JPS6251613B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an endoscope for examining the inside of a body cavity.

Generally, the part of an endoscope that is introduced into a body cavity is called the insertion part, and this insertion part consists of, in order from the proximal side, a flexible part such as a flexible tube, a curved part, and a hard tip part. has been done. One end of an optical fiber bundle for light image transmission and one end of an optical fiber bundle for illumination light transmission are attached to the tip rigid part, and the other ends of these optical fiber bundles are inserted through the curved part and the inside of the flexible part. It is guided to an external operating section such as a body cavity. The interior of the body cavity, for example, the stomach wall, is irradiated through the illumination light transmission optical fiber bundle, and an image of the state of the stomach wall is transmitted to the outside through the light image transmission optical fiber bundle for autopsy. Therefore, in order to change the direction of each optical fiber bundle in a body cavity or the like, the curved portion is deformed in a curved manner. Conventionally, this has been accomplished by operating a lever or the like provided on an operating section outside the body cavity or the like to pull a wire, and by displacing the wire, the curved portion is curved. However, since the curved portion does not curve in only one direction, multiple wires are used.
Furthermore, since these wires have conventionally passed through a flexible portion and a curved portion, there has been a problem that these wires may become entangled in the middle. In particular, the optical fiber bundles are also inserted through the flexible portions and the curved portions, and there has been a problem in that the wires may become entangled with these optical fiber bundles and damage the optical fiber bundles. In addition to the above-mentioned bending operation, the forceps raising operation and focus adjustment operation are all remotely controlled by a wire extending from the operation section. These wires are guided from the operating section to the vicinity of the rigid tip section by a guide pipe. Therefore, a loss of transmission force occurs due to the frictional resistance between the wire and the inner surface of the guide pipe, and the longer the length of these wires, the greater the loss of transmission force, and the greater the play in the wire, making operation It has a fatal flaw in that it causes a time lag.

This invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a motor in the vicinity of the operating part of the operating mechanism for each operation of the endoscope, that is, in the tip or curved part. , there is no need to insert multiple wires through soft parts, etc., preventing wires from getting entangled with each other or with optical fiber bundles, etc., and also allows for quick bending operations, forceps raising operations, focus adjustment operations, etc. It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope in which the actuating portion of the operating mechanism is reliably returned to the neutral state.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an endoscope main body, and an operating section 2 is provided on the proximal side of the endoscope 1. This operation section 2 is provided with an eyepiece section 3, and also has a power switch 4 and a changeover switch 5.
is provided. An insertion section 6 to be inserted into the body cavity is connected to the operation section 2, and the insertion section 6 includes a flexible section 7 made of a flexible tube or the like, a curved section 8 connected to the tip of the flexible section 7, and a rigid tip portion 9 provided at the tip of this curved portion 8. The curved portion 8 includes a large number of annular tops 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, for example.
0... are arranged in the axial direction and are rotatably connected by caulking pins 11..., so that they can be freely bent and deformed. The top 10a at the proximal end is fixed to the tip of the flexible portion 7. Further, the rigid tip portion 9 has a rounded tip and a closed tip case 12, and the proximal end of the tip case 12 is connected to the tip end piece 10n. For example, a side surface of the tip case 12 is provided with an illumination window 13 and an observation window 14 covered with glass or the like, and the tip of the optical fiber bundle 15 for transmitting illumination light faces the illumination window 13. Further, the tip of an optical fiber bundle 18 for transmitting a light image faces the observation window 14 via a prism 16 and an objective lens group 17. Each of these optical fiber bundles 18 is guided through the curved portion 8 and the flexible portion 7, and is led to the operating portion 2. The proximal end of the optical fiber bundle 15 for transmitting illumination light is opposed to the light source section L of the operating section 2 . Further, the proximal end of the optical fiber bundle 18 for transmitting a light image faces the eyepiece 3 so that the inside of the body cavity can be inspected through the eyepiece 3a. A bending operation mechanism 19 is built into the rigid tip portion 9 . As shown in FIG. 2, this bending operation mechanism 19 is driven by a forward/reverse type motor 20, a speed reduction mechanism 22 connected to a motor shaft 21 of this motor 20, and this speed reduction mechanism 22. Braking is performed by a brake mechanism 22 provided on the motor shaft 21. The above brake mechanism 23
As shown in FIG. 3, the brake drum 24 is provided on the motor shaft 21, is wrapped around the outer circumferential edge of the brake drum 24, has one end fixed to the tip case 12 of the tip rigid part 9, and has the other end fixed to the tip case 12 of the tip rigid part 9. It consists of a brake band 26 having an attractable body 25 made of a magnetic material, and an electromagnet 27 that attracts the attractable body 25, and is energized by the power source E by operating the changeover switch 5 to brake the motor shaft 21. motor shaft 2
1 is adapted to brake the bending operation mechanism 19 connected to 1. In addition, the bending operation mechanism 19
A bevel gear 28 fixed to the motor shaft 21, a pair of bevel gears 29 and 30 that mesh with the bevel gear 28, and a rotating shaft 31 to which the bevel gears 29 and 30 are fixed and rotatably supported by the tip case 12. , 32, a wire drum 33 fixed to the rotating shafts 31, 32,
34, the bending operation wires 35, 36 are wound around the wire drums 33, 34, and have one end fixed to the wire drums 33, 34 and the other end fixed to the top 10a at the proximal end of the bending part 8. ing. Further, the proximal ends of return means 41 and 42 consisting of springs 37 and 38 and return wires 39 and 40 are wound around the wire drums 33 and 34, and their tips are fixed to a support member 43 provided in the tip case 12. There is.

