JPH0242242Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] This invention relates to an endoscope curvature operating device that controls the curvature of the distal end of an insertion section inserted into an observation target.

[Conventional technology]

As is well known, endoscopes are widely used to observe the inside of an object to be observed, such as the inside of a body cavity such as the stomach or intestine, or the inside of an equipment cavity such as an aircraft engine. One form of such an endoscope is to freely direct the tip of the insertion section inserted into the observation target area in a desired direction so that the inside of the observation target area can be seen everywhere. Some are known that are configured to be curved. In addition, the bending operation device in this type of endoscope includes an operation knob attached to a rotation shaft provided in a protruding manner from the operation section at the hand, which is connected to the proximal end side of the insertion section. This is done by rotating the . In other words, known bending operation devices include the device described in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 49-25505 and the device disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 54-45988 filed by the applicant of this patent. Are known. The endoscope bending operation device described in each of these publications has a locking state in which the distal end of the insertion section can be held in a desired curved shape when controlling the bending, and a locking state in which the distal end of the insertion section can be held in a desired curved shape, and a locking state in which this state can be released to freely control the bending. It is configured so that it can be switched to a free state. The above-mentioned locked state is necessary, for example, when performing operations such as recording photographs with a camera attached to the eyepiece of an endoscope or cleaning an observation site. In addition, it is well known that the free state is necessary in order for the tip of the insertion tube to curve freely along the winding insertion path when the insertion tube is extracted from the observation target area, and is necessary for practical use. has been made into

[Problem to be solved]

By the way, the locked state of the bending operation device in the endoscope known so far is due to frictional engagement, as shown in the above-mentioned publications, and the operation knob is rotated against the frictional engagement force. It is in a state where it can be rotated.

Therefore, if you want to maintain the curved shape at that point when you release your hand from the operating knob, the bending operation device known so far must be operated in a locked state. It has the disadvantage of being heavy. Now, if we consider the case of performing a bending operation in a free state, it is true that there is an advantage of being able to operate easily, but the operation knob can be adjusted depending on the elasticity of the tip of the operation section or the external force on the tip of the insertion section, such as the internal abutment force within the observation target. There is a drawback that the curvature state changes when the hand is removed, and the actual situation is that it is insufficient as an endoscope curvature operating device that is particularly desired to be able to be operated with one hand.

Therefore, in order to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks and difficulties, this invention has been developed to restrain the rotation of the operation knob that curves the tip of the insertion section inserted into the observation target area when the rotation operation is stopped. It is an object of the present invention to provide a bending operation device for an endoscope that can be freely rotated.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, this invention has a rotating shaft as a driving source for bending the tip of the insertion section, which is connected to the proximal side of the insertion section that is inserted into the observation target part and whose tip is curved. The operating knob is rotatably provided through the cylinder, and the operating knob is fixed or rotatably attached to the upper end of the rotating shaft, and the operating knob is housed in the cylinder and is rotatable when fixed to the rotating shaft. When possible, a clutch member with a coil wound around it to act as an electromagnet is installed so as to be fixed, and a release member that rotates the clutch member is provided on the operation knob, so that when the release member moves as the operation knob rotates, both ends of its movement path are attached. An electromagnetic circuit switch is provided in the clutch member, and when the release member moves, the switch is turned off to cut off the energization to the coil, and when the release member stops, the switch is turned on and the coil is energized to attract the cylinder and the clutch member. It is something.

[Effect]

In this invention, when the operating knob is rotated, the release member moves as the operating knob rotates,
Since switches of an electromagnetic circuit are provided at both ends of the movement path of the release member, the release member collides with the switch and turns off the switch, cutting off the current supply to the coil. When the power to the coil is cut off, the attraction between the clutch member and the cylinder body is released, and the rotating shaft is rotated either directly from the operating knob or by a release member provided on the operating knob rotating the clutch member. . When the rotation of the operating knob is stopped, switches provided at both ends of the movement path of the release member are turned on, the electromagnetic circuit is closed, the clutch member becomes an electromagnet, and the clutch member and the cylinder body are attracted to each other. When the clutch member and the cylindrical body are attracted to each other, the release member cannot rotate the clutch member, and the rotating shaft becomes locked.

〔Example〕

Preferred embodiments of this invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

A rotating shaft 4 serving as a drive source for bending the tip of the insertion portion 1 is connected to the operation portion 2 connected to the proximal end side of the insertion portion 1 (see FIG. 4) which is inserted into the observation target region and whose tip is curved. It is rotatably provided via a cylindrical body 5. The rotating shaft 4 is a cylindrical body 5 fixed to the operating section 2.
The distal end side of the cylindrical body 5 is fixed to the fixed machine frame 3. A pulley 4A is provided at the lower end of the rotating shaft 4, and a bending operation wire (not shown) is wound around this pulley 4A. A clutch member 6 is housed within the cylindrical body 5 and is rotatable about the rotating shaft 4. A hole 6A is formed in a radially extending portion of the clutch member 6. The clutch member 6 has a flange portion 6B having a large diameter at its lower end, and a cylindrical portion 6C having a small diameter formed on the flange portion 6B.
A coil 7 is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 6C. Further, the upper half of the circumferential surface of the hole 6A is the non-magnetized member 6.
D (for example, a plastic material).
The clutch member 6 is located within the large-diameter upper end 5A of the cylinder 5, and is provided such that the bottom surface of the flange portion 6B is placed on the inner bottom surface 5B of the large-diameter upper end 5A. A magnetized member 5C is embedded in the inner bottom surface 5B of the large diameter upper end portion 5A. An operating knob 8 is fixed to the upper end of the rotating shaft 4. The operation knob 8 is provided with a release member 9 for rotating the clutch member 6. The release member 9 is made of a rod, and its tip is loosely inserted into the hole 6A of the clutch member 6. Therefore, when the operation knob 8 is rotated in either direction, the release member 9 also moves, and the tip of the release member 9 collides with one of the opposing inner circumferential surfaces of the hole 6A, further rotating the operation knob 8. When rotated, the release member 9 attempts to rotate the clutch member 6. A retaining member 10 is fixed to the upper end of the rotating shaft 4, and the retaining member 10 prevents the operating knob 8 from coming off. It goes without saying that suitable bearing means are provided at the locations where the cylinder body 5 rotatably supports the rotating shaft 4, and also at locations where the clutch member 6 and the rotating shaft 4 contact and rotate relative to each other. Of course, it is also possible to provide appropriate bearing means. Two switches 11, 11 are provided facing each other at both ends of a movement path along which the distal end of the release member 9, which is loosely inserted into the hole 6A of the clutch member 6, moves as the operating knob 8 is rotated. These switches 11, 11 are connected to the coil 7 by a cord 12, and are also connected to a power source E through an insertion passage 4A formed in the rotating shaft 4. The electromagnetic circuit of the clutch member 6, which is an electromagnet around which the coil 7 is wound, is as follows:
It is constructed as shown in FIG. In addition to microswitches 11 and 11, this circuit is provided with a main switch 13 provided on the operating section 2 at hand.

In the embodiment configured as described above, when the operation knob 8 is not operated, the release member 9 is located at the position shown in FIG.
A pair of switches 11, 11 provided facing the center of A are in the on state, and the main switch 1
3 is turned on, the electromagnetic circuit shown in FIG. 3 is closed, the clutch member 6 becomes an electromagnet, and its flange portion 6B and magnetized member 5B are attracted to each other. When the magnetizing member 5B and the flange portion 6B are attracted to each other, even if an attempt is made to rotate the rotating shaft 4 via the pulley 4A, the rotating shaft 4 will only rotate by the amount of play within the hole 6A of the release member 9. It remains locked unless the operating knob 8 is rotated. When the operating knob 8 is rotated to either the left or right, the release member 9 also moves.
Turn off the switch 11 at either end of the movement path of the release member 9. When either one of the switches 11, 11 is turned off, the current to the coil 7 is cut off, and the attraction between the clutch member 6 and the cylinder body 5 is released. Therefore, the release member 9 can rotate the clutch member 6, and as a result, the operation knob 8 can freely rotate, and the rotating shaft 4 fixed to the operation member 8 can also rotate freely.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the operating knob 8 provided on the upper end side of the rotating shaft 4 is not fixed as in the previous embodiment, but is rotatably attached to the rotating shaft 4, and the clutch member 6 is attached to the rotating shaft 4. Shows what is fixed to.
The operating knob 8 is rotatable with respect to the rotary shaft 4, and the clutch member 6 is fixed with respect to the rotary shaft 4, except that this embodiment is the same as the previously described embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted. In this embodiment, the rotating shaft 4 is connected to the operating knob 8.
When a force for rotation is applied not from the side but from the pulley 4A side, the rotating shaft 4 does not move by the amount of play in the release member 9 as in the previous embodiment, and maintains a completely locked state. . In this embodiment, when the operating knob 8 is rotated to either the left or right side, the operating knob 8 is rotated through the hole 6 of the release member 9.
When the release member 9 hits one of the switches 11 and turns off the switch 11, the power supply to the coil 7 is cut off, and the clutch member 6 The adsorption between the cylinder body 5 and the cylinder body 5 is released, and the clutch member 6 can freely rotate. When the operating knob 8 is rotated so as to further move the release member 9 that has collided with one of the switches 11, the release member 9 rotates the clutch member 6, and the clutch member 6
This rotation allows the rotating shaft 4 to rotate freely.

In both embodiments, when the main switch 13 provided on the operating section 2 is turned off, the electromagnetic circuit is not energized and the rotating shaft 4 becomes completely free, allowing the insertion section 1 to be safely extracted from the observation target section. becomes possible.

〔effect〕

As explained above, according to this invention, the operating section connected to the proximal end of the insertion section, which is inserted into the observation target part and whose tip is curved, has a rotating shaft as a drive source for bending the tip of the insertion section. The operating knob is rotatably provided through the cylinder, and the operating knob is fixed or rotatably attached to the upper end of the rotating shaft, and the operating knob is housed in the cylinder and is rotatable when fixed to the rotating shaft. When possible, a clutch member with a coil wound thereon to serve as an electromagnet is installed so as to be fixed, and a release member that rotates the clutch member is provided on the operation knob, and when the release member moves as the operation knob rotates, both ends of its movement path are attached. An electromagnetic circuit switch is provided in the clutch member, and when the release member moves, the switch is turned off to cut off the energization to the coil, and when the release member stops, the switch is turned on and the coil is energized to attract the cylinder and the clutch member. Therefore, when the operation is stopped, the electromagnetic circuit is closed, and the clutch member and the cylindrical body are in a locked state. During the operation, the release member turns off the switch and cuts off the current to the coil, allowing the rotating shaft to rotate freely. It becomes possible to do so. Further, when the user releases the operating hand, the switch pressure by the release member is released, the electromagnetic circuit is closed, and the rotating shaft is locked, so that the curved shape of the tip portion up to that point is reliably maintained.

In addition, when a main switch is connected in series to the electromagnetic circuit, the clutch member and the cylindrical body can be freely attracted to and released from each other by operating the main switch. When removing the inserted portion, turn off the main switch and safely remove the inserted portion.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a preferred embodiment of this invention, Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view showing the parts of the clutch member, Fig. 3 is an electromagnet circuit, and Fig. 4 is a general outline of the endoscope. FIG. 5 is a front view and a longitudinal sectional view showing a modification. 1... Insertion section, 2... Operation section, 4... Rotation shaft,
5... Cylindrical body, 6... Clutch member, 7... Coil, 8... Operation knob, 9... Release member, 11...
Switch.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] 1. A rotating shaft as a driving source for bending the tip of the insertion portion is connected to an operating portion connected to the proximal end side of the insertion portion which is inserted into the observation target part and whose tip is curved. The operating knob is fixed or rotatably mounted on the upper end side of the rotating shaft, and is accommodated in the cylinder and is rotatable when the operating knob is fixed to the rotating shaft, and rotatable when the operating knob is rotatable. A clutch member is fixedly wound around a coil and serves as an electromagnet, and a release member that rotates the clutch member is provided on the operation knob. When the release member moves as the operation knob rotates, electromagnetic circuits are installed at both ends of the movement path. A switch is provided, and when the release member moves, the switch is turned off to cut off electricity to the coil, and when the release member stops, the switch is turned on to energize the coil and attract the cylinder and the clutch member. A bending operation device for endoscopes. 2. The endoscope bending operation device according to claim 1, characterized in that a main switch is connected in series to an electromagnetic circuit.