JPH11178785A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the operability of a rigidity adjusting means by preventing the softening of a soft part against the operator's will during the operation to harden the soft part. SOLUTION: A cam ring 46 has a cam groove 47 for guiding a moving pin 45 which moves to activate the rigidity adjusting means for adjusting the hardness of the soft part. When the cam ring 46 is, thereupon, turned, for example, counterclockwise (downward) by operating force, the moving pin 45 is guided by the cam groove 47 and is moved toward a rear end side (clockwise) and the rigidity adjusting means interlocked to the moving pin 45 changes the rigidity of the soft part, for example, hardens the part. The traveling angle of the cam groove 47 comprises only the angles α, γ which are right uphill on the plane of Fig. where the soft part is hardened and an angle β of a longitudinal direction where the specified rigidity is held. The cam groove 47 is thus formed in a manner as to avoid the mingling of the traveling angles at which the rigidity of the soft part softnes.

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, an incision is not required, thereby observing a site to be inspected in the body cavity. 2. Description of the Related Art An endoscope capable of performing various treatments / treatments by inserting a treatment tool into a tool channel is widely used.

When examining the inside of a body cavity, for example, a lower digestive tract, using such an endoscope, it is better that the insertion portion is soft at the stage of inserting the insertion portion of the endoscope from the anus to the sigmoid colon. Therefore, most of the insertion portion in the longitudinal direction is constituted by a flexible portion having flexibility. However, at the stage of insertion through the sigmoid colon to the deep portion, if the flexible portion is too soft, insertion becomes difficult. For such a case, an endoscope provided with a hardness adjusting means capable of arbitrarily adjusting the hardness (or flexibility) of the flexible portion has been developed.

[0004] For example, an endoscope disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-7846 has a hardness adjusting means composed of a coil disposed in the soft portion in the longitudinal direction of the soft portion. By pressing from the rear end side to the front end side in the longitudinal direction of the flexible part, the coil is compressed and the flexible part is hardened. A cam mechanism having a cylindrical groove cam that can rotate around the longitudinal direction of the flexible portion is disposed on the proximal side of the coil. A cam groove is formed on the cylindrical surface of the cylindrical groove cam. By rotating the cylindrical groove cam, the follower meshed with the cam groove is guided by the cam groove to extend in the longitudinal direction of the soft portion. Moves and pushes the rear end of the coil. That is, by rotating the cylindrical groove cam, the hardness of the flexible portion can be adjusted.

In addition to the hardness adjusting means disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-7846, a coil is provided in the flexible portion in the longitudinal direction, and a wire inserted into the coil is provided. By pulling the coil toward the rear end in the longitudinal direction of the flexible portion, the tip of the coil fixed near the distal end of the wire is pulled toward the rear end in the longitudinal direction of the flexible portion, thereby compressing the coil and hardening the flexible portion. And the like.

[0006]

In a conventional endoscope provided with a hardness adjusting means, for example, in an endoscope disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-7846, a cylindrical groove cam constituting a cam mechanism is formed with an axis in the longitudinal direction of the flexible portion. By rotating, the follower of the cam mechanism is moved in the longitudinal direction of the soft part, and the follower operates the hardness adjusting means to change the hardness of the soft part.

However, in the conventional endoscope, since the running shape of the cam groove formed in the cam constituting the cam mechanism is not specified, even if the cam mechanism is operated for the purpose of hardening the soft part, Depending on the running angle at which the cam groove is formed, the hardness of the flexible tube may be temporarily softened. In this case, the actual change in the hardness of the soft part and the operator's perception are inconsistent, which deteriorates the operability of the hardness adjusting means.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and is intended to prevent the hardness of a soft portion from softening during an operation for hardening the hardness of the soft portion. The present invention provides an endoscope which reduces inconsistency between the change in hardness and the operator's recognition, thereby improving the operability of the hardness adjusting means.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An insertion portion having a flexible portion, hardness adjusting means for adjusting the hardness of the flexible portion in the insertion portion, a cam rotated by an operation force, and a cam driven by the cam. A cam mechanism formed by a follower for operating the hardness adjusting means, and a cam groove formed in the cam, the cam groove corresponding to the movement direction of the cam and the movement direction of the follower according to the running angle of the groove. In the endoscope provided, when the cam is operated in the movement direction in which the running angle of all the portions of the cam groove hardens the soft portion, the first angle for hardening the soft portion and the soft portion are hardened. When the cam is operated in the direction of movement to be hardened, the soft portion is configured to be formed only from the combination of the second angle or only the first angle to keep the hardness of the soft portion constant. The hardness of the soft part can be prevented from being softened during the operation for hardening the hardness of the soft part, and the mismatch between the actual change in the hardness of the soft part and the change in the hardness of the soft part recognized by the operator at hand is reduced, Therefore, the operability of the hardness adjusting means can be improved.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 15 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an endoscope system including an endoscope, and FIG. 2 is a connection structure between a bending portion and a flexible portion. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line GG of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the front end side of the operation unit, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along AA of FIG. 4, and FIG.
7 is a view of FIG. 6 viewed from a direction C, FIG.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a spacer, FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a spacer, FIG. 10 is a DD sectional view of FIG. 4, FIG. 11 is an EE sectional view of FIG. Is a diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of the cam groove, and FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the specific operation of the hardness adjusting means provided in the endoscope.

