invention has an insertion portion connected thereto, a longitudinal axis is defined by the insertion portion, and a first normal line substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and substantially opposite to each other. Defining a first imaginary line that crosses the first and second surfaces and a second normal line that is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and substantially orthogonal to the first imaginary line and substantially opposite to each other. Defines a second imaginary line crossing the third and fourth surfaces, and forms a gripping surface to be gripped by the user on the second and fourth surfaces adjacent to each other along the circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis. A cylindrical gripping portion that is provided on the third surface of the gripping portion, and is urged to a pressing release position to the first normal line of the first surface of the cylindrical gripping portion. A pressing portion whose pressing direction axis is defined in an acute angle state in a circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis; And a switching unit including a pressing unit that.

  According to the present invention, even if the user performs the work of pushing the pressing portion while holding the grip portion, the necessity of firmly gripping the grip portion is reduced, it is difficult to apply a load to the gripped hand, and the user is fatigued. It is possible to provide an operation portion for an in-hole introduction device that is difficult to obtain and an in-hole introduction device.

FIG. 1A is a schematic view showing a state in which the endoscope (introduction device) according to the first embodiment is viewed from the right side, and FIG. 1B is an endoscope according to the first embodiment ( It is the schematic which shows the state which looked at the introduction apparatus in the hole from the front. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an air / water supply unit and a suction unit of the endoscope (introducing device) according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a state in which the second button unit of the operation unit of the endoscope (introducing device) according to the first embodiment is viewed from above. FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a state in which the operation unit of the endoscope (introduction device) according to the first embodiment is gripped with the left hand and the button (suction button) of the second button unit is about to be viewed from above. is there. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a state in which the first switch of the operation unit of the endoscope (introduction device) according to the second embodiment is viewed from above.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, in this embodiment, an endoscope 10 will be described as an example of the intra-hole introducing device.
The endoscope (intra-hole introducing device) 10 appropriately operates the insertion portion 12 inserted into the hole and the endoscope 10 including the insertion portion 12 that is held by one hand (specifically, the left hand) of the user. And an operation unit (in-hole introduction device operation unit) 14 used for the operation. The operation unit 14 is disposed at the proximal end portion of the insertion unit 12. It is assumed that the longitudinal axis L of the insertion portion 12 is on the central axis of the insertion portion 12. The insertion portion 12 and the operation portion 14 are on a common longitudinal axis L. The operation unit 14 includes a universal cord 16 connected to a control unit (not shown) that controls the endoscope 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the endoscope 10 includes a known illumination optical system 22 that illuminates the inside of the hole, and a known observation optical system that images and observes the inside of the hole illuminated by the illumination optical system 22. 24. In this embodiment, the endoscope 10 further supplies an air supply / water supply unit (air supply / water supply unit) for supplying air / water to clean the objective lens 24a of the observation optical system 24 and to remove deposits on the objective lens 24a. And a suction unit 28 for sucking biological tissue, blood, and the like.

  The air / water supply unit 26 includes a first cylinder 32, air / water supply pipes 34a, 34b, 36a, 36b connected to the first cylinder 32, and a longitudinal axis (pressing direction axis) of the first cylinder 32. And a first button unit (pressing valve unit) 38 as a pressing unit pressed along D. The first button unit (pressing unit) 38 is disposed in the air / liquid feeding unit 26 that exhibits an air feeding function and a liquid feeding function in a state in which a button 54 described later is pressed along the pressing direction axis D. . The first button unit (pressing unit) 38 is connected to fluid conduits 34 a, 34 b, 36 a, 36 b disposed inside the grip portion 82. Since the structure of the first cylinder 32, the connection state of the air / water supply conduits 34a, 34b, 36a, 36b to the first cylinder 32, and the structure of the first button unit 38 itself are known, details here. The detailed explanation is omitted.

  The suction unit 28 is a pressing unit that is pressed along the second cylinder 42, suction pipes 44 and 46 connected to the second cylinder 42, and the longitudinal axis (pressing direction axis) D of the second cylinder 42. Second button unit (pressing valve unit) 48. That is, the pressing unit 48 is disposed in the suction unit 28 that exhibits a suction function in a state where a button 54 described later is pressed along the pressing direction axis D. The second button unit (pressing unit) 48 is connected to fluid conduits 44 and 46 disposed inside the grip portion 82. The suction conduit 44 has a branched branch conduit 44a. The end of the branch conduit 44 a is connected to a treatment instrument inlet (forceps opening) 50. Since the structure of the second cylinder 42, the connection state of the suction pipes 44 and 46 to the second cylinder 42, and the structure of the second button unit 48 itself are known, detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

