JPH03289931A - Endoscope apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily move and store an endoscope and to reduce the space for storing the endscope by providing a universal cord portion constructed so that one end is connected to a main body portion and the connecting end of an operation part side branch portion of the other end is rotatably connected to the operation part. CONSTITUTION:A universal cord joint case 350 is rotatably engaged with a branch portion of a grip case 20 serving as an outer shell of an operation part from a universal cord portion, and the angle of rotation for rotating the above case is set to 90 deg., for example. A push buttom 351, a spring 352 for applying tension in the push-out direction to the push button 351 and a claw arm 353 interlocking with the push button 351 are provided on the joint case 350. Plural claw holes 354 where the claw of the arm 353 is engaged is bored in the grip case 20. When the push button 351 is pressed, the arm 353 interlocks, and the claw is detached from the claw hole 354, whereby the joint case 350 forming the branch portion connecting end of the universal cord portion can freely be turned within a designated range of angle.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Objective of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to an endoscope scope equipped with a guiding tube that is introduced into a body cavity and used for observing the inner wall, and the like. Relating to an endoscope device having a main body section having a built-in object irradiation light source, etc., which is connected to the other end of a universal cord section branching from an operation section disposed on the proximal side of the guiding tube of an endoscope scope, Particularly important is the handling, mobility, and storage of endoscopes.
The present invention relates to an improvement in a branch connection structure between the operating section and the universal cord section.

(Prior Art) In this type of endoscopic device, an endoscope includes a guide tube that is introduced into a body cavity, etc., and that images the inner wall using an imaging mechanism built into a rigid distal end, and An operating section for changing the angle of the rigid tip of the middle tube, performing operations such as supplying air and water, and copying photographed images, and extending from the operating section and incorporating a light source for illuminating the subject, a pump for supplying air and water, etc. It is composed of a universal coat part and the like that connects the main body part and the endoscope.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of an endoscope.

At the tip of the guide tube 1, there is a rigid tip section 11 in which an imaging V, side, etc. are installed, followed by an angle section 12 that allows the rigid tip section 11 to be bent at any angle.

An operating section 2 is provided at the other end of the guiding tube 1 . The operating section 2 is provided with an operating knob 21 for controlling the bending angle of the angle section 12, various switches 22 for air supply, water supply, suction, copying, and the like.

A universal cord section 3 further extends from the operation section 2, and at its end there is a connector 31 and a light for connecting to the main body section (not shown) which contains a light source for illuminating the subject, a pump for air and water supply, etc. A guide 32 and the like are provided. Note that the reference numeral 33 is a cap for protecting the connector 31.

Further, FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the situation when this type of endoscope is held and operated in the hand.

Hold the operating section 2 with the guide tube side facing downward, and operate the operating knob 21, switches 22, etc. At this time, the universal cord section 3 is connected to the operator section 2 at a position and angle that does not interfere with various operations.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) Conventionally, in the endoscope of this type of endoscope device, the universal cord part is fixedly fixed at a predetermined angle in a position that satisfies the above-mentioned conditions with respect to the operation part. It was configured in a connected manner.

However, endoscopes come in various shapes depending on the object to be observed, the site to be observed, etc., and are used interchangeably. Therefore, unused scopes, replaced scopes, etc. must be stored, and of course there are many opportunities to carry them around. Furthermore, the scope used for imaging inside body cavities, etc.
Must be washed.

When moving or storing the endoscope in this way,
It is extremely inconvenient if the universal cord section is fixedly connected to the operation section at a predetermined angle as in the conventional method.

In other words, since the guiding tube and universal cord part form a triangular shape that spreads out at a predetermined angle with the operating part at the center, it is difficult to secure it when moving without holding it at three points, making it difficult to carry. It may also cause damage due to contact with surrounding objects.

In addition, it requires a large amount of space when stored, and is not easy to store.Furthermore, the size of the hands and other factors differ depending on the operator of the endoscope, and the way of holding the scope also differs, so it is not always possible to maintain the specified angle. However, it may not be easy for everyone to handle.

The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and includes a guiding tube, an operating section, and a universal cord section that improve the mobility, storage, and ease of handling of an endoscope. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope device having a connecting structure for branch parts.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving Problem B) In order to achieve such an object, in the endoscope apparatus according to the present invention, one end or the main body of the endoscope is provided. The other end of the universal cord to be connected, which is connected to the branch part on the operation part side, has a connection structure that is rotatable with respect to the operation part.

(Function) With an endoscope having such a structure, when moving or storing, the connecting end of the universal cord section on the operating section side is rotated so that it is at an angle approximately parallel to the operating section and the guiding tube. As a result, it does not have a triangular shape as in the conventional case, but has a substantially linear shape, making it easy to move and store.

Moreover, the universal cord part can be rotated at any angle with respect to the operating part and the guide tube according to the size of the hand and the way the operator holds the hand, thereby improving operability.

(Embodiment) FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an endoscope in an endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment to which a branch connection structure of an operating section and a universal coat section according to the present invention is applied.

A guiding tube 1 having a rigid distal end portion 11 extends from the operating section 2 of the endoscope to the left in the figure.

Further, a universal cord section 3 extends downward from the operating section 2 and is connected to a main body section (not shown) containing a light source for irradiating a subject and the like. A branch connecting end 35 of the universal cord section 3 with the operating section is rotatably connected to the operating section 2.

In Fig. 1, (a) shows the state in which the universal cord part 3 is opened at an arbitrary angle that is easy to use when using the endoscope, and (b) shows the state in which the guiding tube 1 is approximately the same when being moved or stored. The universal cord portion 3 is shown in a closed state in each direction.

Note that various switches 22 for air supply, water supply, suction, copying, etc. are disposed above the operation unit 2 in the figure. Further, the operating knob for adjusting the angle of the tip of the guiding tube 1 is on the back side of this figure and is not shown.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing an example of a structure for rotatably connecting the operating section and the connecting end of the branch section of the universal cord section.

A universal cord joint case 350 is rotatably fitted into a branching portion of the blade tongue case 20, which is the outer shell of the operating section, from the universal cord portion. At this time, the rotatable rotation angle is set to, for example, 90 degrees.

The universal cord joint case 350 includes a push button 351, a spring 352 that applies tension to the push button 351 in the extrusion direction, and a push button 3.
An arm 353 with a claw that interlocks with 51 is provided. Further, the arm 353 is provided on the grip case 20 side.
A plurality of pawls 354 are bored into which the pawls 354 fit.

When the push button 351 is pressed, the arm 353 is moved, and when its claw is removed from the claw 6 354, the universal cord joint case 350, which constitutes the connecting end of the branch part of the universal cord part, can freely rotate within a predetermined angular range. It becomes possible. When the push button 351 is released, the restoring force of the spring 352 causes the push button 351 and the arm 353 to
is pushed back in the opposite direction, and the claw of arm 353 is
54 and universal cord joint case 3.
Fix 50.

Note that FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the vicinity of the claw 6 354 in FIG. 2 viewed from above.

In this example, the claws 354 are bored at two locations, shifted by approximately 90 degrees, and are formed to fit into and be fixed in one of the holes during operation and storage.

On the other hand, another method for improving the storage and mobility of the endoscope is shown in FIG. 4, in which the guide tube is wound on the side of the machine, and will be disclosed here as well.

By winding up the guiding tube 1 with the winding part 15 temporarily fixed to the mouthpiece 16, the endoscope can be made more compact when not in use, making it easier to carry and store. Become.

In this way, the endoscope, which used to take up a lot of space to carry and store, can be accommodated in a small space, and storage and mobility can be improved. Also, when preparing a carrying case for an endoscope, a smaller carrying case can be used.

In addition, by providing a large number of claw holes 354, etc., the universal cord part can be rotated at any angle relative to the operation part and the guide tube, depending on the operator's differences in hand size and holding style. and improves operability.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained in detail above, in this type of endoscope device, the operation of the universal cord section to which the present invention is applied is
If the endoscope is formed with a rotatable connection structure at the connecting end of the branch part with the ear part, when moving or storing it,
By rotating the connecting end of the universal cord section on the operating section side so that it is at an angle approximately parallel to the operating section and the guiding pipe,
It does not have a triangular shape as in the past, but instead has a substantially straight line shape, making it easier to move and store, and requiring less storage space.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention in which the structure for connecting the operating section and the branching section of the universal cord section is applied, and FIG. 2 shows the operating section and the branching section of the section to the universal cord 1. A cross-sectional view showing an example of a configuration of a rotatable connection structure at the connecting end, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the claw hole in FIG. 2 viewed from above, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the guide pipe winding mechanism. , FIG. 5 is an external view of an example of the endoscope, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the operating situation of the endoscope. 1. Guide tube 11. Tip rigid part 12...
Angle part 15 · Winding part 16 · Forceps mouth 2 · · · Operation part 20 · Grip gauge 21
...Operation knob 22...Switches 3...Universal cord part 31...Connector 32...Light guide 33...
··cap

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) In an endoscope apparatus having an endoscope scope and a main body connected to the other end of a universal cord section branched from the operation section of the endoscope scope, the operation section of the universal cord section and An endoscope device characterized in that the connecting end of the branch part has a rotatable connecting structure.