JP6284339B2 - Endoscope device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus including an elongated sheath and an endoscope that can be inserted into and removed from the inside of the sheath and observes the inside of a subject while being inserted through the inside of the sheath.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an industrial field, by inserting an elongated insertion portion into a subject, the subject is used by using an observation optical system provided at the distal end in the extending direction of the insertion portion (hereinafter simply referred to as the distal end). Endoscopes that can observe and inspect internal scratches, corrosion, and the like are widely used.

  In addition, some insertion portions of industrial endoscopes are formed to be very long so that they can be sufficiently observed up to a deep portion in a duct serving as a subject. In addition, the insertion portion is generally formed with flexibility so that a bent portion in the duct can easily pass therethrough.

  However, if the long insertion portion has flexibility, the proximal end side in the extending direction of the insertion portion from the vicinity of the entrance of the subject with respect to the inside of the subject (hereinafter simply referred to as the proximal end side). When the insertion part is inserted deep into the subject by feeding out the insertion part, the feeding force is difficult to be transmitted to the distal end side in the extending direction of the insertion part (hereinafter simply referred to as the distal end side), and the insertion property of the insertion part is reduced. bad.

  In view of such circumstances, by using a known guide sheath (hereinafter simply referred to as a sheath) in which the insertion portion can be inserted and removed, the insertion portion is guided in a desired direction in the subject by A configuration of an endoscope apparatus that improves the insertion property of the insertion portion is also well known.

  However, when the insertion portion is inserted into a narrow space such as a small-diameter pipe, the sheath is easy to push the sheath from the proximal end into the deep portion in the pipe, so that the insertion property of the insertion portion is improved. However, for example, when the insertion portion is inserted into a large space such as a gasoline tank having a diameter of 2 m and a length of several meters, it is difficult to direct the distal end side of the sheath in a desired direction in the large space. As a result, there is a problem that it is difficult to guide the distal end side of the insertion portion inserted into the sheath in a desired direction in the space.

  For example, when a sheath is inserted into a gasoline tank from the inlet provided on the top surface of the gasoline tank in the direction of gravity, and the insertion portion is guided to an observation site located on the top surface of the gasoline tank, the sheath is extended. Even if an intermediate position (hereinafter simply referred to as a halfway position) in the current direction is bent into a U shape or an L shape, the distal end side of the sheath hangs down due to its own weight, so it is difficult to guide the insertion portion to the observation site. There was a problem.

  In view of such a problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228688 discloses that the distal end side of the sheath is oriented in a desired direction by bending a midway position of the sheath by pulling a belt-like bending member fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the sheath. In addition, there is disclosed a configuration in which the insertion portion can be easily guided to the observation site using the sheath even in a large space because the sheath is extendable in the extending direction.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-113028

  However, the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the pulling operation becomes difficult because the amount of force that pulls the bending member increases as the length of the insertion portion increases.

