Endoscope holder

Provided is an endoscope holder capable of turning or swinging an endoscope inserted into a body with the endoscope fixed at a predetermined insertion position. An endoscope holder (1) includes a holder main body (3) having an insertion hole (2), gripping members (7a) and (7b) configured to pinch an endoscope E inserted into the insertion hole (2), first elastic members (12a) and (12b) configured to urge in a direction in which the gripping members (7a) and (7b) are separated from each other, a pressing member (13) configure to press the gripping member (7a) toward the gripping member (7b), a switching mechanism (17) configured to hold or release a pressing state, rollers (10) provided in gripping members (7a) and (7b), and a second elastic member (15) configured to swingably support the gripping member (7b).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an endoscope holder.

BACKGROUND ART

There has been known an endoscope holder configured to fix and hold an endoscope inserted into a body at a predetermined insertion position, which includes a pair of semi-cylindrical clips openably and closably provided at a distal end of a manipulating portion and a plurality of rollers being rotatably provided at inner surfaces of the clips and extending in the lengthwise direction (see Patent Literature 1).

It is preferable that the endoscope is fixed at a predetermined insertion position when the endoscope is inserted into the body to observe the inside of the body at the insertion position or perform a required treatment. The conventional endoscope holder pinches and grips the endoscope inserted into the body with the pair of semi-cylindrical clips, whereby the endoscope holder can fix and hold the endoscope at the predetermined insertion position.

It may be preferable that the endoscope is turned in a state in which the endoscope is fixed at the insertion position, in order to observe the surroundings of the insertion position or to perform the required treatment. At this time, since the conventional endoscope holder includes the plurality of rollers which are rotatably provided at an inner surface of the clip, the endoscope which is fixed at the insertion position can be turned by the rollers.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

It is preferable that the endoscope swing relative to an axial direction in a state in which the endoscope is fixed at the insertion position, so that the distal end of the endoscope approaches an intestinal wall, a stomach wall, or the like.

In view of the above-described circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope holder which can turnably fix and hold an endoscope inserted into a body at a predetermined insertion position, and can swing the endoscope in a state fixed at the insertion position.

Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope holder which can be easily attached to an endoscope.

Solution to Problem

To achieve such objects, an endoscope holder of a first aspect of the present invention is an endoscope holder which fixes and holds an endoscope inserted into a body at a predetermined insertion position, the endoscope holder comprising a hollow cylindrical holder main body which comprises an insertion hole into which the endoscope is to be inserted, first and second gripping members each having a plate-like body extending in a lengthwise direction of the insertion hole, and contacts the endoscope inserted into the insertion hole to pinch the endoscope, a first elastic member which is disposed between the first and second gripping members and urges the first and second gripping members in a direction in which the first and second gripping members are separated from each other, a pressing member which presses the first gripping member toward the second gripping member against an urging force of the first elastic member, a switching mechanism which holds or releases a pressing state by the pressing member, rollers which are rotatably provided at surfaces of the first and second gripping members which are in contact with the endoscope, along the lengthwise direction of the insertion hole, and a second elastic member which is provided between the second gripping member and an inner wall of the insertion hole, and swingably supports the second gripping member with respect to the lengthwise direction of the insertion hole.

In the endoscope holder of the first aspect of the present invention, the first and second gripping members each having a plate-like body extending in a lengthwise direction of the insertion hole are provided in the insertion hole of the hollow cylindrical holder main body, and the first elastic member urging in a direction in which the first and second gripping members are separated from each other is disposed between the first and second gripping members. The first gripping member is pressed by the pressing member toward the second gripping member against the urging force of the first elastic member, thereby pinching the endoscope between the first gripping member and the second gripping member. The pressing state by the pressing member is maintained by the switching mechanism, resulting that the endoscope holder of the present invention can hold the endoscope between the first and second gripping members, thereby capable of fixing the endoscope inserted into the body at the predetermined insertion position.

At this time, the first and second gripping members are provided with the rollers in the surfaces which are in contact along the endoscope, in the lengthwise direction of the insertion hole, and the rollers are rotatable. The rollers enable the endoscope pinched between the first and second gripping members to be turned in a state in which the endoscope is fixed at the predetermined insertion position in the body.

At this time, the second gripping member is swingably held in the lengthwise direction of the insertion hole by the second elastic member disposed between the inner wall of the insertion hole and the second gripping member. Accordingly, the endoscope pinched between the first and second gripping members can swing, together with the first and second gripping members, in the lengthwise direction of the insertion hole, in other words, in an axial direction of the endoscope, in a state in which the endoscope is fixed at the predetermined insertion position in the body.

When the pressing state by the pressing member is released by the switching mechanism, the first gripping member can be returned to the original position by the urging force of the first elastic member.

The endoscope holder of the first aspect of the present invention may comprise a third elastic member which is disposed between the first gripping member and the pressing member and swingably supports the first gripping member with respect to the lengthwise direction of the insertion hole.

According to this configuration, the first gripping member is also swingably held in the lengthwise direction of the insertion hole by the third elastic member disposed between the pressing member and the first gripping member, so that the endoscope pinched between the first and second gripping members can readily swing in the lengthwise direction of the insertion hole together with the first and second gripping members.

In the endoscope holder of the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of the second elastic members are preferably disposed in at least two positions along the lengthwise direction of the insertion hole. The second elastic members are disposed in at least two positions in the lengthwise direction of the insertion hole, thereby enabling the second gripping member to stably swing.

The endoscope holder of the first aspect of the present invention preferably comprises a restricting member on an inner wall surface of the insertion hole, the restricting member restricting mutual approach between the first and second gripping members. The endoscope holder of the present invention comprises the restricting member on the inner wall surface of the insertion hole, thereby enabling the endoscope to be prevented from being excessively firmly pinched between the first and second gripping members to thereby prevent the endoscope from being damaged.

It is preferable that the endoscope holder of the first aspect of the present invention comprise at least a pair of columnar members in the insertion hole, the columnar members being erected on opposite sides of a center axis of the insertion hole, and the first and second gripping members comprise hole portions into which the columnar members are to be inserted, and the hole portions each have at least a gap in the lengthwise direction of the insertion hole with respect to the columnar member.

The first and second gripping members comprise the hole portions, and the columnar members are inserted in the hole portions, so that the first and second gripping members can be moved along the columnar members when being pressed by the pressing member or being released from pressing.

On the other hand, when the first and second gripping members swing as described above, the first and second gripping members may be prevented from swinging due to the interference with the columnar members. However, in the endoscope holder of the first aspect of the present invention, the hole portions each have at least a gap in the lengthwise direction of the insertion hole with respect to the columnar member, thereby capable of preventing the columnar members from interfering with the first and second gripping member even when the first and second gripping member swing.

The endoscope holder of the first aspect of the present invention preferably comprises a fixing member which is provided on an outer peripheral surface of a distal end of the holder main body and detachably fixes the holder main body to a mouth piece. The endoscope holder of the first aspect of the present invention is fixed to the mouth piece by the fixing member, and is thereby capable of holding the endoscope inserted into the body through the mouth piece.

The endoscope holder of the first aspect of the present invention may have a deaeration preventing valve which seals between the endoscope inserted into the insertion hole and an inner wall of the insertion hole. According to this configuration, the deaeration preventing valve prevents deaeration from the body into which the endoscope is inserted, thereby capable of always maintaining good observation field of view of the endoscope in the body.

An endoscope holder of a second aspect of the present invention is an endoscope holder which fixes and holds an endoscope inserted into a body at a predetermined insertion position, the endoscope holder comprising a holder main body having a hollow square cylindrical shape which comprises an endoscope housing part with an opening in one side surface thereof, the endoscope housing part being configured to house the endoscope therein, first and second gripping members each having a plate-like body extending in a lengthwise direction of the endoscope housing part, and contacts the endoscope housed in the endoscope housing part to pinch the endoscope, a first elastic member which is disposed between the first and second gripping members and urges the first and second gripping members in a direction in which the first and second gripping members are separated from each other, a pressing member which presses the first gripping member toward the second gripping member against an urging force of the first elastic member, a switching mechanism which holds or releases a pressing state by the pressing member, rollers which are rotatably provided at surfaces of the first and second gripping members which are in contact with the endoscope, along the lengthwise direction of the endoscope housing part, and a second elastic member which is provided between the second gripping member and an inner wall of the endoscope housing part, and swingably supports the second gripping member in the lengthwise direction of the endoscope housing part.

For example, when the endoscope holder comprises a holder main body made of a hollow square cylindrical body but having no opening in one side surface thereof, the endoscope holder must be mounted to the endoscope by inserting the long endoscope into the holder main body from a distal end of the endoscope. In contrast, the endoscope holder of the present invention comprises a holder main body having a hollow square cylindrical shape and an opening in one side surface thereof, and an endoscope housing part configured to house the endoscope therein. According to the endoscope holder of the present invention, an opened side surface of the holder main body is set parallel to arbitrary portion in the lengthwise direction of the endoscope, and the endoscope is housed in the endoscope housing part from the opened side surface, thereby capably of easily mounting the endoscope holder to the long endoscope.

In the endoscope holder of the second aspect of the present invention, the first and second gripping members each having a plate-like body extending in a lengthwise direction of the endoscope housing part are provided in the endoscope housing part of the holder main body, and the first elastic member urging in a direction in which the first and second gripping members are separated from each other is disposed between the first and second gripping members. The first gripping member is pressed by the pressing member toward the second gripping member against the urging force of the first elastic member, thereby pinching the endoscope between the first gripping member and the second gripping member. The pressing state by the pressing member is maintained by the switching mechanism, resulting that the endoscope holder of the second aspect of the present invention can hold the endoscope between the first and second gripping members, thereby capable of fixing the endoscope inserted into the body at the predetermined insertion position.

At this time, the first and second gripping members are provided with the rollers in the surfaces which are in contact along the endoscope, in the lengthwise direction of the endoscope housing part, and the rollers are rotatable. The rollers enable the endoscope held between the first and second gripping members to be turned in a state in which the endoscope is fixed at the predetermined insertion position in the body.

At this time, the second gripping member is swingably held in the lengthwise direction of the endoscope housing part by the second elastic member disposed between the inner wall of the endoscope housing part and the second gripping member. Accordingly, the endoscope held between the first and second gripping members can swing in the lengthwise direction of the endoscope housing part, in other words, in an axial direction of the endoscope, in a state in which the endoscope is fixed at the predetermined insertion position in the body.

In the endoscope holder of the second aspect of the present invention, when the pressing state by the pressing member is released by the switching mechanism, the first gripping member can be returned to the original position by the urging force of the first elastic member.

The endoscope holder of the second aspect of the present invention preferably comprises a third elastic member which is disposed between the first gripping member and the pressing member and swingably supports the first gripping member with respect to the lengthwise direction of the endoscope housing part.

In the endoscope holder of the second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of the second elastic members are preferably disposed in at least two positions along the lengthwise direction of the endoscope housing part. The second elastic members are disposed in at least two positions in the lengthwise direction of the endoscope housing part, thereby enabling the second gripping member to stably swing.

The endoscope holder of the second aspect of the present invention comprises the third elastic member, and thereby the first gripping member is also swingably held in the lengthwise direction of the endoscope housing part, so that the endoscope held between the first and second gripping members can readily swing along the lengthwise direction of the endoscope housing part.

The endoscope holder of the second aspect of the present invention preferably comprises a restricting member on an inner wall surface of the endoscope housing part, the restricting member restricting mutual approach between the first and second gripping members. The endoscope holder of the second aspect of the present invention comprises the restricting member on the inner wall surface of the endoscope housing part, thereby enabling the endoscope to be prevented from being excessively firmly pinched between the first and second gripping members to thereby prevent the endoscope from being damaged.

It is preferable that the endoscope holder of the second aspect of the present invention comprise a plurality of columnar members erected along a side surface facing the opened side surface of the endoscope housing part, and the first and second gripping members comprise oblong hole portions into which the columnar members are to be inserted, and the oblong hole portions each have at least a gap in the lengthwise direction of the endoscope housing part with respect to the columnar member.

The first and second gripping members comprise the oblong hole portions, and the columnar members are inserted in the oblong hole portions, so that the first and second gripping members can be moved along the columnar members when being pressed by the pressing member or being released from pressing.

On the other hand, when the first and second gripping members swing as described above, the first and second gripping members may be prevented from swinging due to the interference with the columnar members. However, in the endoscope holder of the second aspect of the present invention, the oblong hole portions each have at least a gap in the lengthwise direction of the endoscope housing part with respect to the columnar member, thereby capable of preventing the columnar members from interfering with the first and second gripping member even when the first and second gripping member swing.

The endoscope holder of any one of aspects of the present invention comprises an arm supporting the holder main body at an arbitrary position and posture, and the holder main body may be integrally fixed to a distal end of the arm or detachably attached to the distal end. According to this configuration, the endoscope holder is supported by the arm at an arbitrary position and posture, thereby capable of holding the endoscope at appropriate position and posture corresponding to various conditions.

In this case, the endoscope holder of any one of aspects of the present invention may have an arm fixing unit configured to detachably fix a proximal end of the arm to a frame or a rail part of a bed or another fixing member. Thus, the arm is fixed to the bed or the like, thereby capable of holding the holder main body by the arm at an arbitrary position in a space on the bed at an arbitrary posture. Accordingly, the endoscope can be held at appropriate position and posture corresponding to various conditions of a patient undergoing a procedure on the bed.

The endoscope holder of any one of aspects of the present invention may hold a large intestine endoscope as an endoscope held by the endoscope holder. According to this, while the large intestine endoscope is appropriately held as described above, an examination can be performed on a patient on the bed with the large intestine endoscope.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, an endoscope holder1of a first aspect of the present embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 6.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the endoscope holder1of the first aspect of the present embodiment includes a hollow cylindrical holder main body3comprising an insertion hole2into which an endoscope E is to be inserted. The holder main body3includes a larger diameter part3a, and a smaller diameter part3bprotruding from a distal end of the larger diameter part3a, and the insertion hole2passes through the larger diameter part3aand the smaller diameter part3b. A pair of protruding fixing members4are provided at the distal end of the smaller diameter part3b.

As illustrated inFIG. 2A, for example, the endoscope E is inserted into a predetermined position in the body through a mouth piece MP and an over tube T connected to the mouth piece MP. At this time, the endoscope holder1with the endoscope E inserted into the insertion hole2is moved toward the mouth piece MP as indicated by an arrow.

Thus, as illustrated inFIG. 2B, the pair of protruding fixing members4provided at the distal end of the smaller diameter part3bof the holder main body3are fitted into recessed portions5provided in the mouth piece MP, respectively, so that the endoscope holder1can be detachably fixed to the mouth piece MP.

Note that, in the endoscope holder1of the present embodiment, the mouth piece MP is not used when the endoscope E is a lower portion (large intestine) endoscope as described later.

As illustrated inFIG. 3andFIG. 4, the endoscope holder1of the present embodiment comprises a pair of columnar members6aand6berected on opposite sides of a center axis in the insertion hole2, and first and second gripping members7aand7beach having a plate-like body extending in a lengthwise direction of the insertion hole2. As illustrated inFIG. 3, each of the first and second gripping members7aand7bcomprises a surface8having a circular arc shape in a cross-sectional view, and flat plate-shaped surfaces9continuously connected to both ends of the circular arc surface8, so that the circular arc surfaces8are in contact along the endoscope E, each of the circular arc surfaces8comprising a pair of rollers10which are rotatably provided in the lengthwise direction of the insertion hole2.

Hole portions11are provided in the flat plate-shaped surfaces9, and each of the columnar members6aand6bis inserted into the corresponding hole portion11. As a result, the first and second gripping members7aand7bcan be moved along the columnar members6aand6b.

Note that, inFIG. 5, the hole portions11each are an oblong hole extending in the lengthwise direction of the insertion hole2, but it is only required that the hole portions11each are provided with at least a gap in the lengthwise direction of the insertion hole2with respect to the columnar members6aand6b, and the hole portions11each may be a circular hole having a gap over the entire circumference of the columnar members6aand6b. When the hole portion11is an oblong hole, the hole portion11may have a gap with respect to the columnar member6aor6bto be inserted, the gap having the narrowest width at a center portion in the thickness direction of the first and second gripping members7aand7b, and a shape (an X shape, or a V shape in the upper half and an inverted V shape in the lower half) gradually expanding toward a surface of the gripping member from the center portion, in a cross-sectional view in the lengthwise direction of the insertion hole2.

Springs12aand12bare disposed with the respective columnar members6aand6bas axes between the first and second gripping members7aand7b, each of the springs12aand12bserving as a first elastic member urging in a direction in which the first and second gripping members7aand7bare separated from each other.

The first gripping member7ais connected to a pressing member13provided penetrating a side wall of the larger diameter part3aof the holder main body3, through a spring14serving as a third elastic member. The spring14is incorporated in the pressing member13. Here, the first gripping member7ais adapted to be pressed by the pressing member13toward the second gripping member7bagainst urging forces of the springs12aand12b. Note that the spring14is not necessary, and may not be provided.

On the other hand, the second gripping member7bis held by springs15serving as second elastic members which are disposed between the second gripping member7band an inner wall surface of the larger diameter part3aof the holder main body3. As illustrated inFIG. 4, in the present embodiment, the two springs15are provided along the lengthwise direction of the insertion hole2, but the number of springs15may be one or three or more.

For example, the pressing member13can maintain a pressing state of pressing the first gripping member7atoward the second gripping member7bby a ratchet mechanism by which a rack16provided on a side surface of the pressing member13is engaged with pawls18provided to a lever17serving as a switching mechanism. The lever17is urged by a spring19toward the pressing member13. In the ratchet mechanism, when the pressing member13is pressed down, the rack16presses the pawls18so that the pawls18is evacuated in a direction away from the pressing member13, and when the rack16passes through the pawls18, the pawls18is moved toward the pressing member13again to be engaged with the rack16.

When the lever17is operated in a direction away from the pressing member13against the urging force of the spring19as indicated by an arrow inFIG. 1, the engagement between the pawls18and the rack16is released, which enables the pressing state of the first gripping member7ato be released.

In the present embodiment, the pressing member13and the switching mechanism are implemented by the ratchet mechanism, but may be implemented by a so-called two-step knock mechanism (for example, see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-99691), a heart cam mechanism (for example, see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2014-11068), or the like.

As illustrated by way of example for the second gripping member7binFIG. 5, the two hole portions11are provided in the front-rear direction in each of the flat plate-shaped surfaces9which are connected to both ends of the circular arc surface8, so that the hole portions11are provided at four positions in total. In the present embodiment, the columnar members6aand6bare separately inserted into one hole portion each in the flat plate-shaped surfaces9, with respect to the above-described four hole portions11, so as to be placed in a diagonal direction, so that the pair of columnar members6aand6bare disposed with the center axis in between in a front view. However, the columnar members6aand6bmay be separately inserted into the four hole portions11, so that the number of columnar members6aand6bis four in total.

Note that in the endoscope holder1of the first aspect of the present embodiment, stoppers20may be provided between the first and second gripping members7aand7b, in a manner protruding from the inner wall surface of the larger diameter part3aof the holder main body3, so that the stoppers20restrict, as restricting members, the approach between the first and second gripping members7aand7b. Providing the stoppers20enables the endoscope E to be prevented from being excessively firmly pinched between the first and second gripping members7aand7b, thereby capable of preventing the endoscope E from being damaged. The stoppers20may extend a predetermined length along the lengthwise direction of the insertion hole2, or may be intermittently provided in place along the lengthwise direction of the insertion hole2.

The endoscope holder1may have a deaeration preventing valve21which prevents deaeration from the body to be observed by the endoscope E to secure good observation field of view. As illustrated inFIG. 4, for example, the deaeration preventing valve21can be fixed between a surface forming a step at a rear end of the smaller diameter part3bwhere the diameter is increased and a fixing annular member22by press-fitting or welding.

The deaeration preventing valve21is configured to have an opening at a center thereof through which the endoscope E passes when the endoscope E is inserted into the insertion hole2, and has a function of sealing between the inserted endoscope E and the insertion hole2.

Next, the operation of the endoscope holder1of the first aspect of the present embodiment will be described.

The endoscope holder1of the present embodiment is used in a state where the endoscope E which has been inserted into a predetermined position in the body through the mouth piece MP and the over tube T is inserted into the insertion hole2, for example. At this time, as illustrated inFIG. 2B, the fixing members4are fitted into the recessed portions5provided in the mouth piece MP, respectively, so that the endoscope holder1is fixed and connected to the mouth piece MP.

Next, as illustrated inFIG. 3andFIG. 4, when the pressing member13is pressed down, the first and second gripping members7aand7bare guided by the columnar members6aand6band are moved downward, and the first gripping member7ais pressed toward the second gripping member7bagainst the urging forces of the springs12aand12b. At this time, as described above, the rack16of the pressing member13is engaged with the pawls18of the lever17, which can maintain a pressing state of pressing the first gripping member7atoward the second gripping member7b, resulting that the endoscope E is pinched and held between the first and second gripping members7aand7b. As a result, the endoscope E inserted into the body is fixed by the endoscope holder1at a predetermined insertion position.

At this time, the endoscope holder1comprises the ratchet mechanism by which the rack16of the pressing member13is engaged with the pawls18of the lever17, so that the first gripping member7acan gradually approach the second gripping member7b. As a result, the endoscope holder1can securely hold the endoscope E between the first and second gripping members7aand7birrespective of the size of the diameter of the endoscope E.

In the endoscope holder1, the rollers10are rotatably provided on the circular arc surface8of each of the first and second gripping members7aand7b, so that the endoscope E can be turned in a state in which the endoscope E is fixed at the predetermined insertion position.

In the endoscope holder1, the first gripping member7aand the second gripping member7bare swingably held, in the lengthwise direction of the insertion hole2, by the spring14disposed between the pressing member13and the first gripping member7a, and by the springs15disposed between the inner wall of the larger diameter part3aand the second gripping member7b, respectively. Then, the endoscope E can swing, together with the first and second gripping members7aand7b, in an axial direction of the endoscope E in a state in which the endoscope E is fixed at the predetermined insertion position in the body.

At this time, in the endoscope holder1, the columnar members6aand6bare inserted into the hole portions11provided in each of the first and second gripping members7aand7b. Accordingly, as illustrated by way of example for the second gripping member7binFIG. 6, even when the first and second gripping members7aand7bswing, the columnar members6aand6bcan be prevented from interfering with the first and second gripping members7aand7b, resulting that the first and second gripping members7aand7bcan smoothly swing.

Note that in the present embodiment, the endoscope holder1is adapted to be fixed and connected to the mouth piece MP, but the endoscope holder1may be fixed to another instrument or the like, and is not necessarily connected to the mouth piece MP.

Next, an endoscope holder31of a second aspect of the present embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 7toFIG. 11.

As illustrated inFIG. 7, the endoscope holder31of the second aspect of the present embodiment comprises a holder main body32made of a hollow square cylindrical body, and the holder main body32comprises an opening33in one side surface of the hollow square cylindrical body. The holder main body32comprises an endoscope housing part34in the hollow square cylindrical body, the endoscope housing part34being configured to house the endoscope E to be inserted from the opening33.

As illustrated inFIG. 8toFIG. 10, the endoscope holder31of the second aspect of the present embodiment comprises, in the endoscope housing part34, first and second gripping members35aand35beach having a plate-like body extending in a lengthwise direction of the endoscope housing part34, and three columnar members36a,36b, and36cerected along a side surface32afacing the opening33. As illustrated inFIGS. 9A and 9B, each of the first and second gripping members35aand35bcomprises a surface37having a circular arc shape in a cross-sectional view and flat plate-shaped surfaces38continuously connected to both ends of the circular are surface37, so that the circular arc surfaces37are in contact along the endoscope E, each of the circular arc surfaces37comprising a pair of rollers39which are rotatably provided in the lengthwise direction of the endoscope housing part34.

An oblong hole portion40is provided in the flat plate-shaped surface38, and the columnar members36a,36b, and36care inserted into the oblong hole portion40. As a result, the first and second gripping members35aand35bcan be moved along the columnar members36a,36b, and36c.

A spring41is disposed with the columnar member36bas an axis between the first and second gripping members35aand35b, the spring41serving as a first elastic member urging in a direction in which the first and second gripping members35aand35bare separated from each other.

The second gripping member35bis swingably held, in the lengthwise direction of the endoscope housing part34, by springs42as second elastic members which are disposed between an inner bottom wall surface of the holder main body32and the second gripping member35b. As illustrated inFIG. 10, in the present embodiment, the two springs42are provided along the lengthwise direction of the endoscope housing part34, but the number of springs42may be one or three or more.

On the other hand, the first gripping member35ais connected to a pressing member43provided penetrating a top surface of the holder main body32, through a spring44serving as a third elastic member, in a swingable manner in the lengthwise direction of the endoscope housing part34. The spring44is incorporated in the pressing member43. Here, the first gripping member35ais adapted to be pressed by the pressing member43toward the second gripping member35bagainst urging forces of the spring44. Note that the spring44is not necessary, and may not be provided.

For example, the pressing member43can maintain a pressing state of pressing the first gripping member35atoward the second gripping member35bby a ratchet mechanism by which a rack45provided on a side surface of the pressing member43is engaged with pawls47provided to a lever46serving as a switching mechanism. The ratchet mechanism has the same configuration and function as that of the first aspect, and operates in the same manner as that of the first aspect.

As illustrated by way of example for the second gripping member35binFIG. 11, the oblong hole portion40is provided in the flat plate-shaped surface38on one side of the circular arc surface37. The columnar members36aand36care inserted into both ends of the oblong hole portion40, and the oblong hole portion40comprises a bridging portion49at a center of the oblong hole portion40. The bridging portion49comprises a circular hole portion49aso that the columnar member36bis inserted into the circular hole portion49a, and an end of the spring41is engaged with the bridging portion49. The oblong hole portion40has a gap around each of the columnar members36aand36c, and the circular hole portion49ahas a gap around the columnar member36b.

In the holder main body32, a pair of upper and lower stoppers50are provided between the first and second gripping members35aand35band on each of inner surfaces of the side surface32ain a protruding manner, so that the stoppers50restrict, as restricting members, the approach between the first and second gripping members35aand35b. The stopper50has the same configuration and function as the stopper20of the first aspect.

Next, the operation of the endoscope holder31of the second aspect of the present embodiment will be described.

As illustrated inFIG. 7, in the endoscope holder31of the present embodiment, the opening33of the holder main body32is set parallel to arbitrary portion in the lengthwise direction of the endoscope E, and the endoscope E is moved in a direction indicated by an arrow to be housed in the endoscope housing part34from the opening33, so that the endoscope holder31is mounted to the endoscope E.

Next, when the pressing member43is pressed down, the first and second gripping members35aand35bare guided by the columnar members36a,36b, and36cand are moved downward, and the first gripping member35ais pressed toward the second gripping member35bagainst the urging force of the spring41. At this time, as in the case of the first aspect described above, the rack45of the pressing member43is engaged with the pawls47of the lever46, which can maintain a pressing state of pressing the first gripping member35atoward the second gripping member35b, resulting that the endoscope E is pinched and held between the first and second gripping members35aand35b. As a result, the endoscope E inserted into the body is fixed by the endoscope holder31at a predetermined insertion position.

At this time, the endoscope holder31comprises the ratchet mechanism by which the rack45of the pressing member43is engaged with the pawls47of the lever46, so that the first gripping member35acan gradually approach the second gripping member35b. As a result, the endoscope holder31can securely hold the endoscope E between the first and second gripping members35aand35birrespective of the size of the diameter of the endoscope E.

In the endoscope holder31, the rollers39are rotatably provided on the circular arc surface37of each of the first and second gripping members35aand35b, so that the endoscope E can be turned in a state in which the endoscope E is fixed at the predetermined insertion position.

In the endoscope holder31, the first gripping member35aand the second gripping member35bare swingably held, in the lengthwise direction of the endoscope housing part34, by the spring44disposed between the pressing member43and the first gripping member35a, and by the springs42disposed between the inner bottom wall of the endoscope housing part34and the second gripping member35b, respectively. Then, the endoscope E can swing in an axial direction of the endoscope E in a state in which the endoscope E is fixed at the predetermined insertion position in the body.

