JP2005224521A - Endoscope apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope apparatus which can be positioned on the landing surface stably and can prevent damage or malfunction due to contact with the surface. <P>SOLUTION: The endoscope apparatus comprises an endoscope 1 having an operation section 12 and an insertion section 11 and an image display devices 3. A connector 50 and a leg section 51 project from a bottom face 3A of the image display devices 3, and a connector landing section 50a and a leg section landing surface are each formed on the corresponding leading edges. Three landing sections, that is, the connector landing section, the leg section landing surface and a landing section 52 formed on the operation section 12 are arranged triangularly so that the endoscope can be arranged on the landing surface stably. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus that is compact and suitable for carrying with a small image display device.

Endoscopic devices widely used in the medical and industrial fields are observed on the operation unit so that the operator can view the image of the observation object near the hand while grasping and operating the device during observation. There is known a small-sized endoscope device in which the devices are integrally provided.
For example, Patent Document 1 describes an endoscope apparatus that includes an operation unit having one end connected to an insertion unit that is inserted into a subject, and an observation device that is detachably connected to the other end. In this apparatus, members such as a light guide base, a suction button, a forceps insertion port, and a bending operation lever are provided on the operation unit.
JP 2000-116599 A (page 3-7, FIGS. 1 and 7)

However, the conventional endoscope apparatus as described above has the following problems.
According to the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a relatively heavy and large observation device is provided at the tip of the operation unit, and various members (hereinafter simply referred to as each member) related to operation and precise connection are provided on the operation unit. ) Is provided. For this reason, the operator could only place the subject in an unstable posture, such as when the operator temporarily suspended the observation and temporarily placed it on a desk or the like. If it is forcibly placed horizontally, it may roll from the placed state or the observation device or each member may hit the landing. As a result, there has been a problem that there is a possibility that a precise observation apparatus or each member may be hit or damaged by hitting the landing surface. In addition, members such as an operation lever and an operation switch have a problem of causing malfunction of the apparatus. Therefore, the surgeon must pay close attention to handling, and the device may be difficult to handle for the surgeon.
Although it is conceivable to prepare a dedicated stand, in that case, there is a problem that portability is impaired.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and can be placed on the landing surface in a stable state and can prevent damage or malfunction due to contact with the landing surface. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope apparatus.

In order to solve the above-described problem, according to the invention described in claim 1, the endoscope apparatus includes an insertion portion that can be inserted into a body cavity of a subject, and a distal end side of the insertion portion. An observation image capturing unit that captures an observation image, an operation unit connected to a proximal end portion of the insertion unit, and an observation that is provided in the operation unit and allows the observation image captured by the observation image capturing unit to be observed Part and three landing parts arranged over at least one of the operation part and the observation part.
According to the present invention, the endoscope apparatus can be stably arranged on the landing by landing the three landing portions arranged in a triangle on the landing. In particular, even if there is some unevenness on the landing, it can be stabilized without rattling. Such a triangular arrangement includes an operation unit and an observation unit, and is provided so that the endoscope apparatus excluding the insertion unit is stable. Specifically, the arrangement of the landing portion is determined so that the center of gravity of the endoscope apparatus excluding the insertion portion is located inside the triangular arrangement.
In addition, since the landing part is triangularly arranged on at least one of the operation part and the observation part provided in the operation part, the operation part including the observation part is reliably supported above the landing by the landing part. A gap is formed between the various members provided in the section and the observation section and the landing surface, thereby preventing contact with each other.
In addition, since the operation unit is included in the space formed by the landing portion in this way, the operation unit can be easily grasped and picked up when observation is started.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the endoscope device according to the first aspect, at least one of the landing portions protrudes from the observation portion or the operation portion to connect an external cable. It is set as the structure formed by.
According to the present invention, since at least one landing portion also serves as a connector member for connecting an external cable, the number of components can be reduced. In addition, when landing, the external cable can be directed in advance in a direction that does not hinder landing.

