JP2613003B2 - Endoscope holding device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope holding apparatus for holding an endoscope and having a switch for operating peripheral devices of the endoscope.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, endoscopes that allow observation of the inside of a body cavity by inserting a slender insertion portion without the need to make an incision and that can be used for therapeutic treatment using a treatment instrument have been widely used. .

Hitherto, in order to observe the inside of a body cavity, an endoscope or a solid-state imaging device that transmits an image of the inside of the body cavity using a fiber bundle is used to convert the image into an electric image signal once and to a monitor. The endoscope of the type which projects is widely used. These endoscopes are provided with an operation unit, and the operator grasps the operation unit by hand.

[0004] On the other hand, hangers for storing surgical tools, not limited to endoscopes, have been often used so far, but they are not used during use of surgical tools, but used only for storage. .

[0005] On the other hand, the applicant of the present invention has published Japanese Utility Model Publication No.
No. 038 or Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 55-25038 proposed a device for supporting an article using hydraulic pressure. These conventional examples can be used for holding an endoscope.

However, the prior art described in the above-mentioned publication has a problem in that it requires a hydraulic device and is therefore bulky.

On the other hand, in a hanger used for storing an endoscope,
Operate to change the positional relationship between the operation unit and the patient's mouth required for endoscopy up and down, front and back, left and right, swing the operation unit fanwise left and right, and twist the insertion unit There is a drawback that a large movement cannot be given to the operation unit such as twisting of the unit.

[0008]

When an operator inserts an endoscope into a body cavity to observe the inside of the body cavity or perform a procedure, if the operator holds the endoscope for a long time, an To get tired of
It is difficult to perform a smooth operation, and a device that holds the endoscope even during the operation is desired.

When observing and treating the inside of a body cavity with an endoscope, peripheral devices such as a video processor are used together with the endoscope. A switch for operating these peripheral devices is provided on the main body of the peripheral device. And is located away from the operator who operates the endoscope. Therefore, there is a disadvantage that it is difficult for the operator to operate these endoscope peripheral devices.

The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and can hold the endoscope when the endoscope is used, such as for observation and treatment in a body cavity, and can reduce operator fatigue. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope holding device in which a switch unit for operating an endoscope peripheral device is provided near an operator who operates an endoscope, and the operator can easily operate these peripheral devices.

[0011]

According to the present invention, there is provided an endoscope holding apparatus for holding an endoscope having an operation section, the holding section being detachably held, and a holding section having a predetermined position. holding means for holding the, in the holding portion
Provided, the operation of the endoscope when holding the endoscope
A switch for operating peripheral devices of the endoscope, the switch being located below the unit .

[0012]

With this configuration, the operator can hold the endoscope without having to hold the entire endoscope when the insertion section is inserted into the body cavity to observe the inside of the body cavity or perform a medical treatment. In addition, the operation of the endoscope peripheral device can be performed by a switch provided at a position close to the operator.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 to 4 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 shows an endoscope holding device of the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a holding unit for holding the endoscope, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an attachment attached to the endoscope, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a rotation restricting mechanism formed on the holding unit.

As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope holding device 1 according to a first embodiment comprises a column 3 erected on a bed 2 and an arm receiver 4 which can be fixed to the column 3 at a variable height. And a pair of arms 6A and 6B protruded in the horizontal direction through a pair of arms 6A and 6B and rotatably supported by joints 5 on the way.
Holder 8 for holding endoscope 7 attached to the end of the camera
It is composed of

The arm receiver 4 has a substantially short cylindrical shape or a ring shape, and can be freely slid in the height direction (vertical direction) as shown by an arrow V by being fitted on the outer periphery of the column 3.
At any height position can be fixed by fixing screws 9. Further, receiving the luer <br/> over arm base portion is fixed in one arm 6A 4, by rotating in a state of loosening the fixing screw 9, the direction of projection of A over arm 6A, also in the horizontal plane It can be varied as shown by arrow H1. The other arm 6B having one end connected to the arm 6A and the joint 5 can variably adjust an angle θ formed by the joint 5 with the one arm 6A within a horizontal plane determined by the arms 6A and 6B. That is, the arrow H2
As shown in the figure, one arm 6A is
The projecting direction of B can be changed.

The holding portion 8 formed at the tip of the arm 6B is formed by fitting the tip of the arm 6B into a C-ring-shaped receiving frame 10, and is rotatable around the axis of the arm 6B as shown by an arrow A. The endoscope 7 can be held.