  The schematic structure of the first and second button units 38 and 48 (the structure of a button 54 and a biasing body 56 with respect to a pedestal 52 described later) is substantially the same. Therefore, as a representative, the second button unit 48 will be briefly described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the second button unit 48 includes a pedestal 52 and a button (suction button) 54 as a pressing portion. The button 54 is urged by an urging body 56 (see FIG. 4) such as a coil spring so as to be separated from the pedestal 52. The button 54 is movable along the pressing direction axis D between the pressing release position and the pressing position. The button 54 is normally in the pressing release position, and can be moved to the pressing position by pressing along the pressing direction axis D against the urging force. Note that the pedestal 52 of the second button unit 48 can be attached to and detached from the second cylinder 42. That is, the second button unit 48 can be attached to and detached from the second cylinder 42.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 1 (A) and 1 (B), the insertion portion 12 has a distal end rigid portion 72, a bending portion 74, and a flexibility in order from the distal end portion toward the proximal end portion. And a tubular body 76 having. The tubular body 76 is preferably made of a flexible material such as a flexible tube of a so-called flexible endoscope insertion portion. For example, the tubular body 76 is made of a metal material such as a stainless alloy material and is flexible. No rigid tube may be used.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the operation unit 14 includes a cylindrical gripping part 82 to which the insertion part 12 is connected and the longitudinal axis L is defined by the connected insertion part 12. The first and second knobs 84a and 84b as the bending operation input unit provided on the outer side of the gripping part 82 and having an input shaft R on which an input operation for bending the bending part 74 of the insertion part 12 is performed; And a switching unit 86 that performs switching. As shown in FIG. 3, it is provided on the non-grip surface 112 described later. The first knob 84a and the second knob 84b are disposed coaxially with the input shaft R. The first knob 84a is used to bend the bending portion 74 in the U direction and the D direction. The second knob 84b is used to bend the bending portion 74 in the R direction and the L direction.
The input axis R is substantially parallel to a first imaginary line IA1 and a first normal line N1, which will be described later.

  The switching unit 86 includes a plurality of (herein, first to fourth) switches 92, 94, 96, which are disposed outside the first and second button units 38, 48 as the pressing unit and the gripping unit 82. 98. The functions of the first to fourth switches 92, 94, 96, and 98 are switched by being pressed.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, the first button unit 38 is disposed below the second button unit 48. The first switch 92 is disposed at an adjacent position on the upper side of the second button unit 48 in the grip portion 82. The second switch 94, the third switch 96, and the fourth switch 98 are disposed on an upper end cap 118, which will be described later, in a state of being gradually separated from the second button unit 48. For example, the third switch 96 is preferably disposed on the upper end surface of the grip portion 82. The fourth switch 98 is preferably disposed on the surface opposite to the surface on which the second switch 94 is disposed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first switch 92 is set with an appropriate function and pressed by a controller (not shown) that is electrically connected via a signal line 93 inserted through the universal cord 16. The appropriate function is exhibited. Although not shown, each of the second to fourth switches 94, 96, 98 is electrically connected to a controller (not shown) via a signal line inserted into the universal cord 16, similarly to the signal line 93 of the first switch 92. Connected. Therefore, appropriate functions are set for the second to fourth switches 94, 96, and 98, and the appropriate functions are exhibited when pressed.
Note that, as an example of the first switch 92, the first switch 92 is used to freeze an image observed by the observation optical system 24. The fourth switch 98 is used for taking an image taken by the observation optical system 24 as an example. As described above, the first to fourth switches 92, 94, 96, and 98 are switched in their respective functions when the pressing portion is pressed.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the gripping part 82 includes a first gripping part (upper gripping part) 102 and a second gripping part (lower gripping part) 104. The second grip 104 of the operation unit 14 is located closer to the insertion unit 12 than the first grip 102 along the longitudinal axis L.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the first gripping portion 102 of the gripping portion 82 has a knob 84 a and 84 b that are rotatably disposed in the circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis L as an outer peripheral surface. A non-gripping surface (first surface) 112 that is rarely held by the user, and a pressing unit arrangement in which the pressing units 38, 48, and 92 of the switching unit 86 are disposed adjacent to the non-gripping surface 112. It has a surface (second surface) 114 and a gripping surface 116 adjacent to the non-grip surface 112 and the pressing unit arrangement surface 114 and gripped by the user in most cases, that is, often gripped by the user. The first grip 102 further has an upper end cap 118 on the upper end of which the second to fourth switches 94, 96, 98 are disposed. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the gripping surface 116 is adjacent to the pressing unit placement surface 114 and is supported by a user's palm (palm of the left hand) 122 and a first gripping surface (universal cord placement surface) 122. A second gripping surface (user facing surface) 124 that is adjacent to the gripping surface 122 and is supported by the palm of the user's same hand (palm of the left hand) adjacent to the non-gripping surface 112. The grip portion 82 is gripped by the user on the grip surface 116. That is, the first grip 102 is gripped by the user with the first grip surface 122 and the second grip surface 124.

The first grip 102 has a support 128 formed as a universal cord connector from which the universal cord 16 extends. Specifically, the first grip 102 has a support 128 supported on the first grip surface 122 between the base of the thumb of the left hand of the user and the base of the index finger. The support portion 128 is formed so as to bulge with respect to the first gripping surface 122.
The support portion 128 extends the universal cord 16 toward the user and defines the direction in which the universal cord 16 is extended. As shown in FIG. 4, the central axis CU of the universal cord 16 is twisted with respect to the longitudinal axis L. The central axis CU (extending direction) of the universal cord 16 is separated from the insertion portion 12 as it approaches the longitudinal axis L. That is, when the longitudinal axis L is arranged in the vertical direction as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the closer to the support portion 128, the higher the center axis CU is.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the support unit 128 is placed on a part including the back of the hand from the index finger IF of the user's left hand LH, for example, to the base of the thumb, and can support the operation unit 14 by the part or the like. it can.

