JP3756874B2 - Endoscope - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an endoscope provided with a hardness varying means for varying the hardness of a soft part.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an endoscope capable of observing a site to be inspected in a body cavity without needing an incision by inserting an elongated insertion portion into the body cavity or performing a therapeutic treatment using a treatment tool as necessary. Became widely used.
[0003]
The insertion part of the endoscope is flexible so that it can be inserted into a bent insertion path, but because of this flexibility, the orientation of the distal end side with respect to the proximal side is not fixed. , It may be difficult to introduce in the target direction.
[0004]
In order to cope with this, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 3-43802 discloses an endoscope provided with a hardness varying means (or a flexible varying means) composed of a coil pipe and a wire inside an endoscope. Yes. According to the configuration of this conventional example, an operator who performs an endoscopic examination can adjust the flexibility of the insertion portion with a simple operation, and can easily insert it into a bent path. .
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Conventionally, an elongated hardness varying means comprising a coil and a wire provided in the insertion portion has been arranged along the tube wall in the flexible tube. In this configuration, when the soft portion is hardened by an operation of hardening the soft portion, the flexibility of the soft portion varies depending on the bending direction.
[0006]
In this case, for example, in insertion into the large intestine, an operator who performs a method of pushing and inserting the insertion portion while using the bending operation in four directions without twisting the insertion portion (although there are some operators who perform other insertion methods). ), The flexibility of the soft part is different depending on the bending direction, and the insertability is lowered.
[0007]
(Object of invention)
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is possible to ensure good insertability by making the flexibility independent of the bending or bending direction, and even if it is hardened by applying a compression force. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope capable of improving the durability against bending when it is hardened without causing bending.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an endoscope of the present invention includes an insertion portion having a flexible portion and an operation portion, and an endoscope having an elongated hardness variable means built in the flexible portion.
The elongated hardness varying means comprises a plurality of serially arranged tubes and wires passed through the plurality of tubes, and applies a compressive force to the plurality of tubes by pulling or loosening the wires. It can be hardened or softened by releasing the application of compressive force, it does not cause buckling when hardened by applying compressive force, it can improve the durability against bending when hardened, endoscope Ensures good insertability.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(First embodiment)
1 to 5 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an endoscope apparatus including the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows the first embodiment. 3 (A) and 3 (B) show the AA line cross section and the BB line cross section of FIG. 2, and FIGS. 4 (A) and 4 (B) show the details of the cam body. An example is shown and FIG. 5 (A) thru | or (C) show explanatory drawing of an effect | action of this Embodiment.
[0010]
As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope apparatus 1 includes an electronic endoscope 2 according to a first embodiment that includes an imaging unit, a light source device 3 that supplies illumination light to the electronic endoscope 2, and A signal processing device 4 that performs signal processing on an imaging signal output from the electronic endoscope 2 and a color monitor 5 that displays a video signal output from the signal processing device 4 on a screen are configured.
[0011]
The electronic endoscope 2 includes an elongated insertion portion 6, a thick operation portion 7 connected to the rear end side of the insertion portion 6, and a universal cable 8 extending from a side portion of the operation portion 7. The connector 9 is provided at the end of the universal cable 8, and the connector 9 can be detachably connected to the light source device 3.
[0012]
The insertion portion 6 is formed from the distal end side to the rigid distal end portion 11 and the rear end of the distal end portion 11, is formed to be bendable at the bending end 12, and the rear end of the bending portion 12, and is long and flexible. The flexible portion 13 has a property, and the rear end of the flexible portion 13 is connected to the front end of the operation portion 7. On the outer periphery of the rear end of the soft portion 13, a bend preventing member 10 having a taper shape and having a bend preventing function is provided.
[0013]
A light guide 14 made of a fiber bundle having flexibility and having a function of transmitting illumination light is inserted into the insertion portion 6, the operation portion 7, and the universal cable 8, and is fixed so as to protrude to the connector 9. By connecting the light guide connector unit 15 to the light source device 3, the illumination light of the lamp 16 in the light source device 3 is collected by the lens 17 and supplied to the end surface of the light guide connector unit 15.
[0014]
The illumination light transmitted by the light guide 14 is emitted forward from the distal end surface fixed to the illumination window of the distal end portion 11 to illuminate a subject such as an affected area. The illuminated subject forms an optical image at its imaging position by an objective lens 18 attached to an observation window provided at the tip 11 adjacent to the illumination window. At this imaging position, a charge coupled device (abbreviated as CCD) 19 is arranged as an imaging device having a function of photoelectric conversion, and converts an optical image into an electrical signal.
[0015]
The CCD 19 is connected to one end of a signal cable 21, the signal cable 21 is inserted through the insertion portion 6 and the like, the rear end is connected to an electrical connector 22 of the connector 9, and an external cable 23 connected to the electrical connector 22. Is connected to the signal processing device 4. The CCD drive signal generated by the drive circuit 24 in the signal processing device 4 is applied to the CCD 19, whereby the photoelectrically converted imaging signal is read out and input to the signal processing circuit 25 in the signal processing device 4. Performs conversion to a standard video signal. This standard video signal is input to the color monitor 5, and the image formed on the CCD 19 is displayed in color in the endoscope image display area 5a.
[0016]
The bending portion 12 provided adjacent to the distal end portion 11 is configured by a large number of ring-shaped bending pieces 26 being connected to the adjacent bending pieces 26 so as to be rotatable with rivets or the like at positions corresponding to the vertical and horizontal directions. The leading end of the bending piece 26 or the rear end of the bending wire 27 fixed to the distal end portion 11 is connected to a sprocket 28 in the operation portion 7, and a bending operation knob 29 for performing a bending operation is attached to the shaft of the sprocket 28. (For simplicity, FIG. 1 shows an outline of the bending mechanism only in the vertical and horizontal directions).
[0017]
Then, by rotating the bending operation knob 29, one of the pair of bending wires 27 arranged in the vertical direction or the left-right direction is pulled, and the other is relaxed and pulled toward the bending wire 27 side. The bending portion 12 can be bent.
[0018]
The operation unit 7 is provided with a grasping portion 31 on the front side from the position where the bending operation knob 29 is provided, and the operator can use one hand (a finger such as a thumb not used for grasping) holding the grasping portion 31. The bending operation knob 29 can be operated.
[0019]
In addition, a treatment instrument insertion port 32 is provided on the front end side of the grip portion 31, and the distal end of the treatment tool channel 33 (see FIG. 3) is inserted by inserting the treatment tool from the treatment instrument insertion port 32. The distal end side of the treatment tool protrudes from the channel outlet of the section 11 so that treatment such as polyp excision can be performed.
[0020]
In the present embodiment, for example, a cylindrical hardness adjustment knob 34 for performing a hardness adjustment operation is provided at the front end of the operation portion 7 adjacent to the anti-bending member 10, and the hardness adjustment knob 34 is rotated. The hardness changing wire (hereinafter simply abbreviated as “wire”) 35 and the hardness changing coil (hereinafter simply abbreviated as “coil”) 36 that form an elongated hardness variable means disposed in the flexible portion 13 by performing the above operation Thus, the hardness of the flexible portion 13 can be changed.
[0021]
FIG. 2 shows a more specific structure of the insertion portion 6 and the operation portion 7 of the electronic endoscope 2. A wire 35 for transmitting a force when the hardness adjustment knob 34 is operated and a wire 35 are inserted into a soft tube 37 such as a soft resin tube forming a cylindrical outer shell (outer peripheral portion) of the soft portion 13. A coil 36 in a state close to the close winding is provided.
[0022]
The tip of the wire 35 protruding from the tip of the coil 36 is firmly fixed to the hard tip member forming the tip 11 by brazing or the like. Further, the tip of the coil 36 is firmly fixed to the wire 35 by brazing or the like at a midway position behind the tip of the wire 35, for example, slightly behind the rigid connecting tube 38 connecting the bending portion 12 and the flexible portion 13. Has been. The curved portion 12 is covered with an elastic outer skin 39 such as a rubber tube.
[0023]
The end on the hand side of the coil 36 abuts against a coil stopper 40 disposed inside the front end of the operation unit 7, and movement from this position to the rear side is restricted (blocked).
The wire 35 inserted through the coil 36 passes through the hole of the coil stopper 40 and extends rearward, so that the wire 35 is movable with respect to the coil 36. Note that the coil 36 hardly rotates.
[0024]
The coil stopper 40 is fixed by a screw 42 to a rear end cap 41 that fixes the rear end of the flexible tube 37 to the operation unit 7. The rear end cap 41 is fixed with a nut 44 in the vicinity of the front end of the cylindrical tube 43 disposed on the outer periphery thereof. On the other hand, a ring-shaped wire stopper 45 is firmly fixed to the end of the wire 35 on the hand side, that is, the rear end by brazing or the like.
[0025]
A pulling member 46 that can move in the front-rear direction is disposed between the coil stopper 40 and the wire stopper 45, and the pulling member 46 is fixed to the moving ring 47 so that the wire 35 passes through the groove 48. Yes.
[0026]
That is, as shown in FIG. 3B, the pulling member 46 in which the groove 48 through which the wire 35 is passed in the radial direction is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the circular moving ring 47 by the screw 49.
[0027]
The moving ring 47 is movable in the axial direction inside the cylindrical tube 43. Therefore, when the pulling member 46 moves rearward together with the moving ring 47, the pulling member 46 hits the wire stopper 45 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Further, by performing an operation of moving the pulling member 46 rearward, the wire stopper 45 is also moved rearward.
[0028]
In a state where the wire stopper 45 is not moved rearward, the coil 36 whose rearward movement is restricted by the coil stopper 40 is in the most flexible state, that is, in the soft state having the lowest bending hardness.
[0029]
On the other hand, when the coil stopper 40 moves to the rear side and the rear end of the wire 35 also moves to the rear side at the same time, the coil stopper 40 exerts a compressive force that relatively presses the coil 36 toward the front side.
[0030]
That is, by applying a force that moves the rear end of the wire 35 to the rear side, a compressive force is applied to the coil 36, and the elastic force of the coil 36 is reduced, that is, bent, by this compressive force. The hard hardness (more accurately, the hardness with respect to bending) is set so as to be hard. In this case, the magnitude of the compressive force applied to the coil 35 can be changed according to the rearward movement amount of the pulling member 46, and therefore the flexibility (hardness) can be changed. .
[0031]
A cam cylinder 51 covers the outside of the cylindrical tube 43. In the cam cylinder 51, cam grooves 52a and 52b are provided in a spiral shape at two opposing portions of the cylinder part. The cylindrical tube 43 is also provided with a long hole 53 in the longitudinal direction. Two pins 54 that move together with the moving ring 47 are fixed to the moving ring 47 with screw parts through the cam grooves 52a or 52b and the long holes 53 on the outside thereof. The long hole 53 is set to a length that covers the rear end of the wire 35 or the movement range of the wire stopper 45 (symbol E in FIG. 2).
[0032]
A hardness adjustment knob 34 is fixed to the cam cylinder 51 on the outer side by a plurality of pins 55 in the circumferential direction. That is, the hardness adjustment knob 34 is formed with a pin hole reaching the inner cam cylinder 51, and the pin 55 is inserted and closed with the filler 56.
[0033]
The front end of the hardness adjustment knob 34 abuts against the annular contact member 57, and forward movement is restricted. The contact member 57 is disposed outside the vicinity of the front end of the cylindrical tube 43, and is fixed to the outer periphery of a support member 58 that supports the rear end of the folding preventing member 10 with a screw 59.
[0034]
Further, on the rear end side of the hardness adjusting knob 34, the inner peripheral surface of the front end of the gripping portion cylinder 61 is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the cam tube 51, and the outer peripheral surface of the front end of the gripping portion cylindrical body 61 is hardness. The rear end of the adjustment knob 34 is fitted to the cutout inner peripheral surface. That is, the hardness adjustment knob 34 is slidably contacted with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical tube 43 via the cam cylinder 51 in a state in which the movement in the front-rear direction is restricted, and is disposed so as to be rotatable (around the cylindrical tube 43). ing.
In this way, the hardness adjustment knob 34 can be rotated, but the contact member 57 is fixed by screws 59 so as not to rotate.
[0035]
An O-ring 62 is disposed between the inner peripheral surface of the front end of the hardness adjusting knob 34 and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical tube 43 facing the inside thereof, and the inner peripheral surface of the front end of the hardness adjusting knob 34 is in pressure contact with the O-ring 62. Yes. In addition, an O-ring 63 is provided in a circumferential groove provided on the cam body 51 side, for example, between the outer peripheral surface in the vicinity of the rear end of the cam cylinder 51 and the inner peripheral surface of the grip portion frame 61 fitted to the outer peripheral surface. And the inner peripheral surface of the gripping part frame 61 is in pressure contact with the O-ring 63.
[0036]
In other words, water tightness is secured by the O-rings 62 and 63, and a frictional force is applied to the cam cylinder 51 and the hardness adjustment knob 34, and the hand that operated the hardness adjustment knob 34 by the frictional force is released. It can be locked (or held) in this state.
[0037]
FIG. 4A shows the shape of the cam grooves 52 a and 52 b of the cam cylinder 51. The cam grooves 52a and 52b are two-line cams, one of which is shown by the cam groove 52a and the other by 52b.
[0038]
The cam grooves 52a and 52b have the same shape and are provided at symmetrical positions such that one of the cam grooves 52a and 52b overlaps the position rotated by 180 degrees with respect to the axis of the cam cylinder 51. In FIG. 4A, the cam grooves 52a and 52b have a simple smooth groove shape (smooth spiral shape).
[0039]
Instead of the structure shown in FIG. 4 (A), as shown in FIG. 4 (B), for example, a recess 64a is provided in the middle of the groove 52b, or a recess 64b is provided at the end of the groove 52b. When the pin 54 is set at these positions, the operator may be given a click feeling.
[0040]
As shown in FIG. 2, an insertion port frame 65 that forms the treatment instrument insertion port 32 is provided at a front position adjacent to the grip portion 31. The insertion port frame 65 is connected to a branch member 67 that branches into the treatment instrument insertion port 32 side and the suction conduit 66 side inside the operation unit 7, and the branch member 67 has a front end in the insertion unit 6. The end portion of the proximal end of the treatment instrument channel 33 provided in is connected by a connection portion 68.
[0041]
The branch member 67 is fixed to the cylindrical tube 43 with screws. The cylindrical tube 43 is connected at its rear end to a frame 60 to which a bending operation mechanism or the like of the operation unit 7 is attached by a screw. The cylindrical tube 43 has a structure that does not rotate even when the hardness adjustment knob 34 side is rotated.
[0042]
Various built-in objects are arranged in the insertion portion 6 as shown in FIG. 3 (A), and in particular, the hardness varying means is arranged along the vicinity of the central axis of the flexible tube 37.
[0043]
That is, the four bending wires 27 arranged so as to be close to the tube wall at positions corresponding to the upper and lower sides and the left and right sides of the flexible tube 37, the two signal cables 21, the coil 36 and the wires arranged near the center. 35, the two light guides 14 disposed near the upper center, the treatment instrument channel 33 disposed near the lower side, the air supply tube 69 for supplying air disposed adjacent to the coil 36, and the water supply A water supply tube 70 is built in.
[0044]
Further, a built-in object as shown in FIG. The arrangement of the built-in objects is almost the same as that shown in FIG.
As described above, in the present embodiment, the coil 36 and the wire 35 forming the hardness varying means are arranged away from the tube wall of the flexible tube 37 (more specifically, arranged near the central axis of the flexible tube 37). By eliminating the difference in hardness (flexibility) depending on the bending direction or bending direction when arranged close to the tube wall, a variable mechanism of hardness with little direction dependency is formed.
[0045]
In other words, in the present embodiment, the hardness 36 can be varied depending on the bending or bending direction by disposing the coil 36 and the wire 35 forming the hardness varying means away from the tube wall of the flexible tube 37 and in the vicinity of the central axis of the flexible tube 37. The suppression means which suppresses difference is formed.
[0046]
In the conventional example, since the hardness varying means is arranged along the tube wall, when the hardness of the hardness varying means is changed, it is bent (or bent) in the direction of the tube wall side where the hardness varying means is arranged. The change in hardness becomes larger than in the case of bending in the other direction. Therefore, in the conventional example, when curving, it is necessary to adjust the amount of operation force according to the curving direction.
[0047]
On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the hardness varying means is arranged along the vicinity of the central axis of the flexible tube 37, there is no direction dependency of the hardness when the hardness of the hardness varying means is changed, and it is uniform. In addition, since the hardness can be controlled to increase the hardness of the soft portion 13, it can be operated without increasing or decreasing the amount of operation force according to the direction of bending when bending, and can be easily inserted into a bent body cavity or the like. To be able to do that.
[0048]
As shown in FIG. 3B, the traction member 46 takes a certain amount of space. However, the traction member 46 is located in front of the connecting portion 68 as shown in FIG. Even if it moves to the rear, it is arranged so as to be in the front position with respect to the connecting portion 68 so that it can be stored in a smaller space than in the case where it is on the rear position side with respect to the connecting portion 68.
[0049]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described in the case of performing endoscopy by inserting the insertion portion 6 of the endoscope 2 from the anus 91 through the large intestine to the cecum side as shown in FIG.
As shown by the solid line in FIG. 2, when the pulling member 46 is not in contact with the wire stopper 45, the coil 36 is soft because no tension is applied to the wire 35. Therefore, the soft part 13 is in a soft and easy to bend state.
[0050]
As shown in FIG. 5 (A), the soft portion 13 is inserted into the sigmoid colon 92 that is winding from the anus 91 while pushing the insertion portion 6 in such a soft state.
[0051]
Since the soft portion 13 is in a soft state, even the tortuous sigmoid colon 92 can be inserted with little pain to the patient. As shown in FIG. 5A, when the distal end of the insertion portion 6 of the electronic endoscope reaches the vicinity of the splenic curve 94 via the descending colon 93, an operation of pulling the insertion portion 6 is performed. Then, as shown in FIG. 5B, the sigmoid colon 92 is shortened substantially linearly. And the insertion part 6 of an electronic endoscope becomes substantially linear form.
[0052]
In this state, when the hardness adjustment knob 34 is rotated in the direction indicated by the symbol C in FIG. 4A (in FIG. 4A, the left side is shown as the insertion portion side), FIG. As shown by the solid line, the pin 54 moves in the cam groove 52a (relative to the cam cylinder 51) as indicated by the arrow D. Further, since the pin 54 passes through the long hole 53 formed in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical tube 43, the moving ring 47 moves rearward along the long hole 53 together with the pin 54. That is, the pin 54 actually moves in the horizontal direction (right side) in FIG.
[0053]
As a result of this movement, the pulling member 46 fixed to the moving ring 47 also moves rearward, and when it moves from the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 2 to the position indicated by the two-dot chain line, it abuts against the wire stopper 45.
[0054]
Further, the hardness adjusting knob 34 is rotated to move the pulling member 46 rearward, whereby a tensile force is applied to the wire 35, and a compressive force is applied to the coil 36 to harden the coil 36. Can be hardened.
[0055]
At this time, the cam grooves 52a and 52b have a smooth and simple shape, but the frictional force due to the O-rings 62 and 63 and the frictional force due to the front end of the hardness adjusting knob 34 abutting against the contact member 57. Thus, even if the hand that operated the hardness adjustment knob 34 is released, the pin 54 can be stopped at any position in the movement range from the position of the front end to the rear end of the cam grooves 52a and 52b. That is, even if the operator releases the hardness adjustment knob 34, the hardness adjustment knob 34 can be locked (held) so as not to move as it is.
