JPH07184845A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable the returning of a bending operation knob automatically at a normal position when it is released while facilitating the washing of the rear back side or the like of the knob very much by allowing the sliding of the bending operation knob of an endoscope operating section simply further outward from a normal operation position. CONSTITUTION:In an endoscope which has bending operation knobs 64 and 65 provided rotationally operably and being sticking out through shafts 58 and 59 and sleeves 62 and 63 from an endoscope operating part body 54 to make the tip side of an endoscope insertion part bend, the bending operation knobs 64 and 65 are provided on the endoscope operating part body 54 slidable further outward from the normal operating position while energizing mechanisms 66 and 67 are provided to return the bending operation knobs 64 and 65 sliding to the normal operation position.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope having a bending operation knob for bending the distal end portion of an endoscope insertion portion.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an endoscope is provided with an endoscope operating section that an operator holds and operates by hand, and an endoscope inserting section that extends from this into a tubular shape and is inserted into a human body. The endoscope operation section is provided with a bending operation knob projecting from the operation section main body so as to be rotatable, and performing a bending operation of the distal end side of the endoscope insertion section.

The bending operation knob is attached to the main body of the endoscope operating section so as to protrude to the outside through an axis. Normally, the back surface (lower surface) of the bending operation knob and the endoscope operating section are attached. The gap between the case of the main body and the case surface is small, and the back side of the bending operation knob is not easily washed, which is not preferable as a medical instrument. Therefore, the applicant of the present invention has already disclosed that in order to improve the cleanability of the back surface of the bending operation knob,
As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 187502, there is proposed an endoscope in which a bending operation knob can be attached and detached by a user with respect to a shaft protruding from an endoscope operation section main body.

For another purpose, for example, an actual Kaihei 3
As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2721, there is a proposal of an endoscope in which a user can adjust and use a mounting distance of a bending operation knob to an endoscope operation section body.

[0005]

However, in the case of the former endoscope disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 57-187502, the user may remove or attach the bending operation knob to the endoscope operation section main body. The operation to perform is troublesome, and handling of the removed bending operation knob may be troublesome and lost.

On the other hand, in the latter endoscope, in which the user can adjust the mounting distance of the bending operation knob with respect to the endoscope operation section main body, each user can select a desired position which is easy to operate in his / her own use. It is good that the bending operation knob can be moved to adjust the position, but in reality, the position adjustment work is troublesome and time-consuming, and the position of the bending operation knob is fixed so that it does not shift during use. There is an annoyance that requires nerves for adjustment work.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to easily slide the bending operation knob further outward from the normal operation position with respect to the endoscope operation section main body, if necessary. The gap between the back side of the bending operation knob and the main body of the endoscope operation section can be enlarged, making it easier to clean the back side of the bending operation knob, etc. It is possible to automatically return to the normal position (the position that is usually operated by the user) with respect to the main body of the endoscope operation unit, and the troublesome work of attaching and detaching the bending operation knob and adjusting the position is unnecessary and there is no fear of loss. To provide an endoscope.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an endoscope of the present invention is provided so as to be rotatably operated by projecting from an endoscope operating portion to the outside through a shaft, and an endoscope inserting portion. In an endoscope having a bending operation knob for performing a bending operation toward the distal end of the endoscope, the bending operation knob is provided so as to be slidable further outward from a normal operation position with respect to the endoscope operation section, and the bending operation is performed. It is characterized in that a biasing means for slidingly returning the operating knob to the normal operating position is provided.

[0009]

With the endoscope having such a structure, when the cleaning operation or the like is required, the bending operation knob can be easily pulled to slide further outward from the normal operation position with respect to the endoscope operation section main body. The gap between the back side of the bending operation knob and the main body of the endoscope operation section can be enlarged. In other cases, if the pulling hand is released, the bending operation knob is moved by the biasing means. It will automatically return to the normal position (the position where the user usually operates) with respect to the main body. For this,
There is no need for troublesome work such as attaching and detaching the bending operation knob and adjusting the position, and cleaning the bending operation knob and the endoscope operation section body,
Work such as attaching a stain prevention cover to them can be done easily, and the operability is also good because the bending operation knob is not biased to the normal position by the biasing means even during use, Further, the bending operation knob is always integrated with the endoscope operation section body without coming off, and there is no fear of loss.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing the overall configuration of the endoscope apparatus, and the endoscope apparatus 1 shown here is provided with a cover type endoscope 2. The cover-type endoscope 2 includes a channel-equipped endoscope cover (hereinafter referred to as an endoscope cover) 3 provided with channels such as an air / water supply conduit, a suction conduit, and a treatment instrument channel, which will be described later. This is a structure that is combined with an endoscope (endoscope body) 4 mounted on the endoscope cover 3.

That is, when performing an endoscopic examination, the entire endoscope 4 is covered by the clean endoscope cover 3, the endoscope cover 3 is discarded after the examination, and the endoscope 4 is It is repeatedly used by being covered with a new clean endoscope cover 3 in preparation for the next endoscopic examination. As a result, cleaning and disinfection of the endoscope 4 after the inspection are unnecessary.

The specific structure will be described below. First, the endoscope apparatus 1 includes the cover type endoscope 2, a cart 5 in which various peripheral devices and the like to which the cover type endoscope 2 is connected are installed, and the cover type endoscope 2. It has a cover holder 6 such as a stand for holding.

