JPH0441017B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to an endoscope device designed to improve operability.

[Technical background of the invention and its problems]

Generally, an endoscope is formed by connecting an insertion section and a universal cord to an operation section, and the universal cord is connected to an endoscope control device. This control device is equipped with various devices for air supply, water supply, suction, etc., and these devices can be operated by operation switches provided in the operation section.

By the way, various functions have recently been added to endoscopes. For example, an optical image of a subject from an objective lens is converted into an electrical signal by a solid-state image sensor, and this electrical signal is processed by a video processing circuit and displayed on a monitor, or displayed on a VTR.
Things like recording are being done. In such a case, various switches are required, such as a switch to control the brightness of the image, a switch to freeze the image, or a switch to temporarily stop the VTR image. However, if these switches are installed in the operation section of the endoscope, the number of switches installed on this operation section will be very large, which may lead to operational errors due to complicated switch operations or the large size of the operation section. This will lead to Furthermore, if the above-mentioned switches are provided in the endoscope control device, these switches will be located quite far away from the practitioner who operates the endoscope, resulting in the disadvantage that they are difficult to operate. .

[Purpose of the invention]

This invention was made based on the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to provide switches that increase with the expansion of endoscope functions without increasing the size of the operating section or reducing operability. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope device that can perform the following functions.

[Summary of the invention]

The present invention provides an endoscope main body including an endoscope control device that controls the operation of an endoscope device, an operating section, and a connection cord that connects the operating section and the endoscope control device; An endoscope device comprising: a first operation switch provided in the operation section and controlling at least one operation of the endoscope control device;
The endoscope apparatus is characterized in that a second operation switch for controlling an operation different from the operation of the endoscope control apparatus is disposed in the middle of the connecting cord.

[Embodiments of the invention]

A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. In the figure, 1 is an endoscope (endoscope main body). This endoscope 1 includes an operating section 2 and an operating section 2.
It is made up of an insertion section 3 connected to a universal cord 4 and a universal cord 4 which is a connecting cord. A connector 5 is provided at the end of this universal cord 4, and this connector 5 is detachably connected to an endoscope control device 6. The operating section 2 is provided with frequently used switches 7 for air and water supply, suction, and the like. Further, a solid-state image sensor 9 is arranged in the insertion section 3 so as to face an objective lens 8 provided within the distal end thereof. A lead wire 10 connected to the solid-state image pickup device 9 is electrically connected to a video process circuit 11 built therein by connecting the connector 5 to the endoscope control device 6. . This video process circuit 1
1 is connected to a monitor 12 and a VTR 13. The solid-state image sensor 9 has an objective lens 8.
The optical image of the subject is converted into an electrical signal and input to the video processing circuit 11. This video processing circuit 11 processes electrical signals and outputs them to the monitor 1.
2 and VTR 13. Therefore, the image of the subject is displayed on the monitor 12 and
It is now being recorded on VTR13. In addition,
Although not shown, the endoscope control device 6 includes various devices such as air and water supply, suction, etc., or the endoscope 1.
It has a built-in light source that sends illumination light.

On the other hand, the universal cord 4 is provided with a sub-operation section 14. This sub-operation section 14 includes an up switch 15 and a down switch 16 for automatic gain control to control the brightness of the image, a freeze switch 17 to freeze the image, a pause switch 18 to temporarily stop the image of the VTR 13, etc. A switch that is used infrequently is provided. The up switch 15, down switch 16 and freeze switch 17 are electrically connected to the video processing circuit 11, and the pause switch 1
8 is electrically connected to the VTR 13.

According to such a structure, the number of various switches 1 increases by adding functions to the endoscope 1.
5, 16, 17, and 18 can be provided on the sub-operation section 14 of the universal cord 4. Therefore, since it is only necessary to provide the frequently used switch 7 on the operating section 2 of the endoscope 1, the number of switches provided on the operating section 2 increases, resulting in decreased operability and This will not lead to an increase in size.
In addition, various switches 15, 16, 17, 18 provided on the sub-operation section 14 of the universal cord 4
The operability is improved because the operator can operate the endoscope 1 while operating the endoscope 1, that is, without having to change the direction of the body as when operating the switch provided on the endoscope control device 6. never decreases.

Furthermore, the universal cord 4 is connected to the sub-operation section 14.
If this is provided, it is possible to disinfect the sub-operation section 14 together with the endoscope 1, so it is sanitary to operate the switches 15, 16, 17, and 18 provided here.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, in which water is supplied to the sub-operation section 14 into the body cavity. In other words, a switch 21 for forward water supply is provided. Furthermore, a water supply unit 22 is built into the endoscope control device 6. This water supply unit 22 includes a liquid storage tank 2
3, and a pump 2 that pressurizes the inside of this liquid storage tank 23.
4, and a supply pipe line 25 through which the liquid in the liquid storage tank 23 pressurized by the pump 24 flows out. This supply conduit 25 is provided with an electromagnetic on-off valve 26 in its intermediate portion, and communicates with a water supply conduit 26a formed in the endoscope 1.
Further, the switch 21 is electrically connected to the pump 24 and the on-off valve 26 by a lead wire 27.

According to this structure, when the switch 21 provided in the sub-operation section 14 is operated, the pump 24 is activated and the on-off valve 26 is opened to send water to the water supply pipe 26a, so that so-called forward water supply is possible. can be done.

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a reflux switch 31 for circulating liquid or gas in a body cavity to prevent unnecessary expansion of the stomach or the like is connected to a sub-operation section 14. It was established in The endoscope 1 is provided with an outgoing pipe line 32 and a return pipe line 33, and the outgoing pipe line 32 is connected to a pump 3 built in the endoscope control device 6.
It communicates with the discharge side of No.4. The suction side of this pump 34 communicates with the return line 33 via a tank 35. The switch 31 is connected to the pump 34 by a lead wire 36, and is activated by operating the switch 31.

According to such a structure, when the pump 34 is operated, the outgoing pipe line 32 becomes positive pressure, and the return pipe line 3
3 becomes a negative pressure, air is supplied from the outgoing conduit 32 into the body cavity, and air and liquid in the body cavity are sucked into the return conduit 33. Therefore, the inside of the body cavity is not expanded more than necessary.

FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a sub-operation section 41 having various switches 40 is made separately from the universal cord 4, and this sub-operation section 41 can be attached to and detached from the universal cord 4. so that it can be installed on. In other words, the sub-operation section 41 has a groove 42 into which the universal cord 4 enters.
At the same time, a screw 43 is provided between the pair of side edges forming this groove 42, and by tightening this screw 43, the side edge is elastically deformed, and the sub-operation section 41 is detachably attached to the universal cord 4. I did it like that. Further, a dedicated cord 44 is connected to the sub-operation section 41, and this cord 44 is connected to the sub-control device 45. This sub-control device 4
5 is connected to the endoscope control device 6 via a connection cord 46.

Such a structure is convenient because it can be removed from the universal cord 4 when the sub-operation section 41 is not needed.

FIG. 5 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a sub-operation section 51 having a switch 50 is provided on the universal cord 4, and a second sub-operation section 52 is detachably attached to this sub-operation section 51. I installed it on. In other words, the second auxiliary operating section 52 is provided with a switch 53 that is used less frequently than the switch 50 of the auxiliary operating section 51, and a connecting piece 54 is extended from the upper and lower surfaces of one side of the second auxiliary operating section 52.
4 is attached to the sub-operation section 51 with screws 55. Further, the second sub-operation section 52 is provided with a cord 44 connected to the sub-control device 45, and the sub-control device 45 is connected to the endoscope control device 6 by a connection cord 46. There is.

According to such a structure, the second sub-operation section 52
This is convenient because it can be removed from the sub-operation section 51 when it is not needed.

FIG. 6 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention, in which the universal cord 4 is connected to the operating section 2 and has a connection plug 61 at its end, and the connection plug 61 can be detachably connected. It is divided into a part having a sub-operation section 62 that can be used.

According to such a structure, since the sub-operation section 61 can be separated from the endoscope 1, there is an advantage that the endoscope 1 can be easily handled.

FIG. 7 shows a seventh embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, not only a sub-operation section 71 is provided with various switches 70, but also a solid-state image sensor 72 is provided in the sub-operation section 71.
has been established. This solid-state image pickup device 72 faces the other end of an image guide 73 made of an optical fiber bundle with one end facing the objective lens 8 via an imaging lens 74 .

According to such a structure, unlike the case where the solid-state imaging device 72 is built into the distal end portion of the insertion section 3, the diameter of the distal end portion is not increased, and the solid-state imaging device 7
Using the image signal from 2, images can be displayed on a monitor or recorded on a VTR.
Note that in this embodiment, the solid-state image sensor 72 may be provided not in the sub-operation part 71 but in any part of the universal cord 4 between the operation part 2 and the endoscope control device 6.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, the present invention includes a second operating switch that performs an operation different from that of the first operating switch, which is attached to the connecting cord that connects the operating section including the first operating switch and the endoscope control device. . Therefore, as more functions are added to the endoscope body, the number of switches increases, and as would be the case if all switches were installed in the operation section of the endoscope body, the operation of the switches would become complicated and could lead to operational errors. , the operating section does not become large and the endoscope body becomes difficult to handle.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an endoscope apparatus showing a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 to 7 are configuration diagrams of an endoscope apparatus showing second to seventh embodiments of the invention, respectively. It is a diagram. 1...Endoscope, 2...Operation unit, 4...Universal cord, 6...Endoscope control device, 14, 4
1, 50, 71...Sub-operation unit, 52...Second sub-operation unit, 72...Solid-state image sensor.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An endoscope main body that includes an endoscope control device that controls the operation of an endoscope device, an operating section, and a connection cord that connects the operating section and the endoscope control device. and a first operation switch that is provided in the operation section and controls at least one operation of the endoscope control device, the operation being different from the operation of the endoscope control device. An endoscope apparatus characterized in that a second operation switch for controlling the operation of the endoscope is disposed in the middle of the connecting cord. 2. The connecting cord according to claim 1, wherein the connecting cord is provided with an auxiliary operating section having the second operation switch, and the auxiliary operating section and the connecting cord are detachably connected. Endoscope equipment.