JP2012245175A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope for improving operability with respect to a bending operation lever.SOLUTION: A recessed groove 58 extended in a circular arcuate shape in the longitudinal direction of an operation part 11 is formed in a part of an operation body 32 (an operation part body case 45). Thus, a user, etc., uses the recessed groove 58 as a guide thereby to move a part of a thumb, etc., forward/backward along the groove part 58. Consequently, even when an operation lever 55 (a handle 57) is operated on a grip part body 45 which is relatively swelled with respect to grip parts 30, 31, the slip of a finger for operating the bending operation lever 55, etc., is prevented, thereby to improve operability with respect to the bending operation lever 55.

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope in which a bending operation with respect to a bending portion provided in an insertion portion is performed in an operation portion connected to a base portion side of the insertion portion.

  Conventionally, in the industrial field and the medical field, in order to observe a part inside a subject that is difficult to observe visually, such as inside a structure or inside a living body, an optical image is observed at the distal end of the insertion part. An endoscope provided with an imaging device is used. The imaging unit of the endoscope includes, for example, an objective lens and an imaging element such as a CCD (charge coupled device) or a CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) sensor disposed on the imaging surface of the objective lens. Become.

  Further, the insertion portion of the endoscope is generally provided with a bending portion for changing the directing direction of the distal end portion, and the bending operation with respect to the bending portion is performed in an operation portion that is continuously provided on the base side of the insertion portion. As this type of operation unit, for example, in Patent Document 1, an operation unit main body incorporating a bending operation mechanism, a sub-grip unit (gripping unit) provided with a remote switch located on the front side of the operation unit main body, The thing provided with the grip part (grip part) as a main grip provided in the back of the operation part main body is disclosed. Here, the operation unit main body disclosed in Patent Document 1 has, for example, a space for incorporating a bending operation mechanism or the like, or a sub grip unit (gripping unit) so that the user faces the insertion unit downward. For the purpose of preventing the operation unit from falling off in the gripped state, each gripped portion has a spherically bulging shape. Further, for example, a finger contact portion (handle portion) of a bending operation lever for bending the bending portion in the vertical direction is curved in a bow shape following the spherical surface portion of the operation portion main body, and in the width direction of the operation portion. Has been extended. The user or the like moves the thumb or the like back and forth while gripping the gripping portion with respect to such an operation portion, and moves the handle portion back and forth in the longitudinal direction of the operation portion along the spherical surface portion (the bending operation lever rotates). Thus, the bending portion can be bent.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-160791

  However, as in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, when the handle portion is formed in a curved shape so as to form a bow in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, it is difficult to position the finger during operation. Moreover, there are problems such as slipperiness due to the small contact area with the finger. Moreover, since the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above is configured to move the handle portion forward and backward (the bending operation lever rotates) along the spherical surface bulged with respect to the gripping portion, There are problems such as an increased turning radius and a longer finger movement distance.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said situation, and it aims at providing the endoscope which can improve the operativity with respect to a bending operation lever.

  An endoscope according to one aspect of the present invention is connected to a proximal end side of an insertion portion having a bendable bending portion, and a graspable grasping portion, and an arc shape that bulges relative to the grasping portion. An operating portion main body provided with an overhanging portion and connected to the gripping portion; and an arcuate shape of the overhanging portion on the operating portion main body for bending the bending portion A bending operation lever handle that is arranged to be movable back and forth (rotatably) in the longitudinal direction of the operation portion along the endoscope, and the endoscope corresponds to the movement region of the handle portion. A concave groove is formed in an arc shape along a longitudinal direction of the operation part in a part of the projecting part on the operation part main body.

  According to the endoscope of the present invention, the operability with respect to the bending operation lever can be improved.

External view of endoscope device Sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of insertion part Perspective view of the operation unit Side view of the operation unit Top view of the operation unit Enlarged sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIGS. 4 and 5 Explanatory drawing during bending operation Explanatory drawing during bending operation Sectional drawing which shows the modification of FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the modification of FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings relate to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is an external configuration diagram of an endoscope apparatus, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an insertion portion, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an operation portion, and FIG. 5 is a top view of the operation unit, FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIGS. 4 and 5, FIGS. 7 and 8 are explanatory views at the time of bending operation, and FIGS. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope apparatus 1 includes a portable main unit 2 and an endoscope 3 connected to the main unit 2.

  The main unit 2 includes a substantially box-shaped exterior housing 5 formed by, for example, magnesium die casting or resin mold. A display unit 6 such as a liquid crystal panel (LCD) for displaying an endoscopic image, an operation menu, and the like is disposed on the front surface of the exterior casing 5. Further, one end side of a pair of left and right portable arms 7 is rotatably connected to the left and right side surfaces of the exterior housing 5 with the display unit 6 interposed therebetween, and the other end side of these portable arms 7 has a handle portion 8 attached thereto. Are connected to each other. These portable arms 7 also function as a stand when the main unit 2 is placed on a desk or a floor surface. The exterior housing 5 contains various electric parts such as a CPU for image processing and a battery unit (not shown) as a power supply unit.

  The endoscope 3 includes an insertion unit 10 to be inserted into a subject, an operation unit 11 provided on the proximal end side of the insertion unit 10, and the endoscope 3 extending from the operation unit 11 to the main unit 2. And a cable 12 for connection.

  For example, the insertion portion 10 is disposed at the distal end portion 15 disposed at the distal end, the bendable bending portion 16 disposed at the proximal end side of the distal end portion 15, and the proximal end side of the bending portion 16. And a deformable flexible tube portion 17 connected to the distal end side of the operation portion 11.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an imaging unit 20 and an illumination light emitting unit 21 are disposed at the distal end portion 15 of the insertion unit 10. The imaging unit 20 includes an objective lens 20a and an imaging element 20b disposed on the imaging surface of the objective lens 20a. As the image pickup element 20b, a CCD (charge coupled device), a CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) sensor, or the like can be suitably used. A signal cable 20 c is connected to the proximal end side of the imaging unit 20, and the signal cable 20 c is inserted into the insertion unit 10, the operation unit 11, and the cable 12. Then, when the cable 12 is connected to the main unit 2, the image sensor 20 b is electrically connected to the main unit 2.

The illumination light emitting portion 21 is configured by a plate-like member or a lens member made of a transparent material such as glass provided on the distal end surface of the distal end portion 15. In the distal end portion 15, a through hole 15 b is provided on the proximal end side of the illumination light emitting portion 21, and the distal end portion of the optical fiber bundle 22 is inserted into the through hole 15 b. On the other hand, the proximal end portion of the optical fiber bundle 22 is disposed on the operation unit 11 side through the insertion unit 10. For example, a light source unit (not shown) such as an LED (light emitting diode) disposed in the operation unit 11. Are optically connected. When the illumination light from the light source unit is transmitted to the distal end portion 15 via the optical fiber bundle 22, the illumination light passes through the illumination light emitting unit 21 and illuminates the field of view of the imaging unit 20.
The light source unit may be a light emitting element other than an LED, and the position at which the light source unit is provided is not limited to the operation unit 11, but may be provided in the main unit 2 or on the end face of the insertion unit.

  The bending portion 16 includes a plurality of bending pieces 16a, and these are sequentially connected along the longitudinal direction (insertion direction) of the insertion portion 10 to constitute a main portion. That is, the bending pieces 16 a are connected to each other so that the adjacent bending pieces 16 a are rotatable around an axis substantially orthogonal to the central axis of the insertion portion 10. In the present embodiment, as an example, the axes for relatively rotating adjacent bending pieces 16a are all substantially parallel, and the bending portion 16 can be bent in two directions as indicated by an arrow A in FIG. . The bending portion 16 may be capable of bending in four directions.

  The flexible tube portion 17 includes a serpentine tube 17a in which a spiral tube formed by spirally winding a belt-shaped metal thin plate is covered with a metal mesh tube. The serpentine tube 17 a connects the proximal end side of the bending portion 16 and a metal serpentine cap portion 23 provided in the operation unit 11. Although not shown, the periphery of the bending portion 16 and the flexible tube portion 17 is covered with a soft resin, a metal net (blade), or the like.

  A plurality of bending operation wires 25 are inserted into the bending portion 16 and the flexible tube portion 17 in accordance with the bending direction. In this embodiment, since the bending portion 16 has two bending directions, two bending operation wires 25 are inserted into the bending portion 16 and the flexible tube portion 17. The distal end of the bending operation wire 25 is fixed to the proximal end portion of the distal end portion 15, and the proximal end of the bending operation wire 25 is connected to a bending operation mechanism 50 (described later) provided in the operation unit 11. Yes.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the operation unit 11 includes an auxiliary gripping portion 30 in which the proximal end side of the insertion portion 10 is connected to the distal end side, a main gripping portion 31 in which the distal end side of the cable 12 is connected to the proximal end side, An operation unit main body 32 provided between the auxiliary gripping part 30 and the main gripping part 31 is provided.

  Here, the up / down / left / right directions of the operation unit 11 are based on the viewpoint of the user or the like, and the usage pattern (for example, the direction when the user or the like grips the sub grip 30 or the main grip 31, or the floor However, in order to simplify the description, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, an operation panel unit 38 (described later) formed on the main gripping unit 31 is used. ) Is defined as the vertical (UD) direction of the operation unit 11, and the width direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the central axis O direction of the operation unit 11 is defined as the left and right (LR) direction of the operation unit 11. In the present embodiment, the bending portion 16 is bent in the vertical direction of the operation portion 11 in a state where the insertion portion 10 is linearly extended.

  The sub-grip 30 has a sub-grip portion case 35 having a substantially conical cylindrical basic shape, for example. In the sub gripping part case 35, the signal cable 20c, the optical fiber bundle 22, the bending operation wire 25 and the like extending from the insertion part 10 side are disposed. In addition, a light source unit (not shown) is disposed in the sub-gripping unit 30, and a proximal end portion of the optical fiber bundle 22 is optically connected to the light source unit.

  The main gripping portion 31 has a main gripping portion case 37 having a substantially cylindrical basic shape, for example. For example, an operation panel portion 38 made of a flat rectangular region extending in the longitudinal direction of the operation portion 11 is recessed in the main grip portion case 37, and a cross key 38 a and a push switch are provided on the operation panel portion 38. Various keys and switches such as 38b are arranged. In the present embodiment, for example, the cross key 38a is assigned a function as a cursor moving key when a menu is displayed on the display unit 6 of the main unit 2 and displays an endoscopic image. A function as a zoom operation key or brightness adjustment key is assigned. Further, for example, various functions including an REC switch for recording an endoscopic image are assigned to each push switch 38b.

  An outward flange 39 projects from the proximal end portion of the main gripping case 37. The outward flange 39 can be brought into contact with the user's hand or the like holding the main gripping part 31 as appropriate, thereby preventing the main gripping part 31 from falling out of the user's hand to the base side. A stopper function is realized. In addition, a plurality of flat portions 39a are formed on the peripheral surface of the outward flange 39, and the flat portions 39a are brought into surface contact with the floor surface or the like when the operating portion 11 is placed, so that the operating portion 11 Realizes anti-rolling function.

  In the main gripping part case 37, a signal cable 20c extending from the sub gripping part 30 through the operation part main body 32, a power cable 36 (see FIG. 6) of the light source part, and the like are disposed. These cables 20 c and 36 are disposed in the cable 12 together with a signal cable (not shown) connected to various keys and switches of the operation panel unit 38 and are connected to the main unit 2.

  The operation unit main body 32 includes, for example, an operation unit main body case 45 having an arcuate projecting portion that bulges relative to each gripping part (the sub gripping part 30 and the main gripping part 31). As shown in FIG. 6, circular openings 46 are opened on the left and right sides of the operation unit main body case 45, and these openings 46 are respectively closed by side plate portions 47.

  A bending operation mechanism 50 is disposed in the operation unit main body case 45. In the present embodiment, the bending operation mechanism 50 is configured around, for example, a pulley 51 to which a pair of bending operation wires 25 are connected, and is fixed to the left side plate portion 47 in a substantially cylindrical shape. Yes. Further, an angle operation shaft 52 directly connected to the pulley 51 protrudes from the bending operation mechanism 50, and a shaft end portion of the angle operation shaft 52 penetrates the side plate portion 47 and is exposed to the outside. Further, a bending operation lever 55 is fixed to the shaft end portion of the angle operation shaft 52.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the bending operation lever 55 includes a lever main body 56 whose fixed end side is fixed to the angle operation shaft 52 by screws or the like, and a handle portion 57 connected to the free end side of the lever main body 56. Have.

  The lever main body 56 is formed of, for example, an elongated sheet metal member that extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the angle operation shaft 52 and can swing along the side plate portion 47. Further, the handle portion 57 is formed of, for example, an elongated resin member that extends in the left-right direction (width direction) of the operation portion 11, and has a spherical portion (an arc shape of the protruding portion) on the upper side of the operation portion main body case 45. Accordingly, the operation unit 11 can be moved back and forth in the longitudinal direction (the bending operation lever 55 is rotatable about the center of the arc).

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 6, in the spherical portion on the operation unit main body case 45, the operation unit 11 is provided in a part of the region where the handle unit 57 moves forward and backward (the bending operation lever 55 rotates). A concave groove 58 extending in an arc shape along the longitudinal direction is formed. Specifically, the concave groove 58 is formed by, for example, forming a cylindrical surface portion coaxial with the angle operation shaft 52 on the operation portion main body case 45.

  In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, in the operation unit main body case 45 of the present embodiment, the thickness of the part corresponding to the concave groove 58 is relatively thinner than the other parts, and the concave groove 58 The left and right side portions of the operation portion main body case 45 are formed to have a cylindrical surface. In addition, by forming a part of the inner peripheral surface of the operation unit main body case 45 into a cylindrical surface in this way, the spherical region on the inner peripheral surface is reduced while ensuring the accommodating property of the bending operation mechanism 50. For example, it is possible to easily perform die cutting or the like when the operation unit main body case 45 is molded by injection molding or the like. In addition, the operation unit main body case 45 can be reduced in weight by reducing the thickness of the region corresponding to the concave groove 58 or reducing the volume. In the present embodiment, the inner peripheral surface of the lower region of the operation unit main body case 45 is formed in a spherical shape, so that various cables 22c, 36, etc. are provided below the operation unit main body case 45. Space for installation is secured.

  Further, a convex portion 57 a protruding into the concave groove 58 is formed on a part of the bottom surface of the handle portion 57. In this case, the protrusion amount of the convex portion 57a is limited so that the gap G1 from the handle portion 57 (the convex portion 57a) to the concave groove 58 is not relatively smaller than the gap G2 from the handle portion 57 to the spherical surface portion. ing. As a result, even if the operation portion 11 falls and the bending operation lever 55 is deformed, the convex portion 57a of the handle portion 57 can be prevented from coming into contact with the concave groove 58, and the thickness is reduced. It is possible to accurately prevent the area on the operation unit main body case 45 from being damaged. Further, by making the gaps G1 and G2 very small, when the operation unit 11 falls, the bending operation lever 55 is elastically deformed and comes into contact with the gaps G1 and G2, so that the impact and pressure exceeding the allowable range are curved. It can be expected that the bending operation lever 55 itself is prevented from being damaged without being applied to the operation lever 55.

Further, a concave portion 57b is formed on the upper surface side of the handle portion 57 of the present embodiment corresponding to the concave groove 58 (and the convex portion 57a). Furthermore, a plurality of anti-slip protrusions 57c are formed in the recess 57b.
As shown in FIG. 6, by providing band-like convex portions on both end surfaces of the concave groove 58, it is possible to reinforce the weakened and weakened portion of the concave groove 58.

  In the present embodiment, the bending operation mechanism 50 integrally incorporates a bending lock mechanism for restricting (locking) the rotation of the pulley 51. The operation shaft 60 of the bending lock mechanism protrudes from the bending operation mechanism 50 in a state parallel to the angle operation shaft 52, and the shaft end portion of the operation shaft 60 penetrates the side plate portion 47 and is exposed to the outside. Furthermore, the fixed end side of the bending lock lever 61 is fixed to the shaft end portion of the operating shaft 60 by screwing or the like.

  In such a configuration, when the pulley 51 is rotated in the first direction through an operation input to the bending operation lever 55, the bending operation mechanism 50 pulls one of the pair of bending operation wires 25 and relaxes the other. . The bending operation mechanism 50 pulls the other of the pair of bending operation wires 25 when the pulley 51 is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction through an operation input to the bending operation lever 55. Relax one side. As the bending operation wire 25 is pulled and relaxed, the bending portion 16 is bent and deformed in the bending direction.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7, such a bending operation is performed by a user or the like holding the main grip portion 31 (main grip portion case 37) with one hand and moving the handle portion 57 forward and backward with the thumb of the hand (curving operation). This is done by rotating the lever 55.

  In this case, in this embodiment, the user is provided with a concave groove 58 extending in an arc shape along the longitudinal direction of the operation unit 11 in a part of the operation unit main body 32 (operation unit main body case 45). Can use the concave groove 58 as a guide, and a part of the thumb or the like can be moved back and forth along the concave groove 58. Accordingly, even when the bending operation lever 55 (handle portion 57) is operated on the operation unit main body case 45 that bulges relative to the gripping portions 30 and 31, the finger operating the bending operation lever 55 is slid. This can be prevented and the operability with respect to the bending operation lever 55 can be improved.

  Further, by providing the concave portion 57 b corresponding to the concave groove 58 in a part on the upper surface side of the handle portion 57, the swing radius R when the user or the like operates the handle portion 57 can be reduced. Here, for example, in the configuration of the present embodiment in which the operation panel unit 38 is provided on the main grip unit 31, in particular, the user or the like should preferably perform the operation on the operation panel unit 38 with the main grip unit 31 as much as possible. It is assumed that the base side is gripped. In such a case, in order for the user or the like to operate the handle portion 57, it is necessary to operate while extending the thumb or the like away from the position where the main gripping portion 31 is gripped. By reducing the moving radius, the stroke when operating the thumb or the like can be shortened, and good operability for the bending operation lever 55 can be ensured. That is, by providing the concave portion 57b on the upper surface of the handle portion 57, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the effective rocking radius R is made smaller than the rocking radius R ′ when the concave portion 57b is not provided. The stroke when operating the thumb or the like can be shortened accordingly.

  In addition, by providing the convex portion 57a protruding into the concave groove 58 on a part of the bottom surface of the handle portion 57, it is possible to suitably cope with various variations when operating the bending operation lever 55. For example, when the endoscope apparatus 1 including the imaging unit 20 is used, a user or the like curves while observing the display unit 6 or the like with the operation unit 11 of the endoscope 3 placed on a desk or a floor surface. The operation lever 55 can be operated. In such a case, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, an operation such as pushing the back surface of the handle portion 57 with the fingertip while holding the index finger or the like over the concave groove 58. is assumed. In this case as well, by projecting the convex portions 57a into the concave grooves 58 and setting these gaps small, it is possible to prevent fingers from being fitted between the concave grooves 58 and the handle portions 57, and the like. Operability can be realized.

  Here, although the above-mentioned embodiment demonstrated the operation part 11 of the endoscope 3 in which the bending part 16 curves only in two directions, this invention is not limited to this, For example, a bending part The present invention can also be applied to the endoscope 3 in which 16 can be bent in four directions.

  In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the vertical bending operation lever 55 and the horizontal bending operation lever 155 are arranged in the left-right symmetrical position of the operation unit main body 32, and are frequently used in the vertical operation. Only the handle portion 57 of the bending operation lever 55 extends in the width direction of the operation portion 11, and the handle portion 157 connected to the lever main body 156 of the bending operation lever 155 in the left-right direction is relative to the handle portion 57 in the up-down direction. It can be configured to be incidental. Alternatively, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the handle portions 57 and 157 are evenly extended in the width direction of the operation portion 11, and the convex portion 157 a, the concave portion 157 b, the protruding portion 157 c, etc. It is also possible to have a configuration in which

In addition, this invention is not limited to each above-mentioned embodiment, Of course, a various deformation | transformation and change are possible.
In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the main gripping portion is gripped and the handle portion of the bending operation lever is operated with the insertion portion facing forward as viewed from the user is not limited to this. It is effective even when holding the auxiliary gripping portion with the insertion portion facing downward and operating the handle portion of the bending operation lever, even if the bending operation is performed while holding the auxiliary holding portion. The swing radius R can be made smaller than the swing radius R ′ in the case where the recess 57b is not provided, and the operability is improved by shortening the operation stroke of the finger.
Further, the concave portion 57b of the handle portion makes it difficult for the finger to slip, and the force applied to the finger when operating the handle can be efficiently transmitted to the bending operation lever.
The subject to which the endoscope apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is applied may be a structure such as a machine or a building, or may be a living body such as a human body.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope apparatus, 2 ... Main unit, 3 ... Endoscope, 5 ... Exterior housing, 6 ... Display part, 7 ... Portable arm, 8 ... Handle part, 10 ... Insertion part, 11 ... Operation part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... Cable, 15 ... Front-end | tip part, 15b ... Through-hole, 16 ... Bending part, 16a ... Bending piece, 17 ... Flexible pipe part, 17a ... Snake tube, 20 ... Imaging part, 20a ... Objective lens, 20b ... Imaging element, 20c ... Signal cable, 21 ... Illumination light emitting part, 22 ... Optical fiber bundle, 23 ... Self-tube base part, 25 ... Bending operation wire, 30 ... Sub-grip part (grip part), 31 ... Main grip part (grip part), 32 ... Operation unit main body, 35 ... Sub-grip unit case, 36 ... Power cable, 37 ... Main grip unit case, 38 ... Operation panel unit, 38a ... Cross key, 38b ... Push switch, 39a ... Plane unit, 45 ... Operation unit Main body case, 46 ... opening, 47 ... side plate part, 50 Bending operation mechanism, 51 ... pulley, 52 ... angle operating shaft, 55 ... bending operating lever, 56 ... lever body, 57 ... handle part, 57a ... convex part, 57b ... concave part, 57c ... projecting part, 58 ... concave groove, 60 ... Actuating shaft, 61 ... Bending lock lever, 155 ... Bending operation lever, 156 ... Lever body, 157 ... Handle part, 157a ... Convex part, 157b ... Concave part, 157c ... Protruding part

Claims (4)

A gripping portion that is connected to the proximal end side of the insertion portion having a bendable bending portion and that can be gripped, and an arc-shaped protruding portion that bulges relative to the gripping portion, and the gripping portion An operation unit body provided continuously with the operation unit,
A bending operation lever handle portion arranged to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the operation portion along the arc shape of the overhanging portion on the operation portion main body for bending the bending portion; An endoscope,
An endoscope characterized in that a concave groove is formed in an arc shape along a longitudinal direction of the operation portion in a part of the overhanging portion on the operation portion main body corresponding to a movement region of the handle portion.   The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein a convex portion projecting toward the concave groove is provided on a part of the bottom surface side of the handle portion facing the operation portion main body.   The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein a concave portion corresponding to the concave groove is provided in a part on an upper surface side of the handle portion.   The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a belt-like convex portion is formed on both sides of the concave groove formed in a part of the projecting portion.

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