JP2006340878A

JP2006340878A - Insertion part of flexible endoscope

Info

Publication number: JP2006340878A
Application number: JP2005169032A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Akira Sugiyama; 章杉山; Hiroshi Sano; 浩佐野; Hiroyuki Kobayashi; 弘幸小林
Original assignee: Pentax Corp
Current assignee: Pentax Corp
Priority date: 2005-06-09
Filing date: 2005-06-09
Publication date: 2006-12-21

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an insertion part of a flexible endoscope by which a flexible tube part excellent in torque transmission property and a bendable part excellent in bendability can be formed of one multilumen tube without doing special post processing after forming the multilumen tube. SOLUTION: In the insertion part of the flexible endoscope in which the part near distal end of the multilumen tube 10 is formed as the bendable part 1B bending by the remote operation from the proximal end side, the part located in the bendable part 1B is formed in a diameter larger than that of the part located in the part other than the bendable part 1B in the inner space of the through hole 15 into which internal articles 22, 23, 24 are inserted and located. COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

この発明は、いわゆるマルチルーメンチューブを用いた可撓性内視鏡の挿入部に関する。 The present invention relates to an insertion portion of a flexible endoscope using a so-called multi-lumen tube.

可撓性内視鏡の挿入部は一般に、外力によって自由に屈曲する可撓管部の先端に、手元側から操作ワイヤを進退操作することよって任意の角度屈曲させることができる湾曲部が連結された構成になっている。 The insertion portion of a flexible endoscope is generally connected to a distal end of a flexible tube portion that is freely bent by an external force, and a bending portion that can be bent at an arbitrary angle by advancing and retracting an operation wire from the hand side. It has a configuration.

そのような可撓性内視鏡の挿入部内には、ライトガイド繊維束その他各種の内蔵物が挿通配置されるが、内蔵物が互いに干渉する状態に挿通配置されているので、屈曲操作等が繰り返されると内蔵物が早期に破損する場合がある。 In the insertion part of such a flexible endoscope, a light guide fiber bundle and other various built-in objects are inserted and arranged, but the built-in objects are inserted and arranged so as to interfere with each other. If it is repeated, the internal parts may be damaged early.

そこで、軸線と平行方向に複数の貫通孔が形成された柔軟な材料からなる一本のマルチルーメンチューブを内視鏡の挿入部として用い、そのマルチルーメンチューブの先端近傍部分を、基端側から操作ワイヤを牽引操作することにより屈曲する湾曲部にしたものがある（例えば、特許文献１）。 Therefore, one multi-lumen tube made of a flexible material in which a plurality of through-holes are formed in a direction parallel to the axis is used as the insertion portion of the endoscope, and the vicinity of the distal end of the multi-lumen tube is There is a curved portion that is bent by pulling an operation wire (for example, Patent Document 1).

そして、そのようなマルチルーメンチューブにより可撓管部と一体に形成された湾曲部が屈曲し易いようにするために、湾曲部領域においてはマルチルーメンチューブに側方のあい異なる方向から複数の切り込みを代わるがわる形成している（例えば、特許文献２）。
特許第２６０２２１２号特許第３５５４３７１号 And in order to make it easy to bend the bending part integrally formed with the flexible pipe part by such a multi-lumen tube, in the bending part area, a plurality of cuts are made from different directions on the multi-lumen tube. Instead of the above, it is formed (for example, Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent No. 2602212 Japanese Patent No. 3554371

可撓性内視鏡の挿入部にとって必要な特性として、可撓管部においては、手元側で軸線周りに捩じる操作をした時にその運動が先端側まで吸収されずに伝達されるトルク伝達性が非常に重要な特性であり、湾曲部においては、操作ワイヤを手元側から進退操作することによって抵抗なく円滑に屈曲する屈曲自在性が重要な特性である。 As a necessary characteristic for the insertion part of the flexible endoscope, in the flexible tube part, when the operation of twisting around the axis is performed on the hand side, the torque is transmitted without being absorbed to the tip side. The bendability is a very important characteristic, and in the bending portion, the flexibility of bending smoothly without resistance by operating the operation wire forward and backward from the hand side is an important characteristic.

しかし、特許文献１に記載された発明のように、可撓管部と湾曲部とが単純に一本のマルチルーメンチューブで形成されている場合には、トルク伝達性を重視すると屈曲自在性が乏しくなり、逆に屈曲自在性を重視するとトルク伝達性が乏しくなってしまう。 However, as in the invention described in Patent Document 1, when the flexible tube portion and the bending portion are simply formed of a single multi-lumen tube, bending flexibility can be achieved by placing importance on torque transmission. On the other hand, if the flexibility of bending is emphasized, torque transmission will be poor.

そこで、特許文献２に記載された発明のように湾曲部に切り込みを形成すれば屈曲自在性を向上させることができるものの、押し出し成型等でマルチルーメンチューブを形成する際に切り込みを形成することはできないので、機械加工等による後加工で切り込みを形成する必要があり大幅なコストアップになってしまう。 Therefore, if the notch is formed in the curved portion as in the invention described in Patent Document 2, the flexibility can be improved, but the notch is formed when the multi-lumen tube is formed by extrusion molding or the like. Since this is not possible, it is necessary to form a cut by post-processing such as machining, resulting in a significant cost increase.

そこで本発明は、マルチルーメンチューブの成型後に特段の後加工等をすることなく、トルク伝達性の優れた可撓管部と屈曲自在性の優れた湾曲部とを一本のマルチルーメンチューブで形成することができる可撓性内視鏡の挿入部を提供することを目的とする。 Therefore, the present invention forms a flexible tube portion with excellent torque transmission and a curved portion with excellent bendability with a single multi-lumen tube without any special post-processing after molding of the multi-lumen tube. It is an object of the present invention to provide a flexible endoscope insertion section.

上記の目的を達成するため、本発明の可撓性内視鏡の挿入部は、軸線と平行方向に複数の貫通孔が形成された柔軟な材料からなる一本のマルチルーメンチューブの少なくとも一つの貫通孔内の全長にわたって、可撓性を有する内蔵物が挿通配置され、一本のマルチルーメンチューブの先端近傍部分が基端側からの遠隔操作により屈曲する湾曲部として形成された可撓性内視鏡の挿入部において、内蔵物が挿通配置されている貫通孔の内部空間が、湾曲部内に位置する部分においては湾曲部外に位置する部分より大きな径に形成されているものである。 To achieve the above object, the insertion portion of the flexible endoscope according to the present invention includes at least one multi-lumen tube made of a flexible material having a plurality of through holes formed in a direction parallel to the axis. A flexible built-in object is inserted and arranged over the entire length of the through-hole, and a portion near the distal end of one multi-lumen tube is formed as a curved portion bent by remote operation from the proximal end side. In the insertion portion of the endoscope, the internal space of the through hole through which the built-in object is inserted is formed to have a larger diameter in the portion positioned in the bending portion than in the portion positioned outside the bending portion.

なお、マルチルーメンチューブが、湾曲部の領域においては湾曲部以外の領域より柔軟な材料で形成されているとよく、貫通孔内に挿通配置されている内蔵物が、湾曲部を遠隔操作により屈曲させるために基端側から進退操作される湾曲操作ワイヤであってもよい。 In addition, the multi-lumen tube is preferably formed of a material that is more flexible in the area of the bending portion than in the area other than the bending portion, and the built-in object inserted and disposed in the through hole bends the bending portion by remote control. For this purpose, a bending operation wire that is advanced and retracted from the base end side may be used.

その場合、湾曲部外の領域においては貫通孔内にガイドコイルが内蔵物の一つとして固定的に挿通配置されていて、そのガイドコイル内に湾曲操作ワイヤが軸線方向に進退自在に挿通されていてもよい。 In that case, in the region outside the bending portion, the guide coil is fixedly inserted into the through-hole as one of the built-in objects, and the bending operation wire is inserted into the guide coil so as to be able to advance and retract in the axial direction. May be.

そして、湾曲部の領域においては貫通孔内にガイドコイルの内径より大きな内径を有する可撓性パイプが内蔵物の一つとして固定的に挿通配置されていて、その可撓性パイプ内に湾曲操作ワイヤが軸線方向に進退自在に挿通されていてもよく、可撓性パイプの内径がガイドコイルの外径より大きければ動作がさらによい。可撓性パイプが軟性のプラスチックチューブ又は超弾性合金パイプにより形成されていてもよい。 And in the region of the bending portion, a flexible pipe having an inner diameter larger than the inner diameter of the guide coil is fixedly inserted in the through hole as one of the built-in objects, and the bending operation is performed in the flexible pipe. The wire may be inserted so as to freely advance and retract in the axial direction, and the operation is further improved if the inner diameter of the flexible pipe is larger than the outer diameter of the guide coil. The flexible pipe may be formed of a soft plastic tube or a super elastic alloy pipe.

また、湾曲部の領域においては貫通孔内に湾曲操作ワイヤが軸線方向に進退自在に直接挿通配置されていてもよく、その場合、貫通孔の内径が湾曲部の領域ではガイドコイルの内径より大きく形成されているとよく、貫通孔の内径が湾曲部の領域ではガイドコイルの外径より大きく形成されていれば動作がさらによい。 Further, the bending operation wire may be directly inserted and disposed in the through hole in the bending portion region so as to be movable back and forth in the axial direction. In this case, the inner diameter of the through hole is larger than the inner diameter of the guide coil in the bending portion region. It is preferable that the inner diameter of the through hole is larger than the outer diameter of the guide coil in the region of the curved portion.

そして、湾曲部の領域では、貫通孔が、マルチルーメンチューブを成形する際に貫通孔の位置に配置された筒状体をマルチルーメンチューブ形成後に抜去して形成されたものであってもよい。 And in the area | region of a curved part, when forming a multi-lumen tube, the through-hole may be formed by extracting the cylindrical body arrange | positioned in the position of a through-hole after forming a multi-lumen tube.

なお、対物光学系等を内蔵する先端部本体がマルチルーメンチューブの先端に連結されていてもよく、その場合、湾曲操作ワイヤの先端が、先端部本体又は先端部本体とマルチルーメンチューブとを連結する部材に係止されていてもよく、先端部本体又は先端部本体とマルチルーメンチューブとを連結する部材に形成された通孔内に湾曲操作ワイヤの先端部分が挿通されて、通孔を通過できない大きさのストッパ部材が湾曲操作ワイヤの最先端部分に固着されていてもよい。 In addition, the distal end body containing the objective optical system or the like may be connected to the distal end of the multi-lumen tube. In that case, the distal end of the bending operation wire connects the distal end body or the distal end body to the multi-lumen tube. The distal end portion of the bending operation wire is inserted into the through hole formed in the tip body or the member connecting the tip body and the multi-lumen tube, and passes through the through hole. A stopper member of an incapable size may be fixed to the most distal portion of the bending operation wire.

また、内蔵物が、マルチルーメンチューブを成形する際に貫通孔の位置に配置されて、マルチルーメンチューブの形成と同時に貫通孔内に配置されたものであってもよい。 Further, the built-in object may be disposed at the position of the through-hole when the multi-lumen tube is formed and disposed in the through-hole simultaneously with the formation of the multi-lumen tube.

本発明によれば、マルチルーメンチューブの成型後に特段の後加工等をすることなく、トルク伝達性の優れた可撓管部と屈曲自在性の優れた湾曲部とを一本のマルチルーメンチューブで形成することができる。 According to the present invention, a single multi-lumen tube can be used to form a flexible tube portion with excellent torque transmission and a curved portion with excellent bendability without special post-processing after the multi-lumen tube is molded. Can be formed.

