KR102468669B1 - Variable stiffness type endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a variable hardness endoscope that is easy to manufacture, can reduce production costs, and can minimize light loss.
A variable hardness endoscope according to an aspect of the present invention includes an insertion unit having flexibility and inserted into the human body, a guide code connected to the insertion unit and transmitting an image, a guide connector connected to the guide code, and the insertion unit. An insertion connector connected to and coupled to the guide connector may be included, and an image guide for transmitting image data and a light guide for transmitting light may be inserted into the guide code.

Description

Longitudinal variable endoscope {VARIABLE STIFFNESS TYPE ENDOSCOPE}

The present invention relates to a variable hardness endoscope, and more particularly, to a variable hardness endoscope having a guide connector and an insertion connector.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] In general, endoscopy is to observe and examine the inside of an organ of the body using an endoscope device. Endoscopy as described above is widely used in the diagnosis of diseases in the medical field because it can inspect the inside of the body without a procedure such as open surgery or incisional surgery.

An endoscopy device is a medical examination device that is inserted into the body to perform an endoscopy examination. Endoscope devices include bronchoscopes, esophagoscopes, gastroscopy, laparoscopy, and the like, depending on the region to be inspected.

In addition, endoscope devices may be classified into those for direct visual inspection, for viewing an image transmitted by glass fibers, and for taking pictures according to a method for confirming an inspection site.

Conventional endoscopes include a flexible insertion unit inserted into the human body, a universal code for transmitting data transmitted from the insertion unit, and a control unit installed between the insertion unit and the universal code to control the insertion unit. In the insertion portion, various conduits such as an air supply conduit and a water supply conduit, various signal lines, electric wires, light guide fibers, and the like are inserted and installed.

A connector is provided at the proximal end of the universal cord, and an electric connector, a light connector, an air outlet member, or a suction port member are provided in the connector.

As such, in the prior art, a light guide is separately installed in the connector, and the line through which the image is transmitted and the line through which light is transmitted are installed in different directions. Accordingly, a lens for condensing light and a lens for adjusting the focus of the image are installed inside the connector. has been installed

In this way, when the light guide and the image guide are installed separately, not only the loss of light increases, but also the internal configuration becomes complicated, which increases the production cost as well as causes frequent failures.

Publication No. 10-2009-0084110 (2009.08.05.)

The present invention provides a variable hardness endoscope that is easy to manufacture, can reduce production costs, and can minimize light loss.

A variable hardness endoscope according to an aspect of the present invention includes an insertion unit having flexibility and inserted into the human body, a guide code connected to the insertion unit and transmitting an image, a guide connector connected to the guide code, and the insertion unit. An insertion connector connected to and coupled to the guide connector may be included, and an image guide for transmitting image data and a light guide for transmitting light may be inserted into the guide code.

A variable hardness endoscope according to another aspect of the present invention includes an insertion unit having flexibility and inserted into the human body, a guide code connected to the insertion unit and transmitting an image, a guide connector connected to the guide code, and the insertion unit. An image guide for transmitting image data is installed in the guide code, and a light emitting element generating light may be inserted into the guide connector.

Here, only one lens for adjusting the focus of an image may be installed in the guide connector, and a focus adjustment member for adjusting the focal length by transferring the lens may be installed connected to the guide connector.

In addition, a light terminal for transmitting light and a video terminal for transmitting image information are installed in the insertion connector, and the diameter of the light terminal and the diameter of the video terminal are formed to be different from each other, and the guide connector transmits light. A light terminal groove for the light terminal and a video terminal groove for transmitting an image are formed, and the inner diameter of the light terminal groove and the inner diameter of the video terminal groove may be formed to be different from each other.

In addition, a cleaning groove for cleaning is formed in the guide connector, and the cleaning groove is positioned behind the light terminal groove and may be recessed from an outer circumferential surface of the guide connector toward the center of the guide connector.

In addition, the insertion part includes a spiral wrap for adjusting the hardness of the insertion part and a sheath tube having flexibility surrounding the spiral wrap, the spiral wrap forming a gap, the gap is adjusted according to the rotation of the spiral wrap It can be.

According to one aspect of the present invention, since the image guide and the light guide are inserted and installed together in the guide code, it is possible to simplify the configuration and reduce the manufacturing cost by installing only one lens while minimizing loss of light.

1 is a configuration diagram showing a variable hardness endoscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a front view showing a part of the variable hardness endoscope according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a guide connector and an insertion connector of the variable hardness endoscope according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a front view showing the guide connector of the variable hardness endoscope according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a perspective view showing a part of the insertion part of the variable hardness endoscope according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a configuration diagram showing a variable hardness type endoscope according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the embodiments, the same reference numerals are given to the same components.

In adding reference numerals to components of each drawing, it should be noted that the same components have the same numerals as much as possible even if they are displayed on different drawings. In addition, in describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted.

Also, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used in describing the components of the present invention. These terms are only used to distinguish the component from other components, and the nature, order, or order of the corresponding component is not limited by the term. When an element is described as being “connected,” “coupled to,” or “connected” to another element, that element is directly connected or connectable to the other element, but there is another element between the elements. It will be understood that elements may be “connected”, “coupled” or “connected”.

In addition, when a component such as a layer, film, region, or plate is said to be "on" or "on" another component, this is not only directly on top of the other component, but also when another component is in the middle. It should be understood that it may include Conversely, when an element is said to be “directly on” another part, it should be understood that there is no intervening part.

1 is a configuration diagram showing a variable hardness endoscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front view showing a part of the variable hardness endoscope according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

1 and 2, the variable hardness endoscope 100 according to the first embodiment includes an insertion unit 130, a guide code 110, a guide connector 120, an insertion connector 140, and a controller. (150) and a monitor (160).

The controller 150 controls bending and hardness of the insertion part 130, brightness of light, image state, etc., and a controller used in a conventional endoscope may be applied. A light emitting element generating light may be installed in the controller 150, and the light emitting element may be made of an LED. The monitor 160 may be configured as a display displaying an image or video photographed in the insertion unit.

The guide code 110 connects the insertion part 130 and the controller 150, and an image guide 112 and a light guide 114 are installed inside the guide code 110. The image guide 112 and the light guide 114 are installed to lead in the same direction and may be disposed in parallel. The image guide 112 transmits data generated by the image sensor to the controller 150 . The light guide 114 transfers the light generated from the light emitting device to the insertion part 130 and may be formed of an optical fiber bundle.

3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a guide connector and an insertion connector of a variable hardness endoscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating a guide connector of a variable hardness endoscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention. to be.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, the longitudinal end of the guide cord 110, the guide connector 120 for connection with the insertion portion 130 is installed. A light terminal groove 124 for transmitting light and an image terminal groove 122 for transmitting image data are formed in the guide connector 120 .

The light terminal groove 124 may be connected to the light guide 114 and the image terminal groove 122 may be connected to the image guide 112 . In addition, the image guide 112 and the image sensor 121 connected to the image terminal groove 122 are installed in the guide connector 120 . The image sensor 121 generates image data by converting light energy transmitted from the insertion unit 130 into an electrical signal. The image sensor 121 may be formed of various structures such as a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor.

The inner diameter of the video terminal groove 122 has a different size from the inner diameter of the light terminal groove 124 . The video terminal groove 122 is formed to have a larger inner diameter D1 than the light terminal groove 124, and the inner diameter D1 of the video terminal groove 122 is 1.1 of the inner diameter D2 of the light terminal groove 124. It can be made twice or twice. In this way, when the inner diameter D1 of the video terminal groove 122 is formed to be larger than the inner diameter D2 of the light terminal groove 124, it is possible to prevent misconnection between the guide connector 120 and the insertion connector 140. .

Meanwhile, a lens 123 for adjusting the focus of light incident on the image sensor 121 is installed in the guide connector 120 . A lens for condensing light is not installed in the guide connector 120, and only one lens is installed. Accordingly, the structure of the guide connector 120 can be simplified and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

As in the first embodiment, when the light guide 114 is inserted into the guide cord 110 together with the image guide 112, and the light source is made of a high-brightness LED, light loss is minimized and a condensing lens is not required.

Meanwhile, a focus adjusting member 125 for adjusting a focal length of the lens 123 by transferring the lens 123 is installed in the guide connector 120 . The focus adjusting member 125 is formed in a rotatable ring shape, and the lens 123 may be moved forward or backward according to the rotation of the focus adjusting member 125 .

The guide connector 120 further includes a cover 126, and the cover 126 is coupled to the front end of the guide connector 120. An opening is formed in the cover 126 to allow the insertion connector 140 to be coupled, and a strip-shaped connection band 128 is installed on the outer circumferential surface of the guide connector 120 . The connection band 128 connects the guide connector 120 and the cover 126 and may be made of a flexible synthetic resin.

On the other hand, a cleaning groove 170 for cleaning is formed in the guide connector 120. The cleaning groove 170 is located behind the light terminal groove 124, but the outer circumferential surface of the guide connector 120 guide connector 120 ) is formed concavely depressed toward the center of the Here, the rear is defined based on when the front end of the guide connector is set as the front.

The cleaning groove 170 faces the upper surface 171 and the upper surface 171 of a circular segment shape and connects the lower surface 172 and the upper surface 171 and the lower surface 172 of the circular segment shape, and guide connector 120 It may be made of a side 173 leading in the longitudinal direction of. The upper surface 171 and the lower surface 172 are formed from the outer side of the guide connector 120 toward the center. When the cleaning groove 170 is formed in this way, the guide connector 120 can be easily cleaned through the cleaning groove 170 .

5 is a perspective view showing a part of the insertion part of the variable hardness endoscope according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

3 and 5, a light terminal 142 for transmitting light and a video terminal 141 for transmitting image information are installed in the insertion connector 140, and the diameter and Diameters of the video terminals may be formed to be different from each other. The diameter of the video terminal 141 is larger than that of the light terminal 142 , and the diameter of the video terminal 141 may be 1.1 to 2 times the diameter of the light terminal 142 . In this way, if the diameter of the video terminal 141 and the diameter of the light terminal 142 are made of different sizes, misconnection can be prevented.

Meanwhile, the insertion part 130 includes a spiral wrap 131 for adjusting the hardness of the insertion part 130 and a sheath pipe 132 that surrounds the spiral wrap 131 and has flexibility. Inside the spiral wrap 131, various wires and tubes for transmitting image information and light may be installed. The sheath pipe 132 may be made of polymer or rubber having flexibility and elasticity.

The spiral wrap 131 has a spirally wound structure, and is formed continuously while forming a gap 135 in the axial direction of the insertion portion without overlapping. The spiral wrap 131 may be made of metal or polymer, and is installed by a predetermined distance from the front end of the insertion part.

Side surfaces of the spiral wrap 131 are spaced apart from each other while forming a gap 135, and the size of the gap 135 can be adjusted according to the rotation of the spiral wrap. That is, when the spiral wrap 131 rotates in the rolling direction, the size of the gap decreases, and when the spiral wrap 131 rotates in the unwinding direction, the size of the gap 135 may increase. When the size of the gap 135 increases, the flexibility of the insert increases, and when the size of the gap 135 decreases, the flexibility decreases and the hardness increases.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the hardness of the insertion portion 130 can be easily adjusted using the spiral wrap 131 .

6 is a configuration diagram showing a variable hardness type endoscope according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the variable hardness endoscope 200 according to the second embodiment includes an insertion unit 230, a guide code 210, a guide connector 220, an insertion connector 240, and a controller 250. , may include the monitor 260.

The variable warning endoscope according to the second embodiment has the same structure as the variable endoscope according to the first embodiment, except that the light emitting element 227 is installed inside the guide connector 220 .

