Lifting assembly and endoscope

Abstract

Provided are a lifting assembly that can be reliably installed with simple operations and an endoscope having the lifting assembly. The lifting assembly (6) is installed by engaging with the engaging end (80) of the rotating shaft protruding from the front end (22) of the endoscope by pushing in from a direction intersecting the axial direction, and is lifted as the rotating shaft rotates. A clamp (9) is connected to the lifting assembly (6), and the clamp (9) has a gripping portion (91) that is gripped when the lifting assembly (6) is installed, and can be detached after installation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lifting component and an endoscope provided with the lifting component. Background Art

[0002] An endoscope is a medical device that can be inserted into the body cavity of a subject to observe and treat the desired part. Endoscopic treatment is performed by passing a treatment tool such as a puncture needle or forceps through an insertion tube inserted into the body cavity and protruding from the front end of the insertion tube. A lifting assembly is provided at the front end of the insertion tube to lift the treatment tool and change its direction. The lifting assembly is installed facing the outlet of the treatment tool and is shaken along an axis intersecting the outlet direction to lift the treatment tool.

[0003] The endoscope described in Patent Document 1 includes a detachable lifting assembly, and when necessary cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization are performed after use, reliable processing including the installation position of the lifting assembly can be performed by removing the lifting assembly.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 6157791 Summary of the invention

[0007] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] In Patent Document 1, the lifting assembly is installed in the following order: push the end of the rotating shaft protruding in the front end of the endoscope from a direction intersecting the axial direction so that it engages with the rotating shaft. However, the lifting assembly is a small-sized component that can be assembled at the front end of the endoscope, and it is difficult to reliably install it by holding it with fingers. In addition, when using a clamp such as tweezers, the observation window, lighting window, etc. provided at the front end of the endoscope may be damaged due to collision with the clamp, so careful installation work is particularly important.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a lifting assembly that can be reliably installed with a simple operation and an endoscope including the lifting assembly.

[0010] Technical solutions to solve problems

[0011] The lifting assembly involved in the present disclosure is installed by engaging at the end of a rotating shaft protruding from the front end of an endoscope by pushing in from a direction intersecting the axial direction, and is lifted as the rotating shaft rotates. The clamp has a holding portion that is held when installed on the rotating shaft and can be detachably connected after installation.

[0012] Furthermore, an anti-slip layer is provided on the surface of the clamp including the holding portion.

[0013] Furthermore, the clamps are connected in a foldable manner.

[0014] Furthermore, the clamps are connected by screw connection.

[0015] Furthermore, the clamps are connected by magnetic attraction.

[0016] Furthermore, the endoscope involved in the present disclosure includes a lifting component installed on the front end of the insertion tube, and the lifting component is installed by snapping at the end of the rotating shaft protruding from the front end of the endoscope by pushing in from a direction intersecting the axial direction, and is provided with a clamp, which has a holding portion to be held when installed on the rotating shaft and can be detachably connected after installation.

[0017] Effects of the Invention

[0018] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a lifting assembly that can be reliably mounted with a simple operation and an endoscope including the lifting assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 This is an external view of an endoscope.

[0020] Figure 2 It is a stereoscopic view of the front end of the endoscope.

[0021] Figure 3 It is a side view showing a part of the front end portion cut away.

[0022] Figure 4A This is a diagram showing the installation sequence of the lift assembly.

[0023] Figure 4B This is a diagram showing the installation sequence of the lift assembly.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing the state of the lift assembly according to the first embodiment before installation.

[0025] Fig. 6A yes Figure 5 Illustration of the installation sequence of the lift assembly shown.

[0026] Figure 6B yes Figure 5 Illustration of the installation sequence of the lift assembly shown.

[0027] Figure 7 It is a perspective view showing the state of the lift assembly involved in the second embodiment before installation.

[0028] Figure 8 It is a perspective view showing the state of the lift assembly involved in the third embodiment before installation.

[0029] Fig. 9 This is an explanatory diagram of the installation sequence of the lifting assembly involved in the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below based on the drawings.

[0031] (Implementation Method 1)

[0032] Figure 1 : is an appearance diagram of an endoscope. As shown in the figure, the endoscope 1 includes an insertion tube 2, an operating part 3, a universal tube 4, and a connector part 5. The insertion tube 2 is a part inserted into a body cavity, and includes: a long flexible part 20 and a front end 22, and the front end 22 is connected to one end of the flexible part 20 through a curved part 21. The other end of the flexible part 20 is connected to the operating part 3 through a cylindrical connecting part 23. One end of the universal tube 4 is connected to the operating part 3 and extends in a direction different from that of the insertion tube 2, and the connector part 5 is connected and arranged at the other end of the universal tube 4. The endoscope 1 is connected to a processor device (not shown) through the connector part 5 for use.

[0033] The endoscope 1 shown in the figure includes an ultrasonic probe 29 (see Figure 2 ) is constructed as an ultrasonic endoscope and further includes a connecting tube 40 arranged in parallel on the common tube 4 and an ultrasonic connector part 50 connected to the end of the connecting tube 40.

[0034] The operation portion 3 is provided for the user to grasp and perform various operations, and includes a plurality of operation knobs 30, a plurality of operation buttons 31, etc. One operation knob 30 is connected to the bending portion 21 through a thread (not shown) penetrating the connection portion 23 and the inside of the flexible portion 20. The bending portion 21 is bent by the operation of the corresponding operation knob 30, thereby changing the direction of the front end portion 22 inserted into the body cavity.

[0035] Furthermore, another operating knob 30 is connected to the lifting assembly 6 (see FIG. 1 ) installed at the front end portion 22 by a wire (not shown) passing through the connecting portion 23, the flexible portion 20 and the inner portion of the bending portion 21. Figure 2 The lifting assembly 6 is operated by the operation of the operating knob 30 as described below.

[0036] The connection portion 23 is provided with a treatment tool insertion port 24 for inserting a treatment tool 7 such as a puncture needle or forceps. The treatment tool insertion port 24 is connected to a treatment tool channel (not shown) extending through the connection portion 23, the flexible portion 20, and the curved portion 21 and a guide port 25 (see FIG. Figure 2 The treatment tool 7 is inserted into the treatment tool insertion port 24 and protrudes from the front end portion 22 through the treatment tool channel and the guide port 25 for use. Figure 1In FIG. 2 , the treatment tool 7 protruding from the front end portion 22 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. Figure 1 Reference numeral 24a denotes a sealing plug for sealing the treatment tool insertion port 24 when the treatment tool 7 is not in use.

[0037] Figure 2 2 is a perspective view of the front end portion 22 of the endoscope 1. In the following description, the Figure 2 The arrows in the figure indicate up, down, left, right, and front and back.

[0038] The front end portion 22 is a cylindrical body made of hard resin fixed coaxially with the front end portion of the curved portion 21, and has a receiving portion 26 for accommodating the above-mentioned lifting component 6. The receiving portion 26 is a recessed portion having a rectangular opening long from front to back on the top of the front end portion 22, and a guide port 25 for the above-mentioned treatment tool 7 is provided on the rear inner surface continuous with the curved portion 21. The lifting component 6 is installed facing the guide port 25 as described later, and is accommodated in the receiving portion 26. A recessed portion 60 is provided on the top of the lifting component 6, and the treatment tool 7 guided out from the guide port 25 is as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1 , the tip 21 is guided by the recess 60 and protrudes out of the front end portion 22 through the upper opening of the receiving portion 26 .

[0039] The front upper surface of the front end portion 22 is inclined downward, and an observation window 27 and an illumination window 28 are arranged front and back on the inclined surface on the right side of the receiving portion 26. The structure is such that an image element (not shown) such as CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) is located inside the observation window 27, and a light emitting end surface of a light guide (not shown) for guiding illumination light is located inside the illumination window 28, so that the observation part facing the observation window 27 can be imaged and observed by the illumination light from the illumination window 28.

[0040] Furthermore, an ultrasonic probe 29 is connected to the front part of the distal end portion 22, and by aiming the ultrasonic probe 29 at the observation site to obtain an ultrasonic image, the inside of the surface tissue can also be observed.

[0041] Figure 3 It is a side view showing a portion of the front end portion 22 that is cut off, and schematically shows the installation method of the lifting component 6. The rotating shaft 8 is pivotally supported on the inner wall of the left side (the inner side in the figure) of the accommodating portion 26 that accommodates the lifting component 6. The rotating shaft 8 is connected to the operating portion 3 through the above-mentioned silk thread, and rotates along an axis intersecting the paper surface through the operation of the corresponding operating knob 30. The lifting component 6 is an elastic resin block, which is installed by engaging the base with the engaging end 80 of the rotating shaft 8 protruding from the inside of the accommodating portion 26, and shakes the front end side provided with the recess 60 up and down in response to the rotation of the rotating shaft 8 to change the direction of the protruding disposal tool 7 guided by the recess 60.

[0042] Figure 4A and Figure 4B 1 is an explanatory diagram of the installation sequence of the lifting assembly 6. The engaging end 80 of the rotating shaft 8 has a rectangular cross section as shown in the figure, and a recess 81 is provided at the end of one long side. An engaging groove 61 having a shape corresponding to the engaging end 80 is provided at the base of the lifting assembly 6, and a convex portion 62 corresponding to the recess 81 is provided at the end of the opening side of the engaging groove 61. The installation of the lifting assembly 6 is as follows: Figure 4A As shown, the opening side of the engaging groove 61 is opposite to the other side of the engaging end 80, and as shown in FIG. Figure 4B As shown by the hollow arrow in , this is performed by applying a thrust in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the rotating shaft 8.

[0043] like Figure 4B As shown in FIG. 1 , the lifting assembly 6 is pushed into the engaging end 80 as the engaging groove 61 is stretched and deformed, and the convex portion 62 and the concave portion 81 are engaged by elastic reset at the end point, thereby achieving the following Figure 3 Here, the lifting assembly 6 is a small-sized component assembled in the receiving portion 26 of the front end portion 22, and as mentioned above, it is difficult to grasp and install it with existing clamps such as fingers or tweezers.

[0044] Figure 5 1 is a perspective view showing the state before installation of the lifting assembly 6 involved in Embodiment 1. The lifting assembly 6 shown in this figure is connected to the clamp 9 used in the above installation. The clamp 9 is a round rod made of resin, and a connecting portion 90 that continuously decreases in diameter toward the end is provided on one side, and a gripping portion 91 that forms a large-diameter spherical shape is provided on the other side.

[0045] Such a clamp 9 fastens the thin front end of the connection part 90 to the front end side end face of the lifting component 6, and is connected in parallel on the same line with the engaging groove 61 provided at the base of the lifting component 6. This connection can be achieved by integrally molding the clamp 9 and the lifting component 6, or by bonding the connection part 90 of the clamp 9 provided separately to the end face of the lifting component 6.

[0046] Fig. 6A and Figure 6B yes Figure 5 The lifting assembly 6 is shown in the figure for explaining the installation sequence of the lifting assembly 6. After the lifting assembly 6 is aligned with respect to the engaging end 80 protruding into the receiving portion 26 as described above, it is installed in the following pushing sequence: Fig. 6A The force is applied in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 5The lifting assembly 6 shown is connected to a clamp 9, and the clamp 9 has a gripping portion 91 on the opposite side of the connecting portion 90 fixed to the lifting assembly 6, so the above-mentioned push into the engaging end 80 can be easily performed by holding the gripping portion 91 with fingers. In addition, the clamp 9 is aligned and connected with the engaging groove 61 engaged with the engaging end 80 on the same line, and extends parallel to the push direction, so the push into the engaging end 80 can be reliably performed.

[0047] The gripping portion 91 of the clamp 9 is not limited to Figure 5 The spherical shape shown in the figure can be formed into other suitable shapes as long as it has a size that is easy to hold. In addition, in order to prevent the clamp 9 from sliding when being pushed in, an anti-slip layer is provided on the surface including the holding portion 91. Figure 5 The formation range of the anti-slip layer is shown by hatching. The anti-slip layer is preferably made of flexible materials such as silicone rubber and polyurethane. In this way, damage to other parts that may be contacted during the pushing process, especially the ultrasonic probe 29, can be prevented.

[0048] After the fixture 9 is installed as above, Figure 6B The lifting member 6 is folded by applying a bending force in the direction indicated by the middle arrow, and is separated and removed from the lifting member 6. The clamp 9 is connected to the lifting member 6 at the front end of the thin diameter of the connecting portion 90, and since the stress generated by the application of the bending force is concentrated at the connecting portion, only a slight crease is left on the end surface of the lifting member 6, and the lifting member 6 can be reliably folded.

[0049] (Implementation Method 2)

[0050] Figure 7 1 is a perspective view showing the state of the lifting assembly 6 involved in Embodiment 2 before installation. The lifting assembly 6 shown in this figure is connected to the clamp 9 used for installation as described above. The clamp 9 is a round rod made of resin, and similarly to Embodiment 1, a connecting portion 90 is provided on one side and a gripping portion 91 is provided on the other side. Different from Embodiment 1, a threaded shaft 92 with an external thread formed on the outer circumference is protruding from the front end of the connecting portion 90.

[0051] In addition, a threaded hole 63 with an internal thread formed on the inner circumference is formed on the front end side surface of the lifting component 6, and the clamp 9 is connected to the lifting component 6 by screwing the threaded shaft 92 with the threaded hole 63. In this way, the lifting component 6 connected with the clamp 9 is the same as in the first embodiment, and can be simply and reliably installed by holding the holding part 91. In addition, it is preferred to provide an anti-slip layer on the surface of the clamp 9, which is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0052] After the clamp 9 is installed, the threaded connection between the threaded shaft 92 and the threaded hole 63 is released by applying a rotational force in the axial direction, so that the clamp 9 is separated from the lifting component 6 and removed. The separated clamp 9 can be used to install other lifting components 6 with threaded holes 63, and can also be used to disassemble and assemble the lifting component 6 after the endoscope 1 is used.

[0053] (Implementation method 3)

[0054] Figure 8 1 is a perspective view showing the state of the lifting assembly 6 according to Embodiment 3 before installation. The lifting assembly 6 shown in this figure is connected to a clamp 9 used for installation as described above. The clamp 9 is a round rod made of resin, and similarly to Embodiment 1, a connecting portion 90 is provided on one side and a holding portion 91 is provided on the other side. Unlike Embodiment 1, a magnet 93 is fixed to the front end of the connecting portion 90.

[0055] In addition, a connection piece 64 made of a magnetic metal is fixed to the front end face of the lifting component 6, and the clamp 9 connects the lifting component 6 by magnetically attracting the magnet 93 at the front end to the connection piece 64. In this way, the lifting component 6 connected with the clamp 9 is the same as in Embodiment 1, and can be simply and reliably installed by holding the holding portion 91. In addition, it is preferred to provide an anti-slip layer on the surface of the clamp 9, which is the same as in Embodiment 1.

[0056] After the clamp 9 is installed, an axial pulling force is applied to release the magnetic attraction between the magnet 93 and the connecting piece 64, so that the clamp 9 is separated from the lifting component 6 and removed. The separated clamp 9 can be reused to install other lifting components 6 having connecting pieces 64. The connecting piece 64 can also be embedded in the lifting component 6 facing the front end side end surface of the lifting component 6.

[0057] (Implementation 4)

[0058] The connection position of the clamp 9 is not limited to the position shown in the above-mentioned embodiment 1-3, and can be set to an appropriate position other than the following positions where the pushing force can be applied, the position being the position where the treatment tool 7 is assumed to be in contact, and the position being the position where the inner surface of the housing portion 26 is assumed to be interfered. In addition, the shape of the clamp 9 is not limited to the shape shown in the above-mentioned embodiment 1-3.

[0059] Fig. 9 This is an explanatory diagram of the installation sequence of the lifting component 6 involved in the fourth embodiment. The lifting component 6 shown in this figure is connected to a clamp 9 used during installation. The clamp 9 has a holding portion 91 formed in the shape of a rod and two connecting portions 90 protruding in the same direction from both ends of the holding portion 91. The connecting portion 90 is continuously reduced in diameter toward the end, and the clamp 9 and the lifting component 6 are connected by fixing the thin-diameter front end of one connecting portion 90 to the front end side end face of the lifting component 6 and fixing the thin-diameter front end of the other connecting portion 90 to the base end side end face of the lifting component 6. This connection can be achieved by integrally molding the clamp 9 and the lifting component 6, or by bonding or welding the connecting portion 90 of the separately arranged clamp 9 to the lifting component 6.

[0060] The lifting assembly 6 having the above structure is the same as the embodiment 1. The holding portion 91 of the holding fixture 9 is inserted into the receiving portion 26. After the engaging end 80 protruding from the receiving portion 26 is aligned as described above, it is installed in the following order, that is, Fig. 9 Apply force in the direction indicated by the arrow and push in.

[0061] After the above installation, the clamp 9 is applied, for example, Fig. 9 The clamp 9 is connected to the lifting assembly 6 at the front end of the thin-diameter connecting portion 90, and the stress generated by the application of the bending force is concentrated at the connecting portion, so it can be reliably folded.

[0062] In addition, it should be understood that the embodiments disclosed this time are illustrative in all aspects and are not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims rather than the above meaning, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0063] Explanation of symbols

[0064] 1 endoscope; 6 lifting assembly; 8 rotating shaft; 9 clamp; 80 engaging end; 91 holding portion.

Claims

1. A lifting assembly is mounted by engaging with the end of a rotating shaft protruding from the front end of an endoscope by pushing in from a direction intersecting the axial direction, and is lifted as the rotating shaft rotates, wherein: With a clamp that can be detachably connected after installation, The fixture has: a rod-shaped gripping portion to be gripped when mounted on the rotating shaft; and Two connecting parts protruding from both ends of the holding part in the same direction and continuously reducing in diameter, The clamp is separated at the front end of the connecting portion after installation.

2. The lifting assembly of claim 1, wherein: An anti-slip layer is provided on a surface of the clamp including the gripping portion.

3. A lifting assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The clamps are foldably connected.

4. A lifting assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The clamps are connected by screwing.

5. A lifting assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The clamps are connected by magnetic attraction.

6. An endoscope having a lifting assembly mounted on the front end of an insertion tube, the lifting assembly being mounted by engaging with the end of a rotating shaft protruding from the front end of the endoscope by pushing in from a direction intersecting the axial direction, the lifting assembly having a clamp, the clamp being detachably connected after mounting, The fixture has: a rod-shaped gripping portion to be gripped when mounted on the rotating shaft; and Two connecting parts protruding from both ends of the holding part in the same direction and continuously reducing in diameter, The clamp is separated at the front end of the connecting portion after installation.

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