Flexible endoscope

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of endoscopes, and provides a flexible endoscope which comprises an endoscope body driving part and a camera shooting part, and the endoscope body driving part and the camera shooting part are both flexible parts; the camera shooting part is arranged in the mirror body driving part in a penetrating mode, part of the camera shooting part extends out of the mirror body driving part, and the camera shooting part is detachably connected with the mirror body driving part. According to the flexible endoscope, the endoscope body driving part and the camera shooting part are arranged into two parts and are detachably connected, so that the endoscope body driving part can be used once, the camera shooting part can be used for many times after being disinfected, and the cost of single-time use is greatly reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of endoscopes, and in particular to a flexible endoscope. Background Art

[0002] In order to observe or diagnose lesions inside the human body, doctors insert an endoscope through the natural cavity of the human body or other artificial openings, observe the endoscope feedback image and perform surgical treatment on the lesion. During this process, the doctor controls the direction angle of the endoscope end and continues to insert the endoscope into the esophagus, bronchus or digestive tract until it reaches the vicinity of the lesion.

[0003] The camera module of the currently used endoscope is integrated at the front end of the flexible endoscope. After use, the camera module is disinfected together with the flexible endoscope. Multiple disinfections can easily damage the drive part, thus making the entire flexible endoscope scrapped. Due to the high manufacturing cost of the camera module, the cost of use has increased significantly. Summary of the invention

[0004] The invention provides a flexible endoscope, which is used to solve the defect of high use cost of the flexible endoscope in the prior art.

[0005] The present invention provides a flexible endoscope, comprising: a mirror body driving part and a camera part, both of which are flexible parts; the camera part is inserted into the mirror body driving part, and part of the camera part extends outside the mirror body driving part, and the camera part is detachably connected to the mirror body driving part.

[0006] According to the flexible endoscope provided by the present invention, the imaging unit and the scope driving unit are coaxially arranged.

[0007] According to the flexible endoscope provided by the present invention, the imaging unit and the scope driving unit are eccentrically arranged.

[0008] According to a flexible endoscope provided by the present invention, the outer wall of the camera part is provided with a first groove, the inner wall of the scope driving part is provided with a second groove, a clamping piece and an elastic piece are provided in the second groove, two ends of the elastic piece are respectively connected to the bottom of the second groove and the clamping piece, and the clamping piece can be clamped in the first groove.

[0009] According to a flexible endoscope provided by the present invention, the scope driving part includes: a first tube body, a second tube body and a third tube body connected in sequence, part of the camera part extends to the outside of the first tube body, and the camera part is detachably connected to the first tube body; the first tube body is the driving part, the second tube body is the active bending part, and the third tube body is the passive bending part.

[0010] A flexible endoscope provided according to the present invention also includes a driving mechanism, the second tube body is provided with at least one cavity, and the driving mechanism is connected to the cavity to drive the scope driving part to extend and bend by gas injection or liquid injection.

[0011] According to a flexible endoscope provided by the present invention, a plurality of pairs of grooves are provided on the surface of the second tube body along the extension direction of its length, adjacent grooves are staggered, and each pair of grooves includes: a third groove and a fourth groove, and the third groove is arranged opposite to the fourth groove.

[0012] According to a flexible endoscope provided by the present invention, the third groove and the fourth groove are both strip-shaped grooves.

[0013] According to a flexible endoscope provided by the present invention, the driving mechanism includes: a syringe and a driver, and two ends of the syringe are connected to the driver and the cavity respectively.

[0014] According to a flexible endoscope provided by the present invention, the camera part includes: a fourth tube body, a fifth tube body and a sixth tube body connected in sequence, the fourth tube body is provided with a camera packaging module, the fifth tube body is a flexible catheter and can undergo axial deformation; the fourth tube body is detachably connected to the first tube body.

[0015] The flexible endoscope provided by the present invention, by configuring the scope driving part and the camera part into two parts and connecting them in a detachable manner, achieves single use of the scope driving part and multiple uses of the camera part after disinfection, thereby greatly reducing the cost of single use. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the present invention or the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0017] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of the mirror body driving unit of the flexible endoscope provided by the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram of the imaging unit of the flexible endoscope provided by the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 One of the structural schematic diagrams of the first tube body shown in FIG.

[0020] Figure 4 yes Figure 1FIG. 2 is a second structural schematic diagram of the first tube body shown in FIG.

[0021] Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram of the first tube body and the camera part being clamped together.

[0022] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the structure of the second tube body.

[0023] Figure 7 It is a structural diagram of the driving mechanism.

