JPH07345A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent an insertion section from returning to the original position against the intention of an operator when a hand applying the rotating force around the axis to the insertion section is removed from the insertion section by providing a switching means switching the insertion section to the excited state around the axis from the rotatable state and to the de-excited state. CONSTITUTION:A fine tube-like insertion section 4 is provided at the front end of the operation section 1 of an endoscope, and the insertion section 4 is made rotatable around the axis against the operation section 1. A switching ring 12 switching the insertion section 4 to the rotatively excited state around the axis against the operation section 1 and to the rotatively de-excited state is provided on the outer periphery at the front end section of the operation section 1. When the switching ring 12 is rotatively operated around the axis of the insertion section 4, a notch section 21 provided at the front end of a rotary ring 20 is coupled with a pin 22. The spring force of a coil spring 19 is applied to the insertion section 4 via the pin 22 when the insertion section 4 is twisted with a hand, and the insertion section 4 can be returned to the home position by the spring force of the coil spring 19.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope used for endoscopic examination in a body cavity.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an endoscope of this type has an insertion portion elongated from a front end of an operating portion, and a distal end of the insertion portion is used to observe an illumination window for illuminating the inside of the body cavity or the inside of the body cavity. Is provided with an observation window or the like.

When an endoscopy of the digestive tract such as the large intestine is performed using such an endoscope, the insertion portion of the endoscope is inserted from the anus to perform the endoscopy. In the part from the anus to the large intestine, the digestive tract winds up, down, left, and right.Therefore, in order to insert the tip of the insertion part to the target site, bend the bending part of the insertion part up, down, left, and right, and place the insertion part on the axis. It is necessary to insert it while rotating it around. However, in the above-mentioned endoscope, since the insertion part is fixed to the operation part, it is necessary to twist the entire endoscope when rotating the insertion part around the axis, and the operability of the operation part is considered. Then, the insertion part could not be twisted over a wide range.

Therefore, US Pat. No. 4,989,581 discloses an endoscope in which the insertion portion is provided so as to be rotatable about the axis with respect to the operation portion, and the insertion portion can be twisted in a wide range. There is.

[0005]

However, in the endoscope disclosed in the above-mentioned document, since the operating portion and the insertion portion are connected via the coil-shaped torsion spring, the insertion portion is rotated around the axis. After twisting, if the hand twisting the insertion part is released from the insertion part, the insertion part will return to the original position against the operator's intention due to the spring force of the torsion spring, and there is a problem that handling is poor. It was

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and even if the hand which gives the rotational force around the axis to the insertion portion is separated from the insertion portion, the insertion portion is not operated against the intention of the operator. It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope that does not return to the position.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention comprises an operating portion and an insertion portion provided so as to be rotatable about an axis of the operating portion. In the endoscope, a switching means is provided for switching the insertion portion from a rotatable state to a state in which the insertion portion is biased around the axis.

[0008]

In the present invention, since the insertion portion can be switched from the rotatable state to the state in which the insertion portion is biased about the axis, the insertion portion returns to its original position against the intention of the operator. Without this, the insertability into the body cavity can be improved.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 is an operating portion of the endoscope, and a thin tubular insertion portion 4 is provided at the front end of the operating portion 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the operation unit 1 is configured by providing a tubular member 3 in the center of the operation unit body 2.

The insertion portion 4 is rotatable with respect to the operation portion 1 about its axis, and the insertion portion cap 8 (see FIG. 3) forming the base end portion of the insertion portion 4 has a pin 22. It is provided. As shown in FIG. 4, the pin 22 projects from the outer peripheral surface of the tubular member 3, and the tubular member 3 is provided with a slit 23 for restricting the rotation range of the pin 22 to 120 ° to 150 °. . The insertion portion 4 has a cylindrical tip member 5,
A bending tube 6 continuously provided at the rear end of the tip member 5, a flexible tube 7 continuously provided at the rear end of the bending tube 6, and an insertion portion continuously provided at the rear end of the flexible tube 7. And a taper portion 10 (see FIG. 7) provided on the inner peripheral surface of the tubular member 3 at the rear end of the insertion portion mouthpiece 8. A retaining portion 9 for preventing the movement is provided.

