JP4891560B2 - Endoscope insertion part and endoscope system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope insertion section and an endoscope system, and more particularly to an endoscope insertion section and an endoscope system for introducing an endoscope insertion section into a body cavity.

Conventionally, endoscopes have been widely used for medical purposes. The endoscope is capable of observing the affected part in the body cavity by inserting the endoscope insertion part into the body cavity, or performing a treatment treatment by inserting a treatment tool into the forceps channel as necessary. .
In general, in an endoscope insertion portion, a bending portion is provided on the distal end side. The bending portion is composed of a plurality of bending pieces. The bending portion performs a bending operation in, for example, the up / down direction and the left / right direction by pulling the operation wire connected to the bending piece. The operation wire can be pulled by the operator turning, for example, a bending knob provided in the operation unit.

  When the operator inserts the endoscope insertion portion into a complicated body cavity, for example, a lumen drawing a loop of 360 ° such as the large intestine, the operator operates the bending knob to bend the bending portion. Then, while twisting the insertion portion, the distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion is inserted toward the observation target site. However, the above-described endoscope operation requires skill until the insertion portion can be smoothly inserted into a deep portion of the large intestine that is complicated and complicated in a short time.

For an inexperienced operator, when inserting the endoscope insertion part to the deep part, there is a risk of losing sight of the insertion direction and taking a lot of time or greatly changing the running state of the intestines. For this reason, conventionally, various proposals for improving the insertability of the endoscope insertion portion have been made. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-113396 discloses a medical device propulsion device that can guide a medical device easily and less invasively to a deep portion of a living body tube. In this propulsion device, the rotating member is provided with oblique ribs as a propulsive force generating portion with respect to the axial direction of the rotating member. For this reason, in the propulsion device described in the above publication, the rotation force of the rotation member is converted into the propulsion force by the rib by rotating the rotation member, and the medical device connected to the propulsion device is deepened by the propulsion force. Moved in the direction. Thus, the propulsion device described in the above publication is minimally invasive and can insert a medical device into a body cavity without placing a physical burden on the patient.
JP-A-10-113396

  However, the medical device propulsion device described in JP-A-10-113396 cannot be inserted into a bending body cavity such as the large intestine while observing the inside of the large intestine. Therefore, in the medical device propulsion device described in the above publication, for example, when the medical device reaches each bent portion of the large intestine, the rotating member comes into contact with the bent portion of the large intestine and the medical device is inserted into the large intestine. May become difficult.

  In this case, the surgeon may be delayed in determining how to deal with it. Further, for example, the operator may continue to rotate the rotating member of the medical device even though the distal end portion of the medical device reaches the vicinity of the cecum. In addition, after inserting the medical device into a body cavity such as the large intestine, the operator may perform an insertion operation of inserting the endoscope insertion portion into the large intestine along the medical device, which is troublesome twice. It is complicated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and can easily insert an endoscope insertion portion into a body cavity such as the large intestine, and without causing pain to the patient, the endoscope insertion portion can be inserted into the body cavity. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope insertion portion and an endoscope system that can improve insertability.

The endoscope insertion section according to one aspect of the present invention includes an insertion section that can be inserted into a subject, and a strand that has a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction of the insertion section on the outer peripheral surface side of the insertion section. Each spirally shaped portion comes into contact with the body cavity wall by rotating around the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion. A propulsive force generating portion that generates a propulsive force in the insertion portion; and a propulsive force generated by the propulsive force generation portion provided on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion so as to have a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion. a propulsion force reduction means for reducing the a front Symbol thrust generating unit, the propulsive force reduction means, of the insertion portion as being arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction, respectively provided by the plurality of the insertion portion A guide tube that rotates about a longitudinal axis .
An endoscope insertion portion according to another aspect of the present invention is provided on an outer peripheral surface side of the insertion portion that can be inserted into a subject and the insertion portion, and has a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion. A spiral-shaped portion is formed on the surface by winding the strands in a spiral shape so as to have, and the spiral shape that contacts the body cavity wall by rotating around the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion And a propulsive force generating unit that generates propulsive force on the insertion unit by a portion, and the propulsive force generating unit configures the spiral-shaped unit at predetermined intervals toward the proximal end side of the insertion unit. The strands are flattened, the pitch width of the spiral is widened toward the proximal end side of the insertion portion, and the propulsive force of the insertion portion is easily obtained on the distal end side and decreases on the proximal end side. I did it.
Furthermore, an endoscope insertion portion according to another aspect of the present invention is provided on an outer peripheral surface side of the insertion portion that can be inserted into a subject and the insertion portion, and has a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion. A spiral-shaped portion is formed on the surface by winding the strands in a spiral shape so as to have, and the spiral shape that contacts the body cavity wall by rotating around the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion And a propulsive force generating unit that generates propulsive force on the insertion unit by a portion, and the propulsive force generating unit configures the spiral-shaped unit at predetermined intervals toward the proximal end side of the insertion unit. The strand diameter of the strand is narrow and the depth of the spiral groove decreases toward the proximal end side of the insertion portion so that the propulsive force of the insertion portion can be easily obtained on the distal end side. It was made to fall at the end side.
Also, the endoscope system according to the present invention is configured such that any one of the endoscope insertion portions and the guide tube or the propulsion force generation portion of the endoscope insertion portion are arranged in a predetermined direction around the longitudinal direction. And a rotating device for rotating.

  According to the present invention, an endoscope insertion part can be easily inserted into a body cavity such as the large intestine, and the insertion property of the endoscope insertion part into the body cavity is improved without causing pain to the patient. An insertion portion and an endoscope system can be provided.

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

  1 to 11 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an endoscope system of the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an endoscope insertion portion and an endoscope rotating device (FIG. 1). FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of the endoscope insertion portion of FIG. 2 cut in the longitudinal direction, and FIG. 4 is an external view of the guide tube of FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing the structure of the guide tube of FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of an endoscope insertion portion inserted into the large intestine, and FIG. 7 is an illustration in which the endoscope insertion portion draws an α loop in the sigmoid colon portion. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of an endoscope insertion portion inserted in the deep part of the large intestine, FIG. 9 is an external view of a guide tube showing a modification of FIG. 4, and FIG. 10 is a covering tape as a covering means. And FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing the structural properties of the helically shaped portion.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope system 1 includes an elongated endoscope insertion portion 2 and a rotation device 6 for rotating the endoscope insertion portion 2 in a predetermined direction around the longitudinal axis. A protective tube 10 that holds the rotation of the endoscope insertion portion 2, a video processor 7 connected by the rotation device 6 and the cable 6a, and a monitor 8 that displays a captured image by the endoscope insertion portion 2. It is configured.

  The video processor 7 has a signal processing circuit. The video processor 7 generates a video signal that generates an electrical signal that is photoelectrically converted by the imaging device and transmitted, along with a drive signal for driving an imaging device 16 (described later) built in the endoscope insertion unit 2. The data is output to the monitor 8. An endoscopic image is displayed on the screen of the monitor 8 in response to the video signal output from the video processor 7.

  The endoscope insertion portion 2 includes a guide tube 3 that is a propulsive force generating portion as an insertion portion guide portion between an endoscope distal end portion (hereinafter, abbreviated as a distal end portion) 5a and the connector portion 4. The protective tube 10 for preventing touching the floor in the operating room is inserted in a loose fit state. This prevents the endoscope insertion portion 2 from coming into direct contact with the floor or the like. The connector portion 4 of the endoscope insertion portion 2 is connected to an insertion portion holding portion 9 that is a substantially cylindrical body that protrudes from one side surface of the rotating device 6.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the distal end portion 5a of the endoscope insertion portion 2 has a camera unit storage portion 5A that is a substantially cylindrical hole portion. The camera unit storage unit 5A stores the camera unit 11 and is fastened. The camera unit 11 includes an observation optical system and an illumination optical system as an imaging unit.

  Further, the insertion portion holding portion 9 of the rotating device 6 has a substantially cylindrical convex portion 15 protruding from the distal end surface and a plurality of pins 14 (two in the figure). The insertion portion holding portion 9 is connected to the endoscope insertion portion 2 by fitting the pin 14 and the convex portion 15 with the connector portion 4 of the endoscope insertion portion 2. The camera unit 11 has an observation window 12 in the approximate center of the distal end surface and an illumination window 13 in the vicinity of the observation window 12, and an electric cable 11a is inserted into the endoscope insertion portion 2 from the proximal end side. Yes.

Next, the endoscope insertion portion 2 and the rotation device 6 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the camera unit 11 fixed to the distal end portion 5a includes an observation optical system 12a disposed behind the observation window 12, and an imaging device disposed behind the observation optical system 12a. (Hereinafter referred to as CCD) 16, two illumination optical systems 13 a respectively disposed behind the two illumination windows 13, and two light emitting diodes (respectively disposed behind these illumination optical systems 13 a). (Hereinafter referred to as LED) 17.

  An image signal cable connected to the CCD 16 and an electric cable 11a connected to the LED 17 extend from the base end side of the camera unit 11. It should be noted that the image signal cable and the LED power cable are preferably set to substantially the same voltage, and various kinds of damage due to the proximity of each cable, for example, damage to the CCD 16 and the LED 17 due to electromagnetic induction or the like are prevented.

  The insertion portion main body 5 forms a through hole 5b through which an electric cable 11a extending from the camera unit 11 is inserted. The insertion portion main body 5 is a substantially cylindrical body having a distal end portion 5a having a single collar and having flexibility. Further, the insertion portion main body 5 has a proximal end fixed to the connector portion 4 and the guide tube 3 is sheathed. The guide tube 3 is made of, for example, stainless steel on the outer periphery of the insertion portion main body 5 between the distal end portion 5a of the endoscope insertion portion 2 and the connector portion 4, and has a metal wire 3A having a predetermined diameter. It is a tube that is spirally wound into two layers and has a predetermined flexibility.

