JPH01229219A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily control the floating and curving directions of an insertion part by providing a nozzle which injects liquid movably in the circumferential direction of the insertion part and changing the circumference-directional position of the nozzle through the operation of the hand side of the endoscope. CONSTITUTION:The insertion part 3 of the endoscope is provided with a rotatable nozzle member 31 adjacently to the operation part side end of a curved part 6 at the outer periphery of a member 32 which links the flexible pipe 5 of the insertion part 3 with the curved part 6. Internal teeth 33 are formed on the internal surface of the nozzle member 31, and the direction and quantity of rotation are supplied to a transmission wire 37 with an operation knob 39 provided to the operation part 2 to drive and rotate the nozzle member 31 selectively through a small gear and the internal teeth 33. The nozzle 46 for injection the liquid is formed at the part of a circumferential groove 45 formed in the inner peripheral surface part of the nozzle member 31, so high-pressure liquid, e.g. air is jetted from the nozzle 46 in the radial direction of the insertion part 3 to float the insertion part 3 with the generated thrust, thereby observing a target position.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an endoscope whose insertion portion can be floated by ejecting fluid from an injection port.

[Prior Art] A jet orifice in a conventional endoscope that jets fluid from a jet orifice provided in an insertion section to float and guide the insertion section is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-293317. All of them were fixed and could not be changed in direction during the insertion process.

As described above, with conventional devices, the orientation of the injection port during the insertion process into the internal space of the object to be inspected cannot be appropriately and freely selected depending on the insertion situation, which impairs the ease of insertion of flotation guidance and inspection performance. It was easy.

[Problem to be solved by the invention] Therefore, although not yet disclosed, the injection port is made to change by following the direction of gravity (Japanese Patent Application No. 144098, filed in 1982).
has been proposed, but in this method, the floating direction is specified as the anti-gravity direction.

Therefore, for example, if the insertion section is made vertical, it becomes impossible to control the direction of the injection port.

Also, the same unpublished application (Patent Application No. 62-223169
No.) is designed so that the direction of the injection port can be changed in the axial direction of the insertion section. With this method, it is easy to adjust the floating height, but in order to adjust the floating direction of the insertion part, it is necessary to change the direction of the injection port by twisting the insertion part. However, with this method, when the insertion depth becomes long and deep and the insertion part is complicatedly bent, the followability of the insertion part tends to decrease, and the above-mentioned twisting motion cannot be satisfactorily provided, so the insertion part floats up. It was difficult to adjust the direction.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide an endoscope that can easily control the floating direction and bending direction of the insertion section by remote control from the hand side. It is about providing.

[Means and Effects for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has a method of ejecting fluid from an injection port provided in the insertion portion or a guide tube that guides the insertion portion to float the insertion portion. In this endoscope, an injection port for ejecting fluid in the radial direction of the insertion section or a guide tube that guides the insertion section is provided so as to be movable in the circumferential direction of the insertion section or the guide tube that guides the insertion section. The device is equipped with a drive means for changing the position in the circumferential direction, and an operation means for controlling the drive means by an operation on the proximal side of the endoscope.

According to this endoscope, the circumferential position of the injection port for ejecting the fluid can be controlled by simple remote control at the user's hand. Therefore, the floating direction, bending direction, etc. of the insertion section can be easily controlled during the operation of inserting the insertion section.

[Embodiment] FIGS. 1 to 16 show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an industrial endoscope system. In this endoscope 1, an insertion section 3 and a universal cord 4 are connected to an operation section 2. The insertion section 3 is formed by connecting a distal end 7 to the distal end of a flexible tube 5 via a bending section 6, and the bending section 6 is forcibly inserted by remotely controlling a bending operation knob 8 provided on the operation section 2. It is designed to be curved. In addition, although the observed image by this endoscope 1 can be observed with the naked eye from the eyepiece part 9 of the operating part 2, furthermore,
A TV left camera 1 with an adapter that is detachably attached to the eyepiece 9 can electronically take images.