[0024] Reference numerals: 1. Mirror body driving unit; 2. Camera unit; 3. Driving mechanism; 11. first tube body; 12. second tube body; 13. third tube body; 14. elastic member; 15. clamping member; 21. fourth tube body; 22. fifth tube body; 23. sixth tube body; 31. driver; 32. syringe; 111, first through hole; 112, second groove; 121, third groove; 122, fourth groove; 123, blind hole; 124, second through hole; 211, first groove. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The following embodiments of the present invention are described in further detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are used to illustrate the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0026] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside" and the like indicate positions or positional relationships based on the positions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the devices or elements referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operate in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limitations on the embodiments of the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0027] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the embodiments of the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0028] In the embodiments of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the first feature being "above" or "below" the second feature may mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, the first feature being "above", "above" and "above" the second feature may mean that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. The first feature being "below", "below" and "below" the second feature may mean that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0029] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the embodiment of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art may combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of the different embodiments or examples, without contradiction.

[0030] Combine the following Figure 1-Figure 7 A flexible endoscope of the present invention is described.

[0031] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the flexible endoscope includes: a mirror body driving part 1 and a camera part 2, both of which are flexible parts. The camera part 2 is arranged inside the mirror body driving part 1, and part of the camera part 2 extends outside the mirror body driving part 1, and the camera part 2 and the mirror body driving part 1 are detachably connected.

[0032] Specifically, in this embodiment, the mirror body driving part 1 and the camera part 2 are two parts. When in use, the camera part 2 is inserted into the mirror body driving part 1 and clamped. Both the mirror body driving part 1 and the camera part 2 are flexible parts so that they can bend when driven.

[0033] The mirror body driving unit 1 is used to carry the camera unit 2 to the lesion position, and the camera unit 2 is used to obtain image information of the lesion position. In this embodiment, the mirror body driving unit 1 and the camera unit 2 are detachably connected, and the camera unit 2 can be disassembled for disinfection after use. The camera unit 2 has a high manufacturing cost and can be used repeatedly after disinfection. The mirror body driving unit 1 has a low manufacturing cost and can be discarded after use. When it is used again, the new mirror body driving unit 1 is clamped with the camera unit 2 to increase the number of uses of the camera unit 2, thereby reducing the use cost of the flexible endoscope.

[0034] The flexible endoscope provided in the embodiment of the present invention, by configuring the scope driving part and the camera part into two parts and connecting them in a detachable manner, achieves single use of the scope driving part and multiple uses of the camera part after disinfection, thereby greatly reducing the cost of single use.

[0035] like Figure 3 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, the imaging unit 2 and the mirror driving unit 1 are coaxially arranged.

[0036] Specifically, a first through hole 111 is provided at the center of the mirror body driving part 1, and the camera part 2 is provided in the first through hole 111. In this embodiment, the camera part 2 is an elongated tube, and a camera is provided at one end thereof. The center line of the camera part 2 is colinear with the center line of the mirror body driving part 1, that is, the mirror body driving part 1 and the camera part 2 are coaxially arranged.

[0037] like Figure 4 As shown, in another embodiment of the present invention, the imaging unit 2 and the mirror driving unit 1 are eccentrically arranged.

[0038] Specifically, a first through hole 111 is provided at a position deviating from the center line of the mirror driving part 1, and the camera part 2 is inserted into the first through hole 111. Since the center line of the camera part 2 is deviated from the center line of the mirror driving part 1, the camera part 2 and the mirror driving part 1 are eccentrically arranged.

[0039] It can be understood that: in the present embodiment, the first through hole 111 can be arranged at any position deviating from the center line of the mirror body driving part 1 , and thus, there are various positions where the camera part 2 is arranged to pass through the mirror body driving part 1 .

[0040] like Figure 2 As shown, the camera unit 2 includes: a fourth tube body 21, a fifth tube body 22 and a sixth tube body 23 connected in sequence. The fourth tube body 21 is provided with a camera packaging module, and the fifth tube body 22 is a low-hardness flexible conduit that allows deformation in the axial direction to adapt to the action of the mirror body driving unit 1. The fifth tube body 22 adopts a metal spring winding structure design, and the power supply signal line of the camera packaging module is also distributed in a spring shape.

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown, the mirror body driving unit 1 includes: a first tube body 11, a second tube body 12 and a third tube body connected in sequence. The imaging unit 2 part extends to the outside of the first tube body 11, and the imaging unit 2 is detachably connected to the first tube body 11.

[0042] Specifically, if Figure 5As shown, the outer wall of the camera part 2 is provided with a first groove 211, the inner wall of the first tube body 11 is provided with a second groove 112, and the second groove 112 is provided with an elastic member 14 and a clamping member 15, and the two ends of the elastic member 14 are respectively connected to the bottom of the second groove 112 and the clamping member 15, and the clamping member 15 can be clamped in the first groove 211.

