JP3533726B2 - Endoscope main body operation section - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a main body operating portion of an endoscope used for medical purposes, industrial purposes, etc., and more particularly to a mounting mechanism for operating means such as a switch in the main body operating portion.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An endoscope, whether for medical use or for industrial use, has a main body operation section connected to the proximal end of an insertion section and used for a light source device or the like. It is generally constructed by connecting detachably connected universal cords, but a person who operates the endoscope is operated by holding the main body operating portion with one hand. For this purpose, the main body housing of the main body operation unit is provided with various operating means operated by the operator's fingers. As this kind of operation means, there is an angle operation knob for bending the angle portion provided on the distal end side of the insertion portion in a desired direction. Also, when the observation window provided at the tip of the insertion part becomes dirty, a so-called air / water supply button or a body cavity for operating a cleaning valve for supplying a cleaning fluid composed of cleaning liquid and pressurized air. There is a suction button for sucking dirt and the like inside. Furthermore, a switch for controlling the operation of an external device connected to the endoscope is provided. Therefore, in order to control the endoscope and external devices connected thereto more smoothly, it is necessary to provide as many operating means as possible.

By the way, as an observation mechanism in an endoscope, an optical system for guiding an image of an observation object portion obtained through an observation window to an eyepiece portion through an image guide and observing through the eyepiece portion. -Type endoscope and solid-state image sensor facing the observation window, this solid-state image sensor converts the image of the observation target part into an electric signal and transmits it to a processor, and this processor performs predetermined signal processing. And an electronic endoscope for displaying the image on a monitor device. In the optical endoscope, an eyepiece is provided, but this eyepiece is connected to the rear end side of the main body operation section, that is, the side opposite to the side where the insertion section is continuously provided. Has become. Of course, it is not necessary to provide an eyepiece with an electronic endoscope, but a processor or VTR
Due to the connection of (video tape recorder), it is necessary to increase the number of switches as compared with the optical endoscope.

Whether it is an optical endoscope or an electronic endoscope, the main body housing in the main body operation portion is usually the difference between whether an eyepiece portion is provided and not, and therefore, it is usually the case. The housing of the main body operation unit is commonly used by the optical endoscope and the electronic endoscope. Then, when configured as an electronic endoscope, since it is not necessary to provide an eyepiece, at the rear end of the main body operation unit, a switch case is provided instead of the eyepiece, and this switch case, For example, it is used as a mounting portion for one or a plurality of switches such as a VTR switch and a remote control switch.

By the way, the endoscope, especially for medical use, must be washed each time it is used. To make this washing easy and complete, the entire endoscope is washed and disinfected. It is performed by dipping. Various members are built in the main body operating section, and the main body operating section communicates with the insertion section and the universal cord. Therefore, if the disinfecting liquid or other pollutants enter the inside, there is a risk of failure, so the main body housing in the main body operation part has an airtight structure.

Even when the switch case is attached to the main body housing of the main body operation portion, a seal member is naturally interposed between the switch case and the main body housing, but the contact portion of the switch is also externally provided. You have to keep it out. For this,
The switch is made to be covered with a flexible film body such as rubber, and this flexible film body is kept away from the switch at all times, and when it is pushed with a finger or the like, the switch is activated. Therefore, this flexible film body functions as an operating part.
Also, this switch, when installed in the switch case,
It is usually screwed to ensure a secure fit.

[0007]

By the way, the switch case is provided so as to project to the rear end portion of the main body operation portion, and a flexible film body made of a fragile member such as rubber is further formed from the switch case. Since it is in the protruding state, the flexible film body may be damaged. For example,
When the endoscope is not used, it should be stored by hanging it on a hanger. The flexible membrane that holds the switch in an airtight manner is provided at the rear end of the operating section of the main unit, so when the endoscope is hung on or removed from the hanger, this flexible membrane accidentally becomes a hanger. The flexible film body may be damaged due to being caught or the like. Since the flexible film body is made of rubber or the like, even if it is damaged to some extent, it may not be found. If the entire endoscope is immersed in the cleaning / disinfecting solution in this state, the cleaning / disinfecting solution will enter the switch case.

