JP6284111B1 - Connection structure between flexible endoscope and repeater device, and endoscope system including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily receive and connect these two guides to a flexible endoscope having a light guide and an image guide, and to mistakenly connect the connection terminals of the respective guides to different ports. To provide a connection structure between a flexible endoscope and a repeater device, and an endoscope system including the connection structure. A flexible endoscope having a light guide and an image guide and a relay device, wherein the flexible endoscope includes a first connection terminal extending from the light guide; A connection plug integrated with a second connection terminal extending from the image guide arranged substantially in parallel, and the first connection terminal of the light guide in the connection plug of the flexible endoscope. In this connection structure, a step is provided between the distal end portion and the distal end portion of the second connection terminal of the image guide. [Selection] Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a connection structure between a flexible endoscope and a repeater device, and an endoscope system including the connection structure, and more particularly, a light guide that emits light from a distal tip to the outside, and a distal tip The present invention relates to a connection structure for connecting a flexible endoscope provided with two guides, an image guide for transmitting image information from a unit, to a repeater device, and an endoscope system including the connection structure.

  In recent years, various endoscopic techniques that enable diagnosis, surgery, and the like in the human body have been developed.

  In particular, a flexible endoscope called a vascular endoscope or a vascular endoscopic catheter is used to measure the property, length, and / or stenosis of a lesion in a blood vessel such as a coronary artery. Such a vascular endoscope has a long axis and a very small diameter in order to facilitate advancement and retraction in a blood vessel as compared with, for example, a digestive organ endoscope used for diagnosis of a digestive organ, surgery, and the like. Designed. Furthermore, the blood vessel endoscope is a light composed of an illuminating fiber capable of irradiating light to the outside at the distal tip portion thereof (that is, the tip portion of the endoscope furthest away from the doctor's hand). There are provided at least two guide members including a guide and an image guide composed of an image transmission fiber for transmitting image information obtained at the distal tip to the doctor side.

  Further, in the blood vessel endoscope, these two guides are connected to the repeater device on the proximal end side (that is, the distal end portion of the endoscope closest to the hand of the doctor), and the repeater device is also connected to the repeater device. It is electrically connected to a medical console having various information processing functions for displaying, analyzing, storing and the like of transmitted image information. As such a repeater device, for example, a device described in Patent Document 1 is known.

  Here, the connection between the two guides of the vascular endoscope and the relay device is conventionally provided with a connection terminal of the light guide and a connection terminal of the image guide extending from the vascular endoscope in the relay device. It has been proposed to do so by plugging into the port. However, such a method of connecting the connection terminals individually requires unnecessary time for connection work, and there is a concern that the connection terminals of the guides may be mistakenly connected to different ports.

  On the other hand, each guide in the blood vessel endoscope is integrated in the form of a connection plug. On the other hand, in the repeater device, a light supply unit having a port for receiving and connecting a connection terminal of the light guide, and a connection terminal of the image guide It is conceivable that the lens barrel portion having a port for receiving and connecting the vascular endoscope is arranged in the horizontal direction so that the blood vessel endoscope can be connected to the plug receiving port of the repeater device by one operation.

International Publication No. 2015/166648

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to easily receive and connect these two guides to a flexible endoscope including a light guide and an image guide. Provided is a connection structure between a flexible endoscope and a repeater device, and an endoscope system including the connection structure, which can be avoided and can be prevented from mistakenly connecting the connection terminals of each guide to different ports. It is in.

The present invention is a connection structure between a flexible endoscope comprising a light guide and an image guide and a repeater device,
The flexible endoscope includes a connection plug in which a first connection terminal extending from the light guide and a second connection terminal extending from the image guide are arranged substantially in parallel, and integrated.
The repeater device is
A light supply unit, wherein the first connection terminal of the light guide in the flexible endoscope is connected through a receiving port;
A light source for irradiating the light guide from the light supply unit;
A lens barrel portion that connects the second connection terminal of the image guide in the flexible endoscope via a receiving port; and a camera mechanism that receives an image transmitted from the image guide to the lens barrel portion;
And a step is provided between the distal end portion of the first connection terminal of the light guide and the distal end portion of the second connection terminal of the image guide in the connection plug of the flexible endoscope. It is a connection structure.

