JP2007236751A - Endoscope insertion section - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope insertion section which has a curvature and a winding tube and has a reduced cost. <P>SOLUTION: The endoscope insertion section 14 comprises an outer tube member 24 and an inner tube member 26 mounted inside the outer tube member 24, wherein the outer tube member 24 and the inner tube member 26 have a plurality of cylinders 28 substantially coaxially provided to each others and connections 30 turnably connecting the mutually neighboring cylinders 28 so as to be integrally formed, one of the outer tube member 24 and the inner tube member 26 extends through from the curvature 18 to the winding tube 20, and the other of the tube members extends of the outer tube 24 and the inner tube 26 through the curvature 18. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope insertion portion having a bending portion and a serpentine tube portion.

  A conventional endoscope insertion portion is formed by sequentially connecting a distal end configuration portion, a bending portion that is operated to bend, and a flexible serpentine tube portion from the distal end side. Here, the bending tube that forms the skeleton of the bending portion and the snake tube that forms the skeleton of the snake tube portion are formed separately from each other. Forming part.

In the endoscope insertion part of patent document 1, in order to ensure sufficient connection strength and sealing property in the connection part of a bending tube and a serpentine tube, the base end part of a bending tube is externally fitted to the front-end | tip part of a serpentine tube. While joining by soldering, the front-end | tip part of the outer skin | cover covered with the serpentine pipe is coat | covered and fixed to the base end part of a bending pipe.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-111971

  In the endoscope insertion part of patent document 1, the structure of the connection part of a curved part and a snake tube part is complicated, there are many parts, the assembly workability | operativity is bad, and the cost of an endoscope insertion part increases. It has been done.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is to provide a low-cost endoscope insertion portion.

  An endoscope insertion portion according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member housed in the outer tubular member, and the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member are substantially each other. A plurality of cylindrical portions arranged in parallel with each other and a connecting portion that rotatably connects the adjacent cylindrical portions to each other, and are formed integrally with each other, and the outer tubular portion One tubular member of the member and the inner tubular member extends over the curved portion and the serpentine tube portion, and the other tubular member of the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member extends over the curved portion. To do.

  In an endoscope insertion portion according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the outer tubular member is capable of rotating a plurality of cylindrical portions arranged substantially in parallel with each other and the cylindrical portions adjacent to each other. It is formed by cutting a continuously formed base material having a connecting portion connected to a predetermined length.

  In an endoscope insertion part according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inner tubular member is capable of rotating a plurality of cylindrical parts arranged substantially in parallel with each other and the cylindrical parts adjacent to each other. It is formed by cutting a continuously formed base material having a connecting portion connected to a predetermined length.

  In an endoscope insertion portion according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the outer tubular member extends over the curved portion and the serpentine tube portion, and the inner tubular member extends over the curved portion, and the endoscope insertion portion includes: An operation wire inserted through the bending portion and the serpentine tube portion, a wire holding portion that holds the operation wire between the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member so as to freely advance and retract, and the operation wire at the serpentine tube portion A sheath that is sheathed, wherein the inner tubular member is provided at a proximal end portion of the inner tubular member, is connected to the wire holding portion, and is connected to a distal end portion of the sheath. It has one boss | hub, The said operation wire is penetrated by the said sheath through the said boss | hub from the said wire holding part, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  In an endoscope insertion portion according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the outer tubular member extends over the curved portion, and the inner tubular member extends over the curved portion and the serpentine tube portion. .

  The endoscope insertion portion according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the endoscope insertion portion further includes an integral outer skin extending over the bending portion and the snake tube portion.

  The endoscope insertion part of one preferable embodiment of the present invention is such that the length of the connecting part in the bending part in the longitudinal axis direction of the tubular member is the tubular part of the connecting part in the serpentine part. It is longer than the length of the member in the longitudinal axis direction.

  In the endoscope insertion portion according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the width of the connecting portion in the curved portion in the circumferential direction of the tubular member is the width of the tubular portion of the connecting portion in the serpentine tube portion. It is characterized by being smaller than the width in the circumferential direction.

  The endoscope insertion portion according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the thickness of the outer skin at the bending portion is thinner than the thickness of the outer skin at the serpentine tube portion.

  An endoscope according to another embodiment of the present invention includes the endoscope insertion portion.

  According to the present invention, the cost of the endoscope insertion portion is reduced.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 2B.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the endoscope 12 of the present embodiment has an elongated insertion portion 14 that is inserted into a body cavity. The insertion portion 14 is formed by sequentially connecting a distal end constituting portion 16, a bending portion 18 that is operated to bend, and a long and flexible serpentine tube portion 20 from the distal end side. An operation portion 22 that is held and operated by an operator is connected to the proximal end portion of the insertion portion 14, and the operation portion 22 is provided with an up / down direction bending operation knob 24a for bending the bending portion 18 in the up / down / left / right direction. A direction bending operation knob 24b is provided.

  Referring to FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B, the insertion portion 14 of the present embodiment includes an outer circular tubular member 24 and an inner circular tubular member 26 that form a skeleton structure. That is, the outer circular tubular member 24 extends over the curved portion 18 and the serpentine tube portion 20, and the inner circular tubular member 26 is fitted into the distal end portion of the outer circular tubular member 24, and the inner circular tubular member 26 is curved. It extends over part 18. Here, the outer tubular member 24 and the inner tubular member 26 are formed by, for example, extruding an elastic resin material or pressing a metal member to continuously form a sufficiently long base material. The base material is integrally formed by cutting to a desired length.

  In the outer tubular member 24, a large number of cylindrical portions 28 are arranged substantially coaxially. The adjacent cylindrical portions 28 are connected by a pair of connecting portions 30 that are symmetric with respect to the central axis of the outer tubular member 24, and can be rotated with each other by bending deformation of the connecting portions 30. Each pair of connecting portions 30 is sequentially formed in a position shifted by 90 ° in the direction around the central axis in the direction of the central axis of the outer tubular member 24. For this reason, the subsequent cylindrical portion 28 can rotate in a direction substantially orthogonal to the predetermined cylindrical portion 28, and the outer circular tubular member 24 is curved in an arbitrary direction by combining such rotations. Is possible.

  An engagement recess 34 for locking the cylindrical portion 28 and a boss portion 32 described later is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 28 of the outer tubular member 24. In the present embodiment, the outer circular tubular member 24 is formed by cutting a continuously formed base material, and the engagement recess 34 is formed in the entire cylindrical portion 28.

  The inner circular tubular member 26 has substantially the same configuration as the outer circular tubular member 24 except that it extends only over the curved portion 18. The cylindrical portion 28 and the connecting portion 30 of the outer tubular member 24 and the cylindrical portion 28 and the connecting portion 30 of the inner tubular member 26 have substantially the same length in the central axis direction, and the distal end of the outer tubular member 24 The portion and the inner circular tubular member 26 are arranged so that the cylindrical portion 28 and the connecting portion 30 are overlapped with each other in the radial direction. In order to dispose a boss portion 32 to be described later at the distal end portion of the outer tubular member 24, the most distal cylindrical portion of the inner tubular member 26 is positioned at the position of the second cylindrical portion 28 from the distal end of the outer tubular member 24. 28 is arranged.

  The outer circular tubular member 24 and the inner circular tubular member 26 are locked to each other by a locking ring 36 fitted between the adjacent cylindrical portions 28 of the outer circular tubular member 24. That is, the cross section perpendicular to the central axis of the locking ring 36 is substantially C-shaped, and is superposed on the C-shaped gap portion and the central portion that is symmetrical to the central axis with respect to the gap portion. A sandwiching portion 38 for sandwiching the connecting portion 30 of the outer tubular member 24 and the connecting portion 30 of the inner tubular member 26 is formed. Then, the one overlapping connecting portion 30 is passed through the gap portion of the locking ring 36, and the one overlapping connecting portion 30 is held by the holding portion 38 in the central portion of the locking ring 36 and locked to each other. The other overlapping connecting portion 30 located symmetrically with respect to the one overlapping connecting portion 30 is held by the holding portion 38 in the gap portion of the retaining ring 36 and locked to each other. In this manner, the outer circular tubular member 24 and the inner circular tubular member 26 are prevented from shifting, and the outer circular tubular member 24 and the inner circular tubular member 26 can be bent integrally.

  On the outer peripheral portion of the inner tubular member 26, wire groove portions 40 are extended in the axial direction of the inner tubular member 26 at vertical and horizontal positions with reference to the observation field of view of the endoscope 12. A wire holding portion 42 is formed by the wire groove portion 40 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer circular tubular member 24, and an operation wire 44 for up / down / left / right bending operation is inserted and held in the wire holding portion 42 so as to freely advance and retract. Yes.

  A substantially cylindrical boss portion 32 made of a metal material such as resin or stainless steel is fitted into the distal end portion of the outer tubular member 24, and the most distal cylindrical portion 28 of the outer tubular member 24 is engaged. The engaging convex portion 46 of the boss portion 32 is engaged with the mating concave portion 34, and the outer circular tubular member 24 and the boss portion 32 are locked to each other. The proximal end surface of the boss portion 32 and the distal end surface of the inner circular tubular member 26 are in contact with each other. Further, on the inner peripheral surface of the boss portion 32, projecting portions 48 projecting inward in the radial direction are extended in the above-described vertical and horizontal positions, and the projecting portions 48 respectively have wire fixing holes. 50 is formed penetrating in the axial direction. The distal end portions of the upper, lower, left and right wire groove portions 40 of the inner tubular member 26 and the proximal end portions of the upper, lower, left and right wire fixing holes 50 of the boss portion 32 are arranged to face each other. The operation wire 44 extended from the tip end portion of 40 is inserted into the wire fixing hole 50 and fixed to the boss portion 32 by adhesion or soldering.

  On the other hand, the operation wire 44 extending from the proximal end portion of the wire groove portion 40 of the inner tubular member 26 is inserted into the operation portion 22 via the serpentine tube portion 20. In the serpentine tube portion 20, a coil sheath for preventing the operation wire 44 and the built-in object from being worn is sheathed on the operation wire 44.

  The outer circular tubular member 24 is integrally covered with an outer skin (not shown) formed of a flexible resin over the curved portion 18 and the serpentine tube portion 20.

  Therefore, the endoscope insertion part 14 of this embodiment has the following effects. In the endoscope insertion portion 14 of this embodiment, the outer circular tubular member 24 extends over the curved portion 18 and the serpentine tube portion 20, and the inner circular tubular member 26 extends over the curved portion 18. That is, the connecting portion between the bending portion 18 and the serpentine tube portion 20 is not configured to connect the skeleton structure of the insertion portion 14, the configuration is simplified, the number of parts is reduced, and the assembly workability is improved. Is realized, and the cost of the endoscope insertion portion 14 can be reduced.

  In addition, the outer tubular member 24 and the inner tubular member 26 of the endoscope insertion portion 14 of the present embodiment are formed by cutting a continuously formed base material to a desired length. For this reason, the outer circular tubular member 24 and the inner circular tubular member 26 can be manufactured quickly and in large quantities at low cost, and the cost of the endoscope insertion portion 14 can be further reduced.

  Furthermore, the outer skin of the endoscope insertion portion 14 of the present embodiment extends integrally over the bending portion 18 and the serpentine tube portion 20. That is, it is not necessary to coat the curved portion 18 and the serpentine tube portion 20 separately, and in order to ensure hermeticity at the connecting portion between the curved portion 18 and the serpentine tube portion 20 It is no longer necessary to perform troublesome work such as fixing the outer skin with the For this reason, the cost of the endoscope insertion portion 14 can be further reduced.

  3A to 3C show a second embodiment of the present invention. Components having the same functions as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. In the endoscope insertion portion of the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the boss portion, the engagement concave portion, and the locking ring are not used.

  With reference to FIG. 1 and FIGS. 3A to 3B, the most distal cylindrical portion 28 of the inner tubular member 26 of the present embodiment is disposed at the position of the most distal cylindrical portion 28 of the outer tubular member 24. In addition, a fitting groove portion 54 deeper than the wire groove portion 40 is extended over the entire circumference on the outer peripheral surface of the most distal cylindrical portion 28 of the inner circular tubular member 26. A substantially spherical fitting portion 56 disposed at the distal end portion of the operation wire 44 is fitted into the fitting groove portion 54, and the fitting portion 56 is connected to the fitting groove portion 54 and the outer circular tubular member 24. It is fixed by pressure between the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 28. In this way, the distal end portion of the operation wire 44 is fixed at the distal end portion of the bending portion 18, and the most distal cylindrical portions 28 of the outer circular tubular member 24 and the inner circular tubular member 26 are locked to each other, and Deviation between the tubular member 24 and the inner tubular member 26 is prevented.

  The inner circular tubular member 26 of the present embodiment is integrally formed, for example, by injection molding a resin material having elasticity, or by pressing a metal member.

  Therefore, the endoscope insertion part 14 of this embodiment has the following effects. In the curved skeleton structure of the endoscope insertion portion 14 of the present embodiment, the inner circular tubular member 26 assembled with the operation wire 44 is inserted into the outer circular tubular member 24, and the fitting portion 56 of the operation wire 44 is inserted into the inner circular tubular member. 26, and is formed only by crimping and fixing the fitting groove portion 54 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer circular tubular member 24. For this reason, the number of parts is further reduced and the assembly workability is further improved, and the cost of the endoscope insertion portion 14 can be sufficiently reduced.

  FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. Configurations having functions similar to those of the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  In the base end portion of the inner circular tubular member 26 of the present embodiment, a substantially cylindrical boss 58 projects from the vertical and horizontal positions in the axial direction of the inner circular tubular member 26, respectively. The distal ends of the cavities of the bosses 58 are respectively communicated with the proximal ends of the wire grooves 40. The distal ends of the coil sheaths 52 are inserted into the proximal ends of the lumens of the bosses 58, respectively. It is fixed to. The operation wire 44 is inserted from the wire groove portion 40 into the coil sheath 52 through the boss 58.

  Therefore, the endoscope insertion part 14 of this embodiment has the following effects. In the configuration in which the operation wire 44 is directly extended from the proximal end portion of the inner circular tubular member 26, the operation of the operation wire 44 is not stable at the proximal end of the inner circular tubular member 26. The edge of the wire groove portion 40 of the tubular member 26 may be worn out. In the endoscope insertion portion 14 of the present embodiment, such a situation is prevented because the operation wire 44 is inserted from the wire groove portion 40 into the coil sheath 52 via the boss 58.

  FIG. 5 shows a first modification of the third embodiment of the present invention. Components having the same functions as those in the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. In this modification, a tapered portion 60 that is expanded toward the distal end side is formed at the distal end portion of the coil sheath 52, and the tapered portion 60 is externally fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the boss 58.

  FIG. 6 shows a second modification of the third embodiment of the present invention. Components having the same functions as those in the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. In this modification, a female screw is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the boss 58, the winding at the tip of the coil sheath 52 functions as a male screw, and the tip of the coil sheath 52 is screwed to the boss 58.

  7A to 7C show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Configurations having functions similar to those of the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. The outer circular tubular member 24 of the present embodiment extends over the curved portion 18, while the inner circular tubular member 26 extends across the curved portion 18 and the serpentine tube portion 20. In addition, a wire groove portion 40 extends over the entire length of the inner circular tubular member 26 at the outer peripheral portion of the inner circular tubular member 26, and the operation wire 44 can move forward and backward in the wire groove portion 40 in the bending portion 18 and the serpentine tube portion 20. It is inserted and held. Furthermore, an outer skin (not shown) formed of a flexible resin is integrally covered over the curved portion 18 and the serpentine tube portion 20.

  Therefore, the endoscope insertion part 14 of this embodiment has the following effects. Usually, the insertability of the endoscope insertion portion 14 into the body cavity of a patient becomes better as the outer diameter of the insertion portion 14 is smaller, and the bending portion 18 is bent as the inner diameter of the bending portion 18 is larger. In this case, the built-in objects can move easily, and wear due to the built-in objects is prevented, and the built-in objects have excellent durability.

  Here, a case where the insertability is made constant, that is, a case where the outer diameter of the skeleton structure in the serpentine tube portion 20 is made constant φA is considered. The axial length of the bending portion 18 is sufficiently shorter than the axial length of the serpentine tube portion 20, and even if the outer diameter of the bending portion 18 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the serpentine tube portion 20, There is little effect on the insertion into the body cavity. As shown in FIG. 7D, when the outer circular tubular member 24 extends across the curved portion 18 and the serpentine tube portion 20 as in the first to third embodiments, the inner diameter φB of the skeleton structure in the curved portion 18 is The thickness R1 of the outer circular tubular member 24 and the thickness R2 of the inner circular tubular member 26 are subtracted from the outer diameter φA of the outer circular tubular member 24 (φB = φA-2R1-2R2). On the other hand, when the inner tubular member 26 extends over the curved portion 18 and the serpentine tube portion 20 as in the present embodiment, the inner diameter φC of the skeleton structure in the curved portion 18 is the outer diameter φA of the inner tubular member 26. From this, only the thickness R2 of the inner tubular member 26 is subtracted (φC = φA−2R2). That is, when the inner tubular member 26 extends over the curved portion 18 and the serpentine tube portion 20, compared with the case where the outer circular tubular member 24 extends over the curved portion 18 and the serpentine tube portion 20, It is possible to increase the inner diameter of the skeleton structure.

  Thus, in this embodiment, it is possible to simultaneously realize the excellent insertability of the insertion portion 14 and the excellent durability of the built-in object.

  8A and 8B show a modification of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Components having the same functions as those in the fourth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. In this modification, the inner circular tubular member 26 is not formed with the wire groove portion 40, and the inner circumferential portion of the outer circular tubular member 24 is positioned in the vertical and horizontal positions in the axial direction of the outer circular tubular member 24, respectively. Wire grooves 40 are extended to the ends, and wire holding portions 42 are formed by the wire grooves 40 and the outer peripheral surface of the inner circular tubular member 26. At the proximal end portion of the outer tubular member 24, the operation wire 44 extends from the proximal end portion of the wire groove portion 40, and passes between the adjacent cylindrical portions 28 of the inner tubular member 26, and thus the inner tubular member 26. The inner circular tubular member 26 is inserted and reaches the operation portion 22.

  FIG. 9 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Components having the same functions as those in the fourth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, with respect to the connecting portion 30 that connects the adjacent cylindrical portions 28, the length in the axial direction (interval between the adjacent cylindrical portions 28) and the width in the circumferential direction are the curved portion 18 and the serpentine tube. The part 20 is changed. That is, the length L1 of the connecting portion 30 in the bending portion 18 is larger than the length L2 of the connecting portion 30 in the flexible tube portion 20, and the width T1 of the connecting portion 30 in the bending portion 18 is the width of the connecting portion 30 in the flexible tube portion 20. It is smaller than the width T2. For this reason, the bendability of the connecting portion 30 in the bending portion 18 is greater than the bendability of the connecting portion 30 in the serpentine tube portion 20, and the flexibility of the skeleton structure in the bending portion 18 is that of the skeleton structure in the serpentine tube portion 20. It is bigger than flexibility.

  Therefore, the endoscope insertion part 14 of this embodiment has the following effects. When the flexibility of the skeleton structure in the bending portion 18 is not greater than the flexibility of the skeleton structure in the flexible tube portion 20, not only the bending portion 18 but also the flexible tube portion 20 is bent when the operation wire 44 is advanced or retracted. There is a possibility that the bending performance may be lowered, such as the bending portion 18 is not bent but the bending portion 18 is not bent. In this embodiment, the flexibility of the skeleton structure in the bending portion 18 is larger than the flexibility of the skeleton structure in the serpentine tube portion 20, and a decrease in bending performance is prevented.

  FIG. 10 shows a first modification of the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Configurations having functions similar to those of the fifth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. In the present embodiment, the distance A between the adjacent cylindrical portions 28 in the curved portion 18 and the serpentine tube portion 20 is constant, and in the serpentine tube portion 20, both base end portions of the connecting portion 30 are increased to the cylindrical portion 28. By adopting a tapered shape, the effective length of the connecting portion 30 that contributes to bending is shortened. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, when the effective length of the connecting portion 20 of the bending portion 18 is L1, and the effective length of the connecting portion 20 of the serpentine tube portion 20 is L2, L1> L2.

  The sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Configurations having functions similar to those of the fifth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. In the present embodiment, in the bending portion 18, the length of each connecting portion 30 is sequentially decreased and the width is increased from the front end side to the rear end side. That is, in the bending portion 18, the flexibility of the skeleton structure decreases from the distal end side to the proximal end side.

  Therefore, the endoscope insertion part 14 of this embodiment has the following effects. In the bending portion 18, when the flexibility is constant over the entire length, the curvature during bending is also substantially constant over the entire length. In this case, the deformation of the insertion portion 14 becomes very large at the connection portion between the bending portion 18 and the serpentine tube portion 20, and the insertion portion 14 may be damaged due to stress concentration. In this embodiment, since the flexibility of the skeletal structure is reduced from the distal end side to the proximal end side in the bending portion 18, the curvature of the bending portion 18 during bending is also reduced from the distal end side to the proximal end side. Yes. Therefore, the insertion portion 14 is smoothly deformed at the connecting portion between the bending portion 18 and the serpentine tube portion 20, stress concentration is avoided, and damage to the insertion portion 14 is prevented.

  The seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Components having the same functions as those in the fourth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. In the present embodiment, the thickness of the outer skin covered with the skeleton structure is changed between the curved portion 18 and the serpentine tube portion 20. That is, the thickness of the outer skin at the curved portion 18 is thinner than the thickness of the outer skin at the serpentine tube portion 20. For this reason, the flexibility of the bending portion 18 is greater than the flexibility of the serpentine tube portion 20, and a decrease in bending performance is prevented as in the fifth embodiment.

  The present invention provides a low-cost endoscope insertion portion having a curved portion and a serpentine tube portion.

The perspective view which shows the endoscope of 1st Embodiment of this invention. The disassembled perspective view which shows the skeleton structure of the endoscope insertion part of 1st Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the skeleton structure of the endoscope insertion part of 1st Embodiment of this invention. The disassembled perspective view which shows the skeleton structure of the endoscope insertion part of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the skeleton structure of the endoscope insertion part of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the fixation structure of the operation wire of the endoscope insertion part of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the connection of the boss | hub of the endoscope insertion part and coil sheath of 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the connection of the boss | hub of the endoscope insertion part and coil sheath of the 1st modification of 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the connection of the boss | hub of the endoscope insertion part and coil sheath of the 2nd modification of 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The top view which shows the frame | skeleton structure of the endoscope insertion part of 4th Embodiment of this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the skeleton structure of the endoscope insertion part of 4th Embodiment of this invention. The cross-sectional view which shows the skeleton structure of the endoscope insertion part of 4th Embodiment of this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view for demonstrating the effect of the endoscope insertion part of 4th Embodiment of this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the frame | skeleton structure of the endoscope insertion part of the 1st modification of 4th Embodiment of this invention. The cross-sectional view which shows the skeleton structure of the endoscope insertion part of the 1st modification of 4th Embodiment of this invention. The top view which shows the skeleton structure of the endoscope insertion part of 5th Embodiment of this invention. The top view which shows the skeleton structure of the endoscope insertion part of the 1st modification of 5th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Endoscope insertion part, 18 ... Bending part, 20 ... Serpentine part, 24 ... Outer tubular member, 26 ... Inner tubular member, 28 ... Cylindrical part, 30 ... Connection part.

Claims (10)

An outer tubular member;
An inner tubular member housed in the outer tubular member;
Comprising
The outer tubular member and the inner tubular member have a plurality of cylindrical portions arranged in parallel with each other, and a connecting portion that rotatably connects the adjacent cylindrical portions to each other. , Each formed integrally,
One tubular member of the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member extends over the curved portion and the serpentine tube portion, and the other tubular member of the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member extends over the curved portion,
An endoscope insertion portion characterized by that. The outer tubular member is continuously formed having a plurality of cylindrical portions arranged substantially in parallel with each other and a connecting portion that rotatably connects the adjacent cylindrical portions to each other. It is formed by cutting the base material into a predetermined length,
The endoscope insertion portion according to claim 1. The inner tubular member is continuously formed having a plurality of cylindrical portions arranged substantially in parallel with each other and a connecting portion that rotatably connects the adjacent cylindrical portions to each other. It is formed by cutting the base material into a predetermined length,
The endoscope insertion portion according to claim 1. The outer tubular member extends over the curved portion and the serpentine portion; the inner tubular member extends over the curved portion;
The endoscope insertion portion includes an operation wire inserted through the bending portion and the serpentine tube portion, and a wire holding portion that holds the operation wire in a freely movable manner between the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member. A sheath sheathed on the operation wire at the serpentine tube portion,
The inner tubular member includes at least one boss provided at a proximal end portion of the inner tubular member, connected to the wire holding portion, and connected to a distal end portion of the sheath, and the operation wire includes: It is inserted from the wire holding part through the boss to the sheath,
The endoscope insertion portion according to claim 1. The outer tubular member extends over the curved portion, and the inner tubular member extends over the curved portion and the serpentine tube portion,
The endoscope insertion portion according to claim 1. Further comprising an integral skin extending across the curved portion and the serpentine portion;
The endoscope insertion portion according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein The length of the connecting portion in the curved portion in the longitudinal axis direction of the tubular member is longer than the length of the connecting portion in the serpentine tube portion in the longitudinal axis direction of the tubular member.
The endoscope insertion portion according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the endoscope insertion portion is characterized in that In the bending portion, the width of the connecting portion in the circumferential direction of the tubular member is smaller than the width of the connecting portion in the serpentine tube portion in the circumferential direction of the tubular member.
The endoscope insertion portion according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the endoscope insertion portion is characterized in that The thickness of the outer skin in the curved portion is thinner than the thickness of the outer skin in the serpentine tube portion,
The endoscope insertion portion according to claim 6.   An endoscope comprising the endoscope insertion portion according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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