JP2985699B2 - Flexible membrane mounting device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the use of
The present invention relates to a flexible film mounting device for covering a flexible film formed in a cylindrical shape on an insertion portion to be inserted into a body cavity.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A typical body cavity inspection apparatus having an insertion portion to be inserted into a body cavity includes an endoscope and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. In addition, an endoscope and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus are used. Ultrasound endoscopes that are integrated into one are also used.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a distal end portion of an ultrasonic endoscope. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an insertion portion, and this insertion portion 1
Is a long flexible portion 1a extending from a main body operation unit (not shown).
And a distal end body 1c is continuously provided via an angle portion 1b. The flexible portion 1a is bent in an arbitrary direction along an insertion path in a body cavity, and the angle portion 1b pushes and pulls an operation wire inserted therein to turn the distal end portion main body 1c in a desired direction. The bending operation can be performed by the operation.

The distal end body 1c has an endoscope observation mechanism and an ultrasonic observation mechanism. The endoscope observation mechanism has an illumination window 2 and an observation window 3 provided on the distal end surface of the distal end portion main body 1c,
As is well known, a light guide for transmitting illumination light faces the illumination window 2, and an objective lens is mounted on the observation window 3. The entrance end of the element or image guide faces. Furthermore, in addition to the illumination window 2 and the observation window 3, a treatment instrument insertion channel 4 for inserting a treatment instrument such as forceps is inserted.
And a nozzle 5 for cleaning the observation window 3. On the other hand, the ultrasonic observation mechanism is provided with an ultrasonic transducer 6 at a position on the base end side of a portion of the distal end main body 1c where the endoscope observation mechanism is provided. A plurality of ultrasonic transducers are arranged in the axial direction of the distal end body 1c so that linear or sector electronic scanning can be performed.

[0005] In order not to attenuate the ultrasonic waves transmitted and received by the ultrasonic transducer 6, a balloon 10 is mounted on the distal end body 1c. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the balloon 10 has fastening rings 10a and 10b having circular cross sections at both ends.
A flexible thin film-shaped film body 10c is continuously provided between a and 10b. Annular concave grooves 7a and 7b are formed in the vicinity of the distal end of the distal end portion body 1c and in the vicinity of the portion connected to the angle portion 1b, and the fastening rings 10a and 10b of the balloon 10 It will fit in the grooves 7a, 7b. Further, a supply path 8 for supplying deaerated water as an ultrasonic transmission medium is opened at a position between the concave groove 7b on the base end side and the position where the ultrasonic transducer 6 is provided.

[0006] Here, even if the above-mentioned balloon 10 is expanded by deaerated water after being attached to the distal end portion main body 1c, or if a pulling force is applied thereto, its fastening ring 10 is not required.
a, 10b must be held so as not to deviate from the grooves 7a, 7b. In addition, it is necessary to prevent the body from being biased to one side by sliding with the inner wall of the body cavity when the body is inserted into or removed from the body cavity. For this purpose, the fastening rings 10a and 10b need to be smaller than the diameter of the groove bottoms of the concave grooves 7a and 7b so as to be fitted in the concave grooves 7a and 7b with tension, and the film body part is required. The tip body 1 also has a diameter of 10c.
It is preferable to make the diameter smaller than the outer diameter of c.

[0007]

The balloon 1
0 is the shape described above, the fastening rings 10a,
It is necessary to expand the diameter of 10b and fit it into the concave grooves 7a and 7b, and it is necessary to give tension to the film body portion 10c. In order to fit the fastening ring 10a into the concave groove 7a on the distal end side, the fastening ring 10a may simply be expanded, so that it can be mounted to some extent easily, but is provided at a position away from the distal end. Ring 1 in the groove 7b
In order to fit 0b, the fastening ring 10b must be expanded and the film body 10c must be displaced to the position of the concave groove 7b while sliding along the distal end body 1c. This operation is cumbersome and difficult and requires skill. In particular, when an ultrasonic transducer that performs electronic scanning is used as the ultrasonic transducer 6, the ultrasonic transducer 6 is elongated in the axial direction, so that the ultrasonic transducer 6 extends from the distal end of the distal end body 1c to the position of the concave groove 7b. As the distance becomes longer, there is a problem that the operation of shifting to the position of the concave groove 7b with the fastening ring 10b expanded is extremely difficult.

[0008] For example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-32081 discloses an apparatus for mounting a balloon.
In this known device, an open end of a balloon is fitted to a tubular member, and the tubular member is made to have a negative pressure. The portion is inserted into the tubular member to detach the balloon from the tubular member. However, with this device, it is not possible to attach a balloon with open ends,
There are some problems.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to easily and flexibly attach a flexible film such as a balloon having both ends opened to an insertion portion by a simple structure. The purpose is to be able to put on a part.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a tubular body having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of an insertion portion, and an outwardly extending tube connected to a proximal end of the tubular body. The cylindrical body has a cylindrical flexible film having both ends opened, the length of which is greater than the axial length of the cylindrical body. It is configured to be wound so as to be shorter and fitted to the cylindrical main body such that the portion on the thicker winding side is arranged on the stopper portion side.

[0011]

The flexible film is mounted on the flexible film holder in advance.
Accordingly, after the flexible film holder is fitted to the insertion portion and moved to a predetermined position, first, one end of the flexible film is pulled out of the tubular main body and dropped into a predetermined position on the outer surface of the insertion portion. Thereafter, the flexible film holder is returned to the distal end side of the insertion portion, and the portion where the flexible film is wound is dropped onto the outer surface of the insertion portion. In this state, the flexible film holder is removed from the insertion portion, and the portion where the flexible film is wound is rewound along the outer surface of the insertion portion, and the other end of the flexible film is fixed at a predetermined position. . Thereby, the flexible membrane is mounted at a predetermined position of the insertion section.

In mounting the flexible membrane, it is not necessary to expand the end of the flexible membrane, and it is sufficient to perform the work of merely extracting the flexible membrane from the cylindrical main body of the flexible membrane holder. The operability of the mounting operation is extremely good, and the mounting of the flexible membrane can be performed easily and quickly. Further, by making the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical main body a sliding surface with good slip, the operation of transferring the flexible membrane from the cylindrical main body to the insertion portion becomes easy. To this end, the material of the cylindrical body may be made of a member having good lubricity, such as fluororesin, or may be coated with oils or fats that do not harm the body. In the case where a flexible film is used in which a fixing ring having a circular cross section is continuously provided at both ends of the film body portion, the flexible film body is wound around the fixing ring on one side as a core. However, if a slide ring is fitted to a portion between the thickened portion and the fastening ring on the other side as described above, the flexible film can be moved only by moving the slide ring. Can be dropped into the surface of the insertion portion, and the flexible membrane can be mounted substantially without touching the flexible membrane.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, FIGS. 3 to 6 show a first embodiment of the present invention. Here, as the flexible film, the balloon 10 shown in FIG. 2 is used, and as the insertion portion to which the balloon 10 is attached, as shown in FIG.
An insertion section 1 having an endoscope main body 1c of an ultrasonic endoscope equipped with an endoscope observation mechanism and an ultrasonic observation mechanism. Concave grooves 7a and 7b are formed. The flexible film may be a balloon having both ends opened, and may not be provided with a fastening ring at both ends, and the insertion portion to which the flexible film is attached may be an ultrasonic endoscope. It goes without saying that other things may be used.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 20 denotes a balloon mounting device.
1 and the balloon 1 attached to the balloon holder 21
0. Balloon holder 21 is cylindrical main body 2
2, the inner diameter of the balloon holder 21 is larger than the outer diameter of the insertion portion 1, and the balloon holder 21 is substantially loosely fitted from the distal end side of the distal end body 1c of the insertion portion 1. Can be combined. Thus, the balloon holder 21 can be inserted into the distal end body 1c in a non-contact state, so that the distal end body 1c is not damaged.

The cylindrical body 22 of the balloon holder 21
Is formed of a cylindrical member, and an inlet portion 22a is formed on the inner edge portion on the distal end side so that the insertion portion 1 can be smoothly inserted. The stopper portion 23 is connected to the end of the cylindrical main body 22 and protrudes outward in the radial direction, so that the outer surface of the balloon holder 21 has a stepped shape. And the cylindrical main body 22
In order to improve the sliding of the balloon 10, the entire balloon holder 21 or the cylindrical main body 22 is formed of a member having good lubricity such as fluororesin, or the outer surface of the cylindrical main body 22 does not harm the body. Apply fats and oils.