The cart 5 includes, for example, a light source device 7, a video processor 8, a fluid control device 9, and an endoscope cover extender (hereinafter referred to as an extension) used when the endoscope 4 is attached to the endoscope cover 3. 10 and the like are stored.
A video processor 8 is provided on the top surface of the cart 5.
Monitor 1 that receives the video signal from the computer and displays an endoscopic image
1 is placed.

The endoscope 4 has an elongated endoscope insertion portion 12
The endoscope operation section 13 also serving as a large-diameter gripping section continuously provided on the proximal side of the proximal side, and the universal cord 14 extended from the side of the operation section 13 are provided. A connector 15 is provided at the end of the universal cord 14.

The light source device 7 is detachably connected to the universal cord 14 of the endoscope 4 through the connector 15 and supplies illumination light to the endoscope 4. The video processor 8 is detachably connected via a signal cable 16 extending from the side portion of the connector 15, drives the image pickup means built in the endoscope 4, and outputs a signal from the image pickup means. Signal processing for
A standard video signal is converted and output to the monitor 11.

The dilator 10 extends an expansion tube 17, and air is sent into the endoscope cover 3 through the expansion tube 17 to expand the expansion tube 17 into the endoscope cover 3. The endoscope 4 can be easily attached or removed. At that time, it is convenient to hold the base end side of the endoscope cover 3 in the cover holder 6 and insert or remove the endoscope 4.

The endoscope cover 3 includes a flexible insertion section cover section 18, an operation section cover section 19 and a universal cord cover section 20 which are made of a thin and soft polymer material such as vinyl chloride. Is configured,
With these, the endoscope insertion portion 12 and the operation portion 1 of the endoscope 4 described above.
3 and the universal cord 14 are respectively covered.

The fluid control device 9 includes an air supply control valve 21,
A water supply control valve 22 and a suction control valve 23 are provided, and air supply, water supply, and suction are controlled by these electromagnetic valves. The air supply control valve 21, the water supply control valve 22, and the suction control valve 23 extend from the insertion portion cover portion 18 of the endoscope cover 3 through the operation portion cover portion 19 and the universal cord cover portion 20, respectively. It is connected to the air supply conduit 24, the water supply conduit 25, and the suction conduit 26.

The suction control valve 23 has a suction tube 2
7 is connected, and an aspirator (not shown) is connected to the end thereof so that unnecessary body fluid or the like can be sucked from the distal end of the insertion portion cover portion 18 of the endoscope cover 3 via the suction conduit 26. Has become. A water supply tube 28 is connected to the water supply control valve 22, and a water supply tank 29 is connected to the tip portion thereof. Further, two air supply tubes 30 extend from the fluid control device 9 and are connected to the air supply control valve 21 and the water supply tank 29.

FIG. 2 shows the overall construction of the insertion portion cover portion 18 of the endoscope cover 3. The insertion portion cover portion 18 is
An endoscope operation part fixing mouth part (hereinafter referred to as a mouth part) 33 for connecting and fixing the cover tip forming part 31, the cover outer skin 32, and the operation part 13 of the endoscope 4 from the tip side is airtight. Configured to be connected to. An observing opening 34 and a channel opening 35 are provided in the cover tip forming portion 31. Further, the mouth part 33 is provided with a treatment instrument insertion port 36 that communicates with a treatment instrument channel provided inside.

FIG. 3 shows a state in which the endoscope cover 3 is attached to the endoscope 4. The insertion portion 12 of the endoscope 4 is inserted into the insertion portion cover portion 18, the operation portion cover portion 19 is put on the operation portion 13 of the endoscope 4, and the universal cord 14 is put on the universal cord cover portion 20 and then fixed. By winding the tape 38 around the joint of each cover portion and fixing it, each portion of the endoscope 4 is covered by the endoscope cover 3 (the insertion portion cover portion 18, the operation portion cover portion 19, the universal cord cover portion 20). It is airtightly covered and isolated from the external environment.

FIG. 4 shows the structure of the distal end forming portion 31 of the insertion portion cover portion 18 of the endoscope cover 3. The tip forming portion 31 is made of a hard resin or the like, and is provided with the insertion portion cover portion 18
A distal end of the treatment instrument channel, which is provided with an endoscope front end portion insertion hole 41 which communicates with the endoscope insertion channel provided in the front end portion of the endoscope and a channel distal end portion 42 which communicates with the treatment instrument channel. The portion is adapted to open to the outside from the channel opening portion 35.

A cover glass 43 for transmitting light is provided in the observation opening 34 on the side of the endoscope distal end insertion hole 41, and the endoscope 4 is inserted into the internal endoscope insertion channel. The observation window and the illumination window at the tip of the insertion section 12 face each other so that irradiation of illumination light toward the examination site and observation of the examination site can be performed. It is designed to be isolated from.

The distal end portion of the insertion portion cover portion 18 including the distal end constituent portion 31 of the endoscope cover 3 has a structure shown in FIG. 5 when shown in a sectional view in the axial direction. That is, the channel tube 45 that constitutes the treatment instrument channel 44 is inserted into the cover outer skin 32 of the insertion portion cover portion 18, the distal end portion of the channel tube 45 is connected to the distal end forming portion 31, and the distal end forming portion 31. And communicates with the channel tip 42 provided on the.

