JP3872130B2 - Endoscope - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an endoscope capable of variably adjusting the flexibility of an insertion portion.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an endoscope capable of observing a site to be inspected in a body cavity without needing an incision by inserting an elongated insertion portion into the body cavity or performing a therapeutic treatment using a treatment tool as necessary. Became widely used.
[0003]
The insertion part of the endoscope is flexible so that it can be inserted into a bent insertion path, but because of this flexibility, the orientation of the distal end side with respect to the proximal side is not fixed. , It may be difficult to introduce in the target direction. In order to cope with this, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 3-43802 discloses an endoscope provided with a hardness varying means including a coil pipe and a wire. According to this configuration, an operator who performs endoscopy can adjust the flexibility of the insertion portion with a simple operation, and can be easily inserted into a bent path.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the hardness varying means for changing the flexibility of the conventional insertion portion as described above is provided in the insertion portion, there is a problem that the outer shape becomes large. In the construction in which the hardness variable means composed of the coil pipe and the wire described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 3-43802 is incorporated, the outer diameter of the insertion portion becomes thick due to the space for arranging the hardness variable means, which may impair the insertability. .
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and the hardness variable means can be provided in the insertion portion without increasing the diameter of the insertion portion, so that the flexibility of the insertion portion can be adjusted. The purpose is to provide an endoscope.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An endoscope according to the present invention includes an insertion portion having a bendable bending portion and a bendable flexible portion;
An elongated built-in object disposed in the insertion part, a protective cylinder that covers the built-in object in the bending part, and a length in the flexible part that is provided in the insertion part and is operated in the operation part. A hardness adjusting wire to be enabled, and a coil pipe arranged such that the distal end is fixed to the hardness adjusting wire and the rear end of the proximal side is prevented from moving toward the proximal side at the rear end of the soft part And a hardness variable means comprising:
Wherein the箇plants the protective pipe in the insertion portion is present, the addition to the hardness variation means diameter than its proximal, apart proximally 5mm or more than the proximal end of the protective pipe A portion where the outer diameter of the hardness varying means changes from a small diameter to a large diameter is arranged.
[0007]
According to this arrangement, the箇plant protective pipe in the insertion portion is present, both the hardness variation means diameter than its proximal, proximal to the release 5mm or more than the proximal end of the protective pipe By arranging the portion where the outer diameter of the hardness varying means changes from a small diameter to a large diameter, it is possible to avoid an increase in the diameter of the insertion portion even if the hardness varying means is provided.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
1 to 4 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of an endoscope apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a connection portion between a bending portion and a flexible portion in an endoscope insertion portion. FIG. 3 is a structural explanatory view showing the configuration of the hardness adjusting operation mechanism of the hardness varying means provided in the operation unit, and FIG. 4 is a case of inserting the endoscope insertion unit into the large intestine. It is effect | action explanatory drawing explaining the insertion method.
[0009]
The endoscope of this embodiment shows an example of the configuration of an electronic endoscope having a solid-state imaging device at the tip. As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope apparatus includes an endoscope 1, a light source unit that supplies illumination light to the endoscope 1, and a signal processing unit that performs signal processing on an image signal transmitted from the endoscope 1. And a monitor 3 that displays a video signal output from the control device 2 on a screen.
[0010]
The endoscope 1 includes an elongated insertion portion 4, a large-diameter operation portion 5 connected to the rear end side of the insertion portion 4, and a universal cable 6 extending from a side portion of the operation portion 5. The connector 7 is provided at the end of the universal cable 6.
[0011]
The insertion portion 4 is provided with a hard distal end portion 8 on the distal end side and a bendable bending portion 9 on the rear side adjacent to the distal end portion 8. Further, a flexible soft portion 10 is continuously provided behind the curved portion 9.
[0012]
The operation section 5 is provided with a bending operation knob 11. By operating the bending operation knob 11, the bending section 9 can be bent in the vertical and horizontal directions. Further, a hardness adjustment knob 12 is provided in the vicinity of the bending operation knob 11 of the operation portion 5, and the hardness of the flexible portion 10 can be changed by operating hardness changing means described later by the hardness adjustment knob 12. ing.
[0013]
FIG. 2 shows an internal configuration in the vicinity of the connection portion between the bending portion 9 and the flexible portion 10 in the insertion portion 4.
[0014]
The bending portion 9 is configured by a plurality of substantially cylindrical bending pieces 13 being rotatably connected by pins 14. Each bending piece 13 is provided with a wire receiver 16 through which a plurality of bending wires 15 inserted through the insertion portion 4 are passed, and the distal end of the bending wire 15 is connected and fixed to a distal bending piece (not shown). By pushing and pulling the bending wire 15, the bending piece 13 is rotated to bend the bending portion 9 into a desired shape, and the distal end portion 8 of the insertion portion 4 can be oriented in any direction up / down / left / right. It has become.
[0015]
A connecting tube 18 is fitted into and coupled to the rear end bending piece 17 at the rear end of the bending portion 9 from the rear end, and the bendable inner cylinder constituting the soft portion 10 on the inner peripheral portion of the rear end of the connecting tube 18. The tip of the tube 19 is inserted and connected. A knitted tube 20 is attached to the outer periphery of the bending piece 13 of the bending portion 9, and the outer periphery of the knitted tube 20 is covered with a covering tube 21. Further, the outer periphery of the inner tube 19 of the soft part 10 is covered with an outer tube 22.
[0016]
A coil pipe 23 is disposed inside the inner tube 19, and the tip of the coil pipe 23 is fixed to the connection tube 18 by a fixing means such as brazing. The bending wire 15 is placed in the coil pipe 23. It is inserted. A hardness adjusting wire 24 is inserted into the inner tube 19, and the tip of the hardness adjusting wire 24 is fixed to the connecting tube 18 by a fixing means such as brazing, like the coil pipe 23.
[0017]
The hardness adjusting wire 24 is inserted through the lumen of the coil pipe 25, and the tip of the coil pipe 25 is firmly fixed at a fixing portion 26 in the middle of the hardness adjusting wire 24. Note that the hardness adjusting wire 24 and the coil pipe 25 are not fixed and are in a free state on the proximal side of the fixing portion 26 of the hardness adjusting wire 24. The hardness adjusting means 24 and the coil pipe 25 constitute hardness varying means.
[0018]
The built-in objects 27a, 27b, and 27c disposed in the insertion portion 4 are protected cylinders 28a, 28b, and 28b in the bending portion 9 so that there is no damage such as buckling against bending with a small curvature radius. 28c. These built-in objects 27 (representing 27a, 27b, and 27c) are, for example, a light guide, a signal cable connected to the solid-state imaging device, an air supply / water supply, a suction conduit, a channel conduit, and the like. 2 shows only some of them.
[0019]
The protective cylinder 28 (representing 28a, 28b, 28c) is formed of, for example, a resin tube, a coiled cylinder, a knitted tube, or the like. The fixing portion 26 is provided closer to the proximal side than the rear ends of the protective cylinders 28a and 28b. In addition, like the built-in object 27c, there may be an object in which the rear end of the protective cylinder 28c is positioned closer to the hand side than the fixing portion 26. That is, the fixing part 26 may be positioned closer to the hand side than the rear end of the protective cylinder 28 of at least one of the built-in objects 27 according to the amount of the built-in object 27.
[0020]
If the protective cylinder 28 is provided only up to the middle of the bending portion 9, the fixed portion 26 at the tip of the coil pipe 25 may be located in the bending portion 9, but the bending portion 9 has a small radius of curvature. When the fixing part 26 and the coil pipe 25 are in a hard state, they may bend and other built-in objects may be damaged or the bending piece 13 may be destroyed. For this reason, it is desirable to arrange the fixing portion 26 closer to the proximal side than the pin 14 closest to the proximal side of the bending portion 9.
[0021]
Further, it is desirable that the distance between the rear end of the protective cylinder 28 and the fixing portion 26 be 5 mm or more. This is because the protective cylinder 28 may move back and forth by ± 5 mm or more by the bending operation of the bending portion 9. When the protective cylinder 28 moves by 5 mm or more due to the bending operation due to the built-in object, the distance from the fixed portion 26 is increased by a corresponding amount.
[0022]
FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the hardness adjusting operation mechanism of the hardness varying means provided in the operation unit 5.
[0023]
The proximal end portions of the inner tube 19 and the outer tube 22 constituting the flexible portion 10 of the insertion portion 4 are connected and fixed to the hand connection tube 29, and the rear end portion of the hand connection tube 29 is connected to the operation portion main body 30. It is attached. A bend stopper 31 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the hand connection pipe 29, that is, on the outer periphery of the connection portion between the insertion portion 4 and the operation portion 5.
[0024]
The abutting member 32 is attached and fixed to the inner peripheral portion of the hand connection pipe 29, and the hand end of the coil pipe 25 abuts against the abutting member 32. The hardness adjusting wire 24 inserted through the coil pipe 25 passes through the through hole of the abutting member 32 and further extends rearward. The extended hardness adjusting wire 24 is hung on a pulley 33 provided in the operation portion 5 and folded back by the pulley 33, and an end portion of the wire folded portion 24 a is fixed to the hand connection pipe 29.
[0025]
One end of a slide member 34, which is a rod-like member, is rotatably connected to the rotation shaft 33a of the pulley 33, and one end of an arm 35, which is a rod-like member, is pivotable by a pin 36 to the other end of the slide member 34. It is connected to. The other end of the arm 35 is pivotally connected to the drive unit 12 a at the tip of the hardness adjustment knob 12 by a pin 36. The hardness adjustment knob 12 is provided so as to be rotatable around a shaft 37. The pulley 33 and the slide member 34 are provided so as to slide substantially linearly along the longitudinal axis direction of the operation unit 5.
[0026]
As indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 3, the coil pipe 25 is pushed into the soft portion 10 and slightly abuts against the abutting member 32. This is a configuration for absorbing the amount of contraction because the length of the coil pipe 25 is elastically deformed and slightly contracted when the hardness adjusting wire 24 is pulled and a compressive force is applied to the coil pipe 25. is there. In the present embodiment, the coil pipe 25 is pushed into the flexible portion 10 by an amount equal to or more than the amount of shrinkage, so that the hardness adjusting wire 24 does not directly pull the connecting pipe 18.
[0027]
The rear end of the coil pipe 25 and the abutting member 32 may not only be abutted and locked, but may be fixed so as not to rotate. When a compressive force is applied to the coil pipe 25 by pulling the hardness adjusting wire 24, the coil pipe 25 rotates in the direction in which the diameter increases, but this rotation also causes the coil length to shrink, so that both ends of the coil pipe 25 do not rotate. By fixing in this manner, the shrinkage of the coil pipe 25 can be eliminated.
[0028]
In the configuration of the present embodiment, when the hardness adjustment knob 12 is rotated, the slide member 34 and the pulley 33 slide in the longitudinal axis direction of the operation unit 5 in conjunction with the hardness adjustment knob 12 and pull the hardness adjustment wire 24. At this time, the proximal side of the hardness adjusting wire 24 is stretched over the pulley 33 and the end of the wire folding portion 24a is fixed to the proximal connecting tube 29, so that it is half that of directly pulling the hardness adjusting wire 24. It can be pulled by force.
[0029]
When the hardness adjusting wire 24 is pulled, a compressive force is applied to the outer coil pipe 25, the hardness of the coil pipe 25 is increased, and as a result, the flexible portion 10 is hardened. In this way, the hardness of the flexible portion 10 is adjusted by operating the hardness adjustment knob 12.
[0030]
Here, the operation when the insertion part 4 of the endoscope 1 is inserted transanally into the large intestine will be described as an example with reference to FIG.
[0031]
First, the hardness adjustment knob 12 is in an initial state, and the soft portion 10 is soft without applying a compressive force to the coil pipe 25, and the insertion portion 4 is moved from the anus 41 to the rectum 42 as shown in FIG. After that, it is inserted while being bent so as to be substantially along the sigmoid colon 43 which is winding. At this time, since the soft part 10 is soft, a patient's pain can be reduced. If the soft part 10 has a large diameter as in the conventional configuration, the soft part may not be sufficiently soft, or the flexibility of the soft part in the intestine may be reduced, and the insertability may deteriorate. .
[0032]
Thereafter, when the distal end of the insertion portion 4 is inserted from the sigmoid colon 43 through the descending colon 44 to the vicinity of the splenic curved portion 45, the proximal side of the insertion portion 4 is pulled as shown in FIG. Thus, the soft part 10 and the sigmoid colon 43 are substantially straightened. At this time, until the soft part 10 is soft, even if an attempt is made to insert the soft part 10 deeper than this, the soft part 10 is bent in the middle of the soft part 10 so that the distal end of the insertion part is difficult to advance.
[0033]
Therefore, in the state shown in FIG. 4B, the hardness adjusting knob 12 is operated to apply a compressive force to the coil pipe 25 to harden the flexible portion 10. In this state, if the insertion portion 4 is inserted into the deep portion, the spleen curved portion is drawn so that the flexible portion 10 draws a large curve without bending the middle of the flexible portion 10 as shown in FIG. 45 can be inserted into the transverse colon 46, the liver curved portion 47, and the ascending colon 48, and the distal end of the insertion portion 4 can easily reach the cecum 49.
[0034]
Inside the soft portion 10 and the bending portion 9 of the insertion portion 4, the portion where the protective cylinders 28 a and 28 b are located has a high filling rate of built-in objects, and there is no gap. In the present embodiment, only the hardness adjusting wire 24 is provided where the protective cylinders 28a and 28b exist, and the coil pipe 25 is configured to be positioned closer to the hand side than the rear ends of the protective cylinders 28a and 28b. Since the filling rate of the built-in material is relatively low and the coil pipe 25 is arranged in a place with some gaps, the soft portion 10 does not increase in diameter.
[0035]
In addition, since the tip of the hardness adjusting wire 24 is fixed to the connecting pipe 18, the coil pipe 25 is entangled with other built-in objects and damages other built-in objects while the endoscope 1 is repeatedly used. The built-in objects are always kept in a predetermined layout.
[0036]
The hardness adjusting wire 24 and the coil pipe 25 may be formed of a superelastic alloy. In this case, since the hardness adjusting wire 24 and the coil pipe 25 are difficult to be plastically deformed, even if the hardness adjusting operation is repeated, plastic deformation such as elongation of the hardness adjusting wire 24 and contraction of the coil pipe 25 is reduced (or eliminated). ) And the deterioration of the function can be prevented.
[0037]
As described above, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, it is possible to provide hardness varying means in the insertion portion while preventing the insertion portion from becoming thicker and adjust the flexibility of the insertion portion. It becomes possible.
[0038]
In the following second to fourth embodiments, configuration examples are shown in which the configurations of the hardness adjusting wire 24 and the tip of the coil pipe 25 in the hardness varying means of the first embodiment are changed. FIGS. 5 to 7 relate to the second to fourth embodiments, respectively, and show only the portions different from the first embodiment in the vicinity of the connecting portion between the bending portion 9 and the flexible portion 10.
[0039]
FIG. 5 is an axial cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the main part of the hardness varying means in the endoscope insertion section according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0040]
In the second embodiment, a connection coil 38 is provided in front of the tip of the coil pipe 25, the coil pipe 25 and the connection coil 38 are connected and fixed, and the tip of the connection coil 38 and the tip of the hardness adjusting wire 24 are connected. It is firmly fixed to the connecting pipe 18. The tip of the coil pipe 25 is not fixed to the hardness adjustment wire 24.
[0041]
The connection coil 38 has an inner diameter that is substantially the same as that of the coil pipe 25, but has a smaller outer diameter. In addition, the connection coil 38 is configured by winding an irregularly shaped (for example, square) wire in a coil shape instead of a circular cross section. The connection coil 38 may be formed of a strand having a circular cross section, like the coil pipe 25.
[0042]
Since the configuration of other parts is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.
[0043]
In the present embodiment, the connection coil 38 is provided together with the hardness adjusting wire 24 at the distal end side of the coil pipe 25, the connection coil 38 is located where the protective cylinders 28a and 28b exist, and the coil pipe 25 is connected to the protective cylinder. It comes to be located closer to the hand than the rear ends of the bodies 28a, 28b. Since the connecting coil 38 has a diameter smaller than that of the coil pipe 25, the flexible portion 10 does not increase in diameter.
[0044]
In the configuration of the first embodiment, the hardness of the flexible portion 10 ahead of the tip of the coil pipe 25 cannot be varied. However, in the second embodiment, the connecting coil 38 can be applied with a compressive force. Can also change the hardness. Therefore, the hardness can be varied up to the tip of the soft part 10. However, since the connecting coil 38 has a diameter smaller than that of the coil pipe 25, the hardness when the connecting coil 38 is hardened does not reach the coil pipe 25.
[0045]
Further, if the strands of the connecting coil 38 have a circular cross section, the diameter is smaller than that of the strands of the coil pipe 25, so that the strands are easily displaced when a compressive force is applied, or the contact points between the strands. However, in the present configuration example, the above-described problem can be avoided even if the wire has a small diameter by making the strands have a non-circular (square) cross section.
[0046]
It should be noted that the front end of the coil pipe 25 and the rear end of the connection coil 38 may only abut against each other, but it is more desirable to firmly fix them. Thus, by fixing the front end of the connection coil 38 and the rear end of the coil pipe 25 so as not to rotate, it is possible to prevent the connection coil 38 and the coil pipe 25 from rotating and contracting even when a compression force is applied.
[0047]
Thus, according to the structure of 2nd Embodiment, in addition to the effect of 1st Embodiment, the effect that the full length can be made variable to the front-end | tip of the soft part 10 is acquired.
[0048]
FIG. 6 is an axial sectional view showing the configuration of the main part of the hardness varying means in the endoscope insertion portion according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
[0049]
In the third embodiment, a connecting wire 39 separate from the hardness adjusting wire 24 is connected and fixed to the tip of the coil pipe 25, and the tip of the connecting wire 39 is fixed to the connecting pipe 18. The tip of the hardness adjusting wire 24 is fixed to the tip of the coil pipe 25, and the coil pipe 25, the hardness adjusting wire 24, and the connecting wire 39 are connected and fixed at the fixing portion 26.
[0050]
The connecting wire 39 has an outer diameter smaller than that of the coil pipe 25. The connecting wire 39 may be composed of any of a single wire, a pipe material, a coiled member, and the like. Further, the connecting wire 39 may be softer than the hardness adjusting wire 24 or may be hard.
[0051]
Since the configuration of other parts is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.
[0052]
In the present embodiment, a connecting wire 39 is provided on the tip side of the coil pipe 25, the connecting wire 39 is located where the protective cylinders 28a and 28b exist, and the coil pipe 25 is connected to the protective cylinders 28a and 28b. It is located closer to the hand than the rear end. Since the connecting wire 39 has a diameter smaller than that of the coil pipe 25, the soft portion 10 does not increase in diameter.
[0053]
When the connecting wire 39 is made softer than the hardness adjusting wire 24, it can be prevented that other built-in objects are damaged when the flexible portion 10 is bent. On the other hand, when the connecting wire 39 is made harder than the hardness adjusting wire 24, it becomes difficult to twist, so that when the compression force is applied to the coil pipe 25, the rotation of the coil pipe 25 can be suppressed, and the elastic deformation and plasticity of the coil pipe 25 are suppressed. Shrinkage due to deformation can be eliminated.
[0054]
As described above, according to the configuration of the third embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and by setting the hardness of the connecting wire 39, damage to other built-in objects can be prevented or the coil pipe 25 can be prevented. The effect of preventing shrinkage is obtained.
[0055]
FIG. 7 is an axial cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the main part of the hardness varying means in the endoscope insertion section according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[0056]
In the fourth embodiment, the tip of the hardness adjusting wire 24 and the tip of the coil pipe 25 are fixed by the fixing portion 26, and there is no structure that extends from the fixing portion 26 to the tip side. Therefore, the tip of the coil pipe 25 is not fixed to the connecting pipe 18 and is in a free state.
[0057]
Since the configuration of other parts is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.
[0058]
In the present embodiment, nothing is extended where the protective cylinders 28a and 28b on the front end side are present from the fixed portion 26 of the coil pipe 25, and the coil pipe 25 extends from the rear ends of the protective cylinders 28a and 28b. Since the soft part 10 is located on the hand side, the diameter of the soft part 10 is not increased.
[0059]
Moreover, since the tip of the coil pipe 25 is in a free state, the coil pipe 25 may become entangled with other built-in objects while the endoscope 1 is used repeatedly, but the tip of the coil pipe 25 This eliminates the need for an assembly operation for fixing the member to another member, leading to simplification of the assembly operation and cost reduction.
[0060]
Thus, according to the structure of 4th Embodiment, in addition to the effect of 1st Embodiment, the assembly work can be simplified and the effect that reduction of cost can be aimed at is acquired.
[0061]
The hardness varying means in the present invention is not limited to the combination of the hardness adjusting wire 24 and the coil pipe 25 as shown in the above-described embodiment, and may be any elongated member such as the coil pipe 25. Either can be applied. For example, a shape memory alloy that becomes hard and linear when heated and softens when cooled may be used, or a resin that is cured by heat may be used.
[0062]
[Appendix]
(1) An insertion portion having a bendable bending portion and a flexible portion that can be bent; an elongated built-in object disposed in the insertion portion; a protective cylinder that covers the built-in object in the bending portion; Elongated hardness variable means provided in the insertion part and changing the hardness of the soft part by its own hardness change,
The hardness varying means or the member connected to the hardness varying means is disposed so as to have a smaller diameter than the proximal side at least at a part of the insertion portion where the protective cylinder exists. Endoscope.
[0063]
(2) The hardness varying means includes a coil pipe and a wire inserted into the coil pipe, and changes the hardness by pulling the wire and compressing the coil pipe. 1. The endoscope according to 1.
[0064]
(3) The endoscope according to appendix 2, wherein a tip end of the wire of the hardness varying means is fixed in the vicinity of a connection portion between the bending portion and the soft portion.
[0065]
(4) The inner portion according to appendix 3, wherein a single wire extending from the hardness varying means or connected to the hardness varying means is disposed at a place where the protective cylinder exists in the insertion portion. Endoscope.
[0066]
(5) A second wire that is separate from the first wire provided in the coil pipe of the hardness varying means is provided as a single wire disposed in the insertion portion where the protective cylinder exists. The endoscope according to appendix 4, which is characterized by the above.
[0067]
(6) The endoscope according to appendix 5, wherein the second wire is harder than the first wire.
[0068]
(7) The endoscope according to appendix 5, wherein the second wire is softer than the first wire.
[0069]
(8) A second coil pipe having a diameter smaller than that of the first coil pipe located closer to the proximal side of the protective cylinder in the hardness varying means is disposed at a place where the protective cylinder exists in the insertion portion. The endoscope according to appendix 3, wherein the endoscope is provided.
[0070]
(9) The endoscope according to appendix 2, wherein the coil pipe of the hardness varying means is attached to the insertion portion so as not to rotate.
[0071]
(10) The endoscope according to appendix 2, wherein the coil pipe of the hardness varying means has a non-circular cross section.
[0072]
(11) The endoscope according to appendix 1, characterized in that the hardness varying means does not exist at a location where the protective cylinder exists in the insertion portion.
[0073]
(12) The endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein the hardness varying means is located closer to the hand than the bending portion.
[0074]
(13) The boundary between the small diameter portion of the hardness variable means or the member connected to the hardness variable means and the large diameter portion closer to the hand is provided 5 mm or more away from the rear end of the protective cylinder. The endoscope according to appendix 1, which is characterized.
[0075]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an endoscope in which the hardness variable means can be provided in the insertion portion without increasing the diameter of the insertion portion, and the flexibility of the insertion portion can be adjusted. There is.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overall configuration of an endoscope apparatus. FIG. 2 shows an internal configuration in the vicinity of a connecting portion between a bending portion and a flexible portion in an endoscope insertion portion according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Cross-sectional view in the axial direction FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the hardness adjusting operation mechanism of the hardness varying means provided in the operation unit. FIG. 4 is an insertion method when inserting the endoscope insertion unit of the present embodiment into the large intestine. FIG. 5 is an axial sectional view showing the configuration of the main part of the hardness varying means in the endoscope insertion portion according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an axial cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the main part of the hardness varying means in the endoscope insertion portion according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 shows the main part of the hardness varying means in the endoscope insertion portion according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Sectional view in the axial direction showing the structure of
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope 4 ... Insertion part 5 ... Operation part 9 ... Bending part 10 ... Soft part 12 ... Hardness adjustment knob 18 ... Connection pipe 24 ... Hardness adjustment wire 25 ... Coil pipe 26 ... Fixed part 27a, 27b, 27c ... Built-in Object 28a, 28b, 28c ... Protective cylinder

Claims (1)

An insertion portion having a bendable bending portion and a bendable flexible portion;
An elongated built-in object disposed in the insertion portion;
A protective cylinder covering the built-in object in the curved portion;
A hardness adjusting wire provided in the insertion portion and capable of adjusting a length in the soft portion by operation of the operating portion, a distal end fixed to the hardness adjusting wire, and a rear end on the proximal side being the soft end Hardness varying means constituted by a coil pipe disposed so as to be prevented from moving to the hand side at the rear end of the part,
With
Wherein the箇plants the protective pipe in the insertion portion is present, the addition to the hardness variation means diameter than its proximal, apart proximally 5mm or more than the proximal end of the protective pipe An endoscope characterized in that a portion where the outer diameter of the hardness varying means changes from a small diameter to a large diameter is arranged.

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