JP2010063774A - Endoscope apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope apparatus for preventing a load from being imposed on a subject by correctly detecting the adsorption of the subject to a suction port. <P>SOLUTION: The endoscope apparatus 1 includes: a suction means 41 having the suction port 33 at the distal end of an insertion part 11 to be inserted to the subject; a pressure measuring means 42 for measuring suction pressure from the suction port 33; a contact detecting means 43 arranged at the distal end of the insertion part 11, so as to detect contact with the subject; and a control means 44 for controlling the operation of the suction means 41. The control means 44 reduces suction force at the suction port 33 when the absolute value of the suction pressure (gauge pressure) measured by the pressure measuring means 42 is lower than a prescribed value and also the contact between the distal end of the insertion part 11 and the subject is detected by the contact detecting means 43. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus.

  The endoscope is provided with suction means for sucking water used for cleaning the observation site of the subject and bleeding when the subject is a living body. The suction means typically includes a suction pipe and a pump device connected to the suction pipe, and the amount of intake air is controlled by operating a valve provided in the suction pipe. There is also known an endoscope apparatus that informs the operator of this intake amount by sound or an indicator displayed on a monitor (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

If aspiration is performed while the suction port is in contact with the subject, the subject is adsorbed by the suction port, which may place a burden on the subject. By the way, the amount of intake air of the suction means changes relatively greatly by sucking water or bleeding. Therefore, it is not possible to accurately detect adsorption of the subject to the suction port only by measuring the inhalation amount.
JP 2000-102506 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and provides an endoscope apparatus that can more accurately detect adsorption of a subject to a suction port and prevent a burden on the subject. The purpose is to do.

(1) A suction unit having a suction port at a distal end portion of an insertion portion to be inserted into a subject, a pressure measurement unit for measuring an intake pressure of the suction port, and a distal end portion of the insertion portion. Contact detecting means for detecting contact with the control means, and control means for controlling the operation of the suction means. The control means has a predetermined absolute value of the intake pressure (gauge pressure) measured by the pressure measuring means. An endoscope apparatus that reduces a suction force at the suction port when a contact between the distal end portion of the insertion portion and the subject is detected by the contact detection means.
(2) A suction means having a suction port at a distal end portion of an insertion portion to be inserted into a subject, a flow rate measurement means for measuring an intake amount from the suction port, a distal end portion of the insertion portion, Contact detection means for detecting contact with the specimen, and control means for controlling the operation of the suction means, wherein the control means has an intake air amount measured by the flow rate measurement means being less than a predetermined value, and An endoscope apparatus that reduces the suction force at the suction port when contact between the distal end of the insertion portion and the subject is detected by contact detection means.
(3) The endoscope apparatus according to (1) or (2), wherein the contact detection unit is provided adjacent to the suction port.
(4) The endoscope apparatus according to (3), in which the contact detection unit surrounds the suction port.

According to the endoscope apparatus described in (1), in addition to measuring the suction pressure of the suction port, the contact between the distal end portion of the insertion portion provided with the suction port and the subject is detected. When the subject is adsorbed to the suction port, the suction pressure increases and the subject comes into contact with the distal end portion of the insertion portion provided with the suction port. The adsorption of the specimen can be detected more accurately. When the adsorption of the subject to the suction port is detected, the suction force at the suction port is reduced by the control means, so that it is possible to prevent the subject from being burdened.
According to the endoscope apparatus described in (2), in addition to measuring the intake amount from the suction port, the contact between the distal end portion of the insertion portion provided with the suction port and the subject is detected. When the subject is adsorbed to the suction port, the amount of inhalation from the suction port decreases and the subject contacts the distal end of the insertion portion provided with the suction port.By measuring and detecting these, Adsorption of the subject to the suction port can be detected more accurately. When the adsorption of the subject to the suction port is detected, the suction force at the suction port is reduced by the control means, so that it is possible to prevent the subject from being burdened.
According to the endoscope apparatus described in (3), it is possible to more reliably detect contact between the distal end portion of the insertion portion and the subject when the subject is adsorbed to the suction port.
According to the endoscope apparatus described in (4), it is possible to more reliably detect contact between the distal end portion of the insertion portion and the subject even when the subject is biased to the suction port.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to more accurately detect adsorption of a subject to the suction port and prevent a burden on the subject.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view of an endoscope apparatus for explaining an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front view of a distal end portion of an insertion portion of the endoscope apparatus of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope apparatus 1 includes an endoscope main body 2, a light source device 3, a signal processing device 4, a monitor 5, and a pump device 6. The light source device 3, the signal processing device 4, the monitor 5, and the pump device 6 are appropriately stored in a cart.

