JP3911072B2 - Endoscope device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus used by connecting a light guide connector to a light source device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Endoscopes are generally equipped with a light guide for transmitting illumination light. By connecting a light guide connector having an incident end of the light guide to a light source device, illumination light is transmitted to the light guide. It comes to be supplied.
[0003]
As shown in FIG. 6, the light guide connector 11 connected to the light source device 1 is attached to the distal end of the flexible connecting tube 20, and the proximal end of the flexible connecting tube 20 is in the lower half. It is connected and fixed to the back surface part of the upper half of the operation part 12 in which the grip part 12a is formed. Such a flexible connecting tube 20 has sufficient strength (followability) to return to its original state when twisted because the light guide inserted therein is damaged when it is largely twisted. ing.
[0004]
Since the endoscope 10 is generally used while holding the operation unit 12 in the direction of being vertical in the direction of gravity, when the flexible connecting tube 20 is straightened without being twisted, it is shown in FIG. As described above, the flexible connecting tube 20 is connected to the operation unit 12 so that the operation unit 12 becomes vertical in the direction of gravity.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the endoscope is not always used in a state where the operation unit 12 is vertically oriented. As shown in FIG. 7, depending on the state of the insertion operation or the like, the endoscope may be moved left and right as in (1) and (2). Each is tilted up to about 45 °.
[0006]
At this time, since the flexible connecting tube 20 has a followability to return to the neutral state, a force to return the operation unit 12 to the original vertical state is thereby applied to the flexible connecting tube 20. Acts from.
[0007]
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, in the state (2) in which the operation unit 12 is tilted to the left when viewed from the back side, the grip portion 12a of the operation unit 12 is separated from the belly of the left hand of the operator holding the operation unit 12. Try to.
[0008]
Therefore, it is necessary for the operator to grip the operation unit 12 with a strong force, and if the state is maintained, the operator becomes very tired. Further, it is standard usage to perform a bending operation, a treatment tool raising operation, and the like with the thumb of the left hand, but it is even painful to perform it while holding the operation unit 12 with a strong force.
[0009]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an easy-to-use endoscope apparatus in which the operation unit is always pressed against the belly of the operator's hand holding the operation unit and can easily hold the operation unit without fatigue. And
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the endoscope apparatus of the present invention has a proximal end of a flexible connecting tube provided with a light guide connector connected to a light source device at a distal end, and a grip portion formed in a lower half portion. In the endoscope apparatus connected and fixed to the back part of the upper half of the operated part, the operation is performed in a state where the light guide connector is connected to the light source device and the flexible connecting tube is not twisted. When the unit is viewed from the back side, the operation unit is inclined in a direction rotated by 45 ° to 180 ° clockwise with respect to the direction of gravity with respect to the connecting portion of the flexible connecting tube. .
[0011]
In addition, the endoscope apparatus of the present invention is such that the proximal end of the flexible connecting tube having the light guide connector connected to the light source device at the distal end is the upper part of the operation part in which the grip part is formed in the lower half part. In an endoscope apparatus connected and fixed to the back part of the half, the operation part is viewed from the back side in a state where the light guide connector is connected to the light source device and the flexible connecting tube is not twisted. The operation portion is inclined in a direction rotated by 60 ° to 135 ° in the clockwise direction with respect to the direction of gravity around the connection portion of the flexible connection tube.
[0012]
The flexible connecting tube includes a spiral tube formed by winding a metal strip in a spiral shape, a mesh tube formed by braiding metal wires and covering the outer periphery of the spiral tube, and the mesh tube You may have the flexible outer skin | cover coat | covered by the outer periphery.
[0013]
[Form of the present invention]
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a state in which a light guide connector 11 of an endoscope 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to a light source device 1.
[0014]
The light guide connector 11 is detachable from the connector socket 2 of the light source device 1 as shown in FIG. 2, and a connection rod 11a and a signal electrode 11b on which an incident end portion of the light guide fiber bundle is disposed, It is inserted into the receiving hole of the connector socket 2.
[0015]
As a result, the light guide connector 11 cannot rotate when it is inserted into the light source device 1, and the suction tube 3, the water supply tube 4, etc. are disposed on the side surface of the light guide connector 11 as shown in FIG. Is connected.
[0016]
Reference numeral 12 denotes an operation unit, and the lower half of the operation unit is a grip unit 12a that is gripped by the left hand of the operator. An air / water supply operation button 13 and a suction operation button 14 are arranged on the front surface of the upper half of the operation unit 12, and a bending operation knob or the like is arranged on the side surface corresponding to the back side of the operation unit 12 in FIG.
[0017]
The base end of the flexible tube forming the insertion portion 15 is connected and fixed to the lower end portion of the operation portion 12, and the eyepiece portion 16 is disposed to protrude from the upper end portion of the operation portion 12. However, in the case of an electronic endoscope, the eyepiece 16 is not necessary.
[0018]
The flexible connection tube 20 in which the light guide fiber bundle for illumination is inserted and the light guide connector 11 is connected to the distal end is connected and fixed to the rear portion of the upper half of the operation unit 12 in the rearward direction. Yes. The light guide fiber bundle in which the incident end portion is disposed in the light guide connector 11 passes through the operation unit 12, and the emission end portion is disposed in the distal end of the insertion portion 15.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 3, the flexible connecting tube 20 is formed into a tubular shape by braiding metal thin wires around the outer periphery of a spiral tube 21 formed in a tubular shape by winding a metal strip spirally with a certain diameter. The reticulated tube 22 is covered, and the outer periphery of the reticulated tube 22 is covered with a flexible outer tube 23 made of polyurethane resin or the like.
[0020]
With such a configuration, the flexible connecting tube 20 has a followability of returning to the original state when the one end side is fixed and the other end side is rotated around the axis, and is inserted into the inside. The light guide fiber bundle is not twisted and damaged.
[0021]
FIG. 1 shows a state where the light guide connector 11 is connected to the light source device 1 and the flexible connecting tube 20 is not twisted. When the operation unit 12 is viewed from the back side (the flexible connecting tube 20 side) in this state, the operation unit 12 is centered on the connecting portion of the flexible connecting tube 20 and θ = 45 ° clockwise relative to the direction of gravity. It is tilted in a direction rotated ~ 180 °.
[0022]
As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, in a state where the operation unit 12 is oriented vertically with respect to the direction of gravity, the followability of the flexible connecting tube 20 is clockwise when the operation unit 12 is viewed from the back side. Acts as a rotating force.
[0023]
Therefore, since θ is set to 45 ° or more, as shown in FIG. 5, the operation unit 12 can be held in an inclined manner within 45 ° from side to side during endoscopic examination. A rotational force acts on the 12 grip portions 12 a in a direction in which the grip portion 12 a is pressed against the belly of the left hand of the operator holding the operation portion 12, and the operator can easily hold the operation portion 12 simply by grasping it lightly.
[0024]
In addition, by setting θ to 180 ° or less, an excessive torsional force does not act on the flexible connecting tube 20. Further, when θ is in the range of 60 ° to 135 °, such an effect becomes more remarkable.
[0025]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, when the operation unit is viewed from the back side in a state where the light guide connector is connected to the light source device and the flexible connection tube is not twisted, the operation unit is connected to the flexible connection tube. By tilting in a direction rotated 45 ° to 180 ° clockwise with respect to the direction of gravity with respect to the center, the operation unit is always pressed against the belly of the operator's hand holding it. Therefore, the operator can easily hold the operation unit without fatigue and can easily perform a so-called one-hand operation with the left hand.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a state in which a light guide connector according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to a light source device.
FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of a state before the light guide connector of the embodiment of the present invention is connected to the light source device.
FIG. 3 is a partially exploded side view of the flexible connecting pipe of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the light guide connector according to the embodiment of the present invention connected to the light source device and having an operation unit vertically.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a use state in which the light guide connector according to the embodiment of the present invention is connected to the light source device.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state where a light guide connector of a conventional endoscope apparatus is connected to a light source device.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an inclination range of an operation unit during endoscopic examination.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a conventional endoscope apparatus in use in which a light guide connector is connected to a light source apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Light source device 10 Endoscope 11 Light guide connector 12 Operation part 20 Flexible connection pipe

Claims (3)

Rear portion of the upper half of the light guide connector base end of the flexible connection tube provided at the distal end, the operation unit portion grip the lower half portion is formed to be connected to a state that can not be rotated for the light source device Endoscope device connected and fixed to the back
When the light guide connector is connected to the light source device and the flexible connecting tube is not twisted, the operating portion is connected to the flexible connecting tube when viewed from the back side. When the operation unit is tilted in the direction of gravity in the clockwise direction with respect to the direction of gravity by 45 ° to 180 ° with respect to the direction of gravity, the rotational follow-up of the flexible connecting tube twisted thereby An endoscope apparatus characterized in that the power acts as a force for rotating the operation unit in a clockwise direction when viewed from the back side . Rear portion of the upper half of the light guide connector base end of the flexible connection tube provided at the distal end, the operation unit portion grip the lower half portion is formed to be connected to a state that can not be rotated for the light source device Endoscope device connected and fixed to the back
When the light guide connector is connected to the light source device and the flexible connecting tube is not twisted, the operating portion is connected to the flexible connecting tube when viewed from the back side. When the operation unit is tilted vertically in the direction of gravity and tilted in the direction rotated clockwise by 60 ° to 135 ° with respect to the direction of gravity, the rotation follow-up of the flexible connecting tube twisted thereby An endoscope apparatus characterized in that the power acts as a force for rotating the operation unit in a clockwise direction when viewed from the back side . The flexible connecting tube includes a spiral tube formed by winding a metal strip in a spiral shape, a mesh tube braided with a thin metal wire and coated on the outer periphery of the spiral tube, and an outer periphery of the mesh tube The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a flexible outer skin coated on the endoscope.

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