Endoscope controlled by a power receptor

Abstract

The present invention relates to an endoscope controlled by a receptor, and more particularly to an endoscope whose operation is controlled by a power receptor that receives power provided by a power source. The present invention provides an endoscope in which the operation of a bending section can be controlled by controlling the movement distance of a power receptor that receives power from an external source.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] One aspect of the present invention relates to an endoscope controlled by a power receptor, and more particularly to an endoscope whose operation is controlled by a power receptor that accepts power provided by a power source. [Background technology]

[0002] The material discussed herein is merely intended to provide background information related to embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to constitute prior art.

[0003] An endoscope is generally a medical instrument used to view inside the body for medical purposes. Depending on the part of the body being examined, it can be called a "bronchoscope," "gastroscope," "laparoscope," "colonoscope," etc. Unlike most other medical imaging devices, an endoscope is inserted directly into the body.

[0004] Supported by the development of optical fiber and the rapid development of optical technology and electronics, endoscopes have evolved into the current electronic endoscopes, which have made a great contribution to the development of the field of gastroenterology. The development of electronic endoscopes has not only led to the development of diagnostic fields that allow direct observation inside the subject and histological examinations, but also to the rapid development of various therapeutic endoscopes, which have come to replace open surgery.

[0005] The structure of an endoscope generally includes an insertion tube having a bending portion and a flexible portion that is inserted into the body, an operation portion that is connected to one end of the insertion tube and controls the bending movement of the bending portion, a connector that is coupled to a light source device or the like, and a universal cord that separates the operation portion from the connector.

[0006] In addition, in order to control the bending operation of the bending section, the endoscope is provided with a mechanical string between the bending section and the operation section, and the mechanical string is structured to be connected to a control knob provided on the operation section. In an endoscope having such a structure, when a user (surgeon) manually operates the control knob, the mechanical string transmits power to bend the bending section.

[0007] However, during endoscopic examinations and treatments, tense situations that could be fatal to the patient may arise. However, with an endoscope of this structure, the surgeon must manually operate the knob to control the bending movement of the bending section in a tense situation, and the surgeon tends to concentrate only on operating the knob, making it difficult to resolve the tense situation and possibly leading to an inability to accurately bend the bending section, which is problematic.

[0008] In response to this, an endoscope has been developed that can bend the bending section automatically using a power source, rather than manually by the surgeon. However, endoscopes with this type of structure have problems in terms of control precision and stability, since there is no suitable power transmission structure that can transmit power from outside the endoscope.

[0009] Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a connector with a new power transmission structure that can receive power from an external source and effectively transmit it to the bending section while maintaining the precision of the bending angle control of the bending section of the endoscope.

[0010] The above-mentioned background art is technical information that the inventor possessed in order to derive the embodiments of the present invention or that he acquired in the process of deriving the embodiments of the present invention, and is not necessarily publicly known art that was disclosed to the general public prior to the filing of the embodiments of the present invention. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] Therefore, one aspect of the present invention has been proposed to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope that can control the operation of a bending section while maintaining the accuracy and stability of the bending operation by controlling the travel distance of a power receptor that receives power from an external source.

[0012] The technical problems that the present invention aims to achieve are not limited to the above-mentioned technical problems, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention can provide an endoscope having one or more of: a power receptor that moves when power is transmitted from a power source; and a bending section whose bending action is controlled by the movement of the power receptor.

[0014] According to an embodiment, the bending portion may be characterized by having an imaging means that is inserted into a subject and that collects video information, and an illumination means that illuminates the inside of the subject.

[0015] According to an embodiment, the power source may be characterized in that the power source has an operation unit that generates a control signal, and the control signal generated by the operation unit controls a rotational force of the power source.

[0016] According to an embodiment, the present invention may be characterized in that the actuator further includes an operation unit that generates a control signal, and the control signal generated by the operation unit controls a moving distance of the power receptor.

[0017] According to an embodiment, the power receptor may have a first slider and a second slider, and the control signal may include a first control signal that controls the travel distance of the first slider and a second control signal that controls the travel distance of the second slider.

[0018] According to an embodiment, the power receptors may be a pair, and one of the pair of power receptors may control the up and down bending of the bending portion, and the other may control the left and right bending of the bending portion.

[0019] According to an embodiment, the power generated by the movement of the power receptor may be transmitted to the bending portion through the operating portion.