  According to the endoscope apparatus of the present invention, the three landing portions are provided, and the operation unit, the observation unit, and the like are protected from contact with the landing surface, and can be arranged in a stable posture on the landing surface. There is an effect that the apparatus can be arranged on the landing surface while preventing damage or malfunction of the device due to contact with the landing surface.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective explanatory view for explaining an endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective explanatory view of the endoscope apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention as seen from a direction different from FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory diagram for explaining the outline of the internal structure of the endoscope apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an explanatory front view for explaining an observation unit of the endoscope apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

An endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an endoscope 1, a light source device 2 that emits illumination light that illuminates the subject, and a subject image (observation image) obtained by the endoscope 1. An image display device 3 (observation unit) that converts the image into an image is displayed as a main component.

The endoscope 1 includes an insertion portion 11 in which a distal end is inserted into an observation site, and an operation portion 12 for bending the distal end of the insertion portion 11. Further, the endoscope 1 has an imaging element 4 such as a CCD that receives an image (light) guided by an image guide 11b (observation image capturing unit), which will be described later, and a light collection unit that forms an image on the light receiving unit of the imaging element 4. An optical lens 4a is provided (see FIG. 3).
The insertion portion 11 has a flexible and elongated shape, and is connected to one end of the operation portion 12. The insertion portion 11 has a hard tip portion 16 located at the tip, and a bending portion 17 provided continuously to the tip portion 16. And a flexible portion 18 provided continuously to the bending portion 17 and connected to the operation portion 12.
As shown in FIG. 3, the distal end portion 16 is provided with an objective lens 19 that forms an image of reflected light from a subject illuminated by illumination light, and an illumination window 16a that emits illumination light. The bending portion 17 and the flexible portion 18 include a light guide 11 a that guides illumination light from the light source device 2 to the distal end portion 16, and an image guide 11 b that guides an image formed on the objective lens 19 to the image sensor 4. ing. Note that the imaging element 4 may be provided at a position close to the video display device 3 as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the operation unit 12 has a desired bending portion 17 via a grasping portion 10 for an operator to grasp the endoscope 1 and two wires 11 c passed through the insertion portion 11. And a bending operation lever 20 for bending in the direction. A frustoconical connecting portion 12 </ b> A whose diameter decreases toward the insertion portion 11 is provided at one end of the grip portion 10, and is connected to the proximal end portion 11 </ b> A of the insertion portion 11. And the landing part 52 is formed in the side in which the front-end | tip part 20a of the bending operation lever 20 is provided among the parts which the end of the holding part 10 and the connection part 12A contact.

The grip portion 10 is formed in a bar shape and can be gripped so as to be wrapped with the thumb and other fingers. The grasping unit 10 includes a suction cap 13 for sucking a liquid such as a body fluid, a forceps insertion port 14 for inserting a treatment tool such as a forceps, and the inside of the endoscope 1 at the time of water leakage inspection of the endoscope 1. A vent 15 for sending air is provided. A suction device is connected to the suction base 13 via a tube (not shown), and body fluid and the like can be sucked through the suction base 13 by operating the suction device. An air supply device is connected to the vent base 15 via a tube (not shown), and by operating the air supply device, air is sent from the vent base 15 to the endoscope 1, and the endoscope 1. Internal water leak inspection can be performed.
In addition, the operation unit 12 is provided with an image recording switch 32b (see FIG. 2) for recording an image displayed on the image display device 3 in an image recording device 32 (see FIG. 3) described later.

  The bending operation lever 20 is provided adjacent to the grip 10 so that it can be operated with the thumb of the hand holding the grip 10. The bending operation lever 20 is an L-shape composed of a distal end portion 20a operated by the belly of the thumb holding the gripping portion 10 and a proximal end portion 20b connected to one end of the distal end portion 20a. A base end portion 20b is pivotally supported by 12a and is supported so as to be swingable up and down. The bending operation lever 20 can bend the bending portion 17 freely by pushing and pulling the tip portion 20a up and down with a thumb to apply tension to one of the wires 11c and thrust to the other wire 11c. It is like that.

