JPH08243072A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide an endoscope capable of easily recognizing the position of the tip of the inserting part under the X-ray fluoroscopy, improving the insertability and reducing pains of a patient. CONSTITUTION: On the tip side of an inserting part 2 of this endoscope, a tip part 7 is formed by a tip part main body 18 equipped with a lighting lens system 19, an objective lens system 24, etc., and a tip cover 31 to be attached to the tip part main body 18, and the tip cover 31 is constituted so that the position of the tip part 31 is easily recognizable under the X-ray fluoroscopy by containing heavy metal 32 safe to an organism, such as gold etc., in a material such as plastic.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope used for examination under X-ray transmission.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, endoscopes have been widely used in medical fields and industrial fields. Particularly, in the medical field, it is expected that the position is confirmed by X-ray fluoroscopy by an X-ray device for the purpose of confirming the position of the distal end side when inserting an elongated insertion portion into a bent body cavity.

As a marker which is inserted into a body cavity in an examination under fluoroscopy and which is made of a radiopaque material, gold is used as a marker shown in Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 64-32834. Catheters are known. But,
No endoscope is known that uses an X-ray opaque material.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the conventional endoscope,
Since no X-ray opaque material is used at the tip of the insertion part,
The position of the distal end portion is difficult to see under X-ray fluoroscopy, which makes it time-consuming to insert into the body cavity, and the examination time becomes longer than expected.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and it is possible to easily confirm the position of the distal end of the insertion portion of an endoscope under fluoroscopy, and to improve the insertability and reduce the pain of the patient. The purpose is to provide an endoscope.

[0006]

Means and Actions for Solving the Problems By forming the distal end portion of the insertion portion with a material which is radiopaque, the position of the distal end portion can be easily confirmed under fluoroscopy. To improve the insertability.

Further, when a detachable tip cover is provided for the tip portion, the tip cover is made of a material that is impermeable to X-rays, so that even if the tip cover should fall off, it will fall off under X-ray see-through. The position of the tip cover is easily checked and can be easily collected.

[0008]

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, and FIG. 1 shows the entire electronic endoscope of the first embodiment,
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the structure of the distal end side of the insertion portion, and FIG. 3 shows a state of endoscopic examination under fluoroscopy.

As shown in FIG. 1, an electronic endoscope 1 which is a first embodiment of the endoscope of the present invention includes a flexible and elongated insertion portion 2,
A light source (not shown) having a wide operation portion 3 formed at the rear end of the insertion portion 2 and a universal cord 4 extending from the operation portion 3 and having a connector 5 provided at the end of the universal cord 4 is not shown. It can be detachably connected to the device.

A signal cable 6 can be connected to the connector 5, and the signal cable 6 can be detachably connected to a video processor (not shown). The insertion portion 2 is composed of a hard distal end portion 7, a bendable bending portion 8, and a flexible long flexible portion 9 from the distal end side.

The operation portion 3 is provided with an angle knob 11, and by operating the angle knob 11 to rotate, the bending portion 8 can be bent vertically or horizontally in any direction. Further, an air supply / water supply button 12 and a suction button 13 are formed adjacent to each other on the operation section 3, and air supply / water supply and suction can be performed by operating these buttons.

A switch 14 such as a freeze switch is provided near the top of the operation unit 3. By operating these switches 14, an instruction signal corresponding to the video processor is sent to generate a still image signal. It is possible to perform operation control such as setting to the output state.

A treatment instrument insertion port (also referred to as a forceps insertion port) for inserting a treatment instrument such as forceps near the proximal end of the operation section 3.
15 is provided, and by inserting the treatment instrument into the treatment instrument insertion port 15, the distal end side of the treatment instrument can be protruded from a channel opening (not shown) of the distal end portion 7 to perform treatment such as biopsy.

As shown in FIG. 2, a light guide fiber 17 protected by a silicon protection tube 16 is inserted into the insertion portion 2, and the light guide fiber 17 is further inserted into the operation portion 3 and the universal cord 4. Is
By connecting the connector 5 to the light source device, the illumination light supplied from the light source device is transmitted, and from the tip end surface fixed to the tip end portion main body 18 forming the tip end portion 7 further through the illumination lens system 19 to the front (insertion). Illumination light is emitted in the axial direction of the part 2) to illuminate a target site such as an affected part in the body cavity.

As shown in FIG. 2, the illumination lens system 19 and the tip of the light guide fiber 17 together with the lens frame 2 made of metal.
The lens frame 21 is fixed to No. 1 and is unitized into the illumination lens unit 22, and this lens frame 21 is fitted into the illumination window hole of the tip portion main body 18 and fixed by the screw 23.

