JP4754740B2 - Endoscope device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus in which a hard part is formed in an insertion part to be inserted into a body.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, an endoscope called a rigid endoscope is entirely rigid, that is, an insertion portion into a body as well as an operation portion at hand is formed by a rigid tube. This rigid endoscope has an advantage that the operating force at hand is directly transmitted to the distal end of the insertion portion and is extremely easy to guide the distal end portion to the target site.
[0003]
In Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-26965, a flexible structure portion that can maintain a bent state as it is is provided at a portion of the operation portion of the endoscope that is connected to the insertion portion with the insertion portion. Deformation shows a configuration in which the grip of the operation part of the endoscope and the eyepiece part can be maintained as they are in a direction deviating from the axis of the insertion part formed as a rigid tube part. Has been.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Conventionally, in the field where a rigid endoscope that is formed of a rigid tube as well as an operating part at hand is used for actual surgery, the direction to insert the rigid insertion part into the body of the subject And the direction in which the operation unit is held may be different. Therefore, the posture of the surgeon who is using the rigid endoscope may become cramped. In such a case, the surgeon adjusts the posture of the subject, the height of the bed, etc. It is necessary to devise so that it can be operated with. However, the task of adjusting the patient's posture, bed height, etc. is cumbersome, and the surgeon operates the rigid endoscope in a comfortable posture simply by adjusting the patient's posture, bed height, etc. It is difficult to adjust the position of the rigid endoscope as much as possible.
[0005]
Further, in view of such a situation, as one form for solving the above disadvantages without impairing the advantages of the rigid endoscope, an insertion portion in the operation portion of the endoscope as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-26965. A structure in which a flexible structure portion is provided on the connecting end side portion of the endoscope, and can be maintained as it is with the grip and eyepiece portion of the operation portion of the endoscope positioned in a direction away from the axis of the insertion portion is shown. ing.
[0006]
However, in this method, when an external force such as endoscopic operation in a case is applied to the flexible structure portion of the operation portion, the bending state of the flexible structure portion cannot be reliably maintained. There is a possibility that the grip of the operation part of the endoscope and the position of the eyepiece part may move in an unexpected direction.
[0007]
The present invention has been made paying attention to the above circumstances, and its purpose is that the operator in use can operate in an easy posture, and the position of the operation unit moves even when an external force is applied. It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope apparatus that can be operated with a stable posture at all times.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, an objective optical system for observing an observation site is provided on the distal end side of the elongated insertion portion, and a rigid portion is provided in the insertion portion, and an operation portion is provided at a proximal end portion of the rigid portion. In an endoscope apparatus in which
A joint portion that divides the rigid portion into a distal end side portion and a proximal end side portion, and connects the distal end side portion to the proximal end portion so as to be bendable between the distal end side portion and the proximal end side portion. As well as
The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a fixing tool that holds the bent state of the joint portion by performing a fixing operation between the base end side portion and the distal end side portion is provided in the joint portion.
In the first aspect of the present invention, the distal end side portion and the proximal end side portion of the rigid portion of the insertion portion are connected so as to be bendable via the joint portion, and the joint portion is loosened so that the proximal end side is loosened. By freely adjusting the angle between the part and the tip side part to an arbitrary bending angle, and fixing the joint part fixture, the bending state of the joint part is held at a desired bending angle. .
[0009]
In the invention of claim 2, the periphery of the joint portion is covered with an elastic membrane in a watertight manner, the fixture is provided inside the elastic membrane, and a lever for remotely operating the fixture is provided in the operation portion. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1.
And in invention of this Claim 2, the periphery of a joint part is water-tightly covered with an elastic membrane, and the fixing part is remotely operated by the lever of the operation part, whereby the proximal end part and the distal end of the rigid part of the insertion part The space between the side portions is freely adjusted to an arbitrary bending angle, and the bending state of the joint portion is held at a desired bending angle.
[0010]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the periphery of the joint is covered with an elastic film in a watertight manner, and a through hole is provided in the elastic film so as to penetrate and protrude the fixing tool, and the elastic film protrudes outside the elastic film. A seal means is provided for connecting the operation portion of the fixture to the projecting portion of the fixture and causing the inner peripheral portion of the through hole and the operation portion of the fixture to be watertightly sealed. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 .
And in invention of this Claim 3, it inserts by operating the operation part of the fixing tool which penetrated and protruded the fixing tool from the through-hole of the elastic film to the outer side of the elastic film, and was connected with the protrusion part of the fixing tool. Adjust the bending state of the joint part to the desired bending angle by freely adjusting the base part and the tip part of the rigid part of the part to an arbitrary bending angle and fixing the joint fixture. Hold on. At this time, the space between the inner peripheral portion of the through hole and the operation portion of the fixture is sealed in a watertight manner by the sealing means.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows an endoscope apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The endoscope main body 1a of the endoscope apparatus 1 includes an insertion portion 2 to be inserted into the body, an operation portion 3 on the proximal side connected to the proximal end portion of the insertion portion 2, and a proximal side surface of the operation portion 3. And a flexible cord 4 having one end connected to the portion. Further, an elastic cover 5 is provided outside the connecting portion between the base end portion of the insertion portion 2 and the distal end portion of the operation portion 3.
[0012]
In addition, the insertion portion 2 is configured such that the bending portion 7 is connected to the distal end of the elongated rigid portion 6 and the distal end constituting portion 8 is connected to the distal end of the bending portion 7. Further, the rigid portion 6 is divided into a proximal end side rigid portion (proximal end portion) 6a and a distal end side rigid portion (distal end portion) 6b disposed on the proximal end side of the insertion portion 2, and a bent portion ( (Joint part) 9 is interposed.
[0013]
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a bending operation wire 10 is inserted from the insertion section 2 to the operation section 3 inside the endoscope main body 1a. Here, the operation unit 3 incorporates a bending operation mechanism (not shown) that pulls the bending operation wire 10. Further, the operation unit 3 is provided with an angle lever 11 for operating the bending operation mechanism. Then, the bending operation mechanism is operated by the angle lever 11 and the bending operation wire 10 is pulled, whereby the bending operation of the bending portion 7 is remotely controlled.
[0014]
Further, a connector 12 for connecting to a light source device (not shown) or a video system center is provided at the tip of the flexible cord 4. The connector 12 is provided with a light guide tube 13 and a communication port 14 communicating with the outside. The communication port 14 communicates with the internal space of the endoscope body 1a. Further, a cap mounting portion 15 for attaching a waterproof cap (not shown) capable of covering the opening in a watertight state is formed on the periphery of the communication port 14.
[0015]
FIG. 2 shows the internal structure of the bent portion 9. Here, metal pipes 17 and 18 are disposed on the proximal end side rigid portion 6a and the distal end side rigid portion 6b, respectively. Further, sleeves 17a and 18a are provided at the end portions of the metal pipes 17 and 18, respectively. Here, the sleeve 17a of the metal pipe 17 of the distal end side hard part 6b is formed to have a smaller diameter than the other parts. And the sleeve 18a of the metal pipe 18 of the base end side hard part 6a is fitted in the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter sleeve 17a of this metal pipe 17 in the state fitted.
[0016]
Further, communication holes 19 and 20 are provided in the portion where the sleeves 17a and 18a are overlapped. A rivet 21 is fitted and fixed in the communication holes 19 and 20.
[0017]
Further, communication holes 22 and 23 for bending operation are similarly provided on the opposite sides of the fixing portions fixed by the rivets 21 in the sleeves 17a and 18a. A fixing tool 24 is inserted into the communication holes 22 and 23. A fixing portion 24a that is fixed so as not to rotate with respect to the sleeve 18a is formed at the outer end portion of the fixing tool 24 by making the shape of the fitting portion with the bonding or the communication hole 23 square.
[0018]
Further, a male screw portion 24 b is threaded at a portion of the fixture 24 to be inserted into the communication holes 22 and 23. A nut 25 is screwed into the male screw portion 24b from the inside. A groove 24 c is provided at the inner end of the fixture 24. An E-ring 26 is attached to the groove 24c so that the nut 25 does not come off the male screw portion 24b after assembly.
[0019]
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a gear 27 serving as a chain wheel is cut on the outer peripheral surface of the nut 25 of the fixture 24, and a chain 28 is engaged with the gear 27. The base end portion of the chain 28 extends toward the operation portion 3 side.
[0020]
In addition, a bending operation lever (not shown) for bending the bending portion 9 is disposed in the operation portion 3. The proximal end portion of the chain 28 is attached to the bending operation lever of the operation portion 3. As a result, the nut 25 of the fixture 24 is rotationally driven through the chain 28 by the operation of the bending operation lever of the operation unit 3, and the space between the peripheral walls of the communication holes 22 and 23 for bending operation in the sleeves 17a and 18a is tightened or loosened. You can do that. At this time, the bent portion 9 is bent at a desired angle by loosening the nut 25 and holding the sleeves 17a and 18a between the peripheral walls of the communication holes 22 and 23 for bending operation in a movable state. It can be adjusted to the state. On the other hand, by tightening the nut 25 by operating the bending operation lever, the space between the peripheral walls of the communication holes 22 and 23 for bending operation in the sleeves 17a and 18a is fixed in an immovable state. It can be fixed at a desired adjustment angle. With the above configuration, the bent portion 9 between the proximal end side hard portion 6a and the distal end side hard portion 6b on one side of the hard portion 6 can be bent.
[0021]
Further, the exterior of the bent portion 9 is covered with a ring-shaped elastic member 29, and both ends thereof are bound by a thread 30 to maintain watertightness. Further, the outer peripheral surfaces of the metal pipes 17 and 18 are covered with resin 31 and 32 such as heat shrinkable tubes, for example, other than the bent portion 9.
[0022]
FIG. 4 shows the internal structure of the connecting portion between the distal end side hard portion 6 b and the bending portion 7. Here, the distal end portion of the metal pipe 17 of the distal end side hard portion 6 b is bonded and fixed to the connecting ring 33.
[0023]
Furthermore, at least one or more pins are provided at the joint between the tip of the metal pipe 17 and the connecting ring 33 in order to reinforce the strength in the rotational direction. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. Is inserted and fixed by adhesion. Here, the positions where the pins 34 and 35 of the connecting ring 33 are inserted are arranged at positions shifted from the coils 36 and 37 that guide the bending operation wire 10 as shown in FIG.
[0024]
Further, the connecting ring 33 is bonded and fixed to a bending piece 38 disposed at the proximal end portion of the bending portion 7. Here, as shown in FIG. 6, a pair of convex pieces 39 and 40 project from the end edge of the bending piece 38 toward the rear. Further, notches 41 and 42 are formed in the connection ring 33 at positions corresponding to the pair of convex pieces 39 and 40 of the bending piece 38. The notches 41 and 42 of the connecting ring 33 and the pair of convex pieces 39 and 40 of the bending piece 38 are engaged to reinforce the rotation stop strength in the rotation direction.
[0025]
Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. In the endoscope apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, when the bending portion 9 between the proximal end side rigid portion 6a and the distal end side rigid portion 6b of the rigid portion 6 is adjusted to a desired angle, the bending operation of the operation portion 3 is performed. Operate the lever. When the bending operation lever is operated, the nut 25 of the fixture 24 is rotationally driven through the chain 28. As a result, the space between the peripheral walls of the communication holes 22 and 23 for bending operation in the sleeves 17a and 18a is tightened or loosened.
[0026]
At this time, when the nut 25 of the fixture 24 is loosened by operating the bending operation lever, the sleeves 17a and 18a are held in a movable state between the peripheral walls of the bending operation communication holes 22 and 23. Can do. Thereby, the bending part 9 can be adjusted to the state bent to the desired angle.
[0027]
On the other hand, when the nut 25 of the fixing tool 24 is tightened by operating the bending operation lever, the space between the peripheral wall portions of the communication holes 22 and 23 for bending operation in the sleeves 17a and 18a is fixed in an immovable state. . Thereby, the bending part 9 can be fixed at a desired adjustment angle.
[0028]
Therefore, the above configuration has the following effects. That is, in the endoscope apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the bending portion 9 of the rigid portion 6 is freely bent at a desired angle by loosening the nut 25 of the fixture 24 by operating the bending operation lever of the operation portion 3. Can be adjusted to the state Therefore, the endoscopic device 1 can be operated with a comfortable posture by a surgeon in use.
[0029]
Further, after bending the bent portion 9 to a desired angle, the bent portion 9 can be reliably maintained and fixed at the desired angle by tightening the nut 25 of the fixture 24 by operating the bending operation lever. Therefore, even if an external force such as an endoscope operation in the case is applied to the insertion portion 2 of the endoscope main body 1a, the bending portion 9 of the rigid portion 6 does not move and the endoscope is always in a stable posture. There is an effect that can be operated.
[0030]
FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the configuration of the fixture 24 of the endoscope apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment (see FIGS. 1 to 6) is changed as follows.
[0031]
That is, in this embodiment, a through hole 51 for inserting a fixture is formed in the elastic member 29 of the bent portion 9 of the rigid portion 6. The through hole 51 is located at a position corresponding to the communication holes 22 and 23 formed in the overlapping portion of the sleeve 17a of the metal pipe 17 of the distal end side hard portion 6b and the sleeve 18a of the metal pipe 18 of the proximal end side hard portion 6a. Has been placed. And the fixing tool 52 of this Embodiment is protruded to the exterior side of the insertion part 2 through this through-hole 51. FIG.
[0032]
Further, the fixing portion 52a is fixed to the inner end portion of the fixing member 52 of the present embodiment so as not to rotate with respect to the sleeve 17a by making the shape of the fitting portion with the bonding or the communication hole 22 square. Is formed. The contact surface of the sleeve 17a or the sleeve 18a is coated with a high friction coefficient.
[0033]
A male threaded portion 52b is threaded at a portion of the fixture 52 that protrudes outside the communication holes 22 and 23. A fixing tool operating portion 53 is screwed onto the male screw portion 52b from the outside. The fixture operating portion 53 has a screw hole portion 53a that is screwed into the male screw portion 52b in the axial center portion.
[0034]
Furthermore, a large-diameter operation knob 53b that is operated by a surgeon with fingers is formed at the outer end portion of the fixture operating portion 53. In addition, an extension portion that extends to the outside of the fixture operation portion 53 is formed at the outer end portion of the fixture 52, and a groove 52c is provided in the extension portion. An E ring 54 is attached to the groove 52c so that the fixture operating portion 53 cannot be detached from the male screw portion 52b after assembly.
[0035]
Further, the elastic member 29 is provided with a protrusion (seal means) 55 inside the through hole 51. And this protrusion part 55 is press-contacted to the outer peripheral surface of the fixing tool 52, and water-tightness with the fixing tool 52 is ensured. The other parts have the same configuration as that of the endoscope apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment.
[0036]
Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. In the endoscope apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, when the bending portion 9 between the proximal end side rigid portion 6a and the distal end side rigid portion 6b of the rigid portion 6 is adjusted to a desired angle, The operation knob 53b is rotated. The bending portion 9 is tightened or loosened by rotating the fixing device operating portion 53 between the peripheral walls of the communicating holes 22 and 23 for bending operation in the sleeves 17a and 18a in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Can be adjusted and fixed to a desired angle.
[0037]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the tightening between the peripheral wall portions of the communication holes 22 and 23 for bending operation in the sleeves 17a and 18a is loosened by the rotation operation of the fixing tool operation portion 53, thereby being the same as in the first embodiment. In addition, the bent portion 9 of the hard portion 6 can be adjusted to a state where it is freely bent at a desired angle. Therefore, the endoscopic device 1 can be operated with a comfortable posture by a surgeon in use.
[0038]
Further, after bending the bending portion 9 to a desired angle, the bending portion 9 is tightened between the peripheral wall portions of the communication holes 22 and 23 for bending operation in the sleeves 17a and 18a by the rotation operation of the fixture operating portion 53. 9 can be reliably maintained and fixed at a desired angle. Therefore, even if an external force such as an endoscope operation in the case is applied to the insertion portion 2 of the endoscope main body 1a, the bending portion 9 of the rigid portion 6 does not move and the endoscope is always in a stable posture. There is an effect that can be operated.
[0039]
Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Next, other characteristic technical matters of the present application are appended as follows.
(Additional Item 1) An objective optical system for observing the observation site is provided at the distal end side of the elongated insertion portion, and the insertion portion on the proximal end side of the objective optical system has a joint portion. In the rigid endoscope in which the distal insertion portion can be bent with respect to the proximal insertion portion, the proximal insertion portion and the distal insertion portion are fixedly operated in order to maintain the bent state of the joint portion. A rigid endoscope characterized in that a fixture is provided at the joint.
[0040]
(Additional Item 2) In Additional Item 1, the periphery of the joint is covered with an elastic membrane in a watertight manner, the fixture is provided inside the elastic membrane, and a lever for remotely operating the fixture is provided in the operation portion. A rigid endoscope characterized by that.
[0041]
(Additional Item 3) In Additional Item 1, the periphery of the joint is covered with an elastic membrane in a watertight manner, and a through hole is provided in the elastic membrane for penetrating and projecting the fixture and the operation portion of the fixture. A rigid endoscope having sealing means for ensuring watertightness of an inner peripheral portion of a through hole and an operation portion of the fixture.
[0042]
(Additional Item 4) In an endoscope having a bending operation wire for operating a bending portion, a flexible portion, and a bending portion in an elongated insertion portion, and a bending piece and a connecting ring on the distal end side of the flexible portion are bonded and fixed by a pin The endoscope is characterized in that the position of fixing the coil for guiding the bending operation wire to the connecting ring is shifted with respect to the pin position of the connecting ring.
[0043]
(Prior Art of Additional Items 1 to 3) Conventionally, an endoscope called a rigid endoscope formed of a rigid tube as a whole, that is, an operation part at hand and a insertion part into the body is also operated at hand. There is an advantage that the followability in which the force is directly transmitted to the distal end of the insertion portion is extremely high, and the distal end portion is easily guided to the target site. However, in the actual site, the direction of holding the operation unit may be different from the direction of insertion during use, and the surgeon cannot operate in an easy posture just by adjusting the subject's position, bed height, etc. There was a drawback.
[0044]
In view of such a situation, as one form for solving the above disadvantages without impairing the advantages of the rigid endoscope, as described in Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 3-26965, the bending state of the operation portion side on the insertion portion side There has been proposed an endoscope having a flexible structure capable of maintaining the above as it is.
[0045]
(Subjects 1 to 3 to be solved) However, in the method of Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-26965, when an external force such as an endoscope operation in a case is applied to the flexible structure, There is a drawback that the bent state of the flexible structure portion cannot be reliably maintained.
[0046]
(Object of Additional Items 1 to 3) The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-mentioned problem, and the object of the present invention is to provide a joint portion between the proximal-side insertion portion and the distal-side insertion portion and the joint portion. It is intended to provide an endoscope that has a fixing tool for fixing the base end side insertion portion and the distal end side insertion portion at a desired angle.
[0047]
(Effects of Supplementary Items 1 to 3) As described above, according to the present invention, the bending portion on the proximal end side of the endoscope insertion portion can be reliably maintained and fixed at a desired angle. Even when an external force such as an endoscope operation is applied, the endoscope can be operated in a stable posture without moving the bent portion.
[0048]
(Prior Art of Additional Item 4) In a conventional endoscope, the bending piece of the insertion portion and the connecting ring on the distal end side of the soft portion are fixed with an adhesive and a pin.
[0049]
(Problem to be solved by Supplementary Item 4) In the conventional endoscope, the position of the pin and the guide coil fixing position of the bending operation wire are substantially coincided, and therefore, when the pin is bonded in the assembly, the adhesive guides There was a problem of high possibility of adhering to the coil.
[0050]
(Purpose of Supplementary Item 4) Endoscope that is reliable and easy to assemble.
[0051]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the proximal end portion and the proximal end portion of the rigid portion of the insertion portion are connected to bendable via the joint portion, and the fixed state of the joint portion is loosened. The joint is held at the desired bending angle by freely adjusting the angle between the tip and the tip side part to an arbitrary bending angle, and fixing the joint fixture. By securely maintaining and fixing the bent part of the mirror insertion part at a desired angle, the surgeon in use can be operated in a comfortable posture, and external forces such as endoscopic operation in the case can be performed. Even if added, the endoscope can be operated in a stable posture without moving the bent portion.
[0052]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the proximal portion and the distal end side of the rigid portion of the insertion portion are covered by watertightly covering the joint portion with the elastic film and remotely operating the fixture by the lever of the operation portion. The part can be freely adjusted to an arbitrary bending angle, and the bending state of the joint can be maintained at a desired bending angle.
[0053]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the insertion portion is formed by operating the operation portion of the fixing device that is passed through and protrudes from the through hole of the elastic membrane to the outside of the elastic membrane and is connected to the protruding portion of the fixing device. By freely adjusting the angle between the proximal part and the distal part of the rigid part to an arbitrary bending angle and fixing the joint fixing tool, the bending state of the joint part can be adjusted at a desired bending angle. Hold. At this time, the space between the inner peripheral portion of the through hole and the operation portion of the fixture can be sealed in a watertight manner by the sealing means.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an endoscope apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an internal structure of a joint portion of an insertion portion in the endoscope apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of a main part showing a bending operation mechanism of a joint part in the endoscope apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an internal structure of a connecting portion between a distal end side hard portion and a bending portion of the insertion portion in the endoscope apparatus according to the first embodiment.
5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG.
6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the main configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Insertion part 3 Operation part 6 Hard part 6b Tip side hard part (tip side part)
6a Base end side hard part (base end side part)
9 Bent part (joint part)
24 Fixture

Claims (3)

An endoscope in which an objective optical system for observing an observation site is provided on the distal end side of the elongated insertion portion, a hard portion is provided in the insertion portion, and an operation portion is provided at a proximal end portion of the rigid portion. In the mirror device,
A joint portion that divides the rigid portion into a distal end side portion and a proximal end side portion, and connects the distal end side portion to the proximal end portion so as to be bendable between the distal end side portion and the proximal end side portion. As well as
An endoscope apparatus, wherein a fixing tool is provided at the joint part for holding the bent state of the joint part by performing a fixing operation between the base end part and the distal end part.   The periphery of the joint is covered with an elastic membrane in a watertight manner, the fixture is provided inside the elastic membrane, and a lever for remotely operating the fixture is provided on the operation portion. The endoscope apparatus described in 1. The periphery of the joint is covered with an elastic membrane in a watertight manner, and a through hole is provided in the elastic membrane for allowing the fixture to penetrate and project, and the projection of the fixture is projected from the through hole to the outside of the elastic membrane. 2. The sealing device according to claim 1 , further comprising a sealing means for sealing the inner peripheral portion of the through hole and the operation portion of the fixture in a watertight manner while connecting the operation portion of the fixture to the portion. Endoscopic device.

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