JP2001078956A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance the durability of an endoscope against repeated use with varying flexibility by making it possible to vary the flexibility of an insertion part. SOLUTION: In an initial condition, a coil 36 and a wire 35 are arranged on a straight line as shown in Figure A selected. In the initial condition, if an image is seriously curved and collapsed, a nut 44 is loosened and a soft tube is rotated relative to a body member to make adjustments. In this case, since a coil stopper 40 is fixed to the body member, the rear end of the coil 36 is held in position while the other portions of the coil 36 are gently curved (Figure C). Thus, the wire 36 extending from the rear end is not remarkably bent as in Figure B, so that even if the soft tube is rotated relative to the body member for adjustments of the curving and collapsing of the image, the wire 35 is in no danger of being worn nor damaged by repeated used.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope provided with means for adjusting the flexibility of an insertion portion comprising a coil and a wire.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, by inserting an elongated insertion portion into a body cavity, a site to be inspected in the body cavity can be observed without the need for an incision, and a therapeutic treatment can be performed using a treatment tool if necessary. Endoscopes that can be used have become widely used.

[0003] The insertion portion of the endoscope is more flexible (softer) in a highly bent lumen such as the sigmoid colon, and is easier to handle, and is linear as in the transverse colon and the descending colon. On the other hand, in a lumen far from the anus, it is desirable that the flexibility is low (hard).

Conventionally, the insertion portion has a certain degree of hardness, so that it has been difficult to meet both requirements.

In order to cope with this, various endoscopes in which a flexibility adjusting means including a coil and a wire is provided inside the endoscope have been disclosed. The specific structure is shown in FIG.
It is shown in (A).

The coil 236 has a coil stopper 24 at the rear end.
0 is fixed, and the tip is fixed to the wire 235. The coil stopper 240 is fixed to the inside of the operation unit.

[0007] A wire stopper 245 is fixed to the wire 235, and the wire 235 is pulled by a pulling member 246 so that the coil 236 is connected to the coil stopper 240 and the wire 23.
The coil 236 is compressed between the portion fixed to the portion 5 and the coil 236 so as not to bend.

[0010] According to this configuration, the operator performing the endoscopic examination can adjust the insertion portion to the most appropriate flexibility with respect to the insertion site, thereby greatly improving the insertion performance. be able to.

[0009]

However, since the insertion portion of the endoscope has a large number of components assembled in series, errors in component dimensions accumulate toward the distal end, and the vertical and horizontal directions with respect to the operation portion. (The direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the insertion portion) is likely to be shifted.

More specifically, a vertical displacement between the CCD provided at the tip and the operation unit and a vertical displacement between the bending direction of the bending unit and the operation unit occur.

When performing an endoscopy, it is important to grasp the vertical direction of the distal end from the vertical direction of the operation unit because the insertion portion is inside the patient's body and its state cannot be actually checked visually. It is. Therefore, if there is a large deviation between them, operability will be significantly impaired.

Therefore, when assembling the insertion section to the operation section, an operation is performed in which the insertion section is rotated with respect to the operation section so that the vertical direction of the image / bend does not significantly deviate from the vertical direction of the operation section. (Hereinafter referred to as image / curve tilt adjustment).

However, according to the structure shown in the conventional example described above, the rear end side of the coil 236 is inserted into the insertion portion, and the wire 235 is inserted.
Since the pulling member 246 is provided for the operation unit, when this adjustment work is performed, the state shown by the broken line in FIG. 29B is obtained.

In this state, since the frictional force between the wire and the inner surface of the coil is large and the wire is locally bent,
There has been a problem that the wire is worn or broken by repeated use.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an endoscope capable of changing the flexibility of an insertion portion and improving the durability against repeated use of the change in flexibility. It is an object.

[0016]

An endoscope according to the present invention comprises an elongated insertion portion to be inserted into a lumen, an operation portion provided at a base end side of the insertion portion, and a long-length insertion portion inside the insertion portion. Insert portion hardness comprising a coil provided along an axis, a wire fixed at least partially to the coil, and a pulling member for pulling the wire in a substantially central axis direction on a rear end side of the coil. And a change mechanism.

In the endoscope according to the present invention, the pulling member pulls the wire in a substantially central axis direction on the rear end side of the coil, so that the flexibility of the insertion portion can be changed. It is possible to improve the repeated use resistance of the sex change.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 6 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope apparatus, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along line AA, BB, and CC of FIG. 2, and FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a detailed configuration of the cylindrical body, FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a connection state between the support member of the buckling member of FIG. 2 and the cylindrical tube, and FIG. FIG.

(Configuration) As shown in FIG.
Is an electronic endoscope 2 with built-in imaging means, a light source device 3 for supplying illumination light to the endoscope 2, and a signal processing device for signal-processing an imaging signal output from the endoscope 2. 4
And a color monitor 5 for displaying an image on a screen by a video signal output from the signal processing device 4.

The endoscope 2 includes an elongated insertion portion 6, a large-diameter operation portion 7 connected to the rear end of the insertion portion 6, and a universal extending from a side portion of the operation portion 7. Cable 8
The universal cable 8 is provided with a connector 9 at the extending end thereof, which can be detachably connected to the light source device 3.

The insertion portion 6 is connected to the rigid distal end portion 11 from the distal end side, a bendable tubular curved portion 12 connected to the rear end of the distal end portion 11, and to the rear end of the curved portion 12. It is made of a long and flexible tubular flexible portion 13, and the front end of the operating portion 7 is connected to the rear end of the flexible portion 13. Further, a folding member 10 to be described later is fitted on the outer periphery of the rear end of the flexible portion 13, and the folding member 10 is attached to a connection portion between the flexible portion 13 and the operation section 7.

In the endoscope 2, a light guide 14 composed of a fiber bundle having flexibility and having a function of transmitting illumination light is inserted through the insertion section 6, the operation section 7, and the universal cable 8. One end of the light guide 14 is connected to a light guide connector 15 fixed so as to protrude from the connector 9, and the other end of the light guide 14 is connected to an illumination window at the tip 11. Then, by connecting the connector 9 to the light source device 3, the light guide connector 15 faces the lamp 16 in the light source device 3,
The illumination light of the lamp 16 is condensed by the lens 17 and is incident on the incident end face of the light guide connector 15.

The illumination light transmitted by the light guide 14 is emitted forward from the illumination window of the distal end portion 11 and illuminates a subject such as an affected part. When an object is illuminated, a charge-coupled device (hereinafter abbreviated as CCD) serves as an imaging device having a function of performing photoelectric conversion by an objective lens 18 attached to an observation window provided at the distal end portion 11 adjacent to the illumination window. 19
The optical image is formed on the light receiving surface of the light emitting device. The CCD 19 converts the optical image into an electric signal.

One end of a signal cable 21 is connected to the CCD 19. The signal cable 21 is inserted through the insertion section 6, the operation section 7 and the universal cable 8, and the rear end thereof is connected to an electric connector 22 provided on the connector 9. An external cable 23 is connected to the electric connector 22, and the external cable 23 is connected to the signal processing device 4.

The drive circuit 2 of the signal processing device 4
The CCD drive signal generated in step 4 is applied to the CCD 19, so that the CCD 19 photoelectrically converts the image-captured image signals to be sequentially read. This image pickup signal is input to a signal processing circuit 25 in the signal processing device 4 and a process of converting the image signal into a standard video signal is performed. This video signal is input to the color monitor 5, and the image formed on the CCD 19 is displayed in color in the display area 5a of the endoscope observation image.

In the insertion portion 6, the bending portion 12 provided adjacent to the distal end portion 11 includes a plurality of ring-shaped bending pieces 26 which are rivets or the like at positions corresponding to the adjacent bending pieces 26 in the vertical and horizontal directions. And are rigidly connected to each other so as to be rotatable. The tip of a bending wire 27 is fixed to the bending piece 26 or the tip portion 11 at the forefront, and the rear end of the bending wire 27 is connected to a sprocket 28 in the operation section 7. A bending operation knob 29 for performing a bending operation is attached to a shaft of the sprocket 28.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a bending mechanism only in the vertical and horizontal directions for simplification.

Then, by operating the bending operation knob 29, one of the pair of bending wires 27 arranged in the up-down direction or the left-right direction is pulled, and the other is relaxed. The bending portion 12 can be bent to the 27 side.

A grip portion 31 is formed on the operation portion 7 at a position forward of a position where the bending operation knob 29 is provided. The surgeon grasps the grasping portion 31 and operates the bending operation knob 29 and the like with one of the grasped hands and the finger such as the thumb not used for grasping.

A treatment tool insertion port 32 is provided at a portion on the front end side of the grasping portion 31. When a treatment tool is inserted from the treatment tool insertion port 32, an internal treatment tool channel 33 is provided.
The distal end of the treatment tool is protruded from the channel outlet of the distal end portion 11 (see FIG. 3) so that a treatment such as polyp resection can be performed.

In the present embodiment, for example, a cylindrical hardness adjusting knob 34 for performing a hardness adjusting operation is provided at a front end portion of the operating portion 7 adjacent to the bending preventing member 10. The hardness changing wire (hereinafter simply abbreviated as a wire) 35 and the hardness changing coil (hereinafter, simply referred to as a wire) 35 for hardening the hardness changing means disposed in the flexible portion 13 of the insertion portion 6 by performing an operation of rotating the shaft around the axis. , A coil adjusting mechanism that can change the hardness of the soft portion 13.

FIG. 2 shows the insertion section 6 and the operation section 7 of the endoscope 2.
1 shows a more specific structure. The coil 36 and a wire 35 inserted through the coil 36 and transmitting a force when the hardness adjustment knob 34 is operated are provided in a soft tube 37 forming an outer cover of the soft portion 13. The coil 36 is formed by a close-wound or close-wound coil. The tip of the coil 36 is firmly fixed to the wire 35 inserted in the coil 36 by brazing or the like. The distal end of the wire extending portion 30 extending from the distal end of the coil 36 and forming the coil rotation restricting member is brazed to a rigid ring-shaped connecting tube 38 for connecting the curved portion 12 and the flexible portion 13. And is firmly fixed.

A connecting tube 38 connecting the bending portion 12 and the flexible portion 13 is fixed to the rearmost bending piece 26.
The rearmost bending piece 26 may be configured as a dual-purpose type having the function of the connection pipe 38. The bending piece 26 including the connection pipe 38 is covered with an elastic outer skin 39 such as a rubber tube.

The proximal end of the coil 36 abuts against a coil stopper 40 disposed inside the front end of the operation unit 7, and is fixed to the coil stopper 40 with wax, solder, adhesive, or the like. Movement and rotation are restricted (prevented). The wire 35 inserted into the coil 36 extends rearward through the hole of the coil stopper 40, and the wire 35 is movable in the axial direction with respect to the coil 36. Note that the coil 36 is in a state where it does not rotate greatly.

At the rear end of the flexible part 13, a rear end cap 41 as a connecting pipe provided for connecting and fixing the operation part 7 is provided.
Are attached together. The rear end cap 41 is provided near the front end of the main body member 43 disposed on the outer periphery thereof.
4. The coil stopper 40 is fixed to the main body member 43 with screws 42.

On the other hand, a ring-shaped wire stopper 45 is firmly fixed to the proximal end of the wire 35, that is, the rear end by brazing or the like. A traction member 46 that can move in the front-rear direction is disposed between the coil stopper 40 and the wire stopper 45.

A pulling member 46 is disposed at a position where the wire 35 extends straight from the hole of the coil stopper 40.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the pulling member 46 has a groove (hole) 48 which penetrates back and forth, and the wire 35 passes through the groove 48. That is, as shown in FIG. 3B, the groove 48 is formed long in the radial radial direction. Further, the traction member 46 is fixedly attached to an inner peripheral wall of a cylindrical moving ring 47 by a screw 49.

The moving ring 47 is fitted on the inner surface of the cylindrical main body member 43, and is slidably contacted with the inner surface so as to be movable in the axial direction (front-back direction). When the traction member 46 moves rearward together with the moving ring 47, the traction member 46 shown in FIG. 2 abuts against the wire stopper 45, and the operation of moving the traction member 46 further rearward can be performed.

When the wire stopper 45 is not moved rearward, the coil 36 whose rearward movement is regulated by the coil stopper 40 is in the state of the highest flexibility, that is, in the soft state of the lowest bending hardness. . In contrast,
When the coil stopper 40 moves to the rear side and the wire 35 also moves to the rear side at the same time, the rear of the coil 36 hits the coil stopper 40 and a compressive force acts to press the coil 36 relatively forward. That is, by applying a force to move the rear end of the wire 35 rearward, the coil 3
6, a compressive force is applied to the coil 6, which makes it possible to set the flexibility of the coil 36 having elasticity to a low state, that is, a hard state in which bending is difficult (more precisely, hardness against bending) is high.

In this case, the magnitude of the compressive force applied to the coil 36 is changed in accordance with the amount of backward movement of the wire stopper 45, whereby the degree of flexibility (the degree of hardness) of the coil 36 is reduced. It can be changed as appropriate.

On the other hand, a cam cylinder 51 shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 is fitted outside the main body member 43. Cam grooves 52a and 52b are spirally provided on the cam cylinder 51 at two opposing positions of the cylindrical member. The cam cylinder 51 is a two-row cam, and the cam groove 52a and the cam groove 52b have the same shape, and are symmetric such that the other overlaps the position where one of the cam cylinders 51 is rotated by 180 degrees with respect to the axis of the cam cylinder 51. Each is provided at a location. The cam grooves 52a and 52b have a smooth spiral shape.

The main body member 43 is provided with a long hole 53 along the longitudinal direction. And the above moving ring 4
7 includes two pins 5 which move together with the moving ring 47.
4 are provided. Each pin 54 is disposed so as to penetrate the corresponding cam groove 52a, 52b and the elongated hole 53 located inside thereof, and is fixed to the innermost moving ring 47 by a screw portion 54a. The long hole 53 is set to a length that covers the rear end of the wire 35 or the moving range of the wire stopper 45.

That is, the elongated hole 53 serves as a guide for guiding the pulling direction of the pulling member 46.

As shown in FIG. 3C, a cylindrical hardness adjusting knob 34 is attached to the outer periphery of the cam cylinder 51. A plurality of keys 71 projecting outward are provided on the outer periphery of the rear end of the cam cylinder 51, and key grooves respectively engaging with the corresponding ones of the keys 71 are provided on the inner periphery of the rear end of the hardness adjusting knob 34. 72 are formed. Therefore,
When the hardness adjustment knob 34 rotates around the axis, the cam cylinder 51 also rotates via the key 71 and the key groove 72.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the front end of the hardness adjusting knob 34 abuts on the annular cover member 73, and the forward movement is restricted. This cover member 7
Reference numeral 3 denotes an elastic member, for example, made of rubber, which is disposed so as to be fitted on the outer periphery of the support member 58 of the buckling member 10, and is provided between the rubber member 110 of the buckling member 10 and the hardness adjusting knob 34. The outer peripheral area of the member 58 is covered. Therefore, the female screw hole 11 formed in the support member 58
1 is covered by the cover member 73 so that it is not normally exposed to the outside.

The rubber member 110 of the breaking preventing member 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the outer periphery thereof is formed in a tapered conical shape with a thin front end. Then, the rubber member 110
Is pressed against and adhered to the outer peripheral surface of the rear end of the flexible portion 13 of the insertion portion 6.

The rear end portion of the rubber member 110 is fitted to the front end of the support member 58. A plurality of flanges 109 projecting outward are provided on the outer periphery of the distal end portion of the support member 58 to which the rear end portion of the rubber member 110 is fitted.
10 is hardly peeled off from the support member 58.

As shown in FIG. 2, a cylindrical contact member 57 is disposed on the outer periphery near the front end of the main body member 43, and the contact member 57 is connected to the support member 58 and the cam cylinder 5
1 and is assembled. The contact member 57 is formed of a resin having good slipperiness, for example, polyacetal or the like.

A cylindrical regulating member 74 is provided on the outer periphery of the main body member 43 so as to be fitted on the rear end side of the cam cylinder 51. An O-ring 76 is press-fitted and fitted in a groove 75 formed between a step formed on the outer periphery of the rear end portion of the regulating member 74 and the inner periphery of the front end portion of the gripping tube 61. The O-ring 76 ensures watertightness between the regulating member 74 and the holding portion cylinder 61.

A circumferential groove 77 is also formed on the outer periphery of the intermediate portion of the regulating member 74.
8 are closely mounted. The O-ring 78 is in pressure contact with the inner peripheral surface of the hardness adjusting knob 34 fitted on the outer periphery of the regulating member 74 to ensure watertightness at this position and to secure the hardness when the hardness adjusting knob 34 is rotated. A certain amount of frictional force is applied to the adjustment knob 34.

The outer peripheral surface of the front end of the grip portion cylindrical body 61 of the operation portion 7 is fitted tightly in an slidable state with an inner peripheral surface 64 formed by cutting out the rear end portion of the hardness adjusting knob 34. I have. In addition, the front end of the grip portion cylinder 61 is close to a state where the front end substantially abuts the rear end of the regulating member 74.

The hardness adjusting knob 34 is connected to the cover member 7.
Between the grip 3 and the grip portion cylinder 61, the cam 3 is fitted on the outer periphery of the cam cylinder 51 and the regulating member 74, and is attached in a state where the movement in the front-rear direction is regulated. The hardness adjustment knob 34 is rotatably disposed around the main body member 43 via the cam cylinder 51.

As described above, the hardness adjusting knob 34 can be rotated around the axis, but the restricting member 74 is fixed to the main body member 43 with a screw 79 so as not to rotate.

Further, there is a gap between the inner peripheral surface of the front end portion of the hardness adjusting knob 34 and the outer peripheral surface of the support member 58 facing the inside thereof.
A ring 62 is arranged to ensure watertightness at that location, and when the O-ring 62 is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the hardness adjustment knob 34, the hardness adjustment knob 34 is rotated when the hardness adjustment knob 34 is rotated. A certain amount of frictional force.

The main body member 43 has a rear end connected to a frame (not shown) to which the bending operation mechanism of the operation section 7 is attached by screws (not shown). The main body member 43 is mounted in a structure that does not rotate even when the hardness adjustment knob 34 is rotated.

As shown in FIG. 2, a flange portion 101 protruding inward is integrally provided on the inner peripheral surface of the distal end of the main body member 43. Further, a flange portion 102 protruding outward is integrally provided on the outer periphery of the rear end of the rear end cap 41. The end wall surfaces of the flange portion 101 and the flange portion 102 are in contact with each other from the axial direction.

Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the rear end cap 41,
A male screw 103 is formed on the outer peripheral surface located at a slightly distal end side from the flange portion 102.
A nut 44 which is a ring-shaped member having an internal thread cut into the inner peripheral surface thereof is screwed into the nut 3.
The flange 101 is fastened and fixed between the rear end cap 41 and the flange 102 of the rear end cap 41.

That is, the rear end base 41 is attached to the flange 1
By sandwiching the flange portion 101 from both sides in the axial direction between the nut 02 and the nut 44, the flange portion 101 is fixedly attached to the main body member 43 without slack.

A circumferential groove 80 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rear end base 41 at a position closer to the distal end than the male screw 103, and the O-ring 10 is formed in the groove 80.
4 are provided. The O-ring 104 supports the support member 5
8 and is in pressure contact with the inner peripheral surface of the nozzle 8 to maintain watertightness at this portion.

In the rear end cap 41, the O-ring 1
As shown in FIG. 2, a groove 105 is formed on the outer surface located on the distal end side from the position where the 04 is provided. Also, a plurality of female screw holes 1 are arranged radially through the support member 58 so as to face the groove 105.
11 are formed. Female screw hole 111 of support member 58
A screw 106 is screwed into the groove 105, and the tip of the screw 106 is fitted into the groove 105. That is, the support member 58 is assembled to the rear end cap 41 by the screw 106. The engagement between the groove 105 and the screw 106 serves as an engagement portion that regulates the movement of the flexible portion 13 in the longitudinal direction with respect to the rear end thereof, and hardly restricts the movement in the rotation direction. ing.

The supporting member 5 from which the female screw hole 111 is exposed.
8 is covered with the cover member 73 described above.

As shown in FIG. 5 in which the rear end side of the support member 58 is viewed from the side, a notch 107 opening at the rear end is provided at the rear end of the support member 58.
A pin 108 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the main body member 43, and the pin 108 is fitted into and engaged with the notch 107. Thus, an engaging portion that restricts the movement of the folding member 10 in the rotation direction with respect to the operation portion 7 and does not restrict the movement in the longitudinal direction is formed.

FIG. 3A shows the inside of the insertion portion 6 of the endoscope 2.
As shown in the figure, various built-in components are arranged. That is, four curved wires 27 arranged at positions corresponding to up, down, left and right, two signal cables 21 arranged near the center, two light guides 14 arranged at the upper part of the center, and the lower part. , A treatment instrument channel 33 disposed on the left side, a coil 36 and a wire 35 disposed on the left side, an air supply tube 69 for performing air supply disposed adjacent thereto, and a water supply tube 70 for supplying water are incorporated. Have been. Various built-in components are also arranged in the operation unit 7 as shown in FIG.

(Operation / Effect) In the endoscope 2, when the hardness adjusting knob 34 is rotated, the cam cylinder 51 also rotates, so that the pin 54 moves in the cam grooves 52a and 52b, and the traction member 46 is moved. Move backward. When the traction member 46 slightly moves in this way, it hits the wire stopper 45,
Further, as the traction member 46 moves rearward, the wire 3
5 is pulled, compressive force is applied to the coil 36, and the coil 36 is hardened. Thereby, the flexible portion 13 can be hardened.

Next, the operation and effect of the arrangement of the coil stopper 40 and the wire 35, which is the gist of the present invention, will be described.

In the initial state, as shown in FIG.
The coil 36 and the wire 35 are arranged on a straight line.

In the initial state, if the image / curve falls sharply, adjustment is performed by loosening the nut 44 and rotating the flexible tube 37 with respect to the main body member 43.

At this time, since the coil stopper 40 is fixed to the main body member 43, the other part of the coil 36 is gently curved while the position of the rear end of the coil 36 is maintained (FIG. 6).
(C)).

Therefore, the wire 36 extending from the rear end is
Since the flexible tube 37 does not bend significantly as shown in FIG. 6 (B), even if the flexible tube 37 is rotated with respect to the main body member 43 for adjusting the image / curling, the wire 35 is worn or damaged by repeated use. There is no danger.

Also, in this embodiment, even if the insertion section is rotated to a considerable angle with respect to the operation section, the coil is gently bent and the wire is not broken, so that adjustment of the image / curved tilt is very small. There is an effect that it can be performed in a wide range.

(Second Embodiment) FIGS. 7 to 25 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of an insertion section and an operation section of an endoscope. FIG. 9 is an explanatory view illustrating a connection state between the protruding portion and the jumpsuit member of FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory view illustrating a connection state of a modification of the first main body member and the second main body member of FIG. 10 is a first explanatory view for explaining an assembling procedure of the endoscope of FIG. 7, FIG. 11 is a second explanatory view for explaining an assembling procedure of the endoscope of FIG. 7, and FIG. 12 is an endoscope of FIG. FIG. 13 is a fourth explanatory view for explaining the assembling procedure of the endoscope in FIG. 7, and FIG. 14 is a fifth explanatory view for explaining the assembling procedure of the endoscope in FIG. Illustration of FIG. 15
FIG. 16 is a sixth explanatory view illustrating the procedure of assembling the endoscope of FIG. 7, FIG. 16 is a seventh explanatory view illustrating the procedure of assembling the endoscope of FIG. 7, and FIG. Eighth explanatory view for explaining the assembling procedure, FIG. 18 is a ninth explanatory view for explaining the assembling procedure of the endoscope in FIG. 7, and FIG. 19 is a tenth explanatory view for explaining the assembling procedure of the endoscope in FIG. FIG. 20 is an eleventh explanatory diagram for explaining the procedure for assembling the endoscope in FIG. 7, FIG. 21 is a twelfth explanatory diagram for explaining the procedure for assembling the endoscope in FIG. 7, and FIG. FIG. 13 is a thirteenth explanatory view for explaining the assembling procedure of the endoscope of FIG. 7, FIG. 23 is a fourteenth explanatory view for explaining the assembling procedure of the endoscope of FIG. 7, and FIG. FIG. 25 is a fifteenth explanatory view for explaining the assembling procedure of the endoscope of FIG. 7.

Since the second embodiment is almost the same as the first embodiment, only different points will be described, and the same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

(Structure) As shown in FIG.
Is a protruding portion 154 extending in the axial direction of the base at the rear end side.
Are provided integrally.

As shown in FIG. 8, the projection 154 projects in a semicircle so as to avoid the coil stopper 40. A cylindrical jumpsuit member 15 is provided on the outer surface of the protrusion 154.
5 are fitted. The coil stopper 40 is integrally attached to the jumper member 155 by a screw 42.

A first main body member 157 made of aluminum is integrally attached to a rear end portion of the jumper member 155 by screws 156. A second main body member 158 made of stainless steel is integrally fixed to the front end of the jumper member 155 by a pin 108. First body member 1
57, the second main body member 158 has a shape obtained by dividing the main body member 43 of the first embodiment at the distal end side.

In this embodiment, the jumper member 155
The first body member 157 and the second body member 158
Is connected, but as another example, FIG.
As shown in (B), the first main body member 157 and the second main body member 158 may be directly assembled with screws. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

(Assembling Method) Next, a method of assembling the endoscope of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 7 will be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 10, the insertion unit 123 is assembled. That is, the rear end cap 41 is integrally attached to the rear end of the flexible portion 13, the O-ring 104 is attached to the outer periphery of the rear end cap 41, and the hardness changing wire 3 is further attached.
5. Assemble the hardness changing coil 36, the coil stopper 40, the wire stopper 45, and the jumper member 155.

The inside of the insertion unit 123 is
Various built-in components are arranged, and they extend from the rear end of the insertion unit 123, but they are not shown for the sake of simplicity.

Next, the moving ring 47 is arranged at the position shown in FIG. The moving ring 47 is a C-shaped cylindrical member, and is arranged at a position shown in FIG. 12 so as to guide a built-in object (not shown) from the cutout portion 125 into the inside thereof. That is, the moving ring 47 is configured to be fitted from the side surface to the built-in member extending from the rear end of the insertion unit 123.

Next, the pulling member 46 having an inverted U-shape and having flanges 126 on both sides of the bottom surface and abutting against the inner surface of the moving ring 47 is inserted into the inverted U-shaped groove 127 into a hardness changing wire 35.
Is inserted, as shown in FIG.
4 secures the inner surface of the moving ring 47 with screws.

In the present embodiment, the moving ring 47 and the traction member 46 are formed separately, but as shown in FIG.
It may be integrated as shown in FIG.

The assembling method in this case is as follows.
Is provided with a large hole portion 159 having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the wire stopper 45. First, the wire stopper 45 is passed through this (FIG. 13A).

After the wire stopper 45 has passed through the large hole 159, as shown in FIG. 13B, the outer diameter of the wire stopper 45 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the wire stopper 45.
The wire 35 is moved to the position of the small hole 160 having a slightly larger outer diameter and communicating with the large hole.

In a completely assembled state, the elasticity of the wire 35 prevents the wire stopper 45 from dropping into the large hole.

Next, as shown in FIG. 14, the first main body member 157 is moved from the distal end of the insertion portion 6 toward the rear end of the flexible portion 13 while the flexible portion 13 is inserted inside.

As shown in FIG. 15, the first body member 15
7 is screwed to the operation unit side end of the jumper member 155.

Next, the second main body member 158 is inserted in the same manner as the first cylindrical tube, and as shown in FIG.
Screw on the tip end of

Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the nut 44 is moved from the distal end of the insertion portion 6 toward the rear end of the flexible portion 13 while the flexible portion 13 is inserted thereinto, and screwed into the male screw 103. . At this time, the nut 44 is screwed relatively loosely.

Next, as shown in FIG. 17, the cylindrical tube 43 is screwed and fixed to the support member 128 fixed to the operation section 7 and extending from the tip end thereof.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG.
The nut 44 is tightly tightened while aligning the up, down, left, and right directions with the up, down, left, and right directions of the operation unit.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the exterior member 129 of the operation section 7 is moved in the rear direction of the flexible section 13 while the flexible section 13 is inserted from the distal end of the insertion section 6 to the inside. Let it. The exterior member 129 of the operation unit 7 is fixed at a fixed position by assembling the treatment instrument insertion port 32.

Further, as shown in FIG. 19 and FIG.
The restricting member 74 to which the rings 76 and 78 are attached is moved from the front end to the rear end direction of the soft portion 13 until the soft member 13 abuts on the front end side inner end face of the exterior member 129 of the operation portion.

Thereafter, the regulating member 7 is
Screw 4 is fixed.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, while inserting the flexible portion 13 from the distal end of the insertion portion 6 into the inside,
The cam cylinder 51 is moved toward the rear end of the flexible portion 13 until it comes into contact with the regulating member 74. In that state, the cam groove 52
b, the pin 5 is connected to the moving ring 47 through the elongated hole 53.
4 is engaged. Similarly, the pin 54 is engaged with the moving ring 47 via the cam groove 52a and the elongated hole 53.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the contact member 57 abuts the cam cylinder 51 toward the rear end of the flexible portion 13 while the flexible portion 13 is inserted from the distal end of the insertion portion 6 into the inside. Move up to After that, the pin 108 is engaged with the cylindrical tube 43.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the hardness adjusting knob 34 is inserted from the distal end of the insertion portion 6 into the soft portion 1.
3 while inserting the key 71 toward the rear end of the flexible portion 13.
Move until it hits. At this time, the key groove 72 and the key 71 are fitted as shown in FIG. Then, the bending-preventing member 10 to which the O-ring 62 is attached is inserted through the flexible portion 13 from the tip of the insertion portion 6 to the inside.
The flexible portion 13 is moved toward the rear end until it abuts against the contact member 57. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the pin 108 fits into the notch 107.

Next, as shown in FIG.
1, the bend preventing member 10 is screwed to the circumferential groove 105.

Thereafter, the cover member 73 is inserted into the flexible portion 13 from the distal end of the insertion portion 6 while the flexible portion 13 is inserted thereinto.
To the rear end.

As shown in FIG. 25, the cover member 73 covers the support member 58 while being elastically deformed. At this time, the protrusion on the rear end side of the cover member 73 comes into contact with the inner periphery of the front end of the hardness adjustment knob 34.

(Function / Effect) In the structure shown in FIG. 7, when inserting the first main body member 157 from the front end (FIGS. 14 and 15), the inner surfaces of the jumper member 155 and the first main body member 157 will be described. Interfere with each other, and the position of the jumpsuit member 155 is easily shifted to the rear end side.

When the position of the jumper member 155 shifts, the first
Since the work of assembling the main body member 157 and the jumpsuit member 155 with the screw 156 cannot be performed, it is necessary to perform positioning again.

Assuming that the first main body member 157 and the second main body member 158 are integrated as shown in FIG. 2, after the main body member is inserted from the tip, the jumpsuit member 155 is completely removed. Since it is hidden inside the main body member, the position of the jumpsuit member 155 cannot be re-adjusted as it is. Therefore, it is necessary to attach the main body member again.

Therefore, when the main body member is integrated, it is necessary to perform the work while paying attention so that the position of the jumper member does not shift, which is very troublesome in terms of work.

If there are two main members as in the structure of FIG. 7, even after the first main member 157 is assembled, the jumper member 155 is in a position where it can be seen from the outside.

Therefore, even when the main body member is assembled,
The work of positioning the jumpsuit member 155 can be performed, and the assemblability is very good.

In the structure shown in FIG. 9A, the extension portions 157a and 158a need to have a certain thickness to secure the strength.

Further, the inner diameter of the main body member must be secured to a certain value or more due to the arrangement of the built-in components.

As a result, the size of the main body member becomes large, and there is a problem that the operation section becomes large.

In the structure of FIG. 9B, since the main body members are overlapped and fixed, the size of the main body member on the side to be fitted becomes large, which also has the disadvantage of increasing the size of the operation section.

According to the structure shown in FIG. 7, the main body member can be made thin as a whole, and the strength can be sufficiently secured.

Therefore, the size of the operation unit can be reduced as compared with FIGS. 9A and 9B, so that the operability can be further improved.

In this embodiment, the jumper member 155
The coil stopper 40 is fixed to the main body member, but the thickness of the jumper member 155 can be increased as compared with the main body member. Therefore, according to the structure of FIG. 7, the mounting strength of the coil stopper can be improved as compared with the case of directly fixing the coil stopper as shown in FIG.

Since the fixed portion of the coil stopper 40 receives a strong reaction force from the coil 36 when the wire 35 is pulled, it is required to have strength. Therefore, the above structure makes it difficult for the fixed portion to be deformed, and is resistant to repeated use. There is an effect that is improved.

In the present embodiment, the projection 154 is provided integrally with the rear end base 41.

In the structure without the protruding portion 154, it is necessary to assemble the rear end cap 41 and the jumper member with the main body member while holding both.

According to the present embodiment, since the assembling to the main body member can be performed with the jumper member 155 placed on the projecting portion 154, only the rear end cap 41 needs to be gripped. Therefore, assembling work is better than a structure without the protrusion 154.

Further, a high stress is applied to the flange portion at the tip of the main body member 157, but it has sufficient strength because the material is stainless steel. The main body member 158 is made of aluminum, which helps to reduce the weight of the operation unit.

As described above, by dividing the cylindrical tube and changing the material, the functionality is further improved.

(Third Embodiment) FIGS. 26 to 28
FIG. 26 is a sectional view showing a configuration of an insertion section and an operation section of an endoscope, and FIG. 27 is a sectional view of FIG.
FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along line FF of FIG. 6, and FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection state between the traction member and the extending portion in FIG.

Since the third embodiment is almost the same as the first embodiment, only different points will be described, and the same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

(Structure) As shown in FIGS. 26 and 27,
The coil stopper 40 is fixed to the rear end base 41 with screws. At the rear end of the rear end cap 41, an extension 162 that extends cylindrically in the axial direction is provided integrally. The extension 162 is provided with a notch 161 that opens to the rear end side. A cylindrical moving ring 47 is fitted on the outer periphery of the extension 162. The moving ring 47 is integrally provided with a traction member 46 protruding inwardly at a position corresponding to the notch 161.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 28A and 28B, the moving ring 47 cuts the
1 and is fitted to the extension 162 and is movable in the longitudinal direction.

Like the traction member of the second embodiment, the traction member 46 is provided with a large hole 159 and a small hole 160 communicating with each other, and the wire 35 communicates with the small hole 160. ing.

The method of inserting the wire 35 into the small hole is the same as the method shown in the second embodiment.

The main body member 43 is provided with a long hole 53 along the longitudinal direction, and the width thereof is sufficiently larger than the pin 54.

Each pin 54 has a corresponding cam groove 52.
a, 52b and an elongated hole 53 located inside thereof are disposed so as to penetrate therethrough, and are fixed to the innermost moving ring 47 by a screw portion 54a.

The other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment.

(Operation / Effect) In the first and second embodiments, the elongated hole 53 serves as a guide for guiding the pin 54 in the longitudinal direction. In the present embodiment, the pin 53 is provided integrally with the rear end cap 41. The cutout 161 serves as a guide.

Therefore, in order to adjust the image / curved tilt,
When the nut 44 is loosened and the rear end cap 41 is rotated with respect to the main body member 43, the guide portion rotates together with the cap.

The base is rotatable to the extent that the pin 54 contacts the side surface of the long hole 53.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6A, since the coil 36 and the wire 35 rotate in a straight line, the load on the wire 35 is reduced as compared with the first and second embodiments, and the coil 35 is used repeatedly. Improves time tolerance.

[Appendix] (Appendix 1) An elongated insertion section to be inserted into a lumen, an operation section provided on the base end side of the insertion section, a coil provided inside the insertion section, An insertion portion hardness changing mechanism comprising a wire fixed at least partially to the coil and a pulling member for pulling the wire in a direction of a substantially central axis on a rear end side of the coil. Endoscope.

In the endoscope according to Additional Item 1, since the wire is not sharply bent even when the insertion portion is rotated with respect to the operation portion, since the wire is adjusted with respect to the image / curved tilt, the wire may be worn or broken. Absent.

(Additional Item 2) An additional item 1 characterized in that the coil has a rear end fixed to the operation portion, and has a guide portion provided on the operation portion to guide the traction member in the traction direction. An endoscope according to claim 1.

In the endoscope of the additional item 2, in addition to the effect of the additional item 1, the adjustment range of the image bending / falling (the rotatable angle of the insertion portion) is larger than that of the configuration of the additional item 1.

(Additional Item 3) An additional item 1 characterized in that the coil has a rear end fixed to the insertion portion, and has a guide portion provided on the insertion portion and guiding the traction member in the traction direction. An endoscope according to claim 1.

In the endoscope of the additional item 3, in addition to the effect of the additional item 1, since the coil remains in a straight line state, the wear of the wire can be further reduced as compared with the configuration of the additional item 1.

(Additional Item 4) A first cylindrical main body member fixed to the operation portion, and a rear end fixed to the first main body member and a front end fixed to a rear end side of the insertion portion. 2. The endoscope according to claim 1, further comprising a cylindrical second main body member.

In the endoscope according to the additional item 4, in addition to the effect of the additional item 1, since the positioning of various parts to be assembled inside the first main body member is easy, the assembling work is very easy. .

(Additional Item 5) The endoscope according to additional item 4, wherein the first main body member and the second main body member are made of different materials.

According to the endoscope of the additional item 5, in addition to the effect of the additional item 4, characteristics such as strength, measurement, and the like are adjusted in accordance with the functions required by the first main body member and the second main body member. Can be improved.

(Additional Item 6) The endoscope according to Additional Item 5, wherein the material of the first main body is made of aluminum and the material of the second main body is made of stainless steel.

In the endoscope according to the additional item 6, in addition to the effect of the additional item 5, the first main body member to which a high stress is applied can increase the strength, and the second main body member can be weighed.
Functionality is further improved.

(Additional Item 7) A first cylindrical main body member fixed to the operation portion, and a second cylindrical main body member connected and fixed to a rear end side of the insertion portion. , The first
2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope includes a main body member and a tubular jumpsuit member serving as the second main body member.

According to the endoscope of the additional item 7, in addition to the effect of the additional item 1, the positioning of various parts to be assembled inside the first main body member is easy, so that the assembling work is very easy. In addition, the first and second body members can be made thinner, and the strength of the connection portion can be sufficiently ensured.

(Additional Item 8) The endoscope according to Additional Item 7, wherein the rear end of the coil is fixed to the jumpsuit member.

According to the endoscope of the additional item 8, in addition to the effect of the additional item 7, the jumper member can be formed to be thicker than the main body member. Can be prevented from being deformed.

(Additional Item 9) A rear end base is provided integrally with a rear end of the insertion portion, and a projecting portion is provided integrally with the rear end base and mounts the jumpsuit member on the outer periphery. 8. The endoscope according to claim 7, wherein

In the endoscope according to the additional item 9, in addition to the effect of the additional item 7, the assembling work can be performed well because the assembling member can be mounted on the main body member while the jumper member is mounted on the rear end cap.

[0153]

As described above, according to the endoscope of the present invention, since the pulling member pulls the wire substantially in the direction of the center axis on the rear end side of the coil, the flexibility of the insertion portion is changed. There is an effect that it is possible to improve the repeated use resistance of the change in flexibility.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a configuration of an insertion unit and an operation unit in the endoscope of FIG. 1;

3 is a cross section taken along line AA, a cross section taken along line BB, and CC of FIG. 2;
Sectional view showing a line section

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a detailed configuration of the cam cylinder of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection state between a support member of the buckling member of FIG. 2 and a cylindrical tube;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view for explaining the operation of the arrangement of the coil stopper and the wire in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a configuration of an insertion section and an operation section of an endoscope according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a connection state between the protrusion and the jumpsuit member of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view illustrating a connection state of a modification of the protrusion and the jumpsuit member of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a first explanatory view illustrating an assembling procedure of the endoscope in FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a second explanatory view illustrating an assembling procedure of the endoscope in FIG. 7;

FIG. 12 is a third explanatory view illustrating an assembling procedure of the endoscope in FIG. 7;

FIG. 13 is a fourth explanatory view illustrating an assembling procedure of the endoscope in FIG. 7;

FIG. 14 is a fifth explanatory view illustrating the procedure of assembling the endoscope in FIG. 7;

FIG. 15 is a sixth explanatory view illustrating the procedure of assembling the endoscope of FIG. 7;

FIG. 16 is a seventh explanatory view illustrating the procedure of assembling the endoscope of FIG. 7;

FIG. 17 is an eighth explanatory view for explaining the procedure of assembling the endoscope in FIG. 7;

FIG. 18 is a ninth explanatory view illustrating an assembling procedure of the endoscope in FIG.

FIG. 19 is a tenth explanatory view illustrating the procedure for assembling the endoscope in FIG. 7;

FIG. 20 is an eleventh explanatory diagram for explaining a procedure of assembling the endoscope in FIG. 7;

FIG. 21 is a twelfth explanatory view illustrating an assembling procedure of the endoscope in FIG. 7;

FIG. 22 is a thirteenth explanatory view for explaining the procedure for assembling the endoscope in FIG. 7;

FIG. 23 is a fourteenth explanatory view for explaining the procedure for assembling the endoscope in FIG. 7;

FIG. 24 is a fifteenth explanatory diagram illustrating a procedure for assembling the endoscope in FIG. 7;

FIG. 25 is a sixteenth explanatory view illustrating a procedure of assembling the endoscope of FIG. 7;

FIG. 26 is a sectional view showing a configuration of an insertion section and an operation section of the endoscope according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a sectional view showing a section taken along line FF of FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is an explanatory view showing a connection state between the traction member and the extending portion in FIG. 26;

FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of a coil stopper and a wire constituting a conventional flexibility adjusting means.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope apparatus 2 ... Endoscope 3 ... Light source apparatus 4 ... Signal processing apparatus 5 ... Color monitor 6 ... Insertion part 7 ... Operation part 8 ... Universal cable 10 ... Bending prevention member 11 ... Tip part 12 ... Bending part 13 ... Soft part 34 ... Hardness adjusting knob 35 ... Wire 36 ... Coil 37 ... Soft tube 38 ... Connecting tube 40 ... Coil stopper 41 ... Rear end base 43 ... Main body member 45 ... Wire stopper 46 ... Twisting member 47 ... Movement ring 51 ... Cam Cylindrical bodies 52a, 52b ... cam grooves 53 ... long holes 54 ... pins 58 ... support members 71 ... keys 72 ... key grooves 73 ... cover members

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] October 12, 1999 (1999.10.
12)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Figure 2

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 2

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 7

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 7

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Osamu Mizuta, Inventor F-term (reference) 2H040 BA00 BA21 CA09 DA03 DA11 DA17 DA19 DA21 GA02 4C061 AA04 in Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. 2-34-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo BB02 CC06 DD03 FF29 HH33 JJ11

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An elongated insertion section to be inserted into a lumen; an operation section provided on a proximal end side of the insertion section; a coil provided inside the insertion section along a longitudinal axis; And a pulling member for pulling the wire in at least a part of the wire and a pulling member for pulling the wire in a substantially central axis direction on a rear end side of the coil. Endoscope.