Endoscopic auxiliary devices, endoscope systems, and endoscope units

Abstract

The present invention provides endoscopic auxiliary devices that, when used in conjunction with an endoscope, reduce the burden on doctors and patients, thereby enabling safer procedures. [Solution] The endoscope auxiliary device is an endoscope auxiliary device used attached to the tip of an endoscope, and comprises a first antenna unit installed at the tip, a placement mechanism that places a separation unit, which is separated from the tip in the observation space of the endoscope, into the observation space by pressing it against the inner wall surface of the observation space, a device installed on the separation unit that cooperates with the observation space by the endoscope, and a second antenna unit connected to the device that transmits and receives radio waves with the first antenna unit when at least the separation unit is placed in the observation space.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to an endoscopic auxiliary device, an endoscopic system, and an endoscopic unit.

Background Art

[0002] There is known an endoscopic auxiliary device in which a separate unit provided with a camera or the like is attached to the tip of an endoscope, separated in an observation space after being inserted into a body cavity, and linked with observation by the endoscope to perform treatment of lesions or the like (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The separate unit separated in the observation space inside the body is connected to the tip of the endoscope by a cable, and the device included in the separate unit communicates control signals and the like with the control unit on the endoscope side via the cable. The cable intervening between the tip of the endoscope and the separate unit in the observation space inside the subject's body may interfere with observation by the endoscope and treatment of lesions.

[0005] Therefore, a configuration in which a wireless communication module is mounted on the separate unit and the separate unit is controlled by wireless communication from outside the subject's body is also conceivable. However, wireless communication between inside and outside the subject's body requires strong radio waves considering absorption of radio waves by organ tissues, which may hinder adoption due to adverse effects on organs and enlargement of the separate unit.

[0006] This invention was made to solve these problems and provides an endoscopic auxiliary device, etc., that, when used with an endoscope, reduces the burden on doctors and patients and enables safe procedures. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An endoscope auxiliary device in a first aspect of the present invention is an endoscope auxiliary device used attached to the tip of an endoscope, comprising: a first antenna unit installed at the tip; a placement mechanism that places a separation unit, which is separated from the tip in the observation space of the endoscope, into the observation space by pressing it against the inner wall surface of the observation space; a device installed on the separation unit that cooperates with the observation space by the endoscope; and a second antenna unit connected to the device that transmits and receives radio waves with the first antenna unit, at least when the separation unit is placed in the observation space.

[0008] Furthermore, the endoscope system according to the second aspect of the present invention comprises the above-mentioned endoscope auxiliary device and an endoscope.

[0009] Furthermore, the endoscope unit in the third aspect of the present invention comprises a separation unit that is separated from the tip of the endoscope in the observation space of the endoscope and an antenna unit installed at the tip of the endoscope for communication within the observation space. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The present invention provides an endoscopic auxiliary device that enables safe procedures while reducing the burden on doctors and patients, without interfering with endoscopic observation or treatment of lesions, and without the risk of adverse effects on organs or an increase in the size of the separation unit. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This figure shows the overall endoscopic system with the endoscopic auxiliary device according to this embodiment attached to the endoscope. [Figure 2]This is a schematic diagram showing the endoscope tip inserted into the large intestine and the separation unit equipped with a retention mechanism. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of the separation unit being deployed and separated. [Figure 4] This is an exploded perspective view illustrating the installation of the first antenna section at the tip. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the antenna pattern for the first antenna section. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram illustrating collaborative actions taken on an object under observation. [Figure 7] This is a system configuration diagram of an endoscope support device. [Figure 8] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of other examples of the endoscope tip and separation unit, and how they work together. [Figure 9] Furthermore, this is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of deployment and separation of the separation unit in the tip of an endoscope employing a configuration from another example. [Figure 10] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of deployment and separation of a separation unit employing a configuration from another example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In each drawing, components with the same reference numerals have the same or similar configuration. Furthermore, in each drawing, if there are multiple structures with the same or similar configuration, reference numerals may be assigned to some of them, while the same reference numerals may be omitted to avoid complexity. In addition, not all of the configurations described in the embodiments are necessarily essential as means to solve the problem.

[0013] Figure 1 shows the overall structure of the endoscope system 300 with the endoscope auxiliary device 100 according to this embodiment attached to the endoscope 200. The endoscope auxiliary device 100 according to this embodiment includes a separation unit 110 that is detachably attached to the tip 211 of the insertion tube 210 of the endoscope 200, and a first antenna unit 160, an analog cable 162, and a first control unit 163 that are attached to the endoscope 200 side.

