JPH0994215A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope whose flexibility is readjustable and recoverable after the repeated use of its adjusting function so that the endoscope is capable of fully demonstrating the original function. SOLUTION: This endoscope is provided with an inserting part 2 having a soft part 7, a coil pipe 39 that is arranged in the soft part 7 and that varies hardness by being compressed, a pulling wire 41 inserted through the coil pipe 39 and its tip end connected to the coil pipe 39, a flexibility adjusting knob 44 that pulls and operates the pulling wire 41 against the coil pipe 39, and a rod that adjusts a relative positional relation in the initial state between the coil pipe 39 and the pulling wire 41.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope in which flexibility of an insertion portion is variable.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in an endoscope used for insertion into the large intestine, the insertion part is passed through a bent sigmoid colon,
The insert is fairly soft. However, when the tip of the insertion part passes through the sigmoid colon and reaches the spleen curve, the sigmoid colon is straightened, and while maintaining this state, the insertion part is inserted deeper, so it is desirable to increase the hardness of the insertion part. There are cases. To deal with this, for example, the actual Kaihei 3-4
In Japanese Patent No. 3802, there is provided a flexible adjusting member that allows a wire inserted through a coil pipe provided in an insertion portion to be pulled by a lever operation on a hand side operation portion to compress the coil pipe to make it hard. It has been proposed that the hardness of the insertion part is adjusted by this.

[0003]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

(Disadvantage of prior art) Pulling the wire of the flexible adjustment member,
Repeatedly applying the compressive force to the coil pipe,
The tow wire may deteriorate and its natural length may be extended, or the natural length of the coil pipe may be shortened. Therefore, the adjustment for gradually hardening the insertion portion becomes insufficient, and the hardness adjusting function cannot be sufficiently exerted. (Object of the invention) The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and the purpose thereof is to perform readjustment after repeated use of the flexibility adjusting function and to fully exhibit its original function. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope that can be operated.

[0004]

According to the present invention, there is provided an insertion portion having a flexible portion, a coil pipe arranged in the flexible portion to change hardness by being compressed, and a distal end of the coil pipe inserted into the coil pipe. A pulling wire connected to the coil pipe, an operating means for pulling the pulling wire with respect to the coil pipe, and an adjusting means for adjusting a relative positional relationship between the coil pipe and the pulling wire in an initial state. An endoscope comprising:
According to this, it is possible to change the degree of tightness of the wire to the coil or the degree of close contact of the coil before the flexibility adjusting operation. As a result, when the flexibility adjusting function is repeatedly used and the function begins to deteriorate, the tension of the wire with respect to the coil can be newly returned to an appropriate state, and a good function can be secured.

[0005]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

<First Embodiment> A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. (Structure) FIG. 1 shows an electronic endoscope 1, which includes an elongated soft insertion portion 2, a large-diameter operating portion 3 connected to the rear end side of the insertion portion 2, and this operation. And a universal cable 4 extending from the side of the section 3.

The insertion portion 2 is provided with a hard tip portion 5 located on the tip side thereof, and a bendable bending portion 6 is provided on the rear side adjacent to the tip portion 5. Further curved portion 6
A flexible portion 7 having a flexible and flexible tubular body is provided in the rear of the continuous body. The bending portion 6 is configured to be bendable in both up / down / left / right directions by operating a bending operation knob (see reference numeral 8 in FIG. 6) provided on the operation portion 3.

A connector (not shown) for connecting to a control device (not shown) having a light source section and a signal processing section for processing an image signal is provided at the extending end of the universal cable 4. A monitor (not shown) is connected to the control device.

As shown in FIG. 1, the tip portion 5 of the insertion portion 2 is provided with a tip portion main body 17 formed of a hard material in a substantially cylindrical shape, and the tip portion main body 17 has an insertion portion. A forceps channel through hole 18 and an observation through hole 19 are provided in parallel with the longitudinal direction of 2. A connecting tube 21 is built in the forceps channel through hole 18, and a flexible tube for forming a forceps channel 22 is formed at the rear portion of the connecting tube 21 projecting to the rear of the tip portion main body 17. Tube 23
The tip of is connected. The forceps channel tube 23 is inserted through the inside of the insertion portion 2, and its rear end portion is guided into the operation portion 3 so that the forceps opening 24 provided in the operation portion 3 is provided.
Connected to communicate with.

An objective lens system 26 is provided in front of the observation through hole 19, and a solid-state image pickup device 27 is provided at an image forming position of the objective lens system 26. A signal line 28 capable of transmitting an image signal is connected to the solid-state image pickup device 27. The signal line 28 is inserted into the insertion portion 2 and passes through the operation portion 3 and the universal cable 4 to the universal cable. It is adapted to be connected to the connection contact provided on the connector No. 4.

The connector is provided with a light guide connector that allows illumination light emitted from a light source (not shown) to enter the end of the light guide. The light guide passes through the inside of the universal cable 4, the operating portion 3 and the insertion portion 2, and the tip portion thereof is inserted into a light guide through hole (not shown) provided in the tip portion main body 17. It is possible to illuminate the observation area of the surgical field from the tip of the.

A plurality of substantially annular joint pieces 33 ... Are rotatably arranged in the bending portion 6 and arranged in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 2. Of these joint pieces 33, the most distal joint piece 33 ...
Is externally fitted and fixed to the rear end of the tip body 17.
The tip end of an annular connecting pipe 34 provided at the tip of the flexible portion 6 is fitted and fixed to the joint piece 33 at the rear end of the plurality of joint pieces 33 .... Further, the connection pipe 34 is connected to the rear end of the tip end body 17 and to the tip of an angle wire guide which is not shown in FIG. 1 and is formed of a metal coil pipe. An angle wire (not shown) such as a flexible twisted wire operated by the bending operation knob 8 is inserted through the inside so as to be pulled and loosened. The bending portion 6 is bent by rotating the bending operation knob 8 so that the front end portion 5 in front of the bending portion 6 can be directed in the vertical / horizontal directions. The curved portion 6 is covered with a soft outer cover 35.

By the way, the insertion portion 2 is provided with a flexibility adjusting mechanism (means) described below so that the insertion portion 2 can be easily inserted into a bent body cavity such as a deep part of the large intestine. That is, in the flexible portion 7 of the insertion portion 2, a coil coil 39 made of metal is used as a flexible variable member of the flexibility adjusting means.
And a towing wire 41 which is inserted into the inner cavity of the coil pipe 39 for adjusting flexibility. The tip of the coil pipe 39 is brazed and fixed to the inner wall of the connecting pipe 34 that connects the front end of the flexible portion 7 and the rear end of the bending portion 6 with a braze 42. Further, the tip end of the flexibility adjusting wire 41 is also fixed to the tip end of the coil pipe 39 or the connecting pipe 34 by the brazing 42.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, an intermediate portion on the rear end side of the coil pipe 39 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the connection mouthpiece 43 which connects the rear end of the flexible portion 7 and the front end of the operating portion 3. Wax 4
It is brazed and fixed at 2. Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the rear end of the coil pipe 39 extends to the inside of the operation portion 3 behind the brazing fixing portion. In the case of FIG. 1, the end of the coil pipe 39 is fixed to a part of the member of the operation unit 3.

Incidentally, a part of the coil pipe 39 does not necessarily have to be fixed to the inner surface of the connection mouthpiece 43 by brazing. Further, the tip of the coil pipe 39 is not necessarily the connecting pipe 3
It does not need to be fixed to the inner wall of No. 4. In that case, the coil pipe 39 may fluctuate in the insertion portion 2, but the wire 4
Since it is not necessary to pull up to the connection pipe 34 when 1 is pulled, the amount of operating force of the pulling wire 41 can be reduced.

As shown in FIG. 2, a flexibility adjusting mechanism is formed at the rear end side portion of the operating portion 3. That is, a mounting hole 45 for mounting the flexibility adjusting operation knob 44 is provided on the rear wall of the main body 9 of the operation unit 3 coaxially with the flexibility adjusting member. A female screw portion 46 is formed at the inner end of the mounting hole 45. The flexibility adjusting operation knob 44 is made of a tubular member, and an inner thread portion 47 is formed on the outer circumference of the inner end portion thereof with a male screw portion 47 that is screwed into the female screw portion 46. An O-ring 49 is fitted on the outer periphery of the slide portion 48 of the flexible adjustment operation knob 44 slidably fitted in the mounting hole 45. The O-ring 49 seals the gap with the mounting hole 45 in a watertight manner. The outer end portion of the flexible adjustment operation knob 44 is the knob portion 5 thereof.
0, and the knob 50 is exposed to the outside from the rear wall of the operating portion 3.

The flexibility adjusting operation knob 44 incorporates an adjusting mechanism (adjusting means) for restoring the tension of the wire 41 in the flexibility adjusting mechanism to the initial state. That is, a rod hole 51 is formed so as to penetrate substantially the center of the member of the flexibility adjusting operation knob 44, and the outer end portion of the rod hole 51 is a rubber attached to the flexibility adjusting operation knob 44. It is liquid-tightly closed by a cap 52 made of aluminum. Also, the rod hole 51
A female screw portion 53 is formed on a part of the inner wall of the.

Further, a rod 54 is fitted into the rod hole 51, and a male screw portion 56 which is relatively tightly screwed into the female screw portion 53 is formed on the outer periphery of the inner end portion of the rod 54. Further, the O-ring 5 is attached to the outer circumference of the outer end portion of the rod 54.
7 is fitted, and seals the gap with the rod hole 51 in a watertight manner, and fits fairly strongly by the frictional force of the elastic O-ring 57. The rod 54 is, as it were, integrated. At the end of the rod 54 is an adjustment hole 5 such as a knurled hole.
8 is provided, and the rod 5 is
4 can be rotated.

A tubular flanged stopper member 55 is coaxially attached and fixed to the inner end of the flexible adjusting knob 44. The stopper member 55 moves integrally with the flexibility adjusting operation knob 44, but when the flexibility adjusting operation knob 44 is moved, it hits the tip of the male screw portion 46 at a certain point so as not to move further toward the hand side. It constitutes a mechanism to regulate.

Further, the proximal end of the pulling wire 41 is firmly connected to the distal end of the rod 54. Therefore, when the flexibility adjusting operation knob 44 is rotated, the flexibility adjusting operation knob 4 is operated by the action of the female screw portion 46 and the male screw portion 47.
4 is moved in the axial direction, and the slide portion 48 is projected and retracted from the rear wall of the main body 9 of the operation portion 3 in accordance with the movement thereof.

As shown in FIG. 3, the flexibility adjusting operation knob 4
A scale 59 composed of numbers is provided on the outer periphery of the slide portion 48 of No. 4, so that the operation amount of the flexible adjustment operation knob 44 can be known by the instruction of the scale 59 using the rear wall of the main body 9 as an index 61. Has become.

On the other hand, FIG. 4 shows an example in which a scale 60 is provided on the knob portion 50 of the flexible adjustment operation knob 44, and an index 61 is attached to the rear wall surface of the main body 9 of the operation portion 3. In this case, the rotation operation amount of the flexibility adjusting operation knob 44 can be read from the scale 60 and the index 61. In the case of FIG. 4, if the state of the unevenness of the outer surface of the knob 50 of the flexible adjustment operation knob 44 is changed depending on the rotation position,
The feel of the surface of the flexibility adjustment operation knob 44 with respect to the index 61 and the predetermined portion of the main body 9 of the operation unit 3 changes according to the flexibility level, and thus the feel can recognize the flexibility adjustment state. it can. In this way, the tactilely recognizable adjustment state allows the user to recognize the level of flexibility in a state where the user's eyes are concentrated on the monitor screen or even in a dark examination room.

The scales 59 and 60 and the index 6 are also included.
1 may be attached with a fluorescent paint or may be self-illuminated. This makes it easier to see even when the examination room is dark. Furthermore, the scales 59 and 60 may be displayed by figures, Chinese characters, or colors instead of numbers, or may be combined. (Operation) The operation when the endoscope 1 of the first embodiment is inserted into the large intestine transanally will be described.

First, the bending operation knob 8 is operated to insert the insertion portion 2 into the large intestine, and the tip portion 5 reaches the spleen curvature 94 from the descending colon 93 as shown in FIG. 5 (a). Thereafter, the flexible portion 7 is pulled and twisted to make the bent state of the intestine and the insertion portion linear as shown in FIG. 5 (b). After that, when trying to insert into the transverse colon 95, the vicinity of the S-shaped colon 92 tries to return to the bent state, but by rotating the flexible adjustment operation knob 44 at the proximal side, the flexibility adjustment wire 41 is obtained.
Can be given an appropriate tension. As a result, by applying a compressive force to the coil pipe 39 of the flexibility adjusting means in the soft part 7, the coil pipe 39 is hardened, and as a result, the rigidity of the soft part 7 can be increased, so that the insertion part 2 is It can prevent it from returning to a bent state. Therefore, the distal end side is bent and the insertion into the transverse colon 95 side is smoothly performed.

Also, with the rigidity of the flexible portion 7 increased,
By passing through the transverse colon 95, the deflection of the transverse colon 95 is released as shown in FIG.
The ascending colon 96 is inserted into the cecum 98.

Here, when the flexibility adjusting operation knob 44 is rotated, the slide portion 48 comes out. However, as shown in FIG. 3, the outer periphery of the slide portion 48 has a scale 59 corresponding to the amount of movement thereof. Therefore, there is an index 61 composed of the rear end surface of the operation unit 3.
The scale 59 (indicated by “3” in FIG. 3) appearing in the vicinity of “1” allows the tension of the wire 41, that is, the level of flexibility of the flexible portion 7 to be visually recognized. As shown in FIG. 4, the flexibility level may be known by rotating the scale 60 together with the flexibility adjusting operation knob 44 and looking at the scale 60 indicated by the index 61. Further, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the flexibility adjustment operation knob 44 moves in the axial direction according to the flexibility adjustment level, and the user touches it to feel the position of the knob 44. Knowing and knowing the flexibility level.

Next, the case of adjusting the tension of the pulling wire 41 in the flexibility adjusting mechanism will be described. When the flexibility adjusting operation knob 44 is rotated with respect to the operation portion 3, the rod 54 incorporated therein also has the flexibility adjusting operation knob due to the friction resistance of the O-ring 57 and the friction resistance of the female screw 53 and the male screw 56. Rotate with 44. At this time, the wire 41 is twisted, but the flexibility adjusting function is not hindered.

However, if the flexibility adjusting operation is repeated by rotating the flexibility adjusting operation knob 44 and pulling the wire 41, the natural length of the wire 41 gradually increases due to its durability. Is normal. If the natural length of the pulling wire 41 is excessively extended, even if the flexible adjustment operation knob 44 is rotated, for example, even if the stopper member 55 fixed to the knob 44 is operated to the limit where the stopper member 55 hits the tip of the female screw portion 46, for example. It may happen that the flexibility cannot be adjusted sufficiently.

When the flexibility adjusting function starts to deteriorate, the cap 52 is removed from the knob 44 and the rod hole 51 is opened. Then, the rod 54 is rotated with respect to the knob 44 while the flexibility adjusting operation knob 44 is fixed by a jig or the like fitted in the two adjustment holes 58 of the rod 54. Then, the rod 54 moves in the axial direction with respect to the flexibility adjusting operation knob 44 by the action of the female screw portion 53 and the male screw portion 56. In FIG. 2, the slack of the towing wire 41 can be eliminated by moving it slightly to the right. Wire 41
When the natural length of slackens, the slack is eliminated. In this way, since the tension of the wire 41 in the initial state can be changed from time to time, the flexibility adjusting function can be restored to a good state even after repeated use. Further, since the rod 54 can be moved from the outside even if the operation does not disassemble the endoscope 1, workability is good. <Second Embodiment> The second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
Will be described. (Structure) In the endoscope 1 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the insertion port 71 for inserting the flexibility adjusting device 70 as shown in FIG. 8 separately from the forceps port 24 and the forceps channel tube 23. And an insertion tube 72 leading to this. The distal end side of the insertion tube 72 is inserted up to near the distal end of the flexible portion 7, stops halfway through the flexible portion 7, and the distal end is liquid-tightly closed.

As shown in FIG. 8, the flexibility adjusting device 7
0 is roughly divided into a long action part 73 and an operation part 74. The acting portion 73 is composed of a coil pipe 75 and a pulling wire 76 inserted through the coil pipe 75. The tip of the wire 76 is fixed to the tip 77 of the coil pipe 75. The tip 77 is rounded so as not to damage the insertion tube 72. The rear end of the coil pipe 75 is the main body 78 of the operation unit 74.
Is struck and connected. Main body 78 of operation unit 74
A strut 79 is inserted in the column so that it can be moved back and forth.
A proximal end of the wire 76 is connected to the wire 9.
A spiral groove 81 is provided on the outer peripheral wall of the main body 78. The pin 82 provided on the column 79 is fitted into the spiral groove 81. In addition, some (1
Three or more) recesses 83 are provided, and any recess 83
The pin 82 is fitted in and engaged with.
A handle 84 is attached to the rear end of the column 79.

Then, when the handle 84 is rotated with respect to the main body 78, the pin 82 of the column 79 moves along the spiral groove 81, so that the wire 76 can be pulled and a compressive force can be applied to the coil pipe 75. By doing so, the action portion 73
The flexibility of can be changed. The concave portion 8 is provided in the middle of the spiral groove 81.
Since there are several 3, the pin 82 is fitted into and engaged with the concave portion 83 to adjust the flexibility of the action portion 73 in multiple stages,
Can hold. A packing 85 and a protrusion 86 that fit into the insertion port 71 are provided on the outer peripheral portion of the main body 78. The protrusion 86 is adapted to be fitted into and engaged with a locking groove 87 formed at the outer end of the insertion port 71.

FIG. 7 shows the insertion port 71 in the endoscope 1.
Shows the structure in the vicinity of. The flexible adjusting device 70 is inserted through the insertion port 71.
As it is further inserted into the insertion portion 2, the packing 85 fixes the flexible adjustment device 70 to the insertion opening 71 by frictional force while water-tightly sealing the insertion tube 72 near the insertion opening 71. Further, the protrusion 86 fits into and engages with the locking groove 87 of the insertion port 71, and the main body 78 of the flexibility adjusting device 70 is not rotated with respect to the operating portion 3. Install.

Although not shown, a packing structure is also provided inside the body 78 in the vicinity of the packing 85.
Is watertightly movable. Therefore, in the state where the flexibility adjusting device 70 is attached to the endoscope 1 as shown in FIG. 6, moisture and dirt from the outside enter the main body 78 and the insertion tube 72 during inspection, washing, and storage. There is no intrusion. The structure of the other endoscope main body is the same as the first
The same as the embodiment. (Operation) As shown in FIG. 6, the flexibility adjusting device 70 includes the endoscope 1
The state of being attached to the operation unit 3 of is a basic state, and inspection, cleaning and storage are performed in this state. Since the flexibility adjusting device 70 is non-rotatably attached to the endoscope 1 at a predetermined position, one operator holds the operating portion 3 of the endoscope 1 with one hand and flexes it with the other hand. Handle 8 of the sex adjusting device 70
The flexibility can be adjusted by rotating 4. If flexibility adjustment is repeated many times and the function of the flexibility adjusting device 70 begins to deteriorate due to extension of the natural length of the towing wire 76,
The flexibility adjusting device 70 is pulled out together with the unit, and a new flexibility adjusting device 70 is attached. Since the unit is pulled out, the work is easy. It is only during such a replacement that the flexible adjustment device 70 is removed from the endoscope 1. Further, even if moisture or dirt enters the insertion tube 72 during the replacement work, the tip of the insertion tube 72 is watertightly blocked, so that an intruding object is inserted from the insertion tube 72 into the endoscope 1. It never enters the space. Note that, depending on the case, only the pulling wire 76 may be replaced. (Effect) In the above-described embodiment, it is difficult to determine to which position the rod 54 should be adjusted to obtain the proper tension of the towing wire 76, but in the present embodiment, the flexibility adjusting device 70 is replaced. Therefore, the proper tension of the towing wire 76 can be easily reproduced. <Third Embodiment> A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. (Structure) The structure of this embodiment is almost the same as that of the second embodiment described above, but the handle 84 of the flexibility adjusting device 70 is the same.
The shape and the position where the flexibility adjusting device 70 is attached to the endoscope 1 are different. In this embodiment, the flexibility adjusting device 7
0 is attached to the rear end portion of the operation portion 3 of the endoscope 1. The structure in the vicinity of the mounting portion is shown in FIG. Operation part 3
A tubular body 91 communicating with the insertion tube 72 is attached to the rear end thereof. On the other hand, between the handle 84 and the main body 78 of the flexibility adjusting device 70, the lock member 9 which is movable with respect to the support column 79.
9 are provided. The tip side of the lock member 99 and the cylindrical body 9
Protrusions 100a and 100b are provided at the rear end of 1, respectively,
The protrusions 100a and 100b mesh with each other as a snap fit. The structures of the protrusion 80 and the locking groove 87 are the same as those in the second embodiment described above. (Operation) In the second embodiment described above, the axial force attaching the flexibility adjusting device 70 to the endoscope 1 is mainly only the frictional resistance of the packing 85. In the embodiment, since the protrusion 100a of the lock member 99 and the protrusion 100b of the tubular body 91 are snap-fitted, they are connected with a stronger force. Therefore, since the flexibility adjusting device 70 cannot be removed unless a strong force that does not occur in normal use is applied, the flexibility adjusting device 70 does not come off during inspection, washing, or the like. Further, the engagement between the lock member 92 and the tubular body 91 may be, for example, a screw structure instead of the snap fit. Then you can fix it more firmly. However, snap-fitting has the advantage that it is easy to attach and detach.

Further, the flexibility adjusting device 70 has the above-mentioned second structure.
If the grip portion 3a of the operation portion 3 is attached to the front side (tip side) as in the above embodiment, the front portion of the grip portion 3a becomes long, and the insertion portion 2 may be difficult to handle. However, if it is on the rear end side of the grip portion 3a as in the present embodiment, the front portion of the grip portion 3a can be shortened, and the operability of the insertion portion 2 is good. (Effect) According to this embodiment, the flexibility adjusting device 70 can be firmly fixed to the endoscope 1. In addition,
Although it is common to the second and third embodiments, it is preferable that the flexibility adjusting device 70 can be commonly attached / detached even to endoscopes of a model in which the thickness of the insertion portion and the diameter of the treatment instrument insertion channel are different. Is. By doing so, the user can use the same flexibility adjusting device 70 for different models, and since the flexibility adjusting device 70 which is a common component may be stored for conversion,
It is easy to handle and manage. <Fourth Embodiment> A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. (Structure) This embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment.
That is, as shown in FIG. 11, a coil adjustment knob 101 for adjusting the tension of the wire 41 of the flexibility adjustment mechanism from the coil pipe 39 side is provided at the front end of the operation section 3 of the endoscope 1. . Its internal structure is schematically shown in FIG. A coil pipe 39 and a pulling wire 41 inserted through the coil pipe 39 are provided in the flexible portion 7 of the endoscope 1 as in the first embodiment. However, the middle part of the coil pipe 39 is not fixed and is movable in the axial direction. And
The distal end of the hollow rod 102 abuts on the proximal end of the coil pipe 39. The wire 41 is its rod 1
It penetrates through 02 and is movable with respect to the rod 102.

A male screw portion 10 is provided on a part of the outer circumference of the rod 102.
3 is formed, and the rear portion thereof penetrates the base 104 fixed to the operation portion 3 and is non-rotatably movable in the axial direction. A female screw portion 105 is provided inside the coil adjusting knob 101.
A part of 05 is meshed with a part of the male screw part 103 of the rod 102. (Operation) In the first embodiment, the proximal end of the coil pipe 39 is fixed to the operating portion 3, but in the present embodiment, by rotating the coil adjustment knob 101, the rod 102 is moved in the axial direction, It is possible to move the coil pipe 39 in the axial direction. Similar to the first embodiment, the flexibility of the soft portion 7 is adjusted by rotating the flexibility adjusting operation knob 44.
This is done by moving 1. When the natural length of the coil pipe 39 is shortened by repeating this, the rod 102 is moved to the side that compresses the coil pipe 39 by the coil adjustment knob 101, and the relative installation state of the coil pipe 39 and the wire 41 is changed. As a result, the flexibility adjusting function can be favorably ensured. Of course, as in the first embodiment,
It goes without saying that a mechanism for adjusting the tension of the wire 41 before moving the flexibility adjusting operation knob 44 may be added. (Effect) Even if the natural length of the coil pipe 39 is shortened by repeatedly using the flexibility adjusting function, it is possible to adjust the closeness of the coil appropriately, and thus the flexibility adjusting function can be reproduced in a good state.

Incidentally, as can be said in common with any of the above-described embodiments, the endoscope 1 with the flexibility adjusting function as described above is used.
5 can be used as follows in addition to changing the flexibility during the insertion of the large intestine as described with reference to FIG. First, the flexibility is adjusted in advance according to the user's preference and the inspection is performed. Even conventional endoscopes have different models depending on the hardness of the soft portion, and were selected according to the user's preference. However, with the present endoscope 1, one endoscope can meet the user's preference. In addition, even the same user sometimes used different models with different hardness according to the individual difference in the large intestine of the patient, but with this endoscope, flexibility depending on the patient before the examination was used. If adjusted, a single line can accommodate individual differences in the large intestine of various patients. [Additional Notes] <Group A> (1) Insertion portion having a flexible portion, a coil pipe arranged in the flexible portion to change hardness by being compressed, and a tip inserted into the coil pipe and having a tip on the coil pipe. A connecting pulling wire and an operating means for pulling the pulling wire with respect to the coil pipe;
An endoscope comprising: an adjusting unit that adjusts a relative positional relationship between the coil pipe and the pulling wire in an initial state.

(2) In the additional item 1, the adjusting means axially moves the proximal end of the wire before pulling the wire with respect to the wire operating body of the operating means so as to adjust the tension of the wire. Was adjusted. (3) In the additional item 1, the first wire can be replaced with the second wire.

(4) In the additional item (3), the set of the first wire and the coil pipe can be exchanged with the set of the second wire and the coil pipe. (5) In the additional item (1), the adjusting means can change the installation state of the wire from outside the endoscope. (6) In the additional item (1), the tip of the wire is movable in the insertion portion.

(7) In the additional item (1), the adjusting means is configured to move the position of the proximal end of the coil pipe in the initial state before operation in the axial direction with respect to the wire. <Group B> (1) Internal view provided with an insertion portion having a flexible portion, a flexibility adjusting member in the flexible portion, and an operation knob for adjusting flexibility of the flexibility adjusting member in the operation portion. The endoscope is characterized in that means for displaying the flexibility level of the flexibility adjusting member is provided near the operation knob.

