JP2009011511A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope having a configuration capable of easily narrowing the diameter of a curved part without making the distal end side in an insertion direction longer than the curved part in the configuration of fixing the end part of an outer blade to a connection part. <P>SOLUTION: The endoscope comprises: a curved part 22; a distal end part 21; a connecting member 160 for connecting the curved part 22 and the distal end part 21; a curved part distal end hard part 139; a pipe-like member 300; a rubber tube 141 whose distal end is fixed to the outer periphery of the curved part distal end hard part 139 by a bobbin 146; and an outer blade 140 put on the outer periphery of the rubber tube 141, whose distal end is fixed to the outer periphery of the pipe-like member 300 by a bobbin 145. At the part of the pipe-like member 300 where the distal end of the outer blade 140 is fixed by the bobbin 145, a tapered surface 300s inclined from the bobbin 145 to the bobbin 146 is formed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention includes an inner portion of a bending portion that allows a distal end of an elongated insertion portion to be inserted into a test site to be freely oriented in a setting direction, a tube member of the bending portion, and a mesh member that protects the bending portion. It relates to the endoscope.

  As is well known, endoscopes are widely used in the medical field and the industrial field. An endoscope used in the medical field is a treatment in which an elongated insertion portion is inserted into a body cavity, which is a site to be examined, to observe an organ in the body cavity or to be inserted into an insertion channel of a treatment instrument as necessary. Various kinds of treatments can be performed using tools.

  In addition, endoscopes used in the industrial field are used to observe and treat various damages such as scratches and corrosion on a test site by inserting a long and thin insertion portion into a jet engine that is a test site or piping in a factory. Etc. can be performed. Therefore, industrial endoscopes are generally used outdoors or in work facilities such as factories.

  In general, an insertion portion of an endoscope is, in order from the distal end side in the insertion direction, a distal end portion having an objective optical system, an image sensor, etc., a bending portion that directs the distal end portion in a setting direction, and a long length. It is comprised from the flexible tube part.

  Further, in the case of an industrial endoscope, usually, the bending portion includes a plurality of bending pieces, an inner blade covered on the outer periphery of the bending piece, a rubber tube covered on the outer periphery of the inner blade, The outer blade is covered with the outer side of the rubber tube.

  When the inner blade pulls and loosens the wire connected to the bending piece to bend the bending portion in the set direction, the inner blade prevents the bending portion from rotating in the circumferential direction and damages the rubber tube accompanying the bending. Is to prevent.

  In addition, the rubber tube is used to maintain the water tightness of the curved portion, and the outer blade is constituted by a mesh tube of metal strands, so that the insertion portion of an industrial endoscope can be connected to, for example, a jet engine. It is a member that protects the curved portion from being damaged by contact of components in the jet engine when inserted into the.

  The distal end side in the insertion direction of the rubber tube is usually after the insertion direction of the coupling portion configured by a coupling member that couples the distal end portion and the bending portion, and a bending portion distal end hard portion that is covered on the outer periphery of the coupling member. It is fixed to the outer periphery of the end side by a first fixing member made of, for example, a spool. The reason why the spool is used as the first fixing member is that the distal end side of the rubber tube can be fixed with a reduced diameter.

  Further, the distal end side in the insertion direction of the outer blade is also lower in the radial direction of the curved portion by the thickness of the rubber tube than the first fixing member at the distal end side in the insertion direction than the first fixing member in the connecting portion. For example, it is fixed at a position by a second fixing member composed of a bobbin and an adhesive that fixes the wound bobbin shape. The reason why the spool is used as the second fixing member is that the distal end side of the outer blade can be fixed with a reduced diameter.

  Further, the rear end side of the rubber tube in the insertion direction and the rear end side of the outer blade in the insertion direction are similarly fixed to the outer periphery of the connecting portion that connects the bending portion and the flexible tube portion.

  Specifically, the rear end side of the outer blade in the insertion direction has a curved portion corresponding to the thickness of the rubber tube relative to the first fixing member at the rear end side of the connecting portion relative to the first fixing member. Are fixed by a second fixing member at a low position in the radial direction.

  Here, when the distal end side in the insertion direction from the bending portion, i.e., the distal end portion and the connecting portion are formed longer in the insertion direction, when the distal end portion is oriented in the setting direction by the bending of the bending portion, the insertion portion is When inserted into a small-diameter pipe, the distal end abuts the pipe, and the visual field by the objective optical system in the distal end is limited, and the thin-diameter pipe with many bends There was a problem that it was difficult to advance the insertion portion when inserted into the inside.

Therefore, it is necessary to form a portion of the insertion portion on the distal side in the insertion direction as short as possible in the insertion direction with respect to the bending portion. In view of such circumstances, the first fixing member and the second fixing member are positioned adjacent to each other as much as possible in the insertion direction, so that the connecting portion can be formed short in the insertion direction in the insertion direction. Is well known, and is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1.
JP 2007-014384 A

  By the way, as described above, the second fixing member is fixed to the connecting portion at a position lower in the radial direction of the curved portion by the thickness of the rubber tube than the first fixing member. In the blade, an inclination is generated between the second fixing member and the first fixing member.