[0014] The separation unit 110 is attached to the tip 211 at the start of use and is positioned at the very front when inserted into the patient's body cavity. The first antenna 160 is attached to and fixed to the outer surface of the tip 211. The first control unit 163 functions as a communication unit for communicating with the separation unit 110 via the first antenna 160 and is installed on the handle 220 of the endoscope 200. The analog cable 162 is, for example, a coaxial cable connecting the first antenna 160 and the first control unit 163 and is routed along the insertion tube 210. In this embodiment, the analog cable 162 is described as being routed along the outer surface of the insertion tube 210 and curving together with the insertion tube 210, but it may also be housed inside the insertion tube 210.

[0015] The endoscope 200 comprises an insertion tube 210, a handle 220, an operating dial 231, operating buttons 232, a cable 240, and an air port 250. The insertion tube 210 is flexible and, when manipulated by the physician, is inserted into the patient's body cavity to allow the endoscope auxiliary device 100 and the tip 211 to reach the observation space within the body cavity. The handle 220 is a gripping part held by the physician, and operating dials 231 and buttons 232 are provided near the handle 220 as operating members. By operating these operating members, the physician can operate the treatment tools and camera unit provided on the tip 211, adjust the orientation of the tip 211, and give control instructions to the endoscope auxiliary device 100.

[0016] The cable 240 is connected to a control unit composed of, for example, a PC or the like, and includes signal lines for transmitting the respective image data captured by the camera unit equipped at the tip portion 211 and the camera unit equipped at the separation unit 110 to the control unit. The control unit processes the image data received from the endoscope 200 and the endoscope assistance device 100 and visibly displays it on the connected display panel. The cable 240 includes a power supply line for supplying the power required by the endoscope 200 and the first control unit 163. The air port 250 is connected to a compressor via an air tube, and can send the air taken in from the compressor toward the tip portion 211 in response to the operation of the operation member by the doctor.

[0017] When the separation unit 110 attached to the tip portion 211 of the endoscope 200 reaches the target observation space in the body cavity of the subject, it is deployed and executes auxiliary operations for observation and treatment by the endoscope 200. The observation space is defined for each use of various endoscopes, and for example, the internal spaces of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, small intestine, large intestine, etc. can be targeted. The endoscope 200 in the present embodiment can observe and treat a target site in the internal space of the large intestine as an example, and the endoscope assistance device 100 will be described as being manufactured corresponding to the endoscope 200. The endoscope assistance devices attached to other types of endoscopes can be appropriately changed in their respective elements and configurations according to the nature of the observation space, target site, etc.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the tip portion 211 of the insertion tube 210 inserted into the internal space of the large intestine 910 and the separation unit 110 provided with the balloon 111. Specifically, it is a view obtained by cutting off a part along the extending direction of the large intestine 910 and looking down, and shows a state of observing the lesion 920 occurring on the inner wall surface 911 as the target site.

[0019] In Figure 2, the separation unit 110 of the endoscope auxiliary device 100 is separated from the tip 211 of the insertion tube 210. The separation unit 110 mainly comprises a balloon 111, a support part 120, a second antenna part 122, a camera unit 130, an LED 140, and a second control unit 153.

[0020] The balloon 111 functions as a placement mechanism that deploys and presses against the inner wall surface 911 of the observation space to place the separation unit 110 in the observation space. In other words, the balloon 111 inflates in the observation space it reaches, thereby positioning the separation unit 110 at a specific location in the large intestine 910. The balloon 111 is made of, for example, silicone rubber.

[0021] The support portion 120 has a cylindrical shape with a diameter similar to that of the tip portion 211 and functions as the central axis supporting the balloon 111. The support portion 120 is rigid enough not to deform easily, and materials such as PEEK (Poly Ether Ether Ketone) resin, rigid polyurethane, and polysulfone (Poly arylether-aryl sulfone) can be used for it.

[0022] Furthermore, the support section 120 has an air conduit 150 inside, one end of which is connected to the air tube 251 described later, and the other end is connected to the opening of the balloon 111. When air is supplied from the air conduit 150 in the observation space, the balloon 111 expands. The air conduit 150 has a valve mechanism inside to prevent backflow of air that has flowed into the balloon 111. Therefore, even if the separation unit 110 is separated from the tip section 211, the balloon 111 will not deflate in a short time. In this embodiment, air is used as the fluid to expand the balloon 111, but it does not have to be air; other gases or liquids may be used.

