Endoscope device, endoscope system, and method for inserting endoscope device into body cavity

Abstract

An endoscope device includes an insertion portion cover as an insertion portion main body insertable into an examinee's body and having flexibility, and a helical shaped portion as a propulsion force generating portion which is rotatably placed around an outer circumference of the insertion portion cover, centered around the axis thereof, and formed in a clockwise winding toward a distal end side of the insertion portion cover. The endoscope device can thus achieve good operationality of the insertion portion, low cost, and improved insertability into a deep part in a body cavity without inflicting a pain on a patient.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a general configuration view showing an endoscope system of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view showing a vicinity of a distal end portion of an introduction tube of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an illustrative view showing the introduction tube and an endoscope of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an illustrative view showing a configuration of a rotation mechanism portion.

FIG. 6 is an illustrative view of a main portion showing a vicinity of the distal end portion of the introduction tube of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is an illustrative view showing a state where an introduction tube in which an insertion portion is introduced and placed is introduced from the anus.

FIG. 8 is an illustrative view showing a state where the distal end portion of the introduction tube contacts the Sigmoid colon portion from the state shown in FIG. 7, thereby interrupting the rotation of a helical tube.

FIG. 9 is an illustrative view showing a situation where the Sigmoid colon portion is applied with a rotation force from the helical tube in the state shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is an illustrative view showing a situation where the distal end portion of the introduction tube is moving forward in the Sigmoid colon portion from the state shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an illustrative view showing a situation where the distal end portion of the introduction tube is moving forward via the Sigmoid colon portion from the state shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is an illustrative view showing a situation where the distal end portion of the introduction tube is moving forward to the descending colon portion from the state shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is an illustrative view showing a situation where the distal end portion of the introduction tube has reached the hepatic flexure from the state shown in FIG. 12, and the transverse colon portion, the splenic flexure, and the hepatic flexure are generally applied with rotation force from the helical tube.

FIG. 14 is an illustrative view of a situation where the transverse colon portion, the splenic flexure, and the hepatic flexure are generally linearized from the state shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is an illustrative view showing a modified example of the introduction tube.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XVI-XVI of FIG. 15.

Claims

1. An endoscope device, comprising: an insertion portion main body having flexibility which is insertable into an examinee's body;a rotation propulsion portion rotatably placed around an outer circumference near a distal end of the insertion portion main body and centered around an axis of the insertion portion main body, the rotation propulsion portion having on an outer circumference thereof a helical shaped portion serving as a propulsion force generating portion; anda rotation transmission shaft having flexibility for transmitting rotation force to the rotation propulsion portion from a proximal end side of the insertion portion main body, whereinthe helical shaped portion has a helix formed in a direction to exhibit a propulsion force to the direction of the distal end of the insertion portion when the rotation transmission shaft is rotated clockwise toward the distal end of the insertion portion main body.

2. The endoscope device according to claim 1, wherein the rotation transmission shaft is rotatably placed around the outer circumference of the insertion portion main body and is integrally formed with the rotation propulsion portion, the helical shaped portion being formed in a clockwise winding toward the direction of the distal end of the insertion portion.

3. The endoscope device according to claim 1, wherein the helical shaped portion of the rotation propulsion portion is provided over essentially the whole length of the rotation transmission shaft from the rotation propulsion portion.

4. The endoscope device according to claim 2, wherein the helical shaped portion of the rotation propulsion portion is provided over essentially the whole length of the rotation transmission shaft from the rotation propulsion portion.

5. An endoscope system, comprising: an endoscope device including: an insertion portion main body having flexibility which is insertable into an examinee's body;a rotation propulsion portion rotatably placed around an outer circumference near a distal end of the insertion portion main body and centered around an axis of the insertion portion main body, the rotation propulsion portion having on an outer circumference thereof a helical shaped portion serving as a propulsion force generating portion; anda rotation transmission shaft having flexibility for transmitting rotation force to the rotation propulsion portion from a proximal end side of the insertion portion main body; anda rotation device for rotating the helical shaped portion of the endoscope device about a longitudinal axis of the helical shaped portion.

6. The endoscope system according to claim 5, wherein the rotation transmission shaft is rotatably placed around the outer circumference of the insertion portion main body and is integrally formed with the rotation propulsion portion, the helical shaped portion being formed in a clockwise winding toward the direction of the distal end of the insertion portion.

7. The endoscope system according to claim 5, wherein the helical shaped portion of the rotation propulsion portion is provided over essentially the whole length of the rotation transmission shaft from the rotation propulsion portion.

8. The endoscope system according to claim 6, wherein the helical shaped portion of the rotation propulsion portion is provided over essentially the whole length of the rotation transmission shaft from the rotation propulsion portion.

9. A method for inserting an endoscope device into a body cavity, the endoscope device including: an insertion portion main body having flexibility which is insertable into an examinee's body; a rotation propulsion portion rotatably placed around an outer circumference near a distal end of the insertion portion main body and centered around an axis of the insertion portion main body, the rotation propulsion portion having on an outer circumference thereof a helical shaped portion serving as a propulsion force generating portion; and a rotation transmission shaft having flexibility for transmitting rotation force to the rotation propulsion portion from a proximal end side of the insertion portion main body, wherein the helical shaped portion has a helix formed in a direction to exhibit a propulsion force to the direction of the distal end of the insertion portion when the rotation transmission shaft is rotated clockwise toward the distal end of the insertion portion main body, the method comprising: inserting the endoscope device into an opening of an intracavital canal;rotating the helical shaped portion of the endoscope device inserted into the opening of the intracavital canal, clockwise about a longitudinal axis of the insertion portion main body;propelling the insertion portion main body toward a deep part of the intracavital canal, by obtaining a propulsion force between the helical shaped portion and an inner wall of the intracavital canal by the helical shaped portion which is rotating clockwise about the longitudinal axis of the insertion portion main body; andgenerally linearizing the bending body cavity, by propelling the endoscope device toward the deep part of the intracavital canal while drawing the bending body cavity to right side of the examinee's body by means of friction action of the helical shaped portion rotating clockwise about the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion main body so as to shorten the bending body cavity.

10. The method for inserting an endoscope device into a body cavity according to claim 9, further comprising: inserting the endoscope device from the anus to the rectum;rotating the helical shaped portion of the endoscope device inserted into the rectum clockwise about a longitudinal axis of the insertion portion main body;propelling the insertion portion main body toward a deep part of the large intestine, by obtaining a propulsion force between the helical shaped portion and an inner wall of the rectum by the helical shaped portion which is rotating clockwise about the longitudinal axis of the insertion portion main body; andgenerally linearizing the Sigmoid colon, by propelling the endoscope device toward the deep part of the large intestine while drawing the Sigmoid colon to right side of the examinee's body by means of friction action of the helical shaped portion rotating clockwise about the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion main body so as to shorten the Sigmoid colon.

11. The method for inserting an endoscope device into a body cavity according to claim 10, further comprising: generally linearizing the transverse colon, by propelling the endoscope device toward the deep part of the large intestine while drawing the transverse colon to upside of the examinee's body by means of friction action of the helical shaped portion rotating clockwise about the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion main body so as to shorten the transverse colon.