An objective lens system 24 is attached to an observation window hole formed adjacent to the illumination window hole in the tip end main body 18, and an image of a front target portion illuminated through the illumination lens system 19 is imaged. This objective lens system 24 forms an image pickup means having a direct-view type visual field for forming an image on a CCD 25 as a solid-state image pickup element arranged at the image forming position.

The objective lens system 24 and the CCD 25 are also pre-adjusted (before being incorporated in the tip end main body 18 as in the case of the illumination lens unit 22) and fixed to a metal lens frame 26 or the like to be mounted on the objective lens unit 27. The lens frame 26 is fixed to the tip end main body 18 with screws 28. A circuit board or the like is built in on the back side of the CCD 25, is electrically connected to the tip of the cable 29, and the vicinity of the connecting portion including the circuit board and the like is covered with a metal shield frame.

The cable 29 is inserted through the insertion portion 2 and the universal cord 4, and is electrically connected to the video processor through the signal cable 6 connected to the connector 5, which drives the CCD 25 and is photoelectrically converted. The signal is subjected to signal processing, converted into a standard video signal, output to a monitor (not shown), and the endoscopic image captured by the CCD 25 is displayed on the monitor.

Further, for example, a substantially columnar tip body 18 is made of a plastic such as polysulfone having an insulating property, and a cylindrical tip cover 31 is fitted on the tip body 18, and can be fixed to the tip body 18 by a screw or the like not shown. The tip cover 31 contains a heavy metal 32 such as powder-like (powder) gold that is safe for the living body.

That is, the tip portion 7 is formed by attaching a tip cover 31 made of a material that does not transmit X-rays, that is, a heavy metal 32 that is an X-ray opaque material, to the tip portion main body 18, and the tip portion 7 is formed. One of the features of this embodiment is that the position of the distal end portion 7 can be easily confirmed under fluoroscopy.

In addition, even if the tip cover 31 should fall out, the position of the tip cover 31 can be easily confirmed under fluoroscopy so that the fallen tip cover 31 can be easily collected. This is one of the features of this embodiment.

The joints are rotatably attached to the bending portion 8 which is bent by the rotating operation of the angle knob 11 provided on the operation portion 3 so that the bending portion 8 can be bent. In FIG. 2, only the first joint 33 is shown, and the first joint 33 is fixed to the tip end body 18 with screws 34. The outside of the first joint 33 and the other joints is covered with a curved rubber tube 35 as a curved portion protection member that protects these joints.

At this time, the curved rubber tube 35 is fixed by
The thread winding portion 36 is provided by providing the thread winding portion 36.
After the fixing by (3), an adhesive portion 37 made of an epoxy adhesive is further arranged on the outer surface to prevent the thread from being frayed and fixed.

In the electronic endoscope 1 of the first embodiment having such a configuration, the tip cover 31 provided on the tip side of the insertion portion 2 of the electronic endoscope 1 contains the heavy metal 32. Since the heavy metal 32 has a characteristic of being opaque to X-rays, in the endoscopic examination under fluoroscopy, the distal end side of the insertion portion 2 has a shadow as shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 shows a diagram when the insertion section 2 of the electronic endoscope 1 is inserted into, for example, the large intestine 38, and the state of this insertion is observed under fluoroscopy. In this endoscopy, the portion of the tip cover 31 of the tip portion 7 has a dark shadow, so that the position of the tip portion 7 can be easily confirmed, and the position can be inserted without pressing the body wall. So
Smooth insertion, that is, the ease of insertion is improved and the patient's pain can be reduced.

Further, since the tip cover 31 is formed by containing the heavy metal 32, a clearer shadow on the tip cover 31 can be obtained even if the intensity of X-rays is reduced (as compared with the case of the existing endoscope tip section). As a result, it is possible to reduce the amount of X-ray exposure to the patient, and it is possible to further reduce the adverse effect on the patient (living body).

Further, it has a function as a normal tip cover, that is, even if the peripheral portion of the tip surface hits the body cavity wall or the like, since the tip cover 31 itself is plastic, damage to the body cavity wall or the like can be alleviated. .

Further, even if the tip cover 31 falls off from the tip portion main body 18 during an endoscopic examination, the position of the fallen tip cover 31 can be easily confirmed under fluoroscopy, so that the tip cover 31 can also be collected. It's easy.