  Furthermore, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, the directing direction on the distal end side of the sheath is easily variable in the pulling direction of the bending member. For example, in the gasoline tank, gravity is applied from the top surface entrance of the gasoline tank. After observing the bottom surface of the gasoline tank using the insertion portion inserted into the sheath after inserting the sheath in the lower direction, it is difficult to change the directing direction on the distal end side of the sheath in the in-plane direction parallel to the bottom surface. There was a problem that it was difficult to perform a wide range of observation.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides an endoscope apparatus that can easily change the directing direction of the distal end side of the sheath even in a large space and can easily perform a wide range of observation. The purpose is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, an endoscope apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes an elongated sheath and an endoscope that can be inserted into and removed from the inside of the sheath and observes the inside of the subject while being inserted through the inside of the sheath. An endoscope apparatus comprising a mirror, wherein one surface abuts a bottom surface of the subject for a set length after being inserted into the subject provided on a distal end side in the extending direction of the sheath. A distal-side guide portion that is bendable only in one direction in which the one surface is a circumscribed circle and the other surface that faces the one surface is an inscribed circle; and a proximal end of the sheath in the extending direction relative to the distal-side guide portion A hand side guide portion provided on the side, wherein the tip side guide portion is rotated in the direction of the hand side guide portion, and one side or the other side in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction along the bottom surface. And the rotational force By being applied, the one surface and the other surface are curved in the one direction with the other surface standing up from the bottom surface, and the one end is in contact with the bottom surface at the distal end in the extending direction of the distal end side guide portion. A rotatable body is provided on the side or the other side.
An endoscope apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes an elongated sheath and an endoscope that can be inserted into and removed from the inside of the sheath and that observes the inside of the subject while being inserted through the inside of the sheath. The endoscope apparatus is provided on the distal end side in the extending direction of the sheath, and after being inserted into the subject, one surface comes into contact with the bottom surface of the subject for a set length, and the one surface is A distal-side guide portion that is bendable only in one direction in which a circumscribed circle and the other surface facing the one surface become an inscribed circle, and a proximal end side in the extending direction of the sheath with respect to the distal-side guide portion. A hand side guide part, and the tip side guide part is rotated and moved to one side or the other side in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction along the bottom surface by rotation of the hand side guide part. And a rotational force is applied Accordingly, the one surface and the other surface are curved in the one direction with the other surface standing from the bottom surface, and a weight load member is provided on the other surface of the distal end side guide portion in the extending direction. .
Furthermore, an endoscope apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes an elongated sheath and an endoscope that can be inserted into and removed from the inside of the sheath and observes the inside of the subject while being inserted through the inside of the sheath. The endoscope apparatus is provided on the distal end side in the extending direction of the sheath, and after being inserted into the subject, one surface comes into contact with the bottom surface of the subject for a set length, and the one surface is A distal-side guide portion that is bendable only in one direction in which a circumscribed circle and the other surface facing the one surface become an inscribed circle, and a proximal end side in the extending direction of the sheath with respect to the distal-side guide portion. A proximal guide portion, and the distal guide portion rotates and moves to one side or the other side in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction along the bottom surface by rotation of the proximal guide portion. And a rotational force is applied. Accordingly, the one surface and the other surface are curved in the one direction with the other surface standing from the bottom surface, and a convex portion is provided on the one surface at the distal end portion in the extending direction of the distal end side guide portion. When the portion comes into contact with the bottom surface, the distal end portion in the extending direction of the distal end side guide portion has a shape bent in the one direction.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an endoscope apparatus that can easily change the directing direction on the distal end side of the sheath even in a large space and can easily perform a wide range observation.

The perspective view of the endoscope system which comprises the endoscope apparatus of this Embodiment The partial perspective view which expands and shows the state which penetrated the insertion part of the endoscope in the sheath of FIG. 1, and protruded the front-end | tip part of the insertion part from the front-end | tip of a sheath The partial perspective view which shows the state which the front end side guide part of the sheath of FIG. 2 curved in one direction from the state contact | abutted to the bottom face 2 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing a state where the sheath of FIG. 2 with the insertion portion inserted therein is inserted into the gasoline tank and the tip side portion is in contact with the bottom surface of the gasoline tank. The fragmentary perspective view which shows the modification in which the rotary body was provided in the front-end | tip of the front end side guide part of the sheath of FIG. The fragmentary perspective view which shows the modification which has the shape where the front end side of the front end side guide part of the sheath of FIG. 2 was bent in one direction The fragmentary perspective view which shows the modification by which the holding | maintenance guide is coat | covered by the outer periphery of the proximal side guide part of the sheath of FIG. The fragmentary perspective view which shows the modification by which the weight load member was provided in the other surface of the front-end | tip part of the front-end | tip side guide part of the sheath of FIG. The partial perspective view which shows the modification by which the convex part was provided in one surface of the front-end | tip part of the front end side guide part of the sheath of FIG. FIG. 9 is a side view schematically showing a state in which one surface of the tip side portion having a convex portion at the tip in FIG. 9 is brought into contact with the bottom surface in the subject. The partial perspective view which shows the modification which formed each piece which comprises the front end side guide part of the sheath of FIG. 2 long in the extending direction, and connected each piece with the link mechanism FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration in which an adjustment sheath for adjusting the bending length of the distal end side guide portion can be inserted into and removed from the sheath of FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view schematically showing a state in which a base is provided in the holding guide of FIG. 7 and a convex portion of a stopper member provided on the outer periphery of the proximal guide portion is fitted in a groove of the base of the holding guide. 13 is a top view of the holding guide base and stopper member of FIG. 13 as viewed from the XIV direction in FIG.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an endoscope system including the endoscope apparatus of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope system 500 includes a device main body 50 and an endoscope device 100, and the main part is configured.

  The endoscope apparatus 100 includes a long and thin sheath 1 and an endoscope 30 that can be inserted into and removed from the sheath 1 and that is inserted into the sheath 1 to observe the inside of the subject. ing.

