JP2013240413A

JP2013240413A - Endoscope

Info

Publication number: JP2013240413A
Application number: JP2012114471A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Suguru Okaniwa; 傑岡庭
Original assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp
Current assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp
Priority date: 2012-05-18
Filing date: 2012-05-18
Publication date: 2013-12-05
Anticipated expiration: 2032-05-18
Also published as: JP5893508B2

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope provided with a passive type bend section, which a retroflexion operation of the rectum can be performed with a sense of operation comparable to that of an endoscope not provided with a passive type bend section, without a sense of discomfort.SOLUTION: An endoscope 2 includes: a first bend section 7 that actively bends by a bend operation, a second bend section 8 that is continuously provided to the first bend section and passively bends by an external force, an outer cover 47 that covers the first bend section 7 and the second bend section 8 as one body, and an index section 50 that is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the outer cover 47 and visually distinguishes the first bend section 7 and the second bend section 8.

Description

本発明は、能動型の湾曲部と受動型の湾曲部を備えた内視鏡に関する。 The present invention relates to an endoscope including an active bending portion and a passive bending portion.

周知の如く、内視鏡は、生体の体内（体腔内）の観察、処置など、または工業用のプラント設備内の検査、修理などのため広く用いられている。特に、医療用の内視鏡は、細長の挿入部を体腔内に挿入することにより、切開を必要とすることなく、体腔内の検査対象部位を観察でき、必要に応じ、処置具を用いて治療処置できるため広く用いられるようになった。この医療分野の内視鏡は、患者の体腔への挿入性を向上させたり、湾曲部の湾曲を１８０°以上かけて、体腔である直腸での反転観察を行い易くさせたりするために、能動型の湾曲部と外力を受けると容易に湾曲する受動型の湾曲部を設けた内視鏡の技術が例えば、特許文献１に開示されている。この特許文献１の内視鏡は、能動型の湾曲部および受動型の湾曲部からなる湾曲部の外周部が柔軟で弾力性のあるゴム材からなる一つの外皮ゴムチューブで一体的に被覆されている。この特許文献１の内視鏡のように、能動型の湾曲部および受動型の湾曲部を備えた構成では、能動型の湾曲部および受動型の湾曲部の外周部を一体的に一つの外皮ゴムチューブで被覆したほうが組立作業性、コスト面などで優れた構成となる。 As is well known, endoscopes are widely used for observation and treatment of living bodies (inside body cavities), inspections and repairs in industrial plant facilities, and the like. In particular, medical endoscopes can observe a region to be examined in a body cavity by inserting an elongated insertion portion into the body cavity without requiring an incision. Since it can be treated, it has become widely used. This endoscope in the medical field is active in order to improve the insertion into a patient's body cavity or to make the bending of the curved part 180 ° or more to facilitate inversion observation in the rectum, which is a body cavity. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of an endoscope provided with a passive bending portion that easily bends when receiving a bending portion of the mold and an external force. In the endoscope of this Patent Document 1, the outer peripheral portion of the bending portion including the active bending portion and the passive bending portion is integrally covered with one outer rubber tube made of a flexible and elastic rubber material. ing. In the configuration including the active bending portion and the passive bending portion as in the endoscope disclosed in Patent Document 1, the outer periphery of the active bending portion and the passive bending portion are integrated into one outer skin. Covering with a rubber tube provides an excellent structure in terms of assembly workability and cost.

ところで、受動型の湾曲部がない従来の内視鏡では、湾曲部の外皮と可撓管部の外皮との境目を糸巻き接着部により接続しているものが主流である。この従来の内視鏡では、湾曲を１８０°以上かけて、反転観察を行う場合、受動型の湾曲部がない湾曲部の外皮と可撓管部の外皮との境目の糸巻き接着部を直腸での反転操作時の位置調整の目安としていた。 By the way, in a conventional endoscope having no passive bending portion, the one in which the boundary between the outer skin of the bending portion and the outer skin of the flexible tube portion is connected by a bobbin adhering portion is the mainstream. In this conventional endoscope, when performing reversal observation with a curvature of 180 ° or more, the wound-adhered portion at the boundary between the outer skin of the curved portion without the passive-type curved portion and the outer skin of the flexible tube portion is formed in the rectum. It was used as a guide for position adjustment during the reversing operation.

特開２００７−５４４００号公報JP 2007-54400 A

しかしながら、特許文献１の内視鏡では、能動型の湾曲部および受動型の湾曲部の外周部を一体的に一つの外皮ゴムチューブで被覆しているため、能動型の湾曲部と受動型の湾曲部の区別がつけられず、直腸での反転操作時の位置調整の目安がなくなってしまう。これにより、受動型の湾曲部がない従来の内視鏡と受動型の湾曲部を備えた従来の内視鏡との操作感覚が異なり違和感があるという問題があった。 However, in the endoscope of Patent Document 1, since the outer periphery of the active bending portion and the passive bending portion are integrally covered with one outer rubber tube, the active bending portion and the passive bending portion are covered. The curved portion cannot be distinguished, and there is no guide for position adjustment during the reversal operation in the rectum. As a result, there is a problem in that the operation feeling between the conventional endoscope having no passive bending portion and the conventional endoscope having the passive bending portion is different and uncomfortable.

そこで、本発明は、上記事情に鑑みてなされたものであり、受動型の湾曲部が設けられた内視鏡において、この受動型の湾曲部が設けられていない内視鏡と同等の操作感覚で違和感なく直腸の反転観察操作が行なえる内視鏡を提供することを目的とする。 Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in an endoscope provided with a passive bending portion, an operation feeling equivalent to that of an endoscope provided with no passive bending portion. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope that can perform reversal observation operation of the rectum without a sense of incongruity.

本発明における一態様の内視鏡は、湾曲操作されて能動的に湾曲する第１湾曲部と、前記第１湾曲部に連設され、外力により受動的に湾曲する第２湾曲部と、前記第１湾曲部および前記第２湾曲部を一体的に被覆する外皮と、前記外皮の外周面に設けられ、前記第１湾曲部と前記第２湾曲部とを視覚的に区別する指標部と、を備えている。 An endoscope according to an aspect of the present invention includes a first bending portion that is bent and is actively bent, a second bending portion that is connected to the first bending portion and is passively bent by an external force, An outer skin that integrally covers the first curved portion and the second curved portion; an indicator portion that is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the outer skin and visually distinguishes between the first curved portion and the second curved portion; It has.

本発明によれば、受動型の湾曲部が設けられた内視鏡において、この受動型の湾曲部が設けられていない内視鏡と同等の操作感覚で違和感なく直腸の反転観察操作が行なえる内視鏡を提供することができる。 According to the present invention, in an endoscope provided with a passive bending portion, a reversal observation operation of the rectum can be performed without a sense of incongruity with the same operational feeling as an endoscope without a passive bending portion. An endoscope can be provided.

