The present invention relates to an insertion instrument, such as an endoscope, a treatment instrument, a medical manipulator, and the like, which includes one operation lever for causing a bending portion to bend in a predetermined direction.
In recent years, endoscopes, which are insertion instruments, have been widely used in medical fields. Endoscopes for use in the medical fields are capable of observing a site to be examined in a body by inserting an elongated insertion portion into the body.
In addition, a configuration of an endoscope is known in which a bending portion configured to be bendable in a predetermined direction is provided on a distal end side of the endoscope. A flexible endoscope including a flexible insertion portion and a rigid endoscope including a rigid insertion portion are known.
A bending portion is configured to be bent to improve an advancing performance of an insertion portion at a flexed part of a lumen in a subject, and to change an observation direction of an observation optical system provided at a distal end portion located on a distal end side with respect to the bending portion.
Bending operation of the bending portion is performed by an operator operating a bending operation member. The bending operation member is provided to an operation portion provided continuously with a proximal end of the insertion portion of the endoscope.
A known example of the bending operation member includes an operation lever of a joystick apparatus configured to be tiltable from a neutral position at which the bending portion is in a non-bending state in a direction corresponding to each of various bending directions of the above-described bending portion.
In addition, known functions of such a joystick apparatus include a function for bringing a bending portion into a non-bending state and a hold function for holding a bending state of the bending portion. In the former function, if an operator tilts an operation lever and then takes the hand off from the operation lever, that is, releases the tilting operation, the operation lever returns to a neutral position to thereby bring the bending portion into the non-bending state. In the latter function, if the operator tilts the operation lever and then holds the tilting state of the operation lever, the bending state of the bending portion is held.
Note that the operator can bring the operation lever back to the neutral position even during the use of the hold function.
The operation lever is provided to an operation portion so as to stand up from one surface of an exterior member of the operation portion. The operation lever is constituted of a standing shaft and a finger contact member provided at an end of the shaft. The periphery of the standing shaft of the operation lever is covered with a watertight member which is an elastic member. Such a configuration prevents water from entering the operation portion.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H6-105799 discloses a configuration in which an operation portion is provided with an operation lever, and marks respectively indicating up, down, left, and right directions are provided around the operation lever.
With these marks, the operator can bring the operation lever back to a neutral position by causing the shaft of the operation lever to be positioned at the center of the marks, which are drawn respectively as U (up), D (down), L (left), and R (right) on the operation portion so as to surround the operation lever, that is, by causing the shaft of the operation lever to be positioned at a position equidistant from the respective marks.
In addition, when the operator takes the hand off from a finger contact member, if the shaft of the operation lever is positioned at the center of the marks, the operator can visually recognize that the operation lever is at the neutral position.
An insertion instrument according to an aspect of the present invention includes: an insertion portion configured to be inserted into a subject, the insertion portion including a bending portion configured to be bendable in a predetermined direction; an operation portion provided on a proximal end side with respect to the insertion portion; one operation lever provided to the operation portion, the operation lever being configured to tilt, to cause the bending portion to bend in the predetermined direction; a movable member provided around the operation lever, and configured to move according to tilting of the operation lever; and at least one indicator configured to change according to a movement of the movable member, the at least one indicator being visually recognizable.
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to drawings. In the embodiments to be described below, description will be made by taking a case where an insertion instrument is an endoscope, as an example.
As shown in
The insertion portion 5 includes a distal end portion 2, a bending portion 3, and a rigid tube 4 that are connected in this order from a distal end side in the longitudinal axis direction N. The bending portion 3 is bendable in any of predetermined directions. The rigid tube 4 is elongated along the longitudinal axis direction N. The predetermined directions include, for example, up, down, left, and right directions, and combined directions (diagonal directions, such as an upper left direction and the like) of two directions, i.e., an up-down direction and a left-right direction.
The endoscope 1 in the present embodiment is configured of a rigid endoscope, for example, a laparoscope, which includes a rigid tube 4 at the insertion portion 5. Note that the bending portion 3 may be configured to actively bend only in two directions, i.e., either the up-down direction or the left-right direction.
The distal end portion 2 includes, inside thereof, an image pickup unit, an illumination unit (neither is shown), and the like. The image pickup unit is configured to observe an inside of a subject and pick up an image of the inside the subject. The illumination unit is configured to supply illumination light to the inside of the subject.
The bending portion 3 includes, inside thereof, a plurality of bending pieces coupled to each other along the longitudinal axis direction N. In addition, in the bending portion 3, distal ends in the longitudinal axis direction N of four wires, not shown, are connected to the bending piece, which is located on the distal-most side in the longitudinal axis direction N, among the plurality of bending pieces, such that the distal ends are positioned at intervals of 90 degrees in a circumferential direction of the bending piece (at rotationally symmetrical positions).
Therefore, the bending portion 3 is configured to bend actively and selectively in a desired direction by any one of the four wires or two of the four wires being selectively pulled by a bending operation device, not shown, provided to the operation portion 10.
The above-described wires, a signal cable extended from the image pickup unit, a light guide configured to supply illumination light to the illumination unit, and the like are inserted through the rigid tube 4.
The operation portion 10 includes a known bending operation device configured to cause the bending portion 3 to bend in any of the above-described predetermined directions.
The bending operation device includes one operation lever 20, a holding lever 40, a movable member 30, and an indicator 35. The operation lever 20 is tilted from a neutral position at which the bending portion 3 is in a non-bending state, to thereby cause the bending portion 3 to bend in any of the above-described predetermined directions.
The holding lever 40 is configured to fix a tilting angle of the operation lever 20, that is, fix a bending state of the bending portion 3.
The operation lever 20 is provided so as to stand up on a top surface 10a in
The operation lever 20 includes a main part constituted of a shaft 21 and a finger contact member 25. The shaft 21 is extended from the inside of the operation portion 10 so as to stand up from the top surface 10a. The finger contact member 25 is provided at an end of the shaft 21.
The movable member 30, which has a substantially circular shape in a planar view from the finger contact member 25 side, is provided around the shaft 21. In the present embodiment, the movable member 30 is configured of an elastic member made of rubber.
The movable member 30 is arranged between an outer circumference of the shaft 21 and an inner circumference of a ring-shaped cover member 90 provided on the top surface 10a of the operation portion 10. The movable member 30 has a function as a watertight member configured to prevent liquid from entering the inside of the operation portion 10 from a hole, not shown, which is formed on the top surface 10a and configured to allow the shaft 21 to pass through.
The movable member 30 is configured of the elastic member, and includes a ring-shaped deformation portion 30m (see
In addition, the holding lever 40 is provided on a side surface 10b in
When the operator takes the hand off from the finger contact member 25 of the operation lever 20, the operation lever 20 returns to the neutral position, to thereby bring the bending portion 3 into the non-bending state. However, in the case where the hold function is used, the bending state of the bending portion 3 is held even if the operator takes the hand off from the finger contact member 25. Therefore, the state of the bending portion 3 cannot be identified based only on whether or not the tilting operation of the operation lever 20 is performed.
Furthermore, in the case where the operator brings the operation lever back to the neutral position, since the neutral position is judged by the sense of the operator, there is a possibility that the operation lever has not returned to the precise neutral position at which the bending portion 3 is in the non-bending state.
In addition, also in the case where the hold function is not used, depending on the shape or the rigidity of the above-described watertight member, there is a possibility that the operation lever 20 has not returned to the precise neutral position even if the operator takes the hand off from the finger contact member 25.
Since the detailed configuration related to the pulling operation of the four wires by using the operation lever 20 in the bending operation device is known, the description thereof will be omitted. The configuration for fixing the tilting angle of the operation lever 20 by using the holding lever 40 is also known. Therefore, the detailed description of the configuration is also omitted.
The operation portion 10 includes, on the top surface 10a thereof, a button switch 15 to which a given function is assigned from among various functions related to the endoscope 1. Note that the button switch 15 may include one or a plurality of buttons.
Furthermore, the above-described wires, signal cable, light guide, etc., are inserted through the operation portion 10.
The universal cord 8 is extended from the operation portion 10. The universal cord 8 includes, at an extension end thereof, an endoscope connector, not shown.
The above-described signal cable, light guide, etc., are inserted also through the universal cord 8 and the endoscope connector.
The endoscope connector is connected to a light source apparatus, a video processor, and the like, to thereby allow the endoscope 1 to be connected to external apparatuses. An endoscopic image picked up by the endoscope 1 is displayed on a monitor, not shown, of an external apparatus.
Next, with reference to
As shown in
As shown in
Furthermore, each of the marks 31 to 34 has a predetermined shape, a predetermined pattern, or a predetermined color. Note that, in the present embodiment, the marks 31 to 34 are described by using an example in which the marks are formed in arrow shapes respectively extending from the shaft 21 of the operation lever 20 toward the cover member 90.
Each of the marks 31 to 34 changes in shape according to the movement of the movable member 30 in accordance with the tilting of the operation lever 20.
As shown in
In addition, as shown in
These changes in the shapes of the marks 32 and 31 are not hidden by the finger contact member 25 and are visually recognizable, even if the movable member 30 moves.
Accordingly, the operator can surely visually recognize the changes in the shapes of the marks 32 and 31, and easily visually recognize that the operation lever 20 is tilted precisely in the down direction.
Although not shown, also in the case where the operation lever 20 is tilted in a combined direction (diagonal direction) of the up-down direction and the left-right direction, the shapes of the marks 31 to 34 change according to the movement of the movable member 30, similarly as described above, and the changes are visually recognizable by the operator.
Since other configurations of the endoscope 1 is known, the descriptions thereof will be omitted.
Thus, in the present embodiment, the movable member 30 provided around the shaft 21 of the operation lever 20 moves according to the tilting of the operation lever 20, and the movement of the movable member 30 is visually recognizable by the operator.
In addition, the indicator 35 provided on the surface 30a of the movable member 30 changes in shape according to the movement of the movable member 30, and the change in the shape of the indicator 35 is visually recognizable. In other words, based on the shapes of the four marks 31 to 34 disposed on the movable member 30, the movement according to the tilting of the operation lever 20 (tilting state; tilting amount and tilting direction) can be visually recognized.
With such a configuration, when the operator tilts the operation lever 20 and thereafter releases the finger from the finger contact member 25 to bring the operation lever 20 back to the neutral position shown in
As described above, the present embodiment can provide the endoscope 1 configured to be capable of enabling the operator to easily visually recognize the precise neutral position of the operation lever 20, at which the bending portion 3 is in the non-bending state.
Hereinafter, modified examples of the first embodiment will be described. In the present modified example, the operator recognizes that the operation lever 20 has returned to the neutral position precisely by visually recognizing the shape of the indicator 35.
The modified example is not limited to the above-described configuration, but the operator may recognize that the operation lever 20 has returned to the neutral position precisely by visually recognizing that the movable member 30 is not moved, that is, the shape of the movable member 30 is not changed. Therefore, the movable member 30 itself may serve as the indicator 35.
Hereinafter, the modified examples will be described with reference to
As shown in
In addition, the finger contact member 25 may include, on a finger contact surface 25a, a mark (second indicator) 28 having a cross shape in a planar view. The ends of the cross shape of the mark 28 are coincident respectively with the marks 31 to 34 in the circumferential direction C, when the operation lever 20 is at the neutral position. Note that other configurations are the same as those in the above-described present embodiment.
With such a configuration, the operator can easily visually recognize the precise neutral position of the operation lever 20 not only by visually recognizing the changes in the shapes of the marks 31 to 34 and the change in the shape of the movable member 30 but also by visually recognizing the coincidence of the marks 31 to 34 with the mark 28 in the circumferential direction C, from the finger contact member 25 side. Other effects are the same as those in the above-described present embodiment.
Hereinafter, another modified example will be shown with reference to
As shown in
Hereinafter, another modified example will be shown with reference to
As shown in
Furthermore, as shown in
With such a configuration, the marks 31 to 34 do not change in shape by the movement of the movable member 30. However, if the movable member 30 does not change in shape, and the operation lever 20 is at the position equidistant from the marks 31 to 34 when viewed from the finger contact member 25 side, the operator can easily visually recognize that the operation lever 20 is precisely at the neutral position.
In addition, when the operator views the side surface 10b side of the operation portion 10, if the shaft 21 is vertical with respect to the mark 238 as the indicator, and the shaft 21 and the mark 239 are aligned on a straight line, the operator can easily visually recognize that the operation lever 20 is precisely at the neutral position. Note that other effects are the same as those in the above-described present embodiment.
Hereinafter, other modified examples will be shown with reference to
As shown in
With such a configuration, the marks 31 to 34 do not change in shape by the movement of the movable member 30. However, if the movable member 30 does not change in shape, and the marks 31 to 34 are coincident respectively with the distal ends of the cross shape of the mark 28 in the circumferential direction C, when viewed from the finger contact member 25 side, the operator can easily visually recognize that the operation lever 20 is at the precise neutral position.
In addition, when the operator views the side surface 10b of the operation portion 10, if the mark 29 and the shaft 21 are vertical with respect to the mark 238, and the shaft 21, the mark 239, and the mark 29 are aligned on a straight line, the operator can easily visually recognize that the operation lever 20 is precisely at the neutral position. Note that other effects are the same as those in the above-described present embodiment.
The configuration of the endoscope in the second embodiment is different from the endoscope in the first embodiment in that the movable member is configured of a slide member provided around the elastic member serving as a watertight member.
Therefore, only the different point will be described. The same constituent elements as those in the first embodiment are attached with the same reference signs, and description thereof will be omitted.
As shown in
Note that the movable member 70 is provided around the elastic member 130 that is provided around the shaft 21. In addition, the elastic member 130 has the same watertight function as that of the movable member 30 shown in the first embodiment.
The movable member 70 slidingly moves on the top surface 10a by being pushed by the elastic member 130, according to the tilting of the operation lever 20, in a direction coincident with the tilting direction of the operation lever 20.
In addition, a mark 300 is provided on the top surface 10a of the operation portion 10 at a position on which the movable member 70 is superposed. The mark 300 is an indicator, the shape of which changes according to the movement of the movable member 70.
Furthermore, in the movable member 70, a light-transmitting portion (light-transmitting region) 71 is formed at a position superposed on the mark 300, as shown in
Note that the light-transmitting portion 71 is configured of a light-transmitting window or a through hole which is provided in the movable member 70.
In such a configuration, when the operation lever 20 is tilted from the neutral position shown in
As a result, as shown in
The above-described movement of the mark 300 occurs in the direction opposite to the tilting direction of the operation lever 20 also in the case where the operation lever 20 is tilted in any of the up direction, the left direction, the right direction, and in a combined direction of the two directions, i.e., the up-down direction and the left-right direction.
Therefore, when the operator tilts the operation lever 20 and thereafter releases the finger from the finger contact member 25 to bring the operation lever 20 back to the neutral position shown in
Other configurations and effects are the same as those in the above-described first embodiment.
Hereinafter, modified examples of the second embodiment will be described with reference to
As shown in
With such a configuration, it is easy for the operator to visually recognize the neutral position from a plurality of field-of-view directions by viewing all the four marks 300 respectively from the four light-transmitting portions 71 or any of the four marks 300 from any of the four light-transmitting portions 71.
If the light-transmitting portions 71 are formed respectively at positions corresponding to the up, down, left, and right directions of the operation lever 20, the operator can tilt the operation lever 20 precisely in any of the up, down, left, and right directions by tilting the operation lever 20 toward any of the marks 300 and the light-transmitting portions 71.
Note that other effects are the same as those in the above-described embodiment.
Hereinafter, another modified example will be shown with reference to
As shown in
Such a configuration is capable of exhibiting the same effects as those in the above-described present embodiment. In addition, with such a configuration, even if only one light-transmitting portion 71 is provided, the operation lever 20 can be tilted in a precise direction by moving the indicator (mark) toward each of the corners of the light-transmitting portion 71.
Note that, also in the present configuration, the mark 300 and the light-transmitting portion 71 may be constituted of a plurality of marks and a plurality of light-transmitting portions, respectively.
Furthermore, hereinafter another modified example will be shown with reference to
As shown in
Such a configuration is capable of exhibiting the same effects as those in the above-described embodiment. In addition, according to such a configuration, when the operator tilts the operation lever 20 and thereafter releases the finger from the finger contact member 25 to bring the operation lever 20 back to the neutral position shown in
Therefore, the operator recognizes the click feeling with the touch of the hand, to thereby be capable of easily recognizing that the operation lever has returned to the neutral position precisely.
Note that, also in the present configuration, the mark 300 and the light-transmitting portion 71 may be constituted of a plurality of marks and a plurality of light-transmitting portions, respectively.
The above-described first embodiment, second embodiment, and modified examples have been described by taking the case where the endoscope 1 is a laparoscope, as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the example, but may be applicable to a rigid endoscope including another bending portion 3. Furthermore, it is needless to say that the present invention is also applicable to a flexible endoscope having a bending portion.
Note that the above-described first embodiment, second embodiment, and modified examples have been described by taking the case where the insertion instrument is an endoscope, as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the example, but it is needless to say that the present invention may be applicable also to a treatment instrument, a medical manipulator, and the like.
This application is a continuation application of PCT/JP2019/041992 filed on Oct. 25, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by this reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | PCT/JP2019/041992 | Oct 2019 | US |
Child | 17724610 | US |