On the other hand, on the outer periphery of the front end portion of the operating portion 1, there is provided a switching ring 12 for switching the insertion portion 4 from the rotatable state with respect to the operating portion 1 to the rotationally biased state around the axis. Has been. The switching ring 12 is rotatable around the axis of the insertion portion 4, and a cam ring 13 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) is provided inside the switching ring 12. The cam ring 13 is adapted to rotate integrally with the switching ring 12, and guide holes 14a and 14b having a shape as shown in FIG. These guide holes 14a and 14b are for rotating the moving ring 16 around the axis of the insertion portion 4, and
The cam pin 15 that engages with the guide holes 14a and 14b.
a and 15b are provided.

The moving ring 16 is provided between the cam ring 13 and the tubular member 3, and oval guide holes 17a and 17b are provided in the circumferential surface of the tubular member 3 in the axial direction of the tubular member 3. It is drilled along. These guide holes 17
Reference numerals a and 17b are for moving the moving ring 16 in the axial direction of the insertion portion 4, and the engaging portions 18 that engage with the guide holes 17a and 17b are provided at the ends of the cam pins 15a and 15b.
a and 18b are provided.

At the front end of the moving ring 16, the insertion portion 4
One end of a coil spring 19 that applies a biasing force around the axis is fixed to the. The other end of the coil spring 19 has a rotating ring 2 provided between the switching ring 12 and the tubular member 3.
0 is connected to the rear end, and a notch 21 (see FIG. 6) is provided at the front end of the rotating ring 20. In addition, on the outer peripheral surface of the switching ring 12, an index 2 indicating the position of the cutout 21 is provided.
4a is provided, and an index 24b indicating the position of the engagement pin 22 is provided on the outer surface of the insertion portion 4.

A fixing ring 25 is provided at the front end of the operating section 1. The fixing ring 25 is for switching the insertion portion 4 from the rotatable state to the non-rotatable state, and is attached to the male screw portion 26 provided at the front end portion of the insertion portion cap 8. A stopper ring 27 for fixing the fixing ring 25 to the lower end of the tubular member 3 is attached to the male screw portion 26.

Further, an image control button 2 is provided on the operation unit 1.
8, bending operation knob 29, air and water supply control button 30, suction control button 31, treatment instrument insertion port 32 and treatment instrument insertion port 3
A plug 34 made of an elastic member to be attached to 2 is provided, and a universal cord 36 for connecting the insertion portion 1 to the light source device 35 is provided. In addition, 37 in the figure
Reference numeral 42 indicates an O-ring, and O-ring 39 indicates an O-ring 42.
It is made of a sealing material with a higher frictional resistance than

When the insertion portion 4 is twisted by hand in such a configuration, the pin 22 provided at the base end portion of the insertion portion 4 is provided with the slit provided in the tubular member 3 as shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 23, the rotation range of the insertion part 4 is 120 °
Since it is regulated to 150 °, it is possible to prevent damage to the light guide, the channel tube, etc. built in the insertion portion 4.

When the switching ring 12 provided on the outer periphery of the front end of the operating portion 1 is rotated around the axis of the insertion portion 4, a notch provided at the front end of the rotating ring 20 as shown in FIG. When the portion 21 engages with the pin 22 and the insertion portion 4 is twisted by hand, the spring force of the coil spring 19 acts on the insertion portion 4 via the pin 22, so that the insertion portion 4 is fixed by the spring force of the coil spring 19. Can be returned to position.

Further, when the fixing ring 25 is rotated around the axis of the insertion portion 4, the male screw portion 26 of the insertion portion cap 8 moves to the front end side of the insertion portion 4, thereby preventing the insertion portion cap 8 from coming off. Since the portion 9 is pressed by the tapered portion 10 of the tubular member 3 as shown in FIG. 10, the position of the insertion portion 4 can be fixed.

Therefore, in the above-described embodiment, the insertion section 4 can be rotated about the axis without damaging the light guide, the channel tube, etc. built in the insertion section 4, and the axis can be rotated about the axis. Insertion part 4 that has been rotated
Can be fixed in that state and returned to a fixed position.

The moving ring 1 is used in the above-described embodiment.
Although guide holes 14a and 14b are provided in the peripheral surface portion of the cam ring 13 as a means for rotating 6 around the axis of the insertion portion 4, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the guide groove 43 is formed in the inner peripheral surface of the cam ring 13. , 43 are provided, and the guide grooves 43,
The cam pins 15a and 15b may be engaged with 43.

[0021]

As described above, according to the present invention, the insertion portion can be switched from the rotatable state to the urged state around the axis, so that the insertion portion is against the operator's intention. Does not return to the original position, and the insertability into the body cavity can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an endoscope and its peripheral devices according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the endoscope according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a part of the endoscope according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view of FIG.

5 is a front view of the cam ring shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the rotating ring shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a part of the endoscope according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the endoscope according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory view of the endoscope according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory view of the endoscope according to the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Operation part 4 ... Insertion part 12 ... Switching ring 13 ... Cam ring 14a, 14b ... Cam hole 15a, 15b ... Cam pin 16 ... Moving ring 18 ... Coil spring 19 ... Rotation ring 20 ... Notch 21 ... Engagement pin 26 ... Fixed ring

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] September 8, 1993

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be amended] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Claims]

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0007

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention comprises an operating portion and an insertion portion provided so as to be rotatable about an axis of the operating portion. In the endoscope, the insertion portion is biased around the axis and the bias is applied.
It is characterized in that a switching means is provided for switching to a non-operated state .

[Procedure 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0008

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[0008]

In the present invention, the insertion portion is biased about the axis.
It is possible to switch to a state of not being state and urged the insertion portion against the operator's will without that would return to the original position, thereby improving the handling property.

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0010

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

The insertion portion 4 is rotatable with respect to the operation portion 1 about its axis, and the insertion portion cap 8 (see FIG. 3) forming the base end portion of the insertion portion 4 has a pin 22. It is provided. As shown in FIG. 4, this pin 22 projects from the outer peripheral surface of the tubular member 3, and the tubular member 3 has a slit 23 for restricting the movement range of the pin 22 to 120 ° to 150 °. Has been formed. The insertion portion 4 has a cylindrical tip member 5,
A bending tube 6 continuously provided at the rear end of the tip member 5, a flexible tube 7 continuously provided at the rear end of the bending tube 6, and an insertion portion continuously provided at the rear end of the flexible tube 7. And a taper portion 10 (see FIG. 7) provided on the inner peripheral surface of the tubular member 3 at the rear end of the insertion portion mouthpiece 8. A retaining portion 9 for preventing the movement is provided.

[Procedure Amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0011

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

On the other hand, on the outer periphery of the front end portion of the operating portion 1, the insertion portion 4 is urged to rotate about the axis with respect to the operating portion 1.
A switching ring 12 is provided for switching between the state and the state in which it is not rotationally biased . The switching ring 12 is rotatable around the axis of the insertion portion 4, and a cam ring 13 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) is provided inside the switching ring 12. The cam ring 13 is adapted to rotate integrally with the switching ring 12, and guide holes 14a and 14b having a shape as shown in FIG.
These guide holes 14a and 14b are guide holes 1 described later.
7a, Ru rotates the mobile ring 16 about the central axis of the insertion portion 4 in combination with 17b. Move ring 16 in the guide holes 14a, 14b that engage the cam pins 15a, 15b are provided.

[Procedure correction 6]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0012

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[0012] The moving ring 16 is provided between the cam ring 13 and the tubular member 3, the guide hole 17a, 17b of the tubular member 3 axes of elliptical shape on the peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 3 It is drilled along the direction. Further, engaging portions 18a and 18b that engage with the guide holes 17a and 17b are provided at the ends of the cam pins 15a and 15b.

[Procedure Amendment 7]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0015

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

Further, an image control button 2 is provided on the operation unit 1.
8, bending operation knob 29, air and water supply control button 30, suction control button 31, treatment instrument insertion port 32 and treatment instrument insertion port 3
A plug 34 made of an elastic member to be attached to 2 is provided, and a universal cord 36 for connecting the operation unit 1 to the light source device 35 is provided. In addition, 37 in the figure
Reference numeral 42 indicates an O-ring, and O-ring 39 indicates an O-ring 42.
It is made of a sealing material with a higher frictional resistance than

[Procedure Amendment 8]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0021

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[0021]

As described above, according to the present invention, the operation
The user freely urges the insertion part around the axis.
It is possible to switch the state of not being, the insertion section against the operator's will without that would return to the original position, thereby improving the handling property.

[Procedure Amendment 9]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Name of item to be corrected] Figure 3

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Figure 3]

[Procedure Amendment 10]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Name of item to be corrected] Fig. 4

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Figure 4]

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope comprising an operating portion and an inserting portion rotatably provided on the operating portion about an axis thereof, wherein the inserting portion is rotated from a rotatable state. An endoscope comprising switching means for switching to a state of being biased around a core.