As shown in FIG. 3, the light source device 2 condenses the light source lamp 21, the hand switch 22 for the operator to arbitrarily turn on / off the light source lamp 21, and the illumination light emitted from the light source lamp 21. And a condenser lens 23. Further, the light source device 2 is provided with a connector 2a to which a power supply cable 6 described later is detachably connected. The light source lamp 21, the hand switch 22 and the connector 2 a are connected in series by a power supply line 2 b built in the light source device 2.
Illumination light emitted from the light source lamp 21 is condensed by the condenser lens 23, guided to the light guide 11a, emitted from the illumination window 16a, and illuminates the body cavity.

The video display device 3 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, is detachably provided at the other end of the operation unit 12, and is attached to the other end of the operation unit 12 at least during observation.
The video display device 3 is provided with a display element 31 such as an LCD for visualizing and displaying an observation image of a subject so that the display surface is exposed to the outside. The display screen of the display element 31 is a screen having a larger area such as the image pickup element 4 and the condenser lens 4a so that it is usually easy to see.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the display element 31 is provided on the surface having the largest area among the rectangular parallelepipeds of the video display device 3. This surface has a size that covers a cross section orthogonal to the axis of the operation unit 12. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, in a state in which the video display device 3 is fixed so that the facing direction with respect to the display element 31 is substantially parallel to the optical axis direction of the endoscope 1, from which direction orthogonal to the optical axis Even if it sees, the video display apparatus 3 and the operation part 12 have comprised T shape.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the video display device 3 includes an image recording device 32 that records an image of a subject, an image sensor control circuit 33 that converts the image of the subject imaged by the image sensor 4 and outputs the signal. There is provided a display element control circuit 34 that visualizes the signal output from the image sensor control circuit 33 and displays it on the display element 31. A battery 5 that supplies power to each part of the light source device 2, the image sensor 4, and the video display device 3 is incorporated in a replaceable manner. The battery 5 is a secondary battery that can be repeatedly charged and used.

On the outside of the video display device 3, a start switch 35, a connector 50 (connector member), and a leg 51 are provided. FIG. 4 shows a front view of the video display device 3 viewed from the direction in which the observation image is observed upright on the display element 31 from the direction facing the display element 31.
The start switch 35 is a switch for starting the endoscope apparatus.

The connector 50 is for connecting a power supply cable 6 (external cable) and a collective cable 7 (external cable), which will be described later, to the video display device 3. And it protrudes on the display apparatus bottom face 3A located under the screen of the display element 31, and is L-shaped so that the feeding cable 6 and the collective cable 7 can be led to the lateral direction outside of the display apparatus bottom face 3A. It is bent.
The connector 50 includes a connector landing portion 50a (landing portion) having a maximum protruding height from the display device bottom surface 3A in the vicinity of the bent portion. Therefore, when the video display device 3 or the endoscope 1 including the video display device 3 is placed with the display device bottom surface 3A facing the appropriate landing surface, at least a part of the connector landing portion 50a comes into contact with the landing surface. . As a result, the power feeding cable 6 and the collective cable 7 are guided in the lateral direction between the landing and the display device bottom surface 3A.
The connector 50 may be fixed to the video display device 3 or may be detachably connected. In order to smooth the landing or prevent slipping, it is preferable that at least the connector landing portion 50a is covered with a synthetic rubber or a soft synthetic resin.

  The connector 50 is L-shaped so that the power feeding cable 6 and the collective cable 7 do not interfere with landing when the connector 50 is landed. In the state shown in FIG. In addition, when the surgeon grips the grip portion 10 while operating the bending operation lever 20, there is an advantage that the feeding cable 6 and the collective cable 7 protrude toward the surgeon and do not hinder the operation.

  The leg portion 51 is a protrusion protruding on the display device bottom surface 3 </ b> A at an appropriate interval from the connector 50. A leg landing 51a (landing portion) is formed in the protruding direction. The leg landing 51a has a protruding height from the display device bottom surface 3A substantially the same as the connector landing 50a.