In the channel tip portion 42,
A treatment instrument raising base 46 for raising the treatment instrument that has been inserted through the treatment instrument channel 44 is attached so as to be rotatable in the channel distal end portion 42 about the rotation axis 47 of the base end portion in the up and down direction. There is. A raising wire 48 for raising and lowering the raising table 46 by pushing and pulling is connected to a distal end portion of the treatment instrument raising table 46. The raising wire 48 extends from the distal end configuration portion 31 toward the endoscope operation portion fixing mouth portion 33 through a wire tube 49 provided in the cover outer skin 32 of the insertion portion cover portion 18. .

Although not shown, the insertion portion cover portion 18 is also provided.
Inside the channel tube 45 of the treatment instrument channel 44
An endoscope insertion channel is provided almost in parallel with the insertion part 12 of the endoscope 4 so as to be inserted thereinto. Figure 6
Another example of the configuration of the insertion portion cover portion 18 of the endoscope cover 3 is shown in FIG. First, as shown in FIG. 6A, the cover tip forming portion 31 is formed at the same time with the channel tube 45, the wire tube 49, the air supply conduit 24, and the water supply conduit 25 inserted therein. Then, the tip of the insert portion 12 of the cover tip forming portion 31 endoscope 4 is inserted and fixed,
The outer cover 3 made of a heat-shrinkable material having an inner diameter that is sufficiently larger than the outer diameter of the cover tip forming portion 31 on the outer periphery thereof.
In this state, the cover outer cover 32 is heated from the outside, contracted as shown in FIG. 6B, and fixed to the cover tip forming portion 31.

By doing so, since the cover tip forming portion 31 is simultaneously molded (integrated molding) with the tubes inserted, the tubes are assembled (bonded) to the cover tip forming portion 31 one by one. It is a hassle. In addition, the insertion of the cover outer cover 32 of the insertion portion 12 of the endoscope 4 and the insertion and fixing of the cover outer cover 32 into the cover front end forming portion 31 are easy, and the fixing of the cover front end forming portion 31 and the cover outer cover 32 is also easy and laborious. Further, it is possible to reduce the useless space in the cover outer cover 32 and to make the entire insertion part thinner by heat-shrinking the cover outer cover 32 so as to be in close contact with the insertion part 12 and the tubes of the endoscope 4. Become.

The various tubes 45, 49, 24, 25 for connecting the tips to the cover tip forming portion 31 are provided.
May be integrally configured with a multi-lumen tube 50 as shown in FIG. 6 (c).

FIG. 7 shows another example of the construction of the insertion portion cover portion 18 of the endoscope cover 3. In this example, the entire remaining portion of the insertion portion cover portion 18 excluding the cover tip forming portion 31, that is, the entire portion corresponding to the cover outer skin 32 and the various tubes 45, 49, 24, 25 is Multi-lumen tube 5 including mirror insertion lumen 51
It is formed by 2.

In this case, the cover tip forming portion 31 is integrally provided with various pipe-like projections 53 corresponding to the respective lumens of the multi-lumen tube 52 and having an outer diameter slightly smaller than those lumens. is there. The multi-lumen tube 52 is made of a heat-shrinkable material, and the pipe-shaped protrusion 53 is attached to the multi-lumen tube 5.
The multi-lumen tube 52 is inserted into the corresponding lumens of No. 2 and heated, and the multi-lumen tube 52 is entirely contracted and fixed to the cover tip forming portion 31. Also in this case, the assembly of the insertion portion cover portion 18 becomes easy.

8 and 9, the operation portion 13 of the endoscope 4 is shown.
Shows the structure of. The endoscope operation section 13 is provided with a bending operation device 55 that is provided so as to project from the endoscope operation section main body 54 to the outside via a shaft so as to be rotatable and to perform a bending operation of the distal end side of the endoscope insertion section. Have The bending operation device 55 has an up / down bending operation knob 64 and a left / right bending operation knob 65 which are arranged in two vertical steps.

More specifically, the endoscope operation section main body 54 has a case shape, and a substrate 56 and a cover 57 fixed so as to cover the substrate 56 are fixed therein. Also,
The fixed shaft 58 is vertically fixed from the substrate 56, and
A fixed shaft cylinder 59 having a large diameter is vertically fixed to the outer periphery of the cover 57. Inside the cover 57, a pair of upper and lower sprockets 60, 61 are provided rotatably around the fixed shaft 58.

A chain (both not shown) having wires connected to both ends is meshed with these sprockets 60 and 61. The wire pushed and pulled by the rotation of the sprocket 60 at the upper stage causes the distal end portion of the insertion portion 12 of the endoscope 4 to bend vertically with the insertion portion cover portion 18, and is pushed by the rotation of the sprocket 61 at the lower stage. The pulled wire enables the distal end portion of the insertion portion 12 to be bent in the left-right direction together with the insertion portion cover portion 18.

Around the fixed shaft 58, sleeves 62 and 63 which are concentrically rotatable and which are arranged in inner and outer double cylindrical shapes as rotary shafts are provided. A projecting portion is partially formed in the circumferential direction at the lower end of the outer sleeve 62, and the projecting portion is fitted so as to mesh with the concave step portion of the upper sprocket 60 so as to interlock with the rotation direction. A projecting portion is partially formed in the circumferential direction also at the lower end of 63, and this is fitted so as to mesh with the concave step portion of the lower sprocket 61 and is in a state of interlocking in the rotational direction.

Moreover, the inner and outer sleeves 62, 63
As described above, while engaging with the sprockets 60 and 61 in the rotational direction and interlocking with each other, it is movable along the fixed shaft 58 so as to be disengaged from the sprockets 60 and 61 in the axial direction (vertical direction). The outer sleeve 62 is projected from the endoscope operation section main body 54 to the outside (upward) and is connected to the lower bending operation knob 64 at the lower stage of the bending operation device 55.
The inner sleeve 63 projects further upward and is connected to the upper left / right bending operation knob 65.

