Operating levers, medical devices, ultrasound probes, and endoscopes

Abstract

We provide operating levers, medical devices, ultrasound probes, and endoscopes that can be easily operated by practitioners. [Solution] An operating lever, which is rotatably mounted on a pivot axis to an operating section for operating an insertion part inserted into a subject, comprises an inner surface facing the side of the operating section, an outer surface facing the opposite side of the operating section and having a longitudinal width smaller than the inner surface, and an inclined surface provided between the outer surface and the inner surface and inclined with respect to the outer surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an operation lever, a medical device, an ultrasonic probe, and an endoscope.

Background Art

[0002] For example, in the medical field, an endoscope inserted into the body of a subject such as a patient is known as one of medical devices. Generally, an endoscope includes an insertion portion having a bendable bending portion and an operation portion connected to the proximal end side of the insertion portion. An operation lever is provided in the operation portion.

[0003] For example, Patent Documents 1 to 4 disclose an endoscope including two bending operation levers for the vertical direction and the horizontal direction pivotally supported on both side surfaces of the operation portion. By a practitioner gripping the operation portion and swinging the bending operation levers in the longitudinal axis direction with fingers, the bending portion is bent in four directions of up, down, left, and right remotely.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Incidentally, in endoscopes equipped with the aforementioned bending lever, the operator grasps the control unit with either an overhand or underhand grip and performs a rocking motion on the bending lever with their fingers. Therefore, it is desirable that the bending lever be easy to rock regardless of the operator's grip, but the shape of the bending lever has not been adequately considered in the endoscopes described in Patent Documents 1 to 4.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and aims to provide an operating lever, medical device, ultrasound probe, and endoscope that are easy for practitioners to operate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An operating lever according to a first aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above objective, is an operating lever rotatably mounted on a pivot axis to an operating part for operating an insertion part inserted into a subject, and comprises an inner surface facing the side of the operating part, an outer surface facing the opposite side of the operating part and having a longitudinal width smaller than the inner surface, and an inclined surface provided between the outer surface and the inner surface and inclined with respect to the outer surface.

[0008] In the second aspect of the present invention, the operating lever, in the first aspect, has inclined surfaces provided on both sides of the outer surface in the longitudinal direction.

[0009] In the third aspect of the present invention, the operating lever is configured such that the inclined surface portion is connected to the outer surface portion, as in the second or third aspect.

[0010] The operating lever according to the fourth aspect of the present invention comprises, in any of the first to third aspects, a finger rest portion provided at a position away from the axis of rotation and extending in the direction in which the axis of rotation extends, and an axial portion provided between the axis of rotation and the finger rest portion and extending in a direction intersecting the axis of rotation, wherein the inclined surface portion is provided on the finger rest portion or the axial portion.

[0011] In the fifth aspect of the present invention, the operating lever includes a bent portion provided between the finger rest and the shaft portion, as in the fourth aspect.

[0012] In the sixth aspect of the present invention, the operating lever, in the fourth or fifth aspect, has a axial portion having a side surface having a normal component in the longitudinal direction, and the inclined surface portion is provided on the side surface.

[0013] In the sixth embodiment, the operating lever according to the seventh aspect of the present invention comprises a side portion having a first region provided on the side of the rotation axis, a second region provided on the side of the finger rest that is closer to the first region and has a width in the rotation axis direction that is greater than that of the first region, and a first variable region provided between the first region and the second region and having a width in the rotation axis direction that is greater on the side of the second region than on the side of the first region, and the inclined surface portion is provided in the second region or the first variable region.

[0014] The operating lever according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in any of the fourth to seventh aspects, has an outer surface provided on the shaft portion, and the outer surface of the shaft portion comprises a third region provided on the side of the rotation axis, a fourth region provided on the side of the finger rest portion than the third region and having a longitudinal width smaller than that of the third region, and a second variable region provided between the third region and the fourth region and having a longitudinal width smaller on the side of the fourth region than on the side of the third region.

[0015] In the ninth aspect of the present invention, the operating lever, in any of the fourth to eighth aspects, has an inclined surface portion provided on the finger rest portion.

[0016] A medical device according to the tenth aspect of the present invention is a medical device comprising an insertion part and an operating part, and comprising at least one operating lever from any of the first to ninth aspects.

[0017] A medical device according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention includes, in a tenth aspect, a first operating lever and a second operating lever, wherein the first operating lever and the second operating lever are arranged opposite each other on the operating section.

[0018] In the twelfth aspect of the present invention, in any of the first to eleventh aspects, the first operating lever and the second operating lever each bend the insertion portion in different directions.

[0019] The ultrasonic probe according to the 13th aspect of the present invention includes an insertion portion and an operation portion, and is an ultrasonic probe provided with a probe at the tip side of the insertion portion, and includes at least one operation lever according to any one of the 1st aspect to the 9th aspect.

[0020] The endoscope according to the 14th aspect of the present invention includes an insertion portion and an operation portion, and is an endoscope provided with an observation window at the tip side of the insertion portion, and includes at least one operation lever according to any one of the 1st aspect to the 9th aspect.

Effect of the Invention

[0021] According to the present invention, the operation becomes easy for the operator.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] It is an overall perspective view of the ultrasonic probe according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a left side view of the ultrasonic probe. [Figure 3] It is a right side view of the ultrasonic probe. [Figure 4] It is a top view of the ultrasonic probe. [Figure 5] It is a bottom view of the ultrasonic probe. [Figure 6] It is a view of the operation lever seen from the Y(-) direction side. [Figure 7] It is a perspective view of the operation lever seen from the operation portion side. [Figure 8] It is a perspective view of the operation lever seen from the side opposite to the operation portion. [Figure 9] It is a view of the operation lever seen from the X(-) direction side. [Figure 10] It is a view of the operation lever seen from the Z(+) direction side. [Figure 11] It is a view of the operation lever seen from the Y(-) direction side. [Figure 12] It is a cross-sectional view of the operation lever. [Figure 13] It is an explanatory view showing an example when the operator operates the operation lever. [Figure 14] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of how a practitioner operates the control lever. [Figure 15] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of how a practitioner operates the control lever. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the medical device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0024] Figure 1 is an overall perspective view of an ultrasonic probe 10 according to an embodiment to which the operating lever of the present invention is applied.

[0025] In describing the configuration of each part of the ultrasound probe 10 below, for the sake of convenience, we will use a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system of X, Y, and Z. In the diagram, the Z direction refers to the vertical direction, with the Z(+) direction being the upward direction and the Z(-) direction being the downward direction. The X direction in the diagram refers to the left-right direction perpendicular to the Z direction, with the X(+) direction being the rightward direction and the X(-) direction being the leftward direction. The Y direction in the diagram refers to the direction perpendicular to both the Z and X directions, with the Y(+) direction being the tip direction and the Y(-) direction being the base direction. Note that each of the above directions refers to the direction in which the practitioner views the ultrasound probe 10 when the practitioner is holding the operating part 12 of the ultrasound probe 10.

[0026] Figure 2 is a left side view of the ultrasound probe 10 shown in Figure 1, viewed from the X(-) direction. Figure 3 is a right side view of the ultrasound probe 10 shown in Figure 1, viewed from the X(+) direction. Figure 4 is a top view of the ultrasound probe 10 shown in Figure 1, viewed from the Z(+) direction. Figure 5 is a bottom view of the ultrasound probe 10 shown in Figure 1, viewed from the Z(-) direction.

[0027] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the ultrasonic probe 10 comprises an operating section 12 and an insertion section 14. The ultrasonic probe 10 has a longitudinal axis A along the Y direction.

[0028] The insertion section 14 comprises an insertion section body 16, a curved section 18 provided on the tip side (Y(+) direction side) of the insertion section body 16, and a probe 20 provided on the tip side of the curved section 18. The insertion section body 16 in this example is rigid. The operating section 12 and insertion section 14 are examples of the operating section and insertion section of the present invention.

[0029] The curved section 18 is configured to bend by connecting, for example, a plurality of ring-shaped curved pieces along the longitudinal axis A, and is operated to bend in the vertical direction (Z direction) and the horizontal direction (X direction) by operating the operating levers 30 and 32, which will be described later.

[0030] The transducer 20 is a linear type with a flat ultrasonic emission surface 20A. The transducer 20 has multiple transducers that transmit and receive ultrasound to and from the imaging site (organ, e.g., liver) of the subject. This transducer 20 is connected to an ultrasonic imaging device (not shown) via wiring inserted into the insertion section 14 and the operating section 12. Note that the transducer 20 is not limited to a linear type, and may also be a convex or radial type transducer.

[0031] The operating section 12 has, in order from the tip side (Y(+) direction side) to the base side (Y(-) direction side) in the longitudinal axis A direction, a tip section 22, an operating section body 24, and a gripping section 26. The longitudinal axis A direction is an example of the longitudinal direction of the present invention.

[0032] In other words, the operating unit 12 has an operating unit body 24, a tip portion 22 provided on the tip side of the operating unit body 24, and a gripping portion 26 provided on the base end side of the operating unit body 24. A cable 28 is connected to the base end of the gripping portion 26.

[0033] The tip portion 22 has a tapered portion 22A whose outer diameter gradually decreases toward the insertion portion 14. That is, the tapered portion 22A has a shape that narrows toward the Y(+) direction. The tip portion 22 is not limited to a tapered shape.

[0034] The gripping portion 26 is cylindrical in shape. The base end 26A of the gripping portion 26 is hemispherical in shape. A cable 28 is connected to the base end 26A. The cable 28 contains a signal line that is connected to the probe 20.

[0035] The gripping portion 26 is the part that is grasped by the palm of the practitioner's right or left hand. The gripping portion 26 has a holding surface 50 and a holding surface 52. The holding surface 50 and the holding surface 52 are located on opposite sides of the gripping portion 26, with the longitudinal axis A in between. That is, the holding surface 50 and the holding surface 52 are positioned 180 degrees apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the gripping portion 26. The holding surface 50 is located on the X(-) side of the gripping portion 26, and the holding surface 52 is located on the X(+) side of the gripping portion 26.

[0036] The gripping portion 26 includes an arcuate surface 54 and an arcuate surface 56 that connect the holding surface 50 and the holding surface 52. The arcuate surfaces 54 and 56 are approximately equal in distance from the central axis (not shown) of the gripping portion 26 along the longitudinal axis A, and are composed of arcuate curved surfaces. The arcuate surfaces 54 and 56 are positioned 180 degrees apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the gripping portion 26. The arcuate surface 54 is located on the Z(+) side of the gripping portion 26, and the arcuate surface 56 is located on the Z(-) side of the gripping portion 26.

[0037] The holding surfaces 50 and 52 are located at a distance from the central axis that is shorter than the distance to the arcuate surfaces 54 and 56 of the gripping portion 26. In this example, the holding surfaces 50 and 52 are composed of planes. However, the holding surfaces 50 and 52 are not limited to planes; they may also be composed of convex or concave surfaces. For example, they may be composed of a plane, a convex surface (with a curvature smaller than that of the arcuate surfaces 54 and 56), or a concave surface.

[0038] The retaining surface 50 has an inclined surface 60 on its tip side (Y(+) direction side). The inclined surface 60 is inclined to the left (X(-) direction side) as it approaches the tip side (Y(+) direction side). Similarly, the retaining surface 52 has an inclined surface 62 on its tip side (Y(+) direction side). The inclined surface 62 is inclined to the right (X(+) direction side) as it approaches the tip side (Y(+) direction side). The tip sides of the inclined surfaces 60 and 62 are formed in an arc shape that approaches the tip side (Y(+) direction side).

[0039] When the practitioner grasps the gripping part 26, one side of the holding surface 50 and the holding surface 52 is held with the palm, and the other side with the middle, ring, and little fingers, making it easy to grasp. By connecting the holding surface 50 and the holding surface 52 with the arcuate surface 54 and the arcuate surface 56, each connection point forms a ridge line along the longitudinal axis A. This ridge line makes it easier for the fingers to grip, making it easier to twist the ultrasonic probe 10.

[0040] The operating unit body 24 is configured in a substantially cylindrical shape. Operating levers 30 and 32 are rotatably mounted on the outer surface of the operating unit body 24. Operating levers 30 and 32 are operating members for bending the curved section 18. Operating levers 30 and 32 are examples of operating levers of the present invention. Operating levers 30 and 32 are also examples of the first and second operating levers of the present invention.

[0041] The operating levers 30 and 32 are symmetrically positioned on opposite sides of the operating unit body 24. That is, the operating levers 30 and 32 are positioned 180 degrees apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the operating unit body 24. The operating levers 30 and 32 are positioned side by side along the X direction, facing each other. The operating levers 30 and 32 are rotatably mounted on the operating unit body 24, which constitutes part of the operating unit 12, around the rotation axis C. As will be described later, the operating levers 30 and 32 have the same shape and are generally L-shaped.

[0042] When in the neutral position, the operating levers 30 and 32 are upright along the Z-axis. The neutral position is when the operator is not applying force to the operating levers 30 and 32. The operating levers 30 and 32 can be rotated by the operator within a specific angular range around the rotation axis C, in the rotation direction R (Y(+) and Y(-) directions, i.e., the front and back directions) relative to the neutral position. The operating levers 30 and 32 can be rotated independently of each other. The structure of the operating levers 30 and 32 will be described later. In this example, the direction of the rotation axis C is parallel to the X direction.

[0043] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the letters "D" and "U" are shown on the outer surface of the operating unit body 24 when viewed from the left side. In this example, "D" is shown on the tip side and "U" is shown on the base side. Also, as shown in Figure 3, the letters "R" and "L" are shown on the outer surface of the operating unit body 24 when viewed from the right side. "R" is shown on the tip side and "L" is shown on the base side. "D", "U", "R", and "L" indicate the curvature direction of the curved section 18: "Down", "Up", "Right", and "Left". The operator can easily understand the relationship between the operating direction of the operating levers 30 and 32 and the curvature direction of the curved section 18.

[0044] <Overall shape of the control lever> Next, the shapes of the operating levers 30 and 32 in this embodiment will be described. Since operating levers 30 and 32 have the same shape, only operating lever 30 will be described.

[0045] Figure 6 is a front view of the operating lever 30 as seen from the Y(-) direction. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the operating lever 30 as seen from the Y(-) direction, and Figure 8 is a perspective view of the operating lever 30 as seen from the Y(+) direction. In all of Figures 6 through 8, the operating lever 30 is shown in the unoperated position. In describing the configuration of each part of the operating lever 30 below, the description will be based on the assumption that the operating lever 30 is in the unoperated position.

[0046] The operating lever 30 has a generally L-shaped form and includes a shaft-like portion 41, a finger rest portion 42, and a bent portion 43. The operating lever 30 has a disc portion 48 on the base side (rotation axis C side) of the shaft-like portion 41.

[0047] The axial portion 41 extends from the disc portion 48 toward the Z(+) direction (i.e., along the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis C). In this example, the direction in which the axial portion 41 extends is shown to be perpendicular to the rotation axis C, but it is not limited to this, and it may be provided to extend along a direction oblique to the rotation axis C. In other words, the direction in which the axial portion 41 extends is any direction that intersects the rotation axis C.

[0048] The finger rest portion 42 is connected to the disc portion 48 via the axial portion 41 and the bent portion 43, and is positioned along a direction slightly inclined with respect to the rotation axis C. That is, the finger rest portion 42 is positioned away from the disc portion 48 (i.e., away from the rotation axis C) and extends along a direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis C. Specifically, the finger rest portion 42 is positioned such that the distance from the rotation axis C gradually increases as it moves towards the inside (X(+) direction side) of the operating portion 12 (operating portion body 24). Note that the finger rest portion 42 only needs to extend in a direction that intersects the rotation axis C, and may be parallel to the rotation axis C, or its angle of inclination with respect to the rotation axis C may be greater than that in this example.

[0049] The bent portion 43 is provided between the shaft portion 41 and the finger rest portion 42, and is the portion that connects the ends of the shaft portion 41 and the finger rest portion 42. The bent portion 43 can have any shape as long as it can connect the ends of the shaft portion 41 and the finger rest portion 42. As in this example, it may smoothly connect the shaft portion 41 and the finger rest portion 42 in an R-shape (curved shape), or, although not shown in the illustration, it may connect the shaft portion 41 and the finger rest portion 42 at a right angle or acute angle.

[0050] The disc portion 48 is the part of the operating lever 30 that is attached to the operating unit body 24 (not shown). When the disc portion 48 is attached to the operating unit body 24, the operating lever 30 becomes rotatable around the rotation axis C.

[0051] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the operating lever 30 has an inner surface 30A and an outer surface 30B. The inner surface 30A is the surface of the operating lever 30 facing the side where the operating unit 12 is located when the operating lever 30 is attached to the operating unit 12 (operating unit body 24). The inner surface 30A has a shape corresponding to each part that makes up the operating lever 30, and specifically has a first inner surface 41A corresponding to the shaft-shaped part 41, a second inner surface 42A corresponding to the finger rest part 42, and a third inner surface 43A corresponding to the bent part 43. The inner surface 30A is an example of an inner surface of the present invention.

[0052] The outer surface portion 30B is the surface of the operating lever 30 that faces the side opposite to the side where the operating unit 12 is located, when the operating lever 30 is attached to the operating unit 12 (operating unit body 24). The outer surface portion 30B has a shape corresponding to each part of the operating lever 30, and specifically has a first outer surface portion 41B corresponding to the shaft portion 41, a second outer surface portion 42B corresponding to the finger rest portion 42, and a third outer surface portion 43B corresponding to the bent portion 43. The outer surface portion 30B is an example of the outer surface portion of the present invention.

[0053] Furthermore, the operating lever 30 has two side portions 30C facing the front-rear direction (i.e., the Y(+) direction and the Y(-) direction). That is, the two side portions 30C are provided between the inner surface portion 30A and the outer surface portion 30B, and each has a normal component in the direction of the longitudinal axis A. The two side portions 30C each have an L-shape, and specifically, they have a first side portion 41C corresponding to the axial portion 41, a second side portion 42C corresponding to the finger rest portion 42, and a third side portion 43C corresponding to the bent portion 43. In addition, each part constituting the side portion 30C is provided with an inclined surface portion, which will be described later, in order to facilitate the rotational operation of the operating levers 30 and 32.

[0054] <Structure of the axial part> The structure of the shaft portion 41 will now be described in detail. Figure 9 is a view of the operating lever 30 from the X(-) direction side. As shown in Figure 9, the first outer surface portion 41B of the shaft portion 41 has a first outer shaft region 41B1, a second outer shaft region 41B2, and a third outer shaft region 41B3, in order from the rotation axis C side toward the finger rest portion 42 side. The relationship in the width direction of the first outer shaft region 41B1, the second outer shaft region 41B2, and the third outer shaft region 41B3 is as follows. In the following description, the width direction of each region constituting the shaft portion 41 is the longitudinal axis A direction (i.e., the Y-axis direction).

[0055] The width WB1 of the first off-axis region 41B1 is constant from the rotation axis C side toward the finger rest 42 side. In contrast, the width WB3 of the third off-axis region 41B3 is constant from the rotation axis C side toward the finger rest 42 side, and its width WB3 is smaller than the width WB1 of the first off-axis region 41B1 (WB3 <WB1)。

[0056] The second off-axis region 41B2 is a region connecting the first off-axis region 41B1 and the third off-axis region 41B3, and its width WB2 gradually decreases from the side of the first off-axis region 41B1 towards the side of the third off-axis region 41B3. Specifically, the second off-axis region 41B2 is configured as a tapered shape consisting of a straight line that narrows as it moves toward the Z(+) direction, and its width WB2 is at its maximum width on the side of the first off-axis region 41B1, equal to the width WB1 of the first off-axis region 41B1, and at its minimum width on the side of the third off-axis region 41B3, equal to the width WB3 of the third off-axis region 41B3, changing from the maximum width to the minimum width toward the Z(+) direction. Furthermore, the second off-axis region 41B2 is not limited to a tapered shape consisting of a straight line, as in this example, as long as its width WB2 is smaller on the side of the third off-axis region 41B3 than on the side of the first off-axis region 41B1. For example, it may be a tapered shape consisting of a curve, or a region with a certain width may be included in a part of the second off-axis region 41B2. The first off-axis region 41B1, the second off-axis region 41B2, and the third off-axis region 41B3 are examples of the third region, the second variation region, and the fourth region of the present invention, respectively.

[0057] In this example, the width WA1 of the first inner surface portion 41A corresponding to the shaft portion 41 on the operation lever 30 is constant from the side of the rotation axis C toward the finger hook portion 42 side, and is equal to the width WB1 of the first outer shaft region 41B1 of the first outer surface portion 41B corresponding to the shaft portion 41 (WA1 = WB1). Note that the width WA1 of the first inner surface portion 41A may be larger than the width WB1 of the first outer shaft region 41B1.

[0058] Regarding the first outer shaft region 41B1, the second outer shaft region 41B2, and the third outer shaft region 41B3, since there is the above-described relationship in the width direction, the width WB3 of the third outer shaft region 41B3 is smaller than the width WA1 of the first inner surface portion 41A (WB3 < WA1). Also, the width WB2 of the second outer shaft region 41B2 changes from the minimum width to the maximum width as described above, and the width WB2 is at least equal to or less than the width WA1 of the first inner surface portion 41A (WB2 ≦ WA1).

[0059] By making the widths of the outer surface (the first outer surface portion 41B) and the inner surface (the first inner surface portion 41A) of the operation lever 30 different in this way, among the two side surface portions 30C connecting them, the first side surface portion 41C corresponding to the shaft portion 41 can be configured as an inclined surface portion.

[0060] Specifically, among the two first side surface portions 41C, the surface portion connected to the second outer shaft region 41B2 is configured as the first inclined surface portion 30E. The first inclined surface portion 30E is composed of a planar surface inclined obliquely with respect to the outer surface portion 30B (the second outer shaft region 41B2). In other words, two first inclined surface portions 30E are connected to the second outer shaft region 41B2, and the two first inclined surface portions 30E are configured to spread in the Y-axis direction as they go toward the X(+) direction side with respect to the outer surface portion 30B (the second outer shaft region 41B2) from the outer surface portion 30B toward the inner surface portion 30A. Note that since the width WB2 of the second outer shaft region 41B2 of the first inclined surface portion 30E changes from the minimum width to the maximum width as described above, the first inclined surface portion 30E has an inclination corresponding to the change in the width WB2 of the second outer shaft region 41B2.

[0061] Furthermore, of the two first side portions 41C, the portion connected to the third axis outer region 41B3 is configured as the second inclined surface portion 30F. The second inclined surface portion 30F is composed of a planar surface that is inclined at an angle with respect to the outer surface portion 30B (third axis outer region 41B3). In other words, two second inclined surface portions 30F are connected to the third axis outer region 41B3, and the two second inclined surface portions 30F are configured to expand in the Y-axis direction as they move toward the X(+) direction, with respect to the outer surface portion 30B (third axis outer region 41B3).

[0062] In this embodiment, a configuration is shown in which an inclined surface is provided on each of the two first side portions 41C (i.e., a configuration in which an inclined surface is provided on both sides of the operating lever 30). However, the configuration is not limited to this, and for example, an inclined surface may be provided on only one of the two side portions of the operating lever 30. The same applies to the third inclined surface portion 30G and the fourth inclined surface portion 30H, which will be described later.

[0063] Furthermore, although this embodiment shows a configuration in which a first inclined surface portion 30E and a second inclined surface portion 30F are provided on the first side surface portion 41C, the configuration is not limited to this, and only one of them may be provided.

[0064] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first inclined surface portion 30E and the second inclined surface portion 30F are shown to be composed of planar surfaces that are inclined obliquely with respect to the outer surface portion 30B. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and for example, they may be composed of curved surfaces that are inclined obliquely with respect to the outer surface portion 30B. The same applies to the third inclined surface portion 30G and the fourth inclined surface portion 30H, which will be described later.

[0065] <Structure of the finger rest> Next, the configuration of the finger rest portion 42 will be described in detail. Figure 10 is a view of the operating lever 30 from the Z(+) direction side. In the following description, the width direction of each part of the finger rest portion 42 is the longitudinal axis A direction (i.e., the Y-axis direction).

[0066] As shown in Figure 10, when the operating lever 30 is viewed from the Z(+) direction side, the second outer surface portion 42B of the finger rest portion 42 extends along the X-axis direction. The width WB4 of the second outer surface portion 42B is constant along the X-axis direction, which is its extension direction. This width WB4 is equal to the width WB3 of the third outer region 41B3 (see Figure 9) described above.

[0067] On the other hand, the second inner surface portion 42A of the finger rest portion 42 has a constant width along the X-axis direction, which is its extending direction, similar to the second outer surface portion 42B described above. However, the width WA2 of the second inner surface portion 42A is larger than the width WB4 of the second outer surface portion 42B (WA2 > WB4).

[0068] By making the widths of the outer surface (second outer surface portion 42B) and the inner surface (second inner surface portion 42A) of the operating lever 30 different in this way, the second side portion 42C, which corresponds to the finger rest portion 42, can be configured as an inclined surface portion among the two side portions 30C that connect them.

[0069] Specifically, the two second side portions 42C are surfaces connected to the outer surface portion 30B (second outer surface portion 42B), and are configured as third inclined surfaces 30G. The third inclined surfaces 30G are composed of planar surfaces that are inclined at an angle to the outer surface portion 30B (second outer surface portion 42B). In other words, two third inclined surfaces 30G are connected to the second outer surface portion 42B, and the two third inclined surfaces 30G are configured to expand in the Y-axis direction as they move toward the Z(-) direction from the outer surface portion 30B toward the inner surface portion 30A, with the outer surface portion 30B (second outer surface portion 42B) as the reference point.

[0070] In this embodiment, a configuration is shown in which an inclined surface is provided on each of the two second side portions 42C (i.e., a configuration in which an inclined surface is provided on both sides of the operating lever 30). However, the configuration is not limited to this, and for example, an inclined surface may be provided on only one of the two side portions of the operating lever 30.

[0071] <Structure of the bent section> Next, the structure of the bent portion 43 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 9 and 10. In the following description, the width direction in each part of the bent portion 43 is the longitudinal axis A direction (i.e., the Y-axis direction).

[0072] As shown in Figure 9, when the operating lever 30 is viewed from the X(-) direction, the third outer surface portion 43B of the bent portion 43 extends along the Z-axis direction. As shown in Figure 10, when the operating lever 30 is viewed from the Z(+) direction, the third outer surface portion 43B of the bent portion 43 extends along the X-axis direction. The width WB5 of the third outer surface portion 43B is constant along the direction of its extension, from the Z-axis direction to the X-axis direction. This width WB5 is equal to the width WB3 of the third outer region 41B3 and the width WB4 of the second outer surface portion 42B described above.

[0073] On the other hand, the width WA3 of the third inner surface portion 43A in the bent portion 43 is the same as the width WB5 in that it is constant along the extending direction, but the width WA3 of the third inner surface portion 43A is larger than the width WB5 of the third outer surface portion 43B (WA3 > WB5).

[0074] By making the widths of the outer surface (third outer surface portion 43B) and the inner surface (third inner surface portion 43A) of the operating lever 30 different in this way, the third side surface portion 43C, which corresponds to the bent portion 43, can be configured as an inclined surface portion among the two side surfaces 30C that connect them.

[0075] Specifically, the two third side portions 43C are surfaces connected to the outer surface portion 30B (third outer surface portion 43B), and are configured as fourth inclined surfaces 30H. The fourth inclined surfaces 30H are composed of planar surfaces that are inclined at an angle to the outer surface portion 30B (third outer surface portion 43B). In other words, two fourth inclined surfaces 30H are connected to the third outer surface portion 43B, and the two fourth inclined surfaces 30H are configured to expand in the Y-axis direction as they move from the outer surface portion 30B toward the inner surface portion 30A, with respect to the outer surface portion 30B (third outer surface portion 43B), toward the X(-) and Z(-) directions.

[0076] <Shape of the side surface of the shaft-like part> Next, the shape of the first side portion 41C of the shaft portion 41 will be described in more detail with reference to Figure 11. XIA in Figure 11 is a view of the operating lever 30 from the Y(-) direction side, similar to Figure 6. XIB in Figure 11 is a diagram showing the position of the cross-sectional view to be explained in Figure 12. In the description of the shape of the first side portion 41C of the shaft portion 41, the width direction of the first side portion 41C is the direction of the rotation axis C (X-axis direction).

[0077] As shown in XIA of Figure 11, the first side portion 41C of the axial portion 41 is wider on the finger rest portion 42 side than on the rotation axis C side. Specifically, it has a first axial side region 41C1, a second axial side region 41C2, and a third axial side region 41C3, in order from the rotation axis C side toward the finger rest portion 42 side. As will be described later, having a wider portion of the first side portion 41C increases the contact area between the operator's fingers and the operating levers 30 and 32.

[0078] The first axial region 41C1, the second axial region 41C2, and the third axial region 41C3 each have widths WC1, WC2, and WC3 in the direction of the rotation axis C, respectively. The relationship between the widths of the first axial region 41C1, the second axial region 41C2, and the third axial region 41C3 is as follows. In the following description, the width direction of each region constituting the axial portion 41 is the direction of the rotation axis C (i.e., the X-axis direction).

[0079] The width WC1 of the first axis-side region 41C1 is constant from the rotation axis C side toward the finger rest portion 42 side. The width WC3 of the third axis-side region 41C3 is constant from the rotation axis C side toward the finger rest portion 42 side and is greater than the width WC1 of the first axis-side region 41C1 (WC3 > WC1).

[0080] The second axis-side region 41C2 is a region connecting the first axis-side region 41C1 and the third axis-side region 41C3, and its width WC2 gradually increases from the side of the first axis-side region 41C1 towards the side of the third axis-side region 41C3. Specifically, the second axis-side region 41C2 is configured as a tapered shape consisting of a straight line that widens towards the Z(+) direction, and its width WC2 is minimum on the side of the first axis-side region 41C1, equal to the width WC1 of the first axis-side region 41C1, and maximum on the side of the third axis-side region 41C3, equal to the width WC3 of the third axis-side region 41C3, changing from minimum width to maximum width towards the Z(+) direction. Furthermore, the second axial region 41C2 is not limited to a tapered shape consisting of a straight line, as in this example, as long as its width WC2 is larger on the side of the third axial region 41C3 than on the side of the first axial region 41C1. For example, it may be a tapered shape consisting of a curve, or a part of the second axial region 41C2 may include a region with a certain width. The first axial region 41C1, the second axial region 41C2, and the third axial region 41C3 are examples of the first region, the first variation region, and the second region of the present invention, respectively.

[0081] In this embodiment, in each region constituting the axial portion 41 (first axial region 41C1, second axial region 41C2, and third axial region 41C3), the inner edge corresponding to the inside of the operating portion 12 (operating portion body 24) is configured as a straight line parallel to the Z-axis direction, and the outer edge corresponding to the outside of the operating portion 12 (operating portion body 24) on the opposite side is configured as a straight line parallel to or obliquely inclined to the Z-axis direction according to the width of each region. However, this is not limited to this configuration, and as long as the above-mentioned widthwise relationship is satisfied, for example, not only the outer edge but also the inner edge may have the same configuration as the outer edge. Furthermore, the outer edge or inner edge may be configured as a curved shape parallel to or obliquely inclined to the Z-axis direction.

[0082] <Cross-sectional shape of the shaft and finger rest> Next, the cross-sectional shapes of the shaft portion 41 and the finger rest portion 42 will be described with reference to Figure 12. XIIA in Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the finger rest portion 42 along the XIIA-XIIA line of XIB in Figure 11. XIIB in Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the third axial region 41C3 along the XIIB-XIIB line of XIB in Figure 11, and XIIC in Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the second axial region 41C2 along the XIIC-XIIC line of XIB in Figure 11.

[0083] As shown in XIIA of Figure 12, in the finger rest portion 42, the third inclined surface portion 30G is connected to the second outer surface portion 42B and the second inner surface portion 42A, and extends from the second outer surface portion 42B toward the second inner surface portion 42A toward the Y(+) and Y(-) directions. The inclination angle α3 of the third inclined surface portion 30G is the angle made between the second outer surface portion 42B and the third inclined surface portion 30G, and this angle is obtuse (α3 > 90°).

[0084] As shown in XIIB of Figure 12, in the axial portion 41, the second inclined surface portion 30F is connected to the first outer surface portion 41B and the first inner surface portion 41A, and extends from the first outer surface portion 41B toward the first inner surface portion 41A toward the Y(+) and Y(-) directions. The inclination angle α2 of the second inclined surface portion 30F is the angle made between the first outer surface portion 41B and the second inclined surface portion 30F, and this angle is obtuse (α2 > 90°).

[0085] As shown in XIIC in Figure 12, in the axial portion 41, the first inclined surface portion 30E is connected to the first outer surface portion 41B and the first inner surface portion 41A, and extends from the first outer surface portion 41B toward the first inner surface portion 41A toward the Y(+) and Y(-) directions. The inclination angle α1 of the first inclined surface portion 30E is the angle formed between the first outer surface portion 41B and the first inclined surface portion 30E, and this angle is obtuse (α1 > 90°). Note that the inclination angle α1 of the first inclined surface portion 30E is different from the inclination angle α2 of the second inclined surface portion 30F.

[0086] <Example of using the control lever> Next, an example of how to use the operating levers 30 and 32 will be explained based on Figures 13 to 15.

[0087] Figure 13 shows the state immediately before operating the operating lever 32. First, the practitioner grasps the gripping part 26 with their left hand 100. Specifically, of the two holding surfaces 50 and 52 of the gripping part 26, the practitioner holds the holding surface 50 (not shown) with their palm and the holding surface 52 with their index finger 103, middle finger 104, ring finger 105, and little finger 106. The practitioner presses their thumb 102 against the finger rest 42 of the operating lever 32.

[0088] As previously described, the finger rest portion 42 is configured such that the width of the second outer surface portion 42B in the longitudinal axis A direction is narrower than that of the second inner surface portion 42A (not shown). When force is applied, the finger rest portion 42 is more likely to bite into the thumb 102, and the thumb 102 is less likely to slip on the finger rest portion 42. In addition, the thumb 102 is more likely to reach the two second side portions 42C. As previously described, the second side portion 42C of the finger rest portion 42 is provided with a third inclined surface portion 30G (not shown), making it easier to place the thumb 102 on the finger rest portion 42. Therefore, the forward and backward operation (operation in the rotational direction R) of the operating lever 32 becomes easier for the practitioner.

[0089] Figure 14 shows the operator rotating the operating lever 32 in the forward direction. In this example, the operating lever 32 has third inclined surfaces 30G (not shown) on each of its two second side surfaces 42C.

[0090] When rotating the operating lever 32 in the forward direction, the practitioner can use the third inclined surface 30G on the Y(-) side to press the second side surface 42C of the finger rest 42 with the entire thumb 102, thus allowing the operating lever 32 to be rotated with minimal force.

[0091] Furthermore, when rotating the operating lever 32 in the rearward direction, the practitioner can use the third inclined surface 30G on the Y(+) side to pull the second side portion 42C of the finger rest portion 42 with the entire thumb 102, thus enabling the operating lever 32 to be rotated with minimal force.

[0092] Figure 15 shows a different gripping position than that shown in Figures 13 and 14. As shown in Figure 15, the practitioner grasps the tip portion 22 with their left hand 100. Specifically, the practitioner holds the tip portion 22 with their palm and middle finger 104, ring finger 105, and little finger 106. The thumb 102 touches the operating lever 32, and the index finger 103 touches the operating lever 30. The axial portion 41 of the operating levers 30 and 32 has a second axial region 41C2 and a third axial region 41C3 (not shown) on the first lateral portion 41C. Having these regions increases the contact area between the thumb 102 and the operating lever 32, allowing the practitioner to operate the operating lever 32 accurately and firmly. Similarly, having these regions increases the contact area between the index finger 103 and the operating lever 30, allowing the practitioner to operate the operating lever 30 accurately and firmly.

[0093] Furthermore, the shaft portion 41 of the operating levers 30 and 32 has a first inclined surface portion and a second inclined surface portion (not shown) on the first side portion 41C. Having these inclined surfaces makes it easier for the thumb 102 to bite into the first outer surface portion 41B of the operating lever 32, and also makes it easier for the thumb 102 to rest on the first side portion 41C. Similarly, having these inclined surfaces makes it easier for the index finger 103 to bite into the first outer surface portion 41B of the operating lever 30, and also makes it easier for the index finger 103 to rest on the first side portion 41C.

[0094] As described above, the operating levers 30 and 32 in this example have an inclined surface on the side portion 30C provided between the outer portion 30B and the inner portion 30A, which is inclined relative to the outer portion 30B, so that the operator can easily perform rotational operations.

[0095] <Other types of control levers> In the embodiment, the inclined surface portion is provided on the entire first side portion 41C of the shaft portion 41, the second side portion 42C of the finger rest portion 42, and the third side portion 43C of the bent portion 43. However, the inclined surface portion can be provided on only a part of the side portion 30C of each part of the operating lever 30. For example, the inclined surface portion may be formed only on the side of the side portion 30C that is on the outer surface portion 30B. Specifically, the second inclined surface portion 30F may be formed only on the side of the first outer surface portion 41B of the first side portion 41C. The first inclined surface portion 30E may be formed only on the side of the first outer surface portion 41B of the first side portion 41C. Also, the third inclined surface portion 30G may be formed only on the side of the second outer surface portion 42B of the second side portion 42C. The third inclined surface portion 30G may be formed only on the side of the second side portion 42C that is on the opposite side from the bent portion 43.

[0096] In this embodiment, the operating levers 30 and 32 are configured in a substantially L-shape with a shaft-like portion 41, a bent portion 43, and a finger rest portion 42, but are not limited to this. For example, the operating levers 30 and 32 may not have a bent portion 43, and the shaft-like portion 41 and the finger rest portion 42 may be directly connected, resulting in a substantially I-shape that extends linearly along the Z-axis direction.

[0097] Specifically, the substantially I-shaped operating lever is similar to the operating lever 30 of the embodiment in that it has a shaft-like portion 41 shown in Figures 9 and 11 and a finger rest portion 42 shown in Figure 10, but the shaft-like portion 41 and the finger rest portion 42 are directly connected in the substantially I-shaped operating lever. The second inner surface portion 42A, the second outer surface portion 42B, and the second side surface portion 42C of the finger rest portion 42 are connected to the first inner surface portion 41A, the first outer surface portion 41B, and the first side surface portion 41C of the shaft-like portion 41, respectively. The shaft-like portion 41 and the finger rest portion 42 extend toward the Z(+) direction starting from the disc portion 48. The shaft-like portion 41 and the finger rest portion 42 may extend in a straight line, or the finger rest portion 42 may be inclined with respect to the shaft-like portion 41. Even in a substantially I-shaped operating lever that does not have a bent portion 43, the operator can easily operate the operating lever by having an inclined surface portion.

[0098] Furthermore, in another form of the operating lever, the shape of the side surface of the shaft portion may differ from that of the side surface of the shaft portion 41 in the embodiment. Specifically, the shaft portion of the other form of the operating lever differs from the side surface of the shaft portion 41 in that it does not have a first change region. That is, the width of the shaft portion is constant in the direction of the rotation axis C, from the rotation axis C side toward the finger rest portion 42 side. Even in the other form of the operating lever, the operator can easily operate the operating lever by having an inclined surface on the side surface.

[0099] <Other preferred forms> In the embodiment, an ultrasound probe 10 was used as an example to which the operating lever of the present invention is applied, but the present invention is not limited to the ultrasound probe 10 and can be applied to various medical devices. That is, the present invention can be applied to any medical device that has an operating lever for performing an action, such as a laparoscope and an endoscope with a flexible insertion section. In this case, an optical imaging device is provided as an observation window on the tip side of the insertion section.

[0100] Although embodiments of the operating lever according to the present invention have been described above, the present invention may be improved or modified in some way without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0101] 10 Ultrasound probes 12 Control section 14 Insertion part 16 Insertion part body 18 Curved section 20 transducer 20A ultrasonic emission surface 22 Tip 22A Reduced diameter part 24. Main Unit of the Control Panel 26 Gripping part 26A Proximal end 28 Cables 30 Operating levers 30A inner part 30B External part 30C side part 30E 1st slope section 30F Second tilt face 30G Third tilt face 30H Fourth tilted face 32 Operation レバー 41 Axial portion 41A 1st inner face 41B First exterior 41B1 First Axis Outer Domain 41B2 Second Axis Outer Domain 41B3 Third Axis Outer Domain 41C First side face 41C1 First Axial Side Domain 41C2 Second Axial Side Domain 41C3 Third Axial Side Domain 42 finger hanging part 42A 2nd inner face 42B Second exterior 42C Second side profile 43 Flexion part 43A 3rd inner face 43B Third exterior 43C Third side profile 48. Disk Section 50 Keep surface 52. Maintain surface 54 yen arc 56 yen arc 60° inclined plane 62 Inclined surface 100 Left hand 102 Personally pointed out 103 The difference between people 104 Middle finger 105 finger 106 little finger A long handshake C-axis WA1 piece WA2 images WA3 images WB1 WB2 WB3 WB4 WB5 WC1 WC2 WC3 pieces α1 Inclination angle α2 Inclination angle α3 tilt angle

Claims

1. An operating lever, which is rotatably mounted on a pivot axis to an operating part for operating an insertion part inserted into a subject, The inner surface facing the side of the operating section, An outer surface facing the opposite side from the operating section, and having a longitudinal width smaller than the inner surface of the operating section, An inclined surface portion is provided between the outer surface portion and the inner surface portion, and is inclined with respect to the outer surface portion, An operating lever equipped with a control lever.

2. The inclined surfaces are provided on both sides of the outer surface in the longitudinal direction, The operating lever according to claim 1.

3. The inclined surface portion is connected to the outer surface portion. The operating lever according to claim 1.

4. A finger rest is provided at a position away from the rotation axis and extends in the direction in which the rotation axis extends, A shaft-shaped portion is provided between the rotating shaft and the finger rest portion, and extends in a direction intersecting the rotating shaft, Equipped with, The inclined surface portion is provided on the finger rest portion or the shaft portion, The operating lever according to claim 1.

5. It includes a bend between the finger rest and the shaft-shaped portion, The operating lever according to claim 4.

6. The axial portion has a side portion having a normal component in the longitudinal direction, The inclined surface portion is provided on the side portion, The operating lever according to claim 4.

7. The aforementioned side portion is, A first region provided on the side of the rotation axis, A second region is provided on the side of the finger rest portion that is closer to the first region, and the width in the rotation axis direction is greater than that of the first region, A first change region is provided between the first region and the second region, wherein the width in the rotation axis direction is greater on the side of the second region than on the side of the first region, Equipped with, The inclined surface portion is provided in the second region or the first change region. The operating lever according to claim 6.

8. The outer surface portion is provided on the axial portion, The outer surface portion of the axial portion is A third region provided on the side of the rotation axis, A fourth region is provided on the side of the finger rest that is closer to the third region, and whose longitudinal width is smaller than that of the third region. A second variation region is provided between the third region and the fourth region, wherein the width in the longitudinal direction is smaller on the side of the fourth region than on the side of the third region, Equipped with, The operating lever according to claim 4.

9. The inclined surface portion is provided on the finger rest portion, The operating lever according to claim 4.

10. A medical device comprising the insertion portion and the operating portion, A device comprising at least one operating lever according to any one of claims 1 to 9, Medical devices.

11. At least one of the operating levers includes a first operating lever and a second operating lever, The first operating lever and the second operating lever are arranged opposite each other on the operating unit. The medical device according to claim 10.

12. The first operating lever and the second operating lever each bend the insertion portion in different directions. The medical device according to claim 11.

13. An ultrasonic probe comprising the insertion portion and the operating portion, wherein a probe is provided on the tip side of the insertion portion, A device comprising at least one operating lever according to any one of claims 1 to 9, Ultrasound probe.

14. An endoscope comprising the insertion section and the operating section, wherein an observation window is provided on the tip side of the insertion section, A device comprising at least one operating lever according to any one of claims 1 to 9, Endoscope.

Images