内視鏡の全体構成図、Overall configuration diagram of endoscope, 同、挿入部の構成を示す図The figure which shows the structure of an insertion part similarly 同、挿入部の構成を示す断面図Sectional drawing which shows the structure of an insertion part similarly 同、変形例の挿入部の構成を示す断面図Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the insertion part of a modification same as the above 同、挿入部が直腸内に挿入された状態を示す図The figure which shows the state by which the insertion part was inserted in the rectum 同、直腸内の挿入部が湾曲操作された状態を示す図The figure which shows the state by which the insertion part in a rectum was bent-operated similarly 同、直腸内の挿入部により反転観察する状態を示す図The figure which shows the state which reversely observes by the insertion part in a rectum similarly 同、反転観察時のモニタに映し出される内視鏡画像を示す図The figure which shows the endoscopic image projected on the monitor at the time of reverse observation similarly 同、受動型の湾曲部を備えていない挿入部による直腸内を反転観察する状態を示す図The figure which shows the state which reversely observes the inside of the rectum by the insertion part which is not equipped with the passive-type bending part similarly 同、受動型の湾曲部を備えていない挿入部での反転観察時のモニタに映し出される内視鏡画像を示す図The figure which shows the endoscope image projected on the monitor at the time of inversion observation in the insertion part which is not equipped with the passive curved part similarly 同、指標部を備えていない挿入部による直腸内を反転観察する状態を示す図The figure which shows the state which reversely observes the inside of the rectum by the insertion part which is not equipped with the indicator part similarly 同、指標部を備えていない挿入部での反転観察時のモニタに映し出される内視鏡画像を示す図The figure which shows the endoscope image projected on the monitor at the time of the reverse observation in the insertion part which is not equipped with the parameter | index part similarly 第２の実施の形態に係る挿入部の構成を示す図The figure which shows the structure of the insertion part which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. 同、挿入部の構成を示す断面図Sectional drawing which shows the structure of an insertion part similarly 同、オーバーチューブに挿入部が挿入された状態を示す部分断面図The same fragmentary sectional view which shows the state where the insertion part was inserted in the overtube 同、変形例の挿入部の構成を示す図The figure which shows the structure of the insertion part of a modification same as the above 同、変形例の挿入部の構成を示す断面図Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the insertion part of a modification same as the above 第３の実施の形態に係る挿入部の構成を示す図、The figure which shows the structure of the insertion part which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. 同、挿入部の構成を示す断面図Sectional drawing which shows the structure of an insertion part similarly 同、変形例の挿入部の構成を示す断面図Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the insertion part of a modification same as the above

以下、本発明である内視鏡装置について説明する。なお、以下の説明において、各実施の形態に基づく図面は、模式的なものであり、各部分の厚みと幅との関係、夫々の部分の厚みの比率などは現実のものとは異なることに留意すべきであり、図面の相互間においても互いの寸法の関係や比率が異なる部分が含まれている場合がある。 Hereinafter, an endoscope apparatus according to the present invention will be described. In the following description, the drawings based on each embodiment are schematic, and the relationship between the thickness and width of each part, the thickness ratio of each part, and the like are different from the actual ones. It should be noted that the drawings may include portions having different dimensional relationships and ratios between the drawings.

なお、以下の構成説明における内視鏡は、生体の上部または下部の消化器官に挿入するため挿入部に可撓性を持たせた所謂軟性鏡を例に挙げて説明するが、これに限定されることなく、外科用に用いられる挿入部が硬質な所謂硬性鏡にも適用できる技術である。 The endoscope in the following description of the configuration will be described by taking as an example a so-called flexible endoscope in which the insertion portion is flexible in order to be inserted into the upper or lower digestive organs of a living body, but is not limited thereto. This technique can be applied to a so-called rigid endoscope having a hard insertion portion used for surgery.

（第１の実施の形態）
先ず、図面に基づいて本発明の第１の実施の形態を説明する。図１から図１２は本発明の第１の実施の形態に係り、図１は内視鏡の全体構成図、図２は挿入部の構成を示す図、図３は挿入部の構成を示す断面図、図４は変形例の挿入部の構成を示す断面図、図５は挿入部が直腸内に挿入された状態を示す図、図６は直腸内の挿入部が湾曲操作された状態を示す図、図７は直腸内の挿入部により反転観察する状態を示す図、図８は反転観察時のモニタに映し出される内視鏡画像を示す図、図９は受動型の湾曲部を備えていない挿入部による直腸内を反転観察する状態を示す図、図１０は受動型の湾曲部を備えていない挿入部の反転観察時のモニタに映し出される内視鏡画像を示す図、図１１は指標部を備えていない挿入部による直腸内を反転観察する状態を示す図、図１２は指標部を備えていない挿入部での反転観察時のモニタに映し出される内視鏡画像を示す図である。 (First embodiment)
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 12 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an insertion portion, and FIG. 3 is a cross section showing a configuration of the insertion portion. FIG. 4, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the insertion portion of the modification, FIG. 5 is a view showing a state where the insertion portion is inserted into the rectum, and FIG. 6 shows a state where the insertion portion in the rectum is bent. FIGS. 7 and 7 are diagrams showing a state where the observation is reversed by an insertion portion in the rectum, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an endoscopic image displayed on a monitor during the reversed observation, and FIG. 9 is not provided with a passive bending portion. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the inside of the rectum is inverted and observed by the insertion unit, FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an endoscopic image displayed on the monitor at the time of inversion observation of the insertion unit not provided with a passive bending portion, and FIG. The figure which shows the state which reversely observes the inside of the rectum by the insertion part which is not provided with FIG. 12, FIG. 12 is an insertion part which is not provided with the parameter | index part. Is a diagram illustrating an endoscopic image displayed on the monitor at the time of reversal observed.

図１に示すように、本実施の形態の内視鏡装置１は、内視鏡２と、光源装置３と、ビデオプロセッサ４と、モニタ５と、から主に構成されている。 As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment mainly includes an endoscope 2, a light source device 3, a video processor 4, and a monitor 5.

内視鏡２は、長尺で細長な挿入部１０と、操作部１１と、ユニバーサルケーブル１９と、を有して構成されている。内視鏡２の挿入部１０は、先端から順に先端部６と、湾曲部３０と、可撓管部９と、を有して構成されている。更に湾曲部３０は先端側から順に第１湾曲部７と第２湾曲部８とで構成されている。なお、この挿入部１０の詳細な構成については、後に詳しく説明する。 The endoscope 2 has a long and narrow insertion portion 10, an operation portion 11, and a universal cable 19. The insertion portion 10 of the endoscope 2 includes a distal end portion 6, a bending portion 30, and a flexible tube portion 9 in order from the distal end. Further, the bending portion 30 is composed of a first bending portion 7 and a second bending portion 8 in order from the distal end side. The detailed configuration of the insertion unit 10 will be described in detail later.

また、操作部１１は、折れ止め部から挿入部１０の可撓管部９が延設され、挿入部１０に配設される各種処置具を挿通する後述の処置具チャンネル３９（図３参照）の開口部である処置具チャンネル挿通部１８を有している。 In addition, the operation section 11 includes a treatment instrument channel 39 (see FIG. 3), which will be described later, in which the flexible tube section 9 of the insertion section 10 extends from the bend preventing section and various treatment instruments disposed in the insertion section 10 are inserted. It has a treatment instrument channel insertion portion 18 which is an opening portion.

操作部１１には、挿入部１０の第１湾曲部７を湾曲操作するための湾曲操作ノブ１４が回動自在に配設されると共に、各種内視鏡機能のスイッチ類１７などが設けられている。なお、湾曲操作ノブ１４は、第１湾曲部７を上下方向に湾曲操作するためのＵＤ湾曲操作ノブ１２および第１湾曲部７を左右方向に湾曲操作するためのＲＬ湾曲操作ノブ１３が重畳するように配設されている。また、操作部１１には、挿入部１０の可撓管部９の硬さを可変自在な硬度可変ダイヤル２２が設けられている。 The operation section 11 is provided with a bending operation knob 14 for bending the first bending section 7 of the insertion section 10, and is provided with switches 17 for various endoscope functions. Yes. The bending operation knob 14 is overlapped by a UD bending operation knob 12 for bending the first bending portion 7 in the vertical direction and an RL bending operation knob 13 for bending the first bending portion 7 in the left-right direction. It is arranged like this. In addition, the operation portion 11 is provided with a hardness variable dial 22 that can change the hardness of the flexible tube portion 9 of the insertion portion 10.

