JPS5825140A - Endoscope curving apparatus by memory metal - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an endoscope made of memory metal that enables arbitrary bending operations by disposing a memory metal in a curved part near the tip of a flexible tube of an endoscope inserted into a body cavity. This relates to the viewing bay device.

A conventional flexible endoscope is constructed as shown in the perspective view of FIG. It is composed of

That is, in these figures, reference numeral 1 denotes an endoscope, which is composed of an operating section 2 and an insertion section s3, and the operating section 2 includes an eyepiece section 4 and an operation knob 6 for bending a bending section 5 provided on the insertion section 3. A flexible light guide cable 8 having a built-in light guide 7 for transmitting illumination light to the tip of the insertion section 3.
A light guide jack 9 is provided so that the light guide cable S is connected to a light guide socket of a light source device (not shown).

A temporary observation objective lens system 1G is housed at the distal end of the insertion section 3 substantially adjacent to the end surface of the light β-oid 1;
An image guide 11 is housed behind it, and an optical image formed on the end surface of this image guide 11 is transmitted to the armrest 4, and! It is configured so that the object at the tip of the insertion IIs can be observed by looking at the l@ section 4.

In order to enable observation of a wide range of objects 11 within the body cavity using the objective lens system 10K at the tip of the insertion portion 3, the curved portion iK attached to the tip has the following five curvature means.

The outer tube 12 of the bay 1■ is formed of a flexible material such as rubber,
The light guide 7 and the image guide 1 are inside the light guide 7 and the image guide 1.
1 is accommodated in the axial direction thereof, and a large number of annular joint pieces 13, 13, .

13 are cascaded in the axial direction.

``These joint pieces 13, 13...-, 13 are connected in cascade so that the tip of the insertion portion 3 can be bent vertically and in the right and left directions perpendicular to this in Fig. Wires 14 are freely supported and are used for vertical and horizontal bending operations along the vertical and horizontal supporting parts.
．． 1414.14 is the joint piece 13.13.・-, Wire receiver 15.15. - is inserted through and supported and accommodated.

Each wire receiver 1! ! , 15. . . , 15 are joint pieces 13° IL- . . . , 13 inner circumference Kll is determined.

The tips of the wires 14.14, 14.14 are each fixed to the inner surface of the tip 1111 of the insertion section 3, while the other end is extended to the operation knob 6, which has two pieces for top and bottom and left and right. By rotating the provided 6, two of the two sets of wires for vertical or horizontal wires 14.14
When the curved portion S expands and contracts, the curved portion S can be curved in the vertical direction, the horizontal direction, or a combination thereof.

In this way, by rotating the operation knob 6, the insertion s36K
By expanding and contracting the tie wires 14.14, 14.14, the joint pieces 13. In the case of the device, if the insertion section 3 is long, the response on the distal end side may be delayed even when the bending operation is performed, or the wires 14.14, 14.14 and the joint pieces 13.13.-.
Since the curvature of 13 is made only by pulling and relaxing 9 ears 14, 14, 14, 14, there is a problem that the amount of curvature is not determined by the operation of the operation knob.

Another problem is that when the wire 14.14.14.14 is cut, it is difficult to repair it.

This invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and includes a memory metal formed to expand and contract above and below a predetermined temperature between the joint pieces of the curved part, and on the corresponding side in the direction of the curve. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope bending device using a memory metal, which enables almost arbitrary bending by providing a means for heating the memory metal by supplying an electric current.

The present invention will be specifically explained below with reference to the first page.

FIG. 3 shows a first embodiment of the invention, which is constructed as described below.

As mentioned in the conventional example, there is a nearly annular joint piece inside the curved part! 1
．． 21.・A large number of -921 are stored in tandem, and each joint piece 21.21. −． As shown in Fig. 3, 21 is a pivot stop at each of the two parts 7y in the vertical direction and in the horizontal direction perpendicular to this.
22.2m, -, 22; 23.23. −． 23 are alternately held in a bendable manner.