  The boundary between the non-gripping surface 112 and the pressing unit placement surface 114, the boundary between the pressing unit placement surface 114 and the gripping surface 116, and the boundary between the gripping surface 116 and the non-gripping surface 112 are both It is formed in a smooth curved surface that keeps. In addition, the boundary between the first gripping surface 122 and the second gripping surface 124 is also formed as a smooth curved surface that makes them continuous. The first gripping portion 102 has an outer peripheral surface around the longitudinal axis L substantially in cooperation with the non-grip surface 112, the pressing unit arrangement surface 114, and the gripping surface 116 (the first gripping surface 122 and the second gripping surface 124). It is formed in a rectangular ring shape.

  Here, the non-gripping surface (first surface) 112 and the first gripping surface (second surface) 122 have normal lines N1 directed in substantially opposite directions, and the pressing unit arrangement surface (third surface) 114 and the second surface. A normal line N2 is directed in a direction substantially opposite to the gripping surface (fourth surface) 124. The normal lines N1 and N2 are directed to a state of being orthogonal to each other or a state of being substantially orthogonal to each other. The non-grip surface 112, the pressing unit arrangement surface 114, the first grip surface 122, and the second grip surface 124 may all be flat or curved. For this reason, among the non-grip surface 112, the pressing unit arrangement surface 114, the first grip surface 122, and the second grip surface 124, the directions of the normals N1 and N2 are different depending on the positions taken, but they are directed in substantially opposite directions. There is no change in being.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 (A) and 1 (B), the second grip 104 is opposed to the user as an outer peripheral surface continuously arranged on the second grip surface 124 in the circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis L. It has a surface (fifth surface) 132 and a grip surface (sixth surface) 134. The grip surface 134 has a substantially U-shaped cross section with respect to the longitudinal axis L. That is, the second grip 104 has an annular outer circumferential surface orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L formed by the cooperation of the user facing surface 132 and the grip surface 134. It should be noted that a treatment instrument inlet for projecting the treatment instrument from, for example, the distal end surface of the distal end rigid portion 72 through the conduits 44a and 44 as channels shown in FIG. 50 (see FIG. 2) is formed. The treatment instrument inlet 50 is formed to have an opening between the normal line N1 of the non-gripping surface 112 and the normal line N2 of the pressing unit arrangement surface 114. The treatment instrument inlet 50 is formed to have an opening between the normal line N1 of the non-gripping surface 112 and the pressing direction axis D of the button 54 of the first and second button units 38 and 48.

  Note that the boundary between the second gripping surface 124 of the first gripping part 102 and the user facing surface 132 of the second gripping part 104 is preferably formed so that both are continuous without a step, such as a substantially flat shape. .

When the user grips the first and second grips 102 and 104 of the endoscope 10 with one hand (left hand), the second grip surface 124 and the user facing surface 132 may face the front of the user. With the second gripping surface 124 and the user facing surface 132 facing the front of the user, the non-gripping surface 112 of the first gripping portion 102 is formed as a right side surface disposed on the right side of the user. Is formed as a left side surface arranged on the left side of the user. It should be noted that the pressing unit arrangement surface 114 of the first gripping portion 102 has normal lines N2 oriented in substantially opposite directions to the second gripping surface 124, that is, on the back surface. The pressing unit arrangement surface 114 is on the opposite side of the grip surface 134 of the second grip portion 104 from the user-facing surface 132 and protrudes radially outward with respect to the longitudinal axis L with respect to the grip surface 134. In position. For this reason, not only the pressing unit arrangement surface 114 but also the non-gripping surface 112 and a part of the first gripping surface 122 project from the grip surface 134 by the step 140 radially outward with respect to the longitudinal axis L. A portion 142 is formed. That is, a step 140 is formed between the non-grip surface 112, the pressing unit arrangement surface 114 and the first grip surface 122 of the first grip portion 102, and the grip surface 134 of the second grip portion 104. Note that the circumferential length of the outer periphery of the second grip 104 (the circumferential length around the longitudinal axis L) is shorter than the circumferential length of the outer periphery of the first grip 102.
That is, the first grip portion 102 has a longitudinal axis L defined by the insertion portion 12 and a first normal line N1 that is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L and substantially opposite to each other, thereby defining a non-grip surface (curving operation). A first imaginary line IA1 crossing the body arrangement surface) 112 and the first gripping surface (universal code arrangement surface) 122, and the first imaginary line IA1 substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L and substantially orthogonal to the first imaginary line IA1. By defining the two normal lines N2, a second imaginary line IA2 crossing the pressing unit arrangement surface 114 and the second gripping surface (user facing surface) 124 is defined and adjacent to each other along the circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis L A gripping surface 116 to be gripped by the user is formed by the first gripping surface (universal code placement surface) 122 and the second gripping surface (user facing surface) 124.

  As described above, the first button unit 38, the second button unit 48, and the first switch 92 of the switching unit 86 are disposed on the non-gripping surface 112 of the first gripping portion 102, that is, the protruding portion 142. .

  As shown in FIG. 3, the pressing direction axis D of the button (pressing portion) 54 of the second button unit 48 according to this embodiment is the pressing unit arrangement surface 114 (the input shaft R of the first and second knobs 84a and 84b). (Substantially parallel to the first normal line N1 with respect to the non-gripping surface 112)) smaller than the second imaginary line IA2 orthogonal to the input axis R (substantially parallel to the second normal line N2 with respect to the pressing unit arrangement surface 114). It is defined as an acute angle α. That is, the pressing direction axis D of the button 54 is defined in an acute angle state such as an angle α in the circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis L of the cylindrical gripping portion 82 (first gripping portion 102). In other words, the button 54 of the second button unit 48 of the switching unit 86 is provided on the pressing unit arrangement surface 114 on the outer side of the gripping unit 82, and is urged to the pressing release position and parallel to the first virtual line IA <b> 1. The pressing direction axis D is defined in a state of an acute angle α in the circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis L of the cylindrical gripping portion 82 rather than a position orthogonal to the normal line N1. That is, the pressing direction axis D is in an acute angle α in the circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis L of the grip portion 102 with respect to the first normal line N1 of the non-grip surface 112. In other words, of the angles formed by the pressing direction axis D and the pressing unit arrangement surface 114 when the button 54 of the second button unit (pressing unit) 48 is moved from the pressing release position to the pressing position, The adjacent side is an acute angle α (the side close to the first gripping surface 122 is an obtuse angle), and the virtual extension line of the pressing direction axis D is close to the first gripping surface 122 of the second gripping surface 124. A pressing direction axis D of the second button unit (pressing unit) 48 is defined.

  Here, when the pressing direction axis D of the button 54 is virtually extended to the gripping surface 116 through the inside of the first gripping portion 102, the intersection P1 with respect to the gripping surface 116 is the first normal line N1 of the non-grip surface 112, that is, the first The second virtual line IA2 that is substantially orthogonal to the first virtual line IA1 and passes through the button 54 is located farther from the non-grip surface 112 than the position (intersection P0) that intersects the grip surface 116. Here, the pressing direction axis D is directed to a position of the second gripping surface 124 that is close to the first gripping surface 122 or near the boundary between the first gripping surface 122 and the second gripping surface 124. That is, the intersection point P <b> 1 with respect to the gripping surface 116 is at a position near the first gripping surface 122 in the second gripping surface 124 or near the boundary between the first gripping surface 122 and the second gripping surface 124. Note that the intersection point P <b> 1 with respect to the gripping surface 116 may be on the first gripping surface 122. At this time, the intersection point P <b> 1 is preferably at a position close to the second gripping surface 124.

Next, the operation of the endoscope 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, the operation when the button 54 of the second button unit 48 is operated will be mainly described. Since the operation of the first button unit 38 is the same, the description thereof is omitted.
The gripping part 82 has a support part 128 supported between the base of the thumb T of the user's left hand LH and the base of the index finger IF. The second grip surface 124 of the first grip portion 102 and the user facing surface (fifth surface) 132 of the second grip portion 104 are arranged so as to face the user, and are supported on the index finger IF of the user's left hand LH. The unit 128 is placed. At this time, actually, the support portion 128 is supported at a position from between the base of the thumb T of the user's hand LH and the base of the index finger IF to the back of the hand. The lower surface of the universal cord 16 is supported near the base of the thumb T. That is, the universal cord 16 is supported at a position from between the base of the thumb T of the user's hand and the base of the index finger IF to the back of the hand.

  The thumb T is disposed on the second gripping surface 124 or the knobs 84a and 84b through the lower side of the universal cord 16. Therefore, the thumb T can be placed on the knobs 84a and 84b, and the knobs 84a and 84b can be rotated around the input shaft R. On the other hand, the index finger IF and the middle finger MF are in positions where the first button unit 38 and the second button unit 48 can be operated. The index finger IF is in a position where the first switch 92 can be operated.

  Note that the thumb ball of the thumb T of the palm of the left hand LH of the user is near the boundary between the first gripping surface 122 and the second gripping surface 124 and on the left side of the user facing surface 132 and the gripping surface 134. In such a state, the user holds the first and second grip portions 102 and 104 of the operation unit 14 with the left hand LH.

  In this state, the user holds the insertion portion 12 with a right hand (not shown), pushes the distal end hard portion 72 of the insertion portion 12 into a hole such as a body cavity, and inserts the tubular body 76 from the distal end hard portion 72 of the insertion portion 12. I will do it.

For example, when the insertion portion 12 is inserted from the anus side toward the back side, such as the transverse colon, in the hole such as the large intestine, the bending portion 74 is bent in the U direction and the D direction. At this time, the user repeats the operation of rotating the insertion portion 12 held by the right hand around the longitudinal axis L or rotating the first knob 84a of the operation portion 14 held by the left hand LH in an appropriate direction. The insertion portion 12 is inserted from the near side toward the far side.
With the second gripping surface 124 of the first gripping portion 102 and the user facing surface 132 of the second gripping portion 104 arranged in front of the user, the first knob 84a is input from the top to the bottom with the thumb T of the left hand LH. If it is rotated around the axis R, the bending portion 74 is bent in the U direction. When the UD curving operation knob 84a is rotated with the thumb T from the bottom to the top around the input shaft R, the curving portion 74 is curved in the D direction. If the second knob 84b is rotated around the axis of the input shaft R from the top to the bottom with the thumb T of the left hand LH, the bending portion 74 is bent in the R direction. If the second knob 84b is rotated around the axis of the input shaft R from the bottom to the top with the thumb T, the bending portion 74 is bent in the L direction. That is, the bending state of the bending portion 74 is changed by operating the first and second knobs 84a and 84b of the operation portion 14.

