JP2001037706A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To embody an endoscope which is compact in a connecting part between an operation part side wire and an insertion part side wire, is easy in tension regulation of the wires and is good in operation feel. SOLUTION: The connecting part 80 is composed of a first thread member 81 which is disposed on an insertion part side angle wire (for example, insertion part side up angle wire 7a) end and, has right-hand threads (external thread) as a first thread part 84, a second thread member 82 which is disposed on an operation part side angle wire (for example, operation part side UP angle wire 7b) end and has left-hand threads (internal thread) 85 as the second thread part of the hand reverse from the hand of the right-hand threads (external threads) 84 and an adjusting nut 83 as a connecting thread part which connects the first thread member 81 and the second thread member 82, is screwable at one end to the right-hand threads (external thread) 84 and is screwable at the other end to the left-hand threads (internal thread) 85.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to connecting an insertion portion side wire for pulling a bending portion distal end side to bend a bending portion and an operation portion side wire for transmitting a bending operation of the operation portion. And an endoscope having an improved connection structure.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, endoscopes capable of observing a deep part or the like in a body cavity by inserting the body into a body cavity or the like and performing a medical treatment or the like by using a treatment tool as necessary have been developed in the medical field. It has become widely used. In general, a curved endoscope having a curved portion near the distal end of the insertion portion pulls the curved portion by pulling a twisted wire made of a metal wire such as stainless steel provided inside the endoscope. You are bending. Further, in the case of a medical endoscope, it is essential to surely sterilize and sterilize the used endoscope in order to prevent an infectious disease.

In a conventional endoscope, this disinfection and sterilization treatment has been performed using a gas such as ethylene oxide or a disinfecting solution. However, as is well known, sterilization gases are highly toxic, and are performed to ensure the safety of sterilization work. The operation of sterilizing the endoscope is complicated. In addition, there is a problem that the endoscope cannot be used immediately after sterilization because it takes time for aeration to remove gas adhering to the endoscope after sterilization. In addition, the adverse effect of the gas on the environment has been regarded as a problem. Further, there is a problem that the running cost is high. Further, in the case of a disinfecting solution, management of the disinfecting solution is complicated, and a great deal of expense is required for disposal of the disinfecting solution.

[0004] Therefore, recently, sterilization of endoscope devices can be used immediately after sterilization without complicated work.
In addition, autoclave sterilization (high-pressure, high-temperature, steam sterilization) with low running cost is becoming mainstream. Typical conditions for autoclave sterilization include:
American standard ANSI / AAMI issued by Medical Device Development Association
There is ST37-1992, which is a prevacuum type sterilizing step at 132 ° C. for 4 minutes, and a gravity type sterilizing step at 132 ° C. for 10 minutes.

[0005] However, the high-pressure high-temperature steam of the autoclave has a property of permeating polymer materials such as resin, rubber, and plastic, adhesives, and the like, which are members constituting the endoscope. Therefore, when an endoscope configured as a conventional watertight structure is put into an autoclave and sterilized, the endoscope is configured to be watertight by a general method such as an O-ring or an adhesive. Water vapor will also enter. In addition, during autoclave sterilization, it is common to put the inside and outside of the endoscope into an autoclave sterilization apparatus in a state where the inside and outside of the endoscope are communicated with each other in order to prevent the outer tube from being ruptured in the bending portion during the vacuum step before the sterilization step. is there. In this case, the steam of the autoclave sterilization actively enters the endoscope.

By the way, in the case of an endoscope in which a wire formed by bundling a general metal wire such as stainless steel and forming a twist wire is used as an angle wire for operating an endoscope bending portion, the above-described method is used. Steam that has entered the endoscope due to autoclave sterilization also attacks the angle wire. In addition, the steam causes moisture to remain in gaps between the wires, and the wire may be rusted due to these conditions, resulting in poor bending. As described in JP-A-3-286698, such a conventional endoscope is used as an angle wire for operating an endoscope bending portion by pulling a distal end of a bending portion of an insertion portion to bend. There has been proposed a configuration in which an insertion portion side wire for bending a portion and an operation portion side wire for transmitting a bending operation of an angle lever provided in the operation portion are connected by a connection means in the operation portion. .

However, in this configuration, tension such as tension or loosening of the wire can be easily adjusted. However, the insertion section side wire provided in the operation section as the connection means and the operation section side wire are connected. The locking pipe for retaining the connecting member that is to be removed must be fixed by soldering or brazing, and when mechanically fixed by another method, the connecting pipe and the operating section side wire There is a problem that the connecting portion becomes very large. Usually, when soldering or brazing, a flux is used. However, since this flux significantly lowers the corrosion resistance of the metal, the metal part to which the flux is attached tends to rust.
Generally, the flux is removed by washing after soldering and brazing, but if it cannot be completely removed, for example, if the flux remains on a part of the angle wire, the wire may rust at that part and cause poor bending. is there.
Further, as described above, when the endoscope is subjected to autoclave sterilization, steam enters the endoscope and water remains, so that rust is more likely to be generated in the portion where the flux remains.

On the other hand, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-52009
In the endoscope described in the publication, a method of connecting the insertion section side wire and the operation section side wire without using solder or brazing has been proposed, but it is complicated to adjust tension such as wire tension and looseness. is there. In particular, it is very complicated to readjust once and then readjust when repairing.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-286 is disclosed.
The endoscope described in Japanese Patent No. 698 can easily adjust the tension such as tension and looseness of the wire, but the connection between the insertion portion side wire and the operation portion side wire unless soldering or brazing is performed. There is a problem that the part becomes very large. Also, after soldering or brazing, for example, if flux remains on part of the angle wire,
There is a possibility that the wire will rust at that part and cause poor bending, and if the endoscope is subjected to autoclave sterilization, steam will penetrate inside the endoscope and moisture will remain, so the flux remaining part Further, rust is easily generated. On the other hand, in the endoscope described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-52009, the insertion section side wire and the operation section side wire are connected without using solder or brazing, but tension such as tension or loosening of the wire is applied. The adjustment is complicated, and it is particularly troublesome to adjust once and then readjust when repairing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has a compact connection part between the operation part side wire and the insertion part side wire, and easy adjustment of the wire tension. It is intended to provide an endoscope.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an insertion section side wire for pulling a distal end side of a bending section of an elongated insertion section to bend the bending section; In an endoscope having an operation part side wire for transmitting a bending operation of an operation part connected to a base end side and a connecting part for connecting the insertion part side wire and the operation part side wire, A first screw member provided at a wire end and having a first screw portion; and a second screw member provided at the operation portion side wire end and having a second screw portion wound in reverse to the first screw portion.
And the first screw member and the second screw member are connected to each other, and one end can be screwed into the first screw portion,
A connection screw member having a screw portion that can be screwed into the second screw portion at the other end; With this configuration, it is possible to realize an endoscope with a good operability in which the connecting portion between the operation unit side wire and the insertion unit side wire is compact and the tension of the wire is easily adjusted.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 14 show a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing an endoscope provided with a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front end side of an insertion portion of the first embodiment of the present invention. 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views taken in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the insertion portion.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an RL angle wire which is turned around and fixed to a groove formed on the outer periphery of the tip cover member by about half a circle, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a UD angle wire that is turned around and fixed, FIG. 5 is an arrow view of a screwed portion of a screw from the outer peripheral side of a tip cover member, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion where the RL angle wire is drawn inward, FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing the angle wire of the present embodiment, and FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view of FIG. 9, and FIGS. 11 and 12 are explanatory views for explaining a procedure of assembling the drum member viewed from the axial direction of the rotating shaft member. 11 is a UD angle wire drum member Illustration in placing, 12 UD
FIG. 13 is an explanatory view when the angle wire is clamped and fixed between the drum member and the pressing member, FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing a connecting portion for connecting the tip side of the UD angle wire and the drum side inside the operation section, and FIG. FIG. 14A is an explanatory view showing a procedure of assembling the connecting portion. FIG. 14A shows a state in which the insertion portion-side UP angle wire is fixed to a first screw member with a screw and the operation portion-side UP angle wire is connected to a second screw member. FIG. 14B is an explanatory view showing a state where the screw member is fixed with screws, and FIG. 14B is an explanatory view showing a state immediately before the first screw member and the second screw member are connected by the adjustment nut. FIG. 14 (c) is an explanatory view showing a state where the first screw member and the second screw member are connected by the adjustment nut, and FIG. 14 (d) is heat-shrinked from the state of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which covered the tube.

As shown in FIG. 1, an electronic endoscope (simply an endoscope) 1 provided with a first embodiment of the present invention has a solid-state image pickup device such as a CCD at the distal end, for example. An elongated insertion section 2 containing a unit (see FIG. 2), an operation section 3 serving as a grip provided at a rear end of the insertion section 2, and a base section connected to the rear end of the operation section 3 And a light guide connector (hereinafter referred to as LG) connected to a light source device (not shown) at the rear end of the flexible cord 4.
A video cable 6 extending from a side of the LG connector 5;
And a video connector 7 connected to a video system center (not shown). In addition, a monitor (not shown) is connected to a video system center (not shown) where the video connector 7 is in contact with the video connector 7. The signal is processed in the system center, and the image of the test portion is displayed on the monitor.

The insertion section 2 includes a distal end portion 12 including a bendable portion 11 and a rigid sheath 13 connected to the rear end side of the distal end portion 12. The operation unit 3
Is provided with a UD angle lever 3a and an RL angle lever 3b for remotely controlling the bending portion 11 so as to bend freely. By operating the UD angle lever 3a, the bending portion 11 is bent vertically. By operating the RL angle lever 3b, the bending portion 11 can be operated to bend vertically. Further, on the side of the LG connector 5, an open / close valve 14 capable of selecting a communication state inside and outside the endoscope is provided, and a communication adapter (not shown) can be detachably connected. The on-off valve 14 may have a check valve structure that communicates when the internal space of the endoscope becomes higher than the external pressure by a predetermined pressure or more. A valve adapter may be provided. Due to the configuration of the on-off valve 14, even if the inside of the chamber is evacuated during the process before autoclave sterilization or the like, a flexible portion in the partition of the endoscope such as the curved rubber of the bending portion 4 of the endoscope bursts. Is prevented. The video connector 7 is provided with a waterproof cap 15 capable of making the electrical contact 7a watertight. That is, such an endoscope 1 is configured to have a watertight structure in which water does not enter inside.

[0015] As shown in FIG.
2, a light guide fiber 22 that guides illumination light for illuminating a target portion in a body cavity to illuminate the target portion from an illumination window 22a, and illumination from the light guide fiber 22 An objective lens system 33 that takes in an optical image of the test portion illuminated with light from the front cover glass 31 and forms an image on a solid-state imaging device 32 such as a CCD, and is connected to the objective lens system 33 so as to be connected to the optical system. The solid-state imaging device 32 captures an image, and the imaging unit 30 that transmits an imaging signal through a cable 34 is held.

A distal end cover member 41 as the most advanced joint of the curved portion 11 is bonded and fixed to the outer periphery of the distal end member 21 with an adhesive. Behind the distal end cover member 41, a group of joints 50 for turning the distal end cover member 41 in an arbitrary direction, a rivet 51 for rotatably joining the group of joints 50 to each other, A bent portion 11 made of a metal mesh tube 52 to be coated and a soft bent portion covering rubber 53 is provided in series.

The distal end cover member 41 is provided with a rivet connecting portion 42, which is rotatably connected to the group of joints 50 by a rivet 43 which is a distal end of the curved portion 11. The tip cover member 41 has an angle wire 4 for pulling and bending the rivet 43.
5a and 45b are fixed, and the bending portion 11 can bend in any direction by pulling the angle wires 45a and 45b. The angle wire 45a is a UD angle wire 45a for performing a bending operation in a vertical (UP, DOWWN) direction,
The right and left angle wires 45b (RIGHT, LEF)
T) RL angle wire 4 for performing bending operation in the direction
5b.

As shown in FIG. 3, the RL angle wire 45b is turned about half way around a groove 46b formed on the outer periphery of the tip cover member 41, and is folded back by a screw 47. From the side, it is pressed and fixed to the groove 46b. As shown in FIG. 4, the UD angle wire 45a is also wound around a groove 46a formed on the outer periphery of the tip cover member 41 by about a half turn, and is screwed into the groove 46a by a screw 47. 41, it is pressed and fixed to the groove 46a from the outer peripheral side. In the present embodiment,
The two angle wires 45a and 45b are simultaneously pressed by the plate portion of one screw 47. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the angle wires 45a, 45b
Are bent in the outer diameter direction of the screw 47. With this configuration, the angle wires 45a and 45b can be securely and firmly fixed to the distal end cover member 41 at the distal end of the curved portion.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the end cover member 41 has a hole 48 through which a female screw corresponding to the screw 47 penetrates at the center so that the screw 47 does not protrude from the outer periphery thereof. Is formed. 3, 4, and 6
In the case where the screw 47 protrudes long on the inner periphery of the distal end cover member 41 as shown by a dotted line in the drawing, the screw 47 is screwed in and then the protruding portion of the screw 47 is scraped off with a file or the like. . In this embodiment, the screwed portion of the screw 47 and the angle wires 45a,
An adhesive is applied to the portions inserted into the grooves 46a and 46b of 5b.

The UD angle wire 45a is wound around the groove 46a on the outer periphery of the tip cover member 41, and is then drawn out to the inner circumferential surface of the tip cover member 41. The UD angle wire 45a is drawn out from the outer circumferential side to the inner circumferential surface side. The hole 49 is formed with an inclined surface 49 so that the UD angle wire 45a is not sharply bent (see FIG. 2).
Therefore, the wire does not easily break at this portion.
On the other hand, the RL angle wire 45b is also drawn out to the inner peripheral surface of the distal end cover member 41 after being circulated around the groove 46b on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end cover member 41, and is drawn from the outer peripheral side to the inner peripheral surface side. The hole 49 is formed with a slope 49, so that the RL angle wire 45b does not bend sharply and the wire does not easily break at this portion. Note that, as shown in FIG.
The inside diameter of the front end cover member 41 is set so that b does not contact the rivet 43 on the front end side. In the present embodiment, both the RL angle wire 45b is prevented from contacting the rivet 43 on the most distal end side, and the inner diameter of the distal end cover member 41 is reduced so that the filling rate of the internal components is not tight. In consideration of the distance from the central axis of the insertion portion 2 to the inner peripheral surface of the distal end cover member 41,
The distance from the center axis of the insertion section 2 to the rivet 43 is set to be substantially the same.

These angle wires 45a and 45b are
As shown in FIG. 8, the wire is made of a stainless wire in which a stainless wire is twisted, and the angle wire 45 a
A gap between the wires 45b is filled with a rust preventive material 60 having high-temperature and high-pressure steam resistance and lubricity, and the surfaces of the angle wires 45a and 45b are covered with the rust preventive material 60 having high-temperature and high-pressure steam resistance and lubricity. are doing. In addition, other than stainless steel, a metal wire having high corrosion resistance, such as tungsten or a titanium alloy, can be used as the wire element wire. In the case of tungsten, electrolytically treated tungsten is more effective because of its higher corrosion resistance. In the present embodiment, the angle wires 45 provided in the insertion portion 2 and the like are used.
The stainless steel angle coil 61 is used as a guide member for the a and 45b.
Also, the surface is covered with the rust preventive material 60.

As the rust preventive material 60, a fluororesin material,
Flexible diamond-like hard carbon material (amorphous carbon hard material composed mainly of carbon and hydrogen), silica material converted from silazane, graphite-containing fluororesin paint, fluororubber paint, boron nitride-containing material, PTFE
An anticorrosive material such as a nickel material and a metal having high temperature and high pressure steam resistance and lubricity is used. Incidentally, the rust preventive material 60 can also be used as a rust preventive coating material. Further, as the rust-preventive coating using a rust-preventive material such as a metal, a rust-preventive coating by plating or the like can be applied.

The rust preventive material 60 is filled in the gap between the strands of the angle wires 45a and 45b, and covers the surfaces of the angle wires 45a and 45b.
Even if the autoclave sterilization is performed, it is possible to prevent the wires from being exposed to water vapor. Alternatively, even if the angle wires are formed by bundling wire wires having the surface of each wire wire of the angle wires 45a and 45b coated with a rust-preventive material with the rust-preventive material 60, the resulting wire is Since the wire material is not exposed to the gap between the wires, it is possible to prevent the wire wires from being exposed to water vapor.

Next, the angle levers 3a and 3b to which the base ends of the angle wires 45a and 45b are attached will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG.
The D angle lever 3a and the RL angle lever 3b
The UD angle lever 3a is attached to the rotating shaft members 71a and 71b rotatably provided on the endoscope operation unit main body 70 with screws or the like, and the UD angle wire 45a is attached via the rotating shaft member 71a. The RL angle lever 3b fixes the drum member 72b to which the RL angle wire 45b is attached via a rotary shaft member 71b while fixing the drum member 72a provided.

The UD angle wire 45a is shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the drum member 72a and the holding member 7
3a. Pressing member 73a
Is pressed against the drum member 72a by being screwed with a screw 74. still,
Since the RL angle wire 45b has the same configuration, the description is omitted.

Next, these angle wires 45a, 45
The drum members 72a and 72b to which "b" is attached will be described with reference to FIGS. The holding member 73
Before attaching a, as shown in FIG. 11, the UD angle wire 45a is formed on the drum member 72a, and is wrapped around the outside of the groove 75a in which the pressing member 73a enters. Further, the wire is crossed and pulled out to the outer periphery of the drum member 72a, and is arranged along the groove 76a formed on the outer periphery of the drum member 72a.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG.
3a is put on the groove 75a of the drum member 72a, and the screw 74 is further tightened with a screw, so that the UD angle wire 45
is clamped and fixed by the drum member 72a and the pressing member 73a. Note that an adhesive is applied between the drum member 72a and the pressing member 73a for reinforcement. still,
As in the present embodiment, since the UD angle wire 45a is turned around and pressed down and fixed as close to the outer periphery of the drum member 72a as possible, the portion where the wire crosses and is drawn to the outer periphery of the drum member 72a ( FIG.
(A portion 2), the wire can be assembled without using the solder almost without protruding to the outer periphery. The UD angle wire 45a pulled out from the outer periphery of the drum member 72a is finally connected above and below the distal end of the curved portion 11. On the other hand, the RL angle lever 3b has the same structure as the UD angle lever 3a. The angle wires 45a and 45b on the insertion portion side fixed to the distal end of the bending portion 11 described in FIGS. 2 to 7 and the operation fixed to the drum members 72a and 72b described in FIGS. The angle wires 45a and 45b on the side of the unit are separated in terms of assembly, and are connected in the operation unit 3 so that the tension of the entire angle wires 45a and 45b is adjusted at the connection portion.

This connection structure will be described using, for example, an UP angle wire for bending the UP portion in the UD angle wire 45a for bending the bending portion 11 in the UP and DOWN directions. As shown in FIG. 13, the insertion portion-side UP angle wire 77a is pulled out from above the distal end of the bending portion 11 to pull the bending portion distal end to bend the bending portion 11 in the UP direction, and above the drum member 72a. The connecting portion 80 is connected to the operating portion side UP angle wire 77b for transmitting the UP direction operation of the UD angle lever 3a of the operating portion 3 by being pulled out from the connecting portion 80.

In this embodiment, a first screw member 81 provided at the end of the insertion portion side UP angle wire 77a and having a first screw portion, and provided at the end of the operation portion side UP angle wire 77b, A second screw member 82 having a second screw portion reversely wound from the first screw portion;
Connecting the second screw member 82 and the second screw member 82,
One end can be screwed into the first screw portion, and the other end can be screwed into the second screw portion.
And the adjusting nut 83 as a connecting screw member having a screw portion that can be screwed into the screw portion.

The first screw member 81 is provided with a right-hand thread (male thread) 84 as a first thread portion, and the second screw member 82 is provided with a left-hand thread (male thread) as a second thread portion.
85 is cut off. The adjusting nut 83 has a right-handed screw (female screw) 86 that is screwed to one end with a right-handed screw (male screw) 84 of the first screw member 81, and a left-handed screw (female screw) of the second screw member 82 at the other end. A left screw (female screw) 87 that is screwed with the male screw) 85 is cut. The first screw member 81
, The end of the UP angle wire 77a on the insertion portion side is fixed with a screw 88. Similarly, the second screw member 8
2, the end of the operation part side UP angle wire 77b is fixed with a screw 88. In the present embodiment, the first and second screw members 81 and 82 are provided with external threads, and the adjusting nut 83 serving as a connection screw member is provided with a female thread, so that the connecting portion 8 is provided.
However, conversely, the connecting portion 80 may be formed by providing female screws on the first and second screw members 81 and 82 and providing male screws on the connecting screw members.

Next, referring to FIG.
No. 0 will be described. As shown in FIG.
A screw 88 is screwed into the first screw member 81 in a direction perpendicular to the wire end of the insertion portion side UP angle wire 77a toward the wire and pressed to fix the insertion portion side UP angle wire 77a. Similarly, by screwing a screw 88 into the second screw member 82 and pressing it, the operation unit side UP
The angle wire 77b is also fixed. An adhesive is applied to the wire fixing portion and the screw 88 for reinforcement.

The first screw member 81 and the second screw member 82 are connected by an adjustment nut 83 as shown in FIG. When the adjustment nut 83 is rotated in one direction, the right-hand thread (male thread) 84 of the first screw member 81 is screwed into the right-hand thread (female thread) 86 of the adjustment nut 83, and at the same time, the second By screwing the left-hand thread (male thread) 85 of the screw member 82 into the left-hand thread (female thread) 87 of the adjusting nut 83, as shown in FIG. 14C, the first screw member 81 and the second screw member 81 are formed. The screw member 82 is connected, and the insertion portion side UP angle wire 77a and the operation portion side UP angle wire 77b are connected. When the adjusting nut 83 is rotated in the opposite direction, the relative positions of the first screw member 81 and the second screw member 82 are reversed. That is, the relative positional relationship between the first screw member 81 and the second screw member 82 is changed by the rotation of the adjustment nut 83, and the connection between the insertion portion side UP angle wire 77a and the operation portion side UP angle wire 77b is adjusted. Thus, tension such as tension and looseness of the UP angle wire as a whole can be easily adjusted to an optimum state.

After adjusting the tension to the optimum state, the first screw member 81, the second screw member 82, and the adjustment nut 83 can be removed again at the time of repair such as an elastic adhesive. Adhesive fix with a suitable adhesive. Further, from this state, as shown in FIG.
By covering the entire heat-shrinkable tube 89 with
At the time of the bending operation, the connecting portion 80 is prevented from hitting another portion, thereby preventing a sound from being emitted or being damaged. In addition, these first
Screw member 81, second screw member 82, and adjustment nut 83
(In the present embodiment, only the UP angle wire for bending in the UP direction is described).
(DOWN, RIGHT, LEFT) Four are provided corresponding to the angle wires 45a and 45b for bending.

When assembling or repairing the endoscope 1 configured as described above, the insertion portion side angle wire (for example, the insertion portion side UP angle wire 77a) and the operation portion side angle wire (for example, the operation portion side) By a simple operation such as rotating the adjustment nut 83 of the connecting portion 80 with the UP angle wire 77b), the angle wire 45
It is possible to adjust tension such as tension and looseness of a and 45b.

In this embodiment, no soldering or brazing is performed on the connecting portion 80 or other angle wire fixing portions. Furthermore, when the endoscope is used, even if a bending operation is performed, the connecting portion 80 is compact, so that the connecting portion 80 does not violently hit other components to prevent a smooth bending operation. Then, for example, endoscopic observation in a body cavity is performed using the endoscope 1 configured as described above, and thereafter, the sterilized specimen is put into a chamber of an autoclave sterilizer (not shown) for sterilization. First, in the autoclave pre-sterilization process, the chamber is evacuated.
At the time of the sterilization, the inside of the chamber is filled with the high-temperature and high-pressure steam, and the high-temperature and high-pressure steam enters the inside of the endoscope 1 to increase the humidity. For example, even in an endoscope having a watertight structure as a whole, water vapor enters from a portion made of a polymer material such as an O-ring or an adhesive. The high-temperature and high-pressure steam that has entered the inside of the endoscope 1 is
To operate the angle wires 45a, 45b and the connecting portion 80 for operating the. In addition, the steam that has entered the inside of the endoscope 1 remains in the endoscope 1 as moisture as it is.

However, in the present embodiment, the connecting portion 8
0 and other angle wire fixing parts,
Since the brazing is not performed, the corrosion resistance of the angle wires 45a and 45b does not decrease due to the residual flux. Therefore, the angle wires 45a and 45b and the connecting portion 80 do not rust due to the attack of steam or the residual moisture.

Further, in this embodiment, pressing and clamping are employed as a fixing method of the angle wires 45a and 45b, so that the angle wires 45a and 45b are provided with their respective wires over the entire length of the angle wires 45a and 45b. Since the gaps are filled with a rust preventive material 60 having high temperature and high pressure steam resistance and lubricity, and the surfaces of the angle wires 45a and 45b are covered with the rust preventive material 60 having high temperature and high pressure steam resistance and lubricity, Water vapor does not directly enter the metal wires 45a and 45b. Also,
No moisture remains in the gap between the wire strands, and no rust is generated on the angle wires 45a and 45b.
Furthermore, since the surface of the angle coil 61 is also covered with the rust preventive material 60, the angle coil 61 does not rust, that is, the rust does not transfer to the angle wires 45a and 45b.

With the above configuration, the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment is
The following effects are obtained. (1) Angle wire 4 when assembling or repairing the endoscope
Tension adjustment of 5a and 45b is easy. (2) Since the connecting portion 80 between the operation portion side wire and the insertion portion side wire is compact and the tension of the wire is moderate, smooth operation is possible. (3) Since soldering and brazing are not performed on the connecting portion 80, rust does not occur due to residual flux even when autoclave sterilization is performed, and there is no possibility that poor bending occurs. (4) Pressing and pinching fixing are adopted as the angle wire fixing method, so that the rust preventive material 60 having high-temperature, high-pressure steam resistance and lubricity is filled in the gaps between the individual wires over the entire length of the angle wires 45a and 45b. In addition, the surfaces of the angle wires 45a and 45b can be covered with the rust preventive material 60 having resistance to high-temperature and high-pressure steam and lubricity, and rust generation of the angle wires 45a and 45b can be more reliably prevented.

In this embodiment, a medical endoscope that performs autoclave sterilization is described. However, an endoscope that performs steam sterilization, an endoscope that is immersed in a chemical solution, and used in a high humidity environment The present invention can be applied to, for example, industrial endoscopes.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the endoscope which performs autoclave sterilization.
However, the configuration of the present invention is effective in manufacturing an endoscope that is compact and easy to adjust the tension of the wire and has a good operational feeling.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the present invention.

(Second Embodiment) FIGS. 15 and 16 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 shows an insertion part-side angle wire having the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing a connection portion with an operation portion-side angle wire, and FIG. 16 is a modification of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 15, the connecting portion 90 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes first and second screw members 81 and 82.
Screws 88 are screwed into the holes and pressed, and then the second screws 91 are further screwed in from the opposite side to rotate the angle wires 77a, 77.
b is configured to be clamped and fixed. With this configuration, the first and second screw members 81 and 82 and the angle wire 77 are more firmly connected than the connecting portion 80 described with reference to FIG.
a, 77b can be fixed. When the insertion portion-side angle wire is thin, the first wire as shown in FIG.
A through-hole 101 is formed in the screw member 81 of
A loop is formed through the insertion-portion-side angle wire at 01, and then fixed by swaging with the swaging member 102, thereby fixing the angle wire 77a to the first screw member 81 to form the connecting portion 100.

With this configuration, a thin wire, for example, φ
0.5 mm or less wire can be fixed.
Is applicable to small-diameter endoscopes. In addition, with this configuration, the angle wire 77 can be fixed by pinching, bonding, or the like without soldering, brazing, or the like.
a, 77b can be fixed. Therefore, rust does not occur due to the influence of the residual flux at the time of soldering or brazing. Also, as described with reference to FIG. 8, the rust-preventive material 60 having high-temperature, high-pressure steam resistance and lubricity is filled in the gap between the wires so that soldering and brazing cannot be performed over the entire length of the angle wire. In addition, the surface of the angle wire can be coated with the rust preventive material 60 having high-temperature, high-pressure steam resistance and lubricity.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the present invention.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 17 is an explanatory view showing a connecting portion between an insertion portion side angle wire and an operation portion side angle wire according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 17, the connecting portion 110 according to the third embodiment of the present invention comprises first and second screw members 81 and 8.
2 and the angle wires 77a and 77b are fixed by soldering, brazing 111, or the like.

With this configuration, the tensioning of the angle wire,
It is possible to realize an endoscope having a very small connecting portion 110 whose slack can be adjusted. However, if the flux is not sufficiently washed, it causes rust as in the case of a conventional endoscope, so that sufficient care must be taken.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[Supplementary note] (Supplementary note 1) An insertion portion side wire for pulling the distal end side of the bending portion of the elongated insertion portion to bend the bending portion, and is provided continuously with the base end side of the insertion portion. In an endoscope having an operation portion side wire that transmits a bending operation of the operation portion, and a connecting portion that connects the insertion portion side wire and the operation portion side wire,
A first screw member provided at the insertion portion-side wire end and having a first screw portion; and a second screw portion provided at the operation portion-side wire end and reversely wound with the first screw portion. A second screw member, the first screw member and the second screw member are connected, and one end can be screwed to the first screw portion, and the other end can be screwed to the second screw portion. An endoscope comprising: a connection screw member having a screw portion that can be screwed together;

(Additional Item 2) The insertion portion side wire or the operation portion side wire is fixed to the first screw member or the second screw member by pressing means or holding means. 2. The endoscope according to claim 1.

(Additional Item 3) The pressing means inserts the insertion portion side wire or the operation portion side wire into the first screw member or the second screw member, and the first screw member or the second screw member. 3. The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the endoscope is pressed and fixed to the second screw member by a pressing member inserted from a substantially vertical direction of the insertion portion side wire or the operation portion side wire.

(Additional Item 4) The holding means inserts the insertion portion side wire or the operation portion side wire into the first screw member or the second screw member, and the first screw member or the second screw member. The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the endoscope is pressed and fixed to the second screw member by two pressing members inserted from two substantially perpendicular directions of the insertion portion side wire or the operation portion side wire.

(Additional Item 5) The insertion-portion-side wire or the operation-portion-side wire is filled with a rust-preventive material having high-temperature, high-pressure steam resistance and lubricity into gaps between the strands over its entire length. 3. The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the surface of the angle wire is covered with the rustproof material having resistance to high-temperature, high-pressure steam and lubricity.

(Additional Item 6) The endoscope according to Additional Item 3 or 4, wherein the pressing member is a screw.

[Purpose of Supplementary Note] (Supplementary Note 1) An endoscope with a good operability, in which the connecting portion between the operation part side wire and the insertion part side wire is compact and the tension of the wire is easy to adjust.

(Additional Items 2 to 6) An endoscope that does not cause poor bending due to rust even when autoclaving is performed is realized.

[Additional Actions] (Additional Item 1) At the time of assembling and repairing the endoscope, the tension of the wire is increased by a simple operation such as rotating the connecting screw member of the connecting portion between the insertion portion side wire and the operation portion side wire. Is adjusted. -When using an endoscope, a bending operation is performed. However, since the tension of the wire is appropriate, the operational feeling is good. Further, since the connecting portion is compact, the connecting portion does not violently hit other parts, and a smooth bending operation is possible.

(Additional Items 2 to 6) At the time of assembling and repairing the endoscope, the wire and the connecting portion are fixed by a pressing means and a holding means without soldering or brazing.・ After using the endoscope, put it into the chamber of the autoclave sterilizer for sterilization and perform autoclave sterilization. At that time, the vapor that has entered the endoscope also attacks the angle wire for operating the bending portion of the endoscope and the connection portion of the angle wire. Further, the vapor that has entered the inside of the endoscope remains as it is as moisture in the inside of the endoscope. However, when soldering is not performed at the connection portion of the angle wire, the corrosion resistance of the angle wire does not decrease due to residual flux. Therefore, the angle wire and the connecting portion of the angle wire do not rust due to steam attack or residual moisture.・ Because the fixing method of the angle wire is pressing, clamping and fixing, the gap between each element wire of the angle wire is filled with rust preventive material having high temperature, high pressure steam resistance and lubricity over the entire length of the angle wire, In addition, since the surface of the angle wire is covered with the rustproof material having resistance to high-temperature and high-pressure steam and lubricity, steam does not directly enter the metal wire of the angle wire. Therefore, rust generation of the angle wire is more reliably prevented.

[Additional Effect] (Additional Item 1) It is possible to provide an endoscope with a good operational feeling, in which the connecting portion between the operation unit side wire and the insertion unit side wire is compact and the tension of the wire is easily adjusted. it can.

(Additional Items 2 to 6) It is possible to realize an endoscope which does not cause poor bending due to rust even when autoclaving is performed.

[0062]

As described above, according to the present invention, an endoscope with a good operability in which the connecting portion between the operating portion side wire and the insertion portion side wire is compact and the wire tension can be easily adjusted. can do.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 to FIG. 14 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an endoscope provided with the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a distal end side of an insertion portion according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views taken in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the insertion portion. FIG. 3 is folded back and fixed to a groove formed on the outer periphery of the distal end cover member by about a half turn. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a UD angle wire that is folded back and fixed approximately half way around a groove formed on the outer periphery of the distal end cover member.

FIG. 5 is a view in which the screwed portion of the screw is viewed from the outer peripheral side of the distal end cover member.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion where the RL angle wire is drawn out to the inner peripheral side.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing an angle wire according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the operation unit in the vicinity of the angle lever, taken in a section perpendicular to the axis of the insertion unit.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view in FIG. 9;

11 and 12 are explanatory views for explaining a procedure of assembling a drum member viewed from an axial direction of a rotary shaft member, and FIG. 11 is an explanatory view when a UD angle wire is arranged on the drum member.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram when a UD angle wire is clamped and fixed between a drum member and a pressing member.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing a connecting portion for connecting the tip side of the UD angle wire and the drum side inside the operation unit.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing an assembling procedure of a wire connecting portion. FIG. 14 (a) shows a state in which an insertion portion side UP angle wire is fixed to a first screw member with a screw and an operation portion. FIG. 14B is an explanatory view showing a state in which the side UP angle wire is fixed to the second screw member with screws, and FIG.
FIG. 14C is an explanatory view showing a state immediately before the screw member and the second screw member are connected by the adjustment nut, and FIG.
FIG. 14D is an explanatory view showing a state in which the screw member and the second screw member are connected by an adjustment nut, and FIG.
Explanatory drawing which shows the state which covered the whole connection part with the heat-shrinkable tube from the state of FIG.

FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 15 shows the connection between an insertion-portion-side angle wire and an operation-portion-side angle wire provided with the second embodiment of the present invention. Explanatory drawing which shows a connection part.

FIG. 16 is a modification of FIG.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory view showing a connecting portion between the insertion portion-side angle wire and the operation portion-side angle wire according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope 2 ... Insertion part 3 ... Operation part 3a ... UD angle lever 3b ... RL angle lever 11 ... Bending part 12 ... Tip part 45a ... UD angle wire 45b ... RL angle wire 60 ... Rust prevention material 61 ... Angle coil 77a ... insertion part side UP angle wire (insertion part side UD angle wire) 77b ... operation part side UP angle wire (operation part side UD angle wire) 80, 90, 100, 110 ... connecting part 81 ... first screw member 82 … Second screw member 83… adjustment nut (connection screw member)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An insertion section-side wire for pulling a distal end side of a bending section of an elongated insertion section to bend the bending section, and a bending operation of an operation section connected to a base end side of the insertion section. An endoscope having an operating portion side wire for transmitting and a connecting portion for connecting the insertion portion side wire and the operating portion side wire, wherein the endoscope is provided at the insertion portion side wire end and has a first screw portion. A first screw member, a second screw member provided at the end of the operation unit side wire, and having a second screw portion wound in a reverse direction to the first screw portion, the first screw member and the second screw member. With the screw member of
One end can be screwed into the first screw portion, and the other end can be screwed into the second screw portion.
A connection screw member having a screw portion that can be screwed into the screw portion of
An endoscope comprising the connecting portion from: