JP2014033933A

JP2014033933A - Endoscope

Info

Publication number: JP2014033933A
Application number: JP2012178477A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Sukenao Abe; 祐尚阿部
Original assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp
Current assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp
Priority date: 2012-08-10
Filing date: 2012-08-10
Publication date: 2014-02-24
Anticipated expiration: 2032-08-10
Also published as: JP5901469B2

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope in which a curving operation wire has resistance to low temperature plasma sterilization and besides, breakage of the curving operation wire inside a curvature part is efficiently prevented by reducing the ability of curving operation without any increase in inside diameter and outside diameter of a coil pipe.SOLUTION: In an endoscope 1, the outer peripheral surface of each curving operation wire 22 is provided with a coating part 25. The coating part 25 is formed of material having resistance to low temperature plasma sterilization using peroxide. The coating part 25 includes: a first film formation part 26 provided in a part located in the interior of a curvature part 7 of a curving operation wire 22; and a second film formation part 27 provided in a part located in the interior of a bellows pipe part 6 of the curving operation wire 22. The film thickness t1 of the first film formation part 26 is larger than the film thickness t2 of the second film formation part 27. The first film formation part 26 is in contact with a corresponding wire receiver 23, and the second film formation part 27 is in contact with a corresponding coil pipe 45.

Description

本発明は、体腔内に挿入される挿入部を備える内視鏡に関する。 The present invention relates to an endoscope including an insertion portion that is inserted into a body cavity.

一般に、内視鏡は、体腔内に挿入される細長い挿入部と、挿入部の基端側に連結される操作部とを備える。挿入部は、細長く可撓性を有する蛇管部と、蛇管部の先端側に配設される湾曲部と、湾曲部の先端側に配設される先端硬性部とを備える。挿入部の内部には、操作部での湾曲操作を湾曲部に伝達し、湾曲部を湾曲させる少なくとも１対の金属製の湾曲操作ワイヤが長手方向に延設されている。操作部での湾曲操作により、１対の湾曲操作ワイヤの一方が基端側に移動し、他方が先端側に移動する。湾曲操作ワイヤの長手方向への移動により、湾曲部が湾曲する。 In general, an endoscope includes an elongated insertion portion that is inserted into a body cavity and an operation portion that is coupled to a proximal end side of the insertion portion. The insertion portion includes a long and flexible flexible tube portion, a curved portion disposed on the distal end side of the flexible tube portion, and a distal rigid portion disposed on the distal end side of the curved portion. Inside the insertion portion, at least one pair of metal bending operation wires that transmit the bending operation at the operation portion to the bending portion and bend the bending portion are extended in the longitudinal direction. By the bending operation at the operation unit, one of the pair of bending operation wires moves to the proximal end side and the other moves to the distal end side. The bending portion is bent by the movement of the bending operation wire in the longitudinal direction.

蛇管部の内部には、湾曲操作ワイヤを案内するガイド部材であるコイルパイプが、湾曲操作ワイヤと同一の数だけ設けられている。それぞれのコイルパイプには、湾曲操作ワイヤの中の対応する１本の湾曲操作ワイヤが挿通されている。また、湾曲部の内部には、長手方向に並設される複数の節輪を互い回動可能に連結して形成される湾曲管が設けられている。それぞれの節輪には、ワイヤ受けが設けられている。それぞれのワイヤ受けには、湾曲操作ワイヤの中の対応する１本の湾曲操作ワイヤが挿通されている。 The same number of coil pipes as guide members for guiding the bending operation wire are provided inside the serpentine tube portion. Each coil pipe is inserted with a corresponding bending operation wire in the bending operation wires. In addition, a bending tube formed by connecting a plurality of node rings arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction so as to be rotatable with each other is provided inside the bending portion. Each node ring is provided with a wire receiver. A corresponding bending operation wire in the bending operation wires is inserted into each wire receiver.

内視鏡の蛇管部は、長手方向の寸法が大きい。特に、大腸用の内視鏡では、内視鏡が大腸に挿入された際には、蛇管部はループ状等の複雑な形状となる。この状態で操作部での湾曲操作により湾曲操作ワイヤが長手方向に移動すると、湾曲操作ワイヤの外周面とコイルパイプの内周面との間に摩擦力が発生する。摩擦力が大きい場合、操作部での湾曲操作の力量が大きくなる。また、湾曲部が湾曲した際、湾曲操作ワイヤは接触する湾曲管内部のワイヤ受け等から大きな負荷を受ける。湾曲操作ワイヤが大きな負荷を受けることにより、湾曲操作ワイヤが切れてしまう可能性がある。したがって、湾曲操作の力量を軽減し、かつ、湾曲操作ワイヤの切れを防止するために、湾曲操作ワイヤの外周面には、二硫化モリブデン系の材料により潤滑性コーティングが施されている。 The longitudinal portion of the serpentine tube portion of the endoscope is large. In particular, in an endoscope for large intestine, when the endoscope is inserted into the large intestine, the serpentine tube portion has a complicated shape such as a loop shape. In this state, when the bending operation wire moves in the longitudinal direction by a bending operation at the operation unit, a frictional force is generated between the outer peripheral surface of the bending operation wire and the inner peripheral surface of the coil pipe. When the frictional force is large, the amount of bending operation at the operation unit increases. Further, when the bending portion is bent, the bending operation wire receives a large load from a wire receiver or the like inside the bending tube that comes into contact. When the bending operation wire receives a large load, the bending operation wire may be broken. Therefore, in order to reduce the strength of the bending operation and prevent the bending operation wire from being cut, the outer circumferential surface of the bending operation wire is coated with a lubricious coating with a molybdenum disulfide-based material.

しかし、近年、内視鏡の滅菌手段として、過酸化水素を用いた低温プラズマ滅菌が行われる場合がある。二硫化モリブデン系の材料は、低温プラズマ滅菌により化学反応を起こす。このため、コーティングが劣化してしまう。 However, in recent years, low temperature plasma sterilization using hydrogen peroxide is sometimes performed as a means for sterilizing an endoscope. Molybdenum disulfide-based materials cause a chemical reaction by low-temperature plasma sterilization. For this reason, a coating will deteriorate.

そこで、低温プラズマ滅菌に対して耐性を有するコーディングが湾曲操作ワイヤに施されている。特許文献１には、グラファイト含有フッ素樹脂塗料，ＰＴＦＥ−ニッケルメッキ等のコーティング部が外周面に設けられた湾曲操作ワイヤが開示されている。特許文献２には、バインダー成分としてエポキシ樹脂とフェノール樹脂を含んだフッ素樹脂等のコーティング部が外周面に設けられた湾曲操作ワイヤが開示されている。 Therefore, the bending operation wire is provided with a coding resistant to low temperature plasma sterilization. Patent Document 1 discloses a bending operation wire in which a coating portion such as a graphite-containing fluororesin paint or PTFE-nickel plating is provided on an outer peripheral surface. Patent Document 2 discloses a bending operation wire in which a coating portion such as a fluororesin containing an epoxy resin and a phenol resin as a binder component is provided on an outer peripheral surface.

特開平１１−２７６４５２号公報JP-A-11-276252 特開２００４−２０８９６２号公報JP 2004-208962 A

しかし、上記特許文献１及び上記特許文献２のように、湾曲操作ワイヤのコーティング部に低温プラズマ滅菌に対して耐性を有する材料を用いた場合、二硫化モリブデン系の材料を用いた場合に比べ潤滑性が低下する。このため、湾曲操作の際に湾曲操作ワイヤとコイルパイプとの間に発生する摩擦力が大きくなり、操作部での湾曲操作の力量が大きくなる。 However, as in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above, when a material having resistance to low-temperature plasma sterilization is used for the coating portion of the bending operation wire, lubrication is performed as compared with the case where a molybdenum disulfide-based material is used. Sex is reduced. For this reason, the frictional force generated between the bending operation wire and the coil pipe during the bending operation increases, and the amount of bending operation at the operation unit increases.

湾曲操作ワイヤとコイルパイプとの間の摩擦力を低減する方法として、コーティング部の厚さを薄くする方法がある。しかし、上述のように、湾曲部が湾曲した際、湾曲操作ワイヤは接触するワイヤ受けから大きな負荷を受ける。このため、コーティング部の厚さを薄くすることにより、湾曲操作ワイヤの湾曲部の内部に位置する部分では、コーティングが短期間で剥離してしまう。これにより、湾曲操作ワイヤが切れてしまい故障に至るという可能性がある。 As a method of reducing the frictional force between the bending operation wire and the coil pipe, there is a method of reducing the thickness of the coating portion. However, as described above, when the bending portion is bent, the bending operation wire receives a large load from the wire receiver in contact with the bending operation wire. For this reason, by reducing the thickness of the coating portion, the coating peels off in a short period of time at the portion located inside the bending portion of the bending operation wire. As a result, there is a possibility that the bending operation wire is cut and a failure occurs.

また、湾曲操作ワイヤとコイルパイプとの間の摩擦力を低減する別の方法として、コイルパイプの内径を大きくして、湾曲操作ワイヤが挿通される空間を広くする方法がある。しかし、コイルパイプの強度を確保するため、コイルパイプの内径を大きくした場合、外径も大きくする必要がある。蛇管部の内部には、コイルパイプ以外にも、撮像ケーブル、ライトガイド等の内蔵物が設けられている。コイルパイプの外径を大きくすることにより、内蔵物を配置するために必要な空間が確保できなくなる。 As another method for reducing the frictional force between the bending operation wire and the coil pipe, there is a method of increasing the inner diameter of the coil pipe and widening the space through which the bending operation wire is inserted. However, in order to ensure the strength of the coil pipe, when the inner diameter of the coil pipe is increased, it is necessary to increase the outer diameter. In addition to the coil pipe, built-in objects such as an imaging cable and a light guide are provided inside the serpentine tube portion. By increasing the outer diameter of the coil pipe, it becomes impossible to secure a space necessary for arranging the built-in object.

本発明は上記課題に着目してなされたものであり、その目的とするところは、湾曲操作ワイヤのコーティング部が低温プラズマ滅菌に対して耐性を有し、かつ、コイルパイプの内径及び外径を大きくすることなく湾曲操作の力量を軽減し、湾曲部内部での湾曲操作ワイヤの切れを有効に防止可能な内視鏡を提供することにある。 The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-mentioned problems. The object of the present invention is that the coating portion of the bending operation wire is resistant to low temperature plasma sterilization, and the inner diameter and outer diameter of the coil pipe are reduced. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope that can reduce the amount of bending operation without increasing the size, and can effectively prevent breakage of the bending operation wire inside the bending portion.

上記目的を達成するため、本発明のある態様の内視鏡は、先端部に設けられ、湾曲動作を行う湾曲部と、前記湾曲部の基端側に長手方向に延設される筒状部とを備える挿入部と、前記筒状部の基端側に設けられる操作部であって、前記湾曲部の湾曲操作を行う湾曲操作部を備える操作部と、前記操作部の内部から前記筒状部の内部を通って、前記湾曲部まで延設され、前記湾曲操作部での前記湾曲操作で長手方向に移動し、前記湾曲操作を前記湾曲部に伝達する少なくとも一対の湾曲操作ワイヤと、前記筒状部の内部に設けられ、それぞれに前記少なくとも一対の湾曲操作ワイヤの中の対応する一本の湾曲操作ワイヤが挿通されるコイルパイプと、それぞれの前記湾曲操作ワイヤの外周面に設けられるコーティング部であって、先端部に設けられる第１の膜形成部と、前記第１の膜形成部の基端側に設けられ、前記第１の膜形成部より膜厚の薄い第２の膜形成部とを備えるコーティング部と、を具備する。 In order to achieve the above object, an endoscope according to an aspect of the present invention includes a bending portion that is provided at a distal end portion and performs a bending operation, and a cylindrical portion that extends in a longitudinal direction on a proximal end side of the bending portion. An operation portion provided on the proximal end side of the tubular portion, the operation portion including a bending operation portion that performs a bending operation of the bending portion, and the tubular shape from the inside of the operation portion. At least a pair of bending operation wires that extend through the inside of the portion to the bending portion, move in the longitudinal direction by the bending operation at the bending operation portion, and transmit the bending operation to the bending portion; Coil pipes that are provided inside the cylindrical portion and through which the corresponding one bending operation wire of the at least one pair of bending operation wires is inserted, respectively, and a coating that is provided on the outer peripheral surface of each bending operation wire Provided at the tip A first film forming portion, and a coating portion provided on a base end side of the first film forming portion and having a second film forming portion having a thickness smaller than that of the first film forming portion. It has.

この内視鏡では、前記筒状部は、外力が加わることにより曲げられる蛇管部を備え、前記コーティング部は、前記第１の膜形成部が前記湾曲操作ワイヤの前記湾曲部の内部に位置する部位に設けられ、前記第２の膜形成部が前記湾曲操作ワイヤの前記蛇管部の内部に位置する部位に設けられるコーティング部を含むことが好ましい。 In this endoscope, the cylindrical portion includes a serpentine tube portion that is bent when an external force is applied, and the coating portion is such that the first film forming portion is located inside the bending portion of the bending operation wire. It is preferable that the second film forming unit is provided at a site, and the second film forming unit includes a coating unit provided at a site located inside the serpentine tube portion of the bending operation wire.

また、前記コーティング部は、前記第１の膜形成部が所定の境界位置より先端側の部位に設けられ、前記第２の膜形成部が前記所定の境界位置より基端側の部位に設けられるコーティング部を含んでもよい。また、前記湾曲部は、それぞれに前記少なくとも一対の湾曲操作ワイヤの中で対応する一本の湾曲操作ワイヤが挿通される複数のワイヤ受けが設けられる湾曲管を備え、前記コーティング部は、前記湾曲部が湾曲方向のいずれか１つに最大湾曲角度で湾曲する際に、前記湾曲操作により先端側に移動する前記湾曲操作ワイヤでの前記所定の境界位置が、前記湾曲管の最も基端側に配置される前記ワイヤ受けより基端側に位置しているコーティング部を含むことが好ましい。 In the coating portion, the first film forming portion is provided at a position closer to the distal end than a predetermined boundary position, and the second film forming portion is provided at a position closer to the proximal end than the predetermined boundary position. A coating part may be included. The bending portion includes a bending tube provided with a plurality of wire receivers through which a corresponding one bending operation wire among the at least one pair of bending operation wires is inserted, and the coating portion includes the bending portion. When the portion is bent in any one of the bending directions at the maximum bending angle, the predetermined boundary position of the bending operation wire that moves to the distal end side by the bending operation is the most proximal side of the bending tube. It is preferable to include a coating portion located on the proximal end side with respect to the wire receiver to be arranged.

また、前記コーティング部は、前記第２の膜形成部が前記湾曲操作ワイヤの前記蛇管部の先端部の内部に位置する部位に設けられ、さらに前記第２の膜形成部より基端側に設けられ、前記第２の膜形成部より膜厚が厚い第３の膜形成部を備えるコーティング部を含むことが好ましい。 In addition, the coating portion is provided at a portion where the second film forming portion is located inside the distal end portion of the flexible tube of the bending operation wire, and further provided on the proximal end side from the second film forming portion. It is preferable to include a coating portion including a third film forming portion having a thickness greater than that of the second film forming portion.

さらに、前記コーティング部は、過酸化水素を用いた低温プラズマ滅菌に対して耐性を有する材料から形成されるコーティング部を含むことが好ましい。 Furthermore, it is preferable that the coating part includes a coating part formed of a material resistant to low temperature plasma sterilization using hydrogen peroxide.

本発明によれば、湾曲操作ワイヤのコーティング部が低温プラズマ滅菌に対して耐性を有し、かつ、コイルパイプの内径及び外径を大きくすることなく湾曲操作の力量を軽減し、湾曲部内部での湾曲操作ワイヤの切れを有効に防止可能な内視鏡を提供することができる。 According to the present invention, the coating portion of the bending operation wire is resistant to low-temperature plasma sterilization, and the amount of bending operation is reduced without increasing the inner diameter and outer diameter of the coil pipe. It is possible to provide an endoscope that can effectively prevent the bending operation wire from being cut.

本発明の第１の実施形態に係る内視鏡を示す概略図。1 is a schematic diagram showing an endoscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 第１の実施形態に係る内視鏡の内部構造を示す概略図。Schematic which shows the internal structure of the endoscope which concerns on 1st Embodiment. 第１の実施形態に係る内視鏡の蛇管部及び湾曲部の構成を示す断面図。Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the snake tube part and bending part of the endoscope which concerns on 1st Embodiment. 図３のＩＶ−ＩＶ線断面図。IV-IV sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 図３のＶ−Ｖ線断面図。VV sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 第１の実施形態に係る内視鏡の蛇管部及び湾曲部の、湾曲部が上方向に最大湾曲角度で湾曲した状態を示す断面図。Sectional drawing which shows the state which the bending part of the flexible tube part and bending part of the endoscope which concerns on 1st Embodiment curved in the upward direction with the largest bending angle. 本発明の第２の実施形態に係る内視鏡の蛇管部及び湾曲部の構成を示す断面図。Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the snake tube part and bending part of the endoscope which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

（第１の実施形態）
本発明の第１の実施形態について、図１乃至図６を参照して説明する。 (First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

図１は、内視鏡１の構成を示す図である。内視鏡１は体腔内に挿入する細長い挿入部２と、挿入部２の基端側に連結された操作部３とを備える。操作部３の基端側には、ユニバーサルコード４が接続されている。ユニバーサルコード４の基端部には、スコープコネクタ５が設けられている。 FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the endoscope 1. The endoscope 1 includes an elongated insertion portion 2 that is inserted into a body cavity, and an operation portion 3 that is connected to the proximal end side of the insertion portion 2. A universal cord 4 is connected to the proximal end side of the operation unit 3. A scope connector 5 is provided at the base end of the universal cord 4.

挿入部２は、細長く可撓性を有する蛇管部６と、蛇管部６の先端側に連結される湾曲部７と、湾曲部７の先端側に設けられる先端硬性部８とを備える。蛇管部６は、可撓性を有するため、外力が加わることにより曲げられる。先端硬性部８には、被写体の撮像を行う撮像素子（図示しない）、送気送水ノズル（図示しない）等が設けられている。 The insertion portion 2 includes a long and flexible flexible tube portion 6, a curved portion 7 connected to the distal end side of the flexible tube portion 6, and a distal rigid portion 8 provided on the distal end side of the curved portion 7. Since the flexible tube portion 6 has flexibility, it is bent by applying an external force. The distal end rigid portion 8 is provided with an imaging device (not shown) for imaging a subject, an air / water feeding nozzle (not shown), and the like.

操作部３は、操作部ケーシング１１と、操作部ケーシング１１の挿入部２側に設けられる保持部ケーシング１２とを備える。操作部ケーシング１１には、湾曲部７の上下方向への湾曲操作を行う上下湾曲操作ノブ（湾曲操作部）１３Ａと、湾曲部７の左右方向への湾曲操作を行う左右湾曲操作ノブ（湾曲操作部）１３Ｂとが設けられている。保持部ケーシング１２には、鉗子口１５が設けられている。 The operation unit 3 includes an operation unit casing 11 and a holding unit casing 12 provided on the insertion unit 2 side of the operation unit casing 11. The operation portion casing 11 includes an up / down bending operation knob (bending operation portion) 13A for performing bending operation in the up / down direction of the bending portion 7 and a left / right bending operation knob (bending operation) for performing bending operation of the bending portion 7 in the left / right direction. Part) 13B. The holding part casing 12 is provided with a forceps port 15.

図２は、内視鏡１の内部構成を概略的に示す図である。図２に示すように、操作部３の内部には、プーリ２１が設けられている。プーリ２１は、上下湾曲操作ノブ１３Ａに連結されている。上下湾曲操作ノブ１３Ａでの湾曲操作により、プーリ２１は図２の矢印Ａの方向又は矢印Ｂの方向に回転する。プーリ２１には、上下湾曲操作ノブ１３Ａでの湾曲操作を湾曲部７に伝達する湾曲操作伝達部材である一対の湾曲操作ワイヤ２２Ａ，２２Ｂの一端が接続されている。湾曲部７は、湾曲管３１を備える。湾曲管３１は、長手方向に並設される複数の節輪３５を互い回動可能に連結して形成される。それぞれの湾曲操作ワイヤ２２Ａ，２２Ｂは、蛇管部６及び湾曲部７の内部を通って、他端が節輪３５の中で最も先端側に配置される最先端節輪３５Ａに接続されている。すなわち、湾曲操作ワイヤ２２Ａ，２２Ｂは、操作部３の内部から蛇管部６の内部を通って、湾曲部７まで延設されている。 FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of the endoscope 1. As shown in FIG. 2, a pulley 21 is provided inside the operation unit 3. The pulley 21 is connected to the up / down bending operation knob 13A. The pulley 21 rotates in the direction of the arrow A or the direction of the arrow B in FIG. 2 by the bending operation with the up / down bending operation knob 13A. One end of a pair of bending operation wires 22 A and 22 B, which are bending operation transmitting members that transmit a bending operation with the up / down bending operation knob 13 A to the bending portion 7, is connected to the pulley 21. The bending portion 7 includes a bending tube 31. The bending tube 31 is formed by connecting a plurality of node rings 35 arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction so as to be rotatable with respect to each other. Each of the bending operation wires 22 A and 22 B passes through the inside of the serpentine tube portion 6 and the bending portion 7, and the other end is connected to the most advanced node ring 35 A disposed on the most distal side among the node rings 35. That is, the bending operation wires 22 A and 22 B are extended from the inside of the operation portion 3 to the bending portion 7 through the inside of the flexible tube portion 6.

