JP2023128309A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an endoscope capable of securing watertightness without increasing rigidity length, in a connection part between a rigid part at the tip and a curved part.SOLUTION: An endoscope includes: a screw 126 that is exposed from an outer surface of an annular connection part 120 of a rigid part 52 at the tip; a coating member 142 for coating an outer surface of the screw 126; cylindrical angle rubber 138 that constitutes an outer skin of the curved part 54, that is, the angle rubber 138 that is arranged in the state of covering at least a part of the coating member 142; and a bobbin part 146 that is provided at the tip side of the angle rubber 138.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

The present invention relates to an endoscope, and particularly to an endoscope having a rigid distal end portion at the distal end portion of an insertion portion.

An insertion section of an endoscope that is inserted into the body includes, from the distal end side to the proximal end side, a rigid distal end section, a curved section, and a flexible section.

The above-mentioned rigid distal end portion includes an annular connecting portion on the base end side of the rigid distal end portion, to which the distal end curving piece of the curved portion is connected. In an endoscope with such a configuration, the length from the proximal end of the annular connecting part (base end of the rigid distal section) to the tip of the rigid distal section in the longitudinal axis direction of the insertion section is the "rigid length". Sometimes called. Hereinafter, in this specification, the length from the proximal end of the distal rigid portion to the distal end of the distal rigid portion in the longitudinal axis direction of the insertion portion will be defined as "rigid length."

By the way, in the case of the above-mentioned endoscope with a long rigid length, when the bending section is bent and the rigid distal section is raised up at an angle of approximately 90 degrees with respect to the flexible section, the height of the distal end of the rigid distal section will change. (also called "rise height") becomes high. In this case, for example, it becomes difficult to observe every corner of the stomach, and in particular, the angle of the stomach cannot be observed.

In this way, in the field of endoscopes, there is a desire to shorten the rigid length in order to solve the above problems, and Patent Document 1 discloses an endoscope with a shortened rigid length. .

The endoscope disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a distal end component that constitutes the distal end of the insertion section, and a distal end curving piece that is externally mounted on the distal end component so as to surround the proximal end of the distal end component. We are prepared. Furthermore, a convex portion provided on the inner circumferential surface of the tip curved piece and protruding inward from the inner circumferential surface of the piece, and a convex portion provided on the tip constituting member to accommodate the above-mentioned convex portion, and a tip surface of the accommodated convex portion. A recessed portion having an abutting surface that abuts.

JP2014-057731A

By the way, in order to make an endoscope multi-functional, a plurality of internal components such as a forceps tube, a tube, an air/water supply tube, and a light guide tube are inserted into the hard end of the endoscope. In a sonic endoscope, an ultrasonic transducer is arranged in addition to the internal components described above. Such an internal component may be connected to the annular connecting portion of the rigid tip portion, for example, with a fixing device such as a screw. In this case, the fixture is covered with an angle rubber, and the tip of the angle rubber is fixed to the annular connecting part by a thread winding part. Here, if the fixing tool and the thread winding section overlap each other in the longitudinal axis direction of the insertion part, a gap is likely to occur between the fixing tool and the angle rubber, and watertight (including airtight) leakage occurs from that gap. may be more likely to occur.

In order to prevent such problems from occurring, for example, it is possible to shift the position of the fixing device toward the proximal end of the insertion section with respect to the position of the bobbin winding section, but if this is done, the rigidity length will increase by the amount of shift. A problem will arise. Therefore, in the field of endoscopes, there is a need to ensure watertightness without increasing the rigid length at the connecting portion between the rigid distal end portion and the curved portion.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope that can ensure watertightness without increasing the rigid length at the connection portion between the rigid distal end portion and the curved portion. With the goal.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the endoscope of the present invention includes a rigid distal portion that constitutes the distal end side of the endoscope insertion portion, and a bendable curved portion that is connected to the proximal side of the rigid distal portion. An endoscope comprising: a fixture exposed from the outer surface of a structural member constituting at least one of the rigid distal end portion and the curved portion; a covering member covering the outer surface of the fixture; and the curved portion. It is a cylindrical angle rubber constituting the outer skin of the cover member, and includes an angle rubber disposed to cover at least a part of the covering member, and a thread winding portion provided on the tip side of the angle rubber.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the covering member is preferably a ring-shaped member that covers the outer surface of the component.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that a sealing material is provided on the surface of the covering member on the side where the fixing device is arranged.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the proximal end of the rigid tip portion includes a large diameter portion provided along the circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis of the endoscope insertion portion, and a large diameter portion extending from the large diameter portion to the proximal end side. It has a small diameter part that protrudes and is formed to have a smaller diameter than the large diameter part, and a stepped surface formed between the large diameter part and the small diameter part, and the covering member is attached to the small diameter part and the stepped surface is It is preferable that the distal end surface of the covering member is brought into contact with the covering member.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the outer surface of the thread-wound portion and the gap between the stepped surface and the tip end surface of the angle rubber be filled with an adhesive.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the proximal end of the thread-wound portion be arranged closer to the proximal end of the endoscope insertion portion than the proximal end of the covering member.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the covering member is preferably made of a resin material.

According to one form of the invention, the resin material is preferably polyetherimide.

According to one form of the invention, the resin material is preferably polysulfone.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the covering member is preferably made of a metal material.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the metal material is preferably stainless steel.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the structural member includes an exterior component that configures the exterior of the rigid distal end portion, and a curved portion component that configures a connecting portion with the exterior component, and Internal components are disposed inside, and the fixtures include a first fixture that fixes the exterior component and the internal component to each other, and a second fixture that fixes the exterior component and the curved part component to each other. It is preferable that the outer surface of at least the first fixture of the first fixture and the second fixture is covered with a covering member.

According to one form of the present invention, it is preferable that the first fixture and the second fixture are each screw members.

According to the present invention, it is possible to ensure watertightness without increasing the rigid length at the connecting portion between the rigid end portion and the curved portion.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of an ultrasound examination system using an ultrasound endoscope. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the hard tip portion of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the hard tip portion shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the balloon attached to the rigid tip. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a rigid tip portion including a tip curving piece. 6 is a side view of the hard tip portion shown in FIG. 5. FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a connecting portion between a rigid tip portion and a curved portion. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an annular connecting portion in which a frame is fixed with three screws. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an annular connecting portion in which a tip curved piece is fixed with three screws. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of a connecting portion between a rigid tip portion and a curved portion. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a hard tip portion of a second embodiment. FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the connecting portion between the rigid tip portion and the curved portion shown in FIG. 11;

Embodiments of an endoscope according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of an ultrasound examination system 10 using an ultrasound endoscope 12. As shown in FIG. Hereinafter, an ultrasonic endoscope 12 will be described as an example of the endoscope of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasound examination system 10 includes an ultrasound endoscope 12, an ultrasound processor device 14, an endoscope processor device 16, a light source device 18, and a monitor 20. The ultrasonic testing system 10 also includes a water tank 22 that stores cleaning water and the like, and a suction pump 24 that suctions the aspirate in the body cavity.

The ultrasound endoscope 12 includes an insertion section 26 that is inserted into a body cavity of a subject, an operation section 28 that is connected to the proximal end of the insertion section 26 and is operated by an operator, and an operation section 28 The universal cord 30 has one end connected to the universal cord 30. The insertion section 26 is an example of an endoscope insertion section of the present invention.

The operation unit 28 includes an air/water supply button 32 for opening/closing an air/water supply pipe (not shown) from the water supply tank 22 and a suction button 34 for opening/closing a suction pipe (not shown) from the suction pump 24. will be established. Further, the operating section 28 is provided with a pair of angle knobs 36 and a treatment instrument insertion port 37.

The other end of the universal cord 30 includes a connector 38 connected to the ultrasound processor device 14, a connector 40 connected to the endoscope processor device 16, and a connector 42 connected to the light source device 18. provided. The ultrasound endoscope 12 is detachably connected to the ultrasound processor device 14, the endoscope processor device 16, and the light source device 18 via these connectors 38, 40, and 42. The connector 42 also includes an air/water supply tube 44 connected to the water supply tank 22 and a suction tube 46 connected to the suction pump 24.

