JP4885460B2 - Centering device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a centering device that regulates radial movement of an insertion portion of an endoscope within a lumen.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, endoscopes have been widely used as inspection means when non-destructively inspecting scratches on the inner surfaces of lumens such as gas pipes and water pipes and welded states of connecting portions.
When measuring the inner surface of the lumen with an endoscope, the distance between the observation surface on the inner surface of the lumen and the insertion portion of the endoscope must not change significantly regardless of the rotational position of the insertion portion. is there. Therefore, various centering devices having a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the insertion portion corresponding to the lumen diameter have been proposed in order to position the radial position of the insertion portion in the lumen (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). reference.).

However, since the conventional centering device is screwed to the endoscope, the material is considered to be a rigid body. Therefore, for example, when the tube itself is curved like a L-shaped tube, it is difficult to insert the insertion portion with the centering device attached.
Further, since the small diameter portion and the large diameter portion are separated, the structure becomes complicated.
Furthermore, since the diameter of the large-diameter portion is constant, it is necessary to prepare a tube that matches the diameter of the tube to be inserted.
Japanese Patent No. 317413 (FIGS. 7 and 8) Utility Model Registration No. 2503900 (FIGS. 4 and 9)

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a centering device that can easily cope with changes in the curved state and inner diameter of a lumen with a simple structure.

The present invention employs the following means in order to solve the above problems.
A centering device according to the present invention is a centering device that regulates radial movement of an insertion portion of an endoscope within a lumen, and is formed integrally with a through-hole that passes through the insertion portion. A distal end fixing portion for positioning the distal end position with respect to the portion; and a proximal end side with respect to the distal end fixing portion; when the insertion portion is inserted through the through hole , the distal end fixing portion is moved forward and backward in the axial direction. At least one possible moving part, and at least one between the moving part and the tip fixing part, and has a certain opening diameter in advance, and the diameter with respect to the through hole is enlarged or reduced depending on the position of the moving part with respect to the insertion part A diameter-changing portion , a second moving portion that is disposed on a proximal end side with respect to the moving portion, and is capable of moving forward and backward in the axial direction with respect to the diameter-changing portion when the insertion portion is inserted through the through hole, At least one between the second moving unit and the moving unit. The second variation in which the diameter with respect to the through-hole is expanded and contracted according to the position of the second moving portion with respect to the insertion portion without being directly connected to the operation portion of the endoscope. And a diameter portion .
In this centering device, the diameter of the diameter-changing portion is changed to a diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the lumen by moving the moving portion forward and backward in the axial direction with respect to the distal end fixing portion.

  Moreover, the centering device according to the present invention is the centering device, wherein a plurality of expansion / contraction slits extending in the axial direction are arranged in the diameter change portion, and a band-shaped portion is formed between the expansion / contraction slits. It is characterized by that.

  In this centering device, when the moving part moves forward and backward in the axial direction with respect to the tip fixing part, the slit width is expanded and contracted, and the central part of the band-shaped part formed between the expanding and contracting slits is curved in the radial direction. Therefore, the outer diameter of the variable diameter portion can be changed depending on the degree of curvature of the belt-shaped portion, and the diameter can be adjusted to a desired lumen.

  The centering device according to the present invention is the centering device, wherein the slit lengths of the plurality of expansion / contraction slits are the same, and the slit intervals in the circumferential direction are the same. .

  This centering device can equalize the width and length of the belt-like portion. Therefore, the belt-like portion can be evenly curved with respect to the through hole, and the variable diameter portion can be expanded in a circular shape with respect to the through hole.

Moreover, the centering device according to the present invention is the centering device, characterized in that each end corner of each of the plurality of expansion / contraction slits is formed in a curved shape.
This centering device can relieve stress concentration at both ends of the expansion / contraction slit even when the deformation of the expansion / contraction slit accompanying the bending of the belt-shaped portion is repeated for a long time, and maintains the shape of the expansion / contraction slit for a long time. The deformation of the part can be suppressed.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to cope with various lumen diameters with a simple structure and a single centering device.

