JPH0397431A - Endoscope device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To allow the insertion part to make advance/retreat and twist motions and enhance the operating easiness by furnishing an operational switch for actuator of the insertion part, an advance/retreat switch and a rotation switch for an advance/ retreat and rotation device, and locating at least two of them in one place. CONSTITUTION:An actuator 9 to curve the curving part of the insertion part 2 is installed in the operational part 3 and operated from an operational switch 11 on a control board 6. The insertion part is inserted in an advance/retreat and rotation device 12, and motors 16 are installed in a plurality of recesses 15a in an insert hole 15 provided in the inner cylinder 14 of device, and the insertion part is advanced or retreated by motor being operated from an advanced/retreat switch 17 provided on the control board. Further, the motor connection shall be made with a rotation switch 22 on the control board so that the insertion part will rotate when a motor 21 fixed to the inner side of the outer cylinder 13 of the advance/retreat and rotation device is operated. Because switches are congestedly arranged on the control board, the advance/retreat of the insertion part and curving operation can be operated easily only on the control board, and the rotation switch allows transmission of the rotation to the insertion part via rolling wheels 21a, 16a with practicability also of generating a twist.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an endoscope l1 device that is capable of applying forward/backward and twisting motions to the insertion section and has improved operability.

[Prior art and problems to be solved by the invention] In recent years, the inside of a body cavity can be observed by inserting an elongated insertion section into the body cavity, and if necessary, treatment can be performed using a treatment instrument. Alternatively, endoscope devices capable of inserting the insertion portion into a lumen and observing the inside of the lumen are widely used.

The site to be observed inside the body cavity or lumen is rarely located in the direction of advancement of the insertion section, so when performing observations, etc.
By bending a bending section provided on the distal end side of the insertion section, the distal end section is directed toward the region to be observed.

As a means for curving this curved section, an operating wire is inserted into the insertion section, one end of this operating wire is fixed to the distal end side within the curved section, and the proximal end is wound around a wire drum provided in the operating section. However, a technique in which a bending operation knob is connected to this wire drum is generally used. Then, the bending section is bent by rotating the wire drum using the bending operation knob and pulling or relaxing the operation wire.

However, with such a structure, it is difficult to improve the operability because a relatively large operating force is required.

In addition, the insertion part is formed to have the length of the duct to be observed, and if the duct is deep and the part to be observed is deep inside, the insertion part is formed to have the length of the duct to be observed. Insertion and removal require complicated labor, which may lead to an increased burden on the subject, especially in the case of medical endoscope devices.

To deal with these problems, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-148
Publication No. 232 discloses that an actuator such as a motor is disposed in the operation section and the motor is connected to the wire drum, and the insertion section is inserted into a reciprocating drive device having a pair of drum-shaped rollers. Then, insert the insertion section by rotating the above roller. A technique configured to allow removal has not been disclosed.

By the way, when inserting the insertion part into the large intestine, it is difficult to insert it as it is in the sigmoid colon, so while inserting the insertion part, twist the insertion part and curve the curved part to form an α-shape. A technique called the so-called α-lube method is used in which a loop is formed to insert the vine further east. Furthermore, it has been empirically known that even when the straightness of the conduit is relatively high, applying this twisting motion to the insertion portion facilitates insertion and removal.

If the above-mentioned prior art is used, these forward and backward movements. Among twisting and bending motions, forward and backward motions and curved motions can be easily added, but twisting motions must be added by the operator's own hands, and it is difficult to reduce the complexity of the operation. .

In addition, the actuator for operating the curved part [1t1] is provided on the operating section, and the forward/backward drive device is provided on the insertion section, and if the operating switch is provided on each device, the operation becomes extremely difficult. It becomes complicated.

[Objective of the Invention] The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and provides an endoscope device that makes it possible to apply forward/backward and twisting motions to the insertion section, as well as improve operability. It is an object.

[Means and effects for solving the problems] An endoscope device according to the present invention includes an endoscope provided with an actuator that curves a curved portion of an insertion section, and a forward/backward rotation device that advances, retreats, and rotates the insertion section. and an operation switch for the actuator, a forward/backward switch for the forward/backward rotation device, and a rotation switch for the forward/backward rotation device, and at least one of the three switches, the operation switch, the forward/backward switch, and the rotation switch. Two switches are placed in one place.

With this configuration, the insertion section is moved forward and backward by actuating the advancement/retraction drive device using the advancement/retraction switch, and if necessary, the insertion section is rotated by operating the rotation switch to insert and remove the insertion section. On the other hand, the bending portion is bent by operating the operation switch and actuating the actuator.

[Embodiments of the invention] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 to 3 relate to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the endoscope device, FIG. 2 is a front view of the moving device, and FIG. FIG. 2 is an external view of the endoscopy device.

As shown in FIG. 3, the endoscope 1 includes a secondary insertion section 2 that is flexible and can be inserted into a body cavity, and this insertion section 2.
The operating section 3 has a relatively large diameter and is provided on the proximal end side of the operating section 3. Universal cord 3 is connected from one side of this operation part.
A is extended, and the above-mentioned family gift 111 is connected to a light source device 4, a Shinji processing unit 5 equipped with a monitor 5a, and an operation panel 6 via this universal cord 3a.

On the other hand, a distal end portion 2a is disposed on the distal end side of the insertion section 2, and the illumination light generated by the light source device 4 can be irradiated to the observed region via the distal end portion 2a. At the same time, the video signal of the observed part is processed by the signal processing device n5 and outputted to the monitor 5a, so that the observed part can be observed through the screen of this monitor 5a. It is possible.

Further, a curved portion 2b is provided on the operation portion 3 side of the tip portion 2a. This curved portion 2b is composed of, for example, a plurality of joint rings, and is configured to be able to bend in a plurality of directions, such as two directions or four directions. At the end of the tip 2a of the curved portion, both ends of a single angle wire 7 are located at opposing positions such as vertically, horizontally, etc., and by pulling or relaxing the angle wire 7, the curved portion 2b is closed.
The distal end portion 2a can be directed toward the site to be observed by curving vertically and horizontally as shown by chain lines in the figure.

The central portion of the angle wire 7 extends into the operating section 3 through the insertion section 2, and is wound around a wire drum 8 rotatably disposed within the operating section 3. The Y V
The drum 8 is connected to an ultrasonic motor 9, which is an example of an actuator provided in the operating section 3, and the wire drum 8 is rotated by the ultrasonic motor 9.

The ultrasonic motor 9 is arranged to be operated by a joystick 11, which is an example of an operation switch provided on the operation panel 6. That is, in the operation section 3 there is an angle control illumination device f2Y9 connected to the ultrasonic motor 9.
a is arranged, and this angle control device 9a
The joystick 11 is connected to the wire drum 8, and a signal corresponding to the tilted direction of the joystick 11 is inputted to the angle control device 9a, whereby the ultrasonic motor 9 is rotated in an appropriate direction and the wire drum 8 is rotated. is designed to be rotated. Furthermore, an arrow is drawn around the joystick 11 to indicate the direction 1I1 in which the bending portion 2b is bent when the ultrasonic motor 9 is activated, for the operator's convenience.

By the way, the insertion portion 2 is inserted into the reciprocating circuit IilJ device @12. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, this advancing/retracting rotating device 12 has an outer cylinder 13
It consists of an inner ti 1 and an inner ti 4 arranged in the inner periphery.

This inner cylinder 13 is formed with an insertion hole 15 through which the insertion 11i1s2 is inserted, and this insertion hole 15
A plurality of recesses 15a are provided that are open on the side. A motor 16 is provided in each of the recesses 15a, and the output shaft of the motor 16 rotates in the longitudinal direction of the insertion hole 15 and projects into the insertion hole 15 to contact the outer periphery of the insertion portion 2. A rolling wheel 16a is fixed.

The diameter of the circle formed by the mutually opposing sides of these rolling wheels 16a is set to be slightly shorter than the diameter of the insert 2, and the output shaft of the motor 16 is made of a member having a predetermined elasticity. When the insertion section 2 is inserted into the insertion hole 15, the output shafts curve in a direction that separates them from each other, so that the insertion section 2 is gripped by the force of the output shafts. ing.

Further, the motor 15 is operated by a rotary advance/retreat switch 17 disposed near the joystick 11 on the operation panel 6. That is, 1ffl1 other than the above
Universal cord 1 connected to the operation panel from the outside of 3
8 is extended, and the motor 15 is connected to the forward/backward switch 17 via this universal reel cord 18. When the advance/retreat switch is rotated, the output shaft of the motor 16 is rotated in accordance with the direction of the rotation, thereby causing the insertion portion 2 held by the rolling wheels 16b to advance or retreat.

On the other hand, the inner hole 19 of the outer cylinder 13 is formed somewhat larger than the outer diameter of the inner cylinder 14. A plurality of recesses 19a opening into the inner hole 19 of the outer cylinder 13 are also formed inside this outer cylinder 13, and the recesses 19a are in contact with the outer periphery of the inner cylinder 14, and in the circumferential direction of the inner cylinder. Transfer wheel 2 that rotates
1a is rotatably arranged. Some of these plurality of rolling wheels 21a are connected to the output shaft of a motor 21 fixed inside the outer cylinder 13, and when the motor 21 is operated, the inner n14 is connected to the axis of the insertion hole 15. The insertion portion 2 within the insertion hole 15 is rotated by being rotated about the rotation center.

The motor 21 is also connected to the operation panel 6 via the universal cord 18, and this operation! It is set to be operated by a rotary switch 22 provided near the operation switch 9 on the 86 and the advancement switch 16. In this way, since the switches are arranged together on the operation panel 6, insertion and removal of the insertion section 2, bending operation of the bending section 2b, etc. can be performed only on this operation panel 6. Yes, it is easy to operate.

The rotary switch 22 is divided into a right-handed rotary switch 22a and a left-handed rotary switch 22b, and each switch 22a. By operating 22b, the motor 21 can be rotated in a desired direction. The clockwise rotation switch 22a and the counterclockwise rotation switch 22b are configured as seesaw switches, and when one is operated, it is impossible to operate the other.

When observing the inside of a body cavity using an endoscope device having such a configuration, first insert the distal end 2a of the insertion section 2 into one end of the insertion hole 15 formed in the inner tube 14 of the advancing/retracting rotation device 1112. The tip 2a and the push-in part 2 are relatively moved in the direction opposite to the operating part 3.

Then, the tip portion 2a comes into contact with the mutually adjacent sides of the rolling wheels 16a protruding into the insertion hole 15, and the rolling wheels 16a are separated against the elasticity of the output shaft of the motor 16, and The outer periphery of the tip portion 2a is gripped by these transfer wheels 16a.

In this state, by operating the forward/backward switch 17 disposed on the operation panel 6, the transfer wheel 16a is rotated via the motor 16, and the insertion portion 2 is biased toward the distal end portion 2a. The matchmaker part 2 is moved to the same direction, and the tip part 2a
is projected from the opposite side of the insertion hole 15.

Next, the insertion section 2 is stopped, the distal end portion 2a is engaged with the opening of the body cavity, and the operation of the motor 16 is restarted to insert the insertion section 2 into the body cavity.

In addition, if it is necessary to twist the insertion section 2,
By operating a rotation switch 22 disposed near the advance/retraction switch 17, the rolling wheel 21a is rotated in a desired direction via the motor 21. Then, the inner cylinder 14, whose opposing sides of the transfer wheel 21a are in contact with each other, is rotated either to the right or the left depending on the operated rotation switch 22, and this rotation is brought into contact with the insertion portion 2. By being transmitted to the insertion section 2 through the rolling wheels 16a, a twist is applied to the insertion section 2.

In this way, since the forward/backward switch 17 and the rotation switch 22 are provided close to each other, they can be used when creating the so-called α-lube, which requires frequent bending of the bending portion 2b and twisting of the insertion portion 2. Accurately operate the 'Mn
In addition, even when inserting or removing the insertion section into a body cavity with relatively high straightness, the insertion section 2
This insertion and removal can be performed smoothly by rotating the , and an increase in the burden on the subject can be prevented.

In addition, when the tip 2a reaches the vicinity of the region to be observed in this way, the joystick 11 provided on the operation panel 6 is operated as necessary to activate the ultrasonic motor 9 and the wire drum 8 Rotate. Then, the angle wire 7 wound around the wire drum 8 is pulled or relaxed, so that the curved portion 2b is bent westward in a direction corresponding to the inclination direction of the joystick 11, and the tip portion 2a is positioned at the observation site. be directed to.

In this state, the illumination light from the illumination device 4 is applied to the tip portion 2a.
When the image signal of the observed area is irradiated to the observed area through the
By processing the data and outputting it to the monitor 5a, it becomes possible to observe the above-mentioned region to be observed via the monitor 5a.

In this embodiment, the operation switch 11 and forward/backward switch 17 are
, rotary switch 22 are arranged in one place, which has the advantage of good operability.

