JP3181707B2 - Endoscope - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a gap between built-in components filled in a curved tube portion, for example, by forming the end portion of a curved tube portion into a tapered shape in which the distal end portion is thickened. Is related to an endoscope.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, by inserting an elongated insertion portion into a body cavity, it is possible to observe organs in the body cavity or to insert a treatment tool into a treatment tool channel as needed to perform various treatments. Endoscopes are widely used. Further, not only in the medical field but also in the industrial field, industrial endoscopes for observing and inspecting internal scratches and corrosion of boilers, turbines, engines, chemical plants and the like are used.

[0003] The endoscope is of an optical type in which an optical image formed by an objective lens optical system disposed at the end of the endoscope is transmitted through an image guide fiber (image guide optical system) for observation. There is an electronic endoscope that photoelectrically converts an optical image formed on a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD by an endoscope or an objective optical system.

Also, ultrasonic pulses are repeatedly transmitted from the ultrasonic probe into the living body, and echoes of the ultrasonic pulse reflected from the living body are received by the same or separate ultrasonic probes. There is an ultrasonic endoscope that displays information collected from a plurality of directions in a living body as a visible ultrasonic diagnostic image by gradually changing the direction of transmitting and receiving the ultrasonic pulse.

[0005] A solid-state image pickup device comprising an objective lens optical system and a charge-coupled device is provided at the distal end of the insertion portion of the electronic endoscope, and an endoscope image formed on the solid-state image pickup device is formed. An image guide fiber for photoelectrically converting and transmitting and a signal cable bundle extending from the solid-state imaging device,
A built-in component such as a tube for air / water supply and a treatment instrument channel is filled in a dense state, and the built-in component is inserted into an insertion portion and extended to an operation portion or a universal cord.

Since the distal end forming portion, the curved tube portion, and the flexible tube portion forming the insertion portion of the endoscope are formed to have substantially the same diameter, the built-in member is in a dense state over the entire length of the insertion portion of the endoscope. However, they are arranged with an appropriate gap. For this reason, when the bending tube portion of the endoscope is operated to bend, the built-in components provided inside the insertion portion at an appropriate gap interfere with each other, and advance and retreat only in the axial direction in the bending tube portion to bend. Since it operates, there is no problem of buckling of the built-in object which is likely to occur when the built-in object moves in a direction other than the axial direction.

However, for example, in a direct-view type ultrasonic endoscope in which an objective optical system and an ultrasonic probe are disposed in the distal end portion in the axial direction, the distal end portion is compared with a flexible tube portion. Therefore, in order to increase the diameter, it is necessary to form a tapered curved tube portion in which the distal end component side of the curved tube portion is thickened. For this reason, the gap between the built-in components that penetrates the bending tube portion is such that when the bending tube portion is bent, the built-in component is not in the axial direction because the distal end component portion side is rough and the flexible tube portion side is dense. It was easy to move.

In Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 60-7681,
By forming a plurality of protrusions protruding in the direction of the center of the curved tube on the inner peripheral surface of the curved tube, movement of the treatment instrument channel, which is relatively hard among the built-in components, in a direction other than the axial direction is prevented. Means have been proposed to regulate and prevent damage to other internal components.

[0009]

As described above, an endoscope having a tapered curved tube portion having a thicker distal end portion side is provided when the bending tube portion is operated to bend. Since the gap between the built-in components of the curved tube portion on the side of the flexible tube portion is wider than the gap between the built-in components on the flexible tube portion side, there is a possibility that the built-in component of the curved tube portion on the distal end component side portion may buckle due to movement in a direction other than the axial direction.

Further, in the endoscope having the curved tube portion formed in a tapered shape in which the distal end portion is made thicker, most of the internal components are disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of the inner peripheral portion of the curved tube. Therefore, even if a plurality of projections projecting toward the center of the inner peripheral surface of the curved tube as described in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 60-7681 are formed, it is difficult to restrict the movement of the built-in component in directions other than the axial direction. Was.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an endoscope in which a built-in object inserted into an endoscope insertion portion does not move in a direction other than the axial direction during a bending operation or the like. It is intended to be.

[0012]

An endoscope according to the present invention comprises:
In an endoscope that includes a plurality of built-in components such as an image guide fiber, a signal cable bundle, an air supply / water supply tube, and an ultrasonic probe rotation drive shaft, the built-in component provided in the endoscope The built-in object movement suppressing member that sets the gap between objects to the desired gap is tapered with a width that changes in the axial direction.
Characterized in that it is formed in the shape of
The material should be narrow and change toward the endoscope
Features.

[0013]

[Operation] In the above configuration, when the endoscope performs a bending operation,
A plurality of built-in components such as image guide fiber and signal cable bundle, air / water supply tube, and ultrasonic probe rotation drive shaft change in width along the axial direction installed in the endoscope .
The gap between the built-in objects is set to a desired value by the built-in object movement suppressing member formed in a tapered shape, and the movement in a direction other than the axial direction is suppressed.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 to 3 relate to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a distal end portion of the endoscope, and FIG.
Is a front view of the tip of the endoscope, and FIG.
A sectional view, (c) is a BB sectional view of the endoscope end portion,
FIG. 3D is a cross-sectional view of the end of the endoscope taken along line CC, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a direct-view ultrasonic endoscope.

As shown in FIG. 3, for example, a direct-viewing ultrasonic endoscope 1 of a mechanical radial scan type has an elongated and flexible insertion portion 2 inserted into a body cavity, and an insertion portion 2 of the insertion portion 2. It comprises a large-diameter operation part 3 connected to the rear end, an electric cable cord 4 extending from the side of the operation part 3, a flexible universal cord 5, and the like.

The elongated insertion portion 2 is connected to a tapered curved tube portion 7 and a flexible tube portion 8 which are tapered so that the distal end portion 6 becomes thicker than the distal end side, thereby preventing the bending portion 9a.
Is connected to the operation unit 3 via the. An endoscope function unit and an ultrasonic function unit, which will be described later, are provided in the distal end component 6 of the endoscope 1. In addition, the bending tube section 7 includes:
By rotating a bending operation knob 10 provided on the operation section 3, an operation wire (not shown) inserted into the insertion section 2 is advanced and retracted to bend the bending tube section 7, thereby forming a distal end configuration section. 6 can be set freely.

On the other hand, the side of the operation unit 3 and the buckle 9b
While the electric cable cord 4 connected through is inserted through an ultrasonic signal cable bundle and the like to be described later,
A pulse is generated from a pulse generating circuit by connecting an electric connector 4a provided at the rear end of the electric cable cord 4 to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body (not shown).
An ultrasonic tomographic image is displayed on a display device.

Similarly, the side of the operation unit 3 and the buckling stopper 9
The universal cord 5 connected via c is inserted at the rear end of the universal cord 5 while a light guide fiber bundle, a solid-state image sensor operating signal cable bundle, an image guide fiber, and the like described later are inserted therein. The endoscope image is projected on a display device by connecting the scope connector 5a to a video processor (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 2 (a), an illumination lens 11a for illuminating illumination light on the observation site, and an optical image of the observation site are provided on the front surface of the distal end component 6 located on the front end side of the insertion unit 2. Objective lens 12a for forming an image, treatment instrument insertion channel 13 for inserting a treatment instrument such as biopsy forceps, objective lens 12
An endoscope function part such as a nozzle 14a for sending water to the apparatus a and an ultrasonic function part such as a balloon water injection hole 15 and a balloon water absorption hole 16 are provided.

As shown in FIG. 1, an objective lens optical system 12 which is a main part of an endoscope function unit and an optical image of an observation site are formed by the objective lens optical system 12 on the distal end component 6. A solid-state imaging device 17 is disposed at a position where the ultrasonic probe 18 is provided, and an ultrasonic probe 18 which is a main part of the ultrasonic function unit is formed in a liquid-tight manner with a rigid polyethylene or the like having an acoustic window 19. It is arranged inside the cover 20.
For example, the ultrasonic probe 18 which is an ultrasonic transmitting / receiving element is connected to a hollow flexible ultrasonic probe rotation drive shaft 21 via a joint member (not shown), while the ultrasonic beam scanning drive The ultrasonic probe is arranged to rotate freely by transmitting a rotational torque from a power source through the ultrasonic probe rotational drive shaft 21.

