JP4197862B2 - Endoscope device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus that can change the hardness of an insertion portion.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the endoscope, as a technique for arbitrarily changing the flexibility of the insertion portion by using a fluid, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 55-129029, 61-168327, and 57- No. 209032, and JP-A 1-148231.
[0003]
In each of the former three techniques, a gap is provided in the outermost resin layer of the flexible tube in the insertion portion, and a medium such as a liquid is arbitrarily injected therein to change the flexibility of the insertion portion. In the last technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-148231, a plurality of partition walls that divide the longitudinal direction into several parts are provided inside the insertion part, and a fluid is injected into a predetermined space portion so that the flexibility of the insertion part is achieved. Was adjusting.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Since the former three techniques provide a gap in the resin layer, there is a problem that the outer diameter of the insertion portion in the endoscope becomes thick.
In addition, since the remaining latter technique provides a plurality of partition walls that divide the longitudinal direction into several inside the insertion part, it is difficult to provide the partition itself in the case of an endoscope having a high built-in material filling rate of the insertion part, Further, since the structure of the insertion portion is complicated, there is a problem that the endoscope is expensive.
[0005]
The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-mentioned problems, and is an endoscope apparatus that has a relatively simple configuration and can incorporate flexible variable means that does not increase the outer diameter of the insertion portion. The purpose is to provide it at low cost.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 constitutes an endoscope insertion portion and bends a cylindrical core member, and constitutes the endoscope insertion portion and corresponds to the strength of pressure in the endoscope insertion portion. An elastic tube that is covered with the core member so that a contact pressure with an outer periphery of the core member can be changed, and that restrains bending of the core member with a frictional force generated according to the contact pressure; and the endoscope insertion portion Pressure adjusting means connected to the endoscope insertion portion and capable of adjusting the pressure in the endoscope insertion portion, the pressure adjustment means increases the pressure in the endoscope insertion portion with respect to the pressure outside the elastic tube , and The insertion is performed by reducing the frictional force between the inner periphery of the elastic tube and the outer periphery of the core member that restrains the bending of the core member by lowering the contact pressure between the inner periphery of the elastic tube and the outer periphery of the core member. pressure regulating designed to add low hardness parts And means, an endoscope apparatus characterized by comprising a.
[0007]
The invention according to claim 2 constitutes the endoscope insertion part and bends the cylindrical core member, and constitutes the endoscope insertion part and corresponds to the strength of the pressure in the endoscope insertion part. An elastic tube that is covered with the core member so that a contact pressure with an outer periphery of the core member can be changed, and that restrains bending of the core member with a frictional force generated according to the contact pressure; and the endoscope insertion portion And a pressure adjusting means for adjusting the pressure in the endoscope insertion portion, and the pressure adjusting means reduces the pressure in the elastic tube with respect to the pressure outside the elastic tube so as to reduce the pressure inside the elastic tube. An internal pressure adjusting means for increasing the hardness of the insertion portion by increasing the inner periphery and the frictional force of the elastic tube that restrains the bending of the core member by increasing the contact pressure between the periphery and the outer periphery of the core member and, that it has provided the An endoscope apparatus according to symptoms.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the endoscope insertion portion includes a first region formed by integrally providing the core member and the elastic tube, and the internal pressure adjusting means. By adjusting the pressure and changing the contact pressure between the inner periphery of the elastic tube and the outer periphery of the core member, the frictional force that restrains the bending of the core member is changed, and the hardness with respect to the first region is increased. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the endoscope apparatus includes an adjustable second region.
The invention according to claim 4, the pressure regulating means is a fluid supply source connected to the endoscope is provided outside of the endoscope, the internal pressure adjusting means, the endoscope by the fluid source The inside of the endoscope insertion section can be pressurized by supplying fluid to the inside of the mirror insertion section, and the inside of the endoscope insertion section can be decompressed by sucking the fluid from the inside of the endoscope insertion section. The endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the endoscope apparatus is configured as described above.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(First embodiment)
An endoscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.
