JPH08224206A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide an endoscope whose operability is improved by providing a curved operating switch corresponding to a case of disease or the taste of an operator. CONSTITUTION: Curved operating switch boxes 87A, 87B, 87C and 87D are loaded selectively on the curved operating switch box receiver of the endoscope. Switches 89A for upward/downward and rightward/leftward movement are provided in the switch box 87A separately, and switches 89B for upward/ downward and rightward/leftward movement are provided integrally in the switch box 87B, and a switch 89C of touch sensor type is used in the switch box 87C, and a joy stick 89D in the switch box 87D. A switch contact 88 connected to a switch contact in the curved operating switch box receiver is provided in each switch box, and those switch boxes are operated as the curved operating switches by loading on the curved operating switch box receiver.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope for bending a bending portion by driving an electric bending mechanism using a bending operation switch.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, by inserting an elongated insertion portion into a body cavity, various internal treatments can be performed by observing organs in the body cavity and using a treatment instrument inserted in a treatment instrument channel as needed. Endoscopes are widely used.

By the way, in some of the endoscopes, a bendable bending portion is provided on the distal end side of the insertion portion so that the bending portion can be operated for bending. As a means for operating the bending portion, conventionally, a bending operation knob has been generally provided on the operation portion and the bending operation knob is operated to rotate, but recently, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-122619. As shown in Japanese Patent Publication, an electric bending operation mechanism in which a motor is provided in the operation section is also proposed.

Further, JP-A-60-179713 discloses a lecture scope as an endoscope for electrically bending a bending portion. This lecture scope is provided with a bending operation switch installed in the operation section and a second bending operation switch detachably connected to the endoscope.

[0005]

However, in the endoscope apparatus disclosed in JP-A-60-179713, the bending operation switch installed on the lecture scope and the second bending operation detachable from the endoscope. The switch and the switch were each configured as a single one.

Further, in general, an endoscope is handled by a plurality of surgeons, and therefore some surgeons have
Some of the bending operation switches installed in the operation portion, which are used when bending the bending portion, are not satisfactory in usability.

Further, there has been a demand for an operation switch configured so as to correspond to each case so that the bending operation can be appropriately performed according to the case.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope which is provided with a bending operation switch according to a case or operator's preference to improve the operability. Has an aim.

[0009]

The endoscope of the present invention is an endoscope in which a bending operation switch is used to drive an electric bending mechanism to control bending of a bending portion provided in an insertion portion. A plurality of bending operation switches for performing a bending operation of the bending portion of the section are provided, and these bending operation switches are detachably attached to the endoscope.

According to this structure, the bending operation of the bending portion can be smoothly performed by selecting an appropriate bending operation switch from a plurality of kinds of bending operation switches and providing it on the endoscope.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 5 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an endoscope operation portion, FIG. 2 is a side view showing the entire endoscope, and FIG. 3 is AA of FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a cross section taken along the line ′, FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a modification of the bending operation switch, and FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the endoscope 1 includes an elongated insertion portion 2 and an operation portion 3 connected to the rear end of the insertion portion 2.
And the universal cord 4 extended from this operation unit 3.
And a connector 5 connected to the light source device is provided at the end of the universal cord 4. The insertion portion 2 is configured by sequentially connecting a rigid tip forming portion 6, a bendable bending portion 7, and a flexible tube portion 8 in order from the tip end side.

The operation portion 3 is provided with a first operation portion 11 provided on an axial extension of the insertion portion 2 and a side portion of the first operation portion 11 substantially in the axial direction of the first operation portion 11. It has the grip-shaped 2nd operation part 12 extended in the orthogonal direction. An eyepiece 13 is provided at the rear end of the first operation unit 11. Further, the second operation unit 12 is provided with a suction button 14, an air / water supply button 15, and a joystick 16 for bending operation. The suction button 14 and the air / water button 15
Are arranged vertically on the front end face of the second operation unit 12 (end face on the insertion unit 2 side). Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the joystick 16 is provided on an inclined surface formed by largely chamfering between the rear end surface and the side surface of the second operating portion 12. Then, the operator can hold the second operation unit 12 with the left hand, operate the joystick 16 with the thumb, operate the suction button 14 with the index finger, and operate the air / water supply button 15 with the middle finger. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the universal cord 4 is connected to the lower end portion of the second operation portion 12 via a bend preventing portion 17.