  The endoscope 30 is elongated and flexible, and is connected to an insertion portion 10 that can be inserted into and removed from the sheath 1 and a proximal end in the extending direction E of the insertion portion 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as a proximal end). The main portion is configured by including the operation portion 15 having the grip portion 15 h and the universal cord 17 extending from the grip portion 15 h of the operation portion 15.

  By operating the joystick 15j provided in the operation portion 15 and the distal end portion 11 provided with an imaging unit (not shown) that images the inside of the subject inside the insertion portion 10 in order from the distal end side of the insertion portion 10, For example, a bending portion 12 that can be bent in four directions (up, down, left, and right) and a long flexible tube portion 13 formed of a flexible member are connected to each other, and the base end of the flexible tube portion 13 is operated. Connected to the unit 15.

  In addition to the joystick 15j, the operation unit 15 is provided with various switches (not shown) for instructing an imaging operation in the above-described imaging unit provided in the distal end portion 11.

  The apparatus main body 50 has, for example, a box shape, and a monitor 55 that displays an endoscopic image captured by the above-described imaging unit of the endoscope 30 on an outer casing 50g configured by, for example, magnesium die casting. However, it is fixed to the exterior housing 50g so as to be freely opened and closed. The monitor 55 may be detachable from the outer casing 50g, or may be fixed with the monitor surface exposed at all times. The apparatus main body 50 may be integrally formed with the endoscope 30 as a part of the endoscope 30.

  Next, the configuration of the sheath 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 is an enlarged partial perspective view showing a state in which the insertion portion of the endoscope is inserted into the sheath of FIG. 1 and the distal end portion of the insertion portion protrudes from the distal end of the sheath. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of FIG. FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view showing a state in which the distal end side guide portion of the sheath is bent in one direction from a state in which the sheath is in contact with the bottom surface. FIG. 4 shows that the sheath of FIG. It is a fragmentary sectional view showing roughly the state where the tip side part was made to contact the bottom of a gasoline tank.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the sheath 1 includes a distal-side guide portion 3 provided on the distal end side of the sheath 1 and a proximal-side guide portion 5 provided on the proximal side from the distal-end side guide portion 3 in the sheath 1. The main part is comprised. In addition, the front end side guide part 3 and the proximal side guide part 5 have a cylindrical shape so that the insertion part 10 can be inserted and removed.

  After being inserted into the subject, the distal guide 3 is inserted into the bottom surface of the subject, for example, a gasoline tank 200 having a large space inside, as shown in FIG. The one surface 3b is linear so that the set length e1 contacts.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the front end side guide portion 3 can be bent only in one direction A in which one surface 3b is a circumscribed circle and the other surface 3j opposite to the one surface 3b is an inscribed circle. Yes. For example, in a state where the one surface 3b is in contact with the bottom surface 200b of the gasoline tank 200 for a set length e1, as shown in FIG. 3, the one surface 3b is separated from the bottom surface 200b and can be bent only in the direction rising from the bottom surface 200b. It has become.
Further, the grip portion 6 at the proximal end of the proximal guide portion 5 is provided with an index 6m corresponding to one direction A in which the distal guide 3 can be bent. Here, there is an effect of making the direction easy to understand by positioning the direction index 6m in one direction A.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the present embodiment, the front end side guide portion 3 is an example in which a plurality of pieces 3 k are connected along the extending direction E. Are listed. In this case, the plurality of pieces 3k may be configured to bend only in one direction A by a known configuration.

  However, the distal end side guide portion 3 is configured such that a plurality of pieces 3k are connected along the extending direction E as long as the distal end guide portion 3 can be brought into contact with the bottom surface in the subject for a set length and bend only in one direction A. It is not limited to.

The hand side guide portion 5 is made of a flexible member that can be bent in the entire circumferential direction, for example, a bellows-like resin tube as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 4, for example, when the bottom surface 200 b of the gasoline tank 200 is observed using the endoscope 30, the sheath 1 is moved in the direction of gravity G from the inlet 200 e provided on the top surface 200 j of the gasoline tank 200. This is because it is necessary to bend the proximal guide portion 5 when the front surface side guide portion 3 is brought into contact with the bottom surface 200b.
If necessary, a straight guide pipe having a suitable length (straight portion of the hand guide portion 5) may be provided downward from the inlet 200e of the gasoline tank 200 to ensure the shape of the straight portion. Good.

  The proximal side guide portion 5 is not limited to the bellows-like resin tube, and is composed of other members, for example, a coil, a universal joint, a hose, etc., as long as it is a flexible and bendable in the entire circumferential direction. It doesn't matter.