The insertion section 26 includes, in order from the distal end side, a rigid distal section 52 having an endoscope observation section 48 and an ultrasonic transducer 50, a curved section 54 connected to the proximal side of the rigid distal section 52, and a curved section. It has a flexible portion 56 that connects the proximal end side of the operating portion 54 and the distal end side of the operating portion 28 . The rigid tip portion 52 constitutes the tip side of the insertion portion 26 and is an example of the rigid tip portion of the present invention. Further, the curved portion 54 is an example of the curved portion of the present invention. The hard tip portion 52, the curved portion 54, and the soft portion 56 are arranged along the longitudinal axis A of the elongated insertion portion 26. The bending portion 54 is formed by connecting a plurality of bending pieces and is configured to be bendable. The flexible portion 56 is elongated, elongated, and flexible.

The bending portion 54 is remotely operated to bend by rotating the pair of angle knobs 36 . This allows the hard tip portion 52 to be oriented in a desired direction. Further, FIG. 3, which will be described later, shows a plurality of bending pieces 58 constituting the bending section 54 and a plurality of (two in FIG. 3) bending operation wires 60. A distal end curving piece 59 disposed on the distal side of the plurality of curving pieces 58 is connected to an annular connecting portion 122 configured on the proximal end side of the distal rigid portion 52 . The distal end side of a bending operation wire 60 is connected to this tip bending piece 59, and the proximal end side of the bending operation wire 60 is connected to a pair of angle knobs 36 (see FIG. 1). Note that the above-mentioned annular connecting portion 122 will be described later. Further, a connection structure for connecting the tip curved piece 59 and the annular connection portion 122 to each other will also be described later.

Returning to FIG. 1, the ultrasonic processor device 14 generates and supplies ultrasonic signals for generating ultrasonic waves to a plurality of ultrasonic transducers 62 (see FIG. 2) constituting the ultrasonic transducer 50. Ultrasonic waves are emitted from the plurality of ultrasonic transducers 62 toward the observation target site. The ultrasound processor device 14 receives and acquires an echo signal (reflected wave) reflected from the observation target site using an ultrasound transducer 62, performs various signal processing on the acquired echo signal, and generates an ultrasound wave. Generate an image. The generated ultrasound image is displayed on the monitor 20.

Further, the observation target site is illuminated by illumination light from the light source device 18 in the endoscope observation section 48 . The endoscopic processor device 16 receives and acquires an image signal acquired from the observation target site, performs various signal processing and image processing on the acquired image signal, and generates an endoscopic image. do. The generated endoscopic image is displayed on the monitor 20.

The monitor 20 receives video signals generated by the ultrasound processor device 14 and the endoscope processor device 16 and displays ultrasound images and endoscopic images. These ultrasound images and endoscopic images can be displayed on the monitor 20 by appropriately switching only one of them, or displaying both images at the same time.

Next, the configuration of the hard tip portion 52 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the hard tip portion 52 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the hard tip portion 52 shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the distal rigid portion 52 is provided with an endoscopic observation section 48 for obtaining an endoscopic image on the distal end side, and an ultrasonic observation section 48 for obtaining an ultrasound image on the proximal end side. A transducer 50 is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the rigid distal portion 52 includes an annular distal end cap 64 disposed on the distal side with respect to the ultrasonic transducer 50, and an annular distal end cap 64 disposed on the proximal side with respect to the ultrasonic transducer 50. It has a cylindrical exterior component 66. The distal end cap 64 constitutes the distal end of the rigid distal portion 52 by being attached to the distal end body 65 . The distal end cap 64, the distal end main body 65, and the exterior component 66 are made of an insulating member such as hard resin. The exterior component 66 constitutes the exterior of the hard tip portion 52, and is an example of the structural member of the present invention, and is an example of the exterior component.

As shown in FIG. 3, a cylindrical frame 68 is arranged on the proximal end side of the distal end cap 64. As shown in FIG. An observation system unit 70, a shielded cable 72, a forceps tube 74, etc., which will be described later, are arranged inside the frame 68, and an ultrasonic transducer 50 is arranged outside the frame 68. The frame 68 is made of metal with high material strength, for example, in order to support the ultrasonic transducer 50. By making the frame 68 made of metal, the frame 68 can function as an electromagnetic shielding member. The frame 68 is arranged inside the exterior component 66, and is an example of an internal component of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic transducer 50 is configured by arranging a plurality of ultrasonic transducers 62 that transmit and receive ultrasonic waves in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral wall of a frame 68 (see FIG. 3). That is, the ultrasonic transducer 50 of this example is a radial type ultrasonic transducer in which a plurality of ultrasonic transducers 62 are arranged along the circumferential direction B around the longitudinal axis A.

The plurality of ultrasonic transducers 62 are each connected to a plurality of cables (not shown). The plurality of cables are inserted into the operating section 28 from the bending section 54 shown in FIG. 1 via the flexible section 56 while being housed in, for example, an ultrasonic shielded cable. The plurality of cables are then inserted through the universal cord 30 from the operating section 28 and connected to the ultrasound connector 38. This connector 38 is connected to the ultrasound processor device 14 . Ultrasonic signals generated by the ultrasound processor device 14 are supplied to multiple ultrasound transducers 62 via multiple cables.

As shown in FIG. 2, a balloon 100 (see FIG. 4) surrounding the ultrasonic transducer 50 is detachably attached to the rigid tip portion 52. As shown in FIG. An ultrasound transmission medium (eg, water) is supplied into this balloon 100 . Here, the ultrasound and echo signals are attenuated in the air. Therefore, water is supplied into the balloon 100 to inflate it, and the inflated balloon 100 is brought into contact with the observation target site to exclude air from between the ultrasonic transducer 50 and the observation target site. This makes it possible to suppress the attenuation of ultrasound and echo signals, so that good ultrasound images can be obtained. Note that the balloon 100 will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 2, the endoscope observation section 48 includes a treatment instrument outlet 78 opened in the distal end surface 76 of the distal end main body 65, an observation window 80, an illumination window 82, a nozzle 84, and the like. That is, the ultrasonic endoscope 12 of this example is a direct viewing type ultrasonic endoscope that has an observation window 80 on the distal end surface 76 of the rigid distal end portion 52. Note that a pair of illumination windows 82 are provided with the observation window 80 in between.

As shown in FIG. 3, a forceps tube 74 is connected to the treatment tool outlet 78. The forceps tube 74 includes a forceps pipe 96 whose distal end is connected to the treatment instrument outlet 78, and a forceps tube 98 whose distal end is connected to the proximal end of the forceps pipe 96. The forceps tube 98 extends from the inside of the curved portion 54 to the proximal end of the flexible portion 56 (see FIG. 1), and the proximal end of the forceps tube 98 is connected to the treatment instrument insertion port 37 of the operating portion 28 (see FIG. 1). Concatenated. A treatment tool such as forceps is inserted into the forceps tube 98 from the treatment tool insertion port 37 and is led out from the treatment tool outlet 78 via the forceps pipe 96.

As shown in FIG. 3, the observation system unit 70 is arranged behind the observation window 80 (on the proximal end side). The observation system unit 70 includes an objective lens 86, a prism 88, an image sensor 90, a substrate 92, a signal cable 94, and the like. The objective lens 86 is provided on the tip main body 65 while being fixed to the lens barrel 95.

The reflected light from the observation target region that enters through the observation window 80 is captured by the objective lens 86. The optical path of the captured reflected light is bent at right angles by the prism 88, and an image is formed on the imaging surface of the image sensor 90. The image sensor 90 photoelectrically converts the reflected light of the observation target region imaged on the above-mentioned imaging surface, and outputs an image signal. Examples of the image sensor 90 include a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor).

The image sensor 90 is mounted on a substrate 92 . A circuit pattern (not shown) electrically connected to the image sensor 90 is formed on the substrate 92 . The circuit pattern has a plurality of electrodes, and a plurality of signal cables 94 are respectively connected to these electrodes. The plurality of signal cables 94 are inserted in the state of the shielded cable 72 including the plurality of signal cables 94 from the bending portion 54 shown in FIG. The plurality of signal cables 94 are then inserted through the universal cord 30 from the operating section 28 and connected to the endoscope connector 40. This connector 40 is connected to the endoscope processor device 16.

The output ends of a light guide (not shown) are connected to the two illumination windows 82 shown in FIG. 2, respectively. The light guide extends from the insertion part 26 shown in FIG. 1 to the operating part 28, is inserted into the universal cord 30 from the operating part 28, and the incident end of the light guide is connected to the connector 42 for the light source. This connector 42 is connected to the light source device 18. The illumination light emitted by the light source device 18 propagates through the light guide and is irradiated from the illumination window 82 in FIG. 2 .

The nozzle 84 shown in FIG. 2 is connected to the tip side of an air/water supply pipe (not shown). This air/water pipe is extended from the insertion part 26 shown in FIG. connected to. Thereby, the base end side of the air/water pipe is connected to the water tank 22 via the connector 42 and the air/water pipe 44. The water in the water tank 22 is fed from the air/water tube 44 to the air/water pipe via the connector 42 and is ejected from the nozzle 84 toward the observation window 80 and the illumination window 82 . Further, the air and water pipe is configured to be supplied with air sent from an air pump (not shown), and this air is sent from the nozzle 84 to the observation window 80 and the illumination window 82 via the air and water pipe. It is ejected towards.

Next, the balloon 100 shown in FIG. 4 will be explained. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the balloon 100 attached to the rigid distal end portion 52.

As shown in FIG. 4, a mounting groove 102 for mounting the proximal end of the balloon 100 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the exterior component 66, and a mounting groove 102 for mounting the proximal end of the balloon 100 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end cap 64. A mounting groove 104 for mounting is formed. These mounting grooves 102 and 104 are formed along the circumferential direction B around the longitudinal axis A direction.

Further, a supply port 106 for supplying water into the balloon 100 and discharging water from the balloon 100 is formed on the outer surface of the exterior component 66 between the mounting groove 102 and the mounting groove 104. ing. Further, the supply port 106 is formed between the mounting groove 102 and the ultrasonic transducer 50.

Balloon 100 is formed of an elastic member such as rubber. The balloon 100 has a ring-shaped band part 110 at one end of both ends of the balloon 100, and a ring-shaped band part 112 at the other end. In this balloon 100, the band portion 110 is elastically attached to the mounting groove 102 with respect to the rigid tip portion 52, and the band portion 112 is elastically attached to the mounting groove 104.

Incidentally, in the field of endoscopes, there is a need to ensure watertightness at the connection portion between the rigid tip part and the curved part without increasing the rigid length of the rigid tip part. Therefore, in the ultrasonic endoscope 12 of this example, the rigid length L (see FIG. 6) of the rigid tip portion 52 is increased at the connecting portion 140 (see FIG. 6) between the rigid tip portion 52 and the curved portion 54. The following configuration has been adopted to ensure watertightness.

The configuration of the hard tip portion 52 according to the first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3, 5, 6, and 7. 5 is a perspective view of the rigid tip portion 52 including the tip curving piece 59, and FIG. 6 is a side view of the rigid tip portion 52 shown in FIG. It is a diagram showing a section broken away. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the connecting portion 140 between the rigid tip portion 52 and the curved portion 54. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the rigid distal end portion 52 has an exterior component 66 that constitutes the rigid distal end portion 52, and two annular connecting portions 120 are provided at the proximal end of the exterior component 66. , 122 are arranged in succession along the longitudinal axis A direction. The annular connecting portion 120 is provided so as to protrude from a flange portion 124 connected to the mounting groove 102 of the balloon 100 (see FIG. 4) toward the proximal end of the insertion portion 26 (see FIG. 1). Note that the flange portion 124 is formed along the circumferential direction B around the longitudinal axis A direction, and has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter (diameter) of the annular connecting portion 120. Further, the annular connecting portion 122 protrudes from the annular connecting portion 120 toward the proximal end side of the insertion portion 26 (see FIG. 1), and the outer diameter of the annular connecting portion 122 is formed to be smaller than the outer diameter of the annular connecting portion 120. has been done.

Here, the above-mentioned hardness length L will be explained with reference to FIG. 6. The rigidity length L refers to the distance from the proximal end 52A of the distal rigid portion 52 (the proximal end 122A of the annular connecting portion 122) to the distal end 52B of the distal rigid portion 52 (the distal end 64A of the distal end cap 64) in the longitudinal axis A direction of the insertion portion 26. ) refers to the length up to

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the annular connecting portion 120 is provided with a screw 126. As shown in FIGS. This screw 126 is exposed from the outer surface of the annular connecting portion 120. Further, the screw 126 is inserted into a hole 128 disposed in the annular connecting portion 120 and fastened to a frame 68 (see FIG. 3) disposed inside the exterior component 66. Therefore, the exterior component 66 and the frame 68 (see FIG. 3) are fixed to each other by the screws 126. The screw 126 is an example of the fixture and the first fixture of the present invention, and is an example of a screw member. In this example, the screw 126 is illustrated as the first fixture, but the present invention is not limited to the screw 126, and other fixtures such as rivets may be used as the fixture and the first fixture.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the annular connecting portion 120 (a cross-sectional view in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A direction). As shown in FIG. 8, three holes 128 are provided along the circumferential direction B of the annular connecting portion 120. The three holes 128 shown in FIG. 8 are arranged at approximately equal intervals in the circumferential direction B. According to the rigid tip portion 52 of this example, which fixes the exterior component 66 and the frame 68 (see FIG. 3) to each other using the three holes 128, the tube inside the exterior component 66 is The shaped frame 68 can be stably fixed to the exterior component 66.

In this example, the exterior component 66 has a configuration in which three holes 128 are arranged, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the exterior component 66 can have a configuration in which two holes 128 are arranged. An exterior component 66 may also be employed. Even in this form, the frame 68 can be stably fixed to the exterior component 66. However, since the frame 68 is configured in a cylindrical shape, the frame 68 can be fixed more stably in a configuration having three holes 128 than in a configuration having two holes 128. This is preferable because it can be done. Furthermore, the exterior component 66 may have a configuration in which one hole 128 is disposed. According to this embodiment, other internal components other than the frame 68 (for example, other internal components such as a light guide tube (not shown)) can be stably fixed to the exterior component 66.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the annular connecting portion 122 is provided with a screw 130. As shown in FIGS. This screw 130 is arranged at a position that does not overlap with the screw 126 in the longitudinal axis A direction, and is arranged at a different position from the screw 126 in the circumferential direction B. The screw 130 is inserted through a hole 132 arranged in the tip bending piece 59 and fastened to a hole 134 (see FIG. 6) arranged in the annular connecting part 122. Therefore, the exterior component 66 and the tip bending piece 59 are fixed to each other by the screws 130. The tip bending piece 59 is an example of a structural member of the present invention, and is an example of a bending portion constituent member. Further, the screw 130 is an example of the fixture and the second fixture of the present invention, and is an example of a screw member. In this example, the screw 130 is illustrated as the second fixture, but the second fixture is not limited to the screw 130, and other fixtures such as rivets may be used as the second fixture.

As shown in FIG. 3, the wall thickness of the tip curving piece 59 of this example is set to about half the difference in outer diameter between the annular connecting portion 120 and the annular connecting portion 122. Thereby, when the tip curving piece 59 is externally connected to the annular connecting portion 122, the outer surface of the tip curving piece 59 and the outer surface of the annular connecting portion 120 are substantially flush with each other. As shown in FIG. 3, the cylindrical angle rubber 138 constituting the outer cover of the bending portion 54 covers the outer surface of the tip bending piece 59 and the outer surface of the annular connecting portion 120, which are substantially flush with each other. It will be done.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the annular connecting portion 122 (a cross-sectional view in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A direction). As shown in FIG. 9, three holes 134 are provided along the circumferential direction B of the annular connecting portion 122. The three holes 134 shown in FIG. 9 are arranged at approximately equal intervals in the circumferential direction B. According to the rigid tip portion 52 of this example, which fixes the exterior component 66 and the tip curved piece 59 using the three holes 134, the tip curved piece 59 can be stably attached to the exterior component 66. Can be fixed.

In this example, the exterior component 66 has a configuration in which three holes 134 are arranged, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the exterior component 66 can have a configuration in which two holes 134 are arranged. An exterior component 66 may also be employed. Even with this form, the tip bending piece 59 can be stably fixed to the exterior component 66. However, since the tip curving piece 59 is configured in a cylindrical shape, the tip curving piece 59 can be made more stable in the form having three holes 134 than in the form having two holes 134. This is preferable because it can be fixed.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of a connecting portion 140 between the rigid tip portion 52 and the curved portion 54. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the connecting portion 140 of this example includes a covering member 142 that covers the outer surface of the screw 126. The covering member 142 is an example of the covering member of the present invention.

The covering member 142 of this example is configured as a ring-shaped member that covers the outer surface of the annular connecting portion 120, as an example. Thereby, the outer surfaces of the three screws 126 shown in FIG. 8 can be simultaneously covered with one covering member 142. In this example, a ring-shaped member is illustrated as the covering member 142, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, each screw 126 may be covered with three plate-shaped covering members configured in an arc shape. configuration may be adopted. However, in this case, three covering members are required, so it is not possible to adopt a ring-shaped member that can cover the outer surfaces of three screws 126 at the same time with one covering member 142 as in this example. preferable.