[0020] According to an embodiment, the power receptor may be characterized in that the power is directly transmitted from an external device having a built-in power source. According to an embodiment, the power receptor may be characterized in that the power is directly transmitted from a light source device having a built-in power source or an image processing device having a built-in power source.

[0021] According to another embodiment of the present invention, an insertion unit having a bending portion that is inserted into a subject to collect image information; an operation unit that generates a control signal to control a bending angle of the bending portion; and

[0022] an output section that outputs the control signal to the outside, and a connector having a receptor that receives an external force corresponding to the control signal, the control signal controlling the distance the receptor moves; Effect of the Invention

[0023] As described above, one embodiment of the present invention provides an endoscope that can control the movement of a bending section while maintaining the accuracy and stability of the bending operation by controlling the travel distance of a power receptor that receives power from an external source.

[0024] In addition, according to the embodiments, the present invention has various advantages, such as excellent versatility, and such advantages can be clearly confirmed from the description of the embodiments described below. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows an endoscope according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a connector of an endoscope according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3]FIG. 3 shows the inside of the connector in FIG. 2 without the cover, and shows the power receptor and the power transmission section. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a light source device to which an endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention is coupled. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows a state in which the power provider provided in the light source device of FIG. 4 and the power receiver provided in the connector of FIG. 3 are coupled together. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] The following drawings attached to this specification are for illustrating an embodiment of the present invention and, together with the above-mentioned summary of the invention, are intended to facilitate understanding of the technical concept of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited only to the matters described in the drawings.

[0027] The advantages and features of the present invention, as well as the methods for achieving them, will become apparent from the detailed description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments presented below, and may be embodied in various different forms, and should be understood as including all modifications, equivalents, or alternatives within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention. The embodiments presented below are provided to fully disclose the present invention and to fully inform those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains of the scope of the invention. In the description of the present invention, if a detailed description of related known technology is deemed to obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted.

[0028] The terms used in this application are merely used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. The singular expressions include the plural expressions unless otherwise clearly indicated in the context.

[0029] In this application, the term "comprises" or "having" is intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, and is not to be understood as precluding the presence or additional possibility of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof. Terms such as first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only to distinguish one component from another.

[0030] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description with reference to the accompanying drawings, the same or corresponding components are given the same drawing numbers, and duplicate descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0031] FIG. 1 shows an endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a connector of the endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows the inside of the connector in FIG. 2 with the cover removed, illustrating the power receptor and the power transmission section, and FIG. 4 shows a light source device to which an endoscope according to one embodiment of the present invention is coupled. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the power provider provided in the light source device of FIG. 4 and the power receiver provided in the connector of FIG. 3 are coupled together.

[0032] The endoscope 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include one or more of an insertion section 140, an operation section 130, a universal cord 120, and a connector 110.

[0033] According to an embodiment, the operation unit 130 may be provided between one end of the insertion unit 140 and one end of the universal cord 120, and the other end of the universal cord 120 may be connected to the connector 110.

[0034] The insertion section 140 may be a portion that is inserted into the body of a patient when a user (an operator) performs an examination or treatment on the patient using the endoscope 100. The insertion section 140 may be configured to include a tip portion, a bending portion 141, and a flexible portion.

[0035] The tip section may be configured to illuminate a target site, collect image information, perform treatment, etc. The tip section may be provided at the tip of the insertion section, and may be formed with a lighting means for illuminating the inside of the subject, an imaging means for imaging the inside of the subject, a biopsy channel for sampling tissue from the subject, and an air / water supply channel for injecting air, water, etc. for various purposes.

[0036] The bending portion 141 can be bent by a user's operation and can move along the inside of a tubular organ that is curved and bent inside the body. A tip portion may be provided at the tip of the bending portion 141, and the tip portion can be positioned in a direction desired by the user by bending the tip portion by a bending operation. The flexible section may be a part that is located between the bending section 141 and the operation section 130 and moves together with the bending section 141 when the bending section 141 moves along a tubular organ inside the patient's body.

[0037] The operation unit 130 may be provided with a control means 131 capable of controlling the bending operation of the bending portion 141, and may be provided with a flow path control valve or a flow path control switch capable of controlling air supply, water supply, or suction. Here, the control means 131 may include, for example, a joystick described later.

[0038] The insertion unit 140 may be connected to one side of the operation unit 130, and the universal cord 120 may be connected to the other side. A connector 110 may be connected to the tip of the universal cord 120.

