JPH0810211A - Cover type endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a cover type endoscope with superior operability capable of being operated by a method to operate the operating member of an endoscope not using a cover. CONSTITUTION:A cover part 12 which covers the operating part 5 of an endoscope 2 for cover is provided with finger hanging parts 12a, 12b and 12c for operation so as to hang the finger 23a of an operator, etc., to perform the movable operation of the movable operating member of curved operating knobs 10A, 10B, etc., in the inside of the cover part 12. The operator easily performs the movable operation by hanging the finger 23a, etc., on the finger hanging parts 12a, 12b and 12c for operation.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cover type endoscope having an operation section cover section for covering at least an operation section of an endoscope.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, endoscopes have been widely used in medical fields and industrial fields. In particular, in the medical field, since it is inserted into a living body, it is necessary to surely prevent an infectious disease and the like by disinfecting or sterilizing an endoscope used for insertion.

Since a generally widely used disinfection process and the like takes time, the time during which the endoscope can be actually used is reduced. Therefore, a cover-type endoscope in which the endoscope is covered with a cover is proposed. ing.

For example, as a conventional example of an operation section cover for covering an operation section of an endoscope which constitutes a cover type endoscope, Japanese Patent Publication No.
As disclosed in -54734, there is a device that covers the entire endoscope by connecting a cover that covers the entire operation unit to a cover that covers the insertion unit.

[0005]

However, the cover that completely covers such an operation portion has a simple form, but the operation range of the bending operation knob and the forceps raising operation knob in the operation portion is relatively large. When operating the members, since the cover covers the operating members as a whole,
It is difficult to sufficiently move the operating member inside the cover from outside the cover.

Especially when operating a plurality of operating members alternately or simultaneously, such as a twist operation of vertical and lateral bending, the cover is forcibly pulled or twisted, and it becomes difficult to move the operating members on the way. The cover may be damaged or the cover may be torn by excessive force.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned point, and is a cover for covering the operation portion, but the operation member in the cover is operated so as to operate the operation member of the endoscope not using the cover. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cover-type endoscope that can be operated and has good operability.

[0008]

[Means and Actions for Solving the Problem] An operating finger cover for covering an operating portion, such as a bending operation knob or a forceps raising knob in the cover, can be hooked with a finger through the cover. By providing a part, hooking a finger on the operating finger hook of the cover and operating the movable operation member inside the cover at that portion, the cover is not forcibly pulled or the cover does not cling to the movable operation member,
Good operation is possible.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 schematically shows a schematic configuration of a cover-type endoscope of the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows an endoscope cover for an endoscope. FIG. 3 shows the vicinity of the mouth part when worn, and FIG. 3 shows a state in which an operator operates an operation member inside the operation part cover part from outside the operation part cover part.

The cover type endoscope 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is a cover endoscope 2 (covered with a cover).
And an endoscope cover 3 that covers the cover endoscope 2.

The cover endoscope 2 has an elongated insertion portion 4, a wide operation portion 5 formed at the rear end of the insertion portion 4, and a universal cord 6 extending from the operation portion 5 to the outside. And a connector (not shown) is provided at the end of the universal cord 6, and a light source device that supplies illumination light to a light guide (not shown) in the cover endoscope 2 and the cover endoscope 2 Is connected to a video processor (not shown) for performing signal processing for the image pickup means (when the cover endoscope 2 is an electronic endoscope).

The insertion portion 4 has a hard tip portion 7, a bendable bending portion 8 formed at the rear end of the tip portion 7, and a length from the rear end of the bending portion 8 to the vicinity of the front end of the operating portion 5. The bending portion 8 is made of a flexible portion and is bent in an arbitrary vertical or horizontal direction by rotating the vertical bending knob 10A and the horizontal bending knob 10B (see FIG. 3) provided on the operation portion 5. can do.

On the other hand, the endoscope cover 3 is composed of an insertion portion cover portion 11 that covers the insertion portion 4 of the cover endoscope 2 and an operation portion cover portion 12 that mainly covers the operation portion 5. An operating portion fixing mouth portion 13 (hereinafter, mouth portion) is provided between the insertion portion cover portion 11 and the operating portion cover portion 12.

A tip cover 14 is provided at the tip of the insertion portion cover 11, and a transparent lens cover for passing illumination light from the cover endoscope 2 and obtaining an observation image is provided at the tip cover 14. 15 is provided. When the endoscope cover 3 is attached to the cover endoscope 2, a part of the tip cover 14 is positioned and fixed to a part of the tip part 7, and a part of the mouth part 13 is part of the operation part 5. The positioning is fixed.

The rear portion of the operation portion cover portion 12 covers the universal cord 6 extending from the operation portion 5 halfway. In this way, the cover endoscope 2 is replaced with the endoscope cover 3
The cover endoscope 2 is almost isolated from the external environment by covering with, and after the inspection in this isolated state, the used endoscope cover 3 is discarded and the sterilized new endoscope cover 3 is disposed. By replacing the cover endoscope 2 with the above, it is possible to reduce the labor and time for cleaning and disinfecting the cover endoscope 2.

The feature of this embodiment is that the operating portion cover portion 12 is made sufficiently larger than the outer size of the operating portion 5 (there is plenty of clearance) in order to improve the mountability. At the portion (predetermined position), finger hooks 12a, 12b, 12c into which a finger operated by the operator is fitted are provided inside the operation portion cover portion 12 (inward direction toward the operation portion 5 covered with the operation portion cover portion 12). It is that it is projected toward.

The finger-holding portions 12a, 12b, 12c are provided with the operating portion cover portion 12 covering the operating portion 5 and the operating portion 5 is covered.
The vertical bending knob 10A, the horizontal bending knob 10B, and the like are provided at positions suitable for operating movable operation members.

The finger-holding portion 12a, etc. provided at a position suitable for operating the operating member is the operating portion cover portion 12 thereof.
Vertical bending knob 10A, lateral bending knob 10 located inside
The finger-holding portion 1 so that the operation member such as B can be rotated.
The freedom to move smoothly with the movement of the finger put in 2a etc. is secured.

A finger rest 12a and two finger rests 12b,
12c substantially faces. In addition, the operation unit cover unit 12
Is transparent, and the up / down bending knob 10A and the left / right bending knob 1 of the operation unit 5 in a state where the operation unit 5 is covered with the operation unit cover 12.
The operation member or the like that is movable and operated, such as 0B, is visible.

FIG. 2 shows a cover endoscope 2 and an endoscope cover 3
Mouth body part 13 when the (particularly insert part cover part 11) is attached
Indicates the surrounding area. The mouth part 13 is attached to the base end (rear end) of the insertion part cover part 11 and is gripped by the operator.
And a fixed portion 17 to which the front end of the operation portion cover portion 12 is attached.

The fixed portion 17 is provided with a key 18, and the grip portion 16 is provided with a key groove 19. The grip portion 16 can slide in the axial direction with respect to the fixed portion 17 within a range where the key 18 is in the key groove 19. It is like this. In a part of the fixed part 17,
The claw 20 is provided, and a projection 21 having an outer diameter slightly larger than the inner diameter of the claw 20 is provided on a part of the operating portion 5.

At the time of attaching the cover, the operation portion cover portion 12 is first partially turned upside down on the insertion portion side as shown in FIG. Therefore, the finger hooks 12a, 12b, 12c provided inwardly of the operation portion cover 12 in FIG. 1 are turned upside down at this time (FIG. 2), and therefore face outward. Marks 22a and 22b indicating the UP direction (not necessarily UP) are provided on a part of the mouth part 13 and a part of the operation part 5 (near the protrusion 21), and the direction is set when the cover is attached. Make sure you don't make a mistake. Marks 22a, 22
b does not have to be formed as a recess as shown in FIG. 2, but may have a color such as a point or a line that can be seen at a glance.

Further, the insertion portion cover portion 11 and the operation portion cover portion 12 may be separated, but in the end, these covers must be connected, and the sealing property of the connection portion depends on the operator. In this embodiment, in order to save the time and work for connection, it is formed integrally via the mouth portion 13. Further, as one of the effects, if the insertion portion cover portion 11 is mounted, it is not necessary to align the operation portion cover portion 12 in the rotation direction and the axial direction.