That is, since the endoscope function section and the ultrasonic function section are provided in the distal end section 6, the flexible tube section 8 is provided.
The outer diameter is formed larger than that of. For this reason, the outer diameter of the curved tube portion 7 that connects the distal end portion 6 and the flexible tube portion 8 is
It is formed in a tapered shape having a larger diameter from the flexible tube portion side toward the distal end component side.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 (b) to (d), an image is formed on the solid-state image pickup device 17, which is a built-in component of the endoscope 1, from behind the distal end component 6. Image guide fiber and electric cable bundle 17a for photoelectrically converting and transmitting an optical image, light guide fiber bundle 11 for transmitting illumination light from a light source unit (not shown) to illumination lens 11a, suction / air / water supply tube 14, treatment tool Channel 13, an ultrasonic probe rotation drive shaft 21 in which an ultrasonic signal cable bundle is provided in a hollow portion, a balloon water injection tube 15, a balloon water absorption tube 16, an operation wire 18, and the like, a curved tube portion formed in a tapered shape. 7 and the flexible tube portion 8 are extended.

At this time, as shown in FIGS. 2 (b) to 2 (d), the gap between the built-in members which penetrates the curved tube portion 7 formed into a tapered shape is close to the distal end component side of the curved tube portion 7. Since the filling rate of the curved tube portion on the distal end component side is clearly in the rough state with the flexible tube portion side, the resilient built-in object movement suppressing member formed in a roughly pyramidal shape in the rough state portion of the curved tube portion 7. 20 are arranged.

The operation of the endoscope configured as described above will be described. When operating the bending operation knob 10 provided on the operation section 3 of the endoscope 1 to move the operation wire 18 forward and backward to bend the bending tube portion 7, the bending member 7 having a substantially pyramid shape is bent. By arranging them at an appropriate position in the tube portion, the gap between the built-in objects filled in the curved tube portion is arranged almost uniformly at an appropriate gap in the curved tube portion 7, so that the built-in material is not located in the axial direction. Do not move.

As described above, the built-in object movement suppressing member 20 is
For example, the gap between the built-in components can be set to an appropriate distance by being provided inside the curved tube portion 7 such that the filling density of the built-in components becomes rough and dense due to being formed in a tapered shape.

The meandering of the treatment instrument channel 13 caused by the movement of the built-in object in a direction other than the axial direction is also drastically reduced, so that the amount of insertion / removal force of the treatment instrument is reduced, and the workability is improved.

Further, the light guide fiber bundle 11 is
Although it was easy to cut off due to the movement of the built-in object in the direction other than the axial direction, the movement of the built-in object in the direction other than the axial direction can be suppressed.
Since the cutting loss of the endoscope is greatly reduced, the life of the endoscope body is greatly extended.

By the way, bend preventing tubes 9a, 9b, 9c for connecting the operating portion 3 to the flexible tube portion 8, the electric cable cord 4, or the universal cord 5.
Can be kept watertight by covering as shown in FIG.

Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 4B (a view below the central axis), for example, when connecting a flexible tube portion 8 'and an operation portion 3' using a buckle 9'a, a flexible tube portion is used. The part 8 'and the operation part 3' are covered with a buckle 9'a, and the first part between the flexible tube part 8 'and the operation part 3' on the inner peripheral surface covered with the buckle 9'a. One packing 41 was provided to maintain watertightness. Therefore, the buckling stopper 9'a and the flexible tube 8 ',
Alternatively, if there is a gap between the operation portion 3 'and the space between the buckle 9'a and the first packing 41, dirt accumulates, and even if this space is washed, it is not washed. It was a blind spot.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3A (upper view of the center axis), a second packing 42 is inserted between the end face of the buckle 9a covering the operation section 3 and the flexible tube section 8 and the operation section 3. In addition to the provision of the break prevention insert member 43, the operation section 3 and the flexible tube section 8 are kept watertight on the outer peripheral surface. Further, the first packing 41 is provided for safety.
Will be arranged as before.

As described above, when connecting the operating portion 3 to the flexible tube portion 8, the electric cable cord 4, the universal cord 5, or the like using the buckle 9a, the second member disposed on the outer peripheral surface is used. The packing 42 and the first packing 41 disposed on the inner peripheral surface form a double watertight structure, thereby preventing entry of dirt and improving sanitation. Further, the fold-preventing insert member 43 can also be used as a packing.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, the first lens frame 51 and the second lens frame 52 of the objective lens optical system 12 can be bonded and fixed as follows.

As shown in the figure, an insulating ring 53 is provided between the first lens frame 51 and the second lens frame 52 of the objective lens optical system 12, and the insulating ring 53 is made of a viscous material. The first lens frame 51 and the second lens frame 52 are insulated by being fixed with a high first adhesive 54. further,
A second portion that does not form a nest when solidified with a lower viscosity than the first adhesive 54 is formed in a space 55 formed between the first lens frame 51 and the second lens frame 52 and the distal end portion 6. The first lens frame 51 and the second lens frame 52 are bonded and fixed by pouring an adhesive 56.

As described above, the first adhesive 54 having high viscosity is used.
Can prevent the adhesive from entering the lens group 12b of the objective lens optical system 12.

Further, by using the second adhesive 56 having a low viscosity, the first lens frame 51 and the second lens frame 52 can be adhered and fixed without generating nests. Since watertightness between the lens frame 51 and the second lens frame 52 can be ensured, the objective lens optical system 1
Lens fogging that occurred in No. 2 is eliminated.

FIG. 6 relates to a modification of the above embodiment, and
Is an AA sectional view of the endoscope distal end portion which is the same as FIG.
(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of the endoscope end portion shown in FIG.
(C) is CC sectional drawing of the endoscope end part which is the same location as FIG. As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, a tube-shaped built-in object movement suppressing member 20 ′ is provided instead of the pyramid-shaped built-in object movement suppressing member 20, which is provided in the curved tube portion 7 of the endoscope 1. And fixed by pins 61. Other configurations are the same as those in the above embodiment.

As described above, by disposing the tube-shaped built-in object movement suppressing member 20 'in place of the pyramid-shaped built-in object movement suppressing member 20, the bending operation of the bending tube portion 7 can be performed more smoothly than in the above-described embodiment. It can be carried out. Other functions and effects are the same as those of the above-described embodiment.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the endoscope 1 and, in addition, includes a plurality of pyramid-shaped built-in object movement suppressing members 20 or a plurality of tube-shaped built-in object moving suppressing members 20 '. Alternatively, the pyramid-shaped built-in object movement suppressing member 20 and the tube-shaped built-in object movement suppressing member 20 ′ may be used in combination.

The shape of the built-in object movement suppressing member can be changed according to the state of the gap between the built-in objects provided in the endoscope. A member can be formed.

Further, the present invention is not limited to an electronic endoscope, but can be used for an optical endoscope.

Further, the present invention can be applied to all insertion parts and endoscopes in which the built-in components are filled in a coarse state and the gap between the built-in components is set to be wide and there is a risk of buckling.

[0042]

As described above, according to the present invention, an endoscope in which a built-in object inserted into the endoscope insertion portion does not buckle by moving in a direction other than the axial direction during a bending operation or the like. A mirror can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1 to 3 relate to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an endoscope distal end portion.

2A is a front view of an endoscope distal end portion. FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the endoscope distal end taken along line AA. FIG. CC sectional view of the endoscope distal end portion

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an endoscope.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a covering state of a buckle;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an objective lens optical system.

6A is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the endoscope end portion which is the same as FIG. 1; FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. (C) is a sectional view taken along the line CC of the distal end portion of the endoscope, which is the same as FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope 14 ... Air supply / water supply tube 17a ... Image guide fiber and signal cable bundle 20 ... Internal movement suppression member 21 ... Ultrasonic probe rotation drive shaft

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. An endoscope comprising a plurality of built-in components such as an image guide fiber, a signal cable bundle, an air supply / water supply tube, and a rotary drive shaft of an ultrasonic probe. The built-in object movement suppressing member that sets the gap between the installed built-in objects to a desired gap is changed in width along the axial direction.
An endoscope formed in a tapered shape . 2. The endoscope hand-moving member according to claim 1, wherein
Claim: The width changes narrower toward the original side.
2. The endoscope according to 1 .