JP3989061B2 - Rigid sheath for endoscope - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is for an endoscope that has a channel for an endoscope and allows a direct-viewing endoscope having a flexible insertion portion to be used as a direct-viewing, side-viewing, and perspective-type rigid endoscope. It relates to a rigid sheath.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, by inserting a long and thin insertion portion into a body cavity, the inside of a body cavity can be observed, and various medical treatments can be performed using a treatment instrument inserted into a treatment instrument channel as necessary. Endoscopes are widely used. In the industrial field, industrial endoscopes are widely used to observe and inspect internal scratches and corrosion of boilers, gas turbine engines, chemical plants, and the like.
[0003]
The endoscope has a flexible insertion part that is inserted into a body cavity or a tube that is bent, and the observation target part is observed, and the insertion part is rigid and is inserted linearly toward the observation target part for observation. There is something to do. An endoscope having a flexible insertion section, an optical endoscope that transmits a subject image of an observation target image formed on an image guide inserted through the endoscope to the eyepiece and observes it with the naked eye There is an electronic endoscope in which an imaging element such as a CCD is disposed at the distal end of the endoscope insertion portion, and a subject image of an observation target image formed on the imaging element is displayed on a monitor screen for observation. . On the other hand, a relay optical system is generally used in an endoscope having a rigid insertion portion. These endoscopes are classified into a direct view type, a side view type, and a perspective type depending on the viewing direction.
[0004]
When endoscopy is performed using these endoscopes, the optimal viewing direction, viewing angle, viewing range, and the like vary depending on the observation site. However, it is extremely difficult to prepare various endoscopes according to each observation object and purpose, which is not realistic. Therefore, an optical adapter is attached to the distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion to configure an observation optical system according to the observation object and purpose.
[0005]
As such an optical adapter, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-143712, a direct-view type rigid mirror is not remodeled, but is detachably attached to an insertion portion of the direct-view type rigid mirror so as to be a perspective type or a side-view type. A rigid endoscope conversion adapter that can be converted into a rigid endoscope is shown. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-301751 discloses a wide range of uses including the use of a rigid endoscope, and it is possible to use an endoscope having a flexible insertion portion in the same manner as a rigid endoscope. A highly versatile endoscope rigid sleeve device that can accommodate any length of endoscope flexible insert is shown.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conversion adapter for rigid endoscopes disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-143712 and the rigid sleeve device for endoscopes disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-301751, the insertion portion is soft and the direct-view type endoscope is a side-view type. It could not be used as a rigid endoscope.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and by directly arranging an insertion portion of a direct-view type endoscope, a rigid endoscope such as a direct-view type or a side-view type can be easily configured to be used as an endoscope. An object of the present invention is to provide a rigid sheath for an endoscope corresponding to a microscopic examination.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The rigid sheath for an endoscope according to the present invention is provided at a rigid sleeve into which an insertion portion of the endoscope can be inserted, and a proximal end portion of the rigid sleeve, and is disposed at an arbitrary position in the longitudinal direction of the outer periphery of the endoscope insertion portion. Fixable mounting and fixing means, a visual field conversion unit detachably attached to the distal end portion of the rigid sleeve, and a positioning provided in the visual field conversion unit and inserted into an endoscope channel provided in the endoscope And a pin.
[0009]
According to this configuration, the endoscope inspection can be performed as a direct-viewing type rigid endoscope by fixing the insertion portion of the endoscope to the rigid sleeve with the visual field conversion unit removed. On the other hand, an endoscope inspection can be performed as a rigid endoscope corresponding to the visual field direction of the visual field conversion unit by fixing the insertion portion of the endoscope to the rigid sleeve with the visual field conversion unit attached.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
1 to 9 relate to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a configuration of a rigid sheath for an endoscope, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a distal end portion of the endoscope. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the distal end surface of the insertion portion, FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the endoscope rigid sheath, and FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the visual field conversion unit and the sleeve distal end portion of the endoscope rigid sheath, 6 is an AA cross-sectional view of FIG. 5, FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a state where a direct-view type rigid endoscope is constructed using the endoscope rigid sheath, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the endoscope rigid sheath. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between a distal end of a positioning pin provided in the visual field conversion unit and the observation window of the endoscope.
[0011]
As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope system 10 of the present embodiment mainly includes an electronic endoscope 1 and a rigid sheath for endoscope (hereinafter also abbreviated as a rigid sheet) 50.
[0012]
The electronic endoscope 1 is for inspecting the inside of an engine such as a gas turbine engine, for example, and the observation window of the observation optical system, the illumination window of the illumination optical system, and the like on the front end surface formed of hard members in order from the front end side. The tip constituting part 2 provided with a plurality of bending pieces are connected in a rotatable manner, for example, a bending part 3 that can be bent in the vertical and horizontal directions, and a flexible flexible pipe part 4 provided in a slender and flexible manner. The insertion portion 5 is composed of an operation portion 6 connected to the base end portion of the insertion portion 5 and a flexible universal cord 7 extending from the side of the operation portion 6. That is, the endoscope 1 according to this embodiment is a direct-viewing type in which the insertion portion 5 has flexibility.
[0013]
On the other hand, the rigid sheath 50 is a substantially pipe-shaped rigid sleeve 51 through which the insertion portion 5 of the endoscope 1 can be inserted and removed, and attachment fixing means for integrally fixing the rigid sleeve 51 and the insertion portion 5. It is mainly composed of a fixed portion 52.
[0014]
Direct view having the flexible insertion portion 5 by inserting and disposing the distal end constituting portion 2, the bending portion 3 and the flexible tube portion 4 of the insertion portion 5 of the endoscope 1 into the rigid sheath 50. The type endoscope 1 can be used as a direct-view type, side-view type, or perspective-type rigid endoscope. Further, by inserting and arranging the insertion portion of the rigid direct-view endoscope in the rigid sheath 50, the rigid direct-view endoscope can be used as a side-view type or perspective-type rigid endoscope.
[0015]
Various jigs and the like are inserted into and removed from the operation section 6 of the endoscope 1 into a bending operation knob 11 for bending the bending section 3 provided in the insertion section 5 and an endoscope channel described later. There are provided a channel insertion opening 12, an LCD attachment 13 for arranging a liquid crystal display (hereinafter abbreviated as LCD) 8, an LCD connector 14 for outputting video signals and power to be supplied to the LCD monitor 8, and the like. It has been.
[0016]
A universal connector 21 is provided at the end of the universal cord 7, and an LG connector 22 protruding from the universal connector 21 is detachably connected to a light source device (not shown). A CCU connector 29 a connected to the CCU 24 is provided from the general connector 21 via a CCU cable 29. Further, the general connector 21 is provided with a video connector 23, from which a signal cord 25 connected to a camera control unit (hereinafter abbreviated as CCU) 24, the CCU 24, and the LCD monitor. A power cord 27 having an AC / DC power supply device 26 for supplying power for driving the power source 8 is extended.
[0017]
The LCD connector 14 of the operation unit 6 and the video connector 23 of the general connector 21 are connected by a signal cable 28 inserted through the universal cord, and the video output from the CCU 24 via the signal cable 28. The signals and the power output from the AC / DC power supply device 26 to drive the LCD monitor 8 are transmitted to the LCD connector 14.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 2, an endoscope channel configured by a metal pipe 31 and a channel tube 32 connected to a proximal end portion of the metal pipe 31 at the distal end constituting portion 2 of the insertion portion 5 of the endoscope 1. 33 and an observation optical system 36 constituted by an observation lens cover 34 that is an observation window and a plurality of lenses 35. The metal pipe 31 is integrally fixed to the tip component body 2a. The observation lens cover 34 and the plurality of lenses 35,... Are bonded and fixed to a first lens frame 37 and a second lens frame 38, respectively. The first lens frame 37 and the second lens frame 38 are made of the metal. Like the pipe 31, it is integrally fixed to the tip component body 2a.
[0019]
A CCD 39, which is a solid-state image sensor, is bonded and fixed to the imaging position of the observation optical system 36 together with a cover glass 39c. On the base end side of the CCD 39, a first substrate 41 on which an electronic component such as an IC 40 is mounted and a second substrate 42 to which a plurality of signal lines 43 are connected are arranged in an electrically connected state. Yes. The CCD 39 and the substrates 41 and 42 are integrated with a sealing resin 44.
[0020]
The base end of the signal line 43 is connected to the CCU 24 via a CCU connector 29a, and an electrical signal photoelectrically converted by the CCD 39 is generated as an image signal by the CCU 24. This image signal is sent to the LCD monitor 8. By being transmitted, the endoscopic image can be observed on the LCD monitor screen.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 3, the insertion lens distal end surface 5a of the insertion unit 5 faces the observation lens cover 34 constituting the observation optical system 36 and the distal end surface of the light guide (not shown) constituting the illumination optical system. A pair of illumination lens covers 45 and a channel opening 33a of the endoscope channel 33 through which a jig such as an endoscope fixture is inserted are provided.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 4 (a), the fixing portion 52 constituting the fixing means for the rigid sheath 50 is made of metal in which the proximal end portion of the rigid sleeve 51 is bonded and fixed and a female screw portion 54a is provided on the inner peripheral surface. The base member 54, a tubular slider 55 which is a pressing member provided with a male screw portion 55a screwed to the female screw portion 54a on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion, and a base end side outer periphery of the slider 55 are fixed. The endoscope insertion part 5 is inserted and arranged in a state where the outer peripheral direction arranged in the inner hole of the slider 55 and the inner hole of the slider 55 is regulated by the inner hole of the slider 55, for example, 2 It is composed of an O-ring 57 which is an annular elastic member and a spacer 58 which is formed of polyacetal or the like which is a lubricating resin member and at least one end abuts against the O-ring 57.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 4B, the rigid sheath 50 is configured in a joined state in which the female screw portion 54a of the base member 54 and the male screw portion 55a of the slider 55 are screwed together. At this time, the O-ring Since 57 is not pressed by the slider 55, it is not deformed. Reference numeral 60 denotes a field conversion unit that can be attached to and detached from the distal end of the rigid sleeve 51. The optical system of the field conversion unit 60 is arranged at the position of the notch 51a to observe the observation site as will be described later. It can be done.
[0024]
The visual field conversion unit 60 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.
As shown in FIG. 5, the visual field conversion unit 60 can be inserted into and removed from the distal end portion of the rigid sleeve 51 as indicated by an arrow in the figure.
[0025]
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the visual field conversion unit 60 includes a substantially cylindrical unit main body 61 having an internal space portion 61 a and observation optics provided on the distal end surface 5 a of the insertion portion of the endoscope 1. In order to guide an observation image of an observation site that is disposed to face the observation lens cover 34 of the system 36 and is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis direction of the endoscope 1 to the observation optical system 36 of the endoscope 1. A prism 62, which is a visual field converting means for converting the optical axis to a right angle, holds the prism 62, and irradiates illumination light to an observation site at a position orthogonal to the longitudinal axis direction of the endoscope 1. An optical system fixing member 63 provided with an illumination window 63a, and an optical system fixing member 63, which is provided in the optical system fixing member 63 and inserted into the endoscope channel 33 of the endoscope 1, and the endoscope 1 and the visual field conversion unit. Position in the rotation direction with 60 Forming a tip diameter is composed of a positioning pin 64 protruding. That is, the visual field conversion unit 60 of the present embodiment is a visual field conversion unit for observing an observation site orthogonal to the longitudinal axis direction of the endoscope 1.
[0026]
One end portion of the optical system fixing member 63 faces an illumination window 63a provided in the optical system fixing member 63, and the other end portion is provided on the distal end surface 5a of the insertion portion of the endoscope 1. Molded light guides 65 a and 65 b are arranged so as to face the cover 45. Further, the positioning pin 64 is bonded and fixed to the optical system fixing member 63, while a large-diameter head is disposed in a positioning holding portion 61 b formed in the unit main body 61. Further, a female screw 61 c is formed on the side periphery of the unit main body 61. Further, a receiving portion 51 b for arranging a head portion 71 of a screw 70 screwed into the female screw 61 c of the unit main body 61 without projecting from the outer peripheral surface of the hard sleeve 51 is provided on a side peripheral portion of the hard sleeve 51. It is formed.
[0027]
The operation of the rigid sheath 50 configured as described above and the endoscope 1 will be described.
A state in which the endoscope 1 is used as a direct-viewing type rigid endoscope using a rigid sheath 50 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0028]
First, when the endoscope 1 in which the insertion portion 5 is a flexible endoscope is configured as a direct-view type rigid endoscope using the rigid sheath 50 of the present embodiment, the distal end portion of the rigid sleeve 51 constituting the rigid sheath 50 is formed. The visual field conversion unit 60 is used without being provided.
[0029]
Next, from the proximal end side of the fixed portion 52 of the rigid sheath 50 in which the visual field conversion unit 60 is not provided, the insertion portion 5 inserts the distal end configuration portion 2 of the flexible endoscope 1, and this distal end configuration As shown in the drawing, the distal end surface of the portion 2 slightly protrudes from the distal end surface of the rigid sleeve 51, or the insertion portion distal end surface 5a of the distal end component 2 and the distal end surface of the rigid sleeve 51 are substantially coincident with each other. Arrange as follows.
[0030]
Next, in order to maintain the positional relationship between the insertion portion distal end surface 5a of the distal end configuration portion 2 and the distal end surface of the rigid sleeve 51 in the above-described state, the fixing portion 52 of the rigid sheath 50 is set in a fixed state. That is, the anti-bending tube body 56 constituting the fixing portion 52 is tightened clockwise so that the joining state shown in FIG. 4A is changed to the fixing state shown in FIG. 4B. Then, the slider 55 advances in the base member 54 in the direction of the front end surface and gradually crushes the O-ring 57 arranged in the slider 55. As a result, the O-ring 57 is deformed so as to reduce the inner diameter of the O-ring 57 because the outer peripheral direction is restricted by the inner hole of the slider 55, and the insertion portion 5 of the endoscope 1 is flexible. A part of the tube part 4 is tightened, and the fixing part 52 and the insertion part 5 are integrally fixed in a state where the positional relationship between the tip surface of the tip component part 2 and the tip surface of the rigid sleeve 51 is maintained.
As a result, the endoscope 1 having a flexible insertion portion 5 can be used as a direct-view type rigid endoscope.
[0031]
A state in which the endoscope 1 is used as a side-view type rigid endoscope using the rigid sheath 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.
First, when the endoscope 1 in which the insertion portion 5 is a flexible endoscope is configured as a side-view type rigid endoscope using the rigid sheath 50 of the present embodiment, the distal end side of the rigid sleeve 51 that constitutes the rigid sheath 50. Further, the visual field conversion unit 60 is inserted, and the positions of the female screw 61 c formed in the visual field conversion unit 60 and the receiving portion 51 b formed in the side peripheral portion of the rigid sleeve 51 are made to substantially coincide with each other. In this state, the screw 71 is screwed into the female screw 61 c from the receiving portion 51 b side, and the visual field conversion unit 60 is integrally screwed and fixed to the distal end portion of the hard sleeve 51 by the screw 71.
[0032]
Next, from the proximal end side of the fixing portion 52 of the rigid sheath 50 in which the visual field conversion unit 60 is fixed to the distal end portion of the rigid sleeve 51, the insertion portion 5 moves the distal end configuration portion 2 of the flexible endoscope 1 in the distal direction. To push forward. Then, the distal end surface of the positioning pin 64 protruding from the visual field conversion unit 60 fixed to the rigid sleeve 51 comes into contact with the insertion portion distal end surface 5 a of the endoscope 1. In this state, the insertion portion 5 of the endoscope 1 is relatively rotated in the rigid sleeve 51, and the position of the positioning pin 64 and the channel opening 33a of the endoscope channel 33 of the endoscope 1 is determined. Adjust. Here, the insertion portion 5 of the endoscope 1 is pushed in the distal direction so that the positioning pin 64 is inserted into the endoscope channel 33, and as shown in FIG. The insertion portion distal end surface 5a of the endoscope 1 is brought into close contact. Thereby, the prism 62 of the visual field conversion unit 60, the observation lens cover 34 of the endoscope 1, and the other end portions of the molded light guides 65a and 65b and the illumination lens cover 45 face each other.
[0033]
Next, in order to maintain the positional relationship between the insertion portion distal end surface 5a of the distal end configuration portion 2 and the distal end surface of the rigid sleeve 51, as in the case of configuring the above-described direct view type configuration endoscope, FIG. The folding stop tube body 56 is tightened clockwise so that the fixed state shown in FIG. 4B is changed from the joined state shown in FIG. 4B, so that the fixing portion 52 of the rigid sheath 50 is fixed. Thereby, tightening the portion of the variable Shiwakan portion 4 of the insertion portion 5 of the endoscope 1 modified as the inner diameter of the O-ring 57 is reduced, the endoscope and the prism 62 of the field conversion unit 60 The observation lens cover 34 and the other end portions of the molded light guides 65a and 65b and the illumination lens cover 45 face each other, and are fixed in a state where the distal end surface 5a of the insertion portion of the endoscope 1 is in close contact with the visual field conversion unit 60. The part 52 and the insertion part 5 are fixed integrally.
Thus, the endoscope 1 having a flexible insertion portion 5 can be used as a side-view type rigid endoscope.
[0034]
As shown in FIG. 9, when the insertion portion 5 is relatively rotated in the rigid sleeve 51 in order to align the positioning pin 64 and the channel opening 33a, the distal end surface 64a of the positioning pin 64 is used. The diameter dimension and the like of the distal end portion of the positioning pin 64 are set so that the surface of the observation lens cover 34 is not damaged by coming into contact with the observation lens cover 34 disposed on the distal end surface 5a of the insertion portion. . In this embodiment, the visual field conversion unit is a side view type, but the visual field conversion unit is not limited to the side view type, and may be a perspective type.
