Endoscope system

• US 7,582,055 B2
• Filed: 08/09/2006
• Issued: 09/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Olympus Corporation
• Original Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corporation (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Onuki, Yoshio, Kura, Yasuhito, Nishiie, Takehiro, Komiya, Takaaki, Ichikawa, Hiroaki, Murakami, Kazushi
• Primary Examiner(s): Leubecker; John P
• Application Number:
  US11/501,356
• Publication Number:
  US 20080039685A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,119 Days
• Field of Search: 600104-106, 600/114, 606/1, 606/46
• US Class Current: 600/106
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00133 Drive units for endoscopic tools inserted through or with the endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/32 Devices for opening or enlarging the visual field, e.g. of a tube of the body dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/04 Endoscopic instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/06 Biopsy forceps , e.g. with cup-shaped jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/221 Gripping devices in the form of loops or baskets for gripping calculi or similar types of obstructions surgical snare instruments A61B17/32056
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/29 Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32056 Surgical snare instruments for removing or smashing calculi A61B2017/2212; tonsillotomes A61B17/26
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00212 using remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2212 having a closed distal end, e.g. a loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/742 Joysticks

Abstract

An endoscope system comprises multiple types of treatment tools including a treatment-tool insertion unit, and a function unit having a function for performing treatment; an electrically-driven operation device which electrically drives the function unit; an electrically-driven advance/retreat device which electrically drives the treatment-tool insertion unit; a control device including at least one of a control unit for outputting a control signal to the electrically-driven advance/retreat device and the electrically-driven operation device, and an operating program corresponding to a treatment tool; and an operation instructing device including a first operating instruction unit for outputting an instruction signal for placing the electrically-driven operation device and the electrically-driven advance/retreat device into a manually-driven operating state, and a second operating instruction unit for outputting an instruction signal for placing the electrically-driven operation device and the electrically-driven advance/retreat device into a programmed-control state by the operating program. When receiving either of the signal from the first operating instruction unit or the signal from the second operating instruction unit, the control unit performs control for outputting the control signal corresponding to the received signal to at least one of the electrically-driven advance/retreat device and the electrically-driven operation device.

Claims

1. An endoscope system comprising:

a treatment tool having a treatment-tool insertion unit to be inserted in a treatment-tool channel provided in an insertion unit of an endoscope and a function unit having a function for performing a certain treatment, which is introduced within a body cavity, provided at the tip side of the treatment-tool insertion unit;

an electrically-driven operation device which electrically drives the function unit;

an electrically-driven advance/retreat device which electrically drives the treatment-tool insertion unit;

a control device, which is electrically connected to the electrically-driven advance/retreat device and the electrically-driven operation device, the control device including a control unit for outputting a control signal to the electrically-driven advance/retreat device and the electrically-driven operation device, and an operating program corresponding to a predetermined use of the treatment tool;

an operation instructing device, which is electrically connected to the control device, the operating instructing device including a first operating instruction unit for outputting a first instruction signal for placing the electrically-driven operation device and the electrically-driven advance/retreat device into a manually-driven operating state, and a second operating instruction unit for outputting a second instruction signal for placing the electrically-driven operation device and the electrically-driven advance/retreat device into a programmed-control state by the operating program;

wherein, when receiving a first instruction signal output from the operation instructing device, the control unit of the control device outputs the control signal corresponding to the first instruction signal to at least one of the electrically-driven advance/retreat device and the electrically-driven operation device, and when receiving a second instruction signal output from the operation instructing device, the control unit of the control device executes the operating program, and outputs the control signal in accordance with an instruction of the operating program to at least one of the electrically-driven advance/retreat device, and the electrically-driven operation device.

2. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein when receiving a first instruction signal output from the operation instructing device, and a second instruction signal output from the operation instructing device simultaneously, the control unit of the control device cancels the first instruction signal, and the second instruction signal.

3. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit of the control device includes a determining unit,

and wherein the determining unit determines a running state of the electrically-driven operation device, and based on a determination result of the determining unit, the control unit outputs a control signal for operating the electrically-driven advance/retreat device, or the determining unit determines a running state of the electrically-driven advance/retreat device, and based on a determination result of the determining unit, the control unit outputs a control signal for operating the electrically-driven operation device.

4. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit of the control device includes a determining unit, and performs control for linking operation of the electrically-driven operation device with operation of the electrically-driven advance/retreat device.

5. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the function unit of the treatment tool comprising at least one of:

first detection means for detecting a running state by the electrically-driven advance/retreat device; and

second detection means for detecting a running state by the electrically-driven operation device;

wherein based on the detection result of the first detection means, or the detection result of the second detection means, the control unit outputs a control signal for instructing operation according to the detection result to at least one of the electrically-driven advance/retreat device and the electrically-driven operation device.

6. The endoscope system according to claim 5, wherein the function unit of the treatment tool is a tissue sampling unit;

and wherein when receiving the detection result of the first detection means, the control unit outputs a control signal for changing the tissue sampling unit from an open state to a closed state, and when receiving the detection result of the second detection means, the control unit outputs a control signal for holding the tissue sampling unit, which has been changed at least from an open state to a closed state, in a closed state.

7. The endoscope system according to claim 5, wherein the function unit of the treatment tool is a tissue sampling unit;

and wherein based on the detection result to be output from the first detection means, the control unit outputs a control signal for changing the tissue sampling unit from an open state to a closed state, and a control signal for holding tissue in a held state between the tissue sampling unit.

8. The endoscope system according to claim 7, wherein the control unit of the control device includes a computing processing unit for computing the amount of operation of the electrically-driven operation device and the electrically-driven advance/retreat device;

and wherein based on the computation results of the computing processing unit, the control unit outputs the control signal corresponding to the computation result to at least one of the electrically-driven operation device and the electrically-driven advance/retreat device.

9. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit of the control device includes a determining unit;

and wherein the control unit outputs a control signal to at least one of the electrically-driven operation device and the electrically-driven advance/retreat device based on results compared and determined by the determining unit between the amount of operation of the electrically-driven operation device and the amount set by the operating program, or results compared and determined by the determining unit between the amount of operation of the electrically-driven advance/retreat device and the amount set by the operating program.

10. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein when the treatment tool is a biopsy-forceps, the control unit comprises the following control steps:

a step for holding a tissue sampling unit serving as the function unit in an open state, and moving the tissue sampling unit toward tissue;

a step for changing the tissue sampling unit from an open state to a closed state; and

a step for holding the tissue sampling unit in a closed state.

11. The endoscope system according to claim 10, further comprising:

a step for performing processing for setting a point, where the second instruction signal is output, as a point of origin; and

a step for holding the tissue sampling unit in a closed state includes operation for moving the tissue sampling unit in a closed state to the point of origin.

12. The endoscope system according to claim 10, wherein in the step for changing the tissue sampling unit from an open state to a closed state, the tissue sampling unit is in a stopped state.

13. The endoscope system according to claim 10, wherein in the step for changing the tissue sampling unit from an open state to a closed state, the tissue sampling unit continues to move.

14. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein, when the treatment tool is a high-frequency snare, the control unit comprises the following control steps:

a step for matching movement in one direction of a snare portion serving as the function unit, and movement in the opposite direction as to the above one direction of the treatment-tool insertion unit; and

a step for determining whether or not movement in one direction of a snare portion serving as the function unit, and movement in the opposite direction as to the above one direction of the treatment-tool insertion unit match.

15. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein, when the treatment tool is a basket-forceps, the control unit comprises the following control steps:

a step for placing a basket serving as the function unit into an open state, and retreating the basket at a constant speed to take in a calculus while rotating the basket at a constant speed; and

a

step for setting a rotating state of the basket to a constant state, and also setting a retreating state of the basket to a constant state.

16. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein, when the treatment tool is a basket-forceps, the control unit comprises the following control steps:

a step for taking in a calculus by changing the interval between the wires making up the basket to an expanded state or a narrowed state while rotating a basket serving as the function unit;

a step for storing the calculus taken in the inside of the basket within the basket, and retreating the basket storing the calculus at a constant speed while rotating the basket at a constant speed; and

a step for setting a rotating state of the basket to a constant state, and also setting a retreating state of the basket to a constant state.

17. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein, when the treatment tool is an injector, the control unit comprises the following control steps:

a step for moving a needle tip of a needle tube making up an injector serving as the function unit toward tissue;

a step for monitoring a detection signal to be output from detection means provided at the needle tip to be punctured into the tissue;

a step for determining the amount of insertion of the needle tip based on the detection signal to be output from the detection means; and

a step for moving an inner cylinder of the injector to inject the amount of liquid, which is set, into tissue.

18. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein, when the treatment tool is a spray tool, the control unit comprises the following control steps:

a step for retreating the treatment-tool insertion unit inserted into a body cavity at a constant speed, and also moving the piston of a syringe at a constant speed to spray pigment; and

a step for monitoring whether or not the amount of retreat of the treatment-tool insertion unit has reached a predetermined distance.

19. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein, when the treatment tool is a marking tool, the control unit comprises the following control steps:

a step for moving the treatment-tool insertion unit from which a needle scalpel protrudes toward tissue;

a step for monitoring a detection signal to be output from detection means provided at the needle scalpel;

a step for determining the pressing pressure of the needle scalpel as to tissue based on the detection signal to be output from the detection means;

a step for outputting a control signal for electrically conducting a high-frequency current to the needle scalpel from a high-frequency power supply device for predetermined time; and

a step for determining whether or not the electrically conducting time has reached the predetermined time.

20. The endoscope system according to claim 19, wherein, when the treatment tool is a marking tool, the control unit comprises the following control steps:

a step for outputting a control signal for electrically conducting a high-frequency current to the needle scalpel from a high-frequency power supply device for predetermined time; and

a step for retreating the treatment-tool insertion unit a predetermined distance at a constant speed following the predetermined time elapsing.