JPH04135570A - Inserting tube - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the curvature operability by supplying a pressure fluid to the corresponding pressure chamber by closing up selectively an opening of a switch leak hole with a finger, etc., and curving a curved part of an inserting part to its direction. CONSTITUTION:In the case of curving a curved part 3 of an inserting part, a hole 25a of a curvature switch corresponding thereto is closed up by the ball of a finger. As a result, pressure by which pressure air is not blown off to the outside becomes high, and the inside of a pressure chamber 12a is pressurized through a pressure tube 14a of the inserting part side. In this case, other switching holes 25b, 25c are opened, and as far as it is concerned, a leak state is continued. Accordingly, as for the curved part 3, the outside peripheral surface part corresponding to its pressure chamber 12a extends, and it is curved downward as shown with a broken line. In this regard, by varying the degree for closing up the hole 25a of the curvature switch 26a by the ball of a finger 29, and controlling the quantity of escape air, the curvature amount can be controlled. In such a way, the curvature operability is improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to insertion tubes, such as catheters or endoscopes.

[Prior Art] A medical tube known from Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 15063/1980 is designed to curve a curved portion by selectively inflating a balloon using air pressure. In this case, as means for switching the bending direction, a syringe is connected to a lumen communicating with the balloon to be bent, and pressurized air is supplied to the corresponding balloon.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Incidentally, in order to quickly switch the bending direction, it is possible to use a method of using a switching cock or a method of switching using a solenoid valve, for example.

However, in the case of the former method, it is difficult to bring the amount of curvature, such as vertically or horizontally, into an intermediate state. The latter method also has the disadvantage that its configuration is complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide an insertion tube that has a simple configuration and has a bending means that can improve its bending operability.

[Means and effects for solving the problems] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a plurality of pressurizing chambers in the curved part of the insertion section, and selectively pressurizes each pressurizing chamber. In an insertion tube whose curved portion is bent in a predetermined direction, a plurality of pressurizing pipes are provided which are connected to each pressurizing chamber and also communicate with a pressurizing pump. A leak hole for a switch is provided for discharging water to the outside, and the opening of each leak hole is selectively closed to supply pressurized fluid from the bomb to the pressurizing chamber.

By selectively closing the opening of each leak hole with a finger or the like, pressurized fluid from the pump is supplied to the corresponding pressurizing chamber, and the curved portion of the insertion portion is curved in that direction.

[Embodiment] FIGS. 1 to 11 show a first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 shows its overall appearance. Reference numeral 1 denotes a catheter, and an insertion section 2 of this catheter 1 has a curved section 3 on its distal end side. Further, the proximal end of the insertion section 2 has a branch section 4. A mouthpiece 7 to which a syringe 6 can be detachably connected is provided at the leading end of the liquid feeding tube 5 leading out from the branching part 4 . Further, a pressure cable 8 is led out from the branch part 4, and this pressure cable 8
A pressurizing tube 10 is connected to the leading end of the pressurizing tube 10 via a bending controller 9, which will be described later, and a pump section P is further connected to the distal end of the pressurizing tube 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, the insertion section 2 of the catheter 1 is made of a flexible multi-lumen tube that has a channel 11 formed in the center over its entire length and has three lumens formed in its outer peripheral wall. Nari, 3
The curved portion 3 is formed by sealing the space between the curved portion 3 and the proximal portion thereof with a filling portion 13a made of adhesive or the like, and further sealing the tip opening of each lumen with a filling portion 13b made of resin or the like. The distal end portions of the lumens corresponding to the pressurizing chambers 12a, 12b, and 12c are defined as pressurizing chambers 12a, 12b, and 12c.

Furthermore, pressurizing tubes 14a, 14b, and 14c forming pressurizing conduits are inserted into each lumen located closer to the proximal side than the curved portion 3 of each lumen. Pressurizing tubes 14a, 14b.

The tip of 14c is fixed through the filling part 13a, and each tip opening is connected to the corresponding pressurizing chamber 12a.
, 12b, and 12c.

In the above configuration, one pressurizing tube 14g,
A corresponding pressurizing chamber 12a through 14b and 14c,
Pressurized fluid can flow only into 12b and 12c.

Note that the multi-lumen tube that forms the insertion section 2 has flexibility, but the pressure tube 14a,
The hardness of 14b and 14c improves the followability of insertion into the body cavity. Further, a pressurizing tube 14a is led out from the branch portion 4.

The portions 14b and 14c are combined and connected to the pressure cable 8.
The bending controller 9 is inserted into the curvature controller 9 and is guided to a bending controller 9 having a structure to be described later.

The bending controller 9 is constructed as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. That is, the controller main body 21
There is a pressurizing tube 14a inside.

Passages 22 are formed that correspond to and communicate with 14b and 14C, respectively. The other end of this passage 22 is connected to each pressurizing tube disposed inside the pressurizing tube 10, and the corresponding pump 24 of the pump section P
are individually connected to each other via a regulator 25. Moreover, the middle of each passage 22 communicates with the outside air through respective switching holes 25a, 25b, and 25c that open to the outside. The switching hole 25a constitutes an a-direction bending switch 26a corresponding to the bending direction, the switching hole 25b constitutes a b-direction bending switch 26b, and the switching hole 25c constitutes a C-direction bending switch 26c. Furthermore, switching holes 25 a, 25
The outer end openings of b and 25 c are connected to the controller main body 2.
They are relatively concentrated on a concave surface 27 for finger rest formed on the upper surface of the finger 1, and can be selectively closed with 12 fingers. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, a rib 28 that slightly protrudes over the entire circumference is formed on the periphery of the outer end opening of each of the switching holes 25a, 25b, and 25c. In addition, pressurizing tubes 14a, 14b, 14c on the insertion section 2 side and a passage 2 communicating therewith are also provided.
The inner diameter of the passage 22 on the pump section P side and the pressurizing tube are larger than the inner diameter of the section 2. Switching hole 25a.

The diameters of the outer end openings of 25b and 25c are larger than the maximum diameter of the passage 22.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained. In a free state where the bending controller 9 is not operated, that is, when not bending,
Air from each pump 24 is reduced in pressure by a regulator 25, and is discharged to the outside from each switching hole 25a, 25b, 25c.

Note that the diameters of the holes 25a, 25b, and 25e are large, and the pressurizing tube 14a on the insertion portion 2 side.

Since the resistance of the pipes leading to 14b and 14c is large, the water can be sufficiently discharged to the outside.

For example, when bending the bending part 3 of the insertion part 2 in the a direction, as shown in FIGS.
It is occluded in the belly of 9. As a result, the pressure increases without releasing the pressurized air to the outside, and the pressure tube 14a on the insertion section 2 side
The inside of the pressurizing chamber 12a is pressurized through the pressurizing chamber 12a. At this time, the other switching holes 25b and 25e are open as shown in FIGS. 9(B) and 9(C), and the leakage state continues for these holes. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the outer peripheral surface of the curved portion 3 corresponding to the pressurizing chamber 12a extends, and curves downward as shown by the broken line.

The amount of curvature can be adjusted by changing the degree to which the hole 25a of the a-direction curving switch 26g is closed with the pad of the finger 29 and adjusting the amount of air released.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG.
By simultaneously blocking a and 25c with the same finger, simultaneous curvature in both directions can be realized. In this way, by closing one or a plurality of switching holes 25a, 25b, and 25c at the same time and adjusting the amount of closing, bending in various directions can be realized. Note that the curved portion 3 can be made rigid by closing all the switching holes 25a, 25b, and 25c.

Note that by attaching the syringe 6 to the mouthpiece 7 of the liquid feeding tube 5, it is possible to inject a medicinal solution or the like through the channel 11, or to discharge the body fluid or the like out of the body by suctioning the syringe 6.

12 to 13 show a second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment shows an example applied to an endoscope 31. This insertion portion 32 has a curved portion 33 on its distal end side.
This insertion section 32 has a plurality of pressurizing chambers corresponding to the curved section 33, and pressurizing tubes that individually communicate with these chambers, similar to those shown in the above embodiment, are incorporated.
It has a similar bending function. Of course, components for an endoscope are also incorporated.

Furthermore, the proximal end of this insertion section 32 is connected to an operating section 34. The operating section 34 is provided with a bending controller 35 similar to that shown in the first embodiment, and can be operated with a finger. Further, a universal cable 37 is disposed in the operation section 34, and a connector 38 is provided at the tip of the universal cable 37, so that it can be connected to a light source device 39. A pump section 41 is attached to the light source device 39 and connected to a pressurizing tube 40 led out from the universal cable 37 and the connector 38 to the outside.

The bending effect in this endoscope 31 is the same as in the first embodiment described above.

14 to 16 show a third embodiment of the present invention. This example is for catheter 1,
The only difference is the structure of the curved portion 3, and other points are the same as the first embodiment.

That is, in the center of this catheter 1 there is a channel 11,
A plurality of pressurizing pipes 52a and 52b are provided on the peripheral wall.

52c are arranged in the same direction along the axial direction. The ends of each pressurizing conduit 52a, 52b, and 52c are sealed with a sealing portion 53. Pressurized pipe line 52a.

52b and 52C are each provided with a communication hole 54, and the balloon 5 as a bending drive member attached to the bending portion 3
It communicates with the pressurizing hole 56 of No. 5. The pressurizing hole 56 is formed by the balloon 55, and the corresponding pressurizing chambers 58a, 5
It leads to 8b and 58c. This curving balloon 55 is tightly fixed to the outer periphery of the curving portion 3 by its own elasticity, and is detachable. Pressurized chambers 58a, 58b, 58
As shown in FIG. 15, the balloon 55 is divided into sections in three directions, and is inflated by pressurized fluid sent individually.

Therefore, certain pressurized pipes 52 a, 52 b, 5
2c, for example, by sending air to the pressurizing pipe 52a and increasing the pressure in the pressurizing chamber 58a, the pressurizing chamber 58a is expanded as shown in FIG. to curve the curved portion 3 downward.

In addition, if the curving balloon 55 of this curving portion 3 is damaged, it can be used again by replacing only this balloon 55.

Other configurations and the like are the same as those of the first embodiment described above.

17 to 18 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the curved structure of the third embodiment is incorporated and applied to an endoscope 61.

Image guide fiber 62, light guide fiber 6
3. A bending balloon 67 is attached to the outer periphery of the bending portion 66 of the endoscope 61 having a channel 64 and a plurality of pressurizing conduits 65.
is provided and fixed on both sides with thread winding portions 68 for sealing. Furthermore, the tips of the pressurizing pipes 65 are sealed with a sealing part 69, and a communication hole 72 communicating with the corresponding pressurizing chamber 71 is provided on the outer peripheral side of each pressurizing pipe 65.

Note that an objective lens 74 is provided within a lens frame 73 on the distal end side of the image guide fiber 62.

Further, the pressurizing chambers 71 are provided by hollowing out the curved balloon 67, and the air from each pressurizing chamber 71 is sealed by a thread winding portion 68 as shown in FIG.

The operation of this configuration is the same as that of the third embodiment described above.

FIG. 19 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, reinforcing fibers 75 are provided in a net shape within the thickness of the curved balloon 55.

The other configurations are the same as those of the third and fourth embodiments described above.

Further, its operation is also the same as that of the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment. In this embodiment, the reinforcing fibers 75 are provided in a net shape within the wall thickness of the curving balloon 55, so that when pressurized, the expansion of the balloon in the radial direction can be restricted and the curving efficiency can be increased. There is.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, the function of bending in any direction can be realized with a simple structure.

In addition, the bending is easy to manipulate.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 11 show a first embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire embodiment of the device, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the insertion portion of the catheter, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 2, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Figure 2, and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along line C-C in Figure 2! 6 is a plan view of the bending controller, FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line E-E in FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line FF in FIG. 6. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the bending controller, FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the operating state of the bending controller, FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the operating state of the bending controller, and FIG. 12
The figure is a perspective view of the entire device showing a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 13 is a side view of the operating section, FIGS. 14 to 16 show a third embodiment of the invention, 15 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the distal end of the insertion portion of the catheter, and FIG.
16 is a longitudinal sectional view of the vicinity of the distal end of the insertion portion of the catheter in a curved state; FIGS. 17 and 18 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 18 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the distal end of the insertion section of the endoscope, and FIG.
FIG. 19 is a sectional view taken along line H and a perspective view of a balloon portion showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Catheter, 2... Insertion part, 3... Curving part, 9... Curving controller, 11... Pump part, 12
a. 12b, 12C-pressurizing chamber, 14a, 14b14c...
Pressurizing tube, 24...pump, 25a. 25b 25c...Switching hole, 32...
Insertion part, 33... Curving part, 35... Curving controller, 41... Pump part, 55... Balloon, 58a
58b, 58c...pressure chamber, 61...endoscope, 65
... Pressure pipe line, 67 ... Balloon, 71 ... Pressure chamber. Applicant's representative Patent attorney Jun Tsuboi Figure 12 Figure 13 Figure 16 Figure 18 Figure 17

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In an insertion tube in which a plurality of pressurizing chambers are provided in a curved section of the insertion section, and each pressurizing chamber is selectively pressurized to curve the curved section in a predetermined direction, each pressurizing chamber A plurality of pressurizing pipes are provided, each of which is connected to the pressurizing pump, and a switch leak hole is provided that communicates with each of the pressurizing pipes and discharges the pressurized fluid from the pump to the outside. An insertion tube characterized in that the opening is selectively closed to supply pressurized fluid from a pump to the pressurization chamber. (2) A cylindrical curved drive member having a plurality of pressurizing chambers on the peripheral wall is removably fitted into the curved portion of the insertion portion, and each pressurization conduit formed within the insertion portion is connected to the corresponding one. The insertion tube according to claim 1, wherein the insertion tube communicates with the pressurizing chamber.