An omnidirectional endoscope

Abstract

The application discloses an omnidirectional endoscope, which comprises an insertion part of the endoscope, wherein the insertion part comprises a camera, a bending part, an insertion tube and an endoscope handle from a distal end to a proximal end; a plurality of rotating units are connected in series on the insertion tube; a data line of the endoscope and a control line of the bending part pass through the insertion tube and the rotating units to the handle to be electrically connected and bending part control connected, respectively; the rotating units are arranged on the insertion tube of the endoscope, the insertion part is realized to rotate 360 degrees in a forward or reverse direction around an axis and to stop rotating, the endoscope bending part is realized to bend radially at an angle of 0-180 degrees, and the omnidirectional zero dead angle observation of the endoscope is realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of endoscopy technology, and in particular to an omnidirectional endoscope. Background Technology

[0002] An endoscope is used to view internal spaces that are invisible to the human eye and can only be reached through narrow or small holes. It uses an illumination component and a camera at the front of the endoscope to capture images of the internal space and transmit them to an external display device. The endoscope must be able to rotate flexibly and capture images of the internal space from all angles, i.e., 720 degrees.

[0003] Most endoscopes have a curved section at the tip. Traditional technology uses four steel wires distributed in four directions to pull the endoscope tip, causing the curved section to bend in four directions, much like using ropes to pull the hands and feet of a puppet. A key characteristic of this structure is that the four drive steel wires must extend from the distal end of the curved section and run through the entire endoscope body, ultimately being fixed to two control wheels on the endoscope handle. Another method uses a universal ball joint to control the four steel wires, with a manual or electric rocker arm controlling the rotation of the ball joint to pull the four steel wires in four directions. This method results in a complex product structure and a high price. Maintaining proper tension of the drive steel wires using this bending method is crucial. After a period of use, the wires may become loose, or the tension of the four wires may differ, requiring maintenance and adjustment. This adjustment process is cumbersome and difficult to control, increasing the difficulty of manufacturing and maintaining endoscopes, and keeping costs and prices high. Therefore, a product with a simpler structure and similar functions is needed to meet market demand. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an omnidirectional endoscope that enables the endoscope camera to rotate continuously around its axis. Combined with the unidirectional turning function of the endoscope's curved part, it can achieve 720° omnidirectional smooth and continuous image acquisition without blind spots.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following solution:

[0006] An omnidirectional endoscope includes a camera, a curved section, an insertion tube, and an endoscope handle connected in sequence. The insertion tube comprises several insertion tube units connected by a rotating unit. Each rotating unit includes a hollow bolt, a nut matching the hollow bolt, a limiting member with a first anti-rotation protrusion on its end face, a limiting member with a second anti-rotation protrusion on its end face, a connecting tube, and a connecting tube. The limiting member and the limiting member are sequentially fitted onto the hollow bolt and fixed axially by the nut. The first anti-rotation protrusion is fixedly connected to the hollow bolt. Next, the second anti-rotation protrusion can rotate on the hollow bolt. The first anti-rotation protrusion and the second anti-rotation protrusion are arranged opposite to each other. One end of the first connecting tube is connected to the first limiting member, and the other end of the first connecting tube is connected to the insertion tube unit away from the endoscope handle. One end of the second connecting tube is connected to the second limiting member, and the other end of the second connecting tube is connected to the insertion tube unit away from the endoscope handle. The data cable and the control cable of the bending part pass through the insertion tube and the rotating unit to the handle for electrical connection and bending part control connection, respectively.

[0007] Preferably, a central outer tube is sleeved on the outer wall of the first limiting member and the second limiting member.

[0008] Preferably, the end of the limiting member one connected to the connecting pipe one is provided with a limiting member one thread, and the end of the limiting member two connected to the connecting pipe two is provided with a limiting member two thread. The limiting member one is threadedly connected to the connecting pipe one, and the limiting member two is threadedly connected to the connecting pipe two.

[0009] Preferably, the hollow bolt is coaxially arranged with the nut, limiting member one, limiting member two, connecting pipe one, and connecting pipe two.

[0010] Preferably, the widths of the first anti-rotation protrusion and the second anti-rotation protrusion are inversely proportional to the rotation angle range of the first limiting member and the second limiting member.

[0011] Preferably, the rotation stop range of the rotating unit does not exceed 360°.

[0012] The present invention achieves the following technical effects compared to the prior art:

[0013] 1. The present invention sets a rotating unit on the insertion tube, which enables the endoscope camera to rotate continuously around the axis. Combined with the unidirectional turning function of the endoscope's curved part, it can achieve 720° omnidirectional smooth and continuous image acquisition without blind spots.

[0014] 2. The present invention has a simple structure, is easy to manufacture, improves the durability of the endoscope, and significantly reduces the manufacturing cost. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0016] Appendix Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the entire endoscope;

[0017] Appendix Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a rotating unit component;

[0018] Appendix Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the anti-rotation structure of the limiting component of the rotating unit;

[0019] Appendix Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the rotating component assembly;

[0020] Appendix Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the anti-rotation protrusion of the rotating unit;

[0021] Appendix Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the angle of the anti-rotation convex protrusion;

[0022] Appendix Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the completed rotating unit assembly;

[0023] Appendix Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram showing the rotating unit located at the junction of the endoscope handle and the insertion tube;

[0024] Among them, 1. Camera; 2. Bending part; 3. Insertion tube; 4. Rotation unit; 5. Endoscope handle; 6. Bending control component; 7. Handle and insertion tube joint; 411. Connector 1; 412. Connector 2; 42. Hollow bolt; 431. Limiting component 1; 432. Limiting component 2; 4311. Anti-rotation protrusion 1; 4321. Anti-rotation protrusion 2; 44. Intermediate outer tube; 45. Nut; 4312. Thread of limiting component 1; 4322. Thread of limiting component 2. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0026] The purpose of this invention is to provide an omnidirectional endoscope that enables the endoscope camera to rotate continuously around its axis. Combined with the unidirectional turning function of the endoscope's curved part, it can achieve 720° omnidirectional smooth and continuous image acquisition without blind spots.

[0027] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0028] Example 1,

[0029] refer to Figure 1 The endoscope is composed of a camera 1, a bending part 2, an insertion tube 3, an endoscope handle and insertion tube junction 7, an endoscope handle 5, and a bending control component 6 connected in series from the distal end to the proximal end. Two rotating units 4 are connected in series on the endoscope insertion tube 3.

[0030] As with commonly known methods, the endoscope bending section 2 is rotated radially from 0° to 180° under the control of the handle bending control component 6. Other bending control methods do not affect the implementation of embodiments of the present invention.

[0031] In this embodiment, two rotating units 4 are connected in series on the endoscope insertion tube.

[0032] refer to Figure 2 The rotating unit is assembled from limiting component 1 431, limiting component 2 432, connecting component 1 411, connecting component 2 412, hollow bolt 42, nut 45 and intermediate outer tube 44.

[0033] refer to Figure 3 The assembly sequence of the rotating unit 4 is as follows: Limiting component 1 431, the intermediate outer tube 44, and then the reverse-mounted limiting component 2 432 and nut 45 are sequentially mounted on the hollow bolt 42. The hollow bolt 42 and nut 45 axially fix the limiting component 1 431, the intermediate outer tube 44, and the limiting component 2 432 onto the hollow bolt 42. The intermediate outer tube 44 and the limiting component 2 432 can rotate freely around the hollow bolt 42, but cannot fall off from either end of the hollow bolt 42. The limiting component 1 431 is fixedly connected to the hollow bolt 42 and cannot rotate on the hollow bolt.

[0034] Limiting component 1 431 and limiting component 2 432 are fitted onto the hollow bolt 42 in opposite directions. Each limiting component has an anti-rotation protrusion 1 4311 and an anti-rotation protrusion 2 4321 on its end face. (Reference) Figure 4 The other end of each of the two limiting members is provided with limiting member one thread 4312 and limiting member two thread 4322. The threads are tightened and fixed with connecting members 411 and 412. The other end of connecting member one 411 and connecting member two 412 are screwed and fixed to the endoscope insertion tube 3.

[0035] refer to Figure 5 When the two limiting members are inserted into the hollow bolt 42, the anti-rotation protrusion 1 4311 and the anti-rotation protrusion 2 4321 are positioned opposite each other.

[0036] refer to Figure 1 Each rotating unit is fixed to the endoscope insertion tube at both ends via connectors. One end of the limiting member is screwed and fixed to the connector, and the other end of the connector is fixed to the endoscope insertion tube.

[0037] The rotating units can be connected in series at any position on the insertion tube, with two rotating units connected at a certain distance. The position of the rotating units on the insertion tube mainly considers the insertion depth of the endoscope during examination. The distance between the rotating unit and the distal end of the endoscope should be greater than the insertion depth of the endoscope during operation to ensure that the rotating unit will not enter the examination hole or gap during endoscopic examination. Alternatively, as in this embodiment, two rotating units can be set up. If the first rotating unit enters the examination hole gap, the second rotating unit can be operated.

[0038] When only one rotating unit is connected in series on the insertion tube, the limiting member and connecting member fixed to the insertion tube at the end of the endoscope handle cannot rotate. The other limiting member and the connecting tube connected to it and the distal endoscope insertion tube can rotate around the hollow bolt 42. When the anti-rotation protrusions on the two limiting members meet, the distal endoscope insertion tube is stopped from rotating, and vice versa. Therefore, the distal endoscope insertion tube can only rotate around the axis in both directions within 360°.

[0039] When two rotating units are connected in series on the endoscope insertion tube, the anti-rotation method of the rotating unit on the endoscope handle side is the same as described above. When the two anti-rotation protrusions of the rotating unit near the camera end meet, it will stop rotating on its own. However, at this time, it can still drive the other rotating unit to rotate around the axis until the two anti-rotation protrusions of the other rotating unit also meet and stop rotating.

[0040] refer to Figure 6 The width of the anti-rotation protrusion 1 4311 and the anti-rotation protrusion 2 4321, that is, the angle that the anti-rotation protrusions extend to the axis, limits the rotation angle of the rotating unit. The larger the angle of the anti-rotation protrusions, the smaller the rotation angle of the anti-rotation unit, and the two are inversely proportional.

[0041] A = 360 - 2α;

[0042] θ = nx(360-2α);

[0043] In the formula, A is the rotation angle of the rotating unit;

[0044] In the formula, α is the angle subtended by the anti-rotation protrusion relative to the axis;

[0045] In the formula, θ is the rotation angle of n rotation units;

[0046] If the insertion tube has multiple rotating units, the rotatable angle of the endoscope insertion tube is equal to the sum of the rotatable angles of each rotating unit.

[0047] A schematic diagram of an endoscope with a rotating unit after assembly is shown below. Figure 7 .

[0048] Example 2

[0049] refer to Figure 8 When the endoscope insertion tube is short or made of rigid material, a rotating unit can be installed. The connecting tube at one end of the rotating unit is fixed to the junction 7 between the endoscope handle and the insertion tube, and the connecting tube at the other end of the rotating unit is fixed to the endoscope insertion tube.

[0050] The position of the rotating unit on the insertion tube is not limited to the above embodiments.

[0051] The rotating unit of this invention can be used in any endoscope with or without steering function.

[0052] Any adaptive changes made according to actual needs are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0053] It should be noted that, for those skilled in the art, it is obvious that the present invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that the invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the invention. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered illustrative and non-limiting in all respects, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims are intended to be included within the invention. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An omnidirectional endoscope, characterized by, The camera, the bending part, the insertion tube and the endoscope handle are connected in sequence, the insertion tube comprises several insertion tube units connected by a rotating unit, the rotating unit comprises a hollow bolt, a nut matched with the hollow bolt, a limiting piece one provided with a stopper one on the end face, a limiting piece two provided with a stopper two on the end face, a connecting tube one and a connecting tube two, the limiting piece one and the limiting piece two are sequentially sleeved on the hollow bolt and fixed along the axial direction by the nut, the stopper one is fixedly connected with the hollow bolt, the stopper two can rotate on the hollow bolt, the stopper one and the stopper two are oppositely arranged, one end of the connecting tube one is connected with the limiting piece one, the other end of the connecting tube one is connected with the insertion tube unit away from the endoscope handle, one end of the connecting tube two is connected with the limiting piece two, the other end of the connecting tube two is connected with the insertion tube unit away from the endoscope handle, the data line and the control line of the bending part pass through the insertion tube and the rotating unit to the handle for electrical connection and bending control connection respectively; the outer wall of the limiting piece one and the limiting piece two is sleeved with a central outer tube; One end of the limiting piece one connected with the connecting tube one is provided with a limiting piece one thread, one end of the limiting piece two connected with the connecting tube two is provided with a limiting piece two thread, the limiting piece one is threadedly connected with the connecting tube one, and the limiting piece two is threadedly connected with the connecting tube two. The rotation range of the rotating unit is not more than 360°.

2. The omnidirectional endoscope of claim 1, wherein, The hollow bolt, the nut, the limiting piece one, the limiting piece two, the connecting tube one and the connecting tube two are coaxially arranged.

3. The omnidirectional endoscope of claim 1, wherein, The width of the stopper one and the stopper two is inversely proportional to the rotation angle range of the limiting piece one and the limiting piece two.

Images