  In addition, this guide tube 3 may wind the metal strand 3A spirally in multiple strips (for example, four strips). The metal strand 3 </ b> A wound in a spiral shape can increase the degree of adhesion between the metal strands, and various spiral angles can be set. Accordingly, the outer surface of the guide tube 3 is provided with a spiral portion 3a formed by the surface of the metal strand 3A. Furthermore, the metal strand 3A is preferably formed by being wound in a left-handed spiral shape from the distal end toward the proximal end. In other words, the metal strand 3A is preferably wound around a spiral in the same direction as the thread groove of the left-hand thread, and the insertion portion holding portion 9 of the rotating device 6 is endoscopically inserted into the body cavity, particularly the large intestine. When the insertion portion 2 is rotated leftward about the longitudinal axis, the adhesion to the intestinal wall in the large intestine becomes higher, and the insertion property of the endoscope insertion portion 2 into the large intestine is improved.

  The connector portion 4 has a fitting hole 4a that is a substantially cylindrical hole at the approximate center of the base end surface, and two pin holes 4b around the fitting hole 4a. Therefore, the connector part 4 is inserted into the fitting hole 4a with the convex part 15 of the insertion part holding part 9 and the two pin holes 4b with the two pins 14 of the insertion part holding part 9 respectively inserted. It is connected to the part holding part 9.

  The fitting hole 4a has three contact terminals 4A on the end face, and the contact terminals 4A and the plurality of electric cables 11a are connected to each other. When the connector part 4 and the insertion part holding part 9 are connected, the three contact terminals 4A of the connector part 4 come into contact with the three contact pins 15a of the convex part 15 of the insertion part holding part 9, respectively, so that the CCD 16 and the LED 17 Are electrically connected to the rotating device 6.

  The insertion portion holding portion 9 has a current collector (hereinafter referred to as a slip ring) 18 having the same central axis as the rotation axis, and can be rotated around the longitudinal axis by a side plate of the rotation device 6 and, for example, a bearing 21. So that it is held. Moreover, the insertion part holding | maintenance part 9 has the gear groove 9a of spur gear shape formed in the outer periphery of a base end part, for example. The insertion portion holding portion 9 has a gear groove 9a at the base end portion engaged with a cylindrical gear 20a provided at the tip end portion of the motor shaft of the motor 20, and is driven by the motor 20 around a predetermined longitudinal axis, here from the base end to the tip end. It is designed to rotate leftward toward

  As a result, the guide tube 3 rotates with the spiral-shaped portion 3a in close contact with the intestinal wall in the large intestine by rotating the insertion portion holding portion 9 in the body cavity, particularly when inserted into the large intestine. By doing so, a propulsive force such that the male screw acts on the female screw is obtained. Here, in the guide tube 3, it is assumed that the spiral-shaped portion 3 a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the endoscope insertion portion 2 over the entire periphery from the rear end side of the distal end portion 5 a to the connector portion 4.

  In this case, the endoscope insertion portion 2 inserted into the body cavity has the spiral-shaped portion 3a in close contact with the intestinal wall in the large intestine over a predetermined portion inserted into the body cavity from the rear end side of the distal end portion 5a. There is a possibility that the above-mentioned driving force is obtained. Then, as the insertion into the body cavity becomes deeper, the length of the spiral-shaped portion 3a that obtains a propulsive force by closely adhering to the intestinal wall in the large intestine increases. The spiral-shaped portion 3a further increases the driving force for insertion into the body cavity. Therefore, the guide tube 3 obtains an excessive propulsive force than the operator desires, and advances the intestine more than necessary, thereby greatly changing the running state of the intestine and inserting it into the body cavity. There is a risk that the quality may deteriorate.

  In addition, since the spiral-shaped portion 3a is a multi-layered coiled body with close winding as described above, it is difficult to process (manufacture). This occurs. Therefore, in this embodiment, the guide tube 3 is configured to be provided with a propulsive force reducing means for reducing the propulsive force of the guide tube 3.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the guide tube 3 is configured by connecting the spiral-shaped portions 3 a by the connecting bodies 30 (30 a, 30 b,. More specifically, the guide tube 3 includes a spiral portion 31a, a connection body 30a, a spiral shape portion 31b, a connection body 30b, a spiral shape portion 31c,.
In the connecting bodies 30a, 30b,..., Spiral-shaped portions 3a (31a, 31b, 31c,...) Are bonded and fixed to the step portions 32 at both ends, respectively, and the spiral-shaped portions 3a (31a, 31b, 31c,. It is configured to be integrally rotatable.

