JPH1014860A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To produce an endoscope with its operating easiness enhanced so that the hardness of the soft part can be held even if one sets off his hand from an operating member which is for adjustment of the hardness. SOLUTION: A wire 35 whose tip is secured at the tail of a curved part and a coil 36, whose tip is secured at the head of the wire 35 and tail movement backward is restricted by a coil stopper 40, are threaded through a soft part 13 constituting an insertion part 6. A tracting member 46 furnished inside the wire 35 stretched backward from the tail of the coil 36 is movable fore and aft with rotation of a hardness adjusting knob 34 installed near the head of the operation part 7, and a wire stopper 45 at the tail of the coil 35 is moved backward simultaneously by moving the member 46 backward, and with this movement the coil 36 is compressed to change the hardness of the soft part 13. O-rings 62 and 63 are fitted near the head and tail of the knob 34, and even after one sets off the head having turned the knob 34, the hardness is maintained owing to the friction force.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope provided with hardness adjusting means for adjusting the hardness of a flexible portion.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, by inserting an elongated insertion portion into a body cavity, a site to be inspected in the body cavity can be observed without the need for an incision, and a therapeutic treatment can be performed using a treatment tool if necessary. Endoscopes that can be used have become widely used.

The insertion portion of the endoscope has flexibility so that it can be inserted also into a bent insertion path. May not be determined, and it may be difficult to introduce in the target direction.

In order to cope with this, for example,
No. 43802 discloses an endoscope provided with a hardness varying means including a coil pipe and a wire inside an endoscope. According to the configuration of this conventional example, the operator performing the endoscopy can adjust the flexibility of the insertion portion with a simple operation, and can easily insert the insertion portion into a curved path. .

[0005]

In the above conventional example, a very large amount of force is required to pull the wire to the required hardness. In the operation lever of the conventional example, when the lever is operated to a certain hardness, a means for holding the lever in the hardness state is not described.

Therefore, if the finger is released from the lever in a hardened state, the lever may return to the original state naturally. This is useful if you want to harden the insertion part momentarily (to increase resilience), but if you want to insert it in a hard state such as when inserting deep into the large intestine, you must always hold down the lever with your finger And operability is poor.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope with improved operability capable of maintaining the hardness state even when the hand is released from the operation member for adjusting the hardness. I do.

[0008]

When the hardness adjusting operation section is operated to the side of hardening, the hardened state of the insertion section can be held in one or more ways. By doing so, even when the user removes his / her finger from the hardness adjustment operation unit, the hardened state of the insertion unit does not return to its original state, and the insertion operation can be performed while maintaining the insertion unit at a predetermined hardness.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 6 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an endoscope apparatus provided with the first embodiment. 2 shows a configuration of the endoscope according to the first embodiment, FIGS. 3A and 3B show a cross section taken along line AA and a line BB in FIG. 2, and FIGS. 5B shows a specific example of the cam body, FIGS. 5A to 5C show explanatory views of the operation of the present embodiment, and FIG. 6 schematically shows how the hardness adjustment knob is operated.

As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope apparatus 1 includes an electronic endoscope 2 having a built-in image pickup device according to a first embodiment, and a light source device for supplying illumination light to the electronic endoscope 2. 3, a signal processing device 4 for performing signal processing on an image pickup signal output from the electronic endoscope 2, and a color monitor 5 for displaying a video signal output from the signal processing device 4 on a screen. .

The electronic endoscope 2 has an elongated insertion section 6, a wide operation section 7 connected to the rear end side of the insertion section 6, and extends from the side of the operation section 7. Universal cable 8
A connector 9 is provided at an end of the universal cable 8, and the connector 9 can be detachably connected to the light source device 3.

The insertion portion 6 has a rigid distal end 11 from the distal end side.
And a flexible portion 12 formed at the rear end of the distal end portion 11 and capable of bending, and a flexible portion 13 formed at the rear end of the curved portion 12 and having a long length and flexibility. The rear end of 13 is connected to the front end of the operation unit 7. This soft part 1
On the outer periphery of the rear end of 3, there is provided a bending preventing member 10 having a tapering shape and having a function of preventing bending.

A light guide 14 composed of a fiber bundle having flexibility and having a function of transmitting illumination light is inserted into the insertion portion 6, the operation portion 7, and the universal cable 8 so as to protrude from the connector 9. By connecting the fixed light guide connector 15 to the light source device 3, the illumination light of the lamp 16 in the light source device 3 is collected by the lens 17 and supplied to the end face of the light guide connector 15.

The illumination light transmitted by the light guide 14 is emitted forward from a distal end surface fixed to an illumination window of the distal end portion 11 to illuminate a subject such as an affected part. The illuminated subject forms an optical image at an image forming position by an objective lens 18 attached to an observation window provided at the distal end portion 11 adjacent to the illumination window. At this image forming position, a charge-coupled device (abbreviated as CCD) 19 is arranged as an image sensor having a function of performing photoelectric conversion, and converts an optical image into an electric signal.

The CCD 19 is connected to one end of a signal cable 21. The signal cable 21 is inserted through the insertion portion 6 and the like, and the rear end is connected to the electric connector 22 of the connector 9 and connected to the electric connector 22. It is connected to the signal processing device 4 via the external cable 23. By applying the CCD drive signal generated by the drive circuit 24 in the signal processing device 4 to the CCD 19, the photoelectrically converted image signal is read out and input to the signal processing circuit 25 in the signal processing device 4, Performs processing to convert to a standard video signal. This standard video signal is sent to the color monitor 5
The image formed on the CCD 19 is displayed in color in the endoscope image display area 5a.

The bending portion 1 provided adjacent to the tip portion 11
Reference numeral 2 denotes a ring-shaped bending piece 26 which is rotatably connected to an adjacent bending piece 26 at a position corresponding to up, down, left and right with rivets or the like. The rear end of the bending wire 27 fixed to the operation unit 7 is connected to a sprocket 28 in the operation unit 7, and a bending operation knob 29 for performing a bending operation is attached to a shaft of the sprocket 28 (in FIG. 1, for simplicity). , Up and down or right and left directions only).

By rotating the bending operation knob 29, one of the pair of bending wires 27 arranged along the vertical or horizontal direction is pulled, and the other is relaxed and pulled. The bending portion 12 can be bent toward the 27 side.

The operating section 7 is provided with a grip 31 in front of the position where the bending operation knob 29 is provided, and the surgeon can grasp one of the hands holding the grip 31 (such as a thumb not used for gripping). The operation of the bending operation knob 29 can be performed with a finger).

A treatment tool insertion port 32 is provided on the front end side of the grip portion 31. By inserting a treatment tool through the treatment tool insertion port 32, an internal treatment tool channel 33 (see FIG. 3) is provided. Then, the distal end side of the treatment tool is projected from the channel outlet of the distal end portion 11 so that a treatment such as polyp resection can be performed.

In this embodiment, for example, a cylindrical hardness adjusting knob (or a flexible adjusting knob) for performing a hardness adjusting operation (or a flexibility adjusting operation) is provided at a front end of the operating portion 7 adjacent to the buckling member 10. A hardness adjusting knob 34 is provided, and by operating the hardness adjusting knob 34, a hardness changing means (or a flexibility changing means) arranged in the flexible portion 13 is formed. The hardness (or flexibility) of the flexible portion 13 can be changed via a wire (hereinafter simply referred to as a wire) 35 and a hardness changing coil (hereinafter simply referred to as a coil) 36.

FIG. 2 shows a more specific structure of the insertion section 6 and the operation section 7 of the electronic endoscope 2. A wire 35 for applying a force when the hardness adjustment knob 34 is operated to the coil 36 as a compressive force is provided in a soft tube 37 forming an outer skin of the soft portion 13.
And a coil 36 in which the wire 35 is inserted and in a state close to close winding.

A distal end of a wire 35 projecting from a distal end of a coil 36 is firmly fixed to a hard connection tube 38 connecting the bending portion 12 and the flexible portion 13 by brazing or the like. The connection pipe 38 is fixed to the rearmost bending piece 26. Alternatively, the rearmost bending piece 26 may also function as the connection pipe 38. The bending piece 26 including the connection pipe 38 is covered with an elastic outer skin 39 such as a rubber tube.

The tip of the coil 36 is firmly fixed to the wire 35 by brazing or the like at an intermediate position slightly behind the tip of the wire 35. The proximal end of the coil 36 is a coil stopper 4 disposed inside the front end of the operation unit 7.
Movement to the rear side from this position is restricted (prevented) by abutting on zero.

The wire 35 inserted through the coil 36 extends rearward through the hole of the coil stopper 40, and the wire 35 is movable with respect to the coil 36. The coil 36 is hardly rotated.

The coil stopper 40 is fixed with a screw 42 to a rear end base 41 for fixing the rear end of the flexible tube 37 to the operation section 7. The rear end base 41 is fixed with a nut 44 near the front end of a cylindrical tube 43 arranged on the outer periphery thereof. On the other hand, a ring-shaped wire stopper 45 is firmly fixed to the proximal end of the wire 35, that is, the rear end by brazing or the like.

Between the coil stopper 40 and the wire stopper 45, there is disposed a pulling member 46 movable in the front-rear direction, and the pulling member 46 is attached to the moving ring 47 so that the wire 35 passes through the groove 48. Fixed.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3B, a pulling member 46 having a groove 48 for passing the wire 35 in the radial direction is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical moving ring 47 by the screw 49.

This moving ring 47 is movable in the axial direction (front-back direction) inside the cylindrical tube 43. Accordingly, when the traction member 46 moves rearward together with the moving ring 47, the traction member 46 comes into contact with the wire stopper 45 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Further, by performing an operation of moving the traction member 46 rearward, the wire stopper 45 is also moved rearward.

In a state where the wire stopper 45 is not moved rearward, the coil 36 whose movement to the rear side is restricted by the coil stopper 40 is in a state of the highest flexibility, that is, in a soft state of the most flexible state and the lowest hardness. is there.

On the other hand, when the coil stopper 40 moves rearward and the rear end of the wire 35 also moves rearward at the same time, the coil stopper 40 relatively exerts a compressive force for pressing the coil 36 forward.

That is, a compressive force is applied to the coil 36 by applying a force for moving the rear end of the wire 35 rearward, and the elasticity of the coil 36 is reduced by the compressive force. In other words, it is possible to set a hard state in which the hardness that hardly bends (more precisely, the hardness against bending) is high. In this case, the magnitude of the compressive force applied to the coil 35 can be changed in accordance with the amount of rearward movement of the traction member 46, and therefore, its flexibility (magnitude of hardness).
Can be changed.

A cam cylinder 51 covers the outside of the cylindrical tube 43. The cam cylinder 51 has helically provided cam grooves 52a and 52b at two opposing positions of the cylinder. The cylindrical tube 43 is also provided with a long hole 53 in the longitudinal direction. The moving ring 47 has two pins 54 that move together with the moving ring 47.
It is fixed with a screw portion through 2a or 52b and a long hole 53 outside thereof. The long hole 53 is set to a length that covers the rear end of the wire 35 or the moving range (reference numeral E in FIG. 2) of the wire stopper 45.

The hardness adjusting knob 34 is fixed to the outer side of the cam cylinder 51 by a plurality of pins 55 at a plurality of positions in the circumferential direction. That is, the hardness adjustment knob 34 is formed with a pin hole that reaches the cam cylinder body 51 inside the hardness adjustment knob 34, the pin 55 is fitted therein, and the hardness adjustment knob 34 is closed with the filler 56.

The front end of the hardness adjusting knob 34 abuts against an annular contact member 57, and its forward movement is restricted. The contact member 57 is disposed outside the vicinity of the front end of the cylindrical tube 43, and is fixed to the outer periphery of a support member 58 that supports the rear end of the buckling member 10 with screws 59.

On the rear end side of the hardness adjusting knob 34, the inner peripheral surface of the front end of the gripping cylinder 61 is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the cam cylinder 51, and the outer peripheral surface of the front end of the gripping cylinder 61. The surface is fitted to the notched inner peripheral surface at the rear end of the hardness adjusting knob 34. In other words, the hardness adjustment knob 34 is slidably in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical tube 43 via the cam cylinder 51 in a state where the movement in the front-rear direction is restricted, and is rotatably disposed (around the cylindrical tube 43). ing. As described above, the hardness adjusting knob 34 can be rotated, but the screw 59 is rotated so that the contact member 57 does not rotate.
It is fixed at.

An O-ring 62 is provided between the inner peripheral surface of the front end of the hardness adjusting knob 34 and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical tube 43 facing the inside thereof.
Are arranged, and the inner peripheral surface of the front end of the hardness adjustment knob 34 is pressed against the O-ring 62. Also, between the outer peripheral surface near the rear end of the cam cylinder 51 and the inner peripheral surface of the gripping frame 61 fitted to the outer peripheral surface, for example, an O-ring 63 is provided in a peripheral groove provided on the cam body 51 side. Is housed, and the inner peripheral surface of the gripper frame 61 is
3 is pressed.

That is, the water tightness is ensured by the O-rings 62 and 63, and a friction force is applied to the cam cylinder 51 and the hardness adjustment knob 34. Even if it is released, it can be locked (or held) in that state.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the O-ring 62, It is characterized in that the state of the hardness adjustment knob 34 can be maintained (locked) by the frictional force of 63.

In other words, even when the hardness adjusting knob 34 is rotated by hand to increase the hardness of the soft portion 13 and the hand is released from the hardness adjusting knob 34, the hardness adjusting knob 34 is operated by the operation. By locking in the state, the coil 36 can be locked in the hardness state corresponding to the operation state.

It should be noted that an O-ring for generating a frictional force for locking the hardness adjusting knob 34 may be provided at a place other than a place where a watertight seal is performed. FIG. 4A shows the shapes of the cam grooves 52 a and 52 b of the cam cylinder 51. Cam groove 5
2a and 52b are two-section cams, one of which is a cam groove 52.
a The other is indicated by 52b.

The cam grooves 52a and 52b have the same shape and are provided at symmetrical positions such that one is rotated by 180 degrees with respect to the axis of the cam cylinder 51 and the other is overlapped. In FIG. 4A, the cam grooves 52a and 52b have a simple smooth groove shape (smooth spiral shape).

Instead of the structure shown in FIG.
For example, as shown in FIG.
The structure may be such that a is provided or a concave portion 64b is provided at the end of the groove 52b so that the click feeling is given to the operator when the pins 54 are set at these positions.

As shown in FIG. 2, an insertion port frame 65 for forming the treatment tool insertion port 32 at a front position adjacent to the grip portion 31.
Is provided. The insertion port frame 65 is connected to a branch member 67 that branches into the treatment instrument insertion port 32 side and the suction conduit 66 side inside the operation unit 7.
The treatment instrument channel 3 provided in the insertion portion 6 is provided at the front end of the
3 are connected to each other by a connection portion 68.

The branch member 67 is fixed to the cylindrical tube 43 with screws. The rear end of the cylindrical tube 43 is connected to a frame 60 to which a bending operation mechanism of the operation unit 7 is attached by a screw. The cylindrical tube 43 does not rotate even when the hardness adjustment knob 34 is rotated.

As shown in FIG. 3A, various built-in components are arranged in the insertion portion 6. That is, four curved wires 27 arranged at positions corresponding to up, down, left and right, two signal cables 21 arranged near the center, two light guides 14 arranged at the upper part of the center, and the lower part. , A treatment instrument channel 33 disposed on the left side, a coil 36 and a wire 35 disposed on the left side, and an air supply tube 69 for performing air supply and a water supply tube 70 for supplying water disposed adjacent thereto. I have. Also, a built-in component as shown in FIG. The arrangement of the built-in components is almost the same as that in FIG.

FIG. 2 shows only the light guide 14 as a built-in component. The light guide 14 is covered with the protective cylinder 14 a in the curved portion 12 to be curved, and has an outer diameter slightly larger than that of the uncovered portion, and its rear end is slightly behind the front end of the flexible portion 13. Extending to the position.

For this reason, the tip of the wire 35 is connected to the connecting pipe 38.
However, by fixing the coil 36 to the wire 35 at a position rearward of the protection cylinder 14a, the coil 36 is prevented from becoming thicker (than when the coil 36 is fixed at a portion adjacent to the protection cylinder 14a). .

As shown in FIG. 3B, the traction member 46 takes up a certain amount of space. However, as shown in FIG. Even if the traction member 46 is moved to the rearmost position, the traction member 46 is arranged so as to be located forward of the connecting portion 68 so that it can be compactly stored in a smaller space than when the traction member 46 is located rearward of the connecting portion 68.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
Will be described in the case of performing an endoscopy by inserting As shown by the solid line in FIG. 2, when the traction member 46 is not in contact with the wire stopper 45, the tension is not applied to the wire 35, so that the coil 36 is also soft. Therefore, the flexible portion 13 is in a state of being soft and easily bent.

