JP2011152361A - Flexible tube part of endoscope, and endoscope with the flexible tube part - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a flexible tube part of an endoscope which tube can prevent deterioration of flexibility and resilience in even long time or repeated use without depending on characteristics of an integument (regardless of deterioration of the integument) and improve insertability of the endoscope into a body cavity, and an endoscope having the flexible tube part. <P>SOLUTION: The flexible tube part 25 of an endoscope 12 includes a plurality of joint rings 50 in which neighboring one and the other are rotatably connected by a connection part 57, and an integument 90 covering the connected joint rings 50. The flexible tube part 25 includes a resilient member 70 which is arranged in parallel direction of the joint rings 50 on the outer circumferential surface 50a including the connection part 57 and fixed to the outer circumferential surface 50a so as to be almost symmetrical centering on the connection part 57 in the parallel direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a flexible tube portion of an endoscope that prevents a decrease in flexibility and resilience even when used for a long time or repeatedly, and improves insertability, and an endoscope having this flexible tube portion. Related to mirrors.

  In general, the flexible tube portion of an endoscope is disposed on the outside of the spiral tube and the spiral tube, and is disposed on the outside of the mesh tube and covers the mesh tube. It has an outer skin. As described above, the flexible tube portion has a three-layer structure including the spiral tube, the mesh tube, and the outer skin.

  The spiral tube ensures the strength of the flexible tube portion against the collapse and twist of the flexible tube portion. The mesh tube secures the strength of the flexible tube portion against expansion and contraction and twisting of the flexible tube portion. The outer skin secures the confidentiality, flexibility and elasticity of the flexible tube portion. The flexibility indicates how easily the flexible tube portion is bent. In addition, the elasticity indicates the ease with which the bent flexible tube portion returns to a straight line.

  The flexible tube portion is generally used for a long time or repeatedly. As a result, the spiral tube disturbs the arrangement. Therefore, when used for a long time or repeatedly, the strength against crushing and twisting, that is, the durability is lowered.

  Therefore, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a flexible tube portion of an endoscope that is durable in terms of long time or repeated use.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-24020

  In Patent Document 1 described above, the flexible tube portion has a plurality of joint members that are tiltably connected instead of the spiral tube. The joint member is covered with a mesh tube as described above. Furthermore, the mesh tube is covered with a skin.

  As described above, the flexible tube portion has the joint member instead of the spiral tube, thereby ensuring durability when used for a long time or repeatedly.

  However, the flexible tube portion is used for a long time or repeatedly as described above. As a result, the outer skin deteriorates due to changes over time or due to the influence of chemicals in cleaning and disinfection. For this reason, flexibility is lowered, and unevenness of flexibility is caused. Also, the elasticity will be reduced. Therefore, the insertion property of the endoscope into the body cavity is lowered.

  In Patent Document 1, the flexible tube portion cannot prevent deterioration of the outer skin due to changes over time or the influence of chemicals in cleaning and disinfection. Therefore, when the flexible tube portion is used for a long time or repeatedly, flexibility and elasticity are lowered, and as a result, the insertion property of the endoscope into the body cavity is lowered.

  The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and does not depend on the characteristics of the outer skin (regardless of the deterioration of the outer skin). It is an object of the present invention to provide a flexible tube portion of an endoscope that prevents the above and improves the insertability of the endoscope into a body cavity, and an endoscope having the flexible tube portion.

  In order to achieve the object of the present invention, a plurality of node rings in which one and the other adjacent to each other are rotatably connected to each other by a connecting portion, and an outer skin covering the connected node rings, The flexible tube portion of the endoscope having the connecting portion, and arranged along the juxtaposed direction of the node rings on the outer peripheral surface of the nodal ring including the connecting portion, and the connecting portion in the juxtaposed direction And an elastic member fixed to the outer peripheral surface so as to be substantially symmetric with respect to the center thereof.

  In order to achieve the object, the present invention provides an endoscope having the flexible tube portion of the endoscope described above.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a decrease in flexibility and elasticity even when used for a long time or repeatedly without depending on the characteristics of the outer skin (regardless of deterioration of the outer skin). It is possible to provide a flexible tube portion of an endoscope that improves the insertion property of the mirror, and an endoscope having the flexible tube portion.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an endoscope system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the node ring. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the node rings of the flexible tube portion are arranged side by side. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which node rings are arranged side by side on the distal end side and the proximal end side of the flexible tube portion in the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the thickness (cross-sectional area) of the distal-end-side elastic member and the thickness (cross-sectional area) of the proximal-end-side elastic member. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional shape of the distal end side elastic member and a cross sectional shape of the proximal end side elastic member. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a bent state on the distal end side of the flexible tube portion and a bent state on the proximal end side of the flexible tube portion when the flexible tube portion is bent. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the node rings are arranged side by side on the distal end side and the proximal end side of the flexible tube portion in the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a view showing a modification of the state in which the node rings are arranged side by side on the distal end side and the proximal end side of the flexible tube portion in the second embodiment. FIG. 10A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the node rings of the flexible tube portion are juxtaposed in the third embodiment, and is a diagram illustrating a state in which an elastic member is spot-welded to the outer peripheral surface of the node ring. FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating a state in which the node rings of the flexible tube portion are juxtaposed in the third embodiment, and is a diagram illustrating a state in which an elastic member is spot-welded to the outer peripheral surface of the node ring. FIG. 11A is a diagram illustrating a first modification of the connecting portion, and is a perspective view of the node rings connected by the connecting portion. FIG. 11B is a side view of the periphery of the connecting portion shown in FIG. 11A. FIG. 11C is a diagram illustrating a state in which the node ring rotates around the connecting portion illustrated in FIG. 11A. FIG. 12A is a view showing a second modification of the connecting portion, and is a perspective view of the node rings connected by the connecting portion. 12B is a side view of the periphery of the connecting portion shown in FIG. 12A. FIG. 12C is a diagram illustrating a state in which the node ring rotates around the connecting portion illustrated in FIG. 12B.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope system 10 includes, for example, an endoscope 12 that images a desired observation target, an image processing device 14 (eg, a video processor) that is detachably connected to the endoscope 12, and A monitor 16 is connected to the image processing device 14 and is a display unit that displays an observation object imaged by the endoscope 12. The observation object is an affected part or a lesion part in a subject (for example, a body cavity).

  The endoscope 12 includes a hollow elongated insertion portion 20 that is inserted into a subject, and an operation portion 30 that is disposed at a proximal end portion of the insertion portion 20.

  The insertion portion 20 includes a distal end hard portion 21, a bending portion 23, and a flexible tube portion 25 from the distal end portion side toward the proximal end portion side. The distal end hard portion 21 is connected to the bending portion 23 at the base end portion, and the bending portion 23 is connected to the flexible tube portion 25 at the base end portion.

  The distal end hard portion 21 is the distal end portion of the insertion portion 20.

  The bending portion 23 is connected to a bending operation portion 33 described later of the operation portion 30 by an operation wire (not shown) inserted through the inside of the flexible tube portion 25. The bending portion 23 bends in a desired direction such as up, down, left, and right by the operation of the bending operation portion 33. When the bending portion 23 is bent, the position and orientation of the distal end hard portion 21 change, the observation object is captured in the observation field (or imaging field), and illumination light is illuminated on the observation object.

  The curved portion 23 is configured by a plurality of substantially cylindrical (annular) shaped node rings (not shown) arranged in parallel along the longitudinal axis direction of the insertion portion 20 (the insertion direction of the endoscope 12). Yes. Adjacent node rings (positioned forward and backward along the longitudinal axis direction of the insertion portion 20) are rotatably connected by a pivot (support shaft portion) such as a rivet. As described above, the bending portions 23 that can be bent (rotated) are formed by connecting the node rings so as to be rotatable. A node ring (not shown) arranged on the most distal end hard portion 21 side is connected to the distal end hard portion 21.

  The distal end hard portion 21 and the bending portion 23 are covered with an outer tube (not shown). The outer tube is, for example, a resin material such as rubber and an elastic material. The outer tube is formed in substantially the same shape (for example, a hollow shape or a cylindrical shape) as the distal end hard portion 21 and the curved portion 23. The outer tube may be injection-molded with an elastic material made of a thermoplastic elastomer (such as styrene, olefin, or urethane). The molding of the thermoplastic elastomer is not limited to injection molding, and various molding methods such as casting, extrusion, and blow may be applied.

  The flexible tube portion 25 has a desired flexibility and is a tubular member extending from the operation portion 30 and bends by an external force. Details of the flexible tube portion 25 will be described later.

  The operation unit 30 includes an operation unit main body 31 that is a gripping unit that grips the endoscope 12 and a universal cord 39.

  The operation unit body 31 is provided with a bending operation unit 33 that performs a bending operation on the bending unit 23. The bending operation section 33 includes a left / right bending operation knob 33a for bending the bending section 23 left and right, a vertical bending operation knob 33b for bending the bending section 23 up and down, and a fixed knob for fixing the position of the curved bending section 23. 33c.

A left / right bending operation mechanism (not shown) driven by the left / right bending operation knob 33a is connected to the left / right bending operation knob 33a. The vertical bending operation knob 33b is connected to a vertical bending operation mechanism (not shown) that is driven by the vertical bending operation knob 33b. The bending operation mechanism in the vertical direction and the bending operation mechanism in the horizontal direction are disposed in the operation unit 30.
The bending operation mechanism in the left-right direction is connected to an operation wire (not shown) that passes through the flexible tube portion 25 and the bending portion 23, and this operation wire is connected to the bending portion 23.
The vertical bending operation mechanism is connected to an operation wire (not shown) that passes through the flexible tube portion 25 and the bending portion 23. The operation wire connected to the bending operation mechanism in the vertical direction is different from the operation wire connected to the bending operation mechanism in the horizontal direction. The operation wire connected to the bending operation mechanism in the vertical direction is connected to the bending portion 23.

  The left / right bending operation knob 33a bends the bending portion 23 in the left / right direction via a left / right bending operation mechanism and an operation wire. The up / down bending operation knob 33b bends the bending portion 23 in the up / down direction via the up / down bending operation mechanism and the operation wire.

  The operation unit body 31 is provided with a switch unit 35 having a suction switch 35a and an air / water supply switch 35b. The switch unit 35 is operated by the operator's hand when the operation unit body 31 is held by the operator. The suction switch 35 a is operated when the endoscope 12 sucks mucus or the like from the distal end hard portion 21. The air / water supply switch 35b is operated when the endoscope 12 supplies and supplies water in order to ensure a clean observation field mainly at the distal end hard portion 21.

  In addition, a treatment instrument insertion portion 37 is disposed in the operation portion main body 31. The treatment instrument insertion portion 37 is provided with a treatment instrument insertion port 37a. A proximal end portion of a treatment instrument insertion channel (not shown) disposed from the flexible tube portion 25 to the distal end hard portion 21 in the insertion portion 20 is connected to the treatment instrument insertion port 37a. The treatment tool insertion port 37a is an insertion port for inserting an endoscope treatment tool (not shown) into the treatment tool insertion channel. An endoscope treatment tool (not shown) is inserted into the treatment tool insertion channel from the treatment tool insertion port 37a. An endoscope treatment tool (not shown) is pushed into the distal hard portion 21 side, and then protrudes from a distal opening (not shown) of the treatment tool insertion channel disposed in the hard distal portion 21.

  The universal cord 39 extends from the side surface of the operation unit main body 31. The universal cord 39 has a connector 39 a that can be attached to and detached from the image processing apparatus 14 at the end.

Next, the flexible tube portion 25 of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
The flexible tube portion 25 has, for example, a hollow shape. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the flexible tube portion 25 includes a plurality of node rings 50 having a substantially cylindrical shape, an elastic member 70, and an outer skin 90.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the node ring 50 has a substantially cylindrical shape. Such node rings 50 are arranged side by side along the insertion (longitudinal axis) direction of the insertion portion 20 (flexible tube portion 25) as shown in FIG. The adjacent node rings 50 (positioned back and forth along the insertion direction of the insertion portion 20) are rotatably connected by a connection portion 57, respectively. The connecting portion 57 will be described later. The node ring 50 is made of a hard material such as metal. The node ring 50 is formed by, for example, a metal sheet press product, a forged product, or the like.

  Two projecting pieces (front hinge bases) 51 are arranged on the distal end side (the left side in FIG. 2) of the node ring 50. The protruding piece 51 is formed in a flat shape with a part of the node ring 50 protruding forward (toward the distal end portion 25a side of the flexible tube portion 25). Further, the projecting piece 51 has a through hole 51a. The two protruding pieces 51 are arranged approximately 180 ° apart in the circumferential direction.

  Further, two projecting pieces (rear hinge bases) 53 are arranged on the rear end side (right side in FIG. 2) of the node ring 50. The protruding piece 53 is formed in a planar shape with a part of the node ring 50 protruding rearward (to the base end portion 25b side of the flexible tube portion 25). Further, the protrusion 53 is provided with a level difference corresponding to the substantially plate thickness of the protrusion 51. Further, the projecting piece 53 has a through hole 53a. The two protruding pieces 53 are arranged approximately 180 ° apart in the circumferential direction.

  The two front projecting pieces 51 and the two rear projecting pieces 53 are arranged at positions separated from each other by approximately 90 ° in the circumferential direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the protruding piece 53 of the node ring 50 on the distal end portion 25 a side and the protruding piece 51 of the node ring 50 on the proximal end portion 25 b side, the through holes 51 a and 53 a have rotating members (axial axes). A rivet 55 is inserted. Accordingly, the node ring 50 on the distal end portion 25 a side and the node ring 50 on the proximal end portion 25 b side are connected via the rivet 55 and are pivotally supported around the rivet 55. As described above, a support shaft portion having the rivet 55 as a rotation support shaft is formed between the protrusion 51 and the protrusion 53.

  In other words, the projecting piece 51, the projecting piece 53, and the rivet 55 are a connecting portion 57 that connects the node ring 50 on the distal end portion 25a side and the node ring 50 on the proximal end portion 25b side.

  When the node ring 50 on the distal end portion 25a side and the node ring 50 on the proximal end portion 25b side are connected via a rivet 55, the protruding piece 51 of the node ring 50 on the proximal end portion 25b side is connected to the distal end 25a side. Is laminated on the protrusion 53 of the node ring 50.

  In the flexible tube portion 25 of the present embodiment, the rivets 55 serving as pivots for connecting the plurality of node rings 50 are alternately arranged in a state of being shifted by approximately 90 ° between the front and rear of each node ring 50. Has been. Thereby, the flexible tube part 25 is comprised so that it can each bend in four directions of up-down and left-right.

  The elastic member 70 is inserted into the insertion portion 20 at the outer peripheral surface 50a of the node ring 50 including the connection portion 57 (the rivet 55 and the protruding pieces 51 and 53). Are arranged along the direction). One elastic member 70 is disposed in one connecting portion 57. In the connecting portion 57 of the connected node ring 50 on the distal end portion 25a side and the node ring 50 on the proximal end portion 25b side, the connecting portions 57 are arranged to face each other at a distance of about 180 ° in the circumferential direction. . Therefore, the two elastic members 70 are arranged approximately 180 ° apart from each other in the circumferential direction, like the connecting portion 57.

  Further, the elastic member 70 is disposed symmetrically with respect to the connecting portion 57, more specifically the rivet 55, in the insertion direction of the insertion portion 20 (parallel arrangement of the node rings 50). Both ends 70a of the elastic member 70 are fixed to the outer peripheral surface 50a by spot welding, for example. Both ends 70a serve as welds for welding the elastic member 70 to the outer peripheral surface 50a. It should be noted that the welded portion may be two places that are not both ends of the elastic member 70 if there is no problem in operation.

  The elastic member 70 is, for example, a short wire having the same length as the interval between the rivets 55 in the insertion direction of the pair of coupled node rings 50. The elastic member 70 is a metal wire such as a stainless wire.

  The elastic member 70 is flexible and elastic even if the flexible tube portion 25 is used for a long time or repeatedly, regardless of deterioration of the outer skin 90 due to a change over time or the influence of a medicine in cleaning and disinfection. It has a spring property and a desired hardness in order to prevent a decrease in the onset and improve the insertability of the endoscope 12 into the body cavity.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the hardness of the elastic member 70 is different between the distal end portion 25a side and the proximal end portion 25b side. More specifically, the hardness of the distal end side elastic member 70b disposed on the distal end portion 25a side is smaller than the hardness of the proximal end side elastic member 70c disposed on the proximal end portion 25b side.
Therefore, at least one of, for example, the elastic coefficient, thickness (cross-sectional area), and cross-sectional shape of the elastic member 70 is different between the distal end portion 25a side and the proximal end portion 25b side.

  Regarding the elastic modulus of the material, the elastic modulus of the distal end side elastic member 70b disposed on the distal end portion 25a side is low, and the elastic coefficient of the proximal end side elastic member 70c disposed on the proximal end portion 25b side is high. That is, the distal end side elastic member 70b is softer than the proximal end side elastic member 70c.

  In terms of thickness, the distal end side elastic member 70b is thinner than the proximal end side elastic member 70c as shown in FIG. That is, the cross-sectional area of the distal end side elastic member 70b is smaller than the cross sectional area of the proximal end side elastic member 70c. In this case, the shape is not particularly limited.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, in the cross-sectional shape, the distal end side elastic member 70 b is more rotated than the proximal end side elastic member 70 c in the rotation direction of the rivet 55 (the bending direction of the flexible tube portion 25 and the rotation of the node ring 50. Direction). For example, the distal-end-side elastic member 70b has an elongated cross section that is elongated in a direction orthogonal to the rotation direction. The proximal end side elastic member 70c has a circular cross section. In the rotation direction of the rivet 55 (the bending direction of the flexible tube portion 25 and the rotation direction of the node ring 50), the length of the cross section of the base end side elastic member 70c is the cross section of the tip end side elastic member 70b. Longer than the length.

  If the hardness of the distal end side elastic member 70b is smaller than the hardness of the proximal end side elastic member 70c, the hardness of the distal end side elastic member 70b and the hardness of the proximal end side elastic member 70c are set as desired. .