  The connection body 30 is formed of a flexible member such as a fluorine resin such as a polyurethane tube or PTFE (tetrafluoroethylene resin). The surface of the connection body 30 (30a, 30b,...) Is a smooth surface, and the friction coefficient μ is, for example, 0.015 to 0.020. The friction coefficient μ is a ratio between a frictional force acting parallel to the contact surface of two objects and a normal force (pressure) acting perpendicular to the surface.

Further, the structural properties of the spiral-shaped portion 3a are as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 11, the spiral-shaped portion 3a is defined by a helical pitch (hereinafter simply referred to as a pitch) P, a pitch angle PA, and a wire diameter D. The pitch is a distance connecting the centers of adjacent spirals, the pitch angle is a spiral winding angle (tilt angle) with respect to the longitudinal center axis, and the wire diameter is a metal element constituting the spiral. The strand diameter of the wire, and the depth of the spiral groove is the angle of the groove formed between the adjacent spirals.
In the present embodiment, the pitch P, the pitch angle PA, and the wire diameter D of the spiral-shaped portions 31a, 31b, 31c,.

Further, the guide tube 3 includes lengths L _31a , L _31b , L _31c ,... Of the spiral-shaped portions 31a, 31b, 31c,... And lengths L _30a , L _30b , of the connectors 30a, 30b _,. ... are formed to have the same length. That is, the guide tube 3 is configured by alternately connecting the spiral-shaped portions 3a and the connection bodies 30, and the ratio of these components is halved. For this reason, in the guide tube 3 of the present embodiment, the spiral-shaped portion 3a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the endoscope insertion portion 2 over the entire circumference from the rear end side of the distal end portion 5a to the connector portion 4. In comparison with the above, the frictional force is about ½, and the obtained driving force is also about ½.

  Further, the guide tube 3 of the present embodiment is formed when the spiral shaped portion 3a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the endoscope insertion portion 2 over the entire circumference from the rear end side of the distal end portion 5a to the connector portion 4. In comparison, the spiral-shaped portion 3a can be configured in half, and the weight can be reduced with good workability.

The operation of the endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.
A preparation procedure for inserting the endoscope insertion portion 2 into the large intestine will be described.
In inserting the endoscope insertion part 2 to the cecum part of the large intestine, first, a doctor or a nurse (hereinafter referred to as an operator) inserts the endoscope insertion part 2 into the tube of the protective tube 10. And the connector part 4 of the endoscope insertion part 2 protruded from the protective tube 10 is connected to the insertion part holding part 9 of the rotating device 6. At this time, the surgeon inserts the two pins 14 of the insertion portion holding portion 9 into the two pin holes 4 b of the connector portion 4, and the convex portion 15 of the insertion portion holding portion 9 is fitted into the fitting hole of the connector portion 4. 4a is inserted. This completes the preparation for inserting the endoscope insertion portion 2 into the large intestine. In addition to the preparation of the endoscope insertion unit 2, the video processor 7 and the monitor 8 are also prepared.

Next, a procedure for inserting the endoscope insertion portion 2 into the large intestine of a patient will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, the operator grasps the distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion 2 and puts the distal end portion 5a of the endoscope insertion portion 2 into the large intestine from the anus 71 (see FIG. 6) of a patient lying on a bed or the like. insert. Then, the spiral-shaped part 3a (31a, 31b, 31c, ...) formed in the outer surface of the endoscope insertion part 2 contacts a patient's intestinal wall. At this time, the contact state between the spiral-shaped portion 3a formed in the endoscope insertion portion 2 and the fold of the intestinal wall is the relationship between the male screw and the female screw.

  In this contact state, the surgeon puts the motor 20 of the rotating device 6 in a driving state in the left rotation direction around the axis of the endoscope insertion portion 2. Then, the endoscope insertion part 2 rotates leftward around the axis in the insertion direction, and the connector part 4 of the endoscope insertion part 2 attached to the insertion part holding part 9 faces in the insertion direction. Rotate left about the axis. This rotation is alternately transmitted from the proximal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion 2 to the spiral-shaped portion 3a and the connecting body 30 to reach the distal end portion 5a, and the endoscope insertion portion 2 rotates to the left around the axis. It becomes a state.

  This advances the endoscope insertion portion 2 so that the male screw moves relative to the female screw at the contact portion between the spiral shaped portion 3a of the rotated endoscope insertion portion 2 and the fold of the intestinal wall. Force is generated. Then, the endoscope insertion part 2 advances in the large intestine toward the deep part by the propulsive force. At this time, the operator may perform a hand operation so as to push forward the endoscope insertion portion 2 being held. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the endoscope insertion portion 2 inserted from the anus 71 advances from the rectum 72 toward the sigmoid colon portion 73 by the driving force and the operator's hand operation. Then, the endoscope insertion part 2 reaches the sigmoid colon part 73.

  When the endoscope insertion portion 2 passes through the sigmoid colon portion 73, the endoscope insertion portion 2 advances along the intestinal wall while forming an α loop shape as shown in FIG. 7, for example. At this time, when the spiral-shaped portion 3a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the endoscope insertion portion 2 over the entire circumference from the rear end side of the distal end portion 5a to the connector portion 4, a loop-shaped intestinal wall portion Since all the outer peripheral portions that are in contact with each other are the spiral-shaped portions 3a, all of the portions that are in contact with each other contribute to the propulsive force, and there is a possibility that the loop becomes large and impedes the propulsion of the tip. .

  However, in the present embodiment, as described above, the spiral-shaped portions 3 a and the connection bodies 30 are alternately arranged, so that the spiral-shaped portion 3 a is formed over the entire circumference of the endoscope insertion portion 2. Since the spiral-shaped portion 3a is halved as compared with the case where it is present, excessive thrust is not generated. Therefore, since the guide tube 3 does not extend more than necessary and the insertion property is not deteriorated, the insertion property of the endoscope insertion portion 2 into the body cavity is improved without causing pain to the patient. To do.

  The endoscope insertion portion 2 passes through the sigmoid colon portion 73, and thereafter, the bending portion, the descending colon portion 74, and the mobility that are the boundary between the sigmoid colon portion 73 and the descending colon portion 74 having poor mobility. 8 smoothly moves along the wall of the splenic fold 76 that is the boundary with the rich transverse colon 75 and the liver fold 77 that is the boundary between the transverse colon 75 and the ascending colon 78, as shown in FIG. Without changing the state of the large intestine, for example, it reaches the vicinity of the cecum 79 that is the target site.

  While the endoscope insertion part 2 is inserted into the patient's large intestine, the surgeon confirms the propulsive force of the endoscope insertion part 2 while confirming the image in the large intestine displayed on the screen of the monitor 8. The endoscope insertion section 2 is inserted to the deep part of the large intestine by a hand operation to push the grasped endoscope insertion section 2 forward.

  At this time, the video processor 7 performs image processing so that the image displayed on the screen of the monitor 8 by the rotation of the endoscope insertion unit 2 is not rotated and displayed. That is, the video processor 7 performs image processing so that only a still image at a predetermined phase position synchronized with the rotation cycle of the distal end portion 5a of the endoscope insertion portion 2 is displayed on the screen of the monitor 8, and this image processing The received video signal is supplied to the monitor 8 and displayed on the screen of the monitor 8.

  If the surgeon determines from the endoscopic image displayed on the monitor 8 that the guide tube 3 has reached the vicinity of the cecum 79, the rotation of the motor 20 of the rotating device 6 is stopped. As a result, the advancement of the guide tube 3 is stopped. Then, an endoscopic examination near the cecum 79 is performed.

  As a result, in the endoscope system 1 of the first embodiment, since the spiral-shaped portion 3a is configured in half, the spiral-shaped portion 3a is formed over the entire circumference of the endoscope insertion portion 2. It does not generate excessive driving force. Therefore, the endoscope system 1 according to the first embodiment can easily insert the endoscope insertion portion into a body cavity such as the large intestine, and can insert the endoscope insertion portion 2 into the body cavity without causing pain to the patient. Improves. Further, in the endoscope system 1 according to the first embodiment, since the spiral-shaped portion 3a is configured in half, the weight can be reduced with good workability.

  In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a fully-disposable type guide tube 3 that includes an observation optical system (imaging unit 11) as an insertion portion guide portion and is formed integrally with the endoscope insertion portion. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the guide tube 3 may be configured by applying the present invention to a disposable sheath, and the guide tube 3 is harder than the flexible tube portion of the endoscope. Of course, the present invention may be applied to an overtube for a jurisdiction endoscope, which is a formed tubular tube.

Further, the guide tube may be configured so that the number of spiral-shaped portions is reduced toward the base end side as a propulsive force reducing means.
As shown in FIG. 9, the guide tube 3B has only a spiral shaped portion 3a from the distal end portion to a predetermined distance, and thereafter increases the portion of the connecting body 30B (30Ba, 30Bb,...) From the predetermined distance and spirals on the proximal end side. The shape portion 3a is configured to be smaller than the connection body 30B.

  More specifically, the guide tube 3B includes a spiral shape portion 31Ba, a connection body 30Ba, a spiral shape portion 31Bb, a connection body 30Bb, a spiral shape portion 31Bc, a connection body 30Bd, a spiral shape portion 31Bd, a connection body 30Be, and a spiral. It is comprised by shape part 31Be .... The connection body 30B is formed of a flexible member like the connection body 30, for example, a fluorine resin such as a polyurethane tube or PTFE (tetrafluoroethylene resin). The surface of the connection body 30 (30a, 30b,...) Is a smooth surface, and the friction coefficient μ is, for example, 0.015 to 0.020.

The length _{L 31Ba} of the helically shaped portion 31Ba is, for example, the total length of the length _{L 30a} of the length _{L 31a} of the spiral-shaped portion 31a connecting body 30a. Further, the lengths L _31Bb and L _31Bc of the spiral-shaped portions 31Bb and 31Bc are, for example, approximately twice the lengths L _30Ba and L _30Bb of the connection bodies 30Ba and 30Bb. The lengths L _31Bd and L _31Be of the spiral-shaped portions 31Bd and 31Be are, for example, approximately 1/3 times the lengths L _30Bc and L _30Bd of the connecting bodies 30Bc and 30Bd.

  In other words, the guide tube 3B is formed with the spiral-shaped portion 3a longer by a predetermined distance so that the distal end side can easily travel with a predetermined propulsive force, and the constituent ratio of the spiral-shaped portion 3a is higher than that of the connection body 30, It is comprised so that the component ratio of the spiral-shaped part 3a may become lower than the connection body 30 toward the side.

  Therefore, the guide tube 3B has a distal end side that is more easily advanced to the deep part of the body cavity than the guide tube 3, and the propulsive force obtained from the proximal end side is about 1/4 times, for example, and the propulsive force is increased toward the proximal end side. descend. Thereby, in addition to obtaining the same effect as in the first embodiment, the guide tube 3B obtains a propulsive force only on the distal end side without obtaining an excessive propulsive force on the proximal end side, so that a deep portion in the body cavity can be obtained. As it is inserted, an appropriate driving force can be obtained.

In addition, you may comprise a guide tube using the coating | coated means which coat | covers a helical shape part as a propulsion force reduction means.
As shown in FIG. 10, the guide tube 3 </ b> C is configured by providing a coating tape 33 as a coating means with a predetermined length at a predetermined position.

  The covering tape 33 is formed of a flexible member like the connection body 30, for example, a fluorine resin such as a polyurethane tube or PTFE (tetrafluoroethylene resin). The surface of the covering tape 33 is a smooth surface, and the friction coefficient μ is, for example, 0.015 to 0.020. The covering tape 33 may be formed by performing a coating process to improve lubricity.

  In FIG. 10, the covering tape 33 is formed by, for example, bonding with an adhesive at a predetermined position of the spiral-shaped portion 3a. You may comprise so that the predetermined part of the part 3a may be covered. Thereby, in addition to obtaining the same effect as in the first embodiment, the guide tube 3C can be simply configured because only the covering tape 33 is applied.

12 and 13 relate to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, FIG. 12 is an external view of a guide tube constituting the endoscope system of Embodiment 2, and FIG. 13 is a guide tube showing a modification of FIG. It is an external view.
In the first embodiment, the spiral-shaped portion 3a is connected as the propulsive force reducing means by the connecting body 30 at a predetermined interval. However, the second embodiment is configured using the spiral-shaped portion itself as the propelling force reducing means. Since the other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description will be omitted, and the same components will be described with the same reference numerals.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in the guide tube 3D constituting the endoscope system of the second embodiment, the pitch of the spiral-shaped portion 3d is changed at predetermined intervals toward the base end side as a propulsive force reducing means. Propulsive force lowering means is configured on the base end side of the spiral-shaped portion 3d.

More specifically the spiral-shaped portion 3d and the description is spiral shaped portion 31Da, the helically shaped portion 31 dB, is constituted by a spiral-shaped part 31dc, for example the spiral relative to wire diameter _{D 31Da} of the spiral-shaped portion 31Da The metal strands are formed to be flat so that the shape portion 31Db is approximately 3.5 times wider and the spiral shape portion 31Dc is approximately 7 times wider, and these metal strands are wound around. . That is, the helically shaped portion 3d is approximately 3.5 times the pitch _{P 31 dB} of the helically shaped portion 31 dB with respect to the pitch _{P 31Da,} the pitch _{P 31dc} of the spiral-shaped portion 31dc has a seven times substantially, pitch P _31Da <P _31Db <P _31Dc .

The length L _31Da of the spiral portion 31Da is, for example, the total length of the length L _31a of the spiral portion 31a described in the first embodiment and the length L _30a of the connection body 30a. The length L _31Db of the spiral-shaped portion _31Db is twice the length L _31a of the spiral-shaped portion 31a, and the length L _31Dc of the spiral-shaped portion _31Dc is four times the length L _31a of the spiral-shaped portion 31a. It has become. Further, the helical shape portion 31Da, the helical shape portion 31Db, and the helical shape portion 31Dc are all formed to have the same pitch angle PA other than the pitch and the strand diameter.

Thus, the helically shaped portion 3d, the tip end of the spiral shaped portion 31Da of the pitch _{P 31Da} pitch _{P 31 dB} of the helically shaped portion 31 dB, friction small because per revolution as compared with the pitch _{P 31dc} of the spiral-shaped portion 31dc Power is strong, and the catch for promotion is strong.

  For this reason, the spiral-shaped portion 3d can easily obtain a propulsive force on the distal end side having the spiral-shaped portion 31Da, and the pitch increases toward the proximal end side with the spiral-shaped portions 31Db and 31Dc. The frictional force becomes weaker and the propulsive force decreases. Accordingly, the propulsive force of the guide tube 3D decreases as the insertion length into the body cavity increases. As a result, the endoscope system according to the second embodiment obtains the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

In addition, you may comprise a guide tube so that the depth of the spiral groove of a spiral-shaped part may become shallow gradually toward a base end side as a thrust reducing means.
As shown in FIG. 13, the guide tube 3E serves as a propulsive force lowering unit so that the depth of the spiral groove of the spiral-shaped portion 3e gradually decreases at predetermined intervals toward the base end side. Propulsive force lowering means is configured on the base end side.

More specifically, the spiral-shaped portion 3e includes a spiral-shaped portion 31Ea, a spiral-shaped portion 31Eb, and a spiral-shaped portion 31Ec. For example, the wire diameter D _31Ec of the spiral-shaped portion _31Ec is the spiral-shaped portion. The element wire diameter D _31Eb is approximately 3.5 times the element wire diameter D _31Eb , and the element wire diameter D _31Ea of the spiral-shaped part _31Ea is approximately seven times the element diameter D _31Eb of the spiral-shaped part 31Eb. The wire diameter is formed to a small diameter, and these metal strands are wound.

That is, in the spiral-shaped portion 3e, the depth of the spiral groove of the spiral-shaped portion 31Ea is deeper than the depth of the spiral groove of the spiral-shaped portions 31Eb and 31Ec, and the depth of the spiral groove of the spiral-shaped portion 31Eb is The depth is greater than the depth of the spiral groove of the spiral-shaped portion 31Ec. The length L _31Ea of the spiral-shaped portion 31Ea is, for example, the total length of the length L _31a of the spiral-shaped portion 31a described in the first embodiment and the length L _30a of the connection body 30a. The length L _31Eb of the spiral-shaped portion _31Eb is twice the length L _31a of the spiral-shaped portion 31a, and the length L _31Ec of the spiral-shaped portion _31Ec is four times the length L _31a of the spiral-shaped portion 31a. It has become.

Further, in the spiral-shaped portion 3d, the pitch P _31Eb of the spiral-shaped portion _31Eb is approximately 3.5 times the pitch P _{31Ea, and} the pitch P _31Ec of the spiral-shaped portion _31Ec is approximately 7 times. Further, the spiral shape portion 31Ea, the spiral shape portion 31Eb, and the spiral shape portion 31Ec are all formed to have the same pitch angle PA other than the pitch and the wire diameter.

As a result, the spiral-shaped portion 3e is formed such that the tip-side spiral-shaped portion 31Ea has a larger diameter than the spiral-shaped portion 31Eb and the spiral-shaped portion 31Ec, so that the pitch P _31Ea of the spiral-shaped portion _31Ea is the spiral shape. The pitch P _{31Eb of} the part 31Eb is larger than the pitch P _31Ec of the spiral part 31Ec, but the depth of the spiral groove of the spiral part 31Ea is deeper than the spiral part 31Eb and the spiral part 31Ec. The frictional force per rotation is strong, and the catch for propulsion is strong.

  For this reason, the spiral-shaped portion 3e can easily obtain a propulsive force on the distal end side having the spiral-shaped portion 31Ea, and the depth of the spiral groove becomes shallower toward the proximal end side with the spiral-shaped portions 31Eb and 31Ec. The frictional force per rotation is weakened and the driving force is reduced. Therefore, in the guide tube 3E, as in the second embodiment, the propulsive force decreases as the insertion length into the body cavity increases, and the same result is obtained.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  The endoscope insertion portion and the endoscope system according to the present invention can easily insert the endoscope insertion portion into a body cavity such as the large intestine, and enter the body cavity of the endoscope insertion portion without causing pain to the patient. Therefore, it is suitable for introducing an endoscope insertion portion into a complicated body cavity.

1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating an endoscope system according to a first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the connection of the endoscope insertion part of FIG. 1, and an endoscope rotation apparatus (henceforth abbreviated as rotation apparatus). It is the fragmentary sectional view which cut | disconnected the endoscope insertion part of FIG. 2 to the longitudinal direction. It is an external view of the guide tube of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the guide tube of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the endoscope insertion part inserted in large intestine. It is explanatory drawing in which the endoscope insertion part is inserted in the sigmoid colon part, drawing an alpha loop. It is explanatory drawing of the endoscope insertion part currently inserted in the intestine deep part. It is an external view of the guide tube which shows the modification of FIG. It is an external view of the guide tube comprised by providing the covering tape in a predetermined position as a covering means. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural property of a helical shape part. It is an external view of the guide tube which comprises the endoscope system of Example 2. FIG. It is an external view of the guide tube which shows the modification of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope system 2 Endoscope insertion part 3 Guide tube 3a (31a, 31b, 31c) Spiral shape part 3A Metal strand 5a Tip part 5 Insertion part main body 6 Rotating device 7 Video processor 8 Monitor 9 Insertion part holding part 10 Protective tube 11 Imaging unit 12a Observation optical system 13a Illumination optical system 20 Motor 30 (30a, 30b) Connection body

Claims (11)

An insertion section that can be inserted into a subject;
It consists of a spiral-shaped portion provided in a plurality of intermittently wound strands in a spiral shape so as to have a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion on the outer peripheral surface side of the insertion portion. A propulsive force generating portion that rotates around the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion to cause the helical portion to contact the body cavity wall to generate a propulsive force in the insertion portion;
Propulsive force reducing means for reducing the propulsive force generated by the propulsive force generating portion provided on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion so as to have a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion ;
Before Symbol thrust generating unit, the propulsive force reduction means, said to be disposed alternately in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion, respectively provided by a plurality, a guide tube for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the insertion portion ,
An endoscope insertion portion comprising the endoscope.   Each of the plurality of propulsive force reducing means reduces the propulsive force of the sweep portion generated at each of the spiral-shaped portions of the plurality of propulsive force generating portions on the distal end side of the insertion portion. 2. The inner portion of claim 1, wherein the propulsive force generating portion and the propelling force reducing means are alternately provided in order from the distal end side to the proximal end side of the intake portion as the propulsive force generating portion. Endoscopic insert.   The said propulsive force reduction means is a non-helical shape part formed in the outer peripheral surface side of the said insertion part, and the surface formed from the tube body which has the softness | flexibility of a smooth surface. The endoscope insertion part according to 2.   4. The plurality of propulsion force generation portions and the plurality of propulsion force reduction means are configured to have the same length along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion. Endoscope insertion part. The plurality of propulsive force generating portions are configured to have a shorter length along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion, so that the component ratio of the spiral-shaped portion decreases toward the proximal end side of the insertion portion,
The plurality of propulsive force lowering means are configured such that a length along a longitudinal direction of the insertion portion is increased toward a proximal end side of the insertion portion. The insertion part for endoscopes as described. The length along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion of the spiral-shaped portion on the distal end side of the insertion portion is approximately twice the length along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion of the thrust reducing means on the distal end side,
The length along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion of the spiral-shaped portion on the proximal end side of the insertion portion is approximately 1 / of the length along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion of the thrust reducing means on the proximal end side. The endoscope insertion portion according to claim 5, wherein the insertion portion is tripled. An insertion section that can be inserted into a subject;
A spiral-shaped part is formed on the surface by winding the strands in a spiral shape so as to be provided on the outer peripheral surface side of the insertion part and to have a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction of the insertion part. A propulsive force generating unit that generates a propulsive force on the insertion unit by the spiral-shaped unit contacting the body cavity wall by being rotated around the longitudinal direction of the insertion unit;
With
The propulsive force generating portion is formed by flattening the strands constituting the spiral-shaped portion at predetermined intervals toward the proximal end side of the insertion portion, and directed toward the proximal end side of the insertion portion. An insertion portion for an endoscope, wherein the helical pitch width is widened so that the propulsive force of the insertion portion can be easily obtained on the distal end side and is reduced on the proximal end side.   The spiral-shaped portion has the pitch width of the spiral widened at each predetermined interval so that the spiral shape portion is approximately 3.5 times and approximately 7 times in order toward the base end with reference to the pitch width on the distal end side. The endoscope insertion portion according to claim 7, wherein the insertion portion is an endoscope.   The spiral-shaped portion has a portion with the pitch width approximately 3.5 times the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion with respect to the length along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion in the reference pitch-width portion. The internal length according to claim 8, wherein the length along the length of the insertion portion is four times the length along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion. Mirror insert. An insertion section that can be inserted into a subject;
A spiral-shaped part is formed on the surface by winding the strands in a spiral shape so as to be provided on the outer peripheral surface side of the insertion part and to have a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction of the insertion part. A propulsive force generating unit that generates a propulsive force on the insertion unit by the spiral-shaped unit contacting the body cavity wall by being rotated around the longitudinal direction of the insertion unit;
With
The propulsive force generating portion is formed so that a strand diameter of the strand constituting the spiral-shaped portion is narrowed at predetermined intervals toward the proximal end side of the insertion portion, and the proximal end side of the insertion portion An insertion portion for an endoscope characterized in that the depth of the spiral groove decreases toward the end so that the propulsive force of the insertion portion is easily obtained on the distal end side and decreases on the proximal end side. The endoscope insertion portion according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
A rotating device that rotates the guide tube or the propulsive force generating portion of the insertion portion for endoscope in a predetermined direction around a longitudinal direction;
An endoscope system comprising:

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