  When holding the bent portion 74 in the U direction or D direction, the finger knob of the middle finger MF or ring finger RF is moved from the state placed on the first button unit 38 to hold the first knob 84a. . By holding the position of the first knob 84a, it is possible to keep the curved portion 74 bent in the U direction or the D direction.

  Here, in the operation unit 14 of the endoscope 10 according to this embodiment, the buttons 54 of the first button unit 38 and the second button unit 48 are set to be more than the second virtual line IA2 orthogonal to the first virtual line IA1. Tilt to an acute angle α. Therefore, the middle finger MF or ring finger RF on the button 54 (particularly the button 54 of the first button unit 38) is closer to the first knob 84a than when the button 54 has a pressing direction axis on the second imaginary line IA2. ing. As shown in FIG. 3, the distance D0 between the first knob 84a and the tangent T0 when the tangent T0 is drawn with respect to the upper surface of the conventional button is tangent T1 with respect to the upper surface of the button 54 of the present embodiment. Is greater than the distance D1 between the first knob 84a and the tangent line T1. That is, the distance D1 between the button 54 and the first knob 84a according to the present embodiment can be arranged in a shorter state than when the pressing direction axis D exists along the second imaginary line IA2. In addition, the first knob 84a of the present embodiment is present in the direction near the tangent line T1 or the tangent line T1 on the upper surface of the button 54 with the longitudinal axis L as the center. For this reason, when the middle finger MF or the ring finger RF is extended around the longitudinal axis L to hold the first knob 84a, the movement distance with respect to the button 54 is reduced and the middle finger MF or the ring finger RF is placed on the button 54. To the first knob 84a can be facilitated.

  When pressing the button 54 of the second button unit 48 against the urging force of the urging body 56 toward the pedestal 52 with the index finger IF, the PIP joint and the DIP joint are mainly moved. When the PIP joint and the DIP joint are moved, the normal direction of the finger pad FP of the fingertip of the index finger IF changes from the normal line N2 of the second gripping surface 124 toward the normal line N1 of the first gripping surface 122. That is, when the button 54 is pressed, the normal direction (pressing direction D) of the finger pad FP of the fingertip of the index finger IF is directed near the web between the thumb T and the index finger IF. At this time, when the pressing direction axis D of the button 54 is virtually extended toward the gripping surface 116, that is, the first and second gripping surfaces 122 and 124, the intersection point P <b> 1 is the first and second gripping surface 122. , 124 (the second gripping surface 124 in FIG. 3) and the intersection with the left hand LH is the base of the thumb T of the left hand LH and the base of the index finger IF when the user grips the gripping surface 116 (Refer to FIG. 4). For this reason, the user is at the fingertip of the index finger IF in a direction along the pressing direction axis D of the button 54 of this embodiment or in a direction closer to the pressing direction axis D than in the direction along the second virtual line IA2. Easy to add power. Therefore, the second button unit 48 according to this embodiment can press the button 54 more efficiently than the button unit in which the button has the pressing direction axis along the second imaginary line IA2. That is, the user can efficiently apply the pressing force of the button 54 to the button 54.

When the button 54 is actually pressed, the pedestal 52 is pressed by the urging body 56, that is, the gripping portion 82 is moved toward the pressing direction axis D. For this reason, when the button 54 is pressed by the finger pad FP of the fingertip of the index finger IF, the gripping surface 116 of the gripping portion 82 is pressed near the webbed between the thumb T and the index finger IF. As described above, when the gripping surface 116 of the gripping part 82 is pressed near the web between the thumb T and the index finger IF, the button 54 approaches the pedestal 52 against the biasing force of the biasing body 56.
Thus, when the button 54 is pressed, the gripping portion 82 is naturally pressed from the vicinity of the webbing between the thumb T and the index finger IF to the vicinity of the palm of the left hand LH. For this reason, when the button 54 is operated, there is no need to firmly hold the gripping portion 82 such as trying to maintain the position of the thumb T against the pressing of the button. And it can prevent that it becomes easy to apply big load to thumb T when a button is pressed like the conventional endoscope.

Further, the pressing direction axis D is directed in a direction in which the support portion 128 is pressed between the base of the thumb T of the user's left hand LH and the base of the index finger IF when the button 54 is pressed along the pressing direction axis D. ing. For this reason, even when the support portion 128 is present, when the button 54 is operated, it is not necessary to firmly hold the grip portion 82, for example, to maintain the position of the thumb T against the pressing of the button.
Further, the button 54 is also operated by the presence of the universal cord 16 that extends from the support portion 128 and is supported at a position between the base of the thumb T and the base of the index finger IF of the left hand LH of the user and the back of the left hand. At this time, it is not necessary to firmly hold the gripping portion 82 such as trying to maintain the position of the thumb T against the pressing of the button.

