JP4472382B2 - Endoscope - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope that is inserted into a body cavity or the like to perform an endoscopic examination or the like.

In recent years, endoscopes provided with illumination means and observation means at the distal end of an elongated insertion portion have been widely adopted in the medical field and the industrial field.
In particular, in the case of an endoscope having a flexible insertion portion, a bending portion is provided near the distal end of the insertion portion so that it can be inserted into a bent body or the like, and a desired direction can be observed. The bending portion can be operated to bend (angle operation).
In the case of an electronic endoscope having a built-in image sensor at the tip, there are various operation units such as a freeze switch for instructing to display a still image to a signal processing device that performs signal processing on the image sensor. The switch is provided. The surgeon can perform various operations with one hand holding the grip portion of the operation portion.

As a conventional example of such an endoscope, for example, as disclosed in FIG. 5 of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-58629, an instruction such as a bending operation knob is provided on the rear side of the grip portion formed near the insertion portion. There is an input portion provided and a universal cable extending from the rear side of the grip portion. In this case, it may become an obstacle when the universal cable is operated, and the operability may be lowered.
For this reason, in the electronic endoscope described in this publication, a universal cable is provided closer to the insertion portion than the grip portion.

Further, in the electronic endoscope of this publication, an eaves portion is provided between the suction button and the air / water supply button in the grip portion, and the suction button and the air / water supply button are discriminated by the sense of a finger when gripped. It is easy to do.
In the case of the electronic endoscope of this publication, for example, when the gripping part is gripped with the left hand, a bending operation knob is arranged at a side position where the thumb of the left hand reaches, and the index finger and the middle finger respectively perform suction and air / water feeding A suction button and an air / water button are arranged so that the
Accordingly, when the operator holds the hand with the left hand, the operator can perform an angle operation with the thumb of the left hand, and can perform suction and air / water supply with the index finger and the middle finger, respectively.
JP 2002-58629 A

However, in the conventional example disclosed in the above publication, when the operator is tired of the hand holding the gripping part by endoscopy, the hand holding the gripping part is held in the released state. Since only a small eaves part is provided on the side surface of the part, the electronic endoscope could not be sufficiently released to prevent the electronic endoscope from falling off.
Also, even when trying to perform various operations while gripping the gripping part, even if the gripping part is not firmly held, it is prevented from falling off, and a balance is provided so that it is easy to operate when the gripping part is gripped. Although it is desirable to ensure operability such as being able to ensure, such a function could not be realized in the conventional example of the above publication.
In addition, the conventional example of the above publication has a drawback that the operability is lowered when the operator has different hands holding the grip portion.

(Object of invention)
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and extends the tube unit through which the fluid passes from the position closer to the insertion portion than the grip portion and the power supply line to improve operability, It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope that can ensure operability without securely grasping a grasping portion.

The present invention has an elongated insertion portion bendable bending portion is provided, the bending instruction input unit which is curved at least the curved portion is provided in the operation section provided at the proximal end of the insertion portion In an endoscope,
A grip portion is provided on the base end side of the operation portion, and a protrusion portion that protrudes at least in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the grip portion is provided on the base end side of the grip portion,
Furthermore, in the connector part which provided the base end side of the pipe line which lets the fluid penetrated in the said insertion part in the position near the insertion part rather than the said holding part, the base end is detachably connected to this connector part. While communicating with the pipe line in the tube unit,
It is characterized in that power can be transmitted to the power line inside the endoscope by a contactless transmission part provided at the connector part and connected to the base end of the power line inserted into the tube unit.

According to the present invention, the tube unit through which the fluid is passed from the position closer to the insertion portion than the grip portion and the power line are extended to improve the operability, and the grip portion is not firmly gripped. However, it is possible to restrict the protrusion from hitting the gripping hand and the endoscope from dropping off, and to ensure good operability.

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

FIGS. 1 to 13 relate to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration of an endoscope system equipped with the present invention, FIG. 2 shows a data communication mode, and FIG. 3 shows a peripheral portion of an AWS unit. FIG. 4 shows the AWS unit with the AWS adapter attached and removed, FIG. 5 shows the structure of the AWS adapter, and FIG. 6 shows the endoscope system control device and the AWS unit. FIG. 7 shows an internal configuration of the endoscope according to the first embodiment.
8 shows a specific external shape of the endoscope, FIG. 9 shows the configuration and operation of the transparency sensor, FIG. 10 shows the configuration of the electrical system in the endoscope, and FIG. 11 shows the monitor of the observation monitor. A typical display example of the display screen and a specific example of the menu display are shown. FIG. 12 shows the AWS unit with and without the modified AWS adapter, and FIG. 13 shows the structure of the modified AWS adapter. Show.

As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope system 1 including Example 1 of the present invention is a flexible endoscope (scope) that is inserted into a body cavity of a patient (not shown) lying on an examination bed 2 and performs an endoscopic examination. 3), this endoscope 3 is connected, and an air supply / water supply / suction unit (hereinafter abbreviated as AWS unit) 4 having an air supply, water supply and suction function, and a built-in endoscope 3. An endoscope system control device 5 that performs signal processing on the image pickup device, control processing on various operation means provided in the endoscope 3 and video processing, and an image generated by the endoscope system control device 5 And an observation monitor 6 such as a liquid crystal monitor for displaying signals. The observation monitor 6 is provided with a touch panel 33.
In addition, the endoscope system 1 is connected to an image recording unit 7 for filing, for example, a digital video signal generated by the endoscope system control device 5 and the AWS unit 4, and is inserted into an insertion portion of the endoscope 3. When a shape detecting coil (hereinafter abbreviated as UPD coil) is built in, the shape of the insertion portion of the endoscope 3 is detected by detecting the position of each UPD coil by receiving an electromagnetic field by the UPD coil. And a UPD coil unit 8 for displaying.

In the case of FIG. 1, the UPD coil unit 8 is provided so as to be embedded in the upper surface of the inspection bed 2. The UPD coil unit 8 is connected to the AWS unit 4 by a cable 8a.
In this embodiment, a storage recess is formed at one end of the test bed 2 in the longitudinal direction and at a position below the end, so that the tray transporting trolley 38 can be stored. A scope tray 39 in which the endoscope 3 is housed is placed on the upper portion of the tray transporting trolley 38.
The scope tray 39 storing the sterilized or sterilized endoscope 3 can be transported by the tray transporting trolley 38 and can be stored in the storing recess of the inspection bed 2. The operator can pull out the endoscope 3 from the scope tray 39 and use it for the endoscopy, and can store it again in the scope tray 39 after the end of the endoscopy. Thereafter, the scope tray 39 in which the used endoscope 3 is accommodated is transported by the tray transporting trolley 38, whereby sterilization or disinfection can be performed smoothly.

In addition, the AWS unit 4 and the endoscope system control device 5 shown in FIG. 1 are configured to transmit and receive information (data) wirelessly in this embodiment. In FIG. 1, the endoscope 3 is connected by the AWS unit 4 and the tube unit 19, but information (data) may be transmitted and received (bidirectional transmission) wirelessly. Further, the endoscope system control device 5 may transmit and receive information to and from the endoscope 3 wirelessly.
2A to 2C show three methods in a transmission / reception unit (communication unit) that performs data transmission / reception between units and devices in the endoscope system 1 or between the endoscope 3 and the unit or device. Show. 2A, as a specific example, the case of the AWS unit 4 and the endoscope system control device 5 will be described.
FIG. 2A shows a wireless system, in which data for transmission is modulated via the data transmission unit 12 by the data communication control unit 11 built in the AWS unit 4 and the endoscope system is controlled wirelessly from the antenna unit 13. It is transmitted to the device 5.

In addition, the AWS unit 4 receives data wirelessly transmitted from the endoscope system control device 5 side by the antenna unit 13, demodulates the data by the data reception unit 14, and transmits the data to the data communication control unit 11. In the present invention, when data is transmitted by a wireless system, a wireless LAN having a maximum data communication speed of 54 Mbps is formed according to, for example, the IEEE 802.11g standard.
FIG. 2B illustrates a wired system. As a specific example, a case where data transmission / reception is performed between the endoscope 3 and the AWS unit 4 will be described. Data transmitted from the endoscope 3 by the data communication control unit 11 built in the endoscope 3 is transmitted from the electrical connector 15 to the AWS unit 4 via the data transmission unit 12 '. The data transmitted from the AWS unit 4 is sent to the data communication control unit 11 via the electrical connector 15 and the data receiving unit 14 '.

FIG. 2C shows an optical communication method, and a case where data transmission / reception is performed between the AWS unit 4 and the endoscope system control device 5 will be described as a specific example. A data communication control unit 11 built in the AWS unit 4 is connected to an optical communication coupler 16 provided in the AWS unit 4 via a data transmission unit 12 ″ and a data reception unit 14 ″ that perform transmission and reception by light. Data is transmitted and received through an optical communication coupler on the endoscope system control device 5 side.
As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope 3 according to the first embodiment includes an endoscope body 18 and a detachable connection to the endoscope body 18, for example, a disposable type (disposable pipe) tube unit 19. Consists of.
The endoscope main body 18 includes an elongated and flexible insertion portion 21 to be inserted into a body cavity, and an operation portion 22 provided at the rear end of the insertion portion 21. The operation portion 22 includes a tube unit 19. The base ends of the two are detachably connected.

In addition, an imaging unit using a charge coupled device (abbreviated as CCD) 25 whose gain is variable inside the imaging device is disposed at the distal end portion 24 of the insertion portion 21.
In addition, a bending portion 27 that can be bent with a low amount of force is provided at the rear end of the distal end portion 24. By operating a trackball 69 as an operation means (instruction input portion) provided in the operation portion 22, The bending portion 27 can be bent. The trackball 69 is also used when performing an angle operation (bending operation) and a function change setting of other scope switches, for example, an angle sensitivity and an air supply amount.
Further, the insertion portion 21 is provided with a hardness varying portion provided with hardness varying actuators 54A and 54B for varying the hardness so that the insertion operation and the like can be performed more smoothly.
In the present embodiment, the AWS unit 4 and the endoscope system control device 5 perform data transmission / reception with, for example, wireless transmission / reception units 77 and 101 as shown in FIG. The observation monitor 6 is connected to the monitor connector 35 of the endoscope system control device 5 by a monitor cable.

As will be described later, the endoscope system control device 5 includes an image of the insertion portion shape (UPD image) of the endoscope 3 detected using the UPD coil unit 8 together with image data captured by the CCD 25 from the AWS unit 4 side. Therefore, the endoscope system control device 5 can also transmit video signals corresponding to these image data to the observation monitor 6 and display the UPD image together with the endoscopic image on the display surface. I am doing so.
The observation monitor 6 is composed of a high-resolution TV (HDTV) monitor so that a plurality of types of images can be simultaneously displayed on the display surface.
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, for example, the AWS unit 4 is provided with a scope connector 40. The scope connector 40 is detachably connected to the scope connector 41 of the endoscope 3.
In this case, the external shape of the scope connector 40 on the AWS unit 4 side is shown in FIGS. 5 shows the structure of the AWS adapter 42 that is detachably attached to the scope connector 40 of the AWS unit 4. FIG. 6 shows the inside of the scope connector 40 on the AWS unit 4 side and the scope connector 41 on the endoscope 3 side. The structure is shown in a connected state.
Actually, as shown in FIG. 4 (B), a concave-shaped AWS adapter mounting portion 40a is provided on the front surface of the AWS unit 4, and the AWS adapter mounting portion 40a includes an AWS adapter (pipe) shown in FIG. The scope connector 40 is formed by attaching the (road connection adapter) 42, and the scope connector 41 on the endoscope 3 side is connected to the scope connector 40.

The AWS adapter mounting portion 40a is provided with a scope electrical connector 43, an air supply connector 44, and a pinch valve 45. The inner end face of the AWS adapter 42 is detachably attached to the AWS adapter mounting portion 40a. The scope connector 41 of the endoscope 3 is connected from the outer end face side.
Details of the AWS adapter 42 are shown in FIG. 5 (A) is a front view of the AWS adapter 42, FIGS. 5 (B) and 5 (C) are left and right side views, and FIGS. 5 (D) and 5 (E) are views of FIG. 5 (A). AA 'and BB' sectional views are shown respectively.
In the AWS adapter 42, a scope connector 41 is inserted into a recess 42a on the front surface. In this case, an electrical connector portion of the scope connector 41 is inserted into a through hole 42b provided in the recess, and the through hole 42b is inserted into the through hole 42b. It is connected to the electrical connector 43 for the scope.