Further, the fixed shaft 58 is divided into upper and lower parts on the way, and the upper end of the fixed shaft 58 is pulled toward the lower shaft part via the biasing mechanism 66, and the upper end thereof is inside the left and right bending operation knob 65. It extends to near the center. Similarly, the fixed shaft cylinder 5
9 is also divided into upper and lower parts on the way, and the upper end extends up to the vicinity of the center of the vertical bending operation knob 64 in a state in which the upper shaft part is attracted to the lower part part via the biasing mechanism 67.

By rotating the operating body 68 (which can rotate with respect to the fixed shaft 58 but does not come off) provided at the uppermost stage, the sliding friction resistance of the left and right bending operation knob 65 with respect to the fixed shaft 58 is increased. The operation lever 6 can be made lighter or lighter, and is horizontally projected from the lower side of the vertical bending operation knob 64.
By rotating 9 (which can rotate with respect to the cylindrical fixed shaft 59 but does not come off), the sliding friction resistance of the vertical bending operation knob 64 with respect to the fixed shaft cylinder 59 can be made heavy or light. .

The upper shaft part of the fixed shaft 58 and the upper shaft part of the fixed shaft tube 59 which are divided into the upper and lower parts are pulled up together with the bending operation device 55 against the pulling force of the biasing mechanisms 66 and 67. Although it is movable in the axial direction (upward), it is always urged and held in the natural state by the urging mechanisms 66 and 67 in the state of FIG. 8 (downward state).

That is, the left and right bending operation knobs 65 and the up and down bending operation knobs 64 of the bending operation device 55 are the inner and outer sleeves 62 and 63, the upper shaft portion of the fixed shaft 58, and the upper shaft tubular portion of the fixed shaft tube 59. At the same time, it is possible to further slide outward (upward) from the normal operation position with respect to the endoscope operation section main body 54, and urge them by urging mechanisms 66 and 67 which are urging means. It is a configuration that can be automatically slid back to the normal operation position.

A cylindrical body 70 is fitted in an insertion opening of the fixed shaft cylinder 59 of the endoscope operation section main body 54 by an O-ring 71 in a watertight manner, and the cylindrical body 70 and the fixed shaft cylinder 59 are connected to each other. The watertightness is maintained by the O-ring 72 also during the period. On the outer periphery of the cylindrical fixed shaft 59, the upper side (outer side) of the O-ring 72
A raising knob attachment / detachment groove portion 77 described later is provided in the.

FIG. 9 shows the fixed shaft cylinder 59 divided into the upper and lower parts.
And a specific structural example of the biasing mechanism 67. First, FIG.
In (a), as a vertically divided shaft cylinder portion of the fixed shaft cylinder 59, it is composed of pipe members 73a and 73b in which convex and concave portions are engaged with each other so as to move in the axial direction but do not rotate. A tension coil spring 74 serving as the urging mechanism 67 has upper and lower ends, respectively, of the pipe member 73.
It is provided so as to be engaged with a and 73b by welding or engaging means.

In the state of FIG. 9 (a), the spring 74 may or may not have already applied the urging force (the force for attracting the two pipe members). Further, the spring 74 may be a rubber tube. Such a structure has the fixed shaft 5 at the center.
8 and its urging mechanism 66, the upper and lower pipe members 7
The same can be applied by using solid rods instead of 3a and 73b.

In FIG. 9 (b), the pipe members 73a,
73b and the tension coil spring 74 are used instead of the cylindrical magnets 75a and 75b. The upper and lower cylindrical magnets 75a and 75b are engaged with each other so that they can move in the axial direction but do not rotate. There is. Moreover, the cylindrical magnets 75a and 75b face each other with different polarities, and a force is always exerted to attract each other.

In order to prevent the two cylindrical magnets 75a and 75b from being completely separated from each other, the protrusion 76 has the upper cylindrical magnet 7
5a (curvature operation device side), which is separated from the lower cylindrical magnet 75b (substrate side) to some extent, hits the lower portion of the cylindrical body 70, for example, and its movement is restricted. Either one of the cylindrical magnets 75a and 75b may be a permanent magnet and the other may be a metal attracted to the magnet. Further, the central fixed shaft 58 and the biasing mechanism 66 thereof can be similarly applied by using solid magnets instead of the cylindrical magnets 75a and 75b.

FIG. 10 shows the operating portion side of the raising wire 48 of the insertion portion cover portion 18 of the endoscope cover 3. A resin tube made of fluorine resin, polyimide, polyethylene, polypropylene or the like, or a wire tube 49 made of a metal coil pipe or the like extends from the mouth portion 33 which is the base end of the insertion cover portion 18, and passes through the inside thereof. The terminal portion of the pulled-out raising wire 48 is inserted into a locking hole 79 formed in a part (eccentric portion) of the outer circumference of the raising knob 78, and is bent in a crank shape to be rotatably connected. There is.

The raising knob 78 is detachably attached to the outer peripheral portion of the fixed shaft cylinder 59 of the operating portion main body 54 of the endoscope operating portion 13 shown in FIG. 8 via the raising knob detaching groove portion 77. So that the shaft hole 81 and the opening 8 opened in a part thereof
2 and a substantially C-shaped configuration. The shaft hole 81
11 has a diameter D which is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the raising knob fitting portion 83 which is a part of the fixed shaft cylinder 59, as shown in FIG.
The width d of the opening 82 is set to be smaller than the outer diameter of the raising knob fitting portion 83 and slightly larger than the raising knob attaching / detaching groove portion 77.

