JPH0443850Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) This invention relates to a guide tool used when inserting the insertion section of an industrial endoscope into a specimen.

(Prior art) Recently, when inspecting the inside of a machine such as a jet engine, it has become possible to observe the inside of a machine as a specimen without disassembling it, thereby shortening work time and improving work efficiency. Due to these advantages, industrial endoscopes are widely used in various industrial fields.

In this type of general endoscope, a flexible insertion section extends from one end of the operation main body, and an eyepiece is provided at the other end of the operation main body. When in use, the insertion section of the endoscope is inserted into the specimen through the opening, and the interior is observed with the eyepiece through the observation optical system provided in the insertion section.

However, the inside of the specimen has a complicated shape,
If a constriction part is formed inside the specimen before reaching the examination site, if you try to insert the endoscope alone, the tip will sag due to its own weight because the insertion part is flexible. There were times when the device could not be inserted into the desired test site.

Conventionally, in such cases, the insertion section of the endoscope is inserted into a guide tube that is harder than the insertion section, and the guide tube is passed through the constriction section in advance while the direction is determined by the insertion section. Thereafter, the insertion section was moved forward and protruded from the constriction section for observation. However, the outer diameter of the guide tube is larger than the insertion part, and the thicker part makes it difficult to insert the sample, resulting in poor workability. It was unusable.

Therefore, a guide channel is provided in the operation main body and the insertion section of the endoscope, and a long guide is protruded from the insertion port of the operation main body through the guide channel to the front of the distal end of the insertion section. An endoscope has been devised in which a hanging body is hung on the constriction part of the specimen, and then the insertion part of the endoscope is advanced along the guide tool. This type of guide includes, for example, a thin tube with a balloon attached to the tip as a hook. The balloon is deflated until the tip of the guide reaches the constriction inside the specimen, and when the tip reaches the constriction, water, air, etc. are injected into the balloon to inflate and hang it. In another example, the guide device is made of a spiral tube, and a hook is attached to the tip of the spiral tube as a hook, and the hook is hooked onto a constriction part inside the specimen. There is something.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, the conventional guide tools for the endoscope insertion section described above each have the following drawbacks.

In other words, in the case of a guide using a balloon,
There was a problem with the durability of the balloon, and the balloon was damaged by sharp protrusions such as burrs formed inside the specimen, and as a result, the balloon could not be inflated and the guide tool was hung. In some cases, situations occurred where it became impossible to stop the operation.

In addition, in the case of a guide using a hook, the shape of the hook cannot be changed like a balloon before and after it is hooked to the constriction part, and therefore,
It was not possible to reliably hook the hook to the constriction part.

(Means for solving the problem) This invention was made to solve the above problem, and its gist is to pass the tip of the insertion section through the insertion port provided in the operation body of the endoscope and into the insertion section. A guide tool for an endoscope insertion tube that protrudes forward and guides the insertion tube by hooking onto a specimen, includes a flexible exterior tube, an operating wire inserted through the exterior tube, and a base at the tip of the exterior tube. A long and thin frame with connected
A hanging body consisting of four links, two links of the four links constituting the hanging body are placed on the front side of the frame, and the other two links are placed on the base side of the frame. one of the two links is supported such that each base part is rotatably and fixedly positioned on the frame such that each tip part approaches and moves away from the frame on one side and the other side of the frame, respectively; The other two links have their respective bases rotatably connected to each other, are supported by the frame so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction, and each end is rotatably attached to each end of the other two links. A guide tool for an endoscope insertion section, characterized in that the operating wire is connected to a mutual connection point of two links movably supported by a frame or a portion thereof. .

(Function) The hook of the guide is made to protrude forward from the insertion portion of the endoscope in advance. In this state, while stopping the sheathing tube, pull or push the operating wire to move the bases of the two links that are movable relative to the frame to the two fixed positions. Move away from the base of the link. Then, each of the four links rotates so that each end of the link approaches the frame.
As a result, the hanging body closes and its width in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the frame becomes narrower. Insert the narrowed latching member into a desired position inside the specimen.

