JP2010273727A - Endoscope cap and endoscope apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope cap which credibly prevents dislocation and is produced easily, and also to provide an endoscope or the same having a simplified structure and used with the endoscope cap. <P>SOLUTION: The endoscope cap 30 is moved and installed on the insertion tube 14 of the endoscope. During the installation operation, an engagement projection 36 deforms elastically while moving over a projection. The engagement projection 36 engages with an engagement groove 14G after moving over the projection. The endoscope cap 30 is credibly prevented from being dislocated through the engagement between the engagement projection 36 and the engagement groove 14G. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope cap used at the distal end of an endoscope, an endoscope apparatus including the endoscope cap, and the like.

  There is known a side-view type endoscope in which a side surface at a distal end of an insertion portion is notched and an objective lens, a light distribution lens, a treatment instrument protruding port, and the like are provided. The side-view type endoscope is used for observing an affected part in a non-parallel direction to the insertion direction of the insertion part in the body cavity.

  Further, a cap may be attached to the distal end portion of the endoscope including the side-view type endoscope. When a cap is attached to an endoscope, it is generally possible to observe and treat an affected part while maintaining a good field of view for endoscopic observation, or to easily remove the affected part by aspiration. In particular, in a side-view type endoscope whose tip is generally made of metal, a subject can be protected from electric shock by using a cap formed of an insulator such as rubber or resin. Among such caps, a cap provided with a recess provided on the side surface of the insertion portion of the endoscope and a protrusion for engaging with an engagement groove provided on the distal end surface is known (for example, a patent). Reference 1).

JP 2004-255033 A

  If the position of the cap attached to the endoscope is displaced, there is a risk of hindering endoscopic observation. In particular, in a side-view type endoscope, when a cap attached to the distal end rotates in the circumferential direction, a serious problem may occur that an imaging region is blocked by the cap or air / water feeding becomes difficult.

  Therefore, in the configuration described in Patent Document 1, in order to prevent displacement of the cap in the circumferential direction, a shallow and wide concave portion is provided on the side surface of the side-viewing endoscope, and the tip wall surface is low on the inner wall surface of the cap. Wide protrusions are provided. As described above, when a protrusion having a large area but not having a sufficient height is provided, there is a possibility that the displacement of the cap cannot be reliably prevented. In addition, when high and wide protrusions are provided on the inner wall surface of the cap, the cap used for molding the cap may be difficult to remove because it is difficult to remove it with the protrusion that has just been molded. There is.

  In Patent Document 1, an engaging portion that engages with an engaging groove on the distal end surface of the side-view endoscope is also provided on the cap side. However, in this case, the structure of the endoscope tip and the cap is complicated. In addition, in order to form the engagement groove on the distal end surface of the endoscope, it is necessary to project the peripheral region of the engagement groove on the distal end surface, which makes it difficult to reduce the size of the endoscope insertion portion.

  The present invention realizes an endoscope cap that can surely prevent displacement and is easy to manufacture, and an endoscope device having a simplified tip structure that is used together with an endoscope cap. With the goal.

  An endoscope apparatus according to the present invention includes a side-view endoscope provided with an engagement groove, and an endoscope cap attached to the side-view endoscope. The endoscope cap of the endoscope apparatus includes a main body portion that covers the distal end portion of the side-view type endoscope, and an engagement protrusion that engages with the engagement groove. An opening into which the side-view type endoscope is inserted in the attachment operation of the endoscope cap is provided at the end of the main body, and a window portion for observing the endoscope with the side-view type endoscope is provided. The engaging projection is provided on the side wall of the main body, and extends from the side wall toward the inside of the endoscope cap along the opening-side contour of the window.

  In the side-view type endoscope, it is preferable that a notch surface is formed on the side of the distal end portion, and an engagement groove is provided on the notch surface. In addition, in the operation of attaching the endoscope cap, the endoscope cap and the side-view type endoscope in the attached state are deformed so that the engaging projection that engages with the engaging groove can be deformed. It is preferable that a space is provided between them.

  An endoscope cap of the present invention is an endoscope cap that is attached to a side-view type endoscope provided with an engagement groove, and includes a main body unit that covers a distal end portion of the side-view type endoscope, And an engaging projection for engaging with the mating groove. An opening into which the side-view type endoscope is inserted in the attachment operation of the endoscope cap is provided at the end of the main body, and a window portion for observing the endoscope with the side-view type endoscope is provided. The engaging projection is provided on the side wall of the main body, and extends from the main body toward the inside of the endoscope cap along the opening-side contour of the window.

  In the side-view type endoscope, a convex portion is provided around the engaging groove, and the engaging protrusion is preferably deformed so as to get over the convex portion when the endoscope cap is attached. In the engagement protrusion, it is preferable that the engagement groove side is chamfered when the endoscope cap is attached. In this case, it is more preferable that the front end surface of the engaging protrusion that is farthest from the main body is parallel to the main body.

  In the side-view type endoscope, it is preferable that a convex portion is provided around the engaging groove, and a contact region in contact with the engaging protrusion when the endoscope cap is attached is a curved surface. In this case, it is more preferable that the endoscope cap is detachable from the side-view type endoscope, and the contact area of the convex portion that comes into contact with the engaging protrusion when the endoscope cap is attached or detached is a curved surface.

  The bottom surface of the engagement groove is preferably a curved surface. The endoscope cap is made of plastic, for example.

  The manufacturing method of the present invention is a method for manufacturing the above-described endoscope cap, and includes a main body portion forming step, a protrusion forming step, and a drawing step. In the body portion forming step, at least the first mold for providing the window portion and the second mold for providing the opening are combined with the surfaces of the first and second molds. The main body is formed by covering with a material member. In the protrusion forming step, the engaging protrusion is formed by the material member in the gap between the combined first and second molds. In the drawing step, after the main body portion and the engaging protrusion are formed, both the first mold and the second mold are pulled away from the engaging protrusion. The main body portion forming step and the protrusion forming step are preferably performed simultaneously.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the endoscope cap with the simplified front-end | tip structure used with the cap for endoscopes which can prevent position shift reliably and is easy to manufacture, and an endoscope cap is implement | achieved. it can.

It is a side view which shows the endoscope in this embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the front-end | tip of the insertion tube of an endoscope, and the cap for endoscopes in the state which is not attached to the insertion tube. It is a perspective view which shows the front-end | tip of the insertion tube of an endoscope, and the cap for endoscopes in the state attached to the front-end | tip of an insertion tube. It is the perspective view which looked at the cap for endoscopes from the opening side. It is a top view of the cap for endoscopes. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the cap for endoscopes in the plane along the XI-XI line | wire in FIG. It is a figure which shows the intermediate body of the cap for endoscopes with a metal mold | die. It is a top view of an insertion tube. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the insertion tube by the plane along the IX-IX line in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows a front-end | tip part and the cap for endoscopes in the state which is not attached to the insertion tube. It is sectional drawing which shows a front-end | tip part and the cap for endoscopes immediately after contacting a front-end | tip part in attachment operation | movement. It is sectional drawing which shows a front-end | tip part and the cap for endoscopes in the state in which the engaging protrusion contacted the peripheral part of the engaging groove in attachment operation | movement. It is sectional drawing which expands and shows the engagement protrusion and engagement groove | channel in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows a front-end | tip part and the cap for endoscopes in the state which the engagement protrusion moved on the convex part in attachment operation | movement. It is sectional drawing which expands and shows the engagement protrusion and engagement groove | channel in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows a front-end | tip part and the cap for endoscopes in the state attached to the endoscope. It is sectional drawing which expands and shows the engagement protrusion and engagement groove | channel in FIG. The endoscope cap and the insertion tube were cut from the plane along the line L ₁ -L ₁ in FIG. 12 and the plane along the line L ₂ -L ₂ in FIG. It is a figure which overlaps and shows a cross section. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the endoscope cap and the insertion tube before and after the engagement protrusion engages with the engagement groove, cut along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the endoscope cap and the insertion tube in a state in which the engagement protrusion is engaged with the engagement groove, cut along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view showing an endoscope according to the present embodiment.

