Endoscope unit

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD [Detailed description of the invention]

【0001】

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

The present invention relates to an endoscope device including a bending mechanism portion in an endoscope insertion portion.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, by inserting an elongated insertion part into the body cavity, it is possible to observe internal organs in the body cavity, and if necessary, use a treatment tool inserted into the treatment tool channel to perform various treatments. Mirrors are widely used. Also in the industrial field, industrial endoscopes capable of observing and inspecting internal scratches and corrosion of boilers, turbines, engines, chemical plants, etc. are widely used. For example, when a non-destructive inspection of a compressor blade (hereinafter referred to as a blade) inside a jet engine was performed using the industrial endoscope, it was generated by birds, stones, ice, etc. that the jet engine inhaled during operation. Damage such as chipped edges and cracks on the blade can be detected.

【0003】

Generally, in an endoscope having a soft insertion portion, a curved portion is provided in the insertion portion, and the bending operation wire inserted into the insertion portion is advanced and retracted by using a bending means, so that the curved portion can be curved. There is. In this way, by bending the curved portion in the desired direction and angle by the bending means, it becomes possible to easily observe the tip of the insertion portion in the desired direction and insert it into the test site. There is.

【0004】

As a curved structure of a curved portion of a conventional endoscope, a plurality of piece members are rotatably connected to form a curved tube, and the state-of-the-art piece member constituting the curved tube is curved for remote control. A curved tube structure has been used in which the operating wire is fixed and the curved portion is curved in a desired direction by pulling the wire.

【0005】

However, in the curved tube structure, the connecting member for attaching the piece members and the wire attaching member for attaching the piece member and the wire attaching portion project into the inner peripheral surface of the insertion portion, thereby narrowing the internal space in the curved tube and incorporating the internal structure. It was not possible to secure enough space for the wire to be inserted. For this reason, the diameter dimensions of the built-in light cables, image guide cables, video cables, etc. have been reduced to match the internal space inside the curved tube, but this has the problem of reducing transmission efficiency and strength. there were.

【0006】

Further, since there is a gap between the contact surfaces of the piece members constituting the curved tube, when a grinding tool is inserted into the treatment tool insertion passage provided in the endoscope to scrape a chipped blade or the like. There is a problem that the tip side of the curved portion wobbles due to the external force acting when the grinding tool comes into contact with the blade, and the grinding work cannot be continued in a stable state.

【0007】

In order to solve the above problem, Japanese Patent Application No. 8-306711, which the applicant filed earlier, has sufficient space for the internal organs to be inserted into the endoscope insertion part, and has a stable bending angle. We are proposing an endoscope with a curved part that can be held.

【0008】

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

However, in the endoscope of Japanese Patent Application No. 8-109586, the bending direction of the curved portion is limited to, for example, only two directions, upper and lower, so that the curved portion cannot be freely bent in a desired direction. was there.

【0009】

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an endoscope device including an endoscope having a sufficient internal space inside a curved portion and having a curved portion that can be curved in an arbitrary direction. The purpose is to do.

【0010】

[Means for solving problems]

The endoscope device of the present invention has a tip rigid portion provided with an observation optical system and an illumination optical system, an elongated insertion portion in which a curved portion is continuously provided on the base end side of the tip rigid portion, and the tip portion has the tip hardness. It is provided with three or more wires fixed to the portion and the base end portion is inserted to at least the curved portion, and the bending means provided on the base end side of the insertion portion for bending the curved portion. By moving at least one of the wires in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion by operating the bending means, the other wires of the three or more wires that have not been moved back and forth by the bending means can be moved. By resisting the movement of the advancing and retreating wire rods, all of the three or more wire rods are curved in the bending direction of the advancing and retreating moving wire rods, and any of the three or more wire rods can be used. When two wire rods are combined to form a plurality of planes, at least one set of the plurality of planes formed by the arbitrary set of wire rods is a plane that does not include the central axis of the insertion portion. Each wire is arranged so as to form.

【0011】

According to this configuration, since a curved portion that can be curved in an arbitrary direction is formed by three or more wires, a sufficient internal space can be secured inside the curved portion.

【0012】

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

【0013】

1 to 11 relate to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a schematic configuration of an endoscope device of the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a schematic configuration of a drum portion, and FIG. Is a perspective view showing the tip side of the insertion portion , FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view explaining the configuration of the tip side of the insertion portion, and FIG. 6 is an AA sectional view of FIG. 4, FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing the connection relationship between the drum portion and the connector and the configuration of the actuator portion in the drum portion, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram and a diagram showing a specific configuration example of the actuator portion. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific mounting example of the insertion portion and the drum portion, FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the endoscope device, and FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a curved state of the curved portion.

【0014】

As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope device 1 of the present embodiment includes, for example, an industrial endoscope 2 provided with a long and flexible insertion portion 21, and the industrial endoscope (hereinafter referred to as an endoscope). (Abbreviated as) A drum device 3 provided with a drum section 32 that is rotatable with respect to the base 31 around which the insertion section 21 of 2 is wound, and a base of an elongated electric cable 41 that is detachable from the drum device 3 It is composed of a controller 4 having an operating means and an observing means at the end.

【0015】

The insertion portion 21 of the endoscope 2 is connected to a flexible flexible tube 22 whose base end portion is attached to the drum portion 32 and the tip end side of the flexible tube 22, and is curved in a desired direction. A curved portion 23, which will be described later, and a tip rigid portion 24, which is connected to the tip side of the curved portion 23 and incorporates a solid-state imaging element such as a charge coupling element (abbreviated as CCD) as an observation optical system. It is composed of. A plurality of types (two types in the figure) of tip adapters 5a and 5b for changing the viewing angle and viewing direction can be detachably attached to the tip rigid portion 24.

【0016】

As shown in FIG. 2, the drum unit 32 is equipped with an image processing circuit that generates an image captured by the CCD into a TV signal, a timing generation circuit that generates a timing signal for driving the CCD, and the like. 33), the actuator unit 34 that constitutes the bending means, the control circuit 35 that controls the bending state of the bending part 23 based on the instruction signal from the operating means of the controller, and the CCD and the actuator part 34. A battery 36, which is a power supply unit of the control circuit 35, is arranged. The CCU 33, actuator section 34, control circuit 35, and battery 36 are arranged in the drum section 32 in consideration of rotational balance, and a balance weight is added to maintain the optimum weight balance of the drum section 32. You can do it.

【0017】

At the tip of the electric cable 41 of the controller 4, a connector 42 that is detachable from a connector connection portion described later, which is provided at the rotation center position of the drum portion 32, is provided. Further, the controller 4 is provided with an LCD monitor 43 that displays an endoscopic image captured by a CCD and a joystick 44 that is operated when bending the curved portion 23 in a desired direction.

【0018】

First, the endoscope 2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the tip rigid portion 24 is provided with, for example, an observation lens cover 51 constituting one observation window and illumination lens covers 52, 52 constituting two illumination windows on the tip surface, for example, a tip adapter. 5a is connected. Further, a flexible pipe front mouthpiece 6 is provided between the flexible pipe 22 and the curved portion 23, and two metal contacts 6a are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the flexible pipe front mouthpiece 6.

