Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B23/00—Telescopes, e.g. binoculars; Periscopes; Instruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodies; Viewfinders; Optical aiming or sighting devices
  • G02B23/24—Instruments or systems for viewing the inside of hollow bodies, e.g. fibrescopes
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
  • A61B1/00064—Constructional details of the endoscope body
  • A61B1/00071—Insertion part of the endoscope body
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
  • A61B1/00064—Constructional details of the endoscope body
  • A61B1/00071—Insertion part of the endoscope body
  • A61B1/0008—Insertion part of the endoscope body characterised by distal tip features
  • A61B1/00091—Nozzles
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
  • A61B1/00147—Holding or positioning arrangements
  • A61B1/00148—Holding or positioning arrangements using anchoring means
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
  • A61B1/00147—Holding or positioning arrangements
  • A61B1/0016—Holding or positioning arrangements using motor drive units
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
  • A61B1/005—Flexible endoscopes
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
  • A61B1/04—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor combined with photographic or television appliances
  • A61B1/05—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor combined with photographic or television appliances characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
  • A61B1/053—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor combined with photographic or television appliances characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion being detachable
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
  • A61B1/04—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor combined with photographic or television appliances
  • A61B1/05—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor combined with photographic or television appliances characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus, and more particularly to an endoscope apparatus that performs endoscopic examination and diagnosis in a body cavity, particularly in the large intestine.
• an endoscope having an elongated insertion portion is provided with a bending portion on the distal end side of the insertion portion.
• the bending portion bends in, for example, the up and down direction and the left and right direction by moving the operation wire connected to the bending piece constituting the bending portion back and forth.
• the operation wire can be advanced and retracted by rotating, for example, a bending knob provided on the operation unit by the operator.
• an endoscope apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-113396 can easily guide a minimally invasive medical device to a deep part of a living body tube.
• a rotating member is provided at the tip, and a rib-like portion formed obliquely with respect to the axial direction of the rotating member is provided on the outer peripheral surface.
• the rotating member As a result, the rotational force of the rotating member is converted into a propulsive force by the rib-shaped portion, and the medical force such as an endoscope connected to the rotating member moves in the deep direction in the body cavity by the propelling force. It becomes.
• the present invention has been made in view of the above-described points, and an object of the present invention is to insert an endoscope insertion portion into a body cavity such as the large intestine. While observing with a stable endoscopic image, the insertion operation of the endoscope insertion part into a body cavity such as the large intestine can be performed easily and smoothly in a short time. It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope apparatus that can improve the insertability of an insertion portion into a body cavity. Disclosure of the invention
• an endoscope apparatus includes a distal end portion having an imaging unit including an optical system, and a rotating body having a spiral-shaped portion on an outer peripheral surface.
• Rotating body An endoscope apparatus including an insertion portion that is configured so that the imaging unit does not rotate in conjunction with rotation and that has flexibility as a whole, and a rotation device that rotates the insertion portion around a longitudinal axis.
• the tip portion is configured to include a rotation suppressing means.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a connection site between an endoscope insertion portion and a rotating device in the endoscope apparatus of FIG.
• FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing a part of the endoscope insertion portion in the endoscope apparatus of FIG. 1 cut in the longitudinal direction.
• FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view when viewed from the front side of the imaging unit (camera unit) in the endoscope apparatus of FIG.
• FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a procedure for inserting the endoscope insertion portion in the endoscope apparatus of FIG. 1 into the large intestine of a patient.
• FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a procedure for inserting the endoscope insertion portion in the endoscope apparatus of FIG. 1 into the large intestine of a patient.
• FIG. 7 is an external view showing a first modified example of an imaging unit (camera unit) in the endoscope apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 8 is an external view showing a second modification of the imaging unit (camera unit) in the endoscope apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 9 is an external view showing a third modified example of the imaging unit (camera unit) in the endoscope apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the imaging unit (camera unit) of FIG. 9 as viewed from the front side.
• FIG. 11 is an external view showing a fourth modification of the imaging unit (camera unit) in the endoscope apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of the image pickup unit (camera unit) of FIG. 11 as viewed from the front side, with the rotation suppression means removed from the image pickup unit (camera unit). The figure which shows a state.
• FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of the image pickup unit (camera unit) of FIG. FIG.
• FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of a main part, showing an enlarged distal end portion of the endoscope, showing a fifth modification of the endoscope apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of a main part, showing an enlarged distal end portion of the endoscope, showing a sixth modification of the endoscope apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of a main part showing an enlarged distal end portion of the endoscope, showing a seventh modification of the endoscope apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 17 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an essential part showing an eighth modification of the endoscope apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, and showing an enlarged cross section along the axial direction of the distal end portion of the endoscope.
• FIG. 18 is an enlarged external view of the main part showing the enlarged distal end portion of the endoscope in the modification of FIG.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the endoscope apparatus of the present embodiment.
• FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a connection portion between the endoscope insertion portion and the rotation device in the endoscope apparatus of the present embodiment.
• FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing a part of the endoscope insertion portion in the endoscope apparatus of the present embodiment cut in the longitudinal direction.
• FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a longitudinal section when the imaging unit in the endoscope apparatus of the present embodiment is taken out and viewed from the front side force.
• an endoscope apparatus 1 includes an endoscope insertion portion 2 having an elongated shape and flexibility, and a predetermined portion around the axis of the endoscope insertion portion 2.
• Rotating device 6 for rotating in the direction of the endoscope, protective tube 10 for holding rotation of the endoscope insertion portion 2, video processor 7 connected by the rotation device 6 and cable 6a, and endoscope insertion portion 2 It consists mainly of a monitor 8 that displays captured images.
• the endoscope insertion portion 2 includes a guide tube 3 that is a rotating body having a spiral shape between a distal end portion 5 a and a proximal end connector portion 4. Part of this guide tube 3 Is inserted into the protective tube 10 in a loosely fitted state. This prevents the endoscope insertion portion 2 from coming into direct contact with, for example, the floor of an operating room or the like. Further, the connector portion 4 of the endoscope insertion portion 2 is connected to an insertion portion holding portion 9 having a substantially cylindrical shape force protruding from one side force of the rotating device 6.
• the video processor 7 has a signal processing circuit inside, and supplies a predetermined drive signal to the image sensor 16 (see FIG. 3) built in the distal end portion 5a of the endoscope insertion portion 2. At the same time, it receives an electrical signal that is photoelectrically converted and output by the image sensor 16, generates it as an image signal, and outputs it to the monitor 8. As a result, a captured image corresponding to the electrical signal acquired by the image sensor 16 by the video signal supplied from the video processor 7 is displayed on the screen of the monitor 8! /.
• the distal end portion 5a of the endoscope insertion portion 2 has a substantially cylindrical force, and has a camera unit 11 that is an imaging unit including an observation optical system and an illumination optical system in the internal space.
• a camera unit housing portion 5f that is supported in a loosely fitted state is formed.
• the insertion portion holding portion 9 of the rotating device 6 includes a substantially cylindrical convex portion 15 protruding from the distal end surface and a plurality of (here, two) pins 14. These pins 14 and projections 15 are adapted to fit into the connector part 4 of the endoscope insertion part 2. As a result, the rotating device 6 and the endoscope insertion portion 2 are connected.
• the camera unit 11 is formed in a capsule shape having a substantially elliptical cross section as shown in FIGS.
• An observation window 12 is provided at a substantially central portion of the tip of the camera unit 11.
• a plurality of (in this case, two) illumination windows 13 are arranged in a predetermined region around the observation window 12.
• On the base end side of the camera unit 11, a shaft-like connector portion 11a is projected from the body.
• a plurality of various cables (16a, 17a G, which will be described later) extend from the base end portion of the connector portion 11a. These various cables (16a, 17a) are inserted through the endoscope insertion portion 2 as shown in FIG.
• a plurality of projecting portions 1 lb having projecting portion forces having a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction are provided along the longitudinal direction of the capsule-shaped main body portion. It is formed at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction over the entire circumference.
• the projecting portion l ib is formed integrally with the main body of the camera unit 11.
• the camera unit 11 has a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction of the capsule-shaped main body portion on the outer peripheral surface of the camera unit 11, and protrudes toward the outer peripheral side of the main body portion with a predetermined width.
• a plurality of projecting portions 1 lb having linear projecting portion forces having dimensions are formed integrally with the main body portion of the camera unit 11 at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction over the entire circumference.
• This projecting portion l ib is a rotation suppression means provided to suppress the camera unit 11 from rotating in conjunction with the rotation of the endoscope insertion portion 2.
• the material of the projecting portion l ib for example, it may be formed of a grease member similar to the main body of the camera unit 11, or may be formed using an elastic body such as rubber.
• the camera unit 11 is supported on the distal end portion 5a of the endoscope insertion portion 2 so as to be freely rotatable in a loosely fitted state.
• a bearing member 5c is disposed on the inner wall surface of the camera unit housing portion 5f, and a substantially axial connector portion 11a provided on the base end side of the camera unit 11 is fitted to the bearing member 5c.
• the camera unit 11 is held so as to be rotatable with respect to the distal end portion 5a.
• the camera unit 11 includes an observation optical system 12a disposed behind (the base end side) of the observation window 12, and an image sensor (CCD) disposed behind (the base end side) of the observation optical system 12a. ) 16 and two illumination optical systems 13a respectively disposed behind the two illumination windows 13 (base end side), and two respectively disposed behind these illumination optical systems 13a (base end side) And a light emitting diode (LED) 17 which is a lighting member.
• LED light emitting diode
• an image signal cable 16a connected to the CCD 16 and each light emitting diode 17 are connected to the image sensor 16 and the light emitting diode 17 to the rear.
• An insertion passage is formed through which an electrical cable 17a, etc., which also has the power of the LED power cable to be connected, is inserted, and this insertion passage is connected to the insertion passage inside the connector portion 11a.
• the insertion path is a through-hole formed in a substantially central portion of the endoscope insertion portion 2 when the camera unit 11 is attached to the distal end portion 5a of the endoscope insertion portion 2 (state shown in FIG. 3). It is connected to the hole 5d.
• the image signal cable 16a and the electric cable 17a extend from the proximal end side force of the camera unit 11, and then pass through the through-hole 5d in the endoscope insertion portion 2 to It is arranged at the base end of the mirror insertion part 2. It is connected to the three contact terminals 4c of the connector part 4 to be connected.
• the image signal cable 16a and the electric cable 17a should have substantially the same voltage. As a result, it is possible to prevent various damages caused by the proximity of each cable, for example, damage to the image sensor 16 and the light emitting diode 17 due to electromagnetic induction.
• the insertion portion main body 5 is formed with a through hole 5d through which an image signal cable 16a and an electric cable 17a extending from the camera unit 11 are passed.
• the through hole 5d penetrates in the axial direction to the proximal end of the distal end force of the insertion portion main body 5.
• the insertion portion main body 5 is formed of a substantially cylindrical body having a distal end portion 5a having a substantially large diameter and having a slightly smaller diameter and flexibility.
• a connector portion 4 having a diameter substantially the same as that of the distal end portion 5a is fixed to the proximal end of the insertion portion main body 5.
• the guide tube 3 is externally provided on the outer peripheral surface of the substantially cylindrical portion between the tip portion 5a and the connector portion 4.
• the guide tube 3 has a force such as stainless steel, and is formed in a tubular shape so as to have a predetermined flexibility by winding a metal wire having a predetermined diameter in two layers spirally.
• the guide tube 3 may be formed by spirally winding a metal element wire in multiple strips (for example, four strips).
• the metal wire wound in a spiral shape can increase the adhesion between the metal wires, and various angles of the spiral can be set. Accordingly, the outer surface of the guide tube 3 is provided with a spiral portion 3a formed by the surface of the metal strand.
• the metal strand is formed by winding a left-handed spiral with the tip force directed toward the base end.
• the metal strand is preferably wound around a spiral in the same direction as the thread groove of the left-hand thread.
• a fitting hole 4a is formed in the approximate center of the surface on the proximal end side of the connector part 4, and a plurality (two in this case) of elongated pin holes are provided around the fitting hole 4a. 4b is formed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the convex portion 15 of the insertion portion holding portion 9 of the rotating device 6 is fitted into the fitting hole 4a of the connector portion 4, and the rotating device 6 is inserted into the two pin holes 4b. The insertion part holding part 9 of the two Pins 14 are fitted to each other. Thereby, the connector part 4 of the endoscope insertion part 2 and the insertion part holding part 9 of the rotating device 6 are connected.
• a plurality (three in this case) of contact terminals 4c are disposed on the bottom surface of the fitting hole 4a. These contact terminals 4c are connected to the image signal cable 16a and the electric cable 17a extending from the camera unit 11 inside as described above.
• the three contact terminals 4c of the connector portion 4 are disposed on the convex portion 15 of the insertion portion holding portion 9. It comes in contact with each of the three contact pins 15a. As a result, the imaging device 16 and the light emitting diode 17 are electrically connected to the rotating device 6.
• the insertion portion holding portion 9 has a current collector (hereinafter referred to as a slip ring) 18 having the same central axis as the rotation axis of the endoscope insertion portion 2, and for example with respect to the side plate of the rotation device 6
• the bearing member (bearing) 21 is held so as to be rotatable around the longitudinal axis.
• the insertion portion holding portion 9 has a spur gear-shaped gear groove 9a formed on the outer periphery of the base end portion, for example.
• the gear groove 9a meshes with a gear 20a fixed to the tip of the drive shaft of the motor 20.
• a preparation procedure for inserting the endoscope insertion portion 2 into the large intestine of a patient is as follows.
• an operator such as a doctor or a nurse first inserts the endoscope into the protective tube 10. Insert insertion part 2 through. Then, the connector part 4 of the endoscope insertion part 2 protruding from the protective tube 10 is connected to the insertion part holding part 9 of the rotating device 6. At this time, the surgeon fits the two pins 14 of the insertion portion holding portion 9 into the two pin holes 4b of the connector portion 4, respectively, and fits the convex portion 15 of the insertion portion holding portion 9 to the connector portion 4. Fit into hole 4a. Thereby, the preparation for inserting the endoscope insertion portion 2 into the large intestine is completed. Preparation of this endoscope insertion part 2 In both cases, the video processor 7 and the monitor 8 are prepared, for example, the power supply is turned on and switched to the standby state.
• the operator grasps the distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion 2 and lies down on a bed or the like. From the patient's anus 71 (see FIG. 5), the operator inserts the distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion 2 into the large intestine. Insert inside. Then, the spiral-shaped portion 3a formed on the outer surface of the guide tube 3 of the endoscope insertion portion 2 comes into contact with the intestinal wall of the patient. At this time, the contact state between the spiral-shaped portion 3a and the intestinal wall is the relationship between the male screw and the female screw.
• the operator turns the motor 20 of the rotating device 6 into a driving state in the left rotation direction around the axis of the endoscope insertion portion 2. Then, the endoscope insertion part 2 rotates leftward about the axis in the insertion direction, and the connector part 4 of the endoscope insertion part 2 attached to the insertion part holding part 9 moves in the insertion direction. Rotate counterclockwise around the axis. This rotation is transmitted from the proximal end portion to the distal end side, and the helically shaped portion 3a of the guide tube 3 of the endoscope insertion portion 2 is rotated leftward about the axis so as to move from the distal end side to the proximal end side. become.
• the camera unit 11 disposed at the distal end portion of the endoscope insertion section 2 also tries to rotate in the same direction.
• the camera cut 11 is disposed so as to be rotatable with respect to the distal end portion 5a of the endoscope insertion portion 2, and the protruding portion l ib (rotation suppressing means) of the force camera unit 11 is provided.
• the protruding portion l ib rotation suppressing means
• the endoscope insertion portion 2 thus inserted from the anus 71 advances from the rectum 72 to the sigmoid colon portion 73 by its own propulsive force and the operator's hand operation. Then, the endoscope insertion part 2 reaches the sigmoid colon part 73 (state shown in FIG. 5). At this time, the guide tube of the endoscope insertion part 2 Due to the contact between the spiral-shaped portion 3a and the intestinal wall, the endoscope insertion portion 2 can obtain a stable propulsive force even when it is bent in a complicated manner. In addition, since the endoscope insertion part 2 has a predetermined flexibility, the progress state of the sigmoid colon part 73 whose position easily changes can be prevented smoothly along the intestinal wall. Go forward. Note that when the endoscope insertion portion 2 passes through the sigmoid colon portion 73, the endoscope insertion portion 2 may smoothly advance along the intestinal wall while forming an ⁇ loop shape.
• the endoscope insertion part 2 in the rotated state passes through the sigmoid colon part 73, the endoscope insertion part 2 is connected to the sigmoid colon part 73 and the descending colon part 74 having poor mobility.
• Bending part that is the boundary splenic fold part 76 that is the boundary between the descending colon part 74 and the flexible transverse colon part 75, liver fold part 77 that is the boundary between the transverse colon 75 and the ascending colon 78, etc.
• the operator confirms the image of the large intestine displayed on the screen of the monitor 8 while checking the image of the endoscope insertion portion 2. Insert the endoscope insertion part 2 to the deep part of the large intestine by pushing the pushing force and pushing the grasping endoscope insertion part 2 forward. At this time, since the camera unit 11 is prevented from rotating in conjunction with the rotation of the endoscope insertion section 2, a normal endoscopic image is always displayed on the screen of the monitor 8. Will be displayed.