  The endoscope 10 is connected to a processor (not shown) through a light guide flexible tube 12. The insertion tube 14 at the distal end of the endoscope 10 is inserted into the human body. Illumination light from a light source (not shown) of the processor is emitted from the distal end of the insertion tube 14 to a body organ to be observed. The reflected light of the illumination light and the image signal generated by the endoscope 10 are sent to the processor. As a result, the internal organs are observed and photographed.

  When observing and photographing the internal organs, the operation unit 16 of the endoscope 10 is operated. For example, when the operation knobs 17 and 18 of the operation unit 16 are rotated, the bending portion 14A near the distal end of the insertion tube 14 is bent vertically and horizontally. Further, a treatment tool (not shown) is inserted into the insertion tube 14 from the forceps port 19 as necessary. This treatment tool protrudes from the distal end of the insertion tube 14 and is used for treatment of the affected area. The endoscope 10 is a side-view type endoscope in which a part of the side of the distal end of the insertion tube 14 is notched and a notch surface 14C is provided.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the distal end of the insertion tube 14 of the endoscope 10 and the endoscope cap in a state where it is not attached to the insertion tube 14. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the distal end of the insertion tube 14 of the endoscope 10 and the endoscope cap in a state attached to the distal end of the insertion tube 14.

  A light distribution lens 20 and an objective lens 21 are provided on the cutout surface 14 </ b> C of the insertion tube 14. In the vicinity of the light distribution and objective lenses 20 and 21, an air / water supply nozzle 22 for cleaning these surfaces is provided. And the groove | channel 14D is formed in the front-end | tip of the insertion tube 14 along the longitudinal direction of the insertion tube 14 which the arrow A shows. A forceps raising base 28 is provided in the groove 14D.

  The forceps raising base 28 can be rotated around a shaft member (not shown) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the insertion tube 14 by operating the operation unit 16 (see FIG. 1). A treatment tool such as forceps (not shown) protrudes from the treatment tool insertion hole 14 </ b> M through the insertion tube 14. When the distal end of the treatment tool reaches the forceps receptacle 28M of the forceps raising base 28 and the forceps raising base 28 is raised and further protruded, the treatment tool faces the side of the insertion tube 14. Thus, by providing the groove 14D and the forceps raising base 28 and adjusting the rotation angle of the forceps raising base 28, the treatment tool can be directed in a desired direction.

  As shown by an arrow B, an endoscope cap 30 is detachably attached to the distal end portion of the insertion tube 14. The endoscope cap 30 includes a main body portion 32 that covers the distal end portion of the insertion tube 14 and an engagement protrusion 36 in a state where the cap 30 is attached to the insertion tube 14 (hereinafter referred to as an attached state, see FIG. 3).

  The main body 32 has a bottomed cylindrical shape, and an opening 30 </ b> M is provided at the end of the main body 32. In the attaching operation of the endoscope cap 30, the insertion tube 14 is inserted into the opening 30M. An engagement groove 14G is provided in the vicinity of the end of the groove 14D, which is a region on the base end side of the cut-out surface 14C of the insertion tube 14. In the attached state, the engagement protrusion 36 of the endoscope cap 30 engages with the engagement groove 14G. For this reason, the positional displacement of the endoscope cap 30 in the attached state is prevented.