  In one embodiment, in the repeater device, the axis of the light supply unit and the axis of the barrel unit are arranged substantially parallel to each other.

  In one embodiment, in the repeater device, the light supply section and the lens barrel section are configured such that the distal end portion of the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal in the connection plug of the flexible endoscope The first connection terminal and the second connection terminal are disposed at different positions corresponding to the step difference between the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal.

  In one embodiment, in the connection plug of the flexible endoscope, the distal end portion of the second connection terminal of the image guide protrudes from the distal end portion of the first connection terminal of the light guide. ing.

  In one embodiment, in the flexible endoscope, the connection plug has a flange in a direction perpendicular to an arrangement direction of the first connection terminal of the light guide and the second connection terminal of the image guide. The repeater device further includes a lock mechanism for fixing the flange of the received connection plug by urging outside the first port and the second port.

  In one embodiment, the flexible endoscope is a vascular endoscope.

The present invention is also an endoscope system comprising:
A flexible endoscope with a light guide and an image guide;
A relay device connected to the light guide and the image guide of the flexible endoscope; and a console connected to the relay device via a cable for transmitting image information;
With
A system comprising a connection structure between the flexible endoscope according to any one of the above and the repeater device.

  According to the present invention, a flexible endoscope including a light guide and an image guide can be easily attached to a repeater device with reduced risk of connection failure, and can be detached from the repeater device. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to connect a flexible endoscope having a simpler structure.

It is a schematic diagram of the flexible endoscope 400 which can be used for the connection structure of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the connection plug 404 of the flexible endoscope shown in FIG. 1, where (a) is a plan view of the connection plug 404, and (b) is a top view of the connection plug 404. It is a figure which shows typically an example of the repeater apparatus which can be used for the connection structure of this invention, Comprising: (a) is a perspective view of the said repeater apparatus, (b) is a front view of the said repeater apparatus. And (c) is a rear view of the repeater device. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a state in which the connection plug 404 of the flexible endoscope shown in FIG. 1 is connected to the repeater device 100 shown in FIG. 3, and (a) shows the repeater device 100 to which the connection plug 404 is connected. And (b) is a cross-sectional view in the AA direction of (a). It is a figure for demonstrating the structure 200 which removed the housing 102 from the repeater apparatus 100 of this invention shown in FIG. 3, (a) is a front view of 200 of the said structure, (b) is the said It is a side view of structure 200, and (c) is a BB direction sectional view of the (a) concerned. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a state in which the connection plug 404 of the flexible endoscope shown in FIG. 1 is connected to the repeater device 100 shown in FIG. 3, and (a) shows the repeater device 100 to which the connection plug 404 is connected. And (b) is a cross-sectional view in the CC direction of (a). FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a state in which the connection plug 404 of the flexible endoscope shown in FIG. 1 is connected to the repeater device 100 shown in FIG. 3, and (a) shows the repeater device 100 to which the connection plug 404 is connected. (B) is a sectional view in the DD direction of (a), and (c) is a partially enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a circle in (b). FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a locking mechanism provided in the repeater device 100 shown in FIG. 3, wherein (a) shows a connection plug 404 of the flexible endoscope shown in FIG. 1 at a receiving port 101 of the repeater device 100. It is sectional drawing in the horizontal direction of the said repeater apparatus for demonstrating the state before inserting and locking, And (b) steers the said connection plug 404 to the receiving port 101 of the repeater apparatus 100, and locks it. It is sectional drawing in the horizontal direction of the said repeater apparatus for demonstrating the state after being done. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the endoscope system containing the flexible endoscope shown in FIG. 1 and the repeater apparatus shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a flexible endoscope 400 that can be used in the connection structure of the present invention.

