JP2009268760A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope, wherein the movements of a flexible endoscope element within a connection ring (provided from a flexible tube to the inner space of an insertion part), whose diameter increases toward its end, are smoothed to prevent the flexible endoscope element from damages or malfunction. <P>SOLUTION: In the endoscope, the connection ring having a taper hole with its diameter increasing toward the inner space of the operation part is fixed at the end of a flexible tube on the side of the operation part located in the insertion part that is smaller in diameter than the operation part, and the continuous flexible endoscope element is inserted into the inner space of the operation part, the connection ring with the taper hole, and the flexible tube. Rolling balls are provided at the small-diameter end of the taper hole of the connection ring in the state of touching the flexible endoscope element. These balls rotate by the relative moves of the flexible endoscope element. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope including a flexible tube having flexibility in an insertion portion.

Medical and industrial endoscopes are provided with an insertion portion that is smaller in diameter and more flexible than the operation portion at the distal end of the operation portion in order to facilitate insertion of a bent path into an observation target. . Generally, a flexible tube is positioned in the insertion portion, and a metal diameter expansion connection having a tapered hole that expands toward the inner space of the operation portion at the operation portion side end portion of the flexible tube. The ring is fixed, and a continuous flexible endoscope element such as an air / water supply tube or a CCD signal cable is inserted through the internal space of the operation section, the enlarged diameter connection ring and the flexible tube. Such endoscopes are described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, for example.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-187221 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-178783 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-345741

  However, in an endoscope represented by, for example, a nasal endoscope, that is, an endoscope having a thin flexible tube, the movable space inside the operation unit increases as the diameter decreases, so the insertion portion is curved. Sometimes, the flexible endoscope element is rubbed by the enlarged connection ring extending from the flexible tube to the inside of the operation unit, and the flexible endoscope element may be damaged or broken. FIG. 16 shows an endoscope having a conventional structure, in which a contact portion between a metal expanded connection ring 50 'and a flexible endoscope element E' is indicated by a broken line.

  The present invention provides an endoscope capable of smooth movement of a flexible endoscope element in a diameter expanding connection ring extending from a flexible tube to an internal space of an insertion portion, and preventing damage and failure of the flexible endoscope element. The purpose is to provide.

  The present invention has a flexible insertion portion having a smaller diameter than the operation portion at the distal end of the large diameter operation portion, and a flexible tube is located in the insertion portion. A diameter-expanded connection ring having a tapered hole that expands toward the inner space of the operation portion is fixed to the end, and the flexible endoscope is continuous in the operation-unit inner space, the diameter expansion connection ring, and the flexible tube. In the endoscope in which the element is inserted, the flexible endoscope element comes into contact with the small diameter side end portion of the tapered hole of the diameter expansion connecting ring and rolls by relative movement with the flexible endoscope element. It features a moving body.

  The enlarged diameter connection ring is composed of an outer ring fixed to the end of the flexible tube, and an inner ring having the tapered hole located inside the outer ring. In this case, the rolling element is preferably a sphere, and a large number of spheres arranged in the circumferential direction are preferably rotatably supported between the outer ring and the inner ring. A steel ball or a resin ball can be used as the sphere. The outer ring is preferably made of metal and the inner ring is preferably made of synthetic resin. It is preferable to provide a drop-off preventing annular edge that prevents the spheres from dropping off at the ends of the outer ring and the inner ring on the sphere side. A large number of spheres arranged in the circumferential direction can be connected by a connecting string inserted into a connecting hole formed in the diameter portion of each sphere, thereby preventing a part of the sphere from dropping off.

  As another aspect, a plurality of rollers that are long in the axial direction can be used for the rolling elements. Specifically, these plurality of rollers are arranged in the circumferential direction of the enlarged diameter connection ring with the axis of the roller directed in a direction parallel to the diameter of the enlarged diameter connection ring, and in the shaft hole formed in the shaft portion. It is preferable that the shaft member inserted and supported by the enlarged diameter connection ring is rotatably supported around the shaft member. The plurality of rollers can be supported between the enlarged connection ring main body and another tapered ring which is fixed inside the enlarged connection ring main body and has the tapered surface. According to this aspect, the plurality of rollers can be prevented from coming off by the enlarged diameter connecting ring main body and the separate tapered ring.