• the operator inserts the endoscope insertion portion 2 into the deep part of the large intestine while checking the screen of the monitor 8.
• the rotation speed of the rotating device 6 is varied, or the endoscope insertion part 2 is pushed into the deep part of the large intestine while performing a manual operation.
• the surgeon determines that the distal end portion (camera unit 11) of the endoscope insertion portion 2 has reached the vicinity of the cecum portion 79, the surgeon stops driving the rotating device 6 and performs endoscopy in the large intestine.
• the operation to perform that is, the bow I rewinding operation of the endoscope insertion portion 2 is performed.
• the surgeon rotates the rotation device 6 in the right direction around the axis directed from the proximal end to the distal end of the endoscope insertion portion 2 while moving the endoscope insertion portion. You may perform the pull-back operation of 2.
• the surgeon first moves the endoscope insertion portion 2 around the axis. While rotating around the left, the monitor 8 screen can be inserted through to the target site in the large intestine. Therefore, the operator can perform the operation while easily confirming various bending states in the large intestine and the insertion state of the endoscope insertion portion 2, so that the endoscope insertion portion 2 can be smoothly and quickly operated in the large intestine. Etc., and can be inserted deep into the body cavity.
• the spiral-shaped portion 3a is provided on the outer surface of the guide tube 3, so
• the contact state between the spiral-shaped portion 3a of the guide tube 3 and the fold of the intestinal wall is a so-called relationship between a male screw and a female screw.
• the insertion unit holding unit 9 is driven to rotate leftward about the axis by the motor 20 of the rotating device 6 and the endoscope insertion unit 2 is rotated leftward about the axis, so that the rotational force is converted into propulsive force.
• the endoscope insertion part 2 can be advanced toward the deep part of the large intestine while rotating so that the male screw moves relative to the female screw.
• the endoscope device 1 of the present embodiment when the endoscope insertion portion 2 is inserted into a body cavity such as the large intestine, in addition to the propulsive force of the endoscope insertion portion 2, Since the operator can insert the endoscope insertion portion into the body cavity such as the large intestine while observing the inside of the body cavity such as the large intestine, the insertability of the endoscope insertion portion 2 into the body cavity is improved.
• the body cavity into which the insertion part of the endoscope is inserted is described as the large intestine.
• the body cavity into which the endoscope insertion part 2 is inserted is limited to the large intestine. It may be a body cavity from the oral cavity to the esophagus, stomach and small intestine.
• the camera unit 11 is rotatably arranged with respect to the distal end portion 5a of the endoscope insertion portion 2, and a capsule-like main body portion of the camera unit 11 is disposed on the outer surface of the camera unit 11.
• a plurality of protrusions 1 lb having a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction are integrally formed at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction along the entire circumference. Therefore, when the endoscope insertion part 2 is inserted into the large intestine, the camera unit 11 itself is prevented from rotating due to the protruding part ib of the camera unit 11 coming into contact with the intestinal wall. Therefore, the image displayed on the monitor 8 can be a normal endoscopic image that does not always rotate.
• the protruding portion l ib that is the rotation suppressing means is formed integrally with the main body portion of the camera unit 11, but the protruding portion is not limited to this. 1 lb may be configured to be removable from the camera unit 11 body! /.
• the shape of the projecting portion l ib is a linear projecting portion having a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction of the main body portion of the camera unit 11 on the outer peripheral surface of the camera unit 11.
• the following various shapes are conceivable.
• FIG. 7 is an external view showing a first modification of the imaging unit (camera unit) in the endoscope apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
• the rotation suppression means is formed of a linear protrusion having a predetermined width dimension similar to that of the above-described embodiment on the outer peripheral surface of the main body.
• a plurality of protrusions 11 Ab are formed.
• the projecting portion l lAb is formed so as to be inclined with respect to the axial direction of the endoscope insertion portion 2 and wound around the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion of the camera unit 11A. .
• the ridge direction of the projecting portion l lAb is formed in a direction opposite to the heel direction of the spiral-shaped portion 3a of the guide tube 3.
• the camera unit 11A has a spiral of the guide tube 3 due to the protruding portion lAb. A rotation in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the shape portion 3a occurs. As a result, the rotation of the camera unit 11A is relatively suppressed.
• FIG. 8 is an external view showing a second modification of the imaging unit (camera unit) in the endoscope apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
• the camera unit 11B which is the imaging unit of this example, a projecting portion lBb that is a rotation suppressing means and is formed of a plurality of minute projections is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the main body.
• the protrusions lBb are formed by forming minute protrusions on the outer peripheral surface of the main body of the camera unit 11B, for example, by sandblasting.
• FIG. 9 and 10 show a third modification of the imaging unit (camera unit) in the endoscope apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention
• FIG. 9 is an external view thereof
• FIG. Imaging menu It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view when seeing the camera (camera unit) from the front side.
• the protruding portion l ib that is substantially the same shape as the above-described embodiment (see FIGS. 1, 2 and the like) is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the main body. It is formed only in the area.
• the projecting portion l ib is formed in the lower half region on the outer peripheral surface in a cross section from the front as shown in FIG. 10, for example.
• the capsule-like camera unit 11C has a position where the center of gravity with respect to the rotation center axis is decentered. In this case, the center of gravity is set to be located on the lower side of the camera unit 11C!
• the protrusion l ib suppresses the rotation of the camera unit 11C, and at the same time, the camera unit 11C easily rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the guide tube 3.
• the posture of the camera unit 11C is maintained in a state where the protruding portion l ib is always positioned below.
• FIGS. 11 to 13 show a fourth modification of the imaging unit (camera unit) in the endoscope apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention
• FIG. 11 is an external view thereof
• FIGS. Fig. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of the imaging unit (camera unit) when viewed from the front side.
• FIG. 12 shows a state in which the rotation suppression means is removed from the camera unit that is the imaging unit
• FIG. 13 shows that the rotation suppression means is attached to the imaging unit (camera unit).
• the rotation suppressing member 11Db that is the rotation suppressing means is detachably disposed at a predetermined portion on the outer peripheral surface of the main body. Yes.
• the rotation suppressing member lDb is made of a member having a specific gravity higher than that of the member forming the main body of the camera cut 11F.
• a mounting portion 11c having a cross section similar to the cross sectional shape of the rotation suppressing member lDb is formed at a predetermined portion of the camera unit 1 ID.
• the surface of the main body portion of the camera unit 11D is formed to be substantially the same surface.
• the rotation restraining member 11 may be fitted and attached to the mounting portion 1 lc by a predetermined locking method, for example, and the predetermined adhesive member is attached to the mounting portion 1 lc by using a predetermined adhesive member V. It may be a form like this!
• the rotation suppressing member lDb is detachably disposed with respect to the camera unit 11D.
• the present invention is not limited to this, and the rotation suppressing member llDb is bonded. It may be fixed to the camera unit 11D by means such as.
• the position of the body portion forming a part of the camera unit 11D that is the imaging unit is such that the position of the center of gravity of the body portion is also decentered from the rotational center axial force (lower You may form so that it may become a position close
• the position of the center of gravity of the body portion is also decentered from the rotational center axial force (lower You may form so that it may become a position close
• the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to endoscopes having the following forms.
• FIG. 14 shows a fifth modification of the endoscope apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, and is an enlarged view of a main part showing the endoscope distal end portion in an enlarged manner.
• the configuration of the distal end side of the endoscope insertion portion 2 in this example is such that the distal end portion 5Ea is loosely fitted to the distal end side of the guide tube 3 that is rotatably arranged with respect to the guide tube 3. Is arranged.
• a camera unit 11E which is an imaging unit, is built in the tip 5Ea.
• the protrusion 5Eb which is a rotation suppressing means having the same shape as the protrusion ib of the camera unit 11 in the above-described embodiment, is substantially circumferential in the circumferential direction. It is formed integrally with the tip 5 Ea at equal intervals. Thereby, when the guide tube 3 rotates, the rotation of the distal end portion 5Ea is suppressed by the protruding portion 5Eb.
• the shape of the protrusion 5Eb of the tip 5Ea is not limited to that shown in FIG. 14, and for example, the same shape as that shown in each of the above-described modifications can be applied. The same effects can be obtained by applying those shapes.
• FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of a main part, showing a sixth modification of the endoscope apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which the distal end portion of the endoscope is enlarged.
• the endoscope insertion part 2 in this example is an imaging unit. This is a so-called over-tube type with an endoscope tube 32 having an IF and an over-tube 31 through which the endoscope is inserted.
• the configuration on the distal end side of the endoscope insertion portion 2 includes a distal end portion 5Fa in which a protruding portion 5Fb is integrally provided on the outer peripheral surface (similar to the fifth modified example described above) and the distal end.
• Endoscope 31 comprising a guide tube 3 connected to the base end side of the part 5Fa, and an endoscope scope 32 through which the camera unit 11F is fixedly attached to the body. It consists of.
• projecting portions 5Fb as rotation suppressing means are formed integrally with the distal end portion 5Fa at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction over the entire circumference. . Further, the distal end portion 5Fa is disposed in a loosely fitted state so as to be rotatable with respect to the guide tube 3.
• a camera unit 11F is built in the front end 5Fa.
• the protruding portion 5Fb which is the same shape as the protruding portion l ib of the camera unit 11 in the above-described embodiment, is substantially equal in the circumferential direction over the entire circumference. It is formed integrally with the tip 5Fa at intervals.
• the shape of the protruding portion 5Fb of the distal end portion 5Fa is not limited to that shown in FIG. 15, and for example, those having the same shape as those shown in the above-described modifications can be applied. The same effects can be obtained by applying those shapes.
• FIG. 16 is a principal part enlarged view showing an enlarged distal end portion of the endoscope, showing a seventh modification example of the endoscope apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
• the endoscope insertion section 2 of this example is a so-called overtube type comprising an endoscope scope 32G having a camera unit 11G as an imaging unit and an overtube 31 through which the endoscope scope 32G is inserted.
• the overtube 31 has the same configuration force as that shown in the sixth modified example.
• the endoscope scope 32G also has substantially the same structural force as that shown in the sixth modified example described above.
• a rotation restraining hand is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the camera unit 11G disposed integrally at the tip.
• the projecting part 11Gb which is a step, is integrally formed at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction over the entire circumference.
• the endoscope scope 32G is also provided with the projection 11Gb which is a rotation suppression means. Therefore, when the guide tube 3 rotates, the overtube 31
• the protrusion 5Fb suppresses the rotation of the tip 5Fa
• the protrusion 11Gb of the endoscope scope 32 suppresses the rotation of the scope 32 itself, thereby further stabilizing the posture of the endoscope scope 32. Can be maintained.
• the shape of the protruding portion 5Fb of the distal end portion 5Fa of the overtube 31 and the protruding portion 11Gb of the endoscope scope 32 are not limited to those shown in FIG. Those having the same shape as those shown in FIG. The same effects can be obtained by applying these shapes.
• FIGS. 17 and 18 show an eighth modification of the endoscope apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention
• FIG. 17 shows an enlarged cross section along the axial direction of the distal end portion of the endoscope. It is a principal part expanded sectional view shown.
• FIG. 18 is an enlarged external view of a main part showing the endoscope distal end portion in an enlarged manner.
• This example shows an integrated endoscope insertion portion 2G in which the guide tube 3 is configured as a body. That is, as shown in FIG. 17, the distal end side of the endoscope insertion portion 2G has a distal end portion 5Ga disposed at the most distal end side, and a guide tube abutment continuously provided on the proximal end side of the distal end portion 5Ga.
• the member 26 is constituted by the guide tube abutting member 26 and the guide tube 3 and the like that are rotatably disposed on the proximal end side.
• an observation optical system 12a Inside the distal end portion 5Ga, there are an observation optical system 12a, an imaging device (CCD) 16 disposed on the rear side (base end side) of the observation optical system 12a, and the front side of the distal end portion 5Ga (
• the illumination member 17 such as a light guide or a light emitting diode (LED) provided near the peripheral edge of the observation optical system 12a as viewed from the direction of the arrow X in FIG. 17 and a lens similarly provided near the peripheral edge of the observation optical system 12a.
• a cleaning nozzle 28a, a channel pipe 29 arranged so as to penetrate the inside of the tip portion 5Ga in the axial direction, and the like are provided.
• One end of the lens cleaning nozzle 28a is connected to the air / water supply tube 28 inside the tip 5Ga.
• This air / water supply tube 28 penetrates the inside of the distal end portion 5Ga toward the proximal end side. Furthermore, the air / water tube 28 extends outward from the tip 5Ga. I'm out.
• the air / water supply tube 28 is inserted through the guide tube abutting member 26 and the inside of the guide tube 3 and the other end is connected to a device (not particularly shown) for realizing a predetermined air / water supply function. ing.
• the signal cable 16a and the electric cable 17a are directed toward the proximal end side in the same manner as the air / water supply tube 28 described above. The inside of is passed. Then, the signal cable 16a and the electric cable 17a are inserted through the guide tube abutting member 26 and the guide tube 3 and extended to a predetermined device (not particularly shown), and are electrically connected to the device. Connection is made.
• the channel pipe 29 also penetrates the inside of the distal end portion 5Ga in the axial direction, and then passes through the inside of the guide tube abutting member 26 and the guide tube 3 to provide an endoscope operation section (not shown). Connected to the treatment instrument insertion port provided in the
• the outer periphery of the channel pipe 29, the signal cable 16 a, the electric cable 17 a, the air / water supply tube 28, etc. is covered with the insertion portion outer tube 27.
• a small-diameter portion 26c on the base end side of the guide tube abutting member 26 is connected to the distal end of the insertion portion outer tube 27.
• a guide tube 3 formed in a spiral shaft shape is rotatably disposed outside the insertion portion exterior tube 27 so as to cover the tube.
• the guide tube abutting member 26 is provided between the proximal end side of the distal end portion 5Ga and the insertion portion exterior tube 27 and serves to connect the two. That is, the proximal end side of the guide tube abutting member 26 is formed by a small diameter portion 26 c that is watertightly connected to the inner peripheral side of the insertion portion exterior tube 27. Further, the distal end side of the guide tube abutting member 26 is formed by a large-diameter portion 26d continuously provided so as to cover the outer peripheral side of the step portion formed at the proximal end rear end portion of the distal end portion 5Ga. . The inside of the guide tube abutting member 26 is in a hollow state.
• each member extending from the distal end portion 5Ga toward the proximal end side, the channel pipe 29, the signal cable 16a, the electric cable 17a, the air / water supply tube 28, the isotropic force of the guide tube abutting member 26 It extends through the interior hollow part (internal space 26e) toward the base end side.
• the guide tube abutting member 26 When the guide tube abutting member 26 is connected to the insertion portion exterior tube 27, the distal end portion of the guide tube 3 that is rotatably provided outside the insertion portion exterior tube 27 The member 26 is adapted to strike against the rear end side of the large diameter portion 26d. As a result, the guide tube 3 does not fall out and the propulsive force of the guide tube 3 is transmitted to the guide tube abutting member 26 and the leading end 5Ga.
• the distal end portion 5Ga is disposed via the guide tube abutting member 26 on the distal end side of the guide tube 3 that is rotatably disposed. .
• the function of the endoscope insertion portion 2G is impaired. That is, troubles arise in obtaining an endoscopic image by the image sensor 16.
• the protruding portion l of the camera unit 11 in the above-described embodiment is formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the distal end portion 5Ga and the guide tube abutting member 26, respectively.
• the protrusions 5Gb and the protrusions 26b which are rotation suppression means having substantially the same shape as ib, are arranged at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction over the entire circumference.
• the protruding portion 5Gb is formed integrally with the tip portion 5Ga
• the protruding portion 26b is formed integrally with the guide tube abutting member 26, respectively. Accordingly, when the guide tube 3 rotates, the rotation of the leading end portion 5Ga and the guide tube abutting member 26 is suppressed by the protruding portion 5Gb and the protruding portion 26b.
• the shapes of the protruding portion 5Gb of the tip 5Ga and the protruding portion 26b of the guide tube abutting member 26 are not limited to those shown in FIG. Each of the same shapes can be applied. The same effects can be obtained by applying these shapes.

Landscapes

• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Surgery (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Optics & Photonics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
• Pathology (AREA)
• Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Biophysics (AREA)
• Biomedical Technology (AREA)
• Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
• Medical Informatics (AREA)
• Molecular Biology (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Astronomy & Astrophysics (AREA)
• Endoscopes (AREA)
• Instruments For Viewing The Inside Of Hollow Bodies (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=37481372

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Cited By (6)

Families Citing this family (8)

Citations (4)

Family Cites Families (1)

• 2005
  • 2005-06-03 JP JP2005164808A patent/JP2006334246A/ja not_active Withdrawn
• 2006
  • 2006-04-27 WO PCT/JP2006/308883 patent/WO2006129440A1/ja active Application Filing
  • 2006-06-02 CN CNU2006201180271U patent/CN201029871Y/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2006-06-02 CN CNB2006100833260A patent/CN100453028C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related

Patent Citations (4)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events