JP5378129B2 - Endoscope device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope device which can reduce a load applied onto a hand or a wrist, when gripping a gripping part and operating an operation part. <P>SOLUTION: This device includes: an insertion part 10 inserted from the tip 10A to the inside of a specimen; the operation part 20 provided on the base end 10B of the insertion part 10; a display part 30 provided to be exposed to the outer surface of the operation part 20; the rod-like gripping part 40 whose one end 41 is positioned on the operation part 20, and whose other end 42 is extended toward the outside of the operation part 20; an input part 60 provided between the display part 30 and the gripping part 40, on the outer surface of the operation part 20 on the side provided with the display part 30; and an arm brace part 50 provided extendedly from the other end 42 of the gripping part 40. The arm brace part 50 is provided to be extended toward the outer surface on the vertical downside by a front arm on the same side as a hand, when the gripping part 40 is gripped by the hand so that a thumb is put on the input part 60, and that fingers other than the thumb are put on the outer surface of the gripping part 40 on the opposite side in the radial direction to the side on which the input part 60 is positioned. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in fields such as the medical field and the industrial field, an endoscope including an operation unit that is gripped by a user's hand and an insertion unit that is inserted into the subject and observes an image inside the subject. The device is being used.

  As an example of such an endoscope apparatus, in Patent Document 1, an input unit that performs input for operating an insertion unit and a monitor (display unit) for displaying an image to be observed are integrated. An endoscope apparatus is described that includes an operation unit and a rod-shaped gripping part having one end fixed to the operation unit.

US Pat. No. 5,373,317

  By the way, in the endoscope apparatus described in Patent Document 1, heavy objects such as input means and a control board for controlling the display unit are arranged inside the operation unit, and are provided at the end of the operation unit. When gripping the gripped portion, there is a problem that the weight of the operation portion is placed on the user's hand, wrist, etc. and becomes a burden.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an endoscope apparatus that can reduce a burden on a hand or a wrist when the operator grips the grip portion and operates the operation portion. It is.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention proposes the following means.
The endoscope apparatus according to the present invention has a distal end and a proximal end, an insertion portion inserted into the subject from the distal end, an operation portion provided at the proximal end of the insertion portion, and the operation A display unit for displaying the internal image of the subject, and a rod-shaped gripping unit having one end positioned on the operation unit and the other end extending toward the outside of the operation unit. An input unit that is provided between the display unit and the gripping unit on an outer surface of the operation unit on a side where the display unit is provided, and that performs an input for operating the insertion unit; and The armrest portion extending from the other end, and provided between the gripping portion and the armrest portion, and the gripping portion and the arm contact about a rotation axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the gripping portion. A pivot shaft member that couples the arm portion with each other so as to be relatively pivotable, and is provided on the grip portion to store the arm rest portion Includes a pay portion, wherein with is accompanied by the thumb to the input unit so that the input unit is accompanied by a finger other than the thumb on the outer surface of the grip portion opposite the side in the radial direction positioned gripper hands The arm rest is provided with an angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the grip when viewed in a plan view, and the arm rest rotates about the rotation axis. Thus, the state in which the grip portion is protruded from the other end is changed to a state of being stored in the storage portion .

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said arm rest part has a contact area | region which contacts the said outer surface facing the said outer surface in the said forearm.

Further, when the arm rest portion is in a direction extending to one end in the longitudinal axis direction of the grip portion, the arm rest portion covers at least a part of the outer surface along the shape of the outer surface of the grip portion. It may be .

Moreover, the hollow formed in the radial inside of the outer surface of the said holding part may be sufficient as the said storage part .

Further, in a state where the arm rest portion covers at least a part of the outer surface along the shape of the outer surface of the grip portion, the outer peripheral surface of the grip portion and the outer peripheral surface of the arm rest portion coincide with each other. May be .

Moreover, the said arm rest part may be provided in the state which had the angle to the said input part side with respect to the longitudinal direction of the said holding part in the side view .

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said arm rest part has a switching mechanism which switches the said protrusion direction according to the right and left of the said hand by which the said holding part is hold | gripped.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said switching mechanism has a movable connection part which connects the said holding part and the said armrest part so that relative rotation is possible around the longitudinal axis of the said holding part.

  The gripping portion has an engaged portion with which the armrest portion is engaged at the other end, and the armrest portion is detachably engaged with the engaged portion. It is preferable to have.

  According to the endoscope apparatus of the present invention, since the operation unit can be supported by the four fingers excluding the thumb of the user's hand and the outer surface of the user's arm, the operation unit is operated by gripping the grip unit. You can reduce the burden on your hands and wrists.

It is a top view which shows the endoscope apparatus of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the same endoscope apparatus. It is a top view which shows the endoscope apparatus of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which stored the armrest part of the same endoscope apparatus in the cross section in the AA of FIG. It is a side view which shows the same endoscope apparatus. It is a top view which shows the endoscope apparatus of 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the same endoscope apparatus. It is sectional drawing in the BB line of FIG. It is a top view which shows the endoscope apparatus of 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the same endoscope apparatus. (A) is a fragmentary sectional view which shows the structure of the modification of the endoscope apparatus, (B) is the fragmentary sectional view which shows the structure of the other modification of the endoscope apparatus. It is a top view which shows the structure of the further another modification of the same endoscope apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the endoscope apparatus of 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the same endoscope apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the same endoscope apparatus. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of the endoscope apparatus of 1st Embodiment, (A) is a side view, (B) is a front view. It is a figure which shows the further another structural example of the endoscope apparatus of 1st Embodiment, (A) is a side view, (B) is a front view.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, an endoscope apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an endoscope apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the endoscope apparatus 1.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the endoscope apparatus 1 includes a long insertion portion 10 having flexibility, and an operation portion 20 connected to the base end 10 </ b> B side of the insertion portion 10. Yes.
The insertion portion 10 is a portion that is inserted into the subject and is formed of a tubular member. On the distal end 10A side of the insertion unit 10, an imaging unit 11 and an illumination unit 12, and a bending unit 13 for changing the direction of the distal end of the insertion unit 10 in a desired direction are provided.

  The imaging unit 11 includes an objective optical system (not shown) that forms the reflected light of the observation target inside the subject, and an imaging element such as a CCD that photoelectrically converts the reflected light of the observation site formed by the objective optical system. It has a known configuration with. A signal line (not shown) for transmitting a video signal acquired by the image sensor is connected to the imaging unit 11 and extends through the insertion unit 10 to the operation unit 20. A known optical adapter for adjusting the viewing angle, viewing direction, observation depth, and the like of the imaging unit 11 may be attached to the imaging unit 11 as necessary.

  The illumination unit 12 emits illumination light from the distal end 10A of the insertion unit 10 and illuminates the field of view of the imaging unit 11 with this illumination light. The illumination light is generated by a light source disposed inside the operation unit 20 and transmitted to the distal end 10 </ b> A of the insertion unit 10 by an optical fiber provided inside the insertion unit 10.

  The bending portion 13 has a known configuration in which cylindrical node rings or bending pieces (hereinafter, referred to as “node rings”) are aligned and connected in the axial direction, and are separated from the axis of the insertion portion 10. The bending operation is possible in directions, for example, four directions. One end of a transmission member (not shown) such as a wire for bending the bending portion 13 is attached to a node ring or the like located on the distal end 10A side of the insertion portion 10 in the bending portion 13. In the endoscope apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the bending portion 13 is operated by four transmission members corresponding to the respective directions passing through the insertion portion 10 in order to bend in four directions separated from the axis of the insertion portion 10. It extends to the part 20.

  The operation unit 20 includes an operation main body unit 21 in which a user operates the insertion unit 10 and the like, and a drive unit 22 (see FIG. 2) that generates power for driving the bending unit 13 of the insertion unit 10.

  The operation main body unit 21 includes an input unit having a display unit 30 that displays the video signal acquired by the imaging unit 11 as an image, a grip unit 40 that is gripped by the user, and a joystick 61 for performing operation input of the bending unit 13. 60. The operation main body 21 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the display unit 30 and the input unit 60 are respectively disposed on the same side of the outer surface of the operation main body 21.

  The display unit 30 includes a display screen 31 and an image processing unit (not shown) that processes the video signal transmitted from the imaging unit 11 so that the video signal can be displayed on the display screen 31. As the display screen 31 and the image processing unit, a display screen and an image processing unit of a known display mechanism can be appropriately selected and employed. As the display screen 31, for example, a touch panel type display can be employed.

  The grip portion 40 is formed in a rod shape in which one end 41 is positioned on the input portion 60 side of the operation main body 21 and the other end 42 extends outward from the operation main body 21. A battery B serving as a power source for the drive unit 22 and the display unit 30 is housed inside the grip unit 40. The grip portion 40 of the present embodiment attaches the user's thumb to the side where the input unit 60 is located (hereinafter referred to as “upper surface side”), and is opposite to the side where the input unit 60 is located (hereinafter referred to as “lower surface side”). And the other fingers (second to fifth fingers) except for the thumb (first finger) are attached to the user so that the user holds the grip portion 40 with one hand.

  The other end 42 of the grip 40 is provided with an arm rest 50 extending from the other end 42 in a direction intersecting the longitudinal axis X1 of the grip 40.

  The armrest portion 50 includes a switching mechanism 51 connected to the other end 42 and an armrest main body portion 52 connected to the switching mechanism 51.

  The switching mechanism 51 includes, for example, a well-known ball joint and a ratchet mechanism that fixes the ball joint at one or a plurality of bending angles. As a result, the grip portion 40 and the arm rest body portion 52 can be bent and fixed by the switching mechanism 51.

  In the switching mechanism 51, the range of the angle at which the grip portion 40 and the arm rest main body portion 52 are bent is based on the direction in which the axis of the grip portion 40 extends from −θ1 ° to + θ1 ° in a plan view shown in FIG. Further, the angle is set between 0 ° and θ2 ° clockwise as viewed from the right side shown in FIG.

An outer surface on the upper surface side in the vicinity of the end portion on the opposite side of the switching mechanism 51 in a part of the arm contact main body portion 52 is a contact area 52a that can contact the user's arm. The contact region 52a is a region that can contact the outer surface of the user's arm on the ulna side when the grip portion is gripped by the user's hand, and is made of an elastic material such as urethane resin. Preferably it is.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the arm rest main body portion 52 is provided so as to protrude from the gripping portion 40 toward the hand side by the length α, so that it can be seen as compared with the case where the arm rest main body portion 52 is not provided. The center of gravity of the mirror device 1 is located on the side close to the user's hand (for example, the left hand 100).

The input unit 60 includes a joystick 61 that can be operated in four directions, and can input the operation direction of the bending unit 13 and the setting of the display unit 30. Instead of the joystick 61, keys or buttons corresponding to the four directions to be operated may be employed. The joystick 61 of the input unit 60 is provided on the outer surface of the grip unit 40 so as to face the same side as the display unit 30. The joystick 61 of the input unit 60 is the thumb of the hand holding the grip unit 40 by the user of the endoscope apparatus 1. The tip of the joystick 61 is located within the movable range.
Further, the battery B is disposed inside the grip portion 40 at the position of the grip portion 40 located in the center of the operation unit 20. Since the display unit 30 is provided on one end of the grip portion 40 in the longitudinal direction and the arm-supporting main body portion 52 is provided on the other end, a heavy object is provided on both sides of the operation unit 20 in the longitudinal direction with the grip portion 40 interposed therebetween. The so-called dumbbell-shaped weight distribution is located. For this reason, it is easy to balance when the user grips the grip portion 40.