At this time, in the endoscope holder31, the columnar members36aand36care inserted into the oblong hole portion40provided in each of the first and second gripping members35aand35b, the columnar member36bis inserted into the circular hole portion49aprovided in the bridging portion49of the oblong hole portion40, but the oblong hole portion40has a gap around each of the columnar members36aand36c, and the circular hole portion49ahas a gap around the columnar member36b. Accordingly, even when the first and second gripping members35aand35bswing, the columnar members36a,36b, and36ccan be prevented from interfering with the first and second gripping members35aand35b, resulting that the first and second gripping members35aand35bcan smoothly swing.

As illustrated by way of examples in which the endoscope E is a lower portion (large intestine) endoscope inFIGS. 12A and 12B, the endoscope holder1of the first aspect or the endoscope holder31of the second aspect of the present embodiment comprises an arm51supporting the holder main body3,32. The arm51comprises a plurality of joints52to securely hold the holder main body3,32supporting the endoscope E at an arbitrary position and posture, and is fixed, by an arm fixing unit54, to a bed53on which a patient P is positioned in a lateral decubitus position.

Here, as illustrated inFIG. 13, the holder main body3of the endoscope holder1of the first aspect may be integrally fixed to a distal end of the arm51, or as illustrated inFIGS. 14A and 14B, the holder main body3may be detachably attached to the distal end of the arm51. As a unit configured to detachably attach the holder main body3to the distal end of the arm51, for example, a clamp55awhich applies a clamping force using a torsional spring56can be used, as illustrated inFIGS. 14A and 14B.

As illustrated inFIG. 15, the holder main body32of the endoscope holder31of the second aspect may be integrally fixed to a distal end of the arm51, or as illustrated inFIGS. 16A and 16B, the holder main body32may be detachably attached to the distal end of the arm51. As a unit configured to detachably attach the holder main body32to the distal end of the arm51, a clamp55bwhich applies a clamping force using a torsional spring56can be used.

It is only required that the arm51can securely hold the holder main body3supporting the endoscope E at an arbitrary position and posture, and therefore various well-known arms can be used as the arm51itself.

As illustrated inFIG. 17andFIG. 18, for example, as the arm fixing unit54, a clamp61to configured to fix a proximal end of the arm51to a rail part57of the bed53can be used. The clamp61comprises a fixing part63which is screw-fitted to the proximal end of the arm51with thumbscrews62, and a movable part65which is fastened toward the fixing part63with thumbscrews64which is screwed into the fixing part63. The clamp61can be fixed to the rail part57by fastening the movable part65located on an upper side of the rail part57to the fixing part63which is brought into contact with a lower portion of the rail part57with the thumbscrews64, and pinching the rail part57between the fixing part63and the movable part65.

As illustrated inFIG. 19andFIG. 20, as the arm fixing unit54, a C-shaped clamp66to configured to fix a proximal end of the arm51to a frame58of the bed53can be used. The C-shaped clamp66comprises a fixing part68which is screw-fitted to the proximal end of the arm51with thumbscrews67, claw portions69aand69bwhich protrude from both ends of the fixing part68, respectively, in a direction perpendicular to the fixing part68, and a washer part71which is fastened toward the claw portion69awith a thumbscrew70which is screwed into the claw portion69b. The C-shaped clamp66can be fixed to the frame58by fastening the washer part71toward the claw portion69awhich is brought into contact with an upper surface of the frame58with a thumbscrew70which is screwed into the claw portion69blocated below the frame58, and pinching the frame58between the claw portion69aand the washer part71.

The arm fixing unit54is not limited to an arm fixing unit configured to fix the arm51to the rail part57or the frame58of the bed53as described above, but the arm fixing unit54may be fixed to another fixing member such as a table and a desk.

Note that a case where the lower portion (large intestine) endoscope is used as the endoscope E to be mounted to the holder main body3,32supported by the arm51has been described inFIG. 12toFIG. 20, but the endoscope holder1,31of the present embodiment can be used by mounting an upper digestive tract endoscope as the endoscope E to the holder main body3,32.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST