JP3850377B2 - Endoscope device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an endoscope, and more particularly to an endoscope apparatus characterized by 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]
For this reason, for example, when inserting the insertion part from the bent part of the sigmoid colon of the large intestine into the back, the cylindrical guide tube is used to linearize the bent part of the sigmoid colon and then guide it to the insertion part. Was done to insert.
[0005]
However, in the insertion of the insertion portion using the guide tube, there is a problem that the intestinal wall is sandwiched between the insertion portion and the guide tube. For example, as shown in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-7879, the insertion portion An endoscope is disclosed in which the insertion portion can be inserted without using a guide tube even in the bent portion of the sigmoid colon by controlling the flexibility of the flexible tube on a segment basis.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the prior art disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-7879 or the like, the relationship between the hardness varying means and the soft part is not described between models whose original hardness of the soft part is different.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and endoscopes in which the hardness of the flexible portion is different by clearly setting the relationship of the hardness varying means between models having different hardness of the flexible portion. In this case, an optimum insertion property of the insertion portion is to be obtained.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An endoscope apparatus according to the present invention includes a first flexible portion provided in an insertion portion of an endoscope, and the first flexible portion provided along the longitudinal axis direction inside the first flexible portion. of a first hardness varying means capable of changing the hardness, the first operating means for changing the hardness of the adjustment to the first flexible portion hardness of the first hardness varying means, the first having the An endoscope , a second flexible portion provided in an insertion portion of the endoscope, and a hardness of the second flexible portion provided along the longitudinal axis direction inside the second flexible portion Second hardness variable means that can be adjusted, and second operating means for adjusting the hardness of the second hardness variable means to change the hardness of the second soft part, and with respect to the endoscope, from the first flexible portion stiffness of the second flexible portion before adjusting the hardness by the second hardness varying means RaKaku, and a second position of the distal end portion of said second hardness varying means is characterized in that positioned at the front end side of the distal end portion of the first hardness variation means in the first endoscope And an endoscope.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0010]
First embodiment:
1 to 8 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an endoscope apparatus provided with an electronic endoscope, and FIG. 2 is the vicinity of the hardness adjustment knob of FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the cam cylinder of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the cross-section of the coil of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is an insertion of the soft part of FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the electronic endoscope of FIG. 1, and FIG. 7 has insertion portions with different hardnesses of the soft portion of FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of the hardness varying means for the electronic endoscope having an insertion portion with a different hardness of the soft part in FIG. It is the 2nd explanatory view to do.
[0011]
(Constitution)
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.
[0012]
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.
[0013]
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.
[0014]
A light guide 14 comprising a fiber bundle having flexibility and 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.
[0015]
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. A charge-coupled device (hereinafter abbreviated as CCD) 19 is disposed as an imaging device having a photoelectric conversion function at this imaging position, and converts an optical image into an electrical signal.
[0016]
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.
[0017]
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).
[0018]
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.
[0019]
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.
[0020]
In addition, a treatment instrument insertion port 32 is provided on the front end side of the grip portion 31, and a distal end portion is inserted through a treatment instrument channel (not shown) by inserting a treatment instrument from the treatment instrument insertion port 32. The distal end side of the treatment tool protrudes from 11 channel outlets so that treatment such as polyp excision can be performed.
[0021]
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. Hardness changing wires (hereinafter simply abbreviated as wires) 35a, 35b and hardness changing coils (hereinafter simply abbreviated as coils) that form elongated hardness variable means disposed in the flexible portion 13 by performing the above operations. The hardness of the flexible portion 13 can be changed via 36a and 36b.
[0022]
That is, the wires 35a and 35b and the coils 36a and 36b in a tightly wound state through which the wires 35a and 35b are inserted are provided in the flexible tube 37 that forms the exterior of the flexible portion 13.
