KR20120049592A

KR20120049592A - Endoscope

Info

Publication number: KR20120049592A
Application number: KR1020100110925A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 백계동; 이진호; 정희문
Original assignee: 삼성전자주식회사
Priority date: 2010-11-09
Filing date: 2010-11-09
Publication date: 2012-05-17
Also published as: WO2012064031A3; WO2012064031A2

Abstract

PURPOSE: An endoscope is provided to improve the operation of the endoscope by enhancing the flexibility of an insertion unit through the removal of a biopsy channel. CONSTITUTION: A flexible unit(60) is freely bent. A curve unit(70) is curved with a degree of freedom. An operation unit includes a curve operation unit. A leading end unit(80) is combined with the leading end of the curve unit and is inserted into a human body. A collecting unit is contacted with biological tissues and collects the biological tissues. A storage unit includes a storage chamber which stores the collected biological tissues.

Description

Endoscope {ENDOSCOPE}

The present invention relates to an endoscope having a biopsy unit mounted to the tip and collecting and storing biological tissue.

In general, a medical endoscope is a medical device that is inserted into an organ or body cavity such as a viscera and allows the inside to be viewed without a direct operation.

Endoscopes are inserted directly into the body, unlike other medical imaging devices. Therefore, endoscopy using an endoscope has the advantage of directly observing the shape and condition of internal organs and body cavity with the naked eye.

The endoscope may include a flexible tubular insertion portion and an operation portion that allows the operator to manipulate the bending adjustments of the insertion portion to adjust the curvature of the insertion portion.

In addition, the endoscope may be provided with a biopsy function of collecting tissues in addition to a function of observing organs or body cavities in the body. Body tissue recovered from the endoscope can be examined histologically to diagnose the presence or extent of disease. To this end, a biopsy channel through which the forceps device for extracting the internal tissues can be inserted into the insertion portion of the endoscope along the length of the insertion portion.

Biopsy is done in parallel with endoscopy. The forceps instrument is inserted into the body through the biopsy channel, and the tissue is collected by manipulating the forceps instrument in vitro. Then, the forceps instrument is taken out of the body through the biopsy channel and the tissue is recovered from the forceps instrument. Insertion of forceps and recovery of tissue within the body are usually performed by an assistant who participates in the endoscopy together with the operator. At this time, the forceps device may be taken out of the body, and the suction device and the suction container may be connected to the inlet of the extracorporeal side of the biopsy channel, and the collected internal tissue may be sucked and collected in the suction container.

Because the endoscope is inserted into the body, if the outer diameter of the insert is large, the recipient of the endoscopy is subjected to a great physical burden.

One aspect of the invention discloses an endoscope in which a biopsy unit is mounted at the tip.

The endoscope according to the spirit of the present invention is a flexible portion that can be freely bent; and a curved portion disposed on the front side of the flexible portion and having at least one or more degrees of freedom; Includes an operation unit provided with an operation unit; and a front end unit coupled to the front end of the curved unit and inserted into the body; and a biopsy unit inserted into the front end unit to collect and store biological tissue in the body. It features.

The biopsy unit may include a collecting unit for contacting the biological tissue and collecting the biological tissue, and a storage unit having a storage chamber in which the collected biological tissue is stored.

The biopsy unit may further include a transport unit for transporting the biological tissue from the collection unit to the storage unit.

The biopsy unit may further include a driving unit for driving the collecting unit and the carrying unit.

The collecting unit may include forceps having a space provided therein to temporarily cut the biological tissue and temporarily store the collecting unit, and the storage unit may be connected to the collecting unit so that the storage chamber communicates with a space provided inside the forceps. have.

The transport unit may include a transport bracket that is movable between a space formed inside the forceps and the storage compartment to pull the biological tissue from the space formed inside the forceps to the storage compartment.

The storage unit may include a movement preventing member that prevents the biological tissue stored in the storage chamber from being moved toward the collecting unit.

The collecting part may include a cylindrical case in which an insertion hole is formed to insert the biological tissue, a rotary shaft disposed inside the case, and a rotary blade coupled to the rotary shaft and rotating adjacent to an inner surface of the case. have.

The collecting unit may further include a fixed blade disposed around the insertion hole to cut the biological tissue inserted into the insertion hole together with the rotary blade.

The fixed blade may be provided integrally with the case to form at least one surface of the insertion port.

The storage unit may include a through hole through which the rotating shaft passes, and the storage chamber may be provided around the through hole to communicate with the through hole.

The storage unit may be detachably mounted to the case.

The storage chamber may be formed in a spiral shape around the through hole.

The carrying unit may include a carrying screw coupled to the rotary shaft.

The carrying screw may include a first carrying screw provided to guide the cut tissue to an inlet of the storage compartment, and a second carrying screw provided to carry the living tissue coming into the storage compartment into the storage compartment. have.

The first conveying screw is provided to rotate adjacent to the inner surface of the case, and when the first conveying screw rotates the rear surface of the first conveying screw can contact the biological tissue to move the biological tissue to the rear side. have.