  According to the present invention, when the flexible endoscope element passes through the enlarged diameter connecting ring, the rolling element in contact with the flexible endoscope element rolls due to relative movement with the flexible endoscope element. Thus, it is possible to provide an endoscope in which a load caused by friction applied to the flexible endoscope element is reduced, the movement of the flexible endoscope element becomes smooth, and damage and failure of the flexible endoscope element can be prevented.

  An embodiment of an endoscope according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. An electronic endoscope 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a medical endoscope, and includes an insertion portion 11 to be inserted into a body cavity and an operation portion 12 connected to the base side thereof.

  The insertion portion 11 includes a distal end portion 13, a bending portion 14, and a flexible tube portion 15 in order from the distal end side, and is connected to the operation unit 12 via the flexible tube portion 15. The distal end portion 13 has a distal end portion main body (not shown) made of a rigid member. The distal end portion main body has an objective lens holding hole, a light distribution lens holding hole, an air / water supply channel outlet, a treatment instrument insertion channel outlet (not shown). Etc. are formed. An objective lens for image formation and a light distribution lens for illumination are held in the objective lens holding hole and the light distribution lens holding hole, and a CCD (imaging device) (not shown) is arranged behind the objective lens. The bending portion 14 is arbitrarily bent by a turning operation of the bending operation knobs 20A and 20B provided in the operation unit 12. The bending state of the bending portion 14 can be fixed by operating the lock knob 21A and the lock lever 21B provided in the operation portion 12. The lock knob 21A restricts the rotation of the bending operation knob 20A that bends the bending portion 14 in the left-right direction, and the lock lever 21B restricts the rotation of the bending operation knob 20B that causes the bending portion 14 to bend in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the outer shape of the flexible tube portion 15 is configured by a flexible tube (outer tube) 39 having flexibility. A partial region on the proximal end side (insertion portion 12 side) of the flexible tube 39 is covered with a conical anti-fold rubber tube 44, and the flexible tube 39 is bent excessively by the anti-fold rubber tube 44. Not regulated. The portion of the flexible tube portion 15 that is covered with the bend preventing rubber tube 44 is not inserted into the observation target.

  A universal tube 22 extends from the operation unit 12, and a connector unit 23 connected to a processor (not shown) is provided at the end of the universal tube 22. The connector portion 23 faces the signal transmission cable 30 and the end of the light guide 31 shown in FIG. 2, the inlet of the air supply channel 32 and the water supply channel 33, and the like, by connecting the connector portion 23 to the processor, The signal transmission cable 30, the light guide 31, the air supply channel 32, and the water supply channel 33 are connected to an image processing device on the processor side, a light source, an air supply source, and a water supply source, respectively. The image of the observation object that has entered the light receiving surface of the CCD from the objective lens at the distal end portion 13 is photoelectrically converted by the CCD, and passes through the signal transmission cable 30 arranged from the CCD to the connector portion 23 at the end of the universal tube 22. And sent to the processor as an electronic image. The processor can display an electronic image on a monitor or record it on an image recording medium. The operation unit 12 is provided with a plurality of remote operation button switches 35 for performing remote operations related to image processing. Further, illumination light from a light source provided in the processor is given to the light distribution lens of the distal end portion 13 through the above-described light guide 31 disposed from the connector portion 23 of the universal tube 22 to the distal end portion 13.

  The operation unit 12 is provided with an air / water button 36, a treatment instrument insertion port protrusion 37, and a suction button 38. When the air / water supply button 36 is pushed in, the water supply source provided on the processor side communicates with the water supply channel 33 and water is supplied into the water supply channel 33. A nozzle is provided toward the objective lens at the outlet of the water supply channel 33 provided at the tip portion 13, and a liquid such as washing water sent to the water supply channel 33 is ejected from the nozzle toward the objective lens. Wash the objective lens. Further, a hole (not shown) is provided on the upper surface of the air / water supply button 36. When this hole is closed, the positive pressure of the air supply source provided on the processor side acts on the air supply channel 32 to send air. . Similarly to the water supply channel 33, a nozzle is provided at the outlet of the air supply channel 32 provided at the distal end portion 13 toward the objective lens, and when air is sent to the air supply channel 32, the nozzle to the objective lens is provided. Air can be ejected toward the objective lens to remove water droplets of cleaning water and other liquids such as body fluids.

  The treatment tool insertion port projection 37 is for inserting a treatment tool such as forceps or a high-frequency cautery treatment tool, and the treatment tool insertion channel 34 (FIG. 2) extends from the treatment tool insertion port projection 37 toward the inside of the endoscope. ) Is extended. The treatment instrument insertion channel 34 communicates with a treatment instrument insertion channel outlet formed at the distal end portion 13, and the treatment instrument inserted from the treatment instrument insertion port projection 37 passes through the treatment instrument insertion channel 34 and is treated as a treatment instrument insertion channel. Can protrude from the outlet. The treatment instrument insertion channel 34 is also connected to a negative pressure source (suction source) (not shown) provided outside the electronic endoscope 10. Therefore, it is possible to insert a treatment tool such as forceps through the treatment tool insertion port projection 37 and apply a negative pressure to the treatment tool insertion channel 34 through a negative pressure source. When the treatment instrument insertion channel 34 is used as a suction conduit, the suction button 38 is pressed. Then, the negative pressure source side pipe line and the treatment instrument insertion channel 34 are communicated with each other, so that negative pressure acts on the treatment instrument insertion channel 34 and fluid such as a body fluid can be sucked from the treatment instrument insertion channel outlet.

  Endoscopic elements (built-in) that pass through the bending portion 14, the flexible tube portion 15, and the operation portion 12, that is, the signal transmission cable 30, the light guide 31, the air supply channel 32, the water supply channel 33, and the treatment. The instrument insertion channel 34 has flexibility so as to correspond to the bending operation of the bending portion 14 and the deformation of the flexible tube portion 15.

  FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of the proximal end side (operation portion side end portion) of the flexible tube portion 15. The flexible tube 39 has a form in which an outermost flexible tube outer skin 40, a mesh tube 41, a spiral tube 42, and an inner tube 43 made of resin are stacked. The flexible tube outer skin 40 is made of an elastomer such as polyurethane, and the inner tube 43 is made of a resin material, each of which has non-ventilating (and non-water-permeable) and non-conductive properties. The spiral tube 42 disposed between the flexible tube outer skin 40 and the inner surface tube 43 imparts a certain bending rigidity to the flexible tube 39. Further, the mesh tube 41 is formed by braiding a stainless metal wire, and mainly prevents the flexible tube 39 from extending in the longitudinal direction. The diameter φ of the flexible tube 39 varies depending on the use of the endoscope. For example, in a small-diameter endoscope represented by a nasal endoscope, the flexible tube portion 15 has a very small diameter of about φ = 5 mm to 6 mm.

  A diameter-expanded connection ring 50 that connects the flexible tube 39 to the operation unit 12 is fixed to the proximal end (operation unit side end) of the flexible tube 39. The enlarged diameter connection ring 50 includes a metal outer ring 51 having an uneven surface 51a formed on the outer peripheral surface, which is joined to the inner peripheral surface on the distal end side of the operation unit 12, and a flexible internal view located inside the outer ring 51. The inner ring 52 is made of a synthetic resin and comes into contact with the mirror element. The inner ring 52 is not flexible as a whole, and supports the flexible tube 39 and the bend preventing rubber tube 44. The inner ring 52 is screwed to the outer ring 51 by a screw 53 centered on the axis C of the flexible tube 39. A tapered hole 54 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the inner ring 52, the inner diameter of which is gradually expanded from the flexible tube 39 side toward the internal space of the operation unit 12. The tapered holes 54 of the present embodiment are all formed in the inner ring 52 from the small diameter tapered hole portion on the flexible tube 39 side to the large diameter tapered hole portion on the operation portion 12 side, but at least the small diameter on the flexible tube 39 side is formed. The tapered hole portion may be formed in the inner ring 52, and the large diameter tapered hole portion on the operation portion 12 side may be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 51. As the synthetic resin material constituting the inner ring 52, specifically, tetrafluoroethylene resin, POM (polyacetal), PA (polyamide), and polyolefin are used.

  The enlarged diameter connecting ring 50 is positioned at the end of the tapered hole 54 on the side of the small diameter tapered hole, and comes into contact with the flexible endoscope element that passes through the tapered hole 54. A rolling element 60 that rolls by relative movement is provided. As will be described below, the electronic endoscope 10 reduces friction generated in the flexible endoscope element by the rolling element 60 in the enlarged diameter connection ring 50 extending from the flexible tube portion 15 to the operation portion 12. Can do.

  3 to 5 show a first embodiment of the rolling element 60. 4 shows an enlarged view of the rolling element portion of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 shows a cross section taken along line VV of FIG.

  The rolling element 60 according to the first embodiment is composed of a large number of spheres 61 that are rotatably supported between an outer ring 51 and an inner ring 52 of the enlarged diameter connection ring 50. The large number of spheres 61 are made of rigid spheres or resin spheres, and each is independent. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the spheres 61 are arranged without gaps along the circumferential direction of the tapered hole 54 in a state of partially protruding from the tapered hole 54 toward the axis C side of the flexible tube 39. Further, the spheres 61 are prevented from falling off by the drop-off preventing annular edges 55a and 55b formed at the sphere side ends of the outer ring 51 and the inner ring 52.

  When the flexible endoscope element is inserted through the enlarged diameter connection ring 50 (tapered hole 54), the flexible endoscope element does not contact the outer ring 51 and the inner ring 52, and a large number of the inner diameters of the enlarged diameter connection ring 50 are minimized. Contact the sphere 61. Then, the large number of spheres 61 are rotated by relative movement with the flexible endoscope element to reduce friction generated in the flexible endoscope element, and the movement of the flexible endoscope element is made smooth. The arrow direction in FIG. 4 indicates the rotation direction of the sphere 61 that rotates by relative movement with the flexible endoscope element. Note that the outer ring 51 and the inner ring 52 may be subjected to a surface treatment for reducing friction on the surface in contact with the sphere 61. As the surface treatment, for example, a material such as a fluorine-based resin or DLC (diamond-like carbon) can be applied to the surface in contact with the sphere 61.

  In this first embodiment, a large number of spheres 61 are provided without gaps in the circumferential direction of the tapered hole 54, but a configuration may be adopted in which a large number of spheres 61 are provided with a gap in the circumferential direction of the tapered hole 54. The intervals between the many spheres 61 can be set arbitrarily.

  6 to 10 show a second embodiment of the rolling element 60. 6 and 7 show an enlarged view of the proximal end side (operation part side end) of the flexible tube portion 15, and FIG. 8 shows an enlarged view of the rolling element portion of FIG. 9 shows a cross section taken along the line IX-IX in FIG. 7, and FIG. 10 shows a part of the rolling element 60 extracted and enlarged.

  The rolling element 60 according to the second embodiment is composed of a large number of spheres 63 connected in an annular shape by connecting strings 62. A large number of the spheres 63 are arranged between the outer ring 51 and the inner ring 52 of the enlarged diameter connection ring 50 in the circumferential direction of the tapered hole 54 in a state of partially protruding from the tapered hole 54 toward the axis C side of the flexible tube 39. Are arranged without gaps, and each is supported rotatably about the connecting string 62 as an axis. Each sphere 63 is made of a rigid sphere or a resin sphere, and a connection hole 63 a for inserting the connection string 62 is formed in a diameter portion of the sphere 63. By connecting a large number of the spheres 63 in this way, it is possible to prevent the spheres 63 from partially falling off, and the omission prevention annular edges 55a and 55b of the first embodiment can be omitted. At the same time, attachment to the enlarged connection ring 50 is easier than when a large number of spheres 63 are provided individually (first embodiment).

  When the flexible endoscope element is inserted through the enlarged diameter connection ring 50 (tapered hole 54), the flexible endoscope element does not contact the outer ring 51 and the inner ring 52, and a large number of the inner diameters of the enlarged diameter connection ring 50 are minimized. Contact the sphere 63. Then, the sphere 63 in contact with the flexible endoscope element is rotated by relative movement with the flexible endoscope element to reduce friction generated in the flexible endoscope element, and Smooth movement. The arrow directions in FIGS. 8 and 10 indicate the rotation direction of the sphere 63 that rotates by relative movement with the flexible endoscope element.

  11 to 15 show a third embodiment of the rolling element 60. 11 and 12 show an enlarged view of the proximal end side (operation portion side end) of the flexible tube portion 15, and FIG. 13 shows an enlarged view of the rolling element portion of FIG. 14 shows a cross section taken along line XIV-XIV in FIG. 12, and FIG. 15 shows the rolling element 60 extracted and enlarged.

  The rolling element 60 according to the third embodiment is composed of a plurality of rollers 65 which are arranged between the outer ring (expanded connection ring main body) 51 and the inner ring (separately tapered ring) 52 of the expanded connection ring 50 and which are long in the axial direction. It is configured. As shown in FIG. 14, the plurality of rollers 65 are arranged in the circumferential direction of the tapered hole 54 (the enlarged connection ring 50) with its axis line oriented in a direction parallel to the diameter of the enlarged connection ring 50. Yes. In this embodiment, two pairs of rollers 65 are provided so as to face each other with the taper hole 54 interposed therebetween. As shown in detail in FIG. 15, each roller 65 is formed in a U-shape in which both ends are fixed to the outer ring 51 through a rotating portion 65 b having a shaft hole 65 a along the axial direction and the shaft hole 65 a. The shaft portion 65c is supported so as to be rotatable about the shaft portion 65c. The direction in which the shaft portion 65c is fixed to the outer ring 51 (both ends of the shaft portion 65c fixed to the outer ring 51) is parallel to the axial direction C of the flexible tube 39 (FIG. 13). This rolling direction makes it difficult for the rolling element 60 to fall off the enlarged diameter connection ring 50.

  The flexible endoscope element does not contact the outer ring 51 and the inner ring 52 when passing through the enlarged diameter connection ring 50 (tapered hole 54), and is closer to the axis C side of the flexible tube 39 than the tapered hole 54. In contact with a roller 65 that partially protrudes (in which the inner diameter of the enlarged diameter connecting ring 50 is minimized). Then, among the plurality of rollers 65, only the roller 65 that is in contact with the flexible endoscope element is rotated by relative movement with the flexible endoscope element to reduce friction generated in the flexible endoscope element, Smooth movement of the flexible endoscope element. According to the third embodiment, since each roller 65 can rotate independently, the roller 65 that does not contact the flexible endoscope element does not rotate, and there is no possibility of causing unintended friction. The arrow directions in FIGS. 13 and 15 indicate the rotation direction of the roller 65 (rotating portion 65b) that rotates by relative movement with the flexible endoscope element.

  In the diameter expansion connecting ring 50 of the third embodiment, the inner ring 52 is fixed to the outer ring 51 with a screw 53 from the inner peripheral surface side where the tapered hole 54 is formed, and the tapered ring 54 is formed by the inner ring 52 and the outer ring 51. However, it has substantially the same function as the diameter expansion connecting ring 50 of the first and second embodiments.

  FIG. 16 shows an endoscope in which a diameter-expanding connecting ring 50 ′ having a conventional structure is provided at the proximal end of the flexible tube 39. The enlarged diameter connection ring 50 ′ is made of metal and has a structure in which it is in full contact with the inner peripheral surface of the enlarged diameter connection ring 50 ′ in the middle from the flexible tube 39 to the internal space of the operation unit 12. . For this reason, when the flexible endoscope element tries to move forward and backward in the insertion portion and the operation portion in accordance with the bending operation of the bending portion, a load caused by friction with the enlarged-diameter connecting ring 50 ′ is applied to the flexible endoscope. It will be applied to the element E ′ and cause damage or failure of the flexible endoscope element E ′. In particular, in a small-diameter endoscope in which a flexible tube portion such as a nasal endoscope has a very small diameter, the space occupied by the flexible endoscope element is small in the insertion portion and the operation portion, and the movable space Therefore, a load due to friction is more likely to be applied. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, which is provided with the rolling element 60 that contacts the flexible endoscope element in the enlarged diameter connection ring 50 and rotates by relative movement with the flexible endoscope element, The load applied to the flexible endoscope element due to friction when passing through the enlarged diameter connection ring extending from the tube to the internal space of the insertion portion is reduced, and damage and failure of the flexible endoscope element can be prevented.

1 is an overall view of an endoscope to which the present invention is applied. It is sectional drawing which shows the connection part of the flexible tube part and operation part of the endoscope. It is sectional drawing which shows the base end side (operation part side end part) of the flexible tube which comprises the flexible tube part in which the rolling element by 1st Example was provided with a flexible tube single-piece | unit. It is sectional drawing which expands and shows the rolling-element part of FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the VV line of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the connection part of the flexible tube part and operation part of the endoscope of 2nd Example. It is sectional drawing which shows the base end side (operation part side end part) of the flexible tube which comprises the flexible tube part in which the rolling element by 2nd Example was provided in the flexible tube single-piece | unit. It is sectional drawing which expands and shows the rolling-element part of FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the IX-IX line of FIG. It is the elements on larger scale which extract and show a part of rolling element of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the connection part of the flexible tube part and operation part of the endoscope of 3rd Example. It is sectional drawing which shows the base end side (operation part side end part) of the flexible tube which comprises the flexible tube part in which the rolling element by 3rd Example was provided with a flexible tube single-piece | unit. It is sectional drawing which expands and shows the rolling-element part of FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the XIV-XIV line | wire of FIG. It is the elements on larger scale which extract and show a part of rolling element of FIG. It is an endoscope provided with the diameter expansion connection ring of the conventional structure, Comprising: It is sectional drawing which shows the connection part of a flexible tube part and an operation part.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Electronic endoscope 11 Insertion part 12 Operation part 13 Tip part 14 Bending part 15 Flexible tube part 20A 20B Bending operation knob 21A Lock knob 21B Lock lever 22 Universal tube 23 Connector part 30 Signal transmission cable 31 Light guide 32 Air supply channel 33 Water supply channel 34 Treatment tool insertion channel 35 Remote operation button switch 36 Air supply / water supply button 37 Treatment tool insertion port projection 38 Suction button 39 Flexible tube 40 Flexible tube outer skin 41 Reticulated tube 42 Spiral tube 43 Inner tube 44 Bending rubber tube 50 Expanded connection ring 51 Outer ring 52 Inner ring 53 Screw 54 Tapered holes 55a, 55b Fallout prevention annular edge 60 Rolling elements 61, 63 Spherical body 62 Connecting string 65 Roller

Claims (8)

A distal end of a large-diameter operation part is provided with an insertion part that is smaller in diameter than the operation part and is flexible, and a flexible tube is located in the insertion part. An expanded connection ring having a tapered hole that expands toward the internal space of the operation portion is fixed,
In an endoscope in which a continuous flexible endoscope element is inserted into the operation portion internal space, the enlarged diameter connection ring and the flexible tube,
A rolling element that comes into contact with the flexible endoscope element and rolls by relative movement with the flexible endoscope element is provided at the small diameter side end portion of the tapered hole of the diameter expansion connecting ring. Endoscope. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the diameter expansion connecting ring includes an outer ring fixed to the end of the flexible tube, and an inner ring positioned inside the outer ring and having the tapered hole. An endoscope in which a rolling element is a sphere, and a large number of the spheres arranged in a circumferential direction are rotatably supported between the outer ring and the inner ring. The endoscope according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sphere is a steel ball or a resin ball. The endoscope according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the outer ring is made of metal and the inner ring is made of synthetic resin. The endoscope according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein an outer edge of the outer ring and the inner ring on a sphere side is provided with a drop-off preventing annular edge that prevents the sphere from dropping off. . The endoscope according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein a large number of spheres arranged in the circumferential direction are connected by a connecting string inserted into a connecting hole formed in a diameter portion of each sphere. Endoscope. 2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the rolling element includes a plurality of rollers that are long in an axial direction, and the plurality of rollers directs the axis of the rollers in a direction parallel to the diameter of the enlarged connection ring. An endoscope that is arranged in the circumferential direction of the enlarged connection ring and is rotatably supported around a shaft member that is inserted into a shaft hole formed in the shaft portion and supported by the enlarged connection ring. The endoscope according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of rollers are supported between the enlarged diameter connection ring main body and another tapered ring having the tapered surface and fixed to the enlarged diameter connection ring. Endoscope.

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