JPS59181124A - Propelling apparatus in endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to a propulsion device for an endoscope or the like that can be easily inserted into, for example, a curved body cavity.

[Technical background of the invention and its problems] In recent years, endoscopes have been widely used for medical and industrial purposes.

Some of these endoscopes have a hard insertion section and are inserted into the abdominal cavity while being guided through a puncture such as a trocar, and others have a soft insertion section that does not require the above puncture and are inserted into the oral cavity or anus. There are flexible types that are lightweight and can be inserted through a curved intrabody cavity route to the desired site.

When inserting the above-mentioned flexible endoscope into the body cavity through the anus, the operation of inserting it deep into the body cavity through a curved path such as the S-shaped section requires a highly skilled technique and requires sufficient proficiency. I blame the situation, which would have caused great pain to the patient if the surgeon had not done so.

For this reason, various conventional examples have been disclosed in which an endoscope is provided with means for propelling the insertion section on the distal end side or over a wide range of the insertion section, thereby making it possible to insert the endoscope deep into the insertion section.

For example, Jitsukusu No. 49-4389, Jitsukousho 547-31
There are conventional examples such as those disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 825 and Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 56-9466, in which the balloon or cuff is inflated and deflated to propel the needle one pitch at a time. In addition, the amount of propulsion movement is relatively small, and it has the disadvantage that it takes time and effort to insert the device deep into the body.

Further, conventional examples that do not use a balloon or cuff as described above are generally complicated and have the problem of high manufacturing costs.

[Objective of the Invention] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and by moving the wire back and forth, the insertion section of the endoscope can be inserted easily and in a short time, and it can be realized at low cost. The purpose is to provide a propulsion device for endoscopes, etc.

[Summary of the Invention] The present invention provides a method for attaching a manipulation wire by forming a groove in the longitudinal direction on the outer periphery of a mantle tube such as an insertion portion of an endoscope or a tube detachably fitted onto the mantle tube. In addition to accommodating the end of the propelling piece, a locking member whose protrusion amount is variable is provided at an appropriate interval from the propelling piece, and by moving the wire back and forth, the insertion portion of the endoscope, etc. can be propelled. It is configured.

[Embodiments of the invention] Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically explained with reference to the drawings.

1 and 2 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 shows the structure of the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows the first embodiment locked with a locking member. .

A flexible (soft) tube 3 is fitted around the outer periphery of the mantle tube of the flexible insertion section 2 of the flexible endoscope 1, and a screw fixes the tip of the tube 3 to the hard part of the tip of the insertion section 2. The tube 3 can be fixed to the outer periphery of the mantle tube of the insertion section 2 by using the same.

Grooves 4, 4 are formed on the outer periphery of the tube 3 along the longitudinal direction, which is the axial direction of the insertion portion 2, in a direction of, for example, 180 degrees. A wire 5 is inserted into the 8-groove 4, and each end of rod-shaped legs 6° 6, . Groove 4
is housed in.

For example, a spherical bulge is formed on the other end of the multi-legged 6 protruding from the groove 4 so as not to damage the wall surface when it comes into contact with the body retaining wall, and around the end adjacent to the bulge. A rod-shaped support piece 7 with one end pivotally attached to the support bone 7 is attached to form a link structure, and the other end on the proximal side of the support bone 7 is accommodated in the groove 4. A hole is formed into which the wire 5 is loosely inserted.

A rod-shaped elastic piece is provided between the peripheries of the other ends of the multi-legged 6 and the support piece 7, whose ends protruding from the groove 4 are pivotally connected to each other (in the figure, they are formed so as to protrude from the groove 4). 8
are attached to each, and by moving the wire 5 back and forth on the proximal side, a propelling piece is formed that can be moved (with respect to the tube 3 side). Each elastic piece 8 is normally formed to hold the foot 6 and support piece 7 in a substantially constant triangular shape by its elastic force, and to expand and contract by a force that resists the elastic force. In this case, it is designed to exhibit elastic properties that allow it to stretch even when it contracts.

Fixing pieces 9 are fixed to the outer periphery of the tube 3 between the adjacent legs 6.6. Each fixed piece 9 is formed by, for example, two triangular plates slightly spaced apart on both sides of the groove 4, and a rod-shaped sliding piece 11 can move between them.

A long hole 11A is formed in each sliding piece 11 along its length, and a bottle 12 extending between the triangular plates around the protruding end of the fixed piece 9 is passed through the long hole 11A. It is. A hole is formed at one end of each sliding piece 110 on the base side, into which the wire 5 is loosely inserted. The other mating end of each sliding piece 11 protruding from the groove 4 is formed with, for example, a spherical bulge so as not to damage the wall surface.

Each of the wires 5 has a first
As shown in the figure, erecting tubes 13 are fixed adjacent to the front side of the sliding piece 11 in an inclined state, and tubes 14 are fixed at appropriate intervals to the rear part of the sliding piece 11. has been done. The above-mentioned erection tube 13 is
As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope 1 and tube 3 are moved forward by pulling the wire 5 while the protruding rear part of the leg 6 is in contact with the body cavity wall, etc. The piece 9 also moves forward together, but the base side of the sliding piece 11 comes into contact with the rear end of the tube 13, and when the fixed piece 9 moves further, the sliding piece 11 is made to stand up as shown in FIG. It is. On the other hand, when the tube 14 pushes the wire 5 forward with respect to the upright sliding piece 11 as shown in FIG. This is for canceling.

In the fitting groove 4, for example, each protrusion 15 is provided for defining the amount of movement when the tube 3 is pushed forward together with the endoscope 1 by pulling the wire 5 backward.
They are formed at the bottom of each.

Each of the protrusions 1S has the function of pushing the wire 5 forward from the state shown in FIG. 2 and regulating the amount of movement when each support piece 7 is moved forward. When the wire 5 is further pushed forward with the supporting piece 7 in contact with the protrusion 15, the end of the leg 6 to which the wire 5 is pivotally attached is subjected to the elastic force of the elastic piece 8. In response, the elastic piece 8 is stretched and pushed further forward, and the legs 6 and the support piece 7 protruding from the groove 4 are expanded using the pivot portion as a fulcrum, and the amount of protrusion of these protruding ends is reduced. (This allows the insertion section 2 to be easily pulled out.)

Also, with the protruding end of the leg 6 in contact with the wall surface and locked, by pulling the wire 5 backward, the endoscope 1 side is pushed forward as described above, and at this time, the fixing piece 9 However, when the fixed piece 9 moves to a certain extent, the front end of the sliding piece 11 comes into contact with the rear end of the erecting tube 13 provided at the rear of each support piece 7, and the fixed piece 9 moves forward. , the pin 12 moves the elongated hole 11A of the sliding piece 11 toward the base side, so that the sliding piece 11 changes from the inclined (downward) state to approximately perpendicular to the outer periphery as shown in FIG. It is possible to set the device to a standing position for up to 5 seconds. However, when the lever is in an upright state, the tip of the sliding piece 11 is the foot 6. The amount of protrusion of the tip of the triangular propulsion piece formed by the support piece 7 and the elastic piece 8 becomes larger, and the tip is separated from the wall surface, and the upright sliding piece 11 moves the endoscope 1 (and tube 3) A locking means is formed that can be fixed to a wall surface.

The operation of the first embodiment of the present invention configured in this manner will be described below.

The tube 3 formed in the first embodiment is attached to the outer periphery of the insertion section 2 of the endoscope 1, and the distal end side of the insertion section 2 is inserted through the anus. In this case, by pushing out the wire 5 most forwardly, the propulsive pieces can be inserted with a reduced amount of protrusion, as shown by the broken lines in FIG. 1, respectively. In this case, the amount of protrusion of the sliding piece 11 forming the locking means is further reduced. (After insertion, insert part 2
If you put it in this state when you want to pull it out, you can pull it out easily. ) If it is not easy to insert the wire after it has been inserted to a certain extent, pull back each of the two wires 5 by a certain amount so that the ends of the multi-legged wires 6 protruding from the grooves 4 press against the intestinal wall surface as shown in FIG. put it in a state where it does. In this case, the protruding end of each sliding piece 11 does not touch the wall surface, but is in contact with the wall surface.

In this state, when trying to pull each wire 5 and move it backwards as shown by arrow A, the protruding ends of the multi-legged legs 6 are fixed by the intestinal wall, so that the internal view cannot be seen. The mirror 1 and tube 3 sides are pushed forward by an amount indicated by the abbreviated symbol B in FIG.

In other words, in FIG. 1, each protrusion 1S that abuts the base of each support piece 7 moves forward by an amount until it abuts the base of the multi-legged member 6. Therefore, when the tube 3 moves forward together with the endoscope 1 and each protrusion 15 comes into contact with the multi-legged member 6, each sliding piece 11 is moved forward by each fixed piece 9 that has moved forward, as shown in FIG. The protruding end of the multi-leg 6 stands up as shown in FIG. Pull the section away from the wall to make it free. Therefore, in this state shown in FIG.
If pushed forward, the multi-legged legs 6 and support pieces 7 forming each propelling piece can be returned forward along the groove 4, and when pushed forward a certain amount, each sliding piece is moved by the front end of each tube 14. The base side of 11 is pressed and returned to the inclined state as shown in FIG.

By simply reciprocating the wire 5 back and forth in this manner, the insertion section 2 can be propelled deep into the intestines.

Figure M3 shows a second embodiment of the invention.

In the first embodiment, the propelling means are formed on both the upper and lower sides, but in the second embodiment, the above-mentioned propelling means are further formed on the left and right sides. .

That is, grooves 4.4 are formed on the outer peripheries of the upper and lower sides of the tube 3, which are 180 degrees opposed to each other, and grooves 4.4 are also formed on the left and right outer peripheries, and the legs 6 and support pieces 7, etc. that form propelling pieces are formed in the 6 grooves 4. has been done.

In this example, in order not to damage the intestinal wall,
It is covered within the flexible tube 21. Further, no bulge is formed on the protruding end side of the multi-legged member 6. Of course, it may be formed.

The other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, are indicated by the same reference numerals, and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

The operation of this embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment, and this embodiment is effective when inserted into the circular tubular intestine.

4 to 7 show a third embodiment of the present invention, and a fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.
The figure shows a longitudinal section, Fig. 5 shows the A''Al! cross section of Fig. 4, Figs. 6 and 7 show the proximal side, and Fig. 6 corresponds to the wire being pulled backwards. Fig. 7 shows the state in which the wire is pushed forward.In these figures, the soft tube 31, which is fitted around the outer periphery of the endoscope insertion section 2 and fixed with screws etc., has its left and right sides. Grooves 32, 32, 32, 32 are formed on the upper and lower outer peripheries.

The six grooves 32 are provided with fin-shaped propulsion members 33°33 at appropriate intervals.
..., 33 base sides are accommodated.

Each fin-like propulsion member 33 has a hole formed at its base, and a wire 3
4 is inserted and fixed with an adhesive or a stopper 35, etc., and by pulling or pushing out the wire 34, each fin-like propulsion member 33 is moved back and forth by a predetermined amount (with respect to the endoscope side). It is now possible to do so.

In addition, the front and rear adjacent fin-like propulsion members 33, 33 are communicated with each other through an air supply/exhaust passage 36 inserted to the hand side as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Balloon 37 that can be inflated and deflated by pumping and exhausting. ..., 37 is installation.

After pulling the wire 34 backward, each balloon 37 is
A locking device used to inflate as shown by the broken line in FIG. 4 to separate each fin-like propulsion member from the intestinal wall, and then push the wire 34 forward to return each propulsion member 33 to its original state. This corresponds to the sliding piece 11 in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, when the operating rod 38 to which the proximal side of the wire 34 is fixed is pulled rearward to the state shown in FIG. 6 (or the endoscope When the side is moved forward), a check valve 391 attached to an air supply hole provided in the middle of the rod 38 communicates with the air supply path 40 branched from the trowel supply/exhaust path 36.

That is, in a state in which air is supplied from the air supply means through a mouthpiece formed at the rear end (not shown) of the air supply passage 40, when the check valve 39 is in a position facing the air supply passage -C1, air is supplied. In this state, air is supplied and each balloon 37 expands and comes into contact with the intestinal wall, and after separating each fin-like propulsion member 33 from the intestinal wall, the operation P ``pushes the rod 38 forward by a certain amount, As shown in FIG. 7, a check valve 4 is installed in the middle of the rod 38.
When the exhaust hole to which No. 1 is attached faces the position of the exhaust path /I2 where the air supply and exhaust path 36 branches, the air is exhausted by an exhaust means (not shown) on the rear end side.

In this manner, in the third embodiment as well, the robot can be propelled by simply manipulating the wire 34 back and forth.

It should be noted that the amount of air to be evacuated from the state where each balloon 37 is inflated by the above-mentioned air supply is sufficient even when the balloon is more inflated than that shown by the solid line in FIG. 4, and the evacuation should be stopped after a certain amount has been exhausted. You can also do this by providing a display or the like so that you can see that it is in this stopped state, and then you can push it forward after the display is displayed.

In the third embodiment, the locking means is attached to the balloon 3.
7, but it can also be formed using a member having a structure similar to the fin-like propulsion member 33. In this case, by moving the outer periphery of the inclined part (not shown) formed on the tube 31 back and forth, the member protrudes more or less than the tip of the propulsion member 33 and protrudes into the locking means. shall be formed.

In this way, it is possible to form means for propulsion by vibrating back and forth (reciprocating motion).

In addition, in the third embodiment, in addition to supplying and exhausting gas, 1. It is clear that fluid may be supplied and discharged.

In the first embodiment described above, the eight legs 6 and the support piece 7 are integrally molded with shape memory metal, and one phase maintains the triangular shape as shown by the solid line in FIG. 1, and is heated or cooled when being pulled out. A shape in which the front and back of the above-mentioned triangular shape are interchanged symmetrically, for example, by transferring the phase to the other phase (it does not have to be symmetrical, but it can be a draw-out shape). In this case, a means to effect the phase transition such as heating or cooling as described above is required.This means may be performed by heating with a heater or by using the supply/exhaust passage of the endoscope. It can also be formed by heating or cooling by supplying and discharging a liquid.

Further, each of the embodiments described above merely shows typical ones of the present invention, and it is clear that many embodiments or modifications with similar structures can be formed, and these fall within the scope of the present invention. It is.

It can be applied not only to industrial endoscopes, but also to catheters,
It can also be applied to other medical instruments and devices such as sondes. In other words, it can be widely used as a propulsion device when inserting a device or instrument to be inserted into a body cavity or a lumen.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the endoscope can be propelled by reciprocating the wire back and forth, so the endoscope can be propelled in a shorter time than when propelled by a balloon alone. The insertion part can be inserted deep into the body. Further, it has the advantage that the amount of propulsion per pitch can be increased and the time required for propulsion per pitch can be shortened. Furthermore, the present invention can be attached integrally or detachably to the outer periphery of a tubular portion, and can be used for a wide range of applications.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a front view showing the structure of the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the second embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 4 to 7 relate to a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the structure of the third embodiment, FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 4, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the supply and exhaust passage on the proximal side of the third embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the wire is pushed forward in FIG. 6. 2... Insertion part 3.31... Soft tube 4.
32... Groove 5, 34... Wire A76... Foot
7... Support piece 8... Elastic piece
9... Fixed piece 11... Sliding piece 12.
...Bin 13.14...Tube 33...Propulsion member 36...Air supply/exhaust passage 37...Balloon 38...
...Operation Rondo 39.41...Check valve 40...Air supply path 42...Exhaust path Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Continued from page 1 0 Inventor Kaimei Nakamura Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 2-43-2 Hatagaya, 2-43-2, Lymphus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. Inventor: Akifumi Ishikawa, 2-43-2, Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 2-43-2, Lymphus Optical Industry Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] (1) In order to insert a device or instrument such as an endoscope into a body cavity or a lumen, a propulsion device that is attached integrally or separately to the outer circumference of the device or instrument and propels the device, A guide groove is formed in the longitudinal direction of the outer periphery of the tubular member that can be attached to the outer periphery, and a guide groove is formed in the longitudinal direction of the outer periphery to accommodate the base of the movable propulsion piece to which the operating wire is attached, and a protruding amount is formed at an appropriate interval from the propulsion piece. A propulsion device for an endoscope or the like, characterized in that a variable locking member is provided, and the device or instrument can be propelled by an operation of pulling the wire. (2) The propulsion piece is formed such that the propulsive piece is pivotably connected to each other around each end of a rod-shaped member, and the ends of each use, which are connected to each other by an elastic piece, are attached to the wire so that it can move back and forth together with the wire. A propulsion device for an endoscope or the like according to claim 1, characterized in that: (3) The propulsion device for an endoscope or the like according to claim 1, wherein the propulsion piece is formed of a member molded into a fin shape. (4) The propulsion device in Uchii Kagami etc. according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking member is a sliding piece that protrudes and retracts when the wire moves back and forth; (5) the locking member; 2. A propulsion device for an endoscope or the like according to claim 1, wherein the member is formed using a balloon that is inflated and deflated by being supplied and discharged. (6) The internal view according to claim 2, wherein the propelling piece has a structure in which the amount of protrusion can be reduced by resisting the elastic force of the elastic piece by pushing the wire forward. A propulsion device placed in a mirror, etc. (7) The propulsion device for an endoscope or the like according to claim 1, wherein the propulsion piece is formed using a shape memory metal whose protruding shape can be changed by heating or cooling.