The covering member 142 has a function of sealing the gap between the screw 126 and the angle rubber 138 to ensure watertightness, as will be described later. It is preferable that the covering member 142 is made of a resin material. As the resin material in this case, heat-resistant polyetherimide and hydrophobic polysulfone are preferably used. Further, the covering member 142 may be made of a metal material. As the metal material in this case, stainless steel having antirust properties is preferably applied.

As shown in FIG. 10, the covering member 142 is covered with angle rubber 138. The angle rubber 138 is an example of the angle rubber of the present invention. In the connecting portion 140 of this example, the angle rubber 138 covers a portion 142B of the covering member 142 other than the tip portion 142A. That is, the other portion 142B, which is at least a part of the covering member 142, is covered by the angle rubber 138. Note that the entire covering member 142 may be covered by the angle rubber 138. However, in order to seal the gap between the screw 126 and the angle rubber 138, it is sufficient that at least a portion of the covering member 142 is covered by the angle rubber 138.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the tip end side of the angle rubber 138 is provided with a thread winding portion 146 around which a thread 144 is wound. The thread winding section 146 is an example of the thread winding section of the present invention. The thread winding portion 146 is provided on the outer surface of the angle rubber 138 and is arranged at a position overlapping the screw 126 in the longitudinal axis A direction. In addition, in this embodiment, as a preferable aspect, the configuration in which the thread winding part 146 is arranged at a position where the thread winding part 146 overlaps with the screw 126 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this structure. It may be arranged at a position overlapping with at least one of the covering members 142.

According to the connecting portion 140 of this example configured as described above, the outer surface of the screw 126 is covered with the covering member 142, and at least a part of the covering member 142 is covered with the angle rubber 138, so that the angle The gap between the tip of the rubber 138 and the screw 126 can be sealed by the covering member 142. Thereby, the screw 126 can be placed in the annular connecting portion 120 without shifting the position of the screw 126 toward the proximal end of the insertion portion 26 (see FIG. 1) with respect to the position of the thread winding portion 146. As a result, it is possible to ensure watertightness without increasing the rigid length L (see FIG. 6) in the connecting portion 140 between the rigid tip portion 52 and the curved portion 54.

Hereinafter, some preferred forms of the connecting portion 140 of this example will be described.

As shown in FIG. 10, a sealing material 148 is provided on the surface of the covering member 142 on the side where the screws 126 are arranged, that is, on the inner peripheral surface of the covering member 142. Seal member 148 is an example of a seal member of the present invention. As the seal member 148, a silicon-based material is used, for example.

In this way, by adopting the configuration in which the sealing material 148 is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the covering member 142, the connecting portion 140 of the present example is configured to provide a seal between the inner circumferential surface of the covering member 142 and the outer surface of the annular connecting portion 120. This can prevent moisture from entering into the gaps. As a result, the watertightness of the connecting portion 140 is further improved.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the proximal end portion of the hard tip portion 52 has a flange portion 124 provided along the circumferential direction B, and a proximal end portion that protrudes from the flange portion 124 to the proximal end side and has a diameter smaller than that of the flange portion 124. and a step surface 150 formed between the flange portion 124 and the annular connection portion 120. In such a configuration, the covering member 142 is attached to the annular connecting portion 120, and the distal end surface 142C of the covering member 142 is in contact with the stepped surface 150. The flange portion 124 is an example of a large diameter portion of the present invention, the annular connecting portion 120 is an example of a small diameter portion of the present invention, and the stepped surface 150 is an example of a stepped surface of the present invention.

In this way, by adopting the configuration in which the distal end surface 142C of the covering member 142 is brought into contact with the stepped surface 150, the connecting portion 140 of the present example can reduce the gap between the distal end surface 142C of the covering member 142 and the stepped surface 150. can prevent moisture from entering. As a result, the watertightness of the connecting portion 140 is further improved.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the outer surface of the thread winding portion 146 is filled with an adhesive 152, and the gap 154 between the stepped surface 150 and the tip surface 138A of the angle rubber 138 is also filled with the adhesive 152. has been done. Adhesive 152 is an example of the adhesive of the present invention. As the adhesive 152, an epoxy adhesive is used, for example.