The second conveying screw is disposed at the rear side of the first conveying screw, and when the second conveying screw rotates, the second conveying screw contacts the living tissue inside the storage compartment to bring the biological tissue into the storage compartment. Can be moved to the rear side.

The driving unit may include a transfer driving unit for transferring the collecting unit in the front and rear direction, and a rotation driving unit for rotating the rotary shaft.

The collecting unit may be movable in the front and rear directions to collect the biological tissue.

The storage compartment may have an inlet formed at one side and a tubular shape having the other side closed and the other side closed to sequentially store the plurality of biological tissues.

The manipulation unit may further include a biopsy manipulation unit connected to the biopsy unit to manipulate the operation of the biopsy unit.

The tip portion may include a mounting groove into which the biopsy unit is inserted.

The tip portion may further include a connecting member disposed in the mounting groove and connected to the biopsy manipulation unit, and the biopsy unit may be electrically connected to the biopsy manipulation unit through the connection member.

The biopsy unit may be detachably coupled to the tip portion.

The outer diameter of the flexible portion may be smaller than the outer diameter of the tip portion.

The flexible portion may not have a biopsy channel.

The biopsy manipulation unit may include a manipulation member provided to allow the operator to manipulate the operation of the biopsy unit.

In addition, the biopsy unit according to the spirit of the present invention is a collection unit for contacting the biological tissue in the body to collect the biological tissue; and a storage unit having a storage chamber for storing the collected biological tissue; and the biological tissue collection It is characterized in that it comprises a; carrying unit for transporting from the portion to the storage.

The driving unit may further include a driving unit for driving the collecting unit, and the driving unit may include a micromotor.

The collecting unit may include a forceps having a space provided therein to temporarily cut the biological tissue and temporarily store the collection unit, and the storage unit may be connected to the collecting unit so that the storage chamber communicates with a space provided inside the forceps.

The fixed blade may be integrally formed with the case to form one surface of the insertion port.

The storage unit may be detachably mounted to the case.

The storage chamber may be formed in a spiral shape around the through hole.

The carrying unit may include a carrying screw coupled to the rotary shaft.

The collecting unit may further include an adsorption member that is adsorbed with the biological tissue.

The storage room may be partitioned into a plurality of spaces to respectively store a plurality of biological tissues.

In addition, the biopsy method using an endoscope according to the spirit of the present invention is an insertion portion having a flexible to be inserted into the body, the operation portion coupled to the insertion portion, the tip portion coupled to the tip of the insertion portion, and collecting the internal tissue A biopsy method using an endoscope comprising a biopsy unit provided so as to mount the biopsy unit on the tip; Inserting the insert into the body and manipulating the manipulation portion to position the tip around the body tissue; Operating the manipulation unit to collect the body tissue with the biopsy unit and to store the biopsy unit; Removing the insert from the body to separate the biopsy unit from the tip; Characterized in that it comprises a.

Since the biopsy channel through which the biopsy device enters and exits the endoscope is not provided, the outer diameter of the insert may be reduced, thereby reducing the physical burden on the examinee during the endoscopy. And since the flexibility of the insert having flexibility is improved by removing the biopsy channel, the operability of the endoscope can be improved. In addition, since the operation of cleaning the biopsy channel is not necessary after the biopsy is completed, the time required for cleaning and disinfection for reuse of the endoscope may be shortened.

In addition, since the forceps is inserted into the body through the biopsy channel while the endoscope is inserted into the body, the tissue is collected, the forceps are removed from the biopsy channel, and the tissue is separated from the forceps. The endoscopist can perform a biopsy alone without the assistance of an assistant.

In addition, since a biopsy-related device such as a biopsy channel, a suction device, a recovery container, and the like is not required, the manufacturing cost of the endoscope can be reduced and productivity can be improved.

1 illustrates an endoscope system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a view showing the insertion portion of the endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the distal end of the endoscope is mounted biopsy unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a view showing the configuration of a biopsy unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5a is a perspective view of a biopsy unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5b is an exploded perspective view showing the decomposition of the biopsy unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6A-6D illustrate the operation of a biopsy unit in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7a is a perspective view of a biopsy unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7b is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the biopsy unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.
8A to 8D illustrate the operation of a biopsy unit according to another embodiment of the invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 is a view showing an endoscope system according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a view showing the main configuration of the endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 2, the endoscope system 1 used for endoscopy includes an endoscope 10, a light source device 20, a signal processing device 30, and a display device 35. do. The endoscope 10 includes an insertion unit 40 inserted into an internal organ, a body cavity, and the like, and an operation unit 50 for gripping by an operator to manipulate various functions of the endoscope 10.

The inserting portion 40 includes a flexible portion 60 that is flexible to bend freely, a curved portion 70 provided to be bendable, and a hard tip portion 80 provided at the tip of the curved portion 70. The flexible part 60 is composed of a helical steel band, a stainless steel wire mesh and a covering tube surrounding the spiral steel band, and is bent manually by an external force.

The plurality of curved wires 72 for penetrating the curved portion 70 in a vertical direction or left and right are inserted through the insertion portion 40. One side of the curved wire 72 is fixed to the end of the curved portion 70.

The curved portion 70 may be formed by connecting a plurality of curved spheres 71 to a connecting member such as a rivet such that the curved portion 70 may be curved with at least one or more degrees of freedom.

The front end portion 80 may be equipped with an objective lens for focusing the subject and a light guide lens 82 for irradiating the subject with the illumination light guided by the light source device 20. On the rear side of the objective lens 81, a charge coupled device (not shown) for converting an image of a subject focused by the objective lens 81 into an image signal may be disposed and connected to the objective lens 81. have.

The signal cable 83 is connected to the charge coupling device (not shown) and inserted through the insertion unit 40 and the operation unit 50. The signal cable 83 is connected to the signal processing device 30 via the inside of the universal cable 90 extending to the rear side of the operation unit 50.

The light guide 84 is inserted through the insertion unit 40 and the operation unit 50 to guide the illumination light of the light source device 20 to the subject in the body. The light guide 84 is connected to the light source device 20 via the inside of the universal cable 90. The light source device 20 irradiates the illumination light into the body through the light guide 84.

The signal processing device 30 receives an image captured by the distal end portion 80 of the endoscope 10 through a signal cable 83 and processes the image signal. The display device 40 receives an image signal processed by the signal processing device 30 and displays the image signal to the operator.

The manipulation unit 50 is provided with a curved manipulation unit 50 for manipulating the curvature of the curved portion 70, and the curved manipulation unit 50 may include one or more knobs.

The endoscope 10 may be provided with a biopsy function that collects biological tissues in the body in order to accurately diagnose diseases in addition to collecting images of subjects in the body. To this end, the biopsy channel is inserted through the insertion portion 40, and the forceps mechanism for collecting the tissue is inserted into the body through the biopsy channel. The operator manipulates the forceps mechanism outside the body to collect the living tissue inside the body.

However, such a biopsy method requires a biopsy channel inserted through the insertion portion 40, so that the outer diameter of the insertion portion 40 becomes large in correspondence with the outer diameter of the biopsy channel. In particular, when the outer diameter of the flexible part 60 is large, the physical burden on the examinee is increased when the endoscope is examined, and the bending operability of the curved part 70 is inferior. In addition, a biopsy method using a biopsy channel requires an assistant to assist the biopsy in addition to the operator.

Therefore, the endoscope 10 is a biopsy unit (52) provided in the operation unit 50 to manipulate the operation of the biopsy unit 100 and the biopsy unit 100 is provided on the tip portion 80 to collect and store the internal tissues; It is provided. The biopsy manipulation unit 52 is electrically operated and may include manipulation members such as buttons, levers, knobs, and the like. The electric control circuit is preferably installed in the operation unit 50 or the signal processing device 30.

3 is an enlarged view of a distal end portion of an endoscope in which a biopsy unit is mounted according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a configuration of a biopsy unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 4, the biopsy unit 100 drives the collecting unit 110 to collect the biological tissue, the storage unit 120 to store the collected biological tissue, and the collecting unit 110. The driving unit 140 is provided. In addition, the biopsy unit 100 further includes a carrying unit 130 for transporting the biological tissue from the collecting unit 110 to the storage unit 120, and the carrying unit 130 is similar to the collecting unit 110. 140). In addition, the biopsy unit 100 is provided with a housing 101 to form an appearance, these components may be disposed inside the housing 101.

Inside the tip portion 80 is provided with a mounting groove 86 for mounting the biopsy unit 100, the biopsy unit 100 is inserted into the mounting groove 86 of the tip portion 80. Biopsy unit 100 may have a capsule (capsule) shape, the mounting groove 86 is formed in a shape corresponding to the biopsy unit (100).

The biopsy unit 100 may be detachably coupled with the mounting groove 86. Therefore, the biopsy unit 100 is mounted in the mounting groove 86 before the insertion portion 40 shown in FIG. 1 is inserted into the body of the examinee. After taking out of the body of the biopsy unit 100 can be separated from the mounting groove (86). Then, the operator can obtain the biological tissue from the separated biopsy unit (100).

The mounting groove 86 is provided with a connection member 87. The connection member 87 may be a power connector provided to supply power to the biopsy unit 100. The biopsy manipulation unit 52 shown in FIG. 1 is electrically connected to the connection member 87 provided in the mounting groove 86. To this end, the insertion portion 40 shown in Figure 1 is inserted through the biopsy drive cable 85 for connecting the biopsy operation unit 52 and the connection member 87 so that the biopsy unit 100 is driven. The biopsy drive cable 85 may include an electrical cable for supplying power to the biopsy unit 100.

And, the biopsy unit 100 is inserted into the mounting groove 86 is coupled to the connection member 87. The driving portion of the biopsy unit 100 may be directly coupled to the connection member 87, or the biopsy unit 100 may include a connection portion 150 coupled to the connection member 87. The connection part 150 may be a power connector for electrically connecting the biopsy unit 100 and the connection member 87.

The collecting unit 110 contacts the living tissue in the body and cuts off the living tissue. To this end, the collecting unit 110 may be provided with collecting means for collecting biological tissue such as forceps, blades and the like. In addition, the collecting unit 110 may be movable to the outside of the tip portion 80 to be in contact with the biological tissue. The operator may place the biopsy unit 100 around the biological tissue to be collected and then operate the biopsy manipulation unit 52 to operate the harvesting unit 110. The collecting unit 110 may collect the biological tissue by contacting the biological tissue and removing or cutting the biological tissue.

The storage unit 120 stores the biological tissue collected by the collecting unit 110 until the biopsy is completed. The storage unit 120 is provided with a storage room in which biological tissues are stored, and at least one inlet through which the biological tissues enter is formed in the storage chamber. The storage unit 120 is connected to the collecting unit 110 or provided separately from the collecting unit 110. The storage unit 120 may be provided separately from the front end 80 without being disposed inside the front end 80. For example, the storage unit 120 may be provided in a capsule form and separately inserted into the body of the examinee.

The storage compartment is provided to sequentially store the plurality of biological tissues in the order of collection. When the storage compartment is formed with a conduit in which an inlet is formed at one side, the plurality of biological tissues may be sequentially stored in the conduit so that the biological tissues collected first are located inside the conduit. The storage compartment may be partitioned into a plurality of spaces. For example, the storage unit 120 may be formed in a cylindrical shape, and the storage chamber may be provided in the form of a plurality of storage spaces radially partitioned about a rotation axis.

The transporter 130 transports the biological tissue collected by the harvester 110 to the storage 120. When the collecting unit 110 and the storage unit 120 are adjacent to each other, the carrying unit 130 is disposed to be movable between the collecting unit 110 and the storage unit 120 to collect the biological tissue 110 ) May be transported to the storage unit 120. The transporter 130 may move the biological tissue to the storage 120 by moving in contact with the biological tissue, or transport the biological tissue to the storage 120 without being in contact with the biological tissue. As an example of the non-contact conveyance, the transporter 130 may be an inhalation device for sucking the biological tissue collected by the harvester 110 and moving the biological tissue to the storage unit 120.

When the storage unit 120 is provided separately from the collecting unit 110, the transport unit 130 is combined with the collecting unit 110 to move the collecting unit 110 to the storage unit 120. Can carry. For example, the carrying unit 130 may include a screw, a chain and a sprocket, a wire and a pulley, and the like, which are provided to move the collecting unit 110 to the storage unit 120. May include a power train.

The driving unit 140 provides a driving force to the collecting unit 110 to operate the collecting unit 110. The driving unit 140 transfers the collecting unit 110 toward the biological tissue, or operates the collecting means provided in the collecting unit 110 to collect the biological tissue. The driving unit 140 may include a power generator such as an electrically operated micro motor, and a power transmission device such as a screw, a chain and a sprocket, a wire and a pulley. In addition, the driving unit 140 may be combined with the carrying unit 130 to provide a driving force to the carrying unit 130.

Figure 5a is a perspective view showing a biopsy unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5b is an exploded perspective view showing an exploded biopsy unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 5A to 5B, the biopsy unit 200 includes a sampling unit 210 disposed at a front side of the biopsy unit 200 and a rear side of the collecting unit 210 so as to be in contact with biological tissue. A storage unit 220 disposed in the storage unit, a transport unit 230 provided to be movable between the collecting unit 210 and the storage unit 220, and a driving unit driving the collecting unit 210 and the transport unit 230. 240.

The collecting unit 210 includes a forceps 211 rotating around the hinge shaft 214 to cut off the biological tissue. The forceps 211 includes a first forceps portion 212 and a second forceps portion 213 which are hinged, and the second forceps portion 213 is rotated with respect to the first forceps portion 212 to insert biological tissue. The incision 216 is formed. The first forceps 212 is fixed, and the second forceps 213 may rotate with respect to the first forceps 212 to open or close the incision 216. Alternatively, both the first forceps 212 and the second forceps 213 may be provided to be rotatable.

The first forceps 212 is provided with a cutting blade 215. The cutting blade 215 is disposed so as to be in contact with or close to the second forceps 213 when the second forceps 213 rotate to close the incision 216. It is preferable to arrange around 216. The cutting blade 215 may be integrally formed with the first forceps 212. In addition, the cutting blade 215 may be provided in the second forceps 213 instead of the first forceps 212, may be provided in the first forceps 212 and the second forceps 213, respectively. .

Inside the forceps 211 is provided a collecting chamber 217 is temporarily stored in the cut tissue. The sampling chamber 217 is defined as a space formed by the inner surfaces of the first forceps 212 and the second forceps 213 when the incision 216 is closed. Then, the rear side of the sampling chamber 217 is in communication with the storage chamber 222 provided in the storage unit 220 so that biological tissue can be transported from the sampling chamber 217 to the storage chamber 222.

The storage unit 220 is disposed at the rear side of the collecting unit 210 and is coupled to the collecting unit 210. Alternatively, the storage unit 220 may be formed integrally with the collecting unit 210 without being provided separately from the collecting unit 210.

The storage unit 222 is provided inside the storage unit 220 in which biological tissues are stored. The storage chamber 222 stores a plurality of biological tissues sequentially. To this end, the storage compartment 222 is formed so that the inlet 223 is formed on one side, extending from the inlet 223 to the other side and the other end is closed. The inlet of the storage chamber 222 communicates with the sampling chamber 217. Therefore, the biological tissue temporarily stored in the collection chamber 217 may be transported to the storage chamber 222 by the transport unit 230.

The movement preventing member 224 is provided inside the storage chamber 222. The movement preventing member 224 prevents the biological tissue stored in the storage chamber 222 from being moved toward the inlet 223 of the storage chamber 222 and exiting out of the storage chamber 222. The movement preventing member 224 may be a protrusion formed on an inner wall of the storage chamber 222. The protrusion is formed to be inclined to the inside of the storage chamber 222 to prevent the biological tissue from moving toward the inlet of the storage chamber 222. The ends of the protrusions may be formed in a sharp shape to prevent movement of the biological tissue.

The carrying unit 230 includes a carrying bracket 231 arranged to be movable between the collecting chamber 217 of the collecting unit 210 and the storage chamber 222 of the storage unit 220. The transport bracket 231 is disposed over the sampling chamber 217 and the storage chamber 222 so that the bent end faces the front side of the biopsy unit 200. The opposite end of the carrying bracket 231 extends toward the driving unit 240 and is connected to the driving unit 240. The transport bracket 231 transfers the biological tissue from the collection chamber 217 to the storage chamber 222 by the bent end pulling the biological tissue when moving to the rear side of the biopsy unit 200.

The driving unit 240 is disposed at the rear side of the collecting unit 210. The driving unit 240 may include a collecting driver 250 for driving the collecting unit 210 and the carrying unit 230, and a transfer driving unit 260 for transferring the collecting unit 210 in the front-rear direction.

The collection driving unit 250 is coupled to the storage unit 220 at the rear side of the storage unit 220. At least one micromotor is disposed in the sampling driving unit 250, and the micromotor is connected to the forceps 211 and the transport bracket 231, respectively. A power transmission device may be disposed between the micromotor and the forceps 211 and between the micromotor and the carrying bracket 231. For example, a power transmission device such as a wire and a pulley may be connected to the hinge shafts 214 of the micromotor and the forceps 211, respectively, to transmit the rotation of the micromotor to the second forceps 213. In addition, a power transmission device such as a ball screw may be disposed between the micromotor and the carrying bracket 231 to move the carrying bracket 231 in the front-rear direction.

The harvesting driving unit 250 may be coupled to the transfer driving unit 260 to be movable. The transfer driving unit 252 may be provided in the collecting driving unit 250 in the moving direction, and the transfer guide 262 coupled to the transfer groove 252 may be provided in the transfer driving unit 260. In addition, at least one rotating plate 263 is disposed on the transfer driving unit 260 to rotate about a rotation axis extending in the moving direction of the collecting driving unit 250. A spiral groove 253 (see FIG. 6A) is formed so that the sampling driving unit 250 may move in the front-rear direction according to the rotation of the rotating plate 263. The transfer driver 260 may include a micromotor 264 driving the rotating plate 263.

6a to 6d are views illustrating the operation of the biopsy unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 6A to 6B, the transfer driving unit 260 transfers the collecting driving unit 250 to the front to bring the collecting unit 210 closer to the biological tissue. In addition, the collection driving unit 250 rotates the second forceps 213 so that the biological tissue is inserted into the forceps 211 through the incision 216 to open the incision 216, and the biological tissue is dissected. When inserted into the forceps 211 through the sphere 216, the second forceps 213 is rotated to close the incision 216. When the incision 216 is closed, the biological tissue is cut by the cutting blade 215, and the cut tissue is temporarily stored in the collection chamber 217 of the forceps 211.

As shown in FIGS. 6C to 6D, the initial position of the carrying bracket 231 is a state where the bent end is close to the first forceps 212. The harvesting drive unit 250 moves the transport bracket 231 to the rear side to transport the biological tissue from the harvesting chamber 217 to the storage chamber 222. Biological tissues introduced into the storage chamber 222 are prevented from moving toward the forceps 211 by the movement preventing member 224. Then, the collecting drive unit 250 returns the transport bracket 231 to the initial position, and the transfer driving unit 260 returns the collecting drive unit 250 to the initial position. The biological tissue may be collected and stored in the same manner as described above at other locations in the body. The collected biological tissue is sequentially stored in the storage chamber 222.

Figure 7a is a perspective view showing a biopsy unit according to another embodiment of the present invention, Figure 7b is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the biopsy unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 7A to 7B, the biopsy unit 300 includes a collecting part 310 disposed at a front side, a storage part 320 disposed at a rear side of a collecting part 310, and a collecting part ( And a transport unit 330 disposed between the 310 and the storage unit 320, and a driving unit 340 for driving the collecting unit 310 and the transport unit 330.