With this, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the bending operation device 55 together with the fixed shaft cylinder 59 and the like slides further outward from the normal operation position with respect to the endoscope operation section main body 54. If it is pulled out, the raising knob 78 can be attached to and detached from the raising knob attaching / detaching groove portion 77 exposed through the opening portion 82. Since the bending operation knobs 64 and 65 automatically return to the normal operation position together with the fixed shaft cylinder 59 and the like, the shaft hole 81 shifts and fits into the rising knob fitting portion 83 of the fixed shaft cylinder 59, and the rising operation is performed. Even if the knob 78 is rotated, it is held without being detached.

With the above-described structure, when the cleaning work or the like is necessary, first, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG.
If the bending operation device 55 (the up / down bending operation knob 64 or the left / right bending operation knob 65) is pulled by hand with respect to the endoscope operating section main body 54 of the operating section 13, the inner and outer sleeves 62 and 63 and the fixed shaft are fixed. Upper shaft portion of 58 and fixed shaft cylinder 59
Together with the upper shaft cylinder part of the above, it slides further outward (upward) from the normal operation position, and particularly the back side (lower surface side) of the bending operation knob 64 for up and down and the endoscope operation. The gap with the main part 54 can be enlarged, and the cleaning there can be made very easy. At this time, since the bending operation knobs 64 and 65 are always integrated with the endoscope operation section main body 54 without being disengaged, there is no fear of loss.

After the cleaning work, when the pulled hand is released, the bending operation device 55 (bending operation knobs 64 and 65) is moved to the normal position (usually by the user) with respect to the endoscope operation section main body 54 by the urging means. Since it automatically returns to the operating position instantly, it does not require the troublesome work of attaching and detaching the bending operation knob and adjusting the position as in the conventional case, and can be immediately used for endoscopy. Even during use, the bending operation knobs 64, 65 are not biased to the normal position with respect to the endoscope operation section main body 54 by the biasing means and are not displaced, so that the operability is improved.

Further, with the above-mentioned configuration, FIG.
As shown in (a) and (b), if the bending operation device 55 together with the fixed shaft tube 59 and the like is further slid outward from the normal operation position with respect to the endoscope operation section main body 54, the Since the raising knob attaching / detaching groove portion 77 is exposed, the opening portion 82 of the raising knob 78 is inserted into the groove portion 7 while maintaining this state.
Fit in 7, then let go of the hand that was pulling and holding,
The bending operation device 55 is returned to the initial state together with the fixed shaft tube 59 and the like by the urging means, and the raising knob connecting portion 83 causes the raising knob 78 to move.
The groove portion 77 is hidden in the inside of the endoscope operation portion main body 54 by fitting in the shaft hole 81 of the.

As a result, the opening 8 of the raising knob 78 is
Since the width d of 2 is sufficiently smaller than the outer diameter of the raising knob connecting portion 83, the raising knob 78 does not come off from the raising knob connecting portion 83, so that the raising / lowering rotation operation (pushing / pulling of the raising wire 48) is performed. ) Can be surely performed. That is, the raising knob 78 can be attached / detached to / from the endoscope operating portion 13 very easily without attaching / detaching the bending operation device 55, and the cleanability of the back surfaces of the bending operation knobs 64, 65 can be improved. Become.

Further, some other embodiments will be described. First, FIG. 12 shows the insertion portion cover portion 18 of the endoscope cover 3.
The raising wire 48 and its operating portion are shown. Figure 12 (a)
As shown in FIG.
It is the elastic tube 84 that covers the raising wire 48 extending before the mouth portion 33 up to the mouth portion 33. The elastic tube 84 may be a metallic coil-shaped tube or a rubber-based resin tube, but it has elasticity to some extent (it is not exhaustive,
The straight shape can be maintained at least in a natural state). The connecting member 85 is fixed to the end of the raising wire 48, and the end of the elastic tube 84 is also fixed to it. A protrusion 86 is provided on a part of the connecting member 85.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12B, the raising knob 87 is rotatably attached to the cylindrical fixed shaft 59 from the beginning (not attached and detached). A part of the raising knob 87 is provided with a connecting hole 88 into which the protrusion 86 of the connecting member 85 of the raising wire 48 is fitted and locked.

As shown in FIG. 12, the bending operation knob 64 and the like together with the raising knob 87 are held apart from the operation portion main body case 57 (the raising knob 87 and the operation portion main body case 57 are separated from each other). With the gap widened), the protrusion 86 of the connecting member 85 fixed to the end of the raising wire 48 is fitted into the connecting hole 88 of the raising knob 87, and then the held hand is released to raise the Knob 87 and bending operation device 5
5 is returned to its original position by the urging means, the connecting member 85
It is sandwiched between the raising knob 87 and the endoscope operation section main body 54,
It will not come off from the connecting hole 88.

