JP3222775B2 - Simple endoscope device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a simple endoscope apparatus in which an illumination light supply unit for supplying illumination light to a light guide is detachably connected to an operation unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a so-called simple endoscope apparatus provided with an illuminant for illumination in an operation section, generally, an incident end of a light guide for transmitting illumination light for illuminating a subject is operated by an endoscope. An illumination light supply unit having a light source lamp for supplying illumination light to the light guide and a battery serving as a power source for the illumination light supply unit is detachably attached to the operation unit.

Conventionally, such an illumination light supply unit is attached and detached by screwing a screw mount provided in the vicinity of the tip of the illumination light supply unit to a screw portion formed on a receiving base on the operation unit side. I was

[0004]

However, since the screw mount is fixed to the illumination light supply unit, the switch provided on the illumination light supply unit is operated while the illumination light supply unit is attached to the operation unit. When the battery replacement operation is performed, the entire illumination light supply unit rotates,
In some cases, the connection state to the operation unit is loosened, or conversely, it is too tight to be easily detached later.

Further, when the illumination light supply unit is attached to and detached from the operation unit, the entire illumination light supply unit is turned around. In some cases, the unit was attached in a state where it was oriented in an unfavorable direction.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an easy-to-attach and detachment of the illumination light supply unit with respect to the operation unit, and a stable connection state of the illumination light supply unit. It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple endoscope apparatus in which a connection state to an operation unit is not disturbed even when the operation is performed.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a simplified endoscope apparatus according to the present invention has a light guide for transmitting illumination light for illuminating an object, and an incident end of the light guide is arranged on an operation unit. And an illumination light supply unit having a light source lamp for supplying illumination light to the light guide, the illumination light supply unit being detachably connected to the operation unit. A rotation direction regulating unit for regulating the direction of the connection unit around the axis, and the illumination light supply unit regulated and connected to the operating unit in a predetermined direction by the rotation regulating unit; And connection fixing means for fixing the connection means.

[0008] The connection fixing means may be a fastening ring rotatably provided on the illumination light supply unit so as to be screwed to the operation section.

Further, the illumination light supply unit may be connected and fixed to the operation unit by changing its direction within a predetermined range. In this case, the predetermined range may be set so that the illumination light supply unit does not interfere with a protruding part protruding from the operation unit, and the illumination light supply unit may be configured such that the illumination light supply unit is used to observe the observer's face during endoscopic observation. The predetermined range may be set so as not to interfere with the above.

[0010] The illumination light supply unit may be formed to have a shape that partially protrudes in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of a connection portion to the operation portion. Also,
At least one of a switch member for turning on and off the light source lamp and a storage member for taking a battery serving as a power source of the light source lamp into and out of the illumination light supply unit is rotated around the axis of the connection part. May be provided in the illumination light supply unit as described above.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a side view of the operation section 2 of the endoscope, and FIG. 4 is a front view thereof. A lower end of the operation section 2 is connected to a base end of an insertion section 1 covered with a flexible tube. I have.

The lower part of the operation part 2 at about three-quarters is a grip part 2a, and a forceps insertion opening part 4 is provided between the grip part 2a and the insertion part 1 so as to project diagonally forward. Have been. Reference numeral 3 denotes a pressure adjusting valve for adjusting the pressure inside the airtight endoscope.

A suction operation valve 6 for performing a suction operation through a forceps channel (not shown) inserted into the insertion section 1 is provided to the operation mechanism section 5 above the grip section 2a of the operation section 2.
And a bending operation lever 7 for remotely bending a bending portion (not shown) formed at the distal end portion of the insertion portion 1 are disposed on the front and rear surfaces, and an eyepiece 8 protrudes from the upper surface. Have been.

An illumination light guide fiber bundle 9 for transmitting illumination light for illuminating a subject has an incident end located in the operation mechanism section 5 and has a grip section 2 of the operation section 2.
The injection end portion is disposed at the tip of the insertion portion 1 through the inside of the insertion portion 1 from inside a.

Then, the light guide fiber bundle 9
Light supply unit 3 for supplying illumination light to
Reference numeral 0 is detachably connected to and connected to the side surface portion of the operation mechanism section 5 and protrudes to the side.