According to the operation unit 14 of the endoscope 10 according to this embodiment, when the button 54 is pressed, a load is applied to the portion from the vicinity of the webbing between the thumb T and the index finger IF to the palm. The load of can be greatly reduced.
Therefore, according to the operation unit 14 of the endoscope 10 according to this embodiment, even when the user performs the work of pushing the button 54 while holding the gripping part 82, the necessity of firmly gripping the gripping part 82 is reduced. Thus, it is difficult to apply a load to the gripped hand LH and to make the user less tired.

  In particular, for an in-hole introducing device such as the endoscope 10 as a medical device, an operation experience when performing a fine work is important. For this reason, the endoscope 10 has a request that the user does not want to change the operational feeling as much as possible. According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide the endoscope 10 in which it is difficult to place a load on the hand held when performing the operation of pushing the button 54 while maintaining the user's operational feeling.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1A, the normal line N2 of the pressing unit arrangement surface 114 on which the button 54 of the second button unit 48 is arranged is horizontal when the longitudinal axis L is arranged in the vertical direction. It is slightly upward. For this reason, when the button 54 is pressed, a force acts slightly downward from the horizontal direction. Accordingly, a force acts so that the support portion 128 is pressed near the webbed between the thumb T and the index finger IF. For this reason, when operating the button 54, the necessity to hold | grip the holding part 82 firmly can be reduced.

In this embodiment, the example in which the operation unit 14 includes the universal cord 16 has been described. However, the universal cord 16 is not necessarily required. On the other hand, even if the universal cord 16 is not required, it is supported by being pressed near the webbing between the user's thumb T and the index finger IF in order to assist stable gripping when gripping the gripping portion 82. The support part 128 is preferably formed.
In this embodiment, the pressing direction axis D of the button 54 of the first button unit 38 and the button 54 of the second button unit 48 may be the same or different. The angle with respect to the gripping surface 112 is preferably an acute angle.

Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. This embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment, and the same members as those described in the first embodiment or members having the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals as much as possible, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
In this embodiment, the non-grip surface 112 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 is formed as a curved operation body non-arrangement surface on which the first and second knobs 84a and 84b are not arranged. On the other hand, the second gripping surface 124 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 is formed not only as a gripping surface but also as a bending operation body placement surface.

  An example in which the pressing direction axis D of the pressing portion 92a of the first switch (pressing unit) 92 is inclined with respect to the second imaginary line IA2 as shown in FIG. The first switch 92 according to this embodiment is fixed to the pressing unit arrangement surface 114 in a watertight state. The first switch 92 is formed of, for example, a resin material and has a self-restoring property. After the pressing portion 92a is pressed with the index finger IF, the first switch 92 automatically returns to the shape shown in FIG. Of course, it is also preferable that an urging body such as a coil spring is disposed inside the first switch 92.

  The pressing direction axis D of the pressing portion 92a is defined as an acute angle β that is smaller than the second virtual line IA2 parallel to the second normal line N2 with respect to the pressing unit arrangement surface 114. The pressing direction axis D of the pressing portion 92a is defined in an acute angle β state in the circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis L of the grip portion 102 with respect to the first normal line N1 of the non-grip surface 112. That is, the pressing direction axis D of the pressing portion 92a is defined as an acute angle state such as an angle β in the circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis L of the cylindrical gripping portion 82 (first gripping portion 102). In other words, of the angles formed by the pressing direction axis D and the pressing unit arrangement surface 114 when the pressing portion 92a of the first switch (pressing unit) 92 moves from the pressing release position to the pressing position, the non-gripping surface (curving operation) The first switch so that the side close to the body non-placement surface 112 is an acute angle β (the side close to the first gripping surface 122 is an obtuse angle) and the virtual extension line of the pressing direction axis D is directed to the first gripping surface 122. 92 pressing direction axes D are defined. The pressing portion 92a of the first switch 92 of the switching portion 86 is provided outside the gripping portion 82, and is biased to the pressing release position and is at a position perpendicular to the normal line N1 (a position parallel to the normal line N2). A pressing direction axis D is defined in a state of an acute angle β in the circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis L of the cylindrical gripping portion 82.

Here, when the pressing direction axis D of the pressing portion 92a is virtually extended to the gripping surface 116 through the inside of the first gripping portion 102, the intersection P2 with respect to the gripping surface 116 is the first virtual line IA1, that is, the non-griping surface 112. The second imaginary line IA2 orthogonal to the first normal line N1 and passing through the pressing portion 92a is located farther from the non-gripping surface 112 than the position (intersection point P0) intersecting the gripping surface 116.
Specifically, in this embodiment, when the pressing direction axis D of the pressing portion 92a is virtually extended toward the gripping surface 116, the intersection P2 is a first gripping surface (universal cord) that forms the gripping surface 116. (Positioning surface) 122 and at a position between the base of the thumb of the hand and the base of the index finger when the user grips the gripping surface 116.

  Next, the operation of the endoscope 10 according to this embodiment will be briefly described with reference to FIG.

  As described in the first embodiment, the user grips the first and second grips 102 and 104 of the operation unit 14 with the left hand LH. At this time, the index finger IF of the user's left hand LH is in a position where the first switch 92 can be operated.

  When pressing the pressing portion 92a with the index finger IF, the PIP joint is moved and the DIP joint is moved mainly, as in the case of pressing the button 54 of the first embodiment. When the PIP joint and the DIP joint are moved, the normal direction of the finger pad FP of the fingertip of the index finger IF changes from the normal line N2 of the second gripping surface 124 toward the normal line N1 of the first gripping surface 122. That is, when pressing the pressing portion 92a, the normal direction of the finger pad FP of the fingertip of the index finger IF is directed to the vicinity of the webbed between the thumb T and the index finger IF. For this reason, a user is the direction which follows the pressing direction axis | shaft D of the press part 92a of this embodiment, or the direction close | similar to the pressing direction axis | shaft D rather than the direction along the 2nd virtual line IA2 with the fingertip of the index finger IF. It is easy to add power to. Therefore, the first switch 92 according to this embodiment can press the pressing portion 92a more efficiently than the first switch in which the pressing portion has the pressing direction axis along the second imaginary line IA2. That is, the user can efficiently apply the pressing force of the pressing portion 92a to the pressing portion 92a.

  When the pressing portion 92a is actually pressed, the gripping portion 82 is moved toward the pressing direction axis D. For this reason, the gripping surface 116 of the gripping part 82 is pressed against the web of the fingertip FP of the index finger IF near the web between the thumb T and the index finger IF. Therefore, when the gripping surface 116 of the gripping part 82 is pressed near the webbed between the thumb T and the index finger IF, the pressing part 92a comes close to the pressing unit arrangement surface 114.

  When the pressing portion 92a is pressed in this way, the gripping portion 82 is naturally pressed near the webbed between the thumb T and the index finger IF. For this reason, when operating the pressing part 92a, there is no need to firmly hold the gripping part 82, such as trying to maintain the position of the thumb T. And it can prevent becoming easy to apply a big load only to the thumb T when pressing the press part of a 1st switch like the conventional endoscope.

  Therefore, according to the operation unit 14 of the endoscope 10 according to this embodiment, even when the user performs the work of pressing the pressing portion 92a of the first switch 92 while holding the holding portion 82, the holding portion 82 is firmly fixed. The necessity of gripping can be reduced, it is difficult to put a load on the gripped hand LH, and the user can be hard to get tired.

  In particular, for an in-hole introducing device such as the endoscope 10 as a medical device, an operation experience when performing a fine work is important. For this reason, the endoscope 10 has a request that the user does not want to change the operational feeling as much as possible. According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide the endoscope 10 in which a load is not easily applied to a hand gripped when the operation of pushing the pressing portion 92a is performed while maintaining the user's operational feeling.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1A, the normal line N2 of the pressing unit arrangement surface 114 on which the pressing portion 92a of the first switch 92 is arranged is horizontal when the longitudinal axis L is arranged in the vertical direction. It is slightly upward. For this reason, when the pressing portion 92a is pressed, a force acts slightly downward from the horizontal direction. Accordingly, a force acts so that the support portion 128 is pressed near the webbed between the thumb T and the index finger IF. For this reason, when operating the pressing part 92a, it is not necessary to firmly hold the holding part 82.

  By the way, in this embodiment, instead of the first and second knobs 84a and 84b disposed on the non-gripping surface 112, the neutral shaft (input shaft) R is defined on the second gripping surface (user facing surface) 124. It is assumed that the bending portion 74 is bent by operating the joystick 184 as the bending operation input portion. Of course, the first and second knobs 84a and 84b may be used instead of the joystick 184.

  When the joystick 184 is on the neutral axis R, the curved portion 74 is in a straight state. The operation of the bending portion 74 when the joystick 184 is moved with respect to the neutral axis R can be set as appropriate. For example, with the second gripping surface (user facing surface) 124 facing the user and the longitudinal axis L arranged in the vertical direction with the operation unit 14 on the upper side and the insertion unit 12 on the lower side, for example, the joystick 184 is When moved to the upper side of the gripping portion 82, the bending portion 74 is bent in the U direction, and when moved downward, the bending portion 74 is bent in the D direction and close to the left side (first gripping surface (universal cord placement surface) 122). The curved portion 74 bends in the L direction when moved to the right side, and the curved portion 74 curves in the R direction when moved to the right side (side adjacent to the non-gripping surface 112).

  In this embodiment, the example in which the first switch 92 is inclined to the state of the angle β has been described. However, the first switch 92 is not only inclined to the angle β, but the button unit 38 described in the first embodiment, 48 is preferably inclined at an angle α. It is also preferable that the angle β is the same as the angle α.

  In this embodiment, the example of the endoscope 10 has been described. However, it is also preferable that an in-hole introducing device in which the illumination optical system and the observation optical system are removed from the endoscope 10 is formed.

