JPS6230006B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an intrabody cavity measuring device for measuring the size of, for example, a diseased part within a body cavity.

BACKGROUND ART As a medical device, there is an intrabody cavity measurement device that measures an affected area within a body cavity. This is a device that allows a measuring device to be inserted into the forceps insertion channel of an endoscope instead of forceps, and can be used to measure the size of an affected area within a body cavity, such as a polyp. It is configured like this. As for the specific structure of the measuring tool, a pair, for example, two openable and closable arm bodies are provided protruding from the tip of the mantle tube, and a forward/backward operation section is also provided at the rear end, and these arm bodies and the forward/backward operation section are connected to the mantle. Most of them are connected by a wire inserted into the tube or by a guide shaft. In this type of measurement, each arm is opened by moving the wire or guide shaft back and forth in the forward/backward operation section, and the opening width at the tip of the arm is the length (size) on both sides of the object to be measured. ) and
The length (size) of the object to be measured can be determined by reading the set amount of advance and retreat of the wire or guide shaft on a measurement scale provided at the rear end of the mantle tube.

However, in a measuring device that measures the length (size) of an object with such a mechanical configuration, there are gaps that are essential as mechanical elements, such as between the wire and the inner wall surface of the outer tube, or between the guide shaft and the inner wall of the outer tube. A gap is required between the walls for the wire and guide shaft to slide, and this gap prevents the wire and guide shaft from moving when the mantle tube is bent, causing so-called play, which prevents accurate measurement of the object to be measured. This causes the problem that it cannot be done. Moreover, when the mantle tube is bent, an expansion and contraction action occurs on the mantle tube, and an error occurs due to the expansion and contraction, making it extremely difficult to perform accurate measurements.

This invention was made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to convert the opening/closing width of the arm body into an electrical quantity, and to create a structure in which the object to be measured is measured based on the electrical quantity. It is an object of the present invention to provide an intrabody cavity measuring instrument that can always accurately and precisely measure a measured object in any state of the mantle tube, including when the tube is bent.

A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a mantle tube of the intrabody cavity measurement device 2. This mantle tube 1 is made of a flexible electrically insulating member, and can be inserted into a forceps channel of an endoscope (not shown), for example. It's summery.
Inside this mantle tube 1 are respective lead wires 3.
a and 3b are inserted. Furthermore, a pair of arm bodies 4a and 4b are erected at the distal end of the mantle tube 1. The structure around the arm bodies 4a and 4b is the second
Shown in Figures a and b. That is, 4a in the figure,
4b is the above-mentioned arm body, and these arm bodies 4a,
Insulating covers 6a and 4b are respectively provided on the outer peripheral surfaces of conductive members 5a and 5b having elasticity and good conductivity.
6b, and are erected, for example, with their tips expanded so as to face each other. The manner in which these arm bodies 4a and 4b are attached is such that the proximal end of the conductive member 5a is fixed to a tome ring 7a provided on the opening side of the distal end in the mantle tube 1, and the arm body 4a is attached. The base end of the arm body 4 is fixed to the tome ring 7b which is also provided at the rear stage of the tome ring 7a.
b attachment has been achieved. The lead wire 3 is connected to the base end of each of these conductive members 5a, 5b.
The distal ends of a and 3b are connected. On the other hand, a resistance wire 8, which is an electrical resistor, is spanned between the distal ends of the arm bodies 4a and 4b. This resistance wire 8 is made of a material with a high specific electrical resistance value, for example.
It is made of a material such as a Ni-Cr alloy, and the specific bridge configuration is such that one end is connected to a conductive member 5a.
The middle part of one end of the conductive member 5b is fixed to the tip of the conductive member 5b, and the other end of the resistance wire 8 is pulled, so that each arm body 4a, 4b is closed, and the opening width of the tip of the arm body and the length of the resistance wire between the eight arm bodies 4a and 4b can be changed. Note that the arm body 4b of the resistance wire 8
After that, the other end side is inserted into the mantle tube 1 and becomes the mantle tube 1.
It reaches the rear end of.

On the other hand, an operating section 10 is provided at the rear end of the mantle tube 1 . This operating section 10 is formed from a fitting 11 provided at the rear end of the mantle tube 1 and a fixed operating tool 12 having a slide groove 12a erected in this fitting 11. A moving operating tool 13 is provided in the slide groove 12a and is slidable along the groove path. The other end of the resistance wire 8 is connected to this moving operating tool 13, and by pulling the moving operating tool 13, the tips of each arm body 4a, 4b are set to an opening/closing width corresponding to the size of the object to be measured. It constitutes an opening/closing operation means 13 that can be opened and closed.

The other ends of the lead wires 3a and 3b are connected to a connection base 14 provided on the fixture 11.

On the other hand, numeral 15 in the figure is a constant current power supply section which is an electricity supply means, and this power supply section 15 is detachably connected to the base 14 via a power cord 16 and a connector 17, and is connected via each lead wire 3a, 3b. For example, a predetermined constant current can be supplied to the arm bodies 4a, 4b. A voltmeter 17 connected in parallel to the power supply circuit is installed inside the constant current power supply section 15, and the amount of electricity is measured based on the change in the length of the resistance wire 8 between the arm bodies 4a and 4b. It constitutes a measuring means 18 for measuring the amount of opening of the sliding arm bodies 4a, 4b.

This electrical relationship is shown in a circuit as shown in FIG.

However, 19 is a variable resistance part of the resistance wire 8 existing between the arm bodies 4a and 4b, and 17
1 is a voltmeter, and 15 is a constant current power supply section.

In addition, in the figure, 20, 21a, 21a are finger insertion holes for operation.

Then, the intrabody cavity measurement device 2 configured as described above
For example, when measuring the size of an affected area in a body cavity using a forceps channel of an endoscope inserted into a body cavity, the movable operating tool 13 is pulled toward the user's hand, that is, the endoscope is inserted into the body cavity. The mantle tube 1 is inserted with each arm body 4a, 4b shown in FIG. 3 closed. When the tip of the measurement tool 2 protrudes from the tip of the endoscope, the moving operation tool 13 is moved toward the tip side, and the arm bodies 4a and 4b are opened by elastic force and the arm bodies 4a are attached to both ends of the object to be measured. ,4
Align the ends of b. That is, in this state, the resistance wire 8 existing between the arm body 4a and the arm body 4b connects both ends of the object to be measured. Then, by turning on the switch 15a of the constant current power supply section 15 in this state, the constant current power supply section 1
5 to the arm body 4 via conductive members 5a and 5b.
Part 19 of the resistance wire 8 located between a and 4b
For example, a predetermined amount of current flows toward.

Therefore, resistance wire part 1 that becomes variable resistance
By reading the voltage drop due to the resistance value proportional to the length of 9 using the voltmeter 17, the opening width L of the arm bodies 4a and 4b can be calculated and measured based on the relationship L=V/AR. , the length (size) of the object to be measured can be measured accurately and precisely.

However, in the above formula, V is the voltage value measured with a voltmeter, A is the current value of the constant current power supply 15, R is the resistance value per unit length of the resistance wire 8, and L is the resistance wire portion 19 that becomes a variable resistance. is the length of

Therefore, even if the outer tube 1 has a long overall length and is curved, the length (size) of the object to be measured can always be measured accurately and precisely, and the effect is great.

Note that the resistance values of the wire parts other than the resistance wire part 19 existing between the arm bodies 4a and 4b involved in the measurement are so small that they can be ignored compared to the resistance value of the wire part 19, and there is no problem even if they are ignored. It goes without saying that this should not be done.

Furthermore, in the explanation of the above embodiment, the opening width of the arm body was calculated each time based on the voltage value of the voltmeter, but for example, a microcomputer or an alternative calculation device may be used in the voltmeter. Incorporate it and automatically calculate it,
It would be extremely effective to display the resulting opening width of the arm body.

The present invention is not limited to the first embodiment described above, but also includes the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the third embodiment shown in FIG. 6, and the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. It may be done as in the embodiment.

That is, in the second embodiment, a curl portion 25 is formed at the tip of the conductive member 5a, 5b, which is the tip of the arm body 4a, 4b, by bending the tip edge inward.
a, 25b, and has a structure that can ultimately prevent the tips of the conductive members 5a, 5b from damaging the body cavity wall of the living body during measurement work.

Further, the third embodiment has through holes 26a and 2 at the tip.
Conductive arm bodies 27a and 27b equipped with 6b are erected at the distal end of the mantle tube 1 with their distal ends expanded, and the through holes 26 of these arm bodies 27a and 27b are
A, 26b and a ring-shaped resistance wire 28 is slidably spanned between the tip and the tip.
The base, which is the binding part, is connected to the tip of the advancing/retracting lever 29 inserted into the mantle tube 1, and the structure around the opening/closing mechanism of the arm bodies 27a, 27b is simplified. The forward/backward operating rod 29 is made of an absolute member, and the rear end is connected to the moving operating tool 1.
3. Furthermore, resistance wires 27a, 2
Both ends of 7b are insulated.

However, in the third embodiment described above, it goes without saying that the rear end portions of the arm bodies 27a, 27b are inserted into the mantle tube 1 and connected to the base 14.

Further, in the fourth embodiment, a stretchable insulating member 30 is coated on a portion 19 of the resistance wire 8 that connects the tips of the arm bodies 4a and 4b. Note that FIG. 7a shows the arm bodies 4a and 4b in an open state, and similarly, FIG. 7b shows the arm bodies 4a and 4b in an open state.
b shows the closed state.

By configuring the measuring tool in this way, it is possible to prevent moisture from adhering to the measurement reference portion 19 of the resistance wire 8, and it is possible to always maintain the resistance value of the resistance wire 8 at a normal value. It is something.

That is, the inside of the body cavity is generally moist, and body fluid accumulates in many places. In such a state, when the measuring device is inserted into the body cavity, or when the resistance wire 8 comes into contact with the object to be measured in the body cavity during measurement, moisture in the body cavity or moisture attached to the object to be measured may be transferred to the resistance wire 8. However, by providing the insulating member 30, it is possible to prevent such moisture from adhering to the resistance wire 8, and it is possible to avoid moisture in the body cavity where there is a lot of moisture. Even when using this method, it is possible to always measure the object with accuracy and precision.

In addition, in the above-mentioned 2nd thru|or 4th Example, the same component as the 1st Example mentioned above was attached with the same number, and the description was omitted.

As explained above, according to the present invention, an electric resistance body whose length can be changed according to the opening/closing width of the arm body is provided at the tip of the arm body, and an electricity supply supplying a predetermined amount of electricity to the electric resistance body. Since a means is provided to measure the amount of opening of the arm body in response to a change in the amount of electricity due to a change in the length of the electrical resistor based on the supply of electricity, the arm body to be measured can be opened and closed using the opening/closing operation means. The length of an electrical resistor is converted into an electrical quantity by matching it to the length (size) of an object, and the length of the electrical resistor is measured using a measuring means based on the electrical quantity. become.

Therefore, it is possible to measure the object to be measured from the opening and closing width of the arm body based on the amount of electricity, and it is always accurate even when the outer tube is long and winding. Moreover, the object to be measured can be measured with high precision.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention, Figs. 2a and b are a partial side sectional view and a partial side view showing the arm body and its main parts, and Fig. 3 is a partial side view of the arm body. FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing the circuit configuration related to measurement, FIG. 5 is a partially measured sectional view showing the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIGS. 7a and 7b are partial side sectional views showing the fourth embodiment, and FIGS. 7A and 7B are partial side sectional views showing the fourth embodiment, and a state diagram showing the state in which the arm body is closed. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Outer tube, 4a, 4b... Arm body, 8... Resistance wire (electrical resistance body), 13... Opening/closing operation means,
15... constant current power supply section (electricity supply means), 18... measurement means.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A mantle tube made of an electrically insulating member, an openable and closable arm body made up of a pair of conductive members protruding from the tip of the mantle tube, and a space between the protruding tips of the conductive members of each arm body. an electrical resistor that is slidably spanned; an opening/closing operation means that is connected to the electrical resistor and sets the opening/closing width of the pair of arm bodies by moving the electrical resistor forward and backward; and each of the arm bodies. an electricity supply means that is electrically connected to supply a predetermined amount of electricity to the electrical resistor; and an electricity supply means that is electrically connected to each of the arm bodies and supplies electricity along the length of the electrical resistor that spans the pair of arm bodies. 1. An intrabody cavity measurement device comprising: a measuring means for measuring the amount of opening of a pair of arm bodies based on the amount of opening.