Next, the changeover switch 5 provided on the operation section 2
is constructed as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6. That is, the changeover switch 5 is wired to operate the motor 20 and electromagnet 27 as shown in FIG. The operating knob 5a of the changeover switch 5 is pressed from both sides by switch springs 5b and 5b as shown in FIGS. Electromagnetic contact 4 as shown in the figure
4 is in the ON state, and the motor forward rotation contact 45 and the motor reverse rotation contact 46 are each in the OFF state. Also, if the above operation knob is positioned upward as shown by arrow A in Fig. 5, the electromagnetic contact 44 will be turned OFF and the motor normal rotation contact 45 will be turned ON.
It is becoming like this. In addition, the operation knob 5a
If it is positioned downward, the electromagnetic contact 44 will be OFF,
The motor reverse rotation contact 46 is turned on.

Next, the operation of this invention configured as described above will be explained.

In order to insert the insertion portion 6 into a body cavity such as the stomach, the curved portion 8 is left in a free state. That is, the power switch 4 provided on the operating section 2 is released, and the operating knob 5a of the changeover switch 5 is positioned at the center position. By doing this, the motor 20 is stopped, the brake drum 24 of the brake mechanism 23 is also released, and the bending mechanism 19 is also held in a neutral state by either the bending operation wire 35 or 36, so that the bending portion 8 is free. Since it is in a stable state, it is slightly bent and deformed to follow the shape of the body cavity and can be easily inserted into the stomach. When the light source L, such as a lamp, is then turned on, this light is projected from the illumination window 13 via the illumination light transmission optical fiber bundle 15, and illuminates the stomach wall.
This optical image of the state of the stomach wall is formed by the observation window 14 and the prism 1.
6. The light is transmitted to the eyepiece 3 via the objective lens group 17 and the optical fiber bundle 18 for optical image transmission, and the state of the stomach wall can be examined through the eyepiece 3a.

However, when changing the position of the stomach wall or the like to be examined, the curved part 8 is bent, and the rigid distal part 9 is bent.
By displacing the illumination window 13 and observation window 1
Change the position of 4. That is, after turning on the power switch 4 provided on the operation unit 2, if the operating knob 5a of the changeover switch 5 is positioned upward, the motor normal rotation contact 45 is turned on, and the electromagnet contact 44 is turned off, and the motor is turned off. 20 rotates counterclockwise when viewed from the operating section 2 side of the endoscope. The rotation of this motor 20 is decelerated and transmitted to a pair of bevel gears 29 and 30 via a bevel gear 28.
9. The bevel gears 30 rotate in opposite directions, and the wire drum 33 rotates to wrap around the bending operation wire 35 wound around the outer periphery.
5 is pulled. In addition, the opposing wire drum 3
4 rotates in a direction to unwind the operating wire 36, and the operating wire 35 is lengthened by the length that is pulled. Therefore, piece 10 of curved part 8... swage pin 1
1... as a fulcrum, and the rigid tip portion 9 curves upward. The insertion portion 6 is in the above-mentioned upwardly curved state.
If you wish to continue observing while holding the
When the operation knob 5a is located at the center position, the motor contacts 45 and 46 are turned OFF and the motor 20 is turned off.
stops, and the electromagnetic contact 44 turns on. When the electromagnet contact 44 is turned ON, the electromagnet 27 is energized, so the magnetic object 25 is attracted to the electromagnet 27, and the brake band 26 brakes the brake drum 24 and the motor shaft 21, so it can be operated. The wires 35 and 36 are held as they are, and the curved portion 8 is held in a bent state. At this time, the return wire 40 wound around the wire drum 34 is wound around the wire drum 34, and the spring 38 at the tip of the return wire 40 is stretched, urging the wire drum 34 to rotate counterclockwise. do. Therefore, in the event of a power outage while the insertion section 6 is bent as described above, the power to the electromagnet 27 of the brake mechanism 23 is immediately cut off, the motor shaft 21 is released, and the bending operation mechanism 19 is free. In this state, the insertion portion 6 attempts to return to its natural state due to the force of the built-in components inserted through the inside of the curved portion 8 and the flexible portion 7, the outer skin covering the curved portion 8, etc. to return to their natural state. do. Since the return wire 40 is biased by the spring 38 at its tip, the insertion portion 6 returns more reliably.

As explained above, in this invention, since the bending operation mechanism 19 is operated by the motor 20, the bending operation wires 35 and 36 are only inserted into the hard tip part 9 and the bending part 8, and 7, so the bending operation wire 35,
36. Since mutual entanglement is eliminated, the bending operation can be performed reliably. In addition, the insertion wires 35, 36
Since the optical fiber bundles 15 and 18 are not entangled with each other, there is no risk of damaging these optical fiber bundles.

Next, FIG. 7, in which the same parts as in FIG. 2 are given the same reference numerals, shows another embodiment of the present invention. That is,
A motor shaft 21 is attached to the tip case 10 of the tip rigid portion 9.
is rotatably supported, and a motor 20, a reduction mechanism 22, and a spur gear 47 are fixed to this motor shaft 21 in this order from the opposite side. Then, the motor 20
and the bending operation mechanism 1 driven by the deceleration mechanism 22
Reference numeral 9 denotes a spur gear 47 provided on the motor shaft 21, racks 48 and 49 made of a pair of magnetic materials that mesh with the spur gear 47, and the racks 48 and 49 held and guided by guide grooves (not shown) formed on the inner surface. rack guides 50, 51 and the racks 48, 4
The bending operation wires 35, 3 are fixed to the proximal end of the bending portion 8 and the other end is fixed to the top 10a of the proximal end of the bending portion 8.
It consists of 6. In addition, the above-mentioned rack 48,
Return means 41 and 42 consisting of springs 37 and 38 and return wires 39 and 40 are fixed to a support member 43 provided on the tip case 12 at the tip of the tip 49. Furthermore, the rack guides 50, 51 are adapted to operate as a brake mechanism. That is, by positioning the operation knob 5a of the changeover switch 5 provided on the operation part 2 at the center of the changeover switch 5, the racks 48 and 49 are braked and the bending operation mechanism 19 is held in a curved shape. .

Next, the operation of the embodiment configured as described above will be explained. When inserting the endoscope into a body cavity, turn off the power switch 4 provided on the operation section 2, position the operation knob 5a of the changeover switch 5 at the center position, and set the bending operation mechanism 19 in a free state. Keep it. Next, to turn the rigid tip part 9 upward, turn on the power switch 4 and then turn the operation knob 5.
Move a upward. As a result, the motor normal rotation contact 45 turns ON, the motor 20 rotates counterclockwise, the rack 48 moves toward the distal end, and the opposing rack 49 moves toward the proximal side. Therefore, the bending operation wire 35 pulls the tip 10a at the proximal end of the bending portion 8, so that the rigid tip portion 9 is directed upward. To maintain this position, move the operation knob 5a of the changeover switch 5 to the center position, and the motor contact 45
46 are both OFF and electromagnetic contact 44 is ON.
The next rack guides 50 and 51 are energized and the racks 48 and 49 are braked, so that the bending operation mechanism 19
is left as is. That is, in this state, the rack 48 has moved to the tip, and the opposing rack 47 has moved to the proximal side,
A spring 39 provided at the tip of the return wire 41 connected to the tip of the rack 49 is pulled toward the proximal side and urges the rack 49 to move toward the tip. Therefore, if there is a power outage while the insertion section 6 is bent inside the body cavity as described above,
Electromagnet and rack guide 5 as a brake mechanism
Since the power supply to 0 and 51 is cut off, it is easy 4.
8 and 49 are released, the bending operation mechanism 19 becomes unloaded, and the built-in objects passing through the inside of the bending part 8 and the flexible part 7, the outer skin covering the bending part 8, etc. try to restore to their natural state due to the force. Although the insertion portion 6 returns naturally, the spring 39 allows it to return even more reliably.

In the above embodiment, only the bending operation function was explained, but it can also be applied to a forceps raising mechanism, a visual field conversion operation mechanism, a focus adjustment mechanism, etc.

As explained above, a motor is provided inside the insertion section, a return means is provided for driving the bending operation mechanism provided inside the insertion section by the motor, and biasing it in a direction opposite to this driving direction, and Since the operating mechanism is braked by a brake mechanism using an electromagnet, it is possible to securely hold the bending operating mechanism, and even in the event of a power failure such as a power outage, the bending operating mechanism can be reliably restored.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a sectional view showing the main part of the rigid tip portion, Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the - line in Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is the same. The wiring diagram of the power switch and the changeover switch, FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the changeover switch, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the changeover switch, and FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the main parts of the rigid tip part of another embodiment. It is. 2... Main body, 5... Selector switch, 6... Insertion section, 19... Curved operation mechanism, 20... Motor, 2
3, 50, 51...Brake mechanism, 42...Returning means.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In an endoscope equipped with a bending operation mechanism for bending a curved section inside the insertion section and a motor for driving the bending operation mechanism, braking is applied to the bending operation mechanism inside the insertion section to control the bending state of the curved section. The hand control section is provided with a brake mechanism that controls the operation of the bending operation mechanism and the brake mechanism, and a changeover switch that disables both mechanisms, and the bending operation mechanism is configured to return the bending section to a neutral state. An endoscope characterized by being provided with a return means.