[0023] The support portion 120 has a fitting ring 121 on one end of its cylindrical shape that faces the tip portion 211 of the insertion tube 210. The fitting ring 121 functions as a detachment mechanism that detaches the separation unit 110 from the tip portion 211 in the observation space. Specifically, the fitting ring 121 has a cylindrical shape with a diameter smaller than the cylindrical diameter of the support portion 120, and the separation unit 110 is attached to the tip portion 211 by fitting a part of its outer circumferential surface with the inner circumferential surface of the ring opening 212 provided on the tip portion 211 of the insertion tube 210. Then, when the balloon 111 is inflated in the observation space and the insertion tube 210 is displaced in the withdrawal direction with the endoscope auxiliary device 100 installed in a specific position, the tip ring 212 detaches from the fitting ring 121 due to exceeding the frictional force of the fitting. In other words, the separation unit 110 detaches from the tip portion 211 of the endoscope 200.

[0024] In this embodiment, a fitting ring 121 is used as the detachment mechanism, but the mechanism for detaching the separation unit 110 from the tip 211 is not limited to this. For example, a snap-fit ​​mechanism that locks in the pushing direction but detaches in the pulling direction may be used, or an electronic lock that maintains a locked state using electromagnetic force and releases the locked state when turned off may be used. In any case, any mechanism that allows the separation unit 110 to be detached from the tip 211 of the endoscope 200 in the observation space is acceptable.

[0025] The camera unit 130 and LED 140 are devices installed on the support portion 120, and each is installed facing the inner wall surface 911. Multiple camera units 130 and LED 140 may be installed around the cylindrical surface of the support portion 120, for example, to allow observation in the 360-degree direction.

[0026] As shown in the figure, when the balloon 111 is inflated and deployed, the support part 120 is supported by the balloon 111 as if it were fixed in the hollow of the observation space without touching or being too close to the inner wall surface 911 of the colon 910. When the support part 120 is supported by the balloon 111 in this way, the camera unit 130, which is positioned radially with respect to the central axis of the support part 120, is appropriately spaced away from the inner wall surface 911 and can properly image the opposing inner wall surface 911. Therefore, the camera unit 130 can capture the lesion 920 relatively easily. The physician can estimate the location of the lesion 920 from the image from the camera unit 130.

[0027] The camera unit 130 and LED 140 are connected to a second control unit 153 housed in the support unit 120, and operate by receiving control signals from the second control unit 153. The image signal captured by the camera unit 130 is also transmitted to the second control unit 153. The power required for the operation of the second control unit 153, camera unit 130, and LED 140 is supplied, for example, by a small battery located on the second control unit 153.

[0028] A second antenna section 122 is attached to and fixed to a part of the cylindrical surface of the mating ring 121. The second antenna section 122 is electrically connected to the second control unit 153, for example, via a coaxial cable. When the balloon 111 is deployed and the separation unit 110 is placed in the observation space, the support section 120 is stably fixed in the hollow space of the observation space as described above, so that the second antenna section 122 can transmit and receive radio waves well with the first antenna section 160. Note that the second antenna section 122 is not limited to the cylindrical surface of the mating ring 121, but may be attached to and fixed to any constituent surface of the support section 120 that is exposed to the outside when placed in position, as long as it can transmit and receive radio waves well with the first antenna section 160.

[0029] The tip 211 of the endoscope 200 has a cylindrical ring opening 212, and a camera unit 260 and an LED 270 are positioned so as to protrude slightly from the inside of the ring opening 212. The image signal of the image captured by the camera unit 260 is transmitted to a control unit connected to the endoscope 200 via a communication cable (not shown) inserted inside the insertion tube 210. The LED 270 illuminates the imaging range of the camera unit 260. One end of an air tube 251 is also visible inside the ring opening 212. One end of the air tube 251 is connected to one end of an air conduit 150 provided on the support part 120 until the separation unit 110 is separated, and guides the air supplied from the air port 250 to the air conduit 150.

[0030] The first antenna section 160 is wrapped around and attached to the outer surface of the tip section 211, including the outer surface of the ring opening 212, and is fixed in place. The first antenna section 160 is electrically connected to the analog cable 162.

[0031] The tip 211 can bend relative to the extension direction of the insertion tube 210 by a drive mechanism (not shown), thereby changing the orientation of the camera unit 260. The physician can manually displace the insertion tube 210 in the forward and backward directions and adjust the orientation of the tip 211 by the drive mechanism to position the camera unit 260 at an appropriate distance and orientation relative to the lesion 920. In this process, the position of the lesion 920 estimated from the image captured by the camera unit 130 of the separation unit 110 serves as valuable reference information.