[0009]
The whole endoscope 1 according to this embodiment is shown in FIG. The endoscope 1 is configured by connecting an insertion unit 2, an operation unit 3, and an eyepiece unit 4 in order from the left side in FIG. 1, and a light guide cable 5 is connected near the eyepiece side of the operation unit 3. . A light guide connector 6 is provided at the distal end of the light guide cable 5. Although not shown in the figure, an image guide fiber bundle, a light guide fiber bundle, a channel tube, and the like are disposed inside the insertion portion 2.
[0010]
The channel tube opens at the distal end of the insertion portion 2 and a channel opening 7 provided on the outer surface of the operation portion 3. The light guide fiber bundle described above is disposed from the distal end of the insertion portion 2 to the distal end of the light guide connector 6. Further, the image guide fiber bundle is disposed from the distal end of the insertion portion 2 to the eyepiece portion 4.
[0011]
On the outer surface of the light guide connector 6, an openable / closable valve 8 is provided for communicating outside air with the inside of the endoscope. The valve 8 is normally in a closed state, and a pressure adjusting means such as a pump (not shown) can be connected to the valve 8.
[0012]
In the endoscope 1, portions other than the valve 8 are hermetically sealed as a whole and are liquid-tight. Here, the inside of the endoscope 1 is a sealed space, and constitutes an internal pressure adjusting means for adjusting the pressure inside the rubber tube 12 as an elastic tube, which will be described later, with respect to the external pressure.
[0013]
The insertion portion 2 includes a distal end rigid portion 9, a bending portion 10, and a flexible tube 11 connected in order from the left side in FIG. The bending portion 10 has a structure in which a rubber tube 12 as an elastic tube is coated on the outer periphery of a bending tube in which a plurality of annular node rings are pivotally attached in the longitudinal direction.
[0014]
The structure of the flexible tube 11 in the insertion portion 2 is configured as shown in FIG. That is, the flexible tube 11 is formed by sequentially laminating a spiral tube 13 formed by spiraling a metal hoop material, a net tube 14 woven into a cylindrical shape of a metal wire, and a resin tube 15 from the inside to the outside. . Further, the inner diameter of the resin tube 15 is smaller than the outer diameter of the core member, that is, the outer diameter of the mesh tube 14 in a state where the spiral tube 13 and the mesh tube 14 are combined in a free state before coating (lamination). The resin tube 15 is elastically contracted, and the outer periphery of the mesh tube 14 as a core member is elastically pressed from the radial direction to restrain the mesh tube 14 of the core member.
[0015]
Next, the operation of the internal pressure adjusting means when using the endoscope 1 having the above configuration will be described. First, pressure adjusting means such as an external pump is connected to the valve 8, and for example, air is fed into the endoscope 1. Then, the pressure in the endoscope 1 increases, and a pressure difference is generated inside and outside. The state is shown in FIG. The internal / external pressure difference at this time acts in a direction in which the resin tube 15 is expanded on the inner peripheral surface of the resin tube 15. That is, it acts in a direction to reduce the pressing force to the mesh tube 14 by the resin tube 15. Therefore, the repulsive force when the flexible tube 11 is bent, that is, the latter friction force among the elasticity of the resin tube 15 itself and the friction force between the inner peripheral surface of the resin tube 15 and the outer surface of the mesh tube 14 is reduced. As a result, the flexibility of the insertion portion 2 is increased, and the bending portion can be bent with a small force.
[0016]
For the sake of understanding, FIG. 3 shows a state in which a gap 16 is formed between the outer periphery of the mesh tube 14 and the inner periphery of the resin tube 15. If the restraining force of the insertion tube 2 is reduced, the flexibility of the insertion portion 2 is increased. Even if the gap 16 is zero, if the resin tube 15 is pressurized so that no restraining force is generated, it is possible. The flexibility is the same as in FIG. That is, even when the flexibility of the flexible tube 11 is increased, it can be seen that the outer diameter of the flexible tube 11 does not change.
