JP3679688B2 - Endoscope operation device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
【Technical field】
The present invention relates to an operating device for an endoscope.
[0002]
[Prior art and its problems]
In the endoscope, there are operation members such as a bending operation knob for bending the distal end bending portion of the insertion portion and a lock operation knob for fixing the bending state of the bending portion by restricting the rotation of the bending operation knob. Some are hollow.
[0003]
By the way, sterilization is performed every time it is used in a medical endoscope, but in the case of gas sterilization, sterilization is performed using a pressure difference between the inside and outside of the endoscope. For this reason, stress due to pressure fluctuation is likely to be applied particularly to the components of the bending operation knob and the locking operation knob whose volume of the hollow portion is relatively small. To cope with this stress, conventional endoscopes that are supposed to be sterilized by gas are designed to increase the strength of the operation member by increasing the thickness of the operation knob or increasing the adhesion area if there is an adhesion part. Was secured. However, from the viewpoint of miniaturization and weight reduction of the operating device, or productivity, it is preferable that the rotating operation knob has a small thickness and a small bonding area.
[0004]
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to obtain an endoscope operating device having a hollow rotating operation knob that is small and light, has high productivity, and is not damaged by a pressure difference between the inside and outside of the endoscope.
[0005]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An endoscope operating device according to the present invention includes a hollow endoscope main body, a hollow rotating operation knob supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the endoscope main body, and a rotating operation knob. It is characterized by having a cylindrical shaft formed in the endoscope main body that is supported so as to be movable, and a communication path that allows the rotation operation knob and the hollow portion of the endoscope main body to communicate with each other. According to this endoscope operation device, when the internal pressure of the rotary operation knob is changed during gas sterilization or the like, the operation knob is communicated with the hollow portion of the endoscope body having a large volume. Therefore, fluctuations in internal pressure within the rotary operation knob are alleviated. Therefore, it is possible to easily form an operation device including a rotation operation knob with a small size and light weight, and to prevent the operation device from being damaged by a pressure difference between inside and outside the endoscope.
[0006]
For example, when the rotary operation knob is supported at an intermediate position in the axial direction of the cylindrical shaft, the communication path communicates with the hollow portion of the rotary operation knob, and the radial direction of the cylindrical shaft faces the radial direction. The communication passage and the axial communication passage that communicates with the radial communication passage and communicates with the hollow portion of the endoscope main body and that faces the axial direction of the cylindrical shaft can be provided. In addition, the rotating operation knob is supported at an intermediate position in the axial direction of the cylindrical shaft, and an intermediate cylindrical body that covers the cylindrical shaft is provided between the hollow portion of the rotating operation knob and the outer surface of the cylindrical shaft. If provided, the communication path includes an axial communication path that communicates with the hollow portion of the endoscope body and that faces the axial direction of the cylindrical shaft, and an outer surface of the axial communication path and the cylindrical shaft. The radial communication path that communicates with the radial direction of the cylindrical shaft and the rotation position of the rotary operation knob formed in the intermediate cylindrical body at any rotational position of the rotary operation knob. It can comprise so that it may have another radial direction communication path which connects a hollow part. The intermediate cylindrical body is, for example, a rotation support member of the rotation operation knob itself, which is integral with the rotation operation knob and is rotatably fitted to the cylindrical shaft.
[0007]
As described above, when the rotation operation knob is supported in the middle of the cylindrical shaft in the axial direction, a pair of rotation operation knobs are provided with different positions in the axial direction. Each of the hollow portions can be communicated with the hollow portion of the endoscope body via the communication path.
[0008]
Further, in addition to the rotation operation knob supported at a midway position in the axial direction of the cylindrical shaft, another rotation operation knob supported so as to be rotatable at the shaft end portion of the cylindrical shaft may be provided. In this configuration, the axial communication path of the cylindrical shaft can be configured to communicate the hollow portion of the turning knob supported by the shaft end portion with the hollow portion of the endoscope body.
[0009]
The above-described rotation operation knob can be, for example, a bending operation knob that bends the bending portion at the distal end of the endoscope insertion portion that is inserted into the observation target by a rotation operation around the cylindrical shaft. Or it can be set as the lock operation knob which restrict | limits or makes free rotation of this bending operation knob by rotation operation centering on a cylindrical axis | shaft.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to an operating device for a medical endoscope. First, the overall structure of the endoscope and the outline of the operation device will be described, and then the characteristic part of the present invention will be described.
[0011]
The endoscope 10 shown in FIG. 1 has an operation unit 11 and an insertion unit 12, and the distal end of the insertion unit 12 is bent in the vertical and horizontal directions in accordance with the operation of the bending operation device 13 provided in the operation unit 11. The curved portion 12a is formed.
[0012]
An observation window (object window) and an illumination window (not shown) are provided at the distal end of the curved portion 12a. An image obtained through the observation window can be observed from an eyepiece unit 15 provided in the vicinity of the operation unit 11. Illumination light is sent from the light source device 17 connected to the connector 14 to the illumination window at the distal end of the curved portion 12a through the light guide flexible tube. A forceps port 18 for inserting a treatment tool is provided between the operation unit 11 and the insertion unit 12, and the treatment tool inserted from the forceps port 18 protrudes from the distal end of the bending portion 12a.