(Structure) As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope system 1 according to the present embodiment includes an endoscope 2 in which a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD 11 is built in a distal end portion 21 of an elongated insertion portion 20. A light source device 3 having a built-in illumination lamp 3a and a condenser lens 3b for supplying illumination light to a light guide cable 10 inserted through the endoscope 2;
1, a signal processing device 4 including a drive circuit 4a for driving the CCD 1 and a signal processing circuit 4b for converting an electric signal transmitted from the CCD 11 into an image signal, and the signal processing circuit 4b.
And a monitor 5 having a display unit 5a for displaying the image signal generated in the step (a).

The insertion section 20 of the endoscope 2 is provided with the CCD
11 and a curved portion 22 formed by connecting a plurality of joint pieces 12 connected to the tip 21.
And a flexible portion 23 having a flexible flexible tube 14 connected to the curved portion 22 via the connection tube 13.

At the base end of the insertion portion 20, the bending portion 2 is provided.
An operation unit 6 including a bending operation knob 6a for bending the knob 2 is provided, and a drum 6b provided in the operation unit 6 is rotated by an operator operating the bending operation knob 6a. Then, the bending wire 15 wound around the drum 6b is pulled to operate the bending portion 22 in a desired direction.

A universal cord 7 extends from the side of the operation unit 6, and a light source connector 7a for detachably connecting to the light source device 3 is provided at the other end of the universal cord 7. I have. This light source connector 7
An electrical connector 7b is provided on a side of the connector a. The electrical connector 7b is connected to the signal processing device 4 via a detachable external cable 8, so that the signal processing device 4 and the CCD 11 are connected to each other. It is connected by a signal line 19.

The base end of the insertion section 20 of the endoscope 2 and the front end of the operation section 6 are connected via a buckling member 24, and the front end side of the operation section 6 adjacent to the buckling member 24. Is provided with a substantially cylindrical hardness adjusting knob 25 for adjusting the hardness of the flexible portion 23. By turning the hardness adjusting knob 25, a hardness adjusting wire 26 constituting hardness adjusting means disposed in the soft portion 23 is formed.
In addition, the hardness of the soft portion 23 can be adjusted by operating the hardness adjusting coil 27. Reference numeral 6c denotes a treatment instrument insertion port communicating with a treatment instrument channel for guiding a treatment instrument and the like into the body cavity.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG.
The connecting pipe 13 connecting the flexible section 2 and the flexible section 23 has a curved section 22.
Are integrally fixed by screws 17 in a state fitted to the rear end joint piece 16 located at the rearmost end of the plurality of joint pieces 12,. A cut-out portion 13a for arranging the connection member 31 is formed in a part of the connection pipe 13, and the connection member 31 is fitted into the cut-out portion 13a. Therefore, the connection member 31
The connection pipe 13 and the rear end joint piece 16 are disposed on the connection pipe 13 by being integrally fixed. On the other hand, the screw 17 is removed to remove the rear end joint piece 16 and the connecting pipe 1.
3 to separate the connecting member 31 from the connecting pipe 1.
3 to slide off. In addition,
Reference numeral 18 denotes an outer tube constituting an outer layer of the curved portion 22. The screws 17 may be provided at one place or at a plurality of places.

As shown in FIG. 2, one end of a connecting pipe 32 is fitted into a part of the connecting member 31, and the connecting member 31 and the connecting pipe 3 are connected by a brazing portion 33a.
2 are integrally fixed. The other end of the connection pipe 32 is fitted with the tip of a hardness adjusting wire 26 and is integrally fixed by solder 34.
A tip of a hardness adjusting coil 27 is firmly fixed to a front end side of a hardness adjusting wire 26 extending from the connection pipe 32 by a brazing portion 33b. The hardness adjusting wire 26 and the connecting pipe 3
2 is not limited to the solder 34 but may be caulked.

Referring to FIG. 4, the structure of the front end side of the operation unit 6 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, a rear end cap 36 is integrally attached to a front end of a cylindrical tube 40 fixed to an operation section main body 61 constituting the operation section 6 by a screw ring 39. A coil stopper 41 for fixing the rear end of the hardness adjusting coil 27 is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the rear end cap 36. The coil stopper 41 has a rear end portion of the hardness adjusting coil 27,
It is integrally fixed by the brazing part 33c. That is, the rear end side of the hardness adjusting coil 27 is fixed near the front end of the operation unit 6.

A support member 35 is provided on the rear end cap 36.
They are integrally fixed by screws 37. This screw 3
A filler 38 is buried in a hole formed in the support member 35 provided with the head 7. This support member 3
5, the base end of the buckling prevention member 24 is crimped.

A movable ring 42 movable in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical tube 40 is disposed in a portion of the cylindrical tube 40 adjacent to the rear end cap 36. A pulling member 43 for pulling the rear end of the hardness adjusting wire 26 is attached to the moving ring 42.

The rear end of the hardness adjusting wire 26 is inserted through the inside of the hardness adjusting coil 27, through a through hole formed in the coil stopper 41, and
And protrudes into the operation unit 6 through the groove formed in the operation unit 6. At the rear end of the protruding hardness adjusting wire 26,
A wire stopper 44 which hooks the rear end of the hardness adjusting wire 26 so as to be pulled by the pulling member 43 toward the rear end.
Are firmly fixed by the brazing portion 33d.

The moving ring 42 is provided with a moving pin 45 for moving the moving ring 42 in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical tube 40. This moving pin 45
A long and narrow hole provided in the cylindrical tube 40 is inserted in the longitudinal direction, and is movable in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical tube 40.

A substantially cylindrical cam ring 46 constituting a cam mechanism is covered on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical tube 40.
The cam ring 46 can rotate around the outer circumference of the cylindrical tube 40.