[0056]
In the case of the smooth spiral cam grooves 52a and 52b as shown in FIG. 4A, there is a possibility that the hardness adjustment knob 34 cannot be stopped in the vicinity of the hardest state depending on how the force to pull the wire 35 is set. is there. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 4 (B), if a recess 64a is provided in the middle or a recess 64b is provided at the rear end, the pin 54 is securely stopped where the recess 64a or 64b is present. (Of course, the hardness adjustment knob 34 is locked in a state corresponding to the pin 54 locked in the recesses 64a and 64b).
[0057]
At this time, when the pin 54 is fitted into the recesses 64a and 64b, there is a click feeling. With this click feeling, the operator can be informed that the predetermined hardness has been reached. Therefore, when the operator operates the hardness adjustment knob 34, the level of hardness can be accurately grasped by this click feeling.
[0058]
Accurately grasping the hardness of the insertion portion 6 is important when performing an insertion operation as shown in FIGS. In this way, the insertion portion 6 is hardened as shown in FIG. 5B, and the insertion portion of the endoscope is inserted into the transverse colon 95, the liver curvature 97, the ascending colon 96, and the cecum 98 while further pushing the insertion portion 6 there. 6 is inserted. Thus, as shown in FIG. 5C, the distal end of the insertion portion 6 of the electronic endoscope can reach the cecum 98.
[0059]
At this time, since the soft portion 13 is hard, it is unlikely to bend slightly in the middle, and it can be quickly and easily inserted into the cecum 98 while drawing a gentle curve as shown in FIG. it can.
[0060]
In the present embodiment, the coil 36 and the wire 35 inserted into the coil 36 are arranged away from the tube wall of the soft portion 13 or near the center, so that even when the coil 36 is in a hard state, the coil 36 is soft. The difference with respect to flexibility when the part 13 is bent in any direction, up and down, left and right, can be reduced.
[0061]
Note that the position away from the tube wall of the flexible tube 37 is that there is a space for at least one other built-in component between the coil 36 and the flexible tube 37. In FIG. Corresponds to the air supply tube 69 or the water supply tube 70.
[0062]
It should be noted that the space inside the cylindrical tube 43 is narrow where the connecting portion 68 and the branching member 67 are present. In addition, since there is a bending operation mechanism at the rear, the space in the operation unit 7 is narrow. However, since the pulling member 46 is disposed in front of the connection portion 68, it is not necessary to make the pulling member 46 thicker than the cylindrical tube of the existing endoscope, and the hardness adjusting operation mechanism can be disposed. Thus, it is possible to prevent the operation unit 7 from being unnecessarily thick.
[0063]
Also, since the external structure of the operation unit 7 is where the treatment instrument insertion port 32 is located and the gripping part 25 is originally thick, the hardness adjustment knob 34 is arranged on the insertion unit 6 side from the treatment instrument insertion port 32. This can be realized without making the portion 34 thicker than necessary.
[0064]
The present embodiment has the following effects.
Since the wire 35 and the coil 36 are located away from the tube wall of the flexible tube 37 or closer to the center, even when the coil 36 is in a hard state, the flexible portion 13 is bent in the vertical and horizontal directions. The difference (variation) in flexibility can be reduced, and therefore, even when inserting into a complicatedly bent body cavity, for example, the same amount of bending can be made almost in the same direction for a bending operation with the same strength. Easy operation) and good insertability can be secured.
[0065]
(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a side view of the vicinity of the front end of the operation unit in the endoscope according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line FF of FIG. FIG. 6 shows a side view in the softest state (initial state).
[0066]
The endoscope 2A of the present embodiment is configured such that a separate large knob 20 can be attached to a hardness adjustment knob 34 as a hardness operation member in the electronic endoscope 2 of FIG.
For this purpose, the contact member 57 in the electronic endoscope 2 of FIG. 2 is provided with a convex portion 57a at one location on the outer peripheral surface of the front end as shown in FIG. A convex portion 34 a is also provided at one location on the outer peripheral surface of the hardness adjustment knob 34.
Further, the hardness adjusting knob 34 has an inner diameter that fits the outer diameter of the hardness adjusting knob 34, and has a concave portion 20 a into which the convex portion 34 a is fitted. A large knob 20 having a large outer diameter is attached to the outer periphery of the hardness adjustment knob 34.
[0067]
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, when the coil 36 is in the softest state (initial state), the protrusions of the protrusions 57a and 34a face the same direction (overlapping position).
In this state, when the large knob 20 is moved forward, the large knob 20 mounted in the concave portion 20a through the convex portions 34a and 57a can be detached from the hardness adjusting knob 34. For example, since the convex portion 34a protrudes slightly larger than the convex portion 57a, in this state, the concave portion 20a can be passed through the convex portion 34a and the convex portion 57a can be passed therethrough.
[0068]
Further, when the large knob 20 is mounted, if the large knob 20 is moved rearward with the protrusions of the protrusions 57a and 34a facing the same direction as described above, the protrusions 57a and 34a are inserted into the recess 20a. The large knob 20 can be attached to the outer peripheral surface of the hardness adjusting knob 34 through the through hole.
[0069]
Although the contact member 57 does not rotate, the hardness adjustment knob 34 rotates in accordance with the rotation operation of the large knob 20, so that the convex portions 57 a and 34 a do not face the same direction (overlapping position) except in the initial state. And the large knob 20 can be attached or detached only when the convex parts 57a and 34a have faced the same direction as mentioned above.
The other internal structures of the insertion portion 6 and the operation portion 7 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0070]
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
When the hardness adjustment knob 34 is in the initial position, the large knob 20 is attached from the insertion portion 6 side. The harder the hardness adjustment knob 34 is, the greater the amount of operation force required, which makes it feel heavier. However, since the operation radius of the rotation operation increases by attaching the large knob 20, the rotation operation can be performed with a light force. And the hardness can be easily increased.
[0071]
When the large knob 20 is removed, an operation is performed in which the two convex portions 57a and 34a corresponding to the case where the coil 36 is in the softest state (initial state) move in the same direction (position where they overlap as shown in FIG. 7). Just do it.
[0072]
In this way, except when the coil 36 is in the softest state (initial state), the convex portion 57a is prevented from coming off and will not come off. The reason for this is as follows.
This prevents the coil 36 from being cleaned, disinfected, stored, etc. while the coil 36 is in a hard state after the case. This is because, if cleaning, disinfection, storage, etc. are performed for a long time in a hard state, the wire 35 and the coil 36 are always in a state of force, so that the durability is lowered.
[0073]
In the case of an operator who does not need to adjust the hardness or such a case, if the case is performed without wearing the large knob 20, the endoscope can be handled with a small operation part (light operation part).
According to the present embodiment, there is an effect that the hardness can be adjusted with a light force as required. Other effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.
[0074]
(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 shows the structure of the hardness operation member at a portion corresponding to the cross section taken along line GG in FIG. 2, and FIG. 9 shows a state where a cap is attached to the light guide connector portion.
In this embodiment, the cap 73 for protecting the light guide connector portion 15 shown in FIG. 1 is also used for adjusting the hardness.
[0075]
As shown in FIG. 8, a convex portion 34b is provided on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the hardness adjusting knob 34 (for example, one location on the outer peripheral surface of the front end), and the cap 73 shown in FIG. It is detachable from the direction of the arrow.
[0076]
FIG. 9 shows the connector 9. As shown in FIG. 9, the light guide connector portion 15 protruding from the connector 9 is covered with a cap 73 for protecting the light guide connector portion 15 when the endoscope is not used. Is done. The cap 73 is detachable from the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG.
[0077]
When performing endoscopy, the cap 73 is removed from the light guide connector portion 15, and the light guide connector portion 15 is attached to the light source device 3. The material of the cap 73 may be metal or resin.
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
[0078]
The cap 73 can be used in common for protecting the light guide connector portion 15 and rotating the hardness adjusting knob 34 (during hardness adjustment), and plays both roles. The cap 73 covers and protects the light guide connector portion 15 except during inspection, and is attached to the convex portion 34b as necessary during inspection.
[0079]
The harder the hardness adjustment knob 34 is, the more force is required and it may feel heavier. However, when the cap 73 is mounted on the convex portion 34b and rotated with the cap 73, the operating radius increases. Therefore, the rotation operation can be performed with a light force.
[0080]
Further, since the cap 73 can be attached / detached in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 8, it can be attached / detached as necessary even when the insertion portion is in the living body, and can be handled even during examination.
In this manner, if a member used for a part of the endoscope can be attached to and detached from the hardness adjustment knob 34, it is not necessary to provide a special part.
[0081]
According to the present embodiment, there is an effect that the hardness can be adjusted with a light force without providing a dedicated component. The other effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.
[0082]
(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 (A) shows the hardness varying means in the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 10 (B) shows the tubular body used in FIG. 10 (A) in a perspective view.
In the present embodiment, another member is used instead of the coil 36 as a hardness variable means for changing the hardness by the compressive force.
[0083]
That is, as shown in FIG. 10A, instead of the coil 36, a plurality of tubular bodies 74 are serially covered with the wire 35 to form an elongated hardness varying means. Each tubular body 74 is made of a hard material such as metal, has a length of, for example, 5 mm to 10 mm and has a circular tube shape, and the hollow portion has an inner diameter through which the wire 35 can pass.
[0084]
The plurality of tube bodies 74 through the wire 35 are arranged along the vicinity of the central axis of the flexible tube 37, and the most advanced tube body 74 is firmly fixed to the wire 35 by brazing or the like near the tip of the flexible portion 13. . The tube 74 at the end is fixed to the coil stopper 40.
[0085]
The tubular bodies 74 are connected so that their end portions are in contact with each other, but there may be a slight gap. Further, for the purpose of changing the bending curvature, a tube 74 having a short length may be arranged in a certain portion, and a tube 74 having a longer length may be arranged in another portion. Furthermore, the wall thickness of the tube body 74 may be different depending on the part.
[0086]
The distal end of the wire 35 that has passed through the plurality of tube bodies 74 is fixed to the distal end portion 11 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and the rear end of the wire 35 is passed through the hollow portion of the coil stopper 40 to the traction member 46. It is firmly fixed by brazing or the like, and by moving the pulling member 46 in the direction of the arrow, a plurality of pipes 74 are hardened by applying a compression force via the wire 35, or the application of the compression force is released. The softening is possible.
[0087]
In the modification of FIG. 10C, one elongated pipe member 75 is used instead of the plurality of tube bodies 74, and this pipe member 75 is covered with the wire 35. Although the pipe material 75 is not a coil, it has flexibility and has some elasticity in the axial direction. For example, a super elastic material may be used. Further, a plurality of slits in the pipe material 75 may be provided so as to increase the flexibility of the pipe material 75. As in the case of the plurality of tube bodies 74, the tip of the pipe material 75 is fixed to the wire 35, and the rear end of the pipe material 75 is fixed to the coil stopper 40.
[0088]
The rear end of the wire 35 that passes through the hollow portion of the coil stopper 40 is fixed to the pulling member 46, and moves as indicated by the arrow (the wire 35 via the pulling member 46) to apply a compressive force to the pipe. The material 75 can be hardened or softened by releasing the application of compressive force.
[0089]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment and its modifications will be described.
As the coil 36 is hardened by applying a compressive force, it is more likely to buckle against bending (a state in which plastic deformation occurs so that a part of the coil is extremely spread in the circumferential direction).
However, if a plurality of pipes 74 and pipe material 75 are used as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10C, buckling like a coil will not occur even if it is hardened by applying a compressive force. .
[0090]
If the wall thickness of the tube body 74 is changed in part, the thin wall portion will not be so hard when hardened than the thick wall portion. For example, if the distal end side is made thinner than the proximal side, the distal end side is not as hard as the proximal side when hardened. By doing so, the insertability can be further improved.
[0091]
In addition, you may combine so that the front end side may be made into the some pipe body 74, and the hand side may be made into the coil 36 and the pipe material 75 which are thicker than the pipe body 74.
According to this embodiment, there is an effect that durability against bending when hardened can be improved. The other effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.
[0092]
(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
In the previous embodiments and the like, the wire 35 extends from the tip of the coil 36 or the tube body 74 and is fixed to the tip 11. However, in this embodiment, the tip of the coil 36 is a binding member 76. It is fixed to a part of the treatment instrument channel 33 arranged along the substantially central axis of the flexible tube 37 in the vicinity of the distal end of the flexible portion 13 (for example, at a position behind the curved portion 12).
[0093]
The tip of the wire 35 is fixed to the tip of the coil 36 (not shown).
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
[0094]
If the distal end of the wire 35 is fixed to the distal end portion 11, the wire 35 passes through the bending portion 12, and thus may have an undesirable effect of lowering the bending function of the bending portion 12, There is a possibility that the diameter of the portion 12 is increased. However, in the configuration as shown in FIG. 11, since the tip of the hardness varying means is fixed at a position behind the bending portion 12, the bending function of the bending portion 12 is not affected at all.
According to the present embodiment, the function of the bending portion 12 can be sufficiently ensured. The other effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.
[0095]
In addition, what fixed the front-end | tip of the wire to the front-end | tip of the coil 35 may be movably fixed to the treatment instrument channel 33 arrange | positioned along the substantially central axis of the flexible tube 37 by fixed intervals. In this case, by pulling the wire 35, the coil 36 is compressed and its flexibility is changed as the tip of the wire 35 moves backward.
[0096]
The hardness varying means described so far is not limited to the coil 35, the wire 36, and the like. For example, the hardness of the elongated hardness varying means may be varied by a heating control method. For example, it may be a rod-shaped member made of a shape memory alloy stored so as to be linearized at a certain temperature, or a reversible thermosetting resin or a reversible thermosoftening resin whose hardness changes at a certain temperature.
[0097]
The temperature is preferably 40 ° C or higher so that they do not react when inserted into a living body. However, when the heat of 40 ° C or higher is continuously applied by heating means along the hardness variable means, the hardness becomes hot. The means may burn the living body wall via 13.
[0098]
Even if the hardness varying means is heated and controlled by arranging the hardness varying means apart from the 13 tube walls (or arranging other built-in objects between the tube walls) as in the present invention. There is also an effect that heat is not easily transmitted to the living body wall and burns can be prevented.
[0099]
For example, in FIG. 1, the case of an electronic endoscope in which a solid-state imaging device is built in the distal end portion has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this and is formed by a fiber bundle at the imaging position of the objective lens. An optical endoscope (more specific) that arranges the tip surface of the image guide, transmits the optical image formed on the tip surface to the rear surface by the image guide, and observes it through the eyepiece with the naked eye The same applies to the case of a fiberscope.
Note that embodiments and the like configured by partially combining the above-described embodiments and the like also belong to the present invention.
[0100]
[Appendix]
1. In an endoscope comprising an insertion part having a soft part and an operation part, and incorporating a slender hardness variable means in the soft part,
An endoscope characterized in that the hardness varying means is arranged apart from a tube wall of a soft tube constituting an outer peripheral portion of the soft portion.
(Effects of Appendices 1-8)
Even if the soft part is in a hard state, it is possible to prevent the flexibility from being different depending on the direction and to secure a good insertion property.
[0101]
2. The endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein another built-in object is disposed between the hardness varying means and the tube wall.
3. The endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein the hardness varying means is in the vicinity of the central axis of the flexible tube.
4). The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the hardness varying means includes a tubular member and a wire inserted through the tubular member.
5. The endoscope according to appendix 4, wherein a wire is extended from the distal end of the tubular member, and the distal end of the wire is fixed to the distal end portion of the endoscope.
6). The endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein the hardness varying means is of a heating control type.
7). The endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein the hardness varying means is closer to the proximal side than the curved portion.
[0102]
8). In an endoscope comprising an insertion portion having a bendable bending portion and a flexible soft portion, and an elongated hardness varying means built in the soft portion,
An endoscope characterized in that when the hardness of the hardness varying means is changed, a suppressing means for suppressing the hardness value from being different depending on the bending direction is formed.
[0103]
9. In an endoscope comprising an insertion portion having a soft portion and an operation portion, wherein the soft portion is provided with a hardness variable means, and the operation portion is provided with a first operation member for controlling the hardness of the hardness variable means.
An endoscope characterized in that a second operation member separate from the first operation member is detachable from the first operation member.
[0104]
(Background to Appendix 9-12)
Same as the conventional technology section.
(Conventional problem)
When applying a compressive force to the hardness variable means to harden the flexible part, the greater the change in hardness (flexibility), the greater the amount of operating force and the heavier the operating lever (the more difficult it is to operate). .
[0105]
(Objectives of Supplementary Notes 9-12, Means for Solving Problems)
In order to make it possible to adjust the hardness with a small amount of operating force, the following configuration was adopted.
A separate operation member can be attached to and detached from the hardness adjustment operation unit of the endoscope operation unit. As a result, the operating radius of the rotating operation was increased to reduce the operating force.
(Effects of Supplementary Notes 9-12)
Hardness adjustment can be performed with a small operating force.
[0106]
10. The endoscope according to appendix 9, wherein when the second operating member is attached to the first operating member, the rotation radius of the operation is increased.
11. The endoscope according to appendix 9, wherein the second operating member is detachable only when the hardness varying means is in a soft state.
12 The endoscope according to appendix 9, wherein the second operation member can be attached to and detached from other parts of the endoscope.
[0107]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, in an endoscope that includes an insertion portion having a soft portion and an operation portion, and the flexible portion includes a slender hardness varying means, the flexibility is in the bending or bending direction. In this way, good insertion properties can be ensured, and even if it is hardened by applying a compressive force, buckling does not occur, and the durability against bending when hardened can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an endoscope apparatus provided with a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the endoscope according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA and BB in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a specific example of a cam cylinder.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a state where an insertion portion is inserted from the anus to the deep side of the large intestine.
FIG. 6 is a side view showing the vicinity of an operation unit of an endoscope according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a cross-sectional view of the hardness operation member taken along the line F-F in FIG. 6;
8 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a portion corresponding to a cross section taken along line GG in FIG. 2 in an endoscope according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state where a cap is put on the light guide connector portion.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing hardness varying means and the like in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a side view showing fixing means on the distal end side of a coil in a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1. Endoscope device
2 ... Electronic endoscope
3. Light source device
4 ... Signal processing device
5. Color monitor
6 ... Insertion section
7. Operation unit
8 ... Universal cable
9 ... Connector
10 ... Folding prevention member
11 ... tip
12 ... Curved part
13 ... Soft part
15 ... Light guide connector
18 ... Objective lens
19 ... CCD
21 ... Signal cable
25. Signal processing circuit
26 ... Curving piece
27 ... Bending wire
29 ... Bending operation knob
31 ... gripping part
32 ... Treatment instrument insertion port
33 ... Treatment instrument channel
34 ... Hardness adjustment knob
35 ... Wire for changing hardness (wire)
36 ... Coil for changing hardness (coil)
37 ... Soft tube
40 ... Coil stopper
41 ... Rear end cap
43 ... Cylindrical tube
45 ... Wire stopper
46 ... Towing member
47 ... Moving ring
48 ... Groove
51 ... Cam barrel
52a, 52b ... Cam groove
57. Contact member
62, 63 ... O-ring

Claims (2)

In an endoscope comprising an insertion part having a soft part and an operation part, and incorporating a slender hardness variable means in the soft part,
The elongated hardness varying means is composed of a plurality of serially arranged tubes and wires inserted through the plurality of tubes. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein some of the plurality of tubes have different thicknesses.

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