[0013]
FIG. 2 shows a cross section near the bending operation device 13. The bending operation device 13 includes a left / right bending mechanism 13LR for bending the bending portion 12a in the left / right direction and an up / down bending mechanism 13UD for bending the bending portion 12a in the up / down direction. FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 each represent a member that is integrally rotated in the left / right bending mechanism 13LR and the up / down bending mechanism 13UD for easy understanding of the operation of each part. In FIG. 3, only the portion that is integrally rotated in the left and right bending mechanism 13LR is hatched, and in FIG. 4, only the portion that is integrally rotated in the vertical bending mechanism 13UD is hatched. Yes. First, the bending mechanism for the left-right direction will be described.
[0014]
A substrate 11b is fixed in the housing 11a of the operation unit 11, and the rotation base shaft 20 is fixed on the substrate 11b. The rotation base shaft 20 protrudes upward through a through hole 11c formed in the housing 11a. The through hole 11c is closed by a lid 11d disposed between a fixed base 50 and a housing 11a, which will be described later.
[0015]
On the outer side of the rotation base shaft 20, an operation shaft body 21 constituting a left / right bending mechanism 13LR is rotatably supported. The operation shaft body 21 is formed of a metal material, and is fitted to the rotation base shaft 20. The cylindrical portion 21 a concentric with the rotation base shaft 20, and a disk-shaped portion located at the upper end of the cylindrical portion 21 a. A plurality of circular holes 21c are formed in the disc-like portion 21b at equal intervals in the circumferential direction (see FIG. 5).
[0016]
A bending operation knob 23 which is a plastic molded product is fixed to the operation shaft body 21. The bending operation knob 23 has four finger hooks 23a protruding in the outer diameter direction at equal angular intervals, and the inside is formed hollow. A large-diameter opening 23 b and a small-diameter opening 23 c are formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the bending operation knob 23, respectively. The small-diameter opening 23 c is fitted into the disc-like portion 21 b of the operation shaft body 21. In the bending operation knob 23, a plurality of convex portions 23d are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction in the vicinity of the small-diameter opening 23c. By welding the convex portions 23d in the circular holes 21c, the bending operation knob 23 is operated by the operation shaft. Fixed to the body 21.
[0017]
A pulley 24 is fixed to the lower end portion of the operation shaft body 21. A pair of operation wires 25 and 26 are fixed to the pulley 24, and one of the operation wire 25 and the operation wire 26 is wound around the pulley 24 by the forward / reverse rotation of the pulley 24, and the other is drawn out from the pulley 24. It is. The operation wire 25 and the operation wire 26 are respectively connected to a node ring constituting the bending portion 12a of the insertion portion 12, and the bending portion 12a is moved in the left-right direction by the pulling and feeding operations with respect to the operation wire 25 and the operation wire 26. Curved. In the present embodiment, when the combined body of the bending operation knob 23 and the operation shaft body 21 is rotated in the L direction in FIG. 10, the bending portion 12a is bent leftward, and the combined body is rotated in the R direction. The bending portion 12a is bent to the right.
[0018]
Next, the vertical bending mechanism will be described. On the outer side of the cylindrical portion 21a of the operation shaft body 21, an operation shaft body 31 constituting the vertical bending mechanism 13UD is rotatably supported. The operation shaft body 31 is formed of a metal material, and is fitted to the cylindrical portion 21a so as to be rotatable. The cylindrical portion 31a concentric with the rotation base shaft 20 and a circle positioned at the upper end portion of the cylindrical portion 31a. It has a plate-like portion 31b. A plurality of circular holes 31c are formed in the disc-shaped portion 31b at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.
[0019]
A bending operation knob 33, which is a plastic molded product, is fixed to the operation shaft body 31. The bending operation knob 33 has five finger hook portions 33a protruding in the outer diameter direction at equal angular intervals, and the inside is formed hollow. A large-diameter opening 33 b and a small-diameter opening 33 c are respectively formed on the lower surface and the upper surface of the bending operation knob 33, and the small-diameter opening 33 c is fitted into the disc-shaped portion 31 b of the operation shaft body 31. In the bending operation knob 33, a plurality of convex portions 33d are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction in the vicinity of the small-diameter opening 33c. By welding the convex portions 33d in the circular hole 31c, the bending operation knob 33 is operated by the operation shaft. The body 31 is fixed. In the bending operation knob 33, an annular inner frame 33e made of a metal material is fixed inside the large diameter opening 33b. The annular inner frame 33e has an internal thread formed on the inner peripheral surface.
[0020]
A pulley 34 is fixed to the lower end portion of the operation shaft body 31. A pair of operation wires 35, 36 are fixed to the pulley 34, and one of the operation wire 35 and the operation wire 36 is wound around the pulley 34 by the forward / reverse rotation of the pulley 34, and the other is drawn out from the pulley 34. It is. The operation wire 35 and the operation wire 36 are respectively connected to the bending portion 12a of the insertion portion 12, and the bending portion 12a is bent in the vertical direction by the pulling and feeding operations with respect to the operation wire 35 and the operation wire 36. In the present embodiment, when the combined body of the bending operation knob 33 and the operation shaft body 31 is rotated in the U direction in FIG. 10, the bending portion 12a is bent upward, and when the combined body is rotated in the D direction, the bending is performed. The portion 12a is bent downward.
