JP2010194102A - Separable endoscope and operating part of separable endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a separable endoscope easily removing looseness of a wire for transmitting force to a bending part of an insertion part by the operation of an operating part when the insertion part is attached to the operating part. <P>SOLUTION: The separable endoscope 10 includes: an insertion part-side member 12 having the bending part 24; an operating part-side member 14 having a pulley 54; an insertion part-side wire 34 extended from the bending part toward the operating part-side member; an operating part-side wire 64 extended from the pulley toward the insertion part-side member; and coupling pieces 36 and 66 for coupling the wires. The proximal end of the insertion part-side member can be attached to/detached from the operating side-member. The operating part-side member has tension regulating mechanisms 72 and 74 for regulating the tension by pressing the operating part-side wire coupled to the insertion part-side member by the coupling pieces. The insertion part-side member has a pawl part 48 for actuating the tension regulating mechanisms in conjunction with the work of coupling the proximal end of the insertion part-side member to the operating part-side member. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a separation type endoscope in which an insertion portion side and an operation portion side are detachable, and an operation portion of the separation type endoscope.

  As an operation wire tension adjusting mechanism for connecting the bending portion of the insertion portion of the endoscope and the operation portion, a mechanism that presses a drum and applies tension to the wire as disclosed in Patent Document 1, which is disclosed in Patent Document 2. There are those that remove slack with a movable pulley, and those that apply tension by applying pressure to the wire disclosed in Patent Document 3 with a coil spring.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-253389 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-19511 JP-A-7-303601

  However, these technologies are basically for endoscopes in which the operation unit and the insertion unit are integrated, and the insertion unit mounting that occurs when the operation unit and the insertion unit are removable. Later loosening of the wire cannot be resolved.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and the object of the present invention is to make the bending portion of the insertion portion operate by operating the operation portion when the insertion portion is mounted on the operation portion. An object of the present invention is to provide a separation type endoscope capable of easily removing slack of a wire for transmitting force, and an operation unit of the separation type endoscope.

In order to solve the above problems, a separation type endoscope according to the present invention is directed to an insertion portion having a bending portion, an operation portion having a rotation member, and the bending portion of the insertion portion toward the rotation member of the operation portion. And at least one pair of insertion portion side wires extended from the rotation portion, an operation portion side wire extending from the rotating member of the operation portion toward the bending portion of the insertion portion, and the insertion portion side wire and the operation portion side A connecting means for connecting the wire, and a base end portion of the insertion portion can be attached to and detached from the operation portion. The separation type endoscope is provided in the operation unit, and is provided in the insertion unit, a mechanism that presses the operation unit side wire connected to the insertion unit side wire by the connection unit, and the operation unit It is further provided with an insertion part side operation part which operates a mechanism which presses a side wire.
As described above, the operation unit is provided with a mechanism for pressing the operation unit side wire, the insertion unit is provided with the insertion unit side operation unit, and the insertion unit side is interlocked with the operation of attaching the proximal end of the insertion unit to the operation unit. By operating the mechanism that presses the operation unit side wire by the operation unit, it is possible to apply tension to the operation unit side wire and adjust the tension. For this reason, the looseness of the operation wire for the bending portion formed by connecting the insertion portion side wire and the operation portion side wire can be easily removed.

The mechanism that presses the operation unit side wire includes an operation unit side operation unit that is movable by the insertion unit side operation unit when the proximal end portion of the insertion unit is connected to the operation unit, and the operation unit side operation. It is preferable to include a pressing unit that presses the operation unit side wire connected to the insertion unit side wire by moving the operation unit side operation unit.
For this reason, since the operation part side operation part can be moved by the insertion part side operation part in conjunction with the operation of mounting the proximal end of the insertion part on the operation part, the pressing part provided on the operation part side operation part can It is possible to apply tension to the operation unit side wire by pressing the operation unit side wire.

Moreover, it is preferable that the said press part is formed in the substantially wheel shape, and is arrange | positioned rotatably at the edge part of the said operation part side action | operation part.
For this reason, even when the operation unit side wire moves due to the rotation of the rotating member, it is possible to prevent a large friction from being generated between the operation unit side wire and the pressing unit while applying tension to the operation unit side wire.

Moreover, it is preferable that the outer peripheral surface of the said press part is arrange | positioned with the elastic body which receives the said operation part side wire.
When tension is applied to the operation unit side wire, the operation unit side wire can be bitten into the elastic body. For this reason, the tension can be automatically adjusted by the elastic force of the elastic body.

The operation unit side operation unit is rotatably supported by the operation unit, and maintains the state rotated by the insertion unit side operation unit and presses the operation unit side wire with the pressing unit. It is preferred that
Further, the operation unit side operation unit is supported by the operation unit so as to be linearly movable, and maintains the state of being pressed by the insertion unit side operation unit so as to press the operation unit side wire by the pressing unit. It is preferred that
For this reason, the other end of the operating unit side operating unit receives a force from the inserting unit side operating unit in conjunction with the operation of mounting the proximal end of the inserting unit on the operating unit, so that the operating unit side operating unit is By moving toward the wire, a tension can be applied to the operation unit side wire by a pressing portion provided at one end of the operation unit side operation unit.

In addition, the operation unit includes an elastic member that separates the pressing portion provided in the operation unit side operation unit from the operation unit side wire when the base end portion of the insertion unit is separated from the operation unit. It is preferable.
For this reason, the operation part side operation part can be returned to the original position in conjunction with the operation of detaching the proximal end of the insertion part from the operation part, and the pressing part can be separated from the operation part side wire.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the separation type endoscope according to the present invention includes a rotating member for detachably attaching a proximal end portion of an insertion portion having a bending portion and operating the bending portion. At least one pair of operation unit side wires extending from the rotation member of the operation unit toward the bending unit of the insertion unit is extended from the bending unit of the insertion unit toward the rotation member of the operation unit. It is used by being connected to at least one pair of insertion portion side wires. The operation unit presses the operation unit side wire connected to the insertion unit side wire in conjunction with the operation of mounting the proximal end portion of the insertion unit, applies tension, and A tension adjusting mechanism is provided that releases the pressing of the operation unit side wire connected to the insertion unit side wire in conjunction with the operation of detaching the end portion.
As described above, by providing the operation unit with the tension adjusting mechanism, tension is applied to the operation unit side wire in conjunction with the operation of attaching the proximal end of the insertion unit to the operation unit, and the tension is adjusted. Can do. For this reason, the looseness of the operation wire for the bending portion formed by connecting the insertion portion side wire and the operation portion side wire can be easily removed.

The tension adjusting mechanism includes an operation unit side operation unit that rotates or linearly moves, and the operation unit side wire that is provided in the operation unit side operation unit and rotates or linearly moves. It is preferable to provide a pressing portion that is in contact with and away from.
For this reason, since the operation part side operation part can be moved by the insertion part side operation part in conjunction with the operation of mounting the proximal end of the insertion part on the operation part, the pressing part provided on the operation part side operation part can It is possible to apply tension to the operation unit side wire by pressing the operation unit side wire.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said press part is equipped with the roller rotatable with respect to the said operation part side action | operation part, and the elastic body arrange | positioned on the outer side of the said roller.