FIG. 13 shows a modified example of the constituent portion of FIG. 12 (a), which is an insertion portion cover portion 18 of the endoscope cover 3.
The tube-shaped raising base 89 having notches at a plurality of positions on the curved inner peripheral edge is attached to the cover tip forming portion 31 of
The raising wire 48, one end of which is connected to a portion near the tip of the tube type raising base 89, is inserted into a coil pipe 90 that penetrates into the insertion portion cover portion 18. The coil pipe 90 has one end fixed by the cover tip forming portion 31, but the other end is not fixed by the mouth portion 33, extends from the mouth portion 33, and is fixed to the other end of the raising wire 48. It is fixed to the connecting member 85. A multi-lumen tube 91 is formed between the cover tip forming portion 31 and the mouth portion 33, and the coil pipe 90 is inserted through the single lumen 92.

With the structure shown in FIG. 13, the same effect as that shown in FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b) can be obtained, and the structure in the mouth 33 is more than that. Can be simplified. Further, the presence of the elastic tube 84 or the coil pipe 90 prevents the raising wire 48 from being exposed to the outside. When the raising wire 48 is exposed as shown in FIG. 10, that portion is easily bent,
In some cases, stable pushing and pulling may be difficult to perform, but such a problem is solved and stable pushing and pulling operation becomes possible.

FIG. 14 shows another example of the construction of the operating portion 13 of the endoscope 4 shown in FIG.
The heavy sleeves 62 and 63 are divided into upper and lower sleeves 62a, 62b and 63a, 63b, respectively, like the pipe members 73a, 73b of the fixed shaft cylinder 59 shown in FIG. However, it can move in the axial direction but does not rotate relatively. Upper and lower sleeves 62a and 62b, and sleeves 63a and 63
The length in the axial direction of the convex / concave portion in which b is fitted is longer than the length in which the bending operation knob 64 or the like slides (range within which normal force of the hand can move against the biasing means).

By constructing as shown in FIG. 14,
The slide return operation of the bending operation device 55 becomes smooth. That is, in the embodiment of FIG. 8 described above, the bending operation device 55
And the like are slid upward, the inner and outer sleeves 62,
63 and the sprockets 60 and 61 are disengaged from each other, and if the bending operation knobs 64 and 65 of the bending operation device 55 are rotated even a little in that state, the sleeve 6 is returned to the original state.
2, 63 and the sprockets 60, 61 do not mesh smoothly, and it is necessary to mesh the sleeves 62, 63 with the sprockets 60, 61 by the attractive force of the biasing means while appropriately rotating the bending operation knobs 64, 65. In the present embodiment, those troubles are eliminated.

That is, when the bending operation device 55 is pulled upward and slid, the inner and outer sleeves 62 and 63 are
The upper sleeves 62b and 63b only move upward, and the lower sleeves 62a and 63a move to the sprocket 60,
The length in the axial direction of the convex / concave portion, which is still engaged with 61, and in which the upper and lower sleeves 62a and 62b and the sleeves 63a and 63b are fitted, is larger than the length by which the bending operation device 55 or the like slides. Since it is also long, the two do not completely separate from each other by the glue, and the biasing means directly restores the original smoothly, so that a convenient slide type operation unit can be obtained.

FIG. 15A shows an example in which a bending finger 93 is provided at the tip of the insertion portion 12 of the endoscope 4.
In the structure of No. 3, as shown in FIG. 15B, a tube-shaped elastic film 95 made of rubber resin is attached to a part of the distal end forming portion 94 of the insertion portion 12 of the endoscope 4, and the elastic film 95 is formed.
A cap-shaped hard member 96 made of hard resin or metal is attached to the tip of the. Inside thereof, the first bending piece 97 is fixed to the most distal hard member 96, the final bending piece 98 is fixed to a part of the tip forming portion 94, and a plurality of bending pieces 99 are rotated between them. The shaft 99a is connected in a rotatable manner (bends).

Further, the tip of the raising wire 100 is connected to a part of the first bending piece 97 at the forefront of the series, and the raising wire 100 is fixed to other pieces. Without being inserted into the insertion portion 12 of the endoscope 4 so as to be movable in the axial direction, the proximal end side is electrically connected to the operation portion 13 described above,
Although not shown, it is connected to a raising operation section similar to that of a conventional endoscope with a treatment instrument raising device.

When the raising wire 100 is pulled by operating the raising operation portion, the bending piece 99 and the first bending piece 97 are respectively rotated with respect to the tip forming portion 94.
The bending finger 93 can be bent in a predetermined direction by rotating around a.

FIG. 16 shows an example of the structure of the cover tip forming portion 31 of the insertion portion cover portion 18 of the endoscope cover 3 into which the insertion portion 12 of the endoscope 4 of FIG. 15 (a) is inserted. That is, FIG. 16 (a) shows a cross section of the cover tip forming portion 31 before inserting the tip of the insertion portion 12 of the endoscope 4 of FIG. 15 (a), and FIG. The cross section of the cover front-end | tip structural part 31 in the state which was shown is shown.

As shown in FIG. 16 (a), a raising base 102 having a slit 101 in a part thereof is integrally provided with the cover tip forming portion 31, and is arranged below the raising base 102. An elastic bag 103 made of rubber resin is watertightly attached to the cover tip forming portion 31. Then, as shown in FIG.
By inserting the curved finger 93 of the insertion portion 12 of the endoscope 4 of 5 (a), the curved finger 93 is positioned in the elastic bag 103,
In this state, by bending the bending finger 93 as described above, the raising stand 102 can be pushed up via the elastic bag 103, and the raising stand 102 can be raised so that the slit 101 thereof spreads.