軸線と平行方向に複数の貫通孔が形成された柔軟な材料からなる一本のマルチルーメンチューブの少なくとも一つの貫通孔内の全長にわたって、可撓性を有する内蔵物が挿通配置され、一本のマルチルーメンチューブの先端近傍部分が基端側からの遠隔操作により屈曲する湾曲部として形成された可撓性内視鏡の挿入部において、内蔵物が挿通配置されている貫通孔の内部空間が、湾曲部内に位置する部分においては湾曲部外に位置する部分より大きな径に形成されている。 A flexible built-in object is inserted and arranged over the entire length of at least one through-hole of one multi-lumen tube made of a flexible material in which a plurality of through-holes are formed in a direction parallel to the axis. In the insertion portion of the flexible endoscope formed as a curved portion where the vicinity of the distal end of the multi-lumen tube is bent by a remote operation from the proximal end side, the internal space of the through-hole through which the built-in object is inserted, The portion located inside the bending portion is formed to have a larger diameter than the portion located outside the bending portion.

図面を参照して本発明の実施例を説明する。
図２は内視鏡の全体構成を示しており、体腔内等に挿入される内視鏡挿入部１の先端には対物光学系等を内蔵する先端部本体２が接続金具２Ａを介して連結され、内視鏡挿入部１の基端には操作部３が連結されている。 Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 2 shows the overall configuration of the endoscope. A distal end body 2 containing an objective optical system and the like is connected to the distal end of the endoscope insertion portion 1 inserted into a body cavity or the like via a connection fitting 2A. The operation section 3 is connected to the proximal end of the endoscope insertion section 1.

内視鏡挿入部１の先端近傍部分１Ｂは他の部分（可撓管部１Ａ）より柔軟な材料で形成されて、操作部３に配置された湾曲操作ノブ４を回転操作することにより遠隔的に任意の方向に任意の角度だけ屈曲させることができる湾曲部になっている（以下、「湾曲部１Ｂ」という）。５は、処置具類を差し込むための処置具挿入口である。 A portion 1B in the vicinity of the distal end of the endoscope insertion portion 1 is formed of a softer material than the other portion (flexible tube portion 1A), and is remotely operated by rotating the bending operation knob 4 disposed in the operation portion 3. The curved portion can be bent at an arbitrary angle in an arbitrary direction (hereinafter referred to as “curved portion 1B”). Reference numeral 5 denotes a treatment instrument insertion port for inserting treatment instruments.

内視鏡挿入部１は、例えば直径が５〜１５ｍｍ程度で長さが０．５〜２ｍ程度の細長くて柔軟なものであり、図３に可撓管部１Ａの縦断面図が拡大図示され、図４には図２におけるIV−IV断面が拡大図示されている。 The endoscope insertion portion 1 is a slender and flexible one having a diameter of about 5 to 15 mm and a length of about 0.5 to 2 m, for example. FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the flexible tube portion 1A. 4 is an enlarged view of the IV-IV section in FIG.

内視鏡挿入部１は全長にわたって、例えば柔軟で弾力性のあるシリコン樹脂等を材料として押し出し成型で形成されたマルチルーメンチューブ１０により構成されており、そのマルチルーメンチューブ１０には、軸線と平行方向に複数の貫通孔（ルーメン）１１〜１５が全長にわたって形成されている。 The endoscope insertion portion 1 is constituted by a multi-lumen tube 10 formed by extrusion molding using, for example, a flexible and elastic silicon resin as a material over the entire length, and the multi-lumen tube 10 is parallel to the axis. A plurality of through holes (lumens) 11 to 15 are formed over the entire length in the direction.

そのような複数の貫通孔１１〜１５のうち、１１は処置具類を挿脱するための処置具挿通チャンネル、１２は送気送水チャンネル、１３は被写体を洗浄する洗浄水を通すための洗浄チャンネルであり、これらは、マルチルーメンチューブ１０を製造する際に各々の位置に配置された芯金を抜去することにより形成される。ただし、後述するようにその部分にパイプ部材２５を配置してもよい。 Among such a plurality of through holes 11 to 15, 11 is a treatment instrument insertion channel for inserting / removing treatment instruments, 12 is an air / water supply channel, and 13 is a washing channel for passing washing water for washing the subject. These are formed by removing the cored bar arranged at each position when the multi-lumen tube 10 is manufactured. However, as will be described later, the pipe member 25 may be disposed in that portion.

１４は、可撓性のある信号ケーブル１８が全長にわたって挿通配置された信号ケーブル配置孔である。信号ケーブル１８は、複数の信号線を束ねた信号線束２０が可撓性チューブ１９内に軸線方向に進退自在に挿通配置された構成になっていて、可撓性チューブ１９は信号ケーブル配置孔１４に固定された状態になっていて、その可撓性チューブ１９の内側で信号線束２０が軸線方向に進退自在になっている。 Reference numeral 14 denotes a signal cable arrangement hole in which a flexible signal cable 18 is inserted and arranged over the entire length. The signal cable 18 has a configuration in which a signal wire bundle 20 in which a plurality of signal wires are bundled is inserted and arranged in a flexible tube 19 so as to be movable back and forth in the axial direction. The signal wire bundle 20 is movable in the axial direction inside the flexible tube 19.

１５は、湾曲部１Ｂを屈曲操作するための可撓性のある湾曲操作ワイヤ２３が全長にわたって挿通配置された湾曲操作ワイヤ配置孔であり、例えばマルチルーメンチューブ１０の周辺位置に等間隔（マルチルーメンチューブ１０の中心軸線周りに９０°間隔）で４ヵ所に、内視鏡観察視野の上下左右方向と合致する位置に配置されている。 Reference numeral 15 denotes a bending operation wire arrangement hole in which a flexible bending operation wire 23 for bending the bending portion 1B is inserted and arranged over the entire length. The tube 10 is arranged at four positions at intervals of 90 ° around the central axis of the tube 10 at positions matching the vertical and horizontal directions of the endoscope observation field.

湾曲操作ワイヤ２３は例えばステンレス鋼撚り線により形成されていて、可撓管部１Ａ内においては、例えばステンレス鋼線材により形成された可撓性のある密着巻きコイル２２内に軸線方向に進退自在に挿通配置されている。密着巻きコイル２２は湾曲操作ワイヤ配置孔１５に固定された状態になっていて、その密着巻きコイル２２の内側で湾曲操作ワイヤ２３が軸線方向に進退自在になっている。 The bending operation wire 23 is formed of, for example, a stainless steel stranded wire. In the flexible tube portion 1A, the bending operation wire 23 can be moved forward and backward in the axial direction in a flexible tightly wound coil 22 formed of, for example, a stainless steel wire. It is inserted through. The tightly wound coil 22 is fixed to the bending operation wire arrangement hole 15, and the bending operation wire 23 is movable in the axial direction inside the tightly wound coil 22.

また、湾曲部１Ｂ内においては、図５の縦断面図に図示されるように、可撓管部１Ａの密着巻きコイル２２に代えて可撓性パイプ２４が湾曲操作ワイヤ配置孔１５に固定された状態になっていて、その可撓性パイプ２４の内側で湾曲操作ワイヤ２３が軸線方向に進退自在になっている。 In the bending portion 1B, as shown in the longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 5, a flexible pipe 24 is fixed to the bending operation wire arrangement hole 15 in place of the tightly wound coil 22 of the flexible tube portion 1A. The bending operation wire 23 is movable in the axial direction inside the flexible pipe 24.

可撓性パイプ２４は、例えば軟性のプラスチックチューブ又は超弾性合金パイプ等により形成されており、その内径寸法が密着巻きコイル２２の外径寸法より大きく形成されている。ただし、可撓性パイプ２４の内径寸法が密着巻きコイル２２の内径寸法より大きければよい。 The flexible pipe 24 is formed of, for example, a soft plastic tube or a super elastic alloy pipe, and has an inner diameter dimension larger than an outer diameter dimension of the closely wound coil 22. However, it is sufficient that the inner diameter dimension of the flexible pipe 24 is larger than the inner diameter dimension of the closely wound coil 22.

上述のような構成の内視鏡挿入部１において、湾曲操作ワイヤ２３が挿通されている密着巻きコイル２２及び可撓性パイプ２４と、信号線束２０が挿通されている可撓性チューブ１９とは、いずれもマルチルーメンチューブ１０が押し出し成型される際に湾曲操作ワイヤ配置孔１５と信号ケーブル配置孔１４の位置に配置されて、マルチルーメンチューブ１０の両端から突出する部分を除いて各孔１５，１４の全長に埋め込まれて固定された状態になっている。 In the endoscope insertion portion 1 having the above-described configuration, the closely wound coil 22 and the flexible pipe 24 through which the bending operation wire 23 is inserted, and the flexible tube 19 through which the signal wire bundle 20 is inserted. Both are arranged at the positions of the bending operation wire arrangement hole 15 and the signal cable arrangement hole 14 when the multi-lumen tube 10 is extruded, and each of the holes 15 except for the portions protruding from both ends of the multi-lumen tube 10. 14 is embedded and fixed in the entire length.

そして、湾曲操作ワイヤ２３と信号線束２０は、マルチルーメンチューブ１０の押し出し成型時に予め密着巻きコイル２２及び可撓性パイプ２４内と可撓性チューブ１９内とに全長にわたって挿通配置されていて、マルチルーメンチューブ１０の押し出し成型後も密着巻きコイル２２内及び可撓性パイプ２４内と可撓性チューブ１９内において各々軸線方向に進退自在である。 Then, the bending operation wire 23 and the signal line bundle 20 are inserted through the entire length of the tightly wound coil 22 and the flexible pipe 24 and the flexible tube 19 in advance when the multi-lumen tube 10 is extruded. Even after the lumen tube 10 is extruded, it can be moved back and forth in the axial direction in the tightly wound coil 22, the flexible pipe 24 and the flexible tube 19.

なお、図６に示されるように、処置具挿通チャンネル１１、送気送水チャンネル１２、洗浄チャンネル１３等においても、マルチルーメンチューブ１０の押し出し成型時に可撓性のあるプラスチックチューブ材又は超弾性合金コイル材等のような可撓性のパイプ部材２５を配置して、押し出し成型後にそのパイプ部材２５をそのまま残しても差し支えない。 As shown in FIG. 6, even in the treatment instrument insertion channel 11, the air / water supply channel 12, the washing channel 13 and the like, a flexible plastic tube material or a superelastic alloy coil when the multi-lumen tube 10 is extruded. A flexible pipe member 25 such as a material may be disposed and the pipe member 25 may be left as it is after extrusion molding.

図７は、上述のようなマルチルーメンチューブ１０を製造するための押し出し成型装置５０を示しており、柔軟性が相違する硬材料と軟材料の二種類の原材料を供給するための硬材料ホッパ５１と軟材料ホッパ５２とが、材料供給管５３で一つにまとめられて押し出し成型装置５０に通じており、押し出し成型装置５０にどちらの材料を供給するか、或いはどのような比率で混合するかを切り換えバルブ５４で任意に制御して、マルチルーメンチューブ１０の硬さを部分によって調整することができる。 FIG. 7 shows an extrusion molding apparatus 50 for manufacturing the multi-lumen tube 10 as described above, and a hard material hopper 51 for supplying two kinds of raw materials of hard material and soft material having different flexibility. And the soft material hopper 52 are grouped together by a material supply pipe 53 and communicated to the extrusion molding device 50, which material is supplied to the extrusion molding device 50, or in what ratio Is arbitrarily controlled by the switching valve 54, and the hardness of the multi-lumen tube 10 can be adjusted according to the portion.

押し出し成型装置５０内で加熱溶融された樹脂は、ノズルの押出口５５から矢印Ａで示されるように押し出された後、冷却器６０で冷却されることでマルチルーメンチューブ１０として細長く形成されるが、押出口５５の径が相違するものを選択して用いることができ、それによってマルチルーメンチューブ１０の外径を制御することができる。 The resin heated and melted in the extrusion molding apparatus 50 is extruded as shown by an arrow A from the extrusion port 55 of the nozzle, and then cooled by the cooler 60, so that the multi-lumen tube 10 is elongated. Those having different diameters of the extrusion port 55 can be selected and used, whereby the outer diameter of the multi-lumen tube 10 can be controlled.

５６は、マルチルーメンチューブ１０に貫通孔１１〜１５を形成するために押出口５５に対して位置関係を定めて押出口５５の背面側の位置に着脱自在に取り付けられた位置決め板であり、位置決め板５６を取り替えることにより、マルチルーメンチューブ１０に形成される貫通孔１１〜１５の配置を任意に設定することができる。 Reference numeral 56 denotes a positioning plate which is detachably attached to a position on the back side of the extrusion port 55 with a positional relationship with respect to the extrusion port 55 in order to form the through holes 11 to 15 in the multi-lumen tube 10. By replacing the plate 56, the arrangement of the through holes 11 to 15 formed in the multi-lumen tube 10 can be arbitrarily set.

この位置決め板５６には、湾曲操作ワイヤ２３が軸線方向に移動自在に挿通配置された状態の密着巻きコイル２２及び可撓性パイプ２４、信号線束２０が軸線方向に移動自在に挿通配置された状態の可撓性チューブ１９（即ち信号ケーブル１８）及び芯金５９（又はパイプ部材２５）などの所定の内蔵物を案内するための複数の位置決め孔が押出口５５に向かう位置に形成されている。そのような各位置決め孔は、各内蔵物を抵抗なく但しガタつきなく通過させる径に形成されている。 In the positioning plate 56, the tightly wound coil 22, the flexible pipe 24, and the signal wire bundle 20 in a state where the bending operation wire 23 is inserted and arranged so as to be movable in the axial direction are inserted and arranged so as to be movable in the axial direction. A plurality of positioning holes for guiding predetermined built-in objects such as the flexible tube 19 (that is, the signal cable 18) and the cored bar 59 (or the pipe member 25) are formed at positions toward the extrusion port 55. Each such positioning hole is formed to have a diameter that allows each built-in object to pass through without resistance but without backlash.

そのような構成により、内蔵物である可撓性チューブ１９、信号線束２０、密着巻きコイル２２、湾曲操作ワイヤ２３、可撓性パイプ２４、芯金５９（又はパイプ部材２５）等が位置決め板５６の各位置決め孔を通って押し出し成型装置５０内に導かれ、そこで周囲を溶融樹脂で埋められることにより内蔵物が溶融樹脂と共に押し出し成型装置５０から押し出されて、各内蔵物により貫通孔１１〜１５がマルチルーメンチューブ１０に全長にわたって形成される。 With such a configuration, the flexible tube 19, the signal wire bundle 20, the tightly wound coil 22, the bending operation wire 23, the flexible pipe 24, the core metal 59 (or the pipe member 25), etc., which are built-ins, are positioned on the positioning plate 56. Are inserted into the extrusion molding device 50 through the positioning holes, and the surroundings are filled with the molten resin so that the built-in material is extruded together with the molten resin from the extrusion molding device 50. Is formed over the entire length of the multi-lumen tube 10.

そして、押し出し成型後に、芯金５９は抜去されてチャンネル用の貫通孔１１〜１３が各々通孔として形成される。ただし、信号ケーブル１８の可撓性チューブ１９は両端部付近を除いて貫通孔１４内に埋設固定された状態に残されてその内部で信号線束２０が軸線方向に自由に進退し、密着巻きコイル２２と可撓性パイプ２４もマルチルーメンチューブ１０から突出する側の端部を除いて貫通孔１５内に固定された状態に残されて、その内部で湾曲操作ワイヤ２３が軸線方向に自由に進退する。 Then, after the extrusion molding, the core metal 59 is removed to form channel through holes 11 to 13 as through holes. However, the flexible tube 19 of the signal cable 18 is left in a state of being embedded and fixed in the through-hole 14 except for the vicinity of both ends, and the signal wire bundle 20 freely advances and retreats in the axial direction in the inside thereof. 22 and the flexible pipe 24 are also left fixed in the through-hole 15 except for the end protruding from the multi-lumen tube 10, and the bending operation wire 23 freely advances and retreats in the axial direction therein. To do.

図１は、そのようにして製造されたマルチルーメンチューブ１０を示している。ただし、チャンネル用の貫通孔１１〜１３には芯金に代えて可撓性のパイプ部材２５が配置されたものであり、パイプ部材２５は押し出し成型後も貫通孔１１〜１３内に固定された状態に残されて処置具通路及び流体通路等になる。 FIG. 1 shows a multi-lumen tube 10 so manufactured. However, a flexible pipe member 25 is disposed in the through holes 11 to 13 for the channel instead of the cored bar, and the pipe member 25 is fixed in the through holes 11 to 13 even after extrusion molding. The treatment instrument passage and the fluid passage are left in the state.

マルチルーメンチューブ１０の先端寄りの湾曲部１Ｂになる部分は軟材料で形成されていて、その他の可撓管部１Ａになる部分は硬材料で形成され、その結果、湾曲部１Ｂは屈曲し易くて、可撓管部１Ａ部分は手元側からの進退及び回転操作の際のトルク伝達がスムーズに行われるようになっている。 The portion that becomes the curved portion 1B near the tip of the multi-lumen tube 10 is made of a soft material, and the other portions that become the flexible tube portion 1A are made of a hard material. As a result, the curved portion 1B is easily bent. Thus, the flexible tube portion 1 A is configured so that torque can be transmitted smoothly during forward / backward movement and rotation operation from the hand side.

ただし、可撓管部１Ａと湾曲部１Ｂとは押し出し成型時に材料を連続的に切り換えることで形成されているので、可撓管部１Ａと湾曲部１Ｂとの境界部に継ぎ目等は一切発生しない。 However, since the flexible tube portion 1A and the curved portion 1B are formed by continuously switching materials at the time of extrusion molding, no seam or the like is generated at the boundary between the flexible tube portion 1A and the curved portion 1B. .