As shown in FIG. 5 (A), the flexible portion 13 is inserted into the meandering sigmoid colon 92 from the anus 91 while pushing the insertion portion 6 in such a soft state.

Since the flexible portion 13 is in a soft state, even if the sigmoid colon 92 has a meandering shape, the pain given to the patient can be inserted in a small state. As shown in FIG. 5A, when the distal end of the insertion section 6 of the electronic endoscope reaches the vicinity of the spleen curve 94 via the descending colon 93, an operation of pulling the insertion section 6 is performed. Then, as shown in FIG.
Is shortened to a substantially linear shape. The insertion section 6 of the electronic endoscope becomes substantially straight.

In this state, the hardness adjusting knob 34 is turned to the position shown in FIG.
(In FIG. 4A, the left side is shown as the insertion portion side) in the direction indicated by reference symbol C.
As shown by the solid line, the pin 54 moves in the cam groove 52a (with respect to the cam cylinder 51) as shown by the arrow D.
Since the pin 54 penetrates into the elongated hole 53 formed in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical tube 43, the moving ring 47 moves rearward along the elongated hole 53 together with the pin 54. That is, the pin 54 is actually in the horizontal direction (right side) in FIG.
Go to

By this movement, the traction member 46 fixed to the moving ring 47 also moves backward, and this movement causes
When it moves from the position indicated by the solid line to the position indicated by the two-dot chain line, it hits the wire stopper 19.

Further, by turning the hardness adjusting knob 34 and moving the pulling member 46 backward, a tensile force acts on the wire 35 and a compressive force is applied to the coil 36 to harden the coil 36, whereby the coil 36 is hardened. The flexible portion 13 can be hardened.

At this time, the cam grooves 52a and 52b have a smooth and simple shape, but the frictional force of the O-rings 62 and 63 and the front end of the hardness adjusting knob 34 abut against the contact member 57. Even if the hand that operates the hardness adjusting knob 34 is released by the frictional force of the
It can be stopped at any position in the movement range between the front end position and the rear end of 2a, 52b. That is, the hardness adjustment knob 34 can be locked (held) so as not to move even if the operator releases the hardness adjustment knob 34.

In the case of the smooth spiral cam grooves 52a and 52b as shown in FIG. 4A, the hardness adjustment knob 34 cannot be stopped near the hardest state depending on the setting of the amount of force for pulling the wire 35. there is a possibility. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 4B, if a concave portion 64a is provided in the middle and a concave portion 64b is provided at the rear end, the pin 54 must be securely stopped where the concave portion 64a or 64b is present. (Of course, the hardness adjusting knob 34 is
4b).

At this time, when the pin 54 fits into the concave portions 64a and 64b, there is a click feeling. By having this click feeling, it is possible to inform the surgeon that the predetermined hardness has been achieved. Therefore, when the surgeon operates the hardness adjusting knob 34, the click level can accurately grasp the level of the hardness.

It is important to accurately grasp the hardness of the insertion section 6 when performing an insertion operation as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. As shown in FIG. 5 (B), the insertion section 6 is hardened, and the insertion section of the endoscope is inserted into the transverse colon 95, the liver curve 97, the ascending colon 96, and the cecum 98 while pressing the insertion section 6 further. Insert 6. In this manner, as shown in FIG. 5C, the distal end of the insertion section 6 of the electronic endoscope can reach the cecum 98.

At this time, since the flexible portion 13 is hard, it is unlikely to bend slightly in the middle.
As shown in (C), it is possible to quickly and easily insert the cecum 98 while drawing a gentle curve. In addition, the amount of force for pulling the wire 35 to obtain the required hardness is a maximum of one.
If it is set to 5 kg, the holding force is 15 kg or more of resistance (to the end of the wire 35),
The frictional force by the O-rings 62 and 63 may be set to be larger than this value.

At the place where the connecting portion 68 and the branch member 67 are located, the space inside the cylindrical tube 43 becomes narrow. Further, since there is a mechanism for bending operation further behind, the space in the operation unit 7 is narrow. However, since the traction member 46 is arranged ahead of the connecting portion 68,
It is not necessary to further increase the thickness of the cylindrical tube of the existing endoscope, and a hardness adjusting operation mechanism can be provided.

As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the operation section 7 from being unnecessarily thickened. In addition, the external structure of the operation unit 7 is also thick at the place where the treatment tool insertion port 32 is located and the grip portion 25 is originally thick.
By arranging it on the side of the insertion portion 6 from the side 2, the portion of the hardness adjustment knob 34 can be realized without being unnecessarily thick.

FIG. 6 shows that the hardness adjusting knob 34 is temporarily
Schematically shows the state when viewed from the rear side of the operator 78. The operator 78 who rotates the hardness adjustment knob 34 in a gripped state is shown.
The operating range of the right hand 79 can normally be rotated more in the counterclockwise (simply abbreviated as left) operating range 80a than in the clockwise (right) rotating direction. .

As described with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5C, when the insertion section 6 of the electronic endoscope is inserted into the large intestine, the first insertion section 6 changes from a soft state. When the insertion portion 6 is hardened in the middle, the insertion operation is in progress. Therefore, if the setting is made such that the rotation becomes counterclockwise as shown in FIG. The hardness can be quickly increased without changing the hardness adjustment knob 26 as much as possible, for example, in a hard state.

Then, as shown in FIG. 5C, after the insertion is completed, there is ample time, so that the hardness adjusting knob 34 can be turned several times with a small stroke like the clockwise rotation in FIG. Even if it is returned to a soft state while being changed, the surgeon 78 is not so badly affected. Therefore, in order to operate hard, it is desirable to rotate the hardness adjustment knob 34 counterclockwise when viewed from behind.

This embodiment has the following effects. Since the hardness adjustment knob 34 can be locked at an arbitrary hardness, when the operator hardens the insertion portion 6, there is no need to hold or hold the hardness adjustment knob 34 so as not to move. Therefore, the operability of the insertion operation is improved.

Further, since the traction member 46 is disposed in front of the connecting portion 68, a hardness adjusting mechanism such as the traction member 46 can be disposed without making the operation unit 7 thicker than the existing one.
The operability and handleability of the operation unit 7 almost similar to the existing one can be maintained.

Also, as shown in FIG.
By providing 4b, the operator can grasp the predetermined hardness level tactilely with the hand of operating the hardness adjustment knob 34.

(Second Embodiment) FIGS. 7A and 7B show a main part of a second embodiment of the present invention, and the internal structure is the same as that of the electronic endoscope 2 of FIG. Electronic endoscope 7
1 shows the appearance. FIG. 7A shows the electronic endoscope 71 viewed from the direction in which the bending operation knob 29 of the operation unit 7 is protruded, and FIG. 7B shows the hardness adjustment in the state of FIG. 7A. A part of the state where the hardness is increased by rotating the knob 34 is shown. As shown in FIG. 7A, an index 72 is provided on the outer surface of the operation unit 7 near the hardness adjustment knob 34.

The position of the index 72 is a predetermined position that can be seen at the center of the outer surface of the operation section 7 when viewed from the direction in which the bending operation knob 29 projects. More precisely, when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis of the bending operation knob 29, the index 72 is provided at a position that can be viewed from the direction of the rotation axis, such as a position where the rotation axis is moved forward in parallel with the grip 25.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7B, a soft state scale 73 is provided at the rear end side of the hardness adjusting knob 34, and hard state scales 74a and 74 respectively indicating three hardness levels.
b, 74c are provided. The indicator 72 and the soft state scale 73 have similar shapes or similar colors.

For example, if the index 72 is circular as shown in FIG. 7A, the soft state scale 73 is also circular. If the index 72 is square, the soft state scale 73 is also square. But,
Hard state scales 74a, 74 with respect to soft state scale 73
b and 74c have different shapes or colors. This will make it clear that the soft and hard states are different. This clarifies that the soft state is the reference state and the hard state is used as needed.

7A and 7B, the soft scale 7
3 and the hard state scales 74a, 74b, 74c are similarly circular. Therefore, for example, the index 72, the soft state scale 7
Assuming that 3 is white, the hard state scales 74a, 74b,
74c changes color to say red. Furthermore, even in the same hard state, the hard state scales 74a, 74b, 74c
The surgeon clearly states that the size is different, and that the hard state scale 74b is harder than the hard state scale 74a, and that the hard state scale 74c is larger in size than the hard state scale 74b. I understand it.

The index 72 and the soft state scale 73
The hard scales 74a, 74b, 74c may be fluorescent, for example, so that they can be seen even in dark places.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. FIG.
As shown in (A), when the index 72 points to the soft state scale 73, it is easily understood that the insertion portion 6 is in the soft reference state. Further, when the hardness adjusting knob 34 is rotated, the hardness scales 74a, 74b, 74c are provided, so that it is possible to easily grasp the hardness level. In addition, since the means for informing the hardness level is near the insertion section 6, the surgeon can easily grasp the hardness of the insertion section 6 during the insertion operation.

Usually, in a video scope or an electronic endoscope, the grip portion 25 is often gripped such that the projecting direction of the bending operation knob 29 faces the face or chest of the operator. Therefore, it is desirable that the index 72 be located at a position that can be seen from the direction in which the bending operation knob 29 projects as in the present embodiment.

Also, by setting the scale of the hardness level on the side of the rotating hardness adjustment knob 34 and providing the index 72 at a predetermined position where the hardness does not move, the surgeon can always move the operation unit 7 or lose his posture. The hardness level can be grasped by looking at the predetermined position without looking.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the insertion portion 6
The operator can visually grasp the level of the hardness.
The other effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows a structure near the hardness adjusting knob 34 of an electronic endoscope 71 'according to a modification of the second embodiment. In this modification, when a predetermined hardness state is set, LE
D77 emits light to visually notify the operator. As shown in FIG. 8, by operating the hardness adjusting knob 34, the photo interrupter 76 is arranged so that the light emitting element and the light receiving element are arranged on both sides of the position where the wire stopper 45 hitting the pulling member 46 is moved to the rearmost position. And
The output of the light receiving element of the photointerrupter 76 causes, for example, an LED 77 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the operation unit 7 to emit light. The wire 35 shown by a solid line in FIG.
Corresponds to the state shown by the two-dot chain line. Other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment.

The operation of FIG. 8 will be described. FIG. 7 (A),
As described in (B), when the hardness adjusting knob 34 is rotated to set, for example, the index 72 to the position indicating the hard state scale 74c, the hardness becomes within the detection space where the light emitting element and the light receiving element of the photo interrupter 76 face each other. Wire stopper 4
5 enters, and the light from the light emitting element is blocked.

Then, it is detected that the output level of the light receiving element arranged oppositely changes from, for example, "L" to "H" and the hardest scale 74c is set.
D77 is caused to emit light. The power for driving the photo interrupter 76 and the like is supplied through a power line of a signal line connected to the light source device 3 or the signal processing device 4 in FIG.

In FIG. 8, the structure for detecting that the hardest state has been set has been described. However, another hardness state may be detected. Further, a lamp may be made to emit light instead of the LED 77.

When the LED 77 is illuminated in this manner, the surgeon can clearly confirm that the predetermined hardness level has been set even in a dark place. It is desirable that the means for visually indicating the hardness level be as close as possible to the insertion portion side. It is desirable that at least it is closer to the insertion portion 6 than the grip portion 25 is. It is more difficult for the operator to have a means of notifying the hardness level of the flexible portion 13 (function of the flexible portion) adjacent to the operation portion 7 and a position near the flexible portion 13 to the last. This is because it is easy to understand. Normally, the endoscope is operated by grasping the grip 25 with the left hand and the flexible part 13 with the right hand. Therefore, it is easier to grasp the insertion section 6 side with a means indicating the hardness level of the flexible section 13 ahead of the grip section 25.

(Third Embodiment) As shown in FIG. 9, in the present embodiment, for example, an extension portion 81 is provided at the rear end of the hardness adjusting knob 34 in the first embodiment. The portion 81 extends to the rear grip 25 side. The extension 81 is not provided on the entire circumference of the hardness adjusting knob 34, but is provided only on a part thereof. The extension portion 81 is
5 is provided so as to substantially overlap the surface. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. FIG.
When the gripper 25 of the operation unit 7 shown in FIG.
Will be gripped together. For example, it is assumed that the state shown by the solid line in FIG. At this time, the extension 81 is on the palm side. Then, when the hardness adjusting knob 34 is rotated to become hard, the extending portion 81 moves to a position indicated by a two-dot chain line, for example.

Then, the user comes to the opposite side of the palm, so that the grip of the grip 25 is completely different. This allows the operator to accurately grasp the level of the hardness of the insertion section 6 based on the feeling of grasping the grasping section 25. In addition to this method, for example, when the hardness adjustment knob 34 is rotated, a part of the operation unit 7 may be vibrated.

When a part of the operation section vibrates, the vibration is transmitted to the hand holding the operation section. In this case, too, the feeling of grasping differs between the soft state and the hard state of the insertion section. This allows the surgeon to perceive a certain level of hardness.

This embodiment has the following effects. The level of the hardness of the operation unit 7 can be grasped by the operator's feeling of the hand holding the operation unit 7. The level of hardness can be grasped without having to look at the index 72 of the operation unit 7 during the insertion work as in the second embodiment.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 10A shows a fourth embodiment.
The hardness adjustment knob 34 in the embodiment is shown. FIG.
In (A), a flat portion 82 is provided on a part of the hardness adjustment knob 34. The flat part 82 corresponds to the soft state scale 73 of the second embodiment. Further, small protrusions 83a, 83b, 83c having different numbers of protrusions are provided at positions corresponding to different hardness levels on the outer peripheral surface of the hardness adjustment knob 34, and these are hard state scales 74a in the second embodiment. , 74b, 74c.

That is, as described above, the shape of the outer surface of the hardness adjusting knob 34 indicates the level of hardness. Also,
The flat portion 82 and the small protrusions 83a, 83b, 83c also function as anti-slip portions, so that the hardness adjustment knob 34 can be operated without slipping when it is rotated.

In the modification shown in FIG. 10B, a concave portion 8 is provided at a portion corresponding to the soft state scale 73 in the second embodiment.
4 and the hard state scale 74 in the second embodiment.
The projection 85 is provided in a portion corresponding to c. Such fine irregularities are eliminated and relatively large irregularities such as the concave portion 84 and the convex portion 85 are provided, thereby improving the cleaning performance.

Next, the operation and advantages (effects) of the present embodiment.
Will be described. When the surgeon rotates the hardness adjustment knob 34, the rotation of the hardness adjustment knob 34 is set simply by grasping the hardness adjustment knob 34 without looking at it. You can get a fairly accurate picture of the level of hardness. In addition, the unevenness on the outer surface of the hardness adjusting knob 34 plays a role of preventing slippage.

(Fifth Embodiment) FIG. 11 shows an endoscope apparatus 1B provided with a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the magnitude of the hardness is detected, and the detected magnitude of the hardness is displayed on a monitor.

For example, the hardness of the electronic endoscope 2 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes a strain sensor for detecting the hardness of the flexible portion 13 at an appropriate position such as the center of the flexible portion 13 in the longitudinal direction. A detection sensor 86 is provided fixed to the inner wall of the flexible tube 37. The hardness detection sensor 86 changes the amount of distortion according to the tensile force acting in the longitudinal direction of the flexible tube 37, and detects the hardness from the amount of distortion.

The distortion signal or the hardness signal detected by the hardness detection sensor 86 is transmitted via the signal line 87a inserted through the flexible section 13, the operation section 7, the universal cable 8, and the signal line 87b within the scope cable 23. The signal is input to a hardness display signal generation circuit 88 provided in the signal processing device 4.

The hardness display signal generation circuit 88 has a character generation circuit for displaying the value of the hardness detected from the hardness signal detected by the hardness detection sensor 86 as a numerical value, for example. That is, the hardness display signal generation circuit 88 converts the hardness signal into a hardness display character signal.

The hardness display character signal output from the hardness display signal generation circuit 88 is input to the mixer 89.
The detected hardness is superimposed on the video signal output from the signal processing circuit 25 and output to the color monitor 5, and the detected hardness is displayed in the hardness display area 5b on the display surface of the color monitor 5.

The other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment. Generally, in the case of the electronic endoscope 2, the color monitor 5
The user performs an insertion operation or the like while looking at the endoscope image displayed in. Therefore, when the hardness of the flexible portion 13 is simultaneously displayed on the display surface of the color monitor 5 as in the present embodiment, the hardness adjustment knob 34 is moved toward the hardness adjustment knob 34 in order to confirm the scale position as in the second embodiment. You can check without moving your eyes.

(Sixth Embodiment) FIG. 12 shows an endoscope apparatus 1C provided with an electronic endoscope according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, means for detecting the amount of wire pulling is provided in the operation unit 7, and the detected hardness is displayed on a color monitor.

In the endoscope apparatus 1B of FIG. 11, a slide lever 90a connected to the variable resistance terminal of the slide type variable resistor 90 at the rear end of the wire 35 as shown in FIG. When the hardness adjusting knob 34 is rotated and the rear end of the wire 35 is moved rearward, the slide lever 90a fixed to the rear end is also moved rearward, and with the movement of the slide lever 90a,
The resistance value between the variable resistance terminal and one end is changed.

The resistance value of the sliding variable resistor 9
Signal processing device 4 via a signal line 90b or the like connected to
Is input to a hardness display signal generating circuit 88 in the inside, and a character having a corresponding hardness value is read out from the resistance value,
The image is superimposed on the video signal via the display 9 and displayed on the hardness display area 5 b of the color monitor 5. This embodiment has substantially the same operation and effect as the fifth embodiment.

In this embodiment, the hardness corresponding to the amount of pulling of the wire 35 is displayed as a numerical value, but the hardness may be displayed in a bar graph.
Alternatively, the notification may be made by voice according to a predetermined amount of towing. In the case of notifying, an output may be made from an electronic endoscope or from a peripheral device.

In the present invention, when a hardness adjusting knob or the like for adjusting the hardness is operated to increase the hardness, at least one hardness state is set to be at least harder than the lowest hardness state.
Including those with a lockable mechanism.

Further, since the present invention aims at improving the insertion operability, it is a condition that an operation member such as a hardness adjusting knob is provided in the operation section. If there is a hardness adjustment member around the periphery other than the operation unit, the surgeon releases the operation unit or changes the insertion posture greatly to adjust the hardness, so that the insertion operability is significantly reduced.

As the hardness varying means, a spiral member (for example, flex) may be used instead of the coil 36, or an annular ring may be used. Also, the hardness (flexibility) is obtained by applying a compressive force to the coil 36 or the like without using the wire 35.
Also include those that change. As an example in which the hardness is changed by applying a compressive force to the coil 36 and the ring without using the wire 35, a coil 36 having an outer diameter or a ring which is almost fitted in the flexible tube 37 is arranged, and the operation unit is provided. The hardness of the soft portion 13 may be changed by moving the hardness adjusting operation member provided in the vicinity of 7 to the front side and applying a compressive force to the coil 36 or the ring to change the frictional force against bending.

In each of the above embodiments, the operation of changing the hardness is performed manually.
By driving a motor or the like by operating a switch or the like, a wire 35 is driven.
And the hardness of the flexible portion 13 may be changed by applying a compressive force to the coil 36 by the traction. In this case, when the switch is pressed to cure the flexible portion 13, even if the finger is released from the switch, the flexible portion 13 is locked in the cured state.

Further, instead of applying a compressive force to the coil 36 by pulling the wire 35, a force for extending the coil 36 by pulling the wire 35 or the like may be used to change the hardness of the flexible portion 13. . Further, a mechanism for changing the hardness using an elastic member or the like whose hardness changes in accordance with compression or expansion other than the coil 36 may be configured. Further, the hardness of the flexible portion 13 may be changed by changing its hardness by a phase change (structural change) of the shape memory member or the like.

Further, embodiments and the like constituted by partially combining the above-described embodiments and the like also belong to the present invention. Further, in each of the above-described embodiments and the like, the description has been given of the case of the electronic endoscope in which the imaging device is arranged at a position connecting the optical image at the distal end portion of the insertion portion. Is transmitted by a fiber bundle, and the transmitted optical image can be observed with the naked eye from an eyepiece unit, which includes an optical flexible endoscope called a fiberscope.

[Supplementary Notes] (1) An insertion section having a flexible section and an operation section, a coil is provided in the flexible section, and an operation knob for adjusting the hardness of the coil and the flexible section by applying a compressive force to the coil is provided on the operation section. 2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein when the operation knob is operated to increase the hardness of the flexible portion, the operation knob can be locked at one or more locations.

(2) In the above (1), the knob can be locked at an arbitrary position. (3) In the above (1), a friction imparting means for locking at an arbitrary position is provided. (4) In the above (3), the friction applying means is an O-ring. (5) In the above (3), the friction applying means is provided in a portion other than the watertight seal portion.

(6) In the above (1), the force for locking the knob is 15 kg or more. (7) In the above (1), the knob can be locked at a predetermined position. (8) In the above (7), there are a plurality of predetermined positions. (9) In the above (7), when the knob is set at a predetermined position, a click feeling is generated.

(9 ') An insertion portion having a flexible portion and an operating portion are provided, a coil is provided in the flexible portion, and an operating knob for adjusting the hardness of the coil and the flexible portion by applying a compressive force to the coil is provided in the operating portion. An endoscope according to claim 1, wherein when the operation knob is operated so as to increase the hardness of the flexible portion, at least one hardness state corresponding to the setting state of the operation knob can be locked.

(Effects of Supplementary Notes (1) to (9 ')) The operability of hardness adjustment can be improved. (10) An insertion portion having a flexible portion and an operation portion having a treatment tool insertion port, a coil and a wire fixed to the tip of the coil and inserted through the coil are provided in the flexible portion, and the coil is pulled by pulling the wire end. And in an endoscope provided with a mechanism for hardening the soft part in the operation part, when the pulling member for pulling the hand end of the wire moves to the nearest side, the pulling member branches between the treatment instrument insertion port and the suction conduit. An endoscope, wherein the endoscope is located at a distal end side of a connection portion between a branch member and a treatment instrument conduit in an insertion portion. (11) In the above (10), the knob for pulling the wire is located on the insertion portion side of the treatment instrument insertion port.

(Background of Supplementary Notes (10) and (11)) The same as in the case of Supplementary Notes (1) to (9 ′) described in the section of the prior art. (Conventional Problems in Supplementary Notes (10) and (11)) Conventionally, a wire pulling mechanism is provided at the rear of the operation unit (at the rear of the grip unit). However, there is usually a treatment tool insertion port in front of the grip unit. In the endoscope, the connecting portion and the branching member have a larger diameter than the channel, from the connecting portion of the treatment tool insertion port and the proximal end of the treatment tool channel extending from inside the branching member and the insertion portion where the suction conduit branches. Further, since there is a bending operation mechanism at the rear, there is no room for space, and if a hardness varying means or a wire pulling mechanism is inserted therein, it becomes necessary to make the operation section thicker than usual. When the operation unit becomes thicker, it becomes heavier than before, the balance becomes poor, and the handling becomes cumbersome, which is not good.

(Solutions According to Supplementary Notes (10) and (11)) In the operation section, wire pulling is performed forward of a connecting portion of the treatment tool insertion port and the branch member into which the suction conduit branches and a treatment tool channel extending from the insertion portion. The members were arranged. By doing so, since the wire pulling member is disposed in a place where there is a relatively large space, the operation unit does not become unnecessarily large. (Effects of Supplementary Notes (10) and (11)) By providing a hardness adjusting mechanism, the operability and handleability of the operation unit can be made similar to those of the existing endoscope.

(12) In an endoscope provided with an insertion portion having a flexible portion and an operation portion, provided with a hardness varying means in the flexible portion, and provided with a hardness adjustment knob in the operation portion, the operation of the hardness adjustment knob causes the flexible portion to be moved. An endoscope provided with means for notifying that the is in a cured state.

(13) The endoscope according to (1), wherein the means for informing in (12) is provided in the operation unit. (14) In the above (12), the means for notifying is the indication of the hardness level provided in the vicinity of the knob. (15) In the above (14), a scale of the hardness level is provided on the knob, and an index indicating the scale is provided at a predetermined position near the knob. (16) In the above (15), the indicator is provided on the side of the operation unit where the bending operation knob protrudes.

(17) In the above (14), the color or shape of the scale display in the soft state and the hard state is different.
The scale display in the soft state and the color or shape of the index indicating the same are made similar. (18) In the above (12), the means for notifying is based on a change in the gripping feeling of the operation unit gripping portion. (19) In the above (12), the means for notifying is based on changing the grip of the hardness adjustment knob. (20) In the above (12), the means for notifying is self-illuminating means.

(21) In the above (12), the notifying means is a means for notifying visually, and is provided on the operation unit side from the operation unit gripping unit. (22) In the above (12), the means for notifying is a click feeling generated when the hardness adjustment knob is operated to the hardened side.

(Background of Supplementary Notes (12) to (22)) Conventionally, it has been difficult for the user to understand the hardness level even when the hardness is adjusted by operating the lever. Therefore,
Actually, it may have a certain degree of hardness, but may assume that it is in a soft state, or conversely, in fact, may assume that it is in a state of being hard even though it is in a soft state.

(Problems of Supplementary Notes (12) to (22)) The user can recognize the hardness level of the insertion portion (ensure good insertability). (Solutions by Supplementary Notes (12) to (22)) By providing a means for notifying the user of the hardness level in a part of the operation unit, the user can easily grasp the hardness level of the insertion unit at the time of insertion. Good insertability can be ensured.

(Effects of Supplementary Notes (12) to (22)) The user can recognize the hardness level of the insertion portion, and it is possible to ensure a good insertion property.

[0122]

As described above, according to the present invention, an insertion portion having a flexible portion and an operation portion are provided, and a hardness varying means is provided in the flexible portion, and the hardness of the hardness varying portion and the hardness of the flexible portion are adjusted. In the endoscope in which the operating member to be provided is provided in the operating portion, when the operating member is operated so as to harden the soft portion, the hardened state of the soft portion can be locked in one or more ways. The hardness can be maintained even when the hand is released from the hand, and the insertion work is facilitated, and the operability is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an endoscope apparatus provided with a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a structure of the endoscope according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line AA and line BB of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a specific example of a cam body.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram when a hardness adjustment knob is operated.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing the vicinity of an operation unit of an endoscope according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing a structure near a hardness adjustment knob of an electronic endoscope according to a modification of the second embodiment, with a part cut away.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing the vicinity of an operation unit of an endoscope according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a front view showing the structure of a hardness adjusting knob according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of an endoscope apparatus including a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram of an endoscope apparatus provided with a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope apparatus 2 ... Electronic endoscope 3 ... Light source apparatus 4 ... Signal processing apparatus 5 ... Color monitor 6 ... Insertion part 7 ... Operation part 8 ... Universal cable 9 ... Connector 10 ... Bending prevention member 11 ... Tip part 12 ... Bending part 13 ... Flexible part 14 ... Light guide 16 ... Lamp 18 ... Objective lens 19 ... CCD 21 ... Signal cable 25 ... Signal processing circuit 26 ... Bending piece 27 ... Bending wire 29 ... Bending operation knob 31 ... Grip part 32 ... Treatment Tool insertion port 33 ... Treatment tool channel 34 ... Hardness adjusting knob 35 ... Hardness changing wire (wire) 36 ... Hardness changing coil (coil) 37 ... Soft tube 40 ... Coil stopper 41 ... Rear end base 43 ... Cylindrical tube 45 ... Wire stopper 46 ... Pulling member 47 ... Moving ring 48 ... Groove 51 ... Cam cylinder 52a, 52b ... Cam groove 62, 63 ... O-ring

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope comprising: an insertion portion having a flexible portion; and an operation portion, provided with a hardness varying means in the flexible portion, and an operation member for adjusting and controlling the hardness of the hardness varying portion and the hardness of the flexible portion. An endoscope, wherein when the operation member is operated to increase the hardness of the flexible portion, the hardened state of the flexible portion can be locked in one or more ways.