  Therefore, as in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the first fixing member and the second fixing member are provided adjacent to each other in the insertion direction, the second fixing member and the first fixing are provided. The inclination of the outer blade with respect to the member becomes a steep angle close to 90 °, and the portion of the outer blade on the outer periphery of the first fixing member is lifted radially outward to become a convex portion. There is a problem that the diameter of the curved portion becomes thick due to the convex portion.

  In addition, the above problem is the case where the edge part of an outer blade is fixed to the connection part which connects a front-end | tip part and a bending part, and the case where it fixes to the connection part which connects a bending part and a flexible tube part. It occurs in either case.

  Further, the above-described problem does not occur if the first fixing member and the second fixing member are spaced apart from each other in the insertion direction with respect to the connecting portion. The distal end side in the insertion direction is longer than the portion.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and in the configuration in which the end of the outer blade is fixed to the connecting portion, the bending portion can be easily thinned without making the distal end side in the insertion direction longer than the bending portion. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope having a configuration capable of realizing a diameter reduction.

  In order to achieve the above object, an endoscope according to the present invention includes a bending portion that allows a distal end of an elongated insertion portion to be inserted into a test site to be freely oriented in a setting direction, and the insertion portion includes a bending portion. On the other hand, an adjacent portion positioned adjacent to the insertion direction of the insertion portion, a connecting portion connecting the bending portion and the adjacent portion, and an outer periphery of a bending piece provided in the bending portion and covering the connection The tube member of the bending portion whose end is fixed to the outer periphery of the portion by the first fixing member, and the outer periphery of the tube member are covered, and the insertion direction from the first fixing member in the connecting portion A net-like member that protects the curved portion, the end of which is fixed by a second fixing member, on the outer periphery of the position spaced apart from each other, and the end of the net-like member is fixed by the second fixing member Said connecting part To the site, wherein the tapered guide portion inclined toward the first fixing member from the second fixing member is formed.

  An endoscope according to the present invention includes a bending portion that allows a distal end of an elongated insertion portion to be inserted into a test site to be freely oriented in a setting direction, and the insertion portion includes A leading end located on the leading end side in the insertion direction, the bending portion, and the leading end are connected, and a notch surface that is flush with the rear end surface of the leading end in the insertion direction is formed in the insertion direction. A connecting member, and a tube member of the bending portion, which is provided in the bending portion, is covered with an outer periphery of a bending piece and is fixed to the outer periphery of the connecting portion by a first fixing member in the insertion direction. The outer periphery of the tube member is covered, and the connecting portion is spaced from the first fixing member toward the distal end side in the insertion direction and lower in the radial direction of the bending portion than the first fixing member. Place A net-like member that protects the curved portion whose tip in the insertion direction is fixed by a second fixing member on the outer periphery of the net-like member, and the tip of the net-like member is in contact with the notch surface Then, the tip of the mesh member is fixed to the connecting portion by the second fixing member in a region adjacent to the notch surface, so that the mesh member is moved from the second fixing member to the first fixing member. The taper part which inclines toward these fixing members is formed.

  According to the present invention, in the configuration in which the end portion of the outer blade is fixed to the connecting portion, the configuration in which the diameter of the bending portion can be easily reduced without making the distal end side in the insertion direction longer than the bending portion. An endoscope provided can be provided.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, the endoscope will be described by taking a shoulder type industrial endoscope excellent in portability as an example. The endoscope will be described by taking an endoscope in which an adapter is detachable with respect to the distal end portion of the insertion portion as an example.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an endoscope apparatus including an endoscope showing the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is detachably attached to the distal end side of the insertion portion and the distal end portion of the insertion portion in FIG. It is a fragmentary perspective view which shows an adapter.

As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope apparatus 1 includes an endoscope 2 and an apparatus main body 3 connected to the endoscope 2 to form a main part.
The endoscope 2 is connected to a narrow and flexible thin insertion portion 20 having a diameter of 4 mm, for example, and a rear end (hereinafter simply referred to as a rear end) of the insertion direction J of the insertion portion 20. The main part is composed of an operation part 24 having a grip part 25 and a flexible universal cord 26 extended from the grip part 25 of the operation part 24.

  In order from the distal end side in the insertion direction J of the insertion portion 20 (hereinafter simply referred to as the distal end side) to the insertion portion 20 by the bending operation of the distal end portion 21 as an adjacent portion and the bending operation lever 31 of the operation portion 24, For example, a bending portion 22 that is bent in the up / down / left / right direction and a long flexible tube portion 23, which is an adjacent portion formed of a flexible member, are connected to each other. The end is connected to the operation unit 24.

  A bending operation lever 31 for bending the bending portion 22 is arranged upright on the operation portion 24 so as to be tiltable in at least four directions.

  When the tilting direction of the bending operation lever 31 is changed by the operator, the bending portion 22 is moved in any one of the four directions of up / down / left / right via a bending operation wire 131 (see FIG. 3) described later. To bend.

  In addition, the bending operation lever 31 changes the tilt angle by the operator, so that the bending operation wire 131 (see FIG. 3) moves the bending portion 22 to an angle according to the tilt angle of the bending operation lever 31 in the tilted direction. Bend through). Although not shown, the operation unit 24 is provided with various switches for instructing various imaging operations of an imaging unit 70 (see FIG. 3) described later, in addition to the bending operation lever 31.

  The apparatus main body 3 to which the end of the universal cord 26 extending from the operation unit 24 is connected has, for example, a box shape, and is covered with an exterior casing 35 configured by, for example, magnesium die casting, A substrate (not shown) on which a plurality of electrical components such as a CPU for image processing are fixed, a battery unit (not shown) for supplying power to an LED 114 (see FIG. 2) to be described later, and the like are arranged.

  In addition, a monitor 7 that displays an endoscope image captured by the imaging unit 70 (see FIG. 3) of the endoscope 2 is fixed to the exterior casing 35 of the apparatus body 3 so as to be openable and closable with respect to the exterior casing 35. Has been. The monitor 7 may be detachable from the exterior housing 35.

  Further, in order to improve the portability of the apparatus main body 3, two points are provided on the outer casing 35 so that the belt 10 for hanging the apparatus main body 3 on the shoulder of the operator can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 3, for example. It is fixed with.

  Furthermore, for example, four leg portions 58 formed of rubber (for example, NBR) for placing the apparatus main body 3 are fixed to the four sides of the box-shaped outer casing 35.

  Next, the configuration of the distal end side of the insertion portion 20 and the configuration of the adapter 110 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the adapter 110 mainly includes a detachable ring 112 and a hood portion 113. The hood portion 113 is a substantially cylindrical exterior member having a curved end portion.

  In the hood portion 113, an LED 114 that constitutes a light source that illuminates a region to be examined and a side-view optical system 116 that includes a plurality of lenses are provided.

  On one side 113a side of the hood portion 113, an illumination hole 115 where the LED 114 faces and an optical portion hole 117 where the observation window 116a of the side-view optical system 116 is disposed are formed.

  On the outer peripheral surface of the distal end position of the cover member 150 constituting the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion 21 of the insertion portion 20, a male screw portion 33 a is provided so as to protrude in the radial direction of the distal end portion 21 over the entire circumference. Further, the male threaded portion 33b extends over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the cover member 150 at a position on the rear end side (hereinafter simply referred to as the rear end side) in the insertion direction J with respect to the male threaded portion 33a in the distal end portion 21. The front end portion 21 is provided so as to project in the radial direction.

  The male screw portion 33a is formed narrower in the insertion direction J than the male screw portion 33b, and a sliding portion 33c is formed between the male screw portion 33a and the male screw portion 33b in the insertion direction J.

  The male screw portion 33 a and the male screw portion 33 b are female screws (not shown) formed on the inner peripheral surface of the attachment / detachment ring 112 of the adapter 110 when the attachment / detachment ring 112 is rotated when the adapter 110 is attached to the distal end portion 21. Screwed into the part.

  An anti-rotation portion 34 and an electrical contact 52 are provided on the distal end surface 32a of the distal end portion 21 so as to protrude from the distal end side. The anti-rotation portion 34 positions the adapter 110 attached to the distal end portion 21 and protects the electrical contact 52.

  Next, the internal configuration of the distal end portion 21 and the internal configuration of the bending portion 22 on the distal end (hereinafter simply referred to as the distal end) side in the insertion direction J will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the tip portion and the bending portion along the line III-III in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an objective optical system 135 and an imaging unit 70 are provided in the distal end portion 21, specifically, an interior covered with a tubular cover member 150 made of metal. The imaging unit 70 includes an imaging element 72 (hereinafter referred to as a CCD) 72 such as a CCD, a cover glass 71, an electric substrate 73, a plurality of imaging lead wires 81, and fillers 185 and 186. The part is composed. In the present embodiment, the position covered by the cover member 150 is defined as the distal end portion 21, the rear end side from the cover member 150 and the distal end side from the flexible tube portion 23, and the curved portion 22. Define.

  Among the objective optical system 135, a plurality of lenses positioned on the distal end side are held by the objective lens frame 50 by being fitted and fixed to the inner periphery of the objective lens frame 50. Further, a through-hole penetrating along the insertion direction J is formed in the objective lens frame 50, and an electrical contact 52 whose outer periphery is covered with an insulating member 51 is inserted into the through-hole. The electrical contact 52 is in electrical contact with an electrical contact (not shown) of the LED 114 in the hood portion 113 of the adapter 110 when the adapter 110 is attached to the distal end portion 21.