The material of the operating portion cover portion 12 may be a transparent or semi-transparent resin having relatively little extensibility (the effect is that the movement of a finger can be seen) such as vinyl chloride or polyethylene, and it is excellent in extensibility. It may be rubber resin.

FIG. 3 shows how the operator operates the operation section 5 inside the operation section cover section 12 from outside the operation section cover section 12. As shown in FIG. 3, the vertical bending knob 10A provided as one of the operating members in the operation section 5 is provided with, for example, five finger hooking protrusions 27 at equal intervals, and the left and right bending knob 10B is provided at equal intervals. Four finger-hooking protrusions 28 are provided.

The projections 27 and 28 are provided on their respective end faces with rugged portions for preventing slippage. Further, the operation portion 5 is provided with a left and right curving brake lever 36 and a vertical curving brake lever 45 for braking and releasing the curving.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. When the endoscope cover 3 in which the insertion portion cover portion 11 and the operation portion cover portion 12 are integrally provided is attached to the cover endoscope 2, particularly when the insertion portion 4 is inserted into the insertion portion cover portion 11. ,
As shown in FIG. 2, the operation portion cover portion 12 has the insertion portion cover portion 11
By being turned upside down, the operation portion cover portion 12 does not interfere with the insertion.

In FIG. 2, the holding section 16 of the mouth section 13 is held by the operating section cover section 12, and the insertion section cover section 11 is pulled up (arrow → A). Even if you release your hand, the claw 20 will be caught in the back of the protrusion 21,
The insertion portion cover portion 11 is fixed to the cover endoscope 2.
After that, the operation portion cover portion 12 is turned over so as to be returned to its original state (indicated by an arrow B), and the state is as shown in FIG.

Here, as shown in FIG. 2, since the grip portion 16 can move in the axial direction (not rotate) within a range in which the key 18 can move in the key groove 19, for example, a part of the insertion portion 4 is looped. Even if the grip 16 moves appropriately, the insertion cover 11 is not unduly loaded. Further, since the operation portion cover portion 12 is attached to the fixed portion 17, the grip portion 1
Even if 6 moves, the operation section cover section 12 does not move. As a result, the finger hooks 12a, 12b, 12c are also positioned with respect to the operation unit 5.

As shown in FIG. 3, part of the thumb 23a of the operator's left hand 23 is fitted in the finger hook 12a, part of the middle finger 23b is put in the finger hook 12b, and part of the ring finger 23c and little finger 23d is put in. Fit into the finger rest 12c. Finger rest 12
The a, 12b, 12c can be interlocked with the fitted finger.

Although the operating portion cover 12 is formed to be sufficiently large with respect to the operating portion 5, the operator has a finger rest 12
Through the a and 12b, the thumb 23a and the middle finger 23b can be used to operate the up-and-down bending knob 10A (and the finger-hanging protrusion 27) and / or the left-and-right bending knob 10B (the finger-hanging protrusion 28) as if operating without a cover. it can.

Although not shown, in the case of an endoscope having a treatment instrument raising operation knob, the raising knob can also be operated via the finger hook 12a. Since the positions of the finger hooks 12a and 12b with respect to the operation portion cover portion 12 affect the operability, any cover is provided at a predetermined position which is considered to be the most appropriate.

Finger-holding portion 12 of operation portion cover portion 12
The position of a will be described with reference to FIG. 3. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when the operator holding the operation section is used as a reference regardless of the position of the universal cord 6, the position of the endoscope is If it is expressed in the axial direction (front-back direction), it is preferable that the base of the finger hook 12a is provided at a position just near the rotation axis of the bending knobs 10A and 10B.

Further, with reference to the operator who holds the operating portion 5 by hooking the base of the universal cord 6 between the thumb 23a and the forefinger 23e, the finger hanging portion 12a
It is preferable that the base of the base is provided near the base of the universal cord 6 and slightly rearward thereof.

The shape of the finger-holding portions 12a, 12b, 12c may be a shape that conforms to the shape of the finger as shown in FIG. 3, but in order to make it easy to put the finger in and to keep the operability,
The front of the finger rests 12a, 12b, 12c may be provided with a size larger than that of a normal finger, and may have a substantially tapered shape such that the depth thereof approaches the size of a normal finger.

The shape of the operating portion cover portion 12 is such that the operating portion 5 does not extend to the vicinity of the operating portion 5 (before the bending knobs 10A and 10B).
Is provided with a small clearance with respect to the bending knob 10
If the clearance suddenly increases from the front of A, 10B, the finger hooks 12b, 12
c (or 12c) may be omitted.

If the finger-hooking part 12b does not move independently, the finger-hooking part 12c may be combined with the finger-hooking part 12c, and conversely, the finger-hooking part 12c may be used when the ring finger and the little finger move independently. It may be provided for each finger.

If the finger-hooking portions 12a, 12b, 12c are made of a resin having poor extensibility, they can be used by all operators if they are formed according to the size of a large finger. As a positioning means for the finger hooks 12a, 12b, 12c, for example, as described above, the fixed portion 17 of the mouth portion 13 (the operation portion cover portion 12 is attached thereto) is the operation portion 5.
The control button 29 may be attached to the operation section 5 from above the operation section cover section 12.

Further, the operating portion cover portion 12 may be a substantially straight tubular member which is bent so that the universal cord 6 extends from the operating portion 5 when the cover is attached.
As shown in FIG. 1, for example, if it is formed in a substantially L-shape from the beginning, its bent portion has finger hook portions 12a, 12
It can be one of the positioning means for b and 12c.

Further, a part of the operation portion cover portion 12 is provided with a position so that the finger hook portions 12a, 12b, 12c can be located at the correct positions at the time of mounting and it is easy to confirm that they are at the correct positions after mounting. An index for alignment may be provided. This can be said whether the operation section cover section 12 is integral with the insertion section cover section 11 or a separate body.

When the up / down or left / right bending knobs 10A, 10B are being rotated, the finger hooks 12a, 12b, 12c are provided.
If a part of the operation section cover 12 other than the above clings to the vertical or horizontal bending knobs 10A and 10B, the operability is reduced. Therefore, it is desirable to maintain a sufficient clearance between the up / down or left / right bending knobs 10A and 10B (including the treatment instrument raising knob, it is included) and the operation portion cover portion 12.

The ring finger 23c and the little finger 23d which do not operate the vertical or horizontal bending knobs 10A and 10B among the fingers holding the operation section 5 are the operation section cover section 1 from outside the operation section cover section 12.
If the operation portion 5 is gripped by rolling the 2 into a rounded shape, there is a risk that the clearance between the up / down or left / right bending knobs 10A and 10B and the operation portion cover portion 12 may be narrowed.

Therefore, the finger-holding portion 1 is attached to the operation portion cover portion 12.
2c is provided, and the operation unit 5 is gripped through the 2c,
The operation portion 5 can be gripped while maintaining the bulge (clearance) of the operation portion cover portion 12 around the operation portion 5.

Although not shown, the insertion portion cover portion 1
1 is provided with an air supply / water supply / suction conduit having an opening in the tip cover 15, and these are connected to a solenoid valve control type fluid control device (an external device separate from the endoscope) which is not shown. There is. As shown in FIG. 3, a control button 29 for controlling air supply / water supply / suction with the solenoid valve is attached to the operation unit 5 from the outside of the operation unit cover unit 12 separately from the operation unit 5. Has been.

By doing so, the control button 29 can be operated by the index finger 23e without the intervention of the cover, so that an operation error can be prevented. However, in some cases, in order to simplify the configuration, the control button 29 provided on the operation section 5 may be operated from above the operation section cover section 12.