As the tip cover which can be attached to and detached from the body of the tip portion, there are those in which the tip cover is attachable to and detachable from the endoscope body by fixing with screws, as in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2-25361. It is known that the tip cover is made detachable by engaging a convex portion provided on the entire inner surface side of the rubber tip cover with a concave portion of the tip body as in Kaihei 5-317235. In these conventional examples, when the tip cover is dropped, it is difficult to know where the tip cover is under X-ray fluoroscopy.

For the purpose of solving this problem, that is, to provide an endoscope capable of easily confirming the position of the distal end cover under fluoroscopy when the distal end cover comes off, as described above, The heavy metal 32 is contained in the cover 31 to achieve this purpose.

Further, even with respect to the existing endoscope tip portion having a structure in which the tip cover is fixedly attached without being detached, instead of the tip cover, the tip containing the heavy metal 32 as in this embodiment is used. By attaching the cover 31, it is possible to obtain the above-described actions and effects even for an existing endoscope.

As described above, the tip cover 31 in the first embodiment is a tip cover that can be widely used. In the tip cover that can be attached to the tip part, the tip cover is formed by using an X-ray opaque material. You may. Further, according to the use of the electronic endoscope 1 for an endoscopic examination, an observation site, etc., a normal tip cover is attached and used, and a tip cover 31 containing a heavy metal 32 is attached and used. You may select and.

For example, when it is used in a relatively shallow region in the body cavity, the existing tip cover is attached and used, and when it is difficult to insert it into the deep side or the region to be observed, the heavy metal 3
The tip cover 31 containing 2 may be attached and used properly.

Although the present invention has described the tip cover, the present invention is not limited to the tip cover, and a so-called tip hood that is projected forward in an annular shape as a tip cover fixedly attached to the tip body is provided. It may be.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. First
Although the embodiment is a direct-viewing type whose observation field is the front side in the axial direction of the insertion portion, the electronic endoscope of the second example is a side-viewing type electronic endoscope having a side view. Is. Therefore, except for the distal end portion 7 shown in FIG. 4, it is almost the same as the electronic endoscope 1 shown in FIG. 1, and the components shown in FIG. 1 are used.

As shown in FIG. 4, the tip end main body 18 constituting the tip end portion 7 is flattened by cutting out one side, and an illumination window and an observation window are opened on this side, and the illumination window and the observation window are opened respectively. The lens 19 'and the objective lens system 24 are fixed by adhesion or the like.

The tip end side of the light guide fiber 17 inserted into the insertion portion 2 is bent laterally (upward in FIG. 4) and fixed to the tip end portion main body 18 by adhesion or the like, and the transmitted illumination light is transmitted from the tip end surface. Further, the light is emitted to the side through the illumination lens 19 'to illuminate the side of the target region to be observed. The illuminated image of the target site is captured by the objective lens system 24 in the CCD 2
Imaged at 5. This CCD 25 is also fixed to the tip end main body 18 by adhesion or the like, and a cable 29 is provided on the back side of the CCD 25.
Connected with.

The objective lens system 24 includes a front lens 24a.
And a prism 24b that changes the optical axis direction by 90 °, and a rear lens 2 that forms an image on the CCD 25 through the prism 24b.
4c.

The objective lens system 24 (front lens 24a)
Water for cleaning the outer surface of the objective lens system 2
A nozzle 41 for removing water droplets adhering to the outer surface of 4 or for supplying air into the body cavity is also fixed to the tip portion main body 18 by adhesion or the like. Air supply / water supply and suction are performed by pressing the air supply / water supply button 12 and the suction button 13 provided on the operation unit 3 shown in FIG.

Further, the tip body 31 is made of a plastic such as polysulfone having an insulating property on the tip body 18.
Is externally fitted, and the tip cover 31 contains a heavy metal 32 such as powder-like tungsten which is safe for the living body.

The electronic endoscope 1 is of a side-view type, and the distal end portion 7 is formed with a protruding portion 42 protruding in the insertion direction (axial direction of the insertion portion 2) from an observation window serving as an observation portion. The tip cover 31 containing the heavy metal 32 is attached to the tip portion main body 18 so as to cover 42, and the structure is such that the position of the tip cover 31 can be confirmed under X-ray see-through.

The other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment.
The same members are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted. Note that, also in the second and subsequent embodiments, the same constituents will be given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the electronic endoscope 1 of the second embodiment having such a configuration, the distal end cover 31 provided on the distal end side of the insertion portion 2 of the electronic endoscope 1 contains the heavy metal 32. Since the heavy metal 32 is opaque to X-rays, in the endoscopic examination under X-ray fluoroscopy, the distal end side of the insertion portion 2 has a shadow as shown in FIG. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the insertion portion 2 is inserted from the oral side and the lower side of the stomach 43 is inspected.

As described above, in the side-viewing endoscopic examination under fluoroscopy, the side-viewing type electronic endoscope 1 has a protruding portion protruding in the inserting direction from the observing portion in a direction deviated by 90 ° from the observing direction. 42 is formed, and by projecting the shadow of the protruding portion 42, the position of the tip end portion 7 can be easily confirmed and the tip portion 7 can be inserted without pressing it against the body wall, so that the insertability is improved and the patient's pain can be reduced. As described above, the second embodiment has substantially the same operation and effect as the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, the side-view electronic endoscope 1 in which the insertion direction of the insertion portion 2 and the observation direction are orthogonal to each other has been described, but it is limited to the side-view electronic endoscope 1. Instead, it may be a perspective type electronic endoscope in which the insertion direction and the observation direction form 45 °, or a perspective type electronic endoscope other than 45 °.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the structure of the distal end side of the insertion portion 2 of the side-viewing type electronic endoscope 1 of the third embodiment. In this embodiment, the tip cover 31 of FIG.
It is composed of 44.

The tip end main body 18 is provided with a tip cover 44 made of an insulating plastic such as polysulfone.
A protruding portion 42 protruding in the insertion direction from the observing portion is fitted with a tip cover 31 of polysulfone or the like, which also has an insulating property. Inside the tip cover 31, powdery platinum, etc., which is safe for living bodies, is used. The heavy metal 32 is contained. Other configurations are similar to those of the second embodiment shown in FIG.

In the thus constructed electronic endoscope 1 of the third embodiment, the tip cover 31 provided on the tip side of the insertion portion 2 of the electronic endoscope 1 contains the heavy metal 32. Since the heavy metal 32 is opaque to X-rays, the side of the distal end of the insertion section 2 is shadowed as shown in FIG.

Therefore, in the side-viewing type endoscopic examination under X-ray fluoroscopy, the side-viewing type electronic endoscope has a protruding portion 42 in the insertion direction from the observing portion in a direction deviated by 90 ° from the observing direction. Is projected as a shadow, which makes it easy to distinguish the observed portion from the protruding portion 42. Therefore, since the projecting portion 42 can be inserted without pressing it against the body wall, the insertability is improved and the patient's pain can be reduced. As described above, the third embodiment also has substantially the same operation and effect as the first embodiment.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 7
As shown in FIG. 4, the tip end portion main body 18 is formed in a shape that is substantially semi-cylindrical in the axial direction of the insertion portion 2 from the base end portion of a substantially cylindrical shape, and has its upper surface partly cut away, and the illumination lens 19 ', the objective lens system 24 (the front lens 24a thereof), the nozzle 41 and the like are attached.

The tip body 18 has a notch in a shape close to a semi-cylindrical shape (however, the slope portion 48 is left as shown in FIG. 9) for raising and reversing the treatment tool. An upper base 49 is arranged, and the base 49 of the upper base 49 is supported rotatably around an axis (not shown).

The raising base 49 has an inclined surface portion provided with a recess for guiding on the upper surface thereof, and a treatment instrument channel opening portion (hereinafter referred to as a channel opening portion) is formed on the proximal end surface of the distal end portion main body 18 facing the inclined surface portion. 50) is open. The channel opening 50 passes through a treatment tool channel (not shown) in the insertion portion 2 and its proximal end side communicates with the treatment tool insertion port 15 shown in FIG.

Therefore, a treatment tool such as forceps inserted in the treatment tool insertion port 15 can be projected from the channel opening 50, and the projected treatment tool is opposed to the raising base 49.
It can be controlled by the slope part.

A tip of a raising operation wire (hereinafter abbreviated as a raising wire) 51 is attached to the tip end side of the raising base 49, and the raising wire 51 is inserted through a wire guide in the insertion portion 2. This rear end is connected to a not-shown raising lever provided on the operation portion 3, and the raising wire 51 is moved forward and backward by the turning operation of the raising lever, and the forward movement of the raising / lowering moves the raising base 49 to the axis. The direction in which the treatment tool is projected can be controlled by rotating around and regulating the projecting direction of the treatment tool that comes into contact with the slope. Further, a slope portion 48 that guides the raising wire 51 is provided so as to project from the tip portion main body 18.

As shown in FIG. 7, the tip cover 31 which can be attached to and detached from the tip body 18 is made of a highly elastic polymer material such as rubber. And in this polymeric material,
A heavy metal 32 such as powder-like palladium that is safe for the living body is contained. The detachable locking means of the tip cover 31 to the tip body 18 has the following structure.

The substantially ring-shaped gripping body 52, which is made of plastic such as polyphenylene oxide having insulating properties and is fitted onto the base end of the tip body 18, is thickened radially inward and protrudes forward. A projecting portion 59 is formed, and a projecting portion 53 is formed on the projecting portion 59. The projecting portion 59 is formed at a position corresponding to (the projecting portion 53) in the locking portion 54 at the rear end of the tip cover 31 (that is, the end portion on the detachable side). By engaging the provided recess (or locking hole) 55, the distal end cover 31 can be locked as shown in FIG. 9 (in FIG. 9, the optical system inside the distal end portion main body 18 is omitted. Is a simplified cross-sectional view).

At this time, at least one of the combinations of engagement of the convex portion 53 and the concave portion 55 is an interference fit so that the tip cover 31 is prevented from rattling and is unlikely to fall off. The height of the convex portion 53 is set to be the same as or smaller than the outer peripheral surface of the distal end cover 31, so that there is no catch in the body cavity and smooth insertion can be realized. In the example of FIG. 9, the height of one of the two convex portions 53 is the same as the outer peripheral surface of the tip cover 31, and the height of the other is smaller than the outer peripheral surface of the tip cover 31.

Further, the breaking strength of the locking portion 54 provided with the locking recess 55 in the tip cover 31 is set to be smaller than the breaking strength of the projection 53 of the tip body 18.
Even if the distal end cover 31 is forcibly pulled while the distal end cover 31 is attached to the distal end portion main body 18, the locking portion 54 of the distal end cover 31 is destroyed before the convex portion 53, so that the endoscope main body side is The structure is designed to prevent damage. In this case, the destroyed tip cover 31 is removable with respect to the tip body 18, and may be replaced.

As shown in FIG. 8, the positioning and fixing of the grip body 52 with respect to the tip body 18 is performed by attaching a pin 58 to a locking hole 56 and a locking hole 57 provided in the grip body 52 and the tip body 18, respectively. I am wearing it.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the protruding portion 59 of the grip portion main body 52 provided with the convex portion 53 is embedded in the groove portion 60 of the tip end portion main body 18, so that the required locking height is obtained. Therefore, the convex portion 53 can be provided without increasing the outer diameter of the insertion portion. Since the peripheral portion of the convex portion 53 is also an insulating portion, more reliable insulation can be secured even when the tip cover 31 is attached. Further, when the tip cover 31 is removed, the inside of the insertion portion 2 is watertight due to adhesion.

Further, the angle knob 1 provided on the operation portion 3
The bending portion 8 that is bent by the rotating operation of No. 1 is bendable because the joints 33a, 33b, ... Are rotatably connected by a shaft 46 as shown in FIG. Outside the joints 33a, 33b, ..., each joint 33i (i = a,
b, ...) is covered with a curved rubber tube 35 as a curved portion protection member.

In this embodiment, the fixing means for the curved rubber tube 35, that is, the fixing means for the curved portion protecting member is grasped and pulled near the tip of the curved rubber tube 35 when the tip cover 31 is attached or detached as follows. Even if the above operations are performed, sufficient strength or durability is provided so that water leakage due to damage does not occur.

When the tip cover 31 is attached and detached, it is assumed that the curved rubber tube 35 is grasped, and the first thread winding portion 36a is fixed by the end surface of the curved rubber tube 35 on the tip side.
By providing the first joint 33a and the second bobbin portion 36b for fixing the second joint 33b in the vicinity of the first shaft 46 that allows the first joint 33a and the second joint 33b to rotate freely, and in front of the first shaft 46,
The curved rubber 35 is firmly fixed on the tip side. An epoxy-based adhesive portion 37 is provided on the outer surface of the thread winding portions 36a and 36b to prevent the thread from fraying.

The first joint 33a is fixed to the tip end main body 18 with screws 34. As a method of firmly fixing the curved rubber tube 35, the first thread winding portion 36a and the second thread winding portion 36b may be integrated.

The curved rubber tube 35 may be fixed by the C-shaped ring 63 as shown in FIG. 10, instead of providing the thread winding portions 36a and 36b. FIG. 10 (A) shows a vertical section near the first joint 33a and the second joint 33b, and FIG. 10 (B) shows a section taken along the line AA of FIG. 10 (A). In this modification, the tip end side of the curved rubber tube 35 is C
A ring-shaped recess (or groove) is formed, and the C-shaped ring 63 is fitted and fixed in this recess. Others are the same as the configuration shown in FIG.

Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, a filling portion 62 made of an epoxy adhesive is provided between the nozzle 41 and the tip end main body 18, and the gap is eliminated by the filling portion 62. Prevents dirt from accumulating in the gap. With such a structure, the cleaning property can be improved. As the tip cover 31 that is easy to mount and is hard to drop off, a pleated portion 65 that is in order at the time of mounting and is opposite at the time of removal may be provided as in the first modification shown in FIG.

As the tip cover 31 which is a simple locking method and is hard to drop off, the tip cover 31 and the tip end portion main body 18 each have a tapered portion 6 as in the second modification shown in FIG.
6 and the taper portion 67 are provided, the locking projection is not required and the locking method is simplified, and since there is no unevenness, cleaning is easy, and a reverse taper is applied in the falling direction. As a result, the structure has a function that is hard to drop off.

As the distal end cover 31 which is easily inserted into the body cavity, the outer peripheral surface of the distal end cover 31 is splined as in the third modification shown in FIG. 14 to reduce the contact area with the body wall and reduce the resistance. May be smaller.

As a fourth modification, the tip cover 31 is provided.
If the illumination lens 19 'and the objective lens system 24 side are plastic-molded and the raising table 49 side is molded with an elastic member having elasticity such as rubber, the illumination lens 19' and the objective lens system 24 side concave portion 55 are formed. Is engaged with the convex portion 53, and then the concave portion 55 on the raising base 49 side formed of an elastic member is extended and engaged with the convex portion 53, so that the tip cover 31 is easy to mount.

Further, since the tip cover 31 is provided with a cover for protecting the periphery of the shaft for rotatably supporting the raising base 49, blood does not adhere to the shaft during bleeding, so that the cleaning performance can be improved.

In the electronic endoscope 1 of the fourth embodiment having such a configuration, the tip cover 31 provided on the tip side of the insertion portion 2 of the electronic endoscope 1 contains the heavy metal 32. Since the heavy metal 32 is X-ray opaque, the distal end side of the insertion portion 2 is shaded in the endoscopic examination under X-ray fluoroscopy.

Therefore, in the endoscopic examination under X-ray fluoroscopy, the position of the distal end portion 7 can be easily confirmed, and the tip portion 7 can be inserted without pressing it against the body wall, so that the insertability is improved and the patient's pain is reduced. .

Also, in the event that the tip cover 31 which is detachable from the tip body 18 falls off during the inspection, the state shown in FIG.
As shown in, the position of the tip cover 31 can be confirmed under fluoroscopy, and it becomes easier to find it.
It can also be taken out by grasping it with forceps or the like and removing it together with the endoscope from the body cavity.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG.
6 is a sectional view of the tip cover 31 with the tip cover 31 removed from the tip body 18, and a plan view of the tip body 18 side.

The raising table 4 is attached to the tip cover 31 which is detachably attached to the tip body 18 and is made of a high elastic polymer material such as rubber.
The reinforcing member 68 that protects 9 is insert-molded by partially injecting the rubber of the tip cover 31 into the positioning hole 69 provided in the reinforcing member 68. At this time, the reinforcing member 6
8 is formed of a heavy metal such as tungsten.

At this time, the tip cover 31 and the tip body 1
8 has the same color, and the tip cover 31 and the tip body 18 of different products have different colors and the same color. Therefore, even if the tip cover 31 is attached to another product, the colors are different, so they are not compatible at a glance. You can judge the product.

In the electronic endoscope 1 of the fifth embodiment having such a configuration, the distal end cover 31 provided on the distal end side of the insertion portion 2 of the electronic endoscope 1 is radiopaque. Since the reinforcing member 68 is insert-molded, the distal end side of the insertion portion 2 is shaded in the endoscopic examination under fluoroscopy. Therefore, in the endoscopic examination under fluoroscopy, the position of the distal end portion 7 can be easily confirmed, and it can be inserted without pressing it against the body wall, so that the insertability is improved and the patient's pain is reduced.

Further, even if the tip cover 31 which is detachable from the tip body 18 is dropped during the inspection, the position of the tip cover 31 can be confirmed under X-ray fluoroscopy so that it can be easily found and dropped. The tip cover 31 can also be taken out by grasping it with forceps or the like and removing it together with the endoscope from the body cavity.

Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG.
7 is a sectional view in the axial direction of the structure on the distal end side of the insertion portion 2 in a state where the distal end cover 31 is removed from the distal end body 18, and FIG. 18 is a diagram of an endoscopic examination under fluoroscopy. Show.

As shown in FIG. 17, the tip cover 31 made of a highly elastic polymer material such as rubber that is detachably attached to the tip end main body 18 contains a heavy metal 32 such as gold that is safe for the living body. On the other hand, the tip body 18 made of a polymer material such as polysulfone also contains a heavy metal 32 such as gold, which is safe for the living body.

In the thus constructed electronic endoscope of the sixth embodiment, the heavy metal 32 is contained in the tip cover 31 provided on the tip side of the insertion portion 2 of the electronic endoscope,
Since the heavy metal 32 is X-ray opaque, the distal end side of the insertion portion 2 is shaded in the endoscopic examination under X-ray fluoroscopy.

Therefore, in the endoscopic examination under fluoroscopy, the position of the distal end portion 7 can be easily confirmed, and it can be inserted without pressing it against the body wall, so that the insertability is improved and the patient's pain is reduced. It

If the tip cover 31 which is detachable from the tip body 18 is dropped during the inspection, it is possible to change the state of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the tip end main body 18 is also projected in a shadow under fluoroscopy, so that it can be inserted without pressing against the body wall, the position of the tip cover 31 can be confirmed, and it is easy to find.
Moreover, the positional relationship between the tip body 18 and the tip cover 31 can be easily determined. The detached tip cover 31 can also be taken out by grasping it with forceps or the like and removing it together with the electronic endoscope from the body cavity.

As a method for providing the X-ray opaque material for the tip cover 31, as shown in FIG. 19, a hollow portion 70 formed by hollow molding on the tip cover 31 made of a high elastic polymer material such as rubber. Alternatively, a liquefied X-ray opaque material 71 such as bismuth trioxide may be encapsulated with an injection needle.

The endoscope is not limited to the electronic endoscope 1 in which the image pickup device is arranged on the distal end side of the insertion section, but the distal end face of the image guide fiber is arranged at the image forming position of the objective lens system. However, this image guide fiber can be similarly applied to an optical endoscope that transmits to the end face on the eyepiece side. Note that different embodiments and the like can be configured by partially combining the above-described embodiments and the like, and these also belong to the present invention.

[Additional Notes] 2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of a distal end portion of the insertion portion is made of an X-ray opaque material. 3. The endoscope according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the observation direction and the insertion direction are not the same direction (so-called side-viewing / squinting endoscope). 4. An endoscope having an insertion portion composed of a tip cover and a tip portion main body in which the tip cover is detachably provided, wherein the tip cover is made of a radiopaque material. 5. In Appendix 4, at least a part of the tip cover is X-shaped.
An endoscope characterized by being made of a non-transparent material. 6. An endoscope having an insertion portion composed of a tip cover and a tip body in which the tip cover is detachably provided, wherein the tip cover and the tip body are made of a radiopaque material. An endoscope that does. 7. The material opaque to X-rays according to claim 1, Supplementary Notes 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 is a biologically safe heavy metal, bismuth trioxide,
An endoscope characterized by using barium sulfate.

8. A bending protection covering each joint piece rotatably and rotatably attached to a bending portion of an endoscope having an insertion portion including a tip cover and a tip portion main body to which the tip cover is detachably provided. In the mounting structure of the portion, at least the bending protection portion fixing means is provided between the first bending protection portion fixing portion, which is an end portion on the distal end side of the bending protection portion, and between the first joint piece and the second joint piece when counted from the distal end side. An endoscope provided on a second bending protection portion fixing portion, which is located on the distal end side of a rotation shaft that allows the first joint piece and the second joint piece in FIG. Effect: Improves the fixing strength of the bending protection part. 9. In Appendix 8, the fixing means is an endoscope provided from the first bending protection portion fixing portion to the second bending protection portion fixing portion. Effect: Same as Appendix 8. 10. The fixing means in appendices 8 and 9 is an endoscope composed of a bobbin, taping, a C-shaped ring and the like.

Background of Supplementary Notes 8 to 10 Although the tip cover is detachable from the body of the tip, the conventional technique is to fix the tip cover to the body of the endoscope with screws as in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2-25361. The tip cover is made detachable, or the tip cover is made detachable by engaging a concave portion of the tip body with a convex portion provided on the entire inner surface side of the rubber tip cover as in JP-A-5-317235. Things are known. In the conventional example, since the operation of attaching and detaching the tip cover is performed by gripping the vicinity of the tip of the bending portion protection portion, the fixing portion (fixing means) of the bending portion protection portion may be damaged and water leakage or the like may occur. is there. That is, the strength of the fixing portion is not sufficient in the conventional example. Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide an endoscope having a fixing means for a bending protection portion having sufficient strength against such an operation, and in order to achieve this object, the configurations of Supplementary Notes 7 to 9 are adopted. .

11. In an endoscope having an insertion portion composed of a tip cover and a tip body in which the tip cover is detachably provided, a recess is provided on the tip cover side made of an elastic body, and the recess is provided on the tip body side. An endoscope characterized in that a convex portion of a rigid body to be fitted is provided. Effect: It is possible to provide a tip cover that can be easily cleaned and that is easy to attach and does not fall off. Note 12 and 13 have the same effect. 12. In Appendix 11, the endoscope is characterized in that the convex portion and the concave portion have the same shape and the dimensional relationship is such that the concave portion is set to be slightly smaller than the convex portion. 13. In Appendix 11, the projection and the recess have the same shape and the same size.

Background of Supplements 11 to 13 Although the tip cover is detachable from the body of the tip, the conventional technique is to fix the tip cover to the body of the endoscope with screws as in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2-25361. The tip cover is made detachable, or the tip cover is made detachable by engaging a concave portion of the tip body with a convex portion provided on the entire inner surface side of the rubber tip cover as in JP-A-5-317235. Things are known. The conventional example has drawbacks such as difficulty in mounting. Therefore, it is an object to provide an endoscope that is easy to mount and that does not easily come off, and in order to achieve this object, the configurations of Supplementary Notes 11 to 13 are adopted.

14. In an endoscope having an insertion portion composed of a tip cover and a tip body in which the tip cover is detachably provided, when the tip cover is attached to the tip body, the tip cover is substantially the same surface or An endoscope including a distal end cover fixing means having a size smaller than that. Effect: Can provide a safe tip shape for insertion. Appendix 15
The same applies to ~ 17. 15. In an endoscope having an insertion part composed of a tip cover and a tip body in which the tip cover is detachably provided, when the tip cover is attached to the tip body, the endoscope is substantially flush with the tip cover surface. An endoscope provided with a tip cover fixing means. 16. The tip cover fixing means in appendices 14 and 15 are
An endoscope having a structure in which a hole is provided in a tip cover and a convex portion is provided in a tip body. 17． The tip cover fixing means in appendices 14 and 15 are
An endoscope characterized in that a tip cover is fixed to the tip body by means of screws that are detachable from the tip body.

Background of Supplements 14 to 17 As a conventional fixing method of the tip cover which is detachable from the tip body, a tip cover is fixed to the tip body with screws as in JP-B-2-25361. What you have done is known. In this conventional example, there is a possibility that the screw may protrude, and therefore the body cavity wall or the like may be damaged. Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide an endoscope capable of ensuring safety without damaging the body cavity wall and the like, and in order to achieve this object, the configurations of appendices 14 to 17 are adopted.

[0093]

As described above, according to the present invention, X
Since the tip of the insertion part is made of a non-transparent material,
The position of the distal end portion can be easily confirmed under fluoroscopy, and the insertability can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an electronic endoscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure on the distal end side of the insertion portion of the electronic endoscope.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing an insertion state when an insertion portion under X-ray transmission is inserted into a body cavity.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the structure of the distal end side of the insertion portion in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing an insertion state when an insertion portion under X-ray transmission is inserted into a body cavity.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the structure of the distal end side of the insertion portion in the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a tip cover and a tip body removed from the tip body in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure on the distal end side of the insertion portion.

FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of an engaging portion.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a fixing unit for a curved rubber according to a modified example.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view near the nozzle.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a structure of a tip cover in a first modified example of the present embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a view showing a locking structure of a tip cover in a second modified example of the present embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the shape and the like of the tip cover in the third modification of the present embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a view of an endoscopy under fluoroscopy.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the tip cover removed from the tip body and a plan view showing the tip body in the fifth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing the tip cover and the tip body removed from the tip body in the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory view showing an insertion state when the insertion portion under X-ray transmission is inserted into the body cavity.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view showing the structure of a tip cover in a modification of the sixth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic endoscope 2 ... Insertion part 3 ... Operation part 4 ... Universal cord 5 ... Connector 7 ... Tip part 8 ... Bending part 9 ... Flexible part 11 ... Angle knob 17 ... Light guide fiber 18 ... Tip part body 19 ... Illumination lens system 24 ... Objective lens system 25 ... CCD 29 ... Cable 31 ... Tip cover 32 ... Heavy metal

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Hideo Ito 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Haruhiko Kaiya 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Jun Hiroya 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Masaaki Nakazawa 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hisao Yabe 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An X-shaped tip formed on the tip side of the insertion portion.
An endoscope characterized by being made of a material which is impermeable to rays.