[0039] The connector 110 can function to connect the endoscope 100 to an external device. Here, the external device may include, for example, a light source device 300, an image processing device, and the like.

[0040] When the endoscope 100 is connected to the light source device 300 or the image processing device through the connector 110, the endoscope 100 can receive light from the light source device 300 through the connector 110 to illuminate the inside of the patient's body, and can transmit image information of the inside of the patient's body collected by the endoscope 100 to the image processing device through the connector 110 and the light source device 300. According to the embodiment, the image information can also be transmitted to the image processing device through the connector.

[0041] The universal cord 120 connects the operation unit 130 and the connector 110, and can separate the connector 110 from the operation unit 130 so that a user can easily move the operation unit 130 when gripping it and using the endoscope 100. According to an embodiment, the universal cord 120 may be omitted, and the connector 110 may be connected to the other side of the operation unit 130.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the endoscope 100 may have a power receptor 111 that moves by receiving power from a power source, and a bending section 141 whose bending operation is controlled by the movement of the power receptor 111. According to the embodiment, the bending section 141 may have an imaging means that is inserted into a subject and collects video information, and an illumination means that illuminates the inside of the subject.

[0043] Here, the power source may refer to a device that generates power, and may include, for example, a motor. According to an embodiment, the power source may be provided in the endoscope 100. According to an embodiment, the power source may be provided outside the endoscope 100. Providing the power source outside the endoscope 100 may mean that the power source is provided in a power providing device that is provided separately from the endoscope 100. According to an embodiment, the power providing device may include the light source device 300 or the image processing device, and in this case, the endoscope 100 can be coupled to the light source device 300 or the image processing device and can be operated by receiving power from the light source device 300 or the image processing device.

[0044] According to the embodiment, when the endoscope 100 according to the present embodiment is connected to a light source device 300 having an internal power source, the endoscope 100 can illuminate the inside of the patient's body by receiving light from the light source device 300, and can perform bending operations inside the patient's body by receiving power from the light source device 300.

[0045] In addition, when the endoscope 100 is connected to an image processing device having an internal power source, the endoscope 100 can transmit collected image information of the inside of the patient's body to the image processing device, and the endoscope 100 can perform bending operations inside the patient's body by receiving power from the image processing device. The power receptor 111 according to the present embodiment may refer to a configuration for receiving power. The power receptor 111 may include a configuration for receiving mechanical power.

[0046] According to the embodiment, the power receptor 111 is present outside the endoscope 100, and can receive power from an external device that exists as a product separate from the endoscope 100. According to the embodiment, the power receptor 111 can receive power directly from the light source device 300 having an internal power source.

[0047] The power receptor 111 according to this embodiment may be provided in the connector 110 of the endoscope 100. When the connector 110 of the endoscope 100 is connected to a light source device 300 having a built-in power source, it becomes possible for the connector 110 to receive power from the power source of the light source device 300.

[0048] According to an embodiment, the light source device 300 may be provided with a power provider 310 for providing power. The power provider 310 provided in the light source device 300 may be formed to have a shape corresponding to that of the power receiver 111 provided in the connector 110. According to an embodiment, the power provider 310 may be formed with a recess 311, and the power receiver 111 may be formed with a protrusion 111a. The protrusion 111a of the power receiver 111 may have a structure that protrudes to the outside through a slot 113 formed in the front cover 112 of the connector 110.

[0049] When the connector 110 is coupled to the connector receiving portion 320 of the light source device 300 , the power provider 310 and the power receiver 111 are coupled to each other, and power can be prepared to be transmitted from the light source device 300 to the connector 110 .

[0050] The method of transmitting power from the light source device 300 to the endoscope 100 may include various methods. According to an embodiment, the power provider 310 may be coupled to a rail structure formed on the light source device 300 and may have a slider-like configuration that moves on the rail structure, and the power receiver 111 may also be coupled to a rail structure 200 provided on the connector 110 like the power provider 310 and may have a slider-like configuration that moves on the rail structure 200.

[0051] In this structure, when the power provider 310, to which power is transmitted by the power source, moves, the power receiver 111 engaged with the power provider 310 moves together, so that power can be provided from the light source device 300 to the connector 110.

[0052] The endoscope 100 according to this embodiment may include, in order, a connector 110, a universal cord 120, an operation section 130, and an insertion section 140. Here, the mechanical string 230 may be provided so as to penetrate, in order, the connector 110, the universal cord 120, the operation section 130, and the insertion section 140. One side of the mechanical string 230 may be connected to the power receptor 111, and the other side may be connected to a curved section 141 forming an end of the insertion section 140.

[0053] The power receptor 111 and the mechanical string 230 may be connected by a power transmission section, which may include a pinion sprocket assembly 210 and a chain slider assembly 220 according to an embodiment.

[0054] According to an embodiment, the pinion sprocket assembly 210 has a structure in which the pinion gear 211 and the sprocket 212 are integrally formed into a single rotating body, and when the pinion gear 211 rotates, the sprocket 212 also rotates therewith. The chain slider assembly 220 may have a structure in which a pair of sliders 222 are connected to both ends of the chain 221, and when the chain 221 moves, the sliders 222 connected to both ends of the chain 221 also move therewith.

[0055] A rack gear may be formed on the rear surface of the power receiver 111, and the pinion gear 211 of the pinion sprocket assembly 210 may mesh with the rack gear to transmit power. Also, in the pinion sprocket assembly 210, the sprocket 212 may mesh with the chain 221 of the chain slider assembly 220 to transmit power.

[0056] A mechanical string 230 may be connected to each of a pair of sliders 222 to be paired in the chain slider assembly 220. In this case, a first string 231 and a second string 232, which will be described later, may be connected to each of the pair of sliders 222, and the first string 231 and the second string 232 can be paired by this structure.

[0057] According to the configuration of the power transmission unit described above, when the power receptor 111 slides, the mechanical string 230 is pulled or pushed to transmit power to the bending portion 141, and the bending portion 141 receives the power through the mechanical string 230 and performs a bending motion. Finally, the bending motion of the bending portion 141 can be controlled by the movement of the power receptor 111.

[0058] According to the embodiment, the operation unit 130 can generate a control signal, and the control signal generated by the operation unit 130 can control the rotational force of the power source. According to the embodiment, the control signal generated by the operation unit 130 can control the moving distance d of the power receptor 111.

[0059] The operation unit 130 according to the present embodiment has a size and shape that allows a user to hold the operation unit 130 and insert or rotate the insertion unit 140 including the bending portion 141 into a subject, and can function like a handle. The user can hold the operation unit 130 and adjust the position of the bending portion 141 inside the subject to collect image information or perform a medical treatment.

[0060] According to an embodiment, the operation unit 130 may be provided with a control means 131 that generates a control signal, for example, a joystick. The control signal generated by the control means 131 may include a control command for controlling the rotational force of the power source. When the power source is provided in an external device, for example, the light source device 300, the control signal can be transmitted from the endoscope 100 to the external device by wire or wirelessly.

[0061] According to an embodiment, when the transmission method of the control signal is a wireless transmission method, as an embodiment for implementing wireless transmission, a communication module may be implemented in the operation unit 130, and the rotational force of the power source may be controlled by transmitting a control signal to the power source controller through the communication module.

[0062] According to an embodiment, when the transmission method of the control signal is a wired transmission method, as an embodiment for implementing the wired transmission, an electrical cable configuration may be connected from the joystick to the operation unit 130, the universal cord 120, and the connector 110, and a control signal terminal may be provided at the end of the connector 110.

[0063] In this case, a control signal receiving terminal may also be provided in the connector receiving portion 320 of the light source device 300, and the control signal receiving terminal may have a structure for being electrically connected to the power source controller.

[0064] When the connector 110 is connected to the light source device 300, the control signal terminal is connected to the control signal receiving terminal, and the control signal generated by the joystick can be transmitted to the power source controller through the electrical cable, the control signal terminal, and the control signal receiving terminal.

[0065] According to the embodiment, the control signal generated by the control means 131 provided in the operation unit 130 can control the moving distance d of the power provider 310 of the light source device 300 or the power receiver 111 of the connector 110 .

[0066] That is, the control signal controls the rotational force of the power source of the light source device 300, and due to a structure in which the power source generates power and the generated power is sequentially transmitted through the power provider 310 and the power receptor 111, the control signal generated by the operating unit 130 can control the movement distance d of the power receptor 111.

[0067] According to the embodiment, the rotation direction of the power source can determine the movement direction of the power provider 310 or the power receiver 111, and the rotation speed of the power source can determine the movement speed of the power provider 310 or the power receiver 111. The movement direction of the power receiver 111 can determine the bending direction of the bending portion 141, and the movement speed of the power receiver 111 can determine the bending speed of the bending portion 141.