Further, a part of the suction conduit (not shown) provided in the operation part cover part 11 has a treatment tool insertion port 31 in a part of the mouth part 13 for inserting the treatment tool. .
Here, the operation portion cover portion 12 has a shape that does not intersect the extension line 32 of the treatment instrument insertion opening 31 so that the bulge of the operation portion cover portion 12 does not hinder the insertion of the treatment instrument. If the finger hooks 12a, 12b, 12c and the operating part cover 12 are integrally formed of the same material, the cost can be reduced.

However, the finger rests 12a, 12b, 12c
A finger sack-shaped member, which is separate from the other operation unit cover unit 12, may be attached. Generally, the operator's left hand 2
Rubber gloves are put on 3 but the operation part cover part 1
2 is made of low-cost vinyl material, and the finger rest 12
If a, 12b, and 12c are made of rubber resin, the finger rest 1
2a, 12b, and 12c have a high affinity with the rubber glove of the left hand 23, and further, a good operation feeling that does not make the presence of the operation unit cover 12 feel is obtained.

If the finger-holding portions 12a, 12b, 12c are made of rubber resin, for example, if the finger-holding portions 12a, 12b, 12c are formed in accordance with the size of a normal person's finger, a person with a large finger hangs the finger so as to spread it slightly. All operators can operate with one size with an appropriate operation feeling. In addition to rubber-based resin, any stretchable material such as cloth or porous resin may be used. According to the first embodiment, the finger rests 12a, 12b, 12
By providing c, it is possible to favorably operate the bending knobs 10A and 10B that are largely rotated even from above the operation unit cover 12 that wraps the operation unit 5 as a whole.

Further, size variations may be prepared for the finger hooks 12a, 12b, 12c regardless of whether they are integrated with the operation section cover 12 or separate. By doing this, the operator can choose the one that matches the size of the finger,
Better operation is possible.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the finger hook portion of the first embodiment is changed. As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, finger hanging openings 33a, 33b, 33c are provided instead of the finger hanging portions 12a, 12b, 12c of the first embodiment. Although the finger-holding openings 33a, 33b, 33c are hole-shaped in FIG. 4, they may be slits having a similar peripheral length instead of holes.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. As in FIG. 3 of the first embodiment, the thumb 23a of the left hand 23 of the operator who wears rubber gloves is placed in the finger-holding opening 33a and the middle finger 23b.
Is inserted into the finger hanging opening 33b, and the ring finger 23c and the little finger 23d are inserted into the finger hanging opening 33c.

By doing so, the cover form similar to that of FIG. 3 can be realized together with the rubber gloves. The effects of this embodiment are as follows. Since the operating members such as the bending operation knobs 10A and 10B can be directly operated by the operator's finger,
The operation feeling is further improved as compared with the embodiment.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the finger hook portion 12a of the first embodiment,
Instead of 12b and 12c, a glove portion 34 (a finger portion of the glove portion 34 serves as a finger-holding portion) is provided on the operation portion cover portion 12 (at a predetermined position).

The glove portion 34 may be formed integrally with the operation portion cover portion 12 or may be attached separately. In the case of a separate body, for example, the operation portion cover portion 12 can be made of a transparent vinyl resin at a low cost and the glove portion 34 can be made of a rubber resin.

Next, the operation will be described. By inserting the left hand of the operator in the glove portion 34, the operation member of the operation portion 5 can be operated. The operator's left hand may or may not originally have rubber gloves, but if not, the glove portion 34
If is made of rubber-based resin, it can be operated with the same feeling as an endoscope without a cover.

According to the third embodiment, as compared with the first embodiment, the glove portion 34 wraps not only a part of the operator's finger but also the vicinity of the wrist. You can keep good operability without moving your fingers.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the operation member of the operation portion 5 can be operated with the right hand in the operation portion cover portion 12 of the first to third embodiments described above.

Although not shown in the figure, the operation portion cover portion 12 shown in FIG. 6 has finger-holding portions 12a, 12b, 12c into which the fingers of the left hand 23 as shown in the first to third embodiments can be fitted, or a finger-holding opening portion. 33a, 33b, 33c or a glove portion 34 is provided. Separately from that, as shown in FIG. 6, the finger hooks 35a, 3a to which the fingers of the operator's right hand are fitted.
5b is provided.

Each of the finger hooks 35a and 35b is 1
You can put your fingers in each book, and the finger rest 3
5a and 35b may be annular and integrally formed as a hollow. The finger hooks 35a and 35b may be attached with a finger sack-shaped member which is separate from the other operation section cover section 12 (of course, may be integrally formed with the operation section cover section 12 as shown in FIG. 6). Further, it may be an opening for the fingers of the right hand as in the second and third embodiments, or a glove part for the right hand.

Next, the operation will be described. The up / down / left / right bending knobs 10A and 10B of the operation unit 5 can be operated by only the left hand, but the left / right bending knob 10B can be more easily operated by using the right hand.

If one or more fingers of the right hand are inserted into the finger hooks 35a and 35b and the left / right bending knob 10B is operated, the peripheral operation section cover 12 rotates the left / right bending knob 10B and the left / right bending knob 10B. Good right-hand operation can be performed without being entangled in the left and right curved brake levers 36 for applying and releasing the brake. According to the fourth embodiment, as described above, the right / left bending knob 10B with the right hand is used.
The operability of the left and right curved brake levers 36 is improved.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Similar to the previous embodiment, this embodiment is an example of improving the operability of the right hand through the operation cover portion 12. As shown in FIG. 7, in the present embodiment, a rotary cover portion 37 that is rotatable with respect to the operation portion cover portion 12 is provided in a part of the operation portion cover portion 12.

The left and right bending knobs 10B have a width (height) which is considerably thicker than a normal one, and the rotary cover portion 3 is provided.
A part of 7 and a part of the left and right bending knob 10B can be attached and detached. FIG. 7 shows a state in which the rotary cover portion 37 is attached to a part of the left and right bending knob 10B.

Although the outer shape of the rotary cover portion 37 at the fitted position is not shown, the left and right bending knob 10B shown in FIG.
The shape follows the shape of. However, the flange portion 38
Is circular. The rotation cover portion 37 is preferably made of rubber resin. The rotary cover portion 37 is fitted in a part of the left / right bending knob 10B, but is not in contact with the left / right bending brake lever 36.

Next, the operation will be described. Also in this embodiment, the up / down / left / right bending knobs 10A and 10B can be operated only by the left hand (the finger-holding portion for the left hand is not shown,
Any one of the three examples). When the left / right bending knob 10B is operated with the left hand, a portion where the rotary cover portion 37 is not fitted can be operated.

When the right and left bending knob 10B is operated with the right hand, the rotating cover portion 37 has a fitted portion and can be operated without hooking a finger. Rotating cover part 3
Since 7 is rotatable with respect to the operation section cover section 12,
Even if the left and right bending knobs 10B are rotated through the rotary cover portion 37, for example, about 180 ° at a time, the operation portion cover portion 1
2 does not get twisted.

Further, the left and right bending knob 10 of the rotary cover portion 37
Since the outer shape of the fitting portion with B is along the left and right bending knob 10B (see the appearance of the left and right bending knob 10B in FIG. 3), the presence of the left and right bending knob 10B also externally affects the operation portion cover. It is easier to operate (especially when holding a knob) because it feels more raised than the part 12.

Even if the operating portion cover 12 is black in order to make the stains inconspicuous, or conversely is white in order to make the stains easy to see, or any other color other than transparent, it is curved left and right. Knob 10B is protruding and the position
The rotation angle is easy to understand.

If the rotation cover portion 37 is made of rubber resin, the left and right bending knob 10B is stopped with the left finger or the like, and the left and right bending brake lever is rotated through the upper portion of the rotation cover portion 37 (the rotation angle is 90 ° or more). You can
At this time, a part of the rotary cover part 37 is pulled out.

According to this embodiment, as compared with the fourth embodiment,
When operating the left and right bending knob 10B with the right hand, a large amount of rotation can be operated at a time.

Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This embodiment is a modification of the fourth and fifth embodiments. As shown in FIG. 8, a rotary cover portion 39 for operating the right hand is rotatably provided on the operating portion cover portion 12.

The rotary cover 39 is provided with one or more finger hooks 40a and 40b. This finger rest 40
Each of a and 40b may be such that one finger can be inserted therein, or it can be formed as an annular groove to facilitate insertion of a plurality of fingers. It is desirable that the rotary cover portion 39 be formed of rubber resin, but any other resin may be used as long as it is relatively flexible. It may also be made of paper that does not easily tear.

Further, when the left / right curved brake lever 36 is low in height or embedded in the left / right curved knob 10B, the flat rotary cover 39 without the finger hooks 40a, 40b. May be

Next, the operation will be described. It is similar to the fourth embodiment, but differs from the fourth embodiment in that the right hand finger rest 40
That is, a and 40b are rotatable with respect to the operation portion cover portion 12 (as the rotation cover portion 39).

Therefore, a larger rotation operation can be performed at a time as compared with the fourth embodiment. During the rotating operation, the flange 41 prevents the rotating cover portion 39 from coming off the operating portion cover portion 12.

According to the sixth embodiment, in addition to the effects of the fifth embodiment, the structure is simpler than that of the fifth embodiment, and it is unnecessary to fit the rotary cover portion 39 into the left and right bending knobs 10B. effective.

Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. A knob cover portion 42 is provided at a predetermined position on the operation portion cover portion 12. The knob cover portion 42 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, a part is formed so as to fit in the vertical bending knob 10A and the horizontal bending knob 10B (the finger hooks 43, 4).
4). That is, assuming that the outer shapes of the up / down / left / right bending knobs 10A and 10B have an appearance as shown in FIG.
3 is made up of five projections into which the finger hanging projections 27 fit, and finger hanging part 44 is made up of four projections in which the finger hanging projections 28 fit (the knob cover 42 alone has such a shape. ing).

It is desirable that the knob cover portion 42 be molded of rubber resin, and it may be attached to the operation portion cover portion 12 made of vinyl resin, and the operation portion cover portion 12 is also made of rubber resin. It may be integrally formed with the portion 42.

Next, the operation will be described. Operation part cover part 12
When the knob cover 42 is put on the operation portion 5, the knob cover portion 42 is attached so that the finger hook portion 43 fits on the finger hook projection 27 and the finger hook portion 44 fits on the finger hook projection 28.

At this time, the left and right bending knobs 10B are smaller than the up and down bending knobs 10A, so that they can be easily attached. The operator puts his / her finger on the finger-holding portion 3 with either the left hand or the right hand.
Up / down / left / right bending knob 10
Operate A and 10B. When the knob cover portion 42 is made of rubber resin, the finger hook portion 43 and the finger hook portion 44 of the knob cover portion 42 are used when operating the up / down / left / right curved knobs 10A and 10B.
The knobs can be rotated while the cover between them and the cover below the finger hook 43 are extended.

The left and right curved brake lever 36 is configured such that the cover portion in the vicinity thereof is extended through the cover portion (having sufficient clearance) above the left and right curved brake lever 36 without turning the finger hook portion 44. Can be rotated.
In addition, the up-and-down curved brake lever 45 is provided on the knob cover portion 42.
A rotary operation (rotation angle of 45 ° or less) can be performed via a part of the above or a part of the operation cover 12.

The operating portion cover portion 12 has a smaller clearance between itself and the operating portion 5 than in the previous embodiments. Therefore, in appearance, even when the operation section cover section 12 is attached, it does not differ greatly from the appearance of the operation section 5 when the cover is not attached.

The effects of this embodiment are as follows. Since the appearance of the cover attached state is not much different from the appearance of the operation unit 5 without the cover as compared with the above-described embodiments, even if the cover is attached, the operation can be started with less discomfort.

Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. A knob cover portion 46 is provided on a part (predetermined position) of the operation portion cover portion 12 similar to that of the seventh embodiment. The knob cover portion 46 is preferably made of rubber resin, but may be made of other flexible resin.

A part of the knob cover portion 46 is provided with a finger hook portion 47a made of a hard resin or the like, which is different from the knob cover portion 46,
47b is attached. A part of the knob cover part 46, between the finger hooks 47a and 47b, and between the finger hooks 47a.
Underneath, there is a multiple part 48 in which the cover is formed in a bellows shape. The number of mountains and valleys in this multiplex section 48 may be any number.

A vertical bending knob 49 provided on the operation section 5,
The left and right curving knob 50 has a shape close to a circle. The finger hooks 47a and 47b can be connected to the up / down bending knob 49 and the left / right bending knob 50 through the knob cover 46 or a part thereof, respectively.
When a is turned, the vertical bending knob 49 is also interlocked, and the finger hook 47b
When is turned, the left and right curving knobs 50 also interlock with it.

The left / right bending knob 50 is more than the up / down bending knob 49.
Is smaller, so it is easier to connect. The knob cover portion 46 and the operation portion cover portion 12 may be separate members or may be integrally formed.

Further, the knob cover portion 46 and the finger hook portion 47a,
47b may also be integrally resin-molded. In that case, the thick finger hook portions 47a and 47b are relatively hard, and the thin knob cover portion 46 is relatively flexible.

The external appearance of the finger hooks 47a, 47b connected to the vertical / horizontal bending knobs 49, 50 is, for example, the external appearance of the vertical / horizontal bending knobs 10A, 10B in FIG.

Next, the operation will be described. Although it is almost the same as the seventh embodiment, the difference from the seventh embodiment is that, first, since the multiplex portion 48 is formed in the knob cover portion 46, the up / down / left / right bending knobs 49, 50 rotate largely. However, since the multiplex portion 48 has a shape with a high degree of extensibility, it can be greatly expanded with a small amount of force, the amount of rotational operation force does not become so heavy, and it is completely insulated from the external environment.

Further, since the finger hooks 47a and 47b are made of hard members, the appearance and the operation feeling are more similar to those of the ordinary endoscope without a cover as compared with the seventh embodiment. The effects of this embodiment are as follows. Compared with the seventh embodiment, the appearance and operation feeling are even closer to those of a normal endoscope without a cover even when the cover is attached, and the amount of rotational force does not become so heavy even when the knob is turned a lot.

Next, a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. A knob cover portion 52 is provided at a predetermined position of the operation portion cover portion 12 so as to be rotatable with respect to the operation portion cover portion 12 by a flange portion 51.

The knob cover portion 52 has a finger hook portion 53,
The finger hook 53 has a convex shape that fits into the finger hook protrusion 27 of the up-and-down curved knob 10A. Left and right bending knob 10
The cover around B has a shape sufficiently larger than the left and right curving knob 10B (it bulges further to the outer circumference than the outer diameter of the finger hook portion 53). The material of the knob cover portion 52 is preferably rubber resin, but other resin such as vinyl may be used.

Next, the operation will be described. Operation part cover part 12
When the is attached to the operation portion 5, the finger hook portion 53 of the knob cover portion 52 is fitted into the finger hook protrusion 27 of the vertical bending knob 10A. Since the horizontal bending knob 10B is smaller than the vertical bending knob 10A, it is easier to mount.

The knob cover 52 is not connected to the left and right curved knobs 10B. The vertical bending knob 10A can be operated with the left or right finger via the finger hook portion 53. The left and right bending knob 10B can be operated by operating a part of the largely bulged portion of the knob cover 52 so that the up and down bending knob 10A can be operated.
Since the knob cover 52 has a sufficient clearance (clearance) even when it is turned relatively largely, the knob cover 52 can be operated by extending a part of the knob cover 52 and twisting it.

This embodiment has the following effects. Seventh,
Compared with the eighth embodiment, the left and right curved knobs 10B and the knob cover portion 5 are provided.
Since No. 2 is not connected, it is possible to save the connection work.

Next, a tenth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS.
Will be explained. A knob cover portion 55, which is rotatable by a circular flange portion 54, is provided at a predetermined position of the operation portion cover portion 12. The knob cover portion 55 is provided with a finger hook portion 56 having a shape that fits into the finger hook protrusion 27 of the vertically curved knob 10A (the knob cover portion 55 is mostly composed of the finger hook portion 56 and the flange portions 54 and 57). .

The knob cover portion 55 is provided with a knob cover portion 58 which is rotatable by a circular flange portion 57. The knob cover portion 58 is provided with a finger hook portion 59 shaped to fit the finger hook protrusion 28 of the left and right curved knob 10B.

As shown in FIG. 13, a non-slip portion 60 having a plurality of fine irregularities is provided on a part (end portion) of the finger hook portion 56 of the knob cover portion 55. The same thing may be provided on the finger hook 59. The material of the knob covers 55 and 58 is preferably rubber resin.

Next, the operation will be described. Although it is very similar to the seventh embodiment, in the present embodiment, since the knob cover portions 55 and 58 are rotatable with respect to the operation portion cover portion 12, the respective knobs can be largely moved through the finger hook portions 56 and 59. Even if it is turned, the knob operation power is not made heavy.

Also in this embodiment, the vertical bending knob 1 is also used.
Since the left and right curved knobs 10B are smaller than 0A, the knob cover 55 can be easily attached. This embodiment has the following effects. In addition to the contents of the above operation, the finger rest 5
6 (and / or 59) has the anti-slip portion 60, so that the finger to be operated is less likely to slip from the finger rest portion 56 and the like, and the operability is improved.

Next, an eleventh embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS.
Will be explained. A flange member 61 made of a hard resin is attached to a predetermined position of the operation portion cover portion 12 made of a soft resin or a cloth that is hard to allow liquid to pass therethrough by means such as adhesion or heat welding.

A knob cover portion 62 is rotatably provided on the flange member 61, and the knob cover portion 62 has a knob cover portion 62.
A knob cover 63 is rotatably provided on the knob cover 63.
The knob covers 62, 63 have finger hooks 62a,
63a is provided. Each knob cover part 62, 6
3 is made of hard resin.

The knob cover portions 62 and 63 and a part of the flange member are provided with claw portions 64a and 6 which prevent the knob cover portions 62 and 63 from coming off from each other.
It has 4b, 64c and 64d. These claws 64
As shown in FIG. 14, the a, 64b, 64c, and 64d are assembled such that their claws engage with each other if they are strongly pressed from above during assembly, but after that, they will not come off even if pulled.

On the upper portion of the knob cover portion 63, a cap-like cover portion 65 made of a flexible material such as rubber resin is provided rotatably or fixed to the knob cover portion 63.

The up / down / left / right curved knobs 66, 67 have a shape close to a circle, but partially have a convex portion or a concave portion for connecting the knob cover portions 62, 63. Left and right bending knob 67
A protrusion 68 is provided on the upper part of the. In addition, at the lower portion of the cap-shaped cover portion 65, when the knob cover portion 63 is connected to the left and right curving knob 67, the protrusion 6 is passed over the protrusion 68.
A projection 69 having a diameter that fits directly under 8 is provided. Part of the finger hook portion 62a of the knob cover portion 62 (maximum outer diameter portion)
As shown in FIG. 15, a non-slip portion 70 having a plurality of fine uneven shapes is provided (the action and effect are the same as those in the previous embodiment).

Of course, the slip stopper 70 is the finger hook 63.
It may be provided in a. As shown in FIG. 15, inside the knob cover portion 62, there is a concave portion 71 to which a vertically curving knob 66 can be connected (fitted with a rotation stopper) and a finger hook portion 62a.
It is provided according to the number of.

By doing so, the knob cover portion 62 can be connected to the vertical bending knob 66 so that one of the finger hooks 62a is always at the same position with respect to the operating portion 5 at a specific bending operation angle. The same applies to the left / right curved knob 67 and the knob cover portion 63. In all of the embodiments described so far, the positional relationship between the up / down / left / right curved knobs 66, 67 and the knob cover portions 62, 63 may be reversed.

Next, the operation will be described. Operation part cover part 12
The same applies to the previous embodiments, but before being attached to the operation unit 5, it is partially overturned as shown in FIG.
Also in the present embodiment, the operation portion cover portion 12 is partially turned upside down, but its position is in front of the flange member 61 (left side in the drawing), the flange member 61, the knob cover portions 62 and 63, and the cap-shaped cover 65. The cover portion on the rear side (right side in the drawing) of the flange member 61 may be turned upside down so as to cover the knob cover portions 62, 63 and the cap-shaped cover portion 65.

In any case, since the flange portion 61, the knob cover portions 62 and 63, and the cap-shaped cover portion 65 are one unit with respect to the operation portion cover portion 12, the operation portion of the operation portion cover portion 12 is formed. Good handling can be performed without dislodging during the attachment / detachment work for the 5.

When the operating portion cover portion 12 is mounted on (or after) the operating portion 5, the flange member 61 is arranged to pass over the left and right bending brake lever 36, the left and right bending knob 67, and the up and down bending knob 66 in this order. Then, it will fit in the position shown in FIG.

Therefore, the operating portion cover portion in front of the flange member 61 (on the left side in the drawing) needs an appropriate allowance (slack), but if it is too slack, it interferes with the operation and deteriorates the appearance. Therefore, the position where the flange member 61 (and the knob cover portions 62 and 63, the cap-shaped cover portion) is attached to the operation portion cover portion 12 is a predetermined position which is always considered to be optimal regardless of which operation portion cover portion 12 is attached. Must be

The knob cover portion 62 is attached to the vertical bending knob 66,
When the knob cover portion 63 is connected to the left and right bending knob 67, the operation portion cover portion 12 is attached to the operation portion 5, so that the knob cover portions 62 and 63 are moved vertically and horizontally.
Although it is more difficult to come off than 6,67, it may be quite rattling.

Therefore, the protrusion 69 made of rubber-based resin or the like is fitted over the protrusion 68 on the upper side of the left / right bending knob 67 to prevent play. Further, since the left and right bending knob 67 and the left and right bending knob 67 and the left and right bending brake lever 36 are smaller than the up and down bending knob 66, the knob cover portion 6
It is easy to connect 2, 63.

The up / down / left / right bending knobs 66, 67 are operated via finger hooks 62a, 63a, the left / right bending brake lever 36 is via the cap-shaped cover portion 65, and the up / down bending brake lever 45 is in the operating portion cover portion 12. To operate through a part of. The finger hooks 62a and 63a are hard,
The operation feeling is the same as that of the current endoscope because it has the same shape as the current endoscope.

This embodiment has the following effects. Tenth
Compared with the embodiment, the knob cover can be attached to and detached from the knob only by the direct operation in the knob operating axis direction, so the work is easy, and the finger hook is hard, and the operation feeling can be the same as that of the current endoscope. .

Next, a twelfth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the raising operation knob 72 is provided on the operating portion 5 of the cover endoscope 2 (not shown) having the treatment instrument raising device at the tip of the insertion portion cover portion 11 or the tip of the cover endoscope 2. The provisions will be described.

The raising operation knob 72 is provided so as to be rotatable coaxially with the rotating shaft 73 of the bending operation knob (the bending operation knob (not shown) is provided on the raising operation knob 72, that is, on the front side of the drawing). ing). However, the axis of the raising operation knob 72 and the rotation axis of the bending operation knob may be different.

A finger hooking portion 74 is provided on the operation portion cover portion 12. The finger hook 74 has a non-slip portion 75 having a fine uneven shape. The finger hook 74 is preferably made of hard resin or metal, but may be made of rubber resin. In that case, the operation part cover part 12 can also be integrally formed by using a rubber resin.

The finger-holding portion 74 has a connecting concave portion 76, and the raising operation knob 72 is provided with a connecting convex portion 77 having a shape that fits into the connecting concave portion 76. The finger rest 74 is shown in FIG.
In the case of 4, it may be integrated with the flange member 61.

Next, the operation will be described. Operation part cover part 12
When the user attaches (or after) to the operation unit 5, the finger rest 74
Of the connection concave portion 76 of the operation knob 72 of the operation knob 72
Connect to (fit).

The operator usually places his left thumb on the finger rest 74.
16 to raise the treatment tool in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG.
Can be inverted (upward in the left direction in the figure, inverted operation in the right direction). Along with the operation, the surrounding operation section cover section 1
2 moves.

This embodiment has the following effects. Even with the cover attached, the treatment instrument can be raised and inverted with the same operability as the current endoscope without a cover.

Although the above-described embodiments are set with the insertion section cover section, all the embodiments can be applied to a cover endoscope having only the operation section cover section without the insertion section cover section. As an application example thereof, for example, there is an endoscope in which the insertion part is filled with, for example, a seam between the parts by adhering at a part thereof so that the seam is almost eliminated and can be well cleaned.

However, since the operation section is disassembled in consideration of maintenance, there are some seams between parts and parts that are difficult to clean. Therefore, in order to prevent filth from entering such a portion, the operation portion cover portion as described above may be placed on the operation portion during the inspection.

Next, a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to (a) and FIG. 17 (b). A modification of the configuration of the eleventh embodiment will be described. That is, in the present embodiment having the same structure as the eleventh embodiment, in this embodiment, at least a part of the operation portion grip 78 is covered, and the operation portion cover portion 12 is provided.
There is a detachable grip cover 79 as a separate body. Although not shown, a part of the grip cover 79 may have a non-slip uneven portion so that it is hard to slip when gripped.

The grip cover 79 does not necessarily have to cover the entire surface of the grip 78 as shown in FIG. 17 (b) viewed from above in FIG. It is designed to be fitted to the grip 78.

The grip cover 79 may be a single unit, but in the present embodiment, the control button 2 is provided on the grip cover 79.
9 is integrally attached. There are two control buttons 29 as shown in the figure, one may be a two-stage switch for controlling air supply and water supply, and the other may be a switch for controlling suction. It is convenient to eliminate the two-stage switch. For this purpose, it may be composed of three buttons for air supply, water supply, and suction (not shown). The electric wire 80 coming out of the control button is connected to an external control device (not shown) along the universal cord 6 outside the cover.

Next, the operation will be described. Operation part cover part 12
Since it is made of a soft resin, if the grip 78 is grasped from above, the operating section cover 12 and the grip 78 therein may be displaced, and the grip feeling may be worse than that of the current endoscope without a cover. is there. Therefore, by inserting the grip cover 79, which is separate from the operation section cover unit 12, from the side, the grip feeling can be made similar to that of the current endoscope without a cover.

If the grip cover 79 is made of a hard resin, the same grip feeling as that of the endoscope without a cover can be obtained. However, the grip cover 79 may be made of a rubber-based resin to aim at the anti-slip effect. In the case of a rubber-based resin, even if it is a tubular shape that almost covers the grip 78, if it is partially cut, it can be easily attached and can almost cover the grip 78. It also leads to improvement of

Since the control button 29 is integrally attached to the grip cover 79, the grip cover 79
When the control button 29 is attached to the grip 78, the control button 29 is also positioned and connected to the operation section 5. As long as the grip cover 79 is gripped, the control button 29 does not come off or change its position with respect to the gripped hand. The grip cover 79 may be a disposable or a recourse that is used after cleaning and disinfecting.

The grip cover 79 is applicable not only to the eleventh embodiment but also to all the first to tenth embodiments. This embodiment has the following effects. A good grip feeling of the grip 78 can be obtained even from above the operation portion cover portion 12 made of a flexible material.

It also serves as a positioning means for the external control button 29. Next, a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 is a side view of the operating portion cover portion, FIG. 19 is a schematic view of the front end portion side of FIG. 18 as seen from above, and FIG. 20 is a front end portion of the operating portion cover portion and a mouth portion. FIG. 21 shows a structure near the operation part of the cover-type endoscope. This embodiment corresponds to a modification of the first embodiment.

18 and 19 show the state of the operation section cover section 82 alone before the operation section cover section 82 is attached to the mouth section 13. The operation portion cover portion 82 has a substantially tubular shape as a whole, and has a front end portion (the right side is the insertion portion side in FIG. 18 and subsequent figures) 8
3 and the rear end portion 84 is open. Further, as a whole, the rear end portion 84 is wider than the front end portion 83 in a tapered shape.

A pocket 85 (corresponding to the finger hook portion 12a in the first embodiment) and a pocket 86 (finger hook portion 12 in the first embodiment) are provided in a part of the operation portion cover portion 82.
(a combination of b and 12c) is provided near the front end.

FIG. 19 shows the front end portion 83 and pockets 85, 8
The vicinity of 6 is shown. The operation portion cover portion 82 is actually configured by bonding the edges of the sheet 87 and the sheet 88. Since the edges of the sheets 87 and 88 are joints 89,
The seats 87 and 88 have substantially the same shape.

The sheets 87 and 88 are joined by welding or adhesion at a joint 89 (shown by a thick line in FIG. 18 and a broken line in FIG. 19). Although the sheet 87 is sufficiently larger than the sheet 88, the sheet 87 is joined at the joining portion 89. Therefore, when the sheet 88 is made horizontal as shown in FIG.
Has sufficient deflection. The materials of the sheets 87 and 88 are
It is a flexible resin such as polyethylene and vinyl chloride.

The surfaces (in particular, the inner surfaces) of the sheets 87 and 88 are finely embossed by embossing or the like. Further, since such a processing is performed, the color is entirely translucent white unless it is colored. In addition to fine irregularities, any treatment that reduces the surface frictional resistance may be used.

FIG. 20 shows the front end portion 83 of the operation portion cover portion 82.
The connecting portion between the mouth and the mouth 13 is shown. A ring-shaped groove portion 90 is provided at the rear end of the mouth portion 13. The front end portion 83 of the operation portion cover portion 82 is housed in the groove portion 90, and is wound inside the groove portion 90 with the adhesive tape 91.

The adhesive tape 91 is not limited to a single layer, but a double layer
It may be wound in multiple layers such as triple or more (strength increases). It is desirable that the adhesive tape 91 be non-extendable, such as containing a cloth. Also, the adhesive tape 91
May employ a heat shrink tube.

FIG. 21 shows a state in which the operating section cover 82 is attached to the operating section 5. When the operation portion cover portion 82 alone is manufactured as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the pockets 85 and 86 project to the outside of the cover.
6 is put in the inside of the operation portion cover portion 82 (only the pockets 85 and 86 are turned over so as to project inside).

In FIG. 21, the pockets 85 and 86 have already been provided toward the inside of the operation portion cover portion 82. Pocket 8
The opening width a of the opening 92 of 5 is two bending knobs 10A,
The width A of the larger operation knob of 10B, that is, the operation range 93 (indicated by the one-dot chain line) of the up / down bending knob 10A is substantially equal to or larger than the width A, and the operation range 93 of the up / down bending knob 10A is entirely covered. It is easy to operate. Therefore, it is possible to easily operate the entire operation range of the smaller left and right bending knob 10B. Also, the mouth part 13
Distance from rear end to vertical bending knob 10A and mouth portion 13
The distance from the rear end to the opening 92 is substantially the same.

Next, the operation will be described. As shown in FIG. 18, the overall shape of the operation section cover part 82 is tapered, which facilitates work when the operation section cover part 82 is attached to and detached from the operation part 5. By manufacturing the two sheets 87 and 88 by bonding them together, even a complicated shape having the pockets 85 and 86 can be easily manufactured by instantly bonding the entire bonding portion 89 by an automatic machine.

Since the seat 87 has a sufficient margin with respect to the seat 88, a sufficient clearance can be formed in the vicinity of the vertical bending knob 10A and the horizontal bending knob 10B when the cover is mounted as shown in FIG. It is possible to prevent some cover parts of 82 from clinging to those knobs,
It is possible to eliminate or prevent deterioration of operability.

Since the operation portion cover portion 82 is semitransparent (or may be transparent), the shape of the operation portion 5 in the operation portion cover portion 82 can be visually recognized as shown in FIG. In FIG. 19, the joint portion 89 is on the outer surface of the operation portion cover portion 82. However, if the joint portion 89 is turned over so that the joint portion 89 faces the inside of the operation portion cover portion 82, the appearance is It will be even cleaner.

Further, particularly when the operation portion cover portion 82 is embossed so that fine irregularities are formed on the inner surface of the operation portion cover portion 82, when the operation portion cover portion 82 is attached to or detached from the operation portion 5, the operation portion is removed. The frictional resistance becomes smaller than that of No. 5, and the work becomes easier.

In FIG. 20, since the adhesive tape 91 fixes the front end portion 83 of the operation portion cover portion 82 by adhesion, and the adhesive tape 91 and the front end portion 83 are positioned and fixed in the groove portion 90 of the mouth portion 13, The operation portion cover portion 82 is the mouth portion 1
You can't get out of 3. Since the adhesive tape 91 is non-extensible, even if the operation section cover section 82 is pulled with respect to the mouth section 13,
The adhesive tape 91 does not spread and come off the mouth portion 13.

Since the pocket 85 is provided integrally with the operation portion cover portion 82, it may be difficult to distinguish it from the outside. Therefore, if the pocket 85 and the opening portion 92 are too small, the presence of the pocket 85 and the opening portion 92 may be a problem. Although it becomes difficult to understand and it is troublesome for the operator to put his / her thumb in the pocket 85, as described above, when the opening 92 is provided in the size and position as shown in FIG.
The thumb of the hand of the operator who holds the operation unit 5 to operate A is naturally likely to enter the opening 92.

With reference to the operator who operates the left and right bending knob 10B with the left thumb, the opening width a of the opening 92 is
Is based on the left / right bending knob 10B.
The size may be set to be larger than the width of the operation range of B.

FIG. 22 shows a case where the cover endoscope 2 of the operating portion 94 having a bidirectional bending function is covered, but the operating portion cover is again set for the width B of the operating range of the bending knob 95 here. The opening width b of the opening 92 of the pocket 85 of the portion 82 is substantially equal to or larger than that. That is, b ≧ B (the operation is the same as above).

The opening portion 92 of the pocket 85 has the above-described size, but the tip protruding inward is thin, and is generally tapered. It is easy for a finger to enter the opening 92 due to the size described above, but it is easier for the operator's fingertip and the pocket 85 to interlock when the tip is not so wide,
This is because it is easy to operate the bending knob as if you were wearing gloves. According to this embodiment, there is an effect that the operator's finger easily enters the pocket. Others have the same effects as the first embodiment.

Next, a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This embodiment corresponds to a modification in which the structure of the pocket 85 is changed from that of the 14th embodiment. In this embodiment, the mark 97 is provided on the periphery of the opening 92 of the pocket 85.
However, it is provided by a method such as printing or painting. This mark 97
The color of is different from that of the operation portion cover portion 82.

For example, if the operating portion cover 82 is semi-transparent white, the mark 97 may be black, or may be more prominent red or yellow, or a fluorescent color or the like. If the operation cover 82 is transparent, the mark 97 is a color other than transparent,
In addition, a color different from the color of the operation unit 5 (usually black) is desirable. In any case, the mark 97 has a color that can be clearly recognized in appearance.

Although the mark 97 has a ring shape in FIG. 23, it does not necessarily have to be a ring shape and may have any shape as long as it indicates the position of the opening 92.

Further, the mark 97 may be colored not only in the peripheral portion of the opening portion 92 but also in the entire pocket 85 in a color different from that of the operation portion cover portion 82. The other structure is the same as that of the 14th embodiment.

Next, the operation will be described. Since the pocket 85 as shown in FIG. 21 is provided integrally with the operation portion cover portion 82, it is difficult to recognize the position of the opening portion 92 in appearance, but as shown in FIG. 23, the opening portion 92 is provided. If there is a mark 97 on the periphery of the mark 97, the mark 97 is conspicuous, so that the operator can easily recognize it, and it becomes easy to put in the finger to be operated. or,
If the entire pocket 85 is of a different color than the cover, the entire pocket 85 can be easily recognized.

According to this embodiment, the operator operates the pocket 8
The position of the opening 92 of No. 5 becomes easy to recognize, and there is an effect that it becomes easy to put in a finger. Other effects are similar to those of the 14th embodiment.

Next, a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This embodiment is a modification of the fifteenth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 24, a ring member 98 is joined to the peripheral portion of the opening 92 of the pocket 85. The ring member 98 is made of a relatively flexible material such as rubber resin or other thin resin, but is harder (rigid) than the operation portion cover portion 82.

Further, the ring member 98 may be made of a metallic wire. The ring member 98 keeps a ring shape in a natural state. The ring member 98 is joined to the operation portion cover portion 82 by welding, adhesion, or the like. The ring member 98 preferably has a color different from that of the operation portion cover portion 82.

Further, the ring member 98 does not have to have a perfect ring shape, but may have any shape as long as it keeps the opening 92 open. Further, the ring member 98 need not be a perfect circle, but may be an ellipse, an ellipse, or the like.

Further, the ring member 98 is the operation portion cover portion 8
It does not have to be a separate body from 2, but may be an integral body. That is, the peripheral portion of the opening 92 of the operation portion cover 82 may be hardened by heat treatment or the like so that the opening 92 is maintained in the open state (the cost can be reduced by integrating the opening 92 in this manner).

Further, the entire pocket 85 may be a separate member from the operating portion cover portion 82 and joined to the operating portion cover portion 82. For example, a finger sack made of a rubber-based resin may be joined at its opening. Then, not only the opening 92 but also the pocket 8
The entire 5 is in an open state.

Further, the ring member 98 is the operation portion cover portion 8
Although it is separate from 2, it is integrated with the grip cover 79 shown in FIG. 17, and after mounting the grip cover 79, the opening 92 of the pocket 85 and the ring member 98 provided integrally with the grip cover 79. They may be aligned and fixed to each other (the ring member 98 is integrated with the reuse or semi-disposable grip cover 79 to reduce the cost, and the opening 92 can be kept in the same position at all times so that the fingers can be inserted. Cheap). Others are the same as those in the 14th embodiment.

Next, the operation will be described. In FIG. 21, since the pocket 85 is provided integrally with the operation portion cover portion 82, if the operation portion cover portion 82 is wrinkled (usually this is the case), the opening portion 92 will not be opened. There is no, and its existence is difficult to understand. If the opening 9
Even if the position of 2 is known, if it is in a non-open state, the operator has to put his / her finger in such a way as to spread it, which may be troublesome.

In this embodiment, since the ring member 98 (or other means) keeps the opening 92 open,
The operator can easily put his / her finger in the pocket 85. Further, if the ring member 98 has a color different from that of the operation portion cover portion 82, it is easy to recognize the appearance. Furthermore, if the feel of the ring member 98 is different from the feel of the operation portion cover portion 82, the position of the opening portion 92 can be easily recognized by tactile sense.

If the entire pocket 85 is like a separate finger sack, not only the opening 92 but also the entire pocket 85 can be opened, so that it is easy to put a finger into the back of the pocket 85. .

According to this embodiment, the operator operates the pocket 8
It is easier to put your finger in the 5. Others have the same effects as those of the 14th embodiment. An embodiment constructed by partially combining the above-described embodiments also belongs to the present invention.

[Supplementary Note] (1) The cover-type endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the finger-holding portion is formed so that an operator's finger can be inserted inside the operation portion cover. (2) The cover type endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the finger hooking portion has a substantially tapered portion.

(3) The cover-type endoscope according to claim 1, wherein a finger-hanging portion for hanging a plurality of fingers is provided on one finger-hanging portion. (4) The finger hook portion is made of a stretchable material.
The cover-type endoscope described. (5) The cover type endoscope according to appendix 4, wherein the elastic material is a rubber-based resin.

(6) The cover-type endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the finger-holding portion is integrally formed on the operation portion cover. (7) The cover-type endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the base of the finger-holding portion is provided on the operation portion cover so as to be located immediately below the rotation axis of the bending operation knob.

(8) The cover-type endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the base of the finger-holding portion is provided on the operation portion cover so as to be located in the vicinity of and behind the base of the universal cord. (9) The cover-type endoscope according to claim 1, wherein a finger-holding portion for the left hand finger and a finger-holding portion for the right hand finger are provided.