A reference example according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The centering device 1 according to this reference example is a centering device that regulates the radial movement of the insertion portion 3 of the endoscope 2 in the lumen, and is inserted through the insertion portion 3 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. A distal end fixing portion 6 that is integrally formed with a through-hole 5 that positions the distal end position with respect to the insertion portion 3, and is disposed on a proximal end side with respect to the distal end fixing portion 6. It is arranged between the moving part 7 that can advance and retreat in the axial direction, the base end fixing part 8 that positions the base end position with respect to the insertion part 3, and the movement part 7 and the tip fixing part 6. The first diameter-changing part (diameter-changing part) 10 whose diameter with respect to the through-hole 5 expands / contracts depending on the position of the part 7 is arranged between the moving part 7 and the base end fixing part 8, and is the same as the first diameter-changing part 10 A second diameter-changing portion (diameter-changing portion) 11 having the structure described above.

The centering device 1 is configured by a flexible member such as resin except for the distal end fixing portion 6 and the proximal end fixing portion 8.
The distal end fixing portion 6 is formed in a tubular shape and is arranged on the distal end side. On the inner surface of the distal end fixing portion 6, as shown in FIG. 3, the external thread portion 12 formed on the outer peripheral surface 3 </ b> A of the insertion portion 3. And a female screw portion 13 that can be screwed together. In order to make it difficult for the female thread portion 13 to fall off from the insertion portion 3, the female thread portion 13 has a double screw structure that is divided into two portions in the axial direction.

The proximal end fixing portion 8 is provided with a plurality of fixing slits 15 extending in the axial direction and a retaining ring 16 for fastening and fixing to the insertion portion 3. Here, the end corner 15A of the fixing slit 15 is formed in a curved surface.
The moving part 7 is arranged at a substantially central part in the axial direction so that the axial lengths of the first diameter changing part 10 and the second diameter changing part 11 are substantially bisected with respect to the centering device 1.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the first diameter changing portion 10 and the second diameter changing portion 11 are provided with eight expansion / contraction slits 17 extending in the axial direction. Two strips 18 are formed respectively. Each expansion / contraction slit 17 is arranged on the common axis line of the first variable diameter part 10 and the second variable diameter part 11. Here, the end corners 15A at both ends of the expansion / contraction slit 17 are formed in a curved surface shape.

  The slit lengths of the expansion / contraction slits 17 are the same, and the circumferential intervals of the slits are also the same. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4B, the distal end fixing portion 6 and the moving portion 7 are moved by moving the proximal end fixing portion 8 in the direction of the distal end fixing portion 6 while the position of the distal end fixing portion 6 is fixed. And while the moving part 7 and the base end fixing part 8 approach each other, each band-like part 18 is loaded with an axial compressive force and curved outward in the radial direction of the through hole 5 to expand. A diameter-changing portion 10 and a second diameter-changing portion 11 are formed.

Next, a method of using the centering device 1 according to this reference example , and actions and effects will be described.
First, the first diameter changing portion 10 and the second diameter changing portion 11 of the centering device 1 are enlarged and created with respect to the resin hollow circular tube provided with the expansion / contraction slit 17 and the fixing slit 15.
That is, the base end fixing portion 8 is moved to the tip fixing portion 6 side with the tip fixing portion 6 fixed. At this time, since the entire centering device 1 is integrally formed, the moving unit 7 also moves in the axial direction as the proximal end fixing unit 8 moves.

  At this time, the first compressive portion 10 and the second deformed portion 11 are bent so that the compressive force in the axial direction of each band-like portion 18 changes and expands radially outward. Then, the proximal end fixing portion 8 is moved until a predetermined diameter corresponding to a lumen inner diameter (not shown) into which the insertion portion 3 is inserted, and the outer diameters of the first diameter changing portion 10 and the second diameter changing portion 11 are adjusted. To do.

Next, the insertion portion 3 of the endoscope 2 is inserted through the through hole 5 of the centering device 1, and the centering device 1 is moved to the vicinity of the distal end of the insertion portion 3. Then, the male screw portion 12 of the insertion portion 3 and the female screw portion 13 of the tip fixing portion 6 are screwed together to fix the tip of the centering device 1 to the insertion portion 3.
As shown in FIG. 5, after adjusting again to have a predetermined outer diameter, the retaining ring 16 is tightened so as to crush the fixing slit 15, and the proximal end fixing portion 8 is fixed to the insertion portion 3.

In this state, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the insertion portion 3 is inserted into a lumen that changes from a small lumen 20 having a small inner diameter to a large lumen 21 having a large inner diameter.
At this time, the band-shaped portions 18 of the first diameter-changing portion 10 and the second diameter-changing portion 11 are pressed radially inward from the inner wall of the small lumen 20, while the distal end fixing portion 6 and the proximal end fixing portion 8 Are fixed to the insertion portions 3, respectively, so that when the first diameter-changing portion 10 moves from the small lumen 20 into the large lumen 21, the pressing force applied to the first diameter-changing portion 10 is relaxed and moved. The part 7 moves to the tip side and the first diameter-changing part 10 is expanded.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, when the insertion portion 3 is inserted into a lumen that changes from a large lumen 21 having a large inner diameter to a small lumen 20 having a small inner diameter, the first diameter-changing portion 10 is changed to the large lumen 21. Contrary to the above, the pressing force to the first diameter-changing portion 10 increases, and the moving portion 7 moves to the proximal end side, and the first diameter-changing portion 10 is moved. Reduce diameter.

Thus, even when the lumen diameter changes, the inside of the lumen can be inserted while the insertion portion 3 is held near the central axis C of the entire lumen.
Further, when inserting into the L-shaped lumen, the centering device 1 is made of a flexible member and the moving part 7 can advance and retract in the axial direction. The entire centering device 1 can be curved without greatly changing the expanded diameter of the portion 11.

  According to the centering device 1, the moving portion 7 moves forward and backward in the axial direction with respect to the distal end fixing portion 6, whereby the diameters of the first diameter-changing portion 10 and the second diameter-changing portion 11 are changed. The diameter can correspond to.

  At this time, the slit width of the expansion / contraction slit 17 expands / contracts according to the amount of movement of the base end fixing portion 8 in the axial direction, and the central portion of the band-shaped portion 18 formed between the expansion / contraction slits 17 extends radially outward. Bend. Therefore, the outer diameters of the first diameter-changing portion 10 and the second diameter-changing portion 11 can be changed depending on the degree of curvature of the belt-shaped portion 18, and the diameter can be adjusted to a desired lumen.

In addition, the width and length of the belt-like portion 18 can be made uniform, the belt-like portion 18 can be evenly curved with respect to the through hole, and the first variable diameter portion 10 and the second variable diameter portion 10 can be curved with respect to the through hole. When the diameter change part 11 is seen from an axial direction, it can be expanded circularly.
Furthermore, since both end corners 18A of the expansion / contraction slit 17 are curved, even if the deformation of the expansion / contraction slit 17 accompanying the curvature of the belt-like portion 18 is repeated for a long time, both end corners 18A of the expansion / contraction slit 17 are provided. The stress concentration can be relaxed, and the shape of the slit 17 for expansion / contraction can be maintained for a long time, and the deformation of the belt-like portion 18 can be suppressed.

  Further, after the moving portion 7 is moved in the axial direction so that the diameters of the first diameter changing portion 10 and the second diameter changing portion 11 are set to predetermined sizes, the base end portion is positioned by the base end fixing portion 8. Thus, the diameters of the first diameter-changing portion 10 and the second diameter-changing portion 11 can be maintained within a predetermined range.

  At this time, the base end fixing portion 8 can be easily deformed by adjusting the interval between the fixing slits 15, and positioning with respect to the insertion portion 3 can be performed more easily. Similarly to the expansion / contraction slit 17, the end corner 15A of the fixing slit 15 has a curved surface, so that the stress concentration at the end corner 15A of the fixing slit 15 can be reduced, and the fixing slit 15 The deformation of the proximal end fixing portion 8 can be suppressed by maintaining the shape of 15 for a long time.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described reference example , and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, in the above reference example, it is made from a resin-made circular tube member, but it may be made from a seed-like resin.

(Embodiment)
Further, by moving the proximal end fixing portion 8 in the axial direction with respect to the distal end fixing portion 6, the moving portion 7 also moves in the axial direction to change the diameters of the first diameter changing portion 10 and the second diameter changing portion 11. However, for example, the centering device is constituted by a flexible shape memory alloy or the like, and the first diameter changing portion and the second diameter changing portion are made movable in the axial direction without fixing the proximal end fixing portion to the insertion portion. The belt-shaped portion may be curved in advance so as to be formed with a certain spread diameter.

  When this centering device is attached to the insertion portion and inserted into a lumen whose lumen inner diameter changes, not only the moving portion but also the proximal end side is loaded on the first diameter changing portion and the second diameter changing portion in the radial direction. The outer diameter of the first diameter-changing portion and the second diameter-changing portion is changed by moving in the axial direction due to the change of the inner pressing force. Therefore, the insertion portion can be held as described above.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8, a centering device 26 having only one diameter changing portion 25 may be used. In this case, since the base end side is the moving portion 27, the same operation and effect as described above can be achieved.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, a third diameter-changing portion (diameter-changing portion) having a configuration similar to that of the first diameter-changing portion 10 and the second diameter-changing portion 11 on the proximal end side with respect to the second diameter-changing portion 11. The centering device 31 may include 30).
In this case, the first diameter changing portion 10 is arranged between the tip fixing portion 6 and the first moving portion (moving portion) 32, and the second diameter changing portion 11 is arranged between the first moving portion 32 and the second moving portion (moving portion). Part) 33, and the third diameter-changing part 30 is arranged between the second moving part 33 and the base end fixing part 8.

According to the centering device 31, the same operation and effect as in the above-described reference example can be achieved. However, since the third diameter-changing portion 30 is provided, the first movement is performed even in an L-shaped lumen. The centering device 31 as a whole can be curved not only by the part 32 but also by the second moving part 33, and the centering device 31 can be deformed more flexibly.

It is a perspective view showing an endoscope provided with a centering device according to a reference example of the present invention. It is (a) front view, (b) center axis direction tip view, and (c) perspective view showing a centering device according to a reference example of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing containing the partial cross section which shows the state which mounted | wore the insertion part of the endoscope with the centering device which concerns on one reference example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the creation state of the centering device which concerns on one reference example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which adjusts the diameter of the diameter change part of the centering device which concerns on one reference example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the use condition of the centering device which concerns on one reference example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the use condition of the centering device which concerns on one reference example of this invention. It is a front view which shows the centering device which concerns on the other reference example of this invention. It is a front view which shows the centering device which concerns on the other reference example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1, 26, 31 Centering device 2 Endoscope 3 Insertion part 5 Through hole 6 Tip fixing part 7, 27 Moving part 8 Base end fixing part 10 First diameter changing part (diameter changing part)
11 Second diameter change part (diameter change part)
15 Fixing slit 17 Enlarging / reducing slit 18 Strip portion 25 Diameter change portion 30 Third diameter change portion (change diameter portion)
32 First moving part (moving part)
33 Second moving part (moving part)

Claims (4)

A centering device that regulates radial movement of an insertion portion of an endoscope within a lumen,
It is formed integrally with a through-hole that passes through the insertion portion,
A tip fixing portion for positioning a tip position with respect to the insertion portion;
A moving part that is arranged on the base end side of the distal end fixing part and is movable forward and backward in the axial direction with respect to the distal end fixing part when the insertion part is inserted through the through hole ;
A diameter-changing portion that is arranged between the moving portion and the tip fixing portion, has a predetermined expanded diameter, and has a diameter that expands or contracts with respect to the through hole depending on the position of the moving portion with respect to the insertion portion ,
A second moving part that is arranged on the proximal end side relative to the moving part and is capable of moving back and forth in the axial direction with respect to the variable diameter part when the insertion part is inserted through the through hole;
At least one is arranged between the second moving unit and the moving unit, and has a predetermined spread diameter in advance without being directly connected to the operation unit of the endoscope, and the second with respect to the insertion unit. A second diameter-changing portion in which a diameter with respect to the through hole is enlarged or reduced depending on a position of the moving portion;
A centering device comprising:   2. The centering device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of expansion / contraction slits extending in the axial direction are arranged in the variable diameter portion, and a band-shaped portion is formed between the expansion / contraction slits. Each slit length of the plurality of expansion / contraction slits is the same,
The centering device according to claim 2, wherein the intervals between the slits in the circumferential direction are the same.   4. The centering device according to claim 2, wherein corners at both ends of the plurality of slits for expansion / contraction are formed in a curved shape.

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