  Although several embodiments have been specifically described so far with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and all the embodiments performed without departing from the scope of the invention are not limited thereto. Including.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Endoscope (introduction apparatus), 12 ... Insertion part, 14 ... Operation part, 16 ... Universal cord, 38 ... 1st button unit, 48 ... 2nd button unit, 52 ... Base, 54 ... Button, 56 ... biasing body, 82 ... gripping part, 84a ... first knob, 84b ... second knob, 86 ... switching part, 92 ... first switch, 92a ... pressing part, 102 ... first gripping part, 104 ... second gripping 112, non-grip surface, 114 ... pressing unit arrangement surface, 116 ... grip surface, 118 ... upper end cap, 122 ... first grip surface, 124 ... second grip surface, 128 ... support portion, 132 ... user facing surface, 134 ... grip surface, 140 ... step, 142 ... projection, N1, N2 ... normal, P0, P1 ... intersection.

Claims (16)

A first imaginary crossing the first and second surfaces by defining a first normal line that is connected to and has a longitudinal axis defined by the insertion part and substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and substantially opposite to each other. A second imaginary line crossing the third and fourth surfaces is defined by defining a second normal line that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and substantially perpendicular to the first imaginary line and substantially opposite to each other. And a cylindrical gripping part forming a gripping surface gripped by the user on the second surface and the fourth surface adjacent to each other along the circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis,
It is provided on the third surface of the outer side of the gripping portion, and is biased to the pressing release position in the circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical gripping portion with respect to the first normal line of the first surface. An operation portion for an in-hole introduction device comprising: a switching portion including a pressing unit having a pressing portion whose pressing direction axis is defined in an acute angle state.   The intersection point with respect to the gripping surface when the pressing direction axis of the pressing portion is virtually extended to the gripping surface is substantially perpendicular to the first normal line of the first surface and a second imaginary line passing through the pressing portion. The operation unit according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit is located farther from the first surface than a position intersecting the gripping surface.   When the pressing direction axis of the pressing portion is virtually extended toward the gripping surface, the intersection is on one of the second surface and the fourth surface forming the gripping surface, and the user The operation unit according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit is located between a base of a thumb of a hand and a base of an index finger in a state where the gripping surface is gripped. The grip portion has a support portion supported on the second surface between the base of the thumb of the user's hand and the base of the index finger,
The pressing direction axis is directed in a direction in which the supporting portion is pressed between the base of the thumb of the user's hand and the base of the index finger when the pressing portion is pressed along the pressing direction axis. The operation unit according to claim 1.   The operation unit according to claim 4, further comprising a universal cord that extends from the support portion of the grip portion and is supported at a position from between the base of the thumb of the user's hand and the base of the index finger to the back of the hand. .   The operation unit according to claim 1, wherein the pressing unit is connected to a fluid conduit disposed inside the gripping unit.   The operation unit according to claim 6, wherein the pressing unit is disposed in a suction unit that exhibits a suction function in a state where the pressing unit is pressed along the pressing direction axis.   The operation according to claim 6, wherein the pressing unit is disposed in an air / liquid feeding unit that exhibits an air feeding function and a liquid feeding function in a state where the pressing portion is pressed along the pressing direction axis. Department.   The operation unit according to claim 1, wherein the switching unit includes a switch whose function is switched when the pressing unit is pressed as the pressing unit.   Among the gripping portions, provided on the first surface, an input operation for bending the bending portion of the insertion portion is performed, and an input shaft substantially parallel to the first normal line of the first surface is provided. 2. The operation according to claim 1, further comprising a bending operation input unit that can be arranged in a state where a distance between the pressing unit and the pressing unit is shorter than the case where the pressing direction axis exists along the second imaginary line. Department. The operation unit according to claim 10;
An in-hole introducing device comprising: an insertion portion having a bending portion whose bending state is changed by operating the bending operation input portion of the operation portion. First and second surfaces having first normal lines directed in substantially opposite directions, and third and fourth surfaces disposed between the first and second surfaces, respectively, and second normal lines directed in substantially opposite directions to each other. A cylindrical gripping portion having a surface and gripped by the user on the second surface and the fourth surface;
A bending operation input unit that inputs a bending operation to bend the bending portion of the insertion portion that is disposed on one of the first surface and the fourth surface;
The pressing surface and the third surface, which are disposed on the third surface, are switched between a pressing position and a pressing release position by being operated by the user, and are moved from the pressing release position to the pressing position. Of the angle formed by the second surface, the side close to the first surface is an acute angle, and the virtual extension line of the pressing direction axis is directed to the position of the fourth surface close to the second surface; An operation portion for an in-hole introduction device, comprising: a pressing unit having a pressing portion that is directed to the vicinity of the boundary with the fourth surface or toward the second surface. The grip part has a support part supported between the base of the thumb of the user's hand and the base of the index finger;
The pressing direction axis is directed in a direction in which the supporting portion is pressed between the base of the thumb of the user's hand and the base of the index finger when the pressing portion is pressed along the pressing direction axis. The operation unit according to claim 12.   The operation unit according to claim 12, wherein the pressing unit is connected to a fluid conduit disposed inside the gripping unit.   The operation unit according to claim 12, wherein the pressing unit includes a switch whose function is switched when the pressing unit is pressed. An operation unit according to claim 12,
An in-hole introducing device comprising: an insertion portion having a bending portion whose bending state is changed by operating the bending operation input portion of the operation portion.