上下湾曲操作ノブ１３Ａでの操作によってプーリ２１が図２の矢印Ａの方向に回転することにより、一方の湾曲操作ワイヤ２２Ａが先端側に移動し、他方の湾曲操作ワイヤ２２Ｂが基端側に移動する。これにより、湾曲部７が図２の矢印Ｃの方向（上方向）に湾曲する。逆に、上下湾曲操作ノブ１３Ａでの操作によってプーリ２１が図２の矢印Ｂの方向に回転することにより、湾曲操作ワイヤ２２Ｂが先端側に移動し、湾曲操作ワイヤ２２Ａが基端側に移動する。これにより、湾曲部７が図２の矢印Ｃと反対方向（下方向）に湾曲する。以上のようにして、湾曲部７を上下方向に湾曲させる上下湾曲操作機構が構成されている。湾曲部７を左右方向に湾曲させる左右湾曲操作機構については、上下湾曲操作機構と同様の構成であるため、その説明を省略する。 When the pulley 21 is rotated in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2 by the operation with the up / down bending operation knob 13A, one bending operation wire 22A moves to the distal end side, and the other bending operation wire 22B moves to the proximal end side. To do. Thereby, the bending part 7 curves in the direction of arrow C (upward) in FIG. Conversely, when the pulley 21 is rotated in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 2 by an operation with the up / down bending operation knob 13A, the bending operation wire 22B moves to the distal end side, and the bending operation wire 22A moves to the proximal end side. . Thereby, the bending part 7 curves in the direction (downward) opposite to the arrow C in FIG. As described above, the up / down bending operation mechanism for bending the bending portion 7 in the up / down direction is configured. The left / right bending operation mechanism that bends the bending portion 7 in the left / right direction has the same configuration as the up / down bending operation mechanism, and thus description thereof is omitted.

図３乃至図５は、蛇管部６及び湾曲部７の構成を示す図である。図３に示すように、蛇管部６は、金属製の螺旋管４１と、螺旋管４１の外周側に設けられる蛇管部網状管４２と、蛇管部網状管４２の外周面に被覆される樹脂製の蛇管部外皮４３とを備える。螺旋管４１は金属製の帯状部材を所定の間隔で螺旋状に旋回することで形成されている。 3 to 5 are diagrams showing the configuration of the serpentine tube portion 6 and the bending portion 7. As shown in FIG. 3, the serpentine tube portion 6 is made of a metal spiral tube 41, a serpentine tube network tube 42 provided on the outer peripheral side of the spiral tube 41, and a resin-coated outer peripheral surface of the serpentine tube network tube 42. The hose tube part outer skin 43 is provided. The spiral tube 41 is formed by turning a metal strip member spirally at a predetermined interval.

湾曲部７は、前述した節輪３５と、節輪３５の外周側に設けられる湾曲部網状管３２と、湾曲部網状管３２の外周面に被覆されるゴム製の湾曲部外皮３３とを備える。蛇管部６と湾曲部７とは、蛇管部６の接続口金３７と湾曲部７の最基端節輪３５Ｂで連結されている。接続口金３７は、螺旋管４１と略同径の小径部３７Ａと、小径部３７Ａの基端側に設けられるとともに小径部３７Ａより大径の大径部３７Ｂとを備える。複数の節輪３５の中で最も基端側に配置される最基端節輪３５Ｂは、接続口金３７の小径部３７Ａに外嵌した状態で嵌合する。接続口金３７の大径部３７Ｂは、螺旋管４１及び蛇管部網状管４２に外嵌した状態で嵌合する。これにより、蛇管部６と湾曲部７とが連結される。また、蛇管部外皮４３と湾曲部外皮３３との間では、蛇管部外皮４３及び湾曲部外皮３３を糸３８で糸巻きにした上から、接着剤３９で被覆されている。 The bending portion 7 includes the above-described node ring 35, a bending portion network tube 32 provided on the outer peripheral side of the node ring 35, and a rubber bending portion skin 33 that covers the outer peripheral surface of the bending portion network tube 32. . The serpentine tube portion 6 and the bending portion 7 are connected to each other by a connection base 37 of the serpentine tube portion 6 and a proximal end node ring 35B of the bending portion 7. The connection cap 37 includes a small-diameter portion 37A having substantially the same diameter as the spiral tube 41, and a large-diameter portion 37B provided on the proximal end side of the small-diameter portion 37A and having a larger diameter than the small-diameter portion 37A. The most proximal end node ring 35 B arranged on the most proximal side among the plurality of node rings 35 is fitted in a state of being externally fitted to the small diameter portion 37 A of the connection base 37. The large-diameter portion 37 B of the connection base 37 is fitted in a state of being externally fitted to the spiral tube 41 and the serpentine tube portion network tube 42. Thereby, the serpentine tube portion 6 and the bending portion 7 are connected. Further, between the serpentine tube outer skin 43 and the bent portion outer skin 33, the serpentine tube outer skin 43 and the bent portion outer skin 33 are wound with a thread 38 and then covered with an adhesive 39.

図４及び図５に示すように、蛇管部６及び湾曲部７の内部には、撮像ケーブル５１、ライトガイド５２、送気送水チューブ５３、鉗子チューブ５４及び副送水チューブ５５の長尺な軟性内蔵物５０が挿通されている。撮像ケーブル５１の先端部は、先端硬性部８の内部の撮像素子（図示しない）に接続されている。撮像ケーブル５１の基端部は、操作部３及びユニバーサルコード４を通って、スコープコネクタ５を介して画像観察装置（図示しない）に接続されている。ライトガイド５２の基端部は、操作部３及びユニバーサルコード４を通って、スコープコネクタ５を介して照明電源装置（図示しない）に接続されている。ライトガイド５２は、先端硬性部８の照明窓（図示しない）に被写体を照射する光を導光している。送気送水チューブ５３の先端部は、先端硬性部８の送気送水チャンネル（図示しない）に連結されている。送気送水チューブ５３は、蛇管部６の内部で送気チューブ５３Ａと送水チューブ５３Ｂとに分岐される。送気チューブ５３Ａの基端部は、操作部３及びユニバーサルコード４を通って、スコープコネクタ５を介して送気装置（図示しない）に接続されている。送水チューブ５３Ｂの基端部は、操作部３及びユニバーサルコード４を通って、スコープコネクタ５を介して送水装置（図示しない）に接続されている。鉗子チューブ５４の先端部は、先端硬性部８の鉗子チャンネル（図示しない）に連結されている。また、鉗子チューブ５４は操作部３の内部で二股に分けられ、一方が鉗子口１５に接続されている。二股に分けられた他方は、ユニバーサルコード４を通って、スコープコネクタ５を介して吸引装置（図示しない）に接続されている。副送水チューブ５５は、の先端部は、先端硬性部８の副送水チャンネル（図示しない）に連結されている。副送水チューブ５５の基端部は、操作部３及びユニバーサルコード４を通って、スコープコネクタ５を介して、送気送水チューブ５３に送水を行う送水装置とは別の送水装置（図示しない）に接続されている。 As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, inside the flexible tube portion 6 and the bending portion 7, a long flexible built-in of the imaging cable 51, the light guide 52, the air / water supply tube 53, the forceps tube 54, and the auxiliary water supply tube 55. An object 50 is inserted. The distal end portion of the imaging cable 51 is connected to an imaging element (not shown) inside the distal end rigid portion 8. The proximal end portion of the imaging cable 51 is connected to an image observation apparatus (not shown) through the operation unit 3 and the universal cord 4 via the scope connector 5. The proximal end portion of the light guide 52 is connected to an illumination power supply device (not shown) through the operation connector 3 and the universal cord 4 via the scope connector 5. The light guide 52 guides light that irradiates the subject to an illumination window (not shown) of the distal end rigid portion 8. The distal end portion of the air / water feeding tube 53 is connected to an air / water feeding channel (not shown) of the distal end rigid portion 8. The air / water supply tube 53 is branched into an air supply tube 53 A and a water supply tube 53 B inside the serpentine tube 6. The proximal end portion of the air supply tube 53 A is connected to an air supply device (not shown) via the scope connector 5 through the operation unit 3 and the universal cord 4. The proximal end portion of the water supply tube 53B is connected to a water supply device (not shown) via the scope connector 5 through the operation unit 3 and the universal cord 4. The distal end portion of the forceps tube 54 is connected to a forceps channel (not shown) of the distal end rigid portion 8. The forceps tube 54 is divided into two parts inside the operation unit 3, and one is connected to the forceps port 15. The other of the two parts is connected to a suction device (not shown) through a universal connector 4 and a scope connector 5. The distal end portion of the auxiliary water supply tube 55 is connected to an auxiliary water supply channel (not shown) of the distal end rigid portion 8. The base end portion of the auxiliary water supply tube 55 passes through the operation unit 3 and the universal cord 4 and is connected to a water supply device (not shown) different from the water supply device that supplies water to the air / water supply tube 53 via the scope connector 5. It is connected.

