JPH0249628A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enhance operability of an endoscope by forming the part of at least the region actually gripped by the hands and fingers of an operator of an outer shape member forming the grip part of an operation part from a shape memory resin or rubber to deform the same so as to obtain a shape or size easily grasped actually by the operator. CONSTITUTION:An outer shape part 18 is provided to a grip part 5 in a detachable manner. This outer shape member 18 is formed into a cylindrical shape and a part thereof is cut off. In the outer shape member 8, grooves 9 to which the fingers of an operator are fitted are formed to the outer peripheral region actually grasped by the fingers of the operator when said member 8 is grasped. Further, the outer shape member 8 is formed from a shape memory resin (rubber) so as to be capable of being deformed into a shape or size easily grasped by the operator actually using an endoscope. The outer shape member 8 may be provided as the case main body itself in the grip part 5 of the operation part 1.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application fields] The present invention relates to an endoscope with an improved gripping structure for an operating section.

[Prior Art] Generally, the operating section of an endoscope is formed with a grip section for gripping by an operator (see Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 136101/1983). The shape and size of this gripping portion are determined based on the size of a typical surgeon's hand.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, if the operator's fingers are extremely large or small, it becomes difficult to grasp the operating section of the endoscope, and the operability of the endoscope deteriorates.

The present invention has been made with attention to the above-mentioned problem, and its purpose is to change the shape or size of the grip part to match the size of the hand of the operator who actually uses it. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an endoscope that can be used in optimal conditions and that can improve operability.

[Means and effects for solving the problems] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a shape memory resin for at least the part of the external member forming the grip part of the operation part that is actually gripped by the operator's fingers. Alternatively, it is made of shape memory rubber so that this part can be deformed into a shape and size that is easy to grip.

Therefore, the endoscope can be transformed into a shape and size that the operator can easily grasp, thereby improving the operability of the endoscope.

Embodiment FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows an operating section 1 of an electronic endoscope, to which an insertion section 2 and a light guide cable 3 are connected, and various operating buttons 4 are provided. Further, the operating section 1 is provided with a grip section 5 for the operator to grip it. Note that the operating section 1 is provided with a forceps channel mouth section 6 located closer to the insertion section 2 than the gripping section 5 thereof. A forceps plug 7 as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, which will be described later, is detachably attached to this opening 6.

The grip portion 5 is provided with an external member 8 that can be attached to and removed from the grip portion 5. This external member 8 is formed into a cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 2, and a portion thereof is cut away. In addition, in the external member 8, grooves 9 are formed so that the surgeon's fingers can fit into the outer circumferential portion that the surgeon's fingers actually grip when gripping the external member 8.
is formed. Furthermore, this external member 8 is formed of shape memory resin (rubber), and as described later, it can be deformed into a shape and size that are easy for the operator who actually uses this external member 8 to grasp. . Note that the external member 8 may be the case-main body itself of the grip portion 5 of the operating portion 1.

As the shape memory resin, for example, norbornene polymer is used. This norbornene polymer is obtained by performing a Diels-Ander reaction from ethylene and cyclopentadiene to synthesize norbornene, which is then ring-opening polymerized, and has a structure in which double bonds and five-membered rings are alternately bonded. ing. This material has a glass transition temperature Tg (for example, 35 C), and is hardened into a plastic-like state at a lower temperature than this temperature, and exhibits rubber elasticity at a higher temperature.

When the glass transition temperature is higher than Tg, it becomes rubber-like and can be arbitrarily deformed, and when the temperature is lowered to below the glass transition temperature Tg in this deformed state, it hardens into a plastic-like state. Moreover, when the temperature is again raised to the glass transition temperature Tg or higher, the vulcanized original shape is restored. For example, there is Nosolex (product name) manufactured by Nippon Zeon.

Further, the prototype of the external member 8 is formed into the following dimensions by preheating the compound for a predetermined period of time, then pressing and vulcanizing it. In other words, the original shape is designed to match the shape and fingers of a standard operator's fingers.

Therefore, when used by an operator with standard finger size, the device should be used in its original form.

However, if the surgeon's fingers are actually extremely large or small, they are heated to a temperature above the glass transition temperature Tg, which allows them to be rubber-like and arbitrarily deformed, making them suitable for the surgeon's fingers. It transforms into the shape you want. In this deformed state, it is cooled to below the glass transition temperature Tg and hardened again. As a result, a grip portion 5 having a shape suitable for the operator's fingers is obtained. Note that this deformation process is performed when the external member 8 is removable.
This may be done either in the removed state or in the assembled state.

After use, the endoscope can be heated to restore it to its original shape.

Note that the groove 9 provided on the outer circumferential surface of the external member 8 so that the operator's fingers can fit therein may not be formed in the original form, but may be formed afterwards by the operator using the above-mentioned means.

In this example, a room-temperature blastomer was used as the shape-memory resin, but a room-temperature elastomer (rubber) having a hardness that does not impair gripability at room temperature, such as a trans-isoprene resin, may also be used. Memory resin (for example, shape memory resin TP-301 manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd. (trade name))
But that's fine.

FIG. 3 shows an endoscope according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and this endoscope is of a type in which an eyepiece section 11 is provided in the operation section 1, and the operator can hold it. Since the shape of the grip changes, the shape of the grip portion 5 changes accordingly. Then, the outer shape member 8 of the grip portion 5 is formed of shape memory resin (including so-called rubber material) as in the above embodiment,
Any shape can be obtained to match the fingers of the surgeon who actually intends to use it.

Further, the operating section 1 is provided with a bending operation knob 12 for remotely controlling the bending section of the insertion section 2 . If at least the finger rest part 13 of this bending operation knob 12 is made of the same shape memory resin as described above, and its shape can be changed, for example, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. It can be used by arbitrarily deforming it into a shape suitable for the condition of the finger operated by the operator. In other words, angle operability can also be improved.

Figures 4 to 6 show the opening 6 of the forceps channel described above.
This forceps plug 7 is attached to the mouth portion 6 of the forceps plug 7, and a through hole 15 is formed through which forceps (not shown) are inserted when the forceps plug 7 is attached to the mouth portion 6 of the forceps plug 7. Further, the forceps plug 7 is also formed of the same shape memory resin as described above, and the size of the through hole 15 can be changed. However, it is desirable that the material exhibits rubber elasticity at room temperature.

Then, as shown in FIG. 5, an electric heater 17 having a plurality of contoured portions 16a, 16b having different diameters is separately prepared. This electric heater 17 is attached with a power cord 18 and a switch 19. And this electric heater 1
7 to change the diameter of the through hole 15 to match the diameter of the forceps channel of the endoscope in which this forceps plug 7 is used. That is, since the diameter of the through-hole 15 is changed according to the diameter of the forceps channel, matching portions 16a and 16b are inserted into the through-hole 15 of the forceps plug 7, as shown in FIG. Next, the electric heater 17 is heated to a temperature higher than the glass transition temperature Tg, the diameter of the through hole 15 is changed, and the through hole 15 is cooled in this state to maintain its shape. As a result, the forceps plug 7 has a diameter corresponding to the diameter of each profiled portion 16a, 16b.
The size of the through hole 15 can be selected. By preparing the electric heater 17 in this manner, the same forceps plug 7 can be made to correspond to forceps channels of various diameters. Therefore, the number of molds for molding can be reduced, and since a simple shape is sufficient, cleaning performance can be improved.

FIG. 7 shows a valve device 23 for switching between the air supply pipe 21 and the water supply pipe 22 in the endoscope, and the valve device 23 is connected to the cylinder 24.
and a piston 25, and the aforementioned operation button 4 is attached to the outer end of the piston 25. An elastic backing 26 and an elastic check valve 27 are attached to the outer circumference of the piston 25 fitted into the cylinder 24. The elastic backing 26 and the elastic check valve 27 are made of the shape memory resin described above.

However, in particular, a room-temperature elastomer type that exhibits rubber elasticity at room temperature is used. Then, when the piston 25 is attached to the cylinder 24 with the assembled shape as a memorized shape, it is deformed to a smaller diameter shape,
When installation is complete, hot water is supplied to heat the device and restore it to its memorized shape, completing the assembly.

According to this configuration, when the piston 25 is installed in the cylinder 24, the elastic backing 26 and the elastic check valve 27 will not be damaged due to strong contact with the inner surface of the cylinder 24, and the assembly can be easily performed because the piston 25 can be easily inserted. Improves sex. In particular, since the elastic check valve 27 is thin, there is a risk of it breaking if rubbed during installation, but this configuration can prevent this as much as possible.

Note that if the elastic backing 26 and the elastic check valve 27 are deformed so as to increase their inner diameters and inserted into the piston 25, then heated to restore the memorized shape and finally fit, Piping for the bis-ton 25 is also easy.

FIG. 9 shows the duct structure of the endoscope, and the air supply duct 21
An elastic backing 26 in a valve device 23 (consisting of a cylinder 24 and a piston 25) that switches between the water supply pipe 22 and the water supply pipe 22
The valve members (not shown) of the check valve device 28 inserted midway on the distal end side of the valve device 23 are also made of room temperature elastomer type shape memory resin in the same manner as described above, and the shape when assembled is a memorized shape. If so, the same effects as above can be obtained.