Next, while stopping the sheathing pipe, the other operation is performed on the operation wire to bring the bases of the two links and the bases of the other two links closer to each other. Then, the tip of each link rotates away from the frame. As a result, the hanging body expands in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the frame, increasing its width. Therefore, the hanging body can be reliably hooked to a desired site inside the specimen.

In the state where the hanging body is expanded, one operation is performed on the operation wire while the exterior tube is fixed in position. Then, the latch closes again and becomes narrower.
Therefore, the guide can be advanced further into the specimen or stored within the insertion section.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of this invention will be described based on the drawings from FIG. 1 to FIG. 5.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an endoscope, which is used for internal inspection of a jet engine 2 as a specimen. Jet engine 2 is 9
It has combustion chambers 3a to 3i each having a circular cross section, and the adjacent combustion chambers 3a to 3i are connected in a ring shape by connecting pipes 4a to 4i (throttled portions) each having a small cross section. Of the nine combustion chambers 3a to 3i, two combustion chambers 3a and 3g are provided with holes 30a and 30g for installing spark plugs, respectively. The flame generated in the combustion chambers 3a and 3g by this spark plug is transmitted to all combustion chambers 3a through connecting pipes 4a to 4i.
It's starting to turn around ~3i. Holes 30a, 30
g has its spark plug removed during internal inspection and is used for inserting the endoscope 1.

The endoscope 1 has an operating main body 5, an eyepiece section 6 is provided at one end of the operating main body 5, and a flexible insertion section 7 extends from the other end. A bending portion 7 is provided at the tip of the insertion portion 7 and is bent by remote control using the operation main body 5.
Further, a hard tip structure part 8 is formed at the tip of this curved part 7a, and an observation window and an illumination window (not shown) are provided on the end surface of the tip structure part 8. Further, an insertion port 9 is provided from the outer side of the operation main body 5 and projects at a predetermined angle with respect to the operation main body 5. Connected to the information channel. Furthermore, this guide channel is open at the end face of the tip component 8.

Further, reference numeral 10 is a guide tool, which is inserted into the guide channel from the insertion port 9 of the endoscope 1. The guide tool 10 has a helical tube 12 as an exterior tube through which an operating wire 11 is inserted.
2, a remote control unit 15 is provided at one end of the unit 2, as shown in FIG. In detail, the spiral tube 12
A finger rest 13 is connected to one end of the finger. A rod 14 extends from the end surface of the finger rest 13.
A guide hole 14a is formed in the rod 14 in the longitudinal direction, and a ring 16 is provided at the tip. Also, a slider 17 is installed on the outside of this rod 14.
A pin 18 that is inserted through the guide hole 15 is fixed to the slider 17, and one end of the operation wire 11 that is inserted through the spiral tube 12 and the finger hook 13 is connected to this pin 18. .

On the other hand, a frame 19 is attached to the other end of the spiral tube 12, as shown in FIGS. 3-5. The frame 19 has a base portion 19a having a circular cross section, and two opposing arms 19b extend along the longitudinal direction from the base portion 19a toward the distal end thereof. The cross-sectional shape of the arm 19b forms part of a circle. The other end of the spiral tube 12 is inserted into a hole 19c formed in the base 19a of the frame 19 and fixed therein.

A hanging body 21 having a pantograph structure is supported between the two arms 19b. That is, the above-mentioned hanging body 21 has four plate-shaped links 21a to 21b. Two links 21a and 21d of the four links 21a to 21d are arranged on the front side of the frame 19, and the other two links 21b and 21d are arranged on the front side of the frame 19.
1c is arranged on the base side of the frame 19.
The links 21a and 21d have their respective bases rotatably connected to each other by a pin 21a, and are fixed to the tip of the arm 19b via the pin 21a. The links 21b and 21c have their respective bases rotatably connected to each other by a pin 21, and are supported so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction between the two arms 19b and 19b. Furthermore, link 21
The tips of the links 21c, 21c are rotatably connected to each other via a pin 20b, and the links 21c, 21c
d are rotatably connected to each other via a pin 20d.

In the hanging body 21 having the above configuration, when the bases of the links 21b and 21c are moved toward the front end of the frame 19, the front ends of the links 21a to 21d are rotated away from the frame 19. As a result, the hanging body 21 expands and its width in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the frame 19 increases. vice versa,
When the bases of the links 21b and 21c are moved toward the base of the frame 19, the tips of the links 21a to 21d are rotated to approach the frame 19.
As a result, when the hook 21 is closed, its width in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the frame 19 becomes narrower.
In particular, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the hook 21 is configured to be closed and rod-shaped.

Moreover, the base end portions 31 of the two links 21a and 21d
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, a and 31d are formed to protrude toward the tip end of the frame 19 rather than the pin 20, and to protrude toward both arms 19b. Then, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the hook 21 is closed, the links 21a,
Each proximal end of 21d is joined to form a hemispherical shape,
In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, when the hanging body 21 is open, the protruding end surface 32a of the proximal end 31a of the link 21a on the link 21d side abuts the link 21d, and the protruding end surface 32a of the proximal end 31a of the link 21a contacts the link 21d. 21a
The protruding end surface 32d on the side abuts on the link 21a,
It is designed to be maintained at a constant angle.

Furthermore, the tips of the links 21a and 21d project closer to the base 19a of the frame 19 than the pins 20b and 20d, respectively, and function as hooks 30a and 30d, as will be described later.

Further, the pin 20c is attached to the base 19 of the frame 19.
The other end of the operating wire 11 that passes through the base portion 19a and is freely inserted into the base portion 19a is connected to the connecting tool 22.
are connected via.

Note that the base 19a of the frame 19 and the link 21
A spring 23 is interposed on the outside of the operating wire 11 between the third and fourth
With the hook 21 closed as shown in the figure,
Spring 23 is adapted to be compressed.

In the above configuration, the hook 21 of the guide 10 is stored in the guide channel of the insertion section 7 of the endoscope 1 in the closed state as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and the insertion section 7 is inserted into the Combustion chamber 3a of engine 2
is inserted through the hole 30a, and the inside of the first combustion chamber 3a is observed through the eyepiece 6 via the optical transmission system. At this time, since the tip of the guide tool 10 is housed within the guide channel, it does not interfere with internal observation.

Next, the second combustion chamber 3 adjacent to the first combustion chamber 3a
When observing b, it is necessary to pass the insertion section 7 through the connecting tube 4a. At this time, only the guide tool 10 is made to protrude forward from the tip forming part 8 while the curved part 7a of the insertion part 7 remains located in the first combustion chamber 3a.
Then, while confirming the position of the tip of the guide tool 10 with the eyepiece 6 of the endoscope 1, bend the bending part 7a to direct the guide tool 10 toward the connecting tube 4a, and then move the guide tool 10 further. It is made to protrude and be inserted into the connecting pipe 4a to enter the second combustion chamber 4b. At this time, the hanging body 21
Since it is closed and its width is narrow, it can be smoothly inserted into the connecting pipe 4a having a small opening area.
In particular, in this embodiment, since the hook 21 is closed and becomes rod-shaped, it can be inserted through the connecting pipe 4a more smoothly.

After inserting the tip of the guide tool 10 into the second combustion chamber 3b as described above, the finger hook part 1 of the guide tool 10 is inserted into the second combustion chamber 3b.
3 between your index and middle fingers, and slider 1
7 with your thumb, and slide the slider 17 onto the finger hook 13.
Push in the direction. Then, the operating wire 11 moves forward, and the pin 20c is pressed toward the distal end of the frame 19. As a result, as shown in FIG. The proximal end 3 of the link 21a
The protruding end surface 32a of the link 1a and the protruding end surface 32d of the base end 31d of the link 21d are respectively connected to the link 21.
d, 21a, the hook 21 assumes a constant shape. At this time, the spring 23 uses its elastic force to move the links 21b and 21c toward the distal end of the frame 19, so the hanging body 21 is moved with a smaller force than when the spring 23 is not used.
can be opened. Further, after the hook 21 is opened, the spring 23 assumes its natural length as shown in FIG.

Next, when the guide tool 10 is slightly pulled while maintaining the hook 21 in the above state, the links 21b, 21c
is in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the connecting pipe 4a on the combustion chamber 3b side,
The frame 19 of the hanging body 21 is arranged at the center of the connecting pipe 4a, and the hanging parts 30a and 30b formed from the bases of the links 21a and 21d are hung on the inner wall of the second combustion chamber 3b. In addition, when the hook body 21 is in the expanded state, the hook portions 30a and 30d are inclined toward the user's hand, so that the hook can be reliably hooked.

Furthermore, the insertion section 7 of the endoscope 1 is inserted into the guide tool 21.
When the insertion portion 7 is moved forward along the helical tube 12 of the second combustion chamber 3b very smoothly and in a short time,
can be inserted into the

Next, with the insertion portion 7 positioned in the second combustion chamber 3b, the entire guide 10 is moved forward slightly, and then the slider 17 is held between the index finger and the middle finger, and the thumb is inserted into the hole of the ring 16. 17 toward the ring 16, the operating wire 1
Move 2 back. Then, the pin 20 of the hook 21
c is pulled toward the base 19a side of the frame 19,
As a result, the hook 21 is closed and becomes rod-shaped as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Then, the hook 21 is housed in the guide channel within the insertion portion 7, and the endoscope 1 is used for internal inspection of the second combustion chamber 3b.

In this way, by sequentially repeating the above operations, each combustion chamber 3a to 3 of the jet engine 2 is
i can be checked within a very short time and easily.

This invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various embodiments are possible. For example, the exterior tube is not limited to a spiral tube, but may be any tube that is bendable and has a certain degree of rigidity.

(Effects of the invention) As explained above, in the guide tool for the endoscope insertion section according to this invention, the width of the hook can be narrowed and the cross-sectional area of the tip of the guide tool can be made smaller than that of the insertion section.
In particular, even if there is a constriction part with a small opening area on the way to the observation site of the specimen, it is possible to easily and reliably insert the tip of the guide tool that precedes the insertion part into the constriction part etc. I'll come. Furthermore, after the tip of the guide is inserted, the hook can be expanded on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the frame, so the hook is securely hooked inside the specimen and does not come off. The insertion section of the endoscope can be easily guided through the aperture section and the like.

Furthermore, when observing the inside of a specimen with an endoscope, the tip of the guide can be stored within the insertion section of the endoscope, so the guide does not interfere with the observation.

Furthermore, the guide tool has a simple structure, does not break down, has good operability, can reduce working time, and can be made at low cost.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings from Fig. 1 to Fig. 5 show one embodiment of this invention, and Fig. 1 is a schematic view of how the guide tool of the endoscope insertion section is used, and Fig. 2 shows the base of the guide tool. Figures 3 and 4 are an enlarged front view and an enlarged right side view of the tip of the guide with the catch body closed, and Figure 5 is the same view with the hanger expanded. It is an enlarged front view. 1... Endoscope, 2... Specimen, 5... Operation main body,
9... Insertion port, 10... Guide tool, 11... Operation wire, 12... Exterior tube, 19... Frame, 20
a~20d... Support shaft, 21... Hanging body, 21a~
21d...link.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] A bendable exterior for a guide tool for an endoscope insertion section that passes through the insertion port provided on the operating body of the endoscope and projects toward the front of the tip of the insertion section, hooks onto a specimen, and guides the insertion section. It has a tube, an operating wire inserted through the sheathing tube, an elongated frame whose base is connected to the tip of the sheathing tube, and a hanging body consisting of four links. Two of the links are placed on the toe side of the frame, the other two links are placed on the base side of the frame, and one of the two links is such that each tip is placed on one side of the frame and on the other side of the frame. Each base is rotatably and fixedly supported on the frame so as to move toward and away from the frame at each side, and the other two links are rotatably connected to each other and supported on the frame. It is supported movably in the longitudinal direction, and each tip is rotatably connected to each tip of one of the two links,
A guide tool for an endoscope insertion section, characterized in that the operation wire is connected to a mutual connection point of two links movably supported by a frame or a portion near the connection point.