JPH0242245Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] This invention relates to an endoscope curvature operating device that controls the curvature of the distal end of an insertion section inserted into an observation target.

[Conventional technology]

As is well known, endoscopes are widely used to observe the inside of an object to be observed, such as the inside of a body cavity such as the stomach or intestines, or the inside of an equipment cavity such as an aircraft engine. One form of such an endoscope is to freely direct the tip of the insertion section inserted into the observation target area in a desired direction so that the inside of the observation target area can be seen everywhere. Some are known that are configured to be curved. In addition, the bending operation device in this type of endoscope includes an operation knob attached to a rotation shaft provided in a protruding manner from the operation section at the hand, which is connected to the proximal end side of the insertion section. This is done by rotating the . In other words, known bending operation devices include the device described in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 49-25505 and the device disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 54-45988 filed by the applicant of this patent. Are known. The endoscope bending operation device described in each of these publications has a locking state in which the distal end of the insertion section can be held in a desired curved shape when controlling the bending, and a locking state in which the distal end of the insertion section can be held in a desired curved shape, and a locking state in which this state can be released to freely control the bending. It is configured so that it can be switched to a free state. The above-mentioned locked state is necessary, for example, when performing operations such as recording photographs with a camera attached to the eyepiece of an endoscope or cleaning an observation site. In addition, it is well known that the free state is necessary in order for the tip of the insertion tube to curve freely along the winding insertion path when the insertion tube is extracted from the observation target area, and is necessary for practical use. has been made into

[Problem to be solved]

By the way, the locked state of the bending operation device in the endoscope known so far is due to frictional engagement, as shown in the above-mentioned publications, and the operation knob is rotated against the frictional engagement force. It is in a state where it can be rotated.

Therefore, with the bending operation devices known so far, if you want to maintain the bending shape at that point when you release your hand from the operation knob, you must operate it in a locked state. It has the disadvantage of being heavy. Now, if we consider the case of performing a bending operation in a free state, it is true that there is an advantage of being able to operate easily, but the operation knob can be adjusted depending on the elasticity of the tip of the operation section or the external force applied to the tip of the insertion section, such as the internal abutment force within the observation target. There is a drawback that the curvature state changes when the hand is removed, and the actual situation is that it is insufficient as an endoscope curvature operating device that is particularly desired to be able to be operated with one hand.

Therefore, in order to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks and difficulties, this invention has been developed to restrain the rotation of the operation knob that curves the tip of the insertion section inserted into the observation target area when the rotation operation is stopped. It is an object of the present invention to provide a bending operation device for an endoscope that can be freely rotated.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, this invention has a rotating shaft as a driving source for bending the tip of the insertion section, which is connected to the proximal side of the insertion section that is inserted into the observation target part and whose tip is curved. A lock means is provided to be rotatable through a cylindrical body, and an operating knob is attached to the rotating shaft so as to be rotatable and movable up and down. This bending operation device for an endoscope is provided with a release means for releasing the device, and a ratchet gear constituting the locking means is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the upper end of the cylinder, and the ratchet gear rotates integrally with the rotation shaft and rotates integrally with the shaft. A first transmission member having a hole formed in a portion extending in the radial direction is provided, and a second transmission member whose rotating shaft is provided with a transmission shaft that is loosely inserted into the hole of the first transmission member is rotatable and vertically movable. Impossible to install,
A pair of pawl members are attached to the second transmission member, which constitute a locking means that meshes with the ratchet gear, one allowing clockwise rotation and the other allowing counterclockwise rotation, and one of the pawl members is attached to the inner surface of the operating knob by rotating the operating knob in one direction. A pair of release members are provided that constitute release means for separating the other pawl member from the ratchet gear by rotating the operating knob in the other direction.

[Effect]

In this device, when the operating knob is rotated in either direction, a pair of release members provided on the inner surface of the operating knob release the engagement of one claw member, and the other claw member is free in the direction of rotation of the operating knob. Therefore, when the operation knob is further rotated, the transmission shaft of the second transmission member provided with the pawl member collides with the inner circumferential surface of the hole of the first transmission member.
The rotational force of the second transmission member is transmitted to the first transmission member via the transmission shaft. As a result, the rotation axis is also rotated. When the rotating shaft is rotated, the tip of the insertion portion is curved. Furthermore, when the rotation of the operating knob is stopped, the two pawl members mesh with the ratchet gears to keep the rotating shaft in a locked state.