  The distal end side of the cover member 150 extending in the insertion direction J along the distal end portion 21 is screwed and fixed to the outer periphery of the objective lens frame 50. Further, the outer periphery on the front end side of the element frame 55 is fitted and fixed to the inner periphery on the rear end side of the objective lens frame 50. A plurality of lenses located on the rear end side of the objective optical system 135 are fitted to the inner periphery of the element frame 55, and the plurality of lenses are held by the element frame 55.

  The objective optical system 135 is held by the objective lens frame 50 and the element frame 55 at a position where the optical axis coincides with the side-view optical system 116 in the adapter 110 when the adapter 110 is attached to the distal end portion 21. Yes.

  A CCD 72 and a cover glass 71 attached to the front end surface of the CCD 72 are fixed by an adhesive 56 on the inner periphery on the rear end side of the element frame 55.

  A plurality of electric boards 73 are disposed on the rear end side of the CCD 72, and the electric boards 73 are electrically connected to the CCD 72. Further, a filler 186 made of, for example, a transparent resin is filled between the CCD 72 and the electric substrate 73 and between the electric substrates 73. The resin constituting the filler 186 is not limited to a transparent resin, and any resin can be used.

  The portions of the electrical board 73 that are exposed from the insulating outer resin of the plurality of imaging lead wires 81 provided in the imaging cable 80 are electrically connected by, for example, solder. Further, the outer periphery of the electric substrate 73, the plurality of imaging lead wires 81, and the imaging cable 80 on the front end side is filled with a filler 185 made of, for example, a transparent resin. The resin constituting the filler 185 is not limited to a transparent resin, and any resin can be used.

  The imaging cable 80 is configured by braiding metal wires for noise reduction on the outer periphery, and is inserted into the insertion unit 20, the operation unit 24, and the universal cord 6, and a plurality of imaging lead wires 81. However, it is electrically connected to a substrate on which a plurality of electrical components such as a CPU for image processing in the apparatus main body 3 are fixed. The plurality of lead wires 81 for imaging perform transmission and reception of imaging signals between the imaging unit 70 and a substrate on which a plurality of electrical components such as an image processing CPU in the apparatus main body 3 are fixed.

  In addition, electric parts such as capacitors and ICs are mounted on the electric board 73. Here, in the endoscope 2 used for industrial use, there is a long insertion portion 20 of, for example, 10 m, and therefore a plurality of imaging portions in the imaging cable 80 inserted through the insertion portion 20 are used. The output signal from the CCD 72 via the lead wire 81 and the drive signal for driving the CCD 72 may be easily attenuated or distorted. The electric board 73 has a function of amplifying the distorted output signal and drive signal while being attenuated by the length of the imaging cable 80.

  Further, a power supply lead wire 90 covered with an insulating outer resin for supplying power to the LED 114 is inserted into the insertion unit 20, the operation unit 24, and the universal cord 6. The lead resin 90 for supplying power is peeled off from the outer resin, and a thin substrate, for example, a flexible substrate (hereinafter referred to as FPC) 100 having a thickness of 0.5 mm, for example, by solder 54 is used. The rear end is electrically connected.

  In addition, the FPC 100 is inserted into the tip portion 21 at a position close to the outer periphery of the imaging unit 70, specifically, a position in contact with the filler 185 filled below the imaging unit 70 shown in FIG. The tip of the FPC 100 is electrically connected to the electrical contact 52 by, for example, solder 53.

  As a result, when the adapter 110 is attached to the distal end portion 21, the power supplied from the battery unit provided in the apparatus main body 3 is supplied from the power supply lead wire 90, the FPC 100, the electrical contact 52, and the adapter 110. The LED 114 is supplied to the LED 114 via an electrical contact (not shown) of the LED 114.

  The rear half of the insertion direction J of the FPC 100 and the leading end side of the lead wire 90 are insulated from the outer periphery of the imaging unit 70, specifically, the outer periphery of the cured filler 185 and the outer periphery of the imaging cable 80, respectively. It is covered and fixed with a heat-shrinkable tube 200 made of an adhesive member.

  The heat-shrinkable tube 200 is coated with heat by, for example, a heat gun, and contracts, so that the rear half of the FPC 100 and the leading end of the lead wire 90 are positioned with respect to the outer periphery of the imaging unit 70 and the outer periphery of the imaging cable 80. And fix.

  In addition, in the cover member 150, a filler 185 with which the FPC 100 covering the imaging unit 70 contacts is filled, and a space between the cover members 150 is filled with a filler 187 made of, for example, a transparent resin. ing. The resin constituting the filler 187 is not limited to a transparent resin, and any resin can be used. This prevents the connecting portion between the rear end of the FPC 100 and the lead wire 90 from contacting the cover member 150 and filling the filler 187 in a shorted state.

  A tip which is one end of a tubular connecting member 160 which is a connecting portion is screwed and fixed to the inner periphery of the rear end of the cover member 150. A protruding portion 160 t that protrudes in the radial direction of the bending portion 22 is formed in the middle position in the insertion direction J of the connecting member 160. The protruding portion 160 t protrudes in the outer peripheral direction so that the protruding end portion is flush with the outer peripheral surface of the cover member 150. Further, the rear end surface of the cover member 150 is in contact with the front end surface of the protrusion 160t. The cover member 150 is attached by bringing the rear end surface of the cover member 150 into contact with the front end surface of the protrusion 160t.

  A tubular bending portion distal end hard portion 139 which is a connecting portion is fitted and fixed to the outer periphery of a portion of the connecting member 160 located on the bending portion 22 on the rear end side with respect to the protruding portion 160t.

  Further, a guide that is inclined obliquely downward toward the distal end side whose outer diameter on the distal end side is smaller than the outer diameter on the rear end side on the outer periphery on the distal end side that contacts the rear end surface of the protruding portion 160t of the curved portion distal end hard portion 139. A pipe-like member 300 constituting a connecting portion in which a tapered surface 300 s as a portion is formed on the outer peripheral surface is fitted and fixed. The tapered surface 300s is inclined with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the curved portion distal end hard portion 139 at an angle greater than 0 ° and not greater than 60 °.

  The distal ends of a plurality of bending pieces 130 provided in the bending portion 22 are arranged at the rear end, which is the other end of the bending portion distal end hard portion 139. The distal end of the bending operation wire 131 inserted into the insertion portion 20 is fixed to the rear end of the bending portion distal end hard portion 139. Further, an inner blade 142 is covered along the insertion direction J on the outer periphery of the bending piece 130.

  The inner blade 142 prevents the bending portion 22 from rotating in the circumferential direction when pulling / relaxing the bending operation wire 131 to bend the bending portion 22 in the set direction, and a rubber tube described later accompanying the bending. 141 is prevented.

  A first fixing member in which a distal end of a rubber tube 141 that is a tube member that covers the outer periphery of the inner blade 142 is formed on the outer periphery on the rear end side with respect to the pipe-shaped member 300 of the curved portion distal end hard portion 139 is made of Kevlar or the like. It is fixed by a thread winding 146.

  Specifically, the rubber tube 141 is bound with the outer periphery of the rubber tube 141 in a state where the tip of the rubber tube 141 is in contact with the outer periphery of the rear end side of the curved portion distal end hard portion 139, so that the rubber tube The tip of 141 is fixed to the outer periphery on the rear end side of the bending portion tip hard portion 139. The rubber tube 141 is for maintaining the water tightness of the curved portion 22.

  Furthermore, the outer blade 140, which is a mesh member, covers the outer periphery of the rubber tube 141. The outer blade 140 is composed of a metal tube mesh tube, and when the insertion portion 20 is inserted into, for example, a jet engine, the curved portion 22 is damaged due to contact of components or the like in the jet engine. Protect.

  The distal end of the outer blade 140 is Kevlar with respect to the tapered surface 300 s inclined toward the distal end side of the pipe-shaped member 300 on the distal end side away from the position where the distal end of the rubber tube 141 is fixed in the curved portion distal end rigid portion 139. It is fixed by a bobbin 145 which is a second fixing member composed of the like.

  Specifically, with the tip of the outer blade 140 in contact with the tapered surface 300 s of the pipe-shaped member 300, the outer periphery of the tip of the outer blade 140 is tied with the thread winding 145, so that the tip of the outer blade 140 is The pipe-shaped member 300 is fixed to the tapered surface 300s. Incidentally, the wound shape of the wound spool 145 is fixed by an adhesive 182.

  As a result, the outer blade 140 located between the bobbin 145 and the bobbin 146 is gently inclined obliquely upward from the bobbin 145 toward the bobbin 146 along the tapered surface 300s of the pipe-shaped member 300. A tapered portion 140s is formed. Specifically, the taper portion 140s is inclined at an angle greater than 0 ° and 60 ° or less with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the curved portion distal end hard portion 139.

  Although not shown, the connecting portion between the bending portion 22 and the flexible tube portion 23 has the same configuration. Specifically, the rear end of the rubber tube 141 is fixed to the distal end side of the curved portion rear end hard portion (not shown) on the rear end side of the curved portion 22 with a spool 146, and the rear end of the outer blade 140 is On the taper surface (not shown) that is inclined toward the rear end side formed on the outer periphery of the pipe-like member fitted to the outer periphery of the rear end side of the curved portion rear end hard portion on the rear end side with respect to the spool 146 It is fixed by 145.

  Thus, in this embodiment, the tip of the rubber tube 141 is fixed to the outer periphery of the rear end of the bending portion distal end hard portion 139 with the thread spool 146 and is a pipe-like shape positioned on the front end side with respect to the spool 146. The tip of the outer blade 140 covering the rubber tube 141 is fixed to the outer periphery of the tapered surface 300 s inclined obliquely downward toward the tip side of the member 300 with a bobbin 145.

  According to this, in order to form the connecting portion between the distal end portion 21 and the curved portion 22 short in the insertion direction J, the spool 145 and the spool 146 are brought close to each other in the insertion direction J so as to have a distance D1, for example. Even if provided, the bobbin 145 in the outer blade 140 is formed by fixing the bobbin 145 to a position lower than the bobbin 146 in the radial direction of the curved portion 22 by the thickness of the rubber tube 141. The inclination of the taper portion 140 s between the thread winding 146 and the thread winding 146 can be made gentle along the taper surface 300 s of the pipe-shaped member 300.

  Therefore, in the insertion direction J, the inclination of the portion of the outer blade 140 between the spool 145 and the spool 146 is 90 ° as in the conventional configuration in which the spool 145 and the spool 146 are provided adjacent to each other. It becomes a near steep angle, and the portion of the outer blade 140 on the outer periphery of the spool 146 is lifted radially outward to become a convex portion, and the diameter of the curved portion 22 is increased by the convex portion. This can be prevented.

  The above effect is the same even when the rear end side of the rubber tube 141 and the rear end side of the outer blade 140 are fixed to the connecting portion between the bending portion 22 and the flexible tube portion 23.

       As described above, in the configuration in which the end portion of the outer blade 44 is fixed to the connecting portion, the diameter of the bending portion 22 can be easily reduced without making the distal end side in the insertion direction J longer than the bending portion 22. An endoscope 2 having the configuration can be provided.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the distal end portion and the bending portion of the insertion portion of the endoscope showing the present embodiment.

  The configuration of the endoscope according to the second embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. Instead, the difference is that the curved portion is formed on the distal end hard portion. Therefore, only this difference will be described, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a tubular curved portion distal end hard portion 439 that is a coupling portion is fitted and fixed to the outer periphery of a portion of the coupling member 160 that is located on the curved portion 22 on the rear end side from the protruding portion 160 t. .

  In addition, the bending portion distal end hard portion 439 is formed in a tubular shape whose outer diameter on the distal end side is smaller than the outer diameter on the rear end side, and obliquely downward toward the distal end side in the front half portion in the insertion direction on the outer peripheral surface. A tapered surface 439s, which is an inclined guide portion, is formed. The tapered surface 439s is inclined at an angle greater than 0 ° and 60 ° or less with respect to the outer peripheral surface on the rear end side of the protrusion 160t of the connecting member 160.

  The distal end of the rubber tube 141 is fixed to the outer periphery of the latter half portion in the insertion direction of the bending portion distal end hard portion 439 by a thread winding 146 composed of Kevlar or the like with the same configuration as that of the first embodiment described above.

  The distal end of the outer blade 140 is opposed to the taper surface 439 s of the curved portion distal end hard portion 439 that is inclined toward the distal end side on the distal end side away from the position where the distal end of the rubber tube 141 is fixed in the curved portion distal end rigid portion 439. The thread winding 145 composed of Kevlar or the like is fixed in the same configuration as that of the first embodiment described above.

  As a result, the outer blade 140 located between the bobbin 145 and the bobbin 146 is gently inclined obliquely upward from the bobbin 145 toward the bobbin 146 along the tapered surface 439s of the curved portion distal end hard portion 439. An inclined taper portion 140s is formed. Specifically, the taper portion 140s is inclined with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the bending portion distal end hard portion 439 at an angle greater than 0 ° and 60 ° or less.

  Although not shown, the connecting portion between the bending portion 22 and the flexible tube portion 23 has the same configuration. Specifically, the rear end of the rubber tube 141 is fixed to the outer periphery of the distal end side of the bending portion rear end hard portion (not shown) on the rear end side of the bending portion 22 with a spool 146 and the rear end of the outer blade 140. The end is fixed by a spool 145 to a taper surface (not shown) formed on the outer periphery of the rear half of the curved portion rear end hard portion and inclined toward the rear end side.

  Even with such a configuration, the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be obtained, and the pipe-shaped member 300 is not required, so that the internal view can be performed at a lower cost than the first embodiment described above. A mirror can be manufactured, and when assembling an endoscope, assembly can be simplified.

  In the present embodiment, it is shown that the tapered surface 439s is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the bending portion distal end hard portion 439. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the rear end side of the protruding portion 160t of the connecting member 160 is not limited thereto. If this part is formed in the same shape as the bending portion distal end hard portion 439, the same effect as in the present embodiment can be obtained.

  That is, if the tapered surface similar to the tapered surface 439s is formed on the outer periphery on the rear end side of the protruding portion 160t of the connecting member 160 and the outer peripheral surface of the connecting member 160 is configured as a guide portion, the present embodiment In addition to obtaining the same effect as that of the embodiment, the bending portion distal end hard portion 439 is unnecessary, so that the endoscope can be manufactured at a lower cost and the assemblability is improved.

  When this configuration is used, the distal end of the bending piece 130 and the distal end of the bending operation wire 131 are fixed to the rear end of the connecting member 160, and the bobbin 146 is connected to the outer periphery on the rear end side of the connecting member 160. Thus, the tip of the rubber tube 141 is fixed, and the tip of the outer blade 140 is fixed to the taper surface of the connecting member 160 with a thread winding 145.