  When tension is applied to the operation unit side wire, the operation unit side wire can be bitten into the elastic body. For this reason, the tension can be automatically adjusted by the elastic force of the elastic body. Further, even when the operation unit side wire moves due to the rotation of the rotating member, it is possible to prevent a large friction from occurring with the elastic body while applying tension to the operation unit side wire.

  According to this invention, when the insertion portion is attached to the operation portion, the separation type endoscope that can easily remove the slack of the wire for transmitting force to the bending portion of the insertion portion by operating the operation portion. And the operation part of a separation-type endoscope can be provided.

The state which isolate | separated the insertion part side member and the operation part side member of the separation type endoscope which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention is shown, (A) attaches and detaches the insertion part side member and the operation part side member. Schematic which shows the structure to do, (B) Schematic which shows the structure which applies tension | tensile_strength to the operation part side wire. The insertion part side member and operation part side member of the separation type endoscope which concern on 1st Embodiment are shown in the middle of mounting | wearing from the state isolate | separated, (A) is an insertion part side member and an operation part side member. Schematic which shows the structure which attaches and detaches, (B) is schematic which shows the structure which applies tension to the operation part side wire. The state which mounted | wore the insertion part side member and operation part side member of the separation type endoscope which concerns on 1st Embodiment is shown, (A) shows the structure which attaches and detaches an insertion part side member and an operation part side member. Schematic which shows, (B) is schematic which shows the structure which applies tension | tensile_strength to the operation part side wire. (A) is the schematic which shows the state which isolate | separated the insertion part side wire and operation part side wire of the separation type endoscope which concern on 1st Embodiment, (B) is the insertion part side of a separation type endoscope The schematic diagram which shows the state in the middle of mounting | wearing from the state which separated the wire and the operation part side wire, (C) is the schematic which shows the state which mounted | wore the insertion part side wire and operation part side wire of the separation type endoscope . (A) is the schematic of the tension adjustment mechanism arrange | positioned inside the operation part main body of the operation part of the separation type endoscope which concerns on 1st Embodiment, (B) concerns on 1st Embodiment. Schematic which shows the state which applied the tension | tensile_strength by pressing the operation part side wire with the tension adjustment mechanism arrange | positioned inside the operation part main body of the operation part of a separation type endoscope. (A) is the schematic which shows the state which isolate | separated the insertion part side member and operation part side member of the separation-type endoscope which concerns on the modification of 1st Embodiment, (B) is 1st Embodiment. Schematic which shows the state in the middle of mounting | wearing from the state which isolate | separated the insertion part side member and operation part side member of the separation-type endoscope which concerns on this modification, (C) is a modification of 1st Embodiment. Schematic which shows the state which mounted | wore the insertion part side member and operation part side member of the separation type endoscope which concern. (A) shows the state which made the insertion part side connection piece of the insertion part side member of the separation-type endoscope which concerns on the modification of 1st Embodiment oppose the operation part side connection piece of the operation part side member. Schematic, (B), the insertion part side connection piece of the insertion part side member of the separation type endoscope according to the modification of the first embodiment and the operation part side connection piece of the operation part side member are opposed to each other. The schematic diagram which shows the state which the protrusion of the latching lever contact | abutted to the plate-shaped member of the insertion part side connection piece by pushing in the pushing part of the latching lever of an operation part side member in the state, (C) is 1st implementation. Schematic which shows the state which connected the insertion part side connection piece of the insertion part side member of the separation-type endoscope which concerns on the modification of a form, and the operation part side connection piece of the operation part side member, (D) is 1st From the state where the insertion portion side connecting piece of the insertion portion side member of the separation type endoscope according to the modification of the embodiment and the operation portion side connecting piece of the operation portion side member are connected, the operation is performed. The state in which the projection of the locking lever is moved by pushing the pushing portion of the locking lever of the part side member to release the connection of the plate member of the insertion part side connecting piece to the plate member of the operating part side connecting piece. Schematic shown. Schematic showing the relationship between a tension adjustment mechanism and a pulley inside an operation unit side member in a separation-type endoscope having a bending portion that can be bent in four directions according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Perspective view. (A) is the schematic which shows the state which isolate | separated the insertion part side wire and operation part side wire of the separation-type endoscope which concerns on the modification of 2nd Embodiment, (B) is a figure of FIG. 9 (A). The schematic sectional drawing which shows the combined state of an insertion part side connection piece and an operation part side connection piece. (A) is the schematic which shows the state which isolate | separated the insertion part side member and operation part side member of the separation-type endoscope which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention, (B) is 3rd Embodiment. Schematic which shows the state which mounted | wore the insertion part side member and operation part side member of the separation type endoscope which concerns on this. (A) is the schematic which shows the state which isolate | separated the insertion part side member and operation part side member of the separation-type endoscope which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention, (B) is 4th Embodiment. Schematic which shows the state in the middle of mounting | wearing from the state which isolate | separated the insertion part side member and operation part side member of the separation type endoscope which concerns on (C), The separation type endoscope which concerns on 4th Embodiment Schematic which shows the state which mounted | wore the insertion part side member and the operation part side member of this.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

A first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIGS. 1A to 3B, an endoscope 10 according to this embodiment is a separation type endoscope. The separate endoscope 10 includes an insertion portion side member (insertion portion) 12 and an operation portion side member (operation portion) 14 in a detachable manner. The insertion portion side member 12 is a portion that becomes an insertion portion of the endoscope 10 when its proximal end is attached to the operation portion side member 14, and when the operation portion side member 14 is attached to the insertion portion side member 12 It is a part which becomes an operation part of the endoscope 10.

  The insertion portion side member 12 includes a distal end hard portion 22, a bending portion 24, a flexible tube portion 26, and a bend preventing portion 28 in order from the distal end side toward the proximal end side. Although not shown, the distal end hard portion 22 is provided with an observation optical system having an illumination optical system and an imaging optical system. The imaging information from the observation optical system is transmitted from the distal end hard portion 22 to the proximal end side of the insertion portion side member 12 through the inside of the bending portion 24, the flexible tube portion 26, and the folding preventing portion 28. The

  In the bending portion 24, a plurality of bending pieces 32 a are connected to form a bending tube 32. The distal end of the bending tube 32 is fixed to the distal end hard portion 22. A distal end of a pair of insertion portion side operation wires (hereinafter, mainly referred to as insertion portion side wires) 34 is fixed to the most distal bending piece 32a or the distal end hard portion 22. The insertion portion side wire 34 is inserted into a wire guide (not shown) provided inside the bending piece 32 a and extends toward the flexible tube portion 26 and the folding stop portion 28. Note that, inside the flexible tube portion 26, the insertion portion side wire 34 is covered with a coil sheath (not shown). An insertion portion side coupling piece (insertion portion side base) 36 is fixed to the proximal end of each insertion portion side wire 34. The insertion portion side connection piece (insertion portion side base) 36 is a connection means, and each of the operation portion side connection pieces 66 provided at the tip of the operation portion side operation wire 64 (hereinafter, mainly referred to as operation portion side wire). Connected to

  The insertion portion side connecting piece 36 is made of, for example, a plastic material. The insertion portion side connecting piece 36 may be formed of a metal material such as a stainless steel material. In the state where the insertion portion side connecting piece 36 and the operation portion side connecting piece 66 are connected to the operation wire (the insertion portion side wire 34 and the operation portion side wire 64), the tension (here, the tension is the endoscope). 10 is a tension applied to the operation wire at the time of use. As the material of the insertion portion side connecting piece 36, a material that has tensile strength and shear strength that suppresses deformation when this tension is applied, and that prevents creep is appropriately selected. Is done.

  Although not shown in detail, the flexible tube portion 26 includes a spiral tube, a blade, and an outer skin from the inner periphery side toward the outer periphery side, as in a normal endoscope. For this reason, the flexible tube portion 26 can be deformed in accordance with, for example, a hole shape. The distal end of the flexible tube portion 26 is connected to the proximal end of the bending tube 32 through, for example, a connection base (not shown).

  The bend preventing portion 28 is connected to the proximal end portion of the flexible tube portion 26. The operation unit side member 14 is detachably connected to the anti-bending portion 28. The bend preventing portion 28 includes a main body 42. The outer shape of the main body 42 is formed in a substantially truncated cone shape. That is, the main body 42 is so thin that it comes close to the proximal end side of the flexible tube portion 26, the side to which the operation portion side member 14 is connected is thicker than the proximal end side of the flexible tube portion 26, and the outer shape is substantially tapered. It is formed to become. The inside of the main body 42 is hollow.

  The base end of the main body 42 includes a contact portion 44. The contact portion 44 is a fitting portion to which the operation portion main body 50 of the operation portion side member 14 is attached and detached. The main body 42 is provided with a locking pin 46. The locking pin 46 locks the locking portion 62 c of the locking lever 52 provided on the operation unit side member 14. For example, a pair of claw portions (insertion portion side operation portion) 48 is extended from the base end of the main body 42. An inward inclined surface 49 is formed at the extended end of each claw 48. The inwardly inclined surface 49 is for rotating the operating member 72 in a predetermined direction when the end of the claw portion 48 comes into contact with the other end 72b of the pair of operating members 72. . Further, the claw portions 48 of this embodiment extend straight in the same direction by the same length.

  The operation unit side member 14 includes an operation unit main body 50 having a grip 50a, a locking lever 52 provided on the operation unit main body 50, a pulley (rotating member) 54 provided on the operation unit main body 50, and an operation unit. A switch 56 provided on the unit main body 50 for operating the observation optical system and the like, and a cable 58 extending from the operation unit main body 50 are provided.

The operation portion main body 50 is a hollow case and includes a contact portion 50b. The contact part 50b is a fitting part or the like to which the folding preventing part 28 of the insertion part side member 12 is attached or detached. The grip portion 50a is preferably formed so as to be continuously connected to the bend preventing portion 28 when it comes into contact with the bend preventing portion 28 of the insertion portion side member 12. For this reason, the contact part 44 of the bending prevention part 28 and the contact part 50b of the operation part main body 50 are connected substantially without a level | step difference, and each outer peripheral surface is also substantially flush.
Although not shown, imaging information from the observation optical system is extended from the inside of the cable 58 through the inside of the operation unit main body 50 and the contact part 50b. The extended portion is accommodated in the distal end hard portion 22 of the insertion portion side member 12 when the insertion portion side member 12 is attached to the operation portion side member 14. Therefore, imaging information from the observation optical system is transmitted through the inside of the bending portion 24, the flexible tube portion 26, the bend preventing portion 28, the operation portion main body 50 and the cable 58. Note that it is also preferable that the observation optical systems are connected to each other inside the operation unit main body 50 or inside the anti-bending portion 28 like an insertion unit side wire 34 and an operation unit side wire 64 described later.

  The locking lever 52 is integrally provided with a pushing portion 62a, a lever portion 62b, and a locking portion 62c. The pushing portion 62a protrudes outside the operation portion main body 50. The pressing direction of the pressing portion 62 a is a direction close to the center of the operation unit main body 50. The lever part 62b is formed in a substantially L shape. A pushing portion 62a is formed at one end of the lever portion 62b, and a locking portion 62c is formed at the other end. The bent part of the lever part 62 b is inside the operation part main body 50, and the locking part 62 c protrudes with respect to the contact part 50 b of the operation part main body 50. The other end side of the lever portion 62b is preferably extended in the same axial direction as the insertion portion when the endoscope 10 is configured. Then, when the lever portion 62b presses the pushing portion 62a, the lever portion 62b translates in a direction approaching the center of the operation unit main body 50 and a direction separating it.

  The locking portion 62c has a slope. When a pressing force is applied in the axial direction on the other end side of the lever portion 62b in a state where the inclined surface of the engaging portion 62c is in contact with the engaging pin 46 of the insertion portion side member 12, the inclined surface of the engaging portion 62c is applied. Then, the locking lever 52 moves to the inside (center side) of the operation unit main body 50.

  For example, the other end side of the lever portion 62b of the locking lever 52 is connected to an elastic member 62d having a tension spring property with the operation portion main body 50. The locking lever 52 moves so as to enter the inside of the operation portion main body 50 against the elastic force of the elastic member 62d when the pressing portion 62a is pressed, and when the pressing of the pressing portion 62a is released, the elastic member 62d Return to the original position by elastic force. In FIG. 1A, only one elastic member 62d is illustrated between each locking lever 52 and the operation unit main body 50, but there are two or more elastic members 62d on the other end side of the locking lever 52. Less inclined and preferable.

  The pulley 54 is rotatably supported by the operation unit main body 50. An operation knob (bending operation unit) that is rotated by a user of the endoscope 10 is fixed to the pulley 54 outside the operation unit main body 50. For this reason, when the operation knob is operated, the pulley 54 is rotated by the amount of the operation.

  The base end side of the pair of operation unit side wires 64 is fixed and wound around the pulley 54.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the insertion portion side connecting piece 36 includes a substantially rectangular plate-like member 36a. The base end of the insertion portion side wire 34 is fixed to the substantially rectangular plate-like member 36a. A substantially rectangular through hole 36b is formed in the plate member 36a. The through hole 36b is formed on one end side of the plate-like member 36a, that is, on the side opposite to the insertion portion side wire 34 side. An operation unit side connecting piece (operation unit side base) 66 is fixed to the distal end of the operation unit side wire 64. The operation portion side connecting piece 66 is a connecting means for connecting to the insertion portion side connecting piece 36 provided at the proximal end of the insertion portion side wire 34.

The operation unit side connecting piece 66 is made of, for example, a metal material. Although the operation part side connection piece 66 is mentioned later, you may be formed with the plastic material. As described above, the operation wire (the insertion portion side wire 34 and the operation portion side wire 64) is connected to the tension (here, the tension) in a state where the insertion portion side connection piece 36 and the operation portion side connection piece 66 are connected. Is a tension applied to the operation wire when the endoscope 10 is used. For the operating portion side connecting piece 66, a material that has a tensile strength and a shear strength that prevent deformation when this tension is applied, and further prevents creep is appropriately selected. .
In this embodiment, the insertion portion side connecting piece 36 is made of a plastic material, the operation portion side connecting piece 66 is made of a metal material, and the tensile strength and shear strength are made of a plastic material. The operation part side connecting piece 66 made of a metal material is higher than the metal part 36.

The operation unit side connecting piece 66 includes a substantially rectangular plate-like member 66a. The distal end of the operation portion side wire 64 is fixed to the substantially rectangular plate-like member 66a. The plate-like member 66a is formed with a notch 66b that is partially cut out in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The notch portion 66b is formed on one end side of the plate-like member 66a, that is, on the side opposite to the operation portion side wire 64 side. The cutout amount of the cutout portion 66b is approximately the same as the plate thickness of the plate-like member 36a. A projection 66c is formed integrally with the plate-like member 66a at the notch 66b. The protrusion 66 c is formed in a substantially triangular prism shape, and has a surface orthogonal to the axial direction of the operation unit side wire 64 on the operation unit side wire 64 side. For this reason, the projection 66c of the plate member 66a is engaged with the through hole 36b of the plate member 36a.
The switch 56 is used to operate an observation optical system (not shown).

  As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, a pair of operating members (operating unit side operating unit) 72 and a pressing unit 74 are disposed inside the operating unit main body 50, respectively. These are tension adjusting mechanisms that adjust the tension of the operation unit side wire 64. Each operation member 72 is formed in, for example, a substantially S-shape (crank shape). An opening 84 is formed between one end 72 a and the other end 72 b of the operating member 72. A pin 82 provided in the operation unit main body 50 is inserted through the opening 84. The cross sections of the pin 82 and the opening 84 are formed in a circular shape, for example, and are fitted to each other so as to be rotatable. That is, the actuating member 72 can rotate about the pin 82 as a pivot.

  A pressing portion 74 for pressing the operation portion side wire 64 is disposed at one end 72 a of the operating member 72. The pressing portion 74 is provided with a rotating shaft 86 and a roller 92. The rotating shaft 86 is integrally provided at one end 72 a of the operating member 72. The outer surface of the roller 92 is covered with an elastic body 94 having flexibility such as a rubber material. That is, the pressing part 74 is formed in a substantially wheel shape. It is also preferable that the hardness of the material of the elastic body 94 can be selected as appropriate. The other end 72b of the operating member 72 is a pressed part, and is formed as a flat surface in this embodiment. The other end 72 b is pressed against the claw portion 48 of the bend preventing portion 28, more specifically, the inclined surface 49 of the claw portion 48. Of course, the other end 72b of the operating member 72 is not limited to a flat surface.

  As shown in FIGS. 1B, 2B, and 3B, an elastic member 102 such as a rubber material or a tension coil spring is disposed between the operation unit main body 50 and the operating member 72, for example. Has been. For this reason, the elastic member 102 exerts a force so as to separate the pressing portion 74 from the operating portion side wire 64 even when the pressing portion 74 presses the operating portion side wire 64. The elastic member 102 can exert a pulling force so as to separate the pressing portion 74 from the operating portion side wire 64 as the state where the pressing portion 74 presses the operating portion side wire 64 is released.

  Next, the operation of the separate endoscope 10 according to this embodiment will be described. Here, a process of connecting the insertion portion side member 12 and the operation portion side member 14 (coupling operation) to make the endoscope 10 ready for use, the insertion portion side member 12 and the operation portion side member 14, The process of performing the separation operation will be described.

  First, the connection work of the insertion part side member 12 and the operation part side member 14 is demonstrated. Here, although detailed operations (actions) of the respective members will be described later, when the insertion portion side member 12 and the operation portion side member 14 are connected (connected), the insertion portion side of the insertion portion side wire 34 is first connected. The connection piece 36 and the operation part side connection piece 66 of the operation part side wire 64 are connected. Immediately thereafter, the contact portion 44 of the insertion portion side member 12 and the contact portion 50b of the operation portion side member 14 are contacted. Then, the operating member 72 is pressed by the claw portion 48, and the pressing portion 74 disposed on the operating member 72 presses the operation unit side wire 64. As a result, the slack of the operation unit side wire 64, that is, the slack of the operation wire is removed. Note that the operating member 72 may already be pressed against the claw portion 48 when the insertion portion side connecting piece 36 and the operation portion side connecting piece 66 are connected. However, even in that case, the pressing portion 74 is not yet in a state of pressing the operation portion side wire 64.

  This will be described in detail below. As shown in FIGS. 1 (A) and 1 (B), the contact portion 44 of the anti-bending portion 28 is opposed to the contact portion 50b of the operation portion main body 50 and is brought close to each other.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 4B, the plate-like member 36 a of the insertion portion side connecting piece 36 moves along the slope of the protrusion 66 c of the operating portion side connecting piece 66. Then, as shown in FIG. 4C, the protrusion 66 c of the operation portion side connection piece 66 is disposed in the through hole 36 b of the insertion portion side connection piece 36. As a result, the insertion portion side connection piece 36 of the insertion portion side wire 34 and the operation portion side connection piece 66 of the operation portion side wire 64 are connected. The insertion portion side connecting piece 36 and the operation portion side connecting piece 66 can be connected by another jig or manually.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the slope of the locking portion 62 c is pressed by the locking pin 46 of the insertion portion side member 12, and the locking lever 52 sinks toward the inside of the operation portion main body 50. That is, it becomes the same state as the pressing portion 62a of the locking lever 52 is pressed. At this time, as shown in FIG. 2B, the claw portion 48 of the insertion portion side member 12 contacts the other end 72 b of the operating member 72.

  When the contact portion 44 of the bend preventing portion 28 is further brought closer to the contact portion 50b of the operation portion main body 50, the lock pin 46 of the insertion portion side member 12 is locked by the lock portion 62c of the lock lever 52. At the same time, the other end 72 b of the operating member 72 is pressed by the inclined surface 49 of the claw portion 48. At this time, the operating member 72 of the operation unit side member 14 rotates about the pin 82 so that the inclined surface 49 of the claw portion 48 and the other end 72b of the operating member 72 come into contact with each other. For this reason, the pressing portion 74 provided at the one end 72a of the operating member 72 presses the operation portion side wire 64 inward. Further, the locking portion 62c of the locking lever 52 gets over the locking pin 46, and the locking lever 52 returns to the original position by the elastic force of the elastic member 62d.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 2 (B) and 3 (B), as the claw portion 48 of the insertion portion side member 12 is put into the operation portion main body 50 of the operation portion side member 14, the operation portion side wire 64 is used. On the other hand, the pressing force of the pressing portion 74 is increased. Since the elastic body 94 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the roller 92, the tension of the operation unit side wire 64 is increased by the elastic force of the elastic body 94 (the amount of biting of the operation unit side wire 64 with respect to the elastic body 94). Adjust.

  As described above, the endoscope 10 is used while maintaining the state where the operating member 72 is pressed by the claw portion 48, that is, maintaining the state where the operation portion side wire 64 is pressed by the pressing portion 74. . This continues until the separation work described later is performed. That is, the endoscope 10 is used in a state where appropriate tension is applied to the pair of operation unit side wires 64.

  When an operation knob (not shown) that rotates together with the pulley 54 is operated, the pair of operation unit side wires 64 moves in the opposite direction to each other along the axial direction. At this time, the operation unit side wire 64 moves and the roller 92 of the pressing unit 74 also rotates together with the elastic body 94. For this reason, the frictional force produced between the operation part side wire 64 and the elastic body 94 is reduced. Then, when an appropriate tension is applied to the operation unit side wire 64, the tension also affects the insertion unit side wire 34. For this reason, when the operation part side wire 64 moves along the axial direction, the insertion part side wire 34 connected to the operation part side wire 64 moves along the axial direction. Therefore, the bending pieces 32a of the bending tube 32 of the endoscope 10 rotate with respect to each other, and the bending portion 24 is bent to the side where the insertion portion side wire 34 is pulled. At this time, since tension is applied not only to the operation unit side wire 64 but also to the insertion unit side wire 34 connected to the operation unit side wire 64, the force by the operation of the operation knob that rotates together with the pulley 54 is exerted. Can be improved. That is, the bending portion 24 of the endoscope 10 bends in a desired state with a good response by turning the operation knob.

Next, a separation operation between the insertion portion side member 12 and the operation portion side member 14 will be described.
The pushing portion 62a of the locking lever 52 is pushed inside the operation portion main body 50 against the elastic force of the elastic member 62d. Then, the engagement between the locking pin 46 of the folding preventing portion 28 and the locking portion 62c of the locking lever 52 is released. At this time, the contact portion 44 of the insertion portion side member 12 and the contact portion 50b of the operation portion side member 14 are separated. As described above, as the contact portion 44 of the insertion portion side member 12 and the contact portion 50b of the operation portion side member 14 are separated, the position of the claw portion 48 is gradually removed from the inside of the operation portion main body 50 through the contact portion 50b. Is issued. As the claw portion 48 is gradually extracted from the inside of the operation portion main body 50, the operation member 72 is pulled to the operation portion main body 50 by the action of the elastic member 102 provided between the operation member 72 and the operation portion main body 50. For this reason, the operation member 72 rotates about the pin 82 as a pivot, and the pressing force by the pressing portion 74 is gradually weakened. Further, the elastic member 102 acts to press the inclined surface 49 of the claw portion 48 with the other end 72 b of the operating member 72 to exert a force in the direction of gradually extracting from the inside of the operation portion main body 50. At this time, the contact area between the inclined surface 49 of the claw portion 48 and the other end 72b of the operating member 72 gradually decreases.

  At this time, the insertion portion side connecting piece 36 of the insertion portion side member 12 and the operation portion side connecting piece 66 of the operation portion side member 14 are connected to each other and pulled together. For this reason, when the contact part 44 of the insertion part side member 12 and the contact part 50b of the operation part side member 14 leave | separate, the tensile force added between the insertion part side connection piece 36 and the operation part side connection piece 66 May become stronger. In such a case, it becomes difficult to release the connection between the insertion portion side connecting piece 36 and the operation portion side connecting piece 66. Therefore, the insertion portion side connection piece 36 of the insertion portion side member 12 and the operation portion side connection piece 66 of the operation portion side member 14 are further pulled. Here, the insertion portion side connecting piece 36 is formed of a plastic material, and the operation portion side connecting piece 66 is formed of a metal material. In this embodiment, as described above, the tensile strength and shear strength are higher than those of the plastic material. Since the metal material is higher, the insertion portion side connecting piece 36 is destroyed (including that the insertion portion side wire 34 comes out of the insertion portion side connecting piece 36 or the insertion portion side wire 34 itself is damaged), and the operation portion. The operation part side wire 64 connected to the side connection piece 66 and the operation part side connection piece 66 maintains its shape.

  Therefore, the operation unit side member 14 is reused after cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization, and the insertion unit side member 12 is discarded.

  In this embodiment, the insertion portion side connection piece 36 is described as being destroyed. However, the insertion portion side connection piece 36 is formed of a metal material, and the operation portion side connection piece 66 is formed of a plastic material. The operation unit side connecting piece 66 may be destroyed. In this case, the insertion unit side member 12 is reused after cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization, and the operation unit side member 14 is discarded. Similarly to the description of the connection work between the insertion portion side member 12 and the operation portion side member 14, the connection portion 36 and the operation portion side connection piece 66 are disconnected by another jig or manually. It is also possible to do.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the following can be said.
Insertion is made by providing a tension adjusting mechanism for adjusting the tension of the operation unit side operation wire 64 inside the operation unit main body 50 of the operation unit side member 14 and by providing a claw portion 48 on the anti-bending portion 28 of the insertion unit side member 12. Tension can be applied to the operation unit side operation wire 64 in conjunction with the mounting operation of mounting the unit side member 12 on the operation unit side member 14. At this time, an elastic body 94 is provided outside the roller 92 of the pressing portion 74 of the tension adjusting mechanism, and the operation portion side operation wire 64 is bitten into the elastic body 94, so that the elastic force of the elastic body 94 causes the operation portion side. The slack of the operation wire 64 can be removed. Further, the amount of biting of the operation unit side operation wire 64 with respect to the elastic body 94 is automatically adjusted, whereby the variation in the length of the pair of operation unit side operation wires 64 can also be adjusted. For this reason, it is possible to adjust the variation in the length of not only the operation unit side operation wire 64 but also the insertion unit side operation wire 34.

  Accordingly, since the same tension can be applied to the pair of operation wires, the same bending amount can be obtained from the neutral state according to the rotation amount of the bending operation knob when the bending portion 24 is bent.

In this embodiment, the insertion portion side connecting piece 36 and the operation portion side connecting piece 66 are formed as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C. However, as shown in FIGS. It is also preferable to have a structure capable of releasing the engagement between the connecting pieces 36 and 66 of the insertion portion side wire 34 and the operation portion side wire 64 in conjunction with the operation of the locking lever 52.
As shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, a protrusion 62 e is formed on the locking portion 62 c of the locking lever 52 on the side opposite to the side locked by the locking pin 46. As shown in FIGS. 7A to 7D, when the protrusion 62e presses the pushing portion 62a, the state shown in FIGS. 7A to 7B, or from FIG. 7C. In the state shown in FIG. 7D, the protrusion 62 e is moved toward the insertion portion side connecting piece 36. On the other hand, when the pressing of the pushing portion 62a is released, the protrusion 62e is moved in a direction away from the insertion portion side connecting piece 36. For this reason, when connecting the connecting pieces 36 and 66 to each other, the pressing portion 62a is pressed, or the locking lever 52 is automatically moved as described above, so that the plate of the inserting portion side connecting piece 36 is obtained. The shaped member 36a is ridden on the protrusion 62e of the operation unit side connecting piece 66. When the pressing of the push-in portion 62a is released, the protrusion 62e of the operating portion side connecting piece 66 is engaged with the through hole 36b of the plate-like member 36a of the inserting portion side connecting piece 36.

  When releasing the connection between the connecting pieces 36 and 66, the pushing portion 62 a outside the operation portion main body 50 is pressed. Then, the engagement between the insertion portion side member 12 and the operation portion side member 14 is released, and the insertion portion side connecting piece is formed by the protrusion 62e of the locking lever 52 that moves in conjunction with the pushing portion 62a as shown in FIG. The 36 plate-like members 36a are pressed. For this reason, the connection (engagement) of the protrusion 66c of the operation part side connection piece 66 with respect to the through hole 36b of the insertion part side connection piece 36 is released. Therefore, the insertion part side connection piece 36 and the operation part side connection piece 66 are removed without being destroyed.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. This embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment. The same members as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In this embodiment, two pairs of insertion portion side operation wires 34 a and 34 b are provided on the insertion portion side member 12 so that the bending portion 24 is bent in four directions, and two pairs of operation portions are provided on the operation portion side member 14. A case where the side operation wires 64a and 64b are provided will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 8, two pulleys 54 a and 54 b are disposed inside the operation unit main body 50 of the operation unit side member 14. A pair of operation unit side wires 64a and 64b are wound around the pulleys 54a and 54b, respectively.

  On the other hand, a pair of rotating shafts 86 is formed at one end 72 a of the pair of operating members 72. These rotating shafts 86 are preferably coaxial. Pressing portions 74a and 74b are disposed on the rotation shaft 86 of one end 72a of each operating member 72, respectively. In FIG. 8, the upper pressing portion 74a applies tension to the operation portion side wire 64a that is operated when the bending portion 24 is bent, for example, in the UD direction (vertical direction). On the other hand, the lower pressing portion 74b applies tension to the operation portion side wire 64b that is operated when the bending portion 24 is bent in, for example, the LR direction (left-right direction).

  As described above, by providing the pair of pressing portions 74a and 74b at the one end 72a of each operating member 72, the bending portion 24 that bends in two directions described in the first embodiment is bent in four directions. The curved portion 24 can be expanded. Therefore, the tension of the operation wire of the endoscope 10 having the bending portion 24 that bends in four directions by the pair of actuating members 72 and the two pairs of pressing portions 74a and 74b can be in an appropriate state.

  In the first embodiment described about the separation type endoscope 10 having the bending portion 24 that bends in two directions, the insertion portion side connection piece 36 and the operation portion side connection piece 66 (from FIG. 4A to FIG. 4 (C)) is described separately, but in the separation type endoscope 10 according to this embodiment having the curved portion 24 curved in four directions, the insertion portion side wires 34a and 34b and The operation unit side wires 64a and 64b are preferably connected as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, the insertion portion side connecting piece 38a is fixed to the base ends of the insertion portion side wires 34a and 34b. These insertion part side connection pieces 38a are respectively accommodated in the partitioned insertion part side bases 38. At this time, each insertion part side wire 34a, 34b penetrates the insertion part side base 38, and each insertion part side connection piece 38a is movable within a predetermined range. On the other hand, an operation unit side connecting piece 68a is fixed to the tip of each operation unit side wire 64a, 64b. These operation part side connection pieces 68a are accommodated in the partitioned operation part side base 68, respectively. Each operation unit side connecting piece 68a is movable within a predetermined range. The insertion portion side connection piece 38a and the corresponding operation portion side connection piece 68a are detachably fitted, and the insertion portion side base 38 and the operation portion side base 68 are shown in the sectional view of FIG. It is fitted as shown. For this reason, the connection part of operation wire 34a, 34b, 64a, 64b can be put together in the insertion part side base 38 and the operation part side base 68, and the inside of the endoscope 10 can be made clear.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, the insertion portion side base 38 is formed with an elongated opening 38b, and the insertion portion side connecting piece 38a is provided in each opening 38b. For this reason, the insertion part side coupling piece 38a and the corresponding operation part side coupling piece 68a fitted to each other can move by a predetermined distance in a predetermined direction with respect to the insertion part side base 38 and the operation part side base 68. is there.

  Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. This embodiment is a modification of the first and second embodiments, and the same members as those described in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be given. Omitted. That is, the bending direction of the bending portion 24 of the separation type endoscope 10 of this embodiment may be either two directions or four directions.

  As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, in this embodiment, the pressing direction by the pressing portion 74 of the actuating member 72 is the direction opposite to the direction described in the first and second embodiments. In addition, the position of the opening 84 of the operating member 72 is also an example shifted in the axial direction. Further, unlike the structure described in the first embodiment (see FIGS. 1 to 3), the operating member 72 is disposed between the pair of operation unit side wires 64.

  The claw portions (insertion portion side operation portions) 48a and 48b have different lengths. Here, one claw portion 48a is formed longer than the other claw portion 48b. Here, it is also preferable that the claw portions 48a and 48b extend from the position of the base portion of the claw portion 48 shown in FIGS. In this case, it is preferable that the claw portions 48a and 48b are not straight but bent.

  Although not shown, the insertion portion side member 12 is provided with a locking pin 46, and the operation portion side member 14 is provided with a locking lever 52. For this reason, the insertion part side member 12 and the operation part side member 14 can be attached or detached easily.

  Next, the operation of the separate endoscope 10 according to this embodiment will be briefly described. Here, the process of making the endoscope 10 in a usable state by performing a connection operation (connection operation) between the insertion portion side member 12 and the operation portion side member 14 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 10A, the abutting portion 44 at the base end of the folding preventing portion 28 is opposed to the abutting portion 50b at the distal end of the operation portion main body 50 and is brought close to each other.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 2A, the slope of the locking portion 62 c of the locking lever 52 is pressed by the locking pin 46 of the insertion portion side member 12, so that the locking lever 52 of the operation portion main body 50 is pressed. Sinks inward. That is, it becomes the same state as the pressing portion 62a of the locking lever 52 is pressed. At this time, the claw portions 48 a and 48 b of the insertion portion side member 12 come into contact with the other end 72 b of the operating member 72 as shown in FIG.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 4C, the insertion portion side connecting piece 36 at the proximal end of the insertion portion side wire 34 and the operation portion side connecting piece 66 at the distal end of the operation portion side wire 64 are connected.

  When the abutting portion 44 at the base end of the bend preventing portion 28 is further brought closer to the abutting portion 50b at the distal end of the operation portion main body 50, the locking pin 46 is locked by the locking portion 62c of the locking lever 52. At the same time, the other ends 72b of the respective operating members 72 are pressed by the claw portions 48a and 48b of the insertion portion side member 12. At this time, the operation member 72 rotates about the pin 82 as a support shaft. For this reason, the operating portion side wire 64 is pressed inward by the pressing portion 74 provided at one end 72 a of the operating member 72. Further, the locking portion 62c of the locking lever 52 gets over the locking pin 46, and the locking lever 52 returns to the original position by the elastic force of the elastic member 62d.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 10B, inclined surfaces 49a and 49b are formed at the extended ends of the claw portions 48a and 48b of the insertion portion side member 12, respectively. The angle between the inclined surfaces 49a and 49b of the claw portions 48a and 48b and the plane of the other end 72b of the operating member 72 becomes narrower as the side member 14 is inserted into the operation portion main body 50. For this reason, the amount of rotation of each actuating member 72 is increased, and a force acts so that the pressing portions 74 try to spread the operation portion side wires 64 outward. Therefore, the pressing force of the pressing portion 74 against the operation portion side wire 64 is increased. Since the elastic body 94 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the roller 92, the tension of the operation unit side wire 64 is changed by the elastic force of the elastic body 94 (the amount of biting of the operation unit side wire 64 with respect to the elastic body 94). Adjust the wire length.

  Thus, the endoscope 10 is used in a state where an appropriate tension is applied to each operation unit side wire 64. When an operation knob (not shown) that rotates together with the pulley 54 is operated, the operation portion side wire 64 moves along the axial direction. At this time, the roller 92 of the pressing portion 74 also rotates together with the elastic body 94. Further, when an appropriate tension is applied to the operation portion side wire 64 that is a part of the operation wire, the tension also affects the insertion portion side wire 34. For this reason, while the operation part side wire 64 moves along the axial direction, the tensioned insertion part side wire 34 moves along the axial direction. Therefore, the bending tube 32 of the bending portion 24 of the endoscope 10 is bent in the UD direction by pulling the insertion portion side wire 34. At this time, since tension is applied not only to the operation unit side wire 64 but also to the insertion unit side wire 34 connected to the operation unit side wire 64, the force by the operation of the operation knob that rotates together with the pulley 54 is exerted. Can be improved. That is, the bending portion 24 of the endoscope 10 bends in a desired state with a good response by turning the operation knob.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the following can be said.

  The pair of operation members 72 can be disposed between the pair of operation unit side wires 64 by shifting the positions of the pair of operation members 72 in the axial direction of the operation unit side wires 64. For this reason, the grip part 50a of the operation part main body 50 can be formed thinner than the case where the operation member 72 exists in the outer side of a pair of operation part side wire 64 as demonstrated in 1st Embodiment. Therefore, the grip property of the grip part 50a can be improved.

  Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. This embodiment is a modification of the first to third embodiments. The same members as those described in the first to third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be given. Omitted. That is, the bending direction of the bending portion 24 of the separation type endoscope 10 of this embodiment may be either two directions or four directions.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, a pair of extending portions (insertion portion side operation portions) 148 are provided at the proximal end of the main body 42 of the anti-folding portion 28. These extending portions 148 extend straight in the direction opposite to the distal end hard portion 22 of the insertion portion side member 12. And the extension end part of the extension part 148 has the extension end surface (press surface which presses the 1st rod 182 of the operation part side action | operation part 172 mentioned later) orthogonal to an axial direction.

  Although not shown, the insertion portion side member 12 is provided with a locking pin 46, and the operation portion side member 14 is provided with a locking lever 52. For this reason, the insertion part side member 12 and the operation part side member 14 can be attached or detached easily.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 (A) to 11 (C), the operation unit main body 50 includes a pair of operating units (operation unit side) as tension adjusting mechanisms for adjusting the tension of the operation unit side wire 64. Actuating part) 172, pressing part 74, and wire path defining member 176 are disposed. Each actuating portion 172 includes a first rod 182, a buffer member 184, and a second rod 186 in a straight line. The first rod 182, the buffer member 184, and the second rod 186 are preferably integrally formed.

  The first rod 182 is formed, for example, in a columnar shape, and moves with one end being pressed by the extension end surface 149 of the extension portion 148 described above. One end of the buffer member 184 is fixed to the other end of the first rod 182. The buffer member 184 is formed of, for example, a flexible rubber material or a compression coil spring material, and automatically adjusts the pressing force of the pressing portion 74. One end of the second rod 186 is fixed to the other end of the buffer member 184. The second rod 186 is formed, for example, in a columnar shape, and a pressing portion 74 in which an elastic body 94 is disposed on the outer periphery of the roller 92 is disposed at the other end of the second rod 186. For this reason, the pressing portion 74 is rotatable at the other end of the second rod 186.

  The wire path defining member 176 is formed by, for example, a pin supported by the operation unit main body 50, and appropriately sets the path of the operation unit side wire 64. The wire path defining member 176 formed of a pin is preferably rotatable around its axis in order to reduce friction with the operation unit side wire 64 as much as possible. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11 (A) to 11 (C), the path of the operation unit side wire 64 having one end fixed to the pulley 54 is deflected and pressed by the three wire path defining members 176. A portion that can be pressed by the portion 74 is formed.

  Needless to say, the arrangement of the wire path defining member 176 is not limited to the arrangement shown in FIGS. 11 (A) to 11 (C).

  As shown in FIGS. 11A to 11C, an elastic member 102 such as a rubber material or a tension coil spring is disposed between the operation unit main body 50 and the operation unit 172. For this reason, the elastic member 102 exerts a force so as to separate the pressing portion 74 from the operating portion side wire 64 even when the pressing portion 74 presses the operating portion side wire 64. The elastic member 102 can exert a pulling force so as to separate the pressing portion 74 from the operating portion side wire 64 as the state where the pressing portion 74 presses the operating portion side wire 64 is released.

  Next, the operation of the separate endoscope 10 according to this embodiment will be briefly described. Here, the process of making the endoscope 10 in a usable state by performing a connection operation (connection operation) between the insertion portion side member 12 and the operation portion side member 14 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, the abutting portion 44 at the base end of the folding preventing portion 28 is opposed to the abutting portion 50b at the distal end of the operation portion main body 50 and is brought close to each other.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 2A, the slope of the locking portion 62 c of the locking lever 52 is pressed by the locking pin 46 of the insertion portion side member 12, so that the locking lever 52 of the operation portion main body 50 is pressed. Sinks inward. That is, it becomes the same state as the pressing portion 62a of the locking lever 52 is pressed. At this time, as illustrated in FIG. 11B, the extended end surface 149 of the extended portion 148 comes into contact with one end of the first rod 182 of the operating portion 172.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 4C, the insertion portion side connecting piece 36 at the proximal end of the insertion portion side wire 34 and the operation portion side connecting piece 66 at the distal end of the operation portion side wire 64 are connected.

  When the contact portion 44 at the base end of the bend preventing portion 28 is brought closer to the contact portion 50b at the distal end of the operation portion main body 50, the locking portion 62c of the locking lever 52 locks the insertion portion side member 12. The pin 46 is locked, and one end of the first rod 182 of each operating portion 172 is pressed by the extended end surface 149 of the extended portion 148. At this time, the operating unit 172 moves the second rod 186 from the first rod 182 via the buffer member 184. For this reason, the operating portion side wire 64 is pressed to the side close to the pulley 54 by the pressing portion 74 provided on the second rod 186 of the operating portion 172. Further, the locking portion 62c of the locking lever 52 of the operating portion side member 14 gets over the locking pin 46 of the insertion portion side member 12, and the locking lever 52 is returned to the original position by the elastic force of the elastic member 62d. To do.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 11B, since the extended end surface 149 is formed at the extended end of the extended portion 148, the operation is performed as the extended portion 148 is put into the operation portion main body 50. The amount of movement of the portion 172 increases, and a force acts so that the pressing portion 74 presses the operation portion side wire 64 toward the side close to the pulley 54. Therefore, the pressing force of the pressing portion 74 against the operation portion side wire 64 is increased. Since the elastic body 94 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the roller 92, the tension of the operation unit side wire 64 is changed by the elastic force of the elastic body 94 (the amount of biting of the operation unit side wire 64 with respect to the elastic body 94). Adjust the wire length. Further, since the buffer member 184 is disposed in the operating portion 172, the tension and the wire length of the operation unit side wire 64 are also adjusted by the elastic force of the buffer member 184.

  Thus, the endoscope 10 is used in a state where an appropriate tension is applied to the operation unit side wire 64. When an operation knob (not shown) that rotates together with the pulley 54 is operated, the operation portion side wire 64 moves along the axial direction. At this time, the roller 92 of the pressing portion 74 also rotates together with the elastic body 94. Further, when an appropriate tension is applied to the operation portion side wire 64 that is a part of the operation wire, the tension also affects the insertion portion side wire 34. For this reason, while the operation part side wire 64 moves along the axial direction, the tensioned operation part side wire 64 moves along the axial direction. Therefore, the bending tube 32 of the bending portion 24 of the endoscope 10 is bent by pulling the insertion portion side wire 34. At this time, since tension is applied not only to the operation unit side wire 64 but also to the insertion unit side wire 34 connected to the operation unit side wire 64, the force by the operation of the operation knob that rotates together with the pulley 54 is exerted. Can be improved. That is, the bending portion 24 of the endoscope 10 bends in a desired state with a good response by turning the operation knob.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the following can be said.

  In this embodiment, since the tension is applied to the operation unit side wire 64 by linearly moving (linearly moving) the operating unit 172, the outer shape of the grip 50a of the operation unit main body 50 is changed to the first shape. It can be made smaller than the case where the rotating operation member 72 described in the embodiment is used.

  In addition, since the buffer member 184 of the operating unit 172 is also formed of an elastic body, when tension is applied to the operation unit side wire 64, not only the elastic body 94 of the pressing unit 74 but also the buffer member 184 is elastic. The tension applied to the operation wire and the wire length can also be adjusted by force.

  As described in the third embodiment (see FIG. 10), one extension portion 148 is long and the other extension portion 148 is shorter than one, and the operation portion corresponding to this is formed. Even if 172 is appropriately formed, it can be operated similarly.

  Although several embodiments have been specifically described so far with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and all the embodiments performed without departing from the scope of the invention are described. Including implementation.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Separate type | mold endoscope, 12 ... Insertion part side member, 14 ... Operation part side member, 22 ... Tip hard part, 24 ... Bending part, 26 ... Flexible pipe part, 28 ... Bending part, 32 ... Bending pipe 32a ... bending piece, 34 ... insertion part side operation wire, 36 ... insertion part side connecting piece, 42 ... main body, 44 ... contact part, 46 ... locking pin, 48 ... claw part, 49 ... slope, 50 ... operation 50a ... grip part, 50b ... contact part, 52 ... locking lever, 54 ... pulley, 56 ... switch, 58 ... cable, 62a ... push-in part, 62b ... lever part, 62c ... locking part, 62d ... Elastic member, 64 ... operation part side operation wire, 66 ... operation part side connecting piece, 72 ... operating member, 74 ... pressing part, 102 ... elastic member

Claims (11)

An insertion portion having a bending portion;
An operation unit having a rotating member;
At least one pair of insertion portion side wires extending from the bending portion of the insertion portion toward the rotating member of the operation portion;
An operation portion side wire extending from the rotating member of the operation portion toward the bending portion of the insertion portion;
And a connecting means for connecting the insertion portion side wire and the operation portion side wire, wherein the proximal end portion of the insertion portion is detachable from the operation portion.
A mechanism that is provided in the operation unit and that presses the operation unit side wire connected to the insertion unit side wire by the connecting means;
A separation type endoscope, comprising: an insertion portion side operation portion that is provided in the insertion portion and operates a mechanism that presses the operation portion side wire. The mechanism for pressing the operation unit side wire is:
An operation part side operation part movable by the insertion part side operation part when connecting the base end part of the insertion part to the operation part;
A pressing portion that is provided in the operation portion side operation portion and that presses the operation portion side wire connected to the insertion portion side wire by moving the operation portion side operation portion. The separation-type endoscope according to claim 1.   The separation-type endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the pressing portion is formed in a substantially wheel shape and is rotatably disposed at an end portion of the operation portion side operation portion.   The separable endoscope according to claim 2 or 3, wherein an elastic body that receives the operation unit side wire is disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the pressing portion.   The operation unit side operation unit is rotatably supported by the operation unit, and maintains the state rotated by the insertion unit side operation unit and presses the operation unit side wire by the pressing unit. The separation type endoscope according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein   The operation part side operation part is supported by the operation part so as to be linearly movable, and maintains the state pressed by the insertion part side operation part and presses the operation part side wire by the pressing part. The separation type endoscope according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein   The operation portion includes an elastic member that separates a pressing portion provided in the operation portion side operation portion from the operation portion side wire when the base end portion of the insertion portion is separated from the operation portion. The separation type endoscope according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the separation type endoscope is characterized. A proximal end portion of the insertion portion having a bending portion is detachable, has a rotating member for bending the bending portion, and extends from the rotating member of the operation portion toward the bending portion of the insertion portion. A separation type endoscope in which at least one pair of operation unit side wires is connected to and used by at least one pair of insertion unit side wires extending from a bending portion of the insertion unit toward a rotating member of the operation unit. An operation unit,
The operation of pressing the operation unit side wire connected to the insertion unit side wire in conjunction with the operation of attaching the proximal end portion of the insertion unit to apply tension, and the base end portion of the insertion unit being detached And a tension adjusting mechanism for releasing the pressing of the operation unit side wire coupled to the insertion unit side wire in conjunction with the operation unit of the separation type endoscope. The tension adjusting mechanism is
An operating part side actuating part that rotates or linearly moves;
The press part which is provided in the said operation part side action | operation part, and contacts / separates with respect to the said operation part side wire when the said operation part side action | operation part rotates or moves linearly is provided. The operation part of the separation type endoscope described in 1. The pressing portion is
A roller rotatable with respect to the operation unit side operation unit;
The operation part of the separation type endoscope according to claim 9, further comprising: an elastic body disposed outside the roller. An endoscope including an insertion unit and an operation unit,
The insertion portion has a bending portion provided on one end side, a first contact portion provided on the other end side, at least a pair of insertion portion side wires, and an insertion portion side operation portion,
The insertion portion side wire is disposed from the one end to the other end,
On the other end side of the insertion portion wire, first connection means is provided,
The insertion part side operation part is provided so as to protrude from the first contact part,
The operation part includes a second contact part provided on one end side, an operation part side wire, a rotating member in contact with the operation part side wire, and a pressing member.
The second contact portion can contact the first contact portion;
The rotating member is provided with the operation portion side wire,
At least a pair of end portions extended to one end side of the operation portion wire are respectively provided with second connection means,
The second connecting means is connectable with the first connecting means;
The pressing member is arranged so that one end side faces the operation part wire,
The insertion portion side actuating portion is provided at a position in contact with the other end side of the pressing member when the first and second abutting portions are in contact with each other.
An internal view characterized in that the pressing member moves toward the operating portion side wire as the insertion portion side operating portion comes into contact with the other end side of the pressing member and presses the other end side of the pressing member. mirror.

Images