[0021]
The left / right bending mechanism 13LR and the up / down bending mechanism 13UD can restrict the turning operation of the bending operation knobs 23 and 33 by the lock mechanism, respectively, and can make the bending portion 12a of the insertion portion 12 in a desired bending state. First, the lock mechanism of the left / right bending mechanism 13LR will be described.
[0022]
A lock shaft body 41 having a cylindrical portion 41 a and a disc-like portion 41 b concentric with the rotation base shaft 20 is provided at the upper end portion of the rotation base shaft 20. The cylindrical portion 41a is rotatably fitted to the rotation base shaft 20, and a lock operation knob 42 is fixed on the disk-like portion 41b via a fixing nut 43. The lock operation knob 42 is externally attached. When the rotation operation is performed, the lock shaft body 41 is also rotated integrally. A retaining member 44 that prevents the combined body of the lock shaft body 41 and the lock operation knob 42 from falling off is attached to the upper end portion of the rotation base shaft 20. As shown in FIG. 9, a non-circular hole 44c is formed in the center of the retaining member 44, and the upper end portion of the rotation base shaft 20 is formed in a non-circular cross-sectional shape that can be inserted into the non-circular hole 44c. By fitting the non-circular portions, the retaining member 44 is supported in a state in which the rotation is restricted with respect to the rotation base shaft 20. The retaining member 44 is further fixed by the fixing screw 20a so as not to drop in the axial direction of the rotation base shaft 20.
[0023]
As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, in the combined body of the lock shaft body 41 and the lock operation knob 42, the rotation restricting projection 41c projecting on the disk-like portion 41b is prevented from being displaced in the circumferential direction. The member 44 can be rotated within a range in contact with a pair of rotation restricting surfaces 44 a provided on the member 44. The retaining member 44 is further formed with a pair of click recesses 44b at positions opposed to the respective rotation restricting surfaces 44a in the radial direction, and the rotation restricting projections 41c abut against the respective turn restricting surfaces 44a. In the rotation restricting position of the lock operation knob 42, the click spring 45 fixed to the lock operation knob 42 engages with the click recess 44 b at the radially opposing position, and the lock operation knob 42 has a click feeling. give.
[0024]
A male screw 41d is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 41a, and a female screw 46a of the movement lock member 46 is screwed into the male screw 41d. As shown in FIG. 5, a part of the rotation base shaft 20 in the longitudinal direction is formed as a non-circular cross-sectional portion 22, and the non-circular cross-sectional portion 22 cannot rotate relative to the movement lock member 46. By fitting the coupled rotation restricting body 47, the movement lock member 46 is restricted from rotating with respect to the rotation base shaft 20. Therefore, when the combined body of the lock operation knob 42 and the lock shaft body 41 is rotated, the moving lock member 46 does not rotate along the axis of the rotation base shaft 20 due to the screwed relationship between the male screw 41d and the female screw 46a. Moved up and down.
[0025]
When the movable lock member 46 moves up and down by rotating the combined body of the lock operation knob 42 and the lock shaft body 41, the friction engagement portion 46 b fixed to the movable lock member 46 is fixed to the fixed lock member 48. It contacts / separates with respect to the friction engagement part 48a. The friction engagement portions 46b and 48a are made of a material having a high friction coefficient, such as cork or silicon rubber. The fixed lock member 48 constitutes a part of the bending operation knob 23 so as to cover the large-diameter opening 23b. When the bending operation knob 23 is rotated, the fixing lock member 48 rotates together with the bending operation knob 23 and the operation shaft body 21. Moved. When the movement lock member 46 moves upward and the friction engagement portion 46b is pressed against the friction engagement portion 48a, the rotation of the fixed lock member 48 is restricted by the frictional force. When the rotation of the fixed lock member 48 is restricted, the rotation of the combined body of the operation shaft body 21 and the bending operation knob 23 is restricted, and the pulley 24 is locked so as not to rotate. As a result, the bending operation of the bending portion 12a in the left-right direction is restricted, and the bending state is maintained. Specifically, when the lock operation knob 42 is rotated in the F ′ direction (lock direction) in FIG. 10, the movement lock member 46 moves upward and frictionally engages with the fixed lock member 48 to perform a bending operation. When the knob 23 is restricted from rotating and rotated in the F direction (free (unlocked) direction), the movement lock member 46 moves downward to release the frictional engagement with the fixed lock member 48 and bend. The operation knob 23 is allowed to rotate. As described above, the lock operation knob 42 is locked together with a click feeling at two rotation positions, but the bending operation knob 23 is locked at one click position, and the bending operation knob 23 is rotated at the other click position. Movement is allowed. The former rotation position of the lock operation knob 42 is called a lock position, and the latter rotation position is called an unlock position. Each of the movement lock member 46 and the fixed lock member 48 is formed in an annular shape, and the friction engagement portion 46b is provided regardless of the rotation position of the fixed lock member 48 rotated together with the bending operation knob 23. Can be engaged with the friction engagement portion 48a.
[0026]
Further, the friction engagement portion 46 b is provided with an adjustment screw 49 at the lower portion, and the adjustment screw 49 is screwed into a screw hole 49 a formed in the movement lock member 46. When the adjustment screw 49 is rotated, the friction engagement portion 46 b is moved in the vertical direction with respect to the movement lock member 46 according to the screwing relationship with the screw hole 49 a. 2 to 4 show two adjustment screws 49 and two screw holes 49a, three or more of them may be provided at different positions in the circumferential direction. When the vertical position of the frictional engagement portion 46b changes with respect to the movement lock member 46, the frictional engagement force between the frictional engagement portion 46b and the frictional engagement portion 48a when the lock operation knob 42 is rotated to the lock position. Since it changes, the lock strength with respect to the bending operation knob 23 can be adjusted. For example, even when the bending portion 12a is in a bent state, the lock to the bending operation knob 23 is released according to an external force applied to the bending portion 12a. It is also possible to set the frictional force between the joint portions 48a. The frictional force can be easily adjusted by rotating the fixed lock member 48 and changing its vertical position.
[0027]
Next, the lock mechanism of the up / down bending mechanism 13UD will be described. A fixed base 50 formed in a cylindrical shape concentric with the rotation base shaft 20 is provided outside the operation shaft body 31. The fixed pedestal 50 has its lower end fixed to the substrate 11b together with the pivot base 20, and in the space between the fixed pedestal 50 and the pivot base 20, operation shaft bodies 21, 31 and pulleys 24, 34 are provided. It is supported. On the other hand, a lock shaft 51 is supported on the outer peripheral surface of the fixed base 50. The lock shaft 51 includes a cylindrical portion 51a and a disc-like portion 51b concentric with the rotation base shaft 20, and the cylindrical portion 51a is rotatable with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the fixed base 50 and is axially (vertical) (Direction) so as not to move. A plurality of circular holes 51c are formed in the disc-like portion 51b at different positions in the circumferential direction, and the lock operation lever 52 is fixed by fitting and projecting the convex portions 52a into the circular holes 51c. That is, the lock operation lever 52 is supported so as to be rotatable about the fixed base 50 (the rotation base shaft 20) together with the lock shaft body 51. Unlike the hollow lock operation knob 42 described above, the lock operation lever 52 is formed in a lever shape extending in the radial direction with respect to the axis of the rotation base shaft 20 in order to facilitate the rotation operation. Has been.
[0028]
A combined body of the lock shaft body 51 and the lock operation lever 52 is locked at two rotation positions by a rotation restriction mechanism (not shown) provided between the cylindrical portion 51a of the lock shaft body 51 and the fixed base 50, At each rotation position, the click spring 55 acts as a stopper that generates a click feeling.
[0029]
A male screw 51d is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 51a, and a female screw 56a of the movement lock member 56 is screwed into the male screw 51d. As shown in FIG. 6, the fixed base 50 has an upper end portion formed as a non-circular cross-sectional portion 54, and a rotation restricting body 57 fixed to the movement lock member 56 is against the non-circular cross-sectional portion 54. By fitting, the movement lock member 56 is restricted from rotating with respect to the fixed base 50 and the rotation base shaft 20. Therefore, when the combined body of the lock operation lever 52 and the lock shaft body 51 is rotated, the moving lock member 56 is not rotated along the axis of the rotation base shaft 20 due to the screwed relationship between the male screw 51d and the female screw 56a. Moved up and down. The rotation restricting body 57 may be fixed as a separate member from the movement locking member 56, or a portion corresponding to the rotation restricting body 57 may be formed integrally with the movement locking member 56.
[0030]
When the movable lock member 56 moves up and down by rotating the combined body of the lock operation lever 52 and the lock shaft body 51, the friction engagement portion 56 b formed in a part of the movable lock member 56 becomes the fixed lock member 58. It contacts / separates with respect to the fixed friction engagement part 58a. The fixed lock member 58 is engaged with the inner frame 33e of the bending operation knob 33 so as to rotate integrally in the circumferential direction, and is rotated together when the bending operation knob 33 is rotated. When the movement lock member 56 moves downward and the friction engagement portion 56b is pressed against the friction engagement portion 58a, the rotation of the fixed lock member 58 is restricted by the frictional force. When the rotation of the fixed lock member 58 is restricted, the rotation of the combined body of the operation shaft body 31 and the bending operation knob 33 is restricted, and the pulley 34 is locked so as not to rotate. As a result, the bending operation of the bending portion 12a in the vertical direction is restricted and kept at a specific bending position. Specifically, when the lock operation lever 52 is rotated in the F ′ direction (lock direction) in FIG. 10, the movement lock member 56 moves downward and frictionally engages with the fixed lock member 58 to perform the bending operation. When the knob 33 is restricted in rotation and rotated in the F direction (free (unlocked) direction), the movement lock member 56 moves upward to release the frictional engagement with the fixed lock member 58 and bend. The operation knob 33 is allowed to rotate. As described above, the lock operation lever 52 is locked with a click feeling at two rotation positions, but the bending operation knob 33 is locked at one click position, and the bending operation knob 33 is locked at the other click position. Is allowed to rotate. The former rotation position of the lock operation lever 52 is called a lock position, and the latter rotation position is called an unlock position. Note that each of the movement lock member 56 and the fixed lock member 58 is formed in an annular shape, and the friction engagement portion 56b is provided regardless of the rotation position of the fixed lock member 58 rotated together with the bending operation knob 33. Can be engaged with the friction engagement portion 58a.
[0031]
On the other hand, the fixed lock member 58 is fitted to the inner frame 33e so as to be movable in the vertical direction. A female screw is formed in the inner frame 33e of the bending operation knob 33, and a lock adjusting nut 60 having a male screw screwed into the female screw supports the fixed lock member 58 from below. When the lock adjustment nut 60 is rotated while restricting the combined body of the bending operation knob 33 and the operation shaft 31, the vertical position of the lock adjustment nut 60 is adjusted with respect to the inner frame 33 e, and accordingly. The vertical position of the fixed lock member 58 with respect to the movement lock member 56 can be adjusted. When the vertical position of the fixed lock member 58 is changed, the frictional force between the frictional engagement portion 56b and the frictional engagement portion 58a when the lock operation lever 52 is rotated to the lock position is changed. Can be adjusted. For example, by adjusting the lock adjustment nut 60, it is possible to set the half-lock state as described above with respect to the vertical bending mechanism 13UD.
[0032]
The constituent members of the left / right bending mechanism 13LR and the up / down bending mechanism 13UD having the lock mechanism as described above are finally assembled to the operation unit 11 via the rotation base shaft 20. The vertical bending mechanism 13UD is positioned between the operation shaft body 21 (disk-shaped portion 21b) and the pulley 24 constituting the left / right bending mechanism 13LR, and the vertical position is determined. Is provided with an intermediate retaining member 61 that engages with the upper end of the operating shaft 21. The intermediate retaining member 61 holds the entire vertical bending mechanism 13UD and the combined body of the operation shaft body 21 and the bending operation knob 23 in the left / right bending mechanism 13LR so as not to drop off from the rotation base shaft 20. In addition, the above-described retaining member 44 holds the lock shaft body 41 and the lock operation knob 42 positioned above the bending operation knob 23 so as not to drop off from the rotation base shaft 20. In other words, the entire bending operation device 13 is held with respect to the rotation base shaft 20 in a state in which it is prevented from coming off.
[0033]
The bending operation device 13 is provided with a sealing material made of an elastic O-ring or the like in order to keep the inside watertight and prevent foreign matters such as dust from entering. In terms of function, the sealing material seals the inside of the housing 11a (reference S1), seals the bending operation knob 23 (S2), seals the bending operation knob 33 (S3), It is divided into one that seals the inside of the lock operation knob 42 (same S4) and one that seals between the operation shaft bodies 21 and 31 (same S5). For example, when the endoscope 10 is sterilized with a chemical solution, the portion exposed to the outside is surely sterilized, but the chemical solution in each of the operation knobs 23, 33 and 42 formed in the hollow and in the housing 11a of the operation unit 11 is used. Is prevented by the sealing materials S1 to S5.
[0034]
[Description of features of the present invention]
The bending operation knob (rotation operation knob) 23 on the left and right bending mechanism 13LR side is formed as a bottomed cylindrical body having a hollow portion 23i inside, and a large-diameter opening 23b and a small-diameter opening 23c are formed on upper and lower end surfaces. Is formed. The small-diameter opening 23c is blocked by the operating shaft 21 so that the liquid cannot flow. On the other hand, the large-diameter opening 23b is covered with a lock mechanism (lock shaft body 41, movement lock member 46, fixed lock member 48) for restricting or allowing the bending operation knob 23 to rotate. The sealing materials S2 and S4 are sealed so that liquid does not flow through the large-diameter opening 23b. The seal material S2 includes a seal material S2a that seals between the outer edge portion of the fixed lock member 48 and the inner edge portion of the large-diameter opening 23b, and a seal material S2b that seals between the fixed lock member 48 and the lock shaft body 41. .
[0035]
A lock operation knob (rotation operation knob) 42, which is an operation member for restricting or allowing the rotation operation of the bending operation knob 23, forms a hollow portion 42i together with the disc-shaped portion 41b of the lock shaft body 41. However, the hollow portion 42i is sealed with the sealing material S4. When the hollow portion 42i is sealed by the sealing material S4, the gap between the lock shaft body 41 and the rotation base shaft (tubular shaft) 20 facing the hollow portion 42i is also sealed. That is, the sealing material S4 functions to directly seal between the hollow portion 42i of the lock operation knob 42 and the outside, but between the hollow portion 23i of the bending operation knob 23 and the outside. It also has a sealing function.
[0036]
Similar to the bending operation knob 23, the bending operation knob (rotation operation knob) 33 of the up / down bending mechanism 13UD is formed as a bottomed cylindrical body having a hollow portion 33i therein, and has a small diameter opening on the upper and lower end faces. 33c and a large-diameter opening 33b are formed. The small-diameter opening 33c is blocked by the operation shaft body 31, and further, the liquid cannot be circulated by disposing the seal material S5 between the operation shaft body 31 and the rotation base shaft 20. On the other hand, the large-diameter opening 33b is covered with a lock mechanism (lock shaft body 51, movement lock member 56, fixed lock member 58) for restricting or allowing the bending operation knob 33 to rotate. The sealing material S3 is sealed so that liquid does not flow through the large-diameter opening 33b. The sealing material S3 seals the space between the outer edge portion of the fixed lock member 58 and the inner frame 33e fitted to the inner edge portion of the large-diameter opening 33b, and the space between the fixed lock member 58 and the movable lock member 56. It consists of a sealing material S3b and a sealing material S3c that seals between the movement lock member 46 and the fixed base 50.
[0037]
That is, in the bending operation device 13 in the assembled state, the bending operation knobs 23 and 33 and the lock operation knob 42 are sealed so that the liquid does not enter the respective hollow portions 23i, 33i and 42i. The bending operation knobs 23 and 33 and the lock operation knob 42 are configured to allow gas to flow into the hollow portions 23i, 33i and 42i during gas sterilization.
[0038]
In the endoscope 10, a hollow portion 11i is further formed in a housing 11a constituting the endoscope main body. The housing 11a is formed with a through hole 11c for projecting the rotation base shaft 20 and the fixed base 50, and the through hole 11c is sealed by a lid body 11d and a sealing material S1. The sealing material S1 includes a sealing material S1a that seals between the inner edge of the through hole 11c and the lid 11d, and a sealing material S1b that seals between the lid 11d and the fixed base 50. The volume of the hollow portion 11 i in the housing 11 is larger than the volume of the hollow portions of the bending operation knobs 23 and 33 and the lock operation knob 42.
[0039]
One end portion (lower end portion in FIG. 2) of the rotation base shaft 20 is fixed to the substrate 11b in the housing 11a, and the other end portion (upper end portion in FIG. 2) communicates with the hollow portion 42i of the lock operation knob 42. An axial communication path 90 is formed to communicate the upper end surface and the lower end surface in the axial direction. A fixing screw 20a is attached to the upper end portion of the rotation base shaft 20, and an axial communication path 90 is also formed continuously in the fixing screw 20a. On the other hand, the lower end portion of the axial communication passage 90 communicates with the hollow portion 11i in the housing 11a. Therefore, the hollow portion 42 i of the lock operation knob 42 and the hollow portion 11 i of the housing 11 a are communicated by the axial communication path 90.
[0040]
Further, an axial communication path 90 and radial communication paths 91 and 92 penetrating the outer peripheral surface of the rotation base shaft 20 are formed in the axial direction of the rotation base shaft 20 in the radial direction.
[0041]
The upper radial communication passage 91 communicates the hollow portion 23 i of the bending operation knob 23 with the axial communication passage 90. As described above, since the axial communication path 90 communicates with the hollow portion 11i of the housing 11a, the hollow portion 23i of the bending operation knob 23 is connected via the axial communication path 90 and the radial communication path 91. It will be connected with the hollow part 11i of the housing 11a. Four radial communication paths 91 are provided at substantially equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction of the rotation base shaft 20, and three of them are shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 and 12.
[0042]
The outer surface of the rotation base shaft 20 where the lower radial communication path 92 is formed is directed in a radial direction with the rotation base shaft 20 as the center, and the cylindrical portion (intermediate cylindrical body) of the operation shaft body 21. ) 21a, the cylindrical portion (intermediate cylindrical body) 31a of the operation shaft body 31, and the fixed base (intermediate cylindrical body) 50 are covered in this order (see FIG. 6). The outer peripheral surface of the pivot base 20 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 21a, the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 21a, the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 31a, the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 31a, and the inner peripheral surface of the fixed base 50. In the middle, annular intermediate communication chambers 93a, 93b and 93c are formed (FIG. 13). The tubular portion 21a is formed with a radial through hole 94 that communicates the intermediate communication chambers 93a and 93b. The tubular portion 31a is penetrated in the radial direction that communicates the intermediate communication chambers 93b and 93c. A hole 95 is formed, and a radial through hole 96 is formed in the fixed base 50 to communicate the intermediate communication chamber 93 c and the hollow portion 33 i of the bending operation knob 33.
[0043]
The intermediate communication chamber 93 a is located between the radial communication path 92 and the through-hole 93 when the cylindrical portion 21 a that rotates integrally with the bending operation knob 23 is in any rotation position with respect to the rotation base shaft 20. Is formed as an annular space so as to communicate with each other. Similarly, the intermediate communication chamber 93b has a cylindrical portion 21a that rotates integrally with the bending operation knob 23 and a cylindrical portion 31a that rotates together with the bending operation knob 33 at any relative rotation position. The through holes 94 and 95 are formed as annular spaces so as to communicate with each other. Further, the intermediate communication chamber 93c allows the through holes 95 and 96 to communicate with each other when the cylindrical portion 31a that rotates integrally with the bending operation knob 33 is in any rotation position with respect to the fixed base 50. Further, it is formed as an annular space. With the above configuration, the radial communication path 92 of the rotation base shaft 20 and the hollow portion 31b of the bending operation knob 33 are always in communication. In other words, the intermediate communication chambers 93a, 93b, and 93c and the through holes 94, 95, and 96 are provided even when the cylindrical portions 21a and 31a and the fixed base 50 are interposed between the rotation base shaft 20 and the bending operation knob 33. A radial communication path different from the radial communication path 92 provided on the rotation base shaft 20 is configured to communicate the radial communication path 92 and the hollow portion 33i.