This TV left camera 1 has a camera control unit 12
It is connected to the. The image signal captured by the TV left camera 1 is processed by the camera control unit 12 and transmitted to the TV monitor 13 so that an observed image can be displayed.

Further, a connector 15 is attached to the tip of the universal cord 4 extending from the operating section 2 of the endoscope 1, and the connector 15 is detachably connected to the illumination light source device 16. There is. This connector 15 is provided with a high pressure fluid inflow terminal 17 and a signal terminal 18, as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, this high pressure fluid inflow terminal 17
A high-pressure fluid supply device 19 is connected via a fluid coupling 20 so as to be detachable with one touch. The high-pressure fluid supply device 19 consists of a compressor 22 with a pressure smoothing reservoir tank 21, an air filter 23, and an air regulator 24. controller 25
The supply operation, the supply flow rate, etc. are adjusted by controlling the system. Further, the operation section 2 of the endoscope 1 is provided with an operation switch 26, and the operation switch 26 is connected to the signal terminal 18 of the connector 15 through a signal cable (not shown) inserted into the universal cord 4.
connected to. Then, an operation command is given to the regulator controller 25 connected to this signal terminal 18 via a signal connector 29. Also,
This same command is the regulator controller 25
This can also be done using a switch or the like 28 provided on the main body 27 of the device.

The operation switch 26 provided in the operation section 2 may be of various types as shown in FIGS. 7 to 10.

That is, in the device shown in FIG. 7, the flow rate can be adjusted using a push button. Moreover, the one shown in FIG. 8 has a dial system that allows the flow rate to be adjusted. Figure 9 and 1
The one shown in Figure 0 uses both a dial system and a sword system to adjust the flow rate.

Further, the insertion section 3 is provided with a freely rotatable injection port member 31 adjacent to the end of the bending section 6 on the operation section side. The injection port member 31 is formed into a cylindrical shape as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and is rotatably attached to the outer periphery of a member 32 that connects the flexible tube 5 and the curved portion 6 of the insertion section 3. There is. Furthermore, internal teeth 33 are formed on the inner surface of the injection port member 31, and a pair of small gears 34 and 34, which are pivotally supported by the member 32 inside the injection port member 31, mesh with the internal teeth 33. There is. The small gears 34, 34 are fixedly attached to the rotating shaft 35 so as to rotate integrally therewith. Furthermore, a driving pinion 36 meshes with one of the pinions 34. This driving small gear 36 is also pivotally supported by the member 32.

That is, the small gear 34 installed inside the injection port member 31.
34, small gear 36, etc., the injection port 46 is
It constitutes a driving means for changing the position in the circumferential direction. Further, the driving small gear 36 is connected to the transmission wire 3 that transmits the rotational force.
7 are connected and rotated by the rotational force transmitted by this transmission wire 37. This transmission wire 37 is inserted into and guided by a guide tube 38 that is conducted into the insertion section 2, and is connected to a rotational drive mechanism (not shown) configured inside the operation section 2. As shown in FIG. 1, this rotational drive mechanism is operated by an operation knob 39 for the injection member provided on the operation section 2, so that the direction and amount of rotation to be transmitted to the transmission wire 37 can be set. Thus, by operating the operating knob 39 in the operating section 2, an operating means is configured to remotely rotate the injection port member 31.

Further, a small gear 34 installed inside the injection port member 31
．． A gear mechanism including a small gear 34 and a small gear 36 is installed in a sealed space 41 formed inside the injection port member 31. A circumferential groove 45 is formed along the center of the inner peripheral surface of the injection port member 31, and one injection port 46 is provided in the circumferential groove 45 for injecting the fluid supplied through the sealed space 41. is formed. This injection port 46
has an opening perpendicular to the axial direction of the insertion section 3 or inclined toward the operation section 2 side, and directs high-pressure fluid, such as air, in the radial direction (including when it is a component) of the insertion section 3. The insertion section 3 is made to float by the thrust generated by the jet injection.

Further, a passage 42 for fluid supply communicates with the sealed space 41. This passage 42 includes a tube 4 inserted into the insertion section 3, the operating section 43, and the universal cord 4.
4, and is connected to the high pressure fluid inlet terminal 17 of the connector 15. Note that the high-pressure fluid inflow terminal 17 is not limited to being provided on the connector 15, but may be provided on the operating portion 2, for example, as shown in FIG.

The operating section 2 is provided with a bending operation knob 49 for remotely controlling the bending section 6 by using an operating wire 40.

Next, the operation of this endoscope system will be explained. First, the connector 15 is connected to the illumination light source device 16, and the high-pressure fluid supply device 19 is connected to the high-pressure fluid inflow terminal 17. Further, regulator controllers 25 are connected to the signal terminals 18, respectively. This allows the endoscope 1 to be used. Note that when displaying images on the TV monitor 13, the TV left camera 1 is attached to the eyepiece 9.

Therefore, the insertion section 3 of the endoscope 1 is inserted into the internal space of the object to be examined 47. At this time, if necessary, as shown in FIG. 11, a guide tube 48 is used to insert the insertion section 3 to a certain depth. You may also provide guidance.

When the insertion section 3 is inserted into the internal space of the inspection object 47, if the insertion section 3 is not floated, the weld line 50 on the inner surface of the inspection object 47 shown in FIG. If observation is not possible, a fluid such as air is jetted from the injection port 46 to float the insertion portion 3 to a desired state. That is, the rotational drive mechanism is operated by operating the operation knob 39 for the injection member in the operation section 2, and the rotational force is transmitted to the gear mechanism on the distal end side via the transmission wire 37. This rotational force rotates the injection port member 31 according to the transmitted rotational speed via the drive pinion 36 and the pair of pinions 34 and 34 of the gear mechanism. Thus, the injection port member 31 rotates around the central axis of the insertion portion 3 and changes the direction of the injection port 46. In this way, the direction of the injection port 46 can be selected by remotely operating the operation unit 2 on the hand side, so the direction of the injection port 46 can be selected depending on the desired floating state. Furthermore, considering the floating height, etc., the operation switch 2 of the operation section 2
6, select the injection strength (flow rate), and then perform the operation start operation. This allows the regulator controller 25 to control the air regulator 2 of the high pressure fluid supply device 19.
4 and supplies high pressure air from the compressor 22. Then, this high-pressure air is sent through a passage 42 in the endoscope 1 into a sealed space 41 inside the injection port member 31, and jetted from the injection port 46 of the injection port member 31. Normally, the direction of the injection port 46 is initially determined in advance to be downward, so the object floats according to the intensity of the injection. Note that if the floating position or orientation of the insertion section 3 is different, the direction of the injection port 46 and the amount of jet injection can be changed by making the same adjustment as described above again during this insertion operation to make the insertion section 3 as desired. can be induced into a floating state. Of course, if the bending portion 6 is operated to bend at this time, the direction of the tip portion 9 can be changed based on the guide position.

FIG. 12 shows a case where the inside of the pipe 51 is inspected, and the injection port 46 is oriented downward and the injection amount (pressure) is controlled so that the tip 7 of the insertion section 3 or the center of the inside of the pipe 51 is inspected. I try to keep it floating nearby at all times. Note that this endoscope is of a side viewing type.

FIG. 13 shows a case where there is an obstacle 52 in the middle of the pipe 51 being inspected, and by levitating the insertion part 3 with the injection port 46 facing downward, it passes above the obstacle 52. be able to. At this time, the operation section 2 of the endoscope 1
It is possible to get over the insertion portion 3 without twisting or twisting the insertion portion 3.

FIG. 14 shows a case where there is a step 53 in the middle of the pipe 51 under inspection, and in this case as well, by levitating the insertion part 3 with the injection port 46 facing downward, the step 5B is can be guided upwards. If the object cannot float, it cannot be guided above the step 5B as shown by the dotted line.

FIG. 15 shows a case where there is a large groove 54 in the middle of the pipe 51 under inspection. In this case as well, by inserting the insertion part 3 while floating it with the injection port 46 facing downward in the same manner as described above, It can pass through the groove 54. Note that the dotted line indicates an example in which the insertion portion 3 cannot be lifted up and falls into the groove 54.

FIG. 16 shows another pipe 5 that branches upward in the middle of the pipe 51.
5, and in this case as well, if the injection port 46 is directed downward and the insertion part 3 is floated, and the curved part 6 is curved upward with a large curvature, that other pipe can be removed. 55 can be inserted.

17 to 19 show a second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment shows a modification of the mechanism (means) for moving the position of the injection port 46 for ejecting fluid in the circumferential direction. That is, in this configuration, an outer ring 62 is fitted around the outer periphery of the proximal end 61 of the curved part 6 in the insertion section 3, and the outer ring 62 is airtightly attached to the outer periphery of the proximal end 61. ing. An elastic ring 63 is provided on the inner surface of the distal end edge of the outer ring 62 and interposed airtightly with the outer periphery of the proximal end portion 61 . Further, the base end of the outer ring 62 is attached to the large diameter portion 64 in an airtight manner. Therefore, the inner surface of the outer ring 62 has a proximal end 61.
An airtight circumferential groove 65 is formed between the outer circumference and the outer circumference. A cylindrical inner ring 66 is attached to the circumferential groove 65 so as to be slidable in the axial direction of the insertion portion 3 . Furthermore, the inner ring 66
Elastic rings 67 for sealing are provided on the outer periphery of both front and rear ends of the ring 62, respectively, so as to be in sliding contact with the inner surface of the outer ring 62.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 18, an injection groove 68 is formed in the outer ring 62 with a length of about one-third of its entire circumference.

Further, a spiral groove 69 is formed in the inner ring 66 and is cut diagonally with respect to the circumferential direction. Therefore, the injection groove 68 of the outer ring 61 and the spiral groove 69 of the inner ring 66 are the 19th
As shown in the figure, they intersect at one location, and this intersection forms the injection port 46. This injection port 46 has a space 7 formed between the inner ring 66 and the outer periphery of the base end 61 of the curved portion 6.
It is connected to 1. Moreover, this space 71 is formed by the circumferential groove 6.
It connects to 5. If the inner ring 66 is moved in the front-rear direction as shown in FIG. The position moves in the circumferential direction.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 17, an operating wire 72 is connected to the inner ring 66, and by pushing and pulling this operating wire 72, the inner ring 66 is moved in the axial direction of the insertion section 3. . This operating wire 72 is inserted into and guided through a guide tube 73 conducted into the insertion section 2, and is guided through the operating section 2.
It is connected to a push/pull drive mechanism (not shown) configured inside the. This rotational drive mechanism is operated by an operation knob or the like provided on the operation section 2, so that the push/pull amount to be transmitted to the operation wire 72 can be set.

Thus, by operating the operating knob or the like on the operating section 2 of the endoscope 1, the circumferential position of the injection port 46 can be changed remotely.

Further, a passage 75 for supplying high-pressure fluid is connected to a space 71 or a circumferential groove 65 inside the inner ring 66 with which the injection port 46 communicates. This passage 75 is connected to the high-pressure fluid inflow terminal 17 of the connector 15 through the insertion section 3, the operation section 2, and the universal cord 4 of the endoscope 1 in the same manner as in the above embodiment. Further, a high-pressure fluid supply device 19 outside the endoscope is connected to this high-pressure fluid inflow terminal 17.

Therefore, in this embodiment as well, the operation section 2 of the endoscope 1
If the push/pull drive mechanism inside the operating section 2 is operated using the operating knob or the like to push/pull the operating wire 72,
The inner ring 66 moves relative to the outer ring 62 and its injection groove 68
The injection port 4 formed at the intersection of the spiral groove 69 and the spiral groove 69
6 moves in the circumferential direction.

Therefore, the injection position of the high-pressure fluid supplied from the passage 75 can be changed, and the floating and floating state of the insertion section 3 can be freely controlled as in the first embodiment.

In this second embodiment, a protective outer blade 80 is removably fitted around the outer periphery of the flexible tube 5.

Moreover, such a protective outer blade 80 may be applied to other embodiments.

20 to 22 show a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, an injection port member 31 provided with an injection port 46 is rotatably attached to a member 32 provided at the base end of the curved portion 6. Further, the injection port member 31 has an outer blade 8 fitted on the outer periphery of the flexible tube 5.
2 are connected to each other, and the injection port member 31 is rotated by the outer blade 82. This outer blade 8
2 is rotatably attached to the outer periphery of the flexible tube 5 without being brought into close contact with the outer periphery. Further, the base end of the outer blade 82 is connected to an operating ring 84 provided near the tip of a stopper 83 provided on the operating section 2, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21. This operating ring 84 is rotatably attached to the outer periphery of the distal end portion 85 of the stopper portion 83. An airtight bearing 86 is provided on the outer periphery of this tip 85. By rotating the operating ring 84 on the proximal side of the endoscope 1, the injection port member 31 can be rotated via the outer blade 82.

Further, a circumferential groove 87 is formed on the outer periphery of the member 32 to which the injection port member 31 is attached, and airtight bearings 88.8 are provided at both front and rear ends of the member 32 across the circumferential groove 87.
8 is installed. That is, even if the injection port member 31 rotates, the injection port 46 always communicates with the circumferential groove 87.

Further, a passage 75 for supplying high-pressure fluid is connected to this circumferential groove 87 in the same manner as in the above embodiment. This passage 7
5 is connected to the high-pressure fluid inlet terminal 17 of the connector 15 through the insertion section 3 of the endoscope 1, the operation section 2, and the universal cord 4.

Further, a high-pressure fluid supply device 19 outside the endoscope is connected to this high-pressure fluid inflow terminal 17.

Therefore, in this embodiment as well, the operation section 2 of the endoscope 1
When the operating ring 84 is rotated on the side, this rotational force is transmitted to the injection port member 31 via the outer blade 82, and the injection port member 31 is rotated according to the amount of rotational operation. Therefore, the position of the injection port 46 in the injection port member 31 can be moved in the circumferential direction.

Therefore, the injection position of the high-pressure fluid ejected from the injection port 46 can be changed, and the floating and floating state of the insertion section 3 can be freely controlled as in the first embodiment.

FIGS. 23 and 24 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, similarly to the third embodiment, the injection port 46 is
The injection port member 31 provided with the injection port member 31 is rotatably attached. Further, a circumferential groove 90 communicating with the passage 42 is provided, and the injection port 46 of the circumferential groove 90 is provided.
Ensure airtight communication between the two. At this time, it is preferable to use an airtight bearing 91 to support the shaft.

Further, near the front end of the injection port member 31, an ultrasonic motor 92 arranged in a ring shape is provided. This ultrasonic motor 92 consists of a stator 93 and a rotor 94.
The stator 93 is fixed to the member 32, and the rotor 94 is connected to the injection port member 31. A driving signal line (not shown) is connected to the ultrasonic motor 92, and this signal line is connected to a driving power source (not shown) provided on the proximal side through the insertion section 3 of the endoscope 1. .

An operation switch for controlling this drive power source is provided, for example, on the operation section 2 of the endoscope 1. By operating this operation switch, the control device controls the drive power source, drives the ultrasonic motor 92, and rotates the injection port member 31. The direction and amount of rotation of this injection port member 31 are controlled, so that the position of the injection port 46 can be freely selected. therefore,
The position of the injection port 46 in the injection port member 31 can be moved in the circumferential direction.

In addition, in this type of endoscope 1, as shown in FIG.
within the field of view. Then, the direction of the injection port 46 is detected by the encoder 96 that detects the rotational position of the injection port member 31, and this signal is sent to the eyepiece 9 of the endoscope 1 to move the indicator 95 in the injection direction. ing. Also, 97
is an indicator pointing upward. Therefore, the direction of the jet can be confirmed while observing the field of view. Note that this method can also be applied to the above-mentioned embodiments. Also, TV monitor 1
It may also be displayed on the screen of No. 3 together with the observation image.

FIG. 25 shows an example in which the distal end portion 7 of the insertion section 3 of the endoscope 1 is provided with a nozzle member 31 provided with a nozzle 46 in the same manner as described above.

Figure 26 shows a guide tube 10 that guides the insertion of an endoscope.
An example is shown in which an injection port member 31 provided with an injection port 46 in the same manner as described above is provided at the tip of the nozzle.

FIG. 27 shows a guide tube 100 that similarly guides the insertion of an endoscope, but it is of a type provided with a curved portion 101, and the injection port 46 is provided at the proximal end of the curved portion 101 in the same manner as described above.
An example is shown in which an injection port member 31 is provided.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 28, a nozzle member 31 having a nozzle 46 is rotatably attached to the distal end of a side-viewing endoscope 1. Further, this injection port member 31 is rotatably driven by an ultrasonic motor 105, as in the above embodiment. Further, similarly to the above embodiment, the injection port member 31
The rotational position of
5 is moved and displayed.

In addition, in this embodiment, the wind direction control plate 1 is attached to the injection port member 31.
07 is provided to direct the flow of fluid toward the injection port 46.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, the injection port may be provided not only at one location but at multiple locations on the insertion portion of the endoscope or the guide tube. In addition, the -22= bending operation of the bending part of the endoscope is not limited to pushing and pulling with a wire, etc., but it can also be bent by using the thrust of the jet jet from the injection port and the control of the jet direction. good.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, the present invention provides an endoscope in which an injection port is provided in the insertion section or a guide tube that guides the insertion section, and fluid is ejected from the injection port to float the insertion section. a driving means for changing the position of the injection port in the circumferential direction, provided with an injection port for ejecting fluid in the radial direction of the insertion portion or a guide tube guiding the insertion portion, the injection port being movable in the circumferential direction; and an operating means for controlling the operation by operating the endoscope on the proximal side.

According to this endoscope, the circumferential position of the injection port for ejecting the fluid can be controlled by simple remote control at the user's hand. Therefore, the floating direction, bending direction, etc. of the insertion section can be easily controlled during the operation of inserting the insertion section.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 16 show a first embodiment of the present invention,
Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of the endoscope system, Fig. 2 is a side view of the vicinity of the injection port member, Fig. 3 is a side view of the operation section of the endoscope,
Figure 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the nozzle member, Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the nozzle member, Figure 6 is a side view of the connector section, and Figures 7 and 8 are the front view of the operation switch. 9 is a side view of the operation switch, FIG. 10 is a front view of the operation switch, FIGS. 11 to 16 are explanatory diagrams of different usage states, and FIG. 17 is a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a side sectional view of the vicinity of the injection port member in the example, FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the outer ring and inner ring in the second embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 19 is the injection port in the second embodiment of the invention. 20 is a side view of the insertion portion of the third embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 21 is a side sectional view of the insertion portion of the third embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 23 is a longitudinal sectional view of the vicinity of the injection port in the third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 23 is a side sectional view of the injection port portion of the fourth embodiment of the invention, and FIG.
4 is the same (a state diagram of the visual field state in the eyepiece section in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 25 to 27 are perspective views showing other modified examples, respectively, and FIG. 28 is a diagram showing still another modification). It is a side sectional view of the vicinity of the tip of the endoscope. 1... Endoscope, 2... Operation section, 3... Insertion section, 3
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Injection port member, 46... Injection port, 39... Operation knob, 42... Passage. Applicant's agent Patent attorney Jun Tsuboi District 6, Figure 7, Figure 8, pen Q10 Flute 1n J
91 Fig. 11 Fig. 12 Fig. 17 Fig. 18 Fig. 19 Fig. 20 Fig. 3] Fig. 21 Fig. 22 Fig. 23 Fig. 126 Fig.
7 MFigure 24Figure 28

Claims (1)

[Claims] In an endoscope that floats the insertion section by injecting fluid from a jet port provided on the insertion section or the guide tube that guides it, fluid is injected in the radial direction of the insertion section or the guide tube that guides it. A nozzle for ejecting is provided so as to be movable in the circumferential direction of the insertion section or a guide tube that guides it, and a drive means for changing the position of the nozzle in the circumferential direction; 1. An endoscope comprising an operating means for controlling the endoscope by operating the endoscope.