〔Example〕

Preferred embodiments of this invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

A rotating shaft 4 serving as a drive source for bending the tip of the insertion portion 1 is connected to the operating portion 2 connected to the proximal end side of the insertion portion 1 (see FIG. 5) which is inserted into the observation target region and whose tip is curved. It is rotatably provided via a cylindrical body 5. The rotating shaft 4 is a cylindrical body 5 fixed to the operating section 2.
The distal end side of the cylindrical body 5 is fixed to the fixed machine frame 3. A pulley 4A is provided at the lower end of the rotating shaft 4, and a bending operation wire (not shown) is wound around this pulley 4A. The rotating shaft 4 has a first hole 6A that rotates together with the shaft 4 and has a hole 6A formed in a portion extending in the radial direction of the shaft 4.
A transmission member 6 is provided. This first transmission member 6
is provided so as to be located within the large diameter upper end portion 5A of the cylindrical body 5. Also, a first transmission member 6 is attached to the rotating shaft 4.
A second transmission member 8 is provided with a transmission shaft 7 that is loosely inserted into the hole 6A, and is mounted rotatably but not vertically movable. A pair of claw members 9 and 10 constituting locking means are attached to the upper surface of the second transmission member 8. A ratchet gear 11 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the upper end portion of the large diameter upper end portion 5A of the cylinder body 5. The ratchet gear 11 is provided with two stages of upper and lower gears 11A and 11B whose tooth tips face in opposite directions and constitute a locking means. a pair of claw members 9,
10 is rotatably mounted on the second transmission member 8 by pins 12 and 13, and its tips are biased by spring members 14 and 15 in a direction to mesh with the gears 11A and 11B. The second transmission member 8 on the free end side of these claw members 9, 10 has through holes 8A, 8.
B is formed. A pair of release members 1 are provided on the inner surface of the operation knob 16 in these insertion holes 8A and 8B.
The tips of 7 and 18 are loosely inserted. Operation knob 1
6 is attached to the rotary shaft 4 so as to be rotatable and movable up and down. A click shaft 19 is interposed at the attachment point between the operation knob 16 and the rotating shaft 4.
A plurality of grooves 1 formed in this click shaft 19
The ball 20 built into the operation knob 16 at 9A is
It is designed to be locked by the force of a spring 21.
Therefore, the operating knob 16 is connected to the click shaft 19.
It is movable up and down and rotatable. The engagement between the ball 20 and the groove 19A serves as a means for positioning the operation knob 16 at each position it is moved up and down. An operation knob 16 is provided at the upper end of the rotation shaft 4.
A retaining member 22 is firmly fixed to prevent the member from coming off.

Details of the locking means and the releasing means will be explained below. In this invention, a ratchet gear 11 (two stages of upper and lower gears 11
A, 11B) and a pair of claw members 9, 10, one claw member 9 (which meshes with the lower gear 11B) allows clockwise rotation in the drawing, and the other claw member 10 (which meshes with the upper gear 11A) allows rotation to the right in the drawing. They each mesh with the ratchet gear 11 to allow upward and left rotation (fourth gear).
(see figure). In the state shown in FIG. 2, each claw member 9, 1
0 indicates a state in which both gears are engaged with the ratchet gear 11, that is, a locked state. Even if a force is applied to rotate the rotating shaft 4 in this state, unless the operation knob 16 is operated, each claw member 9, 10
are in mesh with the ratchet gears 11, so the locking is ensured and the curved shape of the tip end is maintained reliably. To release the locked state shown in FIG. 2 and rotate the rotating shaft 4, it is sufficient to simply rotate the operating knob 16 in either direction. That is, when the operating knob 16 is rotated in either direction, one of the pair of release members 17 and 18 separates one of the pair of claw members 9 and 10 from the ratchet gear 11. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when the operating knob 16 is rotated clockwise in the drawing, the release member 18 rotates the claw member 10 to disengage the claw member 10 and the gear 11A. One pawl member 9 remains engaged with the gear 11B, but since this pawl member 9 is designed to allow rotation in the clockwise direction in the drawing, rotation of the operating knob 16 is not hindered. When the operation knob 16 is further rotated in the same direction, the pair of release members 17 and 18 rotate the second transmission member 8, and at this time, the transmission shaft 7 provided in the second transmission member 8 is inserted into the hole in the first transmission member 6. It collides with the inner peripheral surface of 6A and the second
The rotational force of the transmission member 8 is transmitted to the first transmission member 6.
A first transmission member 6 rotated via a transmission shaft 7
The rotation of the rotating shaft 4 causes the rotating shaft 4 to rotate. When the operation knob 16 is rotated in the opposite direction, the release member 17 separates the claw member 9 from the gear 11B,
That is, the engagement between the claw member 9 and the gear 11B is released. The other claw member 10 remains engaged with the gear 11A, but the engagement between the claw member 10 and the gear 11A is such that rotation in the counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG. Rotation of the shaft 4 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3 becomes possible.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pair of release members 17 and 18 have a truncated conical shape on the side closer to the inner surface of the operating knob 16, and the tip thereof has a diameter that is the same as the minimum diameter of the truncated cone. It is formed into a cylindrical shape. Therefore, when the operating knob 16 is pushed down to release the engagement between the ball 20 and the upper groove 19A, the truncated conical portions of the release members 17 and 18 simultaneously engage the pair of claw members 9 and 10. Rotate each ratchet gear 11 (gear 11A, 11B)
It is possible to release the engagement. That is, the diameter of the predetermined portion of the truncated conical portion is the second diameter.
It is formed to have approximately the same diameter as the holes 8A, 8B of the transmission member 8, and when the relevant part is inserted into the holes 8A, 8B (by lowering the operation knob 16), the claw members 9, 10 are inserted into the holes 8A, 8B. , 8B from above, and remove the claw members 9, 10 and the ratchet gear 11 (gear 11A,
11B). This state is a completely free state, and the insertion section 1 can be safely extracted from the observation target region.

