JP2014113417A - Tube body structure and method for assembling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tube body structure constituted such that a built-in material can easily be stored in a predetermined position within an outer sheath tube with excellent workability, the stored position of the content material can be confirmed, and a tip member can easily and surely be fixed within a tip of the outer sheath tube with excellent workability, and also to provide a method for assembling the tube body structure.SOLUTION: A tube body structure comprises: an elongated outer sheath tube 5; a built-in material 10 stored within the outer sheath tube 5; and a tip member 15, which is fixed within a tip 5s of the outer sheath tube 5, and which is, after the fixation, disposed with a front half part 15a projecting forward with respect to the tip 5s, and has an open hole 15h along a longitudinal axis direction S for closing the opening of the tip 5s. The built-in material 10 is fixed with a tip side part 10a engaged with an inner peripheral surface 15n formed by the open hole 15h, thereby defining its position in a longitudinal axis direction S within the outer sheath tube 5.

Description

  The present invention relates to a tube body structure in which a built-in object is housed in an elongated skin tube, and a tip member that closes the opening of the tip is fixed in the tip of the skin tube, and a method for assembling the tube body structure.

  In recent years, endoscopes inserted into a subject have been widely used in the medical field. The endoscope can observe the inside of the subject by inserting an elongated insertion portion into the subject.

  An imaging unit for imaging the inside of the subject is provided in the distal end portion provided on the distal end side in the longitudinal axis direction of the insertion portion of the endoscope (hereinafter simply referred to as the distal end side). The imaging unit is provided such that the objective lens located closest to the distal end among the plurality of objective lenses constituting the imaging unit is exposed from the distal end surface of the distal end portion.

  Note that the distal end surface has an illumination window that illuminates the interior of the subject with illumination light, a distal end opening of a known treatment instrument insertion conduit, and a distal end opening of a forward water supply conduit that supplies liquid into the subject. In addition, a nozzle of an air / water supply conduit for supplying gas or liquid to the objective lens exposed from the tip surface is provided.

  Here, in the treatment instrument insertion conduit provided along the longitudinal axis direction of the insertion portion in the insertion portion, the proximal end of the longitudinal axis of the treatment instrument insertion conduit (hereinafter simply referred to as the proximal end). ) Is inserted into the tube structure, specifically, an insertion shape detection probe (hereinafter simply referred to as a probe), and the shape of the probe at that time is transmitted from the probe to an external device, A configuration of an endoscope apparatus that can display a shape of an insertion portion inserted into a subject on a monitor of an external apparatus as a three-dimensional image is well known.

  In Patent Document 1, a probe to be inserted into a treatment instrument insertion conduit is provided with a plurality of electromagnetic coils with a set interval in the longitudinal axis direction of the probe. Each electromagnetic coil is connected to each other via a flexible tube in the direction, and the external device receives the magnetic field generated by each electromagnetic coil, and the position of each electromagnetic coil in the three-dimensional space from the magnetic field. Is detected by detecting a change in current value, the shape of the insertion portion is determined from the position of each electromagnetic coil and the interval between each electromagnetic coil, and the shape of the insertion portion is displayed on a monitor as a three-dimensional image. A configuration of an endoscope apparatus is disclosed.

JP 2005-103094 A

  By the way, when manufacturing the probe disclosed in Patent Document 1, first, after performing the step of processing the tip of the outer tube into a small diameter, the longitudinal axis as described above from the opening of the proximal end of the outer tube A step of inserting a built-in object in which a plurality of electromagnetic coils having a set interval in the direction are respectively connected via a flexible tube into the outer tube is performed. Specifically, an elongated linear member in which the built-in object is fixed at a midway position in the longitudinal axis direction is inserted into the outer tube through the opening at the proximal end of the outer tube, and the distal end of the linear member is inserted into the outer tube. A step of inserting a built-in object into the outer tube is performed by pulling out forward (hereinafter simply referred to as the front) in the longitudinal axis direction through the opening at the tip (opening of the small diameter portion).

  Next, a step of fixing a tip member that closes the opening of the small-diameter portion into the small-diameter portion formed at the distal end of the outer-tube is performed from the front of the outer-tube. Specifically, by inserting the linear member into a through-hole formed in the distal end member along the longitudinal axis direction, the linear member is used as a guide, and the latter half of the distal end member is attached to the outer tube from the front of the outer tube. The tip member is fixed in the tip of the small-diameter portion by inserting into the small-diameter portion and adhering the outer peripheral surface of the latter half portion to the inner peripheral surface of the small-diameter portion. At this time, the linear member is also fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the tip member formed by the through hole via an adhesive. The front half of the tip member is positioned in front of the opening at the tip of the small diameter portion, and the outer peripheral surface of the front half is positioned so as to be substantially flush with the outer peripheral surface of the outer tube.

  Thereafter, by pulling the linear member from the front, the tip of the built-in object is abutted against the proximal end of the rear half of the tip member, and the step of defining the position of the built-in object in the longitudinal axis direction in the outer tube is performed. This is because if there is a gap between the proximal end of the rear half of the tip member and the tip of the built-in member, the probe will bend due to the gap.

  Next, after the adhesive is cured, a step of winding and fixing the outer periphery of the small diameter portion of the outer tube is performed. By this bobbin fixing, the tip member is fixed to the tip of the small diameter portion at two points by thread winding in addition to the adhesive. The reason why the bobbin is fixed is that fixing the adhesive only may cause the tip member to come off from the tip of the outer tube when the adhesive deteriorates over time.

  Finally, after cutting the portion of the linear member that protrudes forward from the tip of the tip member, the circumferential shape formed on the outer periphery of the portion where the through hole of the tip member is filled with an adhesive and fixed with a spool The step of filling the concave portion with adhesive until the outer peripheral surface of the front half of the tip member and the outer peripheral surface of the outer tube are substantially flush with the outer peripheral surface is performed.

  As described above, in Patent Document 1, the built-in object is accommodated in the outer tube by the above-described six processes, and the distal end member is fixed in the distal end of the outer tube.

  However, in the structure of the probe and the assembly process of the probe disclosed in Patent Document 1, as described above, the built-in object is stored in the outer tube, and the distal member is fixed in the distal end of the outer tube. Six processes are required, and it takes time and effort to manufacture, which may cause the quality to deteriorate and increase the manufacturing cost.

  In addition, in order to define the position of the built-in object in the outer tube, the abutment of the tip of the built-in object against the proximal end of the tip member by pulling the linear member from the front is used, but when pulling the linear member from the front Since the linear member is inserted into the through-hole, the operator cannot observe the abutment of the tip of the built-in object against the proximal end of the tip member, and the built-in object is in the specified position in the outer tube. There was a problem that it was not possible to confirm whether it was placed in the.

  Further, as described above, the adhesive is buried in the concave portion of the small diameter portion of the outer tube where the thread is fixed. However, since the volume of the adhesive is reduced after drying, the outer peripheral surface of the adhesive is used as described above. However, there is a problem that the workability is poor because the adhesive must be filled until the outer peripheral surface of the front half of the tip member is substantially flush with the outer peripheral surface of the outer tube.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to easily store a built-in object in a specified position in the outer tube with good workability, and to confirm the storage position of the built-in object. It aims at providing the tube body structure which comprises the structure which can fix a front-end | tip member in the front-end | tip of a tube simply and reliably with sufficient workability | operativity, and the assembly method of this tube body structure.

  In order to achieve the above object, a tube body structure according to an aspect of the present invention includes an elongated outer tube, a built-in object housed in the outer tube, and a distal end in the longitudinal axis direction of the outer tube, A tip member that has a through-hole along the longitudinal axis direction, the part of which is positioned to protrude forward in the longitudinal axis direction from the distal end and closes the opening of the distal end of the outer tube. The built-in object is fixed in a state where the distal end portion in the longitudinal axis direction of the built-in object is locked to the inner peripheral surface of the tip member formed by the through-hole. A position in the longitudinal axis direction within the tube is defined.

  The tube body structure assembling method according to one aspect of the present invention is such that a part of the elongated outer tube protrudes forward in the longitudinal axis direction from the distal end and is fixed after being fixed. A step of adhering and fixing a distal end member that closes the opening of the distal end of the outer tube, and a built-in object is inserted into the outer tube from the base end in the longitudinal axis direction of the outer tube, and the longitudinal axis of the built-in object By inserting until the distal end portion in the direction is locked to the inner peripheral surface formed by the through hole formed along the longitudinal axis direction in the distal end member, the built-in object in the outer tube is inserted. Using the step of defining the position in the longitudinal axis direction while visually confirming the locking through the through hole, and the adhesive injected through the through hole, the inner circumference of the tip member The distal end portion of the locked said built-in to, and provided with a step of adhesively fixed to the inner peripheral surface.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily store a built-in object in a specified position in the outer tube with good workability, confirm a storage position of the built-in object, and easily and easily insert a tip member into the tip of the outer tube. It is possible to provide a tube body structure having a configuration that can be reliably fixed with good workability, and a method for assembling the tube body structure.

The figure which shows schematically the structure of the probe of 1st Embodiment. FIG. 1 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a portion surrounded by a line II on the distal end side of the probe in FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the state which removed the built-in thing from the inside of the outer skin tube of FIG. 1, and removed the front-end | tip member from the front-end | tip of an outer skin tube with a front-end | tip member The fragmentary sectional view which shows the state which fixes a front-end | tip member in the front-end | tip of the outer skin tube of FIG. 3, and inserts a built-in thing in an outer skin tube The figure which shows schematically the structure of the probe of 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows schematically the structure of the probe of 3rd Embodiment. The figure which shows schematically the structure of the probe of 4th Embodiment.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the probe of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, a probe 1 having a tube body structure is inserted into a subject by being inserted into a known treatment instrument insertion conduit formed in an insertion portion of an endoscope (not shown). Further, the shape of the insertion portion of the endoscope is detected, and an elongated outer tube 5 is provided along the longitudinal axis direction S.

  A support member 2 made of, for example, silicon that is elongated along the longitudinal axis direction S and is supported in the outer tube 5 so as to be positioned at a set interval S1 in the longitudinal axis direction S with respect to the support member 2. The plurality of electromagnetic coils 3 supported by the member 2 and the plurality of electromagnetic coils 3 provided at the base end of the supporting member 2 are electrically connected by wires extending from the electromagnetic coil, and an external device A built-in object 10 having a connector 4 electrically connected to the housing is housed.

  In addition, since the arrangement configuration of the electromagnetic coil 3 with respect to the support member 2 in the probe 1, the arrangement configuration of the connector 4, and the connection configuration of the electromagnetic coil 3 with respect to the connector 4 are well known, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  Next, the structure on the distal end side of the probe 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a portion surrounded by line II on the distal end side of the probe of FIG. In FIG. 2, the configuration of the built-in object 10 is illustrated more simply than in FIG. 1. That is, the support member 2 and the electromagnetic coil 3 are omitted from the front end side of the built-in object 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a distal end member 15 that closes an opening 5 k (see FIG. 3) of the distal end 5 s is fixed in the distal end 5 s of the outer tube 5.

  Specifically, the distal end member 15 is inserted into the distal end 5s of the outer tube 5 and the outer peripheral surface 15bg is fixed to the inner peripheral surface 5n of the distal end 5s of the outer tube 5 via the adhesive C. A portion 15b and a front half portion 15a having a diameter larger than that of the rear half portion 15b and positioned so as to protrude forward from the front end 5s and the outer peripheral surface 15ag being substantially flush with the outer peripheral surface 5g of the outer tube 5 The main part is comprised.

  Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the tip member 15, the front half portion 15a has a larger diameter than the rear half portion 15b at the boundary between the outer peripheral surface 15ag of the first half portion 15a and the outer peripheral surface 15bg of the second half portion 15b in the longitudinal axis direction S. A step portion 15d that abuts against the tip 5s of the formed outer tube 5 is formed.

  Furthermore, a through hole 15 h that penetrates from the proximal end 15 e of the distal end member 15 to the distal end 15 s is formed in the distal end member 15 along the longitudinal axis direction S. Note that the central axis of the through hole 15 h coincides with the central axis of the tip member 15. Further, the tip member 15 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a step portion 15d on the outer peripheral surface by forming the through hole 15h.

  In the present embodiment, the inner peripheral surface 15n of the distal end member 15 formed by the through hole 15h is formed in a tapered shape so that the diameter decreases from the proximal end 15e toward the distal end 15s. In contrast to this, the inner peripheral surface 15n may be formed in a tapered shape whose diameter increases from the base end 15e toward the tip 15s.

  Further, a part of the inner peripheral surface 15n formed in a tapered shape constitutes a locking portion 15k to which the front end side portion 10a of the built-in object 10 is locked.

  Specifically, the distal end side portion 10a of the built-in object 10 is formed in a tapered shape in which the outer peripheral surface 10g is reduced in diameter in a taper shape toward the front rather than other portions. In the tapered outer peripheral surface 10g of the distal end side portion 10a, the midway position in the longitudinal axis direction is formed to have the same diameter as that of the through hole 15h in the portion where the locking portion 15k is formed.

  Thus, a part of the tapered outer peripheral surface 10g in the distal end side portion 10a fitted from the base end 15e into the through hole 15h is locked to the locking portion 15k. Along with the locking of a part of the outer peripheral surface 10g of the distal end side portion 10a to the locking portion 15k, the position of the built-in object 10 in the longitudinal axis direction S within the outer tube 5 is defined.

  The locking of the distal end side portion 10a to the locking portion 15k can be visually recognized by the operator from the front of the distal end member 15 through the through hole 15h. That is, the through-hole 15h constitutes a visual recognition means for allowing the operator to visually recognize that the distal end side portion 10a is locked to the locking portion 15k.

  An adhesive C is injected into the through hole 15h. As a result, the distal end side portion 10a locked to the locking portion 15k is bonded and fixed to the inner peripheral surface 15n in the through hole 15h. The tip of the adhesive C injected into the through-hole 15 h is shaped so as to have a smooth curved surface shape together with the tip surface of the tip member 15.

  Note that the adhesive C is used so that the distal end portion 10a is bonded and fixed to the inner peripheral surface 15n, and the latter half portion 15b of the distal end member 15 is bonded to the distal end 5s of the outer tube 5 as described above. By being fixed, the distal end member 15 is securely fixed in the distal end 5s of the outer tube 5 at two points without performing pincushion fixing or the like as in the prior art. If the tip member 15 is made of a material having a large frictional force, the fixing force into the tip 5s is further increased.

  Further, in the assembly process described later, the adhesive C is injected from the front of the through hole 15h, and the operator confirms that the distal end portion 10a is locked to the locking portion 15k by the through hole 15h. The bonding operation can be performed in a visually recognized state.

  Here, in a state where the distal end side portion 10a is locked to the locking portion 15k, the distal end 10s of the distal end side portion 10a is positioned so as to protrude forward by S2 in the longitudinal axis direction S from the distal end 15s of the distal end member 15. doing.

  As a result, the through-hole 15h indicates that the position of the built-in object 10 is defined in the outer tube 5 by locking the distal end portion 10a to the locking portion 15k in the assembly operation described later. It has a function of recognizing the protrusion of 10s by making the worker visually recognize it.

  The through hole 15h allows the operator to visually recognize the protrusion amount S2 of the tip 10s from the tip 15s, thereby determining whether the protrusion amount S2 is larger or smaller than the specified amount. It may have a function of visually recognizing whether the position of the built-in object 10 is accurately defined.

  Next, an assembly process of the probe 1, specifically, a process of inserting the built-in object 10 into the outer tube 5 and a process of fixing the distal end member 15 into the distal end 5 s of the outer tube 5 are shown in FIGS. This will be briefly explained using.

  3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a built-in object is removed from the inside of the skin tube of FIG. 1 and the tip member is removed from the tip of the skin tube together with the tip member, and FIG. It is a fragmentary sectional view which shows the state which fixes a member and inserts a built-in thing in a sheath tube.

  First, as shown in FIG. 3, the operator performs a process of bonding and fixing the tip member 15 in the tip 5 s of the outer tube 5. Specifically, the second half portion 15b of the tip member 15 is inserted into the tip 5s until the step portion 15d hits the tip 5s, and the outer peripheral surface 15bg of the second half portion 15b is attached to the inner peripheral surface 5n using the adhesive C. And fixing.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the operator holds the built-in object 10 until the distal end side portion 10 a is locked to the locking portion 15 k of the distal end member 15 from the proximal end of the outer tube 5 to the inside of the outer tube 5. Insertion is performed, and the position in the longitudinal axis direction S of the built-in object 10 in the outer tube 5 is visually recognized from the front of the through hole 15h through the through hole 15h to the locking of the distal end portion 10a to the locking portion 15k. Perform the specified process.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, the operator also recognizes that the distal end of the distal end side portion 10 a after locking projects forward from the distal end 15 s of the distal end member 15. It can be easily recognized that the side portion 10 a is locked to the locking portion 15 k of the tip member 15.

  Finally, the operator injects the adhesive C into the through hole 15h from the front of the through hole 15h, so that the tip side portion 10a is placed on the inner peripheral surface 15n of the tip member 15 as shown in FIG. A process of bonding and fixing is performed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the built-in object 10 can be fixed and stored in a prescribed position in the outer tube 5 in three steps, and the tip member is placed in the distal end 5 s of the outer tube 5. 15 can be fixed.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the built-in object 10 is inserted into the outer tube 5, and the distal end side portion 10 a is only locked and fixed to the engaging portion 15 k of the distal end member 15. It was shown that the position in the longitudinal axis direction S within the tube 5 was defined.