The guide code 210 connects the insertion part 230 and the controller 250, and only the image guide 212 is installed inside the guide code 210. A guide connector 220 for connection with the insertion part 230 is installed at the longitudinal end of the guide cord 210, and a light emitting element 227, an image sensor 221, and a lens 223 are installed inside the guide connector 220. ) can be installed.

The image sensor 221 converts the light energy transmitted from the insertion unit 230 into an electrical signal to generate image data and transmits the image data through the image guide 212 . The image sensor 221 may be formed of various structures such as a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor. The lens 223 adjusts the focus of light incident to the image sensor, and may be transferred by the focus adjusting member 225 .

The light emitting element 227 may be made of an LED element, and is inserted and installed inside the guide connector 220 . The light emitting element 227 may transmit light to the insertion part 230 by being connected to the light terminal groove.

When the light emitting element 227 is installed inside the guide connector 220 as in the second embodiment, there is no need to install a separate lens for condensing light and light loss can be minimized.

In the above, the present invention has been described as an example, and those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are intended to explain, not limit, the present invention, and the spirit and scope of the present invention are not limited by these embodiments. The protection scope of the present invention should be construed according to the following claims, and all technologies within the equivalent range should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

100, 200: Longitudinal variable endoscope
110, 210: guide code
112: video guide
114, 212: light guide
120, 220: guide connector
121, 221: image sensor
122: video terminal groove
123, 223: lens
124: light terminal groove
125, 225: focus adjusting member
126: cover
128: connection band
130, 230: insertion part
131: spiral wrap
132: sheath pipe
140, 240: insertion connector
141: video terminal
142: light terminal
150, 250: controller
160, 260: monitor
170: cleaning home
171: upper surface
172: bottom
173: side
227: light emitting element

Claims (6)

an insertion unit that has flexibility and is inserted into the human body;
a guide code connected to the insertion unit and transmitting image data;
a guide connector connected to the guide cord; and
An insertion connector connected to the insertion part and coupled to the guide connector;
An image guide for transmission of image data and a light guide for transmission of light are inserted and installed in the guide code,
A light terminal groove for light transmission and a cleaning groove for cleaning are formed in the guide connector, and the cleaning groove is located behind the light terminal groove, but is concave from the outer circumferential surface of the guide connector toward the center of the guide connector Longitudinal variable type endoscope, characterized in that formed to be recessed. an insertion unit that has flexibility and is inserted into the human body;
a guide code connected to the insertion unit and transmitting image data;
a guide connector connected to the guide cord; and
An insertion connector connected to the insertion part and coupled to the guide connector;
An image guide for transmitting image data is installed in the guide code, and a light emitting element for generating light is inserted and installed in the guide connector.
A light terminal groove for light transmission and a cleaning groove for cleaning are formed in the guide connector, and the cleaning groove is located behind the light terminal groove, but is concave from the outer circumferential surface of the guide connector toward the center of the guide connector Longitudinal variable type endoscope, characterized in that formed to be recessed. According to claim 1 or 2,
The rigidity variable endoscope, characterized in that, only one lens for adjusting the focus of the image is installed in the guide connector, and a focus adjusting member for adjusting the focal length by transferring the lens is connected to the guide connector. According to claim 1 or 2,
A light terminal for transmitting light and a video terminal for transmitting image information are installed in the insertion connector, and the diameter of the light terminal and the diameter of the video terminal are formed to be different from each other,
The rigidity variable endoscope, characterized in that a video terminal groove for transmitting an image is formed in the guide connector, and an inner diameter of the light terminal groove and an inner diameter of the video terminal groove are formed to be different from each other. delete According to claim 1 or 2,
The insertion part includes a spiral wrap for adjusting the hardness of the insertion part and a sheath tube having flexibility surrounding the spiral wrap, the spiral wrap forming a gap, the gap is adjusted according to the rotation of the spiral wrap Characterized by a variable longitudinal endoscope.

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