The collecting part 310 is combined with the case 311 and the rotating shaft 313 and the rotating shaft 313 disposed in the longitudinal direction of the biopsy unit 300 inside the case 311. The rotary blade 314 is rotated adjacent to the inner surface.

The case 311 is formed with an incision 312 into which the biological tissue is inserted. An incision 312 formed in the case 311 is formed around the front surface of the case 311 so that the biological tissue can be inserted into the case 311 when the case 311 contacts the biological tissue.

The rotary blade 314 is coupled to the rotary shaft 313 so that the blade surface rotates adjacent to the inner surface of the case 311. As the rotary shaft 313 rotates, the rotary blade 314 cuts the biological tissue inserted into the incision 312 while rotating around the incision 312.

The collecting part 310 is provided with a fixed blade 315 disposed around the incision 312 so that the incision of the biological tissue is effectively performed. When the rotary blade 314 is rotated to be adjacent to the fixed blade 315, the biological tissue between the rotary blade 314 and the fixed blade 315 may be cut. The fixed blade 315 may be separately formed and coupled around the cutout 312, or may be integrally formed with the case 311 to form one surface of the cutout 312.

The storage unit 320 is disposed at the rear side of the rotary blade 314 and coupled to the case 311. The storage unit 320 is formed in a cylindrical shape and a through hole 324 through which the rotation shaft 313 penetrates is formed at the center thereof.

The storage compartment 322 is provided inside the storage unit 320. The storage compartment 322 communicates with the through hole 324 such that the biological tissue in the storage compartment 322 contacts the transport unit 330 disposed around the through hole 324. The inlet 323 of the storage compartment 322 is provided at the front side of the storage unit 320 to be adjacent to the cutout 312 of the case 311.

The storage chamber 322 may be formed in a spiral shape with respect to the through hole 324. Accordingly, the storage chamber 322 may have a length longer than that of the storage 320 to store a plurality of biological tissues.

The storage unit 320 may be detachably coupled to the case 311. Therefore, when the biopsy is completed, the storage unit 320 may be separated from the case 311 outside the examinee and then the biological tissue may be taken out of the storage chamber 322.

The conveying unit 330 includes a conveying screw 331 mounted to the rotating shaft 313 and a rotating tooth 334 disposed on the rear side of the conveying screw 331 and mounted to the rotating shaft 313. The transport screw 331 contacts the living tissue and guides the living tissue to the inlet 323 of the storage chamber 322, and transports the biological tissue into the storage chamber 322 to the inside of the storage chamber 322. The rotary teeth 334 support the carrying screw 331 from the rear side and rotate together with the carrying screw 331 to carry the biological tissue to the inside of the storage compartment 322.

The conveying screw 331 is a first conveying screw 332 coupled to the rotary shaft 313 around the rotary blade 314, and the first conveying screw 332 is coupled to the rotating shaft 313 at the rear side of the first conveying screw 332. 2 carrying screws 333 are provided. The first conveying screw 332 is formed to rotate adjacent to the inner surface of the case 311, the rear surface of the first conveying screw 332 is rotated in contact with the biological tissue in the inlet of the storage compartment 322 Take it to (323). In addition, the second conveying screw 333 rotates in contact with the biological tissue in the through hole 324 of the storage chamber 322 to transport the biological tissue into the storage chamber 322. At this time, spirals are formed in the first conveying screw 332 and the second conveying screw 333 in opposite directions.

The driving unit 340 is disposed at the rear side of the collecting unit 310. The driving unit 340 may include a rotation driving unit 350 for driving the collecting unit 310 and the carrying unit 330, and a transfer driving unit 360 for transferring the collecting unit 310 in the front and rear directions.

The rotation driving unit 350 is coupled to the case 311 at the rear side of the case 311. The micromotor for rotating the rotation shaft 313 is disposed inside the rotation driving unit 350. The micromotor may be directly coupled to the rotary shaft 313 or coupled to the rotary shaft 313 with a reduction gear for adjusting the reduction ratio of the rotary shaft 313 interposed therebetween. The rotary driving unit 350 may drive the sampling unit 310 and the carrying unit 330 at the same time by rotating the rotary shaft 313. Therefore, it is not necessary to connect the micromotor to the collecting unit 310 and the carrying unit 330, respectively, so that the biopsy unit 300 can be made smaller, the control of the biopsy unit 300 can be simplified, and the biopsy unit ( 300) production cost can be reduced.

The rotation driving unit 350 may be coupled to the transfer driving unit 360 to be movable. The rotary drive unit 350 may be provided with a transfer groove 352 in the moving direction, and the transfer driver 360 may be provided with a transfer guide 362 coupled to the transfer groove 352. In addition, a rotating plate 363 is disposed on the transfer driving part 360, and a spiral groove (not shown) is formed on the bottom surface of the rotating driving part 350 to be screwed with the rotating plate 363 to rotate the rotating part according to the rotation of the rotating plate 363. 350 may advance. The transfer driver 360 may include a micromotor 364 for driving the rotating plate 363.

8A to 8D are views illustrating the operation of a biopsy unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 8A to 8B, the transfer driving unit 360 transfers the rotation driving unit 350 to the front to bring the collecting unit 310 closer to the biological tissue. When the case 311 presses the biological tissue by the transfer driver 360, the biological tissue is inserted into the incision 312. In addition, the rotation driving unit 350 rotates the rotation shaft 313. The rotary blade 314 rotates together with the rotary shaft 313, and when the rotary blade 314 is close to the fixed blade 315, the biological tissue is cut and enters the case 311 while being separated.

As shown in FIGS. 8C to 8D, the rotation driving unit 350 continuously rotates the rotation shaft 313, and the first transport screw 332 and the second transport screw 333 are rotated with the rotation shaft 313. Rotate together. The rear surface of the first conveying screw 332 rotates while being in contact with the biological tissue to convey the biological tissue to the inlet of the storage compartment 322. In addition, the second conveying screw 333 contacts the living tissue and transports the living tissue to the inside of the storage chamber 322 at the inlet of the storage chamber 322. When the storing of the biological tissue is completed, the driving of the rotation driving unit 350 is stopped and the transfer driving unit 360 returns the rotation driving unit 350 to the initial position. The biological tissue may be collected and stored in the same manner as described above at another location in the body, and the biological tissue to be collected is sequentially stored in the storage chamber 322.

1: endoscope system 10: endoscope
20: light source device 30: signal processing device
35 display device 100 biopsy unit
101 housing 110 collecting section
120: storage unit 130: transport unit
140: drive unit 150: connection portion

Claims

A flexible part which can be bent freely;
A curved portion disposed at the front side of the flexible portion and capable of bending with at least one or more degrees of freedom;
An operation unit disposed at a rear side of the flexible unit and provided with a bending operation unit for manipulating the curvature of the curved unit;
A tip portion coupled to the tip of the curved portion and inserted into the body;
A biopsy unit (biopsy unit) inserted into the tip portion to collect and store the biological tissue in the body;
Endoscope characterized in that it comprises.

The method of claim 1,
The biopsy unit is an endoscope, characterized in that it comprises a collecting unit for collecting the biological tissue in contact with the biological tissue, and a storage unit for storing the collected biological tissue is provided.

The method of claim 2,
The biopsy unit further comprises a transport unit for transporting the biological tissue from the collecting unit to the storage unit.

The method of claim 3,
The biopsy unit further comprises an end of the drive unit for driving the collecting portion and the endoscope.

The method of claim 4, wherein
The collecting unit includes forceps having a space provided therein to temporarily cut the biological tissue and store it temporarily.
The storage endoscope is characterized in that the storage compartment is connected to the collecting portion so as to communicate with the space provided inside the forceps.

The method of claim 5,
Endoscope characterized in that the storage unit is detachably mounted.

The method of claim 5,
The transport endoscope comprises a transport bracket which is movable between the space formed inside the forceps and the storage compartment to pull the biological tissue from the space formed inside the forceps to the storage compartment.

The method of claim 5,
The storage endoscope is characterized in that it comprises a movement preventing member for preventing the biological tissue stored in the storage chamber is moved toward the collecting unit.

The method of claim 4, wherein
The collecting part includes a cylindrical case in which an insertion hole is formed to insert the biological tissue, a rotary shaft disposed inside the case, and a rotary blade coupled to the rotary shaft and rotating adjacent to an inner surface of the case. Endoscope characterized.

10. The method of claim 9,
The collecting end further comprises a fixed blade disposed around the insertion hole to cut the biological tissue inserted into the insertion hole with the rotary blade.

The method of claim 10,
The fixed blade is integrally provided with the case to form at least one surface of the insertion port endoscope.

10. The method of claim 9,
The storage unit has a through hole through which the rotation shaft passes,
The storage chamber is provided around the through hole endoscope, characterized in that in communication with the through hole.

10. The method of claim 9,
The storage endoscope, characterized in that detachably mounted to the case.

The method of claim 12,
The storage chamber is characterized in that the endoscope is formed in the form of a spiral around the through-hole.

The method of claim 12,
The transport endoscope, characterized in that it comprises a transport screw coupled to the rotary shaft.

16. The method of claim 15,
The conveying screw includes a first conveying screw provided to guide the cut biological tissue to an inlet of the storage compartment, and a second conveying screw provided to convey the biological tissue entering the storage compartment into the storage compartment. Endoscope characterized.

The method of claim 16,
The first conveying screw is provided to rotate adjacent to the inner surface of the case,
And the rear surface of the first conveying screw is in contact with the biological tissue when the first conveying screw rotates to move the biological tissue to the rear side.

The method of claim 16,
The second conveying screw is disposed on the rear side of the first conveying screw,
And the second carrying screw contacts the living tissue inside the storage compartment and moves the living tissue to the rear side of the storage compartment when the second carrying screw rotates.

10. The method of claim 9,
The driving part endoscope characterized in that it comprises a transfer drive for transporting the collecting portion in the front and rear direction, and a rotary drive for rotating the rotary shaft.

The method of claim 2,
The collecting endoscope, characterized in that movable in the front and rear direction to collect the biological tissue.

The method of claim 2,
The storage chamber is characterized in that the inlet is formed on one side and the other side has a closed tubular shape and the other side is closed so that the plurality of biological tissues are stored sequentially.

The method of claim 1,
The manipulation unit further comprises a biopsy manipulation unit connected to the biopsy unit to manipulate the operation of the biopsy unit.

The method of claim 1,
The tip endoscope is characterized in that it comprises a mounting groove in which the biopsy unit is inserted.

The method of claim 23, wherein
The tip portion is further provided with a connecting member disposed in the mounting groove and connected to the biopsy manipulation portion,
The biopsy unit is an endoscope characterized in that it is electrically connected to the biopsy manipulation through the connecting member.

The method of claim 1,
The biopsy unit is endoscope, characterized in that coupled to the distal end.

The method of claim 1,
An outer diameter of the flexible portion is smaller than the outer diameter of the tip endoscope.

The method of claim 1,
The flexible endoscope, characterized in that it does not have a biopsy channel (biopsy channel).

The method of claim 22,
The biopsy operator endoscope, characterized in that it comprises an operating member provided to the operator to operate the operation of the biopsy unit.

A collecting unit which collects the biological tissue in contact with the biological tissue in the body;
A storage unit having a storage room for storing the collected biological tissues;
A transport unit for transporting the biological tissue from the collection unit to the storage unit;
Biopsy unit comprising a.

The method of claim 29,
Further comprising a drive unit for driving the collecting unit and the conveying unit,
The drive unit has a biopsy unit, characterized in that the micromotor.

The method of claim 30,
The harvesting unit includes a forceps having a space provided therein to temporarily cut the living tissue,
And the storage unit is connected to the collection unit such that the storage chamber communicates with a space provided inside the forceps.

32. The method of claim 31,
The storage unit is biopsy unit, characterized in that detachably mounted.

32. The method of claim 31,
And the conveying unit is movable between a space formed inside the forceps and the storage compartment, and includes a transport bracket for pulling the biological tissue from the space formed inside the forceps to the storage compartment.

The method of claim 30,
The collecting part includes a cylindrical case in which an insertion hole is formed to insert the biological tissue, a rotary shaft disposed inside the case, and a rotary blade coupled to the rotary shaft and rotating adjacent to an inner surface of the case. Biopsy unit characterized in that.

The method of claim 34, wherein
The harvesting unit further comprises a fixed blade disposed around the insertion hole to cut the biological tissue inserted into the insertion hole with the rotary blade biopsy unit.

36. The method of claim 35,
The fixed blade is provided integrally with the case biopsy unit, characterized in that to form one surface of the insertion port.

The method of claim 34, wherein
The storage unit has a through hole through which the rotation shaft passes,
And the storage chamber is provided around the through hole to communicate with the through hole.

The method of claim 34, wherein
And the storage unit is detachably mounted to the case.

The method of claim 37,
The storage chamber is a biopsy unit, characterized in that formed in the form of a spiral around the through hole.

The method of claim 37,
The conveying unit is a biopsy unit, characterized in that it comprises a conveying screw coupled to the rotary shaft.

The method of claim 40,
The conveying screw includes a first conveying screw provided to guide the cut biological tissue to an inlet of the storage compartment, and a second conveying screw provided to convey the biological tissue entering the storage compartment into the storage compartment. Biopsy unit characterized in that.

The method of claim 41, wherein
The first conveying screw is provided to rotate adjacent to the inner surface of the case,
And a rear surface of the first conveying screw is in contact with the biological tissue when the first conveying screw rotates to move the biological tissue to the rear side.

The method of claim 41, wherein
The second conveying screw is disposed on the rear side of the first conveying screw,
And the second carrying screw contacts the living tissue inside the storage chamber and moves the living tissue to the rear side of the storage chamber when the second carrying screw rotates.

The method of claim 34, wherein
The driving unit is a biopsy unit, characterized in that it comprises a conveying drive unit for transporting the collecting portion in the front and rear direction, and a rotary drive unit for rotating the rotary shaft.

The method of claim 29,
And the storage compartment is divided into a plurality of spaces to respectively store a plurality of biological tissues.

The biopsy method using an endoscope comprising an insertion portion having a flexibility to be inserted into the body, an operation portion coupled to the insertion portion, a distal end portion disposed at the distal end of the insertion portion, and a biopsy unit provided to collect the internal tissues. In
Mounting the biopsy unit on the tip,
Inserting the insert into the body and manipulating the manipulation portion to position the tip around the body tissue;
Operating the manipulation unit to collect the body tissue with the biopsy unit and to store the biopsy unit;
Removing the insert from the body and separating the biopsy unit from the tip; Thing
Biopsy method using an endoscope comprising a.