JP2007143849A - Flexible tube of insertion section of endoscope, endoscope and manufacturing method of flexible tube of endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a flexible tube of an insertion section of an endoscope capable of easily disposing a built-in object in an intended state and manufactured in a short period of time. <P>SOLUTION: This endoscope is provided with a narrow and long insertion section having a distal hard section, a curve section and the flexible tube from the distal end side to the proximal end side, a control section provided at the proximal end of the insertion section, and the built-in object for inserting the insertion section and the control section. The flexible tube of the insertion section of the endoscope has a flexible plate-like member 72 formed into a C-cross section and having an opening section 78, matching portions 80a and 80b provided in the opening section 78 of the flexible plate-like member 72 and closing the opening section 78 with the built-in object disposed from the opening section 78 of the flexible plate-like member 72, and a sheath disposed outside the flexible plate-like member 72 and retaining the closed state of the opening section 78 with the matching portions 80a and 80b. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a flexible tube of an insertion portion of an endoscope, an endoscope, and a method of manufacturing the flexible tube of an endoscope used for various purposes such as medical use.

  The insertion part of the endoscope is arranged in the shape of elongated built-in objects such as the channel tube of the treatment instrument insertion channel fixed to the distal end, the observation image lead-out cable, and the air / water feeding tube, and then these built-in parts can be elongated. It is manufactured by inserting from the tip of the flexible tube. In order to make the outer diameter of the insertion portion as thin as possible, there is usually no extra gap inside the flexible tube when the built-in object is inserted into the flexible tube.

In Patent Document 1, a built-in object can be arranged in a desired state by inserting the jig into the flexible tube in a state where the built-in object is disposed inside the jig, and then pulling out the jig.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-23902

  As described above, since there is no gap inside the flexible tube, in the process of inserting the built-in material into the flexible tube, the built-in material is prevented from being damaged due to friction with the inner surface of the flexible tube. Therefore, since the built-in objects arranged in order are pushed into the inside of the flexible tube little by little, high skill and considerable work time are required.

  Moreover, in the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, a gap for inserting a jig is required, so that the inner diameter of the flexible tube needs to be increased.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and the object of the present invention is to easily arrange the built-in material in a desired state and to manufacture the flexible tube in a short time. To provide a flexible tube for an insertion portion of an endoscope, an endoscope, and a method for manufacturing the flexible tube of an endoscope.

In order to solve the above-described problem, according to the present invention, an elongated insertion portion having a distal end rigid portion, a bending portion, and a flexible tube from the distal end side toward the proximal end side, and a proximal end portion of the insertion portion. The flexible tube of the insertion portion of the endoscope having the provided operation portion and a built-in object inserted through the insertion portion and guided to the operation portion includes a flex having an opening on a side portion, A closing portion that is provided in the opening portion and closes the opening portion in a state where the built-in object is disposed from the opening portion of the flex; and is disposed outside the flex, and the opening portion is formed by the closing portion. And an outer skin that holds the closed state.
When the built-in object is arranged in the flex, it can be arranged from the opening, so that the arrangement is easy and can be arranged at a desired position. In addition, since the arrangement position can be confirmed with sight, the built-in object is unlikely to be twisted. Further, since the opening can be easily closed by the closing portion, the manufacturing operation is easy. Therefore, the endoscope flexible tube can be manufactured in a short time.

In addition, the flex includes a hard portion and a soft portion in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the built-in object, and the hard portion is formed in a spiral shape with the opening portion closed by the closing portion. It is preferable to have a plate-like body.
Once the flex is formed into an O-shape, it prevents the spiral hard part from being separated every round when an opening is formed on the side of the flex, that is, along the axial direction of the flex. can do. Therefore, even with a reinforced flex having a hard part and a soft part, a flexible tube for an endoscope can be manufactured in a short time.

In addition, it is preferable that the flex has a C-shaped or crescent-shaped cross section in a state where the opening is formed.
For this reason, since the O-shaped tubular body is once formed in advance or the flex is formed in a C-shaped or crescent-shaped cross section, the manufacturing is easy.

Moreover, it is preferable that the flexible tube is provided with a belt body that is formed long along the axial direction of the built-in object and is formed of a knitted material between the flex and the outer skin.
Even with a flex reinforced with a knitted belt, a flexible tube of an endoscope can be manufactured in a short time.

In order to solve the above problems, an endoscope according to the present invention includes a hard distal rigid portion, a bendable curved portion provided at a proximal end portion of the distal rigid portion, and a base of the curved portion. An elongated insertion portion having a flexible tube provided at an end portion, an operation portion provided at a proximal end portion of the insertion portion and capable of bending the bending portion via an operation wire, and inserted through the insertion portion And the flexible tube is provided at the flex opening having the opening on the side, and the flex opening is provided on the flex opening, and the built-in object is provided from the opening of the flex. A closed portion that closes the opening in the disposed state, and an outer skin that holds the closed state of the opening by the closed portion are provided.
When the built-in object is arranged in the flex, it can be arranged from the opening, so that the arrangement is easy and can be arranged at a desired position. In addition, since the arrangement position can be confirmed with sight, the built-in object is unlikely to be twisted. Further, since the opening can be easily closed by the closing portion, the manufacturing operation is easy. Therefore, the endoscope flexible tube can be manufactured in a short time.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the endoscope according to the present invention has a flexible tube in the insertion portion through which a plurality of elongated built-in objects, each of which is connected to the distal end portion of the insertion portion, are inserted. According to the method for manufacturing a flexible tube, the built-in object is disposed from the opening in a flex having a C-shaped or crescent-shaped cross section and having an opening, and the opening of the flex is closed. The outer cover of the flex is covered so that the opening of the flex is closed.
When the built-in object is arranged in the flex, it can be arranged from the opening, so that the arrangement is easy and can be arranged at a desired position. In addition, since the arrangement position can be confirmed with sight, the built-in object is unlikely to be twisted. Further, since the opening can be easily closed by the closing portion, the manufacturing operation is easy. Therefore, the endoscope flexible tube can be manufactured in a short time.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily arrange a built-in object in a desired state, and it is possible to manufacture a flexible tube in a short time. A method for manufacturing a flexible tube of an endoscope can be provided.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as an embodiment) will be described below with reference to the drawings.
An embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic endoscope 10 includes an elongated insertion portion 12, an operation portion 14 provided at a proximal end portion of the insertion portion 12, and a universal cord 16 extending from the operation portion 14. And a connector 18 disposed at the end of the universal cord 16. The endoscope 10 has an illumination optical system 22 (see FIGS. 2B and 2C) and an observation optical system 24 (see FIG. 2) in a state of being inserted through the insertion portion 12, the operation portion 14, and the universal cord 16. 2 (A) and FIG. 2 (C)). Further, a treatment instrument insertion channel 26 (see FIGS. 2A and 2C) in which various treatment instruments such as forceps are disposed, for example, on the operation section 14 and the distal end of the insertion section 12 shown in FIG. ) Is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the illumination optical system 22 includes an illumination lens 32 disposed at the distal end portion of the insertion portion 12, and a light guide bundle 34 disposed at the proximal end portion of the illumination lens 32. It has. The distal ends of the illumination lens 32 and the light guide bundle 34 are fixed to a distal end rigid portion 62 described later at the distal end portion of the insertion portion 12. The light guide bundle 34 is disposed at the base end portion of the illumination lens 32 at a position where the optical axis of the illumination lens 32 is the same axis. That is, the illumination lens 32 and the light guide bundle 34 are optically connected. The light guide bundle 34 is inserted through the insertion portion 12 and the operation portion 14 to the end of the universal cord 16.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the observation optical system 24 includes an objective lens unit 42 disposed at the distal end portion of the insertion portion 12 and an imaging unit 44 disposed at the proximal end portion of the objective lens unit 42. And a signal cable 46 electrically connected to the image pickup unit 44. The objective lens unit 42, the imaging unit 44, and the signal cable 46 are integrally formed on the same axis. The objective lens unit 42 forms an image of the observation object illuminated by the light emitted from the illumination lens 32 of the illumination optical system 22. The imaging unit 44 captures an image formed by the objective lens unit 42 and performs photoelectric conversion. The signal cable 46 transmits data of a photoelectrically converted image, and transmits a control signal from a processor (not shown) to the imaging unit 44. The signal cable 46 is inserted through the insertion portion 12 and the operation portion 14 to the end of the universal cord 16.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the operation unit 14 of the electronic endoscope 10 includes an operation unit main body 52, a bending operation knob 54, a bend preventing unit 56, and a forceps plug 58.

  The operation unit main body 52 is a gripping unit that is gripped with one hand by the operator of the endoscope 10. The operation portion main body 52 is formed by combining a plurality of members formed by a mold or the like. At the lower end portion of the operation portion main body 52, a bend preventing portion 56 that supports a base end portion of a flexible tube 66 (to be described later) of the insertion portion 12 and has a function of preventing the bend of the base end portion of the flexible tube 66 is disposed. It is installed. The fold preventing portion 56 is formed in a tapered cylindrical shape as it becomes distal to the operation portion main body 52 from a portion attached to the operation portion main body 52. A forceps plug 58, which is an opening of the treatment instrument insertion channel 26, is disposed in the operation portion main body 52 in the vicinity of the bend preventing portion 56. That is, the forceps plug 58 is disposed at the lower end of the operation unit main body 52.

  On the other hand, a bending operation knob 54 is pivotally supported at the upper end of the operation section main body 52 so as to be rotatable. The bending operation knob 54 is connected to a bending portion 64 (described later) of the insertion portion 12 via a plurality of operation wires 60 (see FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 9A to 9C). Connected. Therefore, by turning the bending operation knob 54, the operation wire 60 can be moved in the axial direction, and the bending portion 64 can be bent in a desired direction. Even if the operation wire 60 is connected to the distal end rigid portion 62 on the distal end side of the bending portion 64, the bending portion 64 can be bent similarly. Below, it demonstrates as what is connected to the curved part 64. FIG.

  The universal cord 16 extends from the upper end portion of the operation unit main body 52. The universal cord 16 is formed in a cylindrical shape coated with a flexible resin material. A light guide bundle 34 and a signal cable 46 are inserted into the universal cord 16. Since each of the light guide bundle 34 and the signal cable 46 has appropriate flexibility, the universal cord 16 can be bent or twisted in a desired direction within a predetermined range.

  The connector 18 at the end of the universal cord 16 includes a light guide connector 18a for connecting to the light source device and an electrical connector 18b for connecting to the processor.

  The end portion of the light guide bundle 34 (see FIG. 2B) is optically connected to the light guide connector 18a. The light guide connector 18a is detachable from the light source device. For this reason, in a state where the light source device is connected to the light guide connector 18a, the light source device and the light guide bundle 34 are optically connected. That is, light can be emitted from the light source device through the light guide bundle 34 and the illumination lens 32.

  An end of a signal cable 46 (see FIG. 2A) is electrically connected to the electrical connector 18b. The electrical connector 18b is detachable from the processor. For this reason, in a state where the processor is attached to the electrical connector 18b, the processor and the observation optical system 24 are electrically connected. That is, it is possible to transmit an electric signal of an image picked up by the image pickup device of the image pickup unit 44 to the processor, or to transmit a control signal to the image pickup device.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the treatment instrument insertion channel 26 is disposed at a cylindrical member 26a disposed at a distal end rigid portion 62, which will be described later, of the insertion portion 12, and at a proximal end portion of the tubular member 26a. The channel tube 26b is provided, and a holding member 26c disposed on the outer periphery of the tube 26b and formed in a spiral shape, for example. Of these, the channel tube 26b is formed of a resin material such as polytetrafluoroethylene.

  The cylindrical member 26a is disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the channel hole 112c of the distal end frame member 112 of the distal end rigid portion 62 shown in FIG. An annular flange portion 26d is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the substantially central portion of the cylindrical member 26a. One side surface of the flange portion 26d is in contact with the proximal end surface of the channel hole portion 112c. The other side surface of the base end side of the flange portion 26d is in contact with the distal end surface of the channel tube 26b. A holding member 26c is disposed on the outer periphery of the tube 26b. That is, the holding member 26c holds the outer diameter of the tube 26b within a predetermined range when forceps or the like are disposed inside the channel tube 26b. The proximal end portions of the tube 26 b and the holding member 26 c are disposed in the operation portion main body 52 through the proximal end portion of the insertion portion 12 and the folding preventing portion 56. The proximal ends of the tube 26 b and the holding member 26 c are disposed on a forceps plug 58 of the operation unit main body 52.

As shown in FIG. 1, the insertion portion 12 includes a distal end rigid portion 62, a bending portion 64, and a flexible tube (tubular body) 66 extending from the distal end side to the proximal end side along the axial direction of the insertion portion 12. Prepared for.
The proximal end portion of the flexible tube 66 is supported by the above-described folding preventing portion 56. As shown in FIG. 3A, the flexible tube 66 includes a flexible plate-like member 72 that functions as a flex, a mesh tube 74, and a flexible tube outer skin 76. The mesh tube 74 is arranged on the outer periphery of the flexible plate member 72 by braiding fine wires into a mesh shape for reinforcement of the flexible plate member 72. The flexible tube skin 76 is disposed on the outer periphery of the mesh tube 74. The flexible plate-like member 72 is formed of a thin and flexible metal material or resin material.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the flexible plate-like member 72 functioning as the flex has a hard portion 72a and a resin material (soft) that is softer than the material constituting the hard portion 72a. Part) 72b (for example, polyethylene). The hard portion 72a is formed of a metal material (for example, a stainless steel plate material, a spring steel plate material, a non-ferrous spring plate material such as beryllium copper or phosphor bronze), or a hard resin material (for example, polypropylene).
In the state where the flexible plate-like member 72 is developed in a planar shape, strip-like hard portions 72a and resin materials 72b are alternately arranged to form a long monolithic member such as a rectangular shape, for example. Yes. That is, the resin material 72b is filled as a soft portion between the belt-like hard portions 72a. The thickness of both the hard part 72a and the resin material 72b is substantially uniform.

  Then, the flexible plate-like member 72 is wound around the longitudinal direction of the flexible plate-like member 72 as a plane, for example, between the hard portions 72a adjacent in the longitudinal direction with the resin material 72b interposed therebetween, and For example, the resin materials 72b adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction are successively arranged with the hard portion 72a interposed therebetween. For this reason, the hard part 72a and the resin material 72b are connected in a spiral shape. That is, one helical tube is formed by each of the hard portion 72a and the resin material 72b.

  As described above, the flexible plate-like member 72 includes the hard portion 72a and the soft portion 72b in a spiral shape in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the built-in object described later. For this reason, when the transverse section of the flexible plate-like member 72 is once formed in an O-shape and then the opening 78 described later is formed, the hard portion 72a is prevented from being separated for each round. Can do.

  As shown in FIG. 4 (B), the flexible plate-like member 72 has an opening (cut portion) that is opened (cut) along the axial direction after the cross section is once formed in an O-shape. 78). The opening 78 is formed over the entirety (all) of the flexible plate-like member 72 in the axial direction. For this reason, when the opening 78 is formed, the flexible plate-like member 72 when the opening 78 is formed has a C-shaped or crescent-shaped cross section. Hereinafter, a C-shape will be representatively described. Then, the edge of the opening 78 of the flexible plate-like member 72 is abutted against each other or overlapped with each other, and is fixed using a fixing means such as an adhesive, whereby the cross section of the flexible tube 66 is obtained. Is reproduced in an O-shape. In addition, as a fixing means, you may fix by the welding part obtained by welding by a laser or ultrasonic welding, and the crimping | compression-bonding part by thermocompression bonding.

  Tapered mating portions (blocking portions) as shown in FIG. 4B are formed at the C-shaped end portions of the flexible plate-like member 72 facing each other, and FIG. As shown in FIG. 5 (D), mating portions (blocking portions) 80a and 80b are respectively formed. That is, when the mating portions 80a and 80b are mated, the opening 78 of the flexible plate-like member 72 is closed and the cross section becomes O-shaped. The mating portions 80a and 80b are preferably formed only on the hard portion 72a, but are preferably formed on both the hard portion 72a and the resin material (soft portion) 72b.