An air / water supply base 42c and a suction base 42d are provided below the through-hole 42b, and an air / water supply base 63 and a suction base 64 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) in the scope connector 41 are respectively provided. Connected.
Note that a recess 42f for housing the pinch valve 45 protruding from the AWS adapter mounting portion 40a is provided on the base end surface side of the AWS adapter 42.
As shown in FIG. 5 (E), the air / water supply cap 42c provided in the AWS adapter 42 is branched by an internal pipe that communicates with the air / water supply cap 42c and connected to the air supply connector 44 of the AWS unit 4. 42e and the water supply cap 46 projecting sideways. Further, the suction base 42d becomes a suction base 47 that is bent sideways and protrudes to the side surface by a pipe communicating therewith, and becomes a relief pipe 47a that branches, for example, upward on the way, and this relief pipe 47a is After being sandwiched by the pinch valve 45 in the middle, the upper end is opened.

The relief pipe 47a is normally set in a released state by the pinch valve 45 when a suction pump (not shown) that forms the suction means is set to a constantly operating state, and the pinch valve when a suction operation is performed. 45 is driven. Then, the relief valve 47a is closed by the pinch valve 45, so that the release is stopped and the suction operation is performed.
As shown in FIG. 3 and the like, the water supply base 46 and the suction base 47 are respectively connected to a water supply tank 48 and a suction device (a suction tank 49b is inserted halfway through a suction tube 49a). . The water tank 48 is connected to the water tank connector 50 of the AWS unit 4. Note that an operation panel 4 a is provided on the upper side of the scope connector 40 on the front surface of the AWS unit 4.

Next, with reference to FIG.7 and FIG.8, the specific structure of the endoscope 3 of Example 1 of this invention is demonstrated. 8A shows the vicinity of the operation portion of the endoscope 3 from the side, FIG. 8B shows a front view seen from the right side of FIG. 8A, and FIG. The rear view seen from the left side of 8 (A) is shown, FIG.8 (D) shows the top view seen from the top of FIG. 8 (A). FIG. 8E shows an example of the angle range of the inclined surface close to the optimum.
As described in FIG. 1, the flexible endoscope 3 includes an endoscope main body 18 having an elongated and flexible insertion portion 21 and an operation portion 22 provided at the rear end thereof, and the endoscope. A disposable type (abbreviated as disposable type) in which a general connector portion 52 at the base end is detachably connected to a connector portion 51 (for tube unit connection) provided near the base end (front end) of the operation portion 22 in the main body 18. Tube unit 19.
At the end of the tube unit 19 is provided the above-mentioned scope connector 41 that is detachably connected to the AWS unit 4.

The insertion portion 21 includes a hard distal end portion 24 provided at the distal end of the insertion portion 21, a bendable bending portion 27 provided at the rear end of the distal end portion 24, and an operation unit from the rear end of the bending portion 27. It consists of up to 22 elongated flexible portions (conduit portion) 53. The soft part 53 is formed of conductive polymer artificial muscle (abbreviated as EPAM) or the like that can be expanded and contracted by applying a voltage and its hardness can be changed at a plurality of places, specifically two places. Are provided with hardness varying actuators 54A, 54B.
For example, a light emitting diode (abbreviated as LED) 56 is attached as illumination means inside the illumination window provided at the distal end portion 24 of the insertion portion 21, and the illumination light of the LED 56 is provided by an illumination lens attached integrally to the LED 56. And illuminates a subject such as an affected part. The light emitting element forming the illumination means is not limited to the LED 56, and can be formed using an LD (laser diode) or the like.

Further, an objective lens (not shown) is attached to an observation window provided adjacent to the illumination window, and a CCD 25 having a variable gain function is disposed at the imaging position thereof, and an imaging means for imaging a subject is provided. Is formed.
One end of each of the LED 56 and the CCD 25 is connected, and a signal line inserted through the insertion unit 21 is provided inside the operation unit 22 and is connected to a control circuit 57 that performs centralized control processing (aggregated control processing).
A plurality of UPD coils 58 are arranged at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction in the insertion portion 21, and signal lines connected to the respective UPD coils 58 are connected to the UPD coil drive unit 59 provided in the operation portion 22. To the control circuit 57.
In addition, angle actuators 27a as angle elements (curving elements) formed by arranging EPAM in the longitudinal direction are arranged at four locations in the circumferential direction inside the outer skin of the bending portion 27. The angle actuator 27a and the hardness varying actuators 54A and 54B are also connected to the control circuit 57 via signal lines. The control circuit 57 is configured by mounting electronic circuit elements on, for example, a switch board 57a and a trackball board 57b.

The EPAM used in the angle actuator 27a and the hardness varying actuators 54A and 54B can be contracted in the thickness direction and extended in the longitudinal direction by attaching electrodes to both sides of the plate shape and applying a voltage, for example. The EPAM can vary the amount of distortion in proportion to, for example, approximately the square of the applied voltage.
When used as the angle actuator 27a, the bending portion 27 can be bent in the same manner as a normal wire function by forming a wire shape or the like and extending one and contracting the other side. Further, the hardness can be varied by the expansion or contraction, and the hardness varying actuators 54A, 54B can vary the hardness of the portion by utilizing the function.

In addition, an air / water supply conduit 60 a and a suction conduit 61 a are inserted into the insertion portion 21, and a rear end thereof is a conduit connector 51 a opened in the connector portion 51. The pipe connector 51 is detachably connected to the pipe connector 52 a in the general connector portion 52 at the base end of the tube unit 19.
The air / water supply conduit 60 a is connected to the air / water supply conduit 60 b inserted into the tube unit 19, and the suction conduit 61 a is connected to the suction conduit 61 b inserted into the tube unit 19. At the same time, it branches off in the conduit connector 52a and opens to the outside, and communicates with an insertion port (also referred to as forceps port) 62 through which a treatment tool such as forceps can be inserted. The forceps port 62 is closed by a forceps plug 62a when not in use.
The rear ends of the air / water supply conduit 60b and the suction conduit 61b become an air / water supply base 63 and a suction base 64 in the scope connector 41.

The air / water supply base 63 and the suction base 64 are respectively connected to the air / water supply base 42c and the suction base 42d of the AWS adapter 42 shown in FIGS. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the air / water supply cap 42 c is branched into an air supply line and a water supply line inside the AWS adapter 42, and the air supply line is connected to an air supply pump 65 inside the AWS unit 4. The water supply pipe line is connected to a water supply tank 48 through an electromagnetic valve B1. The water supply tank 48 is also connected to the air supply pump 65 via the electromagnetic valve B2 on the way.
The air supply pump 65 and the electromagnetic valves B1 and B2 are connected to the AWS control unit 66 by a control line (drive line), and the opening and closing of the AWS control unit 66 is controlled so that air supply and water supply can be performed. ing. The AWS control unit 66 also performs suction operation control by controlling opening and closing of the pinch valve 45.

  In addition, the operation unit 22 of the endoscope body 18 is provided with a grasping portion 68 that is grasped by the operator. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8A to 8D, the gripping portion 68 is in the vicinity of the rear end (base end) of the operation portion 22 (on the side opposite to the insertion portion 21 side). For example, it is formed of a cylindrical side surface portion.

For example, three scope switches SW 1, SW 2, and SW 3 are provided on the gripping portion 68, such as a remote control operation (abbreviated as “remote control operation”) such as release and freeze on the peripheral portion including the gripping portion 68. They are provided along the longitudinal axis and are connected to the control circuit 57 (see FIG. 7).
Further, a base end surface provided at the rear end (base end) of the grip portion 68 (or the operation unit 22) (usually, the base end side is set up as shown in FIG. Is also an inclined surface Sa, and is switched from an angle operation (bending operation) or an angle operation in the vicinity of the opposite side to the position where the scope switches SW1, SW2, SW3 are provided on the inclined surface Sa. A trackball 69 having a waterproof structure for setting other remote control operations and the like is provided. In this case, the waterproof structure in this case actually holds the trackball 69 in a rotatable manner, or the encoder side for detecting the rotation amount is covered with a waterproof film, and the trackball 69 is rotatably held outside the trackball 69. It has a structure.

Further, there is provided a substantially U-shaped hook 70 for connecting the vicinity of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the grip portion 68 provided in the vicinity of the rear end of the operation portion 22, as shown in FIG. Since the finger of the hand is put inside the hook 70 for gripping with the right hand (or the left hand), the endoscope 3 can be effectively prevented from falling with its weight even when the gripping portion 68 is not gripped firmly. .
That is, even when the endoscope 3 is about to fall with the weight, the hook 70 hits the lower hand so that the endoscope 3 can be prevented from dropping. As described above, in this embodiment, even if the operator does not hold (hold) the grip portion 68 firmly, it is possible to effectively prevent the endoscope 3 from falling downward due to its weight. Therefore, when the operator grips the grip portion 68 and performs various operations, when the hand or finger gripped by the operation becomes tired, the surgeon grasps (holds) the grip portion 68. Even if it is stopped, if a part of the hand is put in the hook 70, it is possible to prevent the endoscope 3 from dropping off and to improve operability.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 8A to 8C, the air / water supply switch SW4 and the suction switch SW5 are arranged symmetrically on both sides of the trackball 69 on the inclined surface Sa.
The trackball 69 and scope switches SW4 and SW5 are also connected to the control circuit 57. 8A to 8D, the operation unit 22 or the gripping unit 68 extends in the longitudinal direction of the operation unit 22 or the gripping unit 68 in the front view shown in FIG. The track ball 69 is disposed on the inclined surface Sa at a position on the center line O. The air / water supply switch SW4 and the suction switch SW5 are disposed on both sides of the trackball 69 at symmetrical positions.
Further, the rear view on the opposite side of the front view is FIG. 8 (C). Also in this rear view, the shape is bilaterally symmetric with respect to the center line O, and is gripped along the center line O. Three scope switches SW1, SW2, SW3 are arranged on the outer surface of the section 68.

Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8A, the inclined surface Sa is formed at an angle φ that is an obtuse angle that is greater than 90 ° with the center line O of the grip portion 68 or a line parallel to the side surface. Has been. In other words, the inclined surface Sa is formed in an inclined surface having an angle of θ with the surface perpendicular to the center line O of the gripping portion 68, and the track ball 69 and the air supply are positioned at the lower side of the inclined surface Sa. Water supply switch SW4 and suction switch SW5 are provided symmetrically. As shown in FIG. 8B, the trackball 69 and the like can be easily operated with the thumb of the gripped hand.
As described above, the inclined surface Sa can be satisfactorily operated within an angle φ that forms an obtuse angle with respect to the center line O, that is, within an angle of 90 ° to 180 °, but more specifically, FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, when the angle φ1 is within 120 ° and the angle φ2 is within 150 °, further excellent operability can be secured.

As described above, in this embodiment, the operation means (instruction input unit) such as the trackball 69 provided in the operation unit 22 is arranged so as to be symmetric with respect to the center line O in the longitudinal direction of the gripping unit 68, One of the features is that the user can perform good operation even when the person holds the hand with either the right hand or the left hand.
In addition, the gripping portion 68 is provided with a hook 70 that is connected in a substantially U shape at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the gripping portion 68, so that even if the operator grips the gripping portion 68 inadequately. Since the index finger or the like is inserted inside the hook 70, when the endoscope 3 is about to fall downward due to its weight, the hook 70 is regulated by the index finger or the like and the endoscope 3 is prevented from dropping. Has a function that can be effectively prevented.
In the present embodiment, the gripping portion 68 is formed near the rear end of the operation portion 22, and the connection portion with the tube unit 19 is provided at a position closer to the insertion portion 21 than the position of the gripping portion 68. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the eccentricity of the position of the center of gravity when the gripping portion 68 is gripped from the position of the central axis.

That is, if the tube unit 19 is extended laterally from the rear side (upper side) of the grip portion as in the conventional example , the position of the center of gravity in that case is easily decentered by the weight of the tube unit 19. However, in this embodiment, since the tube unit 19 is extended laterally from the position on the insertion portion 21 side, that is, the lower side than the grip portion 68, the eccentric amount of the center of gravity position can be reduced, and the operability is improved. Can be improved.
Also in the endoscope 3 of the present embodiment, when an operator (user) such as an operator holds the grasping portion 68 with the left hand or the right hand, the inner surface side of the hook 70 is lightly touched near the side portion of the index finger. Therefore, even if the center of gravity position is decentered and the central axis is tilted (that is, the longitudinal direction of the operation portion 22 is tilted), the hook 70 hits the hand and the tilt can be restricted, and the operability is excellent. Can be secured.

As shown in FIG. 7, the power supply line 71 a and the signal line 71 b extended from the control circuit 57 are connected to the inside of the tube unit 19 via contactless transmission parts 72 a and 72 b formed in the connector part 51 and the general connector part 52. Are electrically connected to the power line 73a and the signal line 73b inserted through the contactless. The power supply line 73a and the signal line 73b are connected to the power supply & signal terminal forming the electrical connector 74 in the scope connector 41.
Then, by connecting the scope connector 41 to the AWS unit 4, the user connects the power line 73a to the power unit 75 via the scope electrical connector 43 of the AWS unit 4 as shown in FIG. The line 73b is connected (through the power supply unit 75) to the UPD unit 76, the transmission / reception unit 77, and the AWS control unit 66. The transmission / reception unit 77 is connected to an antenna unit 77a that transmits and receives radio waves by radio.

The contactless transmission units 72a and 72b each have a structure in which a transformer that electromagnetically couples is formed so that a pair of coils are close to each other. That is, the end of the power supply line 71a is connected to a coil that forms the contactless transmission unit 72a, and the other end of the power supply line 73a is also connected to a coil adjacent to the coil in the contactless transmission unit 72a. .
Then, the AC power transmitted by the power line 73a is transmitted to the power line 71a via the electromagnetically coupled coil in the contactless transmission unit 72a.
The end of the signal line 71b is connected to a coil forming the contactless transmission unit 72b, and the other end of the signal line 73b is also connected to a coil adjacent to the coil in the contactless transmission unit 72b. .
By forming a transformer by electromagnetic coupling, a signal is transmitted from the signal line 71b side to the signal line 73b side through a pair of coils, and a signal is also transmitted in the reverse direction.

As described above, the endoscope 3 according to this embodiment is generated in the case of an electrical contact even if the endoscope body 18 is configured to be detachably connected to the tube unit 19 without contact and repeated cleaning and sterilization are performed. Another feature is that it can prevent the effects of corrosion.
Also, as shown in FIG. 7, transparency sensors 143 are provided in the middle of the air / water supply conduit 60a and the suction conduit 61a, respectively, and the air / water supply conduit 60a and the suction conduit respectively formed of transparent tubes. Light is transmitted through each of the pipes 61a so that the degree of dirt on the inner wall of the pipe and the transparency of the fluid passing through the pipe can be detected.
The transparency sensor 143 is connected to the control circuit 57 by a signal line. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the action of the cleaning level detection by the transparency sensor 143.
As shown in FIG. 9A, a photo reflector 144 and a reflecting plate 145 are arranged so as to face each other on the outer periphery of an air / water supply conduit 60a (same for the suction conduit 61a) formed of a transparent tube. A sensor 143 is formed.

Then, as shown in FIG. 9B, the light from the light emitting element constituting the photo reflector 144 is emitted to the reflecting plate 145 side, and the reflected light reflected by the reflecting plate 145 is received by the light receiving element constituting the photo reflector 144. To do.
In this case, actually, a transmittance detector 146 such as an air / water supply pipe 60a formed of a transparent tube is disposed between the photo reflector 144 and the reflection plate 145, and therefore, the air / water supply pipe When the inner wall side of the air / water supply conduit 60a is washed by flowing a transparent cleaning liquid inside the 60a, when the inner wall surface becomes clean, the amount of light received by the light receiving element of the photoreflector 144 increases, and the cleaning is performed. The condition can be detected.
Therefore, this function makes it possible to quantitatively detect the cleaning level of the inner wall surface of the air / water supply conduit 60a and the inner wall surface of the suction conduit 61a.
In the description of this case, the operation in the case of cleaning with the cleaning liquid has been described. However, during the endoscopic inspection or the like, by referring to the detection output of the transparency sensor 143, the inner wall surface of the air / water supply conduit 60a and the suction It is also possible to know how dirty the inner wall surface of the pipeline 61a is.

FIG. 10 shows a configuration of the electric system in the control circuit 57 and the like arranged in the operation unit 22 of the endoscope main body 18 and main components arranged in each part of the insertion unit 21.
A CCD 25 and an LED 56 are disposed at the distal end portion 24 of the insertion portion 21 shown at the lower left side in FIG. 10, and an angle actuator (specifically in this embodiment) is provided on the bending portion 27 described above in the drawing. EPAM) 27a and an encoder 27c are arranged, and an actuator for varying hardness (specifically, EPAM in this embodiment) 54 and an encoder 54c are arranged on the soft part 53 described above in the drawing. Further, a transparency sensor 143 and an UPD coil 58 are disposed in the soft part 53.
In addition, a trackball 69, an air / water supply SW (SW4), a suction SW (SW5), and a scope SW (SW1 to SW3) are arranged on the surface of the operation unit 22 described on the soft part 53 of the insertion unit 21. Is done. As will be described later, an angle operation and a function for selecting and setting other functions are assigned by operating the trackball 69.

As shown on the left side of FIG. 10, these are connected to a control circuit 57 (except for the UPD coil driving unit 59 and the like) including most of the inside of the operation unit 22 shown on the right side through a signal line, The control circuit 57 performs drive control of these functions, signal processing, and the like.
The control circuit 57 includes a state management unit 81 configured by a CPU or the like that manages the control state. The state management unit 81 is connected to a state holding memory 82 that holds (stores) the state of each unit, and (In the present embodiment) it is connected to a wired transmission / reception unit 83 that performs wired communication with the AWS unit 4.

Moreover, this state management part 81 controls the LED drive part 85 controlled by this illumination control part 84 via the illumination control part 84 which controls illumination. The LED drive unit 85 applies an LED drive signal for causing the LED 56 serving as an illumination unit to emit light.
The illuminated object such as an affected part is imaged on the imaging surface of the CCD 25 arranged at the imaging position by an objective lens (not shown) attached to the observation window, and is photoelectrically converted by the CCD 25. The
The CCD 25 outputs signal charges accumulated by photoelectric conversion as an imaging signal by application of a CCD drive signal from a CCD drive unit 86 controlled by the state management unit 81. The imaging signal is converted from an analog signal to a digital signal by an A / D converter (abbreviated as ADC) 87 and then input to the state management unit 81, and the digital signal (image data) is stored in the image memory 88. The The image data in the image memory 88 is sent to the data transmission unit 12 ′ of the transmission / reception unit 83.

  Then, the signal is transmitted from the electrical connector 15 to the AWS unit 4 via the signal line 73b in the tube unit 19. Further, the data is transmitted from the AWS unit 4 to the endoscope system control device 5 wirelessly.

As shown in FIG. 6, the image data transmitted to the endoscope system control device 5 is wirelessly received by the transmission / reception unit 101 and is subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 116 to generate a video signal. A video signal is output from the monitor connector 35 to the observation monitor 6 via the system control unit 117 that controls the whole, and an endoscopic image is displayed on the display surface of the observation monitor 6. In FIG. 6, the power supply unit 100 supplies power for operation to the transmission / reception unit 101, the image processing unit 116, and the system control unit 117.
As shown in FIG. 10, the output signal of the ADC 87 is sent to the brightness detection unit 89, and the brightness information of the image detected by the brightness detection unit 89 is sent to the state management unit 81. Based on this information, the state management unit 81 performs dimming control through the illumination control unit 84 so that the amount of illumination light from the LED 56 has an appropriate brightness.
Further, the state management unit 81 controls the actuator driving unit 92 via the angle control unit 91 and controls the actuator driving unit 92 to drive the angle actuator (EPAM) 27a. The driving amount of the angle actuator (EPAM) 27a is detected by the encoder 27c, and the driving amount is controlled so as to coincide with the value corresponding to the instruction value.

In addition, the state management unit 81 controls the actuator driving unit 94 via the hardness variable control unit 93, and the actuator driving unit 94 controls the hardness variable actuator (EPAM) 54 (here, one representative of 54A and 54B). To drive). Note that the drive amount of the hardness varying actuator (EPAM) 54 is detected by the encoder 54c and controlled so that the drive amount becomes a value corresponding to the indicated value.
The detection signal from the transparency sensor 143 provided in the soft part 53 is converted into signal data corresponding to the transparency by the transparency detection part 148 and then input to the state management part 81. The state management part 81 is in the state holding memory. Compared with the reference value of transparency stored in advance in 82 and the like, when the reference value is reached, the information is transmitted from the transmission / reception unit 83 to the endoscope system control device 5 side via the AWS unit 4, The observation monitor 6 displays that the reference value has been reached.

Further, the state management unit 81 is input via the trackball displacement detection unit 95 corresponding to the operation amount from the trackball 69 or the like provided in the operation unit 22.
In addition, an operation of pressing a switch such as ON by air / water supply SW, suction SW, or scope SW is detected by the switch press detection unit 96, and the detected information is input to the state management unit 81.
The control circuit 57 includes a power transmission / reception unit 97 and a power generation unit 98. Specifically, the power transmission receiving unit 97 is a contactless transmission unit 51 b in the operation unit 22 and an electrical connector 74 at the end of the tube unit 19. The power transmitted by the power generation unit 98 is converted into a DC power source by the power generation unit 98. The power source generated by the power source generation unit 98 supplies power necessary for the operation to each unit in the control circuit 57.

  In the endoscope system 1 provided with the present embodiment, when the power is turned on, various images are displayed on the observation monitor 6 as shown in FIG. In this case, in addition to the information display area Rj for displaying patient information, the endoscope image display area Ri, the UPD image display area Ru, the freeze image display area Rf, and the angle display area Ra, a menu display area Rm is provided, and a menu is displayed in the menu display area Rm.

As a menu displayed in the menu display area Rm, a main menu shown in FIG. 11B is displayed. This main menu includes a scope switch, angle sensitivity, insertion section hardness, zoom, image enhancement, air supply amount, and an instruction to return to the previous menu screen. Is displayed.
When the user selects a selection frame as the scope switch item by operating the trackball 69 or the like, the scope switch item frame is displayed thickly to indicate that it has been selected. By pressing and performing the determination operation, it is possible to select and set the function assigned to the five scope switches SW1 to SW5 as shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of the endoscope system 1 having such a configuration will be described.
As a preparation for performing an endoscopic examination, first, the general connector portion 52 of the disposable tube unit 19 is connected to the connector portion 51 of the operation portion 22 of the endoscope body 18. In this case, the contactless transmission units 72a and 72b are connected to each other in an insulated and waterproof state. With this connection, the preparation of the endoscope 3 is completed.
Next, the scope connector 41 of the tube unit 19 is connected to the connector 40 of the AWS unit 4. This part is completed by a single connection operation by various connection lines, power lines, signal lines, and optical connections by one-touch connection. There is no need to connect various pipes or electrical connectors each time as in a conventional endoscope system.

The user connects the UPD coil unit 8 to the AWS unit 4 and connects the endoscope system control device 5 to the observation monitor 6. Further, the setup of the endoscope system 1 is completed by connecting the endoscope system control device 5 to the image recording unit 7 or the like as necessary.
Next, the power of the AWS unit 4 and the endoscope system control device 5 is turned on. Then, each part in the AWS unit 4 is in an operating state, and the power supply unit 75 is in a state in which power can be supplied to the endoscope 3 side via the power supply line.
In this case, the AWS unit 4 first turns off the power supply, starts the timer, confirms that the signal is correctly returned from the endoscope 3 side within a predetermined time, and then continuously supplies power. To supply.

The surgeon inserts the insertion portion 21 of the endoscope 3 into the body cavity of the patient, so that a subject such as an affected portion in the body cavity is imaged by the CCD 25 provided at the distal end portion 24 of the insertion portion 21. . The captured image data is wirelessly transmitted to the endoscope system control device 5 via the AWS unit 4, image processing is performed to generate a video signal, and the subject image is displayed on the display surface of the observation monitor 6. Is displayed. Therefore, the surgeon can diagnose the affected area by observing the endoscopic image, and can perform treatment for treatment using a treatment tool as necessary.
In the endoscope 3 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, various kinds of operations such as a trackball 69 having a function of an angle instruction input unit and a freeze instruction operation with respect to the center line O in the longitudinal direction of the gripping unit 68. The scope switches SW1 to SW3, the air / water supply switch (SW4), and the suction switch (SW5) are provided symmetrically.

Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 8B, when the operator holds the grip portion 68 of the operation portion 22 with the right hand, the trackball 69 is positioned at a position where it can be easily operated with the thumb, and symmetrically on both sides thereof. The arranged air / water supply switch (SW4) and suction switch (SW5) can also be easily operated.
In addition, scope switches SW1 and SW2 are positioned in the vicinity of the positions held by the index finger and the middle finger, respectively, and the scope switch SW3 is positioned in the vicinity of the position held by the little finger.
Therefore, the surgeon can perform various operations with good operability with the grasped right hand.
Even in the case of an operator holding with the left hand, the gripping position of the outer peripheral surface that grips the gripping portion 68 is on the side that faces the side that is gripped with the right hand, but the position of each finger is input as an instruction. This is the same as when gripping with the left hand.

That is, when the surgeon grips the grip portion 68 of the operation unit 22 with the left hand, the trackball 69 is positioned at a position where it can be easily operated with the thumb, and the air / water supply switch (SW4) disposed symmetrically on both sides thereof. The suction switch (SW5) can also be operated.
In addition, scope switches SW1 and SW2 are positioned in the vicinity of the positions held by the index finger and the middle finger, respectively, and the scope switch SW3 is positioned in the vicinity of the position held by the little finger.
Therefore, the surgeon can perform various operations with good operability with the grasped left hand.
In addition, as described above, in this embodiment, the hook 70 is provided so that a hand for holding the gripping portion 68 can be passed through by connecting both sides in the longitudinal direction of the gripping portion 68. Even if it does not hold | maintain, it can prevent effectively that the endoscope 3 falls with the weight.

  In this embodiment, the function assignment to the scope switches SW1 to SW5 can be changed as shown in FIG. Therefore, each surgeon can perform endoscopy by changing and assigning the function assignment to the scope switches SW1 to SW5 so as to be most easily operated.

In the above-described embodiment, the pinch valve 45 is provided on the AWS unit 4 side and the AWS adapter 42 is connected. However, as shown in FIG. 12, the recess 40 a of the AWS unit 4 is a modified example of the AWS adapter. The electromagnetic valve unit 42 'may be detachably attached. The scope connector 41 of the endoscope 3 is detachably attached to the AWS unit 4 with the electromagnetic valve unit 42 ′ attached.
13A is a front view of the electromagnetic valve unit 42 ', FIGS. 13B and 13C are left and right side views, and FIGS. 13D and 13E are FIG. AA 'and BB' sectional drawing of (A) is shown, respectively.

In the AWS adapter 42 of FIG. 5, a concave portion 42 f for accommodating the pinch valve 45 (projecting from the front surface of the AWS unit 4) is provided on the back surface (base end) side thereof, but the electromagnetic valve unit 42 shown in FIG. 13. In FIG. 3, a pinch valve 45 is provided therein, and a relief conduit 47a is passed through the pinch valve 45.
In addition, the electromagnetic valve unit 42 'is detachably connected to the electromagnetic valve unit 42' of the AWS unit 4 on the back side thereof, and a pinch valve connector 42g for transmitting a signal for driving the pinch valve 45 is attached. is there. Other configurations are the same as those in FIG.
The operation and effect when the AWS unit 4 and the electromagnetic valve unit 42 ′ shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 are adopted are substantially the same as those in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 shows an endoscope 3B according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 14A shows the vicinity of the operation portion with a part cut away from the side, FIG. 14B shows a front view seen from the right side of FIG. 14A, and FIG. ) Shows a plan view seen from above in FIG. 14A, and FIG. 14D shows a part of an endoscope 3F of a modification. The endoscope 3B according to the present embodiment is the same as the endoscope 3 according to the first embodiment, except that the signal transmission signal line 73b is not provided, but the transmission / reception antenna unit 121 is built in the operation unit 22 instead. ing.
Information such as image data picked up by the CCD 25 and operation data when operating the trackball 69 or the like as the operation means is transmitted to the AWS unit 4 side via the antenna unit 121. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.
In the endoscope 3B of the present embodiment, an air / water supply conduit 60b, a suction conduit 61b, and a power line 73a are inserted into the tube unit 19.

Moreover, according to the present Example, since the signal wire 73b inserted in the tube unit 19 is unnecessary, it can be made a structure more suitable for disposable. Others can be operated with good operability even when the grasping portion 68 of the endoscope 3B is grasped with any of the left and right hands, such as right-handed and left-handed, as in the first embodiment.
FIG. 14D shows an endoscope 3F of the first modification. In the endoscope 3B shown in FIGS. 14A to 14C, the hook 70 connects the upper and lower ends in the (longitudinal direction) of the grip portion 68 held by the hand in a loop shape. In the endoscope 3F, the hook 70 'is formed in an L shape from the upper end side of the gripping portion 68, and the lower end of the hook 70' is not connected to the gripping portion 68, and an opening is formed at the lower end of the hook 70 '. It has a configuration.

Also in the case of this modification, the operation unit 22 or the gripping unit 68 is symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal center line O, and the instruction input unit is formed symmetrically. The same operability as in the case of can be secured.
In addition, since the function of preventing the endoscope 3B from dropping when it is insufficiently gripped is the upper end side portion of the hook 70 ', the same function as that of the hook 70 can be maintained. That is, in this endoscope 3B, the hook 70 ′ is formed so as to have a protruding portion that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the gripping portion 68 from the rear end side of the gripping portion 68. The fall of the endoscope 3B can be effectively prevented. Moreover, since it protrudes in the direction perpendicular | vertical with respect to the axial direction of the holding | grip part 68, and is further bent to the insertion part 21 side, it is made the L shape, Therefore The fall of the endoscope 3B can be prevented effectively more effectively.

Further, since the lower end side of the hook 70 'is opened, it can be used to hold the endoscope 3F by hooking this portion on an endoscope hanger or the like. Thus, the present modification has almost the same function and effect as the second embodiment.
FIGS. 15A to 15C show an endoscope 3C of a second modification. This endoscope 3C employs an operation pad 161 instead of the trackball 69 as the operation means in the endoscope 3B of the second embodiment.

15A is a side view seen from the side of the endoscope 3C, FIG. 15B is a front view seen from the right side of FIG. 15A, and FIG. 15C is FIG. FIG. 15D is a plan view viewed from above A, and FIG. 15D is an operation in the arrangement state along the center line parallel to the inclined surface Sa as viewed from the direction perpendicular to the inclined surface Sa in FIG. FIG. 15E shows the operation pad 161 ′ in the same arrangement state as FIG. 15D in the modification.
This endoscope 3C employs a disk-shaped operation pad 161 instead of the trackball 69 in the endoscope 3B shown in FIG. That is, the operation pad 161 is attached to the inclined surface Sa. On the operation pad 161, switches 162a, 162b, 162c, and 162d for instructing operation in four directions, up and down, and left and right, are provided at four positions corresponding to the four directions of up and down and left and right, respectively.

Other configurations are the same as those of the endoscope 3B shown in FIG.
Further, as a modification of the operation pad 161A of the second modification, a cross-shaped operation pad 161 ′ may be employed as shown in FIG. This operation pad 161 'is also provided with switches 162a, 162b, 162c, 162d for instructing operation in four directions, up and down, left and right, at four positions corresponding to the four directions up and down and left and right, respectively.
FIG. 16 shows an endoscope 3D of a third modification. This endoscope 3D is perpendicular to the central axis O of the endoscope 3C, for example, as shown in FIG. 16C, at the position of the trackball 69 on the inclined surface Sa of the endoscope 3B shown in FIG. Two operation pads 163A and 163B are provided in parallel in the direction.

The operation pad 163A is provided with switches 162a and 162b for the vertical direction, and the operation pad 163B is provided with switches 162c and 162d for the horizontal direction.
Other configurations are the same as those of the endoscope 3B shown in FIG.
In the endoscope 3D of FIG. 16, the two operation pads 163A and 163B are provided in parallel to the central axis O of the endoscope 3D in a direction substantially perpendicular to the endoscope 3D. However, the endoscope of the third modification shown in FIG. As shown in 3D, two operation pads 163C and 163D may be provided in parallel with the central axis C of the endoscope 3D.
For example, a hook 70 may be provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the grip portion 68 as in an endoscope 3G shown in FIG. The endoscope 3G includes ring portions 70a and 70b that allow the upper end and the lower end of a U-shaped hook 70 in the endoscope 3 shown in FIG. Provided.

With this configuration, the hook 70 can be rotated and used as necessary. For example, when the operator grips the grip portion 68 with his / her hand, the surgeon rotates from the state of FIG. 8A to the side covering the outside of the hand gripping the hook 70 (in FIG. 8A). Rotate to the back of the paper). In this way, the endoscope 3G can be held even in a released state where the hand holding the grip portion 68 is not gripped, and the operability can be further improved. In the case of the hook 70 ′ as shown in FIG. 14D, the upper end side of the hook 70 ′ may be made rotatable.
It should be noted that embodiments configured by partially combining the above-described embodiments and the like also belong to the present invention.

[Appendix]
1. In Claim 1, The said protrusion part is formed in the substantially U shape which connects the both ends of the longitudinal direction of the said holding part.
2. In Claim 1, The said protrusion part is provided rotatably with respect to the said holding part.
3. In Claim 1, the some instruction | indication part is arrange | positioned substantially left-right symmetrically in the peripheral part including the said holding | grip part.
4). In Claim 1, The said curvature instruction | indication input part was provided on the base end surface of the said operation part, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
5). In Supplementary Note 4, the base end surface is an inclined surface having an obtuse angle with respect to the axial direction of the grip portion.

6). In Supplementary Note 5, two instruction input portions are arranged on the inclined surface at symmetrical positions on both sides of the bending instruction input portion.
7). In Supplementary Note 6, the inclined surface is within an angle range of 120 ° to 150 ° with respect to the axial direction of the gripping portion.
8). In an endoscope having an elongated insertion portion provided with a bendable bending portion, and an operation portion provided on the proximal end side of the insertion portion provided with a bending instruction input portion for bending at least the bending portion. ,
A gripping portion is provided on the proximal end side of the operation portion, the proximal end side of the gripping portion projects at least in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the gripping portion, and the projected end portion is bent toward the insertion portion side. An endoscope comprising a substantially L-shaped projecting portion.
9. In an endoscope provided with an instruction input unit for performing a plurality of instruction inputs on the operation unit provided on the proximal end side of the elongated insertion unit,
An endoscope characterized in that a gripping portion is provided on a proximal end side of the operation portion, and a protruding portion protruding at least in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the gripping portion is provided on the proximal end side of the gripping portion. .

  According to the present invention, when an endoscope insertion portion is inserted into a body cavity and an endoscopic examination is performed, a plurality of instruction input portions for performing a bending instruction input or the like are provided in a peripheral portion including a grip portion. Therefore, the surgeon can perform endoscopy with good operability.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope system including the present invention. The block diagram which shows a data communication form. The perspective view which shows the concrete external appearance shape of an AWS unit periphery part. The perspective view which shows the AWS unit of the state which attached and removed the AWS adapter. The figure which shows the structure of an AWS adapter. The block diagram which shows the internal structure of an endoscope system control apparatus and an AWS unit. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the endoscope according to the first embodiment. The figure which shows the specific external appearance shape etc. of an endoscope. The figure which shows the structure and operation | movement of a transparency sensor. The block diagram which shows the structure of the electric system in an endoscope. The figure which shows the typical display example of the monitor display surface of an observation monitor, and the specific example of a menu display. The perspective view which shows the AWS unit of the state which attached and removed the solenoid valve unit used as the modification of an AWS adapter. The figure which shows the structure of a solenoid valve unit. The figure which shows the specific external shape etc. of the endoscope of Example 2 of this invention. The figure which shows the operation part periphery part in the endoscope of a 2nd modification. The figure which shows the operation part periphery part in the endoscope of a 3rd modification. The figure which shows the operation part periphery part in the endoscope of a 4th modification. The front view which shows the operation part periphery part in the endoscope of a 5th modification.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope system 3 ... Endoscope 4 ... AWS unit 5 ... Endoscope system control apparatus 6 ... Observation monitor 7 ... Image recording unit 8 ... UPD coil unit 18 ... Endoscope main body 19 ... Tube unit 21 ... Insertion Part 22 ... Operation part 24 ... Tip part 25 ... CCD
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 27 ... Curve part 27a ... Angle actuator 41 ... Scope connector 42 ... AWS adapter 53 ... Soft part 54 ... Hardness variable actuator 56 ... LED
60a, 60b ... Air supply / transmission pipes 61a, 61b ... Suction pipes 62 ... Forceps port 68 ... Grasping part 69 ... Trackball 70 ... Hook 72a, 72b ... Contactless transmission part Sa ... Inclined surface SW1-SW3 ... Scope switch Proxy People Patent Attorney Susumu Ito

Claims (4)

In an endoscope having an elongated insertion portion provided with a bendable bending portion, and an operation portion provided on the proximal end side of the insertion portion provided with a bending instruction input portion for bending at least the bending portion. ,
A grip portion is provided on the base end side of the operation portion, and a protrusion portion that protrudes at least in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the grip portion is provided on the base end side of the grip portion,
Furthermore, in the connector part which provided the base end side of the pipe line which lets the fluid penetrated in the said insertion part in the position near the insertion part rather than the said holding part, the base end is detachably connected to this connector part. While communicating with the pipe line in the tube unit,
An endoscope characterized in that electric power can be transmitted to a power line inside the endoscope by a contactless transmission unit provided at the connector part and connected to a base end of a power line inserted into the tube unit. mirror.   The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion has a substantially L-shaped portion further extending toward the insertion portion from a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the gripping portion. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the contactless transmission unit is formed by a pair of coils that form a transformer that electromagnetically couples in the connector unit.   The peripheral part including the grip part has a shape substantially symmetrical with respect to a reference line along the longitudinal direction of the grip part, and a plurality of instruction input parts including the bending instruction input part includes the grip part. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope is arranged symmetrically on the periphery thereof.

Images