By doing so, it is not necessary to provide the raising wire 48, the wire tube 49, the raising knob 78, and the connecting member 85 shown in FIGS. 5, 10, and 12 on the insertion portion cover 18 side. , Disposable cover can be cheap. Figure 1
Reference numeral 7 denotes an operation portion cover portion 19 of the cover 3 that covers the endoscope operation portion 13, a knob cover 104 that covers the up / down bending operation knob 64 of the bending operation device 55, and a knob cover 105 that covers the left / right bending operation knob 65. Show. An elastic ring 106 made of a rubber-based resin, a resin, or a metallic coil-shaped member is attached to the peripheral portions of the openings of the knob covers 104 and 105. These elastic rings 10
The inner diameter of 6 is smaller than the outer diameter of the bending operation knobs 64 and 65. The bending operation device 55 has the same structure as that shown in FIG. 8 or FIG.

With such a cover structure, first, FIG.
As shown in (a), the bending operation device 55 is slid outward with respect to the endoscope operation section main body 54, and the operation section cover section 19
Is mounted below the vertical bending operation knob 64 around the cylindrical fixed shaft 59. The operation portion cover portion 19 is provided for the bending operation device 5
At least a part is divided into two in the vicinity of 5,
Attach it as described above.

Further, in this state, the knob cover 104 is
The elastic ring 106 is spread and put on the vertical bending operation knob 64. Then, as shown in FIG. 17B, only the up / down bending operation knob 64 is slid back to the original position, and the left / right bending operation knob 65 is covered with the knob cover 105 while expanding the elastic ring 106 to the original position. Slide it back. By doing so, the endoscope operation section 13, the up / down bending operation knob 64, the left / right bending operation knob 65, the operation section cover section 19, the knob cover 104, and the knob cover 10 are provided.
You will be able to install each 5 easily and properly.

FIG. 18 shows an example of the configuration of an endoscope 107 of the type that does not use the endoscope cover 3 described above.
In the case of No. 7, as shown in FIG.
A cylindrical curved finger 108 is provided at the tip of 07a (next to the optical window).
Is provided. The curved finger 108 is provided with a channel opening 109 communicating with the treatment instrument insertion channel.

The structure of the curved finger 108 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG.
A tube-shaped elastic film 111 made of a rubber-based resin is attached as a jacket to the tip of 0, and a cylindrical first bending piece 112 is watertightly fitted and fixed to the tip end of the elastic film 111. The rear end of the elastic film 111 is watertightly fixed to the cylindrical final bending piece 113. The final bending piece 113 is fixed to the tip forming section 110 or is formed integrally with the tip forming section 110. The final bending piece 113 and the first bending piece 112
And a plurality of cylindrical intermediate bending pieces 114 are rotatably (bent) continuously provided by a rotating shaft 115.

These first, final and intermediate bending pieces 11
A treatment instrument insertion channel tube 116 made of a fluorine resin or the like is inserted inside the second, 113, and 114 to be watertightly fixed to the first bending piece 112. That is, the first, final, and intermediate bending pieces 112, 113, 11
4 is housed in the space between the elastic film 111 and the tube 116 that is watertightly blocked.

Further, the raising wire 117 is first provided outside the tube 116 and inside the series of bending pieces 112 to 114, that is, in the water-tightly shielded space.
One end is connected to the bending piece 112, and the other bending piece 11 is connected.
It is not fixed to 3,114, but is inserted so as to be movable in the axial direction. The proximal end side of the raising wire 117 is electrically connected to the endoscope operating portion 13 shown in FIG. 19 through the inside of the insertion portion 107a of the endoscope 107, and is connected to the raising knob 124 there. By pulling the raising wire 117 by rotating the raising knob 124, the bending finger 108 can be bent (raised) in a predetermined direction. That is, the treatment tool that comes out of the channel opening 109 can be raised.

The endoscope 107 having the structure shown in FIG.
In this case, since the raising table is not present in the distal end portion of the insertion portion 107a, and the exposed portion of the raising wire and the wire conduit are not connected to the outside, the washing is performed more than the conventional endoscope with a treatment instrument raising device. The property is improved.

FIG. 19 shows a bending operation device 55 of the operation section 13 of the endoscope 107. The up / down bending operation knob 64 and the left / right bending operation knob 65 of the bending operation device 55 are shown in FIG.
Alternatively, it can be slid outward with respect to the endoscope operation section main body 54 with the same structure as in FIG. This up / down bending operation knob 64
Slide outward, and the left and right bending operation knobs 65
Is provided with a pair of holders 118 for holding the state of sliding further outwards against the pulling force of the restoring biasing means.

By utilizing such a holder 118,
Further, the cleaning performance of the bending operation device 55, particularly around the lower side (back side) of the bending operation knobs 64 and 65 for the up and down directions and around the axis, can be further improved. Moreover, if the holding tool 118 is removed, the up / down and left / right bending operation knobs 64 and 65 automatically return to their original positions by the biasing of the returning means, which makes cleaning easier and easier. The holder 118 is also convenient when cleaning the bending operation device 55 using an automatic cleaning device (not shown). The holder 118 can be applied to both a cover type endoscope and a non-cover type endoscope.

The pair of holders 118 may be separate pieces as shown in FIG. 19, or may be a combination of both pieces. Further, the holder 118 may be a stand-alone unit, but may be provided on the endoscope operation section main body 54 or a part of an automatic cleaning device (not shown).

FIG. 20 shows an example of the structure of the insertion section cover part 119a of the endoscope cover 119 of the cover type endoscope. A part of the cover tip forming part 120 of this insertion part cover section 119a has a structure as shown in FIG. An elastic bag 121 made of rubber-based resin or thin-walled resin is attached in a watertight manner to cover the curved finger 108 at the tip of the endoscope 107 shown in FIG. This elastic bag 1
A channel tube 123 is provided so as to extend from the tip of 21 into the cover skin 122. When the insertion section cover 119a is attached to the endoscope 107, the proximal end side of the channel tube 123 is inserted into the treatment instrument insertion channel tube 116 inside the channel opening 109 of the bending finger 108 of the endoscope 107. The insertion portion 107a of the endoscope 107 is inserted into the cover outer cover 122 while being inserted into the cover.

By doing so, the insertion portion cover portion 119a of the endoscope cover 119 in the cover type endoscope is
Since it is not necessary to provide the raising wire 48, the wire lumen 92, the tube 90, the raising knob connecting member 85 and the like as shown in FIG. 13, the endoscope cover can be made inexpensive.

[0078]

Since the endoscope of the present invention is constructed as described above, the bending operation knob can be moved from the normal operation position with respect to the main body of the endoscope operation section as necessary when cleaning the operation section of the endoscope. Further, since the gap between the back side of the bending operation knob and the endoscope operation section main body can be enlarged by easily sliding it outward, cleaning of the back side of the bending operation knob or the like can be made very easy. At the same time, the bending operation knob can be automatically returned to the normal position (the position where the user normally operates) with respect to the main body of the endoscope operation section by the biasing means. It is very simple and easy, with no unnecessary work and risk of loss.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an entire endoscope apparatus including a cover-type endoscope used in an embodiment of an endoscope of the present invention and peripheral devices.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view in which a part of an insertion portion cover portion of the endoscope cover used in the embodiment is omitted.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the endoscope with the endoscope cover attached to the endoscope, with some parts omitted.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a distal end constituent portion of an insertion portion cover portion of the endoscope cover used in the above embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the axial direction of the insertion portion cover portion including the cover tip constituent portion.

6A and 6B show another configuration example of an insertion portion cover portion of an endoscope cover, FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram of an assembly process, FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram of an assembled state, and FIG. The perspective view of the multi-lumen tube to connect.

FIG. 7 is a partially omitted exploded perspective view showing still another configuration example of the insertion portion cover portion of the endoscope cover.

FIG. 8 is a side view, partly in cross section, showing the structures of the endoscope operation section body and the bending operation device of the operation section of the endoscope of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a specific structural example of a split type fixed shaft cylinder and an urging mechanism provided in the endoscope operation section main body, and FIG. 9A is a sectional view when a tension coil spring is used as the urging mechanism. ,
(B) is sectional drawing at the time of using a cylindrical magnet.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing an operating portion (raising knob) side of the raising wire extending from the insertion portion cover portion of the endoscope cover.

11A and 11B show how to attach the raising knob to the endoscope operating section, FIG. 11A is a state diagram of the bending operation device before attaching the raising knob, and FIG. 11B is a bending operation device when attaching the raising knob. The state drawing which pulled out.

FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional view showing another configuration example of the insertion portion cover portion of the endoscope cover, the raising wire, and the operation portion side thereof.
(B) is a side view of the endoscope operation part provided with the raising knob which connects the operation part side of the raising wire.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing still another configuration example of the insertion portion cover portion of the endoscope cover, the raising wire, and the operation portion side thereof.

FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing another configuration example of the endoscope operation section shown in FIG.

15A is a perspective view of an embodiment in which a bending finger is provided at the tip of the insertion portion of the endoscope, and FIG. 15B is a sectional view showing the structure of the bending finger.

16 shows a cover tip constituent part of the insertion portion cover portion of the endoscope cover applicable to the insertion portion of the endoscope with curved finger of FIG. 15, (a) showing a state in which no bending finger is inserted. Sectional drawing, (b) is sectional drawing in the state which inserted the bending finger.

17A and 17B are cross-sectional views sequentially showing a state in which the operation section cover section and the knob cover are respectively covered on the endoscope operation section main body, the up / down bending operation knob and the left / right bending operation knob of the bending operation apparatus. .

FIG. 18A is a perspective view showing a distal end of an insertion portion with a curved finger in an embodiment of an endoscope of a system that does not use an endoscope cover;
(B) is sectional drawing of the curved finger.

FIG. 19 is a side view showing the up / down bending operation knob, the left / right bending operation knob, and the holder in the pulled-out state of the bending operation device of the endoscope operation section.

20 is a perspective view showing an insertion portion cover portion of an endoscope cover which covers the endoscope with curved fingers shown in FIG. 18 as a cover system.

[Explanation of symbols]

12 ... Endoscope insertion part, 13 ... Endoscope operation part, 54 ... Endoscope operation part body, 58, 59, 62, 63 ... Shaft (58 ... Fixed shaft, 59 ... Fixed shaft tube, 62, 63 ... … Sleeve), 6
4, 65 ... Bending operation knobs, 66, 67, 74, 75a,
75b ... biasing means (66, 67 ... biasing mechanism, 74 ... tension coil spring, 75a, 75b ... cylindrical magnet).

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope having a bending operation knob that is provided so as to project outward from a main body of the endoscope operating section via an axis so as to be rotationally operable, and that performs a bending operation of a distal end side of an endoscope insertion section. The bending operation knob is provided so as to be slidable further outward from a normal operation position with respect to the endoscope operation section body,
An endoscope comprising a biasing means for slidingly returning the bending operation knob to a normal operation position.