An observation window, an illumination window,
An air / water supply port (nozzle) and a suction port are provided. An objective lens system is provided inside the observation window, and the front end surface of the image guide 18 is arranged at the image forming position of the objective lens system. The image guide 18 is provided in the insertion section 2
Also, the rear end surface is inserted through the inside of the first operation portion 11 and faces the eyepiece lens inside the eyepiece portion 13. An illumination lens is provided inside the illumination window, and a light guide 19 is connected to the rear end of the illumination lens. The light guide 19 includes an insertion section 2, a first operation section 11, and a second operation section 1.
2 and the universal cord 4, and the connector 5
It is connected to the. An air / water supply tube is connected to the air / water supply port. This tube is branched into an air supply tube 20 and a water supply tube 21, and the two tubes 20, 21 are inserted through the insertion section 2, the first operation section 11, the second operation section 12 and the universal cord 4 to form a connector. Connected to 5. As shown in FIG. 1, in the middle of the tubes 20 and 21, a cylinder 22 as an air / water supply operation mechanism that is operated by the air / water supply button 15 is provided in the second operation unit 12. There is. A suction tube 23 is connected to the suction port. The suction tube 23 is inserted through the insertion section 2, the first operation section 11, the second operation section 12 and the universal cord 4 and is connected to the connector 5. As shown in FIG. 1, in the middle of the suction tube 23, a cylinder 24 as a suction operation mechanism that is in the second operation section 12 and is operated by the suction button 14 is interposed. The bending portion 7 has a plurality of joint pieces that are rotatably connected to each other, and the distal end portions of four bending operation wires are fixed to the most distal joint piece. The bending operation wire is inserted through the insertion portion 2, and the rear end portion is connected to the electric bending operation mechanism provided in the first operation portion 11.

Next, the electric bending operation mechanism will be described with reference to FIG. In the case 25 of the first operating portion 11, a pair of frames 28, which are a pair of main frames 26a and 26b and a sub-frame 27, which face each other in parallel at a constant interval, are provided. Are arranged long along the front-rear axis direction. The frame 28 has a bending operation device section 29 for vertical bending, which will be described later.
a and a bending operation device section 29b for left and right bending operations are incorporated. Although these have the same configuration, they are installed before and after the first operation unit 11 in a specific arrangement as described later.

First, one of the bending operation device portions 29a will be specifically described. An ultrasonic motor unit 31 is incorporated in the subframe 27. The ultrasonic motor 32 in the ultrasonic motor unit 31 includes a disk-shaped stator 33 and a rotor 34 that is in close contact with the surface of the stator 33 facing the case 25 side in the peripheral portion thereof.
A piezoelectric body 35 is adhered and fixed to the surface of the peripheral portion of the stator 33 located on the opposite side of the rotor 34. The rotor 34 is fitted and fixed to the tip of the rotary shaft 36. The rotary shaft 36 is supported by a thrust bearing 37 and a first radial bearing 38. The thrust bearing 37 and the first radial bearing 38 are housed and supported in a bearing box 39. The bearing box 39 is joined to the sub-frame 27 and fixed by screws 41. Further, the stator 33 is fitted on the outer circumference of the bearing box 39, and the stator 33 is fixed by being tightened by a nut 43 screwed to a screw 42 formed on the outer circumference of the bearing box 39. That is, the stator 33 is fixed and cannot rotate.

Further, the thrust bearing 37 is provided with a washer 45 and a groove 4 provided around the rotary shaft 36.
It is supported by a snap ring 47 that is fitted in the connector 6. The inner end side portion of the rotary shaft 36 is supported by a second radial bearing 48 attached to the one main frame 26a. The second radial bearing 48 is supported by the bearing box 48a.

