JPH0416641Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] This invention relates to an endoscope in which the operating section is provided with air/water supply and suction buttons and push button switches for various electrical controls.

[Conventional technology]

The operation section of the endoscope is equipped with a grip section, air supply/water supply and suction buttons, an angle knob, and push button switches for various electrical controls. The operator holds the operating section by grasping the gripping section with the left hand, and operates the various buttons and push button switches with the left or right hand, but the right hand usually grasps and presses the insertion section. Since the various buttons and push button switches are operated by pulling and twisting, it is necessary that the various buttons and push button switches are ergonomically laid out so that they can be operated while holding the operating section with the left hand. For example, when operating the air/water supply buttons with the index finger of the left hand to take still images or observe still images while cleaning the observation window, it is necessary to operate the buttons with the thumb of the left hand. On the other hand, the position at which the grip part of the operation part is gripped varies depending on the operator, but roughly divided into two types: gripping the upper part of the grip part and gripping the lower part. Also, when you are not using your left thumb to perform angle operations or button operations, you must keep your thumb on the back of the operation unit (DOUN side of the insertion unit), otherwise your grip will be unnatural and you will be extremely fatigued. If the part on which the thumb rests is called the finger rest, it is necessary to provide a button within the reach of the fingers near this finger rest, but if a button is provided on the finger rest, when the finger is placed, This cannot be provided because there is a risk that the button will be manipulated. Furthermore, if a button is provided just above the finger rest for the operator who holds the lower part of the grip, there will be no finger rest for the operator who grips the upper part.

[Problem that the invention attempts to solve]

As mentioned above, the gripping part can be held in various positions depending on the surgeon, such as upper or lower, but since the button is provided at a fixed position on the operation part, it can be held according to the operator's preference. In addition to not being able to grasp the position, it is necessary to re-grip the grip when operating the button, and at this time the operation part moves, and this movement is transmitted to the distal end component of the insertion tube, causing the observation position to shift. .

Furthermore, conventionally, for example, as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-50478, a single operation button was provided on the operation unit, and this single operation button was used to freeze the image and release the camera shutter. There are some, but they are aimed at quick photography and do not solve the problems mentioned above.

This invention was made with attention to the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to ensure that the operating part is held securely even when the operator grips the lower part of the grip part or the upper part, depending on the operator's preference. To provide an endoscope whose push button switch can be easily operated.

[Means and actions for solving problems]

This invention is an endoscope in which the operating section is provided with a grip section and a push button switch, and a plurality of push button switches for the left thumb are arranged vertically on the back of the operating section, and at least one push button switch is positioned at the bottom. A means for setting the push-button switch to OFF is provided so that the surgeon who grips the lower part of the grip not only can operate the lower push-button switch.
To enable an operator who holds the upper part to grip any position without accidentally operating the push button switch even if he presses his finger on the push button switch located at the lower part.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of this invention will be described below based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an electronic scope 1 and a control device 2 as an endoscope. The electronic scope 1 includes a salt extraction section 3, an insertion section 4, a tip structure section 5, and a universal cord 6. First, the operation section 3 will be explained. It is constructed as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4. That is, 7 is a main body of the operation section 3, the insertion section 4 is connected to the distal end surface 7a of the main body 7, and the universal cord 6 is connected to the left side surface 7b. Further, an angle knob 8 is provided on the right side surface 7c of the main body 7, and the main body 7 on the distal end side of the angle knob 8 is formed as a grip portion 9. Normally, the operator holds the operating section 3 by grasping the gripping section 9 with the left hand 10, and uses the thumb 10a and index finger 10b to operate various button switches and the angle knob 8, which will be described later. It's getting old. In addition, at this time, the base part 6 of the universal cord 6
By hooking the crotch portion 10c between the thumb 10a and index finger 10b of the left hand 10 on the grip a, the grip can be held securely even if the gripping force is weak. Further, an inclined surface 7d is provided on the back surface of the main body 7, and this inclined surface 7d
is provided with a lower finger rest part 11 and an upper finger rest part 12. The lower finger rest part 11 serves as a finger rest for the thumb 10a when the operator grips the lower part of the grip part 9 with the left hand 10 as shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, when the operator grasps the upper part of the grip part 9 with the left hand 10, this serves as a finger rest for the thumb 10a. A first push button switch 13 and a second push button switch 14, which are operated by the thumb 10a, are vertically spaced apart and arranged side by side on this inclined surface 11. Furthermore, a stepped portion 10e is provided on the front surface of the main body 7,
An air/water supply button 15 and a suction button 16 which are operated by the index finger 10b of the left hand 10 are provided in this lower part. Further, a third push button switch 17, which is similarly operated by the index finger 10b of the left hand 10, is provided on the left side surface of the upper section, and fourth and fifth push button switches 18, 19 are provided on the top surface. Further, the rear end surface 7 of the main body 7
A mini-display 20 is provided on f, that is, on the side facing the operator.

Further, the distal end component 5 of the insertion section 4 includes an objective lens 21 and a solid-state image sensor 22 such as a CCD, and the control device 2 is provided with an operation panel 23. As shown in FIG. 5, this operation panel 23 has a self-illuminating switch 2.
4... are arranged in a matrix, and the aforementioned first to fifth push button switches 13, 14,
The contents of 17, 18 and 19 can be set arbitrarily. That is, for example, the first
the second push button switch 14 to freeze, and the third and fourth push button switches 17 and 18 to turn off the optical disk and
SVF (Still Video Floppy) release,
Turn the fifth push button switch 19 on the VTR.
When set to PLAY/PAUSE, the second push button switch 14 freezes the screen, and the third push button switch 17 freezes the screen.
can be used to release optical discs and SVF. Further, the operation panel 23 is provided with a slide switch 25, which can lock and unlock the self-illuminated switches 24. It is designed to prevent erroneous operation. In addition, on the operation panel 23
Operation switch for operating a VCR, etc. (not shown)
may be provided so that the operation can be performed at the operation panel 23 instead of the operation section 3.

Further, the first to fifth push button switches 13, 14, 17, 18 and 1 of the electronic scope 1 are
9 and the self-illuminating switches 24 of the operation panel 23, as shown in FIG.
It is input to the switch control circuit 26 of the control device 2, and generates a release trigger signal to the optical disc and SVF, as well as REC PLAY and
Generates a PAUSE trigger signal, generates some trigger signal to the AUX equipment, and also generates a freeze command and a freeze release command to the video process circuit 27. This video process circuit 2
7 receives the image electrical signal from the solid-state imaging device 22.
It is a circuit for converting into a video signal such as NTSC and a frame memory, and is designed to be frozen by a freeze signal from the switch control circuit 26.

Next, the operation of the endoscope configured as described above will be explained. When inserting the insertion section 4 of the electronic scope 1 into a body cavity and holding and operating the operating section 3, the operator usually grasps the grip section 9 with the left hand 10 and inserts it with the right hand. Push and pull section 4. At this time, if the operator wishes to grasp the lower part of the grip part 9 as shown in FIG. It can be operated with the thumb 10a. In addition, when the operator grasps the upper part of the grip part 9 as shown in FIG. 3, the thumb 1
0a is located on the upper finger rest part 12, and there is a risk of pressing the first push button switch 13 located on this upper finger rest part 12, but if you turn off the first push button switch 13 and press the second By freezing the button switch 14, the second push button switch 14 can be operated with the thumb 10a. That is, by operating the self-illuminating switches 24 provided on the operation panel 23 to turn off the first push-button switch 13 and freeze the second push-button switch 14, the first push-button switch 24 can be turned off during operation. Even if your finger touches 13, there will be no erroneous operation. Therefore, operability can be maintained regardless of whether the grip portion 9 is gripped either above or below, depending on the operator's preference.

Furthermore, when performing detailed operations with the insertion section 4 inserted into the body cavity, the operation can be performed while looking at the mini-display 20 provided on the main body 7 of the operation section 3, thereby improving operability. For example, when performing ERCP (endoscopic retrograde pancreatic and cholangiography) through a forceps channel (not shown), one
Delicate cannulation operations are difficult to perform while looking at a monitor ~2m away, but only the cannulation tube (contrast medium distribution tube and nipple opening) can be seen, making it easy to operate while looking at the mini display 20. Yes, it is possible.
For ERCP, it is recommended to use a side-viewing scope with a forceps lift.

Further, according to the embodiment, the first and second push button switches 13 and 14 are provided on the inclined surface 7d provided on the back surface of the main body 7 of the operation section 3, and the operation panel 2
Although the first push button switch 13 can be turned off by operating the self-illuminating switch 24 of No. 3, it is also possible to provide a separate switch on the operation section 3 to turn the first push button switch 13 on and off. Furthermore, although two push button switches are arranged side by side and spaced apart vertically on the inclined surface 7d, the number is not limited to two, and three push button switches are arranged side by side and spaced up and down, and the switch is placed at the lowest position. It may be possible to enable the switch to be turned off, or it may be possible to enable switches other than the topmost switch to be turned off.

In addition, the first and second push button switches 13,
14 are not limited to arranging them vertically in parallel, a seesaw switch may be provided, and the two switches may function when the upper and lower parts of the seesaw switch are pressed. In this case, if you switch the seesaw switch to the upper position, if you press the lower part it will not turn off, so you don't have to worry about it touching it with your fingers.

Further, in the above embodiment, an electronic scope has been described, but this invention can also be applied to a fiber scope.

Furthermore, a mini-display 20 is provided on the main body 7 of the operation unit 3 of the electronic scope described above, and is configured to enable observation at close range.
In the operation section 3 not provided with a mini-display, the layout of various push button switches can be changed as shown in FIG. In other words, the operation section 3
The back surface of the main body 7 is formed into a mountain shape to provide two inclined surfaces 7g and 7h, a first push button switch 13 is mounted on one inclined surface 7g, and a second push button switch 14 is mounted on the other inclined surface 7h. In addition to establishing
A push button switch 28 for right hand operation is provided on the rear end surface 7f of the main body 7. In addition, by making the angle θ between the inclined surfaces 7g and 7h less than 180°, when the upper part of the grip part 9 is grasped (the lower half of the first joint of the left thumb or the belly of the first joint is (while standing on the first push button switch 13),
Press the second push button switch 1 with the tip of your left thumb.
No more pressing 4 by mistake.

[Effect of idea]

As explained above, according to this invention, the operating section can be held securely and the push-button switch can be easily operated even if the operator grips the lower part or the upper part of the grip part depending on the operator's preference. In addition, by selecting a push button switch and turning off the other push button switches, the operator can prevent erroneous operations caused by touching with fingers.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figures 1 to 6 show one embodiment of this invention, with Figure 1 being a configuration diagram of the entire endoscope device, Figure 2 being
The figure is a side view when the lower part of the grip is gripped, Figure 3 is a side view when the upper part of the grip is gripped, Figure 4 is a view taken from the direction of the arrow in Figure 3, and Figure 5 is a side view when the grip is gripped above the grip. FIG. 6 is a front view of the operation panel, FIG. 6 is an electric circuit diagram of the endoscope apparatus, and FIG. 7 is a side view of the operation section of the endoscope without a mini-display. 3... Operating section, 9... Gripping section, 13, 14...
push button switch.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] In an endoscope in which an operating section is provided with a grip section and a push button switch, a plurality of push button switches for the left thumb are arranged vertically on the back of the operating section, and at least a push button switch located at the lowest position is provided. An endoscope, characterized in that the endoscope is provided with a means for setting it to OFF.