このように構成されたマルチルーメンチューブ１０においては、前述のように、信号ケーブル１８の可撓性チューブ１９と密着巻きコイル２２及び可撓性パイプ２４とが、各々の端部付近を除いてマルチルーメンチューブ１０内の全長にわたって埋め込まれて固定された状態になっており、それらに挿通されている信号線束２０と湾曲操作ワイヤ２３とが軸線方向に進退自在になっている。パイプ部材２５も、両端付近を除いてマルチルーメンチューブ１０内に全長にわたって埋め込まれて固定された状態になっている。 In the multi-lumen tube 10 configured in this manner, as described above, the flexible tube 19 of the signal cable 18, the tightly wound coil 22, and the flexible pipe 24 are multi-piece except for the vicinity of each end. It is in a state where it is embedded and fixed over the entire length in the lumen tube 10, and the signal wire bundle 20 and the bending operation wire 23 inserted through them are movable forward and backward in the axial direction. The pipe member 25 is also in a state of being embedded and fixed over the entire length in the multi-lumen tube 10 except for the vicinity of both ends.

湾曲操作ワイヤ２３が挿通されるよう同軸線位置に直列に配置された密着巻きコイル２２と可撓性パイプ２４は、可撓管部１Ａと湾曲部１Ｂとの境界部分において、可撓管部１Ａの領域に配置された密着巻きコイル２２の端部が湾曲部１Ｂの領域に配置された可撓性パイプ２４の端部内に嵌挿された状態になっていて、密着巻きコイル２２内より可撓性パイプ２４内に広い空間が確保されている（そのような空間確保のためには、少なくとも可撓性パイプ２４の内径が密着巻きコイル２２の内径より大きければよい）。 The tightly wound coil 22 and the flexible pipe 24 that are arranged in series at the coaxial line position so that the bending operation wire 23 is inserted are the flexible tube portion 1A at the boundary portion between the flexible tube portion 1A and the bending portion 1B. The end of the close-wound coil 22 arranged in the area of the curved portion 1B is inserted into the end of the flexible pipe 24 arranged in the area of the bending portion 1B, and is more flexible than the inside of the close-wound coil 22. A wide space is secured in the conductive pipe 24 (in order to secure such a space, at least the inner diameter of the flexible pipe 24 should be larger than the inner diameter of the tightly wound coil 22).

図８ないし図１１は、押し出し成型されたマルチルーメンチューブ１０の先端部分に先端部本体２を取り付けて内視鏡挿入部１を完成する工程を順に示しており、まず図８に示されるように、マルチルーメンチューブ１０の貫通孔１１〜１５の位置に合わせて軸線と平行方向に通孔２９，３０…が形成された接続金具２Ａを、マルチルーメンチューブ１０の先端部分に接着等で直列に連結固着する。 FIGS. 8 to 11 sequentially show the process of attaching the distal end main body 2 to the distal end portion of the extruded multi-lumen tube 10 to complete the endoscope insertion portion 1. First, as shown in FIG. 8. The connecting fitting 2A in which through holes 29, 30... Are formed in the direction parallel to the axis in accordance with the positions of the through holes 11 to 15 of the multi-lumen tube 10 are connected in series to the tip of the multi-lumen tube 10 by bonding or the like. Stick.

次に、図９に示されるように、各湾曲操作ワイヤ２３の先端と信号線束２０の先端を各々接続金具２Ａの先端側に引き出して、各湾曲操作ワイヤ２３の先端には、湾曲操作ワイヤ２３より径が大きくて、湾曲操作ワイヤ２３が通過するように接続金具２Ａに形成された通孔２９内を通過できない大きさのストッパ部材２８を固着し、信号線束２０の先端には固体撮像装置２７を接続して、図１０に示されるように、それらを接続金具２Ａ内に引き込む。 Next, as shown in FIG. 9, the distal end of each bending operation wire 23 and the distal end of the signal wire bundle 20 are pulled out to the distal end side of the connection fitting 2 A, and the bending operation wire 23 is placed at the distal end of each bending operation wire 23. A stopper member 28 that is larger in diameter and cannot pass through the through hole 29 formed in the connection fitting 2 A so that the bending operation wire 23 can pass through is fixed, and a solid-state imaging device 27 is attached to the tip of the signal line bundle 20. And pull them into the fitting 2A as shown in FIG.

そして、図１１に示されるように、対物光学系３１が内蔵されると共にその対物光学系３１の表面である観察窓３２に向かって開口する送気送水ノズル３３が突設された先端部本体２を、接着等で接続金具２Ａの先端に接続固着する。 Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the distal end main body 2 in which the objective optical system 31 is built and the air / water supply nozzle 33 that opens toward the observation window 32 that is the surface of the objective optical system 31 is projected. Is fixedly connected to the tip of the connection fitting 2A by bonding or the like.

その際に、対物光学系３１が嵌め込まれている対物鏡筒３１Ａ内に固体撮像装置２７が嵌合することで、光軸合わせが行われる。その結果、対物光学系３１により被写体の観察像が固体撮像装置２７の撮像面に投影されて内視鏡観察像が得られる。 At that time, optical axis alignment is performed by fitting the solid-state imaging device 27 in the objective barrel 31A in which the objective optical system 31 is fitted. As a result, the observation image of the subject is projected onto the imaging surface of the solid-state imaging device 27 by the objective optical system 31, and an endoscope observation image is obtained.

このようにして製造された本実施例の可撓性内視鏡の挿入部においては、マルチルーメンチューブ１０を押し出し成型するのと同時に、内蔵物が軸線方向に進退自在に貫通孔１１〜１５内に挿通配置されるので、マルチルーメンチューブ１０の長さが長くても内蔵物の組み付けを極めて容易に行うことができ、必要に応じてマルチルーメンチューブ１０を使い捨てにするディスポーザブル化等もコスト的に可能となる。 In the insertion portion of the flexible endoscope of the present embodiment thus manufactured, the multi-lumen tube 10 is extruded and formed, and at the same time, the built-in object can move forward and backward in the axial direction. Therefore, even if the multi-lumen tube 10 is long, the built-in object can be assembled very easily. If necessary, the multi-lumen tube 10 can be made disposable for cost reasons. It becomes possible.

そして、内視鏡挿入部１を構成するマルチルーメンチューブ１０の可撓管部１Ａの領域は硬材料により形成されていることによりトルク伝達性に優れているので、可撓管部１Ａを手元側から軸線周りに捩じる操作を行えば、その動作が可撓管部１Ａの途中の部分で吸収されることなく先端側へ伝達されて先端部本体２の向きを思い通りに変化させることができる。 And since the area | region of the flexible tube part 1A of the multi-lumen tube 10 which comprises the endoscope insertion part 1 is formed with the hard material, it is excellent in torque transmission, Therefore The flexible tube part 1A is hand side side. If the operation of twisting around the axis is performed, the movement is transmitted to the distal end side without being absorbed by the middle portion of the flexible tube portion 1A, and the direction of the distal end portion body 2 can be changed as desired. .

一方、マルチルーメンチューブ１０の湾曲部１Ｂの領域は軟材料により形成されていることにより屈曲自在性に優れているので、四本の湾曲操作ワイヤ２３を操作部３側から選択的に牽引操作すれば、図１２に示されるように、湾曲部１Ｂを任意の方向に任意の角度だけ屈曲させて内視鏡挿入部１の先端を体腔内等で思い通りの方向に誘導することができる。 On the other hand, since the region of the bending portion 1B of the multi-lumen tube 10 is formed of a soft material and has excellent flexibility, the four bending operation wires 23 can be selectively pulled from the operation portion 3 side. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the distal end of the endoscope insertion portion 1 can be guided in a desired direction in a body cavity or the like by bending the bending portion 1B in an arbitrary direction by an arbitrary angle.

そしてその際に、可撓性パイプ２４内には密着巻きコイル２２内より広い内部空間が確保されていることにより、図１２におけるXIII−XIII断面を図示する図１３に示されるように、マルチルーメンチューブ１０の湾曲部１Ｂの領域が屈曲して可撓性パイプ２４内の空間が偏平に潰れた状態になっても湾曲操作ワイヤ２３は圧迫されないので、湾曲操作ワイヤ２３が抵抗なく軸線方向に進退して、湾曲部１Ｂをスムーズに屈曲させることができる。 At that time, since a wider internal space is secured in the flexible pipe 24 than in the tightly wound coil 22, as shown in FIG. 13 showing a cross section taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG. Even if the region of the bending portion 1B of the tube 10 is bent and the space in the flexible pipe 24 is flattened, the bending operation wire 23 is not compressed, so the bending operation wire 23 advances and retreats in the axial direction without resistance. Thus, the bending portion 1B can be bent smoothly.

図１４、図１５は本発明の第２の実施例を示しており、マルチルーメンチューブ１０の湾曲部１Ｂの領域において湾曲操作ワイヤ配置孔１５内に筒状の内蔵物を残さず、湾曲操作ワイヤ２３を湾曲操作ワイヤ配置孔１５内に軸線方向に進退自在に直接挿通配置したものである。 FIGS. 14 and 15 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In the region of the bending portion 1B of the multi-lumen tube 10, the bending operation wire is not left in the bending operation wire arrangement hole 15, and the bending operation wire is not left. 23 is directly inserted and arranged in the bending operation wire arrangement hole 15 so as to be movable forward and backward in the axial direction.

そのような構成は、マルチルーメンチューブ１０を押し出し成型する際に、まず図１４に示されるように、第１の実施例で用いられた可撓性パイプ２４に代えて外周面に離型剤を塗布した金属パイプ２４′（筒状体）を配置して、押し出し成型後に図１５に示されるようにその金属パイプ２４′を抜き出すことにより構成することができる。 In such a configuration, when extruding the multi-lumen tube 10, first, as shown in FIG. 14, a release agent is provided on the outer peripheral surface instead of the flexible pipe 24 used in the first embodiment. The coated metal pipe 24 ′ (cylindrical body) can be arranged, and the metal pipe 24 ′ can be extracted after extrusion as shown in FIG. 15.

その場合にも、金属パイプ２４′が抜き出された後の湾曲部１Ｂの領域における湾曲操作ワイヤ配置孔１５の内径が密着巻きコイル２２の外径より大きければ、湾曲部１Ｂが屈曲した状態でも湾曲操作ワイヤ２３が圧迫されないので、湾曲操作ワイヤ２３の進退動作がスムーズに行われ、少なくとも湾曲操作ワイヤ配置孔１５の内径が密着巻きコイル２２の内径より大きければそれに見合った効果が得られる。 Even in this case, if the inner diameter of the bending operation wire arrangement hole 15 in the region of the bending portion 1B after the metal pipe 24 'is extracted is larger than the outer diameter of the closely wound coil 22, the bending portion 1B is bent. Since the bending operation wire 23 is not squeezed, the bending operation wire 23 can be smoothly advanced and retracted. If at least the inner diameter of the bending operation wire arrangement hole 15 is larger than the inner diameter of the closely wound coil 22, an effect corresponding to that can be obtained.

本発明の第１の実施例の可撓性内視鏡の挿入部の側面断面図である。It is side surface sectional drawing of the insertion part of the flexible endoscope of 1st Example of this invention. 本発明の第１の実施例の内視鏡の全体構成を示す側面図である。1 is a side view illustrating an overall configuration of an endoscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 本発明の第１の実施例の可撓性内視鏡の可撓管部の縦断面図である。It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the flexible tube part of the flexible endoscope of 1st Example of this invention. 本発明の第１の実施例の可撓性内視鏡の可撓管部の図２におけるIV−IV断面図である。FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 2 of the flexible tube portion of the flexible endoscope according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 本発明の第１の実施例の可撓性内視鏡の湾曲部の縦断面図である。It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the curved part of the flexible endoscope of 1st Example of this invention. 本発明の第１の実施例の可撓性内視鏡の可撓管部の変形例の縦断面図である。It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the modification of the flexible tube part of the flexible endoscope of 1st Example of this invention. 本発明の第１の実施例の押し出し成型装置の略示図である。1 is a schematic view of an extrusion molding apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 本発明の第１の実施例のマルチルーメンチューブの先端部分に先端部本体が取り付けられる工程を順に示す側面断面図である。It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the process in which a front-end | tip part main body is attached to the front-end | tip part of the multi-lumen tube of 1st Example of this invention in order. 本発明の第１の実施例のマルチルーメンチューブの先端部分に先端部本体が取り付けられる工程を順に示す側面断面図である。It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the process in which a front-end | tip part main body is attached to the front-end | tip part of the multi-lumen tube of 1st Example of this invention in order. 本発明の第１の実施例のマルチルーメンチューブの先端部分に先端部本体が取り付けられる工程を順に示す側面断面図である。It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the process in which a front-end | tip part main body is attached to the front-end | tip part of the multi-lumen tube of 1st Example of this invention in order. 本発明の第１の実施例のマルチルーメンチューブの先端部分に先端部本体が取り付けられる工程を順に示す側面断面図である。It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the process in which a front-end | tip part main body is attached to the front-end | tip part of the multi-lumen tube of 1st Example of this invention in order. 本発明の第１の実施例の可撓性内視鏡の挿入部が湾曲部において屈曲した状態の側面断面図である。It is side surface sectional drawing of the state in which the insertion part of the flexible endoscope of 1st Example of this invention was bent in the curved part. 本発明の第１の実施例の可撓性内視鏡の湾曲部の図１２におけるXIII−XIII断面図である。It is XIII-XIII sectional drawing in FIG. 12 of the curved part of the flexible endoscope of 1st Example of this invention. 本発明の第２の実施例の可撓性内視鏡の挿入部の製造工程の側面断面図である。It is side surface sectional drawing of the manufacturing process of the insertion part of the flexible endoscope of 2nd Example of this invention. 本発明の第２の実施例の可撓性内視鏡の挿入部の製造工程の側面断面図である。It is side surface sectional drawing of the manufacturing process of the insertion part of the flexible endoscope of 2nd Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

１内視鏡挿入部
１Ａ可撓管部
１Ｂ湾曲部
２先端部本体
２Ａ接続金具
１０マルチルーメンチューブ
１５湾曲操作ワイヤ配置孔（貫通孔）
２２密着巻きコイル（内蔵物）
２３湾曲操作ワイヤ（内蔵物）
２４可撓性パイプ（内蔵物）
２８ストッパ部材
５０押し出し成型装置
５１硬材料ホッパ
５２軟材料ホッパ DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope insertion part 1A Flexible tube part 1B Bending part 2 Tip part main body 2A Connection metal fitting 10 Multi-lumen tube 15 Bending operation wire arrangement hole (through hole)
22 Close wound coil (built-in)
23 Bending operation wire (built-in)
24 Flexible pipe (built-in)
28 Stopper member 50 Extrusion molding device 51 Hard material hopper 52 Soft material hopper

Claims

A flexible built-in object is inserted and arranged over the entire length of at least one through-hole of one multi-lumen tube made of a flexible material in which a plurality of through-holes are formed in a direction parallel to the axis. In the insertion portion of the flexible endoscope formed as a curved portion where the portion near the distal end of the multi-lumen tube is bent by remote operation from the proximal end side,
The internal space of the through-hole through which the built-in object is inserted is formed with a larger diameter in a portion located in the curved portion than in a portion located outside the curved portion. Endoscope insertion part.

The insertion section of the flexible endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the multi-lumen tube is formed of a material softer in a region of the bending portion than in a region other than the bending portion.

3. The flexible inner wire according to claim 1, wherein the built-in object inserted and arranged in the through hole is a bending operation wire that is advanced and retracted from a base end side in order to bend the bending portion by remote operation. The insertion part of the endoscope.

In the region outside the curved portion, a guide coil is fixedly inserted into the through-hole as one of the built-in objects, and the bending operation wire is inserted into the guide coil so as to freely advance and retract in the axial direction. The insertion portion of the flexible endoscope according to claim 3.

In the region of the curved portion, a flexible pipe having an inner diameter larger than the inner diameter of the guide coil is fixedly inserted and disposed in the through hole as one of the built-in objects. The insertion part of the flexible endoscope according to claim 4, wherein the bending operation wire is inserted so as to freely advance and retract in the axial direction.

6. The flexible endoscope insertion portion according to claim 5, wherein an inner diameter of the flexible pipe is larger than an outer diameter of the guide coil.

The insertion part of the flexible endoscope according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the flexible pipe is formed of a soft plastic tube or a super elastic alloy pipe.

5. The flexible endoscope insertion portion according to claim 4, wherein in the region of the bending portion, the bending operation wire is directly inserted and disposed in the through hole so as to be movable forward and backward in the axial direction.

The insertion portion of the flexible endoscope according to claim 8, wherein an inner diameter of the through hole is formed larger than an inner diameter of the guide coil in the region of the curved portion.

The insertion portion of the flexible endoscope according to claim 9, wherein an inner diameter of the through hole is formed larger than an outer diameter of the guide coil in the region of the curved portion.

In the region of the curved portion, the through hole is formed by removing a cylindrical body disposed at the position of the through hole after forming the multi-lumen tube when the multi-lumen tube is formed. Item 11. The flexible endoscope insertion portion according to Item 8, 9 or 10.

The flexible endoscope insertion portion according to any one of claims 3 to 11, wherein a distal end main body containing an objective optical system and the like is connected to a distal end of the multi-lumen tube.

13. The flexible endoscope insertion portion according to claim 12, wherein a distal end of the bending operation wire is locked to a member that connects the distal end portion main body or the distal end portion main body and the multi-lumen tube.

A stopper member having a size in which the distal end portion of the bending operation wire is inserted into a through hole formed in the distal end main body or a member connecting the distal end main body and the multi-lumen tube, and cannot pass through the through hole. 14. The flexible endoscope insertion portion according to claim 13, wherein the insertion portion is fixed to the most distal end portion of the bending operation wire.

The built-in object is disposed at the position of the through-hole when the multi-lumen tube is formed, and is disposed in the through-hole simultaneously with the formation of the multi-lumen tube. The insertion part of the flexible endoscope as described in the item.