  Here, FIG. 5A shows a state in which the mating portions 80a and 80b are overlapped and fixed with an adhesive (not shown). In FIG. 5B, the inner peripheral surface of one mating portion 80a is scraped to be thinner than the other portion, and the outer peripheral surface of the other mating portion 80b is scraped to be thinner than the other portion. The state which fitted 80a and 80b and was fixed with the adhesive agent (not shown) is shown. 5C, from the state shown in FIG. 5B, a convex portion 80c is further formed on the other mating portion 80b, and a concave portion is formed on one mating portion 80a. The fixing means in a state in which is fitted. FIG. 5D shows a state in which both the joining portions 80a and 80b are fixed by a tape 80d as a fixing means from the state shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C. In the state shown in FIGS. 5C and 5D, it is not always necessary to fix the mating portions 80a and 80b with an adhesive.

  As shown in FIG. 6 (A), the net-like tube 74 is formed in a long knitted strip 74a in the unfolded state. A net-like tube 74 (see FIG. 6B) formed by winding the unfolded strip 74a with the longitudinal direction as an axis is similar to the flexible plate member 72 with the longitudinal direction as an axis. When wound, it is long in the direction along the axial direction (longitudinal direction of the built-in object). In addition, as shown in FIG. 6B, the reticulated tube 74 is also opened along the axial direction when wound around the longitudinal direction, like the opening 78 of the flexible plate-like member 72. An opening 82 is formed. Similarly to the flexible plate-like member 72 (see FIGS. 5A to 5D), the mesh tube 74 is also a closed portion that abuts or overlaps the edges of the opening 82 with each other. A certain joining portion (not shown) is joined, and the cross section of the mesh tube 74 becomes O-shaped. The mesh tube 74 is impregnated with an impregnation material such as a resin material or a rubber material. The state of the strip 74a can be maintained by impregnation with the impregnating material. The mesh tube 74 is not limited to a thin metal wire, and a cloth material can also be used.

  3A is formed of a heat-shrinkable tube that contracts when heat is applied. Note that the flexible tube outer skin 76 is preferably a rubber tube, a flexible plastic tube, or the like in addition to the heat-shrinkable tube.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, a connecting tube (connecting tube main body) 90 for connecting the proximal end portion of the bending portion 64 and the distal end portion of the flexible tube 66 is provided at the distal end portion of the flexible tube 66. It is arranged. The connection tube 90 includes an opening (cutting portion) 92 (see FIG. 7A) that is once formed in an O shape in cross section and then opened (cut) along the axial direction thereof. The opening 92 is formed over the entirety (all) of the connecting pipe 90 in the axial direction. For this reason, the connecting pipe 90 when the opening 92 is formed has a C-shaped cross section made of, for example, a metal material when the opening 92 is widened. The edge of the opening 92 of the connection pipe 90 is abutted against each other or overlapped to make these joints a closing part and fixed with an adhesive as a fixing means, whereby the cross section of the connection pipe 90 is Reproduced in O-shape. As a means for fixing the opening 92 of the connecting pipe 90, a welded portion obtained by laser welding or ultrasonic welding may be used. Moreover, in this embodiment, although the example which uses a metal material as the connection pipe 90 was demonstrated, it is not restricted to this, You may use a resin material.

As shown in FIG. 7B, mating portions (blocking portions) 92a and 92b are respectively provided at the C-shaped end portions (opening portions 92) of the connecting pipe 90 facing each other. It is suitable that it is formed. Moreover, the joint part of the opening part 92 of the connection pipe 90 may be a closed part, and may be fixed by a welding part by spot welding as a fixing means, or the outer peripheral surface of the connection pipe 90 including the closed part may be a tape with an adhesive. You may wind and fix with.
Here, in FIG. 7B, the outer peripheral surface of one mating portion 92a is cut and formed thin, and the inner peripheral surface of the other mating portion 92b is cut and formed thin. A protrusion (engagement claw) 93a is formed at the end of one mating portion 92a at least partially in the direction of the opening 92 in the radially outward direction. A projection (engaging claw) 93b is formed at the end of the other mating portion 92b at least in the direction of the opening 92 toward the inside in the radial direction. FIG. 7B shows a state in which the protrusions 93a and 93b of the mating portions 92a and 92b are engaged. That is, when the mating portions 92a and 92b are brought together by the engaging claws and the fixing portion, the opening portion 92 of the connecting pipe 90 is closed and the cross section becomes O-shaped.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 7A, the connection pipe (connection pipe main body) 90 includes a small-diameter portion 90a, a large-diameter portion 90b, and a connecting portion 90c that connects them. Here, for example, the small diameter portion 90 a is disposed on the side close to the distal end rigid portion 62, and the large diameter portion 90 b is disposed on the side away from the distal end rigid portion 62. The small diameter portion 90a is formed thicker than the large diameter portion 90b, for example. Furthermore, the outer diameter of the small diameter portion 90a is formed smaller than the inner diameter of the large diameter portion 90b.
A base end portion of a sheet-like member 102 described later of the bending portion 64 is disposed on the outer periphery of the small diameter portion 90a. A distal end portion of the flexible tube 66 is disposed on the inner periphery of the large diameter portion 90b. The base end portion of the sheet-like member 102 of the bending portion 64 is in contact with the connecting portion 90c from the distal end side of the insertion portion 12. Further, the distal end portion of the flexible tube 66 is in contact with the connecting portion 90 c from the proximal end portion side of the insertion portion 12.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a coil pipe 60a is used as the operation wire insertion member, and a part of the small diameter portion 90a of the connection pipe 90 is pressed so as to be punched inward. A coil pipe holding part (operation wire insertion member holding part) 91 is formed. These coil pipe holding portions 91 hold the coil pipe 60a through which the operation wire 60 is inserted in a positioned state. For this reason, although the operation wire 60 can be moved in the axial direction inside the connecting pipe 90, it can always be held at substantially the same position in the circumferential direction and the radial direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a bending portion 64 is disposed at the distal end portion of the flexible tube 66. FIG. 8A is a perspective view in which a later-described sheet-like member 102 of the bending portion 64 is developed. The bending portion 64 includes a flexible sheet-like member (plate-like member) 102 having a plurality of partition walls (convex portions) 102a formed along the axial direction of the insertion portion 12 on one side surface serving as an inner peripheral surface, 3 (A) and a curved portion outer skin 104. The sheet-like member 102 is formed of a resin material (for example, a fluororesin such as polytetrafluoroethylene or a polyamide resin having a fine porous structure or a solid structure). The sheet-like member 102 is preferably formed so that the axial direction of the insertion portion 12 is longer than the direction orthogonal to the axial direction. The sheet-like member 102 is rounded as a cylindrical body. That is, the sheet-like member 102 is a scroll. The curved outer skin 104 shown in FIG. 3A retains the rounded sheet-like member 102 shape (cylindrical body shape) and is rounded to ensure the water tightness of the curved portion 64. The sheet-like member 102 thus formed is covered on the outside. The bending portion outer skin 104 is formed of a heat shrinkable tube that shrinks when heat is applied. The bending portion outer skin 104 is preferably a heat-shrinkable tube, a rubber tube, a flexible plastic tube, or the like. The sheet-like member 102 may be a rubber material such as silicone rubber, butadiene rubber, or nitrile rubber.

  The partition wall 102 a of the sheet-like member 102 is erected with respect to a plane on one side surface that is an inner peripheral surface of the sheet-like member 102. That is, a plurality of groove portions 102 b are formed on one side surface of the sheet-like member 102 of the curved portion 64. The sheet-like member 102 is rounded in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the partition wall 102a and the groove 102b. For this reason, the sheet-like member 102 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. Note that the number of the partition walls 102a, the width between the partition walls 102a, and the height of each partition wall 102a are appropriately set according to the built-in components of the insertion portion 12.

  As shown in FIGS. 8A and 9C, the sheet-like member 102 provided in the bending portion 64 has a plurality of wire holding portions 102c through which the operation wires 60 are inserted on the side provided with the partition wall 102a. Is formed. These wire holding portions 102c are arranged in parallel to the partition walls 102a. That is, the wire holding part 102c is formed in the groove part 102b. These wire holding portions 102c are formed in a substantially triangular shape through which the operation wire 60 is inserted by a thin band-shaped member. The operation wire 60 is inserted through the central hole of the substantially triangular wire holding portion 102c.

  In the groove 102b between the partition walls 102a, the light guide bundle 34, the signal cable 46, and the tube 26b of the treatment instrument insertion channel 26, which are built-in components of the insertion portion 12, are disposed. That is, the width of each groove portion 102b, which is the distance between the partition walls 102a adjacent in the circumferential direction, is determined in a predetermined state by the disposed members. The partition wall 102a is formed so as to divide the light guide bundle 34, the signal cable 46, and the tube 26b of the treatment instrument insertion channel 26, respectively. That is, the height of the partition wall 102a is determined in a predetermined state by a member (built-in object) to be arranged. Furthermore, the operation wire 60 is a pair in this embodiment, and is disposed at a position substantially opposed to the center of the bending portion 64 when the sheet-like member 102 is rolled. Note that the distal end of the operation wire 60 is fixed to the distal end of the sheet-like member 102.

  As shown in FIGS. 8A and 9C, for example, a treatment instrument is inserted into a part of one of the circumferential end surfaces of the sheet-like member 102 in a state where the sheet-like member 102 is rolled into a cylindrical shape. An inner tab (flap) 102d that is wound inside the sheet-like member 102, such as being wound around the tube 26b of the channel 26, is formed. As described above, the inner tab 102d is wound around the tube 26b of the treatment instrument insertion channel 26, and the outer tab 102e prevents the sheet-like member 102 from returning to a flat shape as shown in FIG. 9B. Therefore, the cylindrical shape of the sheet-like member 102 can be maintained.

  That is, an outer tab (flap) 102e is formed on a part of the other end face in the circumferential direction of the sheet-like member 102 so that the sheet-like member 102 is bonded to the outside in a state of being rolled into a cylindrical shape. Yes. When the sheet-like member 102 is rolled up, an adhesive (adhesive) that holds the tubular shape of the sheet-like member 102 is attached to one side surface of the outer tab 102e. A release sheet is attached to one side surface of the outer tab 102e to which the adhesive is attached before the cylindrical body is formed. For this reason, when the shape of the sheet-like member 102 is held by the outer tab 102e, the outer tab 102e can be fastened to the sheet-like member 102 only by peeling off the release sheet. In this embodiment, an example in which the outer tab 102e is fixed to the sheet-like member 102 with an adhesive has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the outer tab 102e may be fixed to the sheet-like member 102 by welding such as a laser. .

As shown in FIGS. 2 (A) to 2 (C), the distal end hard portion 62 is made of a hard material that covers the distal end frame member 112 and a distal end frame member 112 made of a metal material or a resin material such as stainless steel. And a tip cover 114 made of a resin material.
2C, the distal end frame member 112 supports the illumination hole 112a (see FIG. 2B) for supporting the distal end of the illumination optical system 22, and the distal end of the observation optical system 24. As shown in FIG. Objective hole (observation hole) 112b (see FIG. 2A) and channel hole 112c (see FIG. 2A) constituting the distal end of the treatment instrument insertion channel 26 are formed. ing. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the distal end cover 114 is provided at the distal end of each of the illumination hole 112a, the objective hole 112b, and the channel hole 112c of the distal end frame member 112. At corresponding positions, an illumination hole 114a, an objective hole (observation hole) 114b, and a channel hole 114c are formed. These holes 114a, 114b, 114c are each formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. In order to lock the illumination lens 32, the illumination hole portion 114a of the distal end cover 114 is reduced in size by providing a taper on the distal end surface side and a claw portion on the distal end surface side.
The distal end cover 114 has a distal end surface and a proximal end surface that are parallel to each other. The distal end surface is a surface exposed to the outside on the distal end side of the insertion portion 12 in a state where the endoscope 10 is molded. The proximal end surface of the distal end cover 114 is a surface that is fixed by adhesion to the distal end surface of the distal end frame member 112.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, an illumination lens installation hole 122a is formed at the distal end portion of the illumination hole portion 112a of the distal end frame member 112. The sizes of the openings of the installation holes 122a are formed slightly larger than the diameter of the illumination lens 32, and the illumination lens 32 can be disposed on the central axis of the illumination hole 112a. On the base end side of these installation holes 122a, a light guide bundle arrangement hole 122b in which the tip portion of the light guide bundle 34 is arranged is formed. The inner diameter of the arrangement hole 122b is smaller than the inner diameter of the installation hole 122a. A covering tube disposing hole 122c in which the covering tube 36 is disposed is formed on the base end side of the disposing hole 122b. The inner diameter of the covering tube arrangement hole 122c is formed larger than the inner diameter of the light guide bundle arrangement hole 122b.

As shown in FIG. 2A, a lens frame arrangement hole 124a in which the tip of the objective lens frame 42a is arranged in a predetermined state is formed at the tip of the objective hole 112b of the tip frame member 112. Has been. The lens frame arrangement hole 124a has a different diameter at the distal end portion and the proximal end portion, and the distal end portion is formed to have a smaller diameter than the proximal end portion.
The tubular member 26 a of the treatment instrument insertion channel 26 is disposed in the channel hole 112 c of the distal end frame member 112.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the illumination lens 32 is provided in each of the illumination hole 112a of the distal end frame member 112 and the illumination hole 114a of the distal end cover 114. Since the distal end of the illumination hole 112a of the distal end frame member 112 has a diameter at which the illumination lens 32 is disposed, the diameter is formed larger than the proximal end side at which the light guide bundle 34 is disposed. Further, since the covering tube 36 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the light guide bundle 34, the base end portion of the illumination hole 112a has a diameter corresponding to the amount of the covering tube 36 disposed. It has been expanded.
An objective lens unit 42 is disposed in each of the objective hole 112b of the distal end frame member 112 and the objective hole 114b of the distal end cover 114.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the distal end portion of the objective hole 112b of the distal end frame member 112 is formed in accordance with the distal end portion of the lens frame 42a. The diameter of the base end portion of the objective hole portion 112b is larger than that of the tip end portion in accordance with the flange portion 42b of the lens frame 42a. The distal end surface of the flange portion 42b of the lens frame 42a can come into contact with the stepped portion 124b formed by the difference in diameter between the distal end side and the proximal end side of the objective hole 112b of the distal end frame member 112. is there.

  When the distal end surface of the flange portion 42b of the lens frame 42a is in contact with the stepped portion 124b, the distal end of the objective lens unit 42 is disposed in the objective hole portion 114b of the distal end cover 114. The front end surface of the cover 114 and the lens surface of the objective lens 43 of the objective lens unit 42 are substantially flush with each other.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the distal end portion of the sheet-like member 102 of the bending portion 64 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the distal end rigid portion 62 on the proximal end side. Further, the distal end portion of the bending portion skin 104 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end rigid portion 62 and the distal end portion of the sheet-like member 102 of the bending portion 64. The outer periphery of the curved portion outer skin 104 and the distal end hard portion 62 is provided with a fixing portion 132 that is fixed by an adhesive or welding. When fixing, the fixing portion 132 may be provided by winding a thread around the distal end side of the bending portion outer skin 104 and the outer periphery of the distal end rigid portion 62 and then applying a non-conductive adhesive from the outside. For this reason, it is prevented that the bending part outer skin 104 falls, and the watertightness from the front-end | tip part side of the bending part outer skin 104 is ensured.
As shown in FIG. 3A, a tubular member 134 for preventing the bending portion outer skin 104 from dripping is disposed at the connecting portion between the bending portion outer skin 104 and the flexible tube outer skin 76. . The cylindrical member 134 is fixed to the bending portion outer skin 104 and the flexible tube outer skin 76 by an adhesive 134a. For this reason, water-tightness from the base end side of the bending portion outer skin 104 is ensured. Here, it has been described that the cylindrical member 134 is disposed at the proximal end portion of the bending portion outer skin 104, but the fixing portion 132 is disposed in the same manner as the distal end portion of the bending portion outer skin 104 instead of the cylindrical member 134. It is also suitable to do. In addition, it is also preferable to dispose a cylindrical member 134 at the distal end portion of the bending portion outer skin 104 instead of the fixing portion 132.

Hereinafter, the process of manufacturing the electronic endoscope 10 will be described. Here, the process of manufacturing the insertion portion 12 will be mainly described.
First, the illumination optical system 22, the observation optical system 24, and the treatment instrument insertion channel 26 are attached to the distal end rigid portion 62.
The illumination lens 32 is fixed to the illumination lens installation hole 122a of the illumination hole 112a of the distal end frame member 112 with an adhesive. The distal end of the light guide bundle 34 is fixed to the light guide bundle installation hole 122b at the base end portion of the illumination lens 32 with an adhesive. At this time, the covering tube 36 is disposed in the covering tube disposing hole 122c.

  The objective lens frame 42a of the objective lens unit 42 is fixed to the lens frame arrangement hole 124a of the objective hole 112b with an adhesive. At this time, the flange portion 42b is fixed in a state of being in contact with the stepped portion 124b. Then, the objective lens 43 is in a state of protruding from the front end frame member 112. Further, the imaging unit 44 and the signal cable 46 are integrated on the proximal end side of the objective lens unit 42.

  Further, the tubular member 26a is fixed to the channel hole 112c with an adhesive. At this time, the flange portion 26d of the cylindrical member 26a is fixed in a state where it abuts against the base end surface of the channel hole portion 112c. The distal end portion of the channel tube 26b is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the proximal end portion of the cylindrical member 26a with an adhesive. And the holding member 26c is arrange | positioned on the outer periphery of the channel tube 26b.

  In this manner, the tip cover 114 is fixed to the tip surface of the tip frame member 112 to which each member is mounted with an adhesive. At this time, the illumination lens 32 is arranged in the illumination hole 114 a of the tip cover 114, and the tip of the objective lens unit 42 is fixed in a state of being arranged in the objective hole 114 b of the tip cover 114. Then, the cylindrical member 26 a of the treatment instrument insertion channel 26 is disposed in the channel hole 114 c of the distal end cover 114.

That is, the light guide bundle 34, the signal cable 46, and the tube 26b and the holding member 26c of the treatment instrument insertion channel 26 are extended from the distal end rigid portion 62 toward the proximal end side.
In this way, the illumination optical system 22, the observation optical system 24, and the treatment instrument insertion channel 26 are attached to the distal end rigid portion 62.

Next, the illumination optical system 22, the observation optical system 24, and the treatment instrument insertion channel 26 attached to the distal end rigid portion 62 are disposed on the bending portion 64, the connection tube 90, and the flexible tube 66 of the insertion portion 12.
Specifically, first, the light guide bundle 34 of the illumination optical system 22, the signal cable 46 of the observation optical system 24, and the treatment instrument insertion channel are inserted into a predetermined groove 102 b between the partition walls 102 a of the sheet-like member 102 of the curved portion 64. 26 channel tubes 26b are arranged respectively. At this time, one end of the operation wire 60 is inserted through the wire holding portion 102c (see FIGS. 8A, 9A, and 9C) and fixed at the tip of the sheet-like member 102. In this case, since the wire holding portion 102c is disposed in the groove portion 102b between the partition walls 102a, the operation wire 60 can be easily moved along the axial direction of the sheet-like member 102, that is, along the surface of the sheet-like member 102. It is possible to arrange in.
A coil pipe 60 a is disposed at a position where the operation wire 60 is disposed inside the connection tube 90 and the flexible tube 66. That is, the other end side of the operation wire 60 is inserted through the coil pipe 60a.

  Further, a small diameter portion 90 a of the connecting pipe 90 having a C-shaped cross section is disposed at the proximal end portion of the bending portion 64. At this time, the base end portion of the sheet-like member 102 of the curved portion 64 is disposed on the outer periphery of the small-diameter portion 90a of the connecting tube 90 so that an adhesive can be supplied between them to be fixed. Then, the light guide bundle 34, the signal cable 46, and the tube 26b of the treatment instrument insertion channel 26 are respectively inserted into the inside from the opening 92 of the connection pipe 90. At this time, the light guide bundle 34, the signal cable 46, the tube 26b of the treatment instrument insertion channel 26, and the holding member 26c that are extended from the distal end rigid portion 62 are arranged so as not to be twisted as much as possible. Furthermore, the coil pipe 60 a through which the operation wire 60 is inserted is fitted into the coil pipe holding portion 91 of the connection pipe 90. For this reason, the operation wire 60 is always held at the same position in the radial direction and the circumferential direction inside the connection pipe 90.

  Further, the flexible plate-like member 72 of the flexible tube 66 having a C-shaped cross section and the distal end side of the mesh tube 74 are disposed on the base end side of the connecting tube 90 having a C-shaped cross section. The light guide bundle 34, the signal cable 46, the tube 26b and the holding member 26c of the treatment instrument insertion channel 26 are respectively placed inside the mesh tube 74 and the flexible plate member 72, and the mesh tube 74 and the flexible plate member. 72 from the openings 82 and 78. At this time, the light guide bundle 34, the signal cable 46, the tube 26b of the treatment instrument insertion channel 26, and the holding member 26c that are extended from the distal end rigid portion 62 are arranged so as not to be twisted as much as possible.

  The light guide bundle 34 and the signal cable 46 exposed from the rear end side of the flexible tube 66 are guided to the universal cord 16 through the operation unit 14. On the other hand, the proximal end portion of the tube 26 b of the treatment instrument insertion channel 26 is attached to the forceps plug 58 of the operation unit 14.

  Thereafter, the sheet-like member 102 of the curved portion 64 is rounded into a cylindrical body. At this time, as shown in FIG. 9C, the light guide bundle 34, the signal cable 46, the tube 26b of the treatment instrument insertion channel 26, and the holding member 26c are maintained in a predetermined groove 102b. Further, the inner tab 102d is arranged in a state of being wound around the outer periphery of the holding member 26c of the treatment instrument insertion channel 26. The release sheet of the outer tab 102e is peeled off, and the outer tab 102e is fastened (fixed) to the outer side of the sheet-like member 102 as shown in FIG. 9B. In this way, the cylindrical body of the sheet-like member 102 is maintained. At this time, the sheet that has been rolled up so that the light guide bundle 34, the signal cable 46, the tube 26b of the treatment instrument insertion channel 26, and the holding member 26c, which are built-in members extending from the distal end rigid portion 62, are not twisted as much as possible. Adjustment is performed by rotating the member 102 in the circumferential direction or by rotating the built-in object itself.

  In the above process, the connection pipe 90 is disposed inside the base end portion of the bending portion 64 and outside the tip end portion of the flexible tube 66. The ends of the opening 92 of the connecting pipe 90 are engaged with each other by the projections 93a and 93b of the mating portions 92a and 92b to form an O-shaped cross section. Further, the edges of the flexible plate-like member 72 of the flexible tube 66 and the openings 78 and 82 of the mesh tube 74 are fixed by the matching portions 80a and 80b and a matching portion (not shown), and their cross sections are respectively shown. It is formed in an O shape. Then, the mating portions 92a and 92b of the connection pipe 90 are fixed.