10 and 11 show a forceps lifting lever 30 provided on the operating section 1 of an endoscope, in particular, its lead portion 31 is formed of a shape memory resin of room temperature plastomer type or room temperature elastomer type, and its lead The shape of the portion 31 can be changed to any desired shape. With this configuration, il1
As shown in the figure, the operator can change the shape and size of the lead part 31 to a shape and size that makes it easy for the operator to grasp the operating part 1 and operate the forceps lifting lever 30, thereby improving the operability. Moreover, it can be easily restored to its original shape by heating.

Note that this can also be applied to various operation buttons such as a gas supply button and a camera release button.

12 and 13 show that the air/water supply nozzle 35 provided at the tip of the insertion section 2 of the endoscope is made of shape memory resin in the same way as above, and the memorized shape is directed toward the observation window 36 as shown in FIG. 12. The tube is bent into a straight tube shape or extends forward as shown in FIG. 13, and when used, it is deformed into the opposite shape or any other arbitrary shape. When it is desired to use the memory shape, the shape is restored to its original shape by, for example, supplying and heating hot water. In this way, the direction of ejection can be selected.

14 and 15 similarly show an air/water supply nozzle 35 formed of memory shape resin, but in this case, a heating wire 37 is arranged around the member constituting the air/water supply nozzle 35. The air/water supply nozzle 35 can be heated by supplying electricity to the nozzle 35.

16 and 17 show an endoscope nozzle 40 attached via an electrically insulating protective member 41. FIG. The protection member 41 is for electrically insulating the metal nozzle 40 from the metal tip 42 of the insertion section 2. Previously, this part was assembled using adhesives or screws, but a different method is used here. That is, the cylindrical protective member 41 is formed using the above-mentioned shape memory resin, and the memory shape is set so that the tip metal fitting 42 is attached with an outer diameter larger than the diameter of the hole 43 and of the nozzle 40. Set the inner diameter to be smaller than the outer diameter of the part to be fitted. As shown in FIG. 16, this protective member 41 is attached to the tip metal fitting 42.
For installation, the nozzle 40 is deformed so that it has an outer diameter smaller than the diameter of the hole 43 and an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the fitted part of the nozzle 40, and is fitted as shown in FIG. Thereafter, the protective member 41 is heated using a dryer 44 or the like to restore it to its original shape. This causes them to spread inwardly and outwardly as shown in FIG. 17 and fasten them together.

In addition, if the protective member 41 is heated, it will become soft.
The nozzle 40 can be easily removed.

Figures 18 to 21 show the forceps channel 45 of the endoscope.
A member 46 forming a part of the periphery of the tip opening, for example, the lower part, is formed from shape memory resin.

The memorized shape of this member 46 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 9, the inner diameter of the forceps opening 47 is expanded to its normal size. Then, heat this part and
As shown in the drawings and FIG. 22, the forceps mouth 47 is crushed from below so that it becomes narrower, and the distal end of the insertion portion 2 is deformed so that its diameter becomes smaller.

In this state, since the diameter of the distal end of the insertion section 2 is small, it is easy to insert it into the body cavity. It also causes less pain for the patient. If it becomes necessary to insert forceps or perform suction after insertion, the forceps channel 45 is filled with, for example, hot water to warm the member 46 and restore it to its original shape as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19.

Note that 51 is an objective lens, 52 is an image guide fiber, and 53 is an air and water supply pipe.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, the present invention includes forming at least the part of the external member forming the gripping part of the operation part, which is actually gripped by the operator's fingers, with a shape memory resin; Since it can be transformed into a shape and size that is easy to grasp, the operator or himself can actually transform it into a shape and size that is easy to grasp and use it in that shape. Therefore, it can be used in an optimal state in the operator's hand, and operability can be improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a side view of the vicinity of the operating section of an endoscope showing the first embodiment, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the external member of the same embodiment, and Fig. 3 is an internal view showing the second embodiment. 4 is a side sectional view of the forceps plug, FIG. 5 is a side view of the electric heater, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the use of the forceps plug and electric heater.
Fig. 7 is a side sectional view of the air/water switching valve device, Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the check valve used in the air/water switching valve device, and Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the pipe line of another endoscope. Side sectional view showing the configuration, first
Figure 0 is a perspective view of the endoscope, Figure 11 is a side view of the operation section of the endoscope in use, and Figures 12 to 15 are side cross sections of the distal end component of the endoscope. Figures 16 and 17 are explanatory diagrams showing the nozzle installation, Figure 18 is a side sectional view of the distal end component of the endoscope, and Figure 19 is A--A in Figure 18.
20 is a side sectional view of the distal end component of the endoscope, and FIG. 21 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 20. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Operating part, 5... Gripping part, 8... External member.

Claims (1)

[Claims] At least the part of the external member that forms the grip part of the operation part that is actually gripped by the surgeon's fingers is made of shape memory resin or shape memory rubber, and that part can be deformed into a shape and size that is easy to grip. An endoscope characterized by: