Endoscope

Abstract

The present invention provides an endoscope that can fully utilize the performance of multiple parts with different degrees of bending while effectively preventing damage to the pipeline. The endoscope includes an insertion portion and a pipeline arranged inside the insertion portion. The insertion portion includes a bending portion that can bend according to an operation, and a flexible tube portion that can bend due to an external force unrelated to the operation. The pipeline includes an inner layer and an outer layer formed outside the inner layer, the inner layer is formed of polytetrafluoroethylene with a solid structure, and the outer layer is formed of polytetrafluoroethylene with a porous structure. The porosity of the outer layer in the bending portion is smaller than the porosity of the outer layer in the flexible tube portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an endoscope. Background Art

[0002] An endoscope generally has an insertion section that is inserted into a subject's body (such as the digestive organs). The insertion section contains a light guide for transmitting light and electrical wiring for transmitting electrical signals from the imaging unit. Additionally, the insertion section contains pipes for water or air supply, as well as a treatment tool line for inserting and removing treatment tools.

[0003] The insertion portion of an endoscope needs to be able to flexibly change its shape within the body of a subject. Therefore, various conduits included in the insertion portion are also expected to have high flexibility.

[0004] However, increasing the flexibility of the tubing increases the likelihood of bending. Furthermore, the insertion and removal of the therapeutic instrument tubing can cause the inner wall to become thinner, potentially damaging the tubing. Therefore, for example, the endoscopes disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 feature a two-layer design for the therapeutic instrument tubing: an inner layer composed of a solid polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and an outer layer composed of a porous PTFE.

[0005] On the other hand, the front end of the insertion portion of the endoscope is usually equipped with a bending portion that can actively bend according to the operator's operation. In addition, the insertion portion also has a flexible tube portion, which is passively bent, for example, by the front end contacting the wall of the digestive organ, and is not affected by the operator's operation. As described above, since the insertion portion has a bending portion that can actively bend and a flexible tube portion that only produces passive bending, it is easy to photograph any part inside the digestive organ. In addition, the flexible tube portion is sometimes further divided into multiple parts with different degrees of bending.

[0006] As mentioned above, conventional endoscopes have a bending section capable of active bending and a flexible tubing section capable of passive bending. However, in conventional endoscopes, the flexibility of the therapeutic instrument tubing is generally uniform over the entire length of the bending section and the insertion section. Consequently, the flexible tubing section may not provide sufficient flexibility, preventing the desired movement. Conversely, if the tubing is too flexible in the bending section, damage, including bending, may occur.

[0007] Prior art literature

[0008] Patent Literature

[0009] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-46314

[0010] Patent Document 2: International Publication No. 2008 / 088087 Summary of the Invention

[0011] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0012] An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope that can fully utilize the performance of multiple parts with different degrees of bending while effectively preventing damage to the pipeline.

[0013] Technical solutions to problems

[0014] To address the above-mentioned issues, the endoscope according to the present invention comprises an insertion portion and a conduit disposed within the insertion portion. The insertion portion includes a bending portion that can bend in response to an operation, and a flexible tubular portion that can bend in response to an external force unrelated to the operation. The conduit comprises an inner layer formed of a solid polytetrafluoroethylene and an outer layer formed of a porous polytetrafluoroethylene, formed outside the inner layer. The porosity of the outer layer in the bending portion is lower than that of the outer layer in the flexible tubular portion.

[0015] Effects of the Invention

[0016] According to the endoscope of the present invention, it is possible to provide an endoscope that can fully utilize the performance of a plurality of portions having different degrees of bending and effectively suppress damage to a conduit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 This is an external view of the endoscope system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 It is a schematic perspective view illustrating a partial structure of the distal end portion 104 of the endoscope 100 .

[0019] Figure 3 It is a cross-sectional view illustrating the cross-sectional structure of the distal end portion 104 in detail.

[0020] Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the connecting portion 103A, the first flexible tube portion 101A, and the second flexible tube portion 101B.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of the treatment instrument channel 141 according to the first embodiment.

[0022] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of the treatment instrument channel 141 according to the second embodiment.

[0023] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a treatment instrument channel 141 according to a modified example of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The present embodiment is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals represent elements with the same function. In addition, the accompanying drawings illustrate embodiments and installation examples based on the principles of the present disclosure. Their purpose is to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure, not to limit the present disclosure. The description in this specification is merely illustrative and is not intended to limit the claims or embodiments of the present disclosure in any way.

[0025] In this embodiment, although those skilled in the art have described the implementation of the present disclosure in sufficient detail, it is necessary to understand that other installations and forms are also possible, and that changes in composition and structure and replacement of various components can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the technical concept of the present disclosure. Therefore, the following description should not be limited to this.

[0026] [Implementation Method 1]

[0027] First, an endoscope system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. Figure 1 is an external view of the endoscope system 1 according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of the distal end portion 104 of the endoscope 100. The endoscope system 1 is roughly composed of the endoscope 100, a processor 200, a light source device 300, a water and air supply unit 400, a suction unit 500, a display 600, and an input unit 700.

[0028] The endoscope 100 is configured to be insertable into a subject's body, and has a function of capturing an image of the subject and transmitting an image signal of the captured image to the processor 200. The processor 200 receives the image signal from the endoscope 100 and performs predetermined signal processing.

[0029] The light source device 300 is configured to be connectable to the processor 200 and includes a light source therein for emitting light that illuminates the subject. Light from the light source is directed toward the subject via a light guide, described later. The light source device 300 can be separate from the processor 200, connectable to the processor 200, or embedded within the processor 200.

[0030] The water and air supply unit 400 includes an air pump for discharging water or air to be supplied to the subject. The suction unit 500 includes a pump and a tank (not shown) for sucking body fluids and resected material from the subject via the endoscope 100.

[0031] The display 600 is a display device that displays information based on, for example, the results of data processing by the processor 200. The input unit 700 is a device for inputting instructions from the operator in various measurement operations.

[0032] The endoscope 100 includes an insertion portion 10, a manual operation portion 102, a universal cable 105, and a connector portion 106. The insertion portion 10 further includes a flexible tube portion 101, a connecting portion 103A, a bending portion 103, and a distal end portion 104.

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown, the insertion section 10 of the endoscope 100 includes a flexible tubular portion 101, which is inserted into the body of a subject. One end of the flexible tubular portion 101 is connected to a manual operating section 102. The manual operating section 102 includes, for example, a bending operation knob 102A and other user-operable operating components, enabling the operator to perform various operations for imaging using the endoscope system 1. Furthermore, the manual operating section 102 includes a treatment tool insertion port 102B for inserting a treatment tool.

[0034] In the flexible tube portion 101, the portion close to the bending portion 103 is the first flexible tube portion 101A, and the portion close to the manual operation portion 102 is the second flexible tube portion 101B. The bending portion 103 can actively change its shape according to the operator's operation of the bending operation knob 102A. In contrast, the first flexible tube portion 101A is a portion that passively changes its shape due to external forces unrelated to the operation of the bending operation knob 102A, such as the external force generated by the front end portion 104 or the bending portion 103 contacting the wall of the digestive organ. The same is true for the second flexible tube portion 101B, but the degree of shape change is smaller than that of the first flexible tube portion 101A (the maximum curvature radius is larger). In addition, in Figure 1 In the example shown in FIG, the flexible tube portion 101 includes two types of flexible tube portions, but the present invention is not limited thereto and may include three or more types of flexible tube portions or may include only one type of flexible tube portion.

[0035] The flexible tube 101 is provided with a bendable bending portion 103 (active bending portion) at the front end. As described above, the bending portion 103 is formed by operating the wire ( Figure 1 The bending portion 103 is bent by being pulled by a bending wire (not shown), and the operation wire is linked to the rotation of a bending operation knob 102A provided in the manual operation portion 102. In addition, a bending wire W and a connection portion 103A that is not deformed by external forces may be provided between the bending portion 103 and the first flexible tube portion 101A.

