JP4584997B2 - Rotating self-propelled endoscope device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a rotary self-propelled endoscope apparatus that self-propels in a body cavity by rotation of a rotating cylinder.

  As is well known, endoscopes are widely used in various fields such as medicine and industry for the purpose of observing sites that cannot be directly observed, such as in a tube, and are generally elongated and inserted into a test site. An insertion portion is provided.

Various types of endoscopes are known as such endoscopes. For example, in an endoscope in which an insertion portion is inserted into the large intestine by a transanus, a rotary cylinder that is rotatable around an axis having a spiral-shaped portion is provided on the outer periphery of the insertion portion, and the rotation cylinder By rotating the body with a motor or the like, the insertion of the insertion portion into the large intestine can be automatically performed by screw action using the friction generated between the spiral-shaped portion and the intestinal wall. A traveling endoscope apparatus is known.
A technique for inserting a medical device such as an endoscope into a body cavity using friction between the rotating member and tissue in the body cavity is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-113396. .

  There are various types of such endoscopes. For example, in an endoscope that is inserted into the large intestine by the transanus, on the outer peripheral side of the insertion portion, around the axis. There is provided a rotary self-propelled endoscope that is provided with a rotatable cylindrical body that can be rotated, and that can be automatically inserted into a body cavity by rotating the rotary cylinder. is there.

  This rotary self-propelled endoscope has a rotating device that incorporates an electric device such as the motor described above for rotating a rotating cylinder as a propulsive force generating means around a predetermined axis, and is connected to an insertion portion. is doing. In addition, an imaging device for capturing an image in the body cavity and a lighting device for injecting into the body cavity where natural light does not enter are built into the distal end portion of the rotating self-propelled endoscope.

  In addition, the rotating cylinder is long for insertion into a body cavity, and a metal having a good rotation transmission property is used as the material thereof. The rotating cylindrical body is inserted with a flexible non-metallic tube body and is rotatable about the axis of the tube body.

  There is a possibility that static electricity is generated in the rotating cylinder due to friction between the rotating body and the body cavity wall and the tube body. It is considered that this static electricity is charged in the rotating cylinder and adsorbs dust or the like in the treatment chamber to the rotating cylinder. Therefore, there is a possibility that the rotation of the rotating cylinder may be impaired due to adhesion of dust or the like. In addition, static electricity may be discharged from the rotating cylinder to the tip, causing electrical interference to the imaging device and the illumination device, which are electrical equipment in the tip, and in particular, noise may be generated in the endoscopic image. .

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and does not interfere with the operation of various electric devices in the tip without obstructing the rotation of the rotating cylinder which is the propulsive force generating means that rotates. It aims at providing the rotation self-propelled endoscope apparatus which does not give.

  The rotating self-propelled endoscope apparatus of the present invention includes an electric element and an electric component, and forms a long insertion portion having a distal end portion to which a ground wire is connected, and an outer surface of the insertion portion, and at least the Tubular propulsion force generating means having an outer surface formed of a conductive member and rotatable about an axis with respect to the insertion portion, and disposed at a proximal end portion of the distal end portion, the distal end portion and the propulsion force A first contact portion made of a conductive member that electrically connects the generating means, and a rotational force connected to the insertion portion, incorporating various electric devices and a housing ground, and rotating the propulsive force generating means A generating means; and a second contact portion that is disposed in the rotating power generating means and is made of a conductive member that electrically connects the rotating power generating means and the propulsive force generating means.

It is a figure showing composition of a rotation self-propelled endoscope of a 1st embodiment concerning the present invention. It is the fragmentary sectional view along the insertion axial direction which shows the structure of a front-end | tip part and an insertion part front end. It is a perspective view which shows the whole insertion part same as the above. It is sectional drawing which shows the inside of a rotation drive part equally. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical connection state of each part of a rotation self-propelled endoscope similarly. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electrical connection state of each part of the rotary self-propelled endoscope showing a modification of FIG. 5; It is sectional drawing which shows the insertion part cut | disconnected along the VV line of FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of the rotary drive section cut along line VI-VI in FIG. 4. It is a perspective view which shows the 1st, 2nd conductive spring. It is sectional drawing which shows the front-end | tip part of the insertion part of the rotation self-propelled endoscope of 2nd Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the middle part of the front holder in a rotation drive part equally. It is a perspective view which shows the 1st, 2nd conduction | electrical_connection roller equally. It is a perspective view of the front-end | tip part of an insertion part which shows the modification of a rotating cylinder. It is a fragmentary sectional view of an insertion part tip part showing a modification.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
1 to 3 relate to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a rotary self-propelled endoscope device, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the entire insertion portion.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a rotary self-propelled endoscope apparatus 1 is a long insertion portion 2 inserted into a body cavity, and a rotating force generating means provided on the proximal end side of the insertion portion 2. The drive unit 3 and the operation unit 4, a universal cable 5 extending from the operation unit 4, a universal connector 6 provided on the distal end side of the universal cable 5, and a control cable 7 extending from the universal connector 6 A control device 8 to which the control cable 7 is detachably connected, a foot switch 9 to be detachably connected to the control device 8, and a patient monitor device 10 to which the universal connector 6 is connected. I have.

  The insertion portion 2 is configured to include a distal end portion 11 and a rotating cylinder 12 that is a propulsion force generating means connected to the proximal end side of the distal end portion 11. The structure of the insertion part 2 provided with this front-end | tip part 11 is demonstrated in detail with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an objective optical system 21 is disposed on the distal end surface of the distal end portion 11. An image sensor 22 that is an electric element is disposed. Further, the distal end surface of the distal end portion 11 is an illumination light source for illuminating a subject to be imaged by the objective optical system 21 and the image sensor 22, and is provided with an LED 23 that is an electrical component. A signal line 22 a extending from the image sensor 22 and a signal line 23 a serving as a power line extending from the LED 23 are gathered together in the middle and extended to the base end side as a signal cable 26.

In addition, an air supply / water supply nozzle for supplying water for cleaning the objective optical system 21 and supplying air for wiping off water droplets and the like attached to the objective optical system 21 on the distal end surface of the distal end portion 11. 24a is disposed. The air / water supply nozzle 24a is connected to an air / water supply tube 24, which is a fluid line, and the air / water supply tube 24 extends to the base end side.
Further, an opening 25a of a channel 25 which is a fluid system conduit used for suction or the like is exposed on the distal end surface of the distal end portion 11, and the channel 25 is extended to the proximal end side.

  Further, on the proximal end side of the distal end portion 11, a hard member for abutting the distal end side of the rotating cylinder 12, for example, an abutting portion 11 a which is a metal thrust receiving portion is provided. That is, as will be described later, the entire insertion portion 2 including the distal end portion 11 moves forward in the depth direction of the body cavity by abutting the distal end portion of the rotating cylindrical body 12 where the propulsive force is generated on the abutting portion 11a. A ground wire 11b, which is a ground wire, is connected to the base end of the abutting portion 11a, and the ground wire 11b extends to the base end side.

  In the present embodiment, the rotating cylinder 12 has excellent spring characteristics and improves rotation transmission, so that a metal strand is wound in a spiral shape, and a helical convex portion (or a helical concave portion, Furthermore, it is a member formed with a spiral-shaped portion that becomes a convex portion protruding so as to be continuously provided along the spiral.

  Specifically, the rotating cylinder 12 is a spiral tube that allows for insertion into a body cavity. For example, the rotating cylinder 12 is made of stainless steel and wound with a metal wire having a predetermined diameter in a single layer in a spiral shape with a predetermined flexibility. It was formed to have Further, the metal wire is not limited to one layer, and may be wound in multiple lines (for example, 2, 3, 4, etc.). Further, the rotating cylinder 12 can increase the degree of adhesion between the metal strands and variously set the spiral angle when winding the metal strands in a spiral shape.

  The rotary cylinder 12 is configured to be rotatable around an axis in the insertion direction. Then, when the rotating cylinder 12 rotates, the spiral-shaped portion on the outer peripheral surface comes into contact with the inner wall of the body cavity of the subject and thrust is generated, and the rotating cylinder 12 itself tends to advance in the insertion direction. At this time, the distal end portion of the rotating cylindrical body 12 abuts against the abutting portion 11a and presses the distal end portion 11 so that the entire insertion portion 2 including the distal end portion 11 advances toward a deep portion in the body cavity. Is granted.

  The rotating cylinder 12 has a base 12a at the tip. Between the base 12a and the abutting portion 11b, a first conductive spring 18a which is a contact portion described later is interposed.

  A flexible tube 27 made of non-metallic material such as synthetic resin is disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of the rotating cylinder 12. The tube 27 is configured such that the air / water supply tube 24, the channel 25, the signal cable 26, and the ground wire 11b are inserted into the inside to protect the tube 27, and on the outer peripheral surface side of the rotating cylinder 12 is provided. The rotation is not hindered. The tube 27 has a distal end portion connected to the base end of the abutting portion 11a, and a fixed tube 17 that is a rigid fixing portion is connected to the base end portion.

  The tube 27 is longer in the longitudinal direction than the rotating cylinder 12, and the air / water supply tube 24, the channel 25, and the signal cable 26 excluding the ground wire 11 b from the fixed tube 17 connected to the base end are extended. ing. The air / water supply tube 24, the channel 25, and the signal cable 26 inserted into the insertion section 2 are extended from the rotation drive section 3 (see FIG. 1) to the outside after being inserted through the rotation drive section 3. Is issued.

  An air / water connection 24b is provided at the end of the air / water supply tube 24, a suction connection 25b is provided at the end of the channel 25, and a signal connection 26b is provided at the end of the signal cable 26. These are connected to a connection part 31 (see FIG. 1) provided on the side surface of the operation part 4.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 1 again, the insertion portion 2 is connected to the rotation transmission portion 14 provided in the rotation driving portion 3, and is provided in the rotation driving portion 3 by this connection. The driving force of a motor, which will be described later, is transmitted to the rotating cylinder 12 so that the rotating cylinder 12 is rotated. As will be described later, the insertion portion 2 is detachably attached to the rotation transmitting portion 14 by screwing with the front retaining member 13.

  The operation unit 4 is provided with a grip portion 4a for gripping by hand, and further, an air / water supply button 4b for operating air / water supply via the air / water supply tube 24, and a channel 25. Various operation buttons such as a suction button 4c for operating the suction through the terminal are provided.

  In the universal cable 5 extended from the operation unit 4, an air / water supply conduit connected to the air / water supply tube 24, a suction conduit connected to the channel 25, or a signal line connected to the signal cable 26, An aluminum sheath for grounding is disposed.

The universal connector 6 provided on the distal end side of the universal cable 5 is used to process an image signal from the connection part to the air supply device, the connection part to the water supply tank, the connection part to the suction pump, and the image sensor 22. A connection portion to the connection terminal portion 10c of the patient monitor device 10 including a video processor is provided.
In the control cable 7 extending from the universal connector 6, a signal line to the rotation driving unit 3 and a signal line to the LED 23 arranged in the tip end part 11 are arranged.

  The control device 8 to which the control cable 7 is connected is for controlling a motor disposed in the rotation drive unit 3 or for controlling the light emission state of the LED 23. The volume dial is provided.

  The foot switch 9 is for controlling the motor of the rotation drive unit 3. However, the foot switch 9 may be used to control the light emission state of the LED 23.

  The patient monitor device 10 includes a monitor unit 10a that displays an endoscopic image, a display unit 10b that displays a waveform or numerical value of a patient's heart rate, blood pressure, and the like, and the connection terminal unit 10c described above. The electric current due to a short circuit of various electric devices of the traveling endoscope apparatus 1 can be grounded from the casing.

In the configuration as described above, portions other than the insertion portion 2, that is, the rotation drive portion 3, the operation portion 4, the universal cable 5, the universal connector 6, the control cable 7, the control device 8, and the foot switch 9 are: It constitutes a fluid supply device. Furthermore, the fluid supply device may include an air supply device, a water supply tank, a suction pump, and the like, or may include a patient monitor device 10 in addition. Therefore, the rotary self-propelled endoscope apparatus 1 includes at least a part of the fluid supply apparatus and the insertion portion 2.
In addition, a plurality of leg portions 15 that are used when the rotary drive unit 3 is placed are provided on the lower surface of the rotary drive unit 3.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the internal configuration of the rotation drive unit 3 in a state where the proximal end portion of the insertion unit 2 that is detachable is inserted will be described in detail. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of the rotation drive unit 3.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the rotation driving unit 3 has a case 3 a that forms an exterior. The case 3a is provided with two holes on the front and rear (the direction in which the insertion portion 2 extends is defined as the front) so that the insertion portion 2 can be inserted.