Each of these supports 1122- in the vertical and horizontal directions
22- =・, 22, 2a, 2Ss ”-* Along the line connecting the joint pieces 21, 21..., 21, there is a wavy (single harmonic wave shape) K-shaped (shape) memory metal 2
Both ends of 4, 24 degrees..., z4; zs, zs, .-925 are each fixed to the inner surface by brazing or the like. In the illustration, (shape) memory metal 24.24.・−
, 24; 25.25° . . . , 25 are formed in a wavy shape, but the shape is not limited to this and may be in the shape of a saw, a coil, or the like.

General K (shape) memory metals are made of nickel-butane alloys, copper-zinc-aluminum rough alloys, etc., and have a structure in degrees Celsius at temperatures above and below a predetermined transformation temperature (this is the alloy used). changes, and has a shape memory effect that memorizes the shape of the low-temperature side structure (martenite phase) below the transformation temperature and the shape of the high-temperature side structure (high temperature phase) above the transformation temperature. By changing the shape and setting C, it is possible to make each shape exhibit different shapes above and below the transformation temperature.

Each of the above-mentioned memory metals (alloys) 24.24. −． 24; 25
．． 25°..., 26 maintain the shape as shown in the figure in the rutinsite phase [keep the curved part in a straight line, and in the high-temperature phase above the transformation temperature by heating, it will curve inward along the central axis of the insertion part. Or, it is formed to be deformed so as to be arched outward by a predetermined amount, and a lead wire (conductor wire) is attached to each fixed end arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions. 26.26
．．・-, 26; 27, 27. ....

27 is connected, and a pair of optional (including specific times) W! A (Connect this lead wire to 26a, 26a or 27m
, 27a. ) is configured to be able to heat the wavy memory metal (represented by 24a or 25a) heated by its leads 26a, 26a or 27a, 271.

Therefore, when attempting to perform a desired bending operation on a curved portion in the vertical or horizontal direction, the (%) memory metal 24a or 25a (but not necessarily one) located at that portion is attached to both ends. By supplying a current through the connected lead wires 26m, 26a or 21a, 27a and heating the wire above the transformation temperature, the wire can be bent by a predetermined amount inward or outward in the vertical or horizontal direction. Furthermore, by combining vertical and horizontal bending operations, it is possible to bend the object in a wide range of directions.

In the embodiments described above, each memory metal 24, 24 . ...
.

24;25.25. The amount of curvature of 25 when heated can be freely set within a wide range by adjusting the distance between both fixed ends, the number of times it is folded back in a wave shape, the length of each folded side, etc.

The third embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is different from the first embodiment described above, in which the memory metal 24 is formed into a wave shape and arranged vertically and horizontally.
．． 24.・-, 24; 25, 25. −． 25 are replaced by plate-shaped memory metals 28, 28.・-,28;29,
29°-, 29 are arranged, and each of these plate-shaped memory metals 28
゜28, -..., 28; 29, 29. −． One end of each of the joint pieces 29 is fixed to the joint pieces 21, 21°, 21, and each other end is slidably fixed.

In this embodiment as well, the shape as shown in the figure is maintained in the martensitic phase on the low temperature side, and the shape is formed so that it is warped inwardly or outwardly in the high temperature phase.

Therefore, as in the above embodiment, a predetermined plate-shaped shape memory metal 28a or 29g is connected to the leads at both ends. 126m, 2
6a or 27a, heating by supplying current through 27a,
In particular, the shape memory metal 28 may be transformed into a high temperature phase.
A joint piece 21m has a heat exchanger 29a bent inward or outward 11, and its both ends are fixed (one end is fixed and the other end is slidably fixed).

211 can be curved, so by applying the above-mentioned method to one or more memory metals 28a or 29a at a desired position, it can be curved in a wide range of directions such as vertically or horizontally as desired.

The third embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is a memory metal 24°z4. -, za
;zs, zs, .-, 25 or 28.28. ...s2
8;2L29*”Instead of s29, arcuate to semicircular memory metal io, so, ..., 30;, 31.31.
-..., 31 is the vertical and horizontal joint piece 21, 21
．． ..., 21 each recommended part 22.22. ..., 22;
23°23, -. These are provided on both sides near 23.