[0043] Specifically, since the camera unit 2 is disposed in the first through hole 111 of the mirror body driving unit 1, the second groove 112 is disposed on the inner wall of the first through hole 111. The elastic member 14 and the clamping member 15 are both disposed in the second groove 112, and the width of the second groove 112 is greater than the width of the clamping member 15 so as to accommodate the clamping member 15.

[0044] The outer wall of the fourth tube body 21 of the camera unit 2 is provided with a first groove 211. When the camera unit 2 moves along the first through hole 111, the camera unit 2 squeezes the clamping member 15, and the clamping member 15 compresses the elastic member 14, so that the clamping member 15 is located in the second groove 112, which plays a role in avoiding the movement of the camera unit 2. When one end of the fourth tube body 21 of the camera unit 2 extends to the outside of the first tube body 11, when the clamping member 15 meets the first groove 211, the elastic member 14 stretches, and pushes the clamping member 15 into the first groove 211, so as to realize the clamping connection between the camera unit 2 and the mirror body driving unit 1.

[0045] When it is necessary to disassemble the camera part 2 and the mirror body driving part 1, continue to push the camera part 2 to move, the first groove 211 passes over the clamping part 15, the outer wall of the camera part 2 squeezes the clamping part 15, the elastic part 14 contracts, so that the clamping part 15 is located in the second groove 112, and the camera part 2 is rotated to separate the camera part 2 from the mirror body driving part 1.

[0046] The flexible endoscope provided by the embodiment of the present invention has a first groove on the outer wall of the camera part, and a second groove, an elastic member and a snap-on member on the inner wall of the mirror body driving part. When the camera part is inserted into a preset position, the camera part is automatically snap-connected, and the two can be separated by continuing to push the camera part. The assembly and disassembly methods are simple and convenient, which reduces the labor intensity of the operator and is easy to promote and apply widely.

[0047] like Figure 1 As shown, in the embodiment of the present invention, the first tube body 11 is a driving portion, the second tube body 12 is an active bending portion, and the third tube body 13 is a passive bending portion.

[0048] Specifically, since the fourth tube body 21 of the camera unit 2 is connected to the first tube body 11, the camera unit 2 can be driven to move when the first tube body 11 moves, so the first tube body 11 is a driving unit. The second tube body 12 is connected to the driving mechanism 3, and the driving mechanism 3 is used to directly drive the second tube body 12 to bend, so the second tube body 12 is an active bending unit. The third tube body 13 moves with the second tube body 12, so it is a passive bending unit.

[0049] like Figure 3 As shown, the first tube body 11 is provided with a plurality of through holes in addition to the first through hole 111 located at the center, and the remaining through holes are used for passing various instruments, installing light sources, and injecting gas and water during operation.

[0050] like Figure 6 As shown, the flexible endoscope further includes a driving mechanism 3. The second tube 12 is provided with at least one cavity. The driving mechanism 3 is connected to the cavity to drive the scope driving part 1 to extend and bend by gas injection or liquid injection.

[0051] Specifically, the second tube body 12 is provided with at least one blind hole 123, and the blind hole 123 forms a cavity. The driving mechanism 3 injects gas or liquid into the blind hole 123 to change the pressure in the blind hole 123, thereby actively extending and bending the second tube body 12. When the pressure in the blind hole 123 increases, the second tube body 12 will generate a bending moment, and the magnitude of the bending moment determines the degree of bending.

[0052] In this embodiment, the number of the blind hole 123 can be one or more. When the number of the blind hole 123 is one, its bending direction is the same as the force direction; when the number of the blind holes 123 is multiple, the superposition of the force directions in the multiple blind holes 123 realizes the characteristic direction bending.

[0053] Furthermore, since the second tube body 12 is also connected to the third tube body 13 , the driving mechanism 3 can be connected to the blind hole 123 through a pipeline to inject gas or liquid into the blind hole 123 .

[0054] like Figure 6 As shown, in the embodiment of the present invention, the surface of the second tube body 12 is provided with multiple pairs of grooves along the extension direction of its length, and adjacent grooves are staggered. Each pair of grooves includes: a third groove 121 and a fourth groove 122, and the third groove 121 and the fourth groove 122 are arranged opposite to each other.

[0055] Specifically, since the first tube body 11 , the second tube body 12 and the third tube body 13 are all made of flexible materials, when the pressure in the blind hole 123 increases, the wall of the blind hole 123 will expand, causing the second tube body 12 to expand radially, thereby affecting the bending deformation of the second tube body 12 .

[0056] To prevent the second tube body 12 from radial expansion, in the present embodiment, a plurality of pairs of grooves are provided on the outer surface of the second tube body 12 , and the plurality of pairs of grooves form a serpentine structure, thereby restraining the radial expansion of the second tube body 12 .

[0057] Specifically, in this embodiment, the adjacent grooves are staggered, which means that each pair of grooves includes a third groove 121 and a fourth groove 122, and the third groove 121 is arranged opposite to the fourth groove 122. For example, the third groove 121 and the fourth groove 122 of the first pair of grooves are arranged at the positions of 0° and 180°, that is, the third groove 121 and the fourth groove 122 of the second pair of grooves are arranged at the positions of 90° and 360°, thereby constraining the radial expansion of the entire circumference of the second tube body 12.

[0058] Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the third groove 121 and the fourth groove 122 are both strip grooves. Specifically, the strip groove refers to a groove having a certain length, and its length is much greater than its width. Optionally, in this embodiment, the third groove 121 and the fourth groove 122 can be rectangular grooves, or can be elongated grooves with arc-shaped ends.

[0059] It should be noted that: through experiments, it is proved that the strip grooves have the best restraining effect on radial expansion.

[0060] The flexible endoscope provided in an embodiment of the present invention realizes the constraint on the radial expansion of the second tube body by arranging multiple pairs of grooves on the surface of the second tube body, and the multiple pairs of grooves are staggered, and each groove is a strip groove, so as to cause the second tube body to only undergo axial elongation and bending, thereby ensuring the curvature of the second tube body.

[0061] like Figure 6 As shown, the second tube body 12 is further provided with a second through hole 124 , which is located at the center of the second tube body 12 , and the inner wall of the second through hole 124 is also provided with a snake-bone structure, the shape of which is the same as the snake-bone structure of the outer wall of the second tube body 12 .

[0062] like Figure 7 As shown, in the embodiment of the present invention, the driving mechanism 3 includes: a driver 31 and a syringe 32, and both ends of the syringe 32 are respectively connected to the driver 31 and the blind hole 123. The syringe 32 is filled with gas or liquid, and when the driver 31 drives the syringe 32 to move, the gas or liquid can be injected into the blind hole 123.

[0063] Furthermore, the driver 31 is a linear motion driving motor, and the syringe 32 is a structure similar to a syringe. When the linear motion driving motor is in motion, the liquid or gas in the syringe 32 can be injected into the blind hole 123 to increase the pressure in the blind hole 123 and bend the second tube 12. In one embodiment of the present invention, the syringe 32 is connected to the third tube 13, and a plurality of pipelines are provided in the third tube 13, each pipeline being connected to a blind hole 123, so that when the driver 31 is driven, the gas or liquid in the syringe 32 can enter the blind hole 123 through the pipeline in the third tube 13.

[0064] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flexible endoscope, characterized in that: include: A mirror body driving part and a camera part, wherein both the mirror body driving part and the camera part are flexible parts; The camera unit is disposed inside the mirror body driving unit, and part of the camera unit extends outside the mirror body driving unit. The camera unit and the mirror body driving unit are detachably connected.

2. The flexible endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that: The imaging unit is coaxially arranged with the mirror driving unit.

3. The flexible endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that: The imaging unit and the mirror driving unit are eccentrically arranged.

4. The flexible endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The outer wall of the camera part is provided with a first groove, the inner wall of the mirror body driving part is provided with a second groove, and a clamping part and an elastic part are provided in the second groove. The two ends of the elastic part are respectively connected to the bottom of the second groove and the clamping part, and the clamping part can be clamped in the first groove.

5. The flexible endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mirror body driving part comprises: a first tube body, a second tube body and a third tube body connected in sequence, a part of the imaging part extends to the outside of the first tube body, and the imaging part is detachably connected to the first tube body; The first tube body is a driving part, the second tube body is an active bending part, and the third tube body is a passive bending part.

6. The flexible endoscope according to claim 5, characterized in that: It also includes a driving mechanism, the second tube body is provided with at least one cavity, and the driving mechanism is connected to the cavity to drive the mirror body driving part to extend and bend by injecting gas or liquid.

7. The flexible endoscope according to claim 6, characterized in that: The surface of the second tube body is provided with a plurality of pairs of grooves along the extension direction of its length, and the adjacent grooves are staggered, and each pair of the grooves includes: a third groove and a fourth groove, and the third groove is arranged opposite to the fourth groove.

8. The flexible endoscope according to claim 7, characterized in that: The third groove and the fourth groove are both strip-shaped grooves.

9. The flexible endoscope according to claim 6, characterized in that: The driving mechanism comprises: a syringe and a driver, and two ends of the syringe are connected to the driver and the cavity respectively.

10. The flexible endoscope according to claim 5, characterized in that: The camera unit comprises: a fourth tube body, a fifth tube body and a sixth tube body connected in sequence, the fourth tube body is provided with a camera packaging module, and the fifth tube body is a flexible conduit and can undergo axial deformation; The fourth tube body is detachably connected to the first tube body.

Images