[0035]
In this way, the field-of-view conversion unit is detachably provided at the distal end of the rigid sleeve constituting the rigid sheath, and the direct-view type with the field-of-view conversion unit removed from the rigid sleeve or with the field-of-view conversion unit attached to the rigid sleeve. By fixing the insertion portion of the endoscope to the rigid sleeve, a rigid direct-view endoscope or a side / straight-type rigid endoscope can be easily configured.
[0036]
Also, positioning between the optical system of the visual field conversion unit and the optical system placed on the distal end surface of the endoscope is performed by positioning the endoscope channel provided in the endoscope and the positioning provided in the visual field conversion unit. By using a pin, a new member or a new structure is provided in the endoscope to position the visual field conversion unit and the endoscope, and the tip becomes thicker. Without performing, the conventional endoscope can be effectively used to cope with a side-view / straight-type rigid endoscope.
[0037]
Furthermore, the rigid sheath can be easily fixed at a desired position of the insertion portion of the endoscope by tightening the tube body of the fixing portion constituting the rigid sheath clockwise and moving the slider.
[0038]
Also, among the slider, spacer, and O-ring constituting the main part of the fixed portion of the rigid sheath for fixing the rigid sleeve and the insertion portion of the endoscope integrally at an arbitrary position, the spacer is excellent in slipperiness. By forming the resin member and making this spacer adjacent to the O-ring, the O-ring is smoothly compressed when the O-ring is compressed by tightening the folding tube body and moving the slider. Compared with the case where the slider and the spacer are made of metal members, the durability of the O-ring is greatly improved.
[0039]
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.
[0040]
[Appendix]
According to the embodiment of the present invention as described above in detail, the following configuration can be obtained.
[0041]
(1) a rigid sleeve into which the insertion portion of the endoscope can be inserted;
An attachment fixing means provided at a base end portion of the rigid sleeve and capable of fixing at an arbitrary position in the longitudinal direction of the outer periphery of the endoscope insertion portion;
A field-of-view conversion unit detachably attached to the distal end of the rigid sleeve;
A positioning pin provided in the visual field conversion unit and inserted into an endoscope channel provided in the endoscope;
A rigid sheath for an endoscope comprising:
[0042]
(2) The attachment fixing means is:
An annular elastic member through which the endoscope insertion portion is inserted;
While this elastic member is disposed, a pressing member that is movable in the longitudinal axis direction that presses this elastic member, and
A base member to which the hard sleeve is fixed and is configured integrally with the pressing member and a screw portion;
A spacer formed of a lubricious resin member provided between the elastic member and the base member or between the pressing member and the elastic member;
The rigid sheath for an endoscope according to appendix 1, comprising:
[0043]
(3) The rigid sheath for endoscope according to appendix 2, wherein the lubricating resin member is formed of polyacetal.
[0044]
(4) The visual field conversion unit includes:
It is composed of a fixing member that fixes a visual field conversion means that converts the optical axis of the optical system, and a main body on which the fixing member is disposed
The rigid sheath for endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein the positioning pin is fixed to a part of the fixing member and the main body.
[0045]
(5) Note that when the insertion portion of the endoscope is relatively rotated in the rigid sleeve, the distal end surface of the positioning pin does not contact at least the observation lens cover constituting the observation optical system of the endoscope 1. A rigid sheath for an endoscope according to 1.
[0046]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a rigid endoscope such as a direct-view type or a side-view type can be easily configured for endoscopy by inserting and arranging an insertion portion of a direct-view type endoscope. A corresponding endoscopic rigid sheath can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 to FIG. 9 relate to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an endoscope system. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a distal end portion of an endoscope. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a distal end surface of an insertion portion. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a rigid sheath for an endoscope. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a visual field conversion unit and a distal end portion of a rigid sleeve. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a state in which a direct-view type rigid endoscope is configured using a rigid sheath for endoscope. FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a state in which a rigid endoscope of a side view type is configured using a rigid sheath. FIG. 9 is an observation lens cover that constitutes the observation optical system of the endoscope and a positioning pin tip surface provided in the visual field conversion unit. Figure explaining the positional relationship between
33 ... Endoscope channel 50 ... Endoscope rigid sheath 51 ... Rigid sleeve 51a ... Notch 52 ... Fixing part 60 ... Field conversion unit 64 ... Positioning pin

Claims (1)

A rigid sleeve into which the insertion portion of the endoscope can be inserted; and
An attachment fixing means provided at a base end portion of the rigid sleeve and capable of fixing at an arbitrary position in the longitudinal direction of the outer periphery of the endoscope insertion portion;
A field-of-view conversion unit detachably attached to the distal end of the rigid sleeve;
A positioning pin provided in the visual field conversion unit and inserted into an endoscope channel provided in the endoscope;
A rigid sheath for an endoscope, comprising:

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