[0032] The physician can examine the lesion 920 using images from the camera unit 130 installed on the support section 120 and images from the camera unit 260 installed on the tip section 211. In other words, the lesion 920 can be examined from two different viewpoints. Therefore, the physician can observe the lesion 920 in more detail and make a more accurate diagnosis of the lesion 920.

[0033] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the process from the deployment of the separation unit 110 until it is separated. Figure 3(A) shows the insertion tube 210 being pushed into the large intestine 910 to search for the lesion 920. The separation unit 110 is attached to the tip 211 of the insertion tube 210 and moves forward through the large intestine 910 at the front of the insertion tube 210. At this time, the balloon 111 is in a deflated state and attached to the support part 120. The LED 140 illuminates the inner wall surface 911, and the camera unit 130 performs imaging and transmits the image signal to the first control unit 163 in real time. As will be described later, the camera unit 130 can transmit the image signal to the first control unit 163 by wireless communication after the separation unit 110 has been separated, but it can also transmit to the first control unit 163 before separation. Furthermore, to facilitate observation of the direction of travel of the insertion tube 210 before the separation unit 110 is separated, a separate camera unit and LED may be provided at the tip of the support unit 120, facing the direction of travel. In cases where such a camera unit, etc., is provided, it is sufficient to configure it so that its image signal is transmitted sequentially to the control unit 163 via wireless communication.

[0034] Figure 3(B) shows the process of inflating the balloon 111 after the lesion 920, which is the target of observation, has been found. Once the lesion 920 is found as shown in Figure 3(A), the forward movement of the insertion tube 210 is stopped within the range in which the camera unit 130 can capture the lesion 920, and the balloon 111 is inflated.

[0035] The internal space of the balloon 111 is connected to a continuously connected air conduit 150 and air tube 251, and the balloon 111 inflates as air supplied from the air port 250 is sent through these passages. When the balloon 111 inflates, its surface eventually comes into close contact with the inner wall surface 911 of the large intestine 910 over its entire circumferential surface, and as it expands further, it presses against the inner wall surface 911. When the balloon 111 presses against the inner wall surface 911 and the air supply is stopped, the valve mechanism of the air conduit 150 acts to maintain its inflated state. During the period in which this inflated state is maintained, the balloon 111, and by extension the entire separation unit 110, is left in the observation space. In other words, the separation unit 110 can be prevented from easily moving from a specific position within the large intestine 910.

[0036] Furthermore, as the balloon 111 expands, the support portion 120 becomes supported by the balloon 111, as if floating in the air of the observation space, as described above. Therefore, a device installed on the support portion 120 can stably exert its effect (imaging the inner wall surface 911 in the case of a camera unit 130) on the inner wall surface 911 of the observation space by using the balloon 111 as a kind of scaffolding.

[0037] Figure 3(C) shows the separation unit 110 being detached from the tip 211. As described above, once the balloon 111 is inflated and placed in the observation space, the separation unit 110 will not move with slight external force. If the physician pulls the insertion tube 210 back slightly in this state, the fitting ring 121 and the ring opening 212 will disengage, and the tip 211 will separate from the separation unit 110. At this time, the second antenna portion 122, which was fixed to the outer surface of the fitting ring 121, will be exposed to the observation space.

[0038] When the tip 211 separates from the separation unit 110, the camera unit 260 on the endoscope side is also exposed to the observation space, allowing imaging by the camera unit 260 to begin. The physician can observe the separation of the separation unit 110 from the image from the camera unit 260.

[0039] In endoscopes using an overtube, a separation unit is placed in front of the tip of the endoscope and inserted into the overtube together with the tip of the endoscope. The inserted separation unit is guided by the overtube to the vicinity of the observation space. The separation unit is then pushed out from the end of the overtube into the observation space and detached from the endoscope. In this configuration where the endoscope uses an overtube, the first antenna unit 160 may be installed at the tip of the overtube. When the first antenna unit 160 is installed in the overtube, the analog cable 162 may be routed along the side of the overtube. In this case, a lumen may be routed along the outer or inner surface of the overtube, and the analog cable 162 may be inserted through the inside of the lumen.

[0040] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the installation of the first antenna section 160 on the tip section 211. The tip section 211 has a movable section located slightly away from the tip, and as described above, it can be bent relative to the extension direction of the insertion tube 210 by a drive mechanism (not shown). The section closer to the tip than the movable section is a non-movable section that does not bend, and the first antenna section 160 is wrapped around and fixed to the outer surface of this non-movable section. The length of the non-movable section relative to the extension direction is, for example, about 15 mm in an endoscope with a tip section having a diameter of 12 mm.

[0041] The first antenna section 160 is a rectangular flexible substrate on which an antenna pattern, described later, is formed. The analog cable 162 is electrically connected to the electrodes of the first antenna section 160 at its end and is fixed to the outer surface of the insertion tube 210 with adhesive or the like, as described above. The first antenna section 160 is wrapped around the outer surface of the non-movable section and fixed with adhesive or the like, as described above, but in this embodiment, a polyethylene sheet 161 as an electromagnetic shielding member is sandwiched between it and the outer surface. That is, the polyethylene sheet 161 is wrapped around and fixed in contact with the outer surface of the non-movable section, and the first antenna section 160 is wrapped around and fixed in contact with the polyethylene sheet 161. The polyethylene sheet 161 is formed to be approximately the same as or slightly larger than the substrate shape of the first antenna section 160 in terms of its outer shape, and its thickness is about 1 mm. In this way, by interposing an electromagnetic shielding member, it is possible to suppress the propagation of electromagnetic noise from the camera unit 260 etc., which is disposed inside the tip section 211, to the first antenna section 160.

[0042] Figure 5 shows an example of the antenna pattern of the first antenna section 160. The antenna pattern of the first antenna section 160 is required to have the performance to communicate well with the second antenna section 122, which is provided on the fitting ring 121, one end of the support section 120 of the separation unit 110 placed in the observation space, that faces the tip 211 of the insertion tube 210.

[0043] As described above, since the first antenna section 160 is attached by being wrapped around the tip section 211, in order to achieve good communication with the second antenna section 122, it is desirable that its antenna pattern has high directivity in front of the wrapping axis (the central axis of the tip section 211).

[0044] As a result of repeated trial and error, the inventors of the present invention have found that a pattern in which two spiral patterns facing opposite directions when unfolded on a plane are arranged in parallel, as shown in Figure 5, can be obtained to obtain high directivity. For example, the material of the first antenna section 160 is copper for the antenna pattern and polyimide resin for the substrate.

[0045] Next, we will describe collaborative treatment using the separation unit 110, which utilizes wireless communication between the first antenna unit 160 and the second antenna unit 122. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating collaborative treatment of an object under observation. Specifically, as an example of collaborative treatment of an object under observation, it shows how the lesion 920 is observed from multiple viewpoints, which is essentially the same as shown in Figure 2.

[0046] As shown in the diagram, the camera unit 130 installed on the support section 120 is capturing the lesion 920. In addition, the tip 211 of the insertion tube 210 is slightly curved upward, and as a result, the camera unit 260 is capturing the lesion 920 within its field of view. In other words, the lesion 920 is captured from different directions by multiple camera units.

[0047] Even with the tip 211 of the first antenna section 160 and the second antenna section 122 curved in this manner, the distance between them is short and there are no obstacles between them. Therefore, good communication is possible through the directional characteristics described above and the selection of the radio frequency band described later. In other words, high-speed and high-intensity wireless communication can be achieved without being affected by absorption of radio waves by organ tissue or complex reflections. Consequently, stable transmission and reception can be expected even for high-resolution and high-frame-rate video signals.

[0048] Figure 7 is a system configuration diagram of the endoscope auxiliary device 100. Of the main elements of the endoscope auxiliary device 100 that involve at least one of transmitting and receiving electrical signals, the first antenna unit 160, wireless controller 164, and endoscope system I / O 165 are located on the endoscope 200 side, while the second antenna unit 122, wireless controller 154, device control unit 155, camera unit 130, and LED 140 are located on the separation unit 110 side.

[0049] The wireless controller 164 and the endoscope system I / O 165 are located in the first control unit 163, which is situated near the handle 220, as described above. The endoscope system I / O 165 is an input / output interface that exchanges control signals and data with the control system of the endoscope 200. For example, a physician can send an instruction to start imaging to the camera unit 130 of the separation unit 110 via the endoscope system I / O 165 by operating the operation dial 231 or operation button 232 of the endoscope 200. The image signal captured by the camera unit 130 is then passed to the control unit of the endoscope 200 via the endoscope system I / O 165, where it is processed and displayed on a display monitor connected to the endoscope 200.

[0050] The wireless controller 164 includes a communication control module for realizing wireless communication between the first antenna unit 160 and the second antenna unit 122, and functions in conjunction with the wireless controller 154 provided on the separation unit 110 side. In this embodiment, since communication is performed in the special environment of an organ lumen, the inventors of the present invention repeatedly experimented and found that good communication can be achieved in a frequency band of 2.4 GHz or more and less than 5.5 GHz. Therefore, in this embodiment, as an example of a preferred communication module that satisfies this condition, a module compliant with the Low Energy standard of Bluetooth® is adopted. In particular, a module compliant with the Low Energy standard is suitable as a communication module in this embodiment because it operates on a small battery. The wireless controller 164 and the first antenna unit 160 are electrically connected to each other via an analog cable 162.

[0051] The wireless controller 154 and the device control unit 155 are located in the second control unit 153, which is housed in the support section 120 of the separation unit 110, as described above. The wireless controller 154 is electrically connected to the second antenna section 122, and, as described above, together with the wireless controller 164, it enables wireless communication between the first antenna section 160 and the second antenna section 122.

[0052] The device control unit 155 includes a processor (CPU: Central Processing Unit) that controls the devices of the isolation unit 110 according to control signals received via the wireless controller 154, and receives output signals from the devices and transmits them to the wireless controller 154. The processor may be configured to work in conjunction with an arithmetic processing chip such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0053] The camera unit 130 includes an image sensor and a lens, and receives control signals from the device control unit 155 to perform imaging processing. The camera unit 130 returns the image signal generated by the imaging processing to the device control unit 155. The LED 140 receives control signals from the device control unit 155 to turn on and off. If other devices are installed in the separation unit 110 instead of the camera unit 130 or the LED 140, or together with the camera unit 130 or the LED 140, the device control unit 155 is responsible for controlling those other devices.

[0054] Next, several modifications of this embodiment will be described in order with reference to the figures. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of another example of the endoscope tip and separation unit and how they work together. The separation unit 110 shown in Figure 8 further includes an indexing mechanism 180 as a device, and the endoscope 200 further includes forceps 280 at its tip 211.

[0055] The traction mechanism 180 includes a clip 181 for grasping the lesion 920 and a traction arm 182 for pulling the clip 181. The traction arm 182 is driven by an actuator (not shown) that can pull the clip 181, located at its tip, toward the support 120. The actuator that drives the traction arm 182 is controlled by a control signal generated by the device control unit 155 in response to a physician's operating instruction transmitted wirelessly to the device control unit 155.

[0056] At the tip 211, a forceps 280 is installed in addition to the camera unit 260. With this configuration of the indexing mechanism 180 and forceps 280, the clip 181 is stably supported by the balloon 111, allowing the lesion 920 to be pulled in a direction different from the direction in which the forceps 280 is extended. As a result, the physician can perform the incision procedure with the forceps 280 much more easily and accurately while checking the images from the camera units 130 and 260. In this modified example, the indexing mechanism 180 was described as an example of other devices mounted on the separation unit 110, but the separation unit 110 may also be equipped with forceps 280 or other devices such as an electrosurgical unit. Furthermore, the separation unit 110 does not necessarily have to include the camera unit 130 as a mounted device, and the mounted device can be appropriately selected according to the specifications of the separation unit 110.

[0057] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of deployment and separation of the separation unit at the tip 211 of the endoscope 200, which employs a configuration of yet another example. In this modified example, the configuration of the separation unit 110 is the same as that described using Figure 2, etc., but the configuration of the first antenna section 160' differs from the configuration of the first antenna section 160 described above.

[0058] Figure 9(A) corresponds to Figure 3(A) and shows the insertion tube 210 being pushed into the large intestine 910 to search for a lesion 920. The tip 211 in this modified example has a deployment jig 170, and the separation unit 110 is attached to the tip 211 via the deployment jig 170. The deployment jig 170 has a fitting portion into which the fitting ring 121 fits. The operation until the lesion 920 is found is the same as that described using Figure 3(A).

[0059] Figure 9(B) corresponds to Figure 3(C) and shows the separation unit 110 being detached from the tip 211. The operation of inflating the balloon 111 is the same as in Figure 3(B) and is therefore omitted.

[0060] When the balloon 111 is inflated and placed in the observation space, the physician slightly pulls back the insertion tube 210, causing the fitting ring 121 and the deployment jig 170 to disengage, and the tip 211, along with the deployment jig 170, separates from the separation unit 110. At this time, the second antenna portion 122, which was fixed to the outer surface of the fitting ring 121, is exposed to the observation space.

[0061] Figure 9(C) shows how the deployment jig 170, provided on the tip 211, deploys, directing the first antenna section 160' toward the second antenna section 122. The deployment jig 170 is pushed out from the tip 211 by an actuator (not shown) that operates in response to the detachment of the separation unit 110, and deploys by rotating around a rotation axis perpendicular to the central axis of the tip 211. The first antenna section 160' is attached to and fixed to the deployment jig 170, and the first antenna section 160', which was facing the camera unit 260 before deployment, becomes facing the second antenna section 122 when the deployment jig 170 is deployed. The rotation angle of the deployment jig 170 can be adjusted as appropriate depending on the shape and directivity of the first antenna section 160', its relative position to the separation unit 110, etc. For example, if wireless communication between the first antenna section 160' and the second antenna section 122 is good at a rotation angle of 90 degrees, the deployment jig 170 is rotated up to 90 degrees.