Thus, in consideration of the case where the cable from the switch is inserted between the switch case and the main body housing, and in addition to the cable, an eyepiece that needs to be inserted with an image guide or the like is attached, Since a fairly large opening is provided between the switch case and the body housing, the liquid that has entered the switch case
It easily moves into the main body housing and further into the insertion part and universal cord. Therefore, if the flexible film body is overlooked, the built-in components of the entire endoscope may come into contact with the cleaning / disinfecting liquid and other pollutants, causing a failure. Also, if the flexible membrane is damaged, the switch must be removed from the switch case, but since the switch is screwed to the switch case, it does not extend out of the switch when it is removed. There is also a risk of the cables being twisted, entangled, and broken.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to ensure that even if a seal leak occurs on the case side on which the operation means is mounted, the inside of the main body housing can be ensured. It is to protect and to facilitate the repair of this operating means.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is directed to a main body housing provided with an operating means which is connected to a proximal end portion of an insertion portion and which is operated by an operator for gripping and operating. and Katachi設the through hole in the rear end, the switch is mounted <br/> case around the through hole, also so as to face the inside of the main body housing the holding plate to the switch case, the switch Ke <br / > so as to fastened by bolts so as to sandwich the body housing between an over scan and the pressing plate, the main body operation portion of the endoscope formed by connecting the switch to case <br/> over scan, The above
Form one or more screw holes on the switch case, and
The screw hole of the switch has a switch
Switch unit, and this switch unit
Inside the cylinder that is screwed into the switch case, the switch base
A plate is rotatably provided, and the switch board is attached to the tubular body.
And a flexible film body so as to cover the switch body.
The moving part, and connect the cable from the switch board to the
It is configured to extend inside the switch case, and
The bolt and the cable are connected to each other via an airtight holding mechanism.
Extending from the switch case so as to penetrate the holding plate.
It is an its features that it has a configuration in which.

[0011]

[Action] is a switch Chikesu the operating means is provided hit the fixed to the body housing, it is also possible by such screwing the switch cases <br/> scan directly body housing, the switch case With the main body housing sandwiched between them, the press plate is exposed, and by tightening the press plate and the switch case with bolts, the main body housing is sandwiched between the switch case and the press plate. The fixed method is adopted. Therefore, even if a fouling substance or the like enters the inside of the switch case due to damage to the actuating portion made of a flexible film body or the like, the seal mechanism of the switch case is damaged, or the like, the switch case and the main body housing are sealed. Therefore, the pollutant can be prevented from entering the main body housing. Here, as the sealing mechanism, by interposing a sheet-like seal member between the switch case and the holding plate, it can be configured for inserting a bolt and cable tightly fitted state in the seal member, also switch The case is provided with an insertion hole through which the bolt and the cable are inserted. However, after the bolt and the cable are inserted through the insertion hole, the main housing can be kept airtight by filling a sealing material.

[0012] actuating portion is damaged, as might, or whether to replace the entire operating means, Sui switch unit
It must be removed from the pitch case. This switch
The H unit is removed by screwing it on the case, but the cable cannot be made too long even if some extra length is provided in the switch case. Also, usually, the switch unit, but a cable for performing transmission of signals are connected, switchers <br/> switch per piece two cables are connected, and a plurality of scan
If I switch unit is provided, the switch Uni
About twice as many cables are provided. Therefore,
When the switch unit is removed, the cables may be extremely twisted or intricately entangled with each other, which may make it impossible to screw the switch unit . Further, since these cables are guided into the main body housing through the seal mechanism, an unreasonable force may be applied to the portion of the seal mechanism and the seal function may be destroyed.

However, in the switch unit of the present invention, since the switch substrate to which the cable is connected is rotatable relative to the tubular body, the cable is still connected even when the tubular body is screwed. The switch board will not rotate together. As a result, the cable will not be twisted or entangled, making it easy and smooth.
The switch unit can be removed, and the seal mechanism that is interposed at the portion where the cable is introduced into the main body housing will not be subjected to an unreasonable force and the seal will not be broken. Also, by providing a cable housing inside the switch case,
If the cable from the switch unit is stored with some extra length, cut the cable, reconnect the cable to the switch board of the new switch unit, and screw the tube into the switch case. By inserting, the damaged switch unit can be easily replaced.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the endoscope. In the figure, 1 is a main body operation part, 2 is an insertion part to be inserted into a body cavity or the like, and 3 is a universal cord. Here, the illustrated endoscope is an electronic endoscope in which a solid-state image sensor is provided at the imaging position of an objective lens provided in the observation window at the tip of the insertion section 2, and the signal from this solid-state image sensor is the insertion section. Two
To the universal cord 3 via the main body operation unit 1, the universal cord 3 is connected to the processor 4, and the processor 4 performs predetermined signal processing to display the image of the observation target portion on the monitor device 5. Can be displayed. Although not shown in the figure, a VTR is connected to the processor 4 so that a necessary image can be displayed on the VTR.
Can be recorded by. Further, a hard copy device is also connected to the processor 4, and an image of a shot with an observation target portion can be recorded as a still image by this hard copy device.

An operator operating the endoscope is operated by the main body operation unit 1
Can be operated by grasping with one hand. The main body operation unit 1 is provided with various operation members so that various operations can be performed with fingers of a hand holding the operation unit 1. An angle knob 6 for bending the distal end portion of the insertion portion 2 in a desired direction, an air / water supply button 7 for controlling the supply of cleaning liquid or pressurized air when the observation window is dirty, and a suction button. 8 is an example.
In addition to these, for example, a still switch 9 for operating a hard copy device to acquire a still image.
In order to enlarge the image displayed on the VTR switch 10 and the monitor device 5 for operating the VTR,
Switches such as a zooming switch 11 for performing electronic zooming are provided.

The switches and the like are provided at appropriate positions in consideration of the frequency of use and the like. However, since the switches are electronic endoscopes, an eyepiece is continuously provided at the rear end of the main body operation unit 1. However, since a space is formed in this portion, this space is used for mounting the switch as the operating means. The main body operating unit 1 does not need to change the configuration of the main body housing 12 constituting the outer body of the main body housing 12 itself, regardless of whether it is an electronic endoscope or an optical endoscope. It is common. Therefore, the switch mounted on the rear end portion is mounted on the switch case 20, and the switch case 20 is fixed to the main body housing 12.

Therefore, FIG. 2 shows the switch case 20.
The section of the mounting part of is shown. As is clear from this figure, the switch case 20 is provided with two switches such as the VTR switch 10 and the zooming switch 11 of the above-mentioned switches.

Since the VTR switch 10 and the zooming switch 11 have exactly the same configuration,
The constituent members will be described using the same reference numerals.
Thus, the VTR switch 10 and the zooming switch 11 have a cylindrical body 30 having a male screw on the outer peripheral surface.
And a switch main body composed of a switch substrate 31 formed of a circular plate provided in the tubular body 30 so as to be rotatable relative to each other, and a switch portion 32 provided on the switch substrate 31, and fitted to the tubular body 30 so as to cover the switch body. It is configured as a switch unit 34 including an actuating portion 33 formed of a flexible film body such as rubber to be attached. The switch board 31 of the switch unit 34 has two cables 35, 35
Are connected. The cable 35 is the switch case 20.
After being accommodated in a cable accommodating portion 36 formed of a vacant space with a predetermined excess length, the main body operating portion 1
It is designed to be guided inside.

Here, since the switch portion 32 is operated so as to be pushed in through the actuating portion 33, in order to hold the switch substrate 31 on which the switch portion 32 is mounted so as not to deviate from the cylinder body 30, An annular recess 30a is formed on the inner surface of the body 30. The outer diameter of the switch substrate 31 is larger than the inner diameter of the tubular body 30 and slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the recess 30a. As a result, the switch substrate 31 is held at the stepped portion of the recess 30a and held so as not to be separated from the tubular body 30.

Therefore, when connecting the switch substrate 31 to the cylindrical body 30, it is necessary to go over a portion having a small inner diameter of the cylindrical body 30, and in order to facilitate the fitting and connection,
As shown in FIG.
0b is provided, and a taper portion 31a is also formed on the outer peripheral portion of the upper surface portion of the switch substrate 31. Therefore, the tapered portion 31a of the switch substrate 31 is attached to the cylindrical body 30.
The switch substrate 31 can be fitted to the recessed portion 30a by pushing the switch substrate 31 from the side of the invoking portion 30b so that the switch substrate 31 is bent or the tubular body 30 is expanded. If a slit is provided in the lower portion of the tubular body 30 in the axial direction, the switch substrate 31 can be fitted more easily.