  The distal end member 15 has the outer peripheral surface 15bg of the rear half portion 15b bonded and fixed to the inner peripheral surface 5n with respect to the distal end 5s of the outer tube 5, and the distal end side portion 10a is locked to the locking portion 15k. It was shown that it was fixed at two points.

  Further, the through hole 15h of the tip member 15 has a function of allowing the operator to visually recognize the locking of the tip side portion 10a to the locking portion 15k.

  According to this, the operator only locks the distal end portion 10a to the locking portion 15k, and moves the built-in object 10 in the outer tube 5 in the longitudinal axis direction S without performing the positioning operation. Can be positioned against.

  Further, the built-in object 10 is positioned within the outer tube 5 in the longitudinal axis direction S only by visually confirming the engagement of the distal end portion 10a to the engagement portion 15k from the front of the distal end member 15 through the through hole 15h. Can be easily recognized.

  Furthermore, an adhesive fixing operation using the adhesive C of the distal end side portion 10a to the locking portion 15k is visually confirmed through the through hole 15h while the distal end side portion 10a is locked to the locking portion 15k. In the state where the position of the built-in object 10 is defined, it can be easily performed with good workability.

  Furthermore, since it is not necessary to use a conventional pincushion bonding to fix the tip member 15 in the tip 5s of the outer tube 5, the latter part 15b is bonded and fixed in the tip 5s, and the locking portion 15k. The tip member 15 can be easily fixed in the tip 5 s of the outer tube 5 with good workability and the adhesive C is exposed to the outer peripheral surface of the probe 1 only by locking the tip side portion 10 a. Therefore, the appearance of the outer peripheral surface can be improved.

  Furthermore, the built-in object 10 can be fixed and stored in a prescribed position in the outer tube 5 with fewer steps than before, and the tip member 15 can be fixed in the distal end 5 s of the outer tube 5. Therefore, the quality of the probe 1 can be improved and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  From the above, the built-in object 10 can be stored in a prescribed position in the outer tube 5 easily with good workability, the storage position of the built-in object 10 can be confirmed, and the tip member 15 can be placed in the distal end 5 s of the outer tube 5. It is possible to provide a probe 1 having a configuration that can be fixed easily and reliably with good workability, and a method for assembling the probe 1.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the probe according to the present embodiment.
The configuration of the probe of the second embodiment is different from that of the probe of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 described above, and the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the tip member and the tip side portion of the built-in object. The shape of the outer peripheral surface is different.

  Therefore, only this difference will be described, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. Also in FIG. 5, the configuration of the built-in object 20 corresponding to the built-in object 10 of the first embodiment described above is shown in a simplified manner as compared with FIG. That is, the support member 2 and the electromagnetic coil 3 provided on the front end side of the built-in object 20 are not shown.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a distal end member 25 that closes the opening 5 k (see FIG. 3) of the distal end 5 s is fixed in the distal end 5 s of the outer tube 5.

  Specifically, the distal end member 25 is inserted into the distal end 5 s of the outer tube 5, and the outer peripheral surface 25 bg is fixed to the inner peripheral surface 5 n of the distal end 5 s of the outer tube 5 via the adhesive C. A part 25b and a front half part 25a having a diameter larger than that of the rear part 25b and positioned so as to protrude forward from the tip 5s and the outer peripheral face 25ag being substantially flush with the outer peripheral face 5g of the outer tube 5 The main part is comprised.

  Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the tip member 25, the front half portion 25a has a larger diameter than the rear half portion 25b at the boundary between the outer peripheral surface 25ag of the front half portion 25a and the outer peripheral surface 25bg of the rear half portion 25b in the longitudinal axis direction S. A step portion 25d1 that abuts against the tip 5s of the formed outer tube 5 is formed.

  Further, the tip member 25 is formed with a through-hole 25h that extends along the longitudinal axis direction S from the base end 25e of the tip member 25 to the tip 25s. The central axis of the through hole 25h coincides with the central axis of the tip member 25. The tip member 25 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a step portion 25d1 on the outer peripheral surface by forming the through hole 25h.

  In this embodiment, the inner peripheral surface 25n of the distal end member 25 formed by the through hole 25h is formed in a step shape having a step portion 25d2 at a midway position so that the diameter decreases from the base end 15e toward the distal end 15s. ing. That is, in the through hole 25h, the front half 25h1 in the longitudinal axis direction S is formed with a smaller diameter than the rear half 25h2 with the step 25d2 as a boundary.

  More specifically, in the through hole 25h, the diameter of the rear half portion 25h2 is a portion of the rear portion in the longitudinal axis direction (hereinafter simply referred to as the rear portion) of the step portion 20d in the distal end side portion 20a of the built-in object 20 to be described later. The diameter of the front half portion 25h1 is slightly larger than the diameter of a small-diameter portion 20as (described later) of the distal end side portion 20a of the built-in object 20.

  Further, the step portion 25d2 constitutes a locking portion 25k to which the front end side portion 20a of the built-in object 20 is locked.

  Specifically, the distal end side portion 20a of the built-in object 20 is formed in a step shape having a step portion 20d at an intermediate position so that the outer peripheral surface 20g is reduced in diameter toward the distal end side. That is, the small-diameter portion 20as that is a portion in front of the step portion 20d in the tip side portion 20a is formed to have a smaller diameter than a portion in the rear of the step portion 20d.

  Accordingly, the step portion 20d in the distal end side portion 20a fitted from the base end 25e into the through hole 25h is locked to the locking portion 25k. Along with the locking of the stepped portion 20d to the locking portion 25k, the position of the built-in object 20 in the longitudinal axis direction S within the outer tube 5 is defined.

  The locking of the distal end side portion 20a to the locking portion 25k can be visually recognized by the operator from the front of the distal end member 25 through the through hole 25h.

  That is, the through-hole 25h constitutes a visual recognition means for allowing the operator to visually recognize that the distal end side portion 20a is locked to the locking portion 25k.

  An adhesive C is injected into the through hole 25h. As a result, the distal end side portion 20a locked to the locking portion 25k is adhesively fixed to the inner peripheral surface 25n in the through hole 25h. Note that the tip of the adhesive C injected into the through hole 25 h is shaped so as to have a smooth curved surface shape together with the tip surface of the tip member 25.

  In addition, the adhesive C is used and the distal end side portion 20a is bonded and fixed to the inner peripheral surface 25n, and the latter half member 25b of the distal end member 25 is placed in the distal end 5s of the outer tube 5 as described above. By being bonded and fixed, the distal end member 25 is securely fixed in the distal end 5s of the outer tube 5 at two points without performing pincushion fixing or the like as in the prior art. If the tip member 25 is made of a material having a large frictional force, the fixing force in the tip 5s is further increased.

  Further, in the assembly process to be described later, the adhesive C is injected from the front of the through hole 25h, and the operator confirms that the distal end portion 20a is locked to the locking portion 25k by the through hole 25h. The bonding operation can be performed in a visually recognized state.

  Here, in the state where the distal end side portion 20a is locked to the locking portion 25k, the distal end 20s of the distal end side portion 20a is longer than the distal end 25s of the distal end member 25, as in the first embodiment described above. It is located in the axial direction S so as to protrude forward by S2.

  As a result, the through-hole 25h indicates that the position of the built-in object 20 is defined in the outer tube 5 when the distal end portion 20a is locked to the locking portion 25k in the assembly operation described later. It has a function of recognizing the protrusion of 20s by making the worker visually recognize it.

  The through-hole 25h allows the operator to visually recognize the protrusion amount S2 of the tip 20s from the tip 25s, thereby determining whether the protrusion amount S2 is larger or smaller than the specified amount. It may have a function of visually recognizing whether the position of the built-in object 20 is accurately defined.

  Next, the assembly process of the probe 1, specifically, the process of inserting the built-in object 20 into the outer tube 5 and the process of fixing the distal end member 25 into the distal end 5 s of the outer tube 5 will be briefly described.

  First, the operator performs a process of bonding and fixing the tip member 25 in the tip 5 s of the outer tube 5. Specifically, the second half portion 25b of the tip member 25 is inserted into the tip 5s until the stepped portion 25d1 hits the tip 5s, and the outer peripheral surface 25bg is fixed to the inner peripheral surface 5n using the adhesive C. I do.

  Next, the operator specifically penetrates the small-diameter portion 20as from the proximal end of the outer tube 5 to the inner portion of the outer tube 5 until the distal end side portion 20a is engaged with the engaging portion 25k of the distal end member 25. The built-in object 20 is inserted until it is inserted into the front half part 25h1 of the hole 25h and the step part 20d hits the step part 25d2, and the position in the longitudinal axis direction S of the built-in object 20 inside the outer tube 5 A step of defining while visually confirming the locking of the distal end side portion 20a to the locking portion 25k through the through hole 25h is performed.

  At this time, the operator also recognizes that the distal end of the distal end side portion 20 a after locking protrudes forward from the distal end 25 s of the distal end member 25, so that the distal end side portion 20 a becomes the distal end member 25. It can be easily recognized that it is locked to the locking portion 25k.

  Finally, the operator injects the adhesive C into the through hole 25h from the front of the through hole 25h, so that the tip side portion 20a is placed on the inner peripheral surface 25n of the tip member 25 as shown in FIG. A process of bonding and fixing is performed.

  As described above, also in the present embodiment, the built-in object 20 can be fixed and stored in a predetermined position in the outer tube 5 in three steps, and the tip member is placed in the distal end 5 s of the outer tube 5. 25 can be fixed.

  The effect similar to 1st Embodiment mentioned above can be acquired also by the structure of such a probe 1, and an assembly method.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the probe according to the present embodiment.
The configuration of the probe of the third embodiment is that the tip side portion of the built-in object is arranged on the inner peripheral surface of the tip member as compared with the probe of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. The point to be locked is different depending on the snap fit.

  Therefore, only this difference will be described, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. In FIG. 6 as well, the configuration of the built-in object 30 corresponding to the built-in object 10 of the first embodiment described above is shown more simply than in FIG. That is, the support member 2 and the electromagnetic coil 3 provided on the front end side of the built-in object 30 are not shown.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a distal end member 35 that closes an opening 5 k (see FIG. 3) of the distal end 5 s is fixed in the distal end 5 s of the outer tube 5.

  Specifically, the distal end member 35 is inserted into the distal end 5s of the outer tube 5 and the outer peripheral surface 35bg is fixed to the inner peripheral surface 5n of the distal end 5s of the outer tube 5 via the adhesive C. A portion 35b and a front half portion 35a having a diameter larger than that of the rear half portion 35b and positioned so as to protrude forward from the tip 5s and the outer peripheral surface 35ag being substantially flush with the outer peripheral surface 5g of the outer tube 5 The main part is comprised.

  Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the tip member 35, the front half portion 35a is larger in diameter than the rear half portion 35b at the boundary between the outer peripheral surface 35ag of the front half portion 35a and the outer peripheral surface 35bg of the rear half portion 35b in the longitudinal axis direction S. A stepped portion 35d is formed to abut against the tip 5s of the formed outer tube 5.

  Further, a through-hole 35 h that penetrates from the proximal end 35 e of the distal end member 35 to the distal end 35 s is formed in the distal end member 35 along the longitudinal axis direction S. Note that the central axis of the through hole 35 h coincides with the central axis of the tip member 35. Further, the tip member 35 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a step portion 35d on the outer peripheral surface by forming the through hole 35h.

  In the present embodiment, the inner peripheral surface 35n of the distal end member 35 formed by the through hole 35h is formed in a tapered shape so as to reduce in diameter from the proximal end 35e toward the distal end 35s. On the contrary, the inner peripheral surface 35n may be formed in a tapered shape whose diameter increases from the base end 35e toward the tip 35s.

  In addition, a locking portion 35k including a convex portion 35p that locks the distal end portion 30a of the built-in object 30 is formed on the distal end side of the inner peripheral surface 35n formed in a tapered shape.

  Specifically, the distal end side portion 30a of the built-in object 30 is formed in a tapered shape in which the outer peripheral surface 30g is reduced in diameter in a taper shape toward the front rather than other portions.

  Further, a cut 30ah having a predetermined length from the tip 30s along the longitudinal axis direction S is formed in the tip side portion 30a so as to pass through the central axis of the tip side portion 30a.

  A recess 30q that is locked to the locking portion 35k by a snap fit is formed at the position where the tip-side cut 30ah is formed on the tapered outer peripheral surface 30g of the tip-side portion 30a.

  As a result, the locking portion 35k constituted by the convex portion 35p has a concave portion 30q formed at the distal end of the tapered outer peripheral surface 30g in the distal end side portion 30a fitted into the through hole 35h from the proximal end 35e. The recess 30q is locked by a snap fit using the fact that the notch 30ah is movable in the radial direction of the built-in object 30. With the locking of the distal end side portion 30a to the locking portion 35k, the position of the built-in object 30 in the longitudinal axis direction S within the outer tube 5 is defined.

  The locking of the distal end side portion 30a to the locking portion 35k is visible by the operator from the front of the leading end member 35 through the through hole 35h. In other words, the through hole 35h constitutes a visual recognition means for allowing the operator to visually recognize that the distal end side portion 30a is locked to the locking portion 35k.

  An adhesive C is injected into the through hole 35h. As a result, the distal end side portion 30a locked to the locking portion 35k is adhesively fixed to the inner peripheral surface 35n in the through hole 35h. Note that the tip of the adhesive C injected into the through hole 35 h is shaped so as to have a smooth curved surface shape together with the tip surface of the tip member 35.

  It should be noted that the adhesive C is used so that the distal end side portion 30a is adhesively fixed to the inner peripheral surface 35n, and the latter half portion 35b of the distal end member 35 is adhesively fixed within the distal end 5s of the outer tube 5. Thus, the tip member 35 is securely fixed in the tip 5s of the outer tube 5 at two points without performing pincushion fixing or the like as in the prior art. If the tip member 35 is made of a material having a large frictional force, the fixing force into the tip 5s is further increased.

  Further, in the assembly process described later, the adhesive C is injected from the front of the through hole 35h. The operator confirmed that the distal end side portion 30a was locked to the locking portion 35k by the through hole 35h. The bonding operation can be performed in a visually recognized state.

  Next, the assembly process of the probe 1, specifically, the process of inserting the built-in object 30 into the outer tube 5 and the process of fixing the distal end member 35 into the distal end 5 s of the outer tube 5 will be briefly described.

  First, the operator performs a step of bonding and fixing the tip member 35 in the tip 5 s of the outer tube 5. Specifically, the second half portion 35b of the tip member 35 is inserted into the tip 5s until the stepped portion 35d hits the tip 5s, and the outer peripheral surface 35bg is fixed to the inner peripheral surface 5n using the adhesive C. I do.

  Next, the operator locks the recess 30q of the distal end portion 30a from the proximal end of the outer tube 5 into the outer tube 5 by a snap fit to the locking portion 35k formed of the convex portion 35p of the distal member 35. The built-in object 30 is inserted until the position in the longitudinal axis direction S of the built-in object 30 in the outer tube 5 is changed from the front of the through hole 35h through the through hole 35h to the locking portion 35k. A step of defining the locking while visually recognizing is performed.

  Finally, the operator performs a process of bonding and fixing the distal end side portion 30a to the inner peripheral surface 35n of the distal end member 35 by injecting the adhesive C into the through hole 35h from the front of the through hole 35h.

  As described above, also in the present embodiment, the built-in object 30 can be fixed and stored in a prescribed position in the outer tube 5 in three steps, and the tip member is placed in the distal end 5 s of the outer tube 5. 35 can be fixed.

  The effect similar to that of the first embodiment described above can be obtained by the configuration and assembly method of the probe 1 as well, and in the present embodiment, the tip side portion of the tip member 35 on the inner peripheral surface 35n. By using the snap fit of the concave portion 30q to the locking portion 35k constituted by the convex portion 35p for the locking of 30a, the distal end side portion to the locking portion 35k is more reliably than in the first embodiment described above. 30a can be locked.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the probe according to the present embodiment.
Compared with the probe of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5 described above, the configuration of the probe of the fourth embodiment is such that the tip side portion of the built-in member is snap-fitted on the inner peripheral surface of the tip member. The point to be locked is different.

  Therefore, only this difference will be described, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the second embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. In FIG. 7 as well, the configuration of the built-in object 40 corresponding to the built-in object 10 of the first embodiment described above is shown more simply than in FIG. That is, the support member 2 and the electromagnetic coil 3 provided on the front end side of the built-in object 40 are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a distal end member 45 that closes an opening 5 k (see FIG. 3) of the distal end 5 s is fixed in the distal end 5 s of the outer tube 5.

  Specifically, the distal end member 45 is inserted into the distal end 5s of the outer tube 5 and the outer peripheral surface 45bg is fixed to the inner peripheral surface 5n of the distal end 5s of the outer tube 5 via the adhesive C. A part 45b and a front half part 45a having a diameter larger than that of the rear part 45b and positioned so as to protrude forward from the tip 5s and the outer peripheral face 45ag being substantially flush with the outer peripheral face 5g of the outer tube 5 The main part is comprised.

  Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the tip member 45, the front half portion 45a has a larger diameter than the rear half portion 45b at the boundary between the outer peripheral surface 45ag of the front half portion 45a and the outer peripheral surface 45bg of the rear half portion 45b in the longitudinal axis direction S. A step portion 45d1 that abuts against the tip 5s of the formed outer tube 5 is formed.

  Further, a through hole 45 h that penetrates from the base end 45 e of the tip member 45 to the tip 45 s is formed in the tip member 45 along the longitudinal axis direction S. Note that the central axis of the through hole 45 h coincides with the central axis of the tip member 45. Further, the tip member 45 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a step 45d1 on the outer peripheral surface by forming the through hole 45h.

  In this embodiment, the inner peripheral surface 45n of the tip member 45 formed by the through hole 45h is formed in a step shape having a step portion 45d2 at a midway position so that the diameter decreases from the base end 45e toward the tip 45s. ing. That is, in the through hole 45h, the front half 45h1 in the longitudinal axis direction S is formed with a smaller diameter than the rear half 45h2 with the step 45d2 as a boundary.

  More specifically, in the through hole 45h, the diameter of the rear half 45h2 is formed to be slightly larger than the diameter of the rear part of the step part 40d of the tip part 40a of the built-in object 40 described later, The diameter of the front half portion 45h1 is formed to be slightly larger than the diameter of a small-diameter portion 40as described later of the distal end side portion 40a of the built-in object 40.

  Further, the step portion 45d2 constitutes a locking portion 45k where the front end side portion 40a of the built-in object 40 is locked.

  Specifically, the distal end side portion 40a of the built-in object 40 is formed in a step shape having a step portion 40d at a midway position so that the outer peripheral surface 40g is reduced in diameter toward the distal end side. That is, the small-diameter portion 40as, which is a portion in front of the step portion 40d in the tip side portion 40a, is formed to have a smaller diameter than a portion in the rear of the step portion 40d.

  Thereby, the stepped portion 40d in the distal end side portion 40a fitted from the base end 45e into the through hole 45h is locked to the locking portion 45k.

  The locking of the distal end side portion 40a to the locking portion 45k can be visually recognized by the operator from the front of the distal end member 45 through the through hole 45h.

  Further, the engagement portion is configured by a convex portion 45p that is engaged with the distal end side portion 40a of the built-in object 40 at a position on the distal end side of the inner peripheral surface 45n formed by forming the front half portion 45h1 of the through hole 45h. A stop 45k is formed.

  Specifically, a cut 40ah having a predetermined length from the distal end 40s along the longitudinal axis direction S is formed in the distal end side portion 40a so as to pass through the central axis of the distal end side portion 40a. An inclined surface 40q is formed at the position where the cut 40ah of the small-diameter portion 40as is formed on the outer peripheral surface 40g of the distal end side portion 40a. The inclined surface 40q is locked by a snap fit to the locking portion 45k formed of the convex portion 45p. .

  Thus, the inclined surface 40q formed on the distal end of the outer peripheral surface 40g of the small diameter portion 40as in the distal end side portion 40a fitted into the through hole 45h from the base end 45e is formed on the engaging portion 45k. Is locked by a snap fit using the fact that it is movable in the radial direction of the built-in object 40 by the notch 40ah.

  As described above, the position of the built-in object 40 in the longitudinal axis direction S in the outer tube 5 is defined with the locking of the distal end side portion 40a to each locking portion 45k.

  That is, the through-hole 45h constitutes a visual recognition means for allowing the operator to visually recognize that the distal end side portion 40a is locked to the locking portion 45k.

  An adhesive C is injected into the through hole 45h. As a result, the distal end side portion 40a locked to the locking portion 45k is adhesively fixed to the inner peripheral surface 45n in the through hole 45h. The tip of the adhesive C injected into the through-hole 45 h is shaped so as to have a smooth curved surface shape together with the tip surface of the tip member 45.

  In addition, the adhesive C is used, and the distal end side portion 40a is bonded and fixed to the inner peripheral surface 45n, and the latter half portion 45b of the distal end member 45 is bonded and fixed in the distal end 5s of the outer tube 5. Thus, the distal end member 45 is securely fixed in the distal end 5s of the outer tube 5 at two points without performing thread winding fixing or the like as in the prior art. If the tip member 45 is made of a material having a large frictional force, the fixing force into the tip 5s is further increased.

  Further, in the assembly process described later, the adhesive C is injected from the front of the through hole 45h, and the operator confirms that the distal end side portion 40a is locked to the locking portion 45k by the through hole 45h. The bonding operation can be performed in a visually recognized state.

  Next, the assembly process of the probe 1, specifically, the process of inserting the built-in object 40 into the outer tube 5 and the process of fixing the tip member 45 into the tip 5 s of the skin tube 5 will be briefly described.

  First, the operator performs a process of bonding and fixing the tip member 45 in the tip 5 s of the outer tube 5. Specifically, the second half portion 45b of the tip member 45 is inserted into the tip 5s until the stepped portion 45d1 hits the tip 5s, and the outer peripheral surface 45bg is fixed to the inner peripheral surface 5n using the adhesive C. I do.

  Next, the worker specifically penetrates the small-diameter portion 40as from the proximal end of the outer tube 5 to the inner portion of the outer tube 5 until the distal end side portion 40a is engaged with the engaging portion 45k of the distal end member 45. The built-in object 40 is inserted until it is inserted into the front half 45h1 of the hole 45h, the stepped portion 40d hits the stepped portion 45d2, and the convex portion 45p is locked by the snap fit to the inclined surface 40q. A step of defining the position of the object 40 in the longitudinal axis direction S while visually confirming the locking of the distal end side portion 40a to the locking portion 45k through the through hole 45h from the front of the through hole 45h is performed.

  Finally, the operator performs a process of bonding and fixing the distal end side portion 40a to the inner peripheral surface 45n of the distal end member 45 by injecting the adhesive C into the through hole 45h from the front of the through hole 45h.

  As described above, also in the present embodiment, the built-in object 40 can be fixed and stored in a prescribed position in the outer tube 5 in three steps, and the tip member is placed in the distal end 5 s of the outer tube 5. 45 can be fixed.

  The effect similar to that of the second embodiment described above can be obtained by the configuration and assembly method of the probe 1 as well, and in the present embodiment, the tip side portion of the tip member 45 on the inner peripheral surface 45n By using the snap fit of the inclined surface 40q to the locking part 45k constituted by the convex part 45p for locking the 40a, the tip side to the locking part 45k is more reliably than the first embodiment described above. The part 40a can be locked.

1 ... Probe (tube body structure)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Supporting member 3 ... Electromagnetic coil 5 ... Outer tube 5k ... Opening at the front end of the outer tube 5n ... Inner peripheral surface of the outer tube 5s ... End of the outer tube 10 ... Built-in object 10a ... Front end side part of the built-in object 10s ... Built-in object Tip 15 ... tip member 15a ... front half of tip member (part)
15b ... Second half part of tip member (part)
15e ... Base end of the tip member 15h ... Through hole (viewing means) of the tip member
15k: Locking portion of the tip member 15n: Inner peripheral surface of the tip member 15s ... Tip of the tip member 20 ... Built-in object 20a ... Tip side part of the built-in object 20s ... Tip of built-in object 25 ... Tip member 25a ... First half of the tip member Part (part)
25b ... Second half part of tip member (part)
25d2: A step (locking portion) on the inner peripheral surface of the tip member
25e: proximal end of the tip member 25h: through hole of the tip member (viewing means)
25k ... Locking portion of the tip member 25n ... Inner peripheral surface of the tip member 25s ... Tip of the tip member 30 ... Built-in object 30a ... Tip side part of the built-in object 35 ... Tip member 35a ... First half part of the tip member (part)
35b ... Second half part of tip member (part)
35e: proximal end of the tip member 35h: through hole of the tip member (viewing means)
35k ... Locking portion of tip member 35n ... Inner peripheral surface of tip member 35p ... Convex portion (locking portion) of inner peripheral surface of tip member
35s ... tip of tip member 40 ... built-in object 40a ... tip side part of built-in object 45 ... tip member 45a ... front half part (part) of tip member
45b ... Second half part of tip member (part)
45e: Base end of the tip member 25d2: Step portion (locking portion) on the inner peripheral surface of the tip member
45h ... through hole of the tip member (visual recognition means)
45k ... locking portion of the tip member 45n ... inner peripheral surface of the tip member 45p ... convex portion (locking portion) of the inner peripheral surface of the tip member
45 s ... tip of the tip member C ... adhesive S ... longitudinal axis direction S1 ... set interval S2 ... protrusion amount

Claims (9)

An elongated skin tube,
Built-in items stored in the outer tube,
The longitudinal direction of the outer tube is fixed in the distal end of the outer tube, and after the fixing, a part of the outer tube protrudes forward in the longitudinal direction from the distal end and closes the opening of the outer tube. A tip member having a through hole along the axial direction;
Comprising
The built-in object is fixed in a state where the distal end portion in the longitudinal axis direction of the built-in object is locked to the inner peripheral surface of the tip member formed by the through-hole, thereby A tube body structure characterized in that the position in the longitudinal axis direction is defined.   The tube body structure according to claim 1, wherein a locking portion for locking a tip side portion of the built-in object is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the tip member.   The locking portion has a tapered shape in which the inner peripheral surface of the distal end member is reduced in diameter from the proximal end in the longitudinal axis direction toward the distal end or increased in diameter from the proximal end toward the distal end. The tube body structure according to claim 2, wherein the tube body structure is formed on the inner peripheral surface by being formed.   The tip member is partially fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the tip of the outer tube with an adhesive, and the inner peripheral surface of the tip member is locked to the inner peripheral surface. The fixing according to claim 1, wherein the distal end side portion is fixed at two points in the distal end of the outer tube by being fixed with an adhesive injected through the through hole. The tube body structure according to any one of claims.   The said through-hole comprises the visual recognition means to make it visually recognize that the said front end side site | part of the said built-in thing was latched to the said internal peripheral surface of the said front end member. The tube body structure according to claim 1. When the tip side portion of the built-in object is locked to the inner peripheral surface of the tip member, the tip in the longitudinal axis direction of the tip side portion is connected to the longitudinal axis of the tip member via the through hole. Located in front of the longitudinal direction than the tip of the direction,
The through-hole is engaged with the inner peripheral surface of the tip member by causing the tip of the tip side portion to protrude forward in the longitudinal axis direction from the tip of the tip member. The tube body structure according to claim 5, wherein this is visually recognized.   The through-hole is positioned in the longitudinal axis direction of the built-in object in the outer tube by visually recognizing the protruding amount in the longitudinal axis direction of the distal end side portion from the distal end of the distal end member. The tube body structure according to claim 6, wherein the tube body structure is visually recognized.   The built-in object includes a plurality of electromagnetic coils positioned at a set interval along the longitudinal axis direction in the outer tube, and a support member that supports the electromagnetic coils. Item 8. The tube body structure according to any one of Items 1-7. Adhering and fixing a distal end member that closes the opening of the outer tube at the distal end of the outer tube, after a part of the elongated outer tube protrudes forward in the longitudinal axis direction from the distal end and is fixed. And a process of
A built-in object is inserted into the outer tube from the base end in the longitudinal axis direction of the outer tube, and a distal end side portion in the longitudinal axis direction of the built-in object is formed along the longitudinal axis direction in the distal member. By inserting until it is locked to the inner peripheral surface formed by the through hole, the position of the built-in object in the outer tube in the longitudinal axis direction is visually confirmed through the through hole. While defining the process,
Using the adhesive injected through the through-hole, bonding and fixing the tip side portion of the built-in object locked to the inner peripheral surface of the tip member to the inner peripheral surface;
A method of assembling a tube body structure, comprising:

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