In this way, by adopting the configuration in which the gap 154 is filled with the adhesive 152, the connecting portion 140 of this example allows moisture to be removed from the gap 154 between the step surface 150 and the tip surface 138A of the angle rubber 138. Infiltration can be prevented. As a result, the watertightness of the connecting portion 140 is further improved.

Note that as another configuration, a configuration in which the tip end surface 138A of the angle rubber 138 is butted against the stepped surface 150 to eliminate the gap 154 can also be adopted. However, the angle rubber 138 is covered with the bending piece 58 (see FIG. 3) in the form of a long tube, and then cut into an appropriate length so that the tip of the angle rubber 138 is covered with the annular connecting part 120. Ru. In this case, it is difficult to cut the angle rubber 138 to an accurate length so that the tip end surface 138A of the angle rubber 138 butts against the stepped surface 150, and therefore, the gap 154 is generated as described above. Therefore, in the connecting portion 140 of this example, watertightness is improved by sealing the gap 154 with an adhesive 152.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the proximal end 146A of the thread wound portion 146 is disposed closer to the proximal end of the insertion portion 26 (see FIG. 1) than the proximal end 142D of the covering member 142.

In this way, by adopting a configuration in which the base end 146A of the thread winding part 146 is arranged closer to the base end of the insertion part 26 (see FIG. 1) than the base end 142D of the covering member 142, the connecting part 140 of this example The angle rubber 138 can be brought into close contact with the entire region 142B of the covering member 142 except for the tip end 142A (the part exposed from the gap 154) by the thread winding part 146. As a result, the adhesion between the angle rubber 138 and the covering member 142 is improved, so that the watertightness of the connecting portion 140 is further improved.

Note that, as shown in FIG. 10, the connecting portion 140 of this example has been described using as an example a configuration in which the screw 126 of the screw 126 and the screw 130 is covered with the covering member 142, but the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which both the screw 126 and the screw 130 are covered with a covering member. However, since the location where watertight leakage occurs is at the tip of the angle rubber 138 where the thread winding portion 146 is present, in order to prevent watertight leakage, it is necessary to cover the outer surface of the screw 126 with the covering member 142. It is enough.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the hard tip portion 160 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the connecting portion 162 between the rigid tip portion 160 and the curved portion 54 shown in FIG. 11. As shown in FIG. In describing the rigid tip portion 160 of the second embodiment, members that are the same as or similar to the rigid tip portion 52 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. do.

The second embodiment shown in FIG. 11 and the first embodiment shown in FIG. Although they have something in common, they differ in the following points. That is, the connecting part 140 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6 has a configuration in which the screw 126 and the screw 130 are arranged at positions that do not overlap with each other in the longitudinal axis A direction, whereas the connecting part 140 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. The connecting portion 162 in the second embodiment is different in that the screw 126 and the screw 130 are arranged at positions overlapping each other in the longitudinal axis A direction.

As shown in FIG. 11, the connecting portion 162 has a hole forming portion 136 that protrudes from the annular connecting portion 120 toward the annular connecting portion 122, so that the screw 126 and the screw 130 overlap each other in the longitudinal axis A direction. It is possible to be placed in The hole forming portion 136 has a semicircular portion 136A in which a portion of the screw hole 128 is formed.

As shown in FIG. 12, the connecting portion 162 includes a covering member 142 that covers the outer surface of the screw 126. This covering member 142 is configured as a ring-shaped member and covers the outer surface of the screw 126 and a part of the outer surface of the screw 130. Further, at least a portion of the covering member 142 is covered with the angle rubber 138.

Also in the connecting portion 162 configured as described above, since the outer surface of the screw 126 is covered with the covering member 142 and at least a part of the covering member 142 is covered with the angle rubber 138, the tip of the angle rubber 138 is The gap between the part and the screw 126 can be sealed by the covering member 142. Thereby, the screw 126 can be placed in the annular connecting portion 120 without shifting the position of the screw 126 toward the proximal end of the insertion portion 26 (see FIG. 1) with respect to the position of the thread winding portion 146. As a result, it is possible to ensure watertightness without increasing the rigid length L (see FIG. 6) in the connecting portion 162 between the rigid end portion 160 and the curved portion 54.

〔others〕
In the above embodiment