JP2000254096A - Insert part of endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve durability of an envelope cover by providing excessive tension from working on one part when bending an angle part by covering the whole length of an angle part structure with a cylindrical cover body of the envelope cover and by fitting and fixing a fixing ring part on a fixing groove. SOLUTION: An angle part 10b is coated with a net 14 on an angle part structure 11 formed by successively fitting angle rings 11a. The net 14 is also covered with an envelope cover 15. The envelope cover 15 wholly comprises an elastic member, and fixing ring parts 15b are continuously provided on the both ends of a cylindrical cover body 15a. The cylindrical cover body 15a is used to cover the whole length of the angle structure 11, the fixing ring parts 15b provided on the both ends are fitted and fixed on fixing grooves 18, 19 respectively formed on peripheries of a jointing structure 16 and a jointing cylinder, the cylindrical cover body is imparted with a tension at which roughness such as wrinkles don't occur, and the fixing ring parts 15b are fixed on the fixing groove 18, 19 with elastic clamping force.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an insertion portion of an endoscope used for medical use, industrial use, and the like.
In particular, the present invention relates to an outer shell structure of an angle portion which can be bent by remote control in order to direct a distal end body of the insertion portion in an arbitrary direction.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An endoscope generally has a configuration shown in FIG. In the figure, 1 is a main body operation unit, 2
Is an insertion portion, and 3 is a universal cord. Insertion part 2
Is composed of a distal end portion main body 2a, an angle portion 2b, and a flexible portion 2c from the distal end side. The distal end body 2a is provided with an illuminating unit and an observing unit on the distal end surface or side surface thereof, and has a configuration in which a treatment tool lead-out portion for leading out a treatment tool or other treatment tools is opened. However, since these configurations are conventionally known, their illustration and description are omitted.

[0003] The angle portion 2b is for controlling the direction of the distal end body 2a, and is specifically configured as shown in FIG. FIG. 9 shows the angle portion 2b.
Are omitted from the illustration. Angle part 2
b has an angle ring 4 as its structural member. The angle ring 4 is made of a metal ring, and has a substantially curved shape when viewed from the side.
Adjacent angle rings 4 are sequentially connected to each other so as to be pivotally connected to each other at a position of 180 ° by a pair of fastening pins 5, thereby forming an angle portion structure having a node ring structure having a predetermined length. . And the pivot position is alternately 90 °
By connecting them so that the phases are shifted from one another, it becomes possible to bend vertically and horizontally. Further, the angle rings 4 located at both ends are connected to the distal end main body 2a and the flexible portion 2c, respectively.

A net 6 formed by knitting a metal wire or the like is covered on the outer periphery of the angle portion structure, and the outer periphery of the net 6 is covered with a skin layer 7. The outer skin layer 7 is fixed by an adhesive and is substantially integrated. The net 6 has elasticity, and the outer skin layer 7 is made of an elastic member such as urethane rubber or EPDM. Both ends of the outer skin layer 7 are respectively abutted against the base end of the distal end main body 2a and the front end of the flexible portion 2c, so that there is almost no level difference. The fixed portion 7a is formed by coating or the like.

An operation wire 8 for performing an operation of bending the angle portion 2b is inserted into the inside of the angle portion structure, and the angle portion 2b can be bent up and down and left and right. , Four operation wires 8 are inserted every 90 °. These operation wires 8
It is positioned in the circumferential direction and can be moved in the axial direction. For this purpose, an insertion hole is provided in each fastening pin 5 or a cut-out portion is provided in the angle ring 4 to be inserted through them. It has become so.

The angle portion 2b configured as described above
When one of the upper and lower pairs of operation wires 8 and 8 is pulled and the other is pushed out, the angle portion 2b is bent in the vertical direction, and the left and right pairs of operation wires 8 and 8 are pushed and pulled. By operating, the angle portion 2b can be bent right and left. The operation of the operation wire 8 can be performed by manually turning an angle operation knob 9 provided on the main body operation unit 1.

[0007]

Now, assuming that the angle portion 2b is curved as shown in FIG.
As shown by an arrow in the figure, the outer side in the bending direction is elongated and the inner side is compressed. However, the outer skin layer 7
Is drawn from the compressed side to the extended side at the intermediate portion in the axial direction, that is, since the outer skin layer 7 can wrap around in the direction of the arrow in FIG.
There is no extreme tension at that location. However, at the position near the fixing portion 7a, since the outer skin layer 7 has no freedom in the movement in the circumferential direction, the outer layer 7 has a large tensile force due to no wraparound from the compressed side to the extended side. Force, or tension, acts. Therefore, the outer skin layer 7
Is required to be particularly excellent in elasticity, but the material is limited because the outer skin layer 7 must have properties such as chemical resistance, and it is not necessarily excellent in elasticity. At present it is not possible to use things. As described above, when the angle portion 2b is repeatedly bent at a large angle, an excessive tension is generated at a position in the outer skin layer 7 near the fixing portion 7a, and a problem such as a crack is eventually generated.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to improve the durability of a skin layer constituting an angle portion.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention has a structure in which a plurality of angle rings are sequentially connected to a distal end body provided with an illuminating means and an observing means. An insertion part of an endoscope provided with an angle part in which an operation wire for remote operation is inserted inside the angle part structure, wherein both end parts of the angle part structure or a connecting member to which they are connected A loop-shaped fastening groove is formed in the outer cover made of an elastic member in which fastening rings are connected to both ends of the tubular body so that the entire length of the angle portion structure is covered by the tubular body. It is characterized in that both fastening ring portions are fitted and fixed to the respective fastening grooves respectively by being mounted.

Here, in order to more firmly fix the outer cover at the angle portion, a locking wall which is inclined at a predetermined angle in a direction approaching each other toward the groove bottom is formed in each of the fixing grooves. It is good. Further, in order to facilitate the bending operation of the angle portion, it is necessary to minimize the resistance generated when the outer cover is extended. For this purpose, for example, both fastening grooves are formed in a waveform loop shape in which the positions of the angle portions corresponding to the insertion portions of the operation wires are curved in directions approaching each other.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. First, FIG. 1 shows a cross section of the angle portion with the internal insertion member omitted, and FIG. 2 shows its appearance. As is clear from these figures, the angle portion 10b constitutes the insertion portion 10, and the tip end body 10
There is no particular difference from the above-mentioned prior art in that a is connected to the flexible portion 10c on the base end side.
The angle portion structure 11 of the angle portion 10b is configured by sequentially pivoting a number of angle rings 11a using pivot pins 12, and four operation wires 13 are inserted therein. In this respect, there is no particular difference from the above-mentioned prior art.

A net 14 braided with a metal wire is attached to the angle portion structure 11 composed of a number of angle rings 11a, and the outer periphery thereof is covered with a skin cover 15. Is fixed to the outer circumference of the angle ring 11aT at the most distal end, and the base end is fixed to the angle ring 11aB at the most proximal side by welding or the like. Here, the distal end main body 10a is formed of a substantially cup-shaped member, and a through hole for mounting illumination means, observation means, and the like is formed on an end face thereof. In addition, a cylindrical portion connected to the end face portion is a connecting structure portion 16 of the angle portion 10b. A part of the angle ring 11aT on the foremost end is inserted into the inner peripheral surface of the connecting structure 16, and is fixed by means such as welding or screwing. A fixing portion for the outer cover 15 is formed on the outer peripheral surface side. on the other hand,
The base end portion of the angle portion structure 11 is connected to the connection cylinder 17 connected to the flexible portion 10c, and a part of the angle ring 11aB on the most proximal side is inserted into the connection cylinder 17 and It is fixed by means such as welding or screwing. And these angle rings 11 of the net 14
The portions fixed to the aT and 11aB are portions derived from the connection structure 16 and the connection cylinder 17.

The outer cover 15 is entirely made of an elastic member such as urethane rubber or EPDM, and has a structure in which fastening rings 15b are connected to both ends of a cylindrical main body 15a. As shown in FIG. 3, the cylindrical main body 15a covers the entire length of the angle structure 11, and the fastening ring portions 15b provided at both ends thereof are connected to the connection structure 16 and the connection cylindrical body, respectively. Fastening groove 1 formed on the outer periphery of
8 and 19 are fitted and fixed. Here, the fastening groove 1
Reference numerals 8 and 19 denote loops formed in the connecting structure 16 and the connecting cylinder 17, respectively.
19 opposing wall surfaces 18a, 19a are fastening ring portions 1
5b is a locking wall for locking 5b. And the locking wall 1
8a is inclined at a predetermined angle toward the proximal end, and the locking wall 19a is inclined at a predetermined angle toward the distal end, that is, in a direction approaching each other.

Here, the outer cover 15 is attached to the angle portion structure 11, more specifically, so as to cover the net 14 attached to the angle portion structure 11, and the cylindrical main body 15a is attached to the net portion 15a. 14 and does not adhere. However, the outer cover 15 has the outer structure of the angle portion 10b, and has a total length of the fastening grooves 18 and 1 in a free state.
By making the interval slightly shorter than the interval between 9, the cylindrical main body 15a has an initial tension that does not substantially cause unevenness such as wrinkles on the surface even when the cylindrical main body 15a is merely put on the net 14. . Further, the outer cover 15 is connected to the angle portion 10b.
The inner diameter of the fastening ring portion 15b in the free state is smaller than the diameter of the bottom of the fastening grooves 18 and 19 in order to securely hold the outermost layer as the outermost layer. As a result, the fastening ring portion 15b is expanded to a certain extent and the fastening grooves 18,
19, and the outer cover 15 is fixed in a stable state by the elastic fastening force of the fastening ring portion 15b. However, the tightening force of the fastening ring portion 15b is not increased so much, and depending on the tension acting on the outer cover 15 when the angle portion 10b is curved, the fastening ring portion 15b may protrude from the fastening grooves 18 and 19. The tightening force shall not deviate. The fastening ring 15
Since the locking walls 18a, 19a of the b, 15b are inclined surfaces, when tension is applied to the cylindrical main body 15a, the fastening ring portions 15b, 15b are pressed against the locking walls 18a, 19a, and the grooves are formed. As a result, the fixing strength is further increased even if the fastening force of the fastening ring portion 15b is reduced.

Here, the fastening grooves 18 and 19 are formed in an annular shape, but do not have a uniform circular loop shape, and as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. Has a wave-like loop shape curved in a direction approaching each other, and the portion curved in the direction approaching each other is a cover 1 when the angle portion 10b is curved.
5 functions as escape portions 18b and 19b of the fixing ring portion 15b. Then, these escape portions 18b, 1
9b is the angle part structure 1 as is clear from FIG.
1 is located on the outer peripheral portion of the operation wire 13 provided inside.

The present embodiment is configured as described above, and includes the outer cover 1 attached to the angle portion 10b.
5 is a fixing ring 18 at both ends, a fixing groove 18,
Although it is fixedly held by fitting to 19,
Since the cylindrical main body 15a is mounted on the net 14 with a slight initial tension, the cylindrical main body 15a comes into close contact with the net 14 and does not have wrinkles or irregularities on the surface. Is substantially smooth, so that resistance during insertion into a body cavity is reduced, and smooth insertion operability is ensured. The operation wire 13 is appropriately pushed and pulled to change the observation visual field when inserted into a body cavity or when the observation object is inserted to a site to be observed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, in the adjacent angle rings 11 a constituting the angle portion structure 11, the interval becomes smaller on the inner side in the bending direction, and the interval becomes wider on the outer side. The body 11 curves without substantially changing its outer diameter shape.

The net 14 provided on the outer periphery of the angle portion structure 11 and the outer cover 15, which is the outermost layer, are bent in accordance with this. Since the net 14 is elastic in nature, it follows smoothly and deforms. On the other hand, the cylindrical body 15a of the outer cover 15 is deformed such that the outer side in the bending direction is elongated and the inner side is reduced during this bending. However, the fastening ring portion 15b is provided with the fastening groove 1 with a predetermined fastening force.
It is crimped to the locking walls 18a, 19a which are inclined at 8,19. Therefore, the fastening ring 15b does not detach from the fastening grooves 18 and 19 due to the tension applied to the outer cover 15, and is securely held at the outer periphery of the angle portion 10b.

As described above, when the angle portion 10b is bent, the cylindrical main body 15a constituting the outer cover 15 extends outward in the bending direction and is compressed inside. Here, the angle portion 10b has an extremely large angle, for example, as shown in FIG.
It may be bent at an angle of 80 ° or more. When the bending angle becomes large in this way, as shown by the arrow in the figure, the degree of expansion outside the bending direction is large, and therefore, the outer cover 15 tends to expand greatly. However, since the cylindrical body 15a constituting the outer cover 15 is not entirely fixed to the net 14, when a tension is applied to a part thereof, an arrow is shown in FIG. This tension is alleviated because it wraps around so as to be dragged as shown by. At this time, fastening rings 15b connected to both ends of the cylindrical main body 15a of the outer cover 15 are provided with locking walls 18 of the fastening grooves 18,19.
a, a clamping force is acting on 19a,
Since no extreme tightening force is applied, freedom of movement in the circumferential direction is ensured even at this portion.
Therefore, the portion where the tubular main body 15a extends is wrapped around from the other portion, particularly the compressed portion, so that extreme tension is concentrated on a part of the tubular main body 15a. It will not work anymore. Therefore, even if the angle portion 10b is repeatedly bent, the outer cover 15 is not likely to be damaged such as a crack, and the durability is improved.

Relief portions 18b and 19b are formed in the fixing grooves 18 and 19 in which the fixing ring portion 15b is fitted, respectively, and the clearance portions 18b and 19b are formed between the fixing grooves 18 and 19. Is partially narrower. Therefore, when tension acts on the outer cover 15, the fastening ring portion 15b is biased toward the escape portions 18b and 19b.
As a result, the distance between the fastening ring portions 15b at both ends is reduced, and the tension is further reduced. Here, the line connecting the escape portions 18b and 19b is located outside the operation wire 13 in the radial direction for performing the bending operation. That is, it is a portion where the tension is applied to the outer cover 15 most strongly by the operation of the operation wire 13. Therefore, when the tension at this portion is reduced by the action of the escape portions 18b and 19b, the outer cover 15 is further protected. In addition, when the escape portions 18b and 19b are formed as described above and the angle portion 10b is curved, the tension of the outer cover 15 at the position outside the curved shape can be reduced in FIG. As explained,
The operability of the angle operation performed by manually operating the angle operation knob 9 is improved, and the angle portion 10b can be easily bent with a light force.

In the above-described embodiment, the fastening groove is provided in the distal end main body and the connection ring to the flexible portion. However, for example, the most distal end portion and the most proximal end portion constituting the angle portion structure are provided. May be provided on the angle ring. In this case, these angle rings must be thicker than the other angle rings so that a fastening groove having a sufficient depth can be formed. Further, the fastening groove has a wavy loop shape, but may have a simple annular shape. Further, the outer cover is merely covered on the net, and the outer cover and the net are not fixed. However, the outer cover and the net may be fixed to each other with an adhesive or the like.

[0021]

As described above, the present invention uses an outer cover made of an elastic member and provided with a fastening ring portion connected to both ends of the cylindrical body. The entire length of the angle portion structure is covered with the configuration, and the fastening ring portions at both ends are fitted and fixed in the fastening grooves, respectively, so that when the angle portion is bent, an extreme tension acts on a part. This has the effect of improving the durability of the outer cover forming the angle portion.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an angle portion of an endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which members inserted into the angle portion are omitted.

FIG. 2 is an external view of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing an engagement state between a fastening ring portion and a fastening groove of the outer cover.

FIG. 4 is an external view of a connecting structure of a distal end body and a connecting tubular body showing a configuration of a fastening groove;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 1 shown in a curved state.

FIG. 7 is an external view similar to FIG. 2 shown in a curved state.

FIG. 8 is an overall configuration diagram of the endoscope.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an angle part according to the related art.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of an angle part according to the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Insertion part 10a Tip main body 10b Angle part 10c Flexible part 11 Angle part structure 11a Angle ring 13 Operation wire 14 Net 15 Skin cover 15a Cylindrical body 15b Fastening ring part 16 Connection mechanism part 17 Connection cylinder 18, 19 Stop Fitting groove 18a, 19a Locking wall 18b, 19b Escape portion

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An operation wire for remote operation is inserted into an angle portion structure which is connected to a distal end main body provided with a lighting means and an observation means and is constituted by sequentially pivoting a plurality of angle rings. In the insertion portion of the endoscope provided with the angled portion, a loop-shaped fixing groove is formed in both ends of the angle portion structure or a connecting member to which the angled portion is connected, and the end portion is fixed to both ends of the cylindrical main body. An outer cover made of an elastic member having a series of attachment ring portions is attached so as to cover the entire length of the angle portion structure with the tubular main body, and both fastening ring portions are fitted into the respective fastening grooves. An insertion portion of an endoscope, which is configured to be fixed. 2. The endoscope as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two fixing grooves are formed with locking walls which are inclined at a predetermined angle in a direction approaching each other as approaching the groove bottom. Insertion part of mirror. 3. The two fastening grooves according to claim 1, wherein positions of the angle portions corresponding to the insertion portions of the operation wire are curved in a wave-like loop shape in a direction approaching each other. Endoscope insertion section.