  Thus, the internal space of the insertion tube 14 can be effectively utilized by providing the engagement groove 14G on the cut surface 14C. In the region closer to the base end than the cut-out surface 14C of the insertion tube 14, for example, various members such as an air supply / water supply tube (not shown) are arranged and there is almost no space. This is because the cut surface 14C side has a relatively large margin. Furthermore, when the engagement groove 14G is provided in the cutout surface 14C, the longitudinal direction of the distal end portion of the insertion tube 14 is longer than when the groove for engagement with the endoscope cap 30 is provided in the distal end surface of the insertion tube 14. The size can be reduced. This is because in order to form a groove in the distal end surface of the insertion tube 14, it is necessary to raise the distal end surface.

  A window 30 </ b> W is provided on the side wall 32 </ b> S of the main body 32. The illumination light emitted from the light distribution lens 20 is sent to the subject through the window 30W with the endoscope cap 30 attached by the window 30W, and the reflected light from the subject passes through the window 30W. And is received by the objective lens 21. For this reason, even in the attached state, endoscope observation by the endoscope 10 is possible.

  Next, the shape of the endoscope cap 30 will be described in more detail. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the endoscope cap 30 as viewed from the opening 30M side. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the endoscope cap 30, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the endoscope cap 30 cut along a plane along the line XI-XI in FIG.

  The engaging protrusion 36 includes a base end portion 36B and a protruding portion 36P. The base end portion 36B has a height corresponding to a step between the outer peripheral surface of the insertion tube 14 and the cutout surface 14C. The base end portion 36B extends from the side wall 32S of the main body portion 32, and extends laterally, that is, the base end portion 36B, by a connecting portion 38 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) provided around the window portion 30W of the main body portion 32. It is also supported from a direction perpendicular to the direction. The base end portion 36 </ b> B can prevent a positional shift in which the endoscope cap 30 moves beyond the original attachment position with respect to the insertion tube 14 and moves toward the proximal end portion of the insertion tube 14.

  As is apparent from FIG. 6, the engagement protrusion 36 is provided in the vicinity of the window 30W. More specifically, the engagement protrusion 36 is disposed along the contour of the window 30W on the opening 30M side, and extends from the side wall 32S of the main body 32 toward the inside of the endoscope cap 30. The extending direction of the engagement protrusion 36 is perpendicular to the direction in which the endoscope cap 30 is attached to the endoscope 10, that is, the direction in which the insertion tube 14 is inserted into the opening 30M during attachment.

  Next, a manufacturing method of the endoscope cap 30 will be described. FIG. 7 is a view showing an intermediate body of the endoscope cap 30 together with a mold.

  The endoscope cap 30 is molded using at least three molds. That is, between the first mold 40 that provides the window 30W, the second mold 41 that provides the opening 30M, and the first and second molds in the completed endoscope cap 30. This is a third mold 42 that forms the main body 32. In FIG. 7, for convenience of explanation, the intermediate body of the endoscope cap 30 is also given the same reference numerals as the corresponding regions of the completed endoscope cap 30, and the first to third molds are attached. 40 to 42 are indicated by broken lines.

  The material member of the endoscope cap 30 is poured into the gap between the first to third molds 40 to 42 in a combined state as illustrated. By this step, the inner surfaces of the first to third molds 40 to 42 are covered with the material member, and a region corresponding to the main body portion 32 in the completed endoscope cap 30 is formed in the intermediate 39. (Main body forming step).

  At the same time as the main body forming step, the engaging protrusion 36 is also formed (projection forming step). A gap 43 between the first mold 40 and the second mold 41 in a state of being combined with each other has a shape corresponding to the engagement protrusion 36 of the manufactured endoscope cap 30. This is because the material member is injected.

  When the main body 32 and the engagement protrusion 36 are thus formed, the first mold 40 is upward as indicated by the arrow C, and the second mold 41 is laterally indicated as the arrow D. The third molds 42 are respectively moved downward as indicated by arrows E. That is, the first and second molds 40 and 41 are each pulled out so as to be separated from the engaging protrusion 36 formed in the gap 43.

  As described above, the process of pulling out the first and second molds 40 and 41 (pulling process) is not easily interrupted by the engagement protrusion 36 just completed, and is extremely easy. This is because the engaging protrusions 36 extending inward of the endoscope cap 30 are arranged along the contour of the window 30W on the opening 30M side. For this reason, the endoscope cap 30 of the present embodiment can be easily manufactured.

  On the other hand, if the engagement protrusion 36 is not provided at the above-described position, neither of the first and second molds 40 and 41 can be easily pulled out. For example, when the engagement protrusion is provided on the right side of the illustrated position and between the window 30W and the opening 30M, the lower end of the first mold 40 needs to be expanded toward the opening 30M. In this case, the upward movement of the first mold 40 is hindered by a region corresponding to the side wall 32S of the main body 32 or the side wall 32S of the intermediate body 39.

  If the first mold 40 is pulled out from the manufactured endoscope cap 30 or the intermediate body 39 against this resistance, the engagement protrusion just completed may be damaged. Therefore, in order to make the first and second molds 40 and 41 easily movable, it is necessary to make the engagement protrusion small.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment in which the engagement protrusion 36 does not hinder the movement of the first and second molds 40 and 41, the engagement protrusion 36 can be designed to be large. Therefore, the engagement protrusion 36 can be reliably engaged with the engagement groove 14G, and the positional displacement of the endoscope cap 30 can be reliably prevented.

  The endoscope cap 30 is formed of a moderately hard member such as plastic. This is because, when formed of a soft member, the engaging protrusion 36 is easily deformed, and the position of the endoscope cap 30 attached to the insertion tube 14 is likely to be displaced. For this reason, in this embodiment, for example, it is not necessary to raise the distal end surface of the insertion tube 14 to provide a large engagement groove, but only with a relatively small engagement groove 14G (see FIG. 2 and the like) on the notch surface 14C. The engagement protrusion 36 can be held.

  Next, the shape of the engagement groove 14G will be described in more detail. FIG. 8 is a plan view of the insertion tube 14. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the insertion tube 14 cut along a plane along line IX-IX in FIG. In these drawings, members such as the forceps raising base 28 are omitted for convenience of explanation.

  The surface of the distal end portion 14P of the insertion tube 14 is made of metal. As described above, the process of providing the engagement groove 14G on the surface of the member formed of metal is generally easier than the process of providing the protrusion. Further, as described above, the process of providing the engagement protrusion 36 on the endoscope cap 30 of the present embodiment is also easy. Therefore, the endoscope apparatus including the endoscope 10 and the endoscope cap 30 according to the present embodiment can be easily manufactured as a whole.

  The bottom surface 14B of the engaging groove 14G is a curved surface that is deeper toward the center side (see FIG. 9). Thus, the engaging groove 14G having a curved groove bottom can be formed relatively easily by a process of gently cutting the metal surface. Compared to this processing, for example, processing for forming a V-shaped engagement groove having a sharp groove bottom on the metal surface is difficult.

  Next, the engagement of the engagement protrusion 36 with the engagement groove 14G in the attachment operation of the endoscope cap 30 will be described. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the distal end portion 14P and the endoscope cap 30 that is not attached to the insertion tube 14. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the distal end portion 14P and the endoscope cap 30 immediately after coming into contact with the distal end portion 14P in the attaching operation. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the distal end portion 14P and the endoscope cap 30 in a state in which the engaging projection 36 is in contact with the peripheral portion of the engaging groove 14G in the attaching operation. FIG. It is sectional drawing which expands and shows the engagement protrusion 36 and the engagement groove | channel 14G.

  In the attaching operation for attaching the endoscope cap 30 to the insertion tube 14, the distal end portion 14P of the insertion tube 14 is inserted into the opening 30M, and the engagement protrusion 36 moves toward the engagement groove 14G (FIGS. 10 and 11). reference). Here, since the internal shape of the main body portion 32 of the endoscope cap 30 is adjusted to correspond to the external shape (see FIG. 1) of the distal end portion 14P, the endoscope cap 30 during the attaching operation. The rotational position of is not displaced. For this reason, in the attachment operation of the endoscope cap 30, it is easy to move the engagement protrusion 36 toward the engagement groove 14G.

  When the attaching operation further proceeds, the engaging protrusion 36 comes into contact with the convex portion 14T provided around the engaging groove 14G in the distal end portion 14P (see FIGS. 12 and 13). Here, in the engagement protrusion 36, the opening 30M side, that is, the region on the engagement groove 14G side when the endoscope cap 30 is attached is chamfered, and an inclined surface 36S is provided (see FIG. 13). . For this reason, as shown in the drawing, the inclined surface 36S of the engaging protrusion 36 is in contact with the convex portion 14T.

In the convex portion 14T, the contact area inclined surface 36S is in contact engagement projection 36 is a curved surface 14R ₁ in the mounting operation of the endoscope cap 30. Thus, an inclined surface 36S provided on the engaging projection 36, by providing the curved surface 14R ₁ even in the convex portion 14T, plastic of engaging projections 36, pressure applied when pressed against the metal of the convex portion 14T Can prevent damage.

  FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the distal end portion 14P and the endoscope cap 30 in a state in which the engaging projection 36 has moved onto the convex portion 14T in the attaching operation. FIG. 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the engagement protrusion 36 and the engagement groove 14G in FIG. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing the distal end portion 14P and the endoscope cap 30 in a state of being attached to the endoscope 10. As shown in FIG. FIG. 17 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the engagement protrusion 36 and the engagement groove 14G in FIG.

When the attaching operation further proceeds and the endoscope cap 30 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow B, the engaging protrusion 36 moves onto the convex portion 14T while being elastically deformed (see FIGS. 14 and 15). Thus, the engaging projection 36, so as to from a position in contact with the curved surface 14R ₁ to facilitate ride on the protruding portion 14T, the flat distal end surface 36T which is not inclined as the inclined surface 36S is provided It has been. Therefore, the inclined surface 36S is the finishes passing over the curved surface 14R _1, without substantial force is applied, the distal end surface 36T rides on the convex portion 14T. The tip surface 36T being flat means that the tip surface 36T is perpendicular to the direction in which the engagement protrusion 36 extends and parallel to the direction in which the main body 32 extends.

  When the endoscope cap 30 is further moved and attached to the distal end portion 14P, the distal end portion of the engagement protrusion 36 including the distal end surface 36T moves into the engagement groove 14G (see FIGS. 16 and 17). As described above, the engagement protrusion 36 is engaged with the engagement groove 14G, so that the positional displacement of the endoscope cap 30 is prevented.

  Further, the engagement protrusion 36 is pressed against the convex portion 14T to be elastically deformed and engage with the engagement groove 14G, so that the user can obtain a click feeling. For this reason, it can be recognized that the attaching operation of the endoscope cap 30 has been completed.

In still protrusions 14T, a region on the side opposite the curved surface 14R ₁ is a curved surface 14R _2. Therefore, not only during attachment of the above, even in an operation to remove the endoscope cap 30 attached from the tip 14P, region of the opposite side is pressed against the curved surface 14R ₂ is an inclined surface 36S of the engaging projection 36 Therefore, breakage of the engagement protrusion 36 can be prevented.

18 is a plan view of the endoscope cap 30 and the insertion tube 14 cut by a plane along the line L ₁ -L ₁ in FIG. 12 and a plane along the line L ₂ -L ₂ in FIG. It is a figure which overlaps and shows the cross section seen from the edge part side. 18, a cross section of the endoscope cap 30 and the insertion tube 14 cut along a plane along the line L ₁ -L ₁ in FIG. 12 is indicated by a broken line, and along the line L ₂ -L ₂ in FIG. The cross section of the endoscope cap 30 and the insertion tube 14 cut along a plane is shown by a solid line. FIG. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the endoscope cap 30 and the insertion tube 14 before and after the engagement protrusion 36 engages with the engagement groove 14G, cut along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. FIG. 20 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the endoscope cap 30 and the insertion tube 14 in a state in which the engagement protrusion 36 is engaged with the engagement groove 14G, cut along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

  As is clear from the comparison between the two cross sections shown in FIG. 18, in the attaching operation of the endoscope cap 30, the engaging protrusion 36 rides on the convex portion 14T, and therefore the side wall 32S of the main body portion 32 is slightly increased. Transforms into

  That is, before the engaging member 36 moves on the convex portion 14T, the cross-sectional shape of the side wall 32S was circular as shown by the broken line, whereas the engaging member 36 moves on the convex portion 14T. If it does (refer FIG. 14 and 15), as shown by the continuous line, it will become an ellipse slightly long in the up-down direction. When the engaging member 36 moves beyond the convex portion 14T and engages with the engaging groove 14G (see FIGS. 16 and 17), the position of the engaging member 36 is lowered again, and the side wall 32S has a circular cross-sectional shape. Return to.

  In order to facilitate slight deformation of the endoscope cap 30 due to such an attachment operation of the endoscope cap 30, between the endoscope cap 30 and the insertion tube 14 in the attached state, A clearance (gap) CL is provided.

  By providing this clearance CL, it is possible to prevent the engagement member 36 from being damaged, and to provide the user with a click feeling reliably. In order to obtain these effects, the clearance CL should have a large width, but the clearance CL cannot be made too large to maintain the strength of the endoscope cap 30, and for endoscopic observation. Is appropriately determined in consideration of the fact that it is preferable to suppress the outer diameter. Further, even when the clearance CL is provided, the engagement protrusion 36 can be made sufficiently large as described above, so that the positional displacement of the endoscope cap 30 can be reliably prevented.

  When the engagement protrusion 36 is engaged with the engagement groove 14G, the endoscope cap 30 is moved from the state shown by the broken line in FIGS. 19 and 20 to the arrow as shown by the solid line in FIG. Slightly rotates in the direction indicated by F. This is because the engagement protrusion 36 and the engagement groove 14G are not provided on the center line of the endoscope cap 30 and the insertion tube 14, respectively (see FIGS. 2, 3 and the like).

  At this time, since the endoscope cap 30 is made of a reasonably hard plastic, the displacement of the engaging member 36 can be prevented. Therefore, the problem that the engagement protrusion 36 is detached from the engagement groove 14G does not occur, and the engagement protrusion 36 can be engaged at a predetermined position. Note that the endoscope cap 30 having an appropriate hardness does not greatly deform even if such slight movement is repeated over a long period of use.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, by forming the engagement protrusion 36 at an appropriate position, it is possible to reliably prevent the positional displacement of the endoscope cap 30 and to perform the endoscope with a simple manufacturing method. A mirror cap 30 can be manufactured. Moreover, the process which provides the engaging groove 14G in the flat notch surface 14C of the insertion tube 14 is also easy.

  Further, in order to fix the endoscope cap 30, it is not necessary to provide a projection other than the engaging projection 36 in the endoscope cap 30, and the structure of the endoscope cap 30 is simplified. Is also possible.

  The shape, arrangement, material, and the like of members included in the insertion tube 14 of the endoscope 10 and the endoscope cap 30 are not limited to any of the embodiments. For example, the surface of the protrusion 36P of the engagement protrusion 36 may be a curved surface. Further, the shape of the engagement groove 14G with which the engagement protrusion 36 engages may be appropriately changed to a V shape, a U shape, or a U shape having a rectangular cross section.

  Further, in order to effectively prevent the displacement of the endoscope cap 30, the engagement protrusion 36 and the engagement groove 14 </ b> G preferably have the length shown in the figure, but may be shorter. . The endoscope cap 30 may be formed of a moderately hard material other than plastic.