An operation when the endoscope apparatus of the present embodiment having the configuration described above is used will be described.
A user of the endoscope apparatus 1 uses the endoscope apparatus 1 while holding the grip portion 40 in his / her hand. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, when the grip unit 40 is gripped by the user's left hand 100, the thumb 102 of the user's left hand 100 is attached to the joystick 61 of the input unit 60. Furthermore, fingers other than the thumb 102 of the user's left hand 100 (hereinafter, “other fingers 101”) are attached to the lower surface side of the grip portion 40 (the side opposite to the side where the display unit 30 and the input unit 60 face). At this time, the other finger 101 of the user is facing in a direction intersecting the longitudinal axis X1 of the grip portion 40.

  A display unit 30 is provided integrally with the operation unit 20 of the endoscope apparatus 1, and a heavy object such as a drive unit 22 is disposed inside the operation unit 20. In the endoscope apparatus 1, the operation main body 21 is heavier than the grip 40. Therefore, when the grip portion 40 is gripped by the left hand 100 of the user, the operation main body portion 21 of the operation portion 20 moves vertically downward from the point P2 with the intermediate point P1 of the left hand 100 of the user as a fulcrum. The endoscope apparatus 1 receives a force that causes the unit 40 to move vertically upward.

  At this time, the arm support main body 52 extending from the other end 42 of the grasping portion 40 extends proximally beyond the wrist joint on the left hand 100 side where the user is grasping the grasping portion 40, and the left hand 100 side The forearm 103 is in contact with the outer surface 103a (hereinafter referred to simply as “outer surface 103a”) on the side where the ulna is located (the ulnar side). Even if the endoscope apparatus 1 tries to rotate about the left hand 100 as described above, the arm-supporting main body 52 is supported by being pressed vertically downward from the point P3 by the outer surface 103a. The operation unit 20 is supported by the left hand 100 of the user and the outer surface 103a of the forearm without rotating.

  In the case of not having the armrest unit 50, the center of gravity is biased to the operation unit (or display unit) side relative to the gripping unit, so that the user's hand gripping the gripping unit has the wrist joint on the little finger side. Receive the ability to tilt. For this reason, in the conventional endoscope apparatus, it is necessary for the user to support the endoscope apparatus by applying a force so that the wrist joint is tilted toward the thumb side (radial flexion). On the other hand, in the endoscope apparatus 1 of the present invention, the center of gravity is biased toward the operation unit 20 and the display unit 30 as in the conventional case, but the contact region 52a contacts the outer surface 103a of the forearm 103. Therefore, when the user's hand 100 is the center, the moment of the force that the operation main body 21 tilts the wrist joint toward the little finger and the moment of the force that the outer surface of the forearm 103 presses the contact area 52a are balanced. ing. Therefore, the user does not receive the force to tilt the joint to the little finger side when holding the endoscope device 1 by holding the grip portion 40 of the endoscope device 1.

  Thus, according to the endoscope apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the grip portion 40 is gripped (supported) by the four fingers (other fingers 101) excluding the thumb of the user's hand, and the user The arm support main body 52 comes into contact with the outer surface of the user's forearm 103 on the proximal side of the hand holding the grip 40. Therefore, a moment of force that causes the operation unit 20 containing a heavy object to rotate with a portion supported by the other finger 101 in the grip 40 as a fulcrum, Balance with the moment of pushing force. Thus, the user does not have to hold the wrist to lift the operation unit 20 against the weight of the operation unit 20 or to grip the grip unit 40 so that the grip unit 40 does not slide down from the hand. The operation unit 20 can be supported by supporting the grip unit 40 with another finger 101. As a result, it is possible to reduce the burden on the hand when gripping the grip portion 40 and operating the operation portion 20.

  Further, the user of the endoscope apparatus 1 can stably support the endoscope apparatus 1 by the other finger 101 of the user's left hand 100 and the outer surface 103a of the forearm 103. At this time, the thumb 102 of the user's left hand 100 is not necessarily required to support the endoscope apparatus 1. Further, the input unit 60 is provided within the movable range of the thumb of the hand holding the grip unit 40 by the user. For this reason, the user's thumb 102 can be freely operated regardless of the state of the endoscope apparatus 1, and even when the user holds the grip portion 40 of the endoscope apparatus 1, A joystick 61 provided in the input unit 60 can be operated with a thumb.

  In addition, since a part of the weight of the endoscope device 1 is supported by the outer surface 103a of the forearm 103 of the left hand holding the grip portion 40 by the user, the user who uses the endoscope device 1 must hold the grip portion. It is not necessary to hold the gripping part 40 firmly only by supporting 40 from the lower surface side. For this reason, even when the endoscope apparatus 1 is used for a long time or when the grip strength of the user is weak, an operation such as observing an observation target using the endoscope apparatus 1 can be continuously performed.

Further, since the user's forearm 103 can be brought into contact with the contact area 52a provided in the arm rest main body 52, for example, when the insertion portion 10 of the endoscope apparatus 1 is pulled, the contact is made. The area 52 a is pressed against the user's forearm 103, and the arm rest main body 52 and the forearm 103 are more firmly fixed. For this reason, it becomes difficult for the endoscope apparatus 1 to fall from a user's hand.
In addition, since the contact area 52a has elasticity in the arm support main body 52, even when the endoscope apparatus 1 is used for a long time, it is possible to alleviate the user's uncomfortable feeling with respect to the arm.

  In addition, the direction in which the arm support main body 52 extends from the gripping portion 40 is a direction that intersects the direction in which the forearm 103 on the same side as the hand holding the gripping portion 40 by the user extends. The arm-holding main body 52 can be brought into contact with the forearm 103 while the hand holding the arm is in a natural positional relationship. For this reason, the burden with respect to the wrist joint of a user's hand can be reduced.

