JP2011067256A - Endoscope apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope apparatus allowing a display unit to be easily seen even if the display unit is put on a floor or on a desk. <P>SOLUTION: The endoscope apparatus 1 includes: an insertion portion 10 having a distal end 10A and a proximal end 10B to be inserted into a subject from the distal end 10A; an operating unit 20 disposed in the proximal end 10B of the insertion portion 10 to operate the insertion portion 10; and the display unit 30 disposed in the operating unit 20 for displaying an inside image of the subject obtained via an imaging unit mounted in the distal end 10A of the insertion portion 10. The endoscope apparatus also includes: a placing/gripping portion 40 disposed in the operating unit 20 to be gripped by a hand of an operator when the operating unit 20 is carried or to support the operating unit 20 when the operating unit 20 is placed; and a variable coupling portion 70 disposed at least either in the operating unit 20 or in the placing/gripping portion 40 for changing the angle between the display unit 30 and the placing/gripping portion 40. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in fields such as the medical field and the industrial field, an endoscope having an insertion portion that can be inserted into a hole is used in order to observe an observation object positioned inside the hole or the like that cannot be directly viewed by an operator. It's being used. Endoscopic devices are known.

  As an example of such an endoscope apparatus, Patent Document 1 discloses an operation unit in which an input unit for performing an input for a bending operation and a monitor (display unit) for displaying an image to be observed are integrated. And an endoscopic device including a rod-like gripping part having one end fixed to the operation part.

US Pat. No. 5,373,317

  However, in the endoscope apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the positional relationship between the display unit and the operation unit is fixed. Therefore, when the endoscope apparatus is placed on a floor or a desk, the operator can easily view the display unit. The display unit is not always located. For this reason, when the operator places the endoscope apparatus on the floor or desk and uses the endoscope apparatus, the operator needs to adjust the line of sight in the direction in which the display unit of the endoscope apparatus faces. The person may be forced into an unreasonable posture.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an endoscope apparatus in which a display unit can be easily seen even when placed on a floor or a desk.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention proposes the following means.
An endoscope apparatus according to the present invention has a distal end and a proximal end, an insertion portion that is inserted into the subject from the distal end, and an operation for operating the insertion portion that is provided at the proximal end of the insertion portion. And a display unit that is provided in the operation unit and capable of displaying an image inside the subject acquired through an imaging unit provided at the distal end of the insertion unit. A placement gripping part that is provided in the operation part and is gripped by an operator's hand when carrying the operation part, and supports the operation part when placing the operation part; and A variable connecting portion that is provided in at least one of the placement gripping portion and changes an angle formed by the display portion and the placement gripping portion.

  In addition, the placement gripping portion is formed in a rod shape that can be attached to and detached from the operation portion, and the variable connecting portion is positioned so that the direction in which the placement gripping portion extends is parallel to the surface on which the display portion exists. In relation, the first connecting portion that connects the operation portion and the placement gripping portion, and the positional relationship in which the direction in which the placement gripping portion intersects the surface on which the display portion exists, It is preferable to have the 2nd connection part which connects a description holding part.

  The variable connecting portion relatively positions and fixes the hinge mechanism for steplessly changing the angle formed by the display portion and the placement gripping portion, and the display portion and the placement gripping portion. And a fixing mechanism.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said operation part and the above-mentioned holding | grip holding part carry out turning operation | movement centering on the rotation axis | shaft of the said hinge mechanism in the said variable connection part.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said operation part and the said mounting grip part perform the said turning operation within the area | region where the said display part exists in the said operation part.

  Further, the operation unit and the placement gripping unit may perform the turning operation in a region opposite to the side where the display unit exists in the operation unit.

  In addition, a display unit rotation mechanism that connects the operation unit and the display unit between the operation unit and the display unit so as to be rotatable around two axes orthogonal to each other within a plane where the display unit exists. It is preferable to further provide.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the above-mentioned holding | grip part has a storage battery which can supply drive electric power at least with respect to an insertion part and a display part inside.

  According to the endoscope apparatus of the present invention, the operator uses the endoscope apparatus by holding the placement grip part, and the operator uses the endoscope apparatus by placing the operation part on a floor or a desk. Corresponding to each case, the angle formed by the display unit and the mounting grip unit can be made different, so that the display unit is easy to see even when placed on a floor or a desk.

1 is a perspective view showing an endoscope apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement at the time of use of the same endoscope apparatus, (A) is a perspective view, (B) is a left view. It is a perspective view which shows the endoscope apparatus of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement at the time of use of the same endoscope apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the endoscope apparatus of 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement at the time of use of the same endoscope apparatus. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement at the time of use of the same endoscope apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the modification of the same endoscope apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the endoscope apparatus of 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the modification of the same endoscope apparatus.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, an endoscope apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an endoscope apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is an operation explanatory view showing an operation at the time of using the endoscope apparatus 1, (A) is a perspective view, and (B) is a left side view.
As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope apparatus 1 includes a long insertion portion 10 having flexibility, and an operation portion 20 connected to the base end 10 </ b> B side of the insertion portion 10.
The insertion portion 10 is a portion that is inserted into the subject from the tip 10A, and is formed of a tubular member. On the distal end 10A side of the insertion unit 10, an imaging unit 11 and an illumination unit 12, and a bending unit 13 for changing the direction of the distal end of the insertion unit 10 in a desired direction are provided.

  The imaging unit 11 includes an objective optical system (not shown) that forms the reflected light of the observation target inside the subject, and an imaging element such as a CCD that photoelectrically converts the reflected light of the observation site formed by the objective optical system. It has a known configuration with. A signal line (not shown) for transmitting a video signal acquired by the image sensor is connected to the imaging unit 11 and extends through the insertion unit 10 to the operation unit 20. A known optical adapter for adjusting the viewing angle, viewing direction, observation depth, and the like of the imaging unit 11 may be attached to the imaging unit 11 as necessary.

  The illumination unit 12 emits illumination light from the distal end 10A of the insertion unit 10 and illuminates the field of view of the imaging unit 11 with this illumination light. The illumination light is generated by a light source disposed inside the operation unit 20 and transmitted to the distal end 10 </ b> A of the insertion unit 10 by an optical fiber provided inside the insertion unit 10.

  The bending portion 13 has a known configuration in which cylindrical node rings or bending pieces (hereinafter, referred to as “node rings”) are aligned and connected in the axial direction, and are separated from the axis of the insertion portion 10. The bending operation is possible in directions, for example, four directions. One end of a transmission member (not shown) such as a wire for bending the bending portion 13 is attached to a node ring or the like located on the distal end 10A side of the insertion portion 10 in the bending portion 13. In the endoscope apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the bending portion 13 is operated by four transmission members corresponding to the respective directions passing through the insertion portion 10 in order to bend in four directions separated from the axis of the insertion portion 10. It extends to the part 20.

  The operation unit 20 includes an illumination operation unit 22 that operates the illumination unit 12, a bending drive unit 23 that drives the bending unit 13, and a display unit 30 that displays the video signal acquired by the imaging unit 11 as an image. It is inside the body 21. The operation unit 20 is formed with a first recess 24 and a second recess 25 into which the projection 41 of the mounting grip 40 can be inserted so as to open to the outside of the housing 21. The 1st recessed part 24 and the 2nd recessed part 25 function as a 1st connection part and a 2nd connection part with respect to the mounting holding part 40, respectively.

  The display unit 30 includes a display screen 31 exposed on the outer surface of the operation unit 20, and an image processing unit (not shown) that processes the video signal transmitted from the imaging unit 11 so that the video signal can be displayed on the display screen 31. Yes. As the display screen 31 and the image processing unit, a display screen and an image processing unit of a known display mechanism can be appropriately selected and employed. As the display screen 31, for example, a touch panel type display can be employed.

The first recess 24 is formed so that the depth direction thereof is oriented in a direction parallel to the surface on which the display screen 31 exists so as to follow the display screen 31 of the display unit 30. On the other hand, the second recess 25 is formed so that the depth direction is directed in a direction intersecting the display screen 31 of the display unit 30. Thus, the first recess 24 and the second recess 25 are at different angles in the depth direction with respect to the display unit 30.
A connector (not shown) that can be electrically connected to the mounting grip 40 is provided at the bottom of each of the first recess 24 and the second recess 25.