【0019】

The configuration of the tip side of the insertion portion 21 will be described with reference to FIG. The flexible tube 22 is flexibly configured with a three-layer structure in which an impregnated resin layer 22a is provided on the outermost outer wall and a metal net wire layer 22b and a metal spiral tube 22c are sequentially arranged.

【0020】

A flexible pipe front mouthpiece 6 having a substantially pipe shape is arranged at the tip of the flexible pipe 22. One of the metal contacts 6a provided on the flexible tube front cap 6 is a cathode metal contact 6n, and the other is an anode metal contact 6p. One end of the electric cable 6b corresponding to each characteristic is connected to these metal contacts 6n and 6p. These metal contacts 6n and 6p are arranged on the flexible pipe front mouthpiece 6 via the non-conductive collar 6c. Further, a non-conductive coil spring 6d is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the flexible pipe front mouthpiece 6 so as to protect these metal contacts 6n and 6p.

【0021】

The tip of the flexible tube front mouthpiece 6 is covered with one end of a resin coating 25 made of synthetic rubber constituting the curved portion 23, and the other end of the resin coating 25 is the base of the tip rigid portion 24. The edges are covered. Then, thread-wound adhesive portions (not shown) are provided at both ends of the resin coating 25 to integrally fix the flexible pipe front mouthpiece 6, the tip rigid portion 24, and the resin coating 25.

【0022】

The tip rigid portion 24 is made of a Ni-Ti alloy as a wire rod constituting the curved portion 23 together with the resin coating 25 and has superelastic properties, and is an operation wire 26 formed of a wire rod generally called a superelastic alloy. One end of is fixed. The other end of the operation line 26 is provided in the drum portion 32 by inserting the inside of the flexible pipe front mouthpiece 6 and the inside of the flexible pipe 22, and the operation line 26 advances and retreats in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion. It is connected and fixed to the actuator unit 34, which is a bending means to be operated. In this embodiment, three operation lines 26 are provided, and the arrangement and positional relationship of these three operation lines 26 will be described later with reference to FIG.

【0023】

The operation line 26 located in the curved portion 23 is provided with a sensor 26a such as a strain gauge in order to detect the bending direction of the operation line 26. The curved state detection signal detected by the sensor 26a is transmitted through the signal transmission line 26b extending from the sensor 26a and output to the control circuit 35 in the drum unit 32.

【0024】

The tip rigid portion 24 is a contact point between a cathode and an anode that supplies lighting power to a CCD 27 that constitutes an observation optical system and a light emitting element that constitutes an illumination optical system described later, for example, an LED device (hereinafter referred to as an LED) 54. A contact electrode 28 serving as a second electrical contact is provided.

【0025】

The CCD 27 is provided with a drive circuit 27a for driving the CCD 27, a preamplifier 27b for amplifying an electrical signal imaged and photoelectrically converted on the imaging surface of the CCD 27, and the like. From these drive circuits 27a and the preamplifier 27b, a signal cable 29 that sends and receives signals extends through the curved portion 23, the flexible tube front mouthpiece 6, and the flexible tube 22 to the drum portion 32. The base end of the cable 29 is connected to the CCU 33 provided on the drum portion 32.

【0026】

On the other hand, a battery in which one end of an electric wire 28a corresponding to the characteristics of each electrode is connected to the above-mentioned contact electrode 28, and the other end of the electric wire 28a inserted through the insertion portion 21 is provided in the drum portion 32. It is connected to 36.

【0027】

At the tip of the tip rigid portion 24, an observation lens cover 51 and an objective lens 53 constituting an observation optical system, and a tip adapter 5a in which an LED 54 for supplying illumination light is arranged are arranged, and the tip rigid portion 24 is arranged. The tip adapter 5a is connected and fixed to the tip of the insertion portion via a rotating ring 50 formed on the inner peripheral surface side with a female screw portion screwed into a male screw portion (not shown) formed on the outer peripheral surface of 24. ing. The rotating ring 50 is provided with a watertight member that prevents dust, water, etc. from entering the inside of the endoscope from the connecting portion between the tip adapter 5a and the tip rigid portion 24.

【0028】

The LED 54 provided on the tip adapter 5a is provided with a cathode terminal 54n and an anode terminal 54p facing the contact electrode 28 provided on the tip rigid portion 24. The LED 54 has an optical axis that coincides with the visual field direction of the observation optical system of the endoscope.

【0029】

The tip adapter 5a is provided with a conductive holder 7 formed of an insulating member. The conductive holder 7 is formed with a through hole 73 for mounting in which a compression spring 71 having conductivity and a metal ball 72 for conducting the cathode terminal 54n and the anode terminal 54p of the LED 54 and the contact electrode 28 are arranged. When the metal ball 72 and the compression spring 71 are arranged in the mounting through hole 73 as shown in FIG. 5A, the cathode terminal 54n or the anode terminal 54p is provided on the end face of the compression spring 71. It constitutes the first electrical contact that comes into contact. When the tip adapter 5a is not attached to the tip rigid portion 24, the urging force of the coil spring 71 causes the balls 72 arranged on the proximal end side to protrude by the dimension a from the proximal end surface. ing.

【0030】

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the tip adapter 5a is attached to the tip rigid portion 24, the ball 72 urged by the compression spring 71 and the tip surface of the contact electrode 28 come into contact with each other. It will be in the state of. As a result, electric power for lighting is supplied from the battery 36 to the LED 54 via the electric wire 28a, the contact electrode 28, the ball 72, the compression spring 71, and the terminals 54n, 54p, and the LED 54 lights up. At this time, since the ball 72 always comes into contact with the tip surface of the contact electrode 28 in a state of being pressed by the urging force of the compression spring 71, reliable conduction can be achieved regardless of the operation of the endoscope.

【0031】

As shown in FIG. 6, the operation line 26 constituting the curved portion 23 does not abut on the two conductive holders 7 in which the contact electrodes 28 for supplying electric power to the LED 54 are arranged, and the internal space is sufficiently sufficient. In order to secure it, three are fixed so as to form an equilateral triangular shape on the outer peripheral surface side of the tip rigid portion 24.

【0032】

Further, the three operation lines 26 fixed to the tip rigid portion 24 and extending to the drum portion 32 include a plurality of arbitrary two operation lines 26 as a set from these three operation lines 26. At least one set of the plurality of planes formed by any set of operation lines 26 forms a plane that does not include the central axis of the insertion portion (curved portion) 21. It is arranged so that.

【0033】

Therefore, the actuator unit 34 moves the operation line 26 of at least one of the three operation lines 26 forward and backward, so that the operation line 26 that has not been moved back and forth by the actuator unit 34 is moved. After resisting the movement of the operating line 26 that has moved forward and backward, the curved portion 23 is curved in the direction of the operating line 26 that has moved forward and backward.

【0034】

Next, the drum device 3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, the base end portion of the flexible pipe 22 constituting the insertion portion 21 is connected to the connector 32b provided on the winding surface 32a of the drum portion 32, and the curved portion 23 and the flexible tube 22 are flexible. The other end of the operation line 26, which is inserted through the pipe front mouthpiece 6 and the flexible pipe 22 and extends into the drum portion 32, is connected to the rack 34b of the rack and pinion portion 34a constituting the actuator portion 34. Has been done. The rack 34b is configured to move forward and backward in response to rotation of the pinion 34c, and the pinion 34c is rotated by a rotatable motor 37. The motor 37 is fixed inside the drum portion 32.

【0035】

As shown in FIG. 8, the actuator portion 34 is provided with three rack and pinion portions 34a corresponding to the three operation lines 26 inserted through the insertion portion 21, and each rack is provided with three rack and pinion portions 34a. -The end of each operation line 26 is connected and fixed to the rack 34b of the pinion portion 34a.

【0036】

That is, the operation line 26 is configured to move forward and backward independently in response to the operation of the rack and pinion portion 34a corresponding to each operation line 26, and the operation of each rack and pinion portion 34a is performed. By moving each rack 34b forward and backward with appropriate control, the operation line 26 fixed to the rack 34b moves back and forth, and the curved portion 23 bends in a desired direction.

【0037】

Further, the operation line 26 is moved so as to be pushed toward the curved portion side from the initial position where the curvature of the curved portion 23 is released to bend the curved portion 23, and the operation line 26 is operated until the curved portion 23 is released from the curvature. The curvature may be released by returning the wire 26.

【0038】

Further, the end of the signal transmission line 26b and the signal cable 29, which are inserted through the insertion portion 21 and extend into the drum portion 32, are control circuits arranged in the drum portion 32 as shown in the figure. It is connected to 35 and CCU33 respectively.

【0039】

The specific attachment of the insertion portion 21 and the drum portion 32 of the endoscope 2 is performed as shown in FIG. That is, as shown in the figure, the connector 32b to which the base end portion of the flexible tube 22 which is the base end side of the insertion portion 21 is connected is detachable with a screw to the winding surface 32a of the drum portion 32. It has become.

【0040】

The connector 32b is provided with a connector 32c that is electrically connected to the CCU 33, the control circuit 35, or the battery 36 provided in the drum portion 32. Therefore, by connecting the connector 32c of the connector 32b to the mating connector provided on the drum portion 32, the signal transmission line 26b and the signal cable 29, the control circuit 35, and the CCU 33 that pass through the insertion portion 21 are connected. Is connected. After connecting the connector 32c to the mating connector in the drum portion, the connection between the insertion portion 21 and the drum portion 32 is completed by fixing the connector 32b to the winding surface 32a using a screw.

【0041】

Further, a reduction gear mechanism may be provided between the rotation shaft 37a of the motor 37 and the pinion 34c to reduce the rotation speed of the motor 37.

【0042】

Next, the connection relationship between the control circuit 35 and the CCU 33 and the controller 4 will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, a connector receiver 31a provided with a bearing portion 31b inside is projected from the side surface of the base 31 of the drum device 3. A shaft portion 38 having a plurality of contact portions on the bottom surface of the connector connecting portion 39 projecting from the side center portion of the drum portion 32 is rotatably attached to the bearing portion 31b of the connector receiver 31a with respect to the base 31. ing.

【0043】

The video signal contact electrode 39a and the ground wire 33b to which the video signal line 33a extending from the CCU 33 is connected are connected to the bottom surface side of the connector connection portion 39 of the shaft portion 38 protruding from the drum portion 32. Terminals 39b (also referred to as GND) are provided, and a plurality of communication photodiodes 39c and communication LEDs 39d connected to a communication cable 35f for bidirectional communication extending from the control circuit 35 are provided. ing.

【0044】

The video signal contact electrode 39a to which the video signal line 33a is connected is provided on the non-conductive first holder 75 arranged on the rotation center axis of the drum portion 32. On the other hand, the GND terminal 39b to which the ground wire 33b is connected is housed in a non-conductive second holder 76 arranged near the outer peripheral surface of the connector connection portion 39 away from the video signal contact electrode 39a. The GND terminal 39b is always urged outward from the side surface by the compression spring 71 arranged in the second holder 76. Further, a diffuser plate 39e is arranged in front of the communication photodiode 39c and the communication LED 39d.

【0045】

On the other hand, on the tip surface of the connector 42 which is inserted through the connector receiver 31a and connected to the connector connection portion 39, a contact electrode 39a for a video signal, a terminal 39b for GND, and a photodiode for communication arranged in the connector connection portion 39 are provided. A video signal connection terminal 42a, a GND contact electrode 42b, a communication LED 42c, and a communication photodiode 42d are provided so as to face the diffuser plate 39e arranged in front of the 39c and the communication LED 39d, respectively.

【0046】

Further, the video signal connection terminal 42a is housed in a non-conductive second holder 76 sealed and fixed at the center position of the connector 42 with a filler or the like, and is arranged in the second holder 76. The video signal connection terminal 42a is always urged outward from the side surface by the compression spring 71. Further, the communication LED 42c and the communication photodiode 42d are sealed and fixed with a filler or the like so as to face the communication photodiode 39c and the communication LED 39d provided in the connector connection portion 39, respectively. Further, the GND contact electrode 42b is arranged in a ring shape on the tip surface of the connector 42 so as to ensure conduction with the GND terminal 39b arranged near the outer peripheral surface side of the connector connection portion 39.

【0047】

As a result, the light emitted by the communication LED 42c in response to the bending instruction signal output by operating the joystick 44 provided in the controller 4 is diffused by the diffuser plate 39e of the connector connection portion 39 and is photographed. It reaches the diode 39c and is transmitted to the control circuit 35 via the communication cable 35f. At this time, even if the connector 42 is attached to the connector connection portion 39 in any circumferential positional relationship, the light emitted by the diffusion effect of the plurality of communication LEDs 42c and the diffusion plate 39e is surely emitted. It is transmitted to the control circuit 35 as a bending instruction signal.

【0048】

Further, the GND that contacts the video signal connection terminal 42a that contacts the video signal contact electrode 39a connected to the video signal line 33a extending from the CCU 33 and the GND contact electrode 42b that is provided on the connector 42. Since the terminal 39b is pressed so as to be in constant contact with the contact electrodes 39a and 42b by the urging force of the compression spring 53, the continuity between the terminals 42a and 39b and the electrodes 42b and 39a is ensured to ensure the continuity of the signal. You can give and receive.

【0049】

An O-ring 31c is provided at the inner peripheral surface opening of the connector receiver 31a to prevent dust, water, etc. from entering the inside of the connection portion and to prevent the connector 42 from coming off from the connector receiver 31a. There is.

【0050】

The operation of the endoscope device 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The tip rigid portion 24 of the endoscope 2 has an LED 54 that illuminates the observation site, a CCD 27 that images the observation site illuminated by the LED 54, a drive circuit 27a that drives the CCD 27, and an image on the imaging surface of the CCD 27. A preamplifier 27b that amplifies the photoelectrically converted electric signal is provided. In addition, a sensor that detects the curved state of each operating line 26 is located in the middle of the curved portion 23 of the operating line 26 whose tip is fixed to the tip rigid portion 24 and extends to the actuator portion 34. 26a is provided.

【0051】

Inside the drum portion 32 of the drum device 3, a CCU 33 provided with an image processing circuit or the like that generates an electric signal of the CCD 27 into a video signal, an actuator portion 34 that moves the operation line 26 forward and backward, and a curved portion 23. A control circuit 35 that controls a curved state and the like, and a battery 36 that is a power source are provided.

【0052】

The LED 54 is lit by supplying electric power from the battery 36 by connecting and fixing the flexible tube 22 constituting the insertion portion 21 to the drum portion 32.

【0053】

The controller 4 includes a joystick 44 which is an operation switch, a CPU 45 which converts the movement of the joystick 44 into a bending instruction signal, and a communication circuit 46 for outputting the bending instruction signal converted by the CPU 45 to the control circuit 35. A TV signal receiving circuit 47 that serves as a receiver for the TV signal transmitted from the CCU 33, an LCD monitor 43 that is a TV monitor, and a superimposer 48 for displaying image information and text information are provided on the LCD monitor 43. There is.

【0054】

The CCD drive circuit 27a provided in the tip rigid portion 24 is driven by a drive signal output from the timing generation circuit 61 provided in the CCU 33. Further, the electric signal formed on the image pickup surface of the CCD 27 and amplified by the preamplifier 27b is transmitted to the image processing circuit of the CCU 33. The electric signal transmitted in this image processing circuit is subjected to well-known processing in the clamp circuit 62 and the sample hold circuit 63, then amplified by an amplifier (not shown), input to the A / D conversion circuit 64, and A / D. Will be converted. The A / D converted image data is input to the memory 65. The image data input to the memory 65 obtains a predetermined video signal by the DSP (digital signal processor) 67 based on the program from the DSP ROM 66, and then the first frame memory 68a and the second frame. After D / A conversion by the D / A conversion circuit 69 via the memory 68b, it is generated as a TV signal output to an external device by the encoder 70, and the TV signal of the controller 4 is received via the TV signal transmission circuit 70a. It is designed to be output to circuit 47.

【0055】

That is, the image captured by the CCD 27 is converted into an electric signal, amplified by the preamplifier 27b, and transmitted to the CCU 33. Then, it is generated as a TV signal in this CCU33. The TV signal is output to the TV signal receiving circuit 47 of the controller 4 via the TV signal transmitting circuit 70a, and is displayed on the LCD monitor 43 from the TV signal receiving circuit 47 via the super imposer 48.

【0056】

When the joystick 44 of the controller 4 is operated to bend the curved portion 23, the movement of the joystick 44 passes through the CPU 45, the communication circuit 46, and the communication circuit 35a of the control circuit 35 provided in the drum portion 32. It is input to the controller CPU 35b as a bending instruction signal from the joystick 44.

【0057】

When a bending instruction signal is input to the CPU 35b for the control unit, a driving signal is output from the CPU 35b to the corresponding motor 37 of the actuator unit 34 via the bending control circuit 35c, and the motor 37 starts driving. To do. As a result, the pinion 34c rotates in a predetermined direction by a predetermined amount, the rack 34b moves, and the operation line 26 moves in the instructed direction.

【0058】

Then, with respect to the moved operation line 26, the tip rigid portion 24 is pulled with respect to the flexible tube front mouthpiece 6 against the movement of the moved operation line 26 by the non-moving operation line 26. The operation line 26 is bent in the squeezed state, and the curved portion 23 is curved in the direction indicated by the arrow as shown in FIG.

【0059】

Then, as shown in the figure, when the curved portion 23 starts to bend, the amount of distortion is detected by the sensor 26a provided on each operation line 26, and the control circuit is used as a curved state detection signal via the signal transmission line 26b. It is transmitted to the sensor signal receiving circuit 35e, which is the sensor signal receiver of 35. The bending state detection signal output from the sensor 26a and input to the sensor signal receiving circuit 35e is compared with the bending instruction signal from the joystick 44 by the control unit CPU 35b via the bending control circuit 35c, and then again the bending drive circuit. A drive signal is output from 35d to the actuator unit 34 to advance and retreat each operation line 26 so that the curved unit 23 curves in the direction indicated by the joystick 44.

【0060】

In this way, when the tip portion of the operation wire formed of the three superelastic alloys is fixed to the tip rigid portion constituting the tip end side of the insertion portion, it is arbitrarily selected from these three operation wires. When each of the two operating lines forms an arbitrary plane, at least one plane of the arbitrarily selected plane does not include the central axis of the tip rigid portion and the curved portion constituting the insertion portion. By connecting the base end of each operation line to the actuator part that moves the operation line forward and backward to form a bending mechanism, the amount of movement of each operation line can be increased for each actuator part. The curved portion can be curved in a desired direction by adjusting as appropriate.

【0061】

In addition, a sensor for detecting the curved state of the operating line is placed in the middle part located in the curved portion of the three operating lines, and the curved state detection signal output from this sensor is controlled to bend in the control circuit. It is output to the circuit, compared with the bending instruction signal from the joystick, and based on this comparison result, a drive signal that controls the bending state of the bending part is newly output to the actuator part via the bending drive circuit and operated. By moving the wire forward and backward, it is possible to reliably control the bending of the curved portion in the direction specified by the joystick.

【0062】

Furthermore, in contrast to the conventional configuration of a curved portion provided with a plurality of curved pieces and an operation wire for bending a curved pipe formed of a plurality of curved pieces, the curved portion and the bending mechanism are configured with three operation lines. Therefore, a sufficient space inside the insertion portion can be secured. As a result, a sufficient space for inserting an internal object other than the bending mechanism is secured, so that it is not necessary to reduce the diameter of the internal object, and the diameter of the endoscope insertion portion can be reduced.

【0063】

Further, by arranging the LED on the tip adapter and connecting the flexible tube forming the base end side of the insertion portion to the drum portion, power is supplied to the LED from the battery provided in the drum portion to illuminate the LED. By obtaining the observation light, it is possible to always illuminate the test site with a predetermined amount of illumination light. As a result, the light loss caused by the lengthening of the light guide fiber normally used as the lighting means and the light loss due to the light loss on the connection surface with the tip adapter are eliminated. In addition, in order to efficiently transmit the illumination light from a distant light source device to the observation site, it is not necessary to increase the fiber diameter or use an expensive fiber with high transmission efficiency, so that the endoscope is fine. A diameter reduction and an inexpensive configuration are realized.

【0064】

In addition, the video signal contact electrode to which the video signal line extending from the CCU is connected and the video signal connection terminal provided on the connector are provided on the rotation center axis of the drum unit, so that the drum unit is provided. It is possible to reliably prevent a problem in the continuity between the video signal contact electrode and the video signal connector terminal due to the rotation of the.

【0065】

In addition, the metal ball provided on the tip adapter is always pressed against the tip surface of the contact electrode by the urging force of the compression spring, and the connection terminal for video signal and the ground terminal are always contacted for video signal by the urging force of the compression spring. By pressing against the electrode and the contact electrode for ground, the metal ball, the contact electrode, the connection terminal for video signal, the contact electrode for video signal, the terminal for ground, and the contact electrode for ground can be reliably conducted. ..

【0066】

Although an LED is used as the lighting means in the present embodiment, a lamp may be used instead of the LED to configure the same as described above.

【0067】

12 to 15 relate to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a curved portion of an endoscope provided with four operation lines and one spacing line, and FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view. Explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the link mechanism which comprises the actuator part, FIG. 14 is the explanatory view which shows the operation of the link mechanism, and FIG.

【0068】

First, the configuration of the endoscope 2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 12, in this embodiment, the number of operation lines 26 is increased by one to four. Then, the four operation lines 26 are fixed at the positions divided into four on the outer peripheral surface side of the tip rigid portion 24 so as to be the operation lines 26U, 26D, 26L, 26R for the upper, lower, left, and right respectively. doing.

【0069】

Further, the interval holding wire 81 is fixed on the substantially central axis of the tip rigid portion 24 as a wire rod for maintaining the interval of the curved portions 23 at a predetermined interval, while the other end of the interval holding wire 81 can be used. It is fixed on the substantially central axis of the flexible tube front mouthpiece 6.

【0070】

Further, instead of the resin coating 25 covering the curved portion 23, a composite tube in which a metal net tube (blade) 22b and a metal spiral tube (flex) 22c are arranged coaxially is used. The composite tube may have a structure in which the metal spiral tube 22c is on the inside and the metal net tube 22b is on the outside, or vice versa.

【0071】

Next, the configuration of the actuator unit 34 will be described. As shown in FIG. 13, the actuator unit 34 of the present embodiment has a vertical link rod 82 to which the vertical operation lines 26U and 26D are connected and a left and right link rod 83 to which the left and right operation lines 26R and 26L are connected. It is composed of a link mechanism unit provided with the above, a screw type linear drive member 84 connected to the upper and lower link rods 82 and the left and right link rods 83, and a motor 85 for driving the screw type linear drive member 84. In this figure, the screw type linear drive member 84 connected to the left and right link rods 83 and the motor 85 for driving the screw type linear drive member 84 are omitted.

【0072】

The link rod 82 constituting the upper and lower link mechanism portion is pivotally supported so as to rotate around a shaft portion 86 fixed inside the drum portion 32, and one end of the link rod 82 and a motor 85. One end of the screw type linear drive member 84 that moves forward and backward is fixed. As a result, the motor 85 is rotated by the drive signal from the curved drive circuit 35d to move the link rod 82 fixed to the screw type linear drive member 84 from the position shown by the solid line to the position shown by the broken line. As shown in FIG. 14, for example, by pulling the upper operation line 26U while pushing out the lower operation line 26D, that is, by pushing and pulling a pair of operation lines at the same time, the curved portion 23 is formed. It curves in the direction of the towed upper operation line 26U.

【0073】

Since the structure in the left-right direction is the same as the structure in the up-down direction described above, the description thereof will be omitted. Further, the positions of the fixed portions of the operating lines 26U and 26D and the link rod 82 and the operating lines 26R and 26L and the link rod 83 are equidistant from the shaft portion 86 which is a fulcrum. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the same members are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

【0074】

The operation of the endoscope device configured as described above will be described. By operating the joystick 44 of the controller 4 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the bending instruction signal is output to the CPU 35b for the control unit. Then, a drive signal is output from the CPU 35b for the control unit to the corresponding motors 85 provided in the actuator unit 34 in the vertical and horizontal directions from the curved drive circuit 35d via the bending control circuit 35c, and the motor 85 rotates. Start. As a result, the screw type linear drive member 84 moves back and forth in a predetermined direction, and the link rods 82 and 83 fixed to the screw type linear drive member 84 rotate with respect to the shaft portion 86, and this link. The pair of operating lines 26U, 26D or operating lines 26R, 26L fixed to the rods 82, 83 move relatively, and the position of the tip rigid portion 24 with respect to the flexible tube front mouthpiece 6 changes. As a result, the spacing line 81 is bent, and as shown in FIG. 15, the curved portion 23 is freely curved in a desired direction.

【0075】

In this way, by increasing the number of operation lines and fixing the interval maintenance line as a wire material for maintaining the interval between the curved portions at a predetermined interval between the rigid tip portion and the flexible pipe front mouthpiece, the operation line of the operation line can be fixed. The bending control can be performed with high accuracy by bending the curved portion due to the bending of the interval holding line with the movement.

【0076】

Further, since the interval holding line is provided to maintain the interval between the curved portions at a predetermined interval, the curved portion can be made to have a small curvature to maintain a stable bending angle.

【0077】

Although the configuration in which the operation lines are increased is described in the present embodiment, the curved portion may be formed by providing two operation lines by providing the interval holding lines. At this time, the curved portion can be curved in a desired direction by appropriately determining the arrangement position of the interval holding line and the operation line. Further, a plurality of spacing lines may be provided. Further, as the number of operation lines increases, instead of providing the link mechanism, the number of rack and pinion portions may be increased in accordance with the increase in the number of operation lines.

【0078】

By the way, when observing an endoscope normally, the entire circumference of the inner surface of the pipe is inspected by directly observing the tip side of the endoscope in the insertion direction. When observing the inside of a pipe with the endoscope, for example, it may be necessary to observe the inside of the pipe having an inner diameter much larger than the diameter of the endoscope. In such a case, the endoscope insertion portion is arranged at substantially the center of the pipe and is inserted along the vertical lower surface of the inner peripheral surface of the pipe without being inserted. In this state, if the tip side in the insertion direction is directly observed, the entire circumference of the inner surface of the pipe cannot be inspected, and the observation is performed in a biased state. In order to solve this problem, there is an insertion aid that positions the tip of the insertion part at the approximate center of the pipe by attaching it to the tip side of the insertion part of the endoscope. It was prepared to support piping with various inner diameter dimensions.

【0079】

However, when observing the inside of a pipe having a large inner diameter using the insertion assisting tool, since the internal space inside the pipe to be observed is large, the lighting means provided in the endoscope efficiently covers the entire inner surface of the pipe. It could not be illuminated, which could interfere with observation. For this reason, there has been a demand for an endoscope device that can obtain sufficient illumination for observation even when observing a large space using an insertion assisting tool.

【0080】

The endoscope device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 to 18. As shown in FIG. 16, the endoscope device 90 of the present embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the endoscope device 1 of the first embodiment, and in the present embodiment, the insertion portion is long and has flexibility. An insertion assisting tool 91 made of a non-conductive resin such as polyacetal having low sliding resistance is attached to the tip of 21.

【0081】

As shown in FIG. 17, three protruding foot portions 93 are provided at both ends of the auxiliary tool main body 92 that covers the endoscope insertion portion of the auxiliary tool 91 attached to the tip portion of the endoscope insertion portion 21. It has been done. As shown by the alternate long and short dash line in the figure, the foot portion 93 is formed so that the outer peripheral side surface portions of the three foot portions 93 have a substantially circular shape, and the outer peripheral surface of the foot portion 93 serves as a guide surface. The small-diameter endoscope 2 arranged on the auxiliary tool main body 92 is arranged on a substantially central axis in a pipe having a large inner diameter, and is inserted therethrough.

【0082】

The tip portion of the endoscope insertion portion 21 is disposed in the endoscope fixing hole 92a formed in the assisting tool main body 92 of the insertion assisting tool 91, and the tip end surface of the insertion assisting tool 91 is provided. Is provided with an LED device (LED) 94, which is a light emitting element for lighting. The LED 94 has an optical axis that coincides with the viewing direction of the observation lens cover 51 provided on the endoscope 2.

【0083】

As shown in FIG. 18, the insertion assisting tool 91 is on the tip side of the endoscope insertion portion 21 inserted into the endoscope fixing hole 92a by tightening the screw 95 provided in the assisting tool main body 92. It can be detachably attached to the part.

【0084】

The electric wire 94a extending from the electrode of the LED 94 arranged on the tip surface of the auxiliary tool 91 is connected to the first contact 96 formed of a conductive material. A pin 96b urged by a spring 96a is arranged in the metal contact 96, and the pin 96b is provided with an endoscope fixing hole 92a in which the endoscope insertion portion 21 is arranged by the urging force of the spring 96a. It protrudes toward the central axis of.

【0085】

Therefore, when the insertion portion 21 of the endoscope 2 is inserted into the endoscope fixing hole 92a formed in the insertion assisting tool 91 from the tip side, the center of the endoscope fixing hole 92a is inserted. The pin 96b protruding in the axial direction moves on the outer peripheral surfaces of the tip adapter 5a, the tip rigid portion 24, and the curved portion 23, and covers the outer peripheral surface of the flexible tube front mouthpiece 6. The end surface of the non-conductive spring 6d. Contact. Then, the pin 96b compresses the spring 6d toward the base end side of the insertion portion. As a result, the metal terminal 6a provided on the flexible tube front mouthpiece 6 is exposed, and the pin 96b comes into contact with the metal terminal 6a to electrically connect the two, so that the LED 94 lights up. At this point, the screw 95 is tightened to integrally fix the endoscope insertion portion 21 and the insertion assisting tool 91.

【0086】

In this way, by fixing the endoscope to an insertion aid equipped with lighting means and observing the inside of a pipe having a large inner diameter, the internal space inside the pipe to be observed is wide, so that the endoscope is provided. With the lighting means, the entire circumference of the inner surface of the pipe can be efficiently illuminated by the lighting means of the insertion assisting tool, and the inside of the pipe can be observed with brighter illumination light than the illumination optical system provided in the endoscope.

【0087】

As shown in FIG. 17, the foot portions 93 may be displaced from each other in the circumferential direction, rather than having the protruding positions at both ends having the same positional relationship with respect to the circumferential direction. Further, the LED 94 may be provided on the foot portion 93, or may be provided on the peripheral surface of the auxiliary tool main body 92 or the like. Further, a lamp may be used instead of the LED 94.

【0088】

As shown in FIG. 19, the electric wire 97 for supplying electric power for lighting the LED 94 may be pulled out directly from the LED 94 provided in the insertion assisting tool 91. By attaching this insertion assisting tool 91 to the endoscope insertion portion 21, even the endoscope 2 which does not have the metal terminal 6a for connection to the endoscope insertion portion 21 can be observed with the optimum amount of illumination light. become. Further, by fixing the wire 98 to the insertion assisting tool main body 92 and extending the wire 98 toward the hand side, the wire 98 is pulled to insert the insertion assisting tool 91 and the endoscope insertion portion 21 into the pipe. It will be possible to remove it from.

【0089】

By the way, when inspecting the inner surface of a pipe or the like with the endoscope, the purpose is to observe the entire circumference of the inner surface of the pipe at the time of insertion, and usually, the insertion direction in which the endoscope is inserted is observed. Then, when any defective part is found on the inner surface of the pipe, the observation window arranged on the tip surface of the endoscope is brought close to the part to check the enlargement. At this time, the bending function of the endoscope is used to bring the tip surface of the endoscope closer to the defective portion. However, while the distance from the curved portion to the tip surface is constant, the distance between the inner surface of the pipe and the tip surface of the endoscope is not always constant, and depending on the inner diameter of the pipe, the tip surface of the endoscope Sometimes did not get close enough to the defective part. Therefore, there is a demand for an endoscope capable of widening the observation range by simply changing the distance from the curved portion to the tip surface (also referred to as the tip length).

【0090】

An endoscope having a variable tip length structure will be described with reference to FIGS. 20 to 22. As shown in FIG. 20, in the present embodiment, a plurality of tip length variable pieces 101 are arranged between the tip rigid portion 24 constituting the tip side of the endoscope 2 and the flexible tube front mouthpiece 6, and described above. The gap portion between the tip length variable piece group 102 connected to the tip rigid portion 24 and the tip length variable piece group 103 connected to the flexible pipe front mouthpiece 6 is a curved portion 23.

【0091】

Connecting portions 101a are provided at both ends of the tip length variable piece 101 so that the pieces can be detachably connected to each other. The connecting portion 101a has a concave portion 101b that can be connected to the convex base end portion of the tip rigid portion 24 and a convex portion 101c that can be attached to and detached from the concave tip portion of the flexible pipe front mouthpiece 6 at both ends. It is configured to have.

【0092】

As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the tip length variable piece 101 of the interval holding line 81 and each operation line 26 is capable of advancing and retreating with respect to the operation line 26 and the interval holding line 81. Through holes 104a and 104b having a diameter larger than the outer diameter are formed at positions corresponding to the wires 26 and 81, and the electric wire 28a connected to the signal cable 29 extending from the CCD 27 and the contact electrode 28. A line arrangement hole 105 for inserting the wire is formed so as to penetrate in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion.

【0093】

As a result, as shown in FIGS. 22 (a) to 22 (c), by changing the number of connected tip length variable pieces 101 connected to the tip rigid portion 24, the position of the gap that becomes the curved portion 23 can be determined. By moving it, the length from the curved portion 23 to the tip surface can be freely changed.

【0094】

In this way, by moving the arrangement position of the tip length variable piece according to the observation situation, the length from the curved portion to the tip surface can be freely changed, and the observation of the test site is always observed under the optimum conditions. be able to.

【0095】

In the endoscope 2 using the variable tip length piece 101, it is necessary to frequently change the arrangement position of the variable tip length piece 101. Therefore, in consideration of workability, the curved portion in the first embodiment or the like is used. The resin coating 25 that made up 23 is not used.

【0096】

By the way, when inserting an industrial endoscope into a pipe, a guide tube called a guide tube is inserted in advance to the target observation part in the pipe, and the endoscope is inserted to the target observation part through this guide tube. I am observing. However, the piping for endoscopy is not always limited to straight pipes, and some pipes have complicated shapes such as parts bent in the direction perpendicular to the elbow pipe. Therefore, when the guide pipe reaches the elbow pipe while being pushed to the target observation site, the tip surface of the guide pipe is caught by the step portion constituting the connecting portion between the elbow pipe and the straight pipe, and this guide is provided. Sometimes it was difficult to insert the tube further. In such a case, the guide tube is twisted or pushed and pulled repeatedly to bring the guide tube to the target portion.

【0097】

Therefore, even if the tip surface of the guide tube is caught in a stepped portion in the elbow tube, a guide tube having a structure that allows the guide tube to pass through the elbow tube and smoothly reach the target observation site has been desired.

【0098】

The configuration and operation of the guide tube will be described with reference to FIGS. 23 to 25. As shown in FIG. 23, the guide tube 110 of the present embodiment may form a surface orthogonal to the longitudinal axis with respect to the tip surface of the tip base 112 attached to the tip of the stainless spiral tube 111, for example. It has an inclined surface 113 that intersects the longitudinal axis at an angle. Then, a protrusion 114 projecting toward the tip end side of the longitudinal axis is provided on the base end portion side of the inclined surface 113, and the tip surface position of the protrusion 114 and the most advanced position of the inclined surface 113 are substantially the same. It is configured to be in position. The tip base 112 is fixed to the end of the spiral pipe 111 by brazing or the like.

【0099】

The operation of the guide tube 110 configured as described above will be described. When the tip 112 of the guide pipe 110 reaches the elbow pipe 115 as shown by the broken line in FIG. 24 (a), the tip end portion of the inclined surface 113 of the guide pipe 110 comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the elbow pipe 115. If the guide pipe 110 is further pushed in this state, the most advanced portion of the inclined surface 113 is caught by the stepped portion 115a as shown by the solid line in the figure, and it becomes difficult to move forward.

【0100】

However, at this time, the protrusion 114 provided at the base end portion of the inclined surface 113 reaches the inner peripheral surface side of the straight pipe 116 connected to the elbow pipe 115. Therefore, by twisting the guide pipe 110 in this state, the protrusion 114 in contact with the inner peripheral surface side of the straight pipe 116 serves as a fulcrum as shown in FIG. The whole starts to rotate. Then, by performing the pushing operation while rotating the guide pipe 180 degrees, the most advanced portion of the inclined surface 113 caught on the step portion 115a moves to the inner peripheral surface side of the straight pipe 116, and the broken line in the figure shows. As shown, it is inserted further into the guide tube 110.

【0101】

In this way, the tip surface of the tip base provided at the tip of the spiral tube constituting the guide tube is formed as an inclined surface that intersects the longitudinal axis at an angle, and is formed in the insertion direction from the base end side of the inclined surface. By providing a protrusion that is almost the same height as the tip of the inclined surface that protrudes toward the end, when the tip of the guide pipe is caught in a stepped portion, the guide pipe can be simply twisted and rotated with the protrusion as a fulcrum. , It is possible to eliminate the catching portion with the step portion.

【0102】

Further, since the structure is such that the tip surface of the tip base is an inclined surface and a protrusion projecting forward on the longitudinal axis is provided on the base end side of the inclined surface, the number of parts is not increased and the structure is also provided. Since the diameter dimension is not increased, the configuration can be inexpensive and suitable for reducing the diameter.

【0103】

As shown in FIG. 25, instead of the inclined surface 113 shown by the broken line shown in the present embodiment, a face 117 orthogonal to the longitudinal axis direction shown by a solid line is provided, and a protrusion 114 is provided as a part of the face 117. In this case, when the most advanced portion of the inclined surface 113 is caught by the stepped portion 115a, the protruding portion 114 also abuts on the stepped portion 115a, so that the trigger for arranging the guide pipe 110 on the inner peripheral surface side of the straight pipe 116 can be grasped. There is a problem that there is no such thing.

【0104】

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention.

【0105】

[Additional Notes] (1) A tip rigid portion provided with an observation optical system and an illumination optical system, an elongated insertion portion in which a curved portion is continuously provided on the base end side of the tip rigid portion, and a base in which the tip portion is fixed to the tip rigid portion. It is provided with three or more wire rods whose ends are inserted to at least the curved portion, and bending means provided on the base end side of the insertion portion for bending the curved portion, and at least among the three or more wire rods. By moving one wire forward and backward in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion by operating the bending means, among the three or more wires, the other wires that have not been moved back and forth by the bending means are moved back and forth. By resisting the movement of the above three or more wires, all of the three or more wires are curved in the bending direction of the moved back and forth wires, and any two wires are selected from the three or more wires. When forming a plurality of planes as a set, each wire rod is formed so that at least one set of planes of the plurality of planes formed of the arbitrary set of wire rods forms a plane that does not include the central axis of the insertion portion. An endoscopic device to place.

【0106】

(2) The endoscope device according to Appendix 1, wherein the three or more wires are superelastic alloys.

【0107】

(3) The three or more wires are operating wires whose tip end is fixed to the tip rigid portion and whose base end portion is fixed to the bending means provided on the base end side of the insertion portion. Mirror device.

【0108】

(4) At least one of the three or more wires is an interval holding wire that sets and holds the distance between the curved portion between the tip rigid portion and the flexible pipe at a predetermined value, and the other wires are The endoscope device according to Appendix 1, wherein the tip portion is fixed to the tip rigid portion and the base end portion is fixed to a bending means provided on the base end side of the insertion portion.

【0109】

(5) The endoscope device according to Appendix 1, wherein the bending means includes an actuator and a bending control circuit that controls the driving of the actuator to control the bending state.

【0110】

(6) The endoscope device according to Appendix 5, wherein the actuator bends the curved portion by pushing the operation line toward the curved portion.

【0111】

(7) The actuator is composed of a rack to which the base end portion of the operation line is fixed, a rack and pinion mechanism having a pinion that meshes with the rack and moves the rack forward and backward, and a motor for rotating the pinion. The endoscopic device described in Appendix 5.

【0112】

(8) The endoscope device according to Appendix 7, wherein the rack bends the curved portion by pushing the operation line toward the curved portion.

【0113】

(9) The endoscope device according to Appendix 7, wherein the rack and pinion mechanism unit is provided according to the number of operation lines.

【0114】

(10) The actuator includes a link mechanism portion to which two base ends of operation lines are fixed, a screw type linear movement mechanism portion to which one end of a link rod constituting the link mechanism portion is fixed, and a screw thereof. The endoscope device according to Appendix 5 equipped with a motor for advancing and retreating the linear movement mechanism unit.

【0115】

(11) The endoscope device according to Appendix 10, wherein the fixing portions of the two operation lines fixed to the link rod are located at equal distances with respect to the rotation center of the link rod.

【0116】

(12) An endoscope device that is removable to the tip of an elongated endoscope insertion part and has an endoscope tip adapter that converts the optical characteristics of the endoscope and the physical shape of the endoscope tip. An endoscope device in which a light emitting element arranged in the tip adapter for an endoscope and a power source provided in the endoscope device are electrically connected by an electric wire passing through the endoscope.

【0117】

(13) The endoscope device according to Appendix 12, which has an electrical contact for electrically connecting the tip adapter and an electric wire passing through the endoscope.

【0118】

(14) A metal ball provided on the tip adapter for the endoscope and protruding toward the tip surface side of the endoscope, and a conductive coil spring that urges the metal ball and contacts the terminal of the light emitting element. It is provided with a first electric contact formed by the above and a second electric contact provided at the tip of the endoscope and to which the electric wire is connected, and the tip adapter for the endoscope and the endoscope. The endoscope device according to Appendix 12 or Appendix 13, wherein the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact are electrically connected to each other.

【0119】

(15) The endoscope device according to Appendix 12 or Appendix 13, wherein the tip adapter and the light emitting element are integrally molded.

【0120】

(16) The endoscope device according to Appendix 14, wherein the light emitting element and the first electric contact are integrally formed.

【0121】

(17) The endoscope device according to Appendix 16, wherein the integrally molded light emitting element and the first electric contact are detachable from the tip adapter.

【0122】

(18) An endoscope having an elongated insertion portion having an observation mechanism for observation at the tip portion, a main body to which this insertion portion is connected, and an observation operation device connected to this main body via a connection connector. In the device, an endoscope device that functionally connects the main body and the observation operation device by a connector mechanism unit including an electric connector and an optical connector.

【0123】

(19) The electric connector provided in the connector mechanism electrically connects the main body and the video circuit of the observation operation device to transmit a video signal, while the optical connector is the main body and the observation operation device. The endoscope device according to Appendix 18 for transmitting an operation communication signal between and.

【0124】

(20) The endoscope device according to Appendix 18, wherein the electrode of the electric connector is arranged at a central position of the connector mechanism portion, and the electrode of the optical connector is arranged on the outer peripheral side of the electrode of the electric connector.

【0125】

(21) The endoscope device according to Appendix 18, wherein the electrode of the optical connector is arranged at a central position of the connector mechanism portion, and the electrode of the electric connector is arranged on the outer peripheral side of the electrode of the electric connector.

【0126】

(22) An endoscope having an elongated insertion portion having an observation mechanism for observation at the tip portion, a main body to which this insertion portion is connected, and an observation operation device connected to this main body via a connection connector. An endoscope device in which a wireless communication circuit is provided between the main body and the observation operation device, and the main body and the observation operation device communicate with each other of a video signal and an operation command signal.

【0127】

(23) An endoscope having an elongated insertion portion having an observation mechanism for observation at the tip portion, a main body to which this insertion portion is connected, and an observation operation device connected to this main body via a connection connector. An endoscope device provided with a connecting portion that makes the insertion portion and the main body detachable in the device.

【0128】

(24) The endoscope device according to Appendix 23, wherein the drive circuit is provided on the insertion portion side so that the drive circuit for driving the observation mechanism is located on the insertion portion side when the insertion portion is removed from the main body. ..

【0129】

(25) Insertion for an endoscope having a fixed portion detachably attached to the tip of the endoscope insertion portion and one or more overhanging portions protruding in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the insertion portion. In an endoscope device provided with an assisting tool, an endoscope in which a light emitting element for emitting observation illumination light provided on the insertion assisting tool is aligned with an optical axis in the viewing direction of the endoscope to which the insertion assisting tool is attached. apparatus.

【0130】

(26) The endoscope device according to Appendix 25, wherein the light emitting element is provided on the front surface of the insertion assisting tool.

【0131】

(27) The endoscope device according to Appendix 25, wherein the light emitting element is provided on the side surface of the insertion assisting tool.

【0132】

(28) The endoscope device according to Appendix 25, wherein the light emitting element is provided on the overhanging portion.

【0133】

(29) The endoscope device according to Appendix 25, wherein the light emitting element is an LED.

【0134】

(30) The endoscope device according to Appendix 25, wherein the light emitting element is a lamp.

【0135】

(31) The endoscope device according to Appendix 25, which is further located on the outer peripheral surface side of the first contact point electrically connected to the light emitting element and the insertion portion of the endoscope. It is provided with a metal contact that is electrically connected to an electric wire that passes through the insertion part from a power source that is an external device, and when the insertion aid is attached to the endoscope, the first contact and the metal contact are electrically connected. An endoscope device in which the light emitting element lights up in contact with.

【0136】

(32) The endoscope device according to Appendix 25, further extending an electric wire for electrically connecting the light emitting element and the power source from the light emitting element to a power source which is an external device.

【0137】

(33) A tip rigid portion provided with an observation optical system and an illumination optical system, an elongated insertion portion in which a curved portion is continuously provided on the base end side of the tip rigid portion, and a base in which the tip portion is fixed to the tip rigid portion. It is provided with three or more wire rods whose ends are inserted to at least the curved portion, and bending means provided on the base end side of the insertion portion for bending the curved portion, and at least among the three or more wire rods. By moving one wire forward and backward in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion by operating the bending means, among the three or more wires, the other wires that have not been moved back and forth by the bending means are moved back and forth. By resisting the movement of the wire rod, all of the three or more wire rods are curved in the bending direction of the wire rod that has moved forward and backward, and between the tip rigid portion and the tip of the insertion portion, the said An endoscopic device in which one or a plurality of variable tip length pieces having a fitting hole for sliding fitting to a wire rod and forming a fitting portion where adjacent pieces are fitted to each other are arranged.

【0138】

(34) The endoscope device according to Appendix 33, which is provided with a pair of concave portions and convex portions forming the fitting portion at the end portion of the tip length variable piece.

【0139】

(35) The endoscope device according to Appendix 33, wherein the length of the tip length is changed by changing the piece arrangement relationship of the tip length variable piece.

【0140】

(36) In an endoscope device provided with a flexible guide tube that guides an elongated insertion portion of the endoscope to a target observation site, a protrusion protruding from the insertion direction at the end of the guide tube. An endoscopic device provided with a tip cap that forms a portion.

【0141】

(37) The endoscope device according to Appendix 36, wherein the tip surface of the tip base on which the protrusion is formed is an inclined surface that is inclined and intersects with respect to the longitudinal axis of the guide tube.

【0142】

(38) The endoscope device according to Appendix 36, wherein the protruding portion is provided on the most proximal end side of the inclined surface.

【0143】

(39) The endoscope device according to Appendix 36, wherein the amount of protrusion of the protruding portion with respect to the insertion direction is substantially the same as the most advanced surface of the guide tube.

【0144】

[Effect of the invention]

As described above, according to the endoscope device of the present invention, an endoscope device provided with an endoscope having a sufficient internal space inside the curved portion and having a curved portion that can be curved in an arbitrary direction. Can be provided.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

[Figure 1]

1 to 11 relate to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an endoscope device of the present embodiment. [Figure 2]

Explanatory drawing which shows the schematic structure of a drum part [Fig. 3]

Perspective view showing the tip side of the insertion portion [Fig. 4]

Sectional drawing explaining the structure of the tip side of the insertion part [Fig. 5]

The figure explaining the structure and operation of the conductive holder provided in the tip adapter. [Fig. 6]

AA sectional view of FIG. [Fig. 7]

Explanatory drawing which shows the connection relationship between a drum part and a connector and the structure of an actuator part in a drum part. [Fig. 8]

Explanatory drawing showing a concrete configuration example of an actuator part [Fig. 9]

Explanatory drawing showing a concrete mounting example of an insertion part and a drum part [Fig. 10]

A block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an endoscope device [Fig. 11]

Explanatory drawing which shows the bending state of a curved part [Fig. 12]

12 to 15 relate to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a curved portion of an endoscope provided with four operation lines and one spacing line. [Fig. 13]

Explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the link mechanism which comprises the actuator part. [Fig. 14]

Explanatory drawing showing the operation of the link mechanism [Fig. 15]

Explanatory drawing which shows the bending state of a curved part [Fig. 16]

16 to 18 relate to an endoscope device having another configuration, and FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope device provided with an insertion assisting tool. [Fig. 17]

Explanatory drawing showing the connection state of the endoscope insertion part of the insertion aid [Fig. 18]

The figure which shows the structure of the insertion aid [Fig. 19]

Perspective view showing an example of an insertion aid having another configuration [Fig. 20]

20 to 22 relate to an endoscope having a variable tip length structure, and FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope having a variable tip length piece. [Fig. 21]

Front view of variable tip length piece [Fig. 22]

Explanatory drawing which shows connection example of tip length variable piece [Fig. 23]

23 to 25 are related to the guide pipe, and FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the tip of the guide pipe. [Fig. 24]

The figure which shows the insertion state of a guide tube [Fig. 25]

Explanatory drawing showing an example of a malfunction of the guide tube [Explanation of symbols]

2 ... Endoscope 6 ... Flexible tube front base 23 ... Curved part 24 ... Hard tip 26 ... Operation line 26a ... sensor 32 ... Drum part 33 ... CCU 34 ... Actuator section 35 ... Control circuit