〔effect〕

As explained above, according to this invention, a ratchet gear constituting the locking means is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the upper end of the cylinder, and a ratchet gear that rotates integrally with this shaft and extends in the radial direction of this shaft. A first transmission member having a hole formed therein is provided, a second transmission member provided with a transmission shaft that is loosely inserted into the hole of the first transmission member is attached to the rotating shaft so as to be rotatable but not vertically movable; A pair of pawl members are attached to the member to constitute a locking means that engages with the ratchet gear, one of which allows clockwise rotation and the other that allows counterclockwise rotation, and one of the pawl members is separated from the ratchet gear by rotation of the operating knob in one direction on the inner surface of the operating knob. Since a pair of release members are provided that constitute a release means that separates the other claw member from the ratchet gear by rotating the operation knob in the direction, the pair of claw members and the ratchet gear are automatically locked when the operation is stopped. The lock is released by the release member. Also,
When you release your hand from the operation, the claw member and the ratchet gear engage, so the curved shape of the tip is reliably maintained, and during operation, even if one of the claw members and the ratchet gear is engaged, rotation is allowed. Since it is directional, it can be bent freely with a light rotational operation force, and has a clicky feel, making it easy to operate with one hand.

In addition, holes are formed at the attachment points of the claw members of the second transmission member, and the tip of the release member is loosely inserted into these holes, and the middle of the release member is formed to have approximately the same diameter as these holes, making it easy to operate. When the knob is lowered, the middle part of the release member rotates the claw member to release the engagement with the ratchet gear, so that the rotating shaft can be completely free from rotation, and the insertion part can be rotated completely. It can be safely extracted from within the observation target area.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view including the operating knob along Figure 2-, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view with the operating knob rotated in one direction, and Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the operating knob. A fifth diagram illustrating the permissible rotation direction of a pair of claw members.
The figure is a perspective view schematically showing the entire endoscope. 1... Insertion section, 2... Operation section, 4... Rotation shaft,
5... Cylindrical body, 6... First transmission member, 6A... Hole,
7...Transmission shaft, 8...Second transmission member, 9, 10...
...Claw member, 11... Ratchet gear, 11A, 1
1B... Gear, 16... Operation knob, 17, 18...
...Release member.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] 1. A rotating shaft as a driving source for bending the tip of the insertion portion is connected to an operating portion connected to the proximal end side of the insertion portion which is inserted into the observation target part and whose tip is curved. An operating knob is attached to the rotating shaft so as to be rotatable and movable up and down, and a locking means for immobilizing the rotating shaft and the operating knob and releasing the lock when an operating force is applied to the operating knob is provided. The bending operation device for an endoscope is provided with a release means, and a ratchet gear constituting the locking means is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the upper end of the cylindrical body, and the ratchet gear rotates integrally with this shaft and rotates in the radial direction of this shaft. A first transmission member is provided with a hole formed in a portion extending from the first transmission member, and a second transmission member, which is provided with a transmission shaft that is loosely inserted into the hole of the first transmission member, is attached to the rotating shaft so as to be rotatable but not vertically movable. A pair of pawl members that mesh with the ratchet gear and constitute a locking means that allows one to rotate clockwise and the other to rotate counterclockwise are attached to the second transmission member, and one of the pawl members is attached to the inner surface of the operating knob by rotating the operating knob in one direction. A bending operation device for an endoscope, comprising a pair of release members constituting release means for separating the other claw member from the ratchet gear and separating the other claw member from the ratchet gear by rotating the operating knob in the other direction. 2. The bending operation device for an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the locking means is comprised of upper and lower ratchet gears with tooth tips facing in opposite directions. 3 Holes are formed at the attachment points of the claw members of the second transmission member, and the tip of the release member is loosely inserted into these holes, and the middle of the release member is formed to have approximately the same diameter as these holes, so that the operation knob can be lowered. The curved endoscope according to claim 1 or 2 of the utility model registration claim, characterized in that the middle of the release member is configured to rotate a claw member to release the engagement with the ratchet gear. Operating device.