The mounting grip part 40 is formed to extend in a rod shape that can be attached to and detached from the operation unit 20, and the operator grips the outer surface of the mounting grip part 40 with one hand. In addition, the mounting and gripping unit 40 supplies driving power to the input unit 60 having the joystick 61 for the operator to perform operation input of the bending unit 13, the illumination operation unit 22, and the bending driving unit 23. Battery B.
In addition, a convex portion 41 that fits with the first concave portion 24 and the second concave portion 25 of the operation unit 20 is provided at one end of the mounting grip portion 40. The convex portion 41 is electrically connected to the above-described connectors of the first concave portion 24 and the second concave portion 25, and transmits driving power from the battery B and an input signal from the input portion to the operation portion 20. Yes.

The operation unit 20 and the placement gripping unit 40 have a positional relationship with the display unit 30 provided in the operation unit 20 by inserting the projection 41 into either the first recess 24 or the second recess 25. Two different forms can be transformed into each other. As described above, the angle formed between the display unit 30 and the mounting grip 40 by the first recess 24 and the second recess 25 formed in the operation unit 20 and the convex 41 formed in the mounting grip 40. A variable connecting portion 70 for changing the angle is configured.
Note that the variable coupling portion 70 may be provided with a lock mechanism that maintains the connection state between the first concave portion 24 and the second concave portion 25 of the operation portion 20 and the concave portion 41 of the mounting grip portion 40.

The operation of the endoscope apparatus of the present embodiment having the configuration described above will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG.
The usage method of the endoscope apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a first usage method in which an operator uses the endoscope apparatus 1 by holding the operation unit 20 while holding the outer surface of the mounting grip unit 40; There is a second usage method in which an operator uses the endoscope apparatus 1 by placing the placement grip unit 40 on a desk or floor and supporting the operation unit 20 by the placement grip unit 40.

  In the first usage method, the convex portion 41 of the mounting grip portion 40 is inserted into the first concave portion 24 provided in the operation portion 20 of the endoscope apparatus 1. Then, driving power is supplied to the operation unit 20 between the first recess 24 and the projection 41 via the connector, and an input signal of the input unit 60 can be transmitted to the operation unit 20.

  The operator of the endoscope apparatus 1 holds the placement grip 40 with one hand, and adjusts the orientation of the operation unit 20 so that the display screen 31 of the display unit 30 faces the operator's face, while inserting the insertion unit 10. Is inserted into the subject. Image information inside the subject is imaged by the imaging unit 11 provided at the distal end 10 </ b> A of the insertion unit 10, and an image inside the subject is displayed on the display screen 31. In this manner, the operator observes the inside of the subject using the endoscope apparatus 1 in the first usage method.

  When the operator switches the usage method from the first usage method to the second usage method, first, after the operator turns off the power of the endoscope apparatus 1, the placement grip unit 40 is moved to the second usage method. Pull out from one recess 24. Subsequently, the convex part 41 of the mounting grip part 40 is inserted into the second concave part 25 of the operation part 20.

In the second usage method, driving power is supplied to the operation unit 20 between the second concave portion 25 and the convex portion 41 via the connector, and an input signal of the input unit 60 can be transmitted to the operation unit 20. .
The operator of the endoscope apparatus 1 places the placement grip unit 40 so that the outer surface of the placement grip unit 40 connected to the operation unit 20 on the side opposite to the display screen 31 contacts the floor or the desk. Put. Then, the placing and holding unit 40 extends in the horizontal direction, and the operation unit 20 is supported by the placing and holding unit 40 in a state where the operation unit 20 has an angle with respect to the horizontal direction. At this time, the display screen 31 provided in the operation unit 20 has an angle with respect to the horizontal direction, and the operator of the endoscope apparatus 1 can display the display screen 31 from the normal direction of the surface on which the display screen 31 exists. Can see.

  When an endoscope apparatus that does not include the variable connecting portion 70 is placed on a floor or a desk, the display screen 31 is oriented in a substantially vertical direction with respect to the floor or desk surface. Even in this case, the operator can see the display screen 31, but if he tries to view the display screen in a positional relationship where the color of the image displayed on the display screen is good, the operator is in an unreasonable posture that is likely to put a burden on the neck. Therefore, it was necessary to look directly into the display screen of the endoscope apparatus.

  On the other hand, in the endoscope apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, it is not necessary to look into the display screen 31 from directly above by using the second usage method of inserting the convex portion 41 into the second concave portion 25. The display screen 31 can be viewed with a more natural neck angle.

  As described above, according to the endoscope apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the combination of the operation unit 20 and the mounting grip unit 40 corresponding to each of the first usage method and the second usage method. Can be rearranged in the variable connecting portion 70. For this reason, since the angle which the display part 30 and the mounting holding part 40 make can be made into a different angle, even if the endoscope apparatus 1 is set | placed on a floor or a desk, a display part is easy to see.

Further, since the battery B is disposed inside the mounting grip 40, for example, the balance when the operating unit 20 is mounted on a floor or a desk in order to use the endoscope apparatus 1 in the second usage method. Well, it can suppress that the operation part 20 falls.
A cable having a signal line or a power line may be interposed between the connector provided in the first recess 24 and the second recess 25 and the protrusion 41. According to such a structure, the freedom degree which arrange | positions the mounting holding part 40 and the display part 30 can be raised more.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, an endoscope apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. In each embodiment described below, portions having the same configuration as those of the endoscope apparatus 1 of the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the endoscope apparatus 2 of the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory diagram showing an operation when the endoscope apparatus 2 is used.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the endoscope apparatus 2 of the present embodiment is different in configuration from the above-described endoscope apparatus 1 in that it includes a variable coupling portion 270 provided in place of the variable coupling portion 70.

  The variable connecting portion 270 can be bent between the operation portion 20 and the mounting grip portion 40. The variable connecting portion 270 includes, for example, a well-known ball joint and a ratchet mechanism that fixes the ball joint at a plurality of bending angles inside the cover 271. The cover 271 can be formed of a bellows-like flexible material, for example, a resin material such as synthetic rubber or silicone.

  In the endoscope apparatus 2 of the present embodiment, the operation unit 20 and the placement gripping unit 40 can be bent and fixed at the variable coupling unit 270 as shown in FIG. In the case of using the first usage method described above, the positional relationship between the operation unit 20 and the mounting grip 40 is fixed without the variable coupling unit 270 being bent, and the operator grips the mounting grip 40. Thus, the endoscope apparatus 2 is used.

  Further, when the second usage method described above is used, the variable connecting portion 270 is set so that the operator can easily view the display screen 31, for example, the direction of the operator's line of sight is along the normal direction of the display screen 31. Bend and fix.

  Even in such a configuration, as in the case of the endoscope apparatus 1 of the first embodiment described above, the case where the operator uses the endoscope apparatus 2 while holding the placement gripping part 40, and the operator However, the angle formed by the display unit 30 and the placement gripping unit 40 is bent at the variable connecting unit 270 in accordance with each of the cases where the endoscope apparatus 2 is used on the operation unit 20 floor or desk. Therefore, even if the endoscope apparatus 2 is placed on a floor or a desk, the display unit is easy to see.

  Furthermore, since the variable connecting portion 270 can position and fix the operation portion 20 and the placement gripping portion 40 at a plurality of bending angles, a display screen for a horizontal surface such as a floor or a desk according to the use state of the endoscope apparatus 2 The angle formed by 31 can be adjusted.

(Third embodiment)
Hereinafter, an endoscope apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the endoscope apparatus 3 of the present embodiment. 6 and 7 are operation explanatory views for explaining the operation when the endoscope apparatus 3 is used.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the endoscope apparatus 3 of the present embodiment includes a placement gripping part 340 instead of the placement gripping part 40, and a variable connection part 370 provided instead of the variable connection part 70. In this respect, the configuration is different from the endoscope apparatus 1 of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, the mounting grip 340 is formed in a substantially rod shape and has an input unit 60 on the outer surface. As shown in FIG. 6, the mounting grip 340 is provided on the operation unit 20 on the side opposite to the display screen 31, and the mounting grip 340 is mounted on the operation unit 20 along the direction in which the insertion unit 10 extends. The part 340 slides relative to the part 340.
A support portion 341 connected via a variable connecting portion 370 is provided at the end of the mounting grip portion 340 on the side away from the operation portion 20.

The variable connecting portion 370 includes a shaft member 371 extending in the width direction of the display screen 31 and an inclined contact portion 372 formed on the outer surface of the mounting grip portion 340 facing the shaft member 371 side.
As shown in FIG. 7, the inclined contact portion 372 has a surface with which the support portion 341 comes into contact when the support portion 341 rotates around the shaft member 371, and the inclined contact portion 372 has a surface of the support portion 341. The turning motion is limited.

  In the present embodiment, when the above-described first usage method is used, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the operator does not bend the support portion 341 and the placement grip portion 340 is linearly extended. Uses the endoscope apparatus 3 while gripping the mounting grip 340.

  On the other hand, in the case of using the second usage method described above, as shown in FIG. 7, the support portion 341 is inclined to the inclined contact portion 372 around the shaft member 371 toward the opposite side of the display portion 30. Rotate until it touches In this state, the operation unit 20 is placed so that the surface 341a of the support unit 341 is in contact with a horizontal surface such as a floor or a desk. The operation unit 20 is supported by the support unit 341 of the mounting grip unit 340. Note that the above-described sliding movement may be performed between the operation unit 20 and the mounting grip unit 340. In this case, the height of the operation unit 20 from the floor or desk surface on which the operation unit 20 is placed changes. The height of the operation unit 20 is appropriately adjusted by the operator so that the operation unit 20 is positioned at a position where the display screen 31 is most easily visible.

  Also in the endoscope apparatus 3 of the present embodiment, the angle formed by the display unit 30 and the mounting grip part 340 can be set to different angles, similarly to the endoscope apparatus described in each of the above-described embodiments. Even if the endoscope apparatus 3 is placed on a floor or a desk, the display unit is easy to see.

  Further, since the operation unit 20 and the mounting grip unit 340 are slidable, the relative position of the display unit 30 in the normal direction of the floor or desk surface on which the operation unit 20 is mounted changes according to the sliding movement. To do. Therefore, the position of the display screen 31 can be adjusted to a position that is easy for the operator to see, and even if the operation unit 20 is placed in a place where the position of the operator with respect to the operation unit 20 is restricted, the display unit 30 The endoscope apparatus 3 can be operated while viewing the display screen 31 to observe the inside of the subject.

  Further, the support part 341 provided in the mounting grip part 340 pivots in the region opposite to the side where the display part 30 exists in the operation part 20 with the shaft member 371 of the variable coupling part 370 as the center of the pivot. . For this reason, when the operation unit 20 is placed on a floor or a desk using the second usage method, since the center of gravity of the operation unit 20 is vertically above the support unit 341, the operation unit 20 is prevented from falling. Has been.

(Modification)
Below, the structure of the modification of the endoscope apparatus 3 of this embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a modified example of the endoscope apparatus 3.
As shown in FIG. 8, in this modification, the display screen 31 of the display unit 30 is attached to the housing 21 on the side where the mounting grip 340 is fitted.
Further, the input unit 60 is provided on the surface of the placement gripping unit 340 opposite to the position shown in FIG. It turns around as the center.

  In the present modification, the display unit 30 is exposed to the outside by sliding in the direction in which the mounting grip unit 340 is pulled out from the housing 21. Further, the display screen 31 is covered with the mounting grip 340 at the position where the mounting grip 340 is pushed into the housing 21. For this reason, when the endoscope apparatus 3 of this modification is not used, since the display screen 31 is protected by the mounting grip portion 340, it is possible to suppress the display screen 31 from being damaged and difficult to see.

(Fourth embodiment)
Hereinafter, an endoscope apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the endoscope apparatus 4 of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 8, the endoscope apparatus 4 of the present embodiment includes an input unit 460 provided in the operation unit 20 instead of the input unit 60, a display unit 430 provided in place of the display unit 30, The configuration of the operation unit 20 is different from that of the endoscope apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment in that the operation unit 20 includes a support leg 80 attached to the side on which the display unit 430 is attached.

  The input unit 460 includes a plurality of push button switches 461 on the outer surface of the operation unit 20 around the joystick 61, and an operation input such as a setting change for the imaging unit 11 and the illumination unit 12 of the insertion unit 10 is performed by the push button switch 461. It can be carried out.

  The display unit 430 includes a display unit rotation mechanism 435 that connects the display unit 430 and the operation unit 20 to one end side in the width direction of the display screen 31. The display unit rotation mechanism 435 is a known biaxial rotary hinge that connects the operation unit 20 and the display unit 430 so as to be rotatable about two axes orthogonal to each other within a plane where the display surface 431 of the display unit 430 exists. have. For this reason, the display unit 430 can be stored in the operation unit 20 with the display screen 31 facing the inside of the operation unit 20.

  One end of the support leg 80 is pivotally connected to the operation unit 20, and operates so as to be pulled out from a position along the outer surface of the operation unit 20 opposite to the side on which the display unit 30 is attached. To do.

  Further, the variable connecting portion 470 in the endoscope apparatus 4 of the present embodiment has a hinge structure, and can be bent so that the angle formed by the operation portion 20 and the mounting grip portion 440 can be changed steplessly. It has become.

An operation during use of the endoscope apparatus 4 of the present embodiment will be described.
In the present embodiment, when the endoscope apparatus 4 is used in the first usage method described above, the support leg 80 is stored at a position along the outer surface of the operation unit 20, and the display unit 30 is shown in FIG. As shown, it is pulled out from the operation unit 20 and developed. Further, the operation unit 20 and the mounting grip unit 440 are fixed in a straight state without being bent.

  On the other hand, when the operation unit 20 is placed on the floor or desk surface by the second usage method described above, the support leg 80 is pulled out from the outer surface of the operation unit 20 and the other end 81 of the support leg is connected to the floor or desk surface. Contact. At the same time, the operation unit 20 and the mounting grip unit 440 are bent and fixed at the variable connecting unit 470.

  By adjusting the angle at which the support leg 80 is pulled out from the operation unit 20 so that the mounting grip unit 440 and the support leg 80 are in contact with the floor or the surface of the desk, the operation unit 20 and the mounting grip unit 440 The bending angle can be appropriately adjusted and set by the operator.

  Furthermore, if necessary, the angle of the display screen 31 is finely adjusted so that the normal direction of the display screen 31 is along the direction of the line of sight of the operator by operating the display unit rotation mechanism 435 provided in the display unit 430. You can also. In this state, the operator looks at the display screen 31 of the display unit 430 to observe the inside of the subject, or operates the joystick 61 or the push button switch 461 of the input unit 460 to the endoscope apparatus 4. Perform operation input.

Also in the endoscope apparatus 4 of the present embodiment, the angle formed between the display unit 430 and the mounting grip part 440 is set to a different angle by the variable coupling unit 470, similarly to the endoscope apparatuses described in the above embodiments. be able to. For this reason, even if the endoscope apparatus 4 is placed on a floor or a desk, the display unit is easy to see.
Furthermore, since the variable connecting portion 470 can change the angle formed by the operation portion 20 and the mounting grip portion 440 steplessly, the orientation of the display portion 430 provided in the operation portion 20, the orientation of the input portion 460, etc. Can be fine-tuned.

  Further, the input unit 460 is provided in the operation unit 20, and the angle formed between the mounting grip unit 440 and the input unit 460 can be set to different angles by the variable coupling unit 470, and the push button switch 461 is easy to see for the operator. Therefore, the input operation to the input unit 460 is easy.

  In addition, since the display unit rotating mechanism 435 is provided between the display unit 430 and the operation unit 20, the display screen 31 is directed toward the internal direction of the operation unit 20 when the endoscope apparatus 4 is not used. 430 can be stored. For this reason, it can suppress that an object collides with the display screen 31, and the display screen 31 is damaged or a defect occurs.

(Modification)
Below, the structure of the modification of the endoscope apparatus 4 of this embodiment is demonstrated with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an endoscope apparatus according to this modification.
As shown in FIG. 9, in this modification, a variable coupling portion 570 is provided instead of the variable coupling portion 470.
The variable connection part 570 is provided between the operation part 20 and the display part 30, and for example, a known hinge structure can be appropriately employed. In the present modification, the operation unit 20 and the mounting grip unit 440 are fixed.

  Even in such a configuration, the angle formed by the placement gripping part 440 and the display part 30 can be changed by the variable coupling part 570. Therefore, similarly to the endoscope apparatus described in each of the above-described embodiments. Even if the operation unit 20 is placed on a floor or a desk, the display screen 31 is easy to see.

As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was explained in full detail with reference to drawings, the concrete structure is not restricted to this embodiment, The design change etc. of the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention are included.
For example, in the endoscope apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above, the first concave portion 24 and the second concave portion 24 have a positional relationship in which the depth direction of the first concave portion 24 is parallel to the surface on which the display screen 31 exists. Although the example in which the concave portion 25 is formed has been described, the angle between the first concave portion 24 and the display screen 31 is not limited to this, and the mounting grip portion 40 is attached to the first concave portion 24 and the mounting grip is mounted. When the unit 40 is held by the operator's hand, the angle at which the operator can most easily view the display screen 31 can be set.
In the endoscope apparatus 2 according to the second embodiment described above, the example in which the ball joint is provided inside the variable connecting portion 270 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and is well known in the variable connecting portion 270. The same effect can be achieved with a configuration including a hinge mechanism.

  Further, the constituent elements shown in the above-described embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate.

1, 2, 3, 4 Endoscopic device 10 Insertion section 20 Operation section 24 First recess (first connection section)
25 Second recess (second connecting part)
30, 430 Display unit 40, 240, 340, 440 Placement grip unit 60, 460 Input unit 70, 270, 370, 470, 570 Variable connection unit 435 Display unit rotation mechanism B Battery (storage battery)

Claims (8)

An insertion portion having a distal end and a proximal end and inserted into the subject from the distal end; an operation portion provided at the proximal end of the insertion portion for operating the insertion portion; and provided in the operation portion An endoscope apparatus comprising: a display unit capable of displaying an image inside the subject acquired via an imaging unit provided at the distal end of the insertion unit;
A placement gripping part that is provided in the operation part and is gripped by an operator's hand when carrying the operation part, and supports the operation part when placing the operation part;
A variable connecting portion that is provided in at least one of the operation unit and the placement gripping unit and changes an angle formed by the display unit and the placement gripping unit;
An endoscope apparatus comprising: The mounting and gripping portion is formed in a rod shape that can be attached to and detached from the operation portion,
The variable connecting portion is
A first connecting portion that connects the operation portion and the placement gripping portion in a positional relationship in which a direction in which the placement gripping portion extends is parallel to a surface on which the display portion exists;
A second connecting portion that connects the operation portion and the placement gripping portion in a positional relationship where a direction in which the placement gripping portion extends intersects a surface on which the display portion exists;
The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: The variable connecting portion is
A hinge mechanism for steplessly changing an angle formed between the display unit and the placement gripping unit;
A fixing mechanism for relatively positioning and fixing the display unit and the placement gripping unit;
The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, comprising:   The endoscope apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the operation portion and the placement gripping portion rotate about the rotation axis of the hinge mechanism in the variable coupling portion.   The endoscope apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the operation unit and the placement gripping unit perform the turning operation in a region on the side where the display unit exists in the operation unit.   The endoscope apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the operation unit and the placement gripping unit perform the turning operation in a region opposite to a side where the display unit exists in the operation unit.   A display unit rotation mechanism that connects the operation unit and the display unit so as to be rotatable about two axes orthogonal to each other within a plane where the display unit exists is further provided between the operation unit and the display unit. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1.   The endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the placement gripping section includes a storage battery capable of supplying driving power to at least the insertion section and the display section.

Images