(10) The cover-type endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the finger-holding portion is provided by forming an opening in a part of the operation portion cover. (11) The cover-type endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the finger-holding portion is provided so as to enter the inside of the operation portion cover up to the operator's hand.

(12) A plurality of the finger hooks are provided.
The cover-type endoscope described. (13) The cover-type endoscope according to appendix 12, wherein the plurality of finger-holding portions are substantially opposed to each other. (14) The cover-type endoscope according to claim 1, wherein there is a means for positioning the finger-holding portion with respect to the operation portion.

(15) The cover-type endoscope described in appendix 14, wherein the positioning means is provided in the mouth. (16) The cover-type endoscope described in appendix 14, wherein the positioning means is provided on the operation portion and the bent portion of the universal cord.

(17) The cover type endoscope described in appendix 14, wherein the positioning means is provided in the control button fixing portion. (18) The cover-type endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the operation section cover is transparent. (19) The cover-type endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the finger-holding portion is rotatably provided with respect to the operation portion cover and is integrally provided with the operation portion cover.

(20) The cover-type endoscope according to appendix 19, wherein the finger-holding portion is made of a hard material. (21) The cover-type endoscope according to appendix 19, wherein the finger hook portion is made of a soft material. (22) The cover-type endoscope according to appendix 19, which has a plurality of rotatable finger hooks and is rotatable independently.

(23) The cover endoscope according to appendix 19, wherein a grip cover separate from the operation section cover is detachably attached to the operation section from above the operation section cover. (24) Note 23 in which a control button is provided on the grip cover
The cover-type endoscope described. (25) The cover endoscope according to claim 1, wherein there is a clearance between the operating portion and the operating portion cover.

(26) The cover type endoscope according to appendix 25, wherein the clearance is around the movable part. (27) The cover-type endoscope according to appendix 26, wherein the movable portion is a bending knob. (28) The cover-type endoscope according to appendix 26, wherein the movable portion is a treatment instrument raising operation knob.

(29) The cover type endoscope according to appendix 26, wherein the movable portion is a curved brake lever. (30) The cover-type endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the operation section cover is integrated with the insertion section cover. (31) The cover-type endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the operation section cover has an index for alignment.

(32) A part of the finger hook portion provided on the operation portion cover can be attached to and detached from a part of the movable portion of the operation portion.
The cover-type endoscope described. (33) The cover-type endoscope according to appendix 32, wherein the finger hook portion is made of a hard material. (34) A cover-type endoscope according to appendix 32, wherein the finger hook portion is made of a soft material.

(35) The cover-type endoscope as set forth in appendix 32, wherein the operation portion cover near the finger-holding portion is formed in a multiple shape. (36) The cover-type endoscope according to appendix 32, wherein the movable portion is a bending knob. (37) The appendix 36, wherein the bending knob is composed of a first bending knob adjacent to the operation portion, and a second bending knob adjacent to the operation portion of the first bending knob on the opposite side and smaller than the first bending knob. Cover-type endoscope.

(38) The cover type endoscope according to appendix 32, wherein the movable portion is a treatment instrument raising knob. (39) The cover-type endoscope according to appendix 32, wherein the movable portion is a curved brake lever. (40) The cover-type endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the operation portion cover has a tapered shape in which the rear portion is widened from the front portion to the rear portion. (41) The cover-type endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the operation section cover is configured by laminating a plurality of sheets.

(42) The cover type endoscope according to appendix 41, wherein one of the plurality of sheets is larger than the other. (43) The pasted part is inside the cover Note 4
The cover-type endoscope according to 1. (44) The cover-type endoscope according to claim 1, wherein at least an inner surface of the operation portion cover is subjected to a treatment for reducing surface frictional resistance. (45) The cover-type endoscope according to appendix 44, wherein the treatment is performed by forming the surface into fine irregularities.

(46) The processing is embossing processing Note 4
The cover-type endoscope described in 4. (47) The cover-type endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein the width of the opening portion of the finger hook portion is substantially equal to or larger than the width of the operation range of the operation member of the operation portion. (48) The cover-type endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein at least the vicinity of the opening of the finger-holding portion is colored differently from other portions of the operation portion cover. (49) The cover-type endoscope according to appendix 48, wherein the entire finger-holding portion is colored differently from the operation portion cover.

(50) The cover-type endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein a means for keeping the opening of the finger-holding portion in an open state is provided at least near the opening of the finger-holding portion. (51) The cover-type endoscope according to appendix 50, wherein the means for maintaining the open state is harder than the operation unit cover, and the operation unit cover and a separate member are joined together. (52) The cover-type endoscope according to appendix 51, wherein the separate member has a color different from that of the operation unit cover.

(53) The cover-type endoscope as set forth in appendix 51, wherein the surface of the separate member has a feeling different from that of the surface of the operation portion cover. (54) The cover type endoscope according to appendix 50, wherein the means for maintaining the open state is that the vicinity of the finger-holding portion is heat-cured. (55) A cover-type endoscope according to appendix 50, wherein a means for maintaining an open state is provided integrally with the grip cover, and is detachably attached to an opening portion of a finger hook portion of the operation portion cover.

[0187]

As described above, according to the present invention, the finger-holding portion that can be moved by hooking the operator's finger is provided at a predetermined position of the operation-portion cover that covers the operation portion, so that the operation-portion cover is provided. Also, the operation members such as the bending knob and the raising operation knob of the operation unit can be favorably operated.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a cover-type endoscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the mouth part when the endoscope cover is attached to the endoscope.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a manner in which an operator operates an operation member inside the operation unit cover from outside the operation unit cover.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing the vicinity of an operation portion cover portion in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing the vicinity of an operation portion cover portion in the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing the vicinity of an operation portion cover portion in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of an operation portion cover portion in a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the vicinity of a rotary cover portion in a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing the vicinity of a rotary cover portion in a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the vicinity of a knob cover portion in an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing the vicinity of a knob cover portion in a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing the vicinity of a knob cover portion in a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a non-slip portion provided on a finger hook portion of a knob cover portion.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing the vicinity of a knob cover portion in an eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a non-slip portion provided on a finger hook portion of a knob cover portion.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing an operation portion cover portion near a raising operation knob in a twelfth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a view showing the vicinity of an operation portion cover portion in the thirteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a side view showing an operation portion cover portion in the fourteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a schematic view of the vicinity of a front end portion viewed from substantially above in FIG.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of a connecting portion between the operation portion cover portion and the mouth portion.

FIG. 21 is a side view showing the vicinity of an operating portion of a cover type endoscope according to a thirteenth embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a view showing the vicinity of an operating portion of a cover type endoscope in a modified example of the fourteenth embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a side view showing an operation portion cover portion in a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a view showing the structure around the pocket of the operation section cover section in the sixteenth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Cover-type endoscope 2 ... Cover endoscope 3 ... Endoscope cover 4 ... Insertion part 5 ... Operation part 6 ... Universal cord 7 ... Tip part 8 ... Bending part 10A ... Vertical bending knob 10B ... Horizontal bending knob 11 ... Insertion part cover part 12 ... Operation part cover part 12a, 12b, 12c ... Finger hanging part 13 ... Mouth part 14 ... Tip cover 15 ... Lens cover 16 ... Gripping part 17 ... Fixing part 18 ... Key 19 ... Keyway 23 ... Hand 23a ... Thumb 23b ... Middle finger 23c ... Ring finger 23d ... Little finger 23e ... Index finger 27, 28 ... Finger hanging protrusion 29 ... Control button 36 ... Left / right bending brake lever 45 ... Up / down bending brake lever

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A cover including an endoscope having an elongated insertion portion, an operation portion formed on a rear end side of the insertion portion, and an operation portion cover for covering at least the operation portion of the endoscope. In the endoscope, the cover-type endoscope is characterized in that a finger-hooking portion is provided at a predetermined position of the operation portion cover so that a finger can be hooked and linked with the finger.