JP3934593B2 - Endoscope system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope system that includes a plurality of endoscopes having different insertion portion lengths and in which the hardness of a part of a flexible portion constituting the insertion portion of the endoscope is variable.

  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. 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.

In order to cope with this, for example, in the conventional example of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-91971, there is disclosed an endoscope in which hardness variable means (flexible variable means) including a coil pipe and a wire is provided inside the endoscope. Has been. 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. .
JP-A-5-91971

In the endoscope having the conventional hardness varying means, the setting of the variable hardness width according to the insertion portion length is not particularly considered among the plural types of endoscopes having different insertion portion lengths. Even in the case of an endoscope, it is desirable that the soft part can be set to substantially the same hardness in actual use.
The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and provides an endoscope system that can be set to substantially the same hardness during actual use between a plurality of types of endoscopes having different insertion lengths. It is aimed.

The present invention relates to an endoscope system configured by a plurality of endoscopes having different lengths of insertion portions having a flexible portion, the coil being disposed in the flexible portion of the plurality of endoscopes And a flexible wire inserted into the coil, and the hardness variable by moving the wire in the hardness variable device connected to the hardness variable device by a predetermined stroke amount. A hardness adjusting mechanism for adjusting the hardness of the means, and the hardness adjusting mechanism has a mechanism for moving the same stroke amount depending on the same operation amount for any wire of the plurality of endoscopes. The hardness varying means, after reaching the hard state where the maximum hardness is achieved when no other external force is applied by the movement operation of the wire by the hardness adjusting mechanism, Then, when a predetermined bending external force is applied, it has a mechanism that increases or decreases its hardness according to the bending amount, and the insertion portion is placed in a straight shape, and the hardness varying means When the endoscope reaches the hard state, the hardness of the endoscope having the relatively long insertion portion length among the plurality of endoscopes is set smaller than the hardness of the endoscope having the relatively short insertion portion length. In addition, the amount of change in the hardness with respect to the operation amount of the hardness adjusting mechanism per unit length of the soft portion in the endoscope having a relatively long insertion portion length is the softness in the endoscope having the relatively short insertion portion length. It is characterized by being set smaller than the amount of change in hardness with respect to the operation amount of the hardness adjusting mechanism per unit length of the part.

In the endoscope system of the present invention , the endoscope having a long insertion portion is used by being bent more in actual use. Therefore, the endoscope system is substantially the same between a plurality of types of endoscopes having different insertion portion lengths in actual use. Has the advantage that it can be set to a hardness of

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  1 to 4 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows hardness varying means provided in an insertion portion of the endoscope. 3 shows the outer surface of the insertion portion, FIGS. 3A and 3B show cross sections taken along lines AA and BB in FIG. 2, and FIGS. 4A to 4C show the embodiment. Explanatory drawing of an effect | action is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope apparatus 1 includes an electronic endoscope 2 (hereinafter simply abbreviated as “endoscope”) that constitutes a first embodiment including an imaging unit, and illumination light to the endoscope 2. From a light source device 3 that supplies a signal, a signal processing device 4 that performs signal processing on an imaging signal output from the endoscope 2, and a color monitor 5 that displays a video signal output from the signal processing device 4 on a screen. It is configured.

  The 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.

  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.

  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.

  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.

  The CCD 19 is connected to one end of a signal line 21, the signal line 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. It is connected to the signal processing device 4 via the signal line 24 inside.

  The CCD drive signal generated by the drive circuit 25 in the signal processing device 4 is applied to the CCD 19 via the signal lines 24 and 21, whereby the photoelectrically converted imaging signal is read out, and the signal processing device 4 The signal is input to the signal processing circuit 26 and converted into 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.

  The bending portion 12 provided adjacent to the distal end portion 11 is configured by a large number of ring-shaped bending pieces 27 being connected to the adjacent bending pieces 27 so as to be rotatable with rivets or the like at positions corresponding to the vertical and horizontal directions. The rear end of the bending wire 28 fixed to the most advanced bending piece 27 or the distal end portion 11 is connected to a sprocket 29 in the operation portion 7, and a bending operation knob 30 for performing a bending operation is attached to the shaft of the sprocket 29. (For simplicity, FIG. 1 shows an outline of the bending mechanism only in the vertical and horizontal directions).

  Then, by performing an operation of rotating the bending operation knob 30, one of the pair of bending wires 28 arranged along the vertical direction or the left-right direction is pulled, and the other is loosened and pulled toward the bending wire 28 side. The bending portion 12 can be bent.

  The operation unit 7 is provided with a grasping portion 31 on the front side from the position where the bending operation knob 30 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 30 can be operated.

Next, hardness varying means (or flexibility adjusting means) for adjusting the hardness (flexibility) of the soft part 13 in the insertion part 6 will be described.
A hardness (flexibility) adjusting material 33 made of an elongated member is inserted into the soft tube 32 forming the outer skin (sheath) of the soft portion 13. The hardness variable material is composed of a metal coil 34 that is closely wound in a pipe shape and a flexible wire 35 inserted into the coil 34, and the tip of the wire 35 is connected to the inner wall of the connecting pipe 36. It is firmly fixed by attaching.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the tip of the coil 34 is firmly fixed to the tip of the wire 35 by brazing 37.
The distal end side of the hardness varying member 33 made up of the coil 34 and the wire 35 is attached to the connecting pipe 36, thereby preventing the coil 34 and the wire 35 from being entangled with other built-in items and damaging other built-in items. It is out.

  The rear end of the coil 34 is connected to a coil stopper 40 provided on the inner side of a cylindrical hardness adjustment knob 38 (see FIG. 1) serving as a hardness adjustment operation member rotatably provided at the front end of the operation unit 7. It is fixed by attaching.

  The coil stopper 40 has a hole, and the rear end side of the wire 35 is inserted into the hole, and the proximal end of the wire 35 moves in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 6 as shown by an arrow in FIG. It is free. Then, by operating the hardness adjustment knob 38 to rotate, means for pulling and moving the rear end of the wire 35 backward (not shown), a compressive force is applied to the coil 34, and the coil 34 The hardness can be varied.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, an air supply pipe 41 and a water supply pipe 42 are inserted into the insertion portion 6, and these pipes 41, 42 are at a position closer to the distal end than the distal end of the coil 34, and are branched members. It merges into one air / water supply conduit 44 through 43.
A nozzle 45 that opens toward the outer surface of the objective lens 18 is provided at the tip of the air / water supply conduit 44.

  In other words, the joining portion or the branching portion of the air supply conduit 41 and the water supply conduit 42 are shifted so as not to overlap with the brazed portion 37 at the tip of the coil 34 that is the maximum outer diameter portion of the hardness varying member 33. ing.

  The two rear ends of the branching member 43 are respectively fitted with the leading ends of the air supply conduit 41 and the water supply conduit 42 and fixed by the thread tie 46 and the fixing agent 47. The rear end of the water pipe 44 is fitted and fixed with a thread binding 46 and a fixing agent 47. FIG. 3A shows a cross-sectional structure at the branch member 43, and FIG. 3B shows a cross-sectional structure near the tip of the coil 34.

  Various built-in objects are arranged in the insertion portion 6 as shown in FIGS. 3 (A) and 3 (B). That is, the four bending operation wires 28 arranged at positions corresponding to the upper and lower sides and the left and right, the branch member 43 arranged near the center and fixed with the fixing agent 47 or the like, and the upper part sandwiching the branch member 43 A signal line 21, a treatment instrument channel 48, and two light guides 14 disposed on the upper and lower sides of the signal line 21 and the lower part of the light guide 14 are disposed on the side and the lower side. The bending operation wire 28 is guided by a guide pipe 39.

  In FIG. 3B, the coil 34 and the wire 35 arranged at the upper left are arranged, and in FIG. 3A, only the wire 35 is arranged in this portion.

  As can be seen from FIG. 3A, the connection part of the air supply pipe 41 and the water supply pipe 42 to the branch member 43 is the air supply pipe 41 and the water supply pipe 42 shown in FIG. Furthermore, it has a large cross-sectional structure, and the gap with other built-in objects is small.

  Therefore, if the tip end side of the coil 34 shown in FIG. 3B is arranged so as to overlap in this state, the outer diameter of the insertion portion 6 must be increased, and when it is bent or the like, Although the influence of friction or the like may increase and the durability may be reduced, the insertion portion 6 can be prevented from becoming thicker by being arranged so as not to overlap each other as in the present embodiment. As shown in each cross section, interference with other built-in objects can be reduced, and the influence can be reduced even when it is bent.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, an indicator 49 serving as a display means for indicating the tip position of the hardness variable portion is provided on the outer surface of the insertion portion 6 by, for example, a thick dotted line (broken line). It has become.

  In addition, a length index 50 indicating the length from the distal end of the insertion portion 6 is also provided on the outer surface of the insertion portion 6, and a numerical value 51 of the length from the distal end is respectively displayed on the length index 50. Yes.

In this case, the indicator 49 and the length indicator 50 are formed with different indicators so that they can be distinguished from each other.
In addition, the index 49 is provided together with the length index 50 and the numerical value 51 by the same manufacturing method such as screen printing, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost and the number of manufacturing steps.

  In addition, the endoscope 2 is provided with a resistor 52 that indicates information indicating that the hardness variable portion is formed, for example, at the contact point of the electrical connector 22 of the connector 9. The resistor 52 connects the signal line 53 of the external cable 23. Is connected to the signal processing circuit 26, and an identification circuit (not shown) in the signal processing circuit 26 detects the resistance value of the resistor 52, detects information on which the hardness variable portion is formed, and corresponds to the information. A character of the character generation circuit is read out, superimposed on a video signal representing an endoscopic image via a superimpose circuit (superimposition circuit), and hardness variable region display information 54 (see FIG. 5) at an appropriate position on the display surface of the color monitor 5. 1)).

  In this specific example, the resistance 52 is set to, for example, 24K ohms, and the resistance value of the resistance 52 is detected by the identification circuit to be 24K ohms. It is made to display with the site | part display information 54. FIG.

  The operator can know the position where the hardness variable portion is formed even in an insertion operation or the like while looking at the color monitor 5. In addition, if the content of this hardness variable site | part display information 54 is confirmed, you may enable it to stop this display.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
FIG. 4 shows one use scene in which the endoscope 2 is inserted into the large intestine of a patient. Initially, as shown in FIG. 4 (A), the insertion portion 6 (the flexible portion 13) passes through the sigmoid colon 92, which is tortuous from the anus 91, with little pain. At that time, the soft portion 13 also passes through the sigmoid colon 92 while bending. The distal end of the endoscope reaches the vicinity of the splenic curve 94 from the descending colon 93.

  Here, the sigmoid colon 92 is folded into a substantially linear shape as shown in FIG. Here, the hardness variable knob 38 is turned to harden the flexible portion 13. Then, as shown in FIG. 4 (C), the sigmoid colon 92 does not flex again, and the tip of the endoscope quickly passes through the transverse colon 95, the hepatic curvature 97, and the ascending colon 96 and quickly reaches the cecum 98. Can do.

  If the soft part 13 is not hardened, the sigmoid colon 92 and the transverse colon 95 will be greatly bent, and the tip may not be able to advance easily. However, by making the soft part 13 hard, the sigmoid colon 92 and the transverse The bending in the colon 95 can be suppressed as much as possible, the hand operation is easily transmitted to the tip, and quick insertion into the deep part of the large intestine becomes possible.

  In this case, in the present embodiment, the fact that the tip of the hardness varying portion is located at a position 24 cm from the tip (of the insertion portion 6) is displayed on the outer surface of the insertion portion 6 of the endoscope 2 with an index 49, Since the display surface of the color monitor 5 also displays that there is a variable hardness portion at a position 24 cm from the tip, the operator can surely know where the variable hardness portion is provided in the insertion portion 6. .

  Therefore, even when the insertion portion 6 is straightened as shown in FIG. 4B, the distal end side of the insertion portion 6 reaches the transverse colon 95 bent from the splenic curve 94, and the distal end of the hardness variable portion is still the transverse colon 95. By changing the hardness at an appropriate insertion timing located in the vicinity of the splenic curve 94 without reaching the side, the sigmoid colon 92 can be made substantially linear to perform smooth insertion.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the display means for displaying the tip position where the portion that can change the hardness is provided, the portion that can change the hardness can be surely recognized without erroneous recognition, Accordingly, the hardness can be varied at an appropriate insertion timing when insertion or the like is performed, and a smooth insertion or the like can be performed.

  Further, in this embodiment, since the portion where the hardness is variable is provided from the position on the tip side of the flexible portion 13 to the rear end of the flexible portion 13, only the tip of the portion where the hardness is variable is displayed. When the hardness is variable halfway through the soft part 13, the rear end may also be displayed. That is, a display showing the entire hardness variable portion may be performed.

  Further, according to this embodiment, even when insertion or the like is performed under X-ray fluoroscopy, the coil 34 and the wire 35 can be recognized as an X-ray image (an image that does not transmit X-rays so much), and the hardness is varied. It can be confirmed from the X-ray image. In order to obtain an X-ray image that can be more easily confirmed, a contrast medium may be mixed in the entire hardness variable portion or both ends thereof.

  In addition to the coil 34 and the wire 35, the hardness varying means may be other means such as a shape memory alloy capable of controlling the hardness by heating or a means for varying the hardness by controlling the fluid pressure in the elongated balloon.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 shows a part of an endoscope having a different insertion length in the second embodiment, FIG. 6 shows a drawing amount in which the wire is drawn by bending, and FIG. 7 shows a state in which a colon examination is performed with an endoscope having a different insertion length. FIG. 8 shows a state of being inserted into a body cavity.

  In the present embodiment, in the case of an endoscope having an insertion portion having a different length, when an operation for changing the hardness to the hardest is performed in a straight state, the endoscope having a long insertion portion The hardness in the case of the mirror is set to be smaller than that in the case of the endoscope having a short insertion portion, and a substantially equivalent hardness varying function is realized in the actual use state.

As shown in FIG. 5, the present embodiment includes endoscopes 2A and 2B having insertion portions 6A and 6B having different lengths.
Each endoscope 2I (I = A or B) is provided with a wire 35i (i = a or b) and a hardness variable member 33I including a coil 34i in a flexible portion 13I as indicated by a dotted line.

  In this embodiment, the flexible portion 13I is formed of a first outer skin 61 and a second outer skin 62I, and the second outer skin 62I extends from the portion of the hardness variable portion to the front end (or rear end) of the anti-bending member 10. The color of the surface is set to a color different from the colors of the first outer skin 61 part, the tip part 11 and the curved part 12 so that the entire part where the hardness varying member 33I is formed can be easily seen by the operator visually. Yes.

  In this embodiment, the hardness adjustment mechanism (or hardness adjustment) on the hardness adjustment knob 38 side is also used for the endoscope 2A having a long flexible portion length (insertion portion length) and the endoscope 2B having a short soft portion length (insertion portion length). By using the same operation mechanism), the cost can be reduced by using a common hardness adjustment mechanism even in the case of the endoscope 2I of different models.

  Further, by making the hardness adjusting mechanism the same, the stroke amount for moving the wire 35i is made the same, and in the straight state, the endoscope 2A has a flexible variable length in which the hardness variable width for changing the hardness per unit length of the coil 34i is long. Is smaller.

  In this case, since the insertion portion 6 is actually bent and inserted, if the amount of bending is large, the amount of the wire 35i drawn into the coil 34i increases, and if the amount of drawing is large, the hardness is relatively Become big.

  That is, in the actual use state, the amount of bending is larger in the case of the endoscope 2A having a long insertion portion length. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the hardness is maximized in the straight state, the endoscope having a long insertion portion length is used. In the case of 2A, by setting it to be smaller than that of the endoscope 2B having a shorter insertion portion length, it can be used with substantially the same hardness in actual use.

  As shown in FIG. 6, generally, when a wire (guide member or core member provided along the sheath) 35 is passed through the contact coil (sheath) 34 and the coil 34 is bent, one end of the coil 34 and the wire 35 is fixed. If so, the other end of the wire 35 is drawn into the coil 34.

  The angle at which the wire 35 and the coil 34 are bent is a °, the radius from the arc center O to the center axis of the wire 35 is R, and the radius of the arc connecting the contact point of the coil 34 from the arc center O to the inside of the arc is r. And

  Since the coil 34 is a close contact coil in the natural state (straight state), the length of the arc of the inner coil portion in FIG. 6 is not different from that in the straight state. However, if it goes outside, it will be longer when it bends than when it is straight. That is, with reference to the inner coil portion, the wire 35 is drawn into the coil 34. If the pull-in amount is x, the pull-in amount x can be calculated as shown in FIG. 6, that is, x = 2πa (R−r) / 360.

  Here, the close contact coil 34 is a wire in which the strands are in contact with each other in a natural state, but the contact may be in a state in which close contact force (compression force) is hardly applied between the strands. However, a certain degree of adhesion (compression force) may already be applied. Moreover, it does not necessarily have a coil (spiral) shape, and a plurality of ring-shaped or pipe-shaped members may be arranged in contact with each other.

  FIG. 7 is a top view of the scene in which the operator 64 normally holds the endoscope 2I when performing a colonoscopy for the patient 63. FIG. In general, the operator 64 has the operation part 7 (the grip part 31) with the left hand and the soft part 13I of the insertion part 6 with the right hand.

  This state is almost irrelevant to the length of the insertion portion 6I. In the case of the short insertion portion 6A as shown in FIG. 7A, the portion where the flexible portion 13A is bent becomes shorter, as shown in FIG. 7B. In the case of the long insertion portion 6B, the portion where the flexible portion 13B is bent becomes long.

  That is, when the operator 64 uses the endoscope 2B of the long insertion portion 6B, the operator 64 uses the flexible portion 13B by bending more outside the patient 63 than in the case of the short insertion portion 6A.

  FIG. 8 shows a state in which the insertion portion 6I has been inserted into the patient 63. Also in this case, when using the endoscope 2B of the long insertion portion 6B, the operator 64 uses the flexible portion 13B by bending more in the body of the patient 63 than in the case of the short insertion portion 6A.

  Since it is often used in this way, the maximum hardness in the case of the endoscope 2A having a long insertion portion length is smaller than the maximum hardness in the case of the endoscope 2B having a short insertion portion length as in this embodiment. Therefore, when performing an endoscopic examination by bending the endoscope 2A having a long insertion portion length during actual use, both endoscopes can be used with substantially the same hardness.

Therefore, even when the length of the insertion portion is different, the operator 64 can perform a variable hardness operation or the like without being greatly affected by the model.
In addition, by suppressing the maximum hardness in the case of the endoscope 2A having a long insertion portion length, it is possible to ensure the durability of the hardness varying means by repeated use.
In addition, since the hardness adjusting mechanism can be used in common, the cost of the endoscope having the hardness varying means can be reduced.

  Next, Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. This embodiment is almost the same as the case where an operation of twisting the proximal side of the insertion portion is performed with an existing endoscope in the case of an endoscope having a longer insertion portion than a normal endoscope (having no hardness varying means) The twisting operation can be performed with the power level or lower.

  FIG. 9 shows a part of two endoscopes constituting the endoscope apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 shows a state where an operation of twisting the endoscope is performed. The present embodiment includes an endoscope 2C having a hardness varying means and a normal endoscope 2D (not having a hardness varying means). In the present embodiment, in the endoscope 2C provided with the hardness varying means, the insertion portion 6C (the flexible portion 13C) is longer than the insertion portion 6D (the flexible portion 13D) of the normal endoscope 2D, for example, by the length L. .

  More specifically, in the endoscope 2C, the hardness variable member 33 constituted by the wire 35 and the coil 34 has a distal end located at, for example, a position 30 cm from the distal end of the insertion portion 6C, and the hardness to the rear end of the flexible portion 13C. The length of the variable part is Lc. In a normal endoscope 2D, the length from the position 30 cm from the distal end of the insertion portion 6D to the rear end of the flexible portion 13D is Ld, and Ld + L is equal to the length Lc.

  In addition, since the tip of the hardness variable portion is at a position 30 cm from the tip of the insertion portion 6C, for example, the position matches the position of the length indicator 50, in this embodiment, the length indicator (in the specific example, one line) ) The index is different from 50 (in the specific example, two lines) 49 so that the portion with the variable hardness portion can be seen.

  Further, in this embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 10B, a normal endoscope 2D is grasped with the right hand on the distal end side of the insertion portion 6D, bent 90 to 180 °, and the hand side operation portion 7 is moved to the left hand. There is a case where an operation of twisting the hand side and twisting the hand side during insertion is performed.

  This operation is similarly performed with the endoscope 2C provided with the hardness varying means (that is, the distal end side of the insertion portion 6C is grasped with the right hand, and the operation portion 7 on the proximal side is grasped with the left hand by bending 90 to 180 °. When the twisting operation is performed, for example, if the length is the same (and the forming member of the insertion portion is almost the same material), the hardness is increased by the hardness varying means. Then, since the twisting operation becomes heavy, in this embodiment, the length of the flexible portion is increased by, for example, the length L so that the operation can be performed with the same (or smaller) amount of twisting force.

  That is, in the endoscope 2C provided with the hardness varying means, the amount of force when the operation of twisting the hand side as shown in FIG. 10A is performed with the hardness maximized does not include the hardness varying means. In an ordinary endoscope 2D, there is provided a hardness varying means so that it can be twisted with a force that is substantially the same as (or less than) the force when the hand side is twisted as shown in FIG. 10B. Further, the length of the flexible part of the endoscope 2C is increased.

By setting in this way, almost the same (or better than usual) operability can be secured even in the case of endoscopes of different models.
According to the present embodiment, since the hardness variable portion is displayed with the index 49 different from the length index 50 by adding a line to the length index 50 line or the like, the same position as the length index 50 is displayed. Even when there is a variable hardness part, the variable hardness part can be displayed.

  Further, it is possible to perform the twisting operation with a twisting force amount equal to or less than that of the endoscope having no hardness varying means, and it is possible to ensure operability such as insertion even when the models are different.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the hardness variable display position of the hardness variable means is provided on the operation unit 7 side. As shown in FIG. 11, at the rear end side of the hardness adjustment knob 38, H (acronym of Hard) indicating a side to rotate the hardness adjustment knob 38 in the direction of hardening, and rotation operation in the direction of softening. S showing the side that indicators and the thickness with the rotation of the (Soft acronym) (width) Yes sequentially different hardness index 66 is provided, also the hardness index in operation outer surface adjacent to the hardness index 66 A display unit 67 is provided at a reference position indicating 66 set positions.

  For example, the display section 67 displays a reference line for recognizing the hardness level based on the width of the hardness index 66, 30 indicating the position of the hardness variable portion from the tip of the insertion section 6, and a variable hardness. 150 indicating how many centimeters the position of the part from the rear end of the insertion portion 6 (the rear end of the flexible portion 13) is displayed.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when the hardness adjustment knob 38 is operated, the formation position of the hardness variable portion can be known from the display content of the display unit 67. Moreover, since this display part 67 is provided in parts other than the holding part 31, it does not become invisible when hidden.

  Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, two hardness variable members are provided and can be adjusted respectively. As shown in FIG. 12, in the endoscope 2E, two hardness varying members 33E and 33F are provided in the flexible portion 13 of the insertion portion 6.

  The first hardness variable member 33E includes a wire 35E and a coil 34E. The hardness variable position is, for example, at a position of 20 cm from the tip. The hardness variable member 33E is operated by operating the hardness adjustment knob 38A. Can be varied.

  The second hardness variable member 33F includes a wire 35F and a coil 34F. The hardness variable position is at a position of, for example, 40 cm from the tip, and the hardness variable member 33F is operated by operating the hardness adjustment knob 38B. Hardness can be varied.

  In the present embodiment, for example, in the first hardness variable member 33E, the hardness variable portion is formed from a position of, for example, 20 cm from the tip. The tip of is displayed.

  Further, in the second hardness variable member 33F, the hardness variable portion is formed from a position of, for example, 40 cm from the tip. Yes.

Further, the hardness adjustment knobs 38A and 38B are provided with display portions 67a and 67b indicating the positions where the tips of the variable hardness portions are formed, respectively.
This embodiment has substantially the same effect as the case where the index 49 of FIG. 9 is provided and the case where the display unit 67 is provided on the operation unit 7 side of FIG.

  Embodiments configured by partially combining the above-described embodiments and the like also belong to the present invention.

[Appendix]
1. In an endoscope apparatus provided with an endoscope having a built-in hardness variable means that makes the hardness of a part of the soft part variable,
An endoscope apparatus comprising display means for indicating a hardness variable portion.
2. In the above 1, the display means is provided in the endoscope.

3. In the above 1, the display means is provided in the image display means for displaying an endoscopic image. 4). In the above 1, the display means is provided in the insertion portion of the endoscope.
4). In the above 1, the display means is provided in the insertion portion of the endoscope.

5). In the above 4, the insertion portion has a length index, and the display means is provided by the same manufacturing method as the length index.
6). In the above 4, the insertion portion has a length index, and the display means has an appearance different from that of the length index.

7). In the above 4, the display means is provided so as to show the entire hardness variable portion.
8). In the above 1, the display means is provided in the operation section of the endoscope.
9. In the above 8, the display means is provided at a place other than the grip portion.

10. In an endoscope provided with a hardness variable means in the soft part, an air supply pipe, and a branch part of the water supply pipe,
An endoscope characterized in that the hardness varying means and the air / water feeding branching portion are arranged so that the maximum outer diameter portion and the air / water feeding branching portion in the soft part of the hardness varying means and the members connected thereto do not overlap. .

(Background to Appendix 10)
<Conventional Technology> As a conventional example, there is an endoscope provided with a hardness varying means.
<Conventional problems> Along with the hardness variable means, an air supply / water supply tube is inserted into the insertion portion, and when this is branched in the insertion portion, the cross-sectional area of the connection portion with the branching member to be branched increases, When the coil forming the hardness varying means is arranged so as to overlap the portion, the outer diameter of the insertion portion has to be increased.

<Objective> An endoscope capable of preventing the insertion portion from becoming thicker is provided.
In order to achieve this object, the configuration of Supplementary Note 10 was adopted to eliminate the increase in diameter of the insertion portion.

11. In the endoscope system which has a plurality of endoscopes having hardness varying means in the flexible portion and different insertion portion lengths, and the hardness varying means is means for increasing the hardness according to the bending amount in the hard state.
An endoscope system characterized in that each of the variable hardness ranges is set so that the hardness variable width of a model having a long insertion portion is smaller than the hardness variable width of a model having a short insertion length when the insertion portion is in a straight state.

12 In 11 above, the operation stroke for adjusting the hardness is substantially the same for models with different insertion lengths.
13. In the endoscope system which has a plurality of endoscopes having hardness varying means in the flexible portion and different insertion portion lengths, and the hardness varying means is means for increasing the hardness according to the bending amount in the hard state.
Characteristically, each variable width is set so that the maximum hardness of the model with the long insertion section length is the hardest when the insertion section is straight, and is smaller than the maximum hardness of the model with the short insertion section length. Endoscope system.

(Background of appendices 11-13)
<Conventional Technology> There is an endoscope having an insertion portion with a variable hardness than before.
<Conventional Problems> Conventionally, no particular consideration has been given to the case of a model having a different hardness variable insertion portion, but it is desirable that the same hardness can be set in actual use even when the model is different.
<Purpose> The purpose of the present invention is to provide an endoscope system that can be set to substantially the same hardness in actual use even in the case of a model having a different hardness variable insertion portion. Made the configuration.

<Effect> In the straight state, by setting as in the above supplementary notes 11 to 13, the endoscope with a long insertion portion is bent and used in actual use, so even if the model is different, the maximum hardness is It can be used in almost the same state, ensuring operability and ensuring durability. Furthermore, in the supplementary note 12, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  As described above, the present invention is an endoscope incorporating a hardness varying unit means that varies the hardness of a part of the soft part, and is used between a plurality of types of endoscopes having different insertion unit lengths in actual use. The hardness can be set to be almost the same so that the operator can use it for a smooth insertion operation.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the outer surface of the hardness variable means provided in the insertion part of an endoscope, and an insertion part. Sectional drawing of the AA line and BB line of FIG. 2 (A). Explanatory drawing of an effect | action of a present Example. The figure which shows the insertion part of two endoscopes in Example 2 of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows that a wire is drawn in in a coil by bending. The figure which shows a mode that a colon examination is performed with the endoscope of a different insertion part length. The figure which shows the state which inserted the insertion part in the body cavity. The figure which shows a part of two endoscopes which comprise the endoscope apparatus of Example 3 of this invention. The figure which shows a mode that operation which twists each endoscope of FIG. 9 is performed. The side view which shows the operation part vicinity of the endoscope in Example 4 of this invention. The figure which shows the front end vicinity of the operation part from the insertion part of the endoscope in Example 5 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope apparatus 2A, 2B ... Endoscope 3 ... Light source apparatus 4 ... Signal processing apparatus 5 ... Color monitor 6 ... Insertion part 7 ... Operation part 11 ... Tip part 12 ... Bending part 13 ... Soft part 18 ... Objective lens 31 ... Gripping part 32 ... Flexible tube 33 ... Hardness variable member 34 ... Coil 35 ... Wire 33 ... Hardness variable part Agent Patent attorney Susumu Ito

Claims (1)

An endoscope system configured by a plurality of endoscopes having different lengths of insertion portions having a flexible portion,
A hardness varying means including a coil and a flexible wire inserted into the coil, disposed in the flexible portion of the plurality of endoscopes;
A hardness adjusting mechanism that is connected to the hardness varying means and adjusts the hardness of the hardness varying means by moving the wire in the hardness varying means by a predetermined stroke amount;
Comprising
The hardness adjusting mechanism has a mechanism for moving the same stroke amount depending on the same operation amount for any wire of the plurality of endoscopes.
The hardness varying means is
When a predetermined bending external force is applied to the soft portion after reaching a hard state where the maximum hardness is reached in a state where no other external force is applied by the movement operation of the wire by the hardness adjusting mechanism. While having a mechanism that increases or decreases its hardness according to the amount of bending,
In the state where the insertion portion is placed in a straight shape, the hardness of the endoscope having a relatively long insertion portion length among the plurality of endoscopes when the hardness varying means reaches the hard state is The insertion portion length is set to be smaller than the hardness of the endoscope having a relatively short length, and the operation amount of the hardness adjusting mechanism per unit length of the flexible portion in the endoscope having the relatively long insertion portion length is set. The amount of change in hardness is set to be smaller than the amount of change in hardness with respect to the operation amount of the hardness adjusting mechanism per unit length of the soft portion in the endoscope having a relatively short insertion portion length. Endoscopic system.

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