[0062] Thus, when the first antenna section 160' is fixed to the deployment jig 170, the first antenna section 160' can be brought closer to the second antenna section 122, and a planar loop antenna can also be used, thereby increasing the design flexibility.

[0063] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of deployment and separation of a separation unit 110' employing a configuration of yet another example. Separation unit 110' differs from the above-mentioned separation unit 110, which employs a balloon 111, in that it employs a deployment cable 112 as a retention mechanism. The deployment cable 112 is a spirally wound wire-shaped member made of a temperature-responsive shape memory polymer (SMP). The temperature-responsive shape memory polymer is hard like plastic at temperatures below a controlled glass transition temperature (e.g., 35°C), and when heated above the glass transition temperature, it softens into a rubbery state and changes to the stored shape. Then, when the temperature returns to below the glass transition temperature, it hardens like plastic while maintaining the stored shape.

[0064] Figure 10(A) corresponds to Figure 3(A) and shows the insertion tube 210 being pushed into the large intestine 910 to search for the lesion 920. The support portion 120 of the separation unit 110' in this modified example has the deployment cord 112 wrapped around it in a contracted state. The procedure for finding the lesion 920 is the same as that described using Figure 3(A).

[0065] Figure 10(B) corresponds to Figure 3(B) and shows the deployment of the deployment cord 112 after the lesion 920, which is the object of observation, has been discovered. Once the lesion 920 is discovered as shown in Figure 10(A), the camera unit 130 stops advancing the insertion tube 210 within the range in which it can capture the lesion 920, and the deployment cord 112 is deployed.

[0066] The deployment cable 112 is equipped with a heating wire 113 as a core material. The heating wire 113 is, for example, a nichrome wire or a platinum wire and is embedded along the extension direction of the SMP. The heating wire 113 is, For example, heat is generated when power is supplied from a small battery located on the second control unit 153.

[0067] When the deployment cord 112 is heated above its glass transition temperature by the heat generated by the heating wire 113, it softens into a rubbery state and expands its spiral shape. Eventually, its surface adheres tightly to the inner wall surface 911 of the large intestine 910 across its entire outer surface, and as it expands further, it presses against the inner wall surface 911. Once the deployment cord 112 presses against the inner wall surface 911, the power supply is stopped, and as it cools naturally back down to a temperature below the glass transition temperature, it returns to a plastic state and maintains its deployed state while maintaining a certain elasticity. During the period in which this deployed state is maintained, the deployment cord 112, and by extension the entire separation unit 110', is left in the observation space. In other words, the separation unit 110' can be prevented from easily moving from its fixed position within the large intestine 910.

[0068] Furthermore, as the deployment cable 112 is deployed, the support section 120 is supported by the deployment cable 112, appearing to float in the air within the observation space. Therefore, the device installed on the support section 120 can exert a stable force on the inner wall surface 911 of the observation space by utilizing the deployment cable 112, which acts as a kind of scaffolding, as a retention mechanism.

[0069] Figure 10(C) corresponds to Figure 3(C) and shows the separation unit 110' being detached from the tip 211. As described above, once the deployment cable 112 is deployed and placed in the observation space, the separation unit 110' becomes immobile even with some external force. In this state, if the physician slightly pulls back the insertion tube 210, the fitting ring 121 and the ring opening 212 disengage, and the tip 211 separates from the separation unit 110. At this time, the second antenna portion 122, which was fixed to the outer surface of the fitting ring 121, is exposed in the observation space.

[0070] With this configuration, similar to the separation unit 110 employing a balloon 111, the physician can freely move the tip 211 of the insertion tube 210 relative to the implanted separation unit 110'. Furthermore, by configuring the implantation mechanism in a spiral shape, it is expected that the airflow within the large intestine 910 will not be obstructed, thereby reducing the burden on the patient. The deployment cord 112 can also be made of shape memory alloy (SMA). When using shape memory alloy, it is preferable to adjust the design so that the shape memory effect occurs at body temperature (around 37°C) and so that the spiral implantation mechanism deploys at a predetermined position in the body. The deployed shape may be a grid shape, such as a stent, rather than a spiral. In addition, the balloon 111 of the separation unit 110 may also be formed in a donut shape by providing a ventilation hole that penetrates along the direction of extension of the large intestine 910.