[0036] A distal end portion 104 including an imaging element (imaging unit) is connected to the distal end of the bending portion 103. The bending operation of the bending portion 103 caused by rotating the bending operation knob 102A changes the orientation of the distal end portion 104, thereby changing the imaging area of ​​the endoscope 100.

[0037] The universal cable 105 extends from the side opposite to the manual operation portion 102 toward the connector portion 106. Like the insertion portion 10, the universal cable 105 includes a light guide, various wirings, and various conduits therein.

[0038] The connector portion 106 includes various connectors for connecting the endoscope 100 to the processor 200. The connector portion 106 also includes a water and air supply conduit 108 as a path for supplying water and air to the insertion portion 10.

[0039] Reference Figure 2 The structure of the distal end portion 104 of the endoscope 100 will be described. Orientation lenses 112A and 112B are disposed at the distal end portion 104 of the endoscope 100. Light guides LGa and LGb extend from the distal end portion 104 along the connector portion 106 within the insertion portion 10. Light from the light source of the light source device 300 is guided by these light guides LGa and LGb and irradiated toward the subject through the orientation lenses 112A and 112B disposed at the distal end portion 104.

[0040] In addition, if Figure 2 As shown, the endoscope 100 includes an objective lens 113 and an imaging element 133 at the distal end portion 104 . The objective lens 113 provided at the distal end portion 104 focuses scattered light or reflected light from the subject and forms a subject image on the light receiving surface of the imaging element 133 .

[0041] As an example, the imaging element 133 may be formed of a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS sensor (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor Sensor). The imaging element 133 is controlled by signals (such as a gain control signal, an exposure control signal, and a shutter speed control signal) supplied from the processor 200 via the wiring 138. The imaging element 133 also supplies an image signal of a captured image to the processor 200 via the wiring 138 and an A / D converter circuit (not shown).

[0042] Furthermore, an air and water supply port 114, an auxiliary water supply port 115, and a treatment tool port 116 are provided on the end surface of the front end portion 104 as the ends or openings of various conduits. The air and water supply port 114 (nozzle) is connected to the air and water supply conduit 121 to introduce water or air for cleaning the front end portion 104.

[0043] The auxiliary water supply port 115 is connected to the auxiliary water supply pipe 122 to introduce auxiliary water for removing dirt in the field of view. The pipes 121-122 are arranged to extend along the front end 104, the bending portion 103, the insertion portion 10, the manual operation portion 102 and the universal cable 105.

[0044] In addition to these conduits 121-122, a treatment instrument conduit 141 is also provided within the endoscope 100. Within this conduit 141, a treatment instrument, such as a forceps, is freely retractable. The distal end of the treatment instrument conduit 141 at the distal end portion 104 forms a treatment instrument port 116. Furthermore, the treatment instrument conduit 141 can also serve as a suction conduit.

[0045] Reference Figure 3 The cross-sectional structure of the distal end portion 104 is described in more detail. This cross-sectional view shows the structural details of the objective lens 113, the electrical wiring 138, the air and water supply conduit 121, and the treatment tool conduit 141. The structures of the orientation lenses 112A and 112B and the light guides LGa and LGb are omitted from illustration. Furthermore, the structure of the auxiliary water supply conduit 122 is also omitted from illustration.

[0046] The front end portion 104 has a front end hard portion 104M. The front end hard portion 104M has holes constituting the air and water supply port 114, the auxiliary water supply port 115 and the treatment tool port 116. Figure 3 As shown, the air and water supply pipeline 121 and the treatment tool pipeline 141 are inserted into the corresponding holes of the front hard part 104M.

[0047] The distal end rigid portion 104M further includes a hole for fitting a lens frame 136 that holds the objective lens 113, the aperture AP, and the light shielding cover 131. The lens frame 136 is fixed to the hole of the distal end rigid portion 104M by a sealant 137.

[0048] On the other hand, behind the objective lens 113, a light shield 131, a cover glass 132, an imaging element (CCD) 133, and a circuit board 134 are held by, for example, a CCD unit frame 135. This CCD unit frame 135 is inserted into and fixed to the hole of the distal end rigid portion 104M. Electrical wiring 138 is connected to the circuit board 134.

[0049] The front end portion 104 (front end rigid portion 104M) constructed as described above is embedded in the front end of the bending portion 103. The bending portion 103 is constructed by connecting bending pieces 153, which are roughly cylindrical in shape, to each other so as to be rotatable with rivets. The outer surface of the bending piece 153 is covered with a mesh tube 152. The mesh tube 152 is connected to the front end rigid portion 104M via a coupling tube 151 at its end. In addition, the outer surface of the mesh tube 152 is covered with a synthetic resin outer rubber tube 155. The outer rubber tube 155 and the front end rigid portion 104M are fixed at their ends by, for example, a fixing wire S1.

[0050] A guide wire 154 is provided between the multiple bending blocks 153. A bending wire W for performing the bending operation passes through the guide wire 154. Within a single insertion portion 10, for example, four bending wires W are provided at approximately equal intervals along the circumference. One end of each bending wire W is fixed to the frontmost bending block 153. The other end of the bending wire W is tightened or loosened by operating the bending operation knob 102A, thereby bending the bending portion 103.

[0051] Next, refer to Figure 4 , the structures of the connecting portion 103A, the first flexible tube portion 101A, and the second flexible tube portion 101B will be described.

[0052] As described above, the connecting portion 103A is a member that connects the bending portion 103 and the first flexible tubular portion 101A. It is a rigid portion whose outer shape does not deform due to the movement of the bending wire W or external forces. Like the bending portion 103, the first flexible tubular portion 101A also includes a plurality of bending pieces 153A. Like the bending pieces 153, the bending pieces 153A are rotatably connected to each other by rivets. Alternatively, as an example, the second flexible tubular portion 101B may include a spiral tube 153B (a metal flat coil), a metal mesh 153C, and an outer resin 153D (polyurethane, etc.) from the inside.

[0053] Furthermore, the first and second flexible tubular sections 101A and 101B are provided with a coil sheath 161 for passing a bending wire W extending from the manual operation section 102. The bending wire W is slidably arranged within the coil sheath 161. Therefore, even if the bending wire W is tightened or loosened, the shapes of the first and second flexible tubular sections 101A and 101B do not change. With respect to the insertion section 10, the first and second flexible tubular sections 101A and 101B can be deformed within the movable range of the bending piece 153A and the spiral tube 153B due to external forces, such as those generated by contact with the outer wall of the digestive organ.

[0054] As described above, the bending portion 103, the first flexible tube portion 101A, and the second flexible tube portion 101B can be deformed by the movement of the bending wire W or by external forces. However, the limits of deformation (maximum curvature radius) vary. Furthermore, due to the different maximum curvature radii, the required bending strength (kink resistance) of the pipeline tube inserted therein also varies.

[0055] In the first embodiment, the purpose is to maximize the characteristics of the bending portion 103, the first flexible tube portion 101A and the second flexible tube portion 101B. Figure 5 The treatment tool pipeline 141 is shown. Figure 5 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the cross-sectional structure of the treatment instrument tube 141 and a graph showing its characteristics (porosity Rah).

[0056] The treatment instrument conduit 141 has a double-layer structure, namely an inner layer 201 and an outer layer 202 arranged on the outside of the inner layer 201. The entire length of the inner layer 201 (the front end portion 104 to the second flexible tube portion 101B) is made of PTFE with a solid structure to prevent damage caused by contact with the treatment instrument passing through the conduit. On the other hand, the outer layer 202 is made of porous PTFE. PTFE with a solid structure is harder and has higher resistance to damage, but is easy to bend, while porous PTFE is softer and has lower resistance to damage, but is not easy to bend. By forming the treatment instrument conduit 141 into a double-layer structure of PTFE with a solid structure and porous PTFE, it is possible to achieve both resistance to damage and resistance to bending. In other words, by using the porous PTFE of the outer layer 202, which is not easy to bend, to maintain the PTFE with a solid structure of the inner layer 201, a soft and non-bending tube can be obtained.

[0057] In addition, the porosity Rah of the porous PTFE of the outer layer 202 of this embodiment 1 varies depending on the position. If the porosity Rah of the outer layer 202 is larger, the flexibility of the treatment instrument tube 141 is increased accordingly.

[0058] The outer layer 202 located in the bending portion 103, which is bendable by the bending operation knob 102A, has a porosity Rah set to, for example, approximately 10 to 40%. Meanwhile, the outer layer 202 located in the first flexible tube portion 101A and the second flexible tube portion 101B has a higher porosity Rah than that within the bending portion 103 (e.g., 30 to 80%, a value higher than that within the bending portion 103).

[0059] Since the bending degree of the bending portion 103 can be adjusted by operating the bending wire W using the bending operation knob 102A, the bending portion 103 does not need to be more flexible than the insertion portion 10. Therefore, the outer layer 202 of the bending portion 103 only needs to be flexible enough not to hinder the operation of the bending wire W.

[0060] In contrast, in the bending portion 103, because the bending wire W undergoes a greater change in curvature than the insertion portion 10, it is necessary to prevent damage to the tubing due to bending. Therefore, the outer layer 202 of the treatment instrument tubing 141 within the bending portion 103 is given a lower porosity than that of the first flexible tubing portion 101A and the second flexible tubing portion 101B. This ensures that the bending portion 103 has high bending resistance while maintaining flexibility sufficient to accommodate deformation of the bending wire W.

[0061] On the other hand, to reduce the burden on the patient, the first flexible tubing section 101A and the second flexible tubing section 101B are required to be able to flexibly deform in response to external forces such as the contact of the distal end section 104 with the inner wall of the digestive organ, and are therefore required to have greater flexibility than the curved section 103. Regarding the outer layer 202 of the treatment instrument conduit 141 of Embodiment 1, the interiors of the first flexible tubing section 101A and the second flexible tubing section 101B are given a higher porosity Rah than the interior of the curved section 103. This imparts greater flexibility to the first flexible tubing section 101A and the second flexible tubing section 101B, reducing the burden on the patient. While the porosity Rah of the first flexible tubing section 101A and the second flexible tubing section 101B is the same in the above example, different porosities may be provided.

[0062] The porosity Rah of the outer layer 202 within the distal end portion 104 is arbitrary and can, for example, be the same as the porosity Rah within the curved portion 103. Because the distal end portion 104 does not bend (deform), there is no limit to the hardness of the treatment instrument tube 141 passing therethrough. Only the outer layer 202 of the distal end portion 104 can be made of PTFE with a solid structure.

[0063] As described above, the endoscope of this first embodiment has a double-layer structure of an inner layer 201 and an outer layer 202. The inner layer 201 is formed of solid polytetrafluoroethylene, while the outer layer 202 is formed of porous polytetrafluoroethylene. The porosity of the outer layer 202 of the curved portion 103 is lower than that of the outer layers 202 of the first flexible tubular portion 101A and the second flexible tubular portion 101B. This allows the curved portion 103 to have a certain degree of flexibility and sufficient bending resistance, while the first flexible tubular portion 101A and the second flexible tubular portion 101B can have a high degree of flexibility. Consequently, an endoscope can be provided that fully utilizes the functions of the flexible tubular portion 101 and the curved portion 103. While the double-layer structure is employed for the therapeutic instrument tubing 141 in the above example, similar structures can be employed for tubing other than the therapeutic instrument tubing 141.

[0064] [Implementation Method 2]

[0065] Next, refer to Figure 6 The endoscope according to the second embodiment is described. The overall structure of the endoscope according to the second embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment ( Figure 1 ). In addition, except for the points described below, the configuration of the front end portion 104, the bending portion 103 and the insertion portion 10 is also the same as that of the embodiment 1 ( Figures 2 and 3 )same.

[0066] This second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment in that the porosity Rah of the outer layer 202 inside the bend 103 is smaller than the porosity Rah of the outer layer 202 inside the flexible tube portion 101. However, the porosity Rah of the bend 103 is set to a lower value on the front end portion 104 side, and gradually increases at the end portion of the bend 103 on the first flexible tube portion 101A side, and is substantially the same as the porosity Rah inside the first flexible tube portion 101A near the boundary between the bend 103 and the flexible tube portion 101. In addition, as in the first embodiment, the porosity Rah of the outer layer 202 inside the front end portion 104 may be substantially the same as the porosity Rah inside the bend 103, but as Figure 7 As shown, the porosity Rah may be greater than that inside the curved portion 103. In addition, the boundary between the curved portion 103 and the flexible tube portion 101 does not need to be strictly defined and may be located at any position of the connecting portion 0103A.

[0067] According to the structure of this embodiment 2, the function of the bending portion 103 can be further improved. In the bending portion 103, the curvature of the end portion on the front end portion 104 side is generally small, while the curvature on the flexible tube portion 101 side becomes large. Therefore, by adopting Figure 6 With the distribution of the porosity Rah shown, the bending portion 103 can improve the bending resistance at the end portion on the distal end portion 104 side and improve the flexibility at the insertion portion 10 side.

[0068] [other]

[0069] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments but also includes various variations. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to facilitate understanding of the present invention, but are not limited to embodiments having all of the described configurations. Furthermore, portions of a particular embodiment may be replaced with portions of another embodiment, and portions of a particular embodiment may be superimposed on portions of another embodiment. Furthermore, portions of the various embodiments may be added to, deleted from, or replaced with other configurations.

[0070] Explanation of symbols

[0071] 1 Endoscope system

[0072] 100 Endoscope

[0073] 10 Insertion

[0074] 101 Flexible pipe

[0075] 101A 1st flexible pipe section

[0076] 101B Second flexible pipe section

[0077] 102 Manual Operation Unit

[0078] 102A bending operation knob

[0079] 103 Bend

[0080] 104 front end

[0081] 105 Universal Cable

[0082] 106 Connector

[0083] 108 Water and gas supply pipelines

[0084] LGa, LGb light guides

[0085] 112A, 112B Orientation Lenses

[0086] 113 objective lens

[0087] 114 Air and water supply ports

[0088] 115 Auxiliary water supply port

[0089] 116 Treatment Tools

[0090] 121 Gas and water supply pipelines

[0091] 122 Auxiliary water supply pipeline

[0092] 141 Treatment tool pipeline

[0093] 133 Camera Components

[0094] 134 circuit board

[0095] 135 CCD unit frame

[0096] 136 lens frame

[0097] 137 sealant

[0098] 138 Electrical wiring

[0099] 161 Coil sheath

[0100] 200 processors

[0101] 300 Light Source Device

[0102] 400 Water and Gas Supply Department

[0103] 500 Suction Department

[0104] 600 Display

[0105] 700 Input unit.

Claims

1. An endoscope, characterized in that: have: Insertion portion, and a pipeline disposed inside the insertion portion; The inserting portion comprises: A curved portion that can be bent according to operation, and a flexible tubing portion capable of bending due to external forces unrelated to said operation; The pipeline includes an inner layer and an outer layer formed outside the inner layer. The inner layer is formed of polytetrafluoroethylene with a solid structure. The outer layer is formed of polytetrafluoroethylene with a porous structure. The porosity of the outer layer in the curved portion is smaller than the porosity of the outer layer in the flexible tube portion, The porosity of the outer layer in the curved portion is set to 10-40%. The porosity of the outer layer in the flexible tube portion is set to 30-80%.

2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein The porosity of the outer layer in the curved portion gradually increases toward the end of the flexible tube portion.

Images