WO2019203293A1

WO2019203293A1 - Endoscope

Info

Publication number: WO2019203293A1
Application number: PCT/JP2019/016561
Authority: WO
Inventors: 雅弘小松
Original assignee: Hoya株式会社
Priority date: 2018-04-18
Filing date: 2019-04-18
Publication date: 2019-10-24
Also published as: JP2019187516A; JP6845826B2

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to reduce the influence on video signal transmission by a solid-state image capture element or on a signal line for transmitting drive power to a sensor or a tip-end light source or the like due to bending of a flexible tube. The present disclosure provides an endoscope comprising: a connector portion connected to a controller equipped with a power supply; an operating portion connected to the connector portion; and an insertion portion to be inserted into an area to be examined. The connector portion is provided, on the operating portion side thereof, with a bending-prevention portion and a flexion portion successively from the connector portion. The endoscope has a rotating mechanism for enabling rotation of the bending-prevention portion and the flexion portion. A first substrate disposed in the connector portion has a first wireless feeding device for transmitting power from the power supply. A second substrate disposed in the flexion portion has a second wireless feeding device for receiving power transmitted wirelessly from the first wireless feeding device. The power from the second wireless feeding device is supplied to a sensor with which the insertion portion is provided.

Description

Endoscope

This disclosure relates to an endoscope.

In general, an endoscope includes a connector portion connected to a control unit, a bending portion and a bending portion in order from the connector portion to the operation portion, and extends from the operation portion via a second bending portion. The insertion portion includes an insertion portion to be inserted into the to-be-affected part, and the insertion portion includes a flexible flexible tube, a bending tube bent by remote operation, and a distal end rigid portion in order from the hand-held operation portion side.
According to the endoscope, by rotating the insertion portion with respect to the operation portion instead of the swing operation, the operability is improved, the procedure time is shortened, and the burden on the operator and the patient is greatly reduced. (See, for example, prior documents 1 and 2).

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-93052 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-254972

The flexible tube (the side closer to the processor) of the endoscope, in particular, the distal end side of the folding preventing portion (pressing rubber portion) is rotated by the operation of the operator. The flexible tube is bent and tensioned.
When the flexible tube is bent frequently, video signal transmission of the sensor (solid-state image sensor: CMOS, CCD, etc.) at the tip and driving power of the light source (illumination unit, LED, etc.) provided at the sensor and tip are transmitted. Affects the signal line (wired cable extending from the insertion section to the control unit).
An object of the present disclosure is to reduce an influence on a signal line that transmits video signal transmission of a sensor or driving power of a sensor or a light source due to bending of a flexible tube.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the connector unit includes a connector unit connected to a controller having a power source, an operation unit connected to the connector unit, and an insertion unit inserted into a to-be-affected part. The endoscope is provided with an anti-bending part and a bending part in order from the connector part on the operation part side of the endoscope, and has a rotation mechanism that allows the anti-bending part and the bending part to rotate. The first board provided in the connector part is provided with the first wireless power feeding device for transmitting power from the power source, and the second board provided in the bent part has the above-mentioned A second wireless power feeding device that receives power transmitted wirelessly from the first wireless power feeding device is provided, and power from the second wireless power feeding device is supplied to a sensor provided in the insertion portion. An endoscope is provided

The first wireless power feeding device is connected to a first coil, the second wireless power feeding device is connected to a second coil, and the first coil and the second coil are: It is preferable that they are arranged close to each other along the rotation axis direction.
Furthermore, it is preferable that a light source is provided in the insertion portion, and that power from the second wireless power feeding device is supplied to the light source provided in the insertion portion.
A first optical wireless device is provided in the anti-bending portion, and a second optical wireless device is provided in the bent portion, and a sensing signal from the sensor may be transmitted by optical communication.

The rotation mechanism preferably has a rotatable angle of 360 degrees or more. For example, it is preferable not to include a mechanism for stopping rotation.
The bend preventing part may be formed of an elastic member.
The sensor may be a solid-state image sensor.

It is preferable that at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate has a regulator for adjusting power supplied from the power source to the sensor.
The bent portion is preferably formed of a flexible tube.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the influence of the bending of the flexible tube on the signal line that transmits the video signal transmission of the sensor and the driving power of the sensor and the light source at the tip.

It is a figure showing an example of schematic structure of an endoscope by one embodiment. FIG. 4 is a side view showing an example of the internal configuration of a signal transmission mechanism in a configuration including an operation portion, a bent portion in the vicinity of the insertion portion, and a first folding stop portion provided between the operation portion and the bent portion. is there. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a mechanical configuration mainly between a first bend preventing portion shown in FIG. 2 and a bent portion in the vicinity thereof. It is a perspective view which shows the example of an internal structure corresponding to FIG. 3A. FIG. 4A is a view corresponding to FIG. 3B, FIG. 4A is a perspective view before rotation, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view when rotated. It is a functional block diagram which shows the example of 1 structure of the endoscope in one Embodiment.

Hereinafter, the endoscope according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of an endoscope according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope A includes a grip operation unit 15 gripped by an operator and an insertion unit 12 extending from the grip operation unit 15. The video processor 1 can be connected to the endoscope A so as to function as an endoscope system.

A universal tube (universal cord) 16 extends from the grip operation unit 15, and a connector unit 5 is provided at the tip of the universal tube 16. Further, from the distal end side of the endoscope A, an insertion portion 12 including a sensor 61 and a light source 63 such as an LED, a grip operation portion 15, a universal tube 16, and a connector portion 5 are arranged. When the connector terminal 5 a of the connector unit 5 is connected to a connector terminal (not shown) of the video processor 1 having the power source 3, the sensor 61 and the light source 63 are connected to the power source 3 built in the video processor 1. The light source 63 may be provided in the grip operation unit 15.

Then, the power supplied from the power supply 3 built in the video processor 1 is supplied to an illumination lens (not shown) provided on the front end surface of the light source 63 of the insertion portion 12 of the endoscope A, for illumination. The light is emitted outward with a predetermined light distribution by the lens. The image signal of the subject obtained by the sensor 61 is transmitted to the video processor 1.

FIG. 2 shows a radio in a configuration including a connector portion 5, a bent portion 11 in the vicinity of the insertion portion 12, and a first bend preventing portion 7 provided between the connector portion 5 and the bent portion 11. It is a side view which shows the internal structural example B of the electric power transmission mechanism in and the signal transmission mechanism in radio | wireless.
As shown in FIG. 2 and the like, a first substrate 21 is disposed in the connector portion 5. The first substrate 21 is provided with a first wireless power feeding device 23 that transmits power supplied from the power supply 3. A first wireless power feeding coil C <b> 1 and an optical wireless device 31 are disposed in the first bend preventing part 7 following the connector part 5. Wirings L2 and L3 are provided between the first wireless power feeding device 23 and the first wireless power feeding coil C1.

On the other hand, a second substrate 41 is disposed in the bent portion 11 disposed at a position facing the first folding stop portion 7. On the second substrate 41, a second wireless power feeding coil C2, an optical wireless device 33, and a second wireless power feeding device 43 that receives the power transmitted from the first wireless power feeding device 23 are provided. It has been. Wirings L4 and L5 are provided between the second wireless power feeding device 43 and the second wireless power feeding coil C2.
The first wireless power feeding coil C1 and the second wireless power feeding coil C2 are disposed to face each other at a certain distance. The second wireless power feeding device 43 is connected to the sensor 61 and the light source 63 through wiring.

By providing the wireless power transmission mechanism as described above, the driving power of the sensor 61 and the light source 63 is wireless power feeding in which the transmission side and the reception side are separated between the bent portion 11 and the first folding stop portion 7. It can be transmitted by the coil for use. As a result, even if an extra tension is applied to the universal tube (flexible tube) 16, the tension is absorbed between the bent portion 11 and the first bend preventing portion 7, and finally the signal of the sensor 61 or The light source 63 can be appropriately driven. As described above, the power supply to the sensor 61 and the power supply to the light source 63 can be transmitted by the coil for wireless power feeding in which the transmission side and the reception side are separated.
Further, the video signal obtained from the sensor 61 is optically wirelessly transmitted by the optical wireless device 33 on the transmission side provided in the bent portion 11 and the optical optical device 31 on the reception side provided in the first folding stop portion 7. Can be transmitted. In this way, power and signals can be exchanged wirelessly between the bent portion 11 that is mechanically separated and rotated and the first bend preventing portion 7.
Since it is not necessary to supply power or transmit signals through a continuous cable between the video processor 1 or the power source 3 and the insertion portion 12, the bent portion 11 and the first folding portion 7 that are mechanically separated There is no need to connect between the two with a wired cable.

Next, the mechanical structure of the endoscope according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.
FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view showing a mechanical example mainly between the first bend preventing part 7 shown in FIG. 2 and the bent part 11 in the vicinity thereof, and FIG. 3B is an internal view corresponding to FIG. 3A. It is a perspective view which shows the example of a structure. 4A and 4B are views corresponding to FIG. 3B, FIG. 4A is a perspective view before rotation, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view when rotated.
As shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 4, the connector unit 5, the connecting tube 57, the rotating tube 51, and the stop tube 55 are arranged in order from the connector unit 5 to the grip operation unit 15.

A rotating tube 51 is inserted into a hollow cylindrical connecting tube 57 and fixed by a stop tube 55. This configuration is generally used as a coupling mechanism that can rotate with each other. However, in a general rotatable coupling mechanism, rotation is regulated by providing a dowel 53. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the rotation restriction mechanism is removed by not providing the rotation restriction portion (the dowel 53). Thereby, the connector part 5 and the 1st bending prevention part 7 can be freely rotated mutually over 360 degreeC or more.
The rotation mechanism is not limited to such an example, and a known rotation mechanism can be used.
The

members

58 and 59 are covering portions provided on the outside of the tube.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the endoscope according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 5, the example of an electrical structure mainly between the 1st bending prevention part 7 and the bending part 11 of the vicinity is shown.
As shown in FIG. 5, the endoscope according to the present embodiment is provided with a connector portion 5 connected to the video processor 1, a first bend preventing portion 7, a bent portion 11, and a sensor 61. Yes. As described above, the first substrate 21 is provided in the first bend preventing portion 7, and the second substrate 41 is provided in the bent portion 11.

The video processor (controller) 1 is provided with, for example, a power supply 3 and a video signal processing circuit (FPGA) 83. A first substrate 21 is provided in the first bend preventing part 7. The first substrate 21 is provided with a regulator 21-2 for adjusting power from the power source 3 and a power transmission IC 21-1 including a coil C1. Furthermore, a TIA (transimpedance amplifier) for converting a current received and output by an optical device (photodiode: PD) into a voltage signal, that is, a conversion element TIA21-4 for converting the current into a voltage, and the optical device 21 -5 (PD) is provided. The buffer 21-3 temporarily stores the voltage signal and transmits it for each unit on the video processor 1 side. For example, a signal is transmitted for each frame / field.
The bent portion 11 is provided with a second substrate 41. The second substrate 41 is provided with a power receiving IC 41-1 having a coil C2 and a regulator 41-2 for adjusting the power from the power receiving IC 41-1, and the adjusted received power is output to the sensor 61. The

The video signal from the sensor 61 includes a signal correction circuit 41-3 (EQ) provided with the second substrate 41, a video signal drive circuit 41-4 (VCSEL driver), and a video signal wireless transmission circuit 41-5 ( Via the VCSEL) to the optical device 21-5 (PD).
Therefore, the power from the power source 3 and the video signal from the sensor 61 can be transmitted between the first anti-folding portion 7 and the bent portion 11 even in a configuration without physical connection.
Therefore, it is possible to transmit power and a video signal while providing a mechanical mechanism that rotates 360 degrees or more between the first bend preventing portion 7 and the bent portion 11.

As described above, this embodiment can be operated as follows.
1) A structure in which the anti-bending part (restraining rubber part (elastic member)) can rotate 360 degrees or more is obtained.
2) The wireless power feeding device can be arranged in the bend preventing part, and the transmitting / receiving device and the coil can be arranged in accordance with the rotational position.
The wireless power feeding method may be either an electromagnetic induction method or a magnetic resonance method.
3) The optical wireless device is arranged in the anti-bending portion, and arranged so that the communication device surface is aligned even if it is rotated.
4) A light source is arranged in the insertion part or the grip operation part.
5) The power by wireless power feeding can change the device, coil, etc. according to the driving power of the sensor and light source.

And the following advantages can be provided.
1) In the endoscopic procedure, by rotating the insertion portion, it is possible to avoid applying excessive tension to the rear flexible tube.
2) Driving power of a sensor or light source is transmitted without a wired cable by a wireless power feeding coil in which a transmitting side and a receiving side are separated by a first bend portion disposed between a bent portion and a connector portion. I can do it. Therefore, even if an extra tension is applied to the flexible tube, the sensor or the light source can be driven appropriately. Further, a sensor signal from the sensor can also be transmitted without a wired cable between the bent portion and the connector portion. Therefore, even if excessive tension is applied to the flexible tube, the signal from the sensor can be appropriately transmitted to the controller side.
Note that the same configuration can be applied to the second anti-bending portion 17 on the insertion side.

In the above-described embodiment, the illustrated configuration and the like are not limited to these, and can be changed as appropriate within the scope of the effects of the present disclosure. Other modifications may be made as appropriate without departing from the scope of the object of the present disclosure.
For example, the components for wireless power feeding and optical wireless communication may be arranged on either one of both sides mechanically separated, and are not limited to the arrangement positions shown in the embodiments and drawings.
Moreover, each component of this indication can be selected arbitrarily, and the selected structure is also contained in this technique.

This disclosure can be used for endoscopes.

A Endoscope (system)
C1, C2 Wireless power supply coil 1 Video processor 3 Power supply 5 Connector part 5a Connector terminal 12 Insertion part 15 Grasping operation part (operation part)
16 Universal tube 21 First substrate 23 First wireless

power supply device

31, 33 Optical wireless device 41 Second substrate 43 Second wireless power supply device 51 Rotating tube 55 Stop tube 57 Connecting

tube

58, 59 Cover 61 Sensor (solid-state image sensor)
63 Light source

Claims

A connector portion connected to a controller having a power source; an operation portion connected to the connector portion; and an insertion portion inserted into a to-be-tested portion; and the connector portion on the operation portion side of the connector portion An endoscope in which a folding part and a bent part are provided in order,
A rotation mechanism that enables rotation of the bend preventing portion and the bent portion;
The first board provided in the connector portion is provided with a first wireless power feeding device that transmits power from the power source,
The second substrate provided in the bent portion is provided with a second wireless power feeding device that receives power transmitted wirelessly from the first wireless power feeding device, and the second wireless power feeding device. An endoscope in which electric power from is supplied to a sensor provided in the insertion portion.
The first wireless power feeding device is connected to a first coil;
The second wireless power feeding device is connected to a second coil;
The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the first coil and the second coil are disposed to face each other in the vicinity along the rotation axis direction.
The insertion portion is provided with a light source,
The endoscope according to claim 1 or 2, wherein electric power from the second wireless power feeding device is supplied to the light source provided in the insertion portion.
The anti-bending portion is provided with a first optical wireless device,
The bent portion is provided with a second optical wireless device,
The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a sensing signal from the sensor is transmitted by optical communication.
The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the rotation mechanism has a rotatable angle of 360 degrees or more.
The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the bend preventing portion is formed of an elastic member.
The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sensor is a solid-state imaging device.
The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a regulator that adjusts power supplied from the power source to the sensor on at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate. .
The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the bent portion is formed of a flexible tube.