(2) In the first item of supplementary note, the flexibility can be adjusted in a plurality of steps. (3) In the additional item (1), the display is visible. (4) In the additional item 3, the display is fluorescent. (5) In the additional item (3), the display has a self-illuminating means. (6) In the additional item (1), the display is tactilely recognizable. <Conventional example of group B> Hardening and adjusting the insertion part is ON-
Instead of OFF control, several steps of delicate adjustment are required (in addition, it is possible to respond appropriately to different users and large intestines of different patients). In that case, conventionally, since there is no indication of the level of flexibility in the operation section for adjusting the flexibility, it is difficult for the user to recognize the flexibility level of the insertion section inserted in the large intestine, which is inconvenient. According to the group B, by providing a display showing the flexibility level on the flexibility adjusting operation portion, the user can visually recognize the flexibility level and the usability is improved. <Group C> (1) In an endoscope in which a flexible adjusting device, which includes an insertion portion having a flexible portion and an operating portion, and which can adjust the flexibility of the flexible portion, is insertable into and removable from the flexible portion, Means for positioning and fixing a part of the adjustment operation part of the flexibility adjusting device to the operation part of the endoscope is provided. (2) In the first item of supplementary note, fixing is non-rotating. (3) In the additional item (1), the fixing is based on frictional force. (4) In the additional item 1, the fixing has a retaining mechanism. (5) In the additional item 4, the retaining mechanism is a snap fit. (6) In the additional item (4), the retaining mechanism is fixed by screws. (7) In Appendix 1, the flexibility adjusting device is watertightly fixed to the endoscope. (8) In the additional item (1), an insertion conduit for inserting the flexibility adjusting device into the endoscope is provided, and the insertion conduit is partitioned in a watertight manner from the inside of the endoscope. (9) In the first item of the supplementary note, the fixed position is behind the operating portion gripping portion. <Conventional example of group C> Since the operation unit of the conventional flexibility adjusting device is not integrally connected to the endoscope operation unit to which it is assembled, an assistant different from the operator having the endoscope operation unit. Has to operate the operation part of the flexibility adjusting device, or one operator has to separate the operation part of the endoscope once and operate the operation part of the flexibility adjusting device again. It was However, according to the group C, the operation unit of the flexible adjustment device that is detachable from the endoscope can be positioned and fixed with respect to the endoscope operation unit. By doing so, even one surgeon can perform the flexibility adjustment operation with the other hand while holding the endoscope operation part in one hand, and the usability is improved.

[0040]

According to the present invention, it is possible to perform readjustment even after repeatedly using the flexibility adjusting function so that the flexibility can be restored and the original function can be sufficiently exhibited.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an internal structure of an electronic endoscope according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a flexible adjusting mechanism portion of the endoscope.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of an operating portion of the endoscope flexibility adjusting mechanism.

4A and 4B are explanatory views of another example of the operation portion of the flexibility adjusting mechanism of the endoscope.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view for use in inserting the endoscope transanally into the large intestine.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a schematic configuration of an endoscope according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a portion of the insertion port of the endoscope.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a flexible adjusting member which is also used in the endoscope.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a schematic configuration of an endoscope of a third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of an operation portion of the endoscope flexibility adjusting mechanism.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a schematic configuration of an endoscope of a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of an operating portion of the flexibility adjusting mechanism of the endoscope.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope, 2 ... Insertion part, 3 ... Operation part, 5 ... Tip part, 6
... Bending portion, 7 ... Soft portion, 8 ... Bending operation knob, 39 ... Coil pipe, 41 ... Travel wire, 44 ... Flexibility adjusting operation knob, 45 ... Mounting hole, 46 ... Female screw portion, 47 ... Male screw portion, 48 ... Sliding part, 49 ... O-ring, 50 ... Picking part, 51 ... Rod hole, 53 ... Female thread part, 54 ... Rod,
56 ... Male screw part, 57 ... O-ring, 58 ... Adjustment hole, 59
... scale, 60 ... scale, 61 ... index.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An insertion portion having a flexible portion, a coil pipe arranged in the flexible portion to change hardness by being compressed, and a towing wire inserted into the coil pipe and having a tip connected to the coil pipe. And an operating means for pulling the pulling wire with respect to the coil pipe, and an adjusting means for adjusting a relative positional relationship between the coil pipe and the pulling wire in an initial state. An endoscope that does.