JP5390446B2 - Optical fiber unit and endoscope - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical fiber unit that is inserted into an insertion portion of an endoscope, and an endoscope including the same.

  An optical fiber unit such as a light guide that guides illumination light from the light source device is inserted through the insertion portion of the endoscope. This optical fiber unit is composed of an optical fiber bundle in which a plurality of optical fibers are bundled. The individual optical fibers forming the optical fiber bundle are members that are vulnerable to compression, and may be broken by external compression or the like. Usually, in the insertion part, in addition to the optical fiber unit, there is a risk that pressure will be applied from these other built-in objects because a treatment tool insertion channel or the like as a guide member for forceps or other treatment tools is inserted, For this purpose, the optical fiber must be protected from breakage.

  In particular, since the bending portion constituting the insertion portion has a large bending angle, the optical fiber may be broken by another built-in object. When the optical fiber is broken, the amount of illumination light is reduced, or the broken portion is reflected in the endoscopic image as a black spot, and in some cases, observation becomes impossible.

  For this reason, in Patent Document 1, the outer periphery of the optical fiber bundle in the curved portion is covered with a metal spiral tube, and the outer periphery of the spiral tube and the optical fiber bundle is covered with a flexible tube. By protecting with a spiral tube, the optical fiber is prevented from being broken by being pressed by another built-in portion.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 2 describes a configuration in which a mesh tube made of metal fibers is disposed on the outer periphery of an optical fiber bundle on the outer periphery of the optical fiber bundle in the bending portion, and the optical fiber bundle is protected by the mesh tube. In recent years, endoscopes such as transnasal endoscopes have been developed in which the insertion portion has a smaller diameter than oral endoscopes and lower endoscopes. In order to reduce the diameter of the insertion portion, a member that covers the optical fiber bundle is also required to have a small thickness, and the mesh tube described in Patent Document 2 is thicker than the spiral tube described in Patent Document 1. There are few, and it is advantageous from a viewpoint of diameter reduction.

  In Patent Documents 1 and 2, a base for fixing to the distal end portion of the insertion portion is provided at the distal end of the optical fiber bundle, and the distal end portion of a spiral tube or a mesh tube is fixed to the outer periphery of the base. The inner diameter of the spiral tube or mesh tube fixed to the outer periphery of the base is formed in accordance with the outer diameter of the base and is the same diameter over the entire length from the front end to the rear end, and there is no change in diameter.

Japanese Patent No. 2978295 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-323210

  In an insertion portion of an endoscope, it is required to secure a space in which a built-in object moves in a radial direction in the bending portion as the diameter is reduced. This is because, within the bending part, the built-in objects that have moved interfere with each other to become resistance and hinder the operability of the insertion part, or the fragile optical fiber bundle is damaged by pressure, and thus moves in the radial direction. This is because a space is required. In particular, two light guides are generally inserted into the insertion portion, and it is strongly desired to secure a space for moving in the radial direction by improving the diameter reduction in the bending portion.

  As described above, in Patent Document 2 described above, the diameter of the light guide is reduced by using a mesh tube, but the end of the mesh tube is fitted to the outer periphery of the base and has the same diameter over the entire length. Since it is formed, the outer diameter of the light guide is based on the outer diameter of the base. However, with the outer diameter of the light guide based on the outer diameter of the base, the diameter of the light guide is not sufficiently reduced, and a sufficient space in the radial direction cannot be secured. Moreover, in the said patent document 1, nothing is described about diameter reduction of the light guide in a curved part, and there is no description which suggests about securing of the space of radial direction.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an optical fiber unit that can further reduce the diameter in the bending portion of the insertion portion and can secure a space in the radial direction in the bending portion, and An object is to provide an endoscope.

The optical fiber unit of the present invention is inserted into an insertion portion of an endoscope in which a bending portion that bends in order to change the direction of the distal end portion and a flexible soft portion are sequentially provided from the distal end side. An optical fiber bundle or an optical fiber bundled together, a base for fixing the optical fiber bundle or the optical fiber to the tip end portion, and a base for fixing the optical fiber bundle or the optical fiber to the distal end portion. A metal protective tube disposed on the outer periphery of a fiber bundle or the optical fiber and having a diameter that decreases when it extends in the axial direction and increases in diameter when contracted in the axial direction, and covers the outer periphery of the base. 1 part and a 2nd part which covers the outer periphery of the said optical fiber bundle or the said optical fiber from the back end of the said nozzle | cap | die, and is located in the said curved part, and the internal diameter of the said 2nd part Smaller than diameter And Ku formed metal protective tube, is coated over the entire length on the outer periphery of the metal protective tube, characterized by comprising an outer size specification system member for restricting the outer diameter of the metal protective tube.

  The metal protective tube is preferably a mesh tube formed by braiding fine wires. Alternatively, the metal protective tube is preferably a spiral tube formed by winding a strip.

  The outer diameter regulating member is preferably a heat shrinkable tube that shrinks in the diameter direction by heating.

  The outer diameter regulating member is preferably a flexible adhesive coated on the metal protective tube.

  The endoscope according to the present invention includes the insertion portion, an operation means for bending the bending portion, a main body operation portion provided on a proximal end side of the insertion portion and incorporating the operation means, and the optical And a fiber unit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the diameter of the optical fiber unit in the bending portion and secure a radial space in the bending portion, so that it does not interfere with other built-in objects and become resistance to bending, Further, the optical fiber bundle or the optical fiber is not damaged by the pressing force from other built-in objects.

It is an external view of the endoscope of the present invention. It is a top view which shows the end surface of the front-end | tip part of an insertion part. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the structure of an insertion part. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the structure of the light guide as an optical fiber unit of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the method of coat | covering a mesh pipe | tube on an optical fiber unit raw material. It is explanatory drawing which shows another method of coat | covering a mesh pipe | tube on an optical fiber unit raw material.

  In FIG. 1, an endoscope 2 according to the present invention is connected to an insertion portion 3 to be inserted into a body cavity, an operation portion 5 connected to a proximal end portion of the insertion portion 3, and a processor device or a light source device. The connector part 6, the operation part 5, and the universal cord 7 which connects between the connector parts 6 are provided.

  The insertion portion 3 is formed in a tubular shape, and is composed of a distal end portion 11, a bending portion 12 connecting a plurality of bending pieces, and a flexible flexible portion 13 in order from the distal end. The operation unit 5 is provided with angle knobs 21 and 22 for bending the bending portion 12 in the vertical and horizontal directions to change the direction of the distal end portion 11, a forceps insertion port 23 through which the treatment tool is inserted, and the like.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the end surface 11 a of the distal end portion 11 is circular, and an observation window 30, an illumination window 31, a forceps outlet 32, and an air / water supply nozzle 33 are provided. The observation window 30 is disposed at the upper center of the end surface 11a. The rear end of the distal end portion 11 is connected to a bending piece 12 a on the distal end side that constitutes the bending portion 12.

  Two illumination windows 31 are arranged at symmetrical positions with respect to the observation window 30. Behind the illumination window 31, there are arranged emission ends of light guides 34 that are inserted into the insertion portion 3 and guide illumination light from the light source device. The illumination window 31 irradiates the observation site in the body cavity with the illumination light guided by the light guide 34. The light guide 34 is fitted and attached to a hole 14b formed in the distal end portion 11 through a cylindrical base 35 fixed to the distal end. The base 35 is disposed in the distal end portion 11.

  In the back of the observation window 30, a photographing optical system and a solid-state image sensor (not shown) such as a CCD are provided. The solid-state imaging device captures image light in the body cavity imaged by the imaging optical system through the observation window 30. An imaging signal obtained by the solid-state imaging device is sent to a processor device connected to the universal cord 7 via a signal line inserted through the insertion unit 3 and the operation unit 5 and displayed as an endoscopic image on a monitor. The The forceps outlet 32 is connected to a forceps channel 36 disposed in the insertion portion 3 and communicates with the forceps insertion opening 23. The distal end of the treatment instrument inserted through the forceps insertion opening 23 is exposed from the forceps outlet 32.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the light guide 34 as an optical fiber unit of the present invention includes an optical fiber bundle 37 in which a plurality of optical fibers 37a are bundled, a flexible tube 38 that covers the optical fiber bundle 37, and the above-described optical fiber unit 37. And a reticulated tube 39 as a metal protective tube, and a heat shrinkable tube 40 as an outer diameter regulating member. For example, a quartz optical fiber is used as the optical fiber 37a. The base 35 has a cylindrical shape having an outer diameter larger than that of the optical fiber bundle 37, and the distal end portion of the optical fiber bundle 37 is fitted and fixed to the inner peripheral surface 35a. The flexible tube 38 is a flexible tube formed of, for example, silicon resin, and the optical fiber bundle 37 extends over the substantially entire length from the vicinity of the rear end of the base 35 to the rear end of the optical fiber bundle 37. Cover the outer periphery. The flexible tube 38 is fixed to the optical fiber bundle 37 with, for example, an adhesive or a spool.

  The mesh tube 39 is formed by braiding metal wires such as stainless steel and tungsten, and is disposed on the outer periphery of the base 35, the optical fiber bundle 37, and the flexible tube 38 in the insertion portion 3. Specifically, the mesh tube 39 is positioned behind the rear end of the base 35 and in the curved portion 12 and covers the outer periphery of the optical fiber bundle 37, covering the rear end of the base 35. And a second portion 39b. In this embodiment, since the outer periphery of the optical fiber bundle 37 is covered with the flexible tube 38, the second portion 39 b is arranged on the outer periphery of the optical fiber bundle 37 via the flexible tube 38.

  The heat-shrinkable tube 40 is a well-known heat-shrinkable tube that shrinks when heated, and is made of, for example, polyolefin or PTFE. As shown in FIG. 4, the heat shrinkable tube 40 may be disposed up to a portion covering the flexible tube 38 behind the mesh tube 39 as shown in FIG. Any length may be used as long as it covers. The heat shrinkable tube 40 is fixed to the base 35 with, for example, an adhesive. In the present embodiment, the outer periphery of the mesh tube 39 is covered with the heat shrinkable tube 40, so that the mesh tube 39 is sandwiched between the base 35 and the heat shrinkable tube 40, and the tip of the mesh tube 39 is Although fixed to the base 35, the present invention is not limited to this, and the tip of the mesh tube 39 may be fixed to the outer periphery of the rear end of the base 35 with, for example, an adhesive or a spool.

  The mesh tube 39 is braided so that the diameter (outer diameter and inner diameter) decreases when it extends in the axial direction, and the diameter increases when contracted in the axial direction. In the present invention, the mesh tube 39 is coated on the optical fiber bundle 37 and the base 35 so as to narrow or widen the diameter of the mesh tube 39 by utilizing this. FIG. 5 shows a coating method for covering the mesh tube 39 after covering the optical fiber bundle 37 with the flexible tube 38 and fitting and fixing the base 35. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, a state in which the optical fiber bundle 37 is covered with the flexible tube 38 and the base 35 is fitted is referred to as an optical fiber unit material 50.

As shown in FIG. 5 (A), in the present embodiment, as the mesh tube 39 used for coating of the optical fiber unit material 50, the inner diameter D _N0 before coating, using larger than the outer diameter D _K of the ferrule 35 To do. Then, as shown in FIG. 5 (B), the optical fiber unit material 50 is inserted into the mesh tube 39 from the rear end side, and a range corresponding to the rear end portion of the base 35 and the curved portion 12 is defined. A reticulated tube 39 is arranged on the outer periphery of the flexible tube 38 so as to cover it.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5C, the tip end side of the mesh tube 39 is connected to the mouthpiece 35 so that the mesh tube 39 covers the rear end portion of the mouthpiece 35 and the range corresponding to the curved portion 12. The rear end side of the mesh tube 39 is pulled rearward while being pressed against 35. As a result, the diameter of the mesh tube 39 located behind the base 35, that is, in the range corresponding to the curved portion 12, is reduced.

Pulling the rear end of the braid tube 39, by covering the outer periphery of the flexible tube 38 with reduced diameter, as shown in FIG. 4, the inner diameter D _N of the second portion 39b of the braid tube 39, the mouthpiece 35 It is smaller than the outer diameter D _K of. 5C, after covering the mesh tube 39 with the heat shrinkable tube 40, the outer periphery of the mesh tube 39 is covered with the heat shrinkable tube 40 by heat shrinking. Thus, the heat shrinkable tube 40, the inside diameter D _N of the second portion 39b is to hold the outer diameter D _K is smaller than the state of the cap 35 to restrict the outer diameter of the braid tube 39. By forming the mesh tube 39 and the heat-shrinkable tube 40 in this way, it is possible to reduce the diameter of the entire light guide 34, in particular, to reduce the diameter behind the base 35, which is a range corresponding to the curved portion 12.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the outer periphery of the optical fiber bundle 37 is covered with the mesh tube 39 via the flexible tube 38. Therefore, when the inner diameter D _N of the mesh tube 39 is formed to cover less than the outer diameter D _T of the flexible tube 38, since the flexible tube 38 would bite into the braid tube 39, light The flexibility of the guide 34 is hindered, and consequently the bending property of the insertion portion 3 is hindered. Therefore, diameter of the light guide 34 in the bending portion 12, and a flexible point of view, the inner diameter D _N of the braid tube 39 is most preferably equal to the outer diameter D _T of the flexible tube 38. The present invention is not limited thereto, the inner diameter _{D N} of the mesh tube 39, or the outer diameter _{D T} of the flexible tube 38, and may be less than the outside diameter _{D K} of the die 35. As a result, the diameter of the light guide 34 in the bending portion 12 can be reduced.

  In order to regulate the outer diameter of the mesh tube 39 with the heat-shrinkable tube 40, the heat shrinkage is caused by the spring property of the mesh tube 39 and the characteristics (flexibility, shrinkage ratio before and after heating) of the heat-shrinkable tube 40. What is necessary is just to determine suitably the thickness of the tube 40, the heating conditions (temperature, time), etc. in a heat contraction process.

  As described above, when observing the inside of a patient's body cavity with the configured endoscope 2, the operator connects the endoscope 2, the processor device, and the light source device, and inserts the insertion portion 3 into the body cavity. Then, by appropriately manipulating the angle knobs 21 and 22 to perform a procedure such as bending the bending portion 12 and directing the distal end portion 11 in a desired direction, while illuminating the body cavity with illumination light from the light source device The endoscopic image in the body cavity by the solid-state imaging device is observed on the monitor.

  When the bending portion 12 is bent to change the direction of the distal end portion 11, built-in objects such as the light guide 34, the forceps channel 36, and the signal line move within the bending portion 12. In the bending portion 12, the light guide 34 is reduced in diameter as described above, and a space for moving in the radial direction is secured. Does not interfere with operability. Moreover, even if the light guide 34 is pushed from another built-in object, the optical fiber bundle 37 can be prevented from being damaged because the light guide 34 has a space that can avoid the pressing force.

In the above-described embodiment, the mesh tube 39 having a normal inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the base 35 is used, the rear end of the mesh tube 39 covering the optical fiber unit material 50 is pulled, and the curved portion 12 is used. Although the diameter of the range corresponding to the inside is reduced, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 6 (A), as a mesh tube 39 used for coating the optical fiber unit material 50, the diameter before coating is reduced. An inner diameter _DN0 that is approximately equal to the outer diameter _DT of the flexible tube 38 is used. Then, as shown in FIG. 6 (B), the distal end side of the braid tube 39, i.e. the diameter of the portion covering the outer periphery of the base 35, spread over the outer diameter D _K of the die 35.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6 (C), the optical fiber unit material 50 is inserted into the mesh tube 39 from the rear end side, and the range corresponding to the rear end portion of the base 35 and the curved portion 12 is set in the mesh tube. Cover with 39. Thus, since the optical fiber unit material 50 is covered with the mesh tube 39 that is located behind the base 35 and covers the flexible tube 38 and having a small diameter, the mesh tube 39 is the same as in the above embodiment. the inner diameter _{D N} of the second portion 39b of is formed smaller than the outer diameter _{D K} of the die 35. And the mesh tube 39 is coat | covered with the heat contraction tube 40, and the same effect as the said embodiment can be acquired because the outer diameter of the mesh tube 39 is controlled.

  In the above embodiment, the outer periphery of the optical fiber bundle 37 is covered with a flexible tube, and the mesh tube 39 is arranged on the outer periphery of the optical fiber bundle 37 through the flexible tube. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and nothing may be interposed between the optical fiber bundle 37 and the mesh tube 39, and the outer periphery of the optical fiber bundle 37 may be covered with the mesh tube 39.

  In the above embodiment, an optical fiber unit including an optical fiber bundle in which a plurality of optical fibers are bundled is described as an example. However, the optical fiber unit is applied to an optical fiber unit made of a single optical fiber instead of the optical fiber bundle. May be. Alternatively, in the above embodiment, a quartz optical fiber is used as the optical fiber, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other optical fibers such as a plastic optical fiber may be used.

In the above embodiment, the heat shrinkable tube is used as the outer diameter restricting member for restricting the outer diameter of the mesh tube. However, the heat shrinkable tube is not limited to the heat shrinkable tube. For example, a flexible adhesive is used as the outer diameter restricting member. It may be used as In this case, the inner diameter D _N of the second portion 39b of the embodiment similarly to braid tube 39, after forming smaller than the outer diameter D _K of the base 35 by coating a flexible adhesive mesh tube 39 mesh The outer diameter of the tube 39 may be restricted.

  In the above embodiment, the mesh tube 39 is used as the metal protective tube covering the optical fiber bundle 37. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and instead of the mesh tube 39 having the above configuration, for example, stainless steel tube is used. A spiral tube formed by winding a metal strip like the above may be used as a metal protective tube.

  In the above embodiment, an electronic endoscope for observing an image obtained by imaging a body cavity using a solid-state image sensor has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an optical image guide is used. The present invention can also be applied to an endoscope that observes the inside of a body cavity. In this case, the optical fiber unit of the present invention is applied to the optical image guide, and the optical fiber bundle constituting the optical image guide is covered with the metal protective tube and the heat-shrinkable tube having the same configuration as the above embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 Endoscope 3 Insertion part 5 Operation part 11 Tip part 12 Bending part 13 Soft part 34 Light guide (optical fiber unit)
35 mouthpiece 37 optical fiber bundles 37a optical fiber 39 mesh tube 39a first part 39b second part 40 heat shrinkable tube D _K mouthpiece outer diameter D _N braid tube inner diameter D _T flexible tubing OD

Claims (6)

An optical fiber bundle or an optical fiber in which a bending portion and a flexible flexible portion that are bent to change the direction of the distal end portion are inserted into an insertion portion of an endoscope that is sequentially arranged from the distal end side, and optical fibers are bundled. Fiber,
A base for fixing to the optical fiber bundle or the optical fiber, and fixing the optical fiber bundle or the optical fiber to the tip portion;
In the insertion part, a metal protective tube disposed on the outer periphery of the optical fiber bundle or the optical fiber, the diameter of which is reduced when extending in the axial direction and the diameter is increased when contracting in the axial direction, A first part that covers the outer periphery of the base, and a second part that is located behind the rear end of the base and within the curved portion and covers the outer periphery of the optical fiber bundle or the optical fiber, and the second part A metal protective tube having an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the base;
An optical fiber unit comprising: an outer diameter regulating member that covers an outer circumference of the metal protective tube over the entire length and regulates an outer diameter of the metal protective tube.   2. The optical fiber unit according to claim 1, wherein the metal protective tube is a mesh tube formed by braiding fine wires.   The optical fiber unit according to claim 1, wherein the metal protective tube is a spiral tube formed by winding a strip.   The optical fiber unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the outer diameter regulating member is a heat shrinkable tube that shrinks in a diameter direction by heating.   The optical fiber unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the outer diameter regulating member is a flexible adhesive coated on the metal protective tube.   The said insertion part, the operation means for bending the said bending part, the main body operation part provided in the base end side of the said insertion part, and the said operation means were integrated, The any one of Claim 1 thru | or 5 An endoscope comprising the optical fiber unit.

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