The moving pin 45, the moving ring 42, and the pulling member 43 are followers of the cam ring 46.

The cam ring 46 is provided with a cam groove 47 for converting the rotational movement of the cam ring 46 into the movement of a follower composed of the moving pin 45 and the like. The tip of the cam pin 47 that protrudes outward from the groove of the cylindrical tube 40 of the moving pin 45 is fitted. Accordingly, when the cam ring 46 rotates,
According to the running shape of the cam groove 47, the moving pin 45
Constitutes a cam mechanism that moves in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical tube 40.

On the outer periphery of the cam ring 46, a hardness adjusting knob 25 for an operator to rotate the cam ring 46 is covered. The hardness adjusting knob 25 rotates together with the cam ring 46. Therefore, when the operator turns the hardness adjusting knob 25, the pulling member 4
Reference numeral 3 denotes a configuration that moves in the longitudinal direction.

A slide ring 48 is sandwiched between the front end of the cam ring 46 and the rear end of the support member 35. The support member 35 and the cam ring 46 are formed of the same member, but the sliding ring 48 is formed of a different material from the support member 36 and the cam ring 46, so that the cam ring 46 is smooth. Can be rotated.

Since the hardness adjusting knob 25 is installed so as to be rotatable around the cylindrical tube 40 together with the cam ring 46, water enters the endoscope 2 through a gap between the hardness adjusting knob 25. Liquid, such as fluid or body fluids, may damage the mechanism provided inside the endoscope or cause malfunctions.Keep watertight in the path where liquid can enter through the gap of the hardness adjustment knob. There is a need. A seal ring 49 keeps water tight between the inner peripheral surface on the front end side of the hardness adjusting knob 25 and the support member 35. Between the rear end cap 36 and the support member 35,
Watertightness is maintained by the seal ring 50. The rear portion of the hardness adjusting knob 25 is disposed so as to overlap with the seal receiving member 51, and a watertight state is maintained between the hardness adjusting knob 25 and the seal receiving member 51 by a seal ring 52. A front end portion of the cylindrical body 62 is arranged on the rear end side of the seal receiving member 51 so as to overlap with the seal receiving member 51, and a watertight state is maintained between the seal receiving member 51 and the cylindrical body 62 by a seal ring 53.

The traction member 43 and the wire stopper 4
Between the four, there is a play in the longitudinal direction. This play interval is set when the flexible portion 23 is in a soft state, that is, when the wire stopper 44 is moved to the most front end side.
This is because the flexible portion 23 is bent so that the rear end of the hardness adjusting wire 26 is pulled forward in the hardness adjusting coil 27 so that the hardness adjusting coil 27 does not become hard. That is, it is possible to prevent the soft portion 23 from becoming naturally hard when the hardness adjusting knob 25 is not operated.

As shown in FIG. 5, the coil stopper 4
Numeral 1 is integrally fixed to the rear end cap 36 by two screws 54 serving as coil rear end position adjusting means described later. Above the head of the screw 54, the rear end cap 36 is provided.
A groove 36a formed in the cylindrical tube 40 and a long and narrow hole 40a formed in the cylindrical tube 40 are arranged in the longitudinal direction, so that the screw 54 can be tightened or loosened from the outside of the cylindrical tube 40. I have.

A plurality of notches 36b for obtaining frictional resistance with the cylindrical tube 40 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rear end cap 36. The notch 36b allows the rear end base 36 and the cylindrical tube 4 to be fastened during the operation of fastening the rear end base 36 to the front end of the cylindrical tube 40 with the screw ring 39.
This prevents the position in the rotation direction from being shifted from zero.

The configuration of the coil rear end position adjusting means for adjusting the fixed position of the rear end of the hardness adjusting coil 27 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6, the rear end cap 36 and the coil stopper 41 are fixed by screwing the screw 54 and the coil stopper 41 together. Thereby, the rear end position of the hardness adjusting coil 27 is fixed. However, in order to adjust the hardness change range of the soft portion 23, it may be necessary to adjust the length of the hardness adjusting coil 27 in the longitudinal direction.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the rear end cap 36 is formed with a longitudinally elongated hole 36e for allowing the body of the screw 54 to slide in the longitudinal direction. . The rear end cap 36 is provided with the screw 5
An elongated groove 36a is formed in the longitudinal direction so that the head 54a of the fourth unit can slide in the longitudinal direction. For this reason, the screw 54 and the coil stopper 41 interlocked with the screw 54 are slidable by a distance a from the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 6 to the position shown by the two-dot chain line. Thereby, the fixed position of the rear end of the hardness adjusting coil 27 can be adjusted, and thus the length of the hardness adjusting coil 27 in the longitudinal direction can be adjusted.

However, due to the restoring force of the hardness adjusting coil 27, the fixing position of the screw 54 may be shifted in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, after the screw 54 is tightened, it is necessary to prevent the screw 54 and the coil stopper 41 from shifting in the longitudinal direction. The groove 36a of the rear end cap 36 is provided with a step 36c for fixing the position of the screw 54 so as not to shift in the longitudinal direction. When the screw 54 is tightened, the step 36c prevents the head 54a of the screw 54 from moving in the longitudinal direction, thereby preventing the screw 54 from shifting in the longitudinal direction.

