Guide tube and endoscope system

Abstract

To provide a user-friendly guide tube.SOLUTION: A guide tube 1 is provided, comprising a tube body 10 for an insertion section of an endoscope to be inserted, a clip 21 disposed on a base end side of the tube body 10 and provided with a through-hole H20 for the insertion section to be inserted through the tube body 10 extending in a longitudinal direction and a notch C20 having a depth deeper than a top end H20S of the through-hole H20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a guide tube into which an insertion portion of an endoscope is inserted, and to an endoscope system including an endoscope and a guide tube. [Background technology]

[0002] Endoscopic systems are widely used in the industrial and medical fields. Endoscopic systems include an endoscope and a main body. The endoscope has an elongated insertion section that is inserted into an object to be observed, and a control section. An imaging section is disposed at the tip of the insertion section. The main body has, for example, a processor that processes the captured image and a display that displays the endoscopic image.

[0003] In order to efficiently guide the distal end of the insertion portion of the endoscope to the examination position, a guide tube through which the insertion portion is inserted is used.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2017-37138 discloses a guide tube used to insert the insertion portion of an endoscope into the inside of a boiler, turbine, engine, etc. to observe and inspect for scratches and corrosion.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2017-125101 discloses a guide tube having a flexible curved portion.

[0006] When operating the insertion portion of the endoscope inserted into the guide tube to move forward or backward, the operator operates the endoscope while holding, for example, the guide tube with the left hand and the insertion portion with the right hand. When operating the endoscope to bend or take an image, the operator must, for example, remove his or her right hand from the insertion portion and grasp the operation portion on which the bending operation portion and the image capture switch are located with the right hand. Each time the operator operates the insertion portion inserted into the guide tube and takes an image, the operator must switch hands.

[0007] The hand-changing action places a heavy burden on the operator and is one of the causes of increased examination time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-37138 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-125101 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a guide tube and an endoscope system that are easy to operate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A guide tube according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a tube body into which an insertion portion of an endoscope is inserted; and a grip disposed on the base end side of the tube body, having a through hole in the longitudinal direction that passes through an internal space of the tube body and into which the insertion portion is inserted, and having a notch that is deeper than an upper end of the through hole. The notch is shallower than the lower end of the through hole, and a groove is formed in the bottom surface of the notch.

[0011] An endoscopic system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an endoscope having an insertion portion and a guide tube, the guide tube comprising: a tube body into which the insertion portion of the endoscope is inserted; and a grip disposed on a base end side of the tube body, the grip having a through hole in a longitudinal direction that passes through an internal space of the tube body and into which the insertion portion is inserted, the grip having a notch that is deeper than an upper end of the through hole. The notch is shallower than the lower end of the through hole, and a groove is formed in the bottom surface of the notch. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The guide tube and endoscope system according to the embodiments of the present invention are easy to operate. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1]1 is a configuration diagram of an endoscope system including a guide tube according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a guide tube according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the guide tube taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3 (a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the grip). [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the guide tube of the first embodiment in use. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the guide tube of the first embodiment in use. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a guide tube according to a first modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a guide tube according to a second modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a top view of the guide tube of the second embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a cross-sectional view of the guide tube of FIG. 9 taken along line XX. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a top view of a guide tube according to a first modified example of the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a guide tube according to a first modified example of the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a guide tube according to a first modified example of the second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a guide tube according to a third embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a guide tube according to a third embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a guide tube according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] First Embodiment As shown in Fig. 1, an endoscope system (endoscope device) 9 of this embodiment includes a guide tube 1, an endoscope (scope unit) 30, and a main body 40 to which the endoscope 30 is connected. The main body 40 includes a processor that processes captured images and a display. The display displays an endoscopic image, an operation menu, and the like. The display may be a touch panel.

[0015] The endoscope 30 has an insertion section 31, an operation section 35 disposed on the proximal end side of the insertion section 31, and a universal cable 36 connecting the operation section 35 and a main body section 40. The insertion section 31 includes a tip section 32 incorporating an imaging section, a bending section 33, and a flexible tube 34.

[0016] The imaging unit has an imaging element such as a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor, and an imaging optical system such as a lens. The bending portion 33 is provided on the proximal end side of the distal end portion 32. The long, thin flexible tube 34 extends from the proximal end side of the bending portion 33.

[0017] The operation unit 35 is provided with various operation buttons such as a freeze button and a recording instruction button. The operator operates the various operation buttons of the operation unit 35 to capture an image of a subject, record moving images, record still images, etc. The operator also operates the bending operation unit 35A, which tilts in the up / down / left / right (U / D / L / R) directions, to bend the bending section 33 in a desired direction. If the display of the main body 40 is a touch panel, the operator may use the touch panel to input settings and operations for the endoscope system 9.

[0018] Image data of the captured endoscopic image is recorded on a memory card, which is a recording medium. The memory card is detachable from the main body 40. The image data may also be recorded in the built-in memory of the main body 40.

[0019] The guide tube 1 for an endoscope of this embodiment has an elongated tube body 10 and a gripping member 20 connected to the base end of the tube body 10. The tube body 10 and the gripping member 20 may be formed integrally.

[0020] 2 and 3, the gripping member 20 includes a tip member 22 to which the tube body 10 is fixed using an adhesive or the like, and a grip 21. The tip side of the grip 21 may also serve as the tip member 22.

[0021] The tube body 10 is a cylindrical member having an elongated internal space into which the insertion portion 31 is inserted. The outer peripheral surface of the tube body 10 is made of, for example, a flexible resin such as polyethylene.

[0022] The grip 21 (grasping member 20) has a through-hole H20 that passes through the internal space of the tube body 10 and into which the insertion portion 31 of the endoscope 30 is inserted.

[0023] The shape of the cross section of the through hole H20 perpendicular to the long axis direction LA is not limited to a circle, but may be an ellipse or a polygon such as a rectangle.

[0024] The insertion section 31 of the endoscope 30 is inserted into the tube body 10 via the through-hole H20 of the grip 21. The grip 21 held by the operator 90 is made of a hard resin such as ABS resin or PC resin, which is harder than the tube body 10.

[0025] 2 to 4, the central axis OH20 of the through hole H20 is parallel to the longitudinal axis direction LA of the gripping member 20. That is, the grip 21 has the through hole H20 in the longitudinal axis direction LA. The approximately cylindrical grip 21 has a notch C20 on its outer peripheral surface. When the outer peripheral surface with the notch C20 faces upward, the depth of the notch C20 is deeper than the upper end H20SA of the through hole H20 and shallower than the lower end H20SB of the through hole H20.

[0026] A portion of the through hole H20 is exposed in the notch C20 to form a groove T20. The bottom surface of the groove T20 is the lower end H20SB of the through hole H20.

[0027] The upper end H20SA of the through hole H20 is the uppermost position on the inner surface of the through hole H20 when the region where the notch C20 is formed is defined as the upper direction in a cross section (see FIG. 4) perpendicular to the central axis OH20 of the through hole H20. The lower end H20SB of the through hole H20 is the lowermost position on the inner surface of the through hole H20.

[0028] The grip 21 has a notch C20 in a central region in the longitudinal axis direction LA of the grip 21. In other words, the notch C20 does not extend to the distal end side or the proximal end side of the grip 21.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 4, the inner diameter DH20 of the through hole H20 of the grip 21 is larger than the outer diameter D31 of the insertion portion 31 so that the insertion portion 31 can be inserted therethrough.

[0030] The depth DT20 of the groove T20 is smaller than the outer diameter D31 of the insertion portion 31. For example, the depth DT20 of the groove T20 is 2 / 5 of the outer diameter D31 of the insertion portion 31.

[0031] 5, when the insertion section 31 of the endoscope 30 is inserted into the guide tube 1 of this embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of the insertion section 31 is exposed in the notch C20. While holding the grip 21 with one hand, the operator 90 can use the thumb of the holding hand to perform an advance / retract operation and a fixation operation of the insertion section 31 exposed in the notch C20. In other words, by using the guide tube 1, the operator 90 can hold the grip 21 and operate the insertion section 31 with one hand.

[0032] The operator 90 can hold the operation unit 35 of the endoscope 30 with the hand that is not holding the grip 21. This means that the operator 90 does not need to change hands when operating the operation unit 35 to perform bending operations, image capture, etc. The guide tube 1 and the endoscope system 9 including the guide tube 1 are easy to operate, which reduces the burden on the operator and shortens the examination time.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 6, the operator 90 may perform the advancement and retraction operation of the insertion section 31 with a finger other than the thumb.

[0034] The shape of the grip 21 may be, for example, a substantially rectangular pillar with curved chamfered corners, as long as it is easy to hold. To facilitate holding, the grip 21 may have a plurality of grooves on its outer surface corresponding to the positions of the fingers when holding it.

[0035] 4, in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis direction LA of the grip 21, the central axis OH20 of the through hole H20 is eccentric from the central axis O21 of the grip 21. Therefore, the guide tube 1 allows the outer diameter of the grip 21 (external dimension in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis direction LA) to be made smaller than when the grip 21 is not eccentric, making it easier for the operator to grasp, and at the same time, the groove T20 can be positioned at a position where the insertion portion 31 can be easily operated with the fingers.

[0036] The cross-sectional shape of the groove perpendicular to the long axis direction LA may be different from the cross-sectional shape of the through hole H20. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the groove may be made rectangular by processing the groove exposed by a notch in the through hole H20, which has a circular cross-sectional shape.

[0037] From the viewpoint of operability, it is preferable that the depth DT20 of the groove T20 is less than two-thirds of the outer diameter D31 of the insertion portion 31.

[0038] The long, thin flexible tube 34 of the endoscope 30 is soft, so in a large, open space, the insertion section 31 sags due to gravity, making it impossible to insert the tip section 32 upward.

[0039] In order to guide the tip portion 32 to a desired position even in a large space, it is preferable that the tube body 10 is semi-rigid. The semi-rigid tube body 10 is bendable, but has the rigidity to maintain the bent state once bent.

[0040] The tube body 10 is, for example, an aluminum tube coated with a soft resin. By appropriately selecting the thickness of the aluminum plate that constitutes the aluminum tube, a tube body 10 with the desired rigidity can be produced.

[0041] The flexible tube 34 does not sag even in a large space because it is supported by the semi-rigid tube body 10. After changing the shape of the tube body 10, the insertion section 31 of the endoscope 30 is inserted into the guide tube 1, whereby the insertion section 31 is guided and the tip section 32 can be positioned at the desired position.

[0042] A guide tube having a semi-rigid tube body 10 is easy to guide the tip portion 32 to a desired position and has good operability. The tube body 10 may be rigid.

[0043] <Modification 1 of the First Embodiment> Guide tubes 1A-1E and endoscope systems 9A-9E of the following modifications or embodiments are similar to the guide tube 1 and endoscope system 9 of the first embodiment and have the same effects. For this reason, components with the same functions as those of the guide tube 1 and endoscope system 9 are given the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0044] 7, the guide tube 1A (endoscope system 9A) of this modified example is cut out to the proximal end side of the grip 21A in the grasping member 20A. In other words, the cutout of the grip does not need to be formed only in the central region of the outer periphery in the long axis direction LA.

[0045] In the grip 21A, the range (inner dimension in the longitudinal direction LA) of the cutout C20A is wider (longer inner dimension) than the cutout C20 of the first embodiment, and the length of the insertion portion 31 exposed from the groove T20A is longer than the length of the insertion portion 31 exposed from the groove T20 of the grip 21 of the guide tube 1 of the first embodiment.

[0046] With the guide tube 1A, a single finger slide operation can move the insertion section 31 a longer distance than with the guide tube 1 of the first embodiment. Therefore, the guide tube 1A can move the insertion section 31 a longer distance in one go than the guide tube 1 of the first embodiment, providing better operability.

[0047] To prevent the insertion portion 31 from falling out of the groove T20A, it is preferable that the opening width WT20 (see FIG. 4) of the groove T20 of the guide tube 1A of this modified example be less than the outer diameter D31 of the insertion portion 31. The opening width WT20 is the dimension of the opening in a cross section perpendicular to the long axis direction LA of the groove T20.

[0048] <Modification 2 of the First Embodiment> In the modified guide tube 1B (endoscopic system 9B) shown in Figure 8, the depth of the notch in the holding member 20B (grip 21B) is deeper than the lower end H20SB of the through hole H20, so the bottom surface C20S of the notch C20 is below the lower end H20SB of the through hole H20.

[0049] That is, the through hole H20 is divided into a distal side H20A and a proximal side H20B by the cutout C20. The openings of the through holes H20A and H20B are provided on both side surfaces of the cutout C20, and no groove due to the through hole H20 is formed on the bottom surface C20S of the cutout C20. In other words, the through hole H20 may be divided into a distal side and a proximal side.

[0050] The guide tube 1B (endoscope system 9B) is easy to operate because the contact area between the operator's fingers and the insertion portion is large.

[0051] In this configuration, the position of the insertion portion 31 inserted into the through hole H20 is not stable in the notch C20. For this reason, it is preferable that the notch C20 has a depth (amount of notch from the outer circumferential surface) such that a portion of the through hole H20 is exposed and forms a groove T20. Second Embodiment A guide tube 1C (endoscope system 9C) of this embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 has a fixing member 50 for fixing the insertion portion 31 to the grip 21 in the internal space of the notch C20.

[0052] The fixed member 50 includes a movable member 52 having an elastic member 51 that presses the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 31 exposed in the cutout C20, and a holding member 53 that holds the movable member 52 so that it can rotate. When pressed with a finger, the movable member 52 rotates around a rotation axis 53A.

[0053] The elastic member 51 is made of a soft resin such as silicone rubber so that it will not damage the insertion portion 31 and can stably fix the insertion portion 31.

[0054] The guide tube 1C can fix the insertion section 31 at the desired insertion position, and therefore has good operability because it does not need to be continuously pressed with a finger compared to a guide tube 1 that does not have a fixing member 50. In particular, the insertion section 31 can be fixed simply by changing the position of the finger that is operating the insertion section 31 to move forward or backward and pressing the fixing member 50.

[0055] The fixed member 50 may have a so-called latch structure in which, when the movable member 52 is pressed once with a finger, it maintains the pressed state, and when pressed again, it returns to its original state.

[0056] <Modification 1 of the Second Embodiment> A guide tube 1D (endoscope system 9D) of this modified example shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 has a fixing member 50D on the proximal end side of the grip 21.

[0057] 12, the fixing member 50D has a first cylinder 54 fixed to the grip 21, a second cylinder 55 covering the outer periphery of the first cylinder 54, and an O-ring 56 which is an elastic member disposed between the first cylinder 54 and the second cylinder 55. The insertion portion 31 is inserted into the through-hole H20 of the grip 21 via the first cylinder 54 and the second cylinder 55.

[0058] 13, when the first cylinder 54 moves toward the tip side, the O-ring 56 is deformed. The deformed O-ring 56 presses the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 31, thereby fixing the insertion portion 31 to the grip 21.

[0059] When the first cylinder 54 and the second cylinder 55 are in a screwed state, tightening the second cylinder 55 crushes the O-ring 56, fixing the insertion portion 31. The crushed O-ring 56 generates a frictional force between the first cylinder 54, the second cylinder 55, and the O-ring 56, and also increases the frictional force at the screwed portion, so that the fixed state of the insertion portion 31 can be maintained.

[0060] In addition, the fixing member 50D may have a so-called latch structure in which, when operated once to move the second cylinder 55 toward the tip side, the fixing state is maintained, and when operated again to move the second cylinder 55 toward the tip side, the fixing member 50D returns to its original state.

[0061] Compared to the fixing member 50, the fixing member 50D is less susceptible to misoperation.

[0062] The guide tube of the embodiment may have fixing member 50 and fixing member 50D. In such a guide tube, when the insertion portion 31 needs to be temporarily fixed during the insertion operation, fixing member 50 can be used to fix the insertion portion 31 by operating the fingers, and after the insertion to the target position, fixing member 50D can be used to fix the insertion portion 31.

[0063] <Modification 1 of the Second Embodiment> 14 to 16, a guide tube 1E (endoscopic system 9E) of this modified example has a tip member 22E disposed on the proximal end side of a grip 21, which holds the tube main body 10 in a rotatable state relative to the grip 21. As already explained, the tip of the grip 21 may be the tip member 22E.

[0064] The tip member 22E has an O-ring 71 and a fixing screw 72. The tube body 10 is held in the grip 21 by the O-ring 71 and therefore rotates relative to the grip 21. The tube body 10 may be held in a state in which it can rotate relative to the grip 21 by a bearing or the like.

[0065] With guide tube 1E, even if tube body 10 changes from the bent state shown in Fig. 15 to the bent state shown in Fig. 16 during the insertion operation, tube body 10 can be rotated, so the operator does not need to re-hold grip body 10 or re-bend tube body 10. Therefore, guide tube 1E has good operability.

[0066] The fixing screw 72 is a tube fixing member used to fix the tube body 10. By turning the screw-type fixing screw 72 disposed in the threaded hole, the tip of the fixing screw 72 presses against and fixes the tube body 10.

[0067] In addition to the fixing screw 72 for fixing the tube main body 10, the guide tube 1E may have a fixing member 50 such as the fixing member 50 of the guide tube 1C or the fixing member 50 of the guide tube 1D for fixing the insertion portion 31 as an insertion portion fixing member.

[0068] To prevent the tube main body 10 from coming off the tip member 22E, a retaining ring (not shown) is fitted on the outer periphery of the tube main body 10 into a groove formed in the wall surface of the through hole of the tip member 22E.

[0069] It goes without saying that an endoscope system including guide tubes 1A-1E has the effects of endoscope system 9 and guide tubes 1A-1E.

[0070] The above has been described using an example of an easily portable industrial endoscope 1 (endoscopic system 9, etc.). However, the endoscope system of the embodiment may also be used for medical purposes. Furthermore, the main body of the endoscope system of the embodiment may be, for example, a stationary type in which the display and the processor that performs image processing are separate, or a handheld type in which the main body and operation unit are integrated.

[0071] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications, combinations, and applications are possible within the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1, 1A-1E...Guide tube 9, 9A-9E...Endoscope system 10...Tube body 20...gripping member 21...Grip 22...Tip member 30...Endoscope 31...insertion part 32...Tip 33...Bend 34…Soft tube 35...Operation unit 36...Universal cable 40...Main body 50...Fixing member

Claims

1. a tube body into which an insertion portion of an endoscope is inserted; a grip disposed on the base end side of the tube body, having a through hole in the longitudinal direction that passes through the internal space of the tube body and into which the insertion portion is inserted, and having a notch that is deeper than an upper end of the through hole, The guide tube is characterized in that the notch is shallower than the lower end of the through hole, and a groove is formed on the bottom surface of the notch.

2. The guide tube according to claim 1 , wherein the through hole is a groove exposed in the notch, and the opening depth of the groove is less than the diameter of the insertion portion.

3. 3. The guide tube according to claim 1, wherein the grip has the notch in a central region in the longitudinal direction.

4. 4. The guide tube according to claim 1, wherein the center of the through hole is eccentric from the center of the grip in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the grip.

5. 5. The guide tube according to claim 1, wherein the grip is substantially cylindrical.

6. 6. The guide tube according to claim 1, wherein the grip includes a fixing member that fixes the insertion portion to the grip.

7. The guide tube according to claim 6, wherein the fixing member is contained within the notch.

8. 8. The guide tube according to claim 6, wherein the fixing member has an elastic member, and the elastic member presses against the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion.

9. 9. The guide tube according to claim 1, wherein the tube body is held by the grip in a state in which the tube body can rotate relative to the grip.

10. 10. The guide tube according to claim 1, wherein the tube body has a rigidity that allows it to maintain a bent state when bent.

11. an endoscope including an insertion portion; a guide tube including a tube body into which the insertion portion of the endoscope is inserted; and a grip disposed on the base end side of the tube body, the grip having a through hole in the longitudinal direction that passes through an internal space of the tube body and into which the insertion portion is inserted, the grip having a notch that is deeper than an upper end of the through hole, An endoscope system characterized in that the notch is shallower than the lower end of the through hole and a groove is formed on the bottom surface of the notch.

12. The endoscope system according to claim 11, wherein the through-hole is exposed to the notch and forms a groove, and the opening depth of the groove is less than the diameter of the insertion portion.

Images