Note that at least the leg landing surface 51a is preferably covered with synthetic rubber, soft synthetic resin, or the like in order to smooth the landing of the leg 51 or prevent slipping.
Further, in the drawing, the leg landing 51a is a flat surface and the leg 51 is cylindrical, but this is only an example, and any other shape may be used as long as it is a projection from the bottom surface 3A of the display device. For example, the leg portion 51 may be conical or the like so that the landing location is constant, and the dot-like landing portion may be formed by the top portion thereof. Thus, the landing portion does not necessarily have to be planar.

As shown in FIG. 1, a bracket 1 b is provided at the upper part of the endoscope 1, and a bracket 3 a is also provided at the lower part of the video display device 3. These two brackets 1b and 3a are fastened by a screw 8 for fastening.
Therefore, the image display device 3 can tilt the screen toward the bending operation lever 20 by loosening the screw 8 as necessary during operation and observation, and the screw 8 at a desired position within the movable range. It can be fixed by tightening.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the video display device 3 and the light source device 2 are connected via a power supply cable 6 that includes a power supply line 21 a. The video display device 3 and the endoscope 1 are connected via a collective cable 7 that includes a power supply line 4b connected to the image sensor 4 and a communication line S1. The feeding cable 6 and the collective cable 7 are respectively provided with connectors 6a and 7a at the ends. The connector 6a is detachably connected to the connector 2a of the light source device 2, and the connector 7a is detachably connected to the connector 1a of the endoscope 1.

  As described above, the endoscope 1 includes the video display device 3 at the end of the operation unit 12 and various members at the outer periphery, and is connected to the power supply cable 6 and the collective cable 7. Therefore, if it is placed on a desk or the like, the video display device 3 may receive an impact, a precise member may be damaged or receive an impact, and a load may be applied to the cable. Or there is a possibility that the operation lever and the operation switch may malfunction. Moreover, it may roll after it has been placed in an unstable arrangement.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the above-described problems can be avoided by arranging the three landing portions, the connector 50, the leg portion 51, and the landing portion 52 to land on the ground.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory plan view for explaining a method of arranging the endoscope apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention on the landing surface. FIG. 6 is also an explanatory front view. Reference numeral 53 schematically shows the state of the hand when the endoscope 1 is arranged in this way.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the video display device 3 is fixed so that the video display device 3 and the operation unit 12 form a T shape. In this state, the connector 50 and the leg portion 51 protruding from the display device bottom surface 3 </ b> A are located on the radially outer side of the operation portion 12.
Then, the endoscope 1 is arranged on the landing surface 54 with the connector landing portion 50 a and the leg landing surface 51 a facing the landing surface 54.
Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the connector landing portion 50 a, the leg portion landing 51 a, and the landing portion 52 on the same direction side contact with the landing 54. Since these landing positions on the landing surface 54 are separated from each other on the landing surface 54 and are not on the same straight line, a triangle Tr (see FIG. 5) is drawn when they are connected. That is, the three landing portions are arranged in a triangle.
Therefore, by providing the triangle Tr in such a range that the center of gravity of the video display device 3 and the endoscope 1 excluding the insertion portion 11 falls within the triangular region, the video display device 3 and the endoscope 1 are provided. It can be stably placed on the landing surface 54 without rolling or rattling.

  Here, only a part of these landing portions are in contact with the landing surface 54, and the landing area is extremely smaller than that of the triangular arrangement region. be able to. For this reason, it is substantially supported by three points, and for example, even if there is some unevenness on the landing surface 54, it can be stably arranged.

  On the other hand, in the front view shown in FIG. 6, the connector landing portion 50a and the leg landing 51a from the display device bottom surface 3A located at one end in the extending direction of the video display device 3 extending in a T shape with the operation portion 12. Is protruding. Therefore, the operation unit 12 is inclined with respect to the landing surface 54, and a substantially right-angled triangular gap is formed between the operation unit 12 and the landing surface 54. For this reason, members such as the bending operation lever 20 and the bracket 1 b provided on the outer periphery of the operation unit 12 do not contact the landing surface 54. Therefore, such a member will not be damaged by hitting the landing surface 54, receiving an impact, or malfunctioning. Therefore, the reliability of the endoscope 1 can be improved. In addition, the operator does not have to pay close attention to the placement and placement of the endoscope 1, which makes it extremely easy to use. In particular, there is an advantage that the endoscope apparatus is suitable for being carried around and used in various places.

.
Further, if the gap formed between the operation unit 12 and the landing surface 54 is set appropriately, a space for holding the grip unit 10 with the hand 53 can be provided as shown in FIG. It is very convenient because it is easy to grasp when picking up the device.

  In the above description, an example in which two landing parts are provided in the observation part and one in the operation part is described. Such an arrangement is reasonable when the observation unit is composed of the video display device 3 as in the present embodiment and the observation unit is relatively large and heavy. However, the arrangement position and the distribution of the number are not limited to this. Depending on the shape of the observation unit and the operation unit, the mounting position, etc., all three landing portions may be provided on one side. For example, when the observation unit is composed of a light and small eyepiece optical system, the landing unit of the observation unit may be one or zero.

  In the above description, the connector 50 and the leg portion 51 are described as an example protruding from the display device bottom surface 3A. In this case, when landed, the image on the display element 31 can be seen in an upright state, but if it is only for stably placing the device on the ground, a triangular arrangement can be taken. As long as it may be provided anywhere on the video display device 3, it is not limited to the display device bottom surface 3A.

  In the above description, since there is no member that should avoid contact with the landing surface 54 in the vicinity of the landing portion 52 on the operation portion side, the outer peripheral surface of the operation portion itself may be used as the landing portion. It explained as an example. However, if it is necessary to float the vicinity of the landing part from the ground, or if it is necessary to protect the outer peripheral surface of the operation part or the observation part, it is possible to provide a landing part appropriately protruding from the outer peripheral surface. Needless to say.

In the above description, the connector 50 is described as an example in which the power supply cable 6 and the collective cable 7 extend to one end. However, the connector member and the external cable may be detachably connected.
Further, the connector member is not limited to the one to which the external cable is always connected. For example, at the time of landing, an external cable may not be connected, and a connection port connected when performing operation and observation may be provided. In that case, a cap member such as a synthetic rubber or a soft synthetic resin that covers the landing portion may be detachable so as not to damage the connection port at the time of landing, and the leg portion 51 may be provided.

It is a perspective explanatory view for explaining an endoscope apparatus concerning an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective explanatory view of the endoscope apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from a direction different from that in FIG. 1. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of an internal structure of an endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is front explanatory drawing for demonstrating the structure of the observation part of the endoscope apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is plane explanatory drawing for demonstrating the arrangement | positioning method to the landing of the endoscope apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is front explanatory drawing similarly.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope 2 Light source device 3 Image | video display apparatus (observation part)
4 Image sensor 6 Power supply cable (external cable)
7 Assembly cable (external cable)
10 Grasping part 11 Insertion part 11A Base end part 11b Image guide (observation image capturing part)
12 Operation unit 20 Bending operation lever 31 Display element 50 Connector (connector member)
50a Connector landing part (landing part)
51 Leg 51a Leg landing (landing part)
52 Landing part 54 Landing

Claims (2)

An insertion section that can be inserted into the body cavity of the subject;
An observation image capturing unit for capturing an observation image in the body cavity from the distal end side of the insertion unit;
An operation unit connected to a base end of the insertion unit;
An observation unit provided in the operation unit and capable of observing the observation image captured by the observation image capturing unit;
An endoscope apparatus comprising: three landing portions arranged in a triangle over at least one of the operation unit and the observation unit. At least one of the landing portions is
The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope apparatus is formed by a connector member that protrudes from the observation unit or the operation unit in order to connect an external cable.

Images