  Thus, the hardness of the elastic member 70 is different between the distal end portion 25a side and the proximal end portion 25b side. Therefore, when the flexible tube portion 25 is bent, a larger elastic force (reaction force) is generated in the node ring 50 on the proximal end portion 25b side than in the node ring 50 on the distal end portion 25a side. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7A, the distal end portion 25a side is more likely to bend than the proximal end portion 25b side, and the proximal end portion 25b side is more likely to return to the original state such as a linear state than the distal end portion 25a side.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the outer skin 90 is disposed outside the elastic member 70 and the node ring 50 and covers the connected node rings 50 including the elastic member 70. The skin 90 is, for example, a resin material such as rubber and an elastic material, like the above-described skin tube. The outer skin 90 is formed in substantially the same shape as the node ring 50 (for example, a hollow shape or a cylindrical shape). The outer skin 90 may be injection-molded with an elastic material made of a thermoplastic elastomer (such as styrene, olefin, or urethane). The molding of the thermoplastic elastomer is not limited to injection molding, and various molding methods such as casting, extrusion, and blow may be applied.

Next, the operation method of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 7, the outer skin 90 is omitted for simplification of illustration.

  The insertion portion 20 is inserted into the body cavity, and the flexible tube portion 25 is bent by receiving an external force.

  At this time, for example, due to at least one of the elastic coefficient, thickness (cross-sectional area), and cross-sectional shape of the material, the hardness of the distal end side elastic member 70b is smaller than the hardness of the proximal end side elastic member 70c. Therefore, the node ring 50 on the base end portion 25b side generates a larger elastic force (reaction force) than the node ring 50 on the tip end portion 25a side. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7A, the flexible tube portion 25 is curved from the distal end portion 25a side to the proximal end portion 25b side without losing the desired flexibility, and is in a straight state without losing the desired elasticity. Try to return to the original state. Thereby, the insertion property of the endoscope 12 into the body cavity is improved.

  Even if the insertion portion 20 is inserted into the body cavity for a long time or repeatedly, and the outer skin 90 deteriorates, the flexible tube portion 25 is prevented from being lowered in flexibility and elasticity by the elastic member 70, and the endoscope. The insertability into the 12 body cavities will be improved.

As described above, in this embodiment, even if the flexible tube portion 25 is used for a long time or repeatedly and the outer skin 90 deteriorates, the flexibility of the flexible tube portion 25 and the elasticity of the flexible tube portion 25 are reduced. Can be prevented by the elastic member 70.
In the present embodiment, the hardness of the distal end side elastic member 70b is made smaller than the hardness of the proximal end side elastic member 70c, so that the node ring 50 on the distal end portion 25a side is added to the node ring 50 on the proximal end portion 25b side. An elastic force (reaction force) greater than that can be generated. Therefore, in this embodiment, the flexible tube portion 25 can be bent without losing the desired flexibility from the distal end portion 25a side to the proximal end portion 25b side, and the original linear state without losing the desired elasticity. A force for returning the flexible tube portion 25 to the state can be generated. Thereby, in this embodiment, even if the outer skin 90 deteriorates, the insertion property of the endoscope 12 into the body cavity can be improved by the elastic member 70.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the elastic coefficient and thickness (cross-sectional area) of the material of the elastic member 70 and the cross-sectional shape so that the hardness of the distal end side elastic member 70b is smaller than the hardness of the proximal end side elastic member 70c. Is different between the distal end portion 25a side and the proximal end portion 25b side, so that the flexibility of the flexible tube portion 25 and the elasticity of the flexible tube portion 25 can be improved even when used for a long time or repeatedly. It is possible to prevent a decrease in the onset and improve the insertability of the endoscope 12 into the body cavity.

  Further, in the present embodiment, in order to make the hardness of the elastic member 70 different between the distal end portion 25a side and the proximal end portion 25b side, for example, at least the elastic coefficient, thickness (cross-sectional area), and cross-sectional shape of the material Since one is selected, the degree of freedom of the elastic member 70 to be used can be increased.

  In the present embodiment, the elastic member 70 can be firmly fixed to the outer peripheral surface 50 a by welding, and the elastic force (reaction force) of the elastic member 70 can be easily transmitted to the node ring 50.

  In this embodiment, the elastic member 70 can be easily manufactured by using the elastic member 70 as a wire.

  In this embodiment, the elastic member 70 is fixed at both ends 70a. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present embodiment, the insertion portion 20 is disposed symmetrically about the rivet 55 in the insertion direction (parallel arrangement of the node rings 50), and the elastic force (reaction force) of the elastic member 70 is easily applied to the node ring 50. As long as it can be transmitted, the elastic member 70 may be fixed at one end or a desired portion, and may be held without joining unless it is dropped.

Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, about the structure same as 1st Embodiment, description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same referential mark as 1st Embodiment.
In the first embodiment, in order to make the hardness of the elastic member 70 different between the distal end portion 25a side and the proximal end portion 25b side, for example, the elastic modulus, thickness (cross-sectional area), and cross-sectional shape of the material Although at least one is chosen, it is not necessary to limit to this and length may be sufficient.

Therefore, the length of the elastic member 70 of the present embodiment is different between the distal end portion 25a side and the proximal end portion 25b side.
More specifically, the interval D1 between the fixed portions of the distal end side elastic member 70b is longer than the interval D2 between the fixed portions of the proximal end side elastic member 70c.

  Thereby, in this embodiment, even if it uses the flexible tube part 25 for a long time or repeatedly by the elastic member 70, the fall of the flexibility of the flexible tube part 25 and the elasticity of the flexible tube part 25 is prevented further. It is possible to improve the insertability of the endoscope into the body cavity.

  In this embodiment, if D1 is longer than D2, the elastic coefficient, thickness (cross-sectional area), cross-sectional shape, and length of the material of the distal end side elastic member 70b and the proximal end side elastic member 70c are the same. Even if it exists, the hardness of the front-end | tip part side elastic member 70b can be made smaller than the hardness of the base end part side elastic member 70c. Thereby, in this embodiment, the freedom degree of the elastic member 72 to be used can be increased more.

Next, a modification of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The length of the distal end side elastic member 70b is substantially the same as the length of the proximal end side elastic member 70c. The distal end side elastic member 70b and the proximal end side elastic member 70c are fixed at both ends at the same interval. At this time, the number of fixed portions in one distal end side elastic member 70b fixed to the outer peripheral surface 50a of this modification is based on the number of fixed portions in one base end side elastic member 70c fixed to the outer peripheral surface 50a. There are few. That is, the proximal end side elastic member 70c is fixed to the outer peripheral surface 50a by spot welding more than the distal end side elastic member 70b.

  More specifically, the base end side elastic member 70c is disposed symmetrically with respect to the rivet 55, for example, in the insertion direction of the insertion portion 20 (parallel arrangement of the node rings 50) between the both ends 70a and the both ends 70a. The desired portion 70e is fixed to the outer peripheral surface 50a by spot welding. The desired portion 70e is disposed at two places, and is disposed closer to the rivet 55 than both ends 70a.

  In this modification, the base end side elastic member 70c is spot-welded more than the front end side elastic member 70b, so that the elastic modulus and thickness of the material of the front end side elastic member 70b and the base end side elastic member 70c are increased. Even if the thickness (cross-sectional area), the cross-sectional shape, and the length are the same, the hardness of the distal end side elastic member 70b can be made smaller than the hardness of the proximal end side elastic member 70c. Thereby, this modification can acquire the same effect as a 1st embodiment and a 2nd embodiment.

  Further, in this modification, the base end side elastic member 70c is spot-welded more than the front end side elastic member 70b, so that the elastic modulus of the material of the front end side elastic member 70b and the base end side elastic member 70c The thickness (cross-sectional area), the cross-sectional shape, and the length can be made the same, and the fixing step of the distal end side elastic member 70b and the proximal end side elastic member 70c is performed except that the desired portion 70e is spot-welded. Can be the same. Therefore, in this embodiment, a work process can be shortened.

  In the present modification, the position and the number of the desired portions 70e are not particularly limited as long as the base end side elastic member 70c can be spot-welded more than the distal end side elastic member 70b.

Next, a third embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 10A and 10B. In addition, about the structure same as 1st Embodiment, description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same referential mark as 1st Embodiment.
The elastic member 70 of this embodiment is a long wire having a length equivalent to that of the flexible tube portion 25 in advance as shown in FIG. 10A. At this time, the hardness of the elastic member 70 increases from the distal end portion 25a toward the proximal end portion 25b. That is, the elastic member 70 increases in the elastic coefficient of the material from the distal end portion 25a toward the proximal end portion 25b, becomes thicker (thickness / cross-sectional area), and becomes longer in the rotational direction of the rivet 55 (cross-sectional shape). ).

  As shown in FIG. 10B, the elastic member 70 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface 50a of each node ring 50 by spot welding similarly to the first embodiment over the connected node rings 50. In this case, the four elastic members 70 are arranged approximately 90 ° apart from each other in the circumferential direction.

  When spot welding is performed, as shown in FIG. 10B, the connection portion 57 is not provided, and the elastic member 71 at a portion approximately 90 ° away from the connection portion 57 in the circumferential direction is not illustrated. A load is applied in a direction to be pulled away from the node ring 50 by a tool or the like, and a load is applied in a direction to be pressed against the node ring 50 by a jig (not shown) or the like. As a result, the end portion 70f of the elastic member 70 spot-welded at the front node ring 50 is disposed on the same straight line as the elastic member 70, and is spot-welded at the rear node ring 50. The elastic member 71 between the end portion 70g of the elastic member 70 where the connecting portion 57 is not disposed between the elastic member 70 and 70f is melted and separated. Thus, the fusing portion is an elastic member 71 between the node rings 50 that is not disposed on the connecting portion 57. This fusing is performed simultaneously with welding. That is, in the elastic member 70, the end 70f and the end 70g are spot-welded, and at the same time, the end 70f and the end 70g are fused.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the long elastic member 70 connected in advance as one wire is fixed to the outer peripheral surface 50a of each node ring 50, it is melted and shortened simultaneously with spot welding, and in a short time. The elastic member 70 can be fixed to the outer peripheral surface 50a.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, since it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of short elastic members 70 and it is not necessary to spot weld each of the short elastic members 70, the flexible tube portion 25 can be easily manufactured in a short time. Can do.

Note that the connecting portion 57 is not limited to the protruding piece 51, the protruding piece 53, and the rivet 55 as described above. 11A, 11B, and 11C show a first modification of the connecting portion 57, and FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C show a second modification of the connecting portion 57. FIG.
For example, as shown in FIG. 11A, FIG. 11B, and FIG.

The convex portions 101 are arranged 180 degrees apart from each other in the circumferential direction. Concave portions 109 a are disposed on both sides of the base end portion of the convex portion 101.
Further, for example, at the base end portion of the node ring 50, a concave portion 101a into which the convex portion 101 is fitted and a convex portion 109 into which the concave portion 109a is fitted are arranged.

  The node ring 50 is rotatably connected by fitting the protrusion 101 and the recess 109a at the distal end of the rear node ring into the recess 101a and the protrusion 109 at the base end of the front node ring.

  Thus, the convex portions 101 and 109 and the concave portions 101a and 109a serve as a connecting portion 57 that connects the node rings 50 to each other.

  Also, for example, as shown in FIG. 12A, a pair of tongue piece receiving portions 134 as connection receiving portions are formed at the proximal end portion of the node ring 50. The pair of tongue piece receiving portions 134 are substantially symmetric with respect to the central axis of the node ring 50. Each tongue piece receiving portion 134 has a flat plate shape that is substantially orthogonal to the radial direction, is disposed at substantially the same position with respect to the node ring 50 in the radial direction, and has a concave shape from the proximal end side to the distal end side. Here, the tongue piece receiving portion 134 is formed by a deformed portion obtained by deforming a part of the node ring 50 inward in the radial direction. A support receiving wall 137 and a sliding receiving wall 138 as a sliding receiving surface are formed by the deformed portion. The support receiving wall 137 forms a radially inner side wall of the tongue piece receiving portion 134, is substantially parallel to the tangential plane of the node ring 50, and is disposed on the radially inner side of the non-deformed portion of the node ring 50 with respect to the radial direction. ing. The sliding receiving wall 138 forms an outer peripheral wall of the tongue piece receiving portion 134, is substantially orthogonal to the tangential plane, and connects the support receiving wall 137 and the non-deformed portion of the node ring 50. Here, the sliding receiving wall 138 of the tongue piece receiving portion 134 forms an arc when viewed in the radial direction. The arc passes through the center point of the arc and is arranged symmetrically with respect to the symmetry axis extending in the axial direction of the node ring 50. The center angle of the arc exceeds 180 degrees, and both end portions of the arc are in the axial direction. In contrast, it extends to the base end side from the center point of the arc. In the present embodiment, the center angle of the arc is set to 270 degrees. In other words, the sliding receiving wall 138 of the tongue piece receiving portion 134 is a constricted shape that narrows the width of the tongue piece receiving portion 134 with respect to the tangential direction orthogonal to the axial direction at the proximal end portion of the tongue piece receiving portion 134. The retaining portion 139 is formed.

  A pair of tongue pieces 141 as a connecting portion are formed at the tip side portion of the node ring 50. The pair of tongue pieces 141 are symmetrical to each other with respect to the central axis of the node ring 50, and are disposed so as to be shifted by 90 degrees in the circumferential direction with respect to the pair of tongue piece receivers 134. The tongue piece 141 protrudes from the end annular surface of the node ring 50, has a flat plate shape substantially perpendicular to the radial direction, and is disposed at substantially the same position as the non-deformed portion of the node ring 50 with respect to the radial direction. A convex shape is formed from the end side to the tip side. The radially inner side wall of the tongue piece 141 forms a support wall 142, and the outer peripheral wall forms a sliding wall 143 as a sliding surface. Here, the sliding wall 143 of the tongue piece 141 forms an arc as viewed in the radial direction. The arc passes through the center point of the arc and is arranged symmetrically with respect to the symmetry axis extending in the axial direction of the node ring 50, and the radius of the arc is substantially equal to the radius of the arc of the tongue piece receiving portion 134. The angle is slightly larger than the angle obtained by adding twice the maximum rotation angle between the adjacent joint rings 50 to the central angle of the arc of the tongue piece receiving portion 134.

  For both adjacent node rings 50, both tongue piece portions 141 of the proximal-side node ring 50 are fitted to both tongue piece receiving portions 134 of the distal-side node ring 50, respectively. The support receiving walls 137 of the both tongue piece receiving portions 134 support the support walls 142 of the both tongue piece portions 141 in the radial direction, and the adjacent joint rings 50 are restricted from shifting in the radial direction. Further, the tongue-shaped piece 141 is prevented from being pulled out from the tongue-piece receiving part 134 toward the proximal end in the axial direction by the constriction-shaped retaining part 139 at the proximal end of the tongue-piece receiving part 134. The wheels 50 are restricted from being axially displaced from each other. The sliding wall 143 of the tongue piece portion 141 is slidably supported by the sliding receiving wall 138 of the tongue piece receiving portion 134, and the arc center of the tongue piece receiving portion 134 and the arc center of the tongue piece portion 141 are Are substantially coincident with each other, and the tongue piece portion 141 can be rotated around the arc center with respect to the tongue piece receiving portion 134. As shown in FIG. 12B and FIG. 12C, the adjacent joint rings 50 can be rotated with each other by the rotation of the tongue piece portion 141 with respect to the tongue piece receiving portion 134. Note that the rotation between the adjacent joint rings 50 is regulated by the end faces of the joint rings 50 being in contact with each other, and the end face shapes of the joint rings 50 are appropriately set. Thus, it is possible to appropriately adjust the maximum rotation angle between both joint rings 50.

  As described above, the tongue piece receiving portion 134, the support receiving wall 137, the sliding receiving wall 138, the retaining portion 139, the tongue piece portion 141, the supporting wall 142, and the sliding wall 143 are connected portions 57 that connect the node rings 50 to each other. It becomes.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Further, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Endoscope system, 12 ... Endoscope, 14 ... Image processing apparatus, 16 ... Monitor, 20 ... Insertion part, 21 ... Hard tip part, 23 ... Curved part, 25 ... Flexible pipe part, 25a ... Tip part , 25b ... proximal end, 30 ... operation part, 50 ... node ring, 50a ... outer peripheral surface, 51 ... projecting piece, 51a ... through hole, 53 ... projecting piece, 53a ... through hole, 55 ... rivet, 57 ... connecting part , 70 ... elastic member, 70a ... both ends, 70b ... distal end side elastic member, 70c ... proximal end side elastic member, 70e ... part, 70f ... end, 70g ... end, 71 ... elastic member, 90 ... outer skin.

Claims (13)

A plurality of node rings that are connected to each other so that one side and the other side-by-side are rotatably connected to each other by a connecting portion;
An outer skin covering the jointed rings,
A flexible tube portion of an endoscope having
It is arranged along the parallel direction of the node rings on the outer peripheral surface of the node ring including the connecting part, and is fixed to the outer peripheral surface so as to be substantially symmetrical about the connecting part in the parallel direction. An elastic member,
The flexible tube part of the endoscope characterized by comprising.   The flexible tube portion of the endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the hardness of the elastic member is different between a distal end portion side and a proximal end portion side of the flexible tube portion.   The hardness of the distal end side elastic member disposed on the distal end side is smaller than the hardness of the proximal end side elastic member disposed on the proximal end side. The flexible tube part of the endoscope described in 1.   At least one of an elastic coefficient, a cross-sectional area, a cross-sectional shape, a length, and a fixed portion fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the material of the elastic member is different between the distal end side and the base end side. The flexible tube portion of the endoscope according to claim 3.   The flexible tube portion of the endoscope according to claim 4, wherein the elastic coefficient of the material of the distal end side elastic member is low and the elastic coefficient of the material of the proximal end side elastic member is high.   The flexible tube portion of the endoscope according to claim 4, wherein a cross-sectional area of the distal end side elastic member is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the proximal end side elastic member.   The length of the cross section of the said base end part side elastic member is longer than the length of the cross section of the said front end part side elastic member in the rotation direction which the said node ring rotates, The Claim 4 characterized by the above-mentioned. The flexible tube part of an endoscope.   The flexible tube for an endoscope according to claim 4, wherein a distance D1 between the fixed portions of the distal end side elastic member is longer than a distance D2 between the fixed portions of the proximal end side elastic member. Department. The distal end side elastic member and the proximal end side elastic member are fixed at both ends at the same interval,
The number of fixing portions in one distal end side elastic member fixed to the outer peripheral surface is less than the number of fixing portions in one base end side elastic member fixed to the outer peripheral surface. The flexible tube part of the endoscope according to claim 4.   The flexible tube part of an endoscope according to claim 5, wherein both ends of the elastic member are fixed to the outer peripheral surface by welding.   The flexible tube part of the endoscope according to claim 10, wherein the elastic member is a wire.   The flexible tube part of the endoscope according to claim 11, wherein an end of the elastic member is fused.   An endoscope having the flexible tube portion of the endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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