  The endoscope body 2 includes an insertion portion 11 that is inserted into a subject, an operation portion 12 that is connected to the insertion portion 11, and a universal cable 13 that extends from the operation portion 12. The universal cable 13 includes the light guide 14, the signal line 15, the suction tube 16, and the like, and the light source device 3, the signal processing device 4, or the pump device 6 is connected to the connector portions 17 a to 17 c provided at their ends. To be connected as appropriate.

  The insertion portion 11 includes a distal end portion 21 provided with an imaging device and the like, a bending portion 22 that can be bent at a desired angle, and a flexible soft portion 23. A bending portion 22 is provided continuously to the rear end of the distal end portion 21, and the distal end portion 21 and the bending portion 22 are connected to the operation unit 12 via a flexible portion 23. The light guide 14, the signal line 15, and the suction tube 16 reach the distal end portion 21 through the operation portion 12, the flexible portion 23, and the bending portion 22.

  The operation unit 12 is provided with a button 24 for controlling various functions of the distal end portion 21, a knob 25 for operating the bending of the bending portion 22, and the like. The bending portion 22 is bent in response to the rotation operation of the knob 25, and the tip portion 21 is swung up and down or left and right.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the distal end portion 21 includes an illumination optical system 31 and an imaging device. The illumination optical system 31 includes a plurality of lenses that are optically connected to the protruding end of the light guide 14. The imaging device includes a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD image sensor and an imaging optical system that has an objective lens 32 and forms an image on the solid-state imaging device. The illumination light exit of the illumination optical system 31 and the objective lens 32 are exposed on the distal end surface of the distal end portion 21. A suction port 33 of the suction tube 16 is also formed on the distal end surface of the distal end portion 21.

  The illumination light generated by the light source device 2 is guided to the illumination optical system 31 of the distal end portion 21 via the light guide 14 and is irradiated to the subject. Then, the reflected light reflected by the subject forms an image on the solid-state imaging device at the tip 21 to generate an image signal of the subject. This image signal is sent to the signal processing device 4 via the signal line 15. For example, the signal processing device 4 restores an image from the input image signal and displays it on the monitor 5.

  Water used for cleaning the observation site of the subject, bleeding when the subject is a living body, and the like are sucked by the pump device 6 from the suction port 33 through the suction tube 16 during imaging and treatment. FIG. 3 schematically shows the suction means of the endoscope apparatus 1 for sucking water, bleeding, and the like, and the configuration associated therewith.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the endoscope apparatus 1 includes a suction unit 41, a pressure measurement unit 42, a contact detection unit 43, and a control unit 44.

  The suction means 41 is roughly constituted by a pump device 6 and a suction pipe 16 connected to the pump device 6. A valve 45 is provided at an intermediate portion of the suction pipe 16 located in the operation unit 12. The valve 45 is opened and closed according to the operation of the button 24 of the operation unit 12.

  Further, an electromagnetic valve 46 is provided at an intermediate portion of the suction pipe 16 located in the connector portion 17a. The electromagnetic valve 46 communicates the suction pipe 16 with the outside, is connected to the control means 44 via the signal line 47, and is opened and closed by the control means 44. In the example shown in the figure, the electromagnetic valve 46 is provided at an intermediate portion of the suction pipe 16 located in the connector portion 17a. However, if the portion is exposed to the outside except the insertion portion 11, the installation location is particularly limited. Not.

  The pressure measuring means 42 is provided in the connector portion 17 a and measures the intake pressure of the suction port 33. As the pressure measuring means 42, for example, a known vacuum gauge such as a diaphragm vacuum gauge can be used. The intake pressure measured by the pressure measuring unit 42 is output to the control unit 44 via the signal line 48.

  The contact detection means 43 is provided at the distal end portion 21 of the insertion portion 11 and detects contact between the distal end portion 21 and the subject. As the contact detection means 43, for example, a known pressure sensor such as a capacitive pressure sensor can be used. A detection signal indicating contact between the distal end portion 21 and the subject is output to the control means 44 via the signal line 49.

  The control unit 44 includes a microprocessor and the like, and controls the operation of the suction unit 41 based on the intake pressure signal and the detection signal input from the pressure measurement unit 42 and the contact detection unit 43. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 44 compares the intake pressure input from the pressure measurement unit 42 with a predetermined threshold value set in advance. When the absolute value of the intake pressure (gauge pressure) is equal to or less than the threshold value, the suction by the suction means 41 is continued assuming that suction is normally performed.

  When the absolute value of the intake pressure (gauge pressure) exceeds the threshold value, the control unit 44 determines whether or not the distal end portion 21 is in contact with the subject based on the detection signal input from the contact detection unit 43. For example, when a pressure sensor is used as the contact detection means 43, it is determined that the measured pressure is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value and that both are in contact, and the measured pressure is less than the threshold value and both are determined to be non-contact.

  If the absolute value of the inspiratory pressure (gauge pressure) exceeds the threshold but it is determined that the tip 21 and the subject are not in contact with each other, for example, the inspiratory pressure has increased due to suction such as water or bleeding. Assuming that the subject is not attracted to the suction port 33, the control means 44 continues the suction by the suction means 41.

  On the other hand, if the absolute value of the inspiratory pressure (gauge pressure) exceeds the threshold and it is determined that the tip 21 and the subject are in contact with each other, the subject is adsorbed to the suction port 33. The control unit 44 reduces the suction force at the suction port 33. Specifically, the electromagnetic valve 46 is opened to allow the suction pipe 16 to communicate with the outside, and the intake amount or intake pressure at the suction port 33 is reduced, thereby reducing the suction force at the suction port 33. Alternatively, the control unit 44 and the pump device 6 may be connected by wire or wirelessly, and the output of the pump device 6 may be reduced by the control unit 44 to reduce the suction force at the suction port 33.

  In the illustrated example, the control unit 44 outputs the control information to the signal processing device 4. For example, the signal processing device 4 displays the input control information on the monitor 5 and visually notifies the suction of the subject to the suction port 33.

  Thus, in the endoscope apparatus 1, in addition to measuring the intake pressure of the suction port 33, the contact between the distal end portion 21 of the insertion portion 11 provided with the suction port 33 and the subject is detected. . When the subject is adsorbed to the suction port 33, the suction pressure increases, and the subject comes into contact with the distal end portion 21 of the insertion portion 11 provided with the suction port 33. The adsorption of the subject to the mouth 33 can be detected more accurately. When the adsorption of the subject to the suction port 33 is detected, the suction force at the suction port 33 is reduced by the control means 44, so that it is possible to prevent the subject from being burdened.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the contact detection unit 43 is preferably provided adjacent to the suction port 33, and particularly preferably surrounds the suction port 33. According to this, it is possible to more reliably detect contact between the distal end portion 21 and the subject when the subject is adsorbed to the suction port 33, and there is a bias in the adsorption of the subject to the suction port 33. Even in this case, contact between the distal end portion 21 and the subject can be detected more reliably.

  Next, with reference to FIG.5 and FIG.6, the modification of the endoscope apparatus 1 mentioned above is demonstrated. The endoscope apparatus 1 ′ according to the modified example is different from the endoscope apparatus 1 described above in that a flow rate measuring means 51 is provided instead of the pressure measuring means 42, and is common to the endoscope apparatus 1 in the remaining configuration. ing.

  The flow rate measuring means 51 is provided in the connector portion 17a, and measures the amount of intake air from the suction port 33 of the suction pipe 16 on the upstream side (side closer to the suction port 33) of the electromagnetic valve 46. As the flow rate measuring means 51, for example, a known flow meter such as an ultrasonic flow meter can be used. The intake air amount measured by the flow rate measuring unit 51 is output to the control unit 44 via the signal line 48.

  The control unit 44 controls the operation of the suction unit 41 based on the intake air amount and the detection signal input from the flow rate measurement unit 51 and the contact detection unit 43. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 44 compares the intake air amount input from the flow rate measuring unit 51 with a predetermined threshold value set in advance. When the amount of intake air is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the suction by the suction means 41 is continued assuming that suction is normally performed.

  When the inhalation amount is less than the threshold value, the control unit 44 determines whether or not the distal end portion 21 is in contact with the subject based on the detection signal input from the contact detection unit 43.

  If the inhalation amount is less than the threshold value, but it is determined that the tip 21 and the subject are not in contact with each other, for example, the amount of inhalation has decreased due to aspiration such as water or bleeding. Assuming that there is no suction to the mouth 33, the control means 44 continues the suction by the suction means 41.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the inhalation amount is less than the threshold value and the distal end portion 21 and the subject are in contact with each other, the control unit 44 determines that the subject is adsorbed to the suction port 33 and the suction means 33 The suction force at 33 is reduced.

  Thus, in addition to measuring the amount of inhalation from the suction port 3, the endoscope apparatus 1 ′ detects contact between the distal end portion 21 of the insertion portion 11 provided with the suction port 33 and the subject. ing. When the subject is adsorbed to the suction port 33, the amount of inhalation from the suction port 33 decreases and the subject comes into contact with the distal end portion 21 of the insertion portion 11 where the suction port 33 is provided. By detecting, it is possible to detect the adsorption of the subject to the suction port 33 more accurately. When the adsorption of the subject to the suction port 33 is detected, the suction force at the suction port 33 is reduced by the control means 44, so that it is possible to prevent the subject from being burdened.

It is a top view of an endoscope apparatus for explaining one embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view of the front-end | tip part of the insertion part of the endoscope apparatus of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the attraction | suction means of the endoscope apparatus of FIG. 1, and a structure accompanying it. It is a flowchart of control in the control means of the endoscope apparatus of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the suction means of the modification of the endoscope apparatus of FIG. 1, and a structure accompanying it. FIG. 6 is a control flow chart in the control means of the endoscope apparatus of FIG. 5.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope apparatus 2 Endoscope main body 3 Light source apparatus 4 Signal processing apparatus 5 Monitor 6 Pump apparatus (suction means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Insertion part 12 Operation part 13 Universal cable 14 Light guide 15 Signal line 16 Suction pipe 17a-17c Connector part 21 Tip part 22 Bending part 23 Soft part 24 Button 25 Knob 31 Illumination optical system 32 Objective lens 33 Suction port 41 Suction means 42 Pressure measuring means 43 Contact detecting means 44 Control means 45 Valve 46 Electromagnetic valve 47 Signal line 48 Signal line 49 Signal line 51 Flow rate measuring means

Claims (4)

A suction means having a suction port at the distal end of the insertion portion to be inserted into the subject;
Pressure measuring means for measuring the intake pressure of the suction port;
A contact detection means provided at the distal end of the insertion portion to detect contact with the subject;
Control means for controlling the operation of the suction means;
With
In the control means, the absolute value of the intake pressure (gauge pressure) measured by the pressure measurement means exceeds a predetermined value, and the contact between the distal end of the insertion portion and the subject is detected by the contact detection means. An endoscope apparatus that reduces the suction force at the suction port when the suction port is provided. A suction means having a suction port at the distal end of the insertion portion to be inserted into the subject;
A flow rate measuring means for measuring an intake air amount from the suction port;
A contact detection means provided at the distal end of the insertion portion, for detecting contact with the subject;
Control means for controlling the operation of the suction means;
With
The control unit is configured to perform the suction when the inhalation amount measured by the flow rate measurement unit is less than a predetermined value and contact between the distal end portion of the insertion unit and the subject is detected by the contact detection unit. An endoscope apparatus that reduces the suction force in the mouth. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
An endoscope apparatus in which the contact detection means is provided adjacent to the suction port. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
An endoscope apparatus in which the contact detection means surrounds the suction port.

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