[0071] The above describes the endoscopic auxiliary device according to this embodiment, including modified examples, and the endoscopic system including the endoscope in which the endoscopic auxiliary device works in cooperation. However, the specific embodiments are not limited to the above examples and can be modified in various ways depending on the organ to be observed and the required specifications. For example, the above embodiments describe an example of an endoscopic auxiliary device that is additionally equipped to a commonly used endoscope, but it is also possible to design the endoscope itself to be optimal according to the specifications of the endoscopic auxiliary device. For example, a processor that comprehensively controls devices such as the camera unit that are naturally included in the endoscope and the devices included in the endoscopic auxiliary device may be provided, or a dedicated operating member for controlling the separation unit may be provided on the handle of the endoscope.

[0072] Furthermore, it is possible to design an endoscope unit that optimizes the endoscope by incorporating some elements of an endoscopic auxiliary device, for example, to enable effective collaboration with various separation units. For instance, an endoscope unit may be provided in which the antenna section for communicating with the separation unit within the observation space is optimally positioned to match the shape of the endoscope tip.

[0073] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment was based on the premise that one physician operating the endoscope also operates the endoscopic support device, for example, a separate operating member may be provided so that the device mounted on the separation unit 110 can be operated by a physician or assistant other than the physician operating the endoscope.

[0074] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes a case in which the separation unit is stationary at a specific position, in cases such as when a deployable cable that stores two states is used as the stationary mechanism, the separation unit can repeatedly be displaced and stationary within the observation space. Even when the separation unit changes position in this way, wireless communication using the first antenna section and the second antenna section remains effective. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 100, 100'... Endoscope auxiliary device, 110, 110'... Separation unit, 111... Balloon, 112... Deployment cable, 113... Heating wire, 120... Support part, 121... Fitting ring, 122... Second antenna part, 130... Camera unit, 140... LED, 150... Air conduit, 153... Second control unit, 154... Wireless controller, 155... Device control unit, 160... First antenna part, 161... Polyethylene sheet, 162... Analog cable, 163... First control unit, 164 …Wireless controller, 165…Endoscope system I / O, 170…Deployment jig, 180…Indexing mechanism, 181…Clip, 182…Indexing arm, 200…Endoscope, 210…Insertion tube, 211…Tip, 212…Ring opening, 220…Handle, 231…Operation dial, 232…Operation button, 240…Cable, 250…Air port, 251…Air tube, 260…Camera unit, 270…LED, 280…Forceps, 300…Endoscope system, 910…Colon, 911…Inner wall surface, 920…Legion

Claims

1. An endoscopic auxiliary device used attached to the tip of an endoscope, The first antenna section installed at the tip, A placement mechanism for placing a separation unit, which is separated from the tip of the endoscope, in the observation space of the endoscope by pressing it against the inner wall surface of the observation space, A device installed in the separation unit that assists in the observation of the observation space by the endoscope, A second antenna unit connected to the device, which transmits and receives radio waves with the first antenna unit when at least the separation unit is placed in the observation space, An endoscope auxiliary device equipped with the following features.

2. The endoscopic auxiliary device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication is performed in a frequency band of 2.4 GHz or more and less than 5.5 GHz.

3. The wireless communication controller is provided on the handle portion of the endoscope. The endoscopic auxiliary device according to claim 1, wherein the analog cable connecting the first antenna unit and the controller is arranged along the insertion tube of the endoscope.

4. The endoscope auxiliary device according to claim 1, wherein the tip portion has a deployment jig that directs the first antenna portion toward the second antenna portion after the separation of the separation unit.

5. The endoscope auxiliary device according to claim 1, wherein the tip portion on which the first antenna portion is installed is the outer peripheral surface of a non-movable portion of an insertion tube, at which an endoscope camera is provided, that is located on the tip side of the movable portion for adjusting the observation direction of the endoscope.

6. The endoscope auxiliary device according to claim 5, further comprising an electromagnetic shielding member between the first antenna portion and the outer peripheral surface.

7. The endoscope auxiliary device according to claim 1, wherein the tip portion on which the first antenna portion is installed is the tip portion of an overtube that guides an endoscope camera to insert an insertion tube provided at its tip.

8. An endoscope auxiliary device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, Endoscope and An endoscopic system equipped with [the following features].

9. An endoscope unit comprising a separation unit that separates from the tip of the endoscope in the observation space of the endoscope, and an antenna unit installed at the tip of the endoscope for communication within the observation space.

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