  In the hole on the front side of the case 3a, a substantially cylindrical front holder 33 having an outward flange formed in the middle is disposed. The front holder 33 is inserted into the hole until the outward flange comes into contact with the inner surface in the vicinity of the hole on the front side of the case 3a, and the portion protruding forward from the case 3a is screwed with the front holder retaining ring 35. Thus, it is fixed to the case 3a.

  A substantially cylindrical rear holder 34 having an outward flange formed at one end is disposed in the hole on the rear side of the case 3a. The rear holder 34 is inserted through the hole until the outward flange comes into contact with the inner surface near the hole on the rear side of the case 3a, and the portion protruding rearward from the case 3a is screwed with the rear holder retaining ring 36. It is fixed to the case 3a.

  Each of the holders 33 and 34 is formed with a total of three circumferential grooves, one at a position contacting the inner circumferential surface of each hole of the case 3a and two on the inner circumferential surface in the vicinity thereof. Waterproof O-rings 33a and 34a are disposed in the grooves.

  A rotating pipe 37 is inserted through each of the holders 33 and 34 so as to span the holders 33 and 34. The rotary pipe 37 is rotatably held by two bearings 39 provided on the frame 38 that fixes the front holder 33, and protrudes forward from the opening of the front holder 33. Further, a second conduction spring 18b, which is a contact portion described later, is interposed between the rotary pipe 37 and the front holder 33.

  A pipe-side pulley 41 is fixed by a fixing screw 41a in the middle of the rotating pipe 37 on the base end side (between the bearing 39 and the rear holder 34). The pipe-side pulley 41 is rotated via the pulley belt 42 by the rotation of the motor-side pulley 46 of the motor 45 provided on the frame 38. Thereby, the rotating pipe 37 to which the pipe-side pulley 41 is fixed is rotated with the rotation of the pipe-side pulley 41. Note that the inside of the case 3a of the rotation drive unit 3 is watertight from the outside by the O-rings 33a and 34a disposed on the inner peripheral surfaces of the holders 33 and 34, even when the rotary pipe 37 is rotated. Is retained.

  A fixed pipe 47 having a rear end 48 connected to the rear end is connected to the rotating pipe 37. The rear base 48 is formed with a hole through which the fixed tube 17 connected to the tube 27 of the insertion portion 2 is inserted in the central axis. Further, a screw 50 engaged with a notch 34b that forms a space formed in the rear holder 34 is screwed to the rear base 48 from the outer peripheral direction.

  The screw 50 is formed with a hole through which the screw 51 is inserted in the central axis. The screw 51 is screwed to the rear cap 48 and presses and fixes the fixed tube 17 inserted through the rear cap 48 at the end face. Further, a substantially annular rear slip-out preventing member 49 is screwed to the rear end portion of the rear holder 34 so as to cover the cut end of the notch 34b.

  Therefore, in the insertion portion 2 that passes through each bent portion in the body cavity, the rear base 48, the fixed tube 17 and the tube 27 are configured as described above, so that rotation about the axis is restricted and the axial direction Can be easily moved back and forth. That is, the screw 50 screwed to the rear cap 48 connects the front and rear of the rotation drive unit 3 in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction in the space formed by the notch 34b of the rear holder 34 and the rear removal prevention member 49. The rotation around the axial direction (that is, the insertion axis direction of the insertion portion 2) is restricted, and can be moved back and forth of the rotation drive portion 3.

  With such a configuration, the tube 27 is restricted from rotating around the axis without following the rotation of the rotating cylinder 12. As a result, the air / water supply tube 24, the channel 25, the signal cable 26, and the ground wire 11b inserted into the tube 27 are prevented from being damaged by twisting.

  Further, the air / water supply tube 24, the channel 25, and the signal cable 26, for example, when the tube 27 moves back and forth in the insertion axis direction with respect to the rotating cylinder 12 according to the curved state of the insertion portion 2. Generation of an unreasonable load such as traction and relaxation that occurs is prevented.