In addition, in this embodiment, since the ultrasonic motor 9 is used as an example of the actuator, it is possible to make the operating unit 3 lighter and smaller in diameter, but the actuator is limited to this example. Instead, it is also possible to replace it with other members or other devices, such as a device formed in a cylindrical shape or a heat-sensitive deformable member such as a shape memory alloy disposed in a curved portion.

Further, the operation panel 6 is provided with only the operation switch 9, forward/backward switch 17, and rotation switch 22 for the actuator, but the operation panel 6 includes, for example, an air supply switch. If other switches such as a water supply switch are also provided, the endoscope 1 can be operated more easily.

Furthermore, the various switches mentioned above should not be limited to those in this embodiment; for example, other configurations such as a configuration in which one switch can be used to perform bending and advance/retreat are also possible. It is also possible to replace it with another type, such as a fiberscope.

4 and 5 relate to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the endoscope system 4, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the connection state between the actuator and the operation switch. It is. Incidentally, members similar to those described in the first embodiment and members having similar functions are designated by the same reference numerals and explanations thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the advancing/retracting rotating device 12 is square-shaped and is connected to a central control device 23, while the advancing/retracting switch 17 and the rotation switch 22 of the advancing/retracting rotating device 12 are connected to a central control device 23. It is arranged in the operation section 3 of the endoscope 1.

That is, a gripping part 3b is formed at the lower part of the proximal side of the operating part 3, and when the gripping part 3b is gripped by hand L"4, the longitudinal side of the operating part 3 is placed at the position where the index finger is located, for example. An advance switch 17 is provided which can be swung in the direction e. In addition, a right rotation switch 22a and a left rotation switch 2 are provided in the area where, for example, the thumb of the hand gripping the grip portion 3b is located.
A rotary switch 22 consisting of a rotary switch 2b is provided, and this synchronized switch 22 and the forward/backward switch 17 are connected to a central control device 23 via a universal cord 3a. When the forward/backward switch 17 is rotated toward the tip end 2a, the insertion section 2 is advanced, and when the forward/backward switch 17 is rotated toward the grip section 3b, the insertion section 2 is moved backward. In addition, the rotation switch 22
The operating section 2 is configured to be able to be rotated in a desired direction by operating the .

Further, the central control device 23 is equipped with a signal processing circuit, and the central control device 23 also includes a monitor 5.
a is connected, and the image of the area to be observed is displayed on this monitor 5.
It is designed to be output to a.

On the other hand, a joystick 11, which is an example of an operation switch, is provided at the rear end of the operation section 3 and within reach of the thumb of the hand holding the grip section 3b. As shown in FIG. 5, this joystick 11 is capable of directly controlling a long sonic motor 9, which is an example of an actuator disposed in the operation section 3, and can rotate this ultrasonic motor 9. By doing so, the wire drum 8 can be rotated and the curved portion 2b can be curved.

According to such a configuration, since it is possible to perform the bending operation and the advancing/retracting operation only with the hand that grips the grip portion 3b of the operation portion 3, it is possible to further improve the operability. has.

In addition, since the advance/retreat rotation device 12 is formed in a square shape,
It is possible to easily prevent the rotation of the advancing/retracting rotating device 2-12, and it is also easy to engage or assemble this advancing/retracting rotating device 12 with other equipment. .

[Effect of the invention] J: Sea urchin, which is part of the present invention? According to the J2 mirror device, it is possible to apply forward/backward and twisting motions to the insertion portion of the endoscope, and it has the effect of improving operability.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 3 relate to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an endoscope device, FIG. 2 is a front view of the advancement/retraction rotation device, and FIG. 3 is an endoscope The external view of the device, FIGS. 4 and 5, relate to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the endoscope device, and FIG. 5 is an explanation showing the connection state between the actuator and the operation switch. It is a diagram. 1 ・ 2 ・ 2b 9 ・ 11 12 22 ・Endoscope・Insertion part・Bending part・Actuator・Operation switch・Advance/retreat rotation device・Rotation switch procedure 17m (spontaneous) Patent 1″i艮1i1 .Indication of matter f1 1999 Special Revision Application No. 234331 2. Name of the invention Relationship with the endoscope equipment haze 36 amendment person case

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] An endoscope provided with an actuator for curving a curved portion of an insertion section; an advancement/retraction rotation device for advancing, retracting, and rotating the insertion section; an operation switch for the actuator; It is characterized by comprising a forward/backward switch and a rotation switch for the forward/backward rotation device, and at least two of the three switches, the operation switch, the forward/backward switch, and the rotation switch, are arranged at one location. Endoscope equipment.