On the other hand, a disc spring 49 is attached by caulking or the like to the outer end portion of the rotating shaft 36 thus supported, and the disc spring 49 connects the rotor 34 to the stator 33.
It is strongly urged to press against. The rotor 34
A rubber sheet 44 is provided between the disc spring 49 and the disc spring 49 to protect the rotor 34 from scratches and to prevent the rotation shaft 36 and the rotor 34 from slipping.

Further, the rotary shaft 36 of the ultrasonic motor unit 31 is located between the first radial bearing 38 and the second radial bearing 48 and drives a transmission gear mechanism, for example, a transmission gear train 50. The gear 51 is fixed by means such as shrink fit. The drive gear 51 meshes with the driven gear 52. The driven gear 52 is supported so as to be freely rotatable with respect to a shaft 53 provided between the main frame 26b and the sub frame 27. Between the driven gear 52 and the sub-frame 27,
A washer 54 made of, for example, resin is interposed so that the rotation is smooth. Further, between the driven gear 52 and the main frame 26b, a sprocket 55 as a pulling operation rotating body is supported so as to be freely rotatable with respect to the shaft 53 thereof. The driven gear 52 and the sprocket 55 are connected by a screw (not shown),
It is designed to rotate integrally.

Further, a chain (not shown) is wound around the sprocket 55, and the bending operation wire is connected to each end of the chain through a connecting piece. The chain and bending operation wire form a pulling member. When the sprocket 55 rotates, each bending operation wire is pushed and pulled in the opposite direction according to the rotating direction to bend the bending portion 7. A partition plate 59 is installed between the transmission gear train 50 and the chain to prevent contact between the two. In the figure, reference numeral 60 is a chain guide.

As shown in FIG. 1, the drive gear 51 and the sprocket 55 are arranged so as to be offset from each other in the axial direction of the first operating portion 11. The width between the chains corresponding to the outer diameter of the sprocket 55 is larger than the outer diameter of the bearing member 48a of the radial bearing 48. Therefore, since the bearing member 48a of the radial bearing 48 is arranged with a margin between the chains, the bearing member 48a does not contact the chain.

On the other hand, the bending operation device portion 29b for left and right bending, which is arranged on the front side (the eyepiece 13 side) of the bending operation device portion 29a for up and down bending operation, is also the bending operation device portion for up and down bending operation. It has the same structure as 29a. However, the shaft 53 that supports the driven gear 52 penetrates through and is supported by the pair of main frames 26 a and 26 b and the sub-frame 27. Then, the transmission gear train 50 in the bending operation device portion 29b for left / right bending operation is arranged on the same plane along the axial direction of the sprocket 55 and the first operating portion 11 in the bending operation device portion 29a for up / down bending operation. . Further, the sprocket 55 in the bending operation device portion 29b for the left and right bending operation is the pair of main frames 26.
It is located between a and 26b, is axially supported by the shaft 53, and is integrally connected to the driven gear 52. The sprocket 55 is located in the space between the main frames 26a and 26b, around which a chain of traction members is wound. A bending operation wire is connected to each end of the chain. The bending operation wire is guided to the insertion portion 2 side through the space between the main frames 26a and 26b. In the bending operation device portion 29b for left and right bending operation, the transmission gear train 50 is
One main frame 26b is interposed between the chain and the chain, and this has the same function as that of the partition plate 59 described above to prevent contact between the two.

An image guide 18, a light guide 19, an air supply tube 20, a water supply tube 21 and a suction tube 23 are inserted in the internal space of the case 25 of the first operation section 11.

A switch device 61 operated by the joystick 16 is provided in the second operation section 12 at a position corresponding to the joystick 16. The switch device 61 includes a motor drive cable 62 connected to the piezoelectric body 35 of the ultrasonic motor unit 31 and a cable 63 connected to a control circuit (not shown).
And are connected. Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