  Further, the distal end of the proximal guide portion 5 may be directly connected to the proximal end of the distal guide portion 3 or may be connected via a connecting member (not shown).

  Furthermore, a gripping part 6 for turning operation is provided at the proximal end of the hand side guide part 5. The grip portion 6 is a member that is gripped by the operator when the hand side guide portion 5 is rotated.

  When the gripping portion 6 is gripped and rotated by the operator, the turning force is flexibly formed by the hand side guide portion 5, and as shown in FIG. Even in the curved state, the light is transmitted to the distal end of the proximal guide portion 5 and then also transmitted to the distal guide portion 3. That is, if the hand side guide portion 5 is rotated, the tip side guide portion 3 is also rotated.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. The operation of the present embodiment will be described by taking the operation when observing the bottom surface 200b of the gasoline tank 200 as an example. This is because the gasoline tank 200 is likely to corrode the bottom surface 200b because the water enters the inside and accumulates on the bottom surface 200b. Therefore, since there is a use which observes the state of bottom 200b using endoscope 30, it gives as an example.

  First, as shown in FIG. 2, the operator inserts the insertion portion 10 of the endoscope 30 into the sheath 1 from the proximal end opening of the sheath 1, that is, from the proximal end opening of the proximal guide portion 5. The portion 11 is inserted through the opening at the distal end of the sheath 1, that is, the opening at the distal end of the distal end side guide portion 3 until it protrudes forward in the extending direction E (hereinafter simply referred to as the front).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the operator inserts the sheath 1 into which the insertion portion 10 is inserted into the gasoline tank 200 from the inlet 200 e provided on the top surface 200 j of the gasoline tank 200, and then Then, one surface 3b of the distal end side guide portion 3 is brought into contact with the bottom surface 200b for a set length e1. At this time, since the proximal guide portion 5 is made of a flexible member, the midway position is curved. Moreover, the front end side guide part 3 has linear form in the bottom face 200b.

  Thereafter, the operator observes an image of the bottom surface 200b in front of the front end surface 11s of the front end portion 11 on the bottom surface 200b imaged through the imaging unit provided in the front end portion 11 from the monitor 55.

  Next, when the operator wants to observe the image of the bottom surface 200b located on the left side of the current image of the bottom surface 200b, the operator grips the grip portion 6 of the sheath 1 and then rotates the grip portion 6 counterclockwise.

As a result, the proximal guide portion 5 rotates counterclockwise while the midway position is curved, and the counterclockwise rotational force is also applied to the distal guide portion 3, whereby the distal guide portion 3. Also rotates counterclockwise.
For example, if the direction in which the tip guide part 3 can be bent is confirmed with the index 6m of the gripping part 6 and rotated counterclockwise by about 90 ° at an appropriate speed, the tip guide part 3 also rotates. Since the tip is flexible, it turns slightly to the left when rotation stops. If the speed of rotation is increased, this angle of curvature increases. Further, in order to bend a large amount, repeat this operation to gradually increase or reciprocate by 180 ° rotation from left to right and from right to left, and change the direction of the index 6m in the direction to be bent. It can be bent even larger by checking and stopping. Although the rotating operation of the grip portion 6 at hand is manual, the above reciprocating operation may be performed electrically.

  Thereafter, the distal end side guide portion 3 moves while rotating the bottom surface 200b counterclockwise to one side C1 in the direction C orthogonal to the extending direction E as shown in FIG. By being applied to the portion 3, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2, the one surface 3 b and the other surface 3 j are passively bent in one direction A while standing from the bottom surface 200 b.

  In this case, the one direction A is not the direction in which the one surface 3b of the distal end side guide portion 3 abuts against the bottom surface 200b and the one surface 3b is separated, but in the in-plane direction parallel to the bottom surface 200b. In a state where the other surface 3j stands from the bottom surface 200b, the one surface 3b becomes a circumscribed circle and the other surface 3j becomes a inscribed circle.

  As a result, an objective lens (not shown) provided on the distal end surface 11s of the distal end portion 11 is directed leftward or rearward leftward on the bottom surface 200b, and thus the front when the distal end side guide portion 30 has a linear shape. In contrast, an image of the left bottom surface 200b on one side C1 can be obtained.

  On the other hand, when the operator wants to observe the image of the bottom surface 200b located on the right side of the current image in the state where the distal end side guide portion 3 has a linear shape, the operator grasps the grasping portion 6 of the sheath 1. Thereafter, the gripping portion 6 is rotated clockwise.

  As a result, the proximal side guide portion 5 rotates clockwise while the midway position is curved, and the clockwise rotational force is also applied to the distal end side guide portion 3, so that the distal end side guide portion 3 also rotates. Rotate around.

  Thereafter, the distal end side guide portion 3 moves while rotating the bottom surface 200b clockwise to the other side C2 in the direction C as shown in FIG. 2, and a rotational force is applied to the distal end side guide portion 3. 2, the one surface 3b and the other surface 3j are passively bent in one direction A with the one surface 3b and the other surface 3j standing from the bottom surface 200b.

  Note that, in this case, the one direction A is not a direction in which the one surface 3b of the distal end side guide portion 3 abuts against the bottom surface 200b and the one surface 3b is spaced apart, as in the above, but in a plane parallel to the bottom surface 200b. In the direction, in a state where the one surface 3b and the other surface 3j stand up from the bottom surface 200b, the one surface 3b becomes a circumscribed circle and the other surface 3j becomes a inscribed circle.

  As a result, the objective lens (not shown) provided on the distal end surface 11s of the distal end portion 11 is directed rightward or right rearward on the bottom surface 200b, and therefore the front when the distal end side guide portion 30 has a linear shape. In contrast, an image of the bottom surface 200b on the right side serving as the other side C2 can be obtained.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the distal side guide portion 3 of the sheath 1 is shown to be able to bend only in one direction A while the one surface 3b is in contact with the bottom surface in the subject for a certain length.

  Further, the proximal side guide portion 5 of the sheath 1 is composed of a flexible member, and when the grip portion 6 is rotated by the operator, it is shown that turning force is applied to the distal end side guide portion 3.

  Further, in a state where the one surface 3b of the distal end side guide portion 3 having a predetermined length is in contact with the bottom surface in the subject, the proximal side guide portion 5 is rotated via the grip portion 6, and the distal end side guide portion 3 is rotated. Then, the distal end side guide portion 3 moves while rotating the bottom surface to the one side C1 or the other side C2 in the direction C, and is curved in one direction A in the in-plane direction parallel to the bottom surface by applying a rotational force. Indicated.

  According to this, in a state where the one surface 3b of the distal end side guide part 3 is in contact with the bottom surface for a certain length, the distal end side guide part 3 is moved to the one side only by rotating the gripping part 6. While moving to C1 or the other side C2 while rotating the bottom surface, it is passively curved in one direction A by applying a rotational force, so that the directing direction on the distal end side of the sheath 1 can be easily changed. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, even if there is an obstruction P indicated by oblique lines on the bottom surface, the directing direction on the distal end side of the sheath 1 can be easily changed.

  Therefore, since the observation direction of the objective lens provided on the distal end surface 11s of the distal end portion 11 of the insertion portion 10 inserted into the sheath 1 can be easily changed on the bottom surface, a wide range observation of the bottom surface is possible. Become.

  From the above, it is possible to provide the endoscope apparatus 100 that can easily change the directing direction on the distal end side of the sheath 1 even in a large space and can easily perform a wide range observation.

  In the present embodiment described above, the gasoline tank 200 is taken as an example of the subject, and the observation of the bottom surface 200b of the gasoline tank 200 is taken as an example of observation of the bottom surface using the endoscope apparatus 100 of the present embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any observation of the bottom surface in the subject having a large space is applicable to observation of the bottom surface in the subject.

  Therefore, depending on the subject, there are many cases where an entrance is provided in addition to the top surface of the subject. Depending on the position where the entrance is provided, one surface 3b of the distal end side guide portion 3 is formed on the bottom surface of the subject. It is not always necessary to bend the midway position of the proximal guide portion 5 when contacting a certain length. Therefore, if this is taken into consideration, the proximal guide portion 5 does not necessarily need to be configured from a flexible member, and may be configured from a hard member as long as it can provide rotational force to the distal end guide portion 3. It does not matter.

  Hereinafter, another modification will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view showing a modification in which a rotating body is provided at the distal end of the distal end side guide portion of the sheath of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the distal end of the distal end side guide portion 3 of the sheath 1, specifically, the piece 3 ka located closest to the distal end among the plurality of pieces 3 k remains in contact with the bottom surface 200 b of the subject. A rotatable rotating body 61 may be provided on one side C1 or the other side C2 in the direction C.

  According to such a configuration, since the distal end side guide portion 3 is easily rotated to the one side C1 or the other side C2 by the rotating body 61, the directing direction on the distal end side of the sheath 1 can be changed more easily. .

