JP2793882B2 - Endoscope insertion state detection device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope insertion state detection device that detects an insertion state of a test portion of an endoscope.

[Prior art] In recent years, by inserting an elongated insertion portion into a body cavity,
Endoscopes (scopes, fiberscopes, or electronic endoscopes) capable of diagnosing and examining internal organs and the like are widely used. In addition, it is used not only for medical purposes but also for industrial purposes for observing and inspecting an object in a pipe of a boiler, a machine, a chemical plant, or the like, or inside a machine.

Normally, an endoscope inserts an insertion portion into a subject that cannot be viewed from outside the subject, and it is important in operation to know the insertion state.

Further, when the inside of the subject is complicatedly curved, knowing the insertion state of the insertion section becomes even more heavy.

Therefore, for example, a bending sensor, which is a means for detecting the amount of bending, is provided in the insertion portion of the endoscope, and a signal of the amount of bending by the bending sensor is used as a personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a personal computer) which is a small-scale computer system. Endoscope insertion state detection device that detects the insertion state of the insertion section by performing the above processing.

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the above-described endoscope, since the bending sensor is provided in the insertion section, there is a problem that the outer diameter of the insertion section becomes large.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described points, and provides an endoscope insertion state detection device capable of detecting an insertion state of an insertion section without increasing the diameter of the insertion section. The purpose is.

[Means for Solving the Problems] An endoscope insertion state detection device according to the present invention includes a catheter inserted into a channel of an endoscope, a rotation restricting unit for restricting rotation of the catheter with respect to the channel, At least one bending amount detecting means provided on the catheter and detecting the bending amount of the catheter, an insertion length detecting means for detecting the inserted length of the catheter, the bending amount detecting means and the insertion length detection State detecting means for detecting the insertion state of the endoscope by means.

[Operation] With the configuration described above, a catheter provided with a bending amount detecting means is inserted into an endoscope, and the insertion state of the endoscope insertion section is detected based on the inserted length and the bending amount of the catheter. I have.

Embodiment An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 to 3 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 1 (A) is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of an endoscope insertion state detecting device, FIG. 1 (B) is an explanatory diagram showing the state of a catheter in an endoscope channel, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the relationship of the shape with the catheter, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram relating to another insertion length detecting means.

As shown in FIG. 1 (A), an endoscope insertion state detecting device includes an endoscope 1 having a channel described later therein and a catheter 2 which can be inserted into the channel of the endoscope 1.
An insertion length detecting means 3 for detecting, by an encoder, a length of the catheter 2 inserted into the channel; a bending signal from a bending amount detecting means, which will be described later, provided on the catheter 2; A personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a personal computer) 4 for calculating the insertion state of the catheter 2 by processing the insertion timing signal from the computer 3; and a monitor 5 for displaying the insertion state of the catheter 2 obtained by the personal computer 4. It consists of.

The endoscope 1 includes, for example, an elongated and flexible insertion section 6 to be inserted into a subject, a large-diameter operation section 7 connected to the rear end of the insertion section 6, and an operation section. 7 and a universal cord 8 extending from the side.

The operation section 7 is provided with a forceps port 11 for inserting a treatment tool for directly performing a treatment or the like on the catheter 2 or the test site. The forceps port 11 communicates with a channel described later.

The insertion length detecting means 3 is provided near the forceps port 11.

The insertion length detecting means 3 is provided with, for example, a roller 20 which is linked to advance and retreat of the catheter 2 by pressing the catheter 2 and an encoder (not shown) connected to the roller 20.

The roller 20 rotates in conjunction with the advance and retreat of the catheter 2, and by this rotation, the encoder uses the advance and retreat direction of the catheter 2 and the length of the advance and retreat of the catheter 2 as an insertion timing signal to the personal computer 4. Output to

As shown in FIG. 1 (B), the catheter 2 is provided with a bending sensor 21 as a bending amount detecting means at the distal end, and the bending sensor 21 is connected to the personal computer 4 by a signal line (not shown).
It is connected to the. The catheter 2 is inserted into the channel 10 and outputs the bending direction and the bending angle detected by the bending sensor 21 to the personal computer 4 as a bending signal.

In the channel 10, for example, as shown in FIG. 2 (A), a pipe 22 having a substantially elliptical cross section is formed in a member having a substantially circular cross section. The catheter 2 has a substantially elliptical cross section so as to engage with the conduit 2. Thus, the catheter 2 engages with the conduit 22 so that the catheter 2 responds to the torsion of the insertion portion 6 without the catheter 2 being twisted alone.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2B, for example, the channel 10 is formed with a pipe 22 ′ in which an engaging portion 23 a formed by a concave portion is formed in a member having a substantially circular cross section, and the channel 2 is connected to the catheter 2. An engaging portion 23b by a convex portion may be formed so as to be engaged with the joint portion 23a, whereby the catheter 2 alone is not twisted by the engagement of the engaging portions 23a and 23b. The catheter 2 may respond to the torsion of the insertion section 6.

As the insertion length detecting means 3, for example, as shown in FIG.
May be applied, for example, and a light emitting diode 25 and a phototransistor 26 for detecting the mark 24 may be used. Thereby, when the light emitted from the light emitting diode 25 irradiates the mark 24, the light is absorbed by the mark 24 and does not reach the light detection surface of the phototransistor 26, and the mark 24 is not applied. The light may be reflected at the portion and incident on the light detection surface of the phototransistor 26, and the insertion length of the catheter 2 may be detected by the signal of the phototransistor 26.

When the catheter 2 is not inserted, the channel 10 is used as a channel for inserting a normal treatment tool or the like.

The operation of the endoscope insertion state detecting device thus configured will be described.

The insertion section 6 of the endoscope 1 shown in FIG. 1A is inserted into the subject, and the catheter 2 via the insertion length detecting means 3 is connected to the forceps port.
When the catheter 2 is inserted from 11, the length of the catheter 2 inserted into the channel 10 shown in FIG. 1 (B) is output from the insertion length detecting means 3 to the personal computer 10 as an insertion timing signal.

At the same time, the bending sensor 21 provided at the distal end of the catheter 2 detects in what direction and how much the catheter 2 is bent and outputs it to the personal computer 10 as a bending signal.

As shown in FIG. 1 (A), the personal computer 10 receives the length of the catheter 2 inserted into the channel 10 input as an insertion timing signal from the insertion length detection means 3 and the length of the catheter 2 input from the bending sensor 21. The bending direction and the bending angle at the above-mentioned length are sequentially calculated, and the result is displayed on the monitor 5, for example.

That is, a state in which the catheter 2 is curved can be detected in accordance with the insertion amount of the catheter 2, whereby the operator of the endoscope 1 can insert the catheter to almost the distal end portion of the scope insertion section, There is an effect that the insertion state of the insertion section 6 can be recognized, and an appropriate insertion operation can be performed according to the insertion state.

4 and 5 relate to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a distal end portion of a catheter, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of detection of a bending direction. Note that the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

For example, LE, which emits light, is provided at the distal end portion 30 of the catheter 2.
The light emitting means 31 by D and the light emitted by the light emitting means 31 are applied to the wall surface of the conduit 22 of the channel 10 shown in FIG. 5, and the light reflected from this wall surface is detected, for example, as shown in FIG. Photodiode receiving means 32U, 32D, 32R,
32L is provided.

The light emitting means 31 is disposed at the center of the front of the substantially circular catheter 2, and the light receiving means 32U, 32D, 32R, 32L
The catheters 2 are arranged at equal intervals of 90 degrees near the periphery of the catheter 2.

The light receiving means 32U receives light from the upper side in the longitudinal direction of the catheter 2, the light receiving means 32D receives light from the lower side in the longitudinal direction of the catheter 2, and the light receiving means 32R emits light from the right side in the longitudinal direction of the catheter 2. The light receiving means 32L receives light from the left side in the longitudinal direction of the catheter 2.

The light emitting means 31 is connected to a drive power supply (not shown) at the rear end of the catheter 2 by a power supply line (not shown), and the light receiving means 32U, 32D, 32R, and 32L are connected to a personal computer by a signal line (not shown). I have.

The operation of the endoscope insertion state detecting device thus configured will be described.

The catheter 2 is inserted into the channel 22 of the channel 10 as shown in FIG. At this time, the light receiving means 32U shown in FIG.
32D, 32R, and 32L detect the reflected light of the light from the light emitting means 31 reflected by the conduit 22, convert the light into an electric signal, and output the electric signal to a personal computer.

For example, when the conduit 22 of the channel 10 is curved upward as shown in FIG. 5, the light receiving means 32U, 32D, 32R, 32
The electric signal output from L has a relationship of [U <(R = L) <D], where U, D, R, and L are the electric signals. this is,
This is because the reflected light to the light receiving means 32D closest to the wall of the pipe 22 is the strongest, and the reflected light to the light receiving means 32U farthest to the wall of the pipe 22 is the weakest []. The above-mentioned personal computer obtains the bending direction and the bending angle of the catheter 2 from the relational expression by arithmetic processing, and further calculates the bending direction at the time of this length from the length of the catheter 2 inserted into the channel 10. And the bending angle, and the result is displayed on, for example, a monitor.

That is, there is an effect that the catheter 2 can be used also as a catheter as a treatment tool for irradiating excitation light, for example.

Other configurations, operations and effects are the same as those of the above-described embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a catheter according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Note that the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

In the catheter 2 of the present embodiment, bending sensors 35, 35,... As bending amount detecting means are arranged at predetermined intervals on the outer circumferential surface. The bending sensors 35, 35,... Detect in which direction and how much the catheter 2 is bent and output the bending signal to the personal computer as a bending signal.

The personal computer calculates the bending direction and the bending angle of the bending sensors A35, 35,... And displays the result on, for example, a monitor.

That is, by inserting the catheter 2 in advance into the channel of the endoscope, the insertion state can be detected at the same time as the insertion portion of the endoscope is inserted, whereby the operator of the endoscope can There is an effect that an appropriate insertion operation can be performed while recognizing the insertion state of the insertion portion.

Other configurations, operations and effects are the same as those of the above-described embodiment.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to detect the insertion state of the endoscope insertion section without increasing the diameter of the insertion section, and to replace the existing channel only by changing channels. The present invention can also be applied to an endoscope, and the insertion state of the endoscope insertion portion can be detected, and the insertion of the insertion portion can be easily performed, and safety at the time of insertion can be ensured. This has the effect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 to 3 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 (A) is an explanatory view showing a configuration of an endoscope insertion state detecting device, and FIG. 1 (B) is an endoscope channel. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the relationship between the shape of the endoscope channel and the catheter, FIG. 3 is an explanatory view related to other insertion length detecting means, FIG. FIG. 5 relates to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a distal end portion of a catheter, FIG.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a catheter according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 2 ... catheter, 3 ... insertion length detecting means 10 ... channel, 21 ... bending sensor

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Katsunori Sakiyama 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside O-Limpus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Yoshihito Shimizu 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo No. O-Limpus Optical Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Sakae Takebata 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo In-Olympus Optical Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Yoshinao Daiaki 2-43, Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo No. 2 Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yoshiji Koda 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-61-172534 (JP, A) JP-A-60-217326 (JP, A) JP-A-61-148302 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) A61B 1/00-1/04

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A catheter inserted into a channel of an endoscope, a rotation restricting means for restricting rotation of the catheter with respect to the channel, and at least one of a catheter provided in the catheter for detecting a bending amount of the catheter. Bending amount detecting means, insertion length detecting means for detecting the inserted length of the catheter, insertion state detecting means for detecting the insertion state of the endoscope by the bending amount detecting means and the insertion length detecting means An endoscope insertion state detection device, comprising: