Medical device control units, ultrasound probes, and endoscopes

Abstract

To provide a medical device control unit, an ultrasound probe, and an endoscope that are easy to grip and operate the control lever. [Solution] The device comprises an exterior member 13, an operating lever 30 rotatably mounted on the operating body 24, which is the first region of the exterior member 13, with respect to a rotation axis 31 while standing upright in the Z(+) direction, an arcuate surface 56 provided on the gripping portion 26, which is the second region on the base end 26A side of the operating body 24, having a normal component C on the Z(-) side, an arcuate surface 24A provided on the operating body 24, having a normal component D on the Z(-) side, and the distance L2 to the longitudinal axis B being less than or equal to the distance L1 from the arcuate surface 56 to the longitudinal axis B, and a locking portion 40 provided on the Z(-) side of the operating lever 30, on the tip end 22A side of the rotation axis 31.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an operation unit for medical devices, an ultrasonic probe, and an endoscope.

Background Art

[0002] An endoscope, which is one of medical devices, operates an operation lever provided on an endoscope operation unit to bend a bending portion of an insertion portion. Thereby, the distal end portion of the insertion portion can be directed in a desired direction.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an endoscope including a main body operation unit having an angle operation lever and a rigid insertion portion having an angle portion. An operator grips the main body operation unit and operates the angle operation lever to bend the angle portion.

[0004] The main body operation unit of Patent Document 1 has a main body casing to which an angle operation lever is attached. A front casing and a rear casing are connected to both ends of the main body casing, the insertion portion extends from the front casing, and a universal cord is drawn out from the rear casing. Further, the main body casing is configured as a large-diameter portion having an outer diameter (diameter) larger than those of the front casing and the rear casing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The main operating unit (operating unit for medical devices) disclosed in Patent Document 1 allows the user to rotate the angle operating lever (operating lever) with their thumb while their index finger is placed on the main casing. However, the index finger may slip off the main casing, or the casing may get in the way, causing the thumb to release from the operating lever. In other words, the operating unit for medical devices in Patent Document 1 has the problem of being difficult for the operator to grasp and operate the operating lever.

[0007] This invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and aims to provide a medical device operating unit, an ultrasound probe, and an endoscope that are easy to grasp and operate the operating lever. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objective, the operating section for a medical device according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises: an exterior member having a tip and a base, with the longitudinal axis defined by the tip and base; at least one operating lever provided in a first region of the exterior member between the tip and base, and configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis while standing upright on one side in a first direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; a first outer peripheral surface provided in a second region of the exterior member on the base side of the first region, having a normal component directed toward the other side opposite to the one side in the first direction; a second outer peripheral surface provided in the first region, having a normal component directed toward the other side in the first direction, and the distance to the longitudinal axis being less than or equal to the distance from the first outer peripheral surface to the longitudinal axis; and an indicator portion provided on the tip side of the rotation axis and on the other side in the first direction.

[0009] In the second aspect of the present invention, the operating section for a medical device, in the first aspect, has the end on the base end side of the indicator section located on the tip side of the rotation axis.

[0010] The medical device operating section according to the third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, is provided in a second region and includes a third outer surface which is a surface that intersects with a second direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the first direction, respectively, and the distance to the longitudinal axis is shorter than the distance from the first outer surface to the longitudinal axis.

[0011] In the fourth aspect of the present invention, the operating section for a medical device, in the third aspect, has the end of the third outer surface on the tip side located on the base side of the rotation axis.

[0012] In the fifth aspect of the present invention, the operating section for a medical device has a third outer surface that is flat, in the third or fourth aspect.

[0013] In any of the first to fifth embodiments of the present invention, the operating section for a medical device comprises at least one operating lever, which includes a first operating lever for bending the insertion portion connected to the tip in a first curving direction, and a second operating lever for bending the insertion portion in a second curving direction different from the first curving direction, wherein the rotation axis of the first operating lever extends in the direction in which the rotation axis of the second operating lever extends.

[0014] In the seventh aspect of the present invention, the operating section for a medical device, in any of the first to sixth aspects, has a locking surface on which a finger can be gripped, and the distance from the locking surface to the longitudinal axis is shorter than the distance from the first outer surface to the longitudinal axis.

[0015] In the eighth aspect of the present invention, the operating section for a medical device, in any of the first to seventh aspects, has an indicator section with a coefficient of friction greater than that of the first outer surface.

[0016] An ultrasonic probe according to the ninth aspect of the present invention comprises a medical device operating unit according to any of the first to eighth aspects, and an insertion unit connected to the tip of the medical device operating unit, wherein a probe is provided on the tip side of the insertion unit.

[0017] An endoscope according to the tenth aspect of the present invention comprises a medical device operating unit according to any of the first to eighth aspects, and an insertion unit connected to the tip of the medical device operating unit, wherein an observation window is provided on the tip side of the insertion unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, it is easy to grip and easy to operate the operating lever. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1] It is an overall perspective view of an ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a left side view of the ultrasonic probe shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a right side view of the ultrasonic probe shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a top view of the ultrasonic probe shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] It is a bottom view of the ultrasonic probe shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 6] It is a perspective view of the main part when the operation unit main body of the operation unit is viewed from below. [Figure 7] It is an explanatory diagram showing an example when an operator operates an operation lever. [Figure 8] It is an explanatory diagram showing the outer shape of the gripping part when the gripping part is viewed in the longitudinal axis direction. [Figure 9] It is a left side view of the operation unit when the operation unit is viewed from the left side. [Figure 10] It is an explanatory diagram showing a state where an operator inserts an insertion part into a body cavity.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of an operation unit for a medical device, an ultrasonic probe, and an endoscope according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of an ultrasonic probe 10 according to an embodiment to which the operation unit for a medical device of the present invention is applied. Hereinafter, when explaining the configuration of each part of the ultrasonic probe 10, for convenience of explanation, a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system of X, Y, and Z will be used for the explanation.

[0022] In other words, the Z direction in the figure refers to the up and down direction, with the Z(+) direction indicating the upward direction and the Z(-) direction indicating the downward direction. The Z direction corresponds to the first direction of the present invention, and the Z(+) direction side and the Z(-) direction side correspond to one side and the other side opposite to the first direction of the present invention. The X direction in the figure refers to the left and right direction perpendicular to the Z direction, with the X(+) direction indicating the right direction and the X(-) direction indicating the left direction. The X direction corresponds to the second direction of the present invention. The Y direction in the figure refers to the direction perpendicular to both the Z and X directions, with the Y(+) direction indicating the tip direction and the Y(-) direction indicating the base end direction. In this specification, the expression "orthogonal" includes angles where the angle between the two directions has some variation from 90° (for example, 90° ± 10°).

[0023] Figures 2 and 3 are left and right side views of the ultrasound probe 10 shown in Figure 1, viewed from the left (X-) side and the right (X+) side, respectively. Figures 4 and 5 are top and bottom views of the ultrasound probe 10 shown in Figure 1, viewed from above (Z+) side and below (Z-) side, respectively.

[0024] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the ultrasonic probe 10 comprises an operating unit 12, an insertion unit 14, and a cable 28. The operating unit 12 is an example of an operating unit for a medical device according to the present invention. The insertion unit 14 is an example of an insertion unit connected to the tip of the present invention.

[0025] The insertion portion 14 is tubular in shape, and its longitudinal axis A is defined by its tip and base. The insertion portion 14 also includes a rigid insertion portion body 16, a curved portion 18 provided on the tip side (Y(+) side) of the insertion portion body 16, and a probe 20 provided on the tip side of the curved portion 18.

[0026] The curved section 18 is configured to bend by, for example, arranging multiple ring-shaped curved pieces (not shown) in a series along the longitudinal axis A. The curved section 18 is bent in the vertical direction (Z direction) and the horizontal direction (X direction) by rotating the operating levers 30 and 32, which will be described later.

[0027] The transducer 20 is a linear type with a flat ultrasonic emission surface 20A and has multiple transducers for transmitting and receiving ultrasound to and from the imaging site (organ, e.g., liver) of the subject. The transducer 20 is connected to an external ultrasound imaging device (not shown) via wiring (not shown). Note that the transducer 20 is not limited to a linear type, and may also be a convex type or a radial type transducer.

[0028] Next, the configuration of the operating unit 12 will be described. As shown in Figure 1, the operating unit 12 includes an exterior member 13.

[0029] [Exterior components] The exterior member 13 has a tip portion 22A and a base portion 26A, and the longitudinal axis B is defined by the tip portion 22A and the base portion 26A. The tip portion 22A, base portion 26A, and longitudinal axis B are examples of the tip portion, base portion, and longitudinal axis of the present invention, respectively. The longitudinal axis B and the longitudinal axis A described above are axes along the Y direction.

[0030] The operating levers 30 and 32 are provided in a portion of the region (first region) between the tip portion 22A and the base portion 26A of the exterior member 13. As shown in Figure 5, the operating levers 30 and 32 are configured to be rotatable around the rotation axis 31 and rotation axis 33, respectively. Note that the operating levers 30 and 32 are examples of at least one operating lever of the present invention, and are examples of the first and second operating levers of the present invention.

[0031] The rotation axis 31 of the operating lever 30 is formed to extend in the direction in which the rotation axis 33 of the operating lever 32 extends. In the operating section 12 of this example, the rotation axis 31 and the rotation axis 33 are each formed along the X direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis B, and the rotation axis 31 and the rotation axis 33 are formed on the same axis. In this example, the rotation axis 31 is formed on the same axis as the rotation axis 33, but the rotation axis 31 only needs to extend in the direction in which the rotation axis 33 extends, and for example, it may be formed to extend in an X direction parallel (including substantially parallel) to the X direction in which the rotation axis 33 extends. Note that the rotation axes 31 and 33 are examples of rotation axes of the present invention.

[0032] The exterior member 13 comprises an operating part tip 22 having a tip portion 22A and a gripping portion 26 having a base portion 26A. The exterior member 13 also comprises an operating part body 24 provided between the operating part tip 22 and the gripping portion 26. Operating levers 30 and 32 are rotatably mounted on the operating part body 24. The operating part body 24 and the gripping portion 26 are examples of the first and second domains of the present invention, respectively.

[0033] Thus, the exterior member 13 is constructed by connecting the operating part tip 22, the operating part body 24, and the gripping part 26 from the tip side (Y(+) side) to the base side (Y(-) side) of the longitudinal axis B. Furthermore, the operating part tip 22, the operating part body 24, and the gripping part 26 are each configured as cylindrical shapes with the longitudinal axis B as their central axis.

[0034] <Tip of operation part> The tip portion 22 of the operating section is configured in a frustoconical shape, with its outer diameter gradually decreasing towards the tip portion 22A. The base end of the insertion portion 14 is connected to the tip portion 22A.

[0035] <Control Unit> The operating unit body 24 is configured in a cylindrical shape. As previously described, operating levers 30 and 32 for bending the curved portion 18 are rotatably provided on the outer circumferential surface of the operating unit body 24. The operating levers 30 and 32 will be described below.

[0036] [Operating lever] Operating levers 30 and 32 are operating members for bending the curved portion 18 in the vertical and horizontal directions, respectively. Operating levers 30 and 32 are provided on the left and right sides of the outer circumferential surface of the operating unit body 24, respectively, facing each other across the longitudinal axis B. That is, operating levers 30 and 32 are positioned 180 degrees apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the operating unit body 24.

[0037] Furthermore, the positions of the operating levers 30 and 32 shown in Figures 1 to 5 represent the neutral position (unoperated position) before the curved section 18 is bent. In the neutral position, the operating levers 30 and 32 are upright facing upward (Z(+) direction: one side of the first direction), and in this state, they are configured to rotate freely around the rotation axis 31 and rotation axis 33.

[0038] Furthermore, the operating levers 30 and 32 are configured in an L-shape that is symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis B. That is, the operating levers 30 and 32 each have arm portions 30A and 32A that extend upward (towards the Z(+) side) from the outer circumferential surface of the operating unit body 24.

[0039] Furthermore, the operating lever 30 has a finger rest portion 30B that extends to the right (X(+) side) from the upper end of the arm portion 30A. Also, the operating lever 32 has a finger rest portion 32B that extends to the left (X(-) side) from the upper end of the arm portion 32A.

[0040] An L-shaped operating lever 30 is formed by the arm portion 30A and the finger rest portion 30B, and an L-shaped operating lever 32 is formed by the arm portion 32A and the finger rest portion 32B. The operator rotates the operating lever 30 or the operating lever 32 while placing the pad of their thumb on the finger rest portion 30B or the finger rest portion 32B.

[0041] For example, as shown in Figure 2, when the upright operating lever 30 is rotated clockwise (U direction) or counterclockwise (D direction) around the rotation axis 31, the curved portion 18 is curved upward or downward. Also, as shown in Figure 3, when the upright operating lever 32 is rotated clockwise (R direction) or counterclockwise (L direction) around the rotation axis 33, the curved portion 18 is curved to the right or left. By rotating the operating lever 30 or the operating lever 32 in this way, the curved portion 18 is curved in the first curving direction (up and down) or the second curving direction (left and right).

[0042] Furthermore, disc-shaped rotating parts 30C and 32C are provided at the lower ends of arm parts 30A and 32A, respectively. Rotating parts 30C and 32C are rotatably supported by circular projections 30D and 32D provided on the operating unit body 24. The circular projections 30D and 32D have a larger diameter than the rotating parts 30C and 32C, and the rotating parts 30C and 32C are stably supported by the circular projections 30D and 32D.

[0043] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the main part of the operating unit body 24 of the operating unit 12, viewed from below (Z-side). Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of when the operator operates the operating lever 32.

[0044] [Locking part] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the operating unit body 24 is equipped with a locking portion 40. The locking portion 40 is a part that serves as a guide for the operator's finger (index finger) to rest on, and is an example of a guide portion of the present invention.

[0045] The locking portion 40 is located on the surface of the operating levers 30 and 32 shown in Figure 5, on the side of the tip portion 22A, and is provided on the arcuate surface 24A on the opposite side (Z- side) from the upright direction (Z+ direction) of the operating levers 30 and 32.

[0046] Furthermore, the locking portion 40 is configured as a grooved portion 42. The grooved portion 42 is provided along the circumferential direction centered on the longitudinal axis B. The grooved portion 42 has a bottom surface 42A and a front end side wall surface 42B and a base end side wall surface 42C that connect the bottom surface 42A and the arcuate surface 24A. With a locking portion 40 configured in this way, when the fingertip of the index finger is placed on the locking portion 40, the pad of the fingertip is hooked onto the bottom surface 42A. The bottom surface 42A is an example of a finger-hookable locking surface of the present invention.

[0047] Furthermore, in the locking portion 40, a tip edge portion 42D and a base edge portion 42E are formed between the tip side wall surface 42B and the arcuate surface 24A, and between the base side wall surface 42C and the arcuate surface 24A, respectively. The tip edge portion 42D and the base edge portion 42E are formed along the circumferential direction described above. The base edge portion 42E is located on the tip portion 22A side of the rotation axes 31 and 33 of the operating levers 30 and 32. The base edge portion 42E is an example of the end portion on the base end side of the indicator portion of the present invention.

[0048] Furthermore, the locking portion 40 is formed in a groove shape such that the depth of the bottom surface 42A increases from both ends toward the center in the circumferential direction, so that the entire pad of a fingertip can be placed on the bottom surface 42A. Note that the depth of the bottom surface 42A in the circumferential direction may be uniform.

[0049] As will be explained in more detail later, as shown in Figure 7, when the operator grasps the operating part 12 with their left hand 100 and rotates the operating lever 32 (or operating lever 30; the same applies hereafter) with the thumb 102 of their left hand 100, the operator rotates the operating lever 32 while hooking the fingertip of their index finger 104 of their left hand 100 onto the locking part 40 (recessed part 42).

[0050] <Gripping part> Returning to Figure 1, the gripping portion 26 is configured in a cylindrical shape with an outer diameter equal to that of the operating portion body 24. The gripping portion 26 also has a hemispherical base end 26A, to which the tip of the cable 28 is connected via a bend-preventing portion 29.

[0051] The gripping portion 26 is the part that is grasped by the palm of the operator's left or right hand. While grasping the gripping portion 26, the operator inserts and removes the insertion portion 14 into and out of the body of the subject, and also rotates the operating lever 30 or the operating lever 32. The gripping portion 26 will be described in detail below.

[0052] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the gripping portion 26 is provided with two holding surfaces 50 and 52, and two arcuate surfaces 54 and 56 on its outer circumferential surface.

[0053] The retaining surfaces 50 and 52 are formed in a substantially rectangular shape with a longer side aligned with the longitudinal axis B when viewed from the left-right direction (X direction) in a plan view. Furthermore, the retaining surfaces 50 and 52 are provided on the left and right sides, respectively, which are opposite each other with respect to the longitudinal axis B. In other words, the retaining surfaces 50 and 52 are formed at positions offset by 180 degrees from each other in the circumferential direction of the gripping portion 26.

[0054] The arcuate surfaces 54 and 56 are arcuate surfaces that connect the holding surface 50 and the holding surface 52 in the circumferential direction of the gripping portion 26 centered on the longitudinal axis B. Furthermore, the arcuate surfaces 54 and 56 are provided on the upper and lower surfaces, which are opposite each other with the longitudinal axis B in between. In other words, the arcuate surfaces 54 and 56 are positioned 180 degrees apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the gripping portion 26.

[0055] Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the external shape of the gripping portion 26 when viewed from the longitudinal axis B direction. As shown in Figure 8, the holding surfaces 50 and 52 are surfaces perpendicular to the second direction, the X direction, and the distance L3 to the longitudinal axis B is shorter than the distance L1 from the arc surfaces 54 and 56 to the longitudinal axis B. Also, the holding surfaces 50 and 52 are each formed as planes. In this example, the holding surfaces 50 and 52 are surfaces perpendicular to the X direction, but the holding surfaces 50 and 52 can be any surfaces that intersect with the X direction, for example, they may be inclined with respect to a surface perpendicular to the X direction. Also, although the holding surfaces 50 and 52 in this example are each planes, as they are the parts that the palm touches, as will be described later, they may be surfaces with some distortion. Note that the holding surfaces 50 and 52 are each examples of the third outer peripheral surface of the present invention.

[0056] With the gripping portion 26 configured in this way, edge portions 50A and 52A are formed at the connection points between the holding surfaces 50 and 52 and the arcuate surface 54, and edge portions 50B and 52B are formed at the connection points between the holding surfaces 50 and 52 and the arcuate surface 56.

[0057] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, inclined surfaces 58 and 60 are formed at the ends of the holding surfaces 50 and 52 on the side of the tip portion 22A, respectively, inclined toward the outer circumferential surface of the gripping portion 26 from the holding surfaces 50 and 52. These inclined surfaces 58 and 60 are located on the side of the base portion 26A toward the rotation axis 31 and 33, respectively. Note that each end on which the inclined surfaces 58 and 60 are formed is an example of the end on the tip portion side of the third outer circumferential surface of the present invention.

[0058] Furthermore, at the ends of the holding surfaces 50 and 52 on the side of the base end 26A, D-cut shaped planes 62 and 64 are formed by cutting off a portion of the hemispherical outer surface of the base end 26A along the longitudinal axis B. This constitutes the configuration of the gripping portion 26. Note that the planes 62 and 64 are also the parts that the palm of the hand touches, so they may have some distortion.

[0059] Incidentally, in the field of medical devices such as ultrasound probes and endoscopes, there is a demand for medical device operating units that are easy for the operator to grasp and operate the control levers for smooth procedure execution. Therefore, the operating unit 12 of this embodiment has the following configuration in order to provide such a medical device operating unit.

[0060] Figure 9 is a left side view of the control unit 12 when viewed from the left side (X(-) side). Note that Figure 9 shows only the necessary reference numerals compared to the left side view shown in Figure 2.

[0061] As shown in Figure 9, the operating section 12 has an operating section body 24 as a first region on which the operating lever 30 is provided, and a gripping section 26 as a second region provided on the base end 26A side of the operating section body 24.

[0062] Furthermore, the operating section 12 has an arcuate surface 56 in the gripping section 26, which is the second region, and the arcuate surface 56 has a normal component C that points downward (to the Z-side). The distance L1 from the longitudinal axis B to the arcuate surface 56 is the distance L1. Note that the arcuate surface 56 is an example of the first outer peripheral surface of the present invention. In this example, the arcuate surface 56 is exemplified as the first outer peripheral surface, but it is not limited to an arcuate surface, and the outer peripheral surface may be formed by a curved surface or a plane.

[0063] Further, the operation unit 12 has an arc surface 24A on the operation unit main body 24 which is the first region, and the arc surface 24A has a normal component D directed downward (Z(-) side). In the arc surface 24A of this example, the distance L2 to the longitudinal axis B is equal to the distance L1 (L2 = L1), and it is formed flush with the arc surface 56. Also, the distance L2 may be less than the distance L1 (L2 < L1). In this case, the arc surface 24A is formed at a position above (Z(+) side) the arc surface 56. Note that the arc surface 24A is an example of the second outer peripheral surface of the present invention. In this example, the arc surface 24A is illustrated as the second outer peripheral surface, but it is not limited to the arc surface, and may be an outer peripheral surface formed of a curved surface or a flat surface.

[0064] Also, the operation unit 12 has a locking portion 40. The locking portion 40 is provided on the side of the tip portion 22A rather than the rotation axis 31 of the operation lever 30 and on the lower side (Z(-) side). Also, the base end edge portion 42E which is the end portion on the base end portion 26A side of the locking portion 40 is located on the side of the tip portion 22A rather than the rotation axis 31 of the operation lever 30. Also, the bottom surface 42A which is the locking surface has a distance L4 from the longitudinal axis B shorter than the distance L1 from the arc surface 56 to the longitudinal axis B.

[0065] Next, the operation unit 12 of the embodiment is compared with the main body operation unit of Patent Document 1.

[0066] The main body operation unit of Patent Document 1 (hereinafter referred to as "comparative example operation unit") has an operation lever standing upright on the main body casing, and the outer peripheral surface on the side opposite to the standing direction side of the operation lever among the outer peripheral surfaces of the main body casing protrudes in an arc shape.

[0067] When describing the comparative example's operating section in comparison to the operating section 12 of the embodiment, the operating lever of the comparative example's operating section is rotatably mounted on the main casing in an upright position on the upper side (Z(+) side), and the lower surface of the main casing is formed as a protruding surface that extends in an arc shape toward the lower side (Z(-) side). The operator rotates the operating lever with their thumb while resting their index finger on the protruding surface, but at this time, there is a problem that the index finger may slip against the protruding surface or the protruding surface may get in the way and cause the thumb to come off the operating lever.

[0068] In contrast to the comparative example's operating section, the operating section 12 of the embodiment has a configuration in which the arcuate surface 24A of the operating section body 24 and the arcuate surface 56 of the gripping section 26 are in a relationship of L2 ≤ L1, and therefore does not have a protruding surface like the comparative example's operating section. In other words, the arcuate surface 24A on which the index finger is placed is formed flush with the arcuate surface 56 that is gripped in the palm, or it is formed above the arcuate surface 56 (on the Z(+) side).

[0069] With the index finger 104 resting on the arcuate surface 24A, when the operating lever 30 is rotated with the thumb 102, the above configuration (L2≦L1) allows the operator to rotate the operating lever 30 without the index finger 104 slipping on the arcuate surface 24A, and without the thumb 102 leaving the operating lever 30. As a result, the operating unit 12 of this embodiment can resolve the above-mentioned problems of the comparative example operating unit.

[0070] In addition to the above configuration, the operating section 12 of the embodiment is provided with a locking portion 40 located on the side of the tip portion 22A and on the lower side (Z(-) side) relative to the rotation axis 31 of the operating lever 30. Furthermore, the base end edge portion 42E, which is on the side of the base end portion 26A of the locking portion 40, is located on the side of the tip portion 22A relative to the rotation axis 31.

[0071] When the index finger 104 is hooked onto the locking portion 40, the pad of the thumb 102 faces the finger rest portion 30B of the operating lever 30 in the Z direction, allowing the thumb 102 to be guided to the optimal position relative to the operating lever 30. At the same time, the palm can be guided to a good position relative to the gripping portion 26. In other words, by providing the locking portion 40 in the above position, the operator's entire hand can be guided to a good position relative to the operating portion 12.

[0072] Therefore, according to the operating section 12 of this embodiment, the arcuate surface 24A (first outer surface) of the operating section body 24 does not protrude below (towards the Z(-) side) the arcuate surface 56 (second outer surface) of the gripping section 26, and the locking section 40 (indicator section), which serves as an indicator for the operator's finger (index finger) to rest on, is provided on the arcuate surface 24A of the operating section body 24 (more specifically, at a position on the side of the tip section 22A of the rotation axis 31, 33 of the operating levers 30, 32), making it easier to grip the operating section 12 and easier to operate the operating lever 30.

[0073] Furthermore, according to the operating unit 12 of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, when the operator grasps the gripping unit 26 with their left hand 100 and places their thumb 102 on the finger rest 32B of the operating lever 32, the palm (not shown) of the left hand 100 is placed on the holding surface 50 (see Figure 1), and the fingertips of the middle finger 106, ring finger (not shown), and little finger (not shown) are placed on the holding surface 52 (see Figure 3), respectively, so that the operating unit 12 can be securely held by the left hand 100.

[0074] In this case, the palm catches on the edges 50A and 50B of the holding surface 50, and the joints of the middle finger 106, ring finger, and little finger catch on the edges 52A and 52B of the holding surface 52, making it easier to grip the operating part 12 and stabilizing the grip.

[0075] Furthermore, since the inclined surfaces 58 and 60, which are the ends of the holding surfaces 50 and 52 on the side of the tip portion 22A, are located on the side of the base portion 26A than the rotation axis 31 and 33, for example, when the gripping portion 26 is grasped by the left hand 100, it is possible to guide the middle finger 106 to the optimal position relative to the inclined surface 60.

[0076] Furthermore, since the holding surfaces 50 and 52 each have D-shaped flat surfaces 62 and 64 on the end side of the base end 26A, the gripping portion 26 can be gripped regardless of the size of the operator's hand.

[0077] Furthermore, since the locking portion 40 is located on the side of the tip portion 22A that is closer to the rotation axis 31 and 33 of the operating levers 30 and 32, the ultrasonic probe 10 can be operated stably using the operating levers.

[0078] In other words, when the operating part 12 is grasped with the left hand 100 and the operating lever 32 is rotated by pushing it forward (towards the insertion part 14) with the thumb 102, the insertion part 14 (the entire ultrasonic probe 10; the same applies hereinafter) will also try to move forward, but the force that tries to move the insertion part 14 forward can be resisted by the index finger 104 hooked on the locking part 40. That is, the index finger 104 hooked on the locking part 40 can resist the insertion part 14 that is trying to move forward, so the rotation operation of the operating lever 32 can be performed without moving the insertion part 14 forward.

[0079] Conversely to the rotation operation described above, if the thumb 102 is used to rotate the operating lever 32 backward (towards the cable 28), the insertion part 14 will also try to move backward. However, the index finger 104 hooked onto the locking part 40 can resist the force that tries to move the insertion part 14 backward. In other words, the index finger 104 hooked onto the locking part 40 can resist the insertion part 14 trying to move backward, so the rotation operation of the operating lever 32 can be performed without moving the insertion part 14 backward.

[0080] Therefore, according to the operating unit 12 of this embodiment, the ultrasonic probe 10 can be operated stably using the operating lever.

[0081] On the other hand, Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the gripping part 26 is grasped and the insertion part 14 is inserted into the body cavity. In this case, since the holding surfaces 50 and 52 of the gripping part 26 have inclined surfaces 58 and 60 on the tip side, for example, when the gripping part 26 is grasped with the palm 112 of the left hand 100, the fingertip of the index finger 104 is pressed against the inclined surface 60, and the fingertips of the middle finger 106, ring finger 108, and little finger 110 are pressed against the holding surface 52, allowing the insertion part 14 to be inserted. This allows the insertion force from the surgeon to be effectively transmitted to the insertion part 14.

[0082] The following describes some variations.

[0083] [First variation] In this embodiment, an operating unit 12 is shown with a locking portion 40 on the operating unit body 24. However, if the length of the operating unit body 24 in the longitudinal axis B direction is short, for example, the locking portion 40 may be provided on the tip portion 22 of the operating unit. That is, in the operating unit 12, the locking portion 40 only needs to be provided on the side of the tip portion 22A that is closer to the rotation axis 31 and 33 of the operating levers 30 and 32.

[0084] [Second variation] In this embodiment, the operating section 12 is illustrated with flat holding surfaces 50 and 52, but for example, the holding surfaces 50 and 52 may be concave. In this case, the palm 112 of the left hand 100 fits into the concave holding surface 50, and the fingertips of the middle finger 106, ring finger 108, and little finger 110 fit into the concave holding surface 52, so the operating section 12 can be held stably.

[0085] [Third variation] In this embodiment, a locking portion 40 having a recessed portion 42 is illustrated, but for example, the locking portion 40 may be a roughened portion that generates frictional resistance, an elastic portion that undergoes elastic deformation, or a raised portion. Furthermore, the locking portion 40 only needs to be composed of at least one of the recessed portion 42, the roughened portion, the elastic portion, or the raised portion. For example, the bottom surface 42A of the recessed portion 42 may be configured as a roughened portion, the surface of the elastic portion may be configured as a roughened portion, or the surface of the raised portion may be configured as a roughened portion.

[0086] [Fourth variation] In this embodiment, a locking portion 40 having a grooved portion 42 is shown as an example of an indicator portion. However, the indicator portion can be any object that allows the operator's finger (index finger) to rest on it and serves as a marker to identify the location where the fingertip of the index finger should rest. For example, the indicator portion may be formed by marking (painting) a mark on the arcuate surface 24A of the operating portion body 24. By resting the fingertip of the index finger on that mark, it becomes easier to grip and operate the operating lever. Furthermore, by roughening the surface of the mark, the coefficient of friction of that surface can be made greater than the coefficient of friction of the arcuate surface 56.

[0087] Other effects The fact that the holding surfaces 50 and 52 are flat has the following secondary effect: the position of the flat surface is aligned with the left-right direction of the curved portion 18. In particular, with an abdominal ultrasound probe, when the gripping portion is grasped, the finger joints engage with the edge of the gripping portion. This has the advantage that when the curved portion is bent using the operating lever during an examination, the operator can more easily grasp the direction of curvature of the curved portion intuitively.

[0088] In the embodiments, an ultrasound probe 10 was used as an example of a medical device operating unit to which the present invention is applied, but the present invention is not limited to the ultrasound probe 10 and can be applied to various medical device operating units. That is, the present invention can be applied to any medical device operating unit having a curved insertion portion, such as a laparoscope and an endoscope with a flexible insertion portion. In this case, an observation window is provided on the tip side of the insertion portion.

[0089] The embodiments of the medical device operating unit according to the present invention have been described above, but the present invention may be improved or modified in some way without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0090] 10 Ultrasound probes 12 Control section 13 Exterior components 14 Insertion part 16 Insertion part body 18 Curved section 20 transducer 20A ultrasonic emission surface 22 Tip of operation part 22A Tip 24. Main Unit of the Control Panel 24A Circular arc surface 26 Gripping part 26A Proximal end 28 Cables 29. Anti-fold section 30 Operating levers 30A Arm section 30B Finger rest area 30C Rotating part 30D Circular protrusion 31 Rotation axis 32 Operating levers 32A Arm section 32B Finger rest area 32C Rotating part 32D Circular protrusion 33 Rotation axis 40 Locking part 42 Concave section 42A Bottom 42B Tip side wall 42C Base side wall 42D Tip edge 42E Base edge 50 Holding surface 50A Edge 50B Edge 52 Holding surface 52A Edge section 52B Edge section 54 Circular arc surface 56 Circular Arc Surface 58 Slope 60 Slope 62 plane 64 plane 100 left hand 102 Thumb 104 Index finger 106 Middle finger 108 Ring finger 110 Little finger 112 Palm

Claims

1. An exterior member having a tip portion and a base portion, the longitudinal axis of which is defined by the tip portion and the base portion, At least one operating lever is provided in a first region of the exterior member between the tip and base ends, and is configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis while standing upright on one side in a first direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, A first outer peripheral surface is provided in the second region of the exterior member, which is closer to the base end than the first region, and has a normal component that is directed toward the other side opposite to the one side in the first direction, A second outer surface is provided in the first region, has a normal component toward the other side in the first direction, and the distance to the longitudinal axis is less than or equal to the distance from the first outer surface to the longitudinal axis, An indicator portion is provided on the side of the tip portion that is closer to the rotation axis and on the other side in the first direction, Equipped with, Control panel for medical devices.

2. The end of the indicator portion on the base end side is located on the tip side of the rotation axis, The medical device operating unit according to claim 1.

3. The second region is provided with a third outer surface which intersects with a second direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the first direction, and the distance to the longitudinal axis is shorter than the distance from the first outer surface to the longitudinal axis. The medical device operating unit according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The end of the third outer surface on the side of the tip is located on the side of the base end that is closer to the axis of rotation than the base end. The medical device operating unit according to claim 3.

5. The third outer surface is flat. The medical device operating unit according to claim 4.

6. The at least one operating lever is, A first operating lever for bending the insertion portion connected to the tip in a first bending direction, A second operating lever for bending the insertion portion in a second bending direction different from the first bending direction, It has, The rotation axis of the first operating lever is formed to extend in the direction in which the rotation axis of the second operating lever extends. The medical device operating unit according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The aforementioned indicator portion has a locking surface that can be gripped with a finger, The distance from the locking surface to the longitudinal axis is shorter than the distance from the first outer surface to the longitudinal axis. The medical device operating unit according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The index portion has a coefficient of friction greater than the coefficient of friction of the first outer surface. The medical device operating unit according to claim 1 or 2.

9. The medical device comprises an operating unit for a medical device according to claim 1 or 2, and an insertion unit connected to the tip of the operating unit for the medical device, An ultrasonic probe having a probe attached to the tip of the insertion portion.

10. The medical device comprises an operating unit for a medical device according to claim 1 or 2, and an insertion unit connected to the tip of the operating unit for the medical device, An endoscope having an observation window at the tip of the insertion section.

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