First, the insertion section 2 of the endoscope 1 is inserted into the body cavity, and when the bending section 7 is desired to be bent upward, the operator tilts the joystick 16 upward. As a result, a controlled drive voltage is applied to the piezoelectric body 35 of the ultrasonic motor unit 31 in the bending operation device portion 29a for vertical bending operation, and a traveling wave in a predetermined direction is generated in the stator 33. As a result, the rotor 34 rotates in a predetermined direction due to the traveling wave. The rotation of the rotor 34 is transmitted to the rotary shaft 36 and rotates the drive gear 51 attached to the rotary shaft 36. Further, the rotation of the drive gear 51 is transmitted to the driven gear 52 and rotationally drives the sprocket 55 integrated with the driven gear 52. Then, the chain is rotated, the upper bending operation wire connected to one end thereof is pulled, and the lower bending operation wire is paid out. As a result, the bending portion 7 is forcibly bent upward. In the transmission gear train 50, the diameter of the driven gear 52 is sufficiently larger than the diameter of the drive gear 51, so that the driving force can be increased.

When it is desired to bend the bending portion 7 downward, the bending portion 7 is bent downward by tilting the joystick 16 downward in the same manner as described above. Further, when it is desired to bend the bending portion 7 rightward or leftward, the bending operation device portion 29b for left and right bending operation is driven by tilting the joystick 16 in each direction, and the bending operation device portion 29b is driven by the same operation as described above. 7
Is curved in a desired direction.

By operating the suction button 14,
You can control the on / off of suction, and the air / water button 1
By operating 5, it is possible to control the switching of air supply and water supply and the on / off of each. As described above, in the present embodiment, the electric bending operation mechanism is arranged in the first operation portion 11 that is substantially on the axial extension of the insertion portion 2, and the second operation portion laterally extends from the first operation portion 11. The operation section 12 is provided with a suction button 14, an air / water supply button 15, and a joystick 16 for bending operation. Since the electric bending operation mechanism is large,
When all the operating mechanisms are arranged in the operating section on the axial extension of the insertion section 2 as in the conventional case, the operating section becomes thicker or longer and the operability of the operating section deteriorates. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, due to the above arrangement, the operating portion 11 has a shape that is easy to operate, and the operating means of each operating mechanism are arranged close to each other, so the operability of each operating mechanism is good. .

Next, a modification of the bending operation switch will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. In this modification, the second operation unit 12 is provided with a switch device 65 and a finger sack-shaped magnet 66 instead of the joystick 16. As shown in FIG. 4, in the switch device 65, a movable member 67 made of a movable magnet or a magnetic material, and four switches 68 for up, down, left and right which are turned on and off by the movable member 67 are provided. ing. The finger sack-shaped magnet 66 is attracted to the movable member 67. When the finger sack-shaped magnet 66 is moved by inserting a thumb, the movable member 67 moves with the movement of the magnet 66, and the switch 68 is turned on. It can be activated. The switch device 67 may be a device capable of continuously changing output using a variable resistor or the like.

6 to 10 relate to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the operating portion, FIG. 7 is a side view of the operating portion, FIG. 8 is a rear view of the operating portion, and FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing a modified example of the air / water feeding / suction operation mechanism, and FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing another modified example of the air / water feeding / suction operation mechanism.

The endoscope of this embodiment is an electronic endoscope, and is connected via a connector 5 to a video processor having a built-in light source and a signal processing circuit.
Further, a solid-state image pickup device such as a CCD is arranged at the image forming position of the objective lens system instead of the image guide. The signal line connected to the solid-state image sensor is connected to the signal processing circuit in the video processor.
The subject image formed by the objective lens system is converted into an electric signal by the solid-state image pickup device, and the output signal of the solid-state image pickup device is subjected to video signal processing by the signal processing circuit. Then, the video signal from the signal processing circuit is input to the monitor, and the subject image is displayed on the monitor.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, an operating portion 71 is continuously provided on the axial extension of the insertion portion 2. Then, the universal cord 4 is extended downward from the side portion on the rear end side of the operation portion 71 via the bend preventing portion 17. A handgrip 72 is provided on the side of the operation section 71 on the same side as the universal cord 4. Then, a hand can be put inside the hand grip 72 to hold the operation portion 71.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the operation portion 71, as in the first embodiment, an electric bending operation mechanism 2 is provided.
Two ultrasonic motors 32 are provided along the axial direction. At the rear end portion of the operation portion 71, a slope 73 that is inclined downward by 45 ° with respect to the axial direction and faces downward is formed.
3, a joystick 16 for operating the electric bending operation mechanism is provided. By arranging the joystick 16 in such a position, when the left hand is passed through the hand grip 72, the thumb can easily operate the joystick 16.

On the upper surface of the operating portion 71, the air supply tube 20, the water supply tube 21, and the suction tube 23 are exposed to the outside. The exposed parts of these tubes are arranged at positions where the index finger can press the air supply tube 20, the middle finger can press the water supply tube 21, and the ring finger can press the suction tube 23 when the left hand is passed through the hand grip 72. There is. By pressing and closing the exposed portions of these tubes, the flow rate of the fluid in each tube can be regulated. With such a configuration, in the present embodiment, the cylinders and buttons as the air / water supply / suction operation mechanism are not provided. Other configurations and operations are similar to those of the first embodiment.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the operation unit 71 is simplified by simplifying the air / water supply / suction operation mechanism.
The operating portion 71 does not become large while arranging on the axial extension of the insertion portion 2, and the operability of each operating mechanism is improved.

Next, a modified example of the air / water feeding / suction operation mechanism will be described with reference to FIG. In this modification, the air supply tube 20, the water supply tube 21, the suction tube 23
Is arranged in the vicinity of the upper end of the operating portion 71. And these tubes 20, 21, 23
Can be closed by pushing levers 74, 75, and 76, one ends of which are exposed to the outside of the operation unit 71.

Next, another modified example of the air / water supply / suction operation mechanism will be described with reference to FIG.

In this modification, the air supply tube 20, the water supply tube 21, and the suction tube 23 are arranged inside the operation portion 71 near the upper end thereof. In the vicinity of these tubes 20, 21, 23, each tube 20,
Tube blocking plates 77, 78, 7 capable of blocking 21, 23
9 is rotatably provided. This tube closing plate 7
7, 78, 79 are urged by springs 80, 80, 80 in the direction of closing the tubes 20, 21, 23, respectively. Further, buttons 81, 82, 83 capable of pushing down the tube closing plates 77, 78, 79 are provided at the upper end of the operation section 71. Then, by pressing the buttons 81, 82, 83, the tubes 20, 21, 23 are opened, and the buttons 81, 82, 8 are released.
When the button 3 is not pressed, the tubes 20, 21 and 23 are closed.

11 to 14 relate to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a plan view of the operating portion, FIG. 12 is a side view of the operating portion, FIG. 13 is a rear view of the operating portion, and FIG. It is a perspective view of an operation switch.

In the endoscope of this embodiment, the universal cord 4 extends downward from the front end of the hand grip 72. Also, at the rear end of the handgrip 72,
A hole 84 for inserting the left thumb is provided. This hole 84
Also serves as a hole for hooking the endoscope on the scope hanger.

Further, on the slope 73 of the operation portion 71, a bending operation switch box receiver 85 is provided instead of the joystick 16 of the second embodiment. A switch contact 86 is provided in the bending operation switch box receiver 85. Bending operation switch box receiver 8
A bending operation switch box 87A, 87B, 87C, 87D as shown in FIG. 14 is selectively attached to the unit 5. The switch box 87A shown in FIG. 14 (a) is provided with separate switches 89A for up, down, left and right. The switch box 87B shown in FIG. 14B is one in which switches 89B for up, down, left and right are integrally formed. A switch box 87C shown in FIG. 14C uses a touch sensor type switch 89C. The switch box 87D shown in FIG. 14D uses a joystick 89D. Each switch box 87A, 87B, 87C, 87
D has a switch contact 88 connected to the switch contact 86 in the bending operation switch box receiver 85. Then, these switch boxes 87A, 87
B, 87C, 87D for bending operation switch box receiver 8
When mounted on the switch 5, these functions as a bending operation switch.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the shape of the bending operation switch can be changed according to the preference of the user. Other configurations, operations, and effects are similar to those of the second embodiment.

15 to 17 relate to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a side view of the operating portion, FIG. 16 is a rear view of the operating portion, and FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the bending operating switch.

In the endoscope of this embodiment, a plurality of, for example, four connector receivers 90 are provided on the slope 73 of the operation portion 71, instead of the bending operation switch box receiver 85 of the third embodiment. . The connector receiver 90 includes bending operation switches 91A, 91B, 9 as shown in FIG.
1C and 91D are selectively connected.
The switch 91A shown in FIG. 17A is the switch body 9
Each switch 89A for up, down, left and right is separately provided on the upper part of the table 2. The switch 91B shown in FIG.
The switches 89B for up, down, left and right are integrally formed on the switch body 92. A switch 91C shown in FIG. 17C is a switch body 92 on which a touch sensor type switch 89C is provided. A switch 91D shown in FIG. 17 (d) has a joystick 89D provided on the switch body 92. Each switch 91A,
A cable 93 extends from the switch main body 92 of 91B, 91C, 91D, and a connector 94 connected to the connector receiver 90 is provided at an end of the cable 93. The back surface of the switch body 92 is a magnet, and the exterior of the operation unit 71 is made of a magnetic material. Therefore, the bending operation switches 91A, 91B, 9
1C and 91D can be attached to arbitrary positions on the operation unit 71.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the shape of the bending operation switch can be changed and the position of the switch can be selected according to the preference of the user.

The cables 93 may be made longer and the switches may be made larger so that each of the switches 91A to 91D may be used as a foot switch. Other configurations, operations and effects are the same as those of the second or third embodiment.

[Additional Notes] 1. A bending operation switch for causing a bending operation of a bending section of the insertion section in an endoscope in which a bending operation switch provided on the endoscope is used to drive an electric bending mechanism to control bending of the bending section provided on the insertion section. An endoscope in which a plurality of types of bending operation switches are provided and the bending operation switches are detachably installed to the endoscope.

2. The endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein a bending operation switch box receiver for arranging the bending operation switch is provided in an operation portion of the endoscope.

3. The endoscope according to Supplementary Note 1 or Supplementary Note 2, wherein when the bending operation switch is arranged in the bending operation switch box receiver, the contact point of the bending operation switch and the contact point of the bending operation switch box receiver are brought into conduction to function.

4. The endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein a cable having a connector is provided on the bending operation switch, and a connector portion to which the connector is connected is provided on an operation portion of the endoscope.

5. The endoscope according to appendix 4, wherein the operation unit exterior is made of a magnetic material, and a magnet is provided on the back surface of the bending operation switch. This makes it possible to dispose the bending operation switch at a desired position on the operation section of the endoscope.

[0051]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an endoscope with improved operability by providing the endoscope with a bending operation switch according to the case and operator's preference.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 to 5 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an endoscope operation section.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing the entire endoscope.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a cross section taken along the line AA ′ of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a modification of the bending operation switch.

5 is a view on arrow B of FIG.

6 to 10 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a plan view of an operating portion.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the operation unit.

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the operation unit

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a modified example of the air / water supply / suction operation mechanism.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing another modified example of the air / water supply / suction operation mechanism.

11 to 14 relate to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a plan view of an operating portion.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the operation unit.

FIG. 13 is a rear view of the operation unit

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a bending operation switch.

15 to 17 relate to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 15 is a side view of an operating portion.

FIG. 16 is a rear view of the operation unit

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a bending operation switch.

[Explanation of symbols]

 87A, 87B, 87C, 87D ... Switch box 89A, 89B, 89C ... Switch 89D ... Joystick

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Toshiyuki Takara 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Masahito Goto 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Akira Suzuki 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Ei Takehata 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo No. Olympus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yoshinao Daimei 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Within Olympus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Koichi Yoshimitsu 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo No. Olympus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yoshiyasu Aoki 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Hikari In Industry Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope in which a bending operation switch provided on an endoscope is used to drive an electric bending mechanism to control bending of a bending portion provided on an insertion portion, wherein the bending portion of the insertion portion is bent. An endoscope characterized in that a plurality of bending operation switches for providing the bending operation switches are provided, and these bending operation switches are detachably installed to the endoscope.