As shown in FIG. 4, the illumination light supply unit 30 includes a light source lamp 32 for emitting illumination light to be supplied to the light guide fiber bundle 9, and a power supply for lighting the light source lamp 32. A certain battery 100 and the like are built in. As the battery 100, any battery such as a dry battery or a rechargeable nickel cadmium battery may be used.

The battery 100 can be exchanged by removing a cap 50 detachably attached to the end of the illumination light supply unit 30. Instead of the battery 100, an AC / DC conversion adapter or the like is connected. Is also good.

FIG. 5 shows a state in which the illumination light supply unit 30 has been removed from the operation unit 2. As will be described later, a unit connection base 27 protrudes from the operation unit 2 side, and a male screw portion 27a is formed at the protruding end. 26 is a cover cylinder made of plastic.

On the other hand, the illumination light supply unit 30 is provided with a tightening ring 37 in which a female screw screwed into the male screw portion 27a of the operation section 2 is formed on an inner surface portion so as to be rotatable around an axis. .

The illumination light supply unit 30 is provided with a positioning pin 38 which is fitted in a regulating groove 28 formed at a protruding end of the unit connection base 27, and the illumination light supply unit 30 is connected to the operation unit 2. The direction of the illumination light supply unit 30 with respect to the operation unit 2 (the direction around the axis of the connection unit) when connected and fixed is regulated. 25 is an index for positioning.

FIG. 1 shows an operation unit 2 and an illumination light supply unit 3.
The main body case 11 that covers the vicinity of the connection portion with the reference numeral 0 and covers the operation mechanism section 5 of the operation section 2 is formed of an electrically insulating plastic.

A cover 15 made of electrically insulating plastic is fitted into a large side opening formed in the main body case 11, and an O-ring 16 for sealing is mounted on the fitting surface. Water is prevented from entering the operation unit 2.

The fitting portion between the lid 15 and the main body case 11 is provided with a rotation stopper (not shown) for regulating the relative rotation between them. Although the O-ring 16 is crushed by being mounted, the figure shows a cross section in a natural state before being crushed (the same applies hereinafter).

At the center axis position of the through hole formed in the central portion of the lid 15, the base portion is located on the metal frame 13 in the operation section 2.
The support cylinder 17 fixed to the support cylinder 17 is disposed. The connection mouthpiece receiver 18 is pressed and fixed to the lid 15 by a nut 14 screwed to the head of the support cylinder 17. However,
An insulating seat 19 made of electrically insulating plastic is interposed between the connection base receiver 18 and the nut 14 so that they do not come into contact with each other.

The connection base receiver 18 has a large opening on the outer surface of the lid 15 and is formed in a cylindrical shape for receiving (connecting and connecting) the illumination light supply unit 30 and protruding outward. The base of the unit connection base 27 made of, for example, stainless steel is fixed with screws. A plastic cover cylinder 26 having low thermal conductivity is attached so as to cover the outer peripheral surfaces of the unit connection base 27 and the connection base receiver 18.

The incident end of the light guide fiber bundle 9 is screwed and fixed at the center axis position of the bottom of the unit connection base 27. The convex meniscus lens 20 is fixed to the incident end face of the light guide fiber bundle 9 by a holding nut 21 screwed to the bottom surface of the unit connection base 27.

An O-ring for sealing is mounted on the fitting portion between the members arranged inside the hole of the lid 15, and water is supplied from outside to the operating portion 2 in all portions. It has a watertight structure that does not invade. Needless to say, the insertion portion 1 is similarly formed in a watertight structure.

The illumination light supply unit 30 is formed in a straight cylindrical shape as a whole, and includes a lamp chamber portion 30a close to a connection portion with the operation portion 2, and a battery chamber portion remote from the connection portion with the operation portion 2. 30b, and FIG. 1 shows the entire lamp chamber 30a.

The illumination light radiated from the light source lamp 32 is provided inside the light guide fiber bundle 9 inside the front end portion of the lamp chamber case 35 fitted into the unit connection base 27.
A reflecting mirror 34 for converging toward the incident end face of the light source lamp 32 is fixed so as to surround the light source lamp 32.

A transparent cover glass 49 is fixed to a front end face of the reflecting mirror 34 by a holding nut 40. An O-ring 48 is attached to the outer edge of the inner end of the cover glass 49, and the lamp chamber case 35 is externally provided.
It is sealed so that water does not enter inside.

The two electrodes protruding rearward from the light source lamp 32 are inserted into the socket 33 and are electrically connected to the connection pins at the rear thereof.
4, two conductive members 43a and 43 interposed therebetween.
b and is fixed.

The one conductive member 43a is provided with the battery 10
The zero positive electrode is always in contact. The battery chamber case 31 is screwed and connected to the other conductive member 43b in an electrically connected state, whereby the conductive member 43a and the insulating plate 44 are fixed to the battery chamber case 31. I have.

Reference numeral 36 denotes a connecting cylinder which is screwed and fixed to both members so as to connect the lamp chamber case 35 and the battery chamber case 31, and the socket 33 is provided between the connecting cylinder 36 and the conductive member 43b. , Which are sandwiched and fixed via an insulating member. The positioning pins 38 protrude from the connecting cylinder 36.

Reference numerals 45 and 46 denote O-rings for sealing fitting surfaces between the lamp chamber case 35 and the connecting cylinder 36 and between the battery chamber case 31 and the connecting cylinder 36. The distal end portion of the connection cylinder 36 is inserted into the unit connection base 27.

The fastening ring 37 has a tip portion formed to have a slightly smaller diameter than the other portions, and a female screw portion 37 screwed to the male screw portion 27a of the unit connection base 27 at that portion.
a is screwed.

An annular member 39 rotatably fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the battery chamber case 31 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate portion of the tightening ring 37 by screws. The flange 36a is formed by the annular member 39 and the female screw 37a.
Is loosely sandwiched between.

Accordingly, the fastening ring 37 hardly moves in the axial direction, but is rotatable around the axis. By rotating the fastening ring 37, the female screw portion 37a formed at the distal end thereof is united. It can be screwed with the male screw part 27a of the connection base 27, or the screwed state can be released.

Therefore, the lamp chamber case 35 at the end of the illumination light supply unit 30 is inserted into the unit connection base 27 protruding from the operation section 2, and the positioning pin 38 is rotated in the rotation direction so as to fit into the restriction groove 28. The fastening ring 37 is rotated with the position adjusted, and the female screw portion 37a of the fastening ring 37 is rotated.
Is screwed into the male screw portion 27a at the protruding end of the unit connection base 27 and tightened appropriately, so that the illumination light supply unit 30 is connected to the operation unit 2. In this state, the distal end portion of the connecting cylinder 36 is also fitted into the unit connection base 27, and the fitting surface is sealed by the O-ring 41.

As described above, the illumination light supply unit 30
Is connected to the operation unit 2, the light source lamp 3
The illumination light emitted from 2 is reflected by the reflecting mirror 34, passes through the cover glass 49 and the convex meniscus lens 20, and converges and enters the incident end face of the light guide fiber bundle 9. When the screw between the unit receiving base 27 and the fastening ring 37 is released, the illumination light supply unit 30 is removed from the operation unit 2 as shown in FIG.

FIG. 2 shows the battery compartment 30b. A cap portion 50 is detachably screwed to an end of a cylindrical battery chamber case 31 containing the battery 100, and the cap portion 50 is configured to supply electricity between the battery 100 and the light source lamp 32. A switch for turning on and off is incorporated.

Reference numeral 51 denotes a cap body made of a highly conductive metal. An O-ring for sealing is provided at a fitting portion between the outer peripheral surface of the end of the battery chamber case 31 and the inner peripheral surface of the cap body 51. 53 is attached to prevent water from entering the inside.

In the cap main body 51, a first compression coil spring 55, one end of which is received by the cap main body 51, is connected to the battery 100 via a pressing ring 56 provided movably in the axial direction. It is biased in the direction of the chamber 30a. Thereby, the contact between the positive electrode of the battery 100 and the conductive member 43a is ensured.

The first compression coil spring 55 is connected to the battery 1
00 and the press ring 56 is
It is in contact with the periphery of the battery 100 so as not to contact the negative electrode of zero. Reference numeral 57 denotes a ring-shaped washer having good slippage.

A rotary cam cylinder 63 rotatable about the axis of the cap 50 is provided inside the cap main body 51.
Are fitted, and a switch operation ring 64 is screw-bonded and integrally connected to the head of the rotary cam cylinder 63 projecting toward the protruding end of the cap portion 50. Switch operation ring 64
Are formed in a substantially bowl shape and are arranged so as to surround the end of the cap portion 50. Reference numeral 65 denotes a decorative plate.

The head portion of the rotary cam barrel 63 is rotatably fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the end of the cap body 51, and an O-ring 67 for sealing is mounted on the fitted portion. In this way, the illumination light supply unit 30 has a watertight structure in which water does not intrude from the outside in all parts.

Reference numeral 58 denotes a movable contact member which comes into contact with the negative electrode of the battery 100. The movable contact member 58 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a bottom surface by a rigid body made of a good conductive metal. It is inserted in.

The contact formed on the bottom surface of the movable contact member 58 is urged by the second compression coil spring 66 and pressed against the center of the negative electrode of the battery 100.

A pair of guide pins 59 made of a good conductive member protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the movable contact member 58 penetrate through a cam groove 63 a formed in the rotary cam cylinder 63, and are axially connected to the cap body 51. It is engaged with the long groove 54a formed in the direction.

Therefore, the guide pin 59 and the long groove 54a
The movable contact member 58 does not rotate around the axis, but when the switch operating ring 64 is rotated, the rotary cam cylinder 63 rotates around the axis together with the switch operating ring 64, and a guide integrated with the movable contact member 58 is formed. The pin 59 is displaced in the axial direction by the cam groove 63a, and the movable contact member 58 switches between an on state in which it contacts the negative electrode of the battery 100 and an off state in which it is separated.

Reference numeral 60 denotes a leaf spring which is in contact with the head of the guide pin 59 to ensure electrical conduction with the cap body 51. In the switch-on state, the battery 1
The negative electrode 00 is electrically connected to the negative conductive member 43b via the movable contact member 58, the guide pin 59, the leaf spring 60, the cap body 51, the battery chamber case 31, and the like.

When the battery 100 is exhausted, the entire cap portion 50 is detached from the illumination light supply unit 30 by rotating the cap portion main body 51 around the axis.
Battery 100 can be easily replaced. In order to easily hold the battery chamber case 31 when rotating the cap body 51, the battery chamber case 31 is formed with a coarse knurled portion 47 having a large width.

When the switch operation ring 64 is rotated or the cap body 51 is rotated in this manner, a rotational force acts on the battery chamber case 31 at this time. Connecting tube 36 fixedly connected to
The battery compartment case 31 does not rotate because the positioning pin 38 and the restriction groove 28 engage with the unit connection base 27 on the operation section side so as not to rotate.

Even if the battery chamber case 31 is slightly rotated, the male screw portion 27a of the unit connection base 27 is formed.
Since no rotational force is transmitted to the female screw portion 37a of the tightening ring 37 that is screwed with the operation portion 2, the connection state of the illumination light supply unit 30 to the operation portion 2 is not affected at all.

FIGS. 6 to 8 show a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the battery chamber case 131 of the illumination light supply unit 30 is formed into an L-shape by bending it at right angles. The battery compartment 30b is arranged at a right angle to the lamp compartment 30a. Reference numeral 101 denotes a lead wire for conducting electrical conduction on the positive electrode side at a portion bent at a right angle.

In the second embodiment, the regulating groove 128 formed in the protruding end of the unit connection base 27 so as to engage with the positioning pin 38 allows the illumination light supply unit 30 to be connected to the axis of the unit connection base 27. It is formed wide in the circumferential direction so that it can be rotated around 90 °.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, the illumination light supply unit 30 is arbitrarily turned within a range of 90 ° from a state in which the battery chamber 30b is directed downward to a state in which the battery chamber 30b is directed downward. It can be set to a position where it does not interfere with the operation at that time. In addition, when the illumination light supply unit 30 is attached to and detached from the operation unit 2, the battery compartment 30 does not rotate.

The rotation range of the battery chamber case 131 is as follows.
The illumination light supply unit 30 is set so as not to interfere with a water pipe attachment portion protruding and provided in the vicinity of the intake operation valve 6 and so as not to interfere with the face of an observer approaching the eyepiece 8.

The other parts of the second embodiment are configured in the same manner as the first embodiment. Therefore, the fixing of the illumination light supply unit 30 to the operation unit 2 is performed by the fastening ring 37 rotatably provided on the illumination light supply unit 30, and the rotation of the battery chamber case 131 and the rotation of the fastening ring 37 are completely completed. Independent relationship.

[0059]

According to the present invention, the illumination light supply unit is connected to and fixed to the operation unit by the connection fixing means while the rotation of the illumination light supply unit with respect to the operation unit is regulated by the rotation direction regulating means. Therefore, even when various operations are performed on the illumination light supply unit connected to the operation unit, the connection state of the illumination light supply unit to the operation unit is not disturbed, and the illumination light supply unit is attached to the operation unit. Is very stable. Then, the direction can be changed within a certain range.

Further, when the illumination light supply unit is attached to and detached from the operation unit, the illumination light supply unit does not rotate. Therefore, even if the unit is partially protruded to the side, the attachment / detachment is not hindered. Also, there is no problem in the direction after mounting.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a connection portion between an endoscope operation unit and an illumination light supply unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a battery chamber and a cap of the illumination light supply unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the simplified endoscope apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the simplified endoscope apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial front view of the operation unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention in a state where an illumination light supply unit is removed.

FIG. 6 is a partial front view in a state where an illumination light supply unit is removed from an operation unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of an illumination light supply unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a simplified endoscope apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Operation part 27 Unit connection base 27a Male screw part 28, 128 Restriction groove 30 Illumination light supply unit 32 Light source lamp 37 Clamp ring 37a Female screw part 38 Positioning pin

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Kunitoshi Ikeda 2-36-9 Maenocho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo Asahi Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kuniyoshi Kaneko 2-36-9, Maenocho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo Asahi Inside Optical Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takisuke Adachi 2-36-9 Maeno-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo Asahi Optical Industry Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-8-10220 (JP, A) 56-59005 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A61B 1/00-1/32 G02B 23/24-23/26 F21L 7/00

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. An illumination light supply unit having a light guide for transmitting illumination light for illuminating an object, an input end of the light guide being disposed on an operation unit, and a light source lamp for supplying illumination light to the light guide. In the simplified endoscope apparatus detachably connected to the operation unit, the illumination light supply unit includes the light source lamp.
Removably arranged in a direction substantially perpendicular to the operation unit
The lamp chamber and the battery that powers the light source lamp.
And within a predetermined range around the axis of the lamp chamber.
A direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the lamp chamber portion.
And the battery compartment connected to the protruding end of the lamp compartment.
In the vicinity of a connection portion of the lamp chamber portion with the operation portion, a rotation direction restricting device for restricting a direction around the axis of the lamp chamber portion with respect to the operation portion, simple endoscope, characterized in that the lamp chamber that is connected is regulated in a predetermined orientation with respect to the operation section and the connecting and fixing means for fixing to said operating portion is provided apparatus. 2. A simplified ring according to claim 1, wherein said connecting and fixing means is a fastening ring rotatably provided around an axis of said lamp chamber so as to be screwed into said operating part. Type endoscope device. 3. As the battery compartment portion does not interfere with the projecting part projecting from the operation unit, a simple type endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rotation range of the battery compartment portion is set. 4. A so as not to interfere with the observer's face when the battery compartment portion endoscope observation, the simple type endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rotation range of the battery chamber is set . 5. A switch member for turning on and off the light source lamp, at least one of the lid member for a battery as a power source of the light source lamp and out into the battery compartment portion, the axis of the battery compartment portion 4. The battery compartment according to claim 1, wherein said battery compartment is provided so as to be rotated in a circumferential direction.
Or the simplified endoscope apparatus according to 4.