Endoscopy

Abstract

Provided is an endoscope capable of maintaining a derivation direction of a treatment tool in a desired direction, and performing a treatment while maintaining the derivation direction.　A tip end of an insertion part of the endoscope comprises an upright stand (33) movably provided between an upright position and an inverted position. An upright operation lever (19d) moves the upright stand (33) to the upright position while rotating in a first direction, and moves the upright stand (33) to the inverted position while rotating in a second direction. The upright operation lever (19) is connected to a bearing member (53) via a rotating ring (46). A rotating ring (46) has a protrusion (62), and a bearing member (53) has a plurality of holes (63) and a rail, and constitutes a locking mechanism.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an endoscope that changes the direction in which a treatment tool is introduced. [Background technology]

[0002] Endoscopes used in the medical field are used not only for observing the inside of a subject but also for performing various treatments on the observed region. An endoscope includes an insertion section that is inserted into the subject and a control section connected to the proximal end of the insertion section. Various treatment tools, such as forceps and incision tools, are inserted through a treatment tool inlet provided in the control section of the endoscope, into a treatment tool channel in the insertion section, and then led out through a treatment tool outlet opening at the distal end of the insertion section, thereby performing various treatments, such as resection and collection, on the observed region.

[0003] The treatment tool delivered from the treatment tool outlet of the endoscope needs to have its delivery direction changed in order to treat a desired position inside the subject. Therefore, a stand that changes the delivery direction of the treatment tool is provided at the tip of the insertion section. By operating a stand operation lever provided in the operation section, the posture of the stand is moved between a collapsed position and an upright position. By moving the stand from the collapsed position to the upright position, the stand guides the treatment tool, and the delivery direction of the treatment tool can be changed (see Patent Document 1).

[0004] Furthermore, in the endoscope described in Patent Document 2, a slit into which a guide wire is inserted is formed in the raising table. The guide wire is inserted into the treatment tool channel together with the treatment tool and guides the treatment tool. When the raising table is in the raised position, the guide wire is inserted into the slit of the raising table, fixing the raising table. This also fixes the raising operation lever that is linked to the raising table.

[0005] On the other hand, in the endoscope described in Patent Document 3, a frictional resistance spring is attached to the raising operation lever. The frictional resistance spring rotates integrally with the raising operation lever while being pressed against a fixed wall formed in the operation section. A lubricant is also applied between the frictional resistance spring and the fixed wall. The frictional resistance spring is pressed against the fixed wall by its elastic force, generating frictional resistance. When the user releases the raising operation lever, the frictional resistance causes the raising operation lever to temporarily stop. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-137947 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-015018 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-072455 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] When performing a procedure using an endoscope, a user may want to stop the treatment tool in a desired direction and continue the procedure while maintaining this direction. Therefore, it is desirable to be able to stop the stand not only in the upright position or the reclined position, but also halfway between the upright position and the reclined position.

[0008] However, the endoscopes described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 do not take into consideration stopping the raising table midway between the upright position and the reclined position. In particular, the endoscope described in Patent Document 2 only fixes the guidewire so that the raising table and the raising operation lever stop when the raising table is in the upright position, and cannot fix them in other positions. Furthermore, in this case, even if the raising operation lever is pressed with a finger or the like, the raising operation lever will move due to the reaction force from the treatment tool.

[0009] Furthermore, in the endoscope described in Patent Document 3, when the user releases the raising operation lever, the raising operation lever temporarily stops due to the frictional resistance between the frictional resistance-applying spring material and the fixed wall. However, when performing treatment, with highly rigid treatment instruments such as stents and puncture needles, the reaction force from the treatment instrument is large, and the frictional resistance alone is not enough to keep the lever stopped. As a result, the raising table moves in conjunction with the raising operation lever, and the direction in which the treatment instrument is led out also changes.

[0010] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide an endoscope that can maintain the extraction direction of a treatment tool in a desired direction and can perform various treatments while maintaining the extraction direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The endoscope of the present invention comprises an insertion section, an operating section, a tip section body, a raising platform, a raising operation lever, a bearing member, a connecting member, and a locking mechanism. When the protrusion engages with the hole, the raising operation lever is locked in a first position. When the raising operation lever is rotated in a first direction or a second direction, the protrusion passes through an elastically deformed rail and moves to a hole different from the first position, and the raising operation lever is locked in the second position. The insertion section is inserted into a subject. The operating section is provided at the base end of the insertion section. The tip section body is located at the tip of the insertion section and communicates with the treatment tool outlet. The raising platform is provided on the tip section body and raises a treatment tool led out from the treatment tool outlet, and is movable between an upright position and a reclined position. The raising operation lever moves the raising platform to the upright position when rotated in the first direction, and moves the raising platform to the reclined position when rotated in the second direction. The bearing member is provided on the operation portion. The connecting member connects the raising operation lever and the bearing member. The locking mechanism is provided between the bearing member and the connecting member and has a plurality of protrusions, a plurality of holes, and a rail. The plurality of protrusions are provided on one of the bearing member and the connecting member. The plurality of holes are provided on the other of the bearing member and the connecting member. The rails are located between adjacent holes.

[0012] The holes and protrusions are formed at the same pitch, and the number of protrusions is smaller than the number of holes. Preferably, one of the bearing member or the connecting member has protrusions formed along a first arc positioned around the central axis, and the other of the bearing member or the connecting member has holes formed along a second arc positioned around the central axis, having the same radius as the first arc and a longer arc length than the first arc.

[0013] The inner diameter of the hole is preferably gradually reduced from the middle of the second arc toward both ends. The insertion portion preferably has a curved portion, and the bearing member preferably has an angle knob attached thereto for bending the curved portion.

[0014] It is preferred that at least some of the components are disposable. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an endoscope that can maintain the insertion direction of a treatment tool in a desired direction and can perform various treatments while maintaining the insertion direction. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an endoscope system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an external view of an endoscope and a treatment tool. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the tip portion of the endoscope. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the tip portion of the endoscope. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the main parts around the raising operation lever and the locking mechanism. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a locking mechanism. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the connecting member as viewed from the bottom side. [Figure 10]FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of the locking mechanism. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a hole that constitutes the locking mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope system 10 includes an endoscope 12, a treatment tool 13, a light source device 14, a processor device 15, a display 16, and a UI (User Interface) 17. The endoscope 12 captures an image of an observation target. The light source device 14 emits illumination light to irradiate the observation target. The processor device 15 performs system control of the endoscope system 10. The display 16 is a display unit that displays an observation image based on an endoscopic image, etc. The UI 17 includes a keyboard, a mouse, a touchpad, a microphone, etc., and accepts input operations from a doctor who is a user.

[0018] At least some of the components constituting the endoscope 12 are preferably made of a resin material, a rubber material, a metal material, or the like, and are discarded as disposables. In the case of a metal material, it is more preferable to form the components by metal injection molding.

[0019] The endoscope 12 is optically connected to the light source device 14 and electrically connected to the processor device 15. The endoscope 12 has an insertion section 18 that is inserted into the subject and an operation section 19 provided at the base end of the insertion section 18. The insertion section 18 is composed of a flexible section 18a, a bending section 18b, and a tip section 18c that are arranged in this order from the base end to the tip. By operating the angle knob 19a of the operation section 19, the bending section 18b is bent. As a result, the tip section 18c is oriented in a desired direction.

[0020] 2, the operation unit 19 is provided with an angle knob 19a, an erection operation lever 19b, a treatment tool introduction port 19c, an air / water supply button 19d, and a suction button 19e. The treatment tool introduction port 19c is an entrance for inserting the treatment tool 13. The treatment tool 13 inserted into the treatment tool introduction port 19c is guided to the erection table housing portion 41 (see FIG. 4) at the tip end 18c.

[0021] By operating the raising operation lever 19b, a treatment tool raising mechanism 45, which will be described later, is activated to rotate the raising table 33. By rotating the raising table 33, the treatment tool 13 guided into the raising table housing section 41 is changed in its traveling direction and guided in a direction toward the opening window 32C on the upper surface side of the raising table housing section 41, and the treatment tool 13 is led out from the opening window 32C.

[0022] When the air and water supply button 19d is operated, air and water are supplied to an air and water supply tube (not shown), and the air and water are sprayed from an air and water supply nozzle 42 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) provided on the tip portion main body 31. When the suction button 19e is operated, body fluids such as blood can be sucked through the treatment tool channel 18d from a suction port that also serves as a treatment tool outlet 18e (see FIGS. 3 and 4) provided on the tip portion main body 31.

[0023] The tip portion 18c is provided with an image sensor 43, an illumination optical system 44, etc., which will be described later. The image sensor 43 is preferably a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor, a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor, or the like.

[0024] The processor device 15 is electrically connected to the display 16 and the UI 17. The processor device 15 performs image processing and the like on the endoscopic image captured by the image sensor 43 and causes the display 16 to display the image.

[0025] A treatment tool channel 18d for inserting the treatment tool 13 is provided inside the insertion section 18. One end of the treatment tool channel 18d is connected to the distal end body 31, and the other end is connected to a treatment tool introduction port 19c provided in the operation section 19.

[0026] The treatment tool 13 is an endoscopic treatment tool that is inserted into the subject through the treatment tool channel 18d together with the insertion section 18. The treatment tool 13 may be, for example, a biopsy forceps, a snare, a stent, a puncture needle, a high-frequency treatment tool, or an ultrasonic treatment tool, etc., that is combined with the endoscope 12.

[0027] The treatment tool 13 includes a flexible sheath 21, an operating wire (not shown), a tip portion 22, and an operating portion 23. The flexible sheath 21 is a tubular sheath made of a flexible material, such as a soft resin, and is inserted into the treatment tool channel 18d of the endoscope 12. The operating wire is provided integrally with the tip portion 22 and is inserted through the flexible sheath 21.

[0028] 3 and 4, the tip portion 18c has a tip portion body 31 and a cap 32, and is configured by attaching the cap 32 to the tip portion body 31. Note that the configuration of the tip portion 18c is not limited to this, and the tip portion body 31 and the cap 32 may be fixed integrally so that they cannot be removed by the user. The tip portion body 31 is provided on the tip side of the insertion section 18 (see FIG. 1), and this tip portion body 31 is provided with a stand 33.

[0029] The endoscope 12 is a side-viewing endoscope used, for example, as a duodenoscope, and the tip portion 18c shown in Figures 3 and 4 has the configuration of a side-viewing endoscope. Also shown in Figures 3 and 4 are a treatment instrument channel 18d, an erection operation wire 34, a signal cable 35, and a light guide 36 disposed inside the insertion portion 18 of the endoscope 12. The treatment instrument channel 18d guides the tip portion of the treatment instrument 13 to the tip portion main body 31. The erection operation wire 34 is an operation wire for rotating the erection table 33. To avoid complication, the air and water supply channel and the like connected to the air and water supply nozzle 42 are not shown.

[0030] The cap 32 is formed in a generally cylindrical shape with a sealed tip end, and has a peripheral surface 32A and an end surface 32B. A generally rectangular opening window 32C is formed in a portion of the peripheral surface 32A. In the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the opening window 32C is an opening cut out from the peripheral surface 32A to the end surface 32B. In the following description, the central axis of the tip portion main body 31 and the cap 32 is defined as the X-axis direction, the up-down direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction is defined as the Z-axis direction, and the left-right direction perpendicular to the X-axis and Z-axis directions is defined as the Y-axis direction.

[0031] When the cap 32 is attached to the tip portion main body 31, the cap 32 covers the elevator housing section 41 (described later), and the opening window 32C is opened in the Z-axis direction. As a result, the treatment tool outlet 18e of the treatment tool channel 18d communicates with the opening window 32C via the elevator housing section 41. The image sensor 43 and the illumination optical system 44 are exposed from the opening window 32C. The cap 32 is attached coaxially to the tip portion main body 31.

[0032] The cap 32 is made of an elastic material, for example, a rubber material such as fluororubber or silicone rubber, or a resin material such as polysulfone or polycarbonate. Note that the configuration of the tip portion 18c is not limited to this, and the tip portion body 31 and the cap 32 may be fixed together to prevent the user from removing them. The base end side of the cap 32 is provided with a convex engaging portion (not shown) that engages with a groove-shaped engaged portion (not shown) formed in the tip portion body 31, and the cap 32 is removably attached to the tip portion body 31 by engaging this engaging portion with the engaged portion.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, the tip portion main body 31 has a disk portion 37 and a pair of partitions 38, 39. The tip portion main body 31 is made of, for example, a resin material. The pair of partitions 38, 39 protrude from the disk portion 37 in the X-axis direction. These partitions 38, 39 are arranged opposite each other in the Y-axis direction. In addition, the aforementioned stand housing portion 41 that houses the stand 33 is provided between the partitions 38 and 39. This stand housing portion 41 is open in the Z-axis direction.

[0034] The erector housing 41 communicates with the treatment tool outlet 18e of the treatment tool channel 18d. The erector 33 erects the treatment tool 13 led out from the treatment tool outlet 18e. The erector 33 is rotatably attached to the interior of the erector housing 41 via a pivot member 40 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) and is movable between an erect position (position indicated by a two-dot chain line) and a collapsed position (position indicated by a solid line). The tip of the erector operation wire 34 is connected to the end of the pivot member 40. By pushing or pulling the erector operation wire 34, the erector 33 rotates from the collapsed position to the erect position. This allows the lead-out direction of the tip 22 of the treatment tool 13 led out to the treatment tool outlet 18e to be changed.

[0035] The disk portion 37 is coupled to the distal end side of the bending portion 18b. The bending portion 18b is formed by covering the outer periphery of a structure in which multiple bending pieces are rotatably connected with a cylindrical mesh body, a rubber outer skin, or the like. The disk portion 37 is fixed to the bending piece located furthest to the distal end of the multiple bending pieces that make up the bending portion 18b, for example, by screws or adhesive bonding.

[0036] The partition wall 38 is disposed adjacent to the stand housing section 41 in the Y-axis direction. The partition wall 38 includes an air / water nozzle 42, an image sensor 43, and an illumination optical system 44. The image sensor 43 is electrically connected to the signal cable 35, and the illumination optical system 44 is optically connected to the light guide 36. The air / water nozzle 42 is provided on the tip body 31 facing the image sensor 43 and the illumination optical system 44, so that the image sensor 43 and the illumination optical system 44 are cleaned by air and water sprayed from the air / water nozzle 42.

[0037] The signal cable 35 and light guide 36 are connected to the processor device 15 and light source device 14, respectively, via the insertion section 18, the operation section 19, a connector (not shown), etc. The processor device 15 performs image processing and the like on the imaging signal acquired by the image sensor 43, and displays the observation image on the display 16. The light guide 36 is composed of an optical fiber cable or the like, and transmits the illumination light emitted by the light source device 14, and irradiates the illumination light onto the observation object via the illumination optical system 44.

[0038] 5, the treatment tool erection mechanism 45 pushes and pulls the erection operation wire 34 in response to the rotational operation of the erection operation lever 19b. By pushing and pulling the erection operation wire 34, the above-mentioned rotating shaft member 40 and the erection base 33 rotate. The erection operation lever 19b is operated by the thumb T (see FIG. 7).

[0039] 6, the treatment tool erection mechanism 45 includes the erection operation lever 19b, a rotating ring 46, a crank member 47, a guide tube 48, a connecting head 49, a slider 51, a fixed ring 52, and a bearing member 53. The rotating ring 46 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The rotating ring 46 is a connecting member that connects the erection operation lever 19b and the bearing member 53.

[0040] The bearing member 53 is provided with a rotating shaft 54. The rotating ring 46 is attached coaxially and rotatably to the rotating shaft 54. The bearing member 53 and the fixed ring 52 hold the rotating ring 46. The fixed ring 52 supports the outer peripheral surface of the rotating ring 46 and is fixed to a case 19f (see FIG. 7) that forms the exterior of the operating unit 19. The fixed ring 52 prevents the rotating ring 46 from falling off from the operating unit 19. Note that the connecting member is not limited to being cylindrical like the rotating ring 46.

[0041] The raising operation lever 19b is connected to the rotary ring 46 by, for example, screwing with a screw 55. One end of a crank member 47 is rotatably connected to the raising operation lever 19b via a connecting pin 47A, and the other end of the crank member 47 is connected to a connecting head 49. The connecting head 49 is attached to one end of a slider 51, and the raising operation wire 34 is connected to the other end. The slider 51 is slidably supported by a guide tube 48. The guide tube 48 is fixed to a case 19f (see Figure 7).

[0042] As shown in Fig. 7, the bearing member 53 is fixed to the case 19f. The rotating shaft 54 ​​is hollow. The mounting shaft 56 of the angle knob 19a is inserted into and fixed to the rotating shaft 54. In this way, the angle knob 19a is attached to the rotating shaft 54 ​​via the mounting shaft 56. Note that in Fig. 7, the internal mechanism of the angle knob 19a, the mechanism for bending the bending portion 18b, etc. are omitted to avoid complication.

[0043] The crank member 47 and the slider 51 convert the rotation caused by the operation of the standing operation lever 19b into linear motion, i.e., a push-pull motion, of the standing operation wire 34. The standing operation lever 19b moves the standing table 33 to the standing position in accordance with the counterclockwise rotation (first direction) caused by the push-pull motion of the treatment tool standing mechanism 45, and moves the standing table 33 to the lying position in accordance with the clockwise rotation (second direction).

[0044] 8, the locking mechanism 61 is provided between the bearing member 53 and the rotating ring 46. The locking mechanism 61 has a plurality of protrusions 62, a plurality of holes 63, and rails 64 located between adjacent holes 63. The protrusions 62 are provided on the rotating ring 46, and the holes 63 and rails 64 are provided on the bearing member 53.

[0045] As shown in Figure 9, the rotating ring 46 has a large diameter portion 46A, a small diameter portion 46B connected to the large diameter portion 46A, and a plurality of protrusions 62. The large diameter portion 46A is supported by the fixed ring 52 described above. The small diameter portion 46B has an outer diameter smaller than that of the large diameter portion 46A and protrudes from the bottom surface side facing the bearing member 53. A portion of the small diameter portion 46B is cut out so as not to interfere with the operation of the crank member 47. The protrusions 62 are cylindrical protrusions protruding from the bottom surface side of the small diameter portion 46B.

[0046] 10, the protrusions 62 are formed along a first arc CA1 that is positioned around the central axis CL1 of the rotating ring 46. The protrusions 62 are cylindrical protrusions that protrude from the bottom surface side of the small diameter portion 46B. The protrusions 62 are formed along the first arc CA1 that is positioned around the central axis CL1 of the rotating ring 46. The protrusions 62 are arranged on the first arc CA1 at an equal pitch P1.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 11, the bearing member 53 has a rotating shaft 54, a support portion 53A connected to the rotating shaft 54, and a fixed piece 53B. The support portion 53A is arranged around the rotating shaft 54 ​​and is formed in a cylindrical shape. The fixed piece 53B protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the support portion 53A and is fixed to the case 19f by, for example, screwing. The hole 63 is a cylindrical through-hole opening from the upper surface of the support portion 53A. The hole 63 is formed along a second arc CA2 positioned around the central axis CL2 of the rotating shaft 54. The second arc CA2 has the same radius as the first arc CA1, and the arc length L2 of the second arc CA2 is longer than the arc length L1 of the first arc CA1. The hole 63 is formed along the second arc CA 2 They are arranged at equal intervals on top at a pitch P2.

[0048] The pitch P2 of the holes 63 is the same as the pitch P1 of the protrusions 62, and the number of the protrusions 62 is fewer than the number of the holes 63. In this embodiment, the number of the protrusions 62 is seven and the number of the holes 63 is ten, but the numbers of the protrusions 62 and the holes 63 are not limited to this, and it is sufficient if the number of the protrusions 62 is less than the number of the holes 63 by even one.

[0049] The inner diameter of the hole 63 is formed to match the outer diameter of the protrusion 62, and the hole 63 and the protrusion 62 fit together. The rail 64 is arranged between the holes 63 along the second arc CA2. When the rail 64 is not pressed by the protrusion 62, the width W of the rail 64 is smaller than the outer diameter of the protrusion 62. As a result, when the rail 64 is not pressed by the protrusion 62, the protrusion 62 cannot pass through the rail 64. In other words, the movement of the protrusion 62 is restricted. On the other hand, when the raising operation lever 19b is rotated, the rail 64 is pressed by the protrusion 62 and elastically deforms. In other words, the rail 64 becomes wider than the width W. As a result, the movement of the protrusion 62 is permitted.

[0050] As shown in Figure 12(A), when the protrusion 62 is fitted into the hole 63, movement is restricted by the rail 64 as described above. In other words, the standing operation lever 19b is locked in the first position. Here, the state in which the protrusions 62 are fitted into the holes 63 refers to a state in which all of the protrusions 62 are fitted into one of the holes 63. Note that Figures 12(A) to 12(C) are diagrams for explaining the configuration by focusing on only one protrusion 62, and differ from the actual configuration.

[0051] 12(B), when the raising operation lever 19b is rotated counterclockwise or clockwise, the rail 64 is elastically deformed by the pressing force received from the protrusion 62. As described above, the movement of the protrusion 62 is permitted. As shown in FIG. 12(C), the protrusion 62 passes through the elastically deformed rail 64 and moves to a hole 63 different from the first position, and the raising operation lever 19b is locked in the second position.

[0052] The engagement force between the protrusion 62 and the hole 63 when the stand 33 is in the upright position must be strong enough so that the protrusion 62 does not come off the hole 63 even when a reaction force is applied from the treatment tool 13, i.e., the upright operation lever 19b does not move. 3 It is preferable that the engagement force between the protrusion 62 and the hole 61 is as strong as when the protrusion 62 is in the upright position. This is because, when the protrusion 62 is rotated from the upright position to the collapsed position, the protrusion 62 tries to rotate in the direction of returning to the upright position due to the reaction force received by the distal end body 31. If the reaction force is strong and the protrusion 62 rotates the protrusion 62 to the collapsed position, the treatment tool 13 may enter the observation range of the endoscope 12 unintentionally. Therefore, as described above, even when the protrusion 62 is in the collapsed position, the protrusion 62 and the hole 61 may still be engaged with each other. 3 It is preferable that the mating force between the

[0053] 13, the inner diameter of the hole 63 gradually decreases from the middle of the second arc CA2 toward both ends CA21, CA22. In this embodiment, the inner diameter R20 of the hole 63 closest to the center CA20 in the circumferential direction of the second arc CA2 is the largest, and the inner diameters R21, R22 of the holes 63 located at both ends CA21, CA22 are the smallest. As a result, when the protrusion 62 is fitted into the holes 63 located at both ends CA21, CA22 of the second arc CA2, the protrusion 62 is least likely to come out of the hole 63.

[0054] The holes 63 located at both ends CA21, CA22 of the second arc CA2 engage with the protrusion 62 when the raising operation lever 19b is at both ends within the range in which it can rotate. In other words, when the raising platform 33 is in the lying down position or the standing up position, the holes 63 located at both ends CA21, CA22 of the second arc CA2 engage with the protrusion 62. Therefore, when the raising platform 33 is in the lying down position or the standing up position, the protrusion 62 is least likely to come out of the hole 63.

[0055] The following describes the actions taken when a doctor, who is a user, inserts a treatment tool 13 into the treatment tool channel 18d of the endoscope 12 to perform treatment on a patient, who is a subject. The doctor inserts the insertion section 18 of the endoscope 12 into the patient's body. The doctor then inserts the treatment tool 13 into the treatment tool channel 18d through the treatment tool inlet 19c. The treatment tool 13 inserted into the treatment tool channel 18d is then led out through the treatment tool outlet 18e into the subject. When the stand 33 is in the reclined position, the treatment tool 13 is not standing at all. In this case, the treatment tool 13 is not present within the observation range captured by the image sensor 43. For example, in order to insert the treatment tool 13 into the observation range, the doctor rotates the standing operation lever 19b to move the stand 33 from the reclined position to the standing position.

[0056] As described above, the endoscope 12 is equipped with the locking mechanism 61. When the protrusion 62 engages with the hole 63, the raising operation lever 19b is locked. When the physician rotates the raising operation lever 19b counterclockwise to raise the treatment tool 13, the rail 64 is elastically deformed by the pressure from the protrusion 62, allowing the protrusion 62 to move. The protrusion 62 then passes through the rail 64 and moves to a different hole 63, locking the raising operation lever 19b. In this way, the physician rotates the raising operation lever 19b to rotate the raising table 33 and activate the locking mechanism 61. This allows the lead-out direction of the treatment tool 13 to be changed to a desired direction. For example, when the distal end 22 of the treatment tool 13 enters the observation range captured by the image sensor 43, the physician determines that the lead-out direction of the treatment tool 13 has been changed to a desired direction.

[0057] As described above, when the physician changes the extension direction of the treatment tool 13 to the desired direction, the raising platform 33 may be positioned halfway between the reclined position and the upright position. In this case, the physician stops rotating the raising operation lever 19b. This stops the movement of the protrusion 62, and the raising operation lever 19b is locked. Because the raising operation lever 19b is locked, the physician can perform treatment while maintaining the extension direction of the treatment tool 13 in the desired direction. When treatment is performed in this state, the raising operation lever 19b does not move even if a reaction force is received from the treatment tool 13. As a result, the raising platform 33 does not move, and the extension direction of the treatment tool 13 does not shift. By extending the distal end 22 of the treatment tool 13 through the opening window 32C while maintaining the extension direction in the desired direction, the physician can perform various treatments, such as resection or collection of specimens from the observation site.

[0058] Furthermore, when the raising table 33 is in the raised position, the treatment tool 13 often advances and retreats within the treatment tool channel 18d, thereby operating the distal end 22. In this case, as described above, the raising operation lever 19b receives the largest reaction force from the treatment tool 13 via the raising table 33, the raising operation wire 34, the treatment tool raising mechanism 45, etc. Also, when the raising table 33 is in the lowered position, the raising table 33 attempts to rotate due to the reaction force received, and therefore receives a large reaction force via the raising table 33, the raising operation wire 34, the treatment tool raising mechanism 45, etc. In contrast, in the present invention, the inner diameter of the hole 63 is gradually reduced from the middle portion of the second arc CA2 toward both ends, so that the protrusion 62 is least likely to come off the hole 63 when the raising table 33 is in the lowered position or the raised position. Therefore, even if a treatment tool 13 with a large reaction force, such as a stent or a puncture needle, is used, the position of the raising operation lever 19b will not shift when the raising table 33 is in the raised or lowered position.

[0059] In the above embodiment, the case where the raising table 33 is rotated from the lying position to the standing position to orient the treatment tool 13 in a desired direction is illustrated. However, this is not limited to this. When the raising table 33 is rotated from the standing position to the lying position, the locking mechanism 61 operates to lock the standing operation lever 19b, as in the above embodiment. Various treatments can be performed while maintaining the lead-out direction of the treatment tool 13 in a desired direction. In addition, in the above embodiment, the first direction is counterclockwise and the second direction is clockwise, but the first direction may be clockwise and the second direction may be counterclockwise.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the protrusion 62 is provided on the rotary ring 46 as the connecting member, and the plurality of holes 63 and the rails 64 are provided on the bearing member 53. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Rotating ring 46 A plurality of holes 63 and rails 64 may be provided in the bearing member 53, and a protrusion 62 may be provided in the bearing member 53. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 10 Endoscopy System 12 Endoscopy 13 Treatment tools 14 Light source device 15 Processor unit 16 Display 17 UI (User Interface) 18 Insertion section 18a Soft part 18b Curved section 18c tip 18d Treatment tool channel 18e Treatment tool outlet 19 Control section 19a Angle Knob 19b Standing operation lever 19c Treatment tool introduction port 19d Air and water supply button 19e Suction button 19f Case 21 Flexible sheath 22 Tip 23 Control section 31 Tip body 32 Cap 32A Peripheral part 32B End face part 32C Opening window 33 Standing platform 34 Standing operation wire 35 Signal Cable 36 Light Guide 37 Disc Section 38 Bulkhead 39 Bulkhead 41 Standing platform storage area 42 Air and water supply nozzle 43 Image Sensor 44 Illumination optical system 45 Treatment instrument erection mechanism 46 Rotating Ring 46A Large diameter section 46B Small diameter section 47 Crank parts 47A Connecting pin 48 Guide tube 49 Connecting Head 51 Slider 52 Fixed ring 53 Bearing materials 53A Support part 53B Fixed piece 54 Rotating shaft 55 screws 56 Mounting shaft 61 Locking mechanism 62 Protrusion 63 holes 64 Rail CL1 center axis CL2 center axis CA1 First arc CA2 Second arc CA20 center CA21 end CA22 end L1 Arc length L2 Arc length

Claims

1. an insertion section to be inserted into a subject; an operation unit provided at a base end of the insertion unit; a distal end portion main body located at the distal end of the insertion portion and communicating with a treatment instrument outlet; a stand provided on the distal end portion main body for standing up the treatment tool led out from the treatment tool lead-out port, the stand being movable between an upright position and a laid-down position; a standing operation lever that moves the standing platform to the standing position when rotated in a first direction and moves the standing platform to the lying position when rotated in a second direction; a bearing member provided in the operation unit and having a rotation shaft; a connecting member that is connected to the raising operation lever, is attached coaxially and rotatably to the rotation axis of the bearing member, and connects the raising operation lever and the bearing member; A locking mechanism provided between the bearing member and the connecting member, a plurality of protrusions provided on one of the bearing member and the connecting member; a locking mechanism having a plurality of holes provided in the other of the bearing member and the connecting member, and rails positioned between adjacent holes; When the protrusion engages with the hole, the raising operation lever is locked in a first position, and when the raising operation lever is rotated in the first direction or the second direction, the protrusion passes through the elastically deformed rail and moves to and engages with the hole different from the first position, thereby locking the raising operation lever in a second position.

2. 2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the holes and the protrusions are formed at the same pitch, and the number of the protrusions is smaller than the number of the holes.

3. the protrusion is formed along a first arc around a central axis of one of the bearing member and the connecting member; 3. The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the other of the bearing member and the connecting member is positioned around a central axis, and the hole is formed along a second arc having the same radius as the first arc and a longer arc length than the first arc.

4. 4. The endoscope according to claim 3, wherein the inner diameter of the hole is gradually reduced from the middle of the second arc toward both ends.

5. the insertion portion has a curved portion, 5. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the bearing member is attached with an angle knob for bending the bending portion.

6. 6. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the components are disposable.

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