操作部１１から延設されたユニバーサルケーブル１９は、延出端に光源装置３と着脱自在な内視鏡コネクタ２０を有している。なお、本実施の形態の内視鏡２は、ユニバーサルケーブル１９、操作部１１および挿入部１０に配設された後述する照明手段のライトガイドバンドル３２（図３参照）によって、光源装置３から挿入部１０の先端まで照明光を伝送するものである。また、内視鏡コネクタ２０は、着脱自在なケーブル２１が延設され、このケーブル２１の延出端が電気コネクタによってビデオプロセッサ４に対して着脱自在な構成となっている。 The universal cable 19 extended from the operation unit 11 has an endoscope connector 20 that is detachable from the light source device 3 at the extended end. Note that the endoscope 2 of the present embodiment is inserted from the light source device 3 by the light guide bundle 32 (see FIG. 3) of the illumination means described later disposed on the universal cable 19, the operation unit 11, and the insertion unit 10. The illumination light is transmitted to the tip of the unit 10. The endoscope connector 20 is provided with a detachable cable 21, and the extended end of the cable 21 is detachable from the video processor 4 by an electric connector.

ビデオプロセッサ４は、内視鏡画像を表示するモニタ５と電気的に接続され、内視鏡２の後述する撮像手段である内視鏡用撮像ユニットによって光電変換された撮像信号を信号処理して、画像信号としてモニタ５に出力する。なお、光源装置３には、図示しないが、内視鏡２の挿入部１０の先端部６から空気、及び水を噴出するための送気送水機能が設けられている。 The video processor 4 is electrically connected to a monitor 5 that displays an endoscopic image, and performs signal processing on an imaging signal photoelectrically converted by an endoscope imaging unit that is an imaging unit to be described later of the endoscope 2. , And output to the monitor 5 as an image signal. Although not shown, the light source device 3 is provided with an air / water supply function for ejecting air and water from the distal end portion 6 of the insertion portion 10 of the endoscope 2.

次に、内視鏡２の挿入部１０の構成について、図２および図３に基づいて、以下に説明する。
本実施の形態の挿入部１０は、図２および図３に示すように、硬性の先端部６と、湾曲部３０と、可撓管部９と、を有して構成されている。湾曲部３０は能動的に湾曲操作される第１湾曲部７と、受動的に湾曲する非常に柔軟な第２湾曲部８とからなる。可撓管部９は第２湾曲部８よりも硬度（曲げ剛性）が高く設定されている。なお、第２湾曲部８は、操作部１４によって湾曲操作はできないが、外力をうけることで曲げられる受動型の湾曲部として機能するものである。 Next, the configuration of the insertion portion 10 of the endoscope 2 will be described below based on FIG. 2 and FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the insertion portion 10 according to the present embodiment is configured to include a rigid distal end portion 6, a bending portion 30, and a flexible tube portion 9. The bending portion 30 includes a first bending portion 7 that is actively operated to bend and a very flexible second bending portion 8 that is passively bent. The flexible tube portion 9 is set to have a higher hardness (bending rigidity) than the second bending portion 8. The second bending portion 8 functions as a passive bending portion that cannot be bent by the operation portion 14 but is bent by receiving an external force.

この挿入部１０は、能動型の第１湾曲部７と、受動型の第２湾曲部８と、の境界部分に第１湾曲部７と第２湾曲部８を視覚的に区別する指標部５０が設けられている。この指標部５０は、第１湾曲部７および第２湾曲部８の境界部分の目安として、挿入部１０の外周部の周方向に印刷などされたラインである。 The insertion unit 10 includes an index unit 50 that visually distinguishes the first bending unit 7 and the second bending unit 8 at a boundary portion between the active first bending unit 7 and the passive second bending unit 8. Is provided. The indicator portion 50 is a line printed in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral portion of the insertion portion 10 as a measure of the boundary portion between the first bending portion 7 and the second bending portion 8.

先端部６は、図３に示すように、金属性ブロックである先端硬質部２３に樹脂性の先端カバー２４が配設されている。この先端部６は、先端カバー２４が設けられた先端面に照明窓としての照明光学系３１が配設され、この照明光学系３１の後方に光源装置３からの照明光を伝送するライトガイドバンドル３２の端部が配置されている。即ち、ライトガイドバンドル３２で伝送された照明光は、先端部６の先端面に配設された照明光学系３１から前方に出射され、患部などの被写体を照明する。 As shown in FIG. 3, the distal end portion 6 is provided with a resinous distal end cover 24 on the distal end hard portion 23 which is a metallic block. The distal end portion 6 is provided with an illumination optical system 31 as an illumination window on the distal end surface on which the distal end cover 24 is provided, and a light guide bundle that transmits illumination light from the light source device 3 behind the illumination optical system 31. 32 ends are arranged. That is, the illumination light transmitted by the light guide bundle 32 is emitted forward from the illumination optical system 31 disposed on the distal end surface of the distal end portion 6 to illuminate a subject such as an affected area.

また、先端部６には、観察窓としての観察光学系である対物レンズ３３およびこの対物レンズ３３の結像位置に設けられて光学像を光電変換する機能を備えた電荷結合素子としての固体撮像素子（ＣＣＤやＣＭＯＳなど）３４を備えた撮像ユニット３５が設けられている。なお、撮像ユニット３５からは、通信ケーブル３６が延設されている。 Further, the distal end portion 6 is provided with an objective lens 33 that is an observation optical system as an observation window, and a solid-state imaging as a charge coupled device that is provided at an imaging position of the objective lens 33 and has a function of photoelectrically converting an optical image. An imaging unit 35 having an element (CCD, CMOS, etc.) 34 is provided. Note that a communication cable 36 is extended from the imaging unit 35.

また、先端部６の先端面には、対物レンズ３３の表面に向けて送気送水する送気送水ノズル３７が設けられている。この送気送水ノズル３７は、送気送水管路３８の一端が接続されている。さらに、先端部６の先端面には、処置具チャンネル３９の開口が設けられている。 Further, an air / water supply nozzle 37 for supplying air / water toward the surface of the objective lens 33 is provided on the distal end surface of the distal end portion 6. One end of an air / water supply conduit 38 is connected to the air / water supply nozzle 37. Furthermore, an opening of the treatment instrument channel 39 is provided at the distal end surface of the distal end portion 6.

先端部６に隣接して設けられた湾曲部３０の一つである第１湾曲部７は、リング形状の多数の湾曲駒４１が、隣接する湾曲駒４１と上下、左右に対応する位置でリベットなどによって互いに回動自在に連結して構成されている。なお、最先端の湾曲駒４１には、湾曲ワイヤ４２の端部が固着されている。この湾曲ワイヤ４２は、挿入部１０内の第２湾曲部８の先端まで配設されるコイルシース４３内に挿通され、その後端が操作部１１内の図示しないスプロケットに連結されている。 The first bending portion 7, which is one of the bending portions 30 provided adjacent to the tip portion 6, has a large number of ring-shaped bending pieces 41 rivets at positions corresponding to the adjacent bending pieces 41 in the vertical and horizontal directions. For example, they are connected to each other so as to be rotatable. Note that the end of the bending wire 42 is fixed to the most advanced bending piece 41. The bending wire 42 is inserted into a coil sheath 43 disposed up to the distal end of the second bending portion 8 in the insertion portion 10, and the rear end is connected to a sprocket (not shown) in the operation portion 11.