  In addition, the same effect can be obtained by applying the above to the outer peripheral surface of the connecting member that connects the bending portion 22 and the flexible tube portion 23.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the distal end portion and the bending portion of the insertion portion of the endoscope showing the present embodiment.

  The configuration of the endoscope according to the third embodiment is the same as that of the endoscope according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. A difference is that a taper portion that gently slopes from the bobbin 145 toward the bobbin 146 is formed between the bobbin 145 and the bobbin 146 at 140. Therefore, only this difference will be described, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

  A distal end that is one end of a tubular connecting member 460 that is a connecting portion is fitted and fixed to the inner periphery of the rear end of the cover member 150. A notch surface 460k is formed in the middle of the insertion direction J of the connecting member 460. The notch surface 460k is formed to be flush with the rear end surface of the cover member 150.

  When fixing the cover member 150 to the connecting member 460, the operator's visual inspection or a jig or the like is made so that the notch surface 460k of the connecting member 460 and the rear end surface of the cover member 150 are the same surface. It is done using.

  A tubular bending portion distal end hard portion 139 is fitted and fixed to the outer periphery of a portion of the connecting member 460 located on the bending portion 22 on the rear end side with respect to the notch surface 460k.

  The distal end of the rubber tube 141 covering the outer periphery of the inner blade 142 is arranged on the outer periphery of the rear end of the curved portion distal end hard portion 139 by a thread winding 146 made of Kevlar or the like with the same configuration as that of the first embodiment described above. It is fixed.

  The distal end of the outer blade 140 is separated from the position where the distal end of the rubber tube 141 in the curved portion distal end hard portion 139 is fixed by a distance D2 that is longer than the distance D1 of the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above. Winding from the region adjacent to the notch surface 460k toward the rear end side with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the curved portion distal end hard portion 139 at the distal end side that is lower than the bobbin winding 146 in the radial direction of the curved portion 22 It is fixed by the same configuration as in the first embodiment described above by a wound spool 145 composed of Kevlar or the like.

  In addition, the distance D1 in the insertion direction J between the thread winding 145 and the thread winding 146 in the first and second embodiments described above is subtracted from the distance D2 in the insertion direction J between the thread winding 145 and the thread winding 146 in the present embodiment. The difference D3 has the same value as the width in the insertion direction J of the protrusion 160t of the connecting member 160 in the first and second embodiments described above.

  In other words, in the present embodiment, the amount of the thread winding 146 is larger than that of the thread winding 145 with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the curved portion distal end hard portion 139 as compared with the first and second embodiments described above, because the protrusion 160 t is not provided. Located on the tip side.

  As a result, a tapered portion 140 s that is gently inclined obliquely upward from the bobbin 145 toward the bobbin 146 side is formed at a portion of the outer blade 140 located between the bobbin 145 and the bobbin 146. Specifically, the taper portion 140s is inclined at an angle greater than 0 ° and 60 ° or less with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the curved portion distal end hard portion 139.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the tip of the rubber tube 141 is fixed by the width D3 in the insertion direction J of the protrusion 160t, as much as the protrusion 160t is not provided on the connecting member 460. The bobbin 146 and the bobbin 145 that fixes the tip of the outer blade 140 are positioned so as to be spaced apart from the gap D1 of the first and second embodiments described above with respect to the insertion direction J. It has been shown that the tip of the rubber tube 141 and the tip of the outer blade 140 are fixed to the outer periphery of the bending portion tip hard portion 139.

  According to this, the thread winding 145 and the thread winding 146 can be separated from each other without being formed longer than the bending portion 22 in the insertion direction J, so that the outer periphery located between the thread winding 145 and the thread winding 146 can be separated. The taper portion 140s of the blade 140 can be gently inclined obliquely upward from the bobbin 145 toward the bobbin 146 side. That is, the same effects as those in the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above can be obtained.

  Further, in the present embodiment, unlike the first and second embodiments described above, it is not necessary to use the pipe-shaped member 300, and the outer periphery of the curved portion distal end hard portion 139 is formed on the tapered surface 139s. In addition, since it is not necessary to perform the process of forming the outer peripheral surface of the connecting member 160 into a tapered surface, it is possible to further reduce the cost for manufacturing the endoscope.

  Furthermore, by separating the spool 145 and the spool 146 in the insertion direction J, the free portion of the outer blade 140 that is not fixed is increased by an amount corresponding to the width D3. Therefore, the outer blade 140 can easily expand and contract in the insertion direction J. Thus, the bending load when the bending portion 22 is bent can be reduced, and the bending function is improved.

  In the first to third embodiments described above, the endoscope 2 has a configuration in which the adapter 110 can be freely attached to and detached from the distal end portion 21. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a normal endoscope that does not use an adapter. Needless to say, the present invention may be applied.

  Furthermore, in the first to third embodiments described above, the endoscope has been described by taking the endoscope of the shoulder-type industrial endoscope apparatus having excellent portability as an example. Of course, the present invention may be applied to an endoscope included in a large industrial endoscope apparatus in which the insertion portion is accommodated in the apparatus main body.

The perspective view of the endoscope apparatus which comprises the endoscope which shows 1st Embodiment. The partial perspective view which shows the adapter which can be attached or detached to the front end side of the insertion part of the endoscope of FIG. 1, and the front-end | tip part of an insertion part. The fragmentary sectional view which shows roughly the structure of the front-end | tip part and curved part which follow the III-III line in FIG. The fragmentary sectional view which shows schematically the structure of the front-end | tip part and bending part of the insertion part of the endoscope which shows 2nd Embodiment. The fragmentary sectional view which shows roughly the structure of the front-end | tip part and bending part of the insertion part of the endoscope which shows 3rd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Endoscope 20 ... Insertion part 21 ... Tip part 22 ... Bending part 23 ... Flexible tube part 139 ... Bending part hard end part (connection part)
140 ... outer blade (net-like member)
140s ... taper part 141 ... rubber tube (tube member)
145 ... spool (second fixing member)
146 ... thread winding (first fixing member)
160 ... connecting member (connecting part)
300 ... Pipe-shaped member (connection part)
300s… Taper surface (guide part)
439: bending portion distal end hard portion (connecting portion)
439s ... Tapered surface (guide section)
460 ... connecting member (connecting part)
460k ... Notched surface
J ... Insertion direction

Claims (7)

A bending portion that allows the distal end of an elongated insertion portion to be inserted into a test site to be freely oriented in a setting direction;
In the insertion portion, an adjacent portion positioned adjacent to the bending portion in the insertion direction of the insertion portion;
A connecting portion that connects the curved portion and the adjacent portion;
A tube member of the bending portion provided in the bending portion, covered with an outer periphery of a bending piece and having an end fixed to the outer periphery of the coupling portion by a first fixing member,
The curved portion, which is covered by the outer periphery of the tube member, and whose end portion is fixed by the second fixing member to the outer periphery of the connecting portion at a position away from the first fixing member in the insertion direction, is protected. A reticulated member,
Comprising
A tapered guide portion that is inclined from the second fixing member toward the first fixing member is formed at a portion of the connecting portion where the end of the mesh member is fixed by the second fixing member. Endoscope characterized by being made.   The adjacent portion is at least one of a distal end portion located on a distal end side in the insertion direction of the bending portion in the insertion portion and a flexible tube portion located on a rear end side in the insertion direction of the bending portion. The endoscope according to claim 1. The connecting portion includes a connecting member having one end in the insertion direction fixed to the inner periphery of the adjacent portion, and the other end opposite to the one end in the inserting direction covered or fitted to the outer periphery of the connecting member. It is composed of a curved portion distal end hard portion in which an end portion of the tube member is fixed by the first fixing member, and a pipe-like member coated on the outer periphery of the curved portion distal end hard portion,
The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion is formed in a pipe-shaped member. The connecting portion includes a connecting member having one end in the insertion direction fixed to the inner periphery of the adjacent portion, and the other end opposite to the one end in the inserting direction covered by the outer periphery of the connecting member. The end portion of the tube member is fixed by a fixed member of the bending portion tip rigid portion,
The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion is formed on the bending portion distal end hard portion. One end of the connecting portion in the insertion direction is fixed to the inner periphery of the adjacent portion, and the end of the tube member is fixed to the other end opposite to the one end in the insertion direction by the first fixing member. Are composed of connecting members,
The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion is formed on the connecting member. A bending portion that allows the distal end of an elongated insertion portion to be inserted into a test site to be freely oriented in a setting direction;
In the insertion portion, a distal end portion located on the distal end side in the insertion direction of the insertion portion with respect to the bending portion, and
A connecting portion that connects the curved portion and the tip portion, and is formed with a notch surface that is flush with the rear end surface of the tip portion in the insertion direction;
The tube member of the bending portion provided in the bending portion, covered with the outer periphery of the bending piece and fixed to the outer periphery of the connecting portion by the first fixing member by the first fixing member,
The outer periphery of the tube member is covered, and the connecting portion is spaced from the first fixing member toward the distal end side in the insertion direction and is lower in the radial direction of the bending portion than the first fixing member. A net-like member that protects the curved portion, the distal end of the insertion direction being fixed to the outer periphery of the position by a second fixing member;
Comprising
The tip of the mesh member is fixed to the connecting portion by the second fixing member in a region adjacent to the notch surface in a state where the tip of the mesh member is in contact with the notch surface. Thus, the mesh member is formed with a tapered portion that is inclined from the second fixing member toward the first fixing member.   The first fixing member and the second fixing member are spaced from each other in the insertion direction, and the tapered portion from the second fixing member to the first fixing member with respect to the connecting portion. The endoscope according to claim 6, wherein the inclination angle is greater than 0 ° and not more than 60 °.

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