JPH0337404B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention provides an endoscope bending operation device for bending a curved portion provided near the tip of an endoscope using a hand control unit main body via a wire. It is related to.

[Conventional technology]

As a conventional endoscope bending operation device, the
The one described in Japanese Patent No. 60-56486 is known.
As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, this consists of a rigid tip part 2, a curved part 3 connected to this, a flexible tube 4 connected to this, and a main body 5 of the hand operation part.
An endoscope 1 is constructed from the following. The object to be examined is illuminated through the illumination window 2A of the rigid tip section 2, and an objective lens (not shown) provided in the rigid tip section 2 and an image provided through the curved section 3 and flexible tube 4 are illuminated. It is designed to be observed through an eyepiece lens 6 provided on the main body 5 of the hand operating section via a transmission optical fiber bundle. The curved portion 3 has two directions: vertical direction and horizontal direction.
It is constructed so that it can be bent in any direction, and the bending operation in each direction can be performed using two pairs of wires placed at upper, lower, left, and right positions. These two pairs of wires are respectively associated with two curved operating members 100 and 101 rotatably provided on the main body 5 of the hand operating section. In addition, the hand operation unit main body 5
A control member 102 is provided coaxially with each of the operating members 100 and 101.
It is designed to simultaneously act on two bending operation systems including 1. The details of the bending operation device of the endoscope 1 are as shown in FIG. 8 and 9 are rotatably supported coaxially. The first shaft body 8 is provided with a wire attachment groove 8A on one end thereof for winding and fixing a wire for bending operation, and a square screw 8B for attaching the first operation member 100 on the other end.
The first operating member 100 has a square hole in the center that fits into the square screw 8B, and after the square hole is inserted into the square screw 8B, the fixed platen 10 is screwed into the square screw 8B. Therefore, it is fixed to the first shaft body 8. Each flange pipe of the first operating member 100 and the fixed platen 10 has a ring-shaped first clutch member 13 sandwiched between a pair of ring-shaped first friction members 11 and 12.
is arranged to frictionally connect the first operating member 100 and the first clutch member 13. Fixed plate 10
has an adjusting screw 14, which adjusts the gap between the pair of friction members 11, 12 and the first clutch member 13 to adjust the frictional force when fixing the first operating member 100. In order to
In order to rotate the first operating member 100 in any direction, the fixed platen 1 is moved in one direction of rotation.
This is effective in preventing the 0 from becoming loose. The second shaft body 9, like the first shaft body 8, is provided with a wire attachment groove 9A at one end for wrapping and fixing a bending operation wire, and a square screw 9B for attaching the second operation member 101 at the other end. is provided. The second operating member 16 has a square hole in the center that fits into the square screw 9B, and the square hole is connected to the square screw 9B.
After the fixed platen 15 is inserted into the square screw 9B, the fixed platen 15 is fixedly inserted into the second shaft body 9. This fixed platen 15 is provided with a set screw 16, which prevents the fixed platen 15 from loosening even when the second operating member 101 is rotated in any direction. Further, a pair of ring-shaped second friction members 1 is attached to the shaft portion 101B provided in the middle of the second operating member 101.
6 and 17, and a second clutch member 18 located between these are provided by screwing a stop member 19 into the shaft portion 101B. Therefore, the second clutch member 18 is frictionally connected to the second operating member 101 via the second pair of friction members 16 and 17.

[Problems to be Solved] In the conventional device shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the first operating member 100 and the second operating member 101 have a larger diameter; The second operating member 101 is formed to have a smaller diameter than the first operating member 100. Therefore, it is difficult for the operator to grasp the operating section main body 5 and operate these operating members 100, 101 with fingers, and it is difficult for the operator to try to operate the operating members 100, 101 with fingers other than the fingers that grip the operating section main body 5. I had to operate 101. As a result, both hands were occupied only with the bending operation of the endoscope, and it was not possible to perform other necessary treatments. Furthermore, the locked state of the bending operation device in the conventional endoscope is due to frictional engagement, as shown in the above publication.
This is a state in which the operating knob can be rotated against the frictional engagement force. Therefore, with the bending operation devices known so far, if you want to maintain the curved shape at that point when you release your hand from the operation knob, you must operate it in a locked state. It has the disadvantage of being heavy. Now, if we consider the case of bending operation in a free state, it is true that it has the advantage of being able to be operated lightly, but the operation knob is not easily moved due to the elasticity of the tip of the operation section or the external force against the tip of the insertion section, such as the internal abutment force within the observation target area. There is a drawback that the bending state changes when the hand is removed, and the actual situation is that it is insufficient as a bending operation device for an endoscope, which is particularly desired to be able to be operated with one hand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope bending operation device that allows a user to grip the operation section main body 5 with his left hand and easily operate the operation member with his left fingers while performing necessary treatment with his right hand.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the first invention provides a first operation knob and a second operation knob for controlling the bending portion of the hand operation section, and moves the first operation knob from the main body of the hand operation section to the outside. The second operating knob is formed to have a smaller diameter than the second operating knob, and both knobs are provided close to each other or so as to partially overlap. Further, the second invention provides a first operation knob and a second operation knob for controlling the curved portion on the main body of the hand operation unit, and the first operation knob closer to the main body of the hand operation unit is set closer to the second operation knob on the outside. The first and second operating knobs are also formed to have a small diameter, and both knobs are provided close to each other or partially overlapped, and a locking means is provided to separately immobilize the first and second operating knobs. This device is provided with a release means for releasing the lock by the means.

[Effect]

With this invention, for example, it is possible to grasp the hand-held operation part with the left hand and extend the grasped finger to operate the first operation knob or the second operation knob, and the free hand can be used for other necessary operations. becomes possible. That is, it becomes possible to bend the curved portion provided near the tip of the endoscope with one hand.

〔Example〕

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In the present invention, a first operation knob 20 and a second operation knob 21, which are rotatably provided, are coaxially provided on the hand operation section main body 5. The first operating knob 20 is formed to have a smaller diameter than the outer second operating knob, and is provided so that both knobs 20 and 21 partially overlap. For example, when the first operation knob 20 is rotated clockwise, the bending portion 3 is bent upward, and when the first operation knob 20 is rotated counterclockwise, the bending portion 3 is bent downward. There is.
Further, when the second operation knob 21 is rotated clockwise, the second operation knob 21 is curved to the left, and when the second operation knob 21 is rotated counterclockwise, it is curved to the right. Note that the first and second operating knobs 20 and 21 are not arranged vertically or horizontally, respectively, but the structure of the curved portion 3 is a structure known in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 49-28388, and both operating knobs 20 , 21 may be in the same direction, left and right or up and down. To operate these first and second operation knobs 20 and 21, as shown in FIG. The first operation knob 20 or the second operation knob 21 may be rotated. The detailed structure of the first operation knob 20 is constructed as shown in FIGS. 3 to 6. Further, the configuration shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 may be applied to the second operation knob 21. Figure 3 shows the first operation knob 20.
is a bottom view seen from the side of the hand control unit main body 5,
Five handhold portions 23 are formed at equal intervals on the outer periphery, and a circular hole 24 is formed in the center. FIG. 4 is a plan view, FIG. 5 is a half-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 4, and FIG.
FIG. Further, a convex portion 25 is formed on the upper surface of the first operation knob 20 so as to protrude along the outer periphery thereof. Further, a space 26 is formed on the bottom side of the first operating knob 20, and the casing 5A is fitted into this space 26. In the case where the space 26 is formed in the second operation knob 21, the first operation knob 20 is fitted into the space 26 so as to partially overlap.

In the illustrated embodiment, a part of the first operation knob 20 fits into the space 26 of the second operation knob 21, and the two knobs 20 and 21 partially overlap, but the two knobs 20 and 21 are placed very close to each other. Of course, it may also be provided. The first operation knob 20 (or the second operation knob 21) has a cutout between the handhold parts 23 and 23 instead of an arcuate recess as in the conventional case, as shown in FIGS. 7a and 7b. It is easy to deeply insert the thumb 22 into this notch, and the thumb 22 that has entered the notch does not easily slip, making it easy to rotate the knob 20 (21).

As for the details of the internal structure, the one shown in the specification and drawings of Japanese Patent Application No. 1982-126822 can be adopted. For example, as shown in FIG.
Rotary shafts 27, 27' are provided through through holes 5B that communicate inside and outside. This rotating shaft 27,
The inner end portion of 27' is formed as pulleys 27A, 27'A around which a bending operation wire (not shown) is wound and fixed. In addition, these rotating shafts 2
7 and 27' are the fixed machine frame 5 inside the hand control unit main body 5.
It is rotatably mounted on C by a bearing 28. These rotating shafts 27, 27' are
Rotation operation is performed based on the following configuration provided on the outwardly protruding portion.

In FIG. 8, symbols 29, 30, 31, 3
Reference numerals 2, 20, 33, 34, and 35 indicate a fixed plate, a movable member, a click shaft, a release member, a first operation knob, a retaining member, a relay member, and a decorative cover.
Further, numerals 36, 37, 38 and 39 indicate waterproof gaskets made of rubber. The stationary platen 29 is fixed to the bearing 28 and forms a configuration that surrounds the movable member 30 and the release member 32 in cooperation with the friction receiving member 40. The movable member 30 has a central square hole 41 shown in FIG.
It is mounted so as to rotate integrally with this rotating shaft 27. This movable member 30 is formed into a hexagonal shape as shown in FIG. and,
This movable member 30 has six peripheral wall surfaces 30A to 30F at portions corresponding to each side of the hexagon, and tongue pieces 42 to 47 (tongue pieces) that protrude radially outward from each of the peripheral wall surfaces 30A to 30F. 45 is not shown)
The holding pieces 48 to 53, each having an L-shaped cross section, form a holding portion that holds and receives a steel ball and a spring, which will be described below. That is, a set of two steel balls and an integral compression spring are disposed within these six holding portions. The above-mentioned steel ball is shown in Figs. 11 and 12 as shown in Figs.
It consists of steel balls 54A to 54F and second steel balls 55A to 55F that lock counterclockwise rotation,
A compression spring 5 is connected between these first and second steel balls.
6A to 56F are interposed. The holding pieces 48 to 53 are fixed to the movable member 30 so that a space is formed between each adjacent holding piece so that a cam portion of a releasing member 32 (to be described later) can be viewed. The release member 32 is loosely attached to the outer periphery of the click shaft 31 fitted onto the rotating shaft 27. The release member 32 is locked by click engagement between first and second click grooves 31A and 31B formed on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft body 31 and a click ball 57 provided on the release member 32 side. It can be in a lockable position and a lockable position. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the release member 32 has six radial arms, and cam portions 32A to 32F that fall downward are provided near the tips of the arms. Further, the release member 32 is fixedly connected to the first operating knob 20 by a screw 58 through the central opening 40B of the friction receiving member 40, as shown in FIG. The first operating knob 20 is rotated in the axial direction along the outer circumference of the bottomed cylindrical retaining member 33 fixed to the rotating shaft 27.
It is operated to move not only the release member 32 fixedly connected to the relay member 34 and the decorative cover 35, but also together with the relay member 34 and the decorative cover 35. The amount of movement at this time is equal to the distance between the first and second click grooves 31A and 31B, and is further moved in the projecting direction by the compression spring S having a biasing force weaker than the above-mentioned click engagement force. It is biased to move, that is, it is biased to move from the non-lockable position to the lockable position.
Note that the retaining member 33 includes a movable member 30 and a shaft body 31 that are fitted in order from the distal end side of the rotating shaft 27, and a release member 3 that is rotated and moved in the axial direction integrally.
2. The first operation knob 20, relay member 34, and decorative cover 35 are prevented from coming off. Ring-shaped inner peripheral surface 40 of the friction receiving member 40 fixed to the fixed platen 29
A is formed into a perfect circular shape. Therefore, since the shape of the outer surface of the movable member 30 is hexagonal, the gap between the inner circumferential surface 40A and the outer surface of the movable member 30 is naturally made up of alternating wide and narrow portions. It is formed. In other words, the above gap is
A narrow gap with a minimum width of d ₁ at a portion of the movable member 30 corresponding to the hexagonal corner, and a wide gap with a maximum width of d ₂ at a portion corresponding to the center of each side of the hexagon. (See Figure 11). First and second steel balls 54A to 54F and 55 are arranged in each of the six gaps thus formed.
For A to 55F, when the diameter is D, d ₁ <
A diameter that satisfies the relationship D<d ₂ is selected.
Further, the holding pieces 48 to 53 are attached to the first and second
The outer surfaces of the steel balls 54A to 54F and 55A to 55F are connected to the inner peripheral surface 40 of the friction receiving member 40.
The compression springs 56A to 56F are formed to at least contact the inner circumferential surface 40.
It is held so that it does not come into contact with A. Further, the release member 32 has its cam portions 32A to 32F entered into a portion corresponding to a corner of the movable member 30. The cam portions 32A to 32F are formed as two-stage cams, and are composed of a lockable state holding cam 32' and a lockable state holding cam 32'' from the distal end side. That is, a lockable state holding cam 32'' is formed. 32' is narrow in width in the circumferential direction, and is connected to the first and second steel balls 54A to 54F.
and 55A to 55F are compression springs 56A to 56
Due to the biasing force F, the inner circumferential surface 40A of the friction receiving member 40 and each circumferential wall surface 30A to 30 of the movable member 30
This makes it possible to bring it into contact with both F and drive a wedge between them.
Further, the lockable state holding cam 32'' is formed wider than the lockable state holding cam 32',
First and second steel balls 54A to 54F and 55A
55F to the inner peripheral surface 40A or each peripheral wall surface 30 against the urging force of the compression springs 56A to 56F.
It is formed to be displaced so as not to come into contact with at least one of A to 30F. Further, the movable member 30 and the release member 32 rotate integrally by the engagement between the interlocking pin 59 installed in the movable member 30 and the opening 32G provided in the release member 32. Note that the radius r ₁ of the interlocking pin 59 and the opening 32
The radius r ₂ of G has the relationship r ₁ < r ₂ , and the amount of rotation corresponding to r ₂ - r ₁ is such that the lockable state holding cam 32' of the release member 32 is rotated by the first or second steel ball 54A.
54F to 55A to 55F against the biasing force of the compression springs 56A to 56F.
The amount of rotation is designed to be such that it can be displaced so as not to contact 0A or at least one of the peripheral wall surfaces 30A to 30F.

The endoscope bending operation device configured as described above is in the state shown in FIG. First and second steel balls 54A to 54F and 55A to 55
The explanation will be given assuming that the current state is between F and F. In such a state, when no rotational operating force is applied to the first operating knob 20, the cam 32' of the release member 32 is rotated as shown in FIG.
is the first or second steel ball 54A to 54
It has no effect on F or 55A to 55F. Therefore, these first and second steel balls 54A to 54F and 55A to 55F are connected to the movable member 30.
Each of the peripheral wall surfaces 30A to 30F and the friction receiving member 40
It is frictionally coupled to the inner peripheral surface 40A of. Then,
The movable member 30 is connected to an immovable friction receiving member 40 and a first
and frictionally coupled and locked via the second steel balls 54A to 54F and 55A to 55F,
A rotating shaft 27 that rotates integrally with this movable member 30
Also locks. Therefore, as is well known, the rotating shaft 2
The lock 7 maintains the curved state of the tip of the insertion portion that has been curved up to that point.

Next, in the endoscope bending operation device, the release member 32 is rotated clockwise by hooking a finger on the first operation knob 20 and rotating the release member 32.
first rotates until the outer periphery of the interlocking pin 59 of the movable member 30 engages with the opening 32G of the release member 32. Then, the cam 32' of the release member 32
As shown in FIG. 12, the first steel balls 54A to 54F are pressed against at least one of the inner circumferential surface 40A or each of the circumferential wall surfaces 30A to 30F in a non-contact manner against the bias of the compression springs 56A to 56F. In other words, the clockwise rotation is unlocked.
Therefore, the rotating shaft 27 is connected to the immovable friction receiving member 40.
The movable member 30 is rotated integrally with the movable member 30 whose frictional connection is released, and the tip of the insertion portion can be curved as is well known. At this time, as the movable member 30 rotates, the second steel balls 55A to 55F tend to escape and are inevitably unable to be locked.

On the other hand, when rotating counterclockwise, the lock is released at the beginning of the rotation due to the same effect as when rotating clockwise, and it goes without saying that the rotation can be performed lightly thereafter without any restraining force. Nor.

Next, the transition from the lockable state to the lockable state, ie, the state shown in FIG. 13, will be explained. In this state, each cam 32'' of the release member 32 is forcibly inserted between the first and second steel balls 54A to 54F and 55A to 55F. 1st and 2nd
Steel balls 54A to 54F and 55A to 55F
are ejected against the biasing force of the compression springs 26A to 56F, and are in a state separated from at least one of the inner circumferential surface 40A of the friction receiving member 40 or each of the circumferential wall surfaces 30A to 30F of the movable member 30, that is, the lock is released. state. Therefore, in this state, the movable member 30 is rotatable clockwise and counterclockwise.

The mechanism for transmitting the operation of the second operating knob 21 to the rotating shaft 27' is similar to the above-mentioned mechanism, and the mechanism transmits the operation of the second operating knob 21 to the rotating shaft 27'.
9', a movable member 30', a click shaft 31', and a release member 32', and has a mechanism similar to that shown in FIGS.

As for the internal structure, the applicant's actual application
-140570 to 140572 may also be used as described in the specifications and drawings.

〔effect〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, the first operation knob and the second operation knob for controlling the curved portion are provided on the main body of the hand operation section, and the first operation knob near the main body of the hand operation section is replaced with the first operation knob on the outside. Since the diameter of the two operation knobs is smaller than that of the two operation knobs, and the two knobs are provided so that they are close to each other or partially overlap, the operator can grasp the main body of the hand operation section with one hand, and the fingertips of the other hand that grips the main body of the hand operation section, For example, use your thumb to
It becomes possible to rotate the operating knob. Therefore, it becomes possible to bend the endoscope with one hand, and it becomes possible to perform necessary treatment with the remaining one hand.
Overall, according to the present invention, the operability is significantly improved, and it is also possible to compactly organize the parts that can be operated at hand.

Further, according to the second invention, in addition to the above-mentioned effects, since the lock is locked when the operation is stopped and is unlocked during the operation, the curved shape up to that point is reliably maintained when the operation hand is released. During operation, it can be bent freely with minimal rotational force, making it light and easy to operate with one hand. Moreover, according to this device, the insertion section can be left in a completely free state, so that the insertion section can be safely extracted from the observation target area as in the conventional case.
The effects achieved by this invention are extremely large.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a front view showing a preferred embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the first operating knob, and Fig. 4 is a plan view of the first operating knob. Figure 5 is a half-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 4, Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along line B-B in Figure 4,
7a and 7b are partially enlarged perspective views of the operation knobs and perspective views showing the relationship with fingers, FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view showing an example of the internal structure, FIG. Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of the main parts, Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view, Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view when the interlocking pin is activated,
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the cam portion of the release member, FIG. 14 is a front view showing a conventional example, and FIG. 15 is a half sectional view showing details of the conventional bending device. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Endoscope, 3... Curved part, 5... Hand operation part main body, 20... First operation knob, 21... Second operation knob, 27, 27'... Rotating shaft, 30, 30'... Movable member, 32, 32'...Release member, 40...Friction receiving member.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A bending operation device for an endoscope that bends a curved portion provided near the distal end of an endoscope with a hand control unit main body via a wire, comprising: first to control
An operating knob and a second operating knob are provided, the first operating knob closer to the main body of the hand operating section is formed to have a smaller diameter than the second operating knob on the outside, and both knobs are provided close to each other or so as to partially overlap. Characteristic endoscope bending operation device. 2. In an endoscope bending operation device that bends a curved portion provided near the distal end of an endoscope with a hand control unit main body via a wire, a first control unit that controls the bending of the curved portion on the hand control unit main body
An operating knob and a second operating knob are provided, the first operating knob closer to the main body of the hand operating unit is formed to have a smaller diameter than the second operating knob on the outside, and both knobs are provided close to each other or so as to partially overlap; and a curving endoscope characterized in that a lock means is provided for separately immobilizing the second operation knob, and a release means is provided for releasing the lock by the lock means when an operating force is applied to each knob. Operating device.