このスプロケットは、湾曲操作ノブ１４に連結されている。そして、ＵＤ湾曲操作ノブ１２またはＲＬ湾曲操作ノブ１３を回動する操作を行うことにより、上下方向または左右方向に沿って配置した一対の湾曲ワイヤ４２の一方を牽引し、他方を弛緩させて牽引した湾曲ワイヤ４２側に第１湾曲部７を湾曲させることができるようにしている。即ち、第１湾曲部７は、湾曲操作ノブ１４の操作により能動的に湾曲する能動型の湾曲部を構成している。 This sprocket is connected to the bending operation knob 14. Then, by rotating the UD bending operation knob 12 or the RL bending operation knob 13, one of the pair of bending wires 42 arranged along the vertical direction or the horizontal direction is pulled, and the other is relaxed and pulled. The first bending portion 7 can be bent toward the bending wire 42 side. That is, the first bending portion 7 constitutes an active bending portion that is actively bent by the operation of the bending operation knob 14.

また、湾曲部３０の一つである第２湾曲部８には、螺旋管（フレックス管ともいう）４４と、この螺旋管４４を被覆する網状管（ブレードともいう）４５と、が設けられている。この第２湾曲部８は、網状管４５の外周が外皮としての軟性管である湾曲ゴム（湾曲ゴム管）４７によって覆われている。 The second bending portion 8, which is one of the bending portions 30, is provided with a spiral tube (also referred to as a flex tube) 44 and a mesh tube (also referred to as a blade) 45 that covers the spiral tube 44. Yes. In the second bending portion 8, the outer periphery of the mesh tube 45 is covered with a curved rubber (curved rubber tube) 47 which is a soft tube as an outer skin.

第２湾曲部８は、螺旋管４４を被覆する網状管４５および湾曲ゴム４７の曲げ剛性により、所定の硬さが設定されている。なお、第２湾曲部８は、後述する可撓管部９よりも所定の硬さが低く設定されており、非常に柔軟な構成となっている。また、この第２湾曲部８は、外力により受動的に湾曲する受動型の湾曲部を構成している。 The second bending portion 8 is set to have a predetermined hardness by the bending rigidity of the mesh tube 45 and the bending rubber 47 covering the spiral tube 44. The second bending portion 8 is set to have a predetermined hardness lower than that of the flexible tube portion 9 described later, and has a very flexible configuration. The second bending portion 8 forms a passive bending portion that is passively bent by an external force.

なお、湾曲ゴム４７は、先端部６の先端カバー２４に連設され、先端部６の後方から第１湾曲部７および第２湾曲部８を一体的に被覆している。また、湾曲ゴム４７は、先端部分が糸巻き接着部４８によって固着されている。そして、湾曲ゴム４７は、能動型の第１湾曲部７と受動型の第２湾曲部８の境界外周部分に上述の指標部５０が設けられている。 The curved rubber 47 is connected to the distal end cover 24 of the distal end portion 6 and integrally covers the first curved portion 7 and the second curved portion 8 from the rear of the distal end portion 6. Further, the curved rubber 47 has a tip portion fixed by a bobbin adhering portion 48. The curved rubber 47 is provided with the above-described index portion 50 at the boundary outer peripheral portion between the active first bending portion 7 and the passive second bending portion 8.

可撓管部９には、第２湾曲部８と同様に、螺旋管５１と、この螺旋管５１を被覆する網状管５２と、が設けられている。この可撓管部９は、網状管４５の外周が外皮としての樹脂管５３によって覆われている。なお、湾曲ゴム４７の基端分と樹脂管５３の先端部分は、糸巻き接着部４９によって固着されている。 Similar to the second bending portion 8, the flexible tube portion 9 is provided with a spiral tube 51 and a mesh tube 52 that covers the spiral tube 51. In this flexible tube portion 9, the outer periphery of the mesh tube 45 is covered with a resin tube 53 as an outer skin. Note that the proximal end portion of the curved rubber 47 and the distal end portion of the resin tube 53 are fixed by a bobbin adhering portion 49.

樹脂管５３は、外周の表面に耐薬性のコーティングが施され、可撓管部９が所定の硬さ（曲げ剛性）となるように、それ自体の硬度が設定されている。即ち、可撓管部９は、樹脂管５３の曲げ剛性により、上述したように第２湾曲部８よりも所定の硬さが高く設定されており、体腔（ここでは大腸）への押し込み操作に必要な所定の可撓性（所謂コシ）を有した構成となっている。なお、可撓管部９の螺旋管５１および網状管５２は、ここでは、第２湾曲部８の螺旋管４４および網状管４５と連続する一体的な構成となっている。なお、螺旋管４４，５１および網状管４５，５２は、第２湾曲部８および可撓管部９において別体として設けても良い。 The resin tube 53 is coated with a chemical resistant coating on the outer peripheral surface, and its own hardness is set so that the flexible tube portion 9 has a predetermined hardness (bending rigidity). That is, the flexible tube portion 9 is set to have a predetermined hardness higher than that of the second bending portion 8 as described above due to the bending rigidity of the resin tube 53, so that the flexible tube portion 9 can be pushed into the body cavity (here, the large intestine). It has a configuration having the required predetermined flexibility (so-called stiffness). Here, the spiral tube 51 and the mesh tube 52 of the flexible tube portion 9 have an integrated configuration that is continuous with the spiral tube 44 and the mesh tube 45 of the second bending portion 8. The spiral tubes 44 and 51 and the mesh tubes 45 and 52 may be provided separately in the second bending portion 8 and the flexible tube portion 9.

そして、本実施の形態では、第２湾曲部８および可撓管部９の硬さ（曲げ剛性）の違いが湾曲ゴム４７および樹脂管５３の硬さ（曲げ剛性）の違いにより設定されている。そして、上述したように、第２湾曲部８が非常に柔らかく設定されており、この第２湾曲部８よりも硬く体腔、特に大腸への挿入に必要な所定の可撓性を有するように可撓管部９の硬さが設定されている。 In the present embodiment, the difference in hardness (bending rigidity) between the second bending portion 8 and the flexible tube portion 9 is set by the difference in hardness (bending rigidity) between the bending rubber 47 and the resin tube 53. . As described above, the second bending portion 8 is set to be very soft and is harder than the second bending portion 8 so that it has a predetermined flexibility necessary for insertion into a body cavity, particularly the large intestine. The hardness of the flexible tube portion 9 is set.

なお、第２湾曲部８および可撓管部９の硬さは、湾曲ゴム４７および樹脂管５３の硬さの違いに加え、螺旋管４４，５１の螺旋ピッチ、板厚などを変更して設定しても良い。さらに、第２湾曲部８は、図４に示すように、螺旋管４４および網状管４５に変えて第１湾曲部７と同様に複数の湾曲駒４１を設けて、受動的に湾曲する構成としても良い。 The hardness of the second bending portion 8 and the flexible tube portion 9 is set by changing the helical pitch and plate thickness of the helical tubes 44 and 51 in addition to the difference in hardness between the bending rubber 47 and the resin tube 53. You may do it. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the second bending portion 8 is configured to be passively bent by providing a plurality of bending pieces 41 in the same manner as the first bending portion 7 in place of the spiral tube 44 and the mesh tube 45. Also good.

ここで、以上のように構成された内視鏡２の挿入部１０を患者の肛門１０１から大腸に挿入して、直腸１０２にて第１湾曲部７を１８０°以上の湾曲操作を行なって反転観察する状態について説明する。
図５に示すように、挿入部１０は、先端部６から肛門１０１を介して、大腸の直腸１０２に挿入される。そして、挿入部１０は、先端部６がＳ状結腸１０３付近まで挿入された状態から、第１湾曲部７が湾曲操作されることで直腸１０２内の反転観察（反転視）が行われる。 Here, the insertion portion 10 of the endoscope 2 configured as described above is inserted into the large intestine from the patient's anus 101, and the first bending portion 7 is bent by 180 ° or more in the rectum 102 and inverted. The state to be observed will be described.
As shown in FIG. 5, the insertion portion 10 is inserted from the distal end portion 6 through the anus 101 into the rectum 102 of the large intestine. The insertion unit 10 performs reverse observation (reverse view) in the rectum 102 by bending the first bending portion 7 from the state where the distal end portion 6 is inserted to the vicinity of the sigmoid colon 103.

このとき、挿入部１０は、直腸１０２での狭い管腔で反転しても、図６に示すように、第２湾曲部８が第１湾曲部７の湾曲方向と反対方向に受動的に湾曲して逃げてくれるため、図７の状態となるように、反転操作が容易に行うことができる。 At this time, even if the insertion portion 10 is inverted by a narrow lumen in the rectum 102, the second bending portion 8 is passively bent in a direction opposite to the bending direction of the first bending portion 7, as shown in FIG. Therefore, the reversing operation can be easily performed so as to be in the state of FIG.

この直腸１０２内における反転観察のとき、本実施の形態の挿入部１０は、直腸１０２への挿入部１０の挿入位置を調整するために、第１湾曲部７と第２湾曲部８との境界部分に設けられた指標部５０を目印とすることができる。即ち、ユーザは、直腸１０２内での反転観察の際に、直腸１０２内における挿入部１０の挿入量を把握するため、図８に示すように、モニタ５に映し出された観察画面上で、直腸１０２内における肛門１０１からの指標部５０の位置により容易に確認することができるとともに、肛門１０１が画面中央に捉えられるので、肛門１０１の周辺における病変の有無を容易に確認することができる。 At the time of reversal observation in the rectum 102, the insertion portion 10 of the present embodiment is configured so that the boundary between the first bending portion 7 and the second bending portion 8 is adjusted in order to adjust the insertion position of the insertion portion 10 into the rectum 102. The indicator part 50 provided in the part can be used as a mark. That is, the user can grasp the insertion amount of the insertion portion 10 in the rectum 102 during the reverse observation in the rectum 102, as shown in FIG. 8, on the observation screen displayed on the monitor 5, The position of the index part 50 from the anus 101 in the area 102 can be easily confirmed, and the anus 101 is captured at the center of the screen, so that the presence or absence of a lesion around the anus 101 can be easily confirmed.

ところで、図９および図１０に示すように、挿入部１０ａに受動型の湾曲部を備えていない従来の内視鏡の場合、直腸１０２内の反転観察のときには、ユーザが能動型の湾曲部７ａと可撓管部９ａとの境界部分に設けられた糸巻き接着部４９ａの位置が目安になり、直腸１０２への挿入部１０ａの挿入位置を調整していた。そのため、本実施の形態の内視鏡２は、従来の糸巻き接着部４９ａに変えて、第１湾曲部７と第２湾曲部８との境界部分に設けられた指標部５０の位置を目安にすることで、従来の内視鏡と同等の操作感覚を違和感なく、直腸１０２内の反転観察のときの挿入部１０の挿入位置を調整することができる。 By the way, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, in the case of a conventional endoscope in which the insertion portion 10a is not provided with a passive bending portion, the user can make an active bending portion 7a when inverting observation in the rectum 102. The position of the bobbin adhering portion 49a provided at the boundary between the flexible tube portion 9a serves as a standard, and the insertion position of the insertion portion 10a into the rectum 102 is adjusted. Therefore, the endoscope 2 according to the present embodiment uses the position of the index portion 50 provided at the boundary portion between the first bending portion 7 and the second bending portion 8 as a guide instead of the conventional pincushion bonding portion 49a. By doing so, it is possible to adjust the insertion position of the insertion portion 10 during the reverse observation in the rectum 102 without feeling uncomfortable operation feeling equivalent to that of a conventional endoscope.

また、一体的に湾曲ゴム４７で被覆された第１湾曲部７と第２湾曲部８との境界部分に本実施の形態のような指標部５０を設けないと、第１湾曲部７と第２湾曲部８の境界部分がわかり難く、従来の内視鏡のように、糸巻き接着部４９を目安にしてしまう可能性がある。そして、挿入部１０は、第２湾曲部８を設けることで湾曲部３０が受動型の湾曲部を備えていない従来の挿入部における能動型の湾曲部７ａよりも長くなるため、この第２湾曲部８の長さだけ、挿入部１０における糸巻き接着部４９の位置が受動型の湾曲部を備えていない従来の挿入部の糸巻き接着部４９ａよりも手元側に位置する。 Further, if the indicator portion 50 as in the present embodiment is not provided at the boundary portion between the first bending portion 7 and the second bending portion 8 that are integrally covered with the bending rubber 47, the first bending portion 7 and the first bending portion 7 The boundary portion of the two curved portions 8 is difficult to understand, and there is a possibility that the pincushion bonding portion 49 is used as a guide as in a conventional endoscope. Since the insertion portion 10 is provided with the second bending portion 8, the bending portion 30 is longer than the active bending portion 7a in the conventional insertion portion that does not include the passive bending portion. For the length of the portion 8, the position of the bobbin bonding portion 49 in the insertion portion 10 is positioned closer to the hand than the bobbin bonding portion 49a of the conventional insertion portion that does not include a passive bending portion.

そのため、直腸１０２内の反転観察のときに、糸巻き接着部４９の位置を目安として、直腸１０２への挿入部１０の挿入位置を調整すると、図１１および図１２に示すように、挿入部１０が直腸１０２内の奥まで入りすぎてしまい、腸壁を押し広げて患者へ苦痛を与えたり、モニタ５に映し出される視野範囲が異なるため、ユーザに違和感を与えたり、肛門１０１の周辺における病変の有無を確認し難くなる。 Therefore, when the insertion position of the insertion portion 10 into the rectum 102 is adjusted using the position of the bobbin adhering portion 49 as a guide during reversal observation in the rectum 102, as shown in FIGS. The patient enters the inside of the rectum 102 too much and pushes the intestinal wall to give pain to the patient, and the visual field range displayed on the monitor 5 is different, which gives the user a sense of incongruity, and whether there is a lesion around the anus 101 It becomes difficult to confirm.

これに対しても、本実施の形態の内視鏡２は、第１湾曲部７と第２湾曲部８との境界部分に設けられた指標部５０の位置が目安となることで、挿入部１０が直腸１０２内の奥まで入りすぎてしまうことを防止でき、腸壁を押し広げることで患者へ苦痛を与えることなく、且つユーザがモニタ５に映し出される視野範囲に違和感を抱くことなく、従来と同様に直腸１０２内の反転観察のときの挿入部１０の挿入位置を調整することができる。 In contrast to this, the endoscope 2 according to the present embodiment is configured such that the position of the index portion 50 provided at the boundary portion between the first bending portion 7 and the second bending portion 8 serves as a guideline. 10 can be prevented from entering too far into the rectum 102, without causing pain to the patient by expanding the intestinal wall, and without causing the user to feel uncomfortable in the visual field range displayed on the monitor 5. Similarly to the above, it is possible to adjust the insertion position of the insertion portion 10 during the reverse observation in the rectum 102.

以上の説明から、本実施の形態の内視鏡２は、挿入部１０の第１湾曲部７と第２湾曲部８との境界部分に指標部５０を設けることで、この指標部５０が従来の内視鏡での糸巻き接着部４９ａと同様に直腸１０２への挿入部１０の挿入位置を調整する目安となり、受動型の第２湾曲部８が設けられていない従来の内視鏡と同等の操作感覚で違和感なく直腸の反転観察操作が行なえる構成となる。 From the above description, the endoscope 2 according to the present embodiment is provided with the index portion 50 at the boundary portion between the first bending portion 7 and the second bending portion 8 of the insertion portion 10. This is a guideline for adjusting the insertion position of the insertion portion 10 into the rectum 102 in the same manner as the bobbin adhering portion 49a in the endoscope, and is equivalent to a conventional endoscope in which the passive second bending portion 8 is not provided. The structure allows the rectal reversal observation operation to be performed without any sense of incongruity.

（第２の実施の形態）
次に、図１３から図１７に基づいて、第２の実施の形態について説明する。この実施の形態は第１の実施の形態の変形例であって、同一の部材には同一の符号を付し、詳しい説明を省略する。図１３から図１７は本発明の第２の実施の形態に係り、図１３は挿入部の構成を示す図、図１４は挿入部の構成を示す断面図、図１５はオーバーチューブに挿入部が挿入された状態を示す部分断面図、図１６は変形例の挿入部の構成を示す図、図１７は挿入部の構成を示す断面図である。 (Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. This embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted. FIGS. 13 to 17 relate to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of the insertion portion, FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing the configuration of the insertion portion, and FIG. FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the inserted state, FIG. 16 is a view showing the configuration of the insertion portion of the modification, and FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the insertion portion.

本実施の形態の内視鏡２は、図１３に示すように、挿入部１０における能動型の第１湾曲部７と、受動型の第２湾曲部８と、の境界部分の外径を大きくして外周回りに突起する指標部６０が形成されている。 As shown in FIG. 13, the endoscope 2 according to the present embodiment increases the outer diameter of the boundary portion between the active first bending portion 7 and the passive second bending portion 8 in the insertion portion 10. Thus, an indicator portion 60 that protrudes around the outer periphery is formed.

この指標部６０は、湾曲ゴム４７が被覆する内部部材の径を大きくすることで、第１湾曲部７の長さも視覚的にも認識し易くできるように、第１湾曲部７と第２湾曲部８の境界部分の湾曲ゴム４７の表面が盛り上がるように形成されている。具体的に、ここでの挿入部１０は、例えば、図１４に示すように、第１湾曲部７の最基端の湾曲駒４１と、第２湾曲部８の螺旋管４４の先端部分とを連結する口金としての連結管６１の肉厚により外径を大きくし、連結管６１を被覆する部分の湾曲ゴム４７の表面部が凸部形状となるように指標部６０が形成される。 The index portion 60 has the first bending portion 7 and the second bending portion so that the length of the first bending portion 7 can be easily recognized visually by increasing the diameter of the internal member covered by the bending rubber 47. The surface of the curved rubber 47 at the boundary portion of the portion 8 is formed so as to rise. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, the insertion portion 10 here includes a bending piece 41 at the most proximal end of the first bending portion 7 and a distal end portion of the helical tube 44 of the second bending portion 8. The outer diameter is increased by the thickness of the connecting pipe 61 as a base to be connected, and the indicator portion 60 is formed so that the surface of the curved rubber 47 covering the connecting pipe 61 has a convex shape.

ところで、挿入部１０は、図１５に示すような体腔である大腸深部への挿入を補助するためのオーバーチューブ８０が併用されることがある。このオーバーチューブ８０は、先端から順に、軟性のフード８１、可撓チューブ８２および操作把持部８３が連設されている。 By the way, the insertion part 10 may be used together with an overtube 80 for assisting insertion into the deep part of the large intestine which is a body cavity as shown in FIG. In the overtube 80, a soft hood 81, a flexible tube 82, and an operation gripping portion 83 are connected in order from the tip.

そして、内視鏡２の挿入部１０は、外周回りに突起する指標部６０を形成することで、オーバーチューブ８０に挿通して使用するため、指標部６０が最も太くなると、フード８１および可撓チューブ８２の内周部に指標部６０を形成している盛り上がった湾曲ゴム４７の部分が積極的に擦れて損傷し易くなる。そのため、挿入部１０は、指標部６０が優先的にフード８１および可撓チューブ８２の内周部と接触しないように、指標部６０の外径ｄ１を糸巻き接着部４９の外径ｄ２よりも小さく（ｄ１＜ｄ２）となるように設定されている。即ち、挿入部１０の外周回りの指標部６０の突起量を糸巻き接着部４９の突起量よりも小さく設定している。 The insertion portion 10 of the endoscope 2 is used by being inserted into the overtube 80 by forming the indicator portion 60 that protrudes around the outer periphery. Therefore, when the indicator portion 60 becomes thickest, the hood 81 and the flexible portion A portion of the raised curved rubber 47 forming the indicator portion 60 on the inner peripheral portion of the tube 82 is apt to be rubbed and easily damaged. Therefore, the insertion part 10 has an outer diameter d1 of the index part 60 smaller than an outer diameter d2 of the bobbin adhering part 49 so that the index part 60 does not contact the inner periphery of the hood 81 and the flexible tube 82 preferentially. (D1 <d2) is set. That is, the projection amount of the index portion 60 around the outer periphery of the insertion portion 10 is set smaller than the projection amount of the bobbin adhering portion 49.

また、フード８１の開口径Ｄ１は、可撓チューブ８２の内径Ｄ２よりも小さく（Ｄ１＜Ｄ２）、オーバーチューブ８０における最小内径となっている。そのため、内視鏡２の指標部６０の外径ｄ１および糸巻き接着部４９の外径ｄ２と、オーバーチューブ８０のフード８１の開口径Ｄ１および可撓チューブ８２の内径Ｄ２と、のそれぞれの関係を、指標部６０の外径ｄ１が最も小さく、糸巻き接着部４９の外径ｄ２が次に小さく、フード８１の開口径Ｄ１が糸巻き接着部４９の外径ｄ２以上で、可撓チューブ８２の内径Ｄ２が最も大きくなるように、各径寸法が設定されている（ｄ１＜ｄ２≦Ｄ１＜Ｄ２）。なお、糸巻き接着部４９は、比較的に丈夫であり、フード８１の開口を通過できれば良い構成であるため、糸巻き接着部４９の外径ｄ２とフード８１の開口径Ｄ１とが同じ寸法でも、外径ｄ２が開口径Ｄ１より小さくなっても良い。 Moreover, the opening diameter D1 of the hood 81 is smaller than the inner diameter D2 of the flexible tube 82 (D1 <D2), and is the minimum inner diameter of the overtube 80. Therefore, the relationship between the outer diameter d1 of the index portion 60 of the endoscope 2 and the outer diameter d2 of the bobbin adhering portion 49, the opening diameter D1 of the hood 81 of the overtube 80, and the inner diameter D2 of the flexible tube 82 The outer diameter d1 of the indicator portion 60 is the smallest, the outer diameter d2 of the bobbin adhering portion 49 is the next smallest, the opening diameter D1 of the hood 81 is equal to or larger than the outer diameter d2 of the bobbin adhering portion 49, and the inner diameter D2 of the flexible tube 82 Are set such that d is the largest (d1 <d2 ≦ D1 <D2). Since the bobbin adhering portion 49 is relatively strong and only needs to pass through the opening of the hood 81, the outer diameter d2 of the bobbin adhering portion 49 and the opening diameter D1 of the hood 81 are the same size. The diameter d2 may be smaller than the opening diameter D1.

以上のように構成された本実施の形態の内視鏡２も、上述した第１の実施の形態と同様に、第１湾曲部７と第２湾曲部８との境界部分に設けられた凸部としての指標部６０の位置が目安となることで、挿入部１０が直腸１０２内の奥まで入りすぎてしまうことを防止でき、腸壁を押し広げることで患者へ苦痛を与えることなく、且つユーザがモニタ５に映し出される視野範囲に違和感を抱くことなく、従来と同様に直腸１０２内の反転観察のときの挿入部１０の挿入位置を調整することができる。そして、内視鏡２は、指標部６０が従来の内視鏡での糸巻き接着部４９ａと同様に直腸１０２への挿入部１０の挿入位置を調整する目安となり、受動型の第２湾曲部８が設けられていない従来の内視鏡と同等の操作感覚で違和感なく直腸の反転観察操作が行なえる構成となる。 The endoscope 2 of the present embodiment configured as described above is also provided with a protrusion provided at the boundary portion between the first bending portion 7 and the second bending portion 8 as in the first embodiment described above. By using the position of the index part 60 as a guide, the insertion part 10 can be prevented from entering too far into the rectum 102 without causing pain to the patient by expanding the intestinal wall, and The user can adjust the insertion position of the insertion portion 10 during the reverse observation in the rectum 102 without feeling uncomfortable in the visual field range displayed on the monitor 5. In the endoscope 2, the index portion 60 serves as a guideline for adjusting the insertion position of the insertion portion 10 into the rectum 102 in the same manner as the pincushion bonding portion 49a in the conventional endoscope, and the passive second bending portion 8 is used. It is possible to perform the reversal observation operation of the rectum without a sense of incongruity with an operation feeling equivalent to that of a conventional endoscope that is not provided.

（変形例）
なお、上記した指標部６０は、一つの凸状としているが、視覚的にも認識し易いように例えば、図１６および図１７に示す、挿入部１０の外周回りに突起する二つの指標部６２としても良い。これら指標部６２は、第１湾曲部７の最基端の湾曲駒４１と、第２湾曲部８の螺旋管４４の先端部分とを連結する連結管６１の外周部に二つの凸部を設けて、この連結管６１を被覆する部分の湾曲ゴム４７が二つの凸部形状となるように二つ形成される。また、これら指標部６２は、二つに限定されることなく、複数設けても良い。 (Modification)
Although the above-described index portion 60 has a single convex shape, for example, two index portions 62 projecting around the outer periphery of the insertion portion 10 shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 so as to be easily recognized visually. It is also good. These indicator portions 62 are provided with two convex portions on the outer peripheral portion of the connecting tube 61 that connects the bending piece 41 at the most proximal end of the first bending portion 7 and the distal end portion of the helical tube 44 of the second bending portion 8. Thus, two curved rubbers 47 covering the connecting pipe 61 are formed so as to have two convex shapes. Further, the number of the indicator portions 62 is not limited to two, and a plurality of indicator portions 62 may be provided.

（第３の実施の形態）
次に、図１８から図２０に基づいて、第３の実施の形態について説明する。この実施の形態も第１の実施の形態の変形例であって、同一の部材には同一の符号を付し、詳しい説明を省略する。図１８から図２０は本発明の第３の実施の形態に係り、図１８は挿入部の構成を示す図、図１９は挿入部の構成を示す断面図、図２０は変形例の挿入部の構成を示す断面図である。 (Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described based on FIGS. This embodiment is also a modification of the first embodiment, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted. 18 to 20 relate to the third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the configuration of the insertion portion, FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the insertion portion, and FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows a structure.

本実施の形態の内視鏡２は、図１８に示すように、挿入部１０における受動型の第１湾曲部７よりも能動型の第２湾曲部８の外径を大きくして、第１湾曲部７と第２湾曲部８の境界部分に、第１湾曲部７の長さも視覚的にも認識し易くできる段差としての指標部７０が形成されている。 As shown in FIG. 18, the endoscope 2 according to the present embodiment is configured such that the outer diameter of the active second bending portion 8 is larger than the passive first bending portion 7 in the insertion portion 10. An indicator portion 70 is formed at a boundary portion between the bending portion 7 and the second bending portion 8 as a step that makes it easy to visually recognize the length of the first bending portion 7 as well.

この指標部７０は、湾曲ゴム４７が被覆する第２湾曲部８における内部部材の径を大きくすることで、第１湾曲部７と第２湾曲部８の境界部分に形成される段差である。 The indicator portion 70 is a step formed at the boundary between the first bending portion 7 and the second bending portion 8 by increasing the diameter of the internal member in the second bending portion 8 covered by the bending rubber 47.

具体的に、挿入部１０は、例えば、図１９に示すように、第２湾曲部８が図４に示した駒構成であり、第１湾曲部７の最基端の湾曲駒４１に対して、第２湾曲部８の湾曲駒４１の外径を大きくして、これら湾曲駒４１を被覆する湾曲ゴム４７における第１湾曲部７と第２湾曲部８の境界部分の表面部分に段差が形成され、この段差が指標部７０となっている。なお、このように第２湾曲部８の湾曲駒４１の外径を大きくすることで、湾曲駒４１の内径も大きくできるため、第１湾曲部７を湾曲可変するための湾曲ワイヤ４２が挿通配置されるコイルシース４３などの内蔵物を配置するスペースが広がり、ライトガイドバンドル３２や送気送水管路３８など、圧迫により潰れやすい内蔵物の耐久性も向上するという利点がある。 Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 19, the insertion portion 10 has the piece configuration in which the second bending portion 8 is shown in FIG. 4, and the bending portion 41 at the most proximal end of the first bending portion 7. The outer diameter of the bending piece 41 of the second bending portion 8 is increased, and a step is formed on the surface portion of the boundary portion of the first bending portion 7 and the second bending portion 8 in the bending rubber 47 covering the bending piece 41. The step is an indicator portion 70. In addition, since the inner diameter of the bending piece 41 can be increased by increasing the outer diameter of the bending piece 41 of the second bending portion 8 in this way, a bending wire 42 for changing the bending of the first bending portion 7 is inserted and arranged. There is an advantage that the space for arranging the built-in objects such as the coil sheath 43 is increased, and the durability of the built-in objects such as the light guide bundle 32 and the air / water supply conduit 38 that are easily crushed by pressure is improved.

なお、ここでも、第２の実施の形態と同様に、挿入部１０は、オーバーチューブ８０のフード８１および可撓チューブ８２の内周部に指標部７０部分の湾曲ゴム４７が積極的に擦れて損傷しないように、図１８に示すように、第２湾曲部８の外径ｄ１と、糸巻き接着部の外径ｄ２と、第１湾曲部７の外径ｄ３と、可撓管部９の外径ｄ４の関係は、糸巻き接着部の外径ｄ２が最も大きく、次いで、第２湾曲部８の外径ｄ１が大きく、第１湾曲部７の外径ｄ３が第２湾曲部８の外径ｄ１よりも小さく、且つ可撓管部９の外径ｄ４以上とるように設定されている（ｄ２＞ｄ１＞ｄ３≧ｄ４）。即ち、挿入部１０は、糸巻き接着部の外径ｄ２が最も太径となるように設定されている。 In this case as well, as in the second embodiment, the insertion portion 10 is positively rubbed with the curved rubber 47 of the indicator portion 70 on the hood 81 of the overtube 80 and the inner peripheral portion of the flexible tube 82. As shown in FIG. 18, the outer diameter d1 of the second bending portion 8, the outer diameter d2 of the bobbin adhering portion, the outer diameter d3 of the first bending portion 7, and the outside of the flexible tube portion 9 as shown in FIG. Regarding the relationship of the diameter d4, the outer diameter d2 of the bobbin adhering portion is the largest, then the outer diameter d1 of the second bending portion 8 is large, and the outer diameter d3 of the first bending portion 7 is the outer diameter d1 of the second bending portion 8. It is set to be smaller than the outer diameter d4 of the flexible tube portion 9 (d2> d1> d3 ≧ d4). That is, the insertion portion 10 is set so that the outer diameter d2 of the bobbin adhering portion is the largest.

以上のように構成された本実施の形態の内視鏡２も、上述した第１の実施の形態と同様に、第１湾曲部７と第２湾曲部８との境界部分に設けられた段部としての指標部７０の位置が目安となることで、挿入部１０が直腸１０２内の奥まで入りすぎてしまうことを防止でき、腸壁を押し広げることで患者へ苦痛を与えることなく、且つユーザがモニタ５に映し出される視野範囲に違和感を抱くことなく、従来と同様に直腸１０２内の反転観察のときの挿入部１０の挿入位置を調整することができる。そして、内視鏡２は、指標部６０が従来の内視鏡での糸巻き接着部４９ａと同様に直腸１０２への挿入部１０の挿入位置を調整する目安となり、受動型の第２湾曲部８が設けられていない従来の内視鏡と同等の操作感覚で違和感なく直腸の反転観察操作が行なえる構成となる。 The endoscope 2 of the present embodiment configured as described above is also provided at the boundary portion between the first bending portion 7 and the second bending portion 8 as in the first embodiment described above. By using the position of the indicator portion 70 as a guide, the insertion portion 10 can be prevented from entering too far into the rectum 102 without causing pain to the patient by expanding the intestinal wall, and The user can adjust the insertion position of the insertion portion 10 during the reverse observation in the rectum 102 without feeling uncomfortable in the visual field range displayed on the monitor 5. In the endoscope 2, the index portion 60 serves as a guideline for adjusting the insertion position of the insertion portion 10 into the rectum 102 in the same manner as the pincushion bonding portion 49a in the conventional endoscope, and the passive second bending portion 8 is used. It is possible to perform the reversal observation operation of the rectum without a sense of incongruity with an operation feeling equivalent to that of a conventional endoscope that is not provided.

（変形例）
なお、図２０に示すように、挿入部１０における受動型の第１湾曲部７よりも能動型の第２湾曲部８の外径が大きくなるように、第２湾曲部８の領域だけ、湾曲ゴム４７の肉厚を大きくして、第１湾曲部７と第２湾曲部８の境界部分と第１湾曲部７の長さが視覚的にも認識し易い段差としての指標部７０を形成しても良い。 (Modification)
As shown in FIG. 20, only the region of the second bending portion 8 is bent so that the outer diameter of the active second bending portion 8 is larger than that of the passive first bending portion 7 in the insertion portion 10. The thickness of the rubber 47 is increased to form an indicator portion 70 as a step where the boundary between the first bending portion 7 and the second bending portion 8 and the length of the first bending portion 7 can be easily recognized visually. May be.

ところで、第１湾曲部７および第２湾曲部８を一体的に被覆している湾曲ゴム４７は、樹脂管５３よりも軟らかく、受動型の湾曲部を備えていない従来の内視鏡に比して長くなるため、長くなった箇所の耐久性が従来の内視鏡よりも劣る。しかしながら、このように第２湾曲部８の領域だけでも湾曲ゴム４７の肉厚を大きくすることで、湾曲ゴム４７の耐久性の低下を防止し、従来と同等以上の耐久性とすることができる。 By the way, the bending rubber 47 that integrally covers the first bending portion 7 and the second bending portion 8 is softer than the resin tube 53 and compared with a conventional endoscope that does not include a passive bending portion. Therefore, the durability of the elongated portion is inferior to that of a conventional endoscope. However, by increasing the thickness of the curved rubber 47 only in the region of the second curved portion 8 as described above, the durability of the curved rubber 47 can be prevented from being lowered, and the durability can be equal to or higher than the conventional one. .

以上の実施の形態に記載した発明は、その実施の形態および変形例に限ることなく、その他、実施段階ではその要旨を逸脱しない範囲で種々の変形を実施し得ることが可能である。さらに、上記実施の形態には、種々の段階の発明が含まれており、開示される複数の構成要件における適宜な組み合わせにより種々の発明が抽出され得るものである。 The invention described in the above embodiment is not limited to the embodiment and modifications, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Further, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements.

例えば、実施の形態に示される全構成要件から幾つかの構成要件が削除されても、述べられている課題が解決でき、述べられている効果が得られる場合には、この構成要件が削除された構成が発明として抽出される得るものである。 For example, even if some constituent requirements are deleted from all the constituent requirements shown in the embodiment, the described requirements can be deleted if the stated problem can be solved and the stated effect can be obtained. Such a configuration can be extracted as an invention.

１…内視鏡装置
２…内視鏡
６…先端部
７…第１湾曲部
８…第２湾曲部
９…可撓管部
１０…挿入部
２３…先端硬質部
２４…先端カバー
３０…湾曲部
４１…湾曲駒
４２…湾曲ワイヤ
４３…コイルシース
４４，５１…螺旋管
４５，５２…網状管
４７…湾曲ゴム
４７…接着部
４７…湾曲ゴム
４８，４９…糸巻き接着部
５０，６０，６２，７０…指標部
５３…樹脂管
６１…連結管 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope apparatus 2 ... Endoscope 6 ... Tip part 7 ... 1st bending part 8 ... 2nd bending part 9 ... Flexible tube part 10 ... Insertion part 23 ... Tip hard part 24 ... Tip cover 30 ... bending part 41 ... bending piece 42 ... bending wire 43 ... coil sheath 44, 51 ... spiral tube 45, 52 ... mesh tube 47 ... curved rubber 47 ... adhesive portion 47 ... curved rubber 48, 49 ... bobbin adhesive portions 50, 60, 62, 70 ... Indicator section 53 ... resin pipe 61 ... connecting pipe

Claims

A first bending portion that is bent and is actively bent;
A second bending portion connected to the first bending portion and passively bending by an external force;
An outer skin that integrally covers the first bending portion and the second bending portion;
An indicator portion that is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the outer skin and visually distinguishes between the first bending portion and the second bending portion;
An endoscope comprising:

2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the index portion is a line provided around an outer peripheral portion of the outer skin at a position of a boundary portion between the first bending portion and the second bending portion. .

2. The internal view according to claim 1, wherein the index portion is a convex portion formed around an outer peripheral portion of the outer skin at a position of a boundary portion between the first curved portion and the second curved portion. mirror.

The endoscope according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of the convex portions are formed at a position of a boundary portion between the first curved portion and the second curved portion.

The outer diameter of the second bending portion is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the first bending portion;
The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the index portion is a step portion formed around an outer peripheral portion of the outer skin at a position of a boundary portion between the first bending portion and the second bending portion. .

The outer diameter of the indicator portion is made smaller than the outer diameter of the adhesive portion that bonds the resin tube of the flexible tube portion provided continuously to the second curved portion and the curved rubber tube constituting the outer skin. The endoscope according to any one of claims 3 to 5.