  In the rotating pipe 37, the rotation transmitting portion 14 is fixed to a portion protruding forward by a screw 14b. Thereby, the rotation transmission part 14 rotates with the rotating pipe 37. The rotation transmission portion 14 is formed with an engagement groove 14a extending in the axial direction from the front end portion.

  The rotation transmission part 14 is engaged with the front cap 16 of the insertion part 2, and the insertion part 2 is connected by screwing the front retaining member 13. At this time, the engaging convex portion 16 a formed on the front cap 16 engages with the engaging groove 14 a of the rotation transmitting portion 14. Thereby, the rotational force of the rotary pipe 37 is reliably transmitted to the insertion part 2 via the rotation transmission part 14.

Specifically, the engaging convex portion 16a of the front cap 16 has a side surface with respect to the axial direction in contact with a side surface with respect to the axial direction of the engaging groove 14a of the rotation transmitting portion 14. Therefore, the front cap 16 is restricted from rotating in the axial direction with respect to the rotation transmitting portion 14.
Therefore, the rotational force of the rotation transmission unit 14 is reliably transmitted to the front cap 16. As a result, the rotational force of the rotation transmission unit 14 is reliably transmitted to the rotary cylinder 12 of the insertion unit 2 via the front cap 16.

  Further, the fixed pipe 47 whose rotation is restricted has a tip portion protruding forward to the rotation transmitting portion 14, and a sliding ring 47a is disposed on the tip surface. The sliding ring 47a is a member for reducing frictional resistance due to contact with the base end surface of the front cap 16 on which the distal end surface of the fixed pipe 47 rotates.

  In addition, although not shown in figure, the protective device grounding part (casing | grounding earth) is arrange | positioned at the rotational drive part 3 of this Embodiment. In addition, the ground wire 11 b inserted through the tube 27 of the insertion portion 2 is electrically connected to the fixed tube 17. The ground wire 11b is connected to the housing ground (not shown) via the fixed tube 17, the rear cap 48, the rear holder 34, the case 3a, and the like in a state where the insertion portion 2 is assembled to the rotation driving portion 3. And electrically connected.

  In addition, the rotating cylinder 12 is electrically connected to the metallic front cap 16, the rotation transmitting portion 14, and the rotating pipe 37 at the base end, and the second conductive spring 18 b, the front holder 33, the case, as will be described later. It is electrically connected to the above-mentioned housing ground (not shown) via 3a or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the housing ground of the rotation drive unit 3 is connected to the patient monitor device 10 via an aluminum sheath 5a disposed on the universal cable 5 and a universal connector 6 connected to the aluminum sheath 5a. An electric circuit 10A that supplies driving power to the image pickup element 22 and the LED 23 of the distal end portion 11 provided inside is electrically connected and grounded to the outside.

  That is, the distal end portion 11, the rotation driving unit 3, the universal cable 5, and the electric circuit 10 </ b> A are electrically connected and have the same potential. This potential is grounded via the housing of the patient monitor device 10.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the housing ground of the rotation drive unit 3 is grounded to the outside directly through the housing of the patient monitor device 10 without passing through the electric circuit 10 </ b> A of the patient monitor device 10. It may be configured. In this state, the distal end portion 11, the rotation drive portion 3, the universal cable 5, and the housing of the patient monitor device 10 are at the same potential and are grounded. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical connection state of each part of the rotary self-propelled endoscope 1, and FIG. 6 is an electrical diagram of each part of the rotary self-propelled endoscope 1 showing a modification of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows a proper connection state.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 7 to FIG. 9, the first conduction spring provided in the abutting portion 11 a of the tip end portion 11 and the second conduction spring provided in the fixed pipe in the rotation drive unit 3 will be described in detail. To do. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the insertion section 2 cut along the line VV in FIG. 2, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of the rotary drive section 3 cut along the line VI-VI in FIG. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the first and second contact portions.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the abutting portion 11a of the distal end portion 11 includes a plurality of first contact springs 18a on the outer peripheral surface of the base end portion, which are contact portions in the present embodiment, at substantially equal intervals. It is welded. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, at the position where the rotary pipe 37 wraps with the front holder 33, there are a plurality of outer peripheral surfaces of that portion, and in the present embodiment, three second conductive springs 18 b that are contact portions. Welded at approximately equal intervals.