図３及び図５に示すように、４本のコイルパイプ４５は接続口金３７に半田付け等により取り付けられ蛇管部６内に配置されている。それぞれのコイルパイプ４５の内部には、上下方向の湾曲操作を伝達する湾曲操作ワイヤ２２Ａ，２２Ｂ及び左右方向の湾曲操作を伝達する湾曲操作ワイヤ２２Ｃ，２２Ｄの対応する一本の湾曲操作ワイヤ２２（以下、湾曲操作ワイヤ２２Ａ，２２Ｂ，２２Ｃ，２２Ｄは、所定の場合を除き湾曲操作ワイヤ２２と記載する。）が長手方向に移動可能に挿通されている。すなわち、コイルパイプ４５は、湾曲操作ワイヤ２２の中の対応する一本の湾曲操作ワイヤ２２を案内するガイド部材となっている。 As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the four coil pipes 45 are attached to the connection cap 37 by soldering or the like, and are arranged in the serpentine tube portion 6. Each of the coil pipes 45 has a corresponding bending operation wire 22 (a bending operation wire 22A, 22B that transmits a bending operation in the vertical direction and a bending operation wire 22C, 22D that transmits a bending operation in the horizontal direction. Hereinafter, the bending operation wires 22 A, 22 B, 22 C, and 22 D are described as bending operation wires 22 except for a predetermined case.) Are inserted so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction. That is, the coil pipe 45 is a guide member that guides the corresponding one bending operation wire 22 in the bending operation wire 22.

図３及び図４に示すように、コイルパイプ４５に挿通されるそれぞれの湾曲操作ワイヤ２２は、接続口金３７よりさらに先端側に延設されている。湾曲管３１を形成するそれぞれの節輪３５の内周面には、４つのワイヤ受け２３が設けられている。ワイヤ受け２３は、挿入部２の周方向に互いに９０°離れて配置されている。それぞれのワイヤ受け２３には、４本の湾曲操作ワイヤ２２の対応する１本の湾曲操作ワイヤ２２が挿通されている。湾曲操作ワイヤ２２の先端部は、最先端節輪３５Ａに設けられるワイヤ止め（図示しない）により固定されている。それぞれの湾曲操作ワイヤ２２を挿入部２の長手方向に引張り動作又は押出し動作を行うことにより、前述のように湾曲部７が湾曲される。 As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each bending operation wire 22 inserted through the coil pipe 45 extends further to the distal end side than the connection cap 37. Four wire receivers 23 are provided on the inner peripheral surface of each node ring 35 forming the bending tube 31. The wire receivers 23 are arranged 90 ° apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the insertion portion 2. One bending operation wire 22 corresponding to the four bending operation wires 22 is inserted into each wire receiver 23. The distal end portion of the bending operation wire 22 is fixed by a wire stopper (not shown) provided on the most advanced node ring 35A. By bending or bending each bending operation wire 22 in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 2, the bending portion 7 is bent as described above.

図３に示すように、それぞれの湾曲操作ワイヤ２２の外周面には、コーティング部２５が設けられている。コーティング部２５は、グラファイト含有フッ素樹脂塗料，ＰＴＦＥ−ニッケルメッキ、バインダー成分としてエポキシ樹脂とフェノール樹脂を含んだフッ素樹脂等の過酸化水素を用いた低温プラズマ滅菌に対して耐性を有する材料から形成されている。コーティング部２５は、湾曲操作ワイヤ２２の湾曲部７の内部に位置する部分に設けられる第１の膜形成部２６と、湾曲操作ワイヤ２２の蛇管部６の内部に位置する部分に設けられる第２の膜形成部２７とを備える。すなわち、コーティング部２５は、湾曲操作ワイヤ２２の所定の境界位置２９より先端側の部位に設けられる第１の膜形成部２６と、湾曲操作ワイヤ２２の境界位置２９より基端側の部位に設けられる第２の膜形成部２７とを備える。第１の膜形成部２６の膜厚ｔ１は、第２の膜形成部２７の膜厚ｔ２より厚い。第１の膜形成部２６は、対応するワイヤ受け２３と接触する。第２の膜形成部２７の外周面は、対応するコイルパイプ４５の内周面と接触する。 As shown in FIG. 3, a coating portion 25 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of each bending operation wire 22. The coating portion 25 is formed of a material having resistance to low-temperature plasma sterilization using hydrogen peroxide such as graphite-containing fluororesin paint, PTFE-nickel plating, fluororesin including epoxy resin and phenol resin as a binder component. ing. The coating portion 25 is provided at a portion of the bending operation wire 22 located inside the bending portion 7 and a second film provided at a portion of the bending operation wire 22 located inside the flexible tube portion 6. The film forming unit 27 is provided. That is, the coating portion 25 is provided at the first film forming portion 26 provided at the distal end side from the predetermined boundary position 29 of the bending operation wire 22 and at the proximal end portion from the boundary position 29 of the bending operation wire 22. And a second film forming unit 27. The film thickness t1 of the first film forming unit 26 is thicker than the film thickness t2 of the second film forming unit 27. The first film forming unit 26 contacts the corresponding wire receiver 23. The outer peripheral surface of the second film forming unit 27 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the corresponding coil pipe 45.

次に、本実施形態の内視鏡１の作用について説明する。内視鏡１の挿入部２を体腔内に挿入して、湾曲部７を湾曲させる際には、上下湾曲操作ノブ１３Ａ又は左右湾曲操作ノブ１３Ｂにより湾曲操作を行う。これにより、プーリ２１が回転方向の一方（図２の矢印Ａ又は矢印Ｂ）に回転し、一対の湾曲操作ワイヤ２２の一方（例えば湾曲操作ワイヤ２２Ａ，２２Ｂの一方）が先端側に移動し、他方（例えば湾曲操作ワイヤ２２Ａ，２２Ｂの他方）が基端側に移動する。湾曲操作ワイヤ２２が長手方向に移動することにより、湾曲部７が湾曲される。 Next, the operation of the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment will be described. When the insertion portion 2 of the endoscope 1 is inserted into the body cavity and the bending portion 7 is bent, the bending operation is performed by the up / down bending operation knob 13A or the left / right bending operation knob 13B. As a result, the pulley 21 rotates in one direction of rotation (arrow A or arrow B in FIG. 2), and one of the pair of bending operation wires 22 (for example, one of the bending operation wires 22A and 22B) moves to the tip side. The other (for example, the other of the bending operation wires 22A and 22B) moves to the proximal end side. The bending portion 7 is bent as the bending operation wire 22 moves in the longitudinal direction.

コーティング部２５では、第２の膜形成部２７の膜厚ｔ２は、第１の膜形成部２６の膜厚ｔ１より薄い。このため、第２の膜形成部２７では、コイルパイプ４５の内周面との接触面積が小さくなる。これにより、湾曲操作ワイヤ２２が長手方向に移動する際に、湾曲操作ワイヤの外周面とコイルパイプの内周面との間に発生する摩擦力が小さくなる。したがって、操作部３での湾曲操作の力量が軽減される。 In the coating part 25, the film thickness t 2 of the second film formation part 27 is thinner than the film thickness t 1 of the first film formation part 26. For this reason, in the 2nd film formation part 27, a contact area with the internal peripheral surface of the coil pipe 45 becomes small. Thereby, when the bending operation wire 22 moves in the longitudinal direction, the frictional force generated between the outer peripheral surface of the bending operation wire and the inner peripheral surface of the coil pipe is reduced. Therefore, the strength of the bending operation at the operation unit 3 is reduced.

また、湾曲部７が湾曲される際には、湾曲操作ワイヤ２２は接触するワイヤ受け２３から大きな負荷を受ける。そこで、コーティング部２５では、第１の膜形成部２６の膜厚ｔ１を第２の膜形成部２７の膜厚ｔ２より厚くしている。このため、第１の膜形成部２６は、第２の膜形成部２７より強度が大きい。これにより、湾曲操作ワイヤ２２が接触するワイヤ受け２３から負荷を受けた場合も、第１の膜形成部２６は湾曲操作ワイヤ２２から剥離し難い。したがって、ワイヤ受け２３からの負荷による湾曲操作ワイヤ２２の切れが有効に防止される。 Further, when the bending portion 7 is bent, the bending operation wire 22 receives a large load from the wire receiver 23 in contact therewith. Therefore, in the coating part 25, the film thickness t1 of the first film forming part 26 is made larger than the film thickness t2 of the second film forming part 27. For this reason, the first film forming unit 26 is stronger than the second film forming unit 27. Accordingly, even when a load is received from the wire receiver 23 with which the bending operation wire 22 comes into contact, the first film forming unit 26 is difficult to peel from the bending operation wire 22. Therefore, cutting of the bending operation wire 22 due to a load from the wire receiver 23 is effectively prevented.

図６は、湾曲部７が上方向（図２の矢印Ｃの方向）に最大湾曲角度で湾曲した状態での、蛇管部６及び湾曲部７を示す図である。図６に示すように、湾曲部７が上方向に最大湾曲角度で湾曲した状態では、上下湾曲操作ノブ１３Ａでの操作により、一対の湾曲操作ワイヤ２２Ａ，２２Ｂの一方（２２Ａ）が先端側に移動し、他方（２２Ｂ）が基端側に移動する。この際、湾曲操作により先端側に移動する湾曲操作ワイヤ２２Ａでは、コーティング部２５の第１の膜形成部２６と第２の膜形成部２７との境界位置２９が、最基端節輪３５Ｂのワイヤ受け２３より、基端側に位置している。すなわち、第１の膜形成部２６と第２の膜形成部２７との境界位置２９が、湾曲管３１の最も基端側に配置されるワイヤ受け２３より基端側に位置している。 FIG. 6 is a view showing the serpentine tube portion 6 and the bending portion 7 in a state where the bending portion 7 is bent upward (in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 2) at the maximum bending angle. As shown in FIG. 6, in a state where the bending portion 7 is bent upward at the maximum bending angle, one of the pair of bending operation wires 22A and 22B (22A) is moved to the distal end side by an operation with the up / down bending operation knob 13A. The other (22B) moves to the proximal end side. At this time, in the bending operation wire 22A that moves to the distal end side by the bending operation, the boundary position 29 between the first film forming part 26 and the second film forming part 27 of the coating part 25 is located on the most proximal end node ring 35B. It is located on the proximal end side from the wire receiver 23. That is, the boundary position 29 between the first film forming portion 26 and the second film forming portion 27 is located on the proximal side from the wire receiver 23 disposed on the most proximal side of the bending tube 31.

湾曲部７が下方向及び左右方向に最大湾曲角度で湾曲する場合も、湾曲部７が上方向に最大湾曲角度で湾曲する場合と同様である。すなわち、湾曲部７が湾曲方向のいずれか１つに最大湾曲角度で湾曲する場合に、湾曲操作により先端側に移動する湾曲操作ワイヤ２２での第１の膜形成部２６と第２の膜形成部２７との境界位置２９が、湾曲管３１の最も基端側に配置されるワイヤ受け２３より基端側に位置している。これにより、それぞれの湾曲操作ワイヤ２２は、いかなる状態でも膜厚ｔ１が厚い第１の膜形成部２６で、ワイヤ受け２３と接触する。このため、湾曲操作ワイヤ２２の切れが、より確実に防止される。 The case where the bending portion 7 is bent at the maximum bending angle in the downward direction and the left-right direction is the same as the case where the bending portion 7 is bent at the maximum bending angle in the upward direction. That is, when the bending portion 7 bends in any one of the bending directions at the maximum bending angle, the first film forming portion 26 and the second film formation by the bending operation wire 22 that moves to the distal end side by the bending operation. The boundary position 29 with the portion 27 is located on the proximal end side with respect to the wire receiver 23 arranged on the most proximal side of the bending tube 31. As a result, each bending operation wire 22 comes into contact with the wire receiver 23 at the first film forming portion 26 having a large film thickness t1 in any state. For this reason, the cutting | disconnection of the bending operation wire 22 is prevented more reliably.

そこで上記構成の内視鏡１では、以下の効果を奏する。すなわち、内視鏡１では、それぞれの湾曲操作ワイヤ２２の外周面に設けられるコーティング部２５の第２の膜形成部２７の膜厚ｔ２が、第１の膜形成部２６の膜厚ｔ１より薄い。このため、第２の膜形成部２７では、コイルパイプ４５の内周面との接触面積が小さくなる。これにより、湾曲操作ワイヤ２２が長手方向に移動する際に、湾曲操作ワイヤ２２の外周面とコイルパイプ４５の内周面との間に発生する摩擦力が小さくなる。したがって、操作部３での湾曲操作の力量を軽減することができる。 Therefore, the endoscope 1 having the above configuration has the following effects. That is, in the endoscope 1, the film thickness t 2 of the second film forming portion 27 of the coating portion 25 provided on the outer peripheral surface of each bending operation wire 22 is thinner than the film thickness t 1 of the first film forming portion 26. . For this reason, in the 2nd film formation part 27, a contact area with the internal peripheral surface of the coil pipe 45 becomes small. Thereby, when the bending operation wire 22 moves in the longitudinal direction, the frictional force generated between the outer peripheral surface of the bending operation wire 22 and the inner peripheral surface of the coil pipe 45 is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the strength of the bending operation at the operation unit 3.

また、内視鏡１では、第１の膜形成部２６の膜厚ｔ１を第２の膜形成部２７の膜厚ｔ２より厚くしている。このため、第１の膜形成部２６は、第２の膜形成部２７より強度が大きい。湾曲部７が湾曲される際には、湾曲操作ワイヤ２２は接触する湾曲管３１内部のワイヤ受け２３等から大きな負荷を受ける。第１の膜形成部２６の強度を大きくすることにより、湾曲操作ワイヤ２２が接触するワイヤ受け２３等から負荷を受けた場合も、第１の膜形成部２６は湾曲操作ワイヤ２２から剥離し難い。したがって、ワイヤ受け２３等からの負荷による湾曲操作ワイヤ２２の切れを有効に防止することができる。 Further, in the endoscope 1, the film thickness t 1 of the first film forming unit 26 is made larger than the film thickness t 2 of the second film forming unit 27. For this reason, the first film forming unit 26 is stronger than the second film forming unit 27. When the bending portion 7 is bent, the bending operation wire 22 receives a large load from the wire receiver 23 or the like inside the bending tube 31 that comes into contact. By increasing the strength of the first film forming unit 26, the first film forming unit 26 is difficult to peel from the bending operation wire 22 even when a load is received from the wire receiver 23 or the like with which the bending operation wire 22 contacts. . Therefore, the cutting of the bending operation wire 22 due to the load from the wire receiver 23 or the like can be effectively prevented.

また、内視鏡１では、湾曲部７が湾曲方向のいずれか１つに最大湾曲角度で湾曲する場合に、湾曲操作により先端側に移動する湾曲操作ワイヤ２２での第１の膜形成部２６と第２の膜形成部２７との境界位置２９が、湾曲管３１の最も基端側に配置されるワイヤ受け２３より基端側に位置している。これにより、それぞれの湾曲操作ワイヤ２２は、いかなる状態でも膜厚ｔ１が厚い第１の膜形成部２６で、ワイヤ受け２３と接触する。このため、湾曲操作ワイヤ２２の切れを、より確実に防止することができる。 Further, in the endoscope 1, when the bending portion 7 bends in any one of the bending directions at the maximum bending angle, the first film forming portion 26 with the bending operation wire 22 that moves to the distal end side by the bending operation. And the second film forming portion 27 is located at the base end side of the wire receiver 23 arranged on the most base end side of the bending tube 31. As a result, each bending operation wire 22 comes into contact with the wire receiver 23 at the first film forming portion 26 having a large film thickness t1 in any state. For this reason, the cutting | disconnection of the bending operation wire 22 can be prevented more reliably.

さらに、内視鏡１では、コーティング部２５は、過酸化水素を用いた低温プラズマ滅菌に対して耐性を有する材料から形成されている。このため、低温プラズマ滅菌によるコーティングの劣化を防止することができる。 Furthermore, in the endoscope 1, the coating part 25 is formed of a material having resistance to low-temperature plasma sterilization using hydrogen peroxide. For this reason, deterioration of the coating due to low temperature plasma sterilization can be prevented.

（第２の実施形態）
次に、本発明の第２の実施形態について、図７を参照して説明する。本実施形態では第１の実施形態のコーティング部２５の構成を次の通り変更したものである。なお、第１の実施形態と同一の部分及び同一の機能を有する部分については同一の符号を付して、その説明は省略する。 (Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the structure of the coating part 25 of 1st Embodiment is changed as follows. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the part which has the same function as 1st Embodiment, and the same function, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

図７は、本実施形態の内視鏡１の挿入部２の構成を示す図である。図７に示すように、それぞれの湾曲操作ワイヤ２２の外周面には、第１の実施形態と同様に、コーティング部６０が設けられている。コーティング部６０は、湾曲操作ワイヤ２２の所定の境界位置２９より先端側の部位に設けられる第１の膜形成部２６と、境界位置２９より基端側の部位に設けられる第２の膜形成部２７とを備える。第１の実施形態と同様に、コーティング部６９では、第１の膜形成部２６の膜厚ｔ１は、第２の膜形成部２７の膜厚ｔ２より厚くなっている。第１の膜形成部２６は、湾曲操作ワイヤ２２の湾曲部７の内部に位置する部分に設けられている。第２の膜形成部２７は、湾曲操作ワイヤ２２の蛇管部６の先端部の内部に位置する部分に設けられている。 FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the insertion portion 2 of the endoscope 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the coating part 60 is provided in the outer peripheral surface of each bending operation wire 22 similarly to 1st Embodiment. The coating unit 60 includes a first film forming unit 26 provided at a position on the distal end side from the predetermined boundary position 29 of the bending operation wire 22, and a second film forming unit provided at a position on the proximal end side from the boundary position 29. 27. Similar to the first embodiment, in the coating part 69, the film thickness t 1 of the first film formation part 26 is thicker than the film thickness t 2 of the second film formation part 27. The first film forming unit 26 is provided in a portion located inside the bending portion 7 of the bending operation wire 22. The second film forming portion 27 is provided at a portion located inside the distal end portion of the serpentine tube portion 6 of the bending operation wire 22.

図７に示すように、コーティング部６０では、第２の膜形成部２７よりさらに基端側の部位に、第３の膜形成部６３が設けられている。第３の膜形成部６３の膜厚ｔ３は、第２の膜形成部２７の膜厚ｔ２より厚い。また、第３の膜形成部６３は、湾曲操作ワイヤ２２の蛇管部６の基端部の内部に位置する部分に設けられている。 As shown in FIG. 7, in the coating part 60, a third film forming part 63 is provided in a part further proximal to the second film forming part 27. The film thickness t3 of the third film formation part 63 is thicker than the film thickness t2 of the second film formation part 27. Further, the third film forming portion 63 is provided in a portion located inside the proximal end portion of the flexible tube portion 6 of the bending operation wire 22.

例えば大腸用の内視鏡１の使用時では、蛇管部６はＳ状結腸を通過する際、ループ状等の複雑な形状となる。通常、腸を短縮しながら挿入する手技が行われるため、挿入部先端から１０００ｍｍ以降の蛇管部６は体外に位置している場合が多い。このため、蛇管部６の先端部の内部に設けられる第２の膜形成部２７では、湾曲操作ワイヤ２２の長手方向への移動により湾曲操作ワイヤ２２とコイルパイプ４５との間に発生する摩擦力が、大きくなり易い。したがって、コーティング部６０では、第２の膜形成部２７の膜厚ｔ２を薄くすることにより、湾曲操作ワイヤ２２とコイルパイプ４５との間の摩擦力を小さくしている。 For example, when the endoscope 1 for large intestine is used, the serpentine tube portion 6 has a complicated shape such as a loop when passing through the sigmoid colon. Usually, since the technique of inserting while shortening the intestine is performed, the serpentine tube portion 6 of 1000 mm or more from the distal end of the insertion portion is often located outside the body. For this reason, in the second film forming portion 27 provided inside the distal end portion of the serpentine tube portion 6, the frictional force generated between the bending operation wire 22 and the coil pipe 45 due to the movement of the bending operation wire 22 in the longitudinal direction. However, it tends to be large. Therefore, in the coating part 60, the frictional force between the bending operation wire 22 and the coil pipe 45 is reduced by reducing the film thickness t2 of the second film forming part 27.

一方、体外に位置している蛇管部６の基端部は、使用時にほとんど複雑な形状とならない。このため、蛇管部６の基端部の内部に設けられる第３の膜形成部６３では、湾曲操作ワイヤ２２の長手方向への移動により湾曲操作ワイヤ２２とコイルパイプ４５との間に発生する摩擦力が、大きくなり難い。したがって、第３の膜形成部６３の膜厚ｔ３を厚くしても、湾曲操作の力量に大きな影響を及ぼさない。また、第３の膜形成部６３で膜厚ｔ３を厚くすることにより、第３の膜形成部６３の強度が大きくなる。このため、第３の膜形成部６３が湾曲操作ワイヤ２２から剥離し難くなる。 On the other hand, the proximal end portion of the serpentine tube portion 6 located outside the body hardly has a complicated shape when used. Therefore, in the third film forming portion 63 provided inside the proximal end portion of the serpentine tube portion 6, friction generated between the bending operation wire 22 and the coil pipe 45 due to the movement of the bending operation wire 22 in the longitudinal direction. Power is hard to increase. Therefore, even if the film thickness t3 of the third film forming portion 63 is increased, the strength of the bending operation is not greatly affected. Further, by increasing the film thickness t3 in the third film forming unit 63, the strength of the third film forming unit 63 is increased. For this reason, it becomes difficult for the third film forming portion 63 to peel off from the bending operation wire 22.

（変形例）
なお、上述の実施形態では、コーティング部２５（６０）の所定の境界位置２９より先端側の部位に第１の膜形成部２６が、境界位置２９より基端側の部位に第２の膜形成部２７が設けられる構成であるが、これに限るものではない。すなわち、湾曲操作ワイヤ２２の外周面に設けられるコーティング部２５（６０）が、先端部に設けられる第１の膜形成部２６と、第１の膜形成部２６の基端側に設けられ、第１の膜形成部２６より膜厚が薄い第２の膜形成部２７とを備えればよい。 (Modification)
In the above-described embodiment, the first film forming portion 26 is formed at the distal end side of the predetermined boundary position 29 of the coating portion 25 (60), and the second film is formed at the proximal end side of the boundary position 29. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the coating portion 25 (60) provided on the outer peripheral surface of the bending operation wire 22 is provided on the first film forming portion 26 provided on the distal end portion and on the proximal end side of the first film forming portion 26, and the first What is necessary is just to provide the 2nd film formation part 27 whose film thickness is thinner than the 1 film formation part 26.

また、上述の実施形態では、挿入部２の先端部に湾曲部７が設けられ、湾曲部７の基端側に可撓性を有する蛇管部６が設けられているが、これに限るものではない。すなわち、挿入部２の先端部に設けられる湾曲部７の基端側に、長手方向に延設される筒状部が設けられていればよい。そして、筒状部の内部に、湾曲操作ワイヤ２２の中の対応する一本がそれぞれに挿通されるコイルパイプ４５を備えればよい。 Moreover, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the bending part 7 is provided in the front-end | tip part of the insertion part 2, and the flexible duct part 6 is provided in the base end side of the bending part 7, However, it does not restrict to this. Absent. That is, it is only necessary that a cylindrical portion extending in the longitudinal direction is provided on the proximal end side of the bending portion 7 provided at the distal end portion of the insertion portion 2. And what is necessary is just to provide the coil pipe 45 by which the corresponding one of the bending operation wires 22 is each inserted in the inside of a cylindrical part.

また、上述の実施形態では、湾曲管３１のそれぞれの節輪３５に４つのワイヤ受けが設けられているが、これに限るものではない。例えば、それぞれの節輪３５に２つのワイヤ受け２３を、挿入部２の周方向に互いに略１８０°離して設けてもよい。この場合、ある節輪３５のワイヤ受け２３は、隣接する節輪３５のワイヤ受け２３から挿入部２の周方向に略９０°離れて配置される。すなわち、湾曲管３１に、湾曲操作ワイヤ２２の中で対応する一本の湾曲操作ワイヤ２２が挿通される複数のワイヤ受け２３が設けられる構成であればよい。 Moreover, in the above-mentioned embodiment, although the four wire receptacles are provided in each node ring 35 of the bending tube 31, it is not restricted to this. For example, two wire receivers 23 may be provided in each node ring 35 so as to be separated from each other by approximately 180 ° in the circumferential direction of the insertion portion 2. In this case, the wire receiver 23 of a certain node ring 35 is disposed approximately 90 ° away from the wire receiver 23 of the adjacent node ring 35 in the circumferential direction of the insertion portion 2. In other words, any configuration may be used as long as the bending tube 31 is provided with a plurality of wire receivers 23 into which one bending operation wire 22 corresponding to the bending operation wire 22 is inserted.

さらに、上述の実施形態では、湾曲部７が上下方向及び左右方向の４方向に湾曲するが、上下方向のみに湾曲する構成でもよく、左右方向のみに湾曲する構成でもよい。すなわち、挿入部２の内部に、操作部３での湾曲操作を湾曲部７に伝達し、湾曲部７を湾曲させる少なくとも１対の湾曲操作ワイヤ２２が設けられていればよい。 Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, although the bending part 7 curves in four directions of the up-down direction and the left-right direction, the structure which curves only to an up-down direction may be sufficient, and the structure which curves only to the left-right direction may be sufficient. That is, it is only necessary to provide at least one pair of bending operation wires 22 for transmitting the bending operation at the operation unit 3 to the bending unit 7 and bending the bending unit 7 inside the insertion unit 2.

以上、本発明の実施形態について説明したが、本発明は上記の実施形態に限定されるものではなく、本発明の要旨を逸脱しない範囲で種々の変形ができることは勿論である。 The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

１…内視鏡、２…挿入部、３…操作部、６…蛇管部、７…湾曲部、８…先端硬性部、１３Ａ，１３Ｂ…湾曲操作ノブ、２２…湾曲操作ワイヤ、２３…ワイヤ受け、２５，６０…コーティング部、２６…第１の膜形成部、２７…第２の膜形成部、２９…境界位置、４５…コイルパイプ、６３…第３の膜形成部。 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope, 2 ... Insertion part, 3 ... Operation part, 6 ... Serpentine part, 7 ... Bending part, 8 ... Hard tip part, 13A, 13B ... Bending operation knob, 22 ... Bending operation wire, 23 ... Wire receptacle , 25, 60 ... coating part, 26 ... first film forming part, 27 ... second film forming part, 29 ... boundary position, 45 ... coil pipe, 63 ... third film forming part.

Claims

An insertion portion including a bending portion that is provided at a distal end portion and performs a bending operation; and a cylindrical portion that extends in a longitudinal direction on a proximal end side of the bending portion;
An operation unit provided on a proximal end side of the cylindrical portion, the operation unit including a bending operation unit that performs a bending operation of the bending unit;
It extends from the inside of the operation portion to the bending portion through the inside of the cylindrical portion, moves in the longitudinal direction by the bending operation at the bending operation portion, and transmits the bending operation to the bending portion. At least a pair of bending operation wires;
A coil pipe that is provided inside the cylindrical portion and into which a corresponding one bending operation wire of the at least one pair of bending operation wires is inserted,
A coating portion provided on an outer peripheral surface of each of the bending operation wires; a first film forming portion provided at a distal end portion; and a proximal end side of the first film forming portion; A coating part comprising a second film forming part having a thickness smaller than that of the film forming part;
An endoscope comprising:

The cylindrical portion includes a serpentine tube portion that is bent when an external force is applied,
The coating portion is provided in a portion where the first film forming portion is located inside the bending portion of the bending operation wire, and the second film forming portion is provided inside the flexible tube portion of the bending operation wire. The endoscope according to claim 1, further comprising a coating portion provided at a position.

The coating unit is a coating unit in which the first film forming unit is provided at a position closer to the distal end than a predetermined boundary position and the second film forming unit is provided at a position closer to the proximal end than the predetermined boundary position. The endoscope according to claim 2, comprising:

The bending portion includes a bending tube provided with a plurality of wire receivers through which a corresponding one bending operation wire among the at least one pair of bending operation wires is inserted.
In the coating portion, when the bending portion bends at any one of the bending directions at a maximum bending angle, the predetermined boundary position of the bending operation wire that moves to the distal end side by the bending operation is The endoscope according to claim 3, further comprising a coating portion located on a proximal side of the wire receiver disposed on the most proximal side of the tube.

The coating portion is provided in a portion where the second film forming portion is located inside the distal end portion of the flexible tube of the bending operation wire, and further provided on the proximal end side from the second film forming portion, The endoscope according to claim 2, further comprising a coating unit including a third film forming unit having a thickness greater than that of the second film forming unit.

The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the coating portion includes a coating portion formed of a material having resistance to low-temperature plasma sterilization using hydrogen peroxide.