JPH09285441A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent another built-in object from being damaged even when an inserting part is bent in the state of hardening a hardness regulating member. SOLUTION: A tightly wound coil 34 is arranged for forming the hardness regulating member along inner walls on the side of LEFT inside a soft part 7 for forming an inserting part 2, and a wire 36 is inserted inside. The top ends of these coil 34 and wire 36 are fixed and the rear end side of the coil 34 is fixed near the top end of an operating part 3. By performing an operation for pulling the coil 34, compression force is applied to the coil 34, and the hardness of the soft part 7 can be regulated. Since this hardness regulating member is arranged proximately to the inner walls orthogonal with the UP/ DOWN direction to be frequently used, even when the hardness is increased by bending in the UP/DOWN direction, structure for reducing the moving amount of the hardness regulating member so as not to damage the built-in object can be provided.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope having improved insertability when inserted into the large intestine or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an endoscope which can insert a soft insertion portion into a bent body cavity or the like to observe a portion that cannot be visually observed has been widely used in the medical field and the like.

Particularly, in a lower gastrointestinal endoscope, since the large intestine, which is the site to be observed, has a complicated shape, it is difficult to insert it, and it is desired that it is easy to insert and has good insertability.

Therefore, as a conventional example, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 3-43802, a hardness varying member (or hardness adjusting member) composed of an elongated coil and a wire having a characteristic that the flexibility is changed by expansion and contraction in a flexible insertion portion. ) Is provided to realize easy insertion into the large intestine.

[0005]

In the above-mentioned conventional example, when the hardness varying member consisting of the elongated coil and the wire is hardened, the hardened coil presses against other built-in objects against the bending of the insertion portion, and damage is caused. May cause

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and an internal view that does not damage other internal components even if the insertion portion is bent while the hardness varying member (hardness adjusting member) is hardened. The purpose is to provide a mirror.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems] By arranging hardness adjusting members (hardening members) along the inner wall of the left and right pipes, which are less frequently bent, in the cross section perpendicular to the axis of the flexible pipe, the movement of the hardness adjusting member is improved. Keep it small to ensure the durability of other internals.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 4 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a sectional structure of an endoscope of the first embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 3 shows a coil bound with a built-in object, FIG. 3 shows an arrangement position of the hardness adjusting member in a cross section taken along the line AA of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 shows an example of use inserted into the large intestine.

As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope 1 according to the first embodiment includes an elongated insertion portion 2 to be inserted into a body cavity and the like, and an operation portion 3 formed at a rear end of the insertion portion 2. , And a universal cord 4 extended from the operation unit 3.

The insertion portion 2 is formed from the tip side to a hard tip portion 5, a rear end of the tip portion 5, a bendable bending portion 6, and a rear end of the bending portion 6, which is flexible and long. And the flexible portion 7 are sequentially connected, and the base end (rear end) of the flexible portion 7 is connected to the operation portion 3.

A light guide fiber 8 for transmitting illumination light is inserted into the insertion portion 2, and the light guide fiber 8 is inserted into the universal cord 4 extended from the operation portion 3 and is attached to the end of the universal cord 4. The light guide cap 1 fixed to the pipe member 10 by the provided connector 9
1 is formed. And this light guide base 1
By connecting 1 to a light source device (not shown), illumination light is supplied from a lamp in the light source device, and this illumination light is transmitted to an illumination window (not shown) provided on the tip hard member 12 forming the tip portion 5. Illumination light is emitted from the fixed tip surface to illuminate a subject such as an affected area.

The illuminated object forms an object image at its image forming position by an objective lens 14 attached to an imaging hole 13 as an imaging window formed adjacent to the illumination window. A solid-state image sensor 15 such as a CCD is arranged at this image forming position to photoelectrically convert the formed optical image.

The solid-state image pickup device 15 includes a signal cable 16
Is connected to an electrical connector 17 provided on the connector 9 via a cable, and the electrical connector 17 is connected to a video processor via a cable (not shown), so that the photoelectrically converted image pickup signal is transmitted to the video processor side. It is processed and converted into a video signal, input to a monitor (not shown), and a subject image can be displayed on the monitor screen.

A tipmost bending piece 18a constituting the bending portion 6 is fixed to the distal end hard member 12, the bending piece 18a is rotatably connected to a bending piece 18b at the rear end thereof, and the bending piece 18b is further A plurality of bending pieces 18a, 18b, which are rotatably connected to the next bending piece 18c,
, 18n are rotatably connected to each other to form the bending portion 6, and the bending piece 18n at the rearmost end is fixed to the connecting pipe 19 arranged at the boundary portion of the flexible portion 7.

These bending pieces 18a, 18b, ..., 18n
A bending operation wire (not shown) is inserted therein, the tip of each bending operation wire is fixed to the most distal bending piece 18a, and the rear end of each bending operation wire is a pulley (not shown) in the operation portion 3 or the like. By rotating a bending operation knob connected to the rotating member and connected to the shaft of the rotating member, the bending operation wire is pulled and loosened to bend the bending pieces 18a, 18
, 18n forms a bending mechanism capable of bending the b, ..., 18n in any direction of up (UP), down (DOWN), left (LEFT), and right (RIGHT).

These bending pieces 18a, 18b, ..., 18n
Is covered with an outer tube 20 such as a rubber tube, and the outer tube 20 has a front end fixed to the tip hard member 12 and a rear end fixed to the connecting pipe 19.

Further, the treatment instrument channel 2 is provided in the insertion portion 2.
1 is formed of a flexible channel tube 22, the tip of this channel tube 22 is fixed to the pipe material fixed to the channel hole 23 of the tip hard member 12, and the rear end of this channel tube 22 is near the tip of the operating portion 3. Is bent and fixed to the treatment instrument insertion port 24. The treatment instrument insertion port 24 is closed by a treatment instrument plug 25 when the treatment instrument is not used.

The soft tube 27 forming the soft part 7 has a multilayer tube structure including a spiral tube 28, a mesh tube 29, and an outer skin 30 from the inside. The rear end of the flexible pipe 27 is connected to the casing 32 of the operation portion 3 by the hand connection pipe 31.

As described above, the light guide 8, the signal cable 16, the channel tube 23, etc. are inserted as the internal components in the flexible portion 7, but there are other internal components omitted.

Further, in this embodiment, hardness adjusting means for adjusting the hardness of the flexible tube 27 is provided as follows. A tightly wound pipe-shaped coil 34 is arranged in the flexible tube 27 and the operating portion 3 in the longitudinal direction thereof.
4 is a part of the inner wall surface of the connecting pipe 19 (the curved portion 6
Is bent to the LEFT side), for example, a portion on the LEFT side) is firmly fixed with a braze 35, and the coil 34 inserted along the inner wall of the spiral pipe 28 is further fixed to the inner wall of the hand connection pipe 31 with the braze 35. Then, the operation portion 3 is extended to the rear side. Further, the coil 34 is prevented from being disturbed in arrangement such as being entangled with other built-in objects.

In this case, the front end and the rear end side of the coil 34 are fixed to each other in a state in which the coil 34 does not exert a force in the longitudinal direction and has sufficient softness or flexibility.

A wire 36 for adjusting the hardness is inserted into the coil 34, and the tip of the wire 36 is fixed to the connecting pipe 19 with a brazing 35 similarly to the tip of the coil 34, and the rear end of the wire 36. Is extended rearward from the rear end of the coil 34 and fixed to the operating rod 37. The operation rod 37 is exposed at a part of the operation portion 3 and forms a mechanism capable of moving and operating in the axial direction of the wire 36 as shown by an arrow.

When the wire 36 is not pulled, the coil 34 is in the most flexible state, and when the operating rod 37 is pulled to pull the wire 36, the coil 3
A compressive force is applied to No. 4 so that bending can be suppressed, that is, the hardness can be increased. It should be noted that the coil 34 is installed in a slightly meandering manner inside the flexible tube 27 so that the flexible tube 27 is not pulled. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the coil 34 is
Other built-in objects (channel tube 22 in the specific example of FIG. 2) built in 7 may be bound by a binding member 38.

This bundling or bundling is not a part or part as shown in FIG. 2, but a coil 34 and a channel tube 2
If the 2 is covered with a thin tube or the like, the binding will be further strengthened, and if the channel tube 22 is made into a multi-lumen tube and the coil 34 is passed through one lumen, the binding member 38 can be made unnecessary (parts Can be reduced). Further, FIG. 3 shows a hardness adjusting member (hardening member).
Is shown. The present embodiment is characterized in that the coil 34 and the wire 36 are arranged on the inner wall (hereinafter also simply referred to as the inner wall) 27A of the flexible tube on the LEFT side as shown in FIG. Therefore, in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 1, the upper side in the drawing is the LEFT side.

For comparison with this embodiment, FIG.
(B) shows a comparative example (corresponding to a conventional example) in which the coil 34 and the wire 36 are arranged on the DOWN side without adhering to the inner wall 27A.

In the present embodiment, when the bending portion 6 is bent when the hardness adjusting member is made hard and the insertion work is performed, the R which is orthogonal to the UP and DOWN directions which are frequently used.
The hardness adjusting member is arranged close to the inner wall in the IGBT, LEFT direction (specifically, LEFT direction), and UP, DOW
Even when the hardness adjusting member is curved in the N direction to increase the hardness, the amount of movement of the hardness adjusting member is reduced so as not to damage the internal components.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 shows how the insertion section 2 is inserted into the large intestine. This large intestine is from the anus 41 to the rectum 42, the sigmoid colon 43,
Splenic curvature (left colonic curve) 45, transverse colon 46, right colonic curve 4
7. The cecum 49 continues through the ascending colon 48 and the like.

When the insertion section 2 is inserted into this large intestine, FIG.
As shown in (A), first, the flexible portion 7 is inserted in a very soft state along the sigmoid colon 43. Then, when the tip portion 5 reaches the vicinity of the spleen curve 45 beyond the sigmoid colon 43, the flexible portion 7 is pulled so that the flexible portion 7 is substantially linear,
In order to maintain this linear state, the operation rod 37 is pulled, and the wire 36 is pulled to harden the flexible portion 7. This state is shown in FIG.

When the flexible portion 7 is hard as described above, the flexible portion 7 bends at a large radius, but does not bend at a small radius. In this state, the insertion portion 2 is extended and inserted further deeper to insert. As shown in FIG. 4C, the distal end side of the part 2 can be easily inserted into the cecum 49 (while the pushing force on the proximal side is transmitted to the distal end side satisfactorily).

Now, when inserting the insertion part 2 into such a meandering large intestine, the bending part 6 is usually UP-D.
Proceed while using the curve in the OWN direction (especially the UP direction). The UP direction is the upward direction of the monitor screen.

That direction is the direction in which the bending is frequent. Bending in the LEFT-RIGHT direction is obviously less frequently used. Therefore, the flexible portion 7 is also often bent in the UP-DOWN direction. Therefore, the layout of FIG. 3 will be further described. The cross section perpendicular to the axis of the flexible part 7 is U
A description will be given by using a region divided into four equal parts of P, DOWN, LEFT, and RIGHT.

As in the comparative example of FIG. 4B, the coil 34
When (and the wire 36) is arranged in the UP or DOWN region, the flexible portion 7 is often bent in the UP-DOWN direction, so the coil 34 moves up and down in the cross section as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 4 (B). Can move significantly. Therefore, for example, the light guide fiber 8 includes the coil 34 and the inner wall 27A of the flexible tube.
It is easy to get caught between

When the coil 34 is hardened, the coil 34 presses the light guide fiber 8 with a considerably strong force, which may break the fiber of the light guide fiber 8. On the other hand, as in the present embodiment shown in FIG. 4A, the coil 34 is LEFT or RIGHT.
If the coil 34 is provided at a position along (close to) the inner wall 27A of the region, the coil 34 finely moves along the inner wall 27A as shown by an arrow in the up-and-down bending. Even if it is pushed, it will not be pinched and pressed between the coil 34 and the inner wall 27A.
Therefore, the built-in components such as the light guide fiber 8 can be protected.

Thus, the coil 34 is LEFT or RI.
It is advisable to dispose it in the GHT region close to the inner wall 27A. Strictly speaking, the center of the coil 34 is shown in FIG.
From the LEFT or RIGHT boundary line of (A), LEF
It is in the T or RIGHT region.

In terms of angles, the LEFT and RIGHT regions are 45 ° to 13 ° when the direction of the UP center is 0 °.
5 ° RIGHT region, 225 ° to 315 ° LEF
It is the T region.

The above-mentioned layout is applicable not only to the hardness adjusting means composed of the coil 34 and the wire 36, but also to other means as long as it is an elongated member. For example, an elongated resin that may be softened or hardened by heat may be used, or an elongated shape memory alloy that is hardened and linearized by heat may be stored.

When the coil 34 is bundled with other built-in objects as shown in FIG. 2, the coil 34 becomes difficult to move within the inner wall 27A (the bundle size increases in cross section). However, it becomes easier to protect other built-in objects such as the light guide fiber 8. Since the built-in substance is usually the largest in the channel tube 22, bundling the channel tube 22 and the coil 34 is most effective.

The tip of the hardness adjusting member is closer to the hand than the bendable portion of the bending portion 6. This is because, when it is bent and bent at a small radius, if it is in a bendable portion, the hardness adjusting member that has become harder is likely to damage other internal components. Thus, according to the present embodiment, the coil 34
It is possible to prevent other internal components from being damaged even when it is inserted by hardening it.

In the first embodiment, the case of an electronic endoscope having a built-in image pickup means as the endoscope 1 has been described.
The present invention can also be applied to the case of an optical endoscope using a fiberscope that uses an image guide fiber that transmits the optical image of the objective lens 14. In this case, the UP and DOWN directions are the UP and DOWN directions of the observation visual field, and the other directions are the same.

The features of this embodiment will be described as follows. The hardness adjusting member may be arranged in a direction substantially perpendicular to the bending direction in which the bending portion 6 is bent most frequently and in the vicinity of the inner wall of the flexible tube 27. If you add more restrictions,
When increasing the hardness of the hardness adjusting member, the curved portion 6
The hardness adjusting member may be arranged in a direction substantially perpendicular to the bending direction most frequently used when the is curved, and close to the inner wall of the flexible tube 27.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The endoscope 51 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5 has a hard wire 52 provided in the flexible portion 7.

As shown in FIG. 5, the tip of the hard member 52 provided in the flexible portion 7 is fixed near the tip of the flexible portion 7, and the rear end is fixed to the rack member 54 in the operating portion 3. An operation knob 55 is provided on the operation portion 3 such that a knob portion on the top thereof is exposed to the outside, and a shaft portion thereof can be engaged with a rack member 54 inside the operation portion 3.

The hard member 52 has a high elasticity, and if it is present, the soft portion 7 can be made 1.2 times harder than if it were not. FIG. 6 shows a section of the flexible part 7 at a position perpendicular to its axis.

A part of the spiral tube 28 is deformed so as to be convex inward, and a concave portion 53 having a cross section slightly larger than the cross section of the hard member 52 is formed on the outer side thereof. It is stored in the space between 29. The hard member 52 may be pipe-shaped or rod-shaped. Further, the hard member 52 may be made of metal or resin, but metal is preferable because it has a small diameter and can have required rigidity. Furthermore, a superelastic alloy is preferable because it is unlikely to undergo plastic deformation. FIG.
The upper side is RIGHT or LEFT,
It may be the UP or DOWN direction, or another direction.

In some cases, the hard member 52 may be located between the mesh tube 29 and the outer skin 30, or the spiral tube 28.
The spiral tube 28 may be provided inside so as not to separate from the spiral tube 28. In short, even if the flexible portion 7 is bent, the hard member 5
2 cannot move as much as possible within the cross section of FIG.

Further, the number of such hard members 52 is not limited to one, and may be plural, for example, two hard members 52 may be provided at positions shifted by 90 °. The hard member 52 is
A part of the distal end side is fixed to the spiral tube 28 or the mesh tube 29, but the proximal side is movable in the front-rear direction within the operation portion 3.

FIG. 7 shows the structure near the operation knob 55 on the hand side. As shown in FIG. 7, the operation knob 55 is provided with a male screw portion 56 formed on its shaft portion, and is screwed into a female screw portion of the casing 32 of the operation portion 3 to project to the inside of the casing 32. When the rack member 54 is fitted into the concave portion of the upper and lower concave portions of the rack member 54, the rack member 54 is engaged, and the rack member 54 is restricted from moving in the front-rear direction.

In this engaged state, by rotating the operation knob 55 and moving the convex portion 57 upward to release the engagement, the rack member 54 can slide in the front-rear direction as shown by an arrow. Can be in a different state. Between the shaft portion of the operation knob 55 and the inner wall adjacent to the female screw portion of the casing 32, an O
A ring 58 is mounted so that the operation section 3 and the operation knob 55 are kept watertight.

The movable range of the rear end of the rack member 54 (the right end in the drawing) is determined by the partition plate 59.
6, It is separated from the light guide fiber 8 and other internal components.

The method of fixing the rear end of the hard member 52 is not limited to that shown in FIG.
Partition part 5 directly with one end of screw (end surface is flat)
It may be fixed so as to be sandwiched with 9, or may be another fixing means.

The operation knob 55 may be provided in the vicinity of a bending operation knob (not shown) so that it can be operated by the finger of the hand holding the operation portion 3. Then, it is possible to easily operate with the hand holding the operation portion 3 without releasing the hand holding the flexible portion 7.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. When a part of the distal end side of the hard member 52 is fixed to a part of the flexible part 7, when the flexible part 7 is bent, the proximal side of the rigid member 52 moves back and forth with respect to the proximal side of the flexible part 7. To do. Soft part 7
When the operation knob 55 is operated so that the convex portion 57 protrudes inward when the rack member 54 is immovably fixed, the hard member 52 is taut against the bending of the flexible portion 7, so The part 7 becomes hard against bending. With this action, the hardness of the flexible portion 7 can be adjusted by operating the operation knob 55.

The insertion method into the large intestine is the same as that described in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the hardness can be easily adjusted with a small amount of force using the small operation knob 55. Further, unlike the first embodiment, the coil 34 is not required, and the structure is simpler and the cost can be reduced.

The hard member 52 is UP or D in the cross section of FIG.
If they are arranged in the OWN direction, the difference in hardness between the UP and DOWN directions can be adjusted significantly. If one is arranged in the UP or DOWN direction and one is arranged in the LEFT or RIGHT direction,
The difference in hardness in all directions can be adjusted significantly.

Since the hard member 52 is provided on the soft portion 7 so as not to separate from the tubular body (the spiral 28, the mesh tube 29, and the outer skin 30) forming the soft portion 7, even if the soft portion 7 is bent, the hard member 52 is bent. 52 does not press and damage other internals.

Further, since the partition plate 59 partitions the moving end (that is, the rack member 54) of the hard member 52 and other built-in objects, other built-in objects may be caught and damaged when the moving end moves. Absent.

Even if the hard member 52 is not provided over the entire length of the flexible portion 7, for example, if it is desired to be able to adjust the hardness of the flexible portion 7 only from the middle of the flexible portion 7, the middle of the flexible portion 7 (for example, 30 cm from the tip). The tip of the hard member 52 may be fixed at about 50 cm.

This embodiment has the following effects. Hardness can be easily adjusted at low cost. Since the hard member 52 is provided so as not to separate from the tubular body of the flexible portion 7, the built-in object can be protected. Since the moving end on the proximal side of the hard member 52 is partitioned by the partition plate 59, the internal components are not damaged.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 8A shows a cross section of the flexible portion 7 in the third embodiment. This Figure 8
When the hard wire 61 is movably provided within the cross section in the spiral tube 28 as shown in (A), the hard wire 61 is replaced by the elastic member 62.
Cover with.

Then, as shown in FIG. 8B, the hard wire 6
When one tries to press another built-in object 63, the elastic member 6
2 serves as a cushion, and the built-in object 63 is less likely to be damaged. The hard wire 61 applies when the coil 34 of the first embodiment is hardened, and the hard member 52 of the second embodiment also applies.

If such a hard wire 61 is also arranged on the LEFT or RIGHT side as in the first embodiment or bundled with other built-in objects, the other built-in objects are not damaged further. You can

[Supplementary Notes] The hardness of the soft tube can be adjusted with one of the built-in parts and the insertion part having a soft part consisting of the soft tube and a plurality of built-in parts therein, and a bending part that can be bent and operated on the tip side of the soft part In an endoscope having a long and narrow hardness adjusting member, the hardness adjusting member is arranged close to the inner wall of the flexible tube on the same left and right direction as the left and right bending direction of the bending section in a cross section perpendicular to the axis of the flexible tube. An endoscope that is characterized by

(Problems in Supplementary Notes 1 to 5 ') In the above-mentioned conventional example, when the variable hardness member consisting of the elongated coil and the wire is hardened, the hardened coil presses other built-in objects against bending of the insertion portion. May cause damage. (Effects of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5 ') Even if the insertion portion is bent while the hardness adjusting member is hard, other internal components are not damaged.

2. The left and right sides are 45 ° to 135 ° or 225 ° to 315 ° when the direction directly above the cross section is 0 °.
The endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein the center of the hardness adjusting member is located in the area. 3. The endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein the hardness adjusting member includes a coil and a wire passed through the coil.

4. The endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein the tip of the hardness adjusting member is fixed to a part of the insertion portion. 5. The endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein the tip of the hardness adjusting member is closer to the hand than the bendable portion of the bending portion.

5 '. The hardness of the soft tube can be adjusted with one of the built-in parts and the insertion part that has a soft part consisting of the soft tube and a plurality of built-in objects therein, and a bending part that can be bent and operated on the distal end side of the soft part. In an endoscope having a long and narrow hardness adjusting member, the hardness adjusting member has a soft tube inner wall in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction in which the bending frequency is highest in a cross section perpendicular to the axis of the soft tube. An endoscope characterized in that it is placed close to the.

6. In an endoscope including an insertion section having a flexible section and an operation section, a distal end is fixed to a part of the insertion section in the insertion section, and a slender hard member is provided which allows a proximal end to move within the operation section. An endoscope characterized in that a means for fixing and releasing the moving end of the hard member is provided in a part of the portion.

(Prior Art of Supplements 6 to 10) Supplements 1 to 5 '
Same as for. (Problem in Supplementary Notes 6 to 10) An operating mechanism including a coil and a wire, which applies a compressive force to the coil by towing the wire, has a complicated structure cost. Also, the force for compressing the coil is heavy.

(Purpose of Supplementary Notes 6 to 10) To be able to adjust flexibility with a simple structure (low cost) and easy operation. (Operation of Supplementary Notes 6 to 10) The front end of the elongated hardened member is fixed to a part of the front end side of the flexible portion, the rear end is made movable, and an operation mechanism for fixing and releasing it is provided in the operation portion. This eliminates the need for a coil and a mechanism to compress it strongly. (Effects of Supplementary Notes 6 to 10) With a low-cost structure, the hardness can be easily adjusted.

7. The endoscope according to appendix 6, wherein there are a plurality of hard members. 8. The endoscope according to appendix 7, wherein the plurality of hard members are arranged in different directions around 90 ° in a cross section perpendicular to the axis of the insertion portion. 9. The endoscope according to appendix 6, wherein the fixing / releasing means is provided near the bending operation section. 10. The endoscope according to appendix 6, wherein the tip of the hard member is fixed in the middle of the soft portion.

11. In an endoscope having a flexible portion composed of a tubular body and an internal component therein, an elongated hard member is provided so as not to be separated from the tubular body in a cross section perpendicular to the axis of the flexible portion. .

(Prior Art of Supplements 11 to 14) In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-105796, a flexible pipe (flexible tube portion) is provided with a metal pipe at least one end of which is movable so that the flexible portion has elasticity. There is disclosed an endoscope having improved operation.

(Problems in Supplements 11 to 14) The tip end and the rear end of the pipe material are located in the circumferential direction in the flexible pipe, but the flexible pipe is not constrained in the middle part, so that the insertion portion is bent. , Hard pipe material may press other built-in objects and damage them.

(Purpose of Supplements 11 to 14) To provide an endoscope which does not damage other built-in objects even when a flexible pipe having a hard pipe is bent. (Operation of Supplementary Notes 11 to 14) By restraining the middle portion of the hard pipe to the soft pipe, bending of the soft pipe does not press other built-in objects.

(Effects of Supplementary Notes 11 to 14) Even if a soft pipe having a hard wire is bent, other internal components are not damaged. 12. The tubular body is composed of a plurality of layers, a recess is provided in a layer other than the outermost layer, and a hard member is arranged in the recess.
The endoscope as described.

13. The endoscope according to appendix 11, wherein the hard member is provided only in part in the longitudinal direction of the soft part. 14． The endoscope according to appendix 11, wherein the hard member is made of a superelastic alloy.

15. An endoscope in which an elongated rigidizing member is provided in a soft portion, wherein the rigidizing member is bundled with another built-in object. (Prior Art of Supplements 15 to 18) Same as in Supplements 1 to 5 '. (Problems in Supplements 15 to 18) Same as in Supplements 1 to 5 '. (Purpose of Supplementary Notes 15 to 18) To provide an endoscope that does not damage other internal components even when the insertion portion is bent while the hardness adjusting member is hard.

(Operation of Supplementary Notes 15 to 18) By bundling the hardened member and the other built-in objects, the hardened member is made difficult to move in the soft tube and the other built-in objects are hard to be pressed. (Effects of Supplementary Notes 15 to 18) The hardness can be easily adjusted with a low cost structure. 16. The endoscope according to appendix 15, wherein the other internal component is a treatment tool channel.

17. 16. The endoscope according to appendix 15, wherein another built-in component is a multi-lumen tube, and a hardening member is inserted into one of the lumens. 18. 16. The endoscope according to appendix 15, wherein the hardening member and the other built-in components are covered with separate thin-walled tubes.

19. In an endoscope provided with an elongated hard member having one end fixed and the other end movable in the insertion section,
In the moving range of the moving end, it is separated from other internal components,
An endoscope having a partition member that does not move.

(Prior Art of Supplement 19) The same as in Supplements 11 to 14. (Problem in Supplementary Note 19) One end of the pipe material is movable, but if this moving end is exposed and is in the same space as other built-in objects, when that end moves, other built-in objects will be caught. May cause damage.

(Purpose of Supplementary Note 19) To provide an endoscope which does not damage other internal components even if one end of a hard pipe moves. (Operation of Supplementary Note 19) By partitioning the moving end of the hard pipe from other internal components, the other internal components are not damaged. (Effect of Supplementary Note 19) Even if one end of the hard wire rod moves, other built-in objects are not damaged.

[0084]

As described above, according to the present invention, the insertion portion having the flexible portion formed of the flexible tube and the plurality of built-in objects therein and the bending portion capable of performing the bending operation on the distal end side of the flexible portion. And an elongated hardness adjusting member capable of adjusting the hardness of the soft tube with one of the built-in parts, the hardness adjusting member is provided in a section perpendicular to the axis of the soft tube. Since it is placed close to the inner wall of the flexible tube on the left and right sides, which is the same as the left and right bending direction, the amount of movement of the hardness adjusting member is reduced even if the insertion part is bent up and down while the hardness adjusting member is hard. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the built-in object from being damaged with less pressure.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the structure of an endoscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a coil bound with another built-in object.

FIG. 3 is a view showing the arrangement position of a hardness adjusting member in a cross section taken along the line AA of FIG. 1 together with a comparative example.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the present embodiment when inserted into the large intestine.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing an endoscope according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectional structure at the soft part of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure near an operation knob.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional structure and the like at a soft part according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope 2 ... Insertion part 3 ... Operation part 5 ... Tip part 6 ... Bending part 7 ... Soft part 8 ... Light guide fiber 15 ... Solid-state image sensor 18a, 18b, ..., 18n ... Bending piece 19 ... Connection pipe 22 ... Channel tube 27 ... Flexible tube 27A ... Flexible tube inner wall 28 ... Spiral tube 29 ... Reticulated tube 30 ... Outer skin 31 ... Hand connecting tube 34 ... Coil 36 ... Wire 37 ... Operation rod 38 ... Bundling member

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A flexible tube comprising a flexible tube and a plurality of built-in objects therein, an insertion section having a bending section capable of performing a bending operation on a distal end side of the flexible section, and a flexible tube with one of the built-in objects. In an endoscope having an elongated hardness adjusting member capable of adjusting the hardness of, the hardness adjusting member in the cross section perpendicular to the axis of the flexible tube, the left and right soft tube inner wall that is the same as the left and right bending direction of the bending portion. An endoscope characterized in that it is placed close to the.