Surgical apparatus

• US 20030055437A1
• Filed: 09/17/2002
• Published: 03/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Olympus Corporation
• Original Assignee: Olympus Optical Corporation Limited (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Yasunaga, Koji
• Granted Patent: US 6,962,563 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/130
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00042 for mechanical operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00096 Optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00149 using articulated arms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00154 using guiding arrangements for insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00183 for variable viewing angles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/042 characterised by a proximal camera, e.g. a CCD camera
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/3132 for laparoscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3445 used as instrument channel for multiple instruments catheters A61B2017/22072
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3449 whereby the instrument channels merge into one single channel
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3618 with a mirror
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/36 Image-producing devices or illumination devices not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/361 Image-producing devices, e.g. surgical cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/37 Surgical systems with images on a monitor during operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/50 Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms

Abstract

A surgical apparatus comprises a rigid sheath, an object observation mechanism and an observation optical axis rotating mechanism. The sheath has a distal opening and a proximal opening. The object observation mechanism is inserted into the sheath from the proximal opening. The observation optical axis rotating mechanism rotates the object observation mechanism about the axis of the sheath.

Claims

1. A surgical apparatus comprising:

a rigid sheath having a distal end having a distal opening, a proximal end having a proximal opening, and an axis;

an endoscope including an elongated, rigid insertion section having a proximal end and an insertion axis, a hand-side section connected to the proximal end of the insertion section, and an observation optical system having an observation optical axis deviated from the insertion axis of the insertion section, the endoscope being inserted into the sheath through the proximal opening; and

a holder movably provided on the proximal end of the sheath and holding the endoscope at a position eccentric with respect to the axis of the sheath, the holder being arranged such that the observation optical axis of the endoscope intersects the axis of the sheath.

2. A surgical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheath has a position limiting member provided on an outer peripheral portion of the sheath, the position limiting member holding the sheath and limiting a position of the sheath with respect to an object to be treated.

3. A surgical apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a treatment instrument to be inserted into the sheath from the proximal opening for treating an affected area included in the object.

4. A surgical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holder has a rotary member, an arm projecting from the rotary member to an inside of the sheath, and an endoscope holding portion provided at an inner end of the arm, the rotary member being slidably provided on the proximal end of the sheath and rotatable about the axis of the sheath.

5. A surgical apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the sheath has a flange outwardly projecting from the proximal end, and the rotary member has a sliding portion slidable on the flange, and a cover portion covering the flange together with the sliding portion.

6. A surgical apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the cover portion has a drop prevention member for preventing the rotary member from dropping from the sheath, the drop prevention member having an outer peripheral portion immovable with respect to an inner peripheral portion of the cover portion.

7. A surgical apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the rotary member has a movement-limiting member for permitting the rotary member to rotate relative to the sheath, and inhibiting the rotary member to rotate relative to the sheath.

8. A surgical apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the movement-limiting member has a pin inserted through the rotary member toward the axis of the sheath to thereby engage the rotary member with the sheath.

9. A surgical apparatus according to claim 4, wherein:

the endoscope holding portion has a cylindrical portion extending in a direction parallel to the axis of the sheath, an upper end of the endoscope holding portion being in contact with the end of the hand-side section; and

the endoscope also includes a connection portion held by the endoscope holding portion between a proximal end of the insertion section and the hand-side section, the connection portion having a cross section that is perpendicular to the insertion axis and is smaller than a cross section of the hand-side section.

10. A surgical apparatus according to claim 9, wherein:

the connection portion has a recess extending toward the insertion axis; and

the endoscope holding portion has an endoscope engagement portion detachably received in the recess.

11. A surgical apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the endoscope engagement portion includes a pin radially extending through the endoscope holding portion and pressed toward the insertion axis.

12. A surgical apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the recess has a slit for guiding the pin, and a deep recess deeper than the slit for receiving the pin.

13. A surgical apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the holder has an arm length adjustment mechanism interposed between the arm and the endoscope holding portion, the arm length adjustment mechanism permitting the arm to be moved in directions close to and away from the endoscope holding portion.