  In this state, the distal end portion of the flexible tube 66 is slightly pulled out in the axial direction from the large-diameter portion 90 b of the connection tube 90, and the tubular flexible tube outer skin 76 is covered on the outside of the mesh tube 74. Heat is applied to the outer shell 76 of the flexible tube to shrink it. The flexible tube 66 in this state is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the large-diameter portion 90b of the connecting tube 90 by supplying an adhesive so that the gap between the two is fixed with an adhesive and pushing the extracted portion. Then, the tubular curved portion outer skin 104 is arranged outside the sheet-like member 102 rounded by the curved portion 64. In this state, heat is applied to the bending portion outer skin 104 to cause it to contract. At this time, the distal end of the curved portion outer skin 104 is contracted so as to be in contact with the proximal end surface of the distal end cover 114. Further, the base end of the bending portion outer skin 104 is disposed on the flexible tube outer skin 76 beyond the base end of the connection tube 90.

  The distal end of the bending portion outer skin 104 forms a fixing portion 132 that is fixed by an adhesive, welding, or the like. On the other hand, at the base end of the bending portion outer skin 104, a cylindrical member 134 is disposed and fixed with an adhesive 134a. In this way, the insertion portion 12 of the endoscope 10 is formed.

  A bend preventing portion 56 is disposed at the proximal end portion of the flexible tube 66. The base end portion of the flexible tube 66 is fixed to the operation portion main body 52 in a state where the inside of the bend preventing portion 56 is inserted.

  Further, the light guide bundle 34 and the signal cable 46 are fixed to the connector 18 disposed at the other end through the operation portion main body 52, inserted through the universal cord 16 having one end fixed to the operation portion main body 52. That is, the light guide bundle 34 is fixed to the light guide connector 18a, and the signal cable 46 is fixed to the electrical connector 18b. The operation wire 60 is coupled to the bending operation knob 54 inside the operation unit main body 52. In this manner, the endoscope 10 is formed by integrating the insertion portion 12, the operation portion 14, and the universal cord 16.

Next, the operation of the endoscope 10 manufactured in this way will be described.
In the bending portion 64, an operation wire 60 is disposed at a predetermined position (wire holding portion 102c). Further, the distal end of the operation wire 60 is fixed to the distal end of the sheet-like member 102 of the bending portion 64. Therefore, when the bending operation knob 54 is operated to move the operation wire 60 along the axial direction, force is transmitted from the operation wire 60 to the distal end of the operation wire 60 and the wire holding portion 102c, and the bending portion 64 is moved. Curved. At this time, since the partition wall 102a formed along the axial direction of the sheet-like member 102 is separated by an appropriate length (see FIG. 8A), the force accompanying the movement of the operation wire 60 is retained by the wire. The bending portion 64 is bent by being transmitted to the sheet-like member 102 via the portion 102c. Since each built-in object is fixed to the distal end hard part 62, each built-in object also moves along the axial direction of the insertion part 12 as the bending part 64 is bent. In addition, each built-in object moves along the axial direction of the insertion portion 12 in the connection tube 90 and the flexible tube 66. Even if the operation wire 60 moves along the axial direction of the insertion portion 12 inside the connection pipe 90, the coil pipe 60 a is prevented from moving by the coil pipe holding portion 91. It is prevented as much as possible that it moves outside the axial direction (circumferential direction and radial direction) inside the.

  Further, after the bending portion outer skin 104 and the flexible tube outer skin 76 are disposed, for example, in the bending portion outer skin 104, the water tightness is achieved by the fixing portion 132 and the cylindrical member 134. Can be secured.

As described above, according to the manufacturing operation of the endoscope 10 according to this embodiment, the following can be said.
When forming the insertion portion 12 of the endoscope 10, the illumination optical system 22, the observation optical system 24, and the treatment instrument insertion channel 26 do not need to be inserted in the axial direction of the insertion portion 12, and may be arranged from the side. it can. In particular, the sheet-like member 102 is rolled into a cylindrical body in a state where a predetermined built-in object is disposed in each of the groove portions 102b between the partition walls 102a provided in the sheet-like member 102 of the curved portion 64. A built-in object can be arranged so that the object is hardly twisted as much as possible. Moreover, since the state in which each built-in object is disposed inside the insertion part 12 can be visually confirmed, it is possible to prevent the insertion part 12 from being formed in a state where a force is applied to the built-in object. .

  For this reason, it is necessary to perform an operation of guiding the illumination optical system 22, the observation optical system 24, and the treatment instrument insertion channel 26 to the operation unit main body 52 through a flexible tube, a connection tube, and a bending portion, which are very long insertion portions. Absent. Further, since it is possible to easily visually confirm that a force such as torsion is applied to the illumination optical system 22, the observation optical system 24, and the treatment instrument insertion channel 26, the insertion portion 12 of the endoscope 10 can be confirmed. Manufacturing operations can be carried out very easily.

  Further, when the operation wire 60 is disposed on the wire holding portion 102c of the sheet-like member 102, it can be easily disposed along the surface of the sheet-like member 102 and along the groove portion 102b between the partition walls 102a. . That is, the operation wire 60 can be easily disposed on the wire holding portion 102c. Therefore, the operation wire 60 can be disposed on the sheet-like member 102 in a short time.

  Further, since the flexible plate-like member 72 is formed by the hard portion 72a and the resin material 72b, even if the opening 78 is formed along the axial direction of the flexible plate-like member 72, the hard portion It is possible to prevent the 72a from being finely separated every round. For this reason, when the flexible plate-like member 72 is reproduced from the C-shape to the O-shape, it can be easily performed only by matching the mating portions 80a and 80b. Therefore, the insertion part 12 can be easily manufactured in a short time.

The sheet-like member 102 may be planar so that the light guide bundle 34, the signal cable 46, the holding member 26c of the treatment instrument insertion channel 26, etc. can be easily placed in the groove 102b when the curved portion 64 is manufactured (FIG. 8). (See (A) and FIG. 8 (B)), and the cross-section has a C-shaped habit so that it can be easily rounded (see FIG. 10). That is, it is also preferable that the cross section is preformed in a C shape.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the sheet-like member 102 is formed so that the distal end of the partition wall 102a is disposed slightly on the proximal side with respect to the distal end of the sheet-like member 102 of the curved portion 64 (FIG. 8). As shown in FIG. 10 (see (A) and FIG. 8B), it is also preferable that the tip of the partition wall 102a is formed flush with the tip of the sheet-like member 102. Similarly, it is also preferable that the inner tab 102d and the outer tab 102e are formed flush with the tip of the sheet-like member 102.

In the above-described embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 8A, the partition wall 102a of the sheet-like member 102 is provided in a state of being divided in the axial direction. As shown, it is also preferable that the partition wall 102a is integrally formed in the axial direction. The sheet-like member 102 shown in FIG. 8A is formed to be easily bent as compared with the sheet-like member 102 shown in FIG. On the other hand, the sheet-like member 102 shown in FIG. 8 (B) is formed more easily than the sheet-like member 102 shown in FIG.
Further, although details have not been described in this embodiment, it is naturally preferable to dispose an air supply channel, a water supply channel, and the like in the groove portion 102b of the partition wall 102a of the sheet-like member 102. That is, the built-in objects include the illumination optical system 22, the observation optical system 24, the treatment instrument insertion channel 26, the operation wire 60, and an air supply channel and a water supply channel. Although it is preferable to arrange one built-in object with respect to one groove 102b, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of built-in objects such as two for one groove 102b may be arranged.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11, it is also preferable that the sheet-like member 102 of the bending portion 64 is not integrated and is divided into fine segments so as to be along the axial direction of the bending portion 62. That is, it is also preferable that the sheet-like member 102 is formed by collecting a plurality of segments indicated by reference numeral 103. One segment 103 is appropriately set from several millimeters to several centimeters. In this case, the wire holding portion 102c (see FIGS. 8A, 8B, 9A, and 9C) is provided in each segment 103, although not shown. The outer tab 102e is provided in each segment 103. The inner tabs 102d are also preferably provided in the respective segments 103, for example, preferably provided in every other segment 103, and may not be provided at all. Is preferred.
Similarly, the flexible plate member 72 of the flexible tube 66 is also preferably formed in a segment shape along the axial direction of the flexible tube 66. In this case, the length in the axial direction of one of the segments each having a C-shaped cross section is appropriately set, for example, from several centimeters to several tens of centimeters.
In this embodiment, the flexible plate-like member 72 and the net-like tube 74 are described as having a C-shaped cross section (a crescent shape). However, as shown in FIG. The members (substantially crescent-shaped members) 73 and 75 divided in the direction may be combined (connected) and regenerated as a tubular body.

  Further, in this embodiment, it has been described that the curved portion outer skin 104 is directly attached to the outer periphery of the sheet-like member 102 having a cylindrical body, but FIG. 6A and FIG. It is also preferable to apply the reticulated tube impregnated with the impregnating material shown in B) in the same manner, and join the mating portion where the opening 82 is formed with a flexible adhesive to form a curved portion skin. . It is also preferable to dispose a mesh tube impregnated with the impregnating material shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B between the sheet-like member 102 and the curved portion outer skin 104. It is preferable that the mesh tube disposed in this way is disposed in a state impregnated with a resin material or a rubber material, so that the mesh becomes watertight and the mesh is reinforced. A cloth material can also be used for the mesh tube in this case. Further, the outer periphery of the cylindrical sheet-like member 102 is made of plastic (for example, polyethylene) or rubber (for example, urethane rubber), has flexibility, has a width larger than the outer peripheral dimension, and has a sheet shape. Winding a watertight sheet having the same length as the length of the member 102 and watertightly joining the overlapping surfaces of the sheets with a flexible adhesive, thereby using the wound sheet as a curved portion skin. Can do. Further, a belt-like sheet may be used by being spirally wound.

  In this embodiment, the use of the flexible plate member 72 and the mesh tube 74 of the flexible tube 66 having a C-shaped cross section by the openings 78 and 82 has been described. When the plate-like member 72 and the net-like tube 74 are formed in a C shape, it is also preferable to form a transverse section in a C shape using a flexible plate-like member or a sheet-like member.

  Further, in this embodiment, the use of the connection tube 90 having a C-shaped cross section by the opening 92 has been described. However, when the connection tube 90 is formed in a C shape, a plate-like member or a sheet shape is used. It is also preferable to form the cross section in a C shape by press molding using a member.

  In the above-described embodiment, the wire holding portion 102c is arranged on the sheet-like member 102 of the bending portion 64 (see FIGS. 8A and 8B). And when inserting the operation wire 60 in these wire holding | maintenance parts 102c, one end of the operation wire 60 is guided along the surface of the sheet-like member 102 and the groove part 102b between the partition walls 102a.

  However, the sheet-like member 102 of the curved portion 64 is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIGS. 13 (A) and 13 (B), a plurality of partition walls 102a are erected along the axial direction with respect to a plane on one side surface that is an inner peripheral surface of the sheet-like member 102, and A plurality of groove portions 102b are formed between the partition walls 102a. With respect to the selected groove portion indicated by reference numeral 202b among the groove portions 102b extending in the axial direction of the sheet-like member 102, the operation wire 60 is inserted into each groove portion 202b selected for bending operation along the axial direction. Drop it. Each operation wire 60 accommodated in the groove portion 202b selected by being dropped is an inner tab (flap) 102d that is wound inside the sheet-like member 102 when the sheet-like member 102 is rolled into a cylindrical body. Thus, the protrusion from the pair of partition walls 102a forming the groove 202b is prevented. Therefore, the wire holding portion may be formed by the pair of partition walls 102a and the inner tab 102d. Alternatively, the opposing surfaces or ends of the pair of partition walls 102a forming the groove portion 202b for accommodating the operation wire 60 are fixed by an adhesive or welding after the operation wire 60 is accommodated. You may form the wire holding part which prevents popping out.

  In addition, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, when forming a flexible plate-like member 72 of the flexible tube 66, a plate-like large-sized integral member in which hard portions 72c and soft portions 72d are alternately arranged. 72e is prepared. An area indicated by a broken line shown in FIG. 14 is punched out by press working on the plate-like member 72e with a predetermined width and a predetermined length. In this way, the developed flexible plate-like member 72 shown in FIG. 4A is formed. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4B, the flexible plate member 72 is formed in a C shape. Thus, when the flexible plate-like member 72 is manufactured from the plate-like member 72e by pressing, the flexible plate-like member 72 can be easily manufactured, and mass production is also easy, which is preferable. . In the flexible tube 66 shown in FIG. 3, two flexible plate-like members 72 having different winding directions of the hard portion 72c may be used in a state where the openings are aligned.

  Furthermore, the connecting pipe 90 is formed using a rectangular metal plate member 140 made of, for example, stainless steel as shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 15 (A) and 15 (B), the plate member 140 is pressed to form a concave slit groove at a position where the coil pipe holding portion 91 of the plate member 140 is to be formed. 142 (see FIG. 15B). Then, as shown in FIGS. 15 (B) and 15 (C), the ear portion 144 surrounded by the slit groove 142 is bent toward the surface side of the plate member 140 to form the coil pipe holding portion 91 (FIG. 15). 15 (C)). At this time, protrusions 146 a and grooves 146 b for matching both side ends 146 are formed on both side ends 146 of the plate member 140. Here, when the protrusion 146a and the groove 146b are formed on the side end 146 on one side surface, the protrusion 146a and the groove 146b are formed on the other side end 146 on the other side surface.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 15C and 15D, the plate member 140 is formed in a cylindrical shape so that the coil pipe holding portion 91 side is the inner peripheral surface. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 15D and FIG. 15E, the coil pipe holding portion 91 side of the cylindrical plate member 140 becomes a small diameter portion, and the other side has a large diameter via a connecting portion 90c serving as a step region. Pressing is performed to form the portion 90b. By this series of processing, it is possible to manufacture the connecting pipe 90 in which the both end portions 146 of the plate member 140 are the openings 92 and the both end portions 146 are the mating portions 146a and 146b.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 15C, the coil pipe holding portions 91 are arranged in two places corresponding to the number of the operation wires 60, but may be arranged in four places. Further, as shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, a protruding ear 93c provided with a protrusion 93a is provided on one side end 146 of the mating portion of the opposite side ends 146 of the plate member 140. In addition, a thin portion 93e provided with a hole 93d may be formed in the other side end 146, and the protruding ear portion 93c and the thin portion 93e may be used as a combined portion (blocking portion).

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 17, the connecting tube 90 is formed by pressing the plate member 140 to form a cross section in a C shape, and provided with a connecting portion 90c in the central portion in the axial direction, Each is provided with a small diameter portion 90a. And it is good also as a structure which connects the inner side of the base end side of the curved part 64, and the inner side of the front end side of the flexible tube 66 with respect to the outer side of each small diameter part 90a of the connection pipe 90.

  In the above-described embodiment, the connection pipe 90 is described as being formed by molding a member having a C-shaped cross section. However, the light guide bundle 34, the signal cable 46, and the holding member 26c are arranged on the outer periphery. It is also preferable to insert the channel tube 26b through a member having an O-shaped cross section to form the insertion portion 12.

  In this embodiment, the use of the sheet-like member 102 for the bending portion 64 has been described. However, as shown in FIG. 18, a plurality of members are rotatably connected to each other via a support shaft 141. It is also preferable to use the bending tube 142 and the mesh tube 74 covering the outer periphery of the bending tube 142. In addition, the connection pipe 90 is a tube that does not include the opening 92, and a flexible plate member 72 and a net-like pipe 74 are laminated inside the large-diameter portion 90b of the connection pipe 90 that closes the opening. It is also preferable to use the flexible tube outer sheath 76 so as to be in contact with the end surface of the connecting tube 90 and the outer periphery of the mesh tube 74 after being fixed to each other with an adhesive. Moreover, when the light guide bundle 34 arrange | positions light sources, such as LED, in the front-end | tip hard part 62, it is also suitable that it is an electric wire connected to the light source.

  Up to this point, one embodiment and a modification of this embodiment have been specifically described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the gist of the invention is described. Includes all implementations that do not deviate.

  According to the above description, the following matters can be obtained. Combinations of the terms are also possible.

[Appendix]
(Additional Item 1) A long and thin insertion portion having a distal end rigid portion, a bending portion, and a flexible tube from the distal end side toward the proximal end side, an operation portion provided at the proximal end portion of the insertion portion, and these A flexible tube of the insertion portion of the endoscope having a built-in object inserted through the insertion portion and guided to the operation portion,
The flexible tube is
A flex having an opening on the side,
A closing portion that is provided in the opening of the flex and closes the opening in a state where the built-in object is disposed from the opening of the flex;
A flexible tube for an insertion portion of an endoscope, comprising: an outer skin that is disposed outside the flex and holds a state in which the opening is closed by the closing portion.

    (Additional Item 2) The flexible tube for an endoscope according to Additional Item 1, wherein the flex has a C-shaped or crescent-shaped cross section with the opening being opened.

    (Additional Item 3) Additional Item 1 or Additional Item, wherein the flex includes a spiral tube in which a strip is formed in a spiral shape and a resin material that fills a space along the axial direction of the spiral tube. Item 3. The flexible tube of the endoscope according to Item 2.

    (Additional Item 4) A flexible tube for an endoscope according to Additional Item 1, wherein a reticulated tube is disposed between the flex and the outer skin.

    (Additional Item 5) The flexible tube for an endoscope according to Additional Item 4, wherein the mesh tube includes an opening in a side portion.

    (Additional Item 6) The flexible tube for an endoscope according to Additional Item 4 or Additional Item 5, wherein the mesh tube is impregnated with a resin material.

    (Additional Item 7) The flexible tube for an endoscope according to Additional Item 6, wherein the mesh tube is a cloth material.

(Additional Item 8) In a method for manufacturing a flexible tube of an endoscope, which includes an image forming unit and includes a flexible tube that houses a plurality of long built-in objects connected to the distal end portion.
Forming an opening in the flexible tube that opens the built-in object along a longitudinal direction of the built-in object;
Arranging the built-in from the opening,
The said opening part is obstruct | occluded. The manufacturing method of the flexible tube of an endoscope characterized by the above-mentioned.

1 is a schematic diagram showing an endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention. The front-end | tip part of the insertion part of the endoscope which concerns on one Embodiment is shown, (A) is schematic sectional drawing in alignment with the 2A-2A line in (C), (B) is the 2B line in (C). Sectional drawing in alignment with (C), the schematic front view at the time of observing from the 2C line | wire direction in (A). The connection part between the curved part of the insertion part of the endoscope which concerns on one embodiment, and a flexible tube is shown, (A) is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view, (B) is 3B- in (A). FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line 3B. The flexible plate-shaped member of the flexible tube of the insertion part of the endoscope which concerns on one embodiment is shown, (A) is a schematic expanded view which shows the state which expand | deployed the flexible plate-shaped member, (B ) Is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the developed flexible plate-shaped member is wound around the longitudinal direction as an axis and the cross section is opened in a C shape. The opening part of the flexible plate-shaped member of the flexible tube of the insertion part of the endoscope which concerns on one Embodiment is shown, (A) to (D) connects the joint part of an opening part, and is a flexible board Schematic which shows the state which obstruct | occluded the opening part of a cylindrical member and made the cross section O-shaped. 1 shows a flexible tube mesh tube of an insertion portion of an endoscope according to an embodiment, (A) is a schematic plan view showing a state in which the mesh tube is opened to form a belt-like body, and (B) is a mesh tube. Is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the cross section is opened along the longitudinal direction and the cross section is C-shaped. The connection pipe of the insertion part of the endoscope concerning one embodiment is shown, (A) is a rough perspective view which has an opening, and (B) is a rough sectional view showing the state where the opening was expanded. The sheet-like member of the curved part of the insertion part of the endoscope which concerns on one embodiment is shown, (A) is a schematic perspective view which shows the state which isolate | separated the partition along the axial direction, (B) is an axial direction. The schematic perspective view which shows the state which connected the partition along the line. The cross section of the insertion part of the endoscope concerning one embodiment is shown, (A) is a schematic sectional view which meets the 9A-9A line in Drawing 2 (A) and Drawing 2 (B), (B) Is a schematic sectional view taken along line 9B-9B in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and FIG. 2C is a schematic taken along line 9C-9C in FIGS. 2A and 2B. Sectional view. The sheet-like member of the curved portion of the insertion portion of the endoscope according to the modification of the embodiment is preformed in a C shape, and the outer tab and the partition are provided flush with the front end surface of the sheet-like member. The schematic perspective view shown. The schematic perspective view which shows the state which formed the sheet-like member of the curved part of the insertion part of the endoscope which concerns on the modification of one Embodiment in the shape of a segment. The schematic perspective view which shows the state which isolate | separated the flexible plate-shaped member of the flexible tube of the insertion part of the endoscope which concerns on the modification of one Embodiment, and the net-like tube into two members. The sheet-like member of the curved part of the insertion part of the endoscope which concerns on the modification of one Embodiment is shown, (A) is a schematic perspective view which shows the state which isolate | separated the partition along the axial direction, (B) FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which partition walls are connected along an axial direction. The schematic plan view for demonstrating the manufacturing method of the flexible plate-shaped member of the flexible tube of the insertion part of the endoscope which concerns on the modification of one Embodiment. The connection pipe | tube of the insertion part of the endoscope which concerns on the modification of one Embodiment is shown, (A) to (E) is a schematic perspective view for demonstrating a series of manufacturing methods of a connection pipe | tube. The schematic perspective view which shows a part of side end of the connection pipe of the insertion part of the endoscope which concerns on the modification of one Embodiment. The schematic perspective view which shows the connection pipe of the insertion part of the endoscope which concerns on the modification of one Embodiment. The schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the bending part, connecting tube, and flexible tube of the insertion part of the endoscope which concerns on a modification in one embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  72 ... Flexible plate member (flex), 72a ... Spiral tube, 72b ... Resin material, 78 ... Opening, 80a, 80b ... Matching part

Claims (6)

An elongated insertion portion having a distal end rigid portion, a bending portion, and a flexible tube from the distal end portion side toward the proximal end portion side, an operation portion provided at the proximal end portion of the insertion portion, and inserted through these insertion portions. A flexible tube of an insertion part of an endoscope having a built-in object guided to an operation part,
The flexible tube is
A flex having an opening on the side,
A closing portion that is provided in the opening of the flex and closes the opening in a state where the built-in object is disposed from the opening of the flex;
A flexible tube for an insertion portion of an endoscope, comprising: an outer skin that is disposed outside the flex and holds a state in which the opening is closed by the closing portion. The flex comprises a hard part and a soft part in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the built-in object,
2. The endoscope insertion portion according to claim 1, wherein the hard portion includes a plate-like body formed in a spiral shape with the opening being closed by the closing portion. tube.   The flexible tube of the insertion portion of the endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the flex has a C-shaped or crescent-shaped cross section in a state where the opening is formed.   The said flexible tube is provided with the belt | band | zone body formed in the axial direction of the said built-in thing long between the said flex and the said outer skin, and was formed with the knitted fabric. The flexible tube of the insertion part of the endoscope of any one of claim | item 3. An elongate insertion portion having a hard distal rigid portion, a bendable curved portion provided at the proximal end portion of the distal rigid portion, and a flexible tube provided at the proximal end portion of the curved portion;
An operation portion provided at a proximal end portion of the insertion portion and capable of bending the bending portion via an operation wire;
An endoscope having a built-in object inserted through the insertion portion and guided to the operation portion,
The flexible tube is
A flex having an opening on the side,
A closing portion that is provided in the opening of the flex and closes the opening in a state where the built-in object is disposed from the opening of the flex;
An endoscope comprising: an outer skin that holds a state in which the opening is closed by the closing portion. A method for manufacturing a flexible tube for an endoscope, wherein the insertion portion has a flexible tube through which a plurality of elongated built-in objects, each of which is connected to the distal end portion of the insertion portion, are inserted.
In the flex having a cross section formed in a C shape or crescent shape and having the opening, the built-in object is disposed from the opening.
Closing the opening of the flex;
A method of manufacturing a flexible tube for an endoscope, wherein an outer skin is coated on an outer side of the flex so as to maintain a state in which the opening of the flex is closed.

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