[0023]
For example, to the rigid connection tube 38 that connects the bending portion 12 and the flexible portion 13, the tips of the wires 35a and 35b protruding from the tips of the coils 36a and 36b are firmly fixed by brazing or the like. Further, the tips of the coils 36a and 36b are firmly fixed to the wires 35a and 35b by brazing or the like at a midway position behind the tips of the wires 35a and 35b. The tip of the coil 36a is firmly fixed, for example, at a position 30 cm behind the tip of the wire 35a, and the tip of the coil 36b, for example, is positioned 50 cm behind the tip of the wire 35b by brazing or the like.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 2, the proximal ends of the coils 36 a and 36 b abut against a coil stopper 40 disposed inside the front end of the operation portion 7, and movement from the rear side to this position is restricted (blocked). ing. Further, the wires 35a and 35b inserted through the coils 36a and 36b extend through the hole of the coil stopper 40 and extend rearward, and the wires 35a and 35b are movable with respect to the coils 36a and 36b. ing. The coils 36a and 36b are firmly fixed so as not to rotate.
[0025]
The coil stopper 40 is firmly fixed to a rear end cap 41 that fixes the rear end of the flexible tube 37 to the operation portion 7, and the rear end cap 41 is fixed near the front end of the cylindrical tube 42 disposed on the outer periphery thereof. Has been. On the other hand, the ends of the wires 35a and 35b, that is, the rear ends, are firmly fixed to the traction members 43a and 43b. The traction members 43a and 43b are firmly fixed to the moving members 44a and 44b. .
[0026]
The moving members 44a and 44b are movable in the axial direction inside the cylindrical tube. Accordingly, the pulling members 43a and 43b move rearward together with the moving members 44a and 44b. When the pulling members 43a and 43b and the moving members 44a and 44b are not moved rearward, the coils 36a and 36b whose movement to the rear side is restricted by the coil stopper 40 are in the most flexible state, that is, the most bent. This is a state where the hardness is low.
[0027]
On the other hand, when the pulling members 43a and 43b move to the rear side and the wires 35a and 35b move to the rear side, the coil stopper 40 acts on the coil stopper 40 to compress the coils 36a and 36b to the front side. That is, by moving the wires 35a and 35b to the rear side, a compressive force is applied to the coils 36a and 36b, and by this compressive force, the flexibility of the coils 36a and 36b having elasticity is lowered, that is, bent. 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 coils 36a and 36b can be changed in accordance with the amount of movement of the pulling members 43a and 43b to the rear side, and therefore the flexibility (hardness) can be changed. I have to.
[0028]
Further, a cam cylinder 51 covers the outside of the cylindrical tube 42, and cam grooves 52a and 52b are provided in the cam cylinder 51 at two opposite positions of the cylinder part. The cylindrical tube 42 is also provided with a long hole 53 in its longitudinal direction. Further, two pins 54 and 55 that move together with the moving members 44 a and 44 b are firmly fixed to the moving members 44 a and 44 b through the cam groove 52 a or the cam groove 52 b and the long hole 53 outside thereof. The long hole 53 is set to a length that covers the movement range (reference numeral d in FIG. 2) of the rear ends of the wires 35a and 35b.
[0029]
Here, in FIG. 3A, the relationship between the cam groove 52 a and the pins 54 and 55 of the cam cylinder 51 is shown by showing the appearance of the cam cylinder 51. 3B, which is a development view of FIG. 3A, shows a state where the pins 54 and 55 are in the initial positions (36a and 36b are the softest).
[0030]
On the other hand, the front end of the hardness adjusting knob 34 abuts against the annular contact member 57, and the forward movement is restricted. The contact member 57 is disposed outside the front end of the cylindrical tube 42 and is firmly fixed to the anti-bending member 10. Further, the hardness adjustment knob 34 is rotated together with the cam cylinder 51 by a fixing portion 48. The hardness adjustment knob 34 can be rotated, but the contact member 57 is firmly fixed so as not to rotate.
[0031]
Normally, the coil uses a circular cross section, but the coils 36a and 36b according to the present embodiment are originally provided with a processing surface 58 (for example, press processing) having a circular cross section as shown in FIG. It is wound so that the surfaces are in close contact with each other.
[0032]
In addition, as shown in FIG.4 (b), not only the process surface 58 but the process surface 59 may be provided, and you may process it thinly. Further, the processed surface 58 does not necessarily have to be a straight line and may be a curved line. For example, the cross section may be an ellipse.
[0033]
In the case of a circular cross section, the contact portion becomes a point. By providing the processed surface 58 and the processed surface 59 in this way, the contact portion becomes close to the surface, and even if a compression force is applied to the coils 36a and 36b, Plastic deformation can be prevented, and plastic deformation hardly occurs. Such a coil may be used as a bending operation coil.
[0034]
The relationship between the softness and hardness from the distal end side of the insertion portion of the flexible portion 13 is as shown in FIG. 5. For example, when the pins 54 and 55 are in the initial position (see FIG. 3B), Due to the balance between the soft part 81, the hard part 82, and the changing part 83 of the soft part 13, the hardness of the soft part 13 becomes a solid line in the soft state.
[0035]
And if the coil 36a is hardened, it will become like the broken line of a hard state. However, in this case, for example, from 30 cm, the tip is the same as the soft state, and the hardness does not change. Further, when the coil 36b is hardened, it becomes like a one-dot broken line in a hard state. However, in this case, for example, from 50 cm, the tip is the same as the soft state, and the hardness does not change.
[0036]
(Function)
Next, the operation of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described as an example in which the electronic endoscope 2 is inserted into the large intestine, for example.
[0037]
At first, with the soft portion 13 in a soft state, the insertion portion 6 is passed through the sigmoid colon 92 that is tortuous from the anus 91, passes through the descending colon 93, and inserted to the vicinity of the splenic curve 94 as shown in FIG. To do.
[0038]
Therefore, the soft portion 13 is pulled in a substantially straight state while being twisted. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 6 (b), the tortuous portion of the sigmoid colon 92 is shortened so as to be folded into a substantially straight state. Here, the hardness adjustment knob 34 is rotated to make the coils 36a and 36b hard. By doing so, the operation at hand of the soft part 13 is easily transmitted to the tip, and the operation to the deep part of the large intestine is facilitated.
[0039]
When the coil 36a is hardened, it becomes hard to the vicinity of the tip of the soft part 13 (see FIG. 5). For example, as shown in FIG. 6C, the tip of the transverse colon 95 also passes in a state close to a straight line. Through the liver curvature 97 and the ascending colon 96, the cecum 98 is reached.
[0040]
In addition, when the coil 36b is hardened, the distal end side of the flexible portion 13 does not become hard (see FIG. 5), so that the distal end passes with the transverse colon 95 bent, for example, as shown in FIG. 6 (d). Through the liver curvature 97 and ascending colon 96, the cecum 98 is reached.
[0041]
When the bent shapes of the splenic curve 94, the transverse colon 95, and the liver curve 97 are relatively gradual, the insertion can be performed quickly by inserting them as shown in FIG.
[0042]
However, depending on the patient, the splenic curvature 94, the transverse colon 95, and the liver curvature 97 may have a sharp bent shape or the transverse colon 95 may be very long. In such a case, since it is difficult to form the shape shown in FIG. 6C, the transverse colon 95 is inserted while being bent to some extent as shown in FIG. 6D. In that case, at least the sigmoid colon 92 is advanced by the coil 36b while keeping the straight state.
[0043]
If the sigmoid colon 92 is bent without being kept in a straight line state, the operation at hand is hardly transmitted to the tip in insertion into the deep part of the large intestine.
[0044]
Next, a method for the surgeon to selectively adjust the coils 36a and 36b depending on the situation will be described with reference to FIG.
[0045]
For example, when the hardness adjustment knob 34 is rotated to the right, the cam cylinder 51 is also rotated to the right (R direction in FIG. 4) accordingly. At this time, the pins 54 and 55 do not rotate, and the groove portions of the cam grooves 52a and 52b move by α ° in the R direction, as shown in FIG. 5B. If the cam cylinder 51 is rotated α ° in the R direction, the pin 55 slides in the front-rear direction at a distance of d. However, since the cam groove 52a is linear, the pin 54 does not slide in the front-rear direction and is in a fixed position. Conversely, when the cam cylinder 51 is rotated by α ° in the left (L) direction, the pin 54 slides in the front-rear direction at a distance d, but the pin 55 has the cam groove 52b in a straight state, so the front-rear direction The slide is in a certain position without sliding.
[0046]
In this way, the cam cylinder 51 (that is, the hardness adjustment knob 34) is “to make the coil 36a a hard state” or “to make the coil 36b a hard state” depending on “to which side it is rotated”. It is possible to select either.
[0047]
(effect)
As described above, in the present embodiment, the coils 36a and 36b are selected by the hardness adjustment knob 34 to perform the insertion operation with the soft portion 13 in a desired hard state, and the selection is not performed by a separate operation knob but by a hardness adjustment knob. Since the selection operation to harden different parts of the flexible portion 13 can be performed with one knob, the structure of the electronic endoscope 2 can be simplified and the operator can easily perform the operation.
[0048]
Here, with respect to the electronic endoscope having the insertion portion with different hardness of the soft portion, it will be described which portion the hardness varying means is arranged.
[0049]
As shown in FIG. 7, the insertion portion 6 of the electronic endoscope 2 is thicker than the diameter of the insertion portion 102 of the electronic endoscope 101, and the flexible portion 13 of the electronic endoscope 2 is formed of the electronic endoscope 101. It is harder than the soft part 103. Actually, it is possible to make the hardness different even with the same diameter, but here, the smaller diameter is generally softer, so the difference in hardness is used to simplify the explanation. I will represent it.
[0050]
In the electronic endoscope 101 having the soft flexible portion 103, the hardness variable means (that is, the coil) extends closer to the tip of the soft portion than the electronic endoscope 2 having the hard flexible portion 13 (for example, In the electronic endoscope 101, the coil 104a is up to 25 cm near the tip, and in the electronic endoscope 2, the coil 36a is from 35 cm).
[0051]
In FIG. 7, one coil 36a and one coil 104a are written in each of the electronic endoscopes 2 and 101. However, in actuality, as in the first embodiment described above, coils are not provided. A plurality of them may be arranged.
[0052]
In order to easily pass through the bent part of the large intestine, a soft part is required at the tip of the soft part even in a hard state. In each of the electronic endoscopes 2 and 101 shown in FIG. 7, if the length of the soft part is the same, if the bending force is the same, the harder the object is, the smaller the harder it is to bend (does not bend to the same angle).
[0053]
Therefore, in order to bend the hard soft portion 13 at the same angle as the soft soft portion 103, it is necessary to increase the length of the soft portion whose hardness is not variable, although the bending radius is increased. Therefore, the coil 36a is provided at a position closer to the hand than the coil 104a.
[0054]
By doing so, for example, in the hard state, the soft portion at the tip of the soft portion 13 can be bent at the same angle with the same force as the soft portion at the tip of the soft portion 103, and the hardness of the soft portion is different. In each of the electronic endoscopes, an optimum insertion property of the insertion portion can be obtained.
[0055]
In FIG. 7, when the insertion portion is in the soft state, both electronic endoscopes have the same overall length, but as shown in FIG. 8, both electronic endoscopes in the soft state are Even if the insertion portion is configured so that the hand side is slightly harder (for example, from 30 cm to 40 cm or 40 cm to 50 cm) from the middle, the same operations and effects as in FIG. 7 can be obtained.
[0056]
Second embodiment:
9 to 10 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of the electronic endoscope, and FIG. 10 is a diagram of a cam cylinder of the electronic endoscope of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows a structure.
[0057]
Since the second embodiment is almost the same as the first embodiment, only different points will be described, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.
[0058]
(Constitution)
In the present embodiment, the hardness varying means 150 is configured by connecting the first coil 151 and the second coil 153 wound around the thin pipe 152 in series. The rear end of the first coil 151, the front end of the thin pipe 152, and the front end of the second coil 153 are firmly fixed by a braze 154 or the like. The wire 155 is firmly fixed at the tip of the first coil 151 by a braze 154 or the like, but otherwise passes through the first coil 151 and the thin pipe 152 in an unfixed state.
[0059]
The rear end portion of the second coil 153 is firmly fixed to the coil stopper 40 with a braze 154 or the like. The rear end of the thin-walled pipe 152 is firmly fixed to the second pulling member 156 with a wax 154 or the like in a non-fixed state (through the coil stopper 40). Further, the wire 155 penetrates from the second pulling member 156 and is firmly fixed to the first pulling member 157 with a wax 154 or the like. The tip of the wire 155 is attached to the connection pipe 38 as in the first embodiment. The pins 54 and 55 are fitted in the cam grooves 52 a and 52 b of the cam cylinder 51.
[0060]
Here, in FIG. 10A, the relationship between the cam groove 52 a of the cam cylinder 51 and the pins 54 and 55 is shown by showing the appearance of the cam cylinder 51. Further, FIG. 10B, which is a development view of FIG. 10A, shows a state where the positions of the pins 54 and 55 are in the initial position (36a and 36b are the softest states).
[0061]
Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.
[0062]
(Function)
As shown in FIG. 10B, when the hardness adjustment knob 34 is rotated leftward (L direction), the cam cylinder 51 is also rotated leftward (L direction). When α ° is rotated in the L direction, the pin 55 slides backward along the groove of the cam groove 52b by a distance of d1. However, the pin 54 does not slide backward and does not move because the cam groove 52a is in a straight line state. That is, the wire 61 is not pulled, but the thin pipe 152 is pulled. Accordingly, a large compressive force is applied to the second coil 153, and the second coil 153 can be hardened. At this time, the hardness of the first coil 151 hardly changes.
[0063]
If the tip of the second coil 153 is located at a position 50 cm from the tip of the electronic endoscope 2 as shown in FIG. 5, the soft portion 13 on the hand side from 50 cm becomes hard.
[0064]
Next, when the cam cylinder 51 is further rotated from the position of α ° to the position of β °, the pin 55 moves to a certain position without sliding because the groove of the cam groove 52b is in a straight state when β °. However, the pin 54 slides backward along the groove of the cam groove 52a by a distance of d2. That is, until the second coil 153 is hard, the first coil 151 can be hardened by applying a compressive force to the first coil 151 by further pulling the wire 61.
[0065]
If the tip of the first coil 151 is 30 cm from the tip of the electronic endoscope 2 as shown in FIG. 5, the entire hand side is removed from 30 cm by rotating the cam cylinder 51 to β °. Can be hardened.
[0066]
For example, referring to FIG. 6, in the state of FIG. 6B, the hardness adjustment knob 34 and the cam cylinder 51 are rotated to β ° to harden the soft portion 13 relatively close to the distal end. Try to insert deep. If the bending degree of the transverse colon 95 or the liver curvature 97 is not particularly intense, the cecum 98 can be reached as it is, as shown in FIG.
[0067]
Also, if the patient has severe bending of the transverse colon 95 or liver curvature 97, the rotation amount of the hardness adjusting knob 34 and the cam cylinder 51 is returned to α °, the proximal side is hard, and the straight state of the sigmoid colon 92 is reached. As shown in FIG. 6D, the distal end can be inserted so as to follow the shape of the transverse colon 95 and the liver curve 97 to some extent.
[0068]
In the first embodiment, two hardness variable means are built in the flexible portion 13 to change the hardness of different parts. However, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. It is possible to selectively adjust the hardness of different parts with the object. Moreover, since it is one built-in object, the diameter of the soft part 13 can be prevented as much as possible as compared with the first embodiment. The adjustment method can also be selected and adjusted by only one hardness adjustment knob 34 depending on the amount of rotation operation.
[0069]
Although not shown, the hardness adjustment knob 34 and its peripheral appearance are graduated so that the operator knows the position where the hardness adjustment knob 34 is rotated α ° and the position where the hardness adjustment knob 34 is rotated β °. It has become.
[0070]
In this way, the degree of rotation of the hardness adjustment knob 34 corresponds to the degree of the length of the hardened portion (the hand side of the soft portion 13 is hardened if rotated halfway, and the soft portion if rotated to the maximum). 13 is hardened) and is easy for the operator to understand and operate.
[0071]
Other operations are the same as those in the first embodiment.
[0072]
(effect)
As described above, in this embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the hardness of different parts can be adjusted with a single small-diameter built-in object, so that the insertion portion is prevented from becoming thick as much as possible. be able to.
[0073]
In addition, as a common thing of 1st and 2nd embodiment, although the hardness variable means described so far is based on the combination of a coil and a wire, also when other means are used, it selects selectively of a different site | part. It is desirable that the hardness adjustment operation is possible with a single operation member.
[0074]
That is, for example, when using a shape memory alloy, using a resin that is softened or cured by heating, or pressurizing or depressurizing a fluid to a small-diameter balloon, those control switches are operated with one operation. It is desirable to control with a member.
[0075]
For example, it is desirable to selectively adjust the hardness of different parts of the operating member depending on the direction of operation, the amount of operation, the number of operations, and the like.
[0076]
In addition, regarding an electronic endoscope having an insertion portion with a different hardness of the soft portion, the first embodiment is also provided in the present embodiment by arranging the hardness varying means as shown in FIGS. It is possible to obtain the same operation and effect as the embodiment.
[0077]
[Appendix]
(Additional Item 1) A flexible flexible tube to be inserted into a body cavity, hardness varying means capable of adjusting the hardness of a plurality of portions in the insertion axis direction of the flexible flexible tube, and a proximal end side of the flexible flexible tube In an endoscope having an operation unit provided in
An endoscope characterized in that the operation portion is provided with one operation member capable of selectively adjusting the hardness of the hardness varying means according to desired hardness of the plurality of portions.
[0078]
(Additional Item 2) The endoscope according to Additional Item 1, wherein the hardness varying unit includes a sheath and a compression unit that applies a compressive force to the sheath.
[0079]
(Additional Item 3) The endoscope according to Additional Item 1, wherein the hardness varying means is one elongated built-in object.
[0080]
(Additional Item 4) The endoscope according to Additional Item 1, wherein the operation member selectively adjusts the hardness of the plurality of parts according to an operation direction.
[0081]
(Additional Item 5) The endoscope according to Additional Item 1, wherein the operation member selectively adjusts the hardness of the plurality of portions according to an amount of operation.
[0082]
(Additional Item 6) The endoscope according to Additional Item 1, wherein a soft portion that is not variable in hardness is provided on the distal end side of the flexible flexible tube.
[0083]
(Additional Item 7) In an endoscope comprising an insertion portion having a flexible portion and an operation portion, and having a hardness variable means for adjusting the hardness by applying a compressive force to the sheath and the sheath to the flexible portion,
An endoscope comprising: an adjustment operation unit that arranges the hardness varying unit in series at a plurality of sites and selectively adjusts the hardness of the plurality of sites.
[0084]
(Additional Item 8) The endoscope according to Additional Item 7, wherein the adjustment operation unit includes one operation member provided in the operation unit.
[0085]
Conventionally, when an elongated hardness variable means (flexibility adjustment means) comprising a sheath and a wire therein is provided as a built-in material inside a flexible tube, in order to selectively adjust the hardness of different parts, Therefore, it was necessary to provide a means for varying the hardness. This makes it easy to increase the diameter of the insertion portion.
[0086]
Therefore, in the additional items 7 and 8, the hardness of the insertion portion can be reduced as much as possible by setting the hardness variable means of the plurality of portions made of the sheath and the wire in series, and the hardness of the different portions can be selectively adjusted. To.
[0087]
(Additional Item 9) In an endoscope provided with a hardness varying means in the soft part,
An endoscope characterized in that a hardness variable range to the distal end side is set based on the hardness of the soft part.
[0088]
(Additional Item 10) The endoscope according to Additional Item 9, wherein the hardness of the soft part depends on an outer diameter of the soft part.
[0089]
Conventionally, it has not been described in which part the hardness varying means is provided in models with different hardness (flexibility) of the soft part.
[0090]
Therefore, in the supplementary items 9 and 10, by changing the part where the hardness varying means is provided for each model having a different original hardness of the soft part, a good insertion can be performed according to the model having a different original hardness of the soft part. Ensure sex.
[0091]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the endoscope apparatus of the present invention, any endoscope having different hardnesses of the soft part before the hardness of the soft part by the hardness varying means is different. Optimum insertability can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope apparatus including an electronic endoscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration of a main part in the vicinity of a hardness adjustment knob in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the cam cylinder in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the coil in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the electronic endoscope shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an electronic endoscope having insertion portions with different hardnesses of the soft part shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a second explanatory diagram for explaining the arrangement of the hardness varying means for an electronic endoscope having an insertion portion with a different hardness of the soft part in FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an electronic endoscope according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram of a cam cylinder of the electronic endoscope shown in FIG. Diagram showing the formation EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope apparatus 2, 101 ... Electronic endoscope 3 ... Light source apparatus 4 ... Signal processing apparatus 5 ... Color monitor 6, 102 ... Insertion part 7 ... Operation part 8 ... Universal cable 9 ... Connector 10 ... Anti-folding member 11 ... distal end portion 12 ... curved portion 13, 103 ... soft portion 14 ... light guide 15 ... light guide connector portion 16 ... lamp 17 ... lens 18 ... objective lens 19 ... CCD
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 ... Signal cable 22 ... Electric connector 23 ... External cable 24 ... Drive circuit 25 ... Signal processing circuit 26 ... Bending piece 27 ... Bending wire 28 ... Sprocket 29 ... Bending operation knob 31 ... Gripping part 32 ... Treatment instrument insertion port 34 ... Hardness Adjustment knobs 35a, 35b ... wires 36a, 36b ... coil 37 ... soft tube 40 ... coil stopper 41 ... rear end cap 42 ... cylindrical tubes 43a, 43b ... traction members 44a, 44b ... moving member 48 ... fixed portion 51 ... cam barrel 52a, 52b ... Cam groove 53 ... Long hole 54, 55 ... Pin 57 ... Contact member 58, 59 ... Work surface

Claims (1)

A first flexible part provided in the insertion part of the endoscope;
A first hardness variable means provided along the longitudinal axis direction in the first soft part, and capable of changing the hardness of the first soft part;
A first operating means for changing the hardness of the first flexible portion by adjusting the hardness of the first hardness varying means,
A first endoscope having:
A second flexible part provided in the insertion part of the endoscope;
A second hardness variable means provided along the longitudinal axis direction in the second flexible portion and capable of changing the hardness of the second flexible portion;
Second operating means for adjusting the hardness of the second hardness varying means to change the hardness of the second soft part;
Have
Relative to the first endoscope, softer than the second of the can stiffness first flexible portion of the flexible portion before adjusting the hardness by the second hardness varying means, and said second A second endoscope characterized in that the position of the distal end portion of the hardness varying means is located on the distal end side of the distal end portion of the first hardness varying means in the first endoscope;
An endoscope apparatus comprising:

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