  The flexible endoscope 400 includes an endoscope catheter portion 402 and a connection plug 404. The endoscopic catheter portion 402 is composed of a flexible elongated shaft member, and a light guide (not shown) composed of a plurality of illumination fibers is provided in the interior thereof, and is obtained at the distal tip. And an image guide (not shown) composed of a plurality of image transmission fibers for transmitting the obtained image information to the doctor side.

  As used herein, the term “distal” refers to the position of an instrument such as an endoscope, and the position of the instrument. When the instrument is used by a doctor, the instrument Or the part of the device that is farther from the operator, and the term “proximal” is a term that describes the position of the instrument and the device, when the instrument is used by a physician Or it refers to the part of the device that is closer to the doctor.

  The length of the endoscope catheter portion 402 is not particularly limited, but is preferably designed to be 1000 mm to 2500 mm, more preferably 1200 mm to 2300 mm. On the other hand, the average outer diameter of the length of the endoscope catheter portion 402 is preferably 0.3 mm to 3 mm, and more preferably 0.5 mm to 2 mm.

  Further, in FIG. 1, the light guide of the endoscope catheter portion 402 is in communication with the first connection terminal 406 in the connection plug 404, and the image guide is in communication with the second connection terminal 408 in the connection plug 404. I'm in touch. In the flexible endoscope 400 used in the present invention, the first connection terminal 406 of the light guide and the second connection terminal 408 of the image guide are arranged by the connection plug 404 so as to be substantially parallel to each other. Preferably it is.

  Examples of such flexible endoscopes include vascular endoscopes, ureteroscopes, and oviductors. In the present invention, the flexible endoscope is preferably a vascular endoscope.

  2 is an enlarged view of the connection plug 404 of the flexible endoscope shown in FIG. 1, wherein (a) is a plan view of the connection plug 404, and (b) is a top view of the connection plug 404. In FIGS. 2A and 2B, the description of the endoscope catheter portion of the flexible endoscope is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 2A, in the present invention, the tip 410 of the first connection terminal 406 (extending from the light guide) provided on the connection plug 404 and the second connection (extending from the image guide) are provided. A predetermined step t ₁ is preferably provided between the tip 412 of the terminal 408. Such a step t ₁ determines the arrangement between the components in the repeater device described later. The length (mm) of the step t ₁ itself is not necessarily limited, but in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, between the base end portion 411 of the second connection terminal 408 and the tip end portion 410 of the first connection terminal 406. resulting a step _{t 2,} the said step _{t 2} satisfy the relation of _t 2> 0 (i.e., the proximal side of the base end portion of the second connection terminal 408 is the distal end portion 410 of the first connection terminal 406 It is preferably designed to have such a length (mm). By having such a level difference t _2, with respect to the first port and a second port provided in the receiving port of the repeater apparatus, the first connection terminal 406 and the second connection terminals 408 Even if they are erroneously inserted into each other, the connection plug 404 does not sufficiently enter the repeater device, so that it is possible to easily recognize the erroneous connection.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the flexible endoscope connection plug 404 is also arranged in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the first connection terminal 406 of the light guide and the second connection terminal 408 of the image guide. A flange 414 is preferably provided. This is because the connection plug 404 can be more easily attached to and detached from the repeater device by engaging with a lock mechanism that can be provided in the repeater device described later.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a repeater device that can be used in the connection structure of the present invention.

  A repeater device 100 shown in FIG. 3A includes a housing 102 and grips 104 and 104 ′ provided on a side surface of the housing 102. In one embodiment of the present invention, four operation buttons 106, 108, 110, 112 are provided on the upper surface of the housing 102. The operation buttons 106, 108, 110, and 112 are for controlling an image recording function provided in a medical console (not shown; hereinafter, may be abbreviated as “console”) connected to the repeater device 100. A recording button and a stop button, and a button for adjusting increase / decrease in light illuminance at the distal tip of the flexible endoscope. Further, in the repeater device shown in FIG. 3A, an adjustment screw for adjusting a gimbal portion, which will be described later, at the approximate center of the place where the operation buttons 106, 108, 110, and 112 are disposed and the side surface of the housing 102. Are provided with holes 114 and 116, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the front side of the repeater apparatus 100 is for receiving a first connection terminal extending from the light guide of the flexible endoscope and a second connection terminal extending from the image guide, respectively. A receiving port 101 is provided. Further, the receiving port 101 is provided with a first port 103 for receiving the first connection terminal and a second port 105 for receiving the second connection terminal. In the repeater apparatus 100, as shown in FIG. 3B, the first port 103 and the second port 105 are preferably provided side by side in a substantially horizontal direction with respect to the repeater apparatus 100. .

  On the other hand, a cable for transmitting image information obtained from the flexible endoscope from the repeater device 100 to the console is connected to the back side of the repeater device 100 as shown in FIG. Port 114 is provided.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a state in which the connection plug 404 of the flexible endoscope shown in FIG. 1 is connected to the repeater device 100 shown in FIG. 3, and (a) shows the connection plug 404 connected. It is a front view of the repeater apparatus 100, and (b) is AA direction sectional drawing of the said (a). In FIGS. 4A and 4B, the description of the endoscope catheter portion of the flexible endoscope is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the repeater device 100 includes a light source 121, a light supply unit 122, a lens barrel unit 142, and a camera mechanism 144.

  The light source 121 is a light emitting element such as an LED, and irradiates the light supply unit 122 with light. In the present invention, it is preferable that the light source 121 is directly fixed to the light supply unit 122 without any interval.

  The light supply unit 122 is a member having a hollow portion connected to the first connection terminal 406 extending from the light guide of the flexible endoscope via the first port 103 of the receiving port 101, and is obtained from the light source 121. It plays a role of guiding the emitted light from the first connection terminal 406 of the connection plug 404 to the ride guide. The length of the hollow portion of the light supply unit 122 is preferably designed to be the same as or shorter than that of the first connection terminal 406. Alternatively, in the present invention, the length of the hollow portion of the light supply portion 122 is designed to be substantially the same as that of the first connection terminal 406, or the hollow portion of the light supply portion 122 is the first length. Even when it is longer than the connection terminal 406, it is more preferable that the length difference is designed to be as small as possible.

  In the case where the hollow portion of the light supply unit 122 is designed to be longer than the first connection terminal 406, when the first connection terminal 406 is inserted into the light supply unit 122, the first connection terminal 406 An air gap (interval) is generated between the tip portion and the light source 121 provided behind (upstream) the light supply unit 122. The presence of such an air gap reduces the amount of light when the light from the light source 121 is transmitted to the first connection terminal 406, and ultimately reduces the amount of light at the distal end tip of the flexible endoscope. This may lead to problems such as darkening the image obtained from the distal end tip. Therefore, in the present invention, when the first connection terminal 406 is completely inserted into the hollow portion of the light supply unit 122, the air gap is caused by the tip portion of the first connection terminal 406 substantially contacting the light source 122. It is preferable that the hollow portion of the light supply unit 122 is designed so as not to occur.

  The lens barrel 142 is a member having a hollow portion connected to the second connection terminal 408 extending from the image guide of the flexible endoscope via the second port 105 of the receiving port 101, and preferably a cylindrical shape. Have The lens barrel 142 plays a role of transmitting an image obtained from the second connection terminal 408 of the connection plug 404 to the camera mechanism 144 through an image guide of a flexible endoscope. Although the length of the hollow part of the lens-barrel part 142 is not necessarily limited, For example, it is designed so that it may become the same length as the 2nd connection terminal 408, or the length beyond it. Here, in the repeater apparatus 100, it is preferable that the axis of the light supply unit 122 and the axis of the lens barrel 142 are arranged so as to be substantially parallel to each other. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the axis of the light supply part 122 and the axis of the lens barrel part 142 may be arranged so as to be horizontal and substantially parallel to each other.

  The camera mechanism 144 is preferably provided behind the lens barrel 142 (downstream), preferably at a predetermined interval. In one embodiment of the present invention, the image transmitted to the camera mechanism 144 is guided to an image sensor (for example, a CMOS image sensor or a CCD image sensor) disposed therein through the lens 146, and the image sensor performs the process. It is converted into digital information by a method well known in the technical field. The converted digital information is transmitted to the console through a cable (not shown) connected to the back of the repeater device 100.

  In the repeater device 100, as shown in FIG. 4B, the light supply unit 122 and the light source 121 are arranged in front (receiving port 101 side) with respect to the lens barrel unit 142 and the camera mechanism 144. Preferably it is. For example, by arranging the lens barrel 142, the camera mechanism 144, the light supply unit 122, and the light source 121 so as to satisfy such a relationship, the length in the width direction of the repeater device 100 is suppressed, and the doctor can more This is because an outer shape that can be easily gripped can be configured. Such an arrangement also makes it possible to reduce the distance between the first connection terminal 406 and the second connection terminal 408 in the connection plug 404 of the flexible endoscope.

  5A and 5B are views for explaining the structure 200 in which the housing 102 is removed from the repeater device 100 shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 5A is a front view of the structure 200, and FIG. It is a side view of the said structure 200, and (c) is BB direction sectional drawing of the said (a).

  As shown in FIG. 5C, in the structure 200 constituting the repeater device, the light supply unit 122 is fixed via an elastic member 150 fixed to the frame unit 148. In other words, in the repeater device 100, the light supply unit 122 contacts only the elastic member 150 in a state where the connection plug 404 of the flexible endoscope is not inserted or the first connection terminal 406 is not connected. It is fixed in the frame 148 of the repeater device. Accordingly, the light supply unit 122 forms a kind of floating state (floating structure) with respect to the peripheral members via the elastic member 150. In the above repeater device, the light supply unit 122 has such a floating structure, so that when the connection plug of the flexible endoscope is inserted into the repeater device, “deflection” of the elastic member 150 is performed. The first connection terminal extending from the light guide and the first extending from the image guide in any direction of the repeater device (that is, the horizontal direction (X-Y direction), the vertical direction (Z direction), and the combination thereof). The receiving error between the two connection terminals can be absorbed.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, as a result of having a “floating structure” in which the light supply unit 122 is fixed via the elastic member 150, the light source 121 disposed behind (upstream) the light supply unit 122 is replaced with the elastic member 150. In consideration of “deflection” (that is, elastic force) of the material constituting the light source, it is preferable that the light supply unit 122 be disposed on the side where the light supply unit 122 is located (that is, the front side or the downstream side) with a small distance. For example, in the repeater device 100 of the present invention shown in FIG. 4B, this “slight distance” means that the connection plug 404 of the flexible endoscope is inserted into the receiving port 101, and This is a distance corresponding to the front (downstream) side with respect to the position of the light source 121 in the repeater device 100 when the one connection terminal 406 contacts the light source 121 through the hollow portion of the light supply unit 122. . The “slight distance” is preferably 0.3 mm to 1 mm, for example, when urethane rubber or silicon rubber is used as the elastic member 150.

  The reason why it is preferable to arrange such a “slight distance” in front (downstream) on the light supply unit 122 side can be explained as follows, for example.

  For example, when the conventional light supply unit is not surrounded by an elastic member, the connection terminal extending from the light guide of the flexible endoscope comes into contact with the light source to obtain the maximum amount of light (for example, a person who performs connection (for example, Doctors had to adjust the insertion level of the connection terminal with their own sense, and this adjustment was one of the advanced and important “skills”.

  On the other hand, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5C again, since the light supply unit 122 has the “floating structure” fixed through the elastic member 150, for example, FIG. ), When the first connection terminal 406 of the connection plug 404 passes through the hollow portion of the light supply unit 122, the light supply unit 122 inserts the first connection terminal 406 in the insertion direction (for example, (c) of FIG. ) In the direction from the receiving port 101 to the light source 121). At this time, since at least a part of the force applied to the first connection terminal 406 is absorbed by the elastic member 150 surrounding the light supply unit 122 shown in FIG. 5C, the light supply unit 122 itself is The first connection terminal 406 moves in the insertion direction by a slight distance. Next, the light source 121 fixed to the light supply unit 122 also moves in the same direction by a distance corresponding to the slight distance, and the tip of the first connection terminal 406 collides with the light source 121 violently. It is avoided. As a result, the distal end portion of the first connection terminal 406 can make a “mild” and “reliable” contact with the light source 121, and the risk of the light source 121 being damaged by a collision can be avoided. Further, since the contact itself can be easily achieved, it is possible to eliminate the necessity for the person who performs the connection to have advanced and important “skills” as described above.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, the “mild” and “reliable” contact can be easily achieved, so that light can be provided with a larger amount of light to the light guide of the flexible endoscope. As a result, the diameter of the flexible endoscope itself can be reduced.

  In the present invention, examples of the member constituting the elastic member 150 include a rubber material, a thermoplastic elastomer material, a thermoplastic elastomer material, a spring, and a leaf spring. Preferable examples of the members constituting the elastic member 150 include silicon rubber and urethane rubber. In the present invention, the fixing of the light supply unit 122 only through the elastic member 150 is limited to the embodiment described in FIG. 5C as long as the floating structure can be achieved. It is not a thing.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a state in which the connection plug 404 of the flexible endoscope shown in FIG. 1 is connected to the repeater device 100 shown in FIG. 3, and (a) shows the connection plug 404 connected. It is a front view of the repeater apparatus 100, and (b) is CC sectional drawing of the said (a).

  In the repeater device 100, at least a part of the outer peripheral surface of the barrel portion 142 is surrounded by the gimbal portion 160. The gimbal portion 160 is a plate-like member made of metal (for example, aluminum, titanium, stainless steel) or resin (for example, polycarbonate resin, acrylic resin, ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) resin).

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a state in which the connection plug 404 of the flexible endoscope shown in FIG. 1 is connected to the repeater device 100 shown in FIG. 3, and (a) shows the connection plug 404 connected. It is a side view of the repeater apparatus 100, (b) is a DD direction sectional view of the (a), and (c) is a partially enlarged view of a part surrounded by a circle in the (b). is there. In FIG. 7A, the description of the endoscope catheter portion of the flexible endoscope is omitted.

  In FIG. 7B, the barrel portion 142 is disposed so as to penetrate the gimbal portion 160 perpendicular to the thickness direction with respect to the gimbal portion 160. A plurality of slits 162 are provided so as to surround the portion discontinuously, with the portion through which the lens barrel portion 142 passes being the center. In the present invention, the gap between the beams provided between one slit 162 and a slit disposed inside or outside of the gimbal portion 160 in the gimbal portion 160 varies depending on the material and thickness used for the gimbal portion 160 and is not necessarily limited. . For example, when the gimbal portion 160 is made of a metal such as aluminum or titanium, the distance between the beams is preferably 1 mm to 2 mm. Or when the gimbal part 160 is comprised with resin, it is preferable that the space | interval of the said beam is set larger than the case of the said metal, More preferably, they are 2 mm-4 mm.

  Further, the adjustment screws 164 and 166 are arranged in the gimbal portion 160 in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and the tip ends of the adjustment screws 164 and 166 are directed to the lens barrel portion 142. ing. As shown in FIG. 7 (c), bosses 172 and 174 are arranged at the tip portions of the adjusting screws 164 and 166, respectively, and the bosses 172 and 174 are located at the center of the gimbal portion 160 and the gimbal. It is embedded in a rigid part 175 provided integrally with the part 160 or independently from the gimbal part 160. The adjusting screws 164 and 166 can be screwed through the holes 114 and 116 described in FIG.

  In the present invention, the repeater apparatus 100 arbitrarily finely adjusts the axis of the lens barrel portion 142 by at least a part of the outer peripheral surface of the lens barrel portion 142 being surrounded by the gimbal portion 160 having the above-described configuration. be able to. Specifically, the rigid portion of the gimbal portion 160 is adjusted by adjusting the degree of screwing of the adjusting screws 164 and 166 shown in FIG. 7B or FIG. The bosses 172 and 174 embedded in the 175 abut against the rigid body portion 175, respectively, and the lens barrel portion 142 is moved in desired directions in the height direction (vertical direction) and the width direction (horizontal direction) of the repeater device. Can do. As a result, the axis of the lens barrel 142 also moves, so that the axis alignment with the camera mechanism provided behind (downstream) the lens barrel 142 can be performed at any stage. Such axial alignment of the lens barrel portion with respect to the camera mechanism, for example, makes maintenance of the repeater device easier.

  The repeater apparatus 100 also includes a lock mechanism for facilitating attachment / detachment of the connection plug 404 of the flexible endoscope.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a locking mechanism provided in the repeater device 100 shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating a connection plug 404 of the flexible endoscope shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing in the horizontal direction of the said repeater apparatus for demonstrating the state before inserting and locking to the receiving port 101, and (b) is the said connection plug 404 to the receiving port 101 of the repeater apparatus 100. It is sectional drawing in the horizontal direction of the said repeater apparatus for demonstrating the state after steering and locking. In FIGS. 8A and 8B, the description of the endoscope catheter portion of the flexible endoscope is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, in the connection structure of the present invention, the repeater device 100 is provided with a locking cam 180 acting as a locking mechanism on the receiving port 101 side. The locking cam 180 is oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to the lever 182, a lever 182 projecting out of the housing 102, a first hook portion 184 provided to face the lever 182, and a connection plug In a state before 404 is inserted, the second hook portion 186 protrudes out of the housing 102 and is rotatable about the camshaft 188.

  When the connection plug 404 of the flexible endoscope is inserted into the receiving port 101 of the repeater device 100, first, the connection plug 404 is disposed at a position shown in FIG. Thereafter, the lever 182 is rotated toward the connection plug 404, whereby the flange 414 provided on the connection plug 404 presses the first hook portion 184 of the locking cam 180. As a result, the first hook portion 184 rotates around the cam shaft 188. Further, the rotation of the lever 182 causes the third hook portion 185 to rotate over the latched leaf spring 187 that has been biased, and the latch hook leaf 187 causes the third hook portion 185 to rotate in the reverse direction. Energize to inhibit. When the lever 182 continues to rotate, as shown in FIG. 8B, the second hook portion 186 presses the flange 414 of the connection plug 404 from the rear to further push the connection plug 404 into the receiving port 101. be able to. At this time, the latch-type leaf spring 187 biases the first hook portion 184 so as to inhibit the first hook portion 184 from rotating in the reverse direction. Thus, by operating the lever 182 of the locking cam 180, the flange 414 provided on the connection plug 404 is urged, and the connection plug 404 of the flexible endoscope is introduced and fixed to the receiving port 101. Then, it can be easily attached to the repeater device 100 via the receiving port 101.

  On the other hand, when removing the connection plug 404 from the repeater device 100, the lever 182 is rotated away from the connection plug 404 from the state shown in FIG. 8B (that is, reversely rotated in the opposite direction). . Further, the reverse rotation of the lever 182 causes the third hook portion 185 to reversely rotate over the urged latch-type leaf spring 187, and the third hook portion 185 is urged to rotate by the latch-type leaf spring 187. Energize as follows. Thereby, the contact of the second hook portion 186 with the flange 414 of the connection plug 404 is released, the first hook portion 184 is pressed from the front of the flange 414, and the connection plug 404 moves away from the repeater device 100. Be energized. As described above, the connection plug 404 of the flexible endoscope can be easily detached from the repeater device 100 by performing an operation opposite to the case of attaching the lever 182.

  In the connection structure of the present invention, the repeater device 100 includes the locking cam 180 as described above, so that special skills for connection with the connection plug 404 of the flexible endoscope are further unnecessary. Thereby, the contact between the connection terminal extending from the light guide of the flexible endoscope and the light source is further facilitated, and a larger amount of light can be secured.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in the connection structure of the present invention, the repeater device 100 is connected to the flexible endoscope 400 as described above, and is also connected to the medical console 500 via the cable 520. . In this way, the endoscope system 600 is constructed.

  In the present invention, the endoscope system 600 allows the doctor to move the endoscope catheter portion 402 of the flexible endoscope 400 to a desired position, for example, through the blood vessel of the patient, and perform the endoscope using the repeater device 100. An image of the affected area obtained from the distal tip of the mirror catheter portion 402 can be displayed on the display 540 of the medical console 500. At this time, the doctor can instruct the medical console to enlarge and reduce the image displayed on the display and to record or stop the image through the operation buttons provided on the repeater device 100.

  In addition, although the example which connected the repeater apparatus 100 and the medical console 500 via the cable 520 was demonstrated above, this invention is not limited only to such embodiment. In the repeater device constituting the present invention, for example, the members included in the repeater device 100 are directly incorporated in the console without using the cable 520, so that one console device is constituted as a whole. There may be. That is, such a console device can also constitute the connection structure of the present invention together with the flexible endoscope. In this case, the connection plug of the flexible endoscope is connected to the console device through the same receiving port as the repeater device 100 provided in the console device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Repeater 101 Reception port 102 Housing 104,104 'Grip 114,116 Hole 121 Light source 122 Light supply part 142 Lens barrel part 144 Camera mechanism 146 Lens 148 Frame 150 Elastic member 160 Gimbal part 162 Slits 164,166 Adjustment screw 172,174 Boss 180 Locking cam 182 Lever 184 First hook portion 185 Third hook portion 186 Second hook portion 187 Latching leaf spring 188 Cam shaft 400 Flexible endoscope 402 Endoscopic catheter portion 404 Connection plug 406 First connection terminal 408 Second connection terminal 414 Flange 500 Medical console 540 Display 600 Endoscope system

Claims (7)

A connection structure between a flexible endoscope having a light guide and an image guide and a repeater device,
The flexible endoscope includes a connection plug in which a first connection terminal extending from the light guide and a second connection terminal extending from the image guide are arranged substantially in parallel, and integrated.
The repeater device is
A light supply unit, wherein the first connection terminal of the light guide in the flexible endoscope is connected through a receiving port;
A light source for irradiating the light guide from the light supply unit;
A lens barrel portion that connects the second connection terminal of the image guide in the flexible endoscope via a receiving port; and a camera mechanism that receives an image transmitted from the image guide to the lens barrel portion;
And a step is provided between the distal end portion of the first connection terminal of the light guide and the distal end portion of the second connection terminal of the image guide in the connection plug of the flexible endoscope. And
The connection structure, wherein a proximal end portion of the second connection terminal is located on a more proximal side than a distal end portion of the first connection terminal .   2. The connection structure according to claim 1, wherein in the repeater device, an axis of the light supply unit and an axis of the lens barrel are arranged substantially parallel to each other. In the repeater device, the light supply section and the lens barrel section are formed by connecting the distal end portion of the first connection terminal and the distal end portion of the second connection terminal in the connection plug of the flexible endoscope. 3. The connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the connection structure is disposed at a position different from the receiving direction of the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal corresponding to the step between the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal.   2. In the connection plug of the flexible endoscope, the distal end portion of the second connection terminal of the image guide protrudes from the distal end portion of the first connection terminal of the light guide. 4. The connection structure according to any one of 3 to 4. In the flexible endoscope, the connection plug includes a flange in a direction orthogonal to an arrangement direction of the first connection terminal of the light guide and the second connection terminal of the image guide, and the repeater in the device, the outside of the first port and the second port comprises a locking mechanism for fixing by urging the flange of the connecting plug receiving the connection according to any one of claims 1 to 4 Construction.   The connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the flexible endoscope is a blood vessel endoscope. An endoscope system,
A flexible endoscope with a light guide and an image guide;
A relay device connected to the light guide and the image guide of the flexible endoscope; and a console connected to the relay device via a cable for transmitting image information;
With
A connection structure between the flexible endoscope according to claim 1 and the relay device,
A system comprising:

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