The switch unit 34 is attached to the switch case 2
In order to mount the switch unit 20 fixedly at 0, the switch case 20 is provided with a screw hole 21, and the tubular body 30 of the switch unit 34 is screwed into the screw hole 21. In order to seal the screw insertion portion of the switch unit 34, a large-diameter seal reservoir 22 is provided on the outer surface side so as to be continuous with the screw hole 21 provided in the switch unit 20, and the seal reservoir 22 is sealed. Fill the material. Here, in order to more reliably exert the sealing function of the sealing material, the operating portion 33 of the switch unit 34 is made to enter into a portion facing the seal reservoir 22, and a seal is formed between the operating portion 33 and the operating portion 33. To be done.

Next, the switch case 20 is attached to the main body operation unit 1
The main body housing 12 is provided with an opening 12a for connecting to the main body housing 12.
A holding plate 40 faces the inside of the main body housing 12 of 2a, and the holding plate 40 and the switch case 20 are sandwiched between the wall surface of the main body housing 12 around the opening 12a of the main body housing 12 between them. Fixed. A bolt 41 is used to perform this fixing. For this reason, the press plate 40 and the switch case 20 are provided with bolt insertion holes 42 and 24, respectively, and the bolt insertion hole 24 on the switch case 20 side has an enlarged diameter portion for accommodating the nut 43. 24a is formed. Therefore, the holding plate 40 and the switch case 20 can be tightened by the bolt 41 and the nut 43 so as to come into pressure contact with the main body housing 12. Further, since the cable 35 extending from the switch unit 34 needs to extend into the main body operating portion 1, the switch case 20 and the holding plate 40 are provided with the cable insertion holes 2 respectively.
5 and 44 are opened, and the cable 35 is loosely fitted in these cable insertion holes 25 and 44.

In order to keep the inside of the main body housing 12 airtight, a seal member 37 such as an O-ring is interposed between the switch case 20 and the main body housing 12. Further, the bolt insertion hole 2 is provided between the cable housing portion 36 of the switch case 20 and the main body housing 12.
4, 42 and the cable insertion holes 25, 44 communicate with each other. The mounting portion of the switch unit 34 of the switch case 20 is sealed with a sealing material. However, if the cable housing portion 36 of the switch unit 34 causes an airtight leak due to damage to the operating portion 33 of the switch unit 34, for example. In order to prevent contaminants and the like from entering the main body housing 12, the bolt insertion holes 24, 42 and the cable insertion holes 25, 44 are closed. For this reason, a seal member 50 formed of a sheet-like elastic member is interposed between the holding plate 40 and the switch case 20, and the sealing member 50 is pressed by the holding plate 40 and the switch case 20. It is in a state of Then, the bolt 4 is attached to the seal member 50.
Insertion holes 51 and 52 for inserting the cable 1 and the cable 35 in a tightly fitted state are formed.

The switch case 20 and the main body operation unit 1
As an airtight mechanism between the main body casing 12 and the main body casing 12, the bolt 41 and the cable 35 are respectively inserted into the bolt insertion hole 24 and the cable insertion hole 25 formed in the switch case 20 in addition to the seal member 50 described above. After that, the seal material may be filled around the periphery.

This embodiment is constructed as described above, and the mounting portion of the switch case 20 to the main body housing 12 of the main body operating portion 1 is completely sealed, not to mention other portions. However, even if the entire endoscope is immersed in the cleaning / disinfecting solution, there is no room for the cleaning / disinfecting solution or other contaminants to enter the inside. However, the switch case 20 is provided with an operating portion 33 that constitutes the switch unit 34, and the operating portion 33 is formed of a flexible film body made of fragile rubber or the like. There is a risk of being damaged by being caught by this hanger when it is hung on or removed.

When the operating portion 33 is damaged in this way, contaminants or the like enter the switch case 20.
However, the switch case 20 and the main body housing 1
The seal member 50 is interposed between the switch case 20 and the pressing plate 40 between the switch case 20 and the switch case 20.
Since the bolt insertion hole 24 and the cable insertion hole 25 that are formed in the housing are securely held in the airtight state by the seal member 50, even if the airtight structure is destroyed on the switch case 20 side, the main body housing The inside of 10 is kept airtight. Therefore, members provided inside the main body housing 10 and inside the insertion portion 2 and the universal cord 3 are reliably protected.