  Further, since the center of gravity of the endoscope apparatus 1 is located near the user's hand due to the provision of the arm support main body 52, the endoscopic device 1 is endoscopic compared with the case where the arm support main body 52 is not provided. It is possible to reduce the burden on the hand that holds the grip portion 40 of the mirror device 1.

  Further, in the conventional endoscope apparatus, there is a restriction on the arrangement of each component in the endoscope apparatus in order to achieve weight distribution that does not place a burden on the user's hand. On the other hand, in the endoscope apparatus 1 according to the present invention, since the arm support portion 50 is provided, the burden on the wrist joint and muscles around the wrist joint can be reduced. Even if the center of gravity is biased toward the side 30, the user can easily use the endoscope apparatus 1. For this reason, there are few restrictions of weight distribution in the endoscope apparatus 1, and the freedom degree of the design for comprising the endoscope apparatus 1 can be raised. As a result, the endoscope apparatus 1 can be configured with emphasis on a design that improves the operational feeling and functions of the endoscope apparatus 1 or makes the endoscope apparatus 1 compact.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, an endoscope apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In each embodiment described below, the same reference numerals are given to portions having the same configuration as the endoscope apparatus described in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the endoscope apparatus of the present embodiment. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 3 in a state where the armrest portion is folded. FIG. 5 is a right side view showing the endoscope apparatus of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the endoscope apparatus 2 includes a gripping portion 240 provided in place of the gripping portion 40, and an armrest portion 250 provided in place of the armrest portion 50. In this respect, the configuration is different from the endoscope apparatus 1 of the first embodiment.

The gripping part 240 is formed with a storage part 240a formed such that a part of the outer surface is recessed inward in the radial direction. The storage portion 240a is formed to extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis X2 of the grip portion 240, and the armrest portion 250 is fitted by turning the armrest portion 250 described later.
The grip portion 240 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a battery B for supplying driving power for driving the display unit 30 and the like is disposed inside the grip portion 240, for example. In addition, a pair of cylindrical rotating shaft members 251 are attached to each of two locations facing each other in the radial direction on the outer wall of the grip portion 240.

  The arm rest portion 250 has an arm rest main body portion 252 formed in a curved shape so as to cover the storage portion 240a, and one end portion of the arm rest main body portion 252 is provided at a location opposed to the radial direction. The rotation shaft member 251 is inserted into each of the holes.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the grip portion 240 and the arm contact portion 250 are coupled together to the rotation shaft member 251, and thus can be relatively rotated around the rotation axis O <b> 1. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the rotation axis O1 is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X2 of the gripping part 240 and from the upper surface side to the lower surface side of the gripping part 240 (or from the lower surface side to the upper surface side). It has an angle around the longitudinal axis X2 of the grip portion 240 so as to extend. The endoscope apparatus 2 of the present embodiment is configured on the assumption that the user grips the endoscope apparatus 2 with the left hand, that is, the rotation axis O1 is set to the longitudinal axis X2 of the grip portion 240. When the endoscope device 1 is viewed from the grip portion 240 in the direction of the display unit 30 (see FIG. 4), the endoscope device 2 moves from the left side L side to the right side R side of the endoscope device 2. 2 extends from the lower surface D side toward the upper surface U side.

  3 and 5 show a state in which the arm rest portion 250 is opened to the maximum with respect to the grip portion 240. At this time, the angle formed by the longitudinal axis X252 of the arm-supporting main body 252 with respect to the longitudinal axis X2 of the gripping portion 240 is the maximum angle θ3 in a plan view shown in FIG. 3 and the maximum angle θ4 in a right side view shown in FIG. is there. The size of each of the maximum angle θ3 and the maximum angle θ4 is set so that the arm rest main body 252 extends toward the outer surface 103a of the user's forearm 103 when the grip 240 is gripped by the user. Has been. In the present embodiment, the maximum angle θ3 is preferably 90 degrees or more and less than 180 degrees. Moreover, it is preferable that the magnitude | size of the largest angle (theta) 4 is 90 degree | times or more and less than 180 degree | times.

An operation at the time of using the endoscope apparatus 2 of the present embodiment will be described.
When the endoscope apparatus 2 is not used, and a user who has sufficient force to hold the endoscope apparatus 2 by holding the grip portion 240 of the endoscope apparatus 2 holds the endoscope apparatus 2 When gripping the part 240, the endoscope apparatus 2 is set in a positional relationship in which the arm part body 252 is put on the storage part 240 a of the gripping part 240. In the state where the arm rest main body 252 is stored in the storage portion 240a, the gripping portion 240 and the arm rest portion 250 are adjacent to each other without a step as shown in FIG.

  When the endoscope device 2 is used for a long time by grasping the grasping portion 240 of the endoscope device 2, or sufficient for grasping the grasping portion 240 of the endoscope device 2 and holding the endoscope device 2. When a user who does not have a force grips the grip portion 240 of the endoscope device 2, the user of the endoscope device 2 pulls out the arm rest main body portion 252 from the storage portion 240 a of the grip portion 240 and rotates it. The grip portion 240 and the arm rest main body portion 252 are relatively rotated around the axis O1.

  After the user opens the grip portion 240 and the arm rest main body portion 252 to the limit of the movable range, the user holds the endoscope device 2 according to the holding method similar to the holding method of the grip portion 40 described in the first embodiment. Is gripped by the left hand 100. At this time, the angle formed by the longitudinal axis X252 of the arm rest main body 252 with respect to the longitudinal axis X2 of the gripping part 240 is the maximum angle θ3 and the maximum angle θ4 as described above.

  At this time, the arm-contact main body 252 has a contact area 252a that protrudes more proximally than the wrist joint of the user's left hand and toward the outer surface 103a of the forearm 103 of the user's left hand. Further, the contact region 252a contacts the outer surface 103a on the scale side of the forearm 103 of the left hand 100 of the user.

  As described above, also by the endoscope apparatus 2 of the present embodiment, the user's thumb 102 can freely move regardless of the state of the endoscope apparatus 2, as in the endoscope apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. The joystick 61 provided on the input unit 60 of the endoscope apparatus 2 can be operated with the thumb even when the user holds the grip part 240 of the endoscope apparatus 2.

  Further, the gripping portion 240 and the arm resting portion 250 can be rotated and folded around the rotation axis O1 between the gripping portion 240 and the arm resting portion 250, and the arm resting on the storage portion 240a of the gripping portion 240 can be performed. Since the main body portion 252 can be stored, the outer dimensions of the endoscope apparatus 2 including the grip portion 240 and the armrest portion 250 can be reduced.

  Further, since there is no step in the circumferential direction of the gripping portion 240 when the arm rest main body 252 covers the storage portion 240a of the gripping portion 240, for example, when the endoscope apparatus 2 is used only for a short time, When the part 250 is not used, the touch when gripping the grip part 240 is good.

(Third embodiment)
Next, an endoscope apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the endoscope apparatus of the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a right side view of the endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the endoscope apparatus 3 of the present embodiment includes a gripping part 340 provided in place of the gripping part 40 and an arm contact part 350 provided in place of the arm rest part 50. The configuration is different from that of the endoscope apparatus 1 of the first embodiment described above.

  The grip portion 340 is formed to extend like a rod like the grip portion 40 of the first embodiment, and an armrest portion 350 is connected to an end portion far from the input portion 60. As shown in FIG. 8, in the connection portion between the arm rest portion 350 and the grip portion 240, the grip portion 240 is formed in a shape in which a part of the outer surface is notched, and around the longitudinal axis X <b> 3 of the grip portion 340. The contact walls 340a and 340b are formed at positions separated by angles θ5 and θ6 having the same size as the circumferential direction of the grip portion 340 with the upper surface U direction of the endoscope device 3 as the center.

  The arm contact portion 350 includes a movable connecting portion 353 provided in a ring shape along the outer periphery of the grip portion 340, and an arm contact main body portion 352 formed by bending a wire. The arm-supporting main body 352 has a curved portion 352d that curves so as to extend approximately half a circumference along the outer periphery of the grip portion 340, and a parallel portion 352e that extends to the movable connecting portion 353 along the longitudinal direction of the grip portion 340. doing.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the movable connecting portion 353 has a protrusion 354 inserted into a notch portion between the contact walls 340a and 340b. Further, the end portions 352b and 352c of the arm rest main body 352 are inserted into the movable connecting portion 353.

  The ends 352b and 352c of the arm rest main body 352 are inserted into the two holes which are opposed to each other in the radial direction in the ring-shaped movable connecting portion 353, and the ends 352b and 352c of the arm rest main body 352 are mutually connected. They are connected to face each other. The end portions 352b and 352c of the arm-addressing main body 352 serve as a rotation axis O2 on which the arm-addressing main body 352 and the movable connecting portion 353 are relatively rotated.

An operation during use of the endoscope apparatus 3 of the present embodiment will be described.
For example, when the endoscope device 3 is not in use, such as when the endoscope device 3 is stored, the arm portion main body 352 extends along the longitudinal axis X3 of the grip portion 340 and the grip portion 340 is the arm portion main body portion. The positional relationship is such that it is covered with 352.

  When the endoscope apparatus 3 is used, the user of the endoscope apparatus 3 pulls out the arm rest main body 352 from the grip 340 and rotates it around the rotation axis O2. Further, when the user grips the grip part 340 of the endoscope apparatus 3 with the left hand 100, for example, in accordance with the left and right hands of the hand gripping the grip part 340 of the endoscope apparatus 2, the movable connecting part 353 is illustrated. 8 is rotated counterclockwise in the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 8, and the arm-supporting body 352 is protruded from the grip 340 to the left side L side. The movable connecting portion 353 rotates around the longitudinal axis X3 with respect to the grip portion 340 until the protrusion 354 contacts the contact wall 340a, and is positioned at a position where the protrusion 354 and the contact wall 340a are in contact with each other.

  Similarly to the grip portion 40 of the endoscope apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, when the grip portion 340 of the endoscope apparatus 3 is gripped by the left hand 100 of the user, the arm rest main body 352 is the left hand of the user. The forearm 103 of the 100 extends toward the outer surface 103a on the scale side. For this reason, the contact area 352a of the arm rest main body 352 is in contact with the outer surface 103a of the user's forearm 103 on the scale side.

  When the user uses the endoscope device 3 with his / her right hand, until the projection 354 of the movable connecting portion 353 comes into contact with the contact wall 340b of the gripping portion 340, contrary to the operation of the movable connecting portion 353 described above. The movable connecting portion 353 is rotated with respect to the grip portion 340. Then, the arm support main body 352 extends to the right side surface R side of the endoscope apparatus 2. At this time, when the grip portion 340 is gripped by the user's right hand, the contact area 352a of the arm support main body 352 becomes the user's right hand. Abuts against the outer surface of the shank side of the forearm.

  As described above, also with the endoscope apparatus 3 of the present embodiment, the thumb of the hand that the user is holding the grip portion 340 is placed in the endoscope apparatus 3 as in the endoscope apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. The joystick 61 provided on the input unit 60 of the endoscope device 3 can be operated with the thumb even when the user holds the grip portion 340 of the endoscope device 3. be able to.

  Further, since the movable connecting portion 353 can be rotated around the longitudinal axis X3 of the gripping portion 340, the armrest portion 350 protrudes from the gripping portion 340 even when the hand using the endoscope device 2 is changed halfway. The direction to do can be changed easily. For this reason, the arm rest part 350 can be used in a positional relationship that suitably follows each of the right hand and the left hand.

  Further, since the grip 340 and the arm rest 350 can be folded around the rotation axis O2 between the grip 340 and the arm rest 350, the internal view of the grip 340 and the arm rest 350 combined. The external dimensions of the mirror device 2 can be reduced.

  In addition, since the arm rest main body 352 is formed by bending a wire, the arm rest main body 352 can be configured to be lightweight, and the arm rest main body 352 can be easily molded.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, an endoscope apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a right side view of the endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the endoscope apparatus 4 of the present embodiment includes a grip portion 440 provided in place of the grip portion 40, and an arm contact portion 450 provided in place of the arm contact portion 50. Is different from the endoscope apparatus 1 of the first embodiment in that

  The grip portion 440 has raised portions (engagement portions) 440 a and 440 b formed so as to rise outward in the radial direction at positions facing the radial direction at the end portion far from the input portion 60. .

The armrest portion 450 has an opening 451 that can be inserted into the grip portion 440 so as to cover the outer periphery of the end portion of the grip portion 440 where the raised portions 440a and 440b are located. Further, an abutting region 452a is set at the end of the arm rest 450 opposite to the opening 451, and the arm rest 450 is formed to extend in a direction intersecting the longitudinal axis X4 of the grip 440. ing.
Furthermore, recesses (engaged portions) 451a and 451b into which the raised portions 440a and 440b are fitted in a state where the arm contact portion 450 is inserted into the grip portion 440 are formed inside the opening portion 451 in the arm contact portion 450. Has been. The material of the arm contact portion 450 is preferably elastic at least in the opening 451, and preferably has flexibility at the end opposite to the opening 451.

  In addition, the opening 451 and the other arm contact portion 450 of the contact area 452a are preferably configured to have higher rigidity than the contact area 452a. Specifically, the arm contact portion 450 is preferably formed by using urethane resin, elastomer, synthetic rubber or the like alone or in combination.

  The arm rest 450 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is formed so as to be effective when the user grips the grip 440 of the endoscope device 4 with the left hand. In other words, in a state where the arm rest 450 is attached to the grip 440, the arm rest 450 faces the outer surface 103a on the scale side of the forearm 103 of the left hand 100, like the arm rest described in the above embodiments. Extending from the grip portion 440.

  Although not shown in the drawing, it is formed in a symmetrical shape with the arm rest 450 so as to extend from the grip 440 toward the outer surface of the forearm of the left hand 100 of the user when attached to the grip 440. In addition, a second arm support unit (not shown) may be provided separately from the arm support unit 450, and the arm support unit 450 and the second arm support unit are appropriately selected according to the left and right sides of the hand holding the grip unit 440. It can also be used.

An operation during use of the endoscope apparatus 4 of the present embodiment will be described.
When the endoscope apparatus 4 is stored, the arm rest portion 450 is in a state of being detached from the grip portion 440. When using the endoscope device 4, the user puts the armrest portion 450 on the grip portion 440 from the opening 451 side, and fits the raised portions 440 a and 440 b to the recesses 451 a and 451 b, respectively.

At this time, the arm contact portion 450 is elastically deformed so as to get over the raised portions 440a and 440b by its own elasticity, and when the raised portions 440a and 440b are fitted in the recessed portions 451a and 451b, the inner surface of the opening 451 is The grip portion 440 is tightened in contact with the outer surface of the grip portion 440. For this reason, the raised portions 440a and 440b are prevented from being detached from the concave portions 451a and 451b.
The user of the endoscope apparatus 4 holds the grip part 440 of the endoscope apparatus 2 with the left hand 100 in the same manner as the holding part described in the above embodiments. At this time, the contact area 452a of the armrest 450 is in contact with the outer surface 103a of the forearm 103 of the user's left hand 100, and part of the weight of the endoscope device 4 is the outer surface 103a of the user's forearm 103. Supported by

  As described above, also by the endoscope apparatus 4 of the present embodiment, the user's thumb can be freely operated regardless of the state of the endoscope apparatus 4, similarly to the endoscope apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. The joystick 61 provided on the input unit 60 of the endoscope device 4 can be operated with the thumb even when the user holds the grip unit 440 of the endoscope device 4.

  In addition, since the armrest portion 450 can be removed from the grip portion 440, a plurality of armrest portions having different shapes can be prepared and appropriately selected and mounted on the grip portion 440 to use the endoscope apparatus 4. it can. As a result, it is possible to use an armrest portion that appropriately corresponds to the state of the hand or arm of the user who uses the endoscope apparatus 4, thereby reducing the feeling of fatigue when using the endoscope apparatus 4. Can do.

(Modification 1)
Below, the structure of the modification 1 of the endoscope apparatus 4 of this embodiment is demonstrated with reference to FIG. FIG. 11A is a partial cross-sectional view showing a partial configuration of the endoscope apparatus of the present modification. FIG. 11B is a partial cross-sectional view showing a partial configuration of an endoscope apparatus of another configuration example of the present modification.
In the above-described fourth embodiment, the configuration has been described in which the raised portions 440a and 440b and the recessed portions 451a and 451b are connected between the grip portion 440 and the armrest portion 450, but this modification example is described. Then, as shown in FIG. 11 (A), the protruding strip portion 440c extending in the circumferential direction of the gripping portion 440 and the groove portion 451c extending in the circumferential direction inside the opening 451 of the armrest portion 450 can be fitted to each other. Is formed.
In this case, since the area of the portion hooked between the grip portion 440 and the arm rest portion 450 is larger than the configuration of the above-described fourth embodiment, the connection between the grip portion 440 and the arm rest portion 450 is more reliably performed. Become.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11B, the connection structure between the grip portion 440 and the arm rest portion 450 includes a concave portion 440d extending in the circumferential direction of the grip portion 440 and the inside of the opening portion 451 of the arm rest portion 450. The protrusions 451d extending in the circumferential direction may be fitted to each other. Even with such a configuration, the same effects as in the present embodiment can be obtained.

(Modification 2)
Below, the structure of the modification 2 of the endoscope apparatus 4 of this embodiment is demonstrated with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a plan view showing an endoscope apparatus according to this modification.
As shown in FIG. 12, in this modification, the raised portions 440a and 440b are not formed on the grip portion 440 of the endoscope apparatus 4, and the grip portion 440 has a rod shape.

  Instead of the opening 451, a through hole 451 e into which the gripping part 440 can be inserted is formed in the arm contact part 450. The grip portion 440 and the armrest portion 450 are fixed by the frictional force between the outer surface 440e of the grip portion 440 and the inner surface of the through hole 451e. In addition, the arm support portion 450 includes an arm contact main body portion 452e that extends in parallel with the longitudinal axis X4 of the grip portion 440 and projects in one direction radially outward of the grip portion 440.

  In this modification, the direction in which the arm rest main body 452e protrudes from the grip portion 440 can be attached at different angles around the longitudinal axis X4 of the grip portion 440. For this reason, the same armrest portion 450 can be used both when the grip portion 440 is gripped with the left hand and when the grip portion 440 is gripped with the right hand.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, an endoscope apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the endoscope apparatus of the present embodiment. FIG. 14 is a right side view showing the endoscope apparatus of the present embodiment. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an embodiment when the endoscope apparatus of the present embodiment is used.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, the endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an operation unit 520 provided instead of the operation unit 20, a gripping unit 540 provided instead of the gripping unit 40, An arm rest portion 550 provided in place of the portion 50 is provided. The display unit 30 includes a first display unit 531 and a second display unit 532 (see FIG. 15).

  Unlike the operation unit 20 of the first embodiment, the operation unit 520 is swingably connected around the rotation shaft member 521 via a hinge 541 provided between the grip unit 540 and the operation unit 520 as shown in FIG. ing. The shape of the operation unit 520 is substantially plate-like, and the first display unit 531 and the second display unit 532 are arranged on both surfaces in the thickness direction.

  The first display unit 531 and the second display unit 532 are liquid crystal displays configured in the same shape and size. Both the first display unit 531 and the second display unit 532 have the same function, and the observation imaged by the imaging unit 11 of the insertion unit 10 by both the first display unit 531 and the second display unit 532. An object image or the like can be displayed.

  The grip portion 540 is formed in a rod shape that is substantially the same as the grip portion 40 described in the endoscope apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, and specifically, is formed in a prismatic shape. The grip portion 540 has a rotation shaft member 551 extending in parallel with the rotation shaft member 521 at the end of the grip portion 540 far from the input portion 60, and the grip portion 540 and the arm contact portion 550 around the rotation shaft member 551. And move relative to each other.

  The arm rest portion 550 includes an arm rest main body portion 552 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the battery B is built in the arm rest main body portion 552.

An operation at the time of using the endoscope apparatus 5 of the present embodiment will be described.
The endoscope apparatus 5 includes a first shape (see FIGS. 13 and 14) in which the operation unit 520 and the arm contact portion 550 extend in parallel, a direction in which the operation portion 520 extends, and the arm contact portion 550. The second shape (see FIG. 15) having a dogleg-shaped positional relationship so as to intersect with the extending direction can be deformed to each other.

  In the first shape, as shown in FIG. 14, the user grips the grip portion 540 of the endoscope device 5 and operates the endoscope device 5 mainly by looking at the first display portion 531.

  In the present embodiment, when the endoscope apparatus 5 is in the first shape, the endoscope apparatus 5 is pulled by the weight of the insertion section 10, so that the insertion section 10 side of the endoscope apparatus 5 is pulled. A force that turns the grip 540 upward is transmitted from the endoscope device 5 to the user's hand. At this time, the contact area 552a of the armrest portion 550 is in contact with the outer surface of the forearm of the hand holding the gripping portion by the user, whereby the insertion portion 10 side of the endoscope device 5 is Is directed downward and the force that directs the grip 540 upward is canceled out. For this reason, the load applied to the wrist joint of the user who grips the grip portion 540 of the endoscope apparatus 5 is reduced.

  In the first shape described above, the user operates the endoscope device 5 while looking at the first display portion 531 extending in the horizontal direction from above, but the display portion 30 should be inclined toward the vertical direction. When convenient, the user rotates the operation unit 520 and the grip portion 540 and between the grip portion 540 and the arm rest portion 550 to form the second shape described above. In the second shape, the insertion portion 10 of the endoscope apparatus 5 extends vertically downward from the operation portion 520, and the grip portion 540 and the armrest portion 550 are formed in a dogleg shape so that the operation portion 520 is on the upper side. It extends. At this time, the user operates the endoscope apparatus 5 in a state where the armrest portion 550 is not in contact with the user's arm. When the user uses the endoscope device 5 having the second shape, the user holds the grip portion 540 so that the second display portion 532 faces the user side, and looks at the second display portion 532. The endoscope apparatus 5 is operated.

  In the second shape, the longitudinal axis X550 of the arm rest portion 550 extends along the longitudinal axis X5 of the grip portion 540. For this reason, the gravity center position of the endoscope apparatus 5 is closer to the arm rest portion 550 than the gravity center position of the endoscope apparatus 5 in the case of the first shape. For this reason, even if the armrest portion 550 is not in contact with the user's arm, the burden on the wrist joint when the user holds the endoscope device 5 is reduced.

  As described above, also by the endoscope apparatus 5 of the present embodiment, the user's thumb can freely move regardless of the state of the endoscope apparatus 5, similarly to the endoscope apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. The joystick 61 provided on the input unit 60 of the endoscope device 5 can be operated with the thumb even when the user holds the grip portion 540 of the endoscope device 5.

  Further, the endoscope apparatus 5 can be used by selecting the first shape and the second shape according to the use state of the endoscope apparatus 5, and the grip portion 540 is gripped in any of the shapes. The burden on the wrist joint of the user's hand is reduced. For this reason, when using the endoscope apparatus 5 for a long time, or when the user with weak grip strength uses the endoscope apparatus 5, a burden and a feeling of fatigue can be reduced.

  In addition, since the battery B is disposed inside the arm portion main body 552, for example, when the endoscope apparatus 5 is used in a folded shape as shown in FIG. Since the heavy object is located at a low position near the surface of the endoscope apparatus 5, the center of gravity of the endoscope apparatus 5 is lowered, and the endoscope apparatus 5 can be stably placed.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was explained in full detail with reference to drawings, the concrete structure is not restricted to this embodiment, The design change etc. of the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention are included.

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the endoscope apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment further includes a belt 53 that binds the armrest main body 52 and the user's forearm 103. May be. The belt 53 is formed in an annular shape so as to come into contact with the outer surfaces of the forearm 103 and the arm rest main body 52, and has elasticity. Thereby, it can prevent that the arm rest main-body part 52 slip | deviates from the forearm 103. FIG. As a result, the endoscope apparatus 1 can be reliably supported.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, a band 153 may be provided in the endoscope apparatus 1 instead of the belt 53 described above.
The band 153 has contact wall portions 153 a and 153 b that are fixed to the arm-supporting main body portion 52 and formed in a curved shape along the outer shape of the forearm 103. The contact wall portion 153b has elasticity. For this reason, when the forearm 103 is inserted by expanding the gap between the protruding end 153c of the contact wall 153b and the contact wall 153a, the contact wall 153b comes into contact with the outer surface of the forearm 103 by the restoring force of the contact wall 153b. Transforms into
Thereby, the forearm 103 and the arm rest main body 52 can be connected by the contact wall portion 153a and the contact wall portion 153b. Even with such a configuration, the endoscope apparatus 1 can be reliably supported.

  For example, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the arm rest main body portion 252 of the arm rest portion 250 is formed in a curved shape along the outer surface of the grip portion 440 and is stored in a state where there is no step with the outer surface of the grip portion 240. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the arm-supporting main body 252 may be formed in a shape that covers the outside of the grip portion 240. Further, the arm rest main body 252 may be stored inside the gripping portion 240 so as to be completely buried inside the gripping portion 240 in the radial direction. In this case, the arm contact main body 252 does not need to be curved, and is configured to have a free shape (for example, a curved shape along the outer surface of the user's forearm) that can be stored inside the grip portion 240. can do.

  In the fifth embodiment described above, the first display unit 531 and the second display unit 532 have the same functions. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the size of the display area, the number of pixels, etc. Different ones may be adopted.

  In addition, the first display unit 531 and the second display unit 532 save power on the display unit located on the opposite side to the user side in each of the first shape and the second shape described above. It can also be in a state.

  Further, the constituent elements shown in the above-described embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Endoscopic device 10 Insertion unit 20, 520 Operation unit 30 Display unit 40, 240, 340, 440, 540 Grasping unit 50, 250, 350, 450, 550 Arm rest unit 51 Switching mechanism 52, 252, 352, 452, 552 Arm contact main body 52 a, 252 a, 352 a, 452 a, 552 a Contact area 60 Input section

Claims (9)

An insertion portion that has a distal end and a proximal end, and is inserted into the subject from the distal end;
An operation portion provided at the proximal end of the insertion portion;
A display unit provided so as to be exposed on an outer surface of the operation unit, and displaying the internal image of the subject;
A rod-shaped gripping part having one end positioned on the operation part and the other end extending toward the outside of the operation part;
An input unit that is provided between the display unit and the grip unit on the outer surface of the operation unit on the side where the display unit is provided, and that performs an input for operating the insertion unit;
An arm rest portion provided extending from the other end of the gripping portion;
A rotation shaft member provided between the grip portion and the arm contact portion, and connected to the grip portion and the arm contact portion so as to be relatively rotatable about a rotation axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the grip portion. When,
A storage unit that is provided in the gripping unit and stores the armrest unit;
With
When the gripping part is gripped by hand so that a finger other than the thumb is attached to the outer surface of the gripping part on the opposite side in the radial direction from the side where the input part is located while the thumb is attached to the input part, The arm rest portion is provided in a state of having an angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the grip portion in plan view,
An endoscope apparatus in which the arm support portion is rotated about the rotation axis to be stored in the storage portion from a state protruding from the other end of the grip portion .   The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the arm contact portion has a contact region that contacts the outer surface facing the outer surface of the forearm.   The arm rest covers at least a part of the outer surface along the shape of the outer surface of the grip when the arm rest is in a direction extending to one end in the longitudinal axis direction of the grip. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1. The endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the storage unit is a recess formed on a radially inner side of an outer surface of the gripping unit. The outer peripheral surface of the grip portion and the outer peripheral surface of the arm rest portion coincide with each other in a state where the arm rest portion covers at least a part of the outer surface along the shape of the outer surface of the grip portion. The endoscope apparatus according to 3 or 4. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the arm contact portion is provided with an angle toward the input portion with respect to a longitudinal direction of the grip portion in a side view. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the arm support portion includes a switching mechanism that switches the protruding direction according to the left and right of the hand that is gripped by the grip portion.   The endoscope apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the switching mechanism includes a movable connecting portion that connects the grip portion and the armrest portion so as to be relatively rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the grip portion. The grip portion has an engaged portion with which the arm rest portion engages at the other end,
The armrest portion has an engaging portion that is detachably engaged with the engaged portion,
The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1.

Images