JP7773666B2 - Endoscopic Devices - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to medical devices, and more specifically to endoscopic devices.

Conventional endoscopes have an insertion section that is a long, flexible hollow tube, and is supported to maintain its shape by a sleeve that forms the outer shell of the insertion section. However, because the sleeve forms the outer shell of the insertion section and may come into contact with internal body tissue, there are limitations on the structure and material of the sleeve. This makes it difficult to configure it to provide sufficient support, and it easily bends along with the hollow tube. Therefore, when using an endoscope to perform procedures such as gastrostomy or urethral catheter placement, the flexibility of the insertion section of conventional endoscopes poses a risk of the insertion section bending unexpectedly, making the procedure more difficult.

For example, when inserting a nasal catheter using an endoscope, the insertion section of the endoscope needs to have a certain level of support force in order to guide the catheter. However, upper gastrointestinal endoscopes are generally thin, with diameters of 1 cm and 0.5 cm for nasal endoscopes, and the distance from the tip (insertion end) to the support point is, for example, 60 cm, making it difficult to obtain sufficient support force.

Chang-Bih Shie, et al., “Clip-assisted endoscopic method for placement of a nasoenteric feeding tube into the distal duodenum.”, Journal of the Formosan Medical Association, 01 Jul 2003, 102(7):514-516

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an endoscopic device that can overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the above-mentioned conventional technology.

The present invention provides an endoscope device that includes an insertion section including a bendable insertion tube formed into an elongated hollow tube with an internal space, a camera lens unit provided at the tip of the insertion tube for capturing images, and a support unit provided in the internal space of the insertion tube, and the support unit has a support bracket that is fixed within the internal space of the insertion tube so as to extend in the extension direction of the insertion tube and is bendable together with the insertion tube.

According to the present invention, the support unit provided within the internal space of the insertion tube has a support bracket that is fixed within the internal space of the insertion tube so as to extend along the extension direction of the insertion tube and is bendable along with the insertion tube. This makes it easy to provide the insertion tube with sufficient support force in the extension direction of the insertion tube. This prevents unexpected bending when inserting, for example, medical tubes or catheters using an endoscopic device, making the insertion of tubes or catheters easier.

1 is a schematic side view showing an embodiment of an endoscope apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing an insertion portion of the embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view illustrating the support unit of the embodiment. 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3 showing a variation of the insert portion. FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view showing another modified example of the insertion portion. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 6 showing yet another variation of the insert portion. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 6 showing yet another variation of the insert portion. FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an insertion portion of another embodiment of an endoscope device according to the present invention.

The present invention will be described in detail below using an example embodiment. Note that terms indicating directions, such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc., used in the following description are used solely for the convenience of explanation in conjunction with the illustrations, and are not intended to limit the present invention.

Figures 1, 2, and 3 show one embodiment of an endoscopic device 200 according to the present invention. The endoscopic device 200 is used, for example, to insert a nasal catheter into the stomach or duodenum, or to pass a catheter through the urethra into the bladder. The endoscopic device 200 includes an insertion section 3, a control section 4 connected to the end (rear end) of the insertion section 3, and a suction mechanism 5 and a delivery mechanism 6 disposed in the insertion section 3 and the control section 4.

The insertion section 3 includes a bendable insertion tube 31 formed in the shape of a long, thin, hollow tube with an extension direction X, which is the tube axis direction, and an internal space 30, which is a lumen; a camera lens unit 32 provided at the tip (insertion end) of the insertion tube 31 for capturing images; and a support unit 33 provided in the internal space 30 of the insertion tube 31.

The insertion tube 31 is made of, for example, silicone, rubber, or other soft, deformable medical-grade material. It has a hollow tube body 311 and a tube tip 312 that extends further from the tip of the tube body 311 into a hollow tube shape with the extended end being sealed. The tube body 311 and the tube tip 312 define a continuous internal space 30. To make the tube tip 312 even more flexible than the tube body 311, at least one of its outer and inner surfaces is provided with a helical groove 310 formed in a spiral shape along the extension direction X of the insertion tube 31. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the helical groove 310 is provided on both the outer and inner surfaces of the tube tip 312, but it may be provided on only one of the surfaces.

The inner peripheral surface 31a of the insertion tube 31, facing the internal space 30, is provided with a plurality of inner annular grooves 314 that extend circumferentially around the insertion tube 31 at intervals in the extension direction X of the insertion tube 31. Similarly, the outer peripheral surface 31b on the opposite side of the inner peripheral surface 31a is provided with a plurality of outer annular grooves 313 that extend circumferentially around the insertion tube 31 at intervals in the extension direction X of the insertion tube 31. Note that each pair of inner annular grooves 314 and each outer annular groove 313 are provided so as to correspond to each other in the radial direction perpendicular to the extension direction X of the insertion tube 31, as shown in the figure.

3, the camera lens unit 32 includes a mounting seat 321 that is fitted and fixed within the internal space 30 of the tube tip section 312, an imaging means 322 that is attached to the mounting seat 321 and includes a lens for capturing an image in front of the tube tip section 312, and a plurality of illumination means 323 that are attached to the mounting seat 321 and emit light in the forward direction of the tube tip section 312. Note that the specific configuration of the camera lens unit 32 for capturing images in an endoscopic device is well known in the field of endoscopic technology and comes in a wide variety of types. Therefore, various conventional camera lens units can be used appropriately in the present invention, and a description of the specific configuration will be omitted.

As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, the support unit 33 has a support bracket 331 that is fixed within the internal space 30 of the insertion tube 31 so as to extend along the extension direction X of the insertion tube 31 and is bendable together with the insertion tube 31, and a fixture 335 that inserts the insertion tube 31 in a radial direction perpendicular to the extension direction X and is fixed to the support bracket 331 to secure the insertion tube 31 and the support bracket 331 to each other.

Explaining in more detail, the support bracket 331 has a bendable support rod 332 that extends coaxially with the insertion tube 31 and has one end connected and fixed to the mounting seat 321 of the camera lens unit 32, and a support base 333 that projects from the support rod 332 in the radial direction of the insertion tube 31 and is fixed to the inner circumferential surface 31a of the insertion tube 31. In this embodiment, as shown in the figure, the support bracket 331 has multiple support bases 333 that are spaced apart in the extension direction X of the insertion tube 31. In this embodiment, one end of the support rod 332 is removably fixed to the mounting seat 321 of the camera lens unit 32.

Each support base 333 is formed in a disk shape, and its periphery is fitted into a corresponding inner annular groove 314 on the inner peripheral surface 31a of the insertion tube 31, thereby making close contact with the inner peripheral surface 31a of the insertion tube 31. Each support base 333 also has multiple through holes 334 formed in it, with the positions of the through holes 334 aligned in the extension direction X between support bases 333.

In this embodiment, the fasteners 335 are fixed to the support bases 333 of the support bracket 331. Therefore, multiple fasteners 335 are provided corresponding to the multiple support bases 333. Each fastener 335 is fixed to the corresponding support base 333 by inserting the insertion tube 31 through it so that both ends are positioned within the outer annular groove 313 and inner annular groove 314, respectively. For example, the fasteners 335 are screws. The heads of the fasteners 335 are exposed within the outer annular groove 313 and are removably threadedly engaged with the support base 333, thereby securing the insertion tube 31 and the support base 333 together. Furthermore, a ring member 34 is fitted into each outer annular groove 313 where the heads of the fasteners 335 are positioned, covering the exposed heads of the fasteners 335. The ring member 34 is made of, for example, a silicone material, and is fitted into the outer annular groove 313 so as to cover the fastener 335 from the outside, preventing the fastener 335 from falling off.

In one embodiment, the support rod 332 is formed into a solid rod shape from metal (e.g., shape memory alloy) or plastic, and the material of the support base 333 may be the same as or different from the material of the support rod 332. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the support rod 332 is configured so that one end is removably fixed to the mounting seat 321 of the camera lens unit 32 as described above, but such fixing can be done by threaded connection. As a further variation, the support rod 332 may be permanently fixed to the mounting seat 321, or may be configured to be continuous and integral with the mounting seat 321.

In other embodiments, the support rod 332 may be formed in the shape of a hollow tube as shown in Figure 7, or in the shape of a coil spring as shown in Figure 8.

As shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4, the operation unit 4 includes an operation handle 41 connected to the rear end of the insertion unit 3, more specifically, the rear ends of the insertion tube 31 and the support rod 332, an angle adjustment module 42 provided on the operation handle 41 and connected to the support unit 33, and a universal cord 43 attached to the operation handle 41 and signal-connected to the camera lens unit 32.

In this embodiment, the angle adjustment module 42 extends along the extension direction X of the insertion tube 31 through different through-holes 334 in the support base 333 and is equipped with two traction wires 421 connected to the mounting seat 321 of the camera lens unit 32, and an angle knob 422 attached to the outside of the operating handle 41 and connected to the traction wires 421. The angle knob 422 can be operated to pull or return the traction wires 421, thereby bending the support bracket 331, bending the insertion tube 31 together with the support bracket 331 and enabling the distal end of the insertion tube 31 to be inserted into a patient's body cavity. Note that such angle adjustment mechanisms in endoscopic devices are well known to those skilled in the art and come in many varieties, so further explanation will be omitted for the sake of brevity.

The suction mechanism 5 includes a suction tube 51 disposed within the operating handle 41 and the internal space 30, and a suction valve 52 attached to the operating handle 41 and connected to and communicating with the suction tube 51. Within the internal space 30, the suction tube 51 passes through a through-hole 334 in the support base 333 and extends along the extension direction X of the insertion tube 31, with one end exposed at the tip of the insertion tube 31 (see Figure 2) and the other end connected to the suction valve 52 in the operating handle 41. The suction valve 52 is operable to communicate with a suction device (not shown) to suck gas or liquid at the tip of the insertion tube 31 via the suction tube 51.

The delivery mechanism 6 includes a delivery tube 61 disposed within the operating handle 41 and the internal space 30, and a liquid delivery valve 62 and a gas delivery valve 63 attached to the operating handle 41 and connected to and communicating with the delivery tube 61. The delivery tube 61 extends through all through-holes 334 in the internal space 30, other than the through-hole 334 through which the suction tube 51 of the support base 333 passes, along the extension direction X of the insertion tube 31. One end is exposed at the tip of the insertion tube 31 (see FIG. 2), and the other end is connected to the liquid delivery valve 62 and the gas delivery valve 63 in the operating handle 41. The liquid delivery valve 62 is operably arranged to communicate with a liquid pump device (not shown) so that liquid can be ejected at the tip of the insertion tube 31 via the delivery tube 61. The gas delivery valve 63 is operably provided to communicate with a gas pump device (not shown) so that gas can be ejected at the tip of the insertion tube 31 through the delivery tube 61.

The suction mechanism 5 and delivery mechanism 6 are well known to those skilled in the art of endoscopic devices, and there are many different types, so further explanation will be omitted for the sake of brevity.

With the endoscopic device 200 of the present invention configured as described above, the support unit 33 provided in the internal space 30 of the insertion tube 31 has a support bracket 331 that is fixed within the internal space 30 of the insertion tube 31 so as to extend along the extension direction X of the insertion tube 31 and is bendable together with the insertion tube 31, making it easy to provide the insertion tube 31 with sufficient support force in its extension direction X.

When the endoscopic device 200 of this embodiment is used to insert a tube such as a nasal tube or a catheter, the insertion section 3 is inserted into the tube, and the insertion section 3 and the tube are then inserted into the patient's body. During this process, the support unit 33 provided in the internal space 30 of the insertion tube 31, as described above, provides sufficient support force during insertion of the tube, preventing it from bending unexpectedly and facilitating the tube insertion process.

FIG. 3 shows a specific example in which multiple support bases 333 are spaced apart in the extension direction X of the insertion tube 31, as described above. The number of support bases 333 can be varied as needed, taking into consideration the structural strength of the support bracket 331 and the strength of the connection between the support bracket 331 and the insertion tube 31. For example, a single support base 333 may be provided at the tip or middle of the support rod 332 (see FIG. 5 ). Alternatively, the support bracket 331 may be formed using only the support rod 332 without the support base 333 (see FIGS. 6 to 8 ). In the example shown in FIG. 5 , a single support base 333 is provided at the tip of the support rod 332, and is integrally connected to the mounting seat 321 of the camera lens unit 32. In such an example, the traction wire 421 of the angle adjustment module 42 is connected to the support base 333, which is integral with the mounting seat 321. Even if the number of support bases 333 is limited to one as in the above example, or even if no support base 333 is provided, in the present invention, the support rod 332 can be used to allow the support bracket 331 to provide the necessary support force to the insertion tube 31.

The support base 333 can also be configured so that its periphery is directly fixed to the inner surface 31a of the insertion tube 31, for example by adhesive, in which case the ring member 34 and fixing device 335 can be omitted.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the support base 333 is disk-shaped, with its entire periphery in close contact with the inner circumferential surface 31a of the insertion tube 31. However, this is not limiting. As a modified example, the support base 333 may be configured as a triangular disk with three arcuate corners that contact the inner circumferential surface 31a of the insertion tube 31. In this case, the fastener 335 may be provided so as to pass through the insertion tube 31 and threadably engage with the corners of the support base 333. Furthermore, the support base 333 may be configured as a rectangular disk with two arcuate corners that contact the inner circumferential surface 31a of the insertion tube 31. In this case, the fastener 335 may also be provided so as to pass through the insertion tube 31 and threadably engage with the corners of the support base 333.

Figure 9 shows the insertion section 3 of another embodiment of an endoscopic device 200 according to the present invention. This embodiment is similar to the above embodiment, but differs in that a sleeve member 35 is installed on the insertion section 3, extending along the extension direction X of the insertion tube 31 and covering the insertion tube 31 to cover the fixing device 335.

The sleeve member 35 is a thin film made of a medical material such as silicone or rubber, and is formed into a cylindrical shape that corresponds to the outer shape of the insertion tube 31. It is provided to cover the tube main body 311 and the tube tip 312, thereby also covering the fixing device 335 and preventing the fixing device 335 from accidentally falling off while the insertion section 3 is being inserted into the body. Note that in this embodiment, the ring member 34 is not necessary.

In actual use, the endoscopic device 200 can be used with, for example, a Foley catheter approximately 5 to 25 cm in length. In this case, the length of the insertion section 3 can be designed to be slightly longer than that of the Foley catheter. If the insertion section 3 is relatively short, there is no need to bend the support bracket 331 and insertion tube 31 by operating it, and therefore the angle adjustment module 42 is not required.

As described above, in the endoscope device 200, the support bracket 331 of the support unit 33 is fixed within the internal space 30 of the insertion tube 31, so that the support unit 33 is configured to provide sufficient support force to the insertion tube 31 in the extension direction X of the insertion tube 31. This prevents unexpected bending when inserting, for example, a medical tube or catheter using the endoscope device 200, making the tube or catheter insertion process easier. Therefore, the object of the present invention can be reliably achieved.

Although examples of the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these, and encompasses all modifications and equivalent configurations as various configurations included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation. For example, the above-described embodiments and examples, and the examples shown in the drawings, can be combined with each other to form a single embodiment of the present invention.

The endoscopic device of the present invention can facilitate the insertion of tubes and catheters, and can therefore be applied to a variety of endoscopic devices used in various medical procedures.

200 Endoscope device 3 Insertion section 30 Internal space 31 Insertion tube 31a Inner peripheral surface 31b Outer peripheral surface 310 Spiral groove 311 Tube main body 312 Tube tip 313 Outer annular groove 314 Inner annular groove 32 Camera lens unit 321 Mounting seat 322 Imaging means 323 Illumination means 33 Support unit 331 Support bracket 332 Support rod 333 Support base 334 Through hole 335 Fixture 34 Ring member 35 Sleeve member 4 Operation section 41 Operation handle 42 Angle adjustment module 421 Pull wire 422 Angle knob 43 Universal cord 5 Suction mechanism 51 Suction tube 52 Suction valve 6 Delivery mechanism 61 Delivery tube 62 Liquid delivery valve 63 Gas delivery valve X Extension direction

Claims (13)

an insertion section including: a bendable insertion tube formed in an elongated hollow tube shape having an internal space; a camera lens unit provided at the tip of the insertion tube for capturing images; and a support unit provided in the internal space of the insertion tube;
an operation unit connected to a rear end of the insertion tube,
the support unit has a support bracket whose rear end is connected to the operation unit, the support bracket being disposed in the internal space of the insertion tube so as to extend to the camera lens unit along an extension direction of the insertion tube, and the support bracket being bendable together with the insertion tube, and the operation unit can be operated to bend the support bracket;
the support bracket has a bendable support rod disposed in the internal space of the insertion tube so as to extend along the extension direction of the insertion tube, and at least one support base formed in a disk shape, the support base being formed so as to protrude from the support rod in a radial direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the insertion tube and being fixed to an inner peripheral surface of the insertion tube;
Endoscopic device. One end of the support rod is fixed to the camera lens unit.
The endoscope device according to claim 1 . One end of the support rod is removably fixed to the camera lens unit.
The endoscope device according to claim 2 . the support unit further includes a fastener that fixes the insertion tube and the support base to each other by inserting the insertion tube along the radial direction.
The endoscope device according to claim 1 . the support bracket has a plurality of support bases, and the support bases are arranged at intervals in the extension direction of the insertion tube.
The endoscope device according to claim 1 . the support unit further includes a plurality of fasteners that fix the insertion tubes to the support bases by inserting the insertion tubes along the radial direction, respectively.
The endoscope device according to claim 5 . a suction mechanism including a suction tube disposed in the internal space;
The support base has a through hole,
the suction tube is passed through the through-hole of the support base, extends along the extension direction of the insertion tube, and is provided so that one end thereof is exposed at the tip of the insertion tube.
The endoscope device according to claim 1 . a delivery mechanism including a delivery tube disposed in the interior space;
The support base has a plurality of through holes,
the delivery tube is passed through a through-hole other than the through-hole through which the suction tube is passed in the support base, extends along the extension direction of the insertion tube, and is provided so that one end thereof is exposed at the distal end of the insertion tube.
The endoscope device according to claim 7 . The other end of the support rod is connected to the operation unit.
4. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 2 or 3. The support rod is formed in a hollow tubular shape.
The endoscope device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 . The support rod is formed in a solid rod shape.
The endoscope device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 . The support rod is formed in a coil spring shape.
The endoscope device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The support base is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the insertion tube.
The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 or 5.