JP2006325876A - Insertion shape-detecting probe - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an insertion shape-detecting probe which contributes to productivity and durability by reliably preventing a failure caused by contact of signal wires put through the inside of inner sheaths with the inner sheaths. <P>SOLUTION: The insertion shape-detecting probe 1 is provided with at least: a plurality of source coils 21 used for detecting the position of an insertion part 11; the plurality of signal lines 26 connected to the source coils 21; the inner sheathes 24 arranged among the source coils 21 arranged at prescribed intervals and having the signal lines 26 put through the inside of it; and external sheaths 22 interpolating the source coils 21, the signal lines 26 and the inner sheathes 24. Each inner sheath 24 consists of: two members of an inner sheath main body 27 constituting a main body part; and ear parts 28 constituting both of the end parts of the inner sheath 24. The ear parts 28 are formed of flexible and elastic resin members which are more flexible and repulsive than the inner sheath main body 27. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an insertion shape detection probe that is inserted into a treatment instrument insertion channel of an endoscope and detects an insertion shape of an insertion portion of the endoscope.

  In recent years, endoscopes are widely used in the medical field and the industrial field. In particular, in an endoscope having a flexible insertion portion, the insertion portion can be inserted into a bent body cavity. However, a certain amount of skill is required to smoothly insert the insertion portion into the body cavity, for example, when an elongated insertion portion of an endoscope is inserted from the anus side and an inspection in the lower digestive tract is performed. . This is because the inside of the body cavity is bent in a complicated manner, the tip position of the insertion portion cannot be determined in the body cavity, and the insertion state of the insertion portion cannot be known.

  For this reason, for example, an insertion shape detection probe in which a plurality of magnetic field detection elements are arranged is inserted and disposed in a treatment instrument insertion channel provided in the endoscope, and is arranged in the insertion portion by a detection device provided outside. There is an endoscope shape detection device that receives a signal transmitted from an element and displays an insertion portion shape at the time of insertion on a screen of the detection device. In this insertion shape detection probe, the insertion state of the insertion portion can be detected with higher accuracy by increasing the number of shape detection elements arranged in the probe. However, the diameter of the treatment instrument insertion channel provided in the endoscope is set to a predetermined size. Therefore, if the number of shape detection elements in the probe is increased in order to detect the insertion state of the insertion portion with higher accuracy, the number of signal lines extending from each shape detection element increases, and assembly is performed. There was a risk of problems in performance and durability.

In order to solve this problem, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-47586 discloses an insertion shape detection probe. This insertion shape detection probe can be inserted and disposed in the treatment instrument insertion channel to detect the shape of the insertion portion with high accuracy, and is excellent in assemblability and resistance.
JP 2003-47586 A

  However, in the insertion shape detection probe of Patent Document 1, an inner sheath 71 is arranged in the outer sheath 70 as shown in the enlarged explanatory view of a part of the conventional insertion shape detection probe in FIG. In addition to the signal line 73 extending from the source coil 72, the signal line 73 extending from the source coil arranged on the probe tip side from the source coil 72 is inserted into the inner sheath 71. The signal line 73 extending from the source coil arranged on the probe tip side from the source coil 72 is inserted into the inner sheath 71 through the notch 71a. For this reason, in the assembly process, for example, when the signal line 73 is pulled, the signal line 73 may be rubbed against the end surface portion of the notch 71a. Then, the rubbing causes the coating provided on the outer surface of the signal line 73 to be peeled off and cause an electrical short circuit (short circuit), and the signal line 73 to be disconnected. Further, the signal line 73 is pulled when the insertion state changes in a state where the insertion shape detection probe is inserted and disposed in the treatment instrument insertion channel. Then, the signal line 73 may be rubbed against the end surface portion of the notch 71a, and the same problem may occur.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and reliably prevents problems caused by contact between the signal line inserted into the inner sheath and the inner sheath, thereby improving productivity and durability. It is an object to provide an insertion shape detection probe that contributes to the above.

The insertion shape detection probe of the present invention includes a plurality of shape detection elements for magnetic field generation or magnetic field detection used for detecting the position of the insertion portion, a plurality of signal lines connected to these shape detection elements, An inner sheath that is disposed between the shape detection elements and the shape detection elements arranged at intervals, and through which the signal line passes, and the shape detection element, the signal line, and the inner sheath are inserted. In an insertion shape detection probe comprising at least an outer sheath to be
The inner sheath is composed of two members, one member constituting the main body portion and the other member constituting both end portions, and the other member is more flexible and flexible than the one member. It formed with the resin member.

  According to this configuration, the signal line comes into contact with other members that constitute both end portions of the inner sheath. This other member is formed of a soft resin member having flexibility and elasticity compared to one member. Therefore, when the signal line comes into contact with another member, the generated load is reduced, and the signal line is prevented from being peeled off or the signal line is disconnected.

  According to the present invention, there is provided an insertion shape detection probe that contributes to productivity and durability by reliably preventing a problem that occurs when the signal line inserted into the inner sheath contacts the inner sheath. realizable.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the illustrated embodiments.
1 to 4 relate to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an endoscope system to which an insertion shape detection probe is applied, and FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an internal configuration of the insertion shape detection probe. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, FIG. 3 is a main part enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of the insertion shape detection probe in an enlarged manner, and FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the configuration of the inner sheath.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the insertion shape detection probe 1 of this embodiment is used as an endoscope system 2. The endoscope system 2 includes an insertion shape detection probe 1, an endoscope 3, a video processor 4, a monitor 5, and an endoscope insertion shape detection device (hereinafter abbreviated as a shape detection device) 6. The monitor 7 is mainly composed. Reference numeral 8 denotes a bed on which a patient can lie. The endoscope 3 captures an image in the body cavity in the body cavity of the patient as the subject, and outputs the captured image in the body cavity as an imaging signal. The video processor 4 performs image processing or the like on the imaging signal output from the endoscope 3 and outputs the processed image signal. The monitor 5 includes a monitor screen 5a, and an image picked up by the endoscope 3 is displayed on the monitor screen 5a based on the image pickup signal output from the video processor 4.

  The endoscope 3 includes an insertion unit 11, an operation unit 12, and a universal cord 13. The insertion part 11 is inserted into the body cavity. The operation unit 12 is held by the surgeon for operating the insertion unit 11 at hand. The operation unit 12 is connected to the proximal end side of the insertion unit 11. The universal cord 13 extends from the side of the operation unit 12 and is connected to the video processor 4 that is an external device.

  An objective optical system (not shown) provided with an image sensor, an illumination optical system for supplying illumination light, and the like are provided inside the distal end portion 14 positioned at the distal end of the insertion portion 11. A treatment instrument inlet 16 communicating with a treatment instrument insertion channel (hereinafter abbreviated as a channel) 15 provided in the insertion section 11 is provided on a side portion of the operation section 12. In the present embodiment, the insertion shape detection probe 1 is inserted into the channel 15 through the treatment instrument inlet 16.

  The insertion shape detection probe 1 has a size, a shape, and the like that can be inserted into the treatment instrument inlet 16 and the channel 15 of the endoscope 3. The insertion shape detection probe 1 is provided with a plurality of source coils 21 as shape detection elements that generate a magnetic field for obtaining an insertion shape figure of the insertion portion 11 in the body cavity. The source coil 21 is a magnetic field generating element, and the plurality of source coils 21 are arranged at a predetermined interval. The proximal end portion of the insertion shape detection probe 1 is connected to the shape detection device 6 via a connector portion (see reference numeral 1a in FIG. 2). As a result, the plurality of source coils 21 and the shape detection device 6 are electrically connected.

  The shape detection device 6 includes a source coil driving unit (not shown) that drives the source coil 21 to generate a magnetic field. The shape detection device 6 includes a plurality of sense coils (not shown), and includes a coil unit 6a that outputs the detected magnetic field as a magnetic field signal. The plurality of sense coils are shape detection elements, and are magnetic field detection elements for detecting the magnetic field generated by the plurality of source coils 21. Signals transmitted from the plurality of sense coils are transmitted to a source coil position analysis unit (not shown), and the three-dimensional position coordinates of the source coil 21 are analyzed. The three-dimensional position coordinate information of the source coil 21 is transmitted to an insertion shape image generation unit (not shown). The insertion shape image generation unit calculates the three-dimensional shape of the insertion unit 11 and then converts the two-dimensional coordinates for monitor display into an image.

  That is, the shape detection device 6 drives the source coil 21, detects the magnetic field generated from the source coil 21 by the coil unit 6a, and uses the signal corresponding to the detected magnetic field in the body cavity of the insertion portion 11. A video signal obtained by imaging the insertion shape is output. On the monitor screen 7 of the monitor 7, a graphic insertion shape image is displayed.

Next, the configuration of the insertion shape detection probe 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.
In the insertion shape detection probe 1 of the present embodiment, for example, 12 source coils 21 are provided. Therefore, the insertion shape detection probe 1 mainly includes a plurality of source coils 21 </ b> A to 21 </ b> L, an outer sheath 22, a core wire 23, an inner sheath 24, and a connection fixing tube 25.

  Each of the source coils 21A to 21L is formed in a tubular shape. The outer sheath 22 constitutes an outer portion of the insertion shape detection probe 1. The core wire 23 has an elongated shape, and the source coils 21 </ b> A to 21 </ b> L are arranged in series on the core wire 23 and fixedly bonded. The inner sheath 24 has a pipe shape and is disposed in series with each of the source coils 21A to 21L. The connection fixing tube 25 is a heat-shrinkable tube and covers the source coils 21 </ b> A to 21 </ b> L and the inner sheath 24 adjacent to each source coil 21 and integrally connects the two.

As shown in FIG. 2, the source coils 21 </ b> A to 21 </ b> L and the inner sheath 24 are arranged from the distal end side of the probe toward the proximal end portion of the source coil 21 </ b> A, inner sheath 24, source coil 21 </ b> B, inner sheath 24, source coil 21 </ b> C. They are arranged alternately. Let the source coil of the front end side be the 1st source coil 21A. Then, the second source coil 21B,. A signal line 26 is connected to one end of each of the source coils 21A to 21L. The signal line 26 transmits a drive signal from a source coil drive unit (not shown) of the shape detection device 6. The source coils 21 </ b> A to 21 </ b> L fixed to the core wire 23 are arranged as follows. That is, the insertion portion bending portion 11a shown in FIG. 1 is provided with source coils 21A to 21C that are bending portion shape detection element groups for obtaining bending portion shape data. On the other hand, in the insertion portion flexible tube portion 11b shown in FIG. 1, source coils 21D to 21L which are flexible tube portion shape detection element groups for obtaining flexible tube portion shape data are arranged. Each signal line 26 connected to each source coil 21A-21L passes through the inside of the inner sheath 24 arranged at the base end portion of each source coil 21A-21L, and extends toward the base end side. Yes. That is, the signal line 26 connected to the most advanced source coil 21 </ b> A is inside the inner sheath 24, the side peripheral surface of the source coil 21 </ b> B adjacent to the inner sheath 24, inside the inner sheath 24, and adjacent to the inner sheath 24. , Extending inside the inner sheath 24 and along the side peripheral surface of the source coil 21L adjacent to the inner sheath 24 to the connector portion 22 on the proximal end side of the insertion shape detecting probe 1. Is issued. Therefore, a large number of signal lines 26 are inserted into the inner sheath 24 located on the proximal end side of the insertion shape detection probe 1. A cutout 24 a is provided at the end of the inner sheath 24. The signal line 26 is led out from the inside of the inner sheath 24 through the notch 24 a or introduced into the inside from the outside of the inner sheath 24. A predetermined number of notches 24 a are provided so as to correspond to the number of signal lines 26. By providing the notch 24 a at the end of the inner sheath 24, it is possible to prevent a large load from being applied to the signal line 26, so that the signal line 26 moves from the inside of the inner sheath 24 to the outside or the outside of the inner sheath 24. Can be smoothly led from the inside to the inside.

  The signal line 26 that passes through the inside of each inner sheath 24 is wound along the core line 23 with a predetermined slack. This is a measure to prevent the signal line 26 from being in tension when the insertion shape detection probe 1 is bent and causing damage such as disconnection. Each of the source coils 21 </ b> A to 21 </ b> L is fixed to the core wire 23 with an adhesive or the like at a predetermined interval.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a tip piece 27 is provided at the most distal end portion of the outer sheath 22 constituting the insertion shape detection probe 1. Each of the source coils 21A to 21L is mainly configured by a hollow core member 31, a winding 32, and substrates 33A and 33B. The hollow core member 31 has a through hole 31a penetrating in the axial direction. The winding 32 is made of enameled wire or the like and is wound around the hollow core member 31. The substrates 33 </ b> A and 33 </ b> B have a substantially donut shape and are disposed on both end surfaces of the hollow core member 31. The substrates 33A and 33B are bonded and fixed to both end surfaces of the source coil 21, respectively. The peripheral portions of the substrates 33A and 33B are provided with chamfered portions (R chamfers) by curved surfaces. The portion where the R chamfering is performed is referred to as an R surface portion, and is indicated by reference numeral 33R in the drawing. Both ends of the winding 32 are electrically connected to one of the substrates 33A and 33B by means of soldering or the like, and the signal line 26 is also electrically connected by means of soldering or the like. Has been.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the inner sheath 24 is composed of two members, that is, an inner sheath main body 27 constituting the main body portion and an ear portion 28. The ears 28 are provided at both ends of the inner sheath body 27. The inner sheath body 27 is formed of a resin member such as polyimide or polyetherimide, which is a hard tube material. On the other hand, the ear portion 28 is a high-molecular substance having rubber-like elasticity at room temperature, and can obtain desired flexibility, elasticity, etc., for example, a urethane-based resin that is an elastomer-based resin member. It is formed with a member. The cutout portion 24 a is provided in the ear portion 28. The inner sheath body 27 and the ear portion 28 are integrally configured by, for example, heat welding or contraction.

  In addition, since the ear | edge part 28 is formed with the high molecular substance which has rubber-like elasticity, without providing the notch part 24a, the signal wire 26 is made to the exterior from the inner sheath 24, or the outer side of the inner sheath 24 You may make it guide from the inside to the inside.

  In the present embodiment, the outer sheath 22 and the outer sheath of the signal line 26 are made of fluororesin, for example, Teflon (registered trademark). This is to utilize the property of Teflon (registered trademark) that it is not fixed by an adhesive. At the time of fixing by bonding, a tetra-etching process for roughening the bonding surface is performed as a pretreatment so that an adhesive is applied.

  Thus, in the insertion shape detection probe 1, the peripheral portions of the both end surfaces of the plurality of source coils 21A to 21L, which are a plurality of shape detection elements, are formed as the R surface portion 33R. For this reason, in the assembly process or when a load is applied to the signal line 26 in the usage state of the insertion shape detection probe 1, each signal line 26 contacts along the R surface portion 33R. At this time, the load applied to the R surface portion 33R is dispersed by the R surface, and it is possible to prevent an excessive load from being applied to the windings 32 of the source coils 21A to 21L and the signal line 26. This prevents the signal line 26 from being peeled off.

  Further, the inner sheath 24 is configured by integrating the inner sheath body 27 and the ear portion 28. The ear portion 28 is provided with a cutout portion 24 a for introducing the signal line 26 from the outside to the inside of the inner sheath 24. For this reason, each signal line 26 comes into contact with the vicinity of the notch 24 a of the ear 28 during the assembly process or when a load is applied to the signal line 26 in the usage state of the insertion shape detection probe 1. Rub occurs. Here, the ear portion 28 is made of an elastomeric resin having flexibility and elasticity, in other words, it is more flexible than the inner sheath body 27 made of a hard tube material. Therefore, the load generated when the signal line 26 contacts the ear portion 28 can be reduced compared to the load generated when the signal line 26 contacts the inner sheath body 27. This prevents the covering of the signal line 26 from being peeled off and the signal line 26 from being disconnected.

Further, the inner sheath 24 is configured by integrating the inner sheath body 27 and the ear portion 28. As a result, the flexibility of the inner sheath 24 is set to be stiffer than when the entire inner sheath 24 is formed only by the elastomer-based resin member constituting the ear portion 28. Therefore, when inserting the insertion shape detection probe 1 into the channel 15, the insertion shape detection probe 1 is not buckled by a hand operation, and the insertion of the operation force can be maintained and smooth insertion can be performed. Thereby, the insertion property of the insertion shape detection probe 1 is ensured.
As a result, in the insertion shape detection probe of the present embodiment, the insertion property is maintained, while the damage caused by the contact with the inner sheath end surface is reduced, and the assembly productivity, durability, and usability are reduced. It can contribute to improvement.

  In the present embodiment, among the shape detection elements, the insertion shape detection probe 1 is provided with source coils 21A to 21L that generate a magnetic field, and the shape detection device 6 includes a coil unit 6a having a sense coil that detects the magnetic field. However, the insertion shape detection probe 1 may be provided with a magnetic field detection element, and the shape detection device 6 may be provided with a magnetic field generation element.

  Further, the flexibility of the inner sheath adjacent to the source coils 21A to 21C constituting the bending portion shape detection element group and the source coils 21D to 21L constituting the flexible tube shape detection element group are provided. The flexibility of the inner sheath to be used may be changed instead of the same. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of the insertion shape detection probe, and FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of the insertion shape detection probe.

  In the insertion shape detection probe 1A shown in FIG. 5, the inner sheath 24A adjacent to the source coils 21A to 21C constituting the bending portion shape detection element group is formed of a silicon-based resin member having excellent flexibility. In contrast, the inner sheath 24B adjacent to the source coils 21D to 21L constituting the flexible tube shape detecting element group is made of Teflon (registered trademark), which is a harder flexible fluororesin than the inner sheath 24A. It is formed of a resin member such as a system, polyimide, or polyetherimide. That is, the inner sheath 24A is more flexible than the inner sheath 24B.

  As a result, when the insertion shape detection probe 1 is inserted into the channel 15, it is possible to perform smooth insertion by improving the transmission of the amount of operation force, and the flexibility of the portion constituting the bending portion shape detection element group Therefore, smooth insertion can be performed by following the bent shape. The inner sheaths 24 </ b> A and 24 </ b> B include an inner sheath body 27 and ear portions 28. In addition, you may make it comprise the change of the flexibility of an inner sheath not in two steps but in three steps or more. Moreover, you may make it change the flexibility of an inner sheath in steps. Other configurations are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  On the other hand, in the insertion shape detection probe 1A shown in FIG. 6, the inner sheath 24B is provided adjacent to the source coils 21A to 21C constituting the bending portion shape detection element group to constitute the flexible tube shape detection element group. An inner sheath 24A is provided adjacent to the source coils 21D to 21L. As a result, when the insertion shape detection probe 1 is inserted into the channel 15, the portion constituting the bending portion shape detection element group of the insertion shape detection probe 1 is buckled without impairing the transmission ability of the operation force. Therefore, smooth insertion can be performed. Other configurations are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

1 to 4 relate to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an endoscope system to which an insertion shape detection probe is applied. Sectional drawing explaining the outline of the internal structure of an insertion shape detection probe The principal part expanded sectional view which expands and shows a part of insertion shape detection probe The figure explaining the structure of an inner sheath The figure explaining the other structural example of an insertion shape detection probe The figure explaining another structural example of an insertion shape detection probe Explanatory drawing of the relevant part of a part of a conventional insertion shape detection probe

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Insertion shape detection probe 6 ... Insertion shape detection apparatus 11 ... Insertion part 21, 21A-21L ... Source coil (element for shape detection) 22 ... Exterior sheath
24 ... Inner sheath 26 ... Signal wire 27 ... Inner sheath body 28 ... Ear

Claims (7)

A plurality of shape detection elements for magnetic field generation or magnetic field detection used for detecting the position of the insertion portion, a plurality of signal lines connected to these shape detection elements, and a shape detection arranged at predetermined intervals An insertion that is disposed between the element and the shape detection element and includes at least an inner sheath through which the signal line passes, and an outer sheath through which the shape detection element, the signal line, and the inner sheath are inserted. In the shape detection probe,
The inner sheath is composed of two members, one member constituting the main body portion and the other member constituting both end portions, and the other member is more flexible and flexible than the one member. An insertion shape detecting probe formed of a resin member.   2. The insertion shape detection probe according to claim 1, wherein the other member is a polymer material having rubber-like elasticity at room temperature.   The insertion shape detection probe according to claim 1, wherein the one member and the other member are integrally formed.   The insertion shape detection probe according to claim 1, wherein the flexibility of an inner sheath disposed between the shape detection element and the shape detection element is uniform.   The inner sheath includes an inner sheath disposed between a shape detecting element and a shape detecting element constituting the curved portion shape detecting element group, and a shape detecting element constituting the flexible tube shape detecting element group. The insertion shape detection probe according to claim 1, wherein the inner sheath arranged between the shape detection element and the shape detection element has different flexibility.   The flexibility of the inner sheath disposed between the shape detection element and the shape detection element constituting the bending portion shape detection element group is the shape detection element constituting the flexible tube shape detection element group. The insertion shape detection probe according to claim 5, wherein the insertion shape detection probe is softer than the flexibility of the inner sheath disposed between the element and the shape detection element.   The flexibility of the inner sheath disposed between the shape detection element constituting the flexible tube shape detection element group and the shape detection element is determined by the shape detection element constituting the bending part shape detection element group. The insertion shape detection probe according to claim 5, wherein the insertion shape detection probe is softer than the flexibility of the inner sheath disposed between the element and the shape detection element.

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