[0017]
In the present embodiment, the bulb 8 is provided on the light guide connector 6, but the bulb 8 may be provided on the operation unit 3. Needless to say, pressure adjusting means such as buttons may be provided on the operation unit 3. Furthermore, as an internal pressure adjusting means, instead of sending gas into the endoscope and pressurizing the inside of the endoscope, conversely, the gas inside the endoscope is sucked and discharged to decompress the inside of the endoscope, and the resin tube It is also possible to increase the restraining force of 15 so as to make the flexibility low (hard).
[0018]
(Second Embodiment)
An endoscope according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0019]
In this embodiment, the resin tube 15 in the endoscope 1 of the first embodiment described above is deformed, and two types of resin tube portions having different flexibility are connected back and forth.
[0020]
Specifically, the first resin tube 17 having high flexibility and the second resin tube 18 having low flexibility were joined back and forth. For this reason, flexibility at the front end side is high, and flexibility at the rear end side is low. Further, the portion of the mesh tube 14 in the vicinity of the connection portion where the first resin tube 17 and the second resin tube 18 abut is hardened with solder or the like, and is formed into a rigid pipe shape. The inner peripheries of the resin tubes 17 and 18 are bonded.
[0021]
Even in the endoscope 1 according to the present embodiment, an external pressure adjusting means is connected to the valve 8 and, for example, air is fed into the endoscope 1 to increase the pressure in the endoscope 1. Then, a pressure difference is generated inside and outside the endoscope 1. And as shown in FIG. 5, the gap | interval 16 arises between the outer surface of the net tube 14, and the resin tubes 17 and 18, and both restraint coupling force falls. Other operations are the same as those described in the operation of the first embodiment.
[0022]
According to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide means for changing the flexibility in the insertion portions having different flexibility in the longitudinal direction.
[0023]
(Third embodiment)
An endoscope according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.
[0024]
In the present embodiment, the insertion portion 2 is configured by connecting two types of flexible tubes having different structures in the longitudinal direction. Specifically, in the left part of the drawing, the flexible tube 11 having the same structure as the above-described flexible tube 11 having the three-layer structure of the spiral tube 13, the mesh tube 14, and the resin tube 15 is shown. In the portion of the flexible tube 21, the outermost layer 20 is not a resin tube, but a resin is integrally formed on the mesh tube 14 or the spiral tube 13. That is, the flexible tube 21 on the right side in the figure has a structure in which the resin of the outermost layer 20 bites into the net tube 14 and is integrated.
[0025]
Then, the vicinity of the connecting portion where the flexible tube 11 on the front end side and the flexible tube 21 on the rear end side are in contact with each other is fitted into a pipe-shaped base 22, and is bonded and fixed to the outer periphery of the base 22. Other configurations are the same as those described in the first embodiment.
[0026]
In the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment, when the inside of the endoscope 1 is pressurized, a gap 16 is generated only in the flexible tube 11 on the distal end side, and the operation is the same as in the case of the first embodiment. However, since the resin bites into the mesh tube 14 in the flexible tube 21 on the rear end side, no gap is generated even if an internal pressure is generated. Therefore, no change in flexibility occurs.
[0027]
According to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide the insertion portion 2 having a portion that causes a change in flexibility and a portion that does not cause a change in flexibility.
[0028]
(Fourth embodiment)
An endoscope according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0029]
The present embodiment presents one form of the distal end portion of the insertion portion of the endoscope. As shown in FIG. 8, the distal end of a general endoscope has a distal end main body 31 and a distal end main body cover 32 which is arranged in an annular shape around the distal end main body 31 and whose outer periphery is a perfect circle. Consists of. An objective lens 33, an illumination lens 34, and a channel opening 35 are provided on the distal end surface of the distal end main body 31. The distal end body cover 32 is formed with a taper on the distal end side (front side on the paper surface) for reducing resistance during insertion.
[0030]
Normally, the objective lens 33, the illumination lens 34, and the channel opening 35 are arranged at the edge of the tip body 31. However, this positional relationship is not changed, and the taper of the tip body cover 32 is not changed. If the wall thickness necessary for forming the gap is secured, the remaining portion 31a between the outer peripheral surface of the tip body 31 and the channel opening 35 may become thin. In this case, since it is difficult to process the tip body 31, a structure in which a part is cut out so as to eliminate the remaining portion 31 a as illustrated is adopted. However, the edge 31b generated by the notch in this way sometimes hinders insertion of the endoscope.
[0031]
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the distal end portion main body 31 has a protruding portion 36 whose outer contour line partially protrudes from the perfect circle in the vicinity of the channel opening 35. In addition, a protrusion 37 is formed on the tip end body cover 32 along the outline of the tip end body 31 so that the thickness thereof is substantially uniform.
[0032]
By adopting such a configuration, there is almost no increase in the outer diameter of the endoscope tip, and it is possible to form a tip without an edge while maintaining the taper necessary for insertion. Insertability goes up.
[0033]
(Fourth embodiment)
A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, it is used for an operation method in the following situation, and is applicable to the endoscope described above.
[0034]
For example, depending on the technique of observing the peripheral bronchus with a soft bronchoscope, not only the hardness of the endoscope insertion part as described above can be varied, but also the insertion operation of the endoscope insertion part can be assisted. is there. Such a technique will be described below.
[0035]
When the peripheral bronchoscope is observed with a flexible bronchoscope, it is difficult to obtain the visual field of the bronchoscope unless the filth that is being introduced into the peripheral bronchus is inserted while being sucked. In addition, with a small bronchoscope that fits the size of the peripheral bronchus, the diameter of the channel was small, so the filth could not be sucked well.
[0036]
Thus, conventionally, a so-called parent-child scope has been prepared in the process of arriving at a target site for observation or treatment, but it has been necessary to prepare a plurality of scopes, and the operation has become very complicated.
[0037]
In order to solve such problems, the following configuration was adopted. That is, a peel-away channel sheath 41 as shown in FIG. 10 is prepared, and the insertion portion 43 of the bronchoscope 42 is inserted using this.
[0038]
The peel-away channel sheath 41 is made of a flexible multi-lumen tube, and is provided with a hole 44 through which the insertion portion 43 of the bronchoscope 42 is inserted and a suction channel 45. A suction channel tube 47 having a base 46 is connected to the proximal end of the suction channel 45.
[0039]
Further, the peel-away channel sheath 41 is provided with a notch 48 that allows the bronchoscope 42 to be removed from the hole 44 by tearing the channel sheath 41 after the bronchoscope 42 is positioned with respect to the subject.
[0040]
This cut 48 is formed along the insertion axis of the peel-away channel sheath 41 and toward the hole 44. In the case of the peel-away channel sheath 41 shown in FIG. Two notches 48a and 48b are provided.
[0041]
Further, the peel-away channel sheath 41 shown in FIG. 12 is provided with one notch 48c from one direction toward the hole 44.
[0042]
In the peel-away channel sheath 41 shown in FIG. 13, the cut 48 d communicates with the hole 44. In the case of such a cut 48d, the bronchoscope 42 can be easily detached from the channel sheath 41 by elastically deforming the channel sheath 41.
[0043]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be applied to other forms.
[0044]
(Additional remarks) According to the above description, the items listed below and the items arbitrarily combined with the items listed below can be obtained.
[0045]
1. A valve having a flexible tube covered with a resin cylindrical member in a state where the inner diameter of the flexible tube portion of the endoscope insertion portion is expanded at least, and to which a pressure adjusting means inside the endoscope is connected It is provided in the endoscope, and the flexibility is changed by changing the restraining force of the resin tubular member on the core material in accordance with the difference in pressure.
[0046]
2. A valve having at least a flexible tube covered with a resin cylindrical member in a state where the inner diameter is pushed and expanded on the flexible tube portion of the endoscope insertion portion, and to which a pressure adjusting means inside the endoscope is connected An endoscope characterized in that the endoscope is provided on the endoscope.
[0047]
3. 2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of different flexible tubes are connected in the longitudinal direction.
[0048]
4). In the first or second item, the flexible tube in which the cylindrical member made of resin is coated in a state where the inner diameter is expanded, and the outermost resin layer is integrally molded on the inner core material. An endoscope characterized in that a tube is connected in a longitudinal direction.
[0049]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention described above, only by adjusting the pressure applied to the endoscope, it is possible to vary the flexibility of the insertion portion of the endoscope, inexpensive, of the endoscope insertion portion It was possible to provide an endoscope apparatus having flexible variable means that does not increase the outer diameter of the endoscope .
This also reduces the capacity of the endoscope built-in due to a change in the flexibility of the insertion portion of the endoscope, thereby reducing the performance. Can be given to the endoscope. Moreover, since the outer diameter of the insertion portion of the endoscope is not thick, it does not impose an extra burden on the patient.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an entire endoscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a flexible tube in an insertion portion of the endoscope according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a flexible tube in an insertion portion of the endoscope according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a flexible tube in an insertion portion of an endoscope according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a flexible tube in an insertion portion of an endoscope according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a flexible tube in an insertion portion of an endoscope according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a flexible tube in an insertion portion of an endoscope according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged front view of the distal end of an insertion portion of a general endoscope as a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is an enlarged front view of the distal end of an insertion portion of an improved endoscope as a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a use state in which an endoscope is used with a peel-away channel sheath as a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a tip portion of a peel-away channel sheath.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a tip portion of another peel-away channel sheath.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the distal end portion of still another peel-away channel sheath.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope 2 ... Insertion part 3 ... Operation part 4 ... Eyepiece part 5 ... Light guide cable 8 ... Valve 11 ... Flexible tube 13 ... Spiral tube 14 ... Mesh tube 15 ... Resin tube

Claims (4)

A cylindrical core member that constitutes an endoscope insertion portion and is bendable;
Coated on said core member contacts the pressure may change in the outer periphery of the core member in accordance with the intensity of the pressure in the endoscope insertion portion with configuring the endoscope insertion portion, depending on the contact pressure An elastic tube that restrains the bending of the core member by the generated frictional force ;
Pressure adjusting means connected to the endoscope insertion portion and capable of adjusting the pressure in the endoscope insertion portion, and the pressure adjustment means changes the pressure in the endoscope insertion portion to a pressure outside the elastic tube. On the other hand , the frictional force between the inner periphery of the elastic tube and the outer periphery of the core member that restrains the bending of the core member by lowering the contact pressure between the inner periphery of the elastic tube and the outer periphery of the core member. An internal pressure adjusting means configured to reduce the hardness of the insertion portion by decreasing ,
An endoscope apparatus comprising: A cylindrical core member that constitutes an endoscope insertion portion and is bendable;
Coated on said core member contacts the pressure may change in the outer periphery of the core member in accordance with the intensity of the pressure in the endoscope insertion portion with configuring the endoscope insertion portion, depending on the contact pressure An elastic tube that restrains the bending of the core member by the generated frictional force ;
Pressure adjusting means connected to the endoscope insertion portion to adjust the pressure in the endoscope insertion portion, and the pressure adjustment means reduces the pressure in the elastic tube with respect to the pressure outside the elastic tube. By increasing the contact pressure between the inner periphery of the elastic tube and the outer periphery of the core member, the hardness of the insertion portion is increased by increasing the inner periphery and frictional force of the elastic tube that restrains the bending of the core member. An internal pressure adjusting means,
An endoscope apparatus comprising: The endoscope insertion portion includes a first region configured by integrally providing the core member and the elastic tube, and adjusting the pressure in the elastic tube by the internal pressure adjusting means to adjust the elastic tube. Changing the contact pressure between the inner periphery of the core member and the outer periphery of the core member to change the frictional force that restrains the bending of the core member, thereby adjusting the hardness with respect to the first region; The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the endoscope apparatus is configured by . The pressure adjusting means is a fluid supply source provided outside the endoscope and connected to the endoscope, and the internal pressure adjusting means allows fluid to flow into the endoscope insertion portion by the fluid supply source. The endoscope insertion part can be pressurized by supplying the fluid, and the inside of the endoscope insertion part can be decompressed by sucking fluid from the endoscope insertion part. Item 4. The endoscope apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 3.

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