WO2015182178A1 - 屈曲装置、制御装置および医療機器 - Google Patents
屈曲装置、制御装置および医療機器 Download PDFInfo
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- WO2015182178A1 WO2015182178A1 PCT/JP2015/054588 JP2015054588W WO2015182178A1 WO 2015182178 A1 WO2015182178 A1 WO 2015182178A1 JP 2015054588 W JP2015054588 W JP 2015054588W WO 2015182178 A1 WO2015182178 A1 WO 2015182178A1
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- Prior art keywords
- elastic
- elastic tube
- bending
- tube
- stretchable
- Prior art date
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- 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
- A61B1/0051—Flexible endoscopes with controlled bending of insertion part
- A61B1/0057—Constructional details of force transmission elements, e.g. control wires
-
- 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
- A61B1/00078—Insertion part of the endoscope body with stiffening 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
- A61B1/012—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 characterised by internal passages or accessories therefor
- A61B1/018—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 characterised by internal passages or accessories therefor for receiving instruments
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
- A61B5/24—Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M25/00—Catheters; Hollow probes
- A61M25/01—Introducing, guiding, advancing, emplacing or holding catheters
- A61M25/0105—Steering means as part of the catheter or advancing means; Markers for positioning
- A61M25/0133—Tip steering devices
- A61M25/0155—Tip steering devices with hydraulic or pneumatic means, e.g. balloons or inflatable compartments
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B18/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
- A61B18/04—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating
- A61B18/12—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
- A61B18/14—Probes or electrodes therefor
- A61B18/1492—Probes or electrodes therefor having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B18/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
- A61B2018/00982—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body combined with or comprising means for visual or photographic inspections inside the body, e.g. endoscopes
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a bending device, a control device, and a medical device.
- an endoscopic device that performs imaging of an affected area when operating a patient, for example, an endoscopic surgical operation using a rigid endoscope such as a laparoscope or a thoracoscope
- the present invention relates to a medical device as an endoscopic device suitable for use in perforated laparoscopic surgery.
- the present invention relates to a medical device including a catheter, a laser knife, or an electric knife as a medical instrument.
- Endoscopic surgery using a rigid endoscope such as a laparoscope, thoracoscope, etc. is a minimally invasive operation in which examination and treatment are performed without opening the patient.
- a medical instrument such as forceps and an endoscope are separately introduced into a patient's body cavity, and an operator views an image of the distal end portion of the medical instrument inserted into the body cavity.
- the treatment operation is performed while observing the treatment state of the affected area with a medical instrument with an endoscope.
- medical instruments and endoscopes are introduced into body cavities through four to five tubes (tubular members called trocars) punctured on the body wall (for example, the abdominal wall) of the patient's abdomen. To do.
- the surgeon inserts an endoscope or medical instrument into a separate trocar when incising or suturing an organ.
- the trocar is arranged in advance at a position suitable for the operation, but once installed, the trocar is not changed to another place in order to reduce the burden on the patient. For this reason, the operation of the endoscope and the medical instrument is limited by the position of the trocar, and may interfere with each other depending on the situation of the operation.
- single-hole laparoscopic surgery is to open a small hole of about 15 mm in one place in the patient's navel and insert forceps (medical instrument) and endoscope camera through the hole.
- This is a method of excising and removing the gallbladder and the like.
- a surgeon camera assistant
- a surgeon (operator) other than the camera assistant operates the two forceps, one for each of the right and left hands, while looking at the camera monitor.
- the endoscope camera goes around the forceps and projects the affected area of the patient.
- the distal end portion of the endoscopic device has a bendable structure for photographing the treatment site in the abdominal cavity. Need to be done.
- This curved structure is generally composed of a plurality of joints and wires operated by pulling the joints.
- Also known as this curved structure is a structure in which a fluid is supplied to the inside and an elastic pressurizing chamber is expanded by the fluid pressure to cause a bending motion (Patent Documents 1 and 2).
- Patent Document 1 in a flexible tube having a curved portion having three elastic pressure chambers for each joint, a plurality of pressure tubes corresponding to the number of pressure chambers and pressure chambers are arranged on the outer periphery of the flexible tube.
- a configuration to be provided is disclosed.
- examples of using a mesh tube for preventing extension or winding a fiber material as the pressurizing tube are disclosed.
- Patent Document 2 discloses a flexible tube having a curved portion having three elastic pressure chambers for each joint, and a plurality of non-stretchable pressure tubes corresponding to the number of pressure chambers and pressure chambers.
- a configuration for disposing in a flexible tube wall is disclosed.
- the flexible tube of Patent Literature 1 and the endoscope apparatus of Patent Literature 2 are configured to bend the pressurizing tube to pressurize and bend the bending portion.
- the pressurizing tube is uniform in the entire circumferential direction. Because of the expansion, the bending angle of the bending portion is small with respect to the expansion amount of the pressure tube. For this reason, in order to bend the flexible tube at a desired angle, it is necessary to apply a large pressure to the pressure tube, and the bending control cannot be easily performed.
- Patent Document 1 requires at least three pressurizing tubes for each joint, and the number of pressurizing tubes increases as the number of joints increases. It is difficult to place the joints in a certain amount, and it is difficult to increase the number of joints beyond a certain level.
- the number of pressurized tubes that do not pressurize and pressurized tubes that are pressurized and stiffened linearly increases, it becomes a load of bending operation, and the number of pressurized tubes that are pressurized and stiffened as the number of joints increases increases. There is a problem that normal bending movement cannot be performed.
- Patent Document 2 requires at least three pressurizing chambers and a pressurizing tube to be sent to the joint portion on the tip side for each joint, and the number of pressurizing chambers and pressurizing tubes increases as the number of joints increases. For this reason, when the number of joints increases, it becomes difficult to dispose in the flexible tube wall. In addition, since the number of non-stretchable pressurizing pipes that are formed increases, there is a problem that the bending operation becomes a burden and the bending operation is hindered or not bent.
- the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a bending apparatus capable of easily controlling a bending operation with good controllability.
- the present invention adopts a novel structure using an elastic tube for the bending operation at the distal end portion of a medical device such as an endoscope apparatus, but it is a simple structure, but controls a complicated and free bending operation.
- a safe device that can be performed with good performance and enabling the bending operation to be automatically operated by the control device, for example, problems in the conventional endoscopic surgery and single-hole laparoscopic surgery described above It solves the point.
- a bending apparatus includes a cylindrical member having a hollow structure, and a plurality of elastic tubes disposed inside the cylindrical member.
- the elastic tube includes an elastic tube body having a sealed end and an elongated hollow cylindrical shape, and a non-stretchable body that suppresses expansion of the elastic tube main body.
- the elastic tube main body is fixed to the elastic tube main body, the portion of the elastic tube main body to which the non-stretchable body is fixed is thicker than other portions of the elastic tube main body, and the cylindrical member is in the axial direction of the cylindrical member.
- the cross section of the elastic tube main body has a plurality of layer structures orthogonal to each other, and the portion facing the portion of the elastic tube main body to which the non-stretchable body is fixed in response to an increase in internal pressure of the elastic tube main body There as well as expanded toward the outer circumferential direction of the elastic tube body, characterized in that the tubular member is bent in a stepwise angle corresponding to the number of said plurality of layer structures.
- a fluid for example, air
- the elastic tube is bent using the pressure of the fluid.
- a medical treatment site for example, an organ
- each elastic tube is deformed and absorbs an impact caused by the contact, so that it is safe without damaging the medical treatment site.
- the structure of each elastic tube is simple, it can be manufactured inexpensively and can be easily made disposable, thereby maintaining cleanliness.
- the present invention while adopting a simple structure that can be manufactured easily and inexpensively, has much superior convenience in the medical field in terms of being disposable and not invading the human body. It is expected to spread widely in the medical field.
- FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an internal structure of a multi-joint bending portion according to Embodiment 1, (a) to (b) are perspective views, and (c) and (d) are sectional views.
- (A)-(f) is sectional drawing which shows an example of the internal structure of the bending part of a multi joint bending part. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the internal structure of the non-bending part of a multi joint bending part.
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an articulated bending portion
- (a) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a pressurizing portion
- (b) is a cross-sectional view of a pressurizing valve
- (c) to (f) are openings of the pressurizing valve.
- (b) is the state which bent Indicates.
- (A)-(d) is sectional drawing of the articulated bending part which concerns on Embodiment 2.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view which shows the bending operation
- FIG. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the cross-sectional area of the elastic tube internal pressure which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention, the hollow part of an elastic tube, and a bending angle.
- (A) (b) is a graph which shows the case of a single elastic tube
- (c) (d) is a graph which shows the case where an elastic tube exists in an outer periphery. It is sectional drawing of the articulated bending part which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention, and is a figure which shows the state which pressurized A tube in order.
- (A) is a state where the A tube is pressurized but not expanded
- (b) is a state where the A tube is expanded and pressure is applied to the outer tube
- (c) is a state where the outer tube is also expanded.
- (D) is sectional drawing which shows the state which expansion
- (A)-(f) is sectional drawing of the articulated bending part which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention, and is a figure which shows the state which pressurized A tube in order. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the elastic tube internal pressure and bending angle of the articulated bending part which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention.
- Embodiment 1 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, FIG. 10, and FIG.
- the bending device of the present invention is a medical device that can be attached to the tip.
- a multi-joint bending section 30 having a plurality of deformable bending sections 31 (joints) will be described.
- the bending apparatus according to the present invention also includes a bending apparatus having one joint. included.
- FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an endoscope apparatus as an example of a medical device including an elastic tube according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- an endoscope apparatus 100 (medical device) includes an endoscope unit (medical device unit) 10 and a control device 20.
- the control device 20 drives and controls the endoscope unit 10. Details of the control device 20 will be described later.
- the endoscope unit 10 has a plurality of bent portions (joints) including a plurality of inflatable elastic tubes 1 having an elongated hollow cylindrical shape and enclosing air (gas) W.
- the multi-joint bending part 30 is composed of 31 and a plurality of non-bending parts 32, and the endoscope camera (medical instrument) 2 and the non-inflatable tube are fixed to the tip of the multi-joint bending part 30.
- FIG. 4 (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A 'of FIG. 3 (a).
- FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B ′ of FIG.
- the bent portion 31 includes four elastic tubes 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d embedded with a flexible non-stretchable body 4 fixed in the long axis direction. And an elastic tube 1k (cylindrical member) having a hollow structure and holding these elastic tubes 1a to 1d therein.
- the non-bending portion 32 includes four non-expanding tubes 3a to 3d each having a non-expandable body 34 around the elastic tubes 1a to 1d, and these non-expanding tubes 3a to 3d. It consists of the rigid tube 33 which has. (Since the hollow portions of the elastic tube 1a and the non-expandable tube 3a communicate with each other, they are collectively referred to as an A tube. The same applies to the B tube and the like.)
- the elastic tubes 1a to 1d constituting the multi-joint bending portion have a structure in which a flexible non-stretchable body 4 fixed in the long axis direction is embedded between an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface.
- the elastic tubes 1a to 1d of the bent portions (joints) 31 in (b) to (e) of FIG. 4 show a state where each is expanded by the pressure of the air W (fluid) injected from the control device 20. ing. Thus, it can be bent in four directions by pressurizing each elastic tube. Further, as shown in FIG. 4F, if any two elastic tubes are selected, bending in the intermediate direction is possible. Furthermore, by sequentially applying pressure while adjusting the pressure to each elastic tube, a rotational motion as shown in FIG.
- FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional configuration of the non-bent portion 32.
- the non-expandable tubes 3a to 3d have a structure in which a non-expandable body 34 is wound around the elastic tubes 1a to 1d. Further, the outermost periphery of the non-bent portion 32 is configured by a rigid tube 33. Therefore, by applying pressure to the elastic tubes 1a to 1d, the non-expandable tubes 3a to 3d are not expanded, and the bent portion 31 can be bent without bending the non-bent portion 32.
- the elastic tubes inside the non-expandable tubes 3a to 3d inside the rigid tube 33 already have a non-expandable body 34 around them. There is no. However, it is possible to form the bent portion 31 and the non-bent portion 32 only by the presence / absence of the non-expandable body 34 and the rigid tube 33 when the non-expandable body 4 is integrally molded in advance for manufacturing. The degree of freedom increases. Therefore, in the figure, all elastic tubes are described as structural examples having non-stretchable bodies 4.
- the elastic tube 1 has an elastic tube main body 11, a non-stretchable body 4, and a fixing portion 13 for fixing the non-stretchable body 4.
- the elastic tube main body 11 is a main member constituting the elastic tube 1, and the fixing portion 13 is provided in the major axis direction of the elastic tube 1, and enables the non-stretchable body 4 to be fixed.
- the non-stretchable body 4 may be configured to be fixed to the outer peripheral surface or inner peripheral surface of the elastic tube via the fixing portion 13, but here, as shown in FIG. A description will be given by taking an example of fixing in a state of being embedded between the peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface (thick portion).
- the tip of the multi-joint bending portion 30 configured with the structure in which the four elastic tubes 1 are combined as a basic structure is sealed on the side where the endoscope camera 2 is fixed.
- a fixing portion for fixing the endoscope camera 2 is provided at the sealed tip of the multi-joint bending portion 30, and allows a medical instrument to be attached to the multi-joint bending portion 30.
- the medical instrument attached to the fixed part is not limited to the endoscope camera 2 and may be a catheter, a laser knife, an electric knife, or the like.
- the fixing portion and the fixing portion 13 are a part of the elastic tube 1 and are made of the same material as the elastic tube 1.
- the elastic tube body 11 has a uniform thickness, stress is particularly applied to the portion where the non-stretchable body 4 is fixed when pressurized, so that only that portion is likely to deteriorate. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), when four elastic tubes 1 are structured, a space is generated between them, and the elastic tube of the portion to which the non-stretchable body 4 is fixed using this space.
- the thickness of the main body 11 can be made thicker than other portions where the non-stretchable body 4 is not fixed. As a result, the durability of the fixing portion 13 is improved, the non-stretchability is also increased, and there is an effect that it is possible to obtain a stable bending operation with no hysteresis with respect to pressurization.
- FIG. 6A is an example of a configuration of four relatively simple elastic tubes 1, and shows a cross section of the unbent portion 32 at the end of the multi-joint bent portion 30.
- a pressurizing part 35 for pressurizing the elastic tube 1 is provided at the end part of the articulated bending part 30 on the control device 20 side.
- the end portion has a structure in which only the inside of the non-expandable tubes 3a to 3d is opened, and the other portions are sealed.
- a medical instrument such as an endoscope camera is attached to the distal end, the power source and the signal cable are taken out from the side surface of the sealed portion, etc., which are omitted in this figure.
- FIG. 6B shows an example of the structure of the pressurizing valve 36
- FIGS. 6C to 6F show a configuration in which the pressurizing valve 36 is disposed in the pressurizing portion 35.
- FIG. 6B shows an example of the structure of the pressurizing valve 36
- FIGS. 6C to 6F show a configuration in which the pressurizing valve 36 is disposed in the pressurizing portion 35.
- FIG. 6B shows an example of the structure of the pressurizing valve 36
- FIGS. 6C to 6F show a configuration in which the pressurizing valve 36 is disposed in the pressurizing portion 35.
- a pressurizing valve 36 shown in FIG. 6 (b) is arranged in the pressurizing portion 35, and as shown in FIGS. 6 (c) to (f), by applying a rotational motion to the pressurizing valve 36, only the A tube is provided.
- a tube and B tube, B tube only, B tube and C tube, C tube only, C tube and D tube, D tube, etc. can be pressurized sequentially, according to the rotation of this pressurizing valve 36
- the rotating operation of the endoscope camera 2 attached to the tip as shown in (c) of 2 can be performed.
- the pressurizing valve 36 includes an opening 37.
- the A tube, the B tube, the C tube, and the D tube are supplied with air W from the control device 20 to be described later and are pressurized.
- the pressurizing valve 36 is rotated by the control of the control device 20, and the position of the opening 37 can be changed. Thereby, the tube which should be pressurized can be selected and the air W can be supplied to the said tube.
- the non-expansion tube 3 and the connection tube 5 until it connects to the pressurization control apparatus 20 It may be provided in the middle or at the connection portion. Since the movable mechanism of the valve is provided, it is desirable that the valve is installed as close to the control device 20 as possible and at the end that does not interfere with the operation.
- pressurizing parts there are two or more pressurizing parts as a pressurizing part for pressurizing the four tubes for driving the tip part and a pressurizing part for pressurizing the four tubes for driving the middle to terminal parts. Also good. Details will be described later as a sixth embodiment.
- each tube is provided with a pressurizing mechanism independently and controlled independently to perform precise position control that can be controlled at any position, not just rotation. It doesn't matter.
- FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing a main part of the multi-joint bending part 30 constituting the endoscope part 10 of the endoscope apparatus 100 in FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA ′ of the bent portion 31 of the endoscope unit 10 in FIG.
- the elastic tube 1 shown in FIG. 4 is made of, for example, a silicone (polydimethylsiloxane added with a reinforcing agent such as silicon oxide) tube having an outer diameter of 2 mm, an inner diameter of 1 mm, and a length of 5 mm.
- the elastic tube 1 is elastic from the control device 20 (see FIG. 1). It expands and contracts due to the pressure of the air W injected into the tube 1.
- the pressure of the air W enclosed in the elastic tube 1 is normal pressure (1 atm)
- the shape of the articulated bending portion 30 configured with the elastic tube 1 as a main part is as shown in FIG. As shown, it is linear.
- the elastic tube 1a (A tube) expands at the bent portion 31 as shown in FIG. .
- an LED lamp for illumination (not shown) can be attached adjacent to the fixed portion to which the endoscope camera 2 is attached.
- illustration of a fixing part is abbreviate
- the non-stretchable body 4 functions to prevent (suppress) expansion of the elastic tube 1. That is, due to the pressure increase of the air W enclosed in the elastic tube 1, the elastic tube 1 is opposite to the fixed portion where the non-stretchable body 4 is embedded and fixed (in the elastic tube 1k in FIG. 3A). Even if the upper side expands, it does not expand on the fixed part side. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3B, the multi-joint bending portion 30 can be bent downward (opposite to the expansion portion P) in the drawing. For this reason, the bending angle of the multi-joint bending part 30 can be arbitrarily changed by changing the pressure of the air W in the elastic tube 1a.
- FIG. 10 (a) the graph of the relationship between the internal pressure and the cross-sectional area of the hollow portion of the elastic tube when the basic elastic tube is pressurized is shown in FIG.
- FIG. 10 (a) when the elastic tube is pressurized, the elastic tube initially has tension, so it does not expand with pressure, but expands when the internal pressure exceeds this tension. Begins to bend as the cross-sectional area increases. This bending motion depends on the thickness of the elastic tube and the elastic modulus of the material. For example, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, a soft tube starts bending from a low pressure and bends greatly, and a hard tube starts bending from a relatively high pressure and bends relatively small. Therefore, the bending operation characteristics can be arbitrarily set according to the structure of the elastic tube or the design of the material.
- FIG. 10C is a graph showing the relationship between the internal pressure of the A tube and the cross-sectional area of the hollow portion of the A tube
- FIG. 10D is a graph showing the internal pressure of the A tube and the bending angle of the elastic tube 1k. It is a graph which shows a relationship.
- the elastic tube 1a when the A tube is pressurized, the elastic tube 1a does not initially expand inside the elastic tube 1k, but when the tension of the tube itself is exceeded, it is elastic. Only the portion of the tube 1a expands.
- the A tube is gradually pressurized, and when the pressure from the elastic tube 1a is applied to the elastic tube 1k, the A tube (elastic tube 1a) expands. Temporarily suppressed.
- the relationship between the internal pressure of the A tube and the cross-sectional area of the hollow portion is a stepwise cross-sectional area increase as shown in FIG.
- the relationship between the internal pressure of the A tube and the bending angle is a stepwise bending operation as shown in FIG. That is, the bending angle of the elastic tube 1k changes stepwise according to the increase in pressure inside the A tube.
- This bending operation depends not only on the elastic tube 1a but also on the size, thickness, and elastic modulus of the elastic tube 1k.
- the bending motion characteristics can be set arbitrarily.
- stepwise bending operation of the elastic tube 1k as described above is realized not only when the pressure inside the A tube increases but also when the pressure decreases (decreases).
- the elastic tube 1k on the outer periphery in this way suppresses expansion in the circumferential direction (lateral direction) of the elastic tube that does not contribute to bending, and expands in the long axis direction (vertical direction) that directly affects the control of the bending angle. It is possible to obtain a special effect such that the bending can be effectively performed. Further, since unnecessary expansion in the circumferential direction of the elastic tube is suppressed, deterioration of the elastic tubes 1a to 1d due to mechanical stress caused by repeated expansion and contraction can be prevented.
- the air pressure W at the time of non-bending is preferably set to a pressure immediately before the elastic tube starts to bend. Thereby, the bending by the dead weight of an elastic tube can be prevented, and an elastic tube can be hold
- the stretchability of the non-stretchable body 4 only needs to be lower than that of the elastic tube main body 11. It is sufficient that the elastic tube body 11 is not expanded on the fixing portion 13 side.
- a non-stretchable thread fishing line
- silicone of the same material as the elastic tube 1 may be used.
- the non-stretchable body 4 may be shared with a cable connected to a medical instrument.
- the non-stretchable body 4 shown in FIG. 4A may also be used as an electric cord that supplies power to the endoscope camera 2.
- the non-stretchable body 4 can also be used as a cable for connecting the endoscope camera 2 and a camera monitor (not shown) along the endoscope unit 10 shown in FIG.
- the cable connected to the non-stretchable body 4 and the medical instrument can be fixed inside the elastic tube body 11.
- the non-expandable tube 3 has the same shape as the articulated bending portion 30, that is, about 2 cm to 30 cm in length having the same outer diameter and inner diameter as the elastic tube body 11 (not limited to this). It is desirable that the length is appropriately set depending on the number of joints), and can be made of an acrylic resin.
- connection tube 5 is a tube that connects the endoscope unit 10 and the control device 20.
- the connection tube 5 is a flexible and non-expandable hollow cylindrical tube connected to the non-expandable tube 3.
- the connection tube 5 has substantially the same shape and length as the non-expanding tube 3 and is about 2 m in length.
- the connection tube 5 communicates with the elastic tube 1 and the non-expanding tube 3 and is filled with air W.
- connection tube 5 may be composed of a plurality of connection tubes according to the structure of the pressurizing mechanism for the elastic tube.
- FIG. 3C is a diagram showing a cross section in the major axis direction of the elastic tube 1a and the non-expandable tube 3a, taking the elastic tube 1a as an example, and is taken along line CC ′ in FIG. It is sectional drawing.
- the non-expandable tube 3 a has a configuration in which the periphery of the elastic tube 1 a is wound with a non-expandable body 34.
- FIG. 3 is another example of the structure of the elastic tube 1a and the non-expandable tube 3a.
- the elastic tube 1a and the non-expandable tube 3a are separate members from each other, and may be integrated by adhesion, and the hollow portion may be communicated.
- the hollow portions of the elastic tube 1a and the non-expandable tube 3a communicate with each other, they are collectively referred to as the A tube.
- the B tube and the like the air W is enclosed in the elastic tube 1a and the like through the non-expanding tube 3 from the connection tube 5 side.
- the non-stretchable body 4 is very thin compared to the elastic tube main body 11.
- the outer diameter of the cross section of the elastic tube main body 11 is 2 mm
- the outer diameter of the cross section of the non-stretchable body 4 is 0.3.
- the cross section of the non-stretchable body 4 is not limited to a circular shape, and has a chamfered corner so as not to damage the human body when inserted into the body.
- a polygonal shape such as a triangle or a rectangle may be used.
- the elastic tube 1 may have a configuration in which a fixing portion 13 (not shown) is disposed on the outer peripheral surface (outside) of the elastic tube main body 11. In this case, the non-stretchable body 4 is fixed to the outside of the elastic tube body 11.
- the non-stretchable body 4 (electric cord) is not only the fixing portion 13 in the elastic tube 1 but also the non-expandable tube 3 (see FIG. 1) and is led out of the endoscope unit 10.
- the elastic tube may be configured such that the fixing portion is disposed on the inner peripheral surface (inner side) of the elastic tube main body 11.
- the non-stretchable body 4 is fixed inside the elastic tube body 11.
- the non-stretchable body 4 may also be used as a cable connected to a medical instrument.
- the cable connected to the non-stretchable body 4 and the medical instrument is fixed to the inside of the elastic tube main body 11, so that the surface of the elastic tube main body 11 is exposed even when the elastic tube is exposed to the outermost periphery. There are no irregularities on the surface. For this reason, the elastic tube 1m can be easily cleaned and disinfected, and can be easily reused.
- the cable connected to the non-stretchable body 4 and the medical instrument is fixed to the inside of the elastic tube body 11, so that the arrangement is protected by the elastic tube body 11.
- the damaged portion is protected by the elastic tube main body 11, so that the human body is less likely to be damaged.
- the human body may be damaged due to the damaged portion of the non-stretchable body 4. Low.
- the cable connected to the medical instrument is an electrical cable
- adverse effects such as leakage due to the breakage of the electrical cable can be avoided in the human body.
- poured in the elastic tube main body 11 even if an electric cable is damaged, since electricity is hard to be conducted in the elastic tube main body 11, the bad influence of a leakage can be avoided in the elastic tube main body 11. .
- the cable connected to the medical instrument may be arranged inside the hollow of the elastic tube main body 11.
- the fixing portion is disposed on the inner peripheral surface (inner side) of the elastic tube body 11
- the non-stretchable body 4 different from the cable connected to the medical instrument is fixed to the inner side of the elastic tube body 11
- the cable 14 connected to the instrument may be arranged inside the hollow of the elastic tube body 11.
- the elastic tube may be configured such that the fixing portion is disposed inside the elastic body in the elastic tube main body 11.
- the elastic body constitutes the elastic tube main body 11 and is a thickness portion from the inner peripheral surface to the outer peripheral surface of the elastic tube main body 11. If it demonstrates more concretely, an elastic tube is the structure by which an adhering part is arrange
- the non-stretchable body 4 may also be used with the cable 14 connected to the medical instrument.
- the non-stretchable body 4 When the non-stretchable body 4 is not used as a cable connected to a medical instrument, the non-stretchable body 4 is fixed in a state of being embedded between the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the elastic tube body 11 and the cable 14 May be disposed inside the hollow of the elastic tube body 11.
- the non-stretchable body 4 or the cable 14 may be configured to be in contact with the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the elastic tube main body 11, but in order to increase the mechanical strength of the elastic tube, the outer peripheral surface of the elastic tube main body 11 It is desirable that it is arranged with a space between the inner peripheral surface.
- the cable connected to the non-stretchable body 4 and the medical instrument is embedded between the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the elastic tube main body 11, so that it is formed on the surface (outer peripheral surface) of the elastic tube main body 11. Unevenness does not occur. For this reason, even when the elastic tube is exposed on the outermost periphery, the elastic tube can be easily cleaned and disinfected, and can be easily reused.
- the cable connected to the non-expandable body 4 and the medical device is fixed between the inner peripheral surface and outer peripheral surface in the elastic tube main body 11, or the hollow inside of the elastic tube main body 11. Therefore, the arrangement is protected by the elastic tube body 11. For this reason, when a part of the cable connected to the non-stretchable body 4 and the medical instrument is damaged for some reason, the damaged portion is protected by the elastic tube main body 11, so that the human body is less likely to be damaged.
- the human body may be damaged due to the damaged portion of the non-stretchable body 4.
- the cable connected to the medical instrument is an electrical cable
- adverse effects such as leakage due to the breakage of the electrical cable can be avoided in the human body.
- poured in the elastic tube main body 11 even if an electric cable is damaged, since electricity is hard to be conducted in the elastic tube main body 11, the bad influence of a leakage can be avoided in the elastic tube main body 11. .
- the entire outer peripheral surface of the cable connected to the non-stretchable body 4 or the medical instrument is fixed to the elastic tube body 11. For this reason, the bending angle ⁇ of the elastic tube changes at a constant rate corresponding to the pressure P of the air inside the hollow of the elastic tube main body 11. Therefore, there is an advantage that the bending angle ⁇ of the elastic tube body 11 can be easily controlled.
- the above-described adverse effects on the human body due to the cable 14 connected to the medical instrument can be avoided. Moreover, since the vicinity of the medical instrument fixed to the elastic tube 1 can be made compact, the cable connected to the medical instrument does not interfere with the medical procedure.
- the control device 20 will be described with reference to FIG. The following description is an example of the control device 20, and does not limit the configuration of the control device.
- the control device 20 only needs to be able to pressurize the tube included in the multi-joint bending portion 30, and is not limited to the following configuration, and can have various configurations.
- the control device 20 includes a piston (atmospheric pressure variable portion, fluid pressure variable portion) 21 and a syringe 22 that change the pressure of air (gas) W in the elastic tube 1, an air pressure sensor 23 that detects the pressure of the air W, and a piston.
- 21 is provided with a piston drive part (atmospheric pressure variable part) 24 that operates the inside of the syringe 22 and varies the air pressure in the elastic tube 1, and a pressurization control part (atmospheric pressure variable part) 26 that controls the piston drive part 24.
- the pressurization control unit (atmospheric pressure varying unit) 26 is, for example, a microphone (instruction receiving unit) 25 for inputting an operator's voice (instruction), an audio signal input from the microphone 25, and a detection signal of the air pressure sensor 23.
- the structure which inputs and controls the piston drive part 24 may be sufficient.
- the gas sealed in the elastic tube 1 is not limited to air, and any gas may be used as long as it does not contaminate the medical treatment site.
- control device 20 includes a pressurizing valve driving unit 28.
- the pressurization valve drive unit 28 rotates the pressurization valve 36 in accordance with the control of the pressurization control unit 26.
- the piston 21, the piston drive unit 24, and the pressurization control unit 26 are used as an example of the atmospheric pressure variable unit, but an atmospheric pressure adjustment valve or the like may be used instead. Further, a foot switch or the like may be used instead of the microphone.
- the piston drive unit 24 is controlled by the pressurization control unit 26 based on the voice of the surgeon detected by the microphone, and the air pressure in the elastic tube 1 is changed using the piston 21 and the syringe 22.
- the endoscope camera 2 can be bent upward or downward on the display screen of the camera monitor
- the surgeon speaks “up” the display screen of the camera monitor Start moving to show direction. Then, the movement of the display screen on the camera monitor is stopped by the voice “stop” by the surgeon.
- the voice by the surgeon is “down”, the display screen on the camera monitor moves downward in the displayed image.
- the elastic tube 1 used in medical treatment or the like can be replaced with a new elastic tube 1 (disposable). Alternatively, after the medical treatment is completed, the used elastic tube 1 can be reused (reused) by cleaning and disinfecting it.
- the elastic tube 1 is reused, in order to prevent the use of the deteriorated elastic tube 1, the upper limit number of times of use or the upper limit number of bending of the elastic tube 1 is set in advance in the control device 20, The elastic tube 1 exceeding the number of times needs to be unusable.
- the piston 21 is slidably inserted into the syringe 22 connected to the connection tube 5.
- the piston 21 is screwed into a screw part connected to the piston driving part 24, and the piston driving part 24 slides the piston 21 in the syringe 22 by rotating the screw part forward or backward. It may be.
- the pressure controller 26 controls the forward or reverse rotation of the piston drive unit 24 and the number of rotations thereof.
- the bending angle ⁇ of the elastic tube 1 gradually increases monotonously as the air pressure increases up to the pressure of 230 kPa.
- the pressure P passes around 230 kPa
- the bending angle ⁇ of the elastic tube 1 increases rapidly as the pressure P increases.
- the pressure P of the air W in the elastic tube main body 11 is decreased (during depressurization)
- the bending angle ⁇ of the elastic tube 1 corresponds to the decrease in the pressure P until the pressure P reaches 230 kPa. Slowly and monotonously decrease.
- the bending angle ⁇ of the elastic tube body 11 rapidly decreases as the pressure P decreases until the pressure P reaches 170 kPa.
- the bending angle ⁇ of the elastic tube body 11 gradually decreases monotonously according to the decrease in the pressure P.
- the elastic tube main body 11 is bent so that the display image displayed on the camera monitor moves at a constant rate. The angle can be changed.
- the bending angle ⁇ of the elastic tube 1b is approximately linear with an increase in air pressure from a pressure of about 100 kPa to about 260 kPa. To increase. Further, when the pressure P of the air W in the elastic tube main body 11 is decreased (during pressure reduction), the bending angle ⁇ of the elastic tube 1b corresponds to the decrease in the pressure P until the pressure P is in the vicinity of 260 kPa to 100 kPa. Decreases linearly.
- the bending angle ⁇ of the elastic tube 1b changes at a constant rate, and a large hysteresis characteristic does not occur. Further, the relationship between the pressure P and the angle ⁇ during pressurization is substantially equal to the relationship between the pressure P and the angle ⁇ during decompression.
- the elastic tube main body 11 is bent so that the display image displayed on the camera monitor moves at a constant rate.
- the angle can be changed.
- the elastic tube body 11 has a linear bending characteristic
- the setting of the pressurization control unit 26 is an elastic tube having a hysteresis characteristic. This is simpler than when 1 is used. For this reason, there exists an advantage that the bending angle of the elastic tube main body 11 is easy to control.
- the elastic tube 1 may be configured to be automatically operated.
- the endoscope camera 2 shown in FIG. 1 when the endoscope camera 2 shown in FIG. 1 is used as a medical instrument, an image photographed by the endoscope camera 2 is displayed on the camera monitor at the same time, and at the same time, an image photographed by the endoscope camera 2 is displayed on the control device. 20 may be configured to acquire and analyze (not shown).
- the control device 20 automatically adjusts the pressure of the gas sealed in the elastic tube body 11 according to the analyzed information. Therefore, the bending angle of the endoscope camera 2 can be automatically changed. It is assumed that the control device 20 stores in advance image data indicating the progress of the medical procedure. Further, the control device 20 may change the bending angle of the endoscopic camera 2 using the hysteresis characteristic described above.
- the elastic tube 1 may be manually operated using a tablet terminal.
- a surgeon's assistant performing a medical procedure operates the tablet terminal to change the bending angle of the medical device
- the assistant can operate the tablet terminal at a position away from the surgeon. For this reason, the operation of the assistant does not interfere with the medical treatment action of the surgeon, and the surgeon can concentrate on the medical treatment.
- the surgeon may operate the tablet terminal to change the bending angle of the medical device. In this case, the robot can be made to perform an actual medical procedure instead of the operator.
- Embodiment 1 the movable mechanism having mainly one bent portion has been described in detail, but in Embodiment 2, a movable mechanism that operates in combination with two bent portions will be described.
- FIG. 7 shows an example of a movable mechanism that operates in combination with two bent portions combined.
- the configuration having the four elastic tubes 1a to 1d constituting the multi-joint bending portion is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the positions of the elastic tubes 1a to 1d at the non-bending portion 32 are as shown in FIG. It replaces with the opposite side.
- FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD ′ of FIG. 7A
- FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line EE ′ of FIG. 8C
- FIG. 8D is a cross-sectional view taken along the line GG ′ in FIG. 7B.
- FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD ′ of FIG. 7A
- FIG. 8D is a cross-sectional view taken along the line GG ′ in FIG. 7B.
- the elastic tube 1a can be replaced with 1c, and 1b can be replaced with 1d.
- This is a unique configuration possible because it is an independent elastic tube.
- the bending angles of the two bent portions are set to be the same, unlike the first embodiment, it can be moved without changing the direction of the tip portion.
- the visual field can be moved without changing the visual field angle, so that a special effect of obtaining an image that is very easy for the operator to obtain can be obtained.
- the bending operation of the two bent portions 31a and 31b depends not only on the elastic tube 1a but also on the size and thickness of the elastic tube 1k, the elastic modulus of the material, and the own weight. Therefore, by appropriately setting these structures and material configurations, the bending operation characteristics can be set to be the same.
- the elastic tube 1k on the outer periphery in this way suppresses expansion in the circumferential direction (lateral direction) of the elastic tube that does not contribute to bending, and expands in the long axis direction (vertical direction) that directly affects the control of the bending angle. It is possible to obtain a special effect such that the bending can be effectively performed. Further, since unnecessary expansion in the circumferential direction of the elastic tube is suppressed, deterioration of the elastic tubes 1a to 1d due to mechanical stress caused by repeated expansion and contraction can be prevented.
- each elastic tube can be bent in four directions by pressurizing, and if any two elastic tubes are selected, bending in the intermediate direction is also possible. That is, by sequentially applying pressure while adjusting the pressure applied to each elastic tube, it is possible to rotate the tip as shown in FIG. 9B and to move the visual field in any direction.
- one set of bent portions 31 bends in a specific direction depending on the position of the tube incorporated in advance. For example, if the positions of the elastic tubes 1a to 1d are exchanged with the opposite side at the non-bending portion 32 as described above, the bending in the reverse direction can be obtained. Can do.
- the pressure for starting the bending may be adjusted by appropriately combining the various structures described above, and the bending operation of each bent portion may be performed simultaneously. You may comprise so that it may bend in order from this bending location.
- one or two other elastic tubes are mainly arranged on the outer periphery of the elastic tube that is pressurized to perform the bending operation.
- outer elastic tube the movable mechanism having two bent portions, particularly the case where the movable portion is used for the tip portion to which the camera is attached has been described in detail, in Embodiment 3, a movable mechanism that operates using a plurality of outer peripheral elastic tubes will be described.
- the present invention is not limited to this, and the movable mechanism is configured by a plurality of layer structures. It only has to be done.
- a single outer peripheral elastic tube is provided on the outermost periphery, and at least one anisotropic stretchable elastic body, which will be described later, is not provided in the outer peripheral elastic tube. included.
- the structure by which the anisotropic elastic body was provided between the internal peripheral surface and outer peripheral surface of a single outer periphery elastic tube is also contained.
- FIG. 12 shows an example of a bent portion using a configuration in which the outer peripheral elastic tube is tripled.
- the number of outer periphery elastic tubes is not limited to this, It can comprise by arbitrary numbers.
- the elastic tube 1P (cylindrical member) includes an elastic tube 1m (outer elastic tube) inside the outermost elastic tube 1k (outer elastic tube), and further an elastic tube 1n inside. It has a nested structure having a (peripheral elastic tube).
- the elastic tubes 1k, 1m, and 1n have different inner diameters, thereby having a gap having a predetermined width.
- the elastic tube 1P has a triple layer structure in which the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axial direction of the elastic tube 1P is constituted by three elastic tubes 1k, 1m, and 1n. Yes.
- FIG. 12 (b) to 12 (f) are diagrams sequentially showing the state change of the bent portion 31b when the inside of the A tube is pressurized, and FIG. 13 shows the pressure inside the A tube at that time. It is the graph which showed the relationship of the bending angle of the bending part 31b.
- the relationship between the A tube internal pressure and the bending angle is such that the expansion is suppressed when pressure is applied to the outer tube, and three-stage bending according to the number of elastic tubes included in the elastic tube 1P. It becomes operation.
- This bending operation depends not only on the elastic tube 1a but also on the size and thickness of the elastic tubes 1k, 1m, and 1n, and the elastic modulus of the material. Therefore, by arbitrarily setting the structure or the configuration of the material These bending motion characteristics can be set arbitrarily.
- the material of each elastic tube may be set so that the elastic modulus of at least one of the elastic tubes 1k, 1m, and 1n is different from the others.
- the stepwise (three-stage) bending operation of the elastic tube 1P (cylindrical member) as described above is realized not only when the pressure inside the A tube increases but also when the pressure decreases (decreases).
- FIG. 14A is a graph showing the relationship between the internal pressure of the elastic tube and the bending angle when the bent portion 31 having a single outer peripheral elastic tube shown in FIG. 11 is used.
- (B) is the graph which showed the relationship between an elastic tube internal pressure and a bending angle when the bending part 31b of the structure where the outer periphery tube shown in FIG. 12 is triple is used.
- the bending angle variation is at most one bending step. It can be kept within the variation. For example, in the case of triple, the variation can be reduced to about one third. Further, if the pressure state is controlled so that the variation is smaller with respect to the pressure fluctuation, that is, the step of suppressing the expansion more (the region having a small inclination in FIG. 14B), a highly accurate bending angle. It is possible to obtain a special effect that can be maintained.
- the bending angle of the pair of bending portions 31 can be set to be the same with high accuracy, and the tip portion is moved while maintaining the direction of the tip portion constant with high accuracy. Can do.
- the visual field can be moved without changing the visual field angle, so that a special effect such as obtaining an image that is very easy for the operator to obtain can be obtained.
- the presence of the elastic tubes 1k, 1m, and 1n on the outer periphery in this way suppresses expansion in the circumferential direction (lateral direction) of the elastic tube that does not contribute to bending, and the major axis direction that directly affects the control of the bending angle ( A special effect is obtained that bending due to expansion in the longitudinal direction can be effectively performed. Further, since unnecessary expansion in the circumferential direction of the elastic tube can be suppressed, deterioration of the elastic tubes 1a to 1d due to mechanical stress caused by repeated expansion and contraction can be prevented.
- Embodiment 4 shows an example in which an elastic tube having a shape different from that of the three elastic tubes is used as at least one of the outer peripheral elastic tubes.
- FIG. 15 shows an example in which an elastic tube having a bellows structure is used as the outer peripheral tube. Since the configuration of the bent portion 31a has already been described in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
- the long axis that suppresses expansion in the circumferential direction (lateral direction) of the elastic tube that does not contribute to bending and directly affects the control of the bending angle.
- Produces special effects such as effective bending due to expansion in the direction (longitudinal direction), and since unnecessary expansion around the elastic tube is suppressed, elasticity due to mechanical stress caused by repeated expansion and contraction It has been explained that the deterioration of the tubes 1a to 1d can also be prevented.
- the anisotropic stretchable elastic body means an elastic body having different stretchability in the major axis direction and the minor axis direction.
- some of the plurality of outer peripheral elastic tubes may have a bellows structure.
- the wall thickness is reduced by stretching, and the tension is further reduced. Therefore, only one that has started to expand may expand further and bend greatly.
- the bending angle further varies depending on the bent portion. against this, the variation can be greatly improved by changing at least one of the plurality of outer peripheral elastic tubes to an anisotropic elastic body.
- the outer diameter of the articulated bend 30 is smaller.
- the expansion of the elastic tubes 1a to 1d is suppressed stepwise, a hollow portion is required between the outer peripheral elastic tubes, and the outer diameter is increased accordingly.
- the outer peripheral elastic tubes 1m and 1n have a corrugated cross section, and the corrugation becomes flat due to the expansion of the outer peripheral elastic tubes 1m and 1n. Until there is little tension. As a result, an effect equivalent to that of hollowing can be obtained, the area of the hollow portion can be reduced, and the outer diameter of the articulated bending portion 30 can be reduced.
- the above-described bellows structure and corrugated structure may be simultaneously incorporated in the same outer elastic tube, or may be incorporated in separate outer elastic tubes. That is, it can be arbitrarily configured so that the bending operation characteristics of the respective bending portions 31 are optimized.
- the outermost elastic tube 1k is made an elastic tube having no surface irregularities so that the expansion of the elastic tubes 1a to 1d is not hindered.
- the stretchability may be increased by using a material having a higher elastic modulus.
- an elastic tube having a bellows structure and a corrugated structure is used for at least one of the outer peripheral elastic tubes, a multi-joint bending portion having a small diameter and high flexibility and a small variation in the bending angle of each bending portion. 30 can be obtained.
- the configuration using the bellows structure or the corrugated structure for at least one of the outer peripheral elastic tubes has been described.
- the mesh elastic body 12 is used instead of the outer peripheral elastic tube. Indicates.
- a part of the plurality of outer peripheral elastic tubes does not necessarily have a sealed tube-like structure, and the structure is particularly limited as long as it has an equivalent function. is not.
- FIG. 17 shows an example of a mesh-like elastic body 12 used in place of the outer peripheral elastic tube.
- FIG. 17A is a plan development view of a sheet made of the mesh-like elastic body 12 (hereinafter referred to as “mesh sheet 12”)
- FIG. 17B is a diagram showing the mesh sheet 12 placed inside the outermost elastic tube. It is sectional drawing of the structure arrange
- the mesh sheet 12 in FIG. 17A As shown in FIG. 17A, if the mesh-like elastic body 12 constituting the mesh sheet 12 intersects the rhombus, the mesh sheet 12 in FIG. The horizontal direction is relatively difficult to expand and contract, and the mesh sheet 12 can be given directionality. Further, by changing the elastic modulus of the material used for the mesh-like elastic body 12 or changing the size or crossing angle of the mesh, the mesh sheet 12 having an arbitrary stretchability can be produced.
- the cross section of the bent portion 31 has a triple layer structure including one elastic tube 1k and two mesh-like elastic bodies 12a and 12b.
- this effect is not limited to the case where a plurality of outer peripheral elastic tubes are arranged in a nested manner, and the effect can be obtained even when used in a single outer peripheral elastic tube.
- the wall thickness is reduced by stretching, and the tension is further reduced. Therefore, only one that has started to expand may expand further and bend greatly.
- the bending angle further varies depending on the bent portion. Even in this case, the variation can be greatly improved by using the mesh sheet 12 having different stretchability in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction instead of a part of the outer peripheral elastic tube.
- the outer diameter of the articulated bend 30 is smaller.
- a hollow portion is required between the outer peripheral elastic tubes to suppress the expansion of the elastic tubes 1a to 1d in stages, and the outer diameter is increased accordingly.
- the mesh sheet 12 is arranged in a cylindrical shape inside the outermost elastic tube 1k.
- a cylindrical mesh sheet 12 may be embedded in the thick part of the outermost elastic tube 1k. Even with the above configuration, the outermost peripheral elastic tube 1k can be bent stepwise at the bent portion 31.
- the elastic tubes 1a to 1d have a plurality of layer structures in the cross section perpendicular to the axial direction, suppress expansion of the elastic tubes 1a to 1d in the circumferential direction (lateral direction) that does not contribute to bending, and have a bending angle. It is possible to effectively perform bending due to expansion in the major axis direction (vertical direction) that directly affects the control of.
- movement of a specific elastic tube can be made small.
- the presence of the appropriate play increases the degree of freedom in designing the elastic tubes 1a to 1d.
- a plurality of mesh sheets 12a to 12d having different elastic properties are embedded in each of the elastic tubes 1a to 1d (between the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface).
- a structured configuration may be adopted.
- the elastic tubes 1a to 1d themselves can be given stepwise expansion and contraction characteristics, and the articulated bending portion 30 can be made thinner than the configuration shown in FIG. 17 (d). be able to.
- the hysteresis characteristics of the elastic tubes 1a to 1d can be reduced, and the controllability of bending at the bent portion 31 can be improved.
- the stretch property is a property related to inherent stretch of an elastic tube or the like (easiness of elongation and elongation), which is mainly determined by the elastic modulus of the material used for the elastic tube, the mesh size of the mesh elastic body, and the crossing angle. Nickname).
- the outermost elastic tube 1k is made an elastic tube having no surface irregularities, and the elastic tubes 1a to 1d are expanded.
- the stretchability may be increased by using a material having a higher elastic modulus so as not to cause any trouble.
- the elastic outer tube in which the mesh-like elastic body 12 (mesh sheet 12) is disposed on the inner peripheral surface thereof is used, the diameter and the bendability are higher and the bending angle varies among the bent portions. A smaller articulated portion 30 can be obtained.
- the distal end portion to which the camera is attached uses a movable mechanism that operates in combination with the two bent portions 31a and 31b described in the second and fifth embodiments, and controls the intermediate portion and the end portion.
- the example of the structure which has the bending part 31c using the one outer periphery elastic tube 1k for the purpose is shown.
- FIG. 17C is a cross-sectional view of the bent portion 31a
- FIG. 17B is a cross-sectional view of the bent portion 31b.
- the cross-sectional structure of the bent part 31c on the intermediate part side and the terminal part side is shown in FIG.
- the elastic tube 1j is used for bending control at the intermediate part and the terminal part, but the elastic tubes 1a to 1d used at the tip part are arranged in this hollow part.
- the elastic tube 1j has a structure in which the non-stretchable body 4 is embedded between the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface.
- the elastic tubes 1a to 1d used at the distal end have a structure in which a non-expandable body 34 is wound around. Therefore, by pressing the elastic tubes 1a to 1d, the bent portions 31a and 31b can be bent without bending the bent portion 31c.
- non-expandable bodies 34 are provided around each of the elastic tubes 1a to 1d. It is desirable to wind.
- the elastic tube 1j is pressurized and expanded to perform a bending operation.
- the elastic tube 1j is pressurized and expanded to perform a bending operation.
- the position of the non-stretchable body 4 of the elastic tube 1j is determined by the bent portion 31, a certain direction of bending can be obtained, and if the position of the non-stretchable body 4 is moved by another bent portion, Bending in any direction can be obtained.
- FIG. 18 shows an example in which this structure is applied to the front end portion and the intermediate portion to which the camera is attached.
- the elastic tube 1j is pressurized to bend the bent portion 31c, thereby defining the rough direction of the camera tip, and the bent portions 31a and 31b on the tip end side are bent in the reverse direction with the configuration described in the fifth embodiment.
- the mesh-like elastic bodies 12a and 12b (mesh sheets 12a and 12b) are arranged on the inner circumferential surface of the outer circumference elastic tube 1k, the bending angles of the bent portions 31a and 31b can be matched with high accuracy.
- the viewing angle does not change, it is possible to move the field of view without a sense of incongruity.
- the number of elastic tubes to be bundled is small, the cross-sectional shape of the articulated bending portion 30 is close to a circle, and the surface unevenness is reduced. For this reason, the elastic tube 1a can be easily cleaned and disinfected, and can be easily reused.
- the cable connected to the non-expandable body 4 and the medical device can be arrange
- the human body may be damaged due to the damaged portion of the non-stretchable body 4. Is low.
- the cable connected to the medical instrument is an electrical cable
- adverse effects such as leakage due to the breakage of the electrical cable can be avoided in the human body.
- poured in the elastic tube main body 11 even if an electric cable is damaged, since electricity is hard to be conducted in the elastic tube main body 11, the bad influence of a leakage can be avoided in the elastic tube main body 11. .
- the elastic tube 1k is mainly provided on the outermost periphery
- the mesh sheet 12 is arranged in a cylindrical shape on the inner peripheral surface
- the mesh sheet 12 is further disposed inside the cylindrical mesh sheet 12.
- a multi-joint bending portion having a structure in which four elastic tubes are used for controlling the intermediate part and the terminal part, and one elastic tube for controlling the tip part is arranged in the hollow part of each elastic tube.
- 30 shows an example in which the configuration of these elastic tubes is used, and an example in which the tip of Embodiment 6 is further provided at the tip.
- FIG. 20 shows a configuration example of a movable mechanism having a bent portion using four elastic tubes for controlling the end portion and the end portion.
- bent portions 31a, 31b, and 31c on the tip side has already been described in the sixth embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.
- the cross-sectional configuration of the bent part 31f on the intermediate part side and the terminal part side will be described with reference to FIG.
- the elastic tubes 1e to 1h (first elastic tubes) are used for bending control at the intermediate portion and the end portion, and the elastic tubes 1a to 1d (second elastic tubes) used at the tip portions are respectively elastic tubes 1e. It is configured to be arranged in a hollow interior of ⁇ 1h.
- the non-expanding tube 3j is arrange
- the elastic tubes 1a to 1d used at the tip end have a structure in which a non-expandable body 34 is wound around. Therefore, by pressing the elastic tubes 1a to 1d, the bent portions 31a and 31b can be bent without bending the bent portion 31f.
- the non-expanding tube 3j may have the same configuration, as will be described later, since the inflating portion is constituted by the outer peripheral elastic tube 1j, it is not necessary to provide the inflating portion, and here, the non-inflating tube 3j is constituted only by the non-inflating body 34. A tube was used.
- the non-expandable tube 3j has a small diameter so that it can be disposed in the central gap of the bent portion 31c.
- the non-expandable tube 3j can be disposed at the center of the bent portion 31c, and therefore, the non-expanded tube 3j is bonded to the elastic tubes 1e to 1h (first elastic tubes) so It can also function as a stretchable body. In this case, it is not necessary to embed the non-stretchable body 4 in the elastic tubes 1e to 1h (first elastic tubes), and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
- the bending of the elastic tubes 1e to 1h is as described above, and the bending operation is performed by pressurizing and expanding the elastic tubes 1e to 1h.
- the elastic tube 1e is pressurized by the bending portion 31, bending in a certain direction can be obtained, and if the position of the elastic tube 1e is moved by another bending portion, bending in an arbitrary direction can be achieved.
- Obtainable depending on the position of the elastic tube incorporated in advance, it is possible to obtain an operation that avoids the set organ and a bending operation that turns around and looks into from the back side. Since the structure is simple, there are few other tubes to be a load, and a stable bending operation can be obtained.
- pressurizing unit for pressurizing the four tubes A to D for driving the bent portion at the distal end
- a pressurizing unit for pressurizing the tube J for driving the bent portion at the intermediate portion may be provided at two or more locations.
- the bent portions 31a and 31b, the bent portion 31c, and the bent portions 31d to 31h can be bent independently of each other.
- FIG. 20 shows a specific example in which this structure is applied to the intermediate part and the terminal part.
- FIG. 20A shows a configuration example having five bent portions 31d to 31h using four elastic tubes.
- the tip portion is not shown, and only the A tube to D tube used for the tip portion are shown in the cross-sectional views shown in FIGS. 20 (b) to 20 (f). Since the configuration of the tip has already been described in the sixth embodiment, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
- the cross-sectional structure of the bent portion 31 has a structure as shown in FIGS. 20B, 20C, 20D, 20E and 20F sequentially from the side close to the tip.
- the first bent portion 31d, the second bent portion 31e, the third bent portion 31f, the fourth bent portion 31g, and the fifth bent portion 31h will be referred to in order.
- the first bent portion 31d has a structure in which the E and F tubes are wrapped with a non-expandable body 34 and does not expand even when pressurized, that is, does not bend.
- the F and G tubes are wrapped with the non-inflatable body 34
- the third bent portion 31f of FIG. There is no structure that is wrapped with the non-expandable body 34
- the fourth bent portion 31g in FIG. 20 (e) has a structure in which the G and H tubes are wrapped with the non-expanded body 34, and the fifth bent portion 31h in FIG. Then, it is set as the structure which wraps the E and H tubes with the non-expandable body 34.
- each tube is partially replaced by a non-bent portion 32, and there is no replacement in the non-bent portion 32 between (b) and (c) of FIG. 20, but (c) of FIG. 20 and (d), the F tube and the H tube are exchanged.
- the non-bending portion 32 between (d) and (e) of FIG. 20 the E tube and the G tube are exchanged.
- the F tube and the H tube are replaced again.
- the bending operation of the intermediate part and the terminal part is performed by pressurizing and expanding the E tube to the H tube.
- the position movement function of the avoidance joint shown in FIG. The avoidance joint interval changing function shown can be provided.
- FIG. 21B is a diagram showing a bent state when pressure is applied. Since the E tube has a structure in which the first bent portion 31d and the fifth bent portion 31h are wrapped with the non-expandable body 34, the E tube does not bend even when pressurized. Moreover, since the position is replaced by the non-bending portion 32 between the third bending portion 31f and the fourth bending portion 31g, bending in the reverse direction occurs before and after. That is, the bent state shown in FIG.
- the other three tubes can also bend on the same principle.
- the state is as shown in FIG. 21A, and when the F tube is pressurized, the curve shown in FIG. If the G tube is pressurized in the state of), the state of FIG.
- the G tube is gradually pressurized, and at the same time, the entire tube may be rotated 180 degrees.
- FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the multi-joint bending portion 30 in which the multi-joint bending portion on the distal end side shown in FIG. 18 and the multi-joint bending portion on the end side shown in FIGS. 20 to 22 are connected.
- members having the same functions as those described in the embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.
- FIG. 23A is a diagram showing a state in which the articulated bending portion 30 is not bent
- FIG. 23B is a diagram showing a bending operation of the articulated bending portion 30.
- FIG. 24A is a cross-sectional view of the bent portions 31b to 31d in the multi-joint bent portion 30 of FIG. 23A
- FIG. 24B is a bent portion of FIG. 24A.
- 24C is a cross-sectional view of the non-bent portion 32 between the bent portions 31b and 31c in FIG. 24A
- FIG. 24D is a cross-sectional view of the portion 31b.
- 24A is a cross-sectional view of the bent portion 31c in FIG. 24A
- FIG. 24E is a cross-sectional view of the non-bent portion 32 between the bent portions 31c and 31d in FIG. 24A
- FIG. It is sectional drawing of the bending part 31d in (a) of FIG.
- the A tube to D tube communicate from the tip end side to the end end side. Further, in a region other than the bent portions 31a and 31b, the non-expandable body 34 is wound around and does not expand even when pressurized. Further, a non-stretchable body 4 for effectively bending is embedded in the vicinity of the center of the bent portion of each tube.
- the J tube communicates with the outermost elastic tube 1j at the bent portion 31c, and the elastic tube 1j is sealed by the non-bent portions 32 on both sides. Since the mesh-like elastic body 12 is disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the outermost elastic tube 1j, internal pressure is directly applied to the outermost elastic tube 1j. In addition, a non-stretchable body 4 for effectively bending is embedded below the bent portion 31c in FIG. Therefore, when the J tube is pressurized, it bends so that the tip portion is directed downward.
- FIG. 24F is the same as FIG. 20B.
- the E tube to H tube are sealed at the end of each tube, as shown in FIG.
- a two-layered mesh-like elastic body 12 having a cylindrical shape is disposed inside the outer peripheral elastic tube 1k.
- the cylindrical diameter of the articulated bending portion 30 is illustrated and described as being constant. 23 and (b) to (f) in FIG. 24, it is desirable to make the diameter smaller at the tip. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the load on the bending operation due to the weight of each bending portion.
- the articulated bending portion 30 in this embodiment is used in an endoscope camera, first, after positioning the entire articulated bending portion 30 while avoiding an organ with the configuration shown in FIGS. The rough direction of the camera tip is determined by the bent portion 31c shown in FIG. Next, the operation can be performed while finely adjusting the visual field by manipulating the bent portions 31a and 31b, and the visual field can be moved without feeling uncomfortable for the operator.
- Such complicated movement can be realized with a simple structure consisting of the mechanism for pressurizing the nine elastic tubes, rotating the entire tube, and inserting / removing it, and the application range can be expanded to relatively complicated operations.
- the non-stretchable body 4 can also be used as a cord for sending air to the catheter. Air sent to the catheter inflates the balloon of the catheter.
- the catheter may be a guide wire type.
- the articulated bending part 30 is used instead of the guide wire for guiding the direction in which the catheter advances. That is, a catheter is connected to the non-expandable tube 3 without the articulated bend 30, and the articulated bend 30 (opposite to the fixed portion) is connected to the other end of the catheter on the opposite side of the non-expandable tube 3. Side end) is connected. It is assumed that the gas sealed in the elastic tube 1 in the articulated bending portion 30 is injected from the non-expandable tube 3 through a catheter. Thereby, by adjusting the pressure of the gas sealed in the elastic tube main body 11, the articulated bending part 30 can guide the direction in which the catheter advances.
- the non-stretchable body 4 can be used also as a cord for sending a signal for controlling the laser emitted from the laser knife.
- the medical instrument attached to the elastic tube 1 may be an electric knife.
- the present invention can also be expressed as follows.
- the endoscope apparatus has a flexible non-stretchable body fixed in the length direction to the elastic tube portion, has an elongated hollow cylindrical shape, and has a distal end portion sealed and fluid.
- a multi-joint bending apparatus comprising a plurality of inflatable elastic tubes enclosed, a camera fixed to the tip thereof, and a hollow cylinder that is connected to the other end of the plurality of elastic tube portions and encloses a fluid
- a non-expandable tube having a shape, a flexible and non-expandable hollow cylindrical connection tube connected to the non-expandable tube portion, and the elastic tube through the connection tube and the non-expandable tube.
- a control unit that variably controls the fluid pressure, and the control unit controls the fluid pressure in the elastic tube, and the fluid pressure causes the elastic tube to expand and contract on the opposite side of the non-stretchable body. , Thereby also expressed as an endoscope apparatus for bending the articulated bending apparatus to an arbitrary angle.
- the control unit changes a fluid pressure in the elastic tube, and a fluid pressure sensor detects the fluid pressure.
- a piston drive unit that operates the piston in the syringe and varies a fluid pressure, a microphone that inputs an operator's voice, a voice signal input by the microphone, and a detection signal of the fluid pressure sensor.
- a pressure control unit that inputs and controls the piston drive unit, and controls the piston drive unit by the pressurization control unit and changes the fluid pressure in the elastic tube by an operator's voice It may be.
- the non-stretchable body may be made of a polyamide fiber in the endoscope apparatus having the above configuration.
- the endoscope apparatus according to the present invention may be an electric cord in which the non-stretchable body supplies power to the camera in the endoscope apparatus having the above configuration.
- the bending device (multi-joint bending portion 30) includes a cylindrical member (elastic tube 1P) having a hollow structure and a plurality of elastic tubes (1a to 1d) disposed inside the cylindrical member. ), wherein the elastic tube has an elastic tube main body (11) having a narrow hollow cylindrical shape whose tip is sealed, and a non-stretchable body (4) that suppresses expansion of the elastic tube main body.
- the non-stretchable body is fixed to the elastic tube main body, and a portion of the elastic tube main body to which the non-stretchable body is fixed is thicker than other portions of the elastic tube main body.
- the tubular member has a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axial direction of the tubular member having a plurality of layer structures (peripheral elastic tubes 1k, 1m, 1n), which increases the internal pressure of the elastic tube body.
- the portion of the elastic tube main body that opposes the portion to which the non-stretchable body is fixed expands in the outer circumferential direction of the elastic tube main body, and the cylindrical member corresponds to the number of the plurality of layer structures. It is characterized by bending at a stepped angle.
- the elastic tube main body since the elastic tube includes the non-stretchable body, the elastic tube main body has a thick portion corresponding to the position where the non-stretchable body is disposed in accordance with an increase in internal pressure. It expands toward the outer periphery of the elastic tube body. Therefore, the bending of the tubular member with respect to the amount of expansion becomes larger than when the elastic tube body expands uniformly in the entire circumferential direction. Therefore, the cylindrical member can be easily bent without applying a large pressure to the elastic tube body.
- a cylindrical member bends at a stepped angle according to the number of several layer structures. Therefore, compared with the case where the structure which comprises the said cylindrical member is only an outer periphery elastic tube, the curve angle which an operator desires can be implement
- the cylindrical member may have a gap between the plurality of layer structures.
- the re-inner peripheral member constituting the plurality of layer structures starts to expand due to expansion of the elastic tube body, the second and subsequent layers do not expand immediately due to the presence of the gap. Therefore, the stepwise expansion of the cylindrical member can be suppressed.
- the plurality of layer structures may be configured by a plurality of nested outer elastic tubes.
- the plurality of layer structures in the cylindrical member are configured by a plurality of outer peripheral elastic tubes. Therefore, the cylindrical member has less variation in bending operation characteristics due to changes in the elastic modulus and thickness of the outer peripheral elastic tube as compared with the case where the outer peripheral elastic tube constituting the cylindrical member is single. . As a result, the variation in the bending angle due to the bent portion is reduced. In addition, as compared with a case where the outer peripheral elastic tube is used alone, expansion in the circumferential direction (lateral direction) that does not contribute to bending is further suppressed, and expansion in the long axis direction (vertical direction) that directly affects the control of the bending angle. Can bend more effectively. Furthermore, since unnecessary expansion in the circumferential direction of the elastic tube is further suppressed, deterioration of the elastic tube due to mechanical stress caused by repeated expansion and contraction can be more effectively prevented.
- the tubular member bends at a stepped angle according to the number of the outer peripheral elastic tubes, so that the bending angle desired by the operator can be realized with higher accuracy.
- the plurality of outer peripheral elastic tubes may have different elastic moduli.
- a user such as an operator can arbitrarily vary the elastic modulus of each outer peripheral elastic tube.
- the bending operation characteristic of the bending device is affected by the elastic modulus of the outer peripheral elastic tube, a bending device having the bending operation characteristic desired by the user can be realized.
- the bending device according to Aspect 5 of the present invention is the bending apparatus according to Aspect 1 or 2, wherein the cylindrical member is an elastic having a corrugated cross-sectional shape disposed in the outer peripheral elastic tube and in the outer peripheral elastic tube. You may be comprised from a tube (1m, 1n).
- the tubular member has the elastic tube whose corrugated cross-sectional shape is disposed inside the outer peripheral elastic tube. Therefore, almost no tension is applied until the outer peripheral surface of the corrugated elastic tube becomes flat due to expansion. Therefore, the same effect as that of providing a gap between the outer peripheral elastic tubes can be obtained, and the outer diameter of the bending apparatus can be reduced by reducing the area of the gap portion.
- the cylindrical member in the bending device according to aspect 6 of the present invention, in the aspect 1 or 2, includes the outer peripheral elastic tube, and a cylindrical anisotropic stretchable elastic body disposed inside the outer peripheral elastic tube. You may be comprised from.
- the cylindrical member has the cylindrical anisotropic elastic body disposed inside the outer peripheral elastic tube.
- the anisotropic stretchable elastic body has directionality in its stretch properties. Therefore, the expansion in the circumferential direction (lateral direction) of the elastic tube that does not contribute to the bending can be further suppressed, and the bending due to the expansion in the major axis direction (vertical direction) that directly affects the control of the bending angle can be more effectively performed.
- the variation in the bending angle due to the bent portion can be greatly improved.
- the anisotropic stretchable elastic body may be an elastic tube (elastic tube body 11) having a bellows structure.
- the anisotropic stretchable elastic body may be a net-like elastic body (12).
- a cylindrical anisotropic elastic body may be provided around each of the plurality of elastic tubes.
- the elastic tube main body is equipped with the non-expandable body, the said thick tube part of the elastic tube main body of the part which opposes the arrangement position of a non-stretchable body according to the raise of an internal pressure. , And expands toward the outer peripheral direction of the elastic tube body. Therefore, the bending of the tubular member with respect to the amount of expansion becomes larger than when the elastic tube body expands uniformly in the entire circumferential direction. Therefore, the cylindrical member can be easily bent without applying a large pressure to the elastic tube body.
- the elastic tube has different expansion / contraction characteristics with respect to its bending direction. Therefore, the expansion in the circumferential direction (lateral direction) of the elastic tube that does not contribute to the bending can be further suppressed, and the bending due to the expansion in the major axis direction (vertical direction) that directly affects the control of the bending angle can be more effectively performed.
- the variation in the bending angle due to the bent portion can be greatly improved.
- a bending apparatus according to an aspect 10 of the present invention is the bending apparatus according to any one of the aspects 1 to 8, wherein a plurality of anisotropic elastic properties having different elastic properties are provided between the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the plurality of elastic tubes.
- An elastic body may be provided.
- the elastic tube itself can have a stepwise expansion / contraction characteristic.
- the bending device can be further reduced in diameter, the hysteresis characteristics of the elastic tube can be reduced, and the controllability of bending at the bent portion can be improved. it can.
- the anisotropic stretchable elastic body may be a net-like elastic body.
- the bending device (multi-joint bending portion 30) is a bending device including a cylindrical member having a hollow structure and a plurality of elastic tubes arranged inside the cylindrical member.
- the elastic tube includes an elastic tube main body having a sealed hollow cylindrical end and an elongated hollow cylindrical shape, and a non-stretchable body that suppresses expansion of the elastic tube main body, and the non-stretchable body includes the elastic tube.
- the elastic tube is provided along the thick part of the main body, and the elastic tube has a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axial direction of the elastic tube and has a plurality of layer structures, and the internal pressure of the elastic tube main body increases. Accordingly, a portion of the elastic tube main body facing the thick portion where the non-stretchable body is disposed expands toward the outer peripheral direction of the elastic tube main body, and the cylindrical member bends at a stepped angle. Characterized in that it.
- the elastic tube main body since the elastic tube includes the non-stretchable body, the elastic tube main body has a thick portion corresponding to the position where the non-stretchable body is disposed in accordance with an increase in internal pressure. It expands toward the outer periphery of the elastic tube body. Therefore, the bending of the tubular member with respect to the amount of expansion becomes larger than when the elastic tube body expands uniformly in the entire circumferential direction. Therefore, the cylindrical member can be easily bent without applying a large pressure to the elastic tube body.
- the cylindrical member bends at a stepped angle. Therefore, the bending angle desired by the operator can be realized with higher accuracy.
- the bending apparatus according to Aspect 13 of the present invention is the bending apparatus according to Aspect 12, wherein the plurality of layer structures include the elastic tube body and an anisotropic stretchable elastic body (a mesh-like elastic body) provided around the elastic tube body. 12a, 12b).
- the elastic tube has different expansion / contraction characteristics with respect to its bending direction.
- movement of a specific elastic tube can be made small.
- the expansion in the circumferential direction (lateral direction) of the elastic tube that does not contribute to bending is further suppressed, and bending by expansion in the major axis direction (vertical direction) that directly affects the control of the bending angle is performed more effectively.
- lateral direction lateral direction
- vertical direction vertical direction
- the variation in the bending angle due to the bent portion can be greatly improved.
- the bending apparatus according to aspect 14 of the present invention is the bending apparatus according to aspect 12, wherein the plurality of layered structures are anisotropic expansion and contraction provided between the elastic tube main body and an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface of the elastic tube main body.
- elastic elastic bodies (mesh elastic bodies 12a and 12b).
- the elastic tube itself can have a stepwise expansion / contraction characteristic.
- the bending device can be further reduced in diameter, the hysteresis characteristics of the elastic tube can be reduced, and the controllability of bending at the bent portion can be improved. it can.
- the anisotropic stretchable elastic body may be a net-like elastic body.
- a control device (20) according to aspect 16 of the present invention is a control device that controls expansion and contraction of the elastic tube main body according to aspect 1 or 12, and that receives an instruction to expand or contract the elastic tube.
- a configuration may be provided that includes a receiving unit and a fluid pressure variable unit that changes the pressure by injecting fluid into the hollow interior of the elastic tube body based on the instruction received by the instruction receiving unit.
- the camera assistant for operating the distal end portion is not necessary, and the medical procedure performed by the operator is hindered by the operation of the camera assistant. It will not be done. Therefore, the surgeon can smoothly perform the medical treatment.
- the medical device (endoscope apparatus 100) according to aspect 17 of the present invention may be configured to include the bending apparatus according to aspect 1 or 12 and the control apparatus according to aspect 16.
- the medical device can perform a bending operation of the bending device with high controllability with high complexity while having a simple structure.
- Equipment can be realized.
- the present invention can be suitably used for an articulated bending device, a control device, and a medical device.
- it can be used for medical devices equipped with an endoscope camera, a catheter, a laser knife, and an electric knife in a medical field.
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Abstract
Description
(1)キズが目立たないため美容的に優れている。
(2)手術後の痛みが少ない。
(3)回復が早いため従来の手術方法より短い入院期間(2~3日)で退院できる。よって医療費が抑制できる。
(4)身体への負担が少ないため体力が低下した患者(高齢者)でも安全に手術が受けられる。
(1)体外で人同士、手術器具同士が接触し邪魔しあう。
(2)術者とカメラ助手の接触。
(3)鉗子と内視鏡カメラの接触。
以下、本発明の実施の形態について、図1~図6、図10および図11に基づいて詳細に説明する。
図1は、本発明実施の形態に係る弾性チューブを備えた医療機器の一例として、内視鏡装置の構成を示す図である。図1において、内視鏡装置100(医療機器)は、内視鏡部(医療機器部)10および制御装置20を備える。制御装置20は、内視鏡部10を駆動制御する。制御装置20の詳細については、後述する。
上記多関節屈曲部を構成する上記弾性チューブ1a~1dは、長軸方向に固着された可撓性を有する非伸縮体4が内周面と外周面との間に埋め込まれた構造を有する。
図4の(a)および図5に示すように、弾性チューブ1は、弾性チューブ本体11、非伸縮体4、および非伸縮体4を固着するための固着部13を有する。弾性チューブ本体11は、弾性チューブ1を構成する主要部材であり、固着部13は、弾性チューブ1の長軸方向に施されており、非伸縮体4を固着可能とするものである。非伸縮体4を、固着部13を介して弾性チューブの外周面もしくは内周面に固着する構成としてもよいが、ここでは、図4の(a)に示すように、弾性チューブ本体11の内周面と外周面との間(肉厚部)に埋め込まれた状態で固着した例を挙げて説明する。これら弾性チューブ1を4つまとめた構造を基本構造として構成された多関節屈曲部30の、内視鏡カメラ2を固定する側の先端は密封されている。内視鏡カメラ2を固定するための固定部は、多関節屈曲部30の密封された先端に施されており、医療器具を多関節屈曲部30に取り付け可能とするものである。固定部に取り付けられる医療器具は、内視鏡カメラ2に限定されるものでなく、カテーテル、レーザメス、電気メス等であってもよい。なお、固定部および固着部13は、弾性チューブ1の一部であり、弾性チューブ1と同一素材からなるものである。
ここで、図6を用いて、弾性チューブ1への加圧部35の構成例について説明する。図6の(a)は比較的単純な4つの弾性チューブ1の構成での例であり、多関節屈曲部30の末端の非屈曲部32の断面を示している。
ここで、図3、図4、図10および図11を用いて弾性チューブ1の膨張について更に詳しく説明する。図3の(a)は、図1における内視鏡装置100の内視鏡部10を構成する多関節屈曲部30の要部を示す斜視図である。図4の(a)は、図3の(a)における内視鏡部10の屈曲部31のA‐A’線矢視断面図である。図4に示す弾性チューブ1は、例えば外径2mm、内径1mm、長さ5mmのシリコーン(酸化ケイ素等の強化剤を添加したポリジメチルシロキサン)チューブよりなり、制御装置20(図1参照)から弾性チューブ1内に注入される空気Wの圧力によって膨張および収縮する。弾性チューブ1内に封入されている空気Wの圧力が常圧(1気圧)の場合、この弾性チューブ1を主要部品として構成された多関節屈曲部30の形状は、図3の(a)に示されるように、直線状である。また、弾性チューブ1a(Aチューブ)内に封入された空気Wの圧力を増加させることにより、図3の(b)に示されるように、弾性チューブ1a(Aチューブ)は屈曲部31で膨張する。
図1に示すように、非膨張チューブ3は、多関節屈曲部30と同一形状、すなわち弾性チューブ本体11と同一外径及び内径を有する長さ約2cm~30cm程度(これに限定するものではなく、関節の段数によって適宜適切な長さに設定することが望ましい)の直線状の硬質中空体よりなり、アクリル樹脂にて構成することができる。
図3の(c)は、弾性チューブ1aを一例として、弾性チューブ1aおよび非膨張チューブ3aの長軸方向の断面を示した図であり、図3の(a)のC-C’線矢視断面図である。図3(c)および図5に示すように、非膨張チューブ3aは弾性チューブ1aの周囲を非膨張体34で巻いた構成である。
図1において、制御装置20について説明する。なお、以下の説明は、制御装置20の一例であって、制御装置の構成を限定するものではない。制御装置20は、多関節屈曲部30に含まれるチューブを加圧することができればよく、以下の構成に限定されず、多種多様な構成とすることができる。
医療処置(手術)状況について、以下に説明する。マイクロフォンにて検知された術者の音声により、加圧制御部26にてピストン駆動部24を制御し、ピストン21およびシリンジ22を用いて弾性チューブ1内の空気圧を変化させる。
ピストン21は、接続チューブ5に接続されたシリンジ22内に摺動可能に挿入されている。ピストン21は、ピストン駆動部24に連結されたネジ部に螺合されており、ピストン駆動部24がネジ部を正回転又は逆回転することによって、シリンジ22内にてピストン21を摺動させる構成であってもよい。このピストン駆動部24の正回転又は逆回転及びその回転数は加圧制御部26にて制御される。
本発明実施の形態に係る弾性チューブの湾曲特性を、弾性チューブ本体11内にある空気Wと、弾性チューブ本体11の湾曲角度との関係に基づいて、以下に説明する。
また、弾性チューブ1は、自動操作される構成であってもよい。例えば、医療器具として図1に示す内視鏡カメラ2を用いる場合、内視鏡カメラ2によって撮影された画像をカメラモニタに表示すると同時に、内視鏡カメラ2によって撮影された画像を、制御装置20において取得および解析する構成(不図示)としてもよい。制御装置20は、解析した情報に応じて、弾性チューブ本体11内に封入された気体の圧力を自動調整する。それゆえ、内視鏡カメラ2の湾曲角度を自動で変化させることができる。なお、制御装置20には、医療処置の進み具合を示す画像データ等が予め格納されているものとする。また、制御装置20は、上述したヒステリシス特性を用いて、内視鏡カメラ2の湾曲角度を変化させてもよい。
本発明の他の実施形態について、図7~図9に基づいて説明すれば、以下のとおりである。なお、説明の便宜上、前記実施形態にて説明した部材と同じ機能を有する部材については、同じ符号を付記し、その説明を省略する。
図7に、二つの屈曲部を組み合わせて連動させて動作する可動機構の例を示す。多関節屈曲部を構成する4つの弾性チューブ1a~1dを有する構成については、実施の形態1と同様であるが、図7に示すように、非屈曲部32で弾性チューブ1a~1dの位置を反対側と入れ替える構成としている。
本発明の他の実施形態について、図12~図14に基づいて説明すれば、以下のとおりである。なお、説明の便宜上、前記実施形態にて説明した部材と同じ機能を有する部材については、同じ符号を付記し、その説明を省略する。
図12に、外周弾性チューブを三重にした構成を用いた屈曲部の一例を示す。なお、外周弾性チューブの数はこれに限定するものではなく、任意の数で構成することができる。
本発明の他の実施形態について、図15および図16に基づいて説明すれば、以下のとおりである。なお、説明の便宜上、前記実施形態にて説明した部材と同じ機能を有する部材については、同じ符号を付記し、その説明を省略する。
図15に、外周チューブとして蛇腹構造の弾性チューブを用いた例を示す。屈曲部31aの構成は、既に実施の形態1および実施の形態2で説明したので詳細な説明を省略する。
本発明の他の実施形態について、図17に基づいて説明すれば、以下のとおりである。なお、説明の便宜上、前記実施形態にて説明した部材と同じ機能を有する部材については、同じ符号を付記し、その説明を省略する。
実施の形態4では、外周弾性チューブを蛇腹構造または波型構造の弾性チューブで構成することにより、屈曲に寄与しない弾性チューブ周囲方向(横方向)の膨張を抑制し、湾曲角度の制御に直接影響する長軸方向(縦方向)の膨張による屈曲を効果的に行うこと、また、無駄な弾性チューブ周囲方向の膨張が抑えられるので、伸縮の繰り返しで生じる機械的ストレスによる弾性チューブ1a~1dの劣化も防ぐことができること、細径の多関節屈曲部30を得ることができることを説明した。
本発明の他の実施形態について、図17~図19に基づいて説明すれば、以下のとおりである。なお、説明の便宜上、前記実施形態にて説明した部材と同じ機能を有する部材については、同じ符号を付記し、その説明を省略する。
図18に示すように、カメラを取り付けた先端部は、実施の形態2および実施の形態5で説明した二つの屈曲部31aおよび31bを組み合わせて動作する可動機構を用い、中間部および末端部制御用に一つの外周弾性チューブ1kを用いた屈曲部31cを有する構成の例を示す。
本発明の他の実施形態について、図20~図25に基づいて説明すれば、以下のとおりである。なお、説明の便宜上、前記実施形態にて説明した部材と同じ機能を有する部材については、同じ符号を付記し、その説明を省略する。
まず、カメラを取り付けた先端部は、実施の形態6で説明した、二つの屈曲部31aおよび31bの組み合わせで駆動し、中間部に一方向に屈曲動作する屈曲部を用いることを想定し、中間部および末端部制御用に4つの弾性チューブを用いた屈曲部を有する可動機構の構成例を図20に示す。
次に、図23および24を用いて、実施の形態6で説明した先端部側の多関節屈曲部と、実施の形態7で説明した末端部側の多関節屈曲部との接続について、更に詳細に説明する。
本発明の他の実施形態について説明すれば、以下のとおりである。なお、説明の便宜上、前記実施形態にて説明した部材と同じ機能を有する部材については、同じ符号を付記し、その説明を省略する。
内視鏡部10の先端の固定部に、医療器具としてカテーテルを取り付けた場合、非伸縮体4は、カテーテルに空気を送るコードで兼用できる。カテーテルに送られた空気によりカテーテルのバルーンが膨らむ。
なお、本発明は以下のように表現することも可能である。
本発明の態様1に係る屈曲装置(多関節屈曲部30)は、中空構造を有する筒状部材(弾性チューブ1P)と、前記筒状部材の内部に配置された複数の弾性チューブ(1a~1d)と、を備えた屈曲装置であって、前記弾性チューブは、先端部が密封され、細長い中空円筒形を有する弾性チューブ本体(11)と、弾性チューブ本体の膨張を抑制する非伸縮体(4)とを備えており、前記非伸縮体は、前記弾性チューブ本体に固着されており、前記弾性チューブ本体における前記非伸縮体が固着された部分は、前記弾性チューブ本体における他の部分よりも厚く、前記筒状部材は、前記筒状部材の軸方向に直交する断面の形状が複数の層構造(外周弾性チューブ1k、1m、1n)となっており、前記弾性チューブ本体の内部圧力の上昇に応じて、前記弾性チューブ本体における前記非伸縮体が固着された部分に対向する部分が当該弾性チューブ本体の外周方向に向けて膨張するとともに、前記筒状部材が前記複数の層構造の数に応じた段階的な角度で屈曲することを特徴とする。
さらに、上記の構成によれば、弾性チューブ本体における非伸縮体が固着された部分が他の部分よりも厚いので、非伸縮体が固着された部分の耐性が向上し、更に非伸縮性も増し、加圧に対してヒステリシスの生じない安定した屈曲動作を得ることができるといった効果がある。
1a~1h 弾性チューブ
1j、1k、1m、1n 弾性チューブ
2 内視鏡カメラ
2a カテーテル
2b バルーン
2c レーザメス
3 非膨張チューブ
4 非伸縮体
5 接続チューブ
6 カメラモニタ
7 可撓性スタンド
8 手術台
10 内視鏡部(医療機器部)
10a、10b 医療機器部
11 弾性チューブ本体
12 固定部
13 固着部
14 ケーブル
20 制御装置
21 ピストン(気圧可変部)
22 シリンジ
23 空気圧センサ
24 ピストン駆動部(気圧可変部)
25 マイクロフォン(指示受付部)
26 加圧制御部(気圧可変部)
30 多関節屈曲部(屈曲装置)
31 屈曲部(関節)
32 非屈曲部
33 剛性チューブ
34 非膨張体
35 加圧部
36 加圧弁
40 多関節屈曲装置
100 内視鏡装置(医療機器)
Claims (17)
- 中空構造を有する筒状部材と、
前記筒状部材の内部に配置された複数の弾性チューブと、を備えた屈曲装置であって、
前記弾性チューブは、先端部が密封され、細長い中空円筒形を有する弾性チューブ本体と、弾性チューブ本体の膨張を抑制する非伸縮体とを備えており、
前記非伸縮体は、前記弾性チューブ本体に固着されており、
前記弾性チューブ本体における前記非伸縮体が固着された部分は、前記弾性チューブ本体における他の部分よりも厚く、
前記筒状部材は、前記筒状部材の軸方向に直交する断面の形状が複数の層構造となっており、
前記弾性チューブ本体の内部圧力の上昇に応じて、前記弾性チューブ本体における前記非伸縮体が固着された部分に対向する部分が当該弾性チューブ本体の外周方向に向けて膨張するとともに、前記筒状部材が前記複数の層構造の数に応じた段階的な角度で屈曲することを特徴とする屈曲装置。 - 前記筒状部材は、前記複数の層構造間に間隙を有していることを特徴とする請求項1に記載の屈曲装置。
- 前記複数の層構造は、入れ子構造の複数の外周弾性チューブにより構成されていることを特徴とする請求項1または2に記載の屈曲装置。
- 前記複数の外周弾性チューブは、互いに異なる弾性率を有していることを特徴とする請求項3に記載の屈曲装置。
- 前記複数の層構造は、外周弾性チューブと、当該外周弾性チューブの内部に配置された外周方向の断面形状が波型の弾性チューブとから構成されていることを特徴とする請求項1または2に記載の屈曲装置。
- 前記複数の層構造は、外周弾性チューブと、当該外周弾性チューブの内部に配置された筒状の異方伸縮性弾性体とから構成されていることを特徴とする請求項1または2に記載の屈曲装置。
- 前記異方伸縮性弾性体は、蛇腹構造の弾性チューブであることを特徴とする請求項6に記載の屈曲装置。
- 前記異方伸縮性弾性体は、網目状弾性体であることを特徴とする請求項6に記載の屈曲装置。
- 前記複数の弾性チューブの周囲には、それぞれ筒状の異方伸縮性弾性体が設けられていることを特徴とする請求項1から8のいずれか1項に記載の屈曲装置。
- 前記複数の弾性チューブの内周面と外周面との間には、伸縮特性が互いに異なる複数の異方伸縮性弾性体が設けられていることを特徴とする請求項1から8のいずれか1項に記載の屈曲装置。
- 前記異方伸縮性弾性体は、網目状弾性体であることを特徴とする請求項9または10に記載の屈曲装置。
- 中空構造を有する筒状部材と、
前記筒状部材の内部に配置された複数の弾性チューブと、を備えた屈曲装置であって、
前記弾性チューブは、先端部が密封され、細長い中空円筒形を有する弾性チューブ本体と、弾性チューブ本体の膨張を抑制する非伸縮体とを備えており、
前記非伸縮体は、前記弾性チューブ本体の肉厚部に沿って設けられており、
前記弾性チューブは、前記弾性チューブの軸方向に直交する断面の形状が複数の層構造となっており、
前記弾性チューブ本体の内部圧力の上昇に応じて、前記弾性チューブ本体における前記非伸縮体が配置された肉厚部に対向する部分が当該弾性チューブ本体の外周方向に向けて膨張するとともに、前記筒状部材が段階的な角度で屈曲することを特徴とする屈曲装置。 - 前記複数の層構造は、前記弾性チューブ本体と、当該弾性チューブ本体の周囲に設けられた異方伸縮性弾性体とから構成されていることを特徴とする請求項12に記載の屈曲装置。
- 前記複数の層構造は、前記弾性チューブ本体と、当該弾性チューブ本体の内周面と外周面との間に設けられた異方伸縮性弾性体とから構成されていることを特徴とする請求項12に記載の屈曲装置。
- 前記異方伸縮性弾性体は、網目状弾性体であることを特徴とする請求項13または14に記載の屈曲装置。
- 請求項1または12に記載の弾性チューブ本体の膨張および収縮を制御する制御装置であって、
前記弾性チューブの膨張または収縮させる指示を受け付ける指示受付部と、
前記指示受付部で受け付けた前記指示に基づいて、前記弾性チューブ本体の中空内部に流体を注入することによって圧力を変化させる流体圧可変部と、を備えることを特徴とする制御装置。 - 請求項1または12に記載の屈曲装置と、請求項16に記載の制御装置とを備えた医療機器。
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