The endoscope 7 has an elongated insertion portion 11 which can be inserted into the oral cavity of a patient, a wide operation portion 12 connected to the rear end of the insertion portion 11, Part 12
And a peripheral unit such as a video processor (not shown) connected via a universal cord 14 to which a connector 13 is attached. The operation section 12 includes a bending operation knob 15.
By rotating the knob 15, a bending portion provided near the distal end of the insertion portion 11 can be bent.

By the way, the rear end of the insertion section 11 and the operation section 1
As shown in FIG. 3, a buckling portion 17 formed of rubber or the like in a conical shape is formed at the attachment portion 2. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a ring-shaped attachment 18 having a flange 18a formed at the upper end is attached to the outer periphery of the fold-preventing portion 17, and the C-ring-shaped receiving frame 10 can be fitted around the attachment. is there. The endoscope 7 to which the attachment 18 is attached is rotatable in the receiving frame 10 as shown by an arrow B so that the operation unit 12 can be rotationally displaced.

The receiving frame 10 is formed by cutting out a ring.
It has a ring shape, and the width of the notch 10a is
2, the endoscope 7 is easily held by holding the attachment 18 with the receiving frame 10 by, for example, passing the insertion portion 11 through the notch 10a in the state of FIG. it can. Notch 1
It can be easily removed through Oa.

The receiving frame 10 is rotatable about the axis of the arm 6B as shown by an arrow A as shown in FIG. 1, but if it is rotated too much, the flange 18a comes into contact with the receiving frame 10. As a result, there is a possibility that the endoscope 7 may fall. Therefore, in order to prevent the endoscope 7 from falling, the rotation is restricted as shown in FIG. 4 (for restricting rotation beyond a certain angle range). Means are formed.

That is, the pin 21 is located near the tip of the arm 6B.
a, 21b are protruded, and the arm 6 is also provided on the receiving frame 10 side.
A pin 22 protrudes in the axial direction of B. Therefore, FIG.
When the receiving frame 10 is rotated and tilted with respect to the arm 6B, for example, as indicated by reference numeral A1, the pin 21b hits the pin 22 and is prevented from tilting more than the angle, so that the endoscope 7 falls. It is possible to prevent that.

The attachment 18 is made of metal or plastic.
The bending stopper 17 is weakly press-fitted into the, and the attachment 18 is fixed to the bending stopper 17.

The operation of the first embodiment configured as described above will be described below. As shown in FIG. 2, the insertion portion 12 is passed through the notch 10a of the receiving frame 10 in the first embodiment, so that the receiving frame 10 allows the flange 18a of the attachment 18 to be inserted.
The endoscope 7 can be held by holding the portion.

In the first embodiment, the height of the arm receiver 4 and the projecting direction of the arm 6A are adjusted so that the endoscope 7 is positioned at a desired position with respect to the patient's mouth. The mirror 7 is kept in the holding state. This state is as shown in FIG. 1, for example. Thus, even when an operation of twisting the operation unit 12 is necessary, the operation unit 12 can be easily twisted. When changing the position of the operation unit 12, the joint 5 changes the direction of the arm 6B to displace the operation unit 12 in a translational manner, or the fixing screw 9 changes the height at which the arm receiver 4 is fixed. It can be done easily. In addition, for example, since the operation section 12 is twisted by a human, the movement can be performed quickly. Moreover, the structure is simple and there are few failures. Furthermore, there is no danger to the patient due to malfunction or runaway. According to the first embodiment functioning in this manner, the endoscope 7 is operated intraoperatively.
The operator can be kept tired.

Further, the endoscope does not fall off and is safe for the endoscope, the operator, and the patient. FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the buckling stopper and the attachment.

The buckling portion 31 formed at the buckling portion of the operation portion 12 has small projections 31a having a locally enlarged diameter.
31b is formed, and when the attachment 32 is press-fitted, it locally press-contacts. The press-fitting portion 31 contacts the lower end of the attachment 32 at the time of press-fitting, and the attachment 3
2 is formed with a retaining projection 31c for preventing retaining, and a second bend preventing portion 31d for preventing buckling is formed below the projection 31c.

By adopting such a structure, the point of press-fitting into the attachment 32 is locally localized to avoid damage to the flexible tube of the insertion portion.

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In the (endoscope) holding device 41 of the second embodiment, an arm 4 is provided on the front side of the saddle from the column 43 of the chair 42 for the operator to sit down.
4 is projected upward, and a flexible arm 45 that can be freely bent is attached to the top side of the arm 44. The holding section 8 (or the holding section 31 in FIG. 5) used in the first embodiment is attached to the top of the flexible arm 45 via a short arm 46 so that the endoscope 7 can be held. is there.

The flexible arm 45 is formed of a flexible helical tube or the like, and is bendable in any direction such as the direction indicated by the arrow. In addition, the holding part 8 is a short arm 4
6 can freely rotate around the axial direction. Further, the endoscope 7 held by the holding unit 8 is rotatable around the central axis of the C-ring-shaped receiving frame 10 of the holding unit 8 as shown by an arrow B.

Foot switches 47 and 48 are provided at the lower end of the column 43, and the foot switches 47 and 4 are provided.
8 and the video processor 49 are connected, for example,
Through a curl cord 51 extending outward from the lower end side. The universal cord 14 extending from the side of the endoscope 7 is also connected to the video processor 49, and illumination light from a light source device in the video processor 49 is transmitted from the distal end of the insertion section 11 through the light guide in the universal cord 14 to the affected part side. Is irradiated. An electric signal, which is formed on a light receiving surface by an objective lens (not shown) and photoelectrically converted by a solid-state imaging device, passes through a universal cord 14 to a video processor 49.
And color-displayed on the display unit. You can also take pictures.

The connection by the curl code 51 is as follows.
In another embodiment, it can be used for universal cord connection between a foot switch, a switch in a switch box, a video processor, and a peripheral device.

The height of the saddle of the chair 42 is slightly lower than when the operator stands normally, and the height of the hold portion 8 is the navel when the operator sits on the chair 42, or slightly higher than that. By setting it at a higher position, the inspection can be performed with the same feeling as when a standing inspection was performed in the conventional example, and in the case of this embodiment, there is no further fatigue.

The operation of the second embodiment thus constructed is almost the same as that of the first embodiment. For example, switches frequently used by the operator during the operation, for example, foot switches 47 and 4 in which a freeze or release switch is fixed to the chair 42.
Arrangement at 8 is convenient for operation. When standing, it is difficult to raise the foot to turn on the foot switch. However, as in the second embodiment, the chair 42 is not used.
You can sit and operate like this so you don't get tired. Further, since the curl cord 51 is used as a connection cable for the switch, the curl cord 51 is small even when approaching the chair 42 and the video processor 49. Further, the chair is not easily stepped on by the caster of the chair 42, and the chair 42 is easily moved.

The second embodiment has substantially the same effects as the first embodiment, and further has the following effects. Even if the operator moves with the chair 42 while sitting on the chair 42,
Since the foot switches 47 and 48 and the endoscope 7 move together and are always at the same position, it is convenient to avoid fatigue. Even if the chair 42 is brought close to the video processor 49, the curl code 51 is used, so that it does not become an obstacle.

It is to be noted that the saddle of the chair 42 stands,
There is no backrest to make it easier to wear, and the width is narrow to make it easier to step over. The universal code 14 may be a curl code. In FIG. 6, the operator stands without the holding section 8 or the arm 44 for holding the endoscope 7 and the foot switch 47 or 48 provided on the chair 42 where the operator sits. In contrast, it is not necessary to put weight on the feet when the foot switch is difficult to use, so that the foot switch is easy to use. FIG. 7 shows a holding device 61 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Bed 2 with flexible arm 62
Is attached. The flexible arm 62
Has a loop portion 62A in the middle. As shown in FIG. 8, an electromagnet 63 is attached to the tip of the flexible arm 62, and a switch 64 of the electromagnet 63 is provided in a receiving portion 65 of the electromagnet 63. As shown in FIG. 8, a holding portion 66 for holding the endoscope 7 has a receiving member 68 provided with a mounting portion 67 which is in close contact with the end surface of the electromagnet 63, and as shown by an arrow D in FIG. It comprises a rotating frame 69 which is fitted rotatably and holds the endoscope 7 inside.

The holding section 66 and the flexible arm 62 are detachable by an electromagnet 63. Further, a retaining frame 70 is integrally fixed to the rotating frame 69 as shown in FIG. 9 so that the rotating frame 68 does not come out of the receiving member 68. Further, a rubber material 71 is attached to the inner surface of the rotating frame 69, that is, a portion in contact with the endoscope 7, so that the endoscope 7 is held by friction. The attaching and detaching method of the holding unit 66 using the electromagnet 63 is similar to that of the embodiment.
Not only can it be used at the tip of the flexible arm 62 extended from the above, but it can be applied to other embodiments.
Also, the electromagnet 63 is not on the arm 62 side,
It may be provided on the side. Note that, in this embodiment, the portion to which the hold portion 66 is attached is a portion to be gripped on the lower side of the operation portion 12 as shown in FIG. This is to maintain the breaking effect.

The operation of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. The effects of the third embodiment have the same effects as those of the first embodiment, and also have the following effects.

Since the loop 62A is provided in the middle of the flexible arm 62, the endoscope 7 can be moved smoothly.

If the operation section 12 is to be moved over a wide range, the movable range of the flexible arm 62 or the like may be exceeded. In this case, the movable range of the hold part is
It is desirable to make the hold part compact by making it narrow to some extent. When the movable range is exceeded, the operation unit 12
Can be removed from the hold unit and used in a conventional manner. In this embodiment, the attachment / detachment is formed by using the electromagnet 62 so that such an operation can be performed. Therefore, there is no need to move the operation unit 12 at the time of attachment / detachment.

FIG. 10 shows a holding device 8 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
1 is shown. An arm 83 is erected on a stand 82, and a holding portion 8 of the endoscope 7 is provided at an upper end of the arm 83.
4 is attached. The arm 83 is partially constituted by a flexible arm 85. As shown in FIG. 11, the holding section 84 has a rotating frame 87 for holding the endoscope 7 and partially having a handle section 86, and the rotating frame 87 is rotatably fitted to the receiving frame 88. ing. The shape of the handle portion 86 of the rotating frame 87 is substantially circular as shown in FIG.

Reference numeral 89 denotes a handle for preventing the handle portion 86 from coming off. A rubber material 90 is provided on the inner surface of the rotary frame 87 to hold the endoscope 7 by friction.

The operation of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. This embodiment has the following effects in addition to the same effects as the first embodiment. Since the rotating frame 87 holding the endoscope 7 has the handle portion 86, it is easy and convenient to turn the endoscope 7. Instead of the handle portion 86 shown in FIG. 12, a rotation operation lever 86 'may be provided as shown in FIG. Incidentally, the rotating mechanism having the handle portion 86 and the lever portion 86 'can be substituted for another embodiment. FIG. 14 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
3 shows a holding device 91 of the embodiment. In this embodiment, a plurality of joints 92 are provided, and each joint 92 is provided with an electromagnetic clutch 93 to form a multi-joint arm 94. One end of the articulated arm 94 is fixed to the arm receiver 4 fitted to the column 3 erected on the bed 2, and a fixing screw 9.
Is fixed to the column 3. The other end of the articulated arm 94 is provided with a hold portion 98. This hold unit 9
8, an operation switch 95 of the electromagnetic clutch 93 is provided as shown in FIG. When the operation switch 95 is pressed, the electromagnetic clutch 93 is loosened, and the arms before and after the operation are freely rotated.

When the operation switch 95 is not depressed, each electromagnetic clutch 93 is closed, and the front and rear arms are fixed. In addition, an auxiliary lever 96 is
Is provided so that the operation switch 95 can be pressed only by the operator grasping the operation unit 12 of the endoscope 7. This mechanism may use a single-joint arm.

The arm fixing mechanism using the electromagnetic clutch 93 can be used not only for a multi-joint arm protruding from the bed 2 but also for a multi-joint arm provided on a chair, a peripheral device, a floor, a wall, or a single-joint arm. good.

According to the fifth embodiment, when the operation section 12 is grasped to move the endoscope 7, the operation switch 95 is turned on, each joint of the arm is loosened, and the endoscope 7 can be freely moved. . Further, the position of the endoscope 7 is determined, and when the hand is released from the endoscope 7, the operation switch 95 is turned off, the joint of the arm is fixed, and the endoscope can be held. Other operations are the same as those of the first embodiment. This embodiment has the effects of the first embodiment, and the swinging and holding of the endoscope 7 is easy and the operation is convenient.

FIG. 16 shows a holding section 101 of a holding device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is different from the other embodiments in that a hold unit 101 is formed. This hold unit 1
Numeral 01 includes an arm 105 having an endoscope mounting portion 103 at one end and a ball portion 104 at the other end, and an arm receiver 106 for receiving the ball portion 104 of the arm 105.
The ball portion 104 and the arm receiver 106 are rotatably fitted. A switch box 107 is provided in the middle of the arm 105. The switch box 107 includes a switch 1 for operating a peripheral device 108 (see FIG. 17) such as a video processor.
09 and a monitor 110 are incorporated. In the case of the present embodiment, information exchange between the switch box 107 and the peripheral device 108 is performed wirelessly. Therefore, a transceiver 111 is provided separately in the peripheral device 108, and in the case of the switch box 107, the transceiver is built in. Reference numerals 112 and 113 indicate respective transmitting and receiving antennas. Note that the switch 109 and the monitor 110 in the switch box 107 in this embodiment may be separate from each other, and the mounting location may be a hold unit, an arm unit, or a joint unit in other embodiments. The receiving unit 103
Is formed by fixing a C-ring-shaped receiving frame as shown in FIG. The arm receiver 106 is attached to, for example, the tip of the arm 6B in FIG.

According to this embodiment, when the endoscope 7 is moved while the arm receiver 106 is fixed, the fulcrum (the sphere 104 of the arm 105) is positioned lower than the hand grip. , The endoscope 7 moves like falling down. Other operations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

This embodiment has the same effects as those of the first embodiment. In addition, when the operator can move or tilt the endoscope 7 while holding it, the manner of movement when the operator tilts falls. Because it fits naturally with hand movements, there is no discomfort.

FIG. 18 shows a holding device 1 according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.
21 is shown. A base of an articulated arm 123 is attached to a wall 122 of the building, and a holding section 124 of the endoscope 7 is provided at a tip of the base. A switch box 125 is provided in the hold unit 124. In this embodiment, the switch box 125 is connected to a peripheral device 126 such as a video processor by a cable 127.

The operation of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. Further, in this embodiment, since there is no holding portion such as a column of the holding device 121 for holding the endoscope 7 in the vicinity of the operator,
Does not disturb the surgeon. The other effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

FIG. 19 shows a holding device 1 according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.
31 is shown. In this embodiment, instead of the arms 6A and 6B in the first embodiment, a telescopic arm 132 formed by fitting pipes 132a, 132b,... Used. The base of the largest diameter pipe 132a is fixed to the arm receiver 4, and the hold portion 8 is formed on the smallest diameter pipe 132d. Otherwise, the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.
The operation and effect are almost the same as those of the first embodiment.

FIG. 21 shows another embodiment of the hold section in the present invention. The holding portion 141 has a cylindrical portion 14 on the operation portion 12 of the endoscope 7 and a convex portion on the outer periphery.
Attachment 143 provided with 2 is fixed so as to be integrated. On the other hand, the holding portion 141 includes a fixed frame 144 and a rotating frame 145. By combining the two, a groove 146 in which the ring portion 142 of the attachment 143 fits is formed. Further, the fixed frame 144 and the rotating frame 145 are rotatably fitted to each other so that the claws 147 and 148 are engaged with each other so as not to come off as shown in FIG. The fixed frame 144 and the rotary frame 145 are provided with openings 144a and 145a, respectively.
Perform 5a together. When holding the endoscope 7, after putting the attachment 143 into the holding portion 141,
The rotation frame 145 is rotated by 90 ° or more and 180 ° or less so that the attachment 143 cannot be removed. In this state, the attachment 143 is rotatable with respect to the hold unit 141.

In this embodiment, when the endoscope 7 is held, the endoscope 7 and the holding section 141 are rotatable, and even if the endoscope 7 is pushed in all directions, the endoscope 7 can be held. It will not come off.

As an effect of this embodiment, the endoscope 7 is not detached from the holding portion 141 when the endoscope is mounted, so that it is safe and convenient. Also, the rotating frame 145 and the fixed frame 144
The endoscope 7 can be removed simply by adjusting the openings of the endoscope 7. Note that the holding mechanism of the holding unit 141 can be applied to the other embodiments described above.

[0055]

As described above, according to the present invention, the endoscope can be held when the endoscope is used for observation and treatment in a body cavity, and the fatigue of the operator can be reduced. There is a switch section for operating the endoscope peripheral devices near the operator who operates the device, which has an effect that the operator can easily operate these peripheral devices.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an endoscope holding device of a first embodiment,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a holding unit for holding the endoscope;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing an attachment attached to the endoscope;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a rotation restricting mechanism formed in a holding unit;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an attachment attached to a break preventing portion different from the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a third embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of a holding unit in a third embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a holding unit according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a holding unit according to a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a front view showing a handle portion in a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a front view showing an embodiment of a handle portion different from FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a side view showing a holding unit according to a fifth embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a schematic side view showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a front view showing a switch box according to a sixth embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a schematic side view showing a seventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a schematic perspective view showing an eighth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a sectional view showing a telescopic arm according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the hold unit.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a holding unit while holding the endoscope;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope holding device 2 ... Head 3 ... Prop 4. Arm receiving 5 ... Joint 6A, 6B ... Arm 7 ... Endoscope 8 ... Hold part 9 ... Fixing screw 10 ... Receiving frame 11 ... Insertion part 12 ... Operation part 14 universal cords 21a, 21b, 22 pin 107 switch box 125 switch box

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A holding section for detachably holding an endoscope having an operation section; holding means for holding the holding section at a predetermined position; and a holding section provided on the holding section for holding the endoscope. When
An endoscope holding device, comprising: a switch unit which is located below an operation unit of the endoscope and operates peripheral devices of the endoscope. "