JP3814122B2 - Endoscope operation unit - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
【Technical field】
The present invention relates to an operation unit of an endoscope.
[0002]
[Prior art and its problems]
The endoscope has an in-vivo insertion portion and an operation portion (grip portion) connected to the in-vivo insertion portion. In the flexible endoscope, a bending portion is provided at the distal end of the insertion portion in the body, and a bending operation knob for operating the bending portion is usually provided in the operation portion. In use, the operator holds the grip portion and turns the bending operation knob to bend the bending portion. However, since the operation knob and the grip portion are generally made of a resin material, the operation knob and the grip portion are slippery, and there is a problem that the operator may accidentally slide their hands, which may lead to a medical accident. In order to solve this problem, some grips are provided with unevenness to prevent slipping, but this is insufficient. Moreover, when the unevenness was provided, the cleaning performance was poor.
[0003]
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to obtain an operation section of an endoscope that is easy to adjust to a hand and that hardly slips and guarantees a reliable operation.
[0004]
Summary of the Invention
The present invention provides an endoscope having an in-vivo insertion portion and an operation portion, wherein a recess is provided on at least a part of the outer surface of the operation portion, and a rubber material is vulcanized and molded so that at least a portion is embedded in the recess. It is characterized by rubber lining.
[0005]
The rubber lining can be applied to a grip portion that is held by an operator. Further, in a flexible mirror in which a bending portion is provided at the distal end portion of the body insertion portion, rubber lining can be applied to at least a part of the bending operation knob provided in the operation portion.
[0006]
The rubber used for the rubber lining is particularly preferably fluororubber or silicone rubber.
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
1 and 2 show an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a flexible endoscope. A well-known body insertion portion (not shown) is coupled to the right side of the operation portion 10 in the drawing, and the distal end of the body insertion portion is a curved portion. The operation unit 10 includes an up / down operation knob (bending operation knob) 11 for bending the bending portion at the distal end of the body insertion portion in the up / down direction, a left / right operation knob (bending operation knob) 12 for bending the left / right direction, and an up / down operation knob. 11 includes an upper and lower brake lever 14 that restricts the rotation of the left and right brake lever 15, a left and right brake lever 15 that restricts the rotation of the left and right operation knob 12, and a grip 13 that is gripped by the operator.
[0008]
The operator grips the grip portion 13 during use, operates the up / down operation knob 11 and the left / right operation knob 12 with the thumb or forefinger, and directs the distal end of the body insertion portion in a desired direction, and the up / down brake lever 14 and the left / right brake lever 15. To fix that position. The operation unit 10 further includes a suction button 16 that activates the suction function of the internal insertion portion, an air supply / water supply button 17 that operates the air supply and water supply functions of the internal insertion portion, for example, a remote control button that remotely operates the imaging device 18 is provided. A forceps port 21 is disposed in the grip portion 13. The above is one configuration example of a normal endoscope and is well known.
[0009]
In the above configuration, the grip portion 13 is provided with a rubber lining 33 in the longitudinal direction. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, a rubber lining 33 is applied to the recess 19 provided in the grip portion 13. The rubber lining 33 is slightly higher than the other part of the grip portion 13 in the illustrated example. When the grip portion 13 is gripped by the rubber lining 33, slipping hardly occurs.
[0010]
The vertical operation knob 11 has projecting portions 11a projecting in the radial direction at equal angular intervals, and a rubber lining 31 is provided on a small diameter portion between adjacent projecting portions 11a. Similarly, the left / right operation knob 12 has projecting portions 12a projecting in the radial direction at equal angular intervals, and a rubber lining 32 is provided on a small diameter portion between adjacent projecting portions 12a. The rubber linings 31 and 32 prevent slippage when the up / down operation knob 11 and the left / right operation knob 12 are operated.
[0011]
The rubber linings 31, 32, and 33 for the up / down operation knob 11, the left / right operation knob 12, and the grip portion 13 are formed as follows, for example. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram thereof. The upper and lower operation knobs 11, the left and right operation knobs 12, and the grip portion 13 made of synthetic resin or a composite material of a synthetic resin and a metal are simultaneously provided with a concave portion 41 for forming a rubber lining. And the rubber material 42 is inserted into the recess 41. When the rubber material 42 is vulcanized by covering the concave portion 41 with the mold 43, rubber linings 31, 32, and 33 are applied.
[0012]
The rubber material used for the rubber lining is not particularly limited, but in particular, fluorine rubber and silicone rubber excellent in chemical resistance are suitable. In the illustrated embodiment, the rubber linings 31, 32, and 33 are provided so as to slightly protrude from the vertical operation knob 11, the left / right operation knob 12, and the grip part 13 (so as to have a surface height). You may provide so that it may become one. It is better to make the surface slightly higher from the standpoint of gripping properties, but it is preferable to be flush from the standpoint of cleaning properties (preferably with few steps), and the protrusion of the rubber lining in consideration of gripping properties and cleanability The amount is determined.
[0014]
Moreover, in this embodiment, although the rubber lining was given to the up-down operation knob 11, the left-right operation knob 12, and the grip part 13, the place which performs a rubber lining does not ask | require. For example, the upper and lower brake levers 14 and the left and right brake levers 15 may be provided.
[0015]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the operation part of the endoscope which can adapt to a hand, cannot produce slip easily, and can ensure reliable operation is obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of an operation unit of an endoscope according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the same.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing the formation of a rubber lining.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Operation part 11 Up / down operation knob 12 Left / right operation knob 13 Grip part 14 Up / down brake lever 15 Left / right brake lever 16 Suction button 17 Air / water supply button 18 Remote control button 19 Recess 31 32 33 Rubber lining

Claims (4)

In an endoscope having an in-vivo insertion portion and an operation portion, a rubber lining is formed by providing a recess on at least a part of the outer surface of the operation portion and vulcanizing and molding a rubber material so that at least a portion is embedded in the recess. The operation part of the endoscope characterized by having given. The operation part of the endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the rubber lining is provided in a grip part held by an operator. The operation part of the endoscope according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a bending portion is provided at a distal end portion of the body insertion portion, and a bending operation knob for operating the bending portion is provided in the operation portion, and the bending operation knob is provided. Endoscope operation unit, at least a part of which is rubber-lined. The operation part of the endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the rubber of the rubber lining is fluoro rubber or silicone rubber.

Images