  The conduction springs 18a and 18b are formed of a metal plate or the like, and are abutting portions 11b or a welded portion 18A welded to the rotating pipe 37, a base 12a disposed at the tip of the rotating cylinder 12, or a front holder. 33 is a leaf spring member having a circular arc portion 18B which is a pressing portion whose cross section is formed in a substantially semicircular shape so as to contact 33.

  The arc portion 18B is set so as to always contact the inner peripheral surface of the base 12a or the front holder 33 between the abutting portion 11b or the rotary pipe 37 and the base 12a or the front holder 33. Specifically, the conductive springs 18a and 18b are large so that the arc portion 18B is elastically deformed more than the gap in the gap formed by the abutting portion 11b or the rotating pipe 37 and the base 12a or the front holder 33. A substantially semicircular shape is set, and the base 12 a or the inner peripheral surface of the front holder 33 is always pressed and contacted.

  Accordingly, at the distal end portion of the insertion portion 2, the abutting portion 11a of the distal end portion 11 and the rotary cylinder 12 are electrically connected via the base 12a and the first conductive spring 18a (see FIG. 2). Therefore, even if static electricity is generated due to the friction between the rotating cylinder 12 and the body cavity wall and the tube 27 of the insertion portion 2 due to the rotation, the rotating cylinder 12 abuts via the base 12a and the first conductive spring 18a without being charged. Static electricity flows through the portion 11a. And then. This static electricity travels through the ground wire 11b connected to the abutting portion 11a and is dropped to the housing ground in the rotation driving unit 3. Since the ground wire 11b is connected to the fixed tube 17 (see FIG. 3) as described above, static electricity is dropped to the housing ground via the rear cap 48, the rear holder 34, the case 3a, and the like. .

  In addition, in the rotation drive unit 3, the rotary pipe 37 and the front holder 33 are electrically connected via the second conductive spring 18b. Therefore, even if static electricity is generated as described above, the rotating cylinder 12 is not charged and is attached to the front holder 33 via the front cap 16, the rotation transmitting portion 14, the rotating pipe 37, and the second conductive spring 18a. Static electricity flows. And then. This static electricity is dropped from the front holder 33 to the casing ground in the rotation drive unit 3 through the case 3a and the like.

  As described above, the static electricity dropped on the housing ground of the rotary drive unit 3 is transmitted to the patient via the aluminum sheath 5a of the universal cable 5 and the universal connector 6 as shown in FIG. The monitor device 10 is grounded to the outside. That is, the rotating cylinder 12 is maintained in an electrically connected state with the abutting portion 11 a of the tip end portion 11 and the rotating pipe 37 of the rotation driving unit 3. Then, the static electricity generated in the rotating cylinder 12 is dropped to the housing ground of the rotation driving unit 3 by the conduction springs 18a and 18b via the abutting portion 11a and the ground wire 11b or the rotating pipe 37, and universal. Via the aluminum sheath 5 a of the cable 5 and the universal connector 6, the patient monitor device 10 is grounded to the outside.

  As a result, the rotary self-propelled endoscope apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which, even if static electricity is generated in the rotating cylinder 12, the static electricity is prevented from being charged in the rotating cylinder 12. . Therefore, the rotating cylinder 12 is prevented from losing its rotational performance without adsorbing dust or the like in the treatment room. In addition, the rotating self-propelled endoscope device 1 discharges static electricity from the rotating cylinder 12 to the distal end portion 11 to give electrical interference to the imaging device 22 and the LED 23 which are electrical devices in the distal end portion 11. In particular, it is possible to prevent noise from being generated in the endoscopic image due to static electricity.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, the same components as those of the rotary self-propelled endoscope device 1 already described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. Only the effect will be described.
10 is a cross-sectional view showing the distal end portion of the insertion portion 2, FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a middle portion of the front holder in the rotation drive portion, and FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the first and second conductive rollers.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the rotary self-propelled endoscope apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is replaced with a contact portion instead of the first and second conduction springs 18a and 18b of the first embodiment. The first and second conductive rollers 19a and 19b are the roller members.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the first and second conductive rollers 19a and 19b are formed of a welded portion 19A in which a metal wire is formed in a substantially U shape, and a metallic rotatable member through which the welded portion 19A is inserted. And a roller body 19B. The welded portion 19A is welded to the abutting portion 11b or the rotating pipe 37. In this state, the first and second conductive rollers 19a and 19b are configured such that the roller body 19B always contacts the base 12a or the inner peripheral surface of the front holder 33. Therefore, even if the rotating pipe 37 and the rotating cylinder 12 rotate, the roller body 19B contacts the base 12a or the inner peripheral surface of the front holder 33 while rotating.

  As a result, the rotary self-propelled endoscope device 1 according to the present embodiment is provided with the first and second conductive rollers 19a and 19b in addition to the effects of the first embodiment. It can be set as the structure which can rotate the rotation cylinder 12 smoothly.

  The rotary self-propelled endoscope device 1 in the first and second embodiments includes the second conductive spring 18b or the second conductive roller 19b which is a contact portion provided in the rotation driving unit 3. Instead of providing, the bearing 39 for rotating and holding the rotary pipe 37 may be made of metal so that the housing ground and the rotary cylinder 12 are electrically connected to each other.

  In addition, when the rotating cylinder 12 is formed of a non-conductive material, it is preferable to employ a conductive member as a part thereof in order to prevent electrostatic charging. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the rotating cylinder 12 of the insertion portion 2 has a spiral-shaped portion formed on the outer periphery, and the convex portion 12 b made of a metal member is spirally wound at a predetermined interval. The projection 12b has a distal end electrically connected to the base 12a and a proximal end electrically connected to the front base 16 (not shown in FIG. 13).

  Thereby, the static electricity generated by the friction between the rotating cylinder 12 and the body cavity wall and the tube 27 of the insertion portion 2 is not charged to the rotating cylinder 12, but travels along the convex portion 12 b to the base 12 a and the front base 16. , And flows to and grounded through the respective conductive springs 18a, 18b, the respective conductive rollers 19a19b, or the respective bearings 39 to the respective members that are conductive to the casing ground of the rotary drive unit 3.

  Further, for example, at the distal end portion of the insertion portion 2, as shown in FIG. 14, a conductive substance 20 such as grease is applied between the base 12a and the abutting portion 11a of the rotating cylinder 12 and rotated. You may maintain the conduction | electrical_connection of the cylinder 12 and the abutting part 11a. The conductive material 20 may be applied to the outer peripheral surface of the rotary pipe 37 in the rotary drive unit 3 so that the rotary cylinder 12 can maintain continuity to the housing ground.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and applications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims (5)

A long insertion portion having a tip portion provided with an electric element and an electric component and connected to a ground wire;
A tubular thrust generating means that forms an outer surface of the insertion portion, at least the outer surface is formed of a conductive member, and is rotatable about an axis with respect to the insertion portion;
A first contact portion that is disposed at a proximal end portion of the distal end portion and is made of a conductive member that electrically connects the distal end portion and the propulsive force generating means;
Rotation force generating means connected to the insertion portion, incorporating various electric devices and housing ground, and rotating the propulsive force generating means;
A second contact portion that is disposed in the rotating power generating means and is made of a conductive member that electrically connects the rotating power generating means and the propulsive force generating means;
A rotary self-propelled endoscope apparatus comprising:   2. The self-propelled rotary type according to claim 1, wherein the first contact portion and the second contact portion are metal leaf spring members that are in contact with the thrust generation means while sliding. Endoscopic device.   3. The rotating body according to claim 2, wherein the leaf spring member has a pressing portion that presses the propulsive force generating means so as to maintain electrical continuity with the propulsive force generating means. Traveling endoscope device.   2. The rotating body according to claim 1, wherein the first contact portion and the second contact portion are metal roller members that are in contact with each other while rotating in accordance with the rotation of the thrust generation means. Traveling endoscope device. The rotating power generating means has a rotating pipe to which a rotational force from the electric device is applied, and a bearing for rotating and holding the rotating pipe,
2. The rotary self-propelled endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the bearing serves as the second contact portion to electrically connect the rotational force generating means and the propulsive force generating means. apparatus.

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