14. A surgical apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the arm length adjustment mechanism includes a guide portion formed in the endoscope holding portion and holding the inner end of the arm.

15. A surgical apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the guide portion has a through hole and a screw received in the through hole, the screw being engaged with the inner end of the arm.

16. A surgical apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the insertion section, the hand-side section and the observation optical axis are arranged coaxial with each other, and the hand-side section includes a camera portion rotatable about the insertion axis relative to the hand-side section, the camera portion being used to pick up an image on the observation optical axis, and the camera portion having a controller with an image processing function.

17. A surgical apparatus comprising:

a rigid sheath having a distal end having a distal opening, a proximal end having a proximal opening, and an axis;

an endoscope including an elongated, rigid insertion section having a proximal end and an insertion axis, a hand-side section connected to a proximal end of the insertion section, and an observation optical system having an observation optical axis deviated from the insertion axis of the insertion section, the endoscope being inserted into the sheath through the proximal opening;

a holder holding the endoscope on the axis of the sheath and being rotatable about the axis of the sheath relative to the sheath; and

an observation optical axis deviating mechanism provided on the observation optical axis of the endoscope, the observation optical axis deviating mechanism being arranged such that the observation optical axis of the endoscope at least intersects the axis of the sheath.

18. A surgical apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the sheath has a position limiting member provided on an outer peripheral portion of the sheath, the position limiting member holding the sheath and limiting a position of the sheath with respect to an object to be treated.

19. A surgical apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising a treatment instrument to be inserted into the sheath from the proximal opening for treating an affected area included in the object.

20. A surgical apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the holder has an arm projecting from the sheath in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the sheath, and an endoscope holding portion provided at an inner end of the arm and holding the endoscope on the axis of the sheath.

21. A surgical apparatus according to claim 20, wherein:

the endoscope holding portion has a cylindrical portion having an axis identical to the axis of the sheath and the insertion axis, an upper end of the endoscope holding portion being in contact with the end of the hand-side section; and

the endoscope also includes a connection portion held by the endoscope holding portion between a proximal end of the insertion section and the hand-side section, the connection portion having a cross section that is perpendicular to the insertion axis and is smaller than a cross section of the hand-side section.

22. A surgical apparatus according to claim 18, wherein:

the observation optical axis deviating mechanism is provided at the distal end of the sheath; and

the insertion section of the endoscope has a distal end inclined to the insertion axis such that the observation optical axis is guided to the observation optical axis deviating mechanism.

23. A surgical apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the observation optical axis deviating mechanism includes a reflection mirror in the form of a circular truncated cone provided on the distal end of the sheath, the reflection mirror being tapered from the distal end toward the proximal end of the sheath, the reflection mirror making the observation optical axis intersect the axis of the sheath.

24. A surgical apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the observation optical axis deviating mechanism includes reflection mirrors provided on the distal end of the sheath, the reflection mirrors being tapered from the distal end toward the proximal end of the sheath, the reflection mirrors making the observation optical axis intersect the axis of the sheath.

25. A surgical apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the sheath has a cylindrical member provided on an inner peripheral surface thereof, the cylindrical member having a distal end and a proximal end, the cylindrical member being rotatable about the axis of the sheath relative to the sheath and having a drop prevention mechanism for preventing the cylindrical member from dropping from the sheath.

26. A surgical apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the sheath has a flange outwardly projecting from the proximal end of the sheath, and the drop prevention mechanism has a flange outwardly projecting from the proximal end of the cylindrical member, the flange of the drop prevention mechanism projecting further outwardly than the flange of the sheath, the drop prevention mechanism also having a ring member fitted on an outer periphery of the flange of the cylindrical member, the ring member cooperating with the flange of the cylindrical member in holding the flange of the sheath.

27. A surgical apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the observation optical axis deviating mechanism is provided at the distal end of the cylindrical member.

28. A surgical apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the observation optical axis deviating mechanism includes a first reflection mirror positioned on the observation optical axis of the endoscope, and a second reflection mirror positioned on the observation optical axis resulting from reflection of the first reflection mirror.

29. A surgical apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the first reflection mirror has a driving mechanism for moving the first reflection mirror between a first position in which the first reflection mirror is positioned on the observation optical axis, and a second position in which the first reflection mirror is retracted from the observation optical axis.

30. A surgical apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the observation optical axis of the endoscope is identical to the axis of the sheath.

31. A surgical apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the driving mechanism has a driving portion, a shaft and a swing arm, the driving portion being provided at the distal end of the cylindrical member, the shaft being perpendicular to the insertion axis of the endoscope and rotated by the driving portion, and the swing arm having a proximal end thereof connected to the shaft and a distal end thereof provided with the first reflection mirror.

32. A surgical apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the second reflection mirror has a rotation mechanism for making the observation optical axis, resulting from reflection of the first reflection mirror, intersect the axis of the sheath.

33. A surgical apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the rotation mechanism includes a driving portion, a shaft and a block, the driving portion opposing the first reflection mirror on the observation optical axis with the axis of the sheath interposed therebetween, the shaft being located perpendicular to the first reflection mirror positioned on the observation optical axis, the shaft being rotated by the driving portion, the block having the second reflection mirror and being rotatable together with the shaft.

34. A surgical apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the endoscope includes a focal distance varying mechanism for adjusting, onto the axis of the sheath, a focal point of the endoscope on the observation optical axis resulting from sequential reflection of the first and second reflection mirrors, and a focal point of the endoscope on the observation optical axis resulting from retraction of the first reflection mirror from the observation optical axis.

35. A surgical apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the focal distance varying mechanism includes an optical system driving mechanism for moving the observation optical system along the insertion axis.

36. A surgical apparatus according to claim 18, wherein:

the insertion section, the hand-side section and the observation optical system are coaxial; and

an upper end of the hand-side section is provided with a camera portion for picking up an image on the observation optical axis, the camera portion having a sheath integration mechanism that rotates in accordance with rotation of the sheath about the axis of the sheath, and the camera portion being rotatable relative to the hand-side section.

37. A surgical apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the camera portion is connected to a controller having a video signal processing function.

38. A surgical apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the controller also has an image reversing function.

39. A surgical apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the hand-side section has a prism for erecting an image obtained from the observation optical system.

40. A surgical apparatus comprising:

a rigid sheath having a distal end having a distal opening, a circular proximal end having a proximal opening, and an axis;

an object observation mechanism having an observation optical axis inclined to the axis of the sheath, the object observation mechanism being inserted into the sheath; and

an observation optical axis rotating mechanism for rotating the object observation mechanism about the axis of the sheath.

41. A surgical apparatus according to claim 40, wherein the sheath has a position limiting member provided on an outer peripheral portion of the sheath, the position limiting member holding the sheath and limiting a position of the sheath with respect to an object to be treated.

42. A surgical apparatus according to claim 41, wherein:

the object observation mechanism includes an endoscope, the endoscope having an elongated, rigid insertion section having a proximal end and an insertion axis, a hand-side section connected to the proximal end of the insertion section, and an observation optical system having an observation optical axis deviated from the insertion axis of the insertion section; and

the observation optical axis rotating mechanism includes a holder holding the endoscope at a position eccentric with respect to the axis of the sheath, the holder being arranged such that the insertion axis of the endoscope is parallel to the axis of the sheath and the observation optical axis of the endoscope intersects the axis of the sheath.

43. A surgical apparatus according to claim 42, wherein the holder has a rotary member, an arm projecting from the rotary member to an inside of the sheath, and an endoscope holding portion provided at an inner end of the arm, the rotary member being slidably provided on the proximal end of the sheath and rotatable about the axis of the sheath relative to the sheath.