When the actuating portion 33 made of a flexible film forming the switch unit 34 is damaged, the switch unit 3
It is necessary to remove the switch unit 34 from the switch case 20 regardless of whether to replace the whole 4 or only the operating portion 33. To remove the switch unit 34, the tubular body 30 must be screwed and taken out from the screw hole 21 of the switch case 20. This switch unit 34 includes a switch board 3
1 is connected to the cable 35.
Is fixed by a seal member 50 so as not to move unintentionally. However, since the switch board 31 is rotatable relative to the tube body 30, when the tube body 30 is screwed, the switch board 31 to which the cable 35 is connected.
Is due to the resistance of the cable 35 to torsion,
The cylinder 30 does not rotate together with the cylinder 30, but the cylinder 30 can rotate independently. As a result, the cable 35 is not greatly twisted and entangled with each other, and the resistance against the screwing of the tubular body 30 does not increase, and the switch unit 34 can be easily and smoothly removed. In addition, an unreasonable force is not applied to the part fixed to the seal member 50, and the sealing function at the part does not deteriorate.

If only the operating portion 33 is replaced when the operating portion 33 is damaged, a minute gap may be formed between the reloaded operating portion 33 and the tubular body 30. Sometimes. Therefore, if the operating part 33 is damaged,
It is preferable to replace the entire switch unit 34. Cable 3 extending from this switch unit 34
5 has a certain amount of extra length, and since the extra length is accommodated in the cable accommodating portion 36 in the switch case 20, the cable 35 is pulled out from the switch case 20, and the switch unit 34 is removed. Disconnect,
Just connect a new switch unit.

As described above, the present invention is a switch.
The sealing mechanism between the body housing of the switch Ke <br/> over scan and main body operation unit switch unit having a body is mounted is provided, and a switch unit which is secured by the screw-in switch case, connected thereto since it configured as removable without has cable twisting, switch
Even if a seal leak occurs on the side of the switch case in which the switch unit is mounted, the inside of the main body housing can be surely protected, and each part constituting the switch unit can be easily repaired.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope including a main body operation unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a connecting portion between a main body operating portion and a switch case.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main part of the switch unit in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Main body operation part 10 VTR switch 11 Zooming switch 12 body housing 20 switch case 21 screw holes 24, 42 bolt insertion hole 25,44 Cable insertion hole 30 cylinder 31 Switch board 32 Switch body 33 Actuator 34 switch unit 35 cable 36 Cable storage 40 Presser plate 41 bolts 50 seal member 51, 52 insertion holes

Front page continuation (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G02B 23/24 A61B 1/00 300

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A through hole is formed in a rear end portion of a main body housing, which is connected to a base end portion of an insertion portion and is provided with an operating means for an operator to grip and operate, and a periphery of the through hole. Attach the switch case to the
This so as to face the switch case, so as to fastened by bolts so as to sandwich the body housing between the switch case and the holding plate, the main body operation portion of the endoscope formed by connecting the switch case In, the switch case is formed with one or more screw holes
However , this screw hole has a switch body on the switch board.
Switch unit, and this switch unit is screwed into the switch case.
The switch board is installed in the cylinder inside
K, the switch substrate and the switch body in the cylindrical body
The operating part made of a flexible film is fitted to cover the
Switch the cable from the switch board inside the switch case.
The bolt and the cable are connected to the front via an airtight holding mechanism.
Note: Extend so that the presser plate penetrates from the switch case.
Main body operation portion of the endoscope, characterized in that it has a configuration in which Zaisa. 2. The switch case is provided inside the switch case .
2. A cable accommodating portion for accommodating a cable from the switch substrate so as to have a predetermined extra length is provided, and the bolt and the cable are mounted so as to penetrate the cable accommodating portion. Main body operation part of the described endoscope. Wherein the airtight holding mechanism is made from a sheet-shaped sealing member interposed between the pressing plate and the switch cases <br/> scan, the bolt and the cable sealingly the seal member The main body operation unit of the endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the main body operation unit is configured to be inserted into a state. By filling wherein the sealing material in the through portion of the bolt and the cable provided in front listen Buru accommodating portion, the endoscope according to claim 2, characterized by being configured the airtight holding mechanism Mirror body operation part.