  Note that a plurality of rotating bodies 61 may be provided with a set interval in the extending direction E at a midway position along the extending direction E of the distal end side guide portion 3. Other effects are the same as those of the present embodiment.

  Hereinafter, another modification will be described with reference to FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view showing a modification in which the distal end side of the distal end side guide portion of the sheath of FIG. 2 has a shape bent in one direction.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the distal end side of the distal end side guide portion 3 of the sheath 1 may have a shape bent in one direction A.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, among the plurality of pieces 3k constituting the distal end side guide portion 3, the piece 3ka located on the most distal side has a portion rising from the bottom surface 200b in one direction A. Since the crank-shaped member 3c is fixed, the distal end side of the distal end side guide portion 3 may have a shape bent in one direction A. Note that the crank-shaped member 3c normally has a shape that abuts against the bottom surface 200b like the other pieces 3k, and the crank-shaped member 3c is cranked in one direction A as shown in FIG. It may have a configuration that can be bent.

  According to this, when the distal end side of the distal end side guide portion 3 is bent in one direction A, the insertion portion 10 inserted into the sheath 1 projects forward from the distal end of the distal end side guide portion 3. In addition, the distal end portion 11 having the objective lens on the distal end surface 11s is positioned with a height G1 higher than the bottom surface 200b. From this, when the front end side guide part 3 rotates to the one side C1 or the other side C2, the objective lens rotates from the position of the height G1 toward the bottom surface 200b. For this reason, not only the bottom surface 200b but also the direction G can be observed in a wide range corresponding to the height G1, so that the observation range is wider than in the present embodiment.

  Furthermore, since the distal end side of the distal end side guide portion 3 is eccentric with respect to other parts by providing the crank-shaped member 3c, when the distal end side rotates to one side C1 or the other side C2, Since the movement becomes large, not only the rotation to the one side C1 or the other side C2 is facilitated, but also the tip side guide portion 3 is easily bent in one direction A. Therefore, the directing direction on the distal end side of the sheath 1 can be changed more easily. Other effects are the same as those of the present embodiment.

  Further, another modification will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view showing a modification in which the holding guide is covered on the outer periphery of the proximal guide portion of the sheath of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, even if the outer periphery of the proximal guide portion 5 of the sheath 1 is covered with a holding guide 63 that can be bent together with the proximal guide portion 5 and holds the curved shape of the proximal guide portion 5. I do not care.

  According to this, when the proximal guide portion 5 is curved as shown in FIG. 4 described above, the curved shape of the proximal guide portion 5 can be stably held by the holding guide 63. For this reason, the variable operation of the directing direction on the distal end side of the sheath 1 can be performed more stably.

As shown in FIG. 7, the rotating body 61 shown in FIG. 2 may be provided in a base or a connection portion that connects the proximal end of the distal end side guide portion 3 and the distal end of the proximal side guide portion 5. Absent. Other effects are the same as those of the present embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which a base is provided on the holding guide of FIG. 7 and a convex portion of a stopper member provided on the outer periphery of the proximal guide portion is fitted in the groove of the base of the holding guide. FIG. 14 is a top view of the holding guide base and the stopper member of FIG. 13 as viewed from the XIV direction in FIG.
Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 in the modification of FIG. 7, a stopper function may be provided on the proximal side of the holding guide 63. For example, a groove 63 km is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the base 63 k of the holding guide 63 over approximately 180 °, and the stopper function of the stopper member 64 fixed to the outer periphery of the proximal guide portion 5 is formed in the groove 63 km. The convex portion 64t is configured to be fitted. The stopper member 64 is rotatable in a range where the groove 63 km of the base 63 k is formed. That is, it can be rotated approximately 180 °. The convex portion 64t coincides with the bendable direction A of the distal end guide portion 3 and also serves as the above-described index indicating the direction of the direction A. Since the direction can be determined other than the gripping portion 6, the direction can be confirmed. It becomes easy to do.
In addition, although the rotation operation of the grip part 6 at hand is manual, it may be electrically reciprocated for half a rotation.
By providing the stopper, useless operations can be reduced. Further, it is possible to prevent the tip portion from being excessively applied to the tip portion without rotating in the direction in which the tip portion is pressed against the ground in a curved state.

  Hereinafter, another modification will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view showing a modification in which a weight load member is provided on the other surface of the distal end portion of the distal end side guide portion of the sheath of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a weight load member 67 is provided on the other surface 3j of the distal end portion of the distal end side guide portion 3 of the sheath 1, specifically, on the other surface 3j of the piece 3ka located on the most distal side. It does not matter.

  According to this, since the piece 3ka is eccentric with respect to the other piece 3k because the weight is applied to the bottom surface 200b side by the weight load member 67, as shown in FIG. 6 described above. In addition, since it easily rises in one direction A with the rotation, when the tip side rotates to the one side C1 or the other side C2, as in the crank-shaped member 3c of FIG. Therefore, not only is it easy to rotate to the one side C1 or the other side C2, but the distal end side guide portion 3 is likely to bend in one direction A. Therefore, the directing direction on the distal end side of the sheath 1 can be changed more easily. Other effects are the same as those of the present embodiment.

  Furthermore, another modification will be described below with reference to FIGS. 9 is a partial perspective view showing a modification in which a convex portion is provided on one surface of the distal end guide portion of the sheath of FIG. 2, and FIG. 10 is a distal side portion having a convex portion at the distal end of FIG. It is a side view which shows roughly the state which contacted one surface to the bottom face in a subject.

  As shown in FIG. 9, a convex portion 69 may be provided on one surface 3 b of the distal end portion of the distal end side guide portion 3 of the sheath 1, specifically, on one surface 3 b of the piece 3 ka located closest to the distal end side. Absent.

  According to this, when the one surface 3b of the distal end side guide portion 3 is brought into contact with the set length bottom surface 200b, the projection 69 comes into contact with the bottom surface 200b in the piece 3ka, so that the piece 3ka is shown in FIG. As shown, since it has a shape bent in one direction A, when the tip side rotates to the one side C1 or the other side C2, as in the crank-shaped member 3c of FIG. As a result, it is easy to rotate to the one side C1 or the other side C2, and the tip side guide portion 3 is likely to bend in one direction A. Therefore, the directing direction on the distal end side of the sheath 1 can be changed more easily.

  Note that the piece 3ka may have a shape bent in one direction A from the shape shown in FIG. Other effects are the same as those of the present embodiment.

  Hereinafter, another modification will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view showing a modification in which each piece constituting the distal end side guide portion of the sheath of FIG. 2 is formed long in the extending direction and each piece is connected by a link mechanism.

  As shown in FIG. 11, each piece 3k constituting the distal end side guide portion 3 of the sheath 1 is formed long in the extending direction E, and each piece 3k is connected by a link mechanism 71. It doesn't matter.

  According to this, as shown in FIG. 11, when the distal end side guide portion 3 rotates to the one side C1 or the other side C2, the distal end side guide portion 3 tends to stand up in one direction A from the bottom surface 200b. Therefore, similarly to FIG. 6 described above, the objective lens provided on the distal end surface 11s of the distal end portion 11 protruding forward from the distal end of the distal end side guide portion 3 has a predetermined height from the bottom surface 200b. Therefore, when the distal end side guide portion 3 is rotated to the one side C1 or the other side C2, the objective lens is rotated from the position of a predetermined height toward the bottom surface 200b. For this reason, since not only the bottom surface 200b but also the direction G can be observed over a wide range, the observation range is wider than that of the present embodiment. Other effects are the same as those of the present embodiment.

  Furthermore, another modification will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a configuration in which an adjustment sheath for adjusting the bending length of the distal end guide portion can be inserted into and removed from the sheath of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 12, an adjustment sheath 80 that adjusts the bending length in one direction A of the distal end side guide portion 3 may be inserted into and removed from the sheath 1.

  The adjustment sheath 80 includes a rigid pipe portion 83 located on the distal end side, a rigid pipe portion 81 located on the proximal end side, and a flexible spiral tube 82 that connects the pipe portion 81 and the pipe portion 83. ing.

  Since the adjustment sheath 80 is inserted into the sheath 1 and positioned in the distal end side guide portion 3, the pipe portion 83 is a hard member. Curved from the tip 83s of 83.

  Therefore, the position of the distal end 83s of the pipe portion 83 in the distal end side guide portion 3 is adjusted by moving the adjustment sheath 80 back and forth by the operator, thereby reducing the bending length of the distal end side guide portion 3. It can be adjusted easily.

  When the adjustment sheath 80 is used, the insertion portion 10 can be inserted into and removed from the adjustment sheath 80.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 12, an observation member 90 for observing the inside of the subject may be fixed to the distal end of the distal end side guide portion 3. An example of the observation member 90 is a C-MOS sensor.

According to this, without inserting the insertion portion 10 together with the sheath 1 into the subject, the operator can observe the inside of the subject using the observation member 90 by inserting only the sheath 1, The direction in which the insertion portion 10 is guided on the bottom surface 200 b can be easily recognized before the insertion portion 10 is inserted into the sheath 1 using the observation member 90. From this, the insertion part 10 can be reliably guided to the desired direction in the bottom face 200b using the sheath 1.
In each of the above-described embodiments, the rotating operation of the grip unit 6 at hand is manual, but it may be operated electrically.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Sheath 3 ... Front end side guide part 3b ... One side of front end side guide part 3j ... Other side of front end side guide part 3k ... Piece 5 ... Hand side guide part 30 ... Endoscope 61 ... Rotating body 63 ... Holding guide 67 ... Weight load member 69 ... convex part 80 ... adjustment sheath 90 ... observation member 100 ... endoscope apparatus 200b ... bottom face of gasoline tank A ... one direction C ... direction orthogonal to extension direction E ... extension direction e1 ... set length

Claims (8)

An endoscopic device comprising an elongated sheath and an endoscope that can be inserted into and removed from the inside of the sheath and that observes the inside of the subject in a state of being inserted into the inside of the sheath,
After insertion into the subject, provided on the distal end side in the extending direction of the sheath, one surface comes into contact with the bottom surface in the subject for a set length, and the one surface becomes a circumscribed circle and faces the one surface. A distal guide portion that can be bent only in one direction where the surface is an inscribed circle,
A proximal guide portion provided on the proximal side in the extending direction with respect to the distal end side guide portion in the sheath;
Comprising
The distal end side guide portion is rotated and moved to one side or the other side in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction along the bottom surface by the rotation of the proximal side guide portion, and a rotational force is applied. , The one surface and the other surface are bent in the one direction in a state of standing from the bottom surface ,
An endoscope apparatus characterized in that a rotatable body is provided on the one side or the other side while being in contact with the bottom surface at the tip in the extending direction of the tip side guide portion . An endoscopic device comprising an elongated sheath and an endoscope that can be inserted into and removed from the inside of the sheath and that observes the inside of the subject in a state of being inserted into the inside of the sheath,
After insertion into the subject, provided on the distal end side in the extending direction of the sheath, one surface comes into contact with the bottom surface in the subject for a set length, and the one surface becomes a circumscribed circle and faces the one surface. A distal guide portion that can be bent only in one direction where the surface is an inscribed circle,
A proximal guide portion provided on the proximal side in the extending direction with respect to the distal end side guide portion in the sheath;
Comprising
The distal end side guide portion is rotated and moved to one side or the other side in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction along the bottom surface by the rotation of the proximal side guide portion, and a rotational force is applied. , The one surface and the other surface are bent in the one direction in a state of standing from the bottom surface ,
An endoscope apparatus , wherein a weight load member is provided on the other surface of the distal end side guide portion in the extending direction . An endoscopic device comprising an elongated sheath and an endoscope that can be inserted into and removed from the inside of the sheath and that observes the inside of the subject in a state of being inserted into the inside of the sheath,
After insertion into the subject, provided on the distal end side in the extending direction of the sheath, one surface comes into contact with the bottom surface in the subject for a set length, and the one surface becomes a circumscribed circle and faces the one surface. A distal guide portion that can be bent only in one direction where the surface is an inscribed circle,
A proximal guide portion provided on the proximal side in the extending direction with respect to the distal end side guide portion in the sheath;
Comprising
The distal end side guide portion is rotated and moved to one side or the other side in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction along the bottom surface by the rotation of the proximal side guide portion, and a rotational force is applied. , The one surface and the other surface are bent in the one direction in a state of standing from the bottom surface ,
A convex portion is provided on the one surface of the distal end portion in the extending direction of the distal end side guide portion,
The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distal end portion in the extending direction of the distal end side guide portion has a shape bent in the one direction when the convex portion comes into contact with the bottom surface . The said front end side guide part is comprised so that the some piece may be connected along the said extension direction so that it can bend only in the said one direction, The structure in any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Endoscope device. The endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the proximal side guide portion is configured by a flexible and bendable member. The outer periphery of the proximal guide portion, one of the claims 1 to 5 for holding guide for holding the curved shape of the proximal guiding portion with a bendable together with the proximal guide section is characterized in that it is covered The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1. An adjustment sheath for adjusting the bending length in the one direction at the distal end side guide portion can be inserted into and removed from the sheath,
The endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the endoscope can be inserted into and removed from the adjustment sheath. To the extending direction of the distal end of the distal-side guide portion, the endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the observation member for observing the inside of a subject is provided .

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