In order to change the fixed position of the screw 54 in the longitudinal direction, the screw 54 is first loosened, and the head 54a of the screw 54 is lifted above the step 36c. The length of the screw portion between the screw 54 and the coil stopper 41 is longer than the height of the step portion 36c.
Even if the screw 54 is loosened and the head 54a of the screw 54 is lifted above the stepped portion 36c, the screw 54 can be prevented from falling out of the coil stopper 41. When the screw 54 is loosened, the screw 54 is moved, for example, from the position indicated by the solid line in FIG.
By tightening the screw 54 again, the position of the coil stopper 41 is fixed.

An elongated hole 40a is formed in the cylindrical tube 40. The presence of the elongated hole 40a allows the screw 54
Can be adjusted from the outer peripheral surface side of the cylindrical tube 40.

A configuration for adjusting the fixed position in the longitudinal direction of the cam ring 46 and a cam mechanism formed by the follower of the cam ring 46 will be described mainly with reference to FIGS.

In order to adjust the fixed position of the cam ring 46, it is necessary to first expose the cam ring 46 and the like. The procedure for exposing the cam ring 46 and the like to the state shown in FIG. 8 will be described with reference to FIG. explain. The support member 35 is slid toward the front end by removing the bend preventing member 24 from the support member 35 shown in FIG. 4, removing the filler 38 and removing the screw 37.
After sliding the support member 35 to the front end, the hardness adjustment knob 25 slides to the front end. As a result, the bending preventing member 24, the supporting member 35, and the hardness adjusting knob 25 are removed from the front end of the operation unit 6, and the state shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 8, a substantially C-shape (FIG. 9) fitted to the cylindrical tube 40 is provided at the front end of the sliding ring 48.
), A spacer 55 having a thickness d is arranged. In other words, with the spacer 55 disposed, the removed support member 35 is fixed to the predetermined position of the rear end cap 36 as before, so that the cam ring 46 has the thickness d of the spacer 55.
Just move to the rear end side. When the cam ring 46 moves, the moving pin 45 fitted in the cam groove 47 formed in the cam ring 46, the moving ring 42 interlocked with the moving pin 45, and the traction member 43 also have the thickness d of the spacer 55. Move to the rear end side. Therefore, the entire longitudinal position of the cam mechanism having the cam ring 46 can be adjusted by the thickness d of the spacer 55.

As a result, the movable range of the pulling member 43 in the longitudinal direction is shifted toward the rear end by the thickness d of the spacer 55. Therefore, the position where the wire stopper 44 is pulled to the rearmost end also in FIG. It is shifted from the position of the two-dot chain line toward the rear end by the thickness d of the spacer 55.

The sliding ring 48 may also serve as the spacer 55. That is, a plurality of types of the sliding rings 48 having different widths are formed and the sliding rings 48 are formed.
Can be appropriately replaced to obtain the same operation as that of the spacer 55.

It is necessary that the spacers 55 can be easily replaced with a plurality of types having different thicknesses d. A configuration for easily replacing the spacer 55 shown in FIG. 9 will be described with reference to FIGS. The spacer 55 whose shape is shown in FIG. 9 is formed with an inner diameter dimension that fits outside the cylindrical tube 40. The width e of the notch of the spacer 55 is smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical tube 40 and larger than the outer diameter of the flexible tube 14. Therefore, after the spacer 55 has been fitted into the flexible tube 14 from the lateral direction, it can be disposed at the front of the sliding ring 48. As a result, the bending member 24, the support member 35, and the hardness adjustment knob 25 are not completely removed from the insertion portion 20 in order to perform the work of attaching the spacer 55, and the flexible portion 23 is not moved from the front end of the operation portion 6 to the middle. You only have to shift to the position.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG. 4, and shows the configuration of the location where the moving ring 42 is disposed. As shown in FIG. 10, the traction member 43 is integrally fixed to the moving ring 42 by two screws 56. The traction member 43 has a groove 43a through which the hardness adjusting wire 26 is inserted.

The moving pin 45 fixed to the moving ring 42 is arranged at a symmetrical position on the moving ring 42. Thus, the balance when the moving ring 42 moves in the longitudinal direction is maintained.

Since the moving ring 42 has a substantially C-shape, a space for inserting other internal components is secured.

The outer peripheral surface of the hardness adjusting knob 25 is provided with a plurality of concave portions 25a for preventing a hand holding the hardness adjusting knob 25 from slipping.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line EE of FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, the hardness adjusting knob 25 and the cam ring 46 engage with a plurality of uneven portions formed on an inner peripheral surface of the hardness adjusting knob 25 and a plurality of uneven portions provided on the cam ring 46. It is configured to be fixed in the rotation direction and slidable in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion. This cam ring 46 is rotatable with respect to the cylindrical tube 40.

FIGS. 12 to 14 show the cam ring 4.
6 is a development view. In these figures, the developed cam ring 46 is viewed from the outer peripheral surface side. The vertical direction toward the paper surface corresponds to the rotating direction of the cam ring 46, and the left side toward the paper surface corresponds to the longitudinal front end side. The drawing is shown such that the right side of the drawing corresponds to the rear end in the longitudinal direction. In these figures, when the cam ring 46 rotates, the moving pin 45 travels along the cam groove 47.

As shown in FIG.
Are formed with the two cam grooves 47. The two cam grooves 47 are formed to have the same shape when the cam ring 46 is rotated by 180 °.

The running shape of the cam groove 47 shown in FIG. When a cam mechanism having a cam groove 47 having the running shape shown in FIG. 12 is used, the operation of rotating the cam ring 46 in the counterclockwise direction causes the moving pin 45 to move to the rear end side, and the hardness adjusting means to operate. The constituent wire for hardness adjustment 26 is pulled to the rear end side, and the coil for hardness adjustment 27 is compressed. That is, when the operation knob 25 is rotated counterclockwise, the hardness of the flexible tube 23 is hardened. In FIG. 12, when the running shape of the cam groove 47 rises to the left, the correspondence between the rotation operation direction of the operation knob 25 and the change in hardness of the flexible tube 23 is reversed. The running shape of the cam groove 47 is, as described above, instead of being expressed in the direction on the paper of FIG. 12 as rising to the right or rising to the left, instead of the angle formed by the cam groove 47 relative to the cam ring 46. It may be expressed by a certain traveling angle. In FIG. 12, the angle formed by the cam groove 47 with respect to the line of intersection between the cam ring and a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, that is, the vertical direction of the paper surface is defined as the running angle. Further, the clockwise direction toward the paper surface is a positive angle. That is, the running angle at which the moving pin 45 does not move in the longitudinal direction even when the cam ring 46 is rotated is set to 0 °, and when the cam ring 46 is rotated counterclockwise about the longitudinal direction, the flexible portion 23 is rotated. The running angle at which the hardness of the soft portion 23 is hardened is expressed as a positive angle, and the running angle at which the hardness of the flexible portion 23 is softened is expressed as a negative angle. It should be noted that the reference line and the reference angle of the traveling angle in FIG. 12 are merely examples for specifically expressing the traveling angle, and are based on a line parallel to the longitudinal direction or in the counterclockwise direction. The use of other criteria such as a reference in the angular direction does not depart from the spirit of the present embodiment. The running shape of the cam groove 47 shown in FIG. 12 is a straight line having a constant running angle α everywhere. When the running shape of the cam groove 47 is a straight line as shown in FIG. 12, the rotation direction of the cam ring 46 corresponds to the increase or decrease in the hardness of the flexible portion 23, and thus the hardness of the flexible portion 23 The soft part 23 does not soften when the operation for hardening is performed.

As shown in FIG. 12, the amount of rotation (also referred to as a stroke) of the cam ring 46 was set to 180 °. When the rotation amount is about 180 °, the operating force applied to the rotation operation of the cam ring 46 is not so heavy. When the rotation amount is about 180 °, the surgeon can operate with one rotation operation. It should be noted that even if the amount of rotation is other than 180 °, it is within the scope of the present embodiment.

The traveling shape of the cam groove 47 shown in FIG. 13 is composed of a first traveling portion 81a having a traveling angle of α and a second traveling portion 81b having a traveling angle of β. These running angles α and β are 0 ° <α and 0 ° ≦
β and β ≦ α. According to this traveling shape, when the operation knob 25 is rotated counterclockwise, while the moving pin 45 is initially located in the first traveling portion 81a, the rotation amount of the operation knob 25 is reduced. The moving distance of the moving pin 45 to the rear end side is large, and when the moving pin 45 enters the second traveling portion 81b thereafter, the moving pin 45 with respect to the rotation amount of the operation knob 25 is changed.
The moving distance to the rear end side becomes smaller.

In FIG. 13, the traveling angles α and β are not mixed such that the traveling angles are different in sign, such as 0 ° <α and 0 °> β. If the traveling angles having different signs are mixed, when the cam ring 46 is operated in the same rotation direction, the operability is deteriorated because the hardness of the flexible portion 23 is hardened or softened or is not uniform.
Therefore, the cam groove 47 is formed so as to have a traveling shape in which traveling angles of different signs are not mixed.

In FIG. 13, the traveling angle is the first traveling portion 8.
In addition to the two-step change by the 1a and the second running part 81b, a third running part, a fourth running part,... May be provided to change the running angle in more steps. In this case, the traveling angles of all the traveling portions constituted by the cam grooves 47 are formed so that positive and negative do not coexist.

In FIG. 13, the running shape of each running portion may be constituted by not only a straight line but also a curved line. In such a case, the cam groove 47 is formed so as to have a traveling shape in which the positive and negative traveling angles are not mixed even in the various places of the cam groove 47.

The cam groove 47 shown in FIG. 14 has a first traveling portion 81a having a positive traveling angle α and a third traveling portion 81a having a positive traveling angle γ.
A second traveling unit 81b having a traveling angle β of 0 ° is provided between the traveling unit 81c and the traveling unit 81c. In this way, the cam groove 47 may include a traveling portion where the hardness of the flexible portion 23 does not change even when the cam ring 46 is rotated.

As described above, the endoscope 2 according to the present embodiment includes the insertion section 20 having the flexible section 23 and the hardness adjusting section for adjusting the hardness of the flexible section 23 in the insertion section 20. Hardness adjusting means including a coil 27 and a hardness adjusting wire 27, a cam ring 46 which is a cam rotated by an operation force, and a traction member 43 which operates the hardness adjusting means following the cam ring 46. A cam mechanism having a follower, and a cam groove 47 formed in the cam ring 46, the cam groove 47 corresponding to the moving direction of the cam ring 46 and the moving direction of the follower according to the running angle of the groove. When the cam ring 46 is operated in the direction of movement for hardening the flexible portion 23, the running angle of all portions of the groove 47 hardens the hardness of the soft portion 23. And when the cam ring 46 is operated in the direction of movement for hardening the soft part 23, the soft part 23 is formed with only two angles or the former angle that keeps the hardness of the soft part 23 constant. I have.

(Operation) Referring to FIG.
The operation of the present embodiment will be described by a specific example of inserting 0 into a lower digestive tract such as a human body.

First, the hardness adjustment knob 25 is turned clockwise the most to bring the soft part 23 to the initial state in which it is softest. In this state, the insertion portion 2 is inserted from the anus 91 into the meandering sigmoid colon 92. Since the flexible portion 23 is in a soft state, even if a loop is formed in the middle of the flexible portion 23, the pain of the patient can be reduced. Eventually,
The distal end 21 extends from the descending colon 93 to the vicinity of the spleen bend 94. FIG. 15A shows the process up to this point.

Next, by pulling the flexible portion 23,
The flexible part 23 and the anus 91 are brought into a substantially linear state.

Here, the hardness adjusting knob 25 is rotated counterclockwise. By this operation, the cam ring 46 rotates counterclockwise, and the cam ring 46
The cam groove 47 formed in the cam ring 46 moves the moving pin 45 to the rear end side in the longitudinal direction by rotation of the cam ring 46, and the traction member 43 interlocked with the moving pin 45.
Is moved rearward, the pulling member 43 pulls the wire stopper 44 rearward, the hardness adjusting wire 26 is pulled rearward, and the hardness adjustment fixed near the tip of the hardness adjusting wire 26 is performed. The tip portion of the coil for tension 27 is pulled backward, the coil for hardness adjustment 27 is compressed, and the flexible portion 23 is hardened. Thus, the soft portion 23 is hardened to an appropriate hardness. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the sigmoid colon 92 from being bent again when the insertion portion 20 is pushed into the transverse colon 95. FIG. 15B shows the process up to this point.

However, from this state, the insertion portion 2
When the surgeon recognizes that the hardness of the flexible portion 23 is slightly insufficient when trying to insert 0 into the transverse colon 95, the hardness is further slightly increased in the direction in which the hardness of the flexible portion 23 is hardened. Need to adjust. In this state, the operator recognizes that the hardness of the flexible portion 23 can be hardened by further rotating the operation knob 25 counterclockwise. However, when the traveling shape of the cam groove 47 is not specified, when the operation knob 25 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the hardness of the flexible portion 23 is softened against the operator's intention. , You are forced to have poor operability.

The running shape of the cam groove 47 in the present embodiment includes the running angle at which the moving pin 45 moves to the rear end side when the cam ring 46 is rotated in the same direction, and the moving angle of the moving pin 45. The running angle moving to the front end side is not mixed. Therefore, when the operation knob 25 is rotated counterclockwise in the same manner as the previous operation,
The hardness of the flexible portion 23 is either maintained in the same state or hardened in the same manner as in the previous operation, and the hardness of the flexible portion 23 is not softened. As described above, since the hardness of the flexible portion 23 does not soften against the intention of the operator, it is possible to finish the hardness adjustment with good operability and proceed to the next operation. The flexible part 2
From this state where the hardness of 3 is hardened to the required hardness, the insertion portion 20 is passed through the liver curve 97 and the ascending colon 96 in this order, and finally reaches the cecum 98. As described above, in the process of inserting the flexible portion 23, it is possible to adjust the hardness of the flexible portion 23 as desired by the surgeon,
The sigmoid colon 92 can be inserted with good operability, such as preventing re-looping and preventing the transverse colon 95 from bending.

(Effect) According to the present embodiment, regardless of the state of the hardness of the soft portion 23 at the time of operation,
When the hardness adjustment knob 25 is rotated in a direction in which the hardness of the flexible portion 23 is hardened, the hardness of the flexible portion 23 does not soften.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the difference between the change in the hardness of the flexible portion 23 and the actual change in the hardness of the flexible portion 23 recognized by the operator operating the hardness adjustment knob 25 is reduced, and It is possible to provide an endoscope that improves the operability of the hardness adjusting means. Since the hardness of the flexible portion 23 is changed mainly during insertion of the insertion portion 20 including the flexible portion 23 into the body cavity, the hardness of the flexible portion 23 is within the body cavity and cannot be touched through the feeling of operating the operation knob 25 outside the body cavity. It is important to reliably grasp the change in the hardness of the flexible portion 23, and the effect of the present embodiment is great.

(Second Embodiment) The endoscope according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as the endoscope according to the first embodiment, and is therefore described in the first embodiment. Hardness adjusting means.

However, the second embodiment is directed to an endoscope apparatus provided with a plurality of endoscopes described in the first embodiment. This endoscope apparatus is composed of endoscopes of the same model or a plurality of models.

The turning direction of the hardness adjusting knob 25 (see FIG. 1) for hardening the hardness of the flexible portion 23 (see FIG. 1) is the same in the plurality of endoscopes constituting the endoscope apparatus. Unify. For example, all the plurality of endoscopes constituting the endoscope apparatus are configured such that the hardness of the flexible portion 23 is increased by rotating the hardness adjustment knob 25 counterclockwise.

According to the present embodiment, the operation directions of the hardness adjustment knob 25 for adjusting the hardness of the flexible portion 23 are unified in a plurality of endoscopes provided with hardness adjustment means. Erroneous operation and confusion due to the above are reduced, the operator becomes easier to use the operation, and the operability of the hardness adjusting means is improved.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 16 shows a specific configuration of an endoscope according to the present embodiment. The configuration of the parts not described in the present embodiment is the same as the configuration in the first embodiment.

At least a part of the cam ring 46 on the distal end side in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion is formed of a magnet. The sliding ring 48 has an electromagnet, and is connected to an electric connector 7b disposed on the side of the light source connector 7a through an electric cable through which the universal cord 7 and the like are inserted from the electromagnet. The electric connector 7b is connected to the signal processing device 4 through the external cable 8. This signal processing device 4
Supplies a current to the electromagnets forming the sliding ring 48, and this current generates a magnetic force in the electromagnets forming the sliding ring 48, and the magnetic force is attracted between the sliding ring 48 and the cam ring 46. A frictional resistance is generated by the force, and a resistance is generated in the turning operation of the cam ring 46.

The frictional resistance is set to be large enough to stop the cam ring 46 due to the frictional resistance when the operation force of the operator is not applied to the cam ring 46. When the operating force is being applied, the cam ring 46 is set to a small force that can rotate the cam ring 46 against the frictional resistance.

Thus, the operator can adjust the hardness of the hardness adjusting knob 25.
After the hardness of the flexible portion 23 (see FIG. 1) is adjusted by rotating (see FIG. 1), the hardness of the flexible portion 23 can be maintained even when the hand is released from the hardness adjustment knob 25.

At the end of the case, when the current supply from the signal processing device 4 to the electromagnet constituting the slide ring 48 is stopped by disconnecting the electric connector 7b and the external cable 8, the magnetic force of the electromagnet is reduced. Stops,
Due to the magnetic force, the sliding ring 48 and the cam ring 4
The cam ring 46 can rotate without resistance. The cam ring 46 is subjected to a force for returning to the initial rotation position by, for example, the hardness adjusting coil 27, and the cam ring 46 is returned to the initial rotation position. The force to be pulled back is set to be smaller than the operation force by the operator and smaller than the frictional resistance due to the magnetic force of the electromagnet constituting the sliding ring 48. As a result of the cam ring 46 returning to the initial rotation position, the hardness of the flexible portion 23 returns to the initial state, for example, the state of the lowest hardness. The initial state of the hardness of the soft portion 23 is not limited to the state of the lowest hardness, but may be the state of the highest hardness.

According to the endoscope of the present embodiment, the hardness of the soft portion 23 is maintained even when the operator releases or loosens the hand from the hardness adjusting knob 25, so that the operability of the hardness adjusting means is improved. improves.

When the endoscope is not used, the hardness of the flexible portion 23 is returned to an initial state, for example, a state of the lowest hardness or a state of the highest hardness. Therefore, an unnecessary load is not applied to the hardness adjusting means including the hardness adjusting wire 26 and the hardness adjusting coil 27, and the durability and quality of the hardness adjusting means are improved.

(Fourth Embodiment) In addition to the configuration of the third embodiment, FIG. 17 shows a specific configuration of an endoscope of the present embodiment. The configuration of the parts not described in the present embodiment is the same as the configuration in the third embodiment, and the configuration of the parts not described in the third embodiment is the same as the configuration in the first embodiment. It is. FIG.
, The left side of the paper faces the front end side, and the right side of the paper faces the rear end side.

A moving pin 45 for pulling the hardness adjusting wire 26 (see FIG. 1) is attached to the cylindrical cam ring 46.
There is provided a cam groove 47, which is a groove for traveling. A spring fixing portion 100 is provided at an end of the cam groove 47, and one end of a spring 101 is fixed to the spring fixing portion 100. The spring 101 is provided along the cam groove 47, and the other end is fixed to the moving pin 45. Spring 101
Is not limited to a spring, but may be an elastic member such as a rubber member.

In the case, as described in the third embodiment, the soft portion 23 (see FIG. 1) is hardened while a current is applied to the electromagnet constituting the slide ring 48 (see FIG. 16). Therefore, when the cam ring 46 is rotated, the cam ring 46 rotates while receiving frictional resistance generated by the magnetic force between the cam ring 46 and the sliding ring 48. When the operation force is stopped, the cam ring 46 is rotated by the frictional resistance. Hold position. By the rotation of the cam ring 46, the moving pin 45 moves to the rear end side, and the soft portion 23 is hardened by the hardness adjusting means.

At this time, due to the rotation of the cam ring 46, the moving pin 45 moves away from the initial position of the cam groove 47, and the spring 101 is extended from the initial state to generate a compressive force. The compression force of the spring 101 is smaller than the operation force of the operator and smaller than the frictional resistance.

After the case, the electric connector 7b (see FIG. 16)
When the current from the signal processing device 4 (see FIG. 16) is interrupted by disconnecting the external cable 8 (see FIG. 16) from the cam ring 46 and the sliding ring 48 (see FIG. 16). The frictional resistance due to the magnetic force disappears, and the cam ring 46 can rotate without resistance.
At this time, the moving pin 45 is pulled toward the spring fixing portion 100 by the compressive force of the spring 101, and the rotational position of the cam ring 46 is returned to the initial position. As a result, the hardness of the flexible portion 23 is initially reduced. It returns to the state, for example, the softest state.

In the present embodiment, a dedicated spring 101 for returning the rotating position of the cam ring 46 to the initial position is provided. Thus, the cam ring 46 can be returned to the initial state more reliably than in the third embodiment, and the durability and quality of the hardness adjusting means obtained by the third embodiment can be further improved.

The hardness adjusting means according to the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the coil and the wire. The hardness adjusting means may use a shape memory alloy or may inject a fluid into an elongated balloon to adjust the fluid pressure. It is only necessary that the length be variable with a slender built-in object such as the one that is carried out.

A hardness operation section such as an operation knob for operating the hardness adjusting means in the present invention may be provided with a display indicating a hardness level.

The endoscope according to the present invention is not limited to the endoscope for the lower gastrointestinal tract as described in the operation of the first embodiment.
An endoscope of a model having an insertion portion longer or shorter than the insertion portion of the endoscope for the lower gastrointestinal tract is included, and an endoscope for the upper gastrointestinal tract used for the stomach, duodenum, small intestine, and the like is also included.

The cam of the cam mechanism according to the present invention is included in the present invention even if it has a shape other than a cylindrical shape. Further, even if the rotation axis of the cam is not in the longitudinal direction, it is included in the present invention. For example,
The present invention includes using a substantially conical cam or tilting the cam rotation axis from the longitudinal direction.

The present invention is not limited to only the above-described embodiments, but can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the invention.

[Supplementary Notes] (1) An insertion portion having a soft portion, hardness adjusting means for adjusting the hardness of the soft portion in the insertion portion, a cam which is rotated by an operating force, and driven by the cam. A cam mechanism constituted by a follower for operating the hardness adjusting means,
In an endoscope having a groove formed in a cam and having a cam groove that makes the direction of movement of the cam correspond to the direction of movement of a follower according to the angle of travel of the groove, the travel angles of all portions of the cam groove are A first angle for hardening the hardness of the flexible portion when the cam is operated in the movement direction for hardening the soft portion, and a hardness of the soft portion for operating the cam in the movement direction for hardening the soft portion. Characterized in that the endoscope is formed only from a combination of second angles for keeping the angle constant or only the first angle.

(2) In (1), the running shape of the cam groove is at least partially curved.

(3) In addition (1), a cam mechanism is constituted by a rotating cylindrical cam, and the cam is arranged so that the rotation axis direction of the cam is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion. The cam groove is provided with a hardness adjusting means which operates by giving a movement in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion, and a portion having a running angle substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion is formed in the cam groove.

(4) In (1), the running angle of the cam groove was changed stepwise.

(5) An insertion portion having a flexible portion, and hardness adjusting means capable of adjusting the hardness of the flexible portion in the insertion portion;
In an endoscope apparatus including a plurality of types of endoscopes having a hardness operation section for operating the hardness of the flexible section, the flexible section of each endoscope constituting the endoscope apparatus is hardened. An endoscope apparatus characterized by unifying the operation method of the hardness operation unit for performing the operation.

(6) In addition (5), the operation directions of the hardness operation unit for hardening the soft part are unified.

(7) In supplementary note (5), the shape of the hardness control section is the same.

(8) In the supplementary note (5), a display indicating an index of hardness is provided in the hardness operation section.

(9) In an endoscope having an insertion portion having a soft portion, hardness adjusting means capable of adjusting the hardness of the soft portion in the insertion portion, and a hardness operation portion for operating the hardness of the soft portion, An endoscope wherein the hardness of the flexible portion is always a predetermined hardness when not in use.

(10) In the supplementary note (9), the predetermined hardness is set to the state of the smallest hardness.

(11) In the additional note (9), the predetermined hardness is set to the highest hardness.

[0100]

According to the present invention, there is provided an insertion portion having a flexible portion, and hardness adjusting means for adjusting the hardness of the flexible portion in the insertion portion.
A cam mechanism comprising a cam which is rotated by an operating force and a follower which operates the hardness adjusting means following the cam, and a groove formed in the cam, the movement of the cam being controlled by the running angle of the groove. In an endoscope provided with a cam groove that makes a direction correspond to a movement direction of a follower, the running angle of all portions of the cam groove is such that when the cam is operated in a movement direction that hardens the soft portion, the flexible portion is From the combination of the first angle for hardening the hardness and the second angle for keeping the hardness of the soft portion constant when the cam is operated in the movement direction for hardening the soft portion, or from only the first angle. By being configured to be formed, the hardness of the soft part is prevented from softening during the operation for hardening the soft part, and the surgeon recognizes the actual change in the hardness of the soft part at hand That flexible portion of reduced mismatches hardness change, thus to improve the operability of the hardness adjustment means.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 to FIG. 15 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an endoscope system including an endoscope.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a connection structure between a bending portion and a flexible portion.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line GG of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of a front end side of an operation unit.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view of FIG. 6 viewed from a direction C.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a portion F in FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a spacer.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. 4;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line EE of FIG. 4;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a cam groove.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a cam groove.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a cam groove.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a specific operation of a hardness adjusting unit provided in the endoscope.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration for fixing hardness according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration for returning hardness to an initial state according to the fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Endoscope 6 ... Operation part 20 ... Insertion part 23 ... Soft part 25 ... Hardness adjustment knob 26 ... Hardness adjustment wire 27 ... Hardness adjustment coil 40 ... Cylindrical tube 42 ... Moving ring 43 ... Traction member 44 ... Wire stopper 45: moving pin 46: cam ring 47: cam groove 48: sliding ring

Claims (1)

[Claims] An insertion portion having a soft portion; hardness adjusting means for adjusting the hardness of the soft portion in the insertion portion; a cam rotated by an operating force; and the hardness adjusting means driven by the cam. An endoscope having a cam mechanism constituted by a follower for operating the cam, and a cam groove formed in the cam, wherein a movement direction of the cam and a movement direction of the follower correspond to each other by a running angle of the groove. A first angle for hardening the hardness of the flexible portion when the cam is operated in a motion direction for hardening the flexible portion, and a motion direction for hardening the soft portion when the running angles of all portions of the cam groove are moved. An endoscope, wherein the endoscope is formed of only a combination of the second angles or only the first angles, which keeps the hardness of the flexible portion constant when the cam is operated.