Microdrape

Abstract

To provide a microdrape that can properly hold the objective lens while suppressing an increase in the number of parts. The microdrape comprises a lens cap unit that is attached to and detached from the housing of the objective lens of a surgical microscope, and a drape body that covers the surgical microscope. The lens cap unit comprises a cap body that is cylindrical in shape with an inner diameter larger than that of the housing and has a first notch on a part of its circumference, and a protective lens that protects the objective lens. The cap body has bulges that are connected to both ends of the first notch and bulge radially inward, and are elastically deformable radially outward.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a micro-drape for covering an operating microscope.

Background Art

[0002] In neurosurgery, otolaryngology, orthopedics, and ophthalmology, surgeries may be performed while expanding the surgical field using an operating microscope. The surgery must be performed under clean conditions. However, since it is difficult to sterilize the operating microscope itself, it is common to cover the operating microscope with a disposable micro-drape for each surgery to ensure a clean field (see, for example, Patent Documents 1-6).

[0003] A general micro-drape is composed of a lens cap unit that is attached to and detached from the objective lens of the operating microscope, and a bag-shaped drape body that is attached to the lens cap unit and covers the operating microscope. Further, Patent Document 6 discloses a configuration in which an objective lens is held by a plurality of protrusions protruding from the inner surface of a cylindrical body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Patent Document 5

Patent Document 6

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the configuration described in Patent Document 6 has the drawback of requiring a large number of parts, such as a mechanism to extend and retract some of the protrusions. Furthermore, since the protrusions only make point contact with the objective lens, there is also the problem of weak holding force.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a microdrape that can properly hold an objective lens while suppressing an increase in the number of parts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the aforementioned problems, the present invention provides a microdrape comprising a lens cap unit that is attached to and detached from the housing of the objective lens of a surgical microscope, and a drape body that covers the surgical microscope, wherein the lens cap unit comprises a cap body that is cylindrical in shape with an inner diameter larger than that of the housing and has a first notch in a part of its circumference, and a protective lens that protects the objective lens, and the cap body comprises bulging portions that are connected to both ends of the first notch and bulge radially inward of the cap body and are elastically deformable radially outward. The lens cap unit is attached to the housing by the bulging portion, which is elastically deformed radially outward by the housing, making surface contact with the inner circumferential surface of the cap body, as the housing enters the cap body. It is characterized by the following: [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, a microdrape capable of properly holding the objective lens can be obtained while suppressing an increase in the number of parts. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the main components of a surgical microscope and a microdrape. [Figure 2A] This is a perspective view of the lens cap unit according to the first embodiment, seen from diagonally above. [Figure 2B] This is a perspective view of the lens cap unit according to the first embodiment, seen from a diagonal downward angle. [Figure 3] This is an exploded perspective view of the lens cap unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4A] In the lens cap unit according to the first embodiment, it is a diagram showing a state in which the protective lens is rotated to one side. [Figure 4B] In the lens cap unit according to the first embodiment, it is a diagram showing a state in which the protective lens is rotated to the other side. [Figure 5] It is a plan view showing a state before the lens cap unit according to the first embodiment is attached to the housing. [Figure 6] It is a plan view showing a state after the lens cap unit according to the first embodiment is attached to a housing with a small diameter. [Figure 7] It is a plan view showing a state after the lens cap unit according to the first embodiment is attached to a housing with a large diameter. [Figure 8A] It is a perspective view of the lens cap unit according to the second embodiment as viewed obliquely from above. [Figure 8B] It is a perspective view of the lens cap unit according to the second embodiment as viewed obliquely from below. [Figure 9] It is an exploded perspective view of the lens cap unit according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10A] In the lens cap unit according to the second embodiment, it is a diagram showing a state in which the protective lens is rotated to one side. [Figure 10B] In the lens cap unit according to the second embodiment, it is a diagram showing a state in which the protective lens is rotated to the other side.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, the micro-drape 10 according to the embodiment will be described based on the drawings. Note that the embodiments of the present invention described below are examples when embodying the present invention, and do not limit the scope of the present invention to the scope of the description of the embodiments. Therefore, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications to the embodiments.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the main part of the surgical microscope 1 and the micro-drape 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the surgical microscope 1 mainly includes a plurality of arms 2, 3, 4, 5 that are rotatably connected to each other, and an objective lens 6 and an eyepiece lens 7 attached to the tip of the arm 5. Then, by the relative rotation of the joint portions of the arms 2 to 5, the objective lens 6 can be arranged at a position facing the surgical field. And by a doctor (surgeon) looking through the eyepiece lens 7, the enlarged surgical field can be observed.

[0012] Also, the objective lens 6 is a convex lens. And the objective lens 6 is attached inside a cylindrical housing 8. That is, the optical axis L of the objective lens 6 shown by a dashed line in FIG. 1 coincides with the axial direction of the housing 8.

[0013] Furthermore, the surgical microscope 1 includes a lighting device (for example, an LED, a xenon lamp). The light irradiated from the lighting device passes through the objective lens 6 via an optical system (lenses, mirrors, etc.) housed in the arms 2 to 5 and is irradiated toward the surgical field. By this light being reflected in the surgical field and entering the objective lens 6 again, the doctor can observe the surgical field. The irradiation direction of the light by the lighting device is inclined, for example, about 3 to 6° with respect to the optical axis L.

[0014] All instruments that touch or may touch the surgical site during surgery need to be sterilized. However, since it is difficult to sterilize the surgical microscope 1 itself, the surgical microscope 1 is covered with a disposable micro-drape 10 each time surgery is performed. The micro-drape 10 is packaged in a sterilized state and the package is opened in the operating room and it is put on the surgical microscope 1.

[0015] [First Embodiment] As shown in FIG. 1, the micro-drape 10 according to the first embodiment mainly includes a drape body 20 and a lens cap unit 30.

[0016] The drape body 20 is a sheet-like member formed from a transparent or translucent material (e.g., polyethylene). The drape body 20 can take any known shape as long as it can cover the main part of the surgical microscope 1. For example, the drape body 20 may be a simple sheet or bag. As another example, the drape body 20 may comprise a long, strip-shaped first drape and a second drape, as shown in Japanese Patent No. 6749532. As yet another example, the drape body 20 may comprise a bag-like portion and a strip-like portion, as shown in Japanese Patent No. 7122054.

[0017] The lens cap unit 30 is attached to the drape body 20. More specifically, the microdrape 10 is integrated with the drape body 20 by welding the lens cap unit 30 to the periphery of a through-hole 21 that penetrates the drape body 20 in the thickness direction. The lens cap unit 30 is also attached to the housing 8. Furthermore, the lens cap unit 30 prevents reflection and glare of incident light from the surgical microscope 1.

[0018] [Configuration of lens cap unit 30] Figure 2A is a perspective view of the lens cap unit 30 according to the first embodiment, viewed from diagonally above. Figure 2B is a perspective view of the lens cap unit 30 according to the first embodiment, viewed from diagonally below. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the lens cap unit 30 according to the first embodiment. Figure 4A shows the lens cap unit 30 according to the first embodiment with the protective lens 32 rotated to one side. Figure 4B shows the lens cap unit 30 according to the first embodiment with the protective lens 32 rotated to the other side.

[0019] As shown in Figures 2A to 4B, the lens cap unit 30 mainly comprises a cap body 31 and a protective lens 32.

[0020] The cap body 31 supports the protective lens 32 and is the part that is attached to the housing 8. The cap body 31 is made of, for example, resin (for example, polypropylene). The cap body 31 comprises, for example, a cylindrical body 33 and a bulge 34. As an example, the cylindrical body 33 and the bulge 34 may be integrally molded. As another example, the bulge 34 may be attached to the cylindrical body 33 afterwards.

[0021] The cylindrical body 33 has an external shape that is open at both ends in the axial direction. Furthermore, the internal diameter of the cylindrical body 33 is set to be larger than the external dimensions of various housings 8 that are intended to accommodate the lens cap unit 30. In addition, the axial end face of the cylindrical body 33 (more specifically, the end face of the first end 35) is welded to the periphery of the through hole 21 of the drape body 20.

[0022] The cylindrical body 33 is composed of a first end 35, a second end 36, and a central part (ring part) 37. The first end 35 is the axial end of the cylindrical body 33 (the side to which the objective lens 6 is attached). The second end 36 is the axial end of the cylindrical body 33 (the side facing the surgical field). The central part 37 is the part between the first end 35 and the second end 36 in the axial direction. The first end 35 and the second end 36 have a generally cylindrical outer shape. The central part 37 has a ring-shaped outer shape that is continuous in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, the central part 37 protrudes radially inward from the inner circumferential surfaces of the first end 35 and the second end 36. However, the central part 37 does not need to protrude radially inward, and the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical body 33 may be flush.

[0023] The first end 35 is provided with a first notch 38. The first notch 38 is formed in a part of the circumferential direction of the first end 35. The second end 36 is provided with a second notch 39. The second notch 39 is formed in a part of the circumferential direction of the second end 36. In other words, the first end 35 and the second end 36 have an outer shape that is generally C-shaped.

[0024] Furthermore, the first notch 38 and the second notch 39 are located at the same position in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body 33. In other words, the first notch 38 and the second notch 39 are located in positions that overlap each other when viewed from the axial direction of the cylindrical body 33. To put it another way, the first notch 38 and the second notch 39 are located on opposite sides in the axial direction, with the central portion 37 in between. However, the specific positions of the first notch 38 and the second notch 39 are not limited to the example described above.

[0025] The bulge 34 is provided at the first end 35 of the cylindrical body 33 at the position of the first notch 38. More specifically, the bulge 34 is connected to both ends of the C-shaped first end 35 that defines the first notch 38. The bulge 34 is also an arc shape that bulges radially inward from the cap body 31. More specifically, the bulge 34 is positioned so that the convex surface of the arc shape faces radially inward. Furthermore, the bulge 34 is configured to be elastically deformable radially outward. Note that the bulge 34 is not limited to an arc shape, but may be other shapes such as a wave shape, as long as it is elastically deformable. The bulge 34 has the function of holding the housing 8 of the objective lens 6 inside the first end 35 of the cylindrical body 33.

[0026] The protective lens 32 is an optical lens formed from a light-transmitting material (e.g., glass, polycarbonate, etc.). The protective lens 32 comprises, for example, a lens portion 40, a frame portion 41, and an operating portion 42. The lens portion 40, frame portion 41, and operating portion 42 may be integrally molded, or they may be assembled after each is molded.

[0027] The protective lens 32 protects the objective lens 6 of the surgical microscope 1. More specifically, when the lens cap unit 30 is attached to the housing 8, the protective lens 32 faces the objective lens 6. Then, ambient light passing through the protective lens 32 enters the objective lens 6. In addition, the protective lens 32 is tilted with respect to the optical axis L to prevent reflection and glare of the incident light of the surgical microscope 1.

[0028] The lens portion 40 is, for example, a disc-shaped planar lens. However, the lens portion 40 is not limited to a planar lens, and may also be a curved lens with a convex shape. The frame portion 41 is a frame-shaped (more specifically, cylindrical) part that supports the lens portion 40 and the operating portion 42. One end of the frame portion 41 in the axial direction (the side facing the cap body) is perpendicular to the optical axis L. The other end of the frame portion 41 in the axial direction (the side facing the surgical field) is inclined at 3 to 6° with respect to the optical axis L. The lens portion 40 is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the other end of the frame portion 41 in a state inclined at 3 to 6° with respect to the optical axis L.

[0029] The operating section 42 protrudes radially outward from the outer surface of the frame section 41 at a portion of the circumferential direction of the protective lens 32. The operating section 42 is operated by the user to rotate the protective lens 32 around the optical axis L. The protective lens 32 is supported on the inner surface of the second end 36 of the cylindrical body 33 in a state where it can rotate around the optical axis L. At this time, the operating section 42 protrudes outward from the outer surface of the cylindrical body 33 through the second notch 39. Then, as shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the user moves the operating section 42 circumferentially within the range of the second notch 39. This allows the protective lens 32 (more specifically, the lens section 40) to be adjusted to an angle that prevents reflection and glare from the light emitted from the illumination device of the surgical microscope 1.

[0030] [How to install the lens cap unit 30] Figure 5 is a plan view showing the lens cap unit 30 according to the first embodiment before it is attached to the housing 8. Figure 6 is a plan view showing the lens cap unit 30 according to the first embodiment after it has been attached to a small-diameter housing 8. Figure 7 is a plan view showing the lens cap unit 30 according to the first embodiment after it has been attached to a large-diameter housing 8.

[0031] First, as shown in Figure 5, the lens cap unit 30 before being attached to the housing 8 has its bulging portion 34 in its most bulged state (i.e., not elastically deformed). Then, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the housing 8 is press-fitted onto the first end 35 of the cylindrical body 33 so as to elastically deform the bulging portion 34. As a result, the elastically deformed bulging portion 34 and the inner circumferential surface of the first end 35 facing the bulging portion 34 across the center of the cylindrical body 33 make surface contact with the housing 8, and the lens cap unit 30 is attached to the housing 8.

[0032] Here, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the amount of elastic deformation of the bulge 34 varies depending on the diameter of the housing 8. More specifically, the larger the diameter of the housing 8, the greater the amount of elastic deformation of the bulge 34. In other words, the lens cap unit 30 according to the first embodiment is configured to be attachable to housings 8 of different diameters. Furthermore, when the lens cap unit 30 is removed from the housing 8, the bulge 34 elastically returns to the state shown in Figure 5.

[0033] [Effects of the First Embodiment] According to the first embodiment, by elastically deforming the bulging portion 34, the number of parts in the lens cap unit 30 can be reduced compared to Patent Document 6, which uses a protrusion that extends and retracts. Furthermore, since the elastically deformed bulging portion 34 and the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical body 33 make surface contact with the housing 8, the objective lens 6 (housing 8) can be properly held by the lens cap unit 30.

[0034] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, by arranging the bulge 34 so that the convex surface faces the housing 8, the lens cap unit 30 can be held more appropriately with respect to the housing 8 compared to the case where the concave surface faces the housing 8.

[0035] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, by supporting the protective lens 32 (lens portion 40) on the cap body 31 in a state inclined with respect to the optical axis L, reflection of incident light and glare can be prevented.

[0036] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, by providing the first notch 38 and the second notch 39 at the same position in the circumferential direction, the operating part 42 can be operated near the bulge 34 that firmly holds the objective lens 6. This prevents the relative position between the objective lens 6 and the lens cap unit 30 from shifting when the operating part 42 is operated. As another example, the first notch 38 and the second notch 39 may be arranged on opposite sides of the center of the cylindrical body 33.

[0037] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, by forming a central portion 37 between the first end portion 35 and the second end portion 36, the reduction in rigidity of the cylindrical body 33 caused by the first notch 38 and the second notch 39 can be reinforced. In addition, the central portion 37, which protrudes radially inward, abuts against the tip of the housing 8 and functions as a stopper to prevent the housing 8 from being inserted too far.

[0038] [Second Embodiment] The lens cap unit 30A according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 8A to 10B. Components common to the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions are omitted; the focus will be on the differences. The lens cap unit 30A according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it further includes a lens holder 43 and the shape of the protective lens 44, while other aspects are common to the first embodiment.

[0039] Figure 8A is a perspective view of the lens cap unit 30A according to the second embodiment, viewed from diagonally above. Figure 8B is a perspective view of the lens cap unit 30A according to the second embodiment, viewed from diagonally below. Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the lens cap unit 30A according to the second embodiment. Figure 10A shows the lens cap unit 30A according to the second embodiment with the protective lens 44 rotated to one side. Figure 10B shows the lens cap unit 30A according to the second embodiment with the protective lens 44 rotated to the other side.

[0040] The lens holder 43 has a cylindrical outer shape with both ends open in the axial direction. The outer surface of the lens holder 43 has a slit 45 formed therein through which the protective lens 44 is inserted and removed. The slit 45 is formed at an angle with respect to a plane perpendicular to the optical axis L. The lens holder 43 is detachably held at the second end 36 of the cylindrical body 33. The lens holder 43 also holds the protective lens 44 inserted into the slit 45 in an inclined state with respect to the optical axis L. The protective lens 44 according to the second embodiment corresponds to the protective lens 32 according to the first embodiment with the frame portion 41 omitted, and has an operating portion 42 directly attached to the outer edge of a flat lens portion 40.

[0041] [Effects of the second embodiment] The second embodiment also provides the same effects as the first embodiment. Furthermore, by supporting the protective lens 44 on the cap body 31 via the lens holder 43, the existing lens holder 43 and protective lens 44 can be reused to construct the lens cap unit 30A. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0042] 1…Surgical microscope, 2,3,4,5…Arms, 6…Objective lens, 7…Eyepiece, 8…Housing, 10…Microdrape, 20…Drape body, 21…Through hole, 30,30A…Lens cap unit, 31…Cap body, 32,44…Protective lens, 33…Tube, 34…Bulge, 35…First end, 36…Second end, 37…Center, 38…First notch, 39…Second notch, 40…Lens part, 41…Frame part, 42…Operating part, 43…Lens holder, 45…Slit, L…Optical axis

Claims

1. A lens cap unit that is attached to and detached from the housing of the objective lens of a surgical microscope, A microdrape comprising a drape body that covers the surgical microscope, The aforementioned lens cap unit is A cap body having a cylindrical shape with an inner diameter larger than the housing, and a first notch provided in a part of the circumferential direction, The objective lens is protected by a protective lens, The cap body is provided with bulging portions connected to both ends of the first notch, which bulge radially inward and are elastically deformable radially outward. The lens cap unit is a microdrape characterized in that it is attached to the housing by the bulging portion, which is elastically deformed radially outward by the housing, making surface contact with the inner circumferential surface of the cap body, as the housing enters the cap body.

2. In the microdrape according to claim 1, The aforementioned bulging portion is a microdrape characterized in that the arc-shaped convex surface is arranged so that it faces radially inward.

3. In the microdrape according to claim 1, The microdrape is characterized in that the protective lens is supported on the cap body in a state inclined with respect to the optical axis of the objective lens.

4. In the microdrape according to claim 3, The protective lens includes an operating part that protrudes radially outward from a portion of the circumferential direction and is operated by the user to rotate the protective lens around the optical axis. The microdrape is characterized in that the cap body has a second notch provided in a part of its circumference for passing the operating part through.

5. In the microdrape according to claim 4, The first notch is provided on one end of the cap body in the axial direction, The microdrape is characterized in that the second notch is provided on the other end of the cap body in the axial direction and at the same position as the first notch in the circumferential direction.

6. In the microdrape according to claim 5, The microdrape is characterized in that the cap body has a ring portion that protrudes radially inward and is continuous in the circumferential direction between the first and second notches in the axial direction.

7. In the microdrape according to claim 1, The lens cap unit includes a lens holder that holds the protective lens in an inclined position with respect to the optical axis of the objective lens, The lens holder is configured to be detachably attached to the cap body, characterized in that it is a microdrape.

Images