[0044]
Accordingly, in addition to the lock operation knob 42 and the bending operation knob 23 described above, the bending operation knob 33 also has a hollow portion 33i whose communication passages 90 and 92 in the rotation base shaft 20 and the above-described through holes 94 and 95, respectively. 96 and intermediate communication chambers 93a, 93b, 93c, and communicates with the hollow portion 11i of the housing 11.
[0045]
As described above, the pair of bending operation knobs 23 and 33 that are rotatably supported at an intermediate position in the axial direction of the rotation base shaft 20, and the lock that is rotatably supported by the shaft end portion of the rotation base shaft 20. The operation knob 42 has a hollow portion in the housing 11a which is an endoscope main body through communication passages 91, 91 and 92 and the like in which the hollow portions 23i, 33i and 42i are formed in the rotation base shaft 20. 11i. Therefore, for example, even if the internal pressure of the hollow portions 23i, 33i and 42i is increased during gas sterilization, the internal pressure to be increased can be released into the housing 11a having a larger volume through the communication path. An excessive increase in internal pressure in the operation knob can be suppressed. That is, when a pressure difference is generated inside and outside the endoscope, the components of the operation knobs 23, 33 and 42 are not easily damaged. As a result, it is possible to make the components of the operation knobs 23, 33 and 42 relatively thin, or to minimize the area when there are adhesive and welded portions.
[0046]
As mentioned above, although the endoscope operating device of this invention was demonstrated by illustration embodiment, this invention is not limited to embodiment. For example, in the embodiment, the rotation operation knob is an operation member for bending the bending portion or an operation member for locking in a bent state, but the present invention is also applicable to a rotation operation knob for another use. Can do.
[0047]
Further, in the embodiment, the rotation operation knob supported on the shaft end portion of the rotation base shaft 20 (tubular shaft) is used for the bending lock, and the pair of rotation operation knobs supported on the middle position of the rotation base shaft 20 is provided. Although it is for bending operation, the support position and function of the rotation operation knob with respect to the cylindrical shaft can be arbitrarily selected. For example, when it is sufficient to provide only one bending operation knob, this bending operation knob is provided at the position of the lock operation knob 42 in the embodiment, and is operated at an intermediate position of the rotation base shaft 20. It is also possible not to support the knob. In this case, only the axial communication path (90) needs to be formed in the pivot base 20, and the radial communication paths (91, 92) are not necessary.
[0048]
Further, in the embodiment, the rotation of the bending operation knob 23 is not limited to the cylindrical body 31a which is the rotation support member of the bending operation knob 33 itself, between the hollow portion 33i of the bending operation knob 33 and the rotation base shaft 20. Although the cylindrical body 21a which is a moving support member and the fixed base 50 are disposed, only the cylindrical body 31a is positioned between the hollow portion 33i and the rotation base shaft 20 so as to communicate with the communication path. It is also possible to simplify the configuration.
[0049]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above, according to the endoscope operating device of the present invention, the hollow operation parts of the turning operation knob and the endoscope main body are communicated with each other through the communication path. While preventing excessive fluctuations in the internal pressure in the operation knob, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the rotation operation knob itself, the adhesion area, and the like. That is, it is possible to obtain an endoscope operating device including a hollow rotating operation knob that is small and light, has excellent productivity, and is not damaged by a pressure difference between the inside and outside of the endoscope.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external view showing an overall structure of an endoscope having an operating device according to the present invention.
2 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the bending operation device of the endoscope of FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a member that is integrally rotated by a left / right bending mechanism as a single member from FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a member that is integrally rotated by a vertical bending mechanism as a member from FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a view taken along the line VV in FIG. 2;
6 is a view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG.
7 is a view taken along the line VII-VII in FIG. 2;
8 is a plan view of the vicinity of a retaining member as seen from the direction of arrow VIII in FIG.
9 is a diagram showing a single shape of the retaining member of FIG. 8. FIG.
FIG. 10 is a plan view of the bending operation device.
FIG. 11 is a view of the bending operation device as viewed from the bottom side, excluding the members in the endoscope housing.
12 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the left / right bending mechanism in FIG. 2;
13 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of a vertical bending mechanism in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Endoscope 11 Operation Unit 11a Housing (Endoscope Body)
11b Substrate 11c Through-hole 11d Lid 11i Hollow portion 12 Insertion portion 12a Bending portion 13 Bending operation device 13LR Left and right bending mechanism 13UD Vertical bending mechanism 14 Connector 15 Eyepiece portion 17 Light source device 18 Forceps port 20 Rotating base shaft (tubular axis) )
20a Fixing screw 21 Operation shaft 21a Tubular part (intermediate tubular body, rotation support member)
21b Disk-shaped part 21c Circular hole 22 Non-circular cross-sectional part 23 Bending operation knob (turning operation knob)
23a Finger hook portion 23b Large diameter opening 23c Small diameter opening 23d Protruding portion 23i Hollow portion 24 Pulley 25 Operation wire 26 Operation wire 31 Operation shaft body 31a Tubular portion (intermediate tubular body, rotation support member)
31b Disk-shaped part 31c Circular hole 33 Bending operation knob (turning operation knob)
33a Finger hook portion 33b Large diameter opening 33c Small diameter opening 33d Protruding portion 33e Inner frame 33i Hollow portion 34 Pulley 35 Operation wire 36 Operation wire 41 Lock shaft body 41a Cylindrical portion 41b Disk-like portion 41c Rotation restricting protrusion 41d Male screw 42 Lock operation knob (rotation operation knob)
42i Hollow part 43 Fixing nut 44 Stopping member 44a Rotation restricting surface 44b Click recess 44c Non-circular hole 45 Click spring 46 Movement lock member 46a Female screw 46b Friction engagement part 47 Rotation restriction body 48 Fixed lock member 48a Friction engagement part 49 Adjustment screw 49a Screw hole 50 Fixed base (intermediate cylindrical body)
51 Lock shaft body 51a Cylindrical part 51b Disk-like part 51c Circular hole 51d Male screw 52 Lock operation lever 52a Protruding part 54 Non-circular cross section 55 Click spring 56 Movement lock member 56a Female screw 57 Rotation restricting body 56b Friction engagement part 58 Fixed lock member 58a Friction engagement portion 60 Lock adjustment nut 61 Intermediate retaining member 90 Axial communication passage 91 92 Radial communication passage 93a 93b 93c Intermediate communication chamber 94 95 96 Through hole S1 (S1a S1b) Seal material S2 (S2a S2b) Seal material S3 (S3a S3b S3c) Seal material S4 Seal material S5 Seal material

Claims (8)

Hollow endoscope body;
A hollow rotation operation knob supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the endoscope body; a cylindrical shaft formed on the endoscope body that supports the rotation operation knob so as to be rotatable. And a communication path for communicating the hollow operation parts of the rotation operation knob and the endoscope body with each other;
An endoscope operating device characterized by comprising: The endoscope operation device according to claim 1, wherein the rotation operation knob is supported at an intermediate position in the axial direction of the cylindrical shaft,
The communication path is
A radial communication path in the radial direction of the cylindrical shaft that communicates with the hollow portion of the rotation knob;
An axial communication path that communicates with the radial communication path and communicates with the hollow portion of the endoscope body and that faces the axial direction of the cylindrical shaft;
Endoscope operation apparatus having 2. The endoscope operating device according to claim 1, wherein the turning operation knob is supported at an intermediate position in the axial direction of the cylindrical shaft, and further, between the hollow portion of the turning operation knob and the outer surface of the cylindrical shaft. An intermediate cylindrical body covering the cylindrical shaft;
The communication path is
An axial communication path that communicates with the hollow portion of the endoscope body and that faces the axial direction of the cylindrical shaft;
A radial communication path that communicates between the axial communication path and the outer surface of the cylindrical shaft, and faces the radial direction of the cylindrical shaft;
Another radial communication path formed in the intermediate cylindrical body for communicating the radial communication path with the hollow portion of the rotation operation knob at any rotation position of the rotation operation knob;
An endoscope operating device having The endoscope operation device according to claim 3, wherein the intermediate cylindrical body is a rotation support member of the rotation operation knob, which is integral with the rotation operation knob and is rotatably fitted to the cylindrical shaft. Endoscopic operation device. 5. The endoscope operating device according to claim 2, wherein a pair of the rotation operation knobs are provided in different positions in the axial direction of the cylindrical shaft, and the pair of rotation operation knobs is hollow. An endoscope operating device in which each of the shape portions communicates with the hollow portion of the endoscope main body through the communication path. The endoscope operating device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, further comprising a pivot supported at a midway position in the axial direction, supported by the shaft end of the cylindrical shaft so as to be pivotable. Provided with a rotary operation knob separate from the operation knob,
An endoscope operation device in which the axial communication path of the cylindrical shaft communicates the hollow portion of the separate rotation operation knob supported by the shaft end portion with the hollow portion of the endoscope body. The endoscope operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the endoscope has an insertion portion to be inserted into an observation target, and the rotation operation knob is rotated around a cylindrical axis. An endoscope operation device which is a bending operation knob that bends a bending portion at a distal end of the insertion portion by a moving operation. The endoscope operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the endoscope includes an insertion portion to be inserted into an observation object and a rotation operation centered on a cylindrical shaft, the tip of the insertion portion. A bending operation knob for bending the bending portion;
The endoscope operation device, wherein the rotation operation knob is a lock operation knob that restricts or freely rotates the bending operation knob by a rotation operation about a cylindrical shaft.

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