44. A surgical apparatus according to claim 41, wherein:

the object observation mechanism includes an endoscope, the endoscope having an elongated, rigid insertion section having a proximal end and an insertion axis, a hand-side section connected to the proximal end of the insertion section, and an observation optical system having an observation optical axis deviated from the insertion axis, the object observation mechanism also including an observation optical axis deviating mechanism for further deviating the deviated observation optical axis; and

the observation optical axis rotating mechanism includes a holder holding the endoscope at a position eccentric with respect to the axis of the sheath, the holder making the observation optical axis deviating mechanism deviate the observation optical axis to thereby make the observation optical axis intersect the axis of the sheath.

45. A surgical apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the observation optical axis deviating mechanism is provided at the distal end of the sheath, and the insertion section of the endoscope has a distal end inclined to the insertion axis to permit the observation optical axis deviating mechanism to deviate the observation optical axis.

46. A surgical apparatus according to claim 45, wherein the observation optical axis deviating mechanism includes a reflection mirror provided on the distal end of the sheath, the reflection mirror being tapered from the distal end toward the proximal end of the sheath, the reflection mirror making the observation optical axis intersect the axis of the sheath.

47. A surgical apparatus according to claim 41, wherein:

the object observation mechanism includes an endoscope, the endoscope having an elongated, rigid insertion section having an insertion axis, a hand-side section provided on the proximal end of the insertion section, and an observation optical system, the object observation mechanism also including an observation optical axis deviating mechanism for deviating an observation optical axis of the endoscope; and

the observation optical axis rotating mechanism includes a holder holding the endoscope such that the axis of the sheath is identical to the insertion axis.

48. A surgical apparatus according to claim 47, wherein the sheath has a cylindrical member provided on an inner peripheral surface thereof, the cylindrical member being rotatable about the axis of the sheath relative to the sheath and having a drop prevention mechanism for preventing the cylindrical member from dropping from the sheath.

49. A surgical apparatus according to claim 48, wherein the sheath has a flange outwardly projecting from the proximal end of the sheath, and the drop prevention mechanism has a flange outwardly projecting from the proximal end of the cylindrical member, the flange of the drop prevention mechanism projecting further outwardly than the flange of the sheath, the drop prevention mechanism also having a ring member fitted on an outer periphery of the flange of the cylindrical member, the ring member cooperating with the flange of the cylindrical member in holding the flange of the sheath.

50. A surgical apparatus according to claim 49, wherein the observation optical axis deviating mechanism includes a first reflection mirror positioned on the observation optical axis of the endoscope, and a second reflection mirror positioned on the observation optical axis resulting from reflection of the first reflection mirror, the first and second reflection mirrors being provided on the distal end of the cylindrical member.

51. A surgical apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the first reflection mirror has a driving mechanism for moving the first reflection mirror between a first position in which the first reflection mirror is positioned on the observation optical axis, and a second position in which the first reflection mirror is retracted from the observation optical axis.

52. A surgical apparatus comprising:

a rigid sheath having a distal end having a distal opening, a proximal end having a proximal opening, and an axis;

an endoscope having a rigid insertion section having a proximal end, a hand-side section connected to the proximal end of the insertion section, and an observation optical system, the endoscope being inserted into the sheath through the proximal opening; and

optical axis deviating means for holding the endoscope and rotating the endoscope relative to the sheath about the axis of the sheath, with a focal point of the endoscope on an observation optical axis of the endoscope fixed, the optical axis deviating means moving the observation optical axis.

53. A surgical apparatus according to claim 52, wherein the optical axis deviating means includes support means supporting the insertion section of the endoscope parallel to the axis of the sheath, and optical axis direction limiting means for maintaining a position in which the observation optical axis intersects the axis of the sheath.

54. A surgical apparatus according to claim 53, wherein the optical axis direction limiting means has optical reflection means for reflecting the observation optical axis to the axis of the sheath.

55. A surgical apparatus according to claim 54, wherein the optical reflection means has focal distance adjusting means cooperating with the endoscope to positioning, on the axis of the sheath, the focal point of the endoscope on the observation optical axis.