Arch-shaped to semicircular memory gold @ 30.30. ..., 30
;31゜31, -, each end of 31 is joint piece 21.21
．． - Insert into the insertion hole of 21 and fix with brazing etc.

Also in this embodiment, each memory metal 3G, 30. ....

30;31.31.・-131 is processed and formed so that it maintains the shape shown in the figure in the martensitic phase on the low temperature side, keeping the curved part straight, and exhibits a more curved shape (reducing the radius of curvature) in the high temperature phase. (In this case, it may be processed to increase the radius of curvature.)

Therefore, in substantially the same manner as described above, a pair (or several pairs) of glue is applied to the memory metal 30a or 31a in the desired vertical or horizontal direction by supplying current and heating it. Joint pieces 21a, 2
1m Furthermore, the curved portion can be curved in the left and right or up and down directions (however, in this embodiment, the memory metals 30, 30, 30, 30, 30, 30, 30, 30, 30, 30, 30, 30, 30, 30, 30, 30, 30, 44, 54, 54, 54, 30, 44, 34, 34, 32, 32, etc. can be bent horizontally, horizontally, etc.
31.31. ..., 31 is the memory metal 25.2 provided with horizontal and vertical traps in the first (and second) embodiment.
5. ..., 25; 24.24. ..., against 24. ).

The fourth embodiment in FIG. 6 is the heating lead wire 26.26. −． 26;27.27. - By connecting 52 adjacent JTs in series in the vertical and horizontal directions, the lead wires 26J6. −.

26;27.27. .--, the number of 27 is halved.

In this case, they are connected in series, but they may be connected in parallel depending on the case (this also applies to the following embodiments).

).

The embodiment described above can also be applied to the embodiment shown in FIG. Connect in series and twist lead wires 26.26.-, 26; 27.2
7. ..., the number of 27 can also be reduced.

That is, FIG. 7 shows memory metals 24, 24.・
..., 24; 25.25. . . , 25 (only the symbols of the first embodiment are shown) are connected in series, and a 9-domain 2
6, 26,..., 26; 27, 27. -..., 2
A fifth embodiment is shown in which the number of 7 is sufficiently reduced.

A sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 8 is a seed fi 26.26. wire connected in the embodiment of FIG.・-, 26; 27.2
7°·-927 are connected in series between the upper and lower portions and between the left and right portions of the front portion 5A and the rear portion 5B.

Therefore, in this case, in one operation, the front part 5m and the rear part SB are bent in opposite directions as shown in the figure [approximately S
When a character-shaped bending operation is performed, it becomes K.

It is possible to connect not only the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 but also in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction in combination, and as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the front part 5mm and the rear part 5B. Not only the above lead wires 26, 26 but also in three or more places.
．． −． 26;27.27.・-927 connection means can also be applied.

Incidentally, by arranging the bending portions at nine insertion points, it is possible to perform a bending operation over a wide distance range.

As described above, according to the present invention, even in an endoscope whose insertion section is several meters long or more, it is possible to perform bending operations with certainty and high reproducibility. It has the advantage of allowing bending operations.

Further, in this case F14, since the lead wire only supplies current, there is almost no risk of disconnection unlike the operating wire in the conventional example.

Furthermore, the present invention has the advantage that it can be applied even to cases where bay portions are scattered at distant locations.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a conventional flexible endoscope, FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the configuration of a conventional bending section, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the first embodiment of the present invention. The figure is a sectional view showing a second embodiment of the invention, FIG. S is a sectional view showing a third embodiment of the invention, FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a fourth embodiment of the invention, and FIG. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a fifth embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a sixth embodiment of the invention.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A memory metal that transforms at a set temperature is arranged between each joint piece in a curved part formed in the insertion part of the endoscope, and a means for supplying current to each of these memory metals to heat them is optionally provided. An endoscope bending device made of a memory metal, characterized in that it is capable of bending operation.