[0068] The user, or surgeon, can operate the joystick to generate a control signal and transmit it to a power source provided in the light source device 300. The power source, upon receiving the control signal, generates a rotational force corresponding to the control signal, and the generated rotational force can move the power provider 310 and the power receptor 111. Ultimately, the movement of the power receptor 111 can control the bending motion of the bending portion 141.

[0069] According to an embodiment, the power receptor 111 may include a type of slider. The power receptor 111 is coupled to a rail structure 200 formed on the connector 110, and can move in a specific direction on the rail structure 200. For example, the power receptor 111 can slide between a first end and a second end formed by the rail structure 200 formed on the connector 110, and can move back and forth.

[0070] For example, the power receptor 111 can move within a bending angle range of the bending portion 141 while reciprocating between a first end and a second end, where the first end of the power receptor 111 can correspond to a first angle in the bending angle range and the second end can correspond to a second angle. For example, when the power receptor 111 moves from the first end to the second end, the bending portion 141 can be bent from the first angle to the second angle.

[0071] It is desirable that the bending angle range of the bending portion 141 is predetermined by a set value. The bending angle range of the bending portion 141 can be set, for example, so that the bending portion 141 is bent only from a first angle to a second angle. In this way, the endoscope 100 is motorized, and precise position control of the bending portion 141 is possible by a computer, and the operator, who is the user, can predict the bending range of the bending portion 141.

[0072] The control signal can control the movement distance d of the power provider 310 provided in the light source device 300 or the power receiver 111 provided in the connector 110, thereby ensuring that the bending operation of the bending portion 141 accurately adheres to a predetermined bending angle range.

[0073] According to an embodiment, the power receptor 111 may have a first slider and a second slider, and the control signal may include a first control signal that controls a travel distance d of the first slider and a second control signal that controls a travel distance d of the second slider.

[0074] The power receptor 111 may be configured as a pair. That is, the power receptor 111 may be configured as a first slider and a second slider. The power provider 310 may also be configured as a pair like the power receptor 111. Of the control signals, the first control signal can control the moving distance d of the first slider, and the second control signal can control the moving distance d of the second slider.

[0075] According to an embodiment, the mechanical string 230 that transmits power to the curved portion 141 may include a first string 231, a second string 232, a third string, and a fourth string.

[0076] According to an embodiment, the first string 231, the second string 232, the third string and the fourth string may be controlled by four slides that move independently.

[0077] Also, according to another embodiment, the first string 231 and the second string 232 may constitute a first set string, and the third string and the fourth string may constitute a second set string.

[0078] In the first set string, the first string 231 and the second string 232 are paired, and when the first string 231 is pulled, the second string 232 is pushed, and when the second string 232 is pulled, the first string 231 is pushed. In the second set string, the third string and the fourth string are paired, and when the third string is pulled, the fourth string is pushed, and when the fourth string is pulled, the third string is pushed.

[0079] Here, the first set string is connected to the first slider and transmits power by the linear movement of the first slider, and the second set string is connected to the second slider and transmits power by the linear movement of the second slider. According to the configuration in which the power receptor 111 of the present embodiment includes the first slider and the second slider, the two set strings paired with the mechanical strings 230 can be effectively controlled.

[0080] According to the embodiment, the power receptors 111 are configured as a pair, one of which can control the up and down bending of the bending portion 141, and the other can control the left and right bending of the bending portion 141.

[0081] One of the pair of power receptors 111 can control the bending movement of the bending portion 141 in the up-down direction, and the other can control the bending movement of the bending portion 141 in the left-right direction.

[0082] With this structure, one and the other of the pair of power receptors 111 can move linearly independently, and by combining the linear movements of the pair of power receptors 111, the up-down bending and the left-right bending of the bending portion 141 are mutually coupled, thereby realizing up-down and left-right bending movements.

[0083] According to the embodiment, the angle range of the minimum and maximum angles of the first bending angle at which the bending motion in the up-down direction is performed and the angle range of the minimum and maximum angles of the second bending angle at which the bending motion in the left-right direction is performed may be different from each other. The difference between the angle range of the first bending angle and the angle range of the second bending angle is for providing a guide to the user when the surgeon, who is the user, controls the bending motion in the up-down direction and the bending motion in the left-right direction in combination, and for making it easier for the surgeon, who is the user, to predict the position of the tip part inside the patient's body when performing an examination or treatment. That is, in order to make it easier for the surgeon, who is the user, to predict the position of the tip part constituting the tip of the bending part, the angle range in which the bending motion is performed in the up-down direction by one of the pair of power receptors 111 and the angle range in which the bending motion is performed in the left-right direction by the other of the pair of power receptors 111 may be different from each other.

[0084] According to an embodiment, the pair of power receptors 111 may be configured to include a first slider and a second slider, where the first slider can control the bending movement of the bending portion 141 in the up-down direction, and the second slider can control the bending movement of the bending portion 141 in the left-right direction.

[0085] With this structure, the first slider and the second slider can move linearly independently, and the combination of the linear motions of the first slider and the second slider can combine the vertical and horizontal curvatures of the curvature portion 141 to realize vertical and horizontal curvature movements. The first slider and the second slider may be configured to correspond to one and the other of the pair of power receptors 111 described above, respectively. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the endoscope 100 according to this embodiment includes an insertion section 140 having a curved section 141 that is inserted into a subject to collect image information; An operation unit 130 that generates a control signal to control the bending angle of the bending portion 141; and

[0086] The control signal may include one or more of an output unit that outputs the control signal to the outside, and a connector 110 that has a receptor that receives an external force corresponding to the control signal and controls the moving distance of the receptor. Here, the insertion unit 140, the operation unit 130, and the connector 110 have already been described in the above-mentioned embodiment, so detailed description will be omitted.

[0087] In the present specification (particularly the claims), the use of the term "said" and similar indicators may apply to both the singular and the plural. In addition, when a range is described in the present invention, it includes the invention to which each individual value belonging to the above range is applied (unless otherwise stated), and is equivalent to describing each individual value constituting the above range in the detailed description of the invention.

[0088] Unless there is an explicit order description or a contrary description regarding the steps constituting the method according to the present invention, the steps can be performed in any suitable order. The present invention is not necessarily limited to the order of the steps described above. The use of all examples or exemplary terms (such as, for example, etc.) in the present invention is merely for the purpose of explaining the present invention in detail, and the scope of the present invention is not limited by the above examples or exemplary terms unless limited by the claims. In addition, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications, combinations and changes can be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents according to design conditions and factors.

[0089] Therefore, the spirit of the present invention should not be limited to the above-described embodiments, and not only the scope of the attached claims, but also all scopes equivalent to or equivalently modified from the scope of the claims belong to the scope of the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 100: Endoscope 110: Connector 111: Power Receptor 111a:Protrusion 112: Front cover 113: Slot 120: Universal Code 130:Operation unit 131: Control means 140: Insertion section 141: Curved section 200: Rail structure 210: Pinion sprocket assembly 211: Pinion gear 212: Sprocket 220: Chain slider assembly 221: Chain 222: Slider 230: Mechanical string 231: First String 232: Second String 300: Light source device 310: Power provider 311: Recess 320: Connector receiving part d: Distance traveled

Claims

1. A power receptor that moves when power is transmitted from a power source; and a bending portion whose bending motion is controlled by the movement of the power receptor; An endoscope characterized by:

2. The bending portion is inserted into a subject and has an imaging means for collecting image information and an illumination means for illuminating the inside of the subject. The endoscope according to claim 1 .

3. The control signal generated by the operation unit is used to control the rotational force of the power source. The endoscope according to claim 1 .

4. The actuator has an operating unit that generates a control signal, and the control signal generated by the operating unit controls the moving distance of the power receptor. The endoscope according to claim 1 .

5. The power receiver has a first slider and a second slider, and the control signal has a first control signal that controls a travel distance of the first slider and a second control signal that controls a travel distance of the second slider. The endoscope according to claim 4.

6. The power receptors are a pair, one of which controls the up-down bending of the bending portion, and the other of which controls the left-right bending of the bending portion. The endoscope according to claim 4.

7. The force generated by the movement of the force receptor is transmitted to the bending portion through the operating portion. The endoscope according to claim 4.

8. The power receptor receives power directly from an external device having the power source built therein. The endoscope according to claim 1 .

9. an insertion portion having a curved portion to be inserted into a subject to collect image information; An operation unit that generates a control signal to control the bending angle of the bending portion; and a connector having an output section for outputting the control signal to the outside and a receptor for receiving an external force corresponding to the control signal, the control signal controlling a moving distance of the receptor; An endoscope characterized by:

Images