The balloon 10 attached to the balloon holder 21 has an axial length of the membrane portion 10c of the balloon 7 which is equal to that of the groove 7.
a of the fastening rings 10a and 10b at both ends of the fastening rings 10a and 10b fitted into the concave grooves 7a as cores,
Its axial length is reduced. On the other hand, make sure that the other fastening ring 10b is not
Even if it is involved, it should be at most once or twice. This entrainment causes the length of the balloon 10 to be reduced
2 is shorter than the length in the axial direction. The balloon 10 shortened in this manner is configured such that the fastening ring 10 a, which has been wound into a thick roll, is located on the side close to the stopper 23, and the other fastening ring 1.
0b on the tip side.
1 is fitted.

By using the balloon mounting apparatus 20 configured as described above, the balloon 10 can be mounted very smoothly and quickly on the distal end body 1c of the insertion section 1 as shown in FIGS. Become.

First, a balloon mounting device 20 comprising a balloon holder 21 having the balloon 10 mounted thereon is fitted to the distal end main body 1c from the distal end side, and as shown in FIG. Is arranged at a position close to the concave groove 7b. Here, although the balloon 10 is mounted on the cylindrical main body 22 of the balloon holder 21, the stopper portion 23 has a larger diameter than the cylindrical main body 22 and the balloon 10 is not located at this position. When fitting the balloon mounting device 20 to the insertion portion 1, the stopper portion 23 may be gripped. In addition, since the attraction portion 22 a is formed at the inner peripheral edge portion at the distal end portion of the cylindrical main body 22, it is possible to easily insert the insertion portion 1.

In this state, the fastening ring 10b is dropped onto the distal end body 1c from the tip of the tubular main body 22, and the fastening ring 10b is fitted into the groove 7b to fix the fastening ring 10b. . Here, since the fastening ring 10a which has become thick is regulated by the stopper portion 23, the fastening ring 10a does not slip off from the balloon holder 21 during this operation.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the balloon holder 21 is detached to the distal end side. At this time, the entire balloon 10 is placed on the distal end main body 1c. Balloon 1
Reference numeral 0 indicates a state in which the balloon 10 is easily slid with respect to the cylindrical main body 22, and the fastening ring 10b is fixed to the concave groove 7b. Only the holder 21 can be removed. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the film body portion 10c is moved to the distal end side so as to be rewound from the fastening ring 10a. Finally, the balloon 10 is mounted on the distal end body 1c by fitting the fastening ring 10a into the concave groove 7a.

As described above, the operation of moving the end of the balloon holder 21 into the distal end main body 1c to a position near the concave groove 7b and dropping the fastening ring 10b of the balloon 10 from the cylindrical main body 22 is performed. By doing so, the most difficult task of mounting the balloon 10 is performed quickly and easily. In addition, the balloon holder 21 is then removed, the fastening ring 10a is drawn, and the membrane portion 10c wrapped around the fastening ring 10a may be stretched. Therefore, the mounting of the balloon 10 is extremely easy. become.

Here, the balloon 10 is attached to the balloon holder 2.
1 and the balloon mounting device 20 can be formed by various methods. For example, if the jig shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is used, the balloon 10 can be incorporated into the balloon holder 21. It can be done easily. This jig is composed of a jig main body 30 and a stopper ring 31. The jig main body 30 has a frusto-conical shape at the tip of a shaft portion 30a which is inserted into the balloon holder 21 in a substantially closely fitted state. It is provided with an introduction portion 30b in the shape of a circle.
The minimum diameter of the introduction portion 30b is smaller than the inner diameter of the balloon 10 in the free state, and the maximum diameter is equal to or larger than the outer diameter of the tubular main body 22.
A step is formed between a and the introduction portion 30b. Further, the jig body 30 is formed of a member having good slip.
The shaft portion 30a is longer than the entire length of the balloon holder 21 in the axial direction, and a screw portion is provided on the base end side. The stopper ring 31 is connected to the shaft 30a.
Is screwed to the threaded portion of

The jig body 30 is configured such that the shaft portion 30b is inserted from the distal end side of the balloon holder 21 so as to penetrate the stopper portion 22 side, and the stopper ring 31 is connected to the shaft portion 3.
The jig main body 30 is fixed by screwing to the base end of the jig 0b. In this state, the balloon 10 whose axial length has been shortened by winding the fastening ring 10a side is fitted to the introduction portion 30a, and while the fastening ring 10a side is expanded along the introduction portion 30a. , Balloon holder 21
To fit. The stopper ring 23 of the cylindrical main body 22 in the balloon holder 21 is connected to the fastening ring 10a.
When the stopper ring 10b is moved to a position close to the jig body 30, the fastening ring 10b on the other side also moves from the introduction portion 30a of the jig body 30 to the cylindrical body 22.
Move up. In this state, after the stopper ring 31 is separated from the jig main body 30, the jig main body 30 is detached from the balloon holder 21. As a result, the balloon mounting device 20 having the balloon 10 mounted on the balloon holder 21
Is formed. The balloon mounting apparatus 20 formed in this manner can be stored for a long period of time if it is put in a package 32 and filled with water as shown in FIG. 9, for example.

Next, FIGS. 10 to 12 show the second embodiment of the present invention.
In this embodiment, the balloon device 40 also has a balloon holder 41. The balloon holder 41 includes a cylindrical main body 42 and a stopper 43. The point that the length in the axial direction is shortened by winding the fastening ring 10a at one end side of the balloon 10 into the shape-like body 42, which is exceptionally different from the first embodiment described above. There is no difference.

Here, the cylindrical body 42 is made of a thin member, and is the membrane body 10c of the balloon 10 mounted in a state where the length in the axial direction is shortened. A slide ring 44 is fitted and provided between the portions 10b and not wound around the fastening ring 10a. The slide ring 44 is a stage in which the fastening ring 10a with the membrane portion 10c wound thereon is fitted to the cylindrical body 42, and before the fastening ring 10b is fitted to the tubular body 42. Then, it can be assembled by inserting the fixing ring 10b into the cylindrical main body 42 via the membrane portion 10c and then fitting the fixing ring 10b to the cylindrical main body 42.

As described above, by mounting the slide ring 44, the balloon holder 41 of the balloon mounting device 40 is fitted to the distal end body 1c of the insertion section 1, and the distal end is positioned near the concave groove 7b. By first moving the slide ring 44 in a direction in which the slide ring 44 is attached to and detached from the tubular main body 42, the fastening ring 10b side can be dropped into the distal end main body 1c. And
The slide ring 44 is further inserted into the concave groove 7b of the tip body 1c.
11, the fastening ring 10b is pushed into the concave groove 7b as shown in FIG. From this state, if the slide ring 44 is pulled back so as to pass through the position of the fastening ring 10b fitted into the concave groove 7b, the sliding ring 44 comes into contact with the fastening ring 10a in which the film body portion 10c is wound. The part on the side of the attachment ring 10a is moved to the concave groove 7a side of the distal end body 1c. by this,
The film body portion 10c that has been caught in the fastening ring 10a
Is unwound and stretched along the distal end hard portion 1c. Then, when the fixing ring 10a is rewound to the position of the fixing ring 10a, as shown in FIG.
0a is pushed into the groove 7a. As a result, the balloon 10 can be mounted on the insertion portion 1 without substantially touching the balloon 10 with a hand or the like.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show a third embodiment of the present invention.
The following shows an example. The balloon holder 51 of the balloon mounting device 50 in this embodiment also includes a cylindrical main body 52 and a stopper 53, but the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical main body 52 is
The connecting portion of the stopper portion 53 has the largest diameter, and is inclined so as to have a continuously decreasing diameter toward the distal end. A second stopper 5 is provided at the tip of the cylindrical main body 52.
4 are formed. Here, the second stopper portion 54
As shown in FIG. 14, a pair of cuts are formed at 180 ° positions at the distal end portion of the cylindrical main body 52 so that the balloon 10 is fitted to the cylindrical main body 52. After being mounted on the notch, the cut portion is formed by folding back. Therefore, this second
The stopper 54 can be relatively easily separated from the tubular main body 52. In addition, as shown by a virtual line in FIG. 13, a slide ring 55 can be provided at a position of a non-roll-in portion in the film portion 10 c of the balloon 10.

With the above-described structure, the balloon 10 has its thick-winding portion side restricted by the stopper portion 53, and the second portion is also provided at the portion located on the small-diameter side of the inclined surface.
Is provided, the cylindrical body 52
Is maintained so as not to deviate from Then, when the balloon mounting device 50 is fitted into the distal end main body 1c of the insertion portion 1 and the second stopper portion 54 is located near the concave groove 7b,
The second stopper 54 is separated, and the fastening ring 10b is removed.
Is dropped into the concave groove 7b. The second stopper 54 does not necessarily need to be separated, and may be bent back to its original state. Then, the balloon holder 51 is pulled out from the insertion portion 1 and the balloon 10 is placed in the distal end main body 1c. However, since the cylindrical main body 52 is provided with an inclination such that the distal end side has a small diameter, the balloon 10 is inclined.
Will slide down very smoothly along this inclined surface.

[0029]

As described above, the apparatus for mounting a flexible membrane according to the present invention uses a flexible membrane holder having a cylindrical main body and a stopper, and the cylindrical main body is provided with the cylindrical flexible membrane. In a state in which the part from one end side to the vicinity of the other end part is entangled, the cylindrical part is fitted to the cylindrical body such that the entangled side part is disposed on the stopper part side. This has an effect that a flexible film such as a balloon having both ends opened can be extremely easily mounted on a predetermined portion of the insertion portion.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a distal end portion of an ultrasonic endoscope as an example of a device including an insertion portion inserted into a body cavity.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a balloon mounted on the ultrasonic endoscope of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the balloon mounting device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory view showing a process of mounting a balloon on an insertion portion using the balloon mounting device in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory view of the first embodiment showing a state different from FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory view of the first embodiment showing a further different state.

FIG. 7 is an external view of a jig for mounting a balloon on a balloon holder.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a state in which the jig of FIG. 7 is incorporated in a balloon holder.

FIG. 9 is a configuration explanatory view showing a state in which the balloon mounting device is housed in a container.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a balloon mounting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an operation explanatory view in the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an operation explanatory view of the second embodiment showing a state different from that of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a balloon device showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an operation explanatory view of the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Insertion part 1c Tip part main body 7a, 7b Groove 10 Balloon 10a, 10b Fastening ring 10c Membrane body 20, 40, 50 Balloon mounting apparatus 21, 41, 51 Balloon holder 22, 42, 52 Cylindrical main body 23, 43 , 53 Stopper part 44, 55 Slide ring 54 Second stopper part

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A body cavity inspection apparatus having an insertion portion to be inserted into a body cavity, for mounting a flexible membrane from a distal end side of the insertion portion, wherein the inner diameter is larger than the outer diameter of the insertion portion. A flexible membrane holder comprising a cylindrical main body having, and a stopper portion continuously provided outward on a base end side of the cylindrical main body,
A cylindrical flexible film having both ends opened is wound around the cylindrical body so that the length is shorter than the axial length of the cylindrical body from one end side. The flexible film mounting device is configured to be fitted so that the part is disposed on the stopper portion side. 2. The flexible membrane mounting device according to claim 1, wherein at least the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical main body is a sliding surface. 3. The flexible film mounting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flexible film is formed by connecting fastening rings to both ends of a film body. 4. A slide ring is loosely fitted in a portion between the two fixing rings of the flexible film, and after the cylindrical main body is fitted to a predetermined position of the insertion portion, the slide ring is moved to the distal end. 4. The flexible film mounting device according to claim 3, wherein the end of the flexible film is dropped into the outer surface of the insertion portion by moving the flexible film to the side. 5. A second stopper which is detachably connected to a distal end side of the cylindrical main body for holding an end of the flexible membrane so as not to fall off, and the second main body is provided with a second stopper. The flexible member according to claim 1, wherein the stopper is detachable from the cylindrical main body in a state fitted to the insertion portion, so that an end portion of the flexible film can be dropped on an outer surface of the insertion portion. Membrane mounting device.