  Furthermore, the shape of the window 30W may be changed as appropriate according to the arrangement of the optical member on the cut-out surface 14C of the insertion tube 14. For example, the contour on the side of the opening 30M in the window 30W is not a straight line (see FIGS. 2, 3, etc.) substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the endoscope cap 30 as in this embodiment, Alternatively, even in the case of bending, if the engaging protrusion 36 extending from the side wall 32S to the inside of the endoscope cap 30 along the contour is designed, an effect of facilitating the drawing process at the time of manufacture (paragraph [ [0036], see FIG.

10 Endoscope (side view type endoscope)
14 Insertion tube 14B Bottom surface 14C Notch surface 14G Engagement groove 14T Protrusion part 30 Endoscope cap 30M Opening 30W Window part 32 Main body part 32S Side wall 36 Engagement protrusion 36T Tip face CL Cavity

Claims (13)

An endoscope apparatus comprising a side-view type endoscope provided with an engagement groove, and an endoscope cap attached to the side-view type endoscope,
The endoscope cap is
A main body covering the distal end of the side-viewing endoscope;
An engagement protrusion engaging with the engagement groove,
An opening into which the side-view type endoscope is inserted in the attaching operation of the endoscope cap is provided at an end portion of the main body portion, and a window portion for endoscopic observation by the side-view type endoscope Is provided on the side wall of the main body, and the engagement protrusion extends from the side wall toward the inside of the endoscope cap along the contour of the opening side of the window portion. Endoscopic device.   2. The inner side according to claim 1, wherein in the side-view type endoscope, a notch surface is formed on a side of the distal end portion, and the engagement groove is provided on the notch surface. Endoscopic device.   In the attachment operation of the endoscope cap, the endoscope cap and the side-view type endoscope in an attached state so that the engagement protrusion engaged with the engagement groove can be deformed. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a gap is provided between the endoscope apparatus and the endoscope apparatus. An endoscope cap attached to a side-view type endoscope provided with an engagement groove,
A main body covering the distal end of the side-viewing endoscope;
An engagement protrusion engaging with the engagement groove,
An opening into which the side-view type endoscope is inserted in the attaching operation of the endoscope cap is provided at an end portion of the main body portion, and a window portion for endoscopic observation by the side-view type endoscope Is provided on the side wall of the main body, and the engaging protrusion extends from the main body toward the inside of the endoscope cap along the opening-side contour of the window. Cap for endoscope.   In the side-view type endoscope, a protrusion is provided around the engagement groove, and the engagement protrusion is deformed so as to get over the protrusion when the endoscope cap is attached. The endoscope cap according to claim 4, characterized in that:   The endoscope cap according to any one of claims 4 and 5, wherein the engagement protrusion is chamfered on the engagement groove side when the endoscope cap is attached.   The endoscope cap according to claim 6, wherein a distal end surface farthest from the main body portion is parallel to the main body portion in the engagement protrusion.   In the side-view type endoscope, a convex portion is provided around the engagement groove, and a contact region in contact with the engagement protrusion when the endoscope cap is attached is a curved surface in the convex portion. The endoscope cap according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the endoscope cap is provided.   The endoscope cap is detachable from the side-view type endoscope, and a contact area of the convex portion that contacts the engaging protrusion when the endoscope cap is attached or detached is a curved surface. The endoscope cap according to claim 8.   The endoscope cap according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein a bottom surface of the engagement groove is a curved surface.   The endoscope cap according to any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein the endoscope cap is made of plastic. It is a manufacturing method of the cap for endoscopes according to claim 4,
The surface of the first and second molds is covered with a material member in a state where at least the first mold for providing the window portion and the second mold for providing the opening are combined. A main body portion forming step for forming the main body portion,
A protrusion forming step of forming the engagement protrusion by the material member in a gap between the first mold and the second mold in a combined state;
A pulling step of pulling out both the first mold and the second mold away from the engaging protrusion after the main body and the engaging protrusion are formed; A method for manufacturing an endoscope cap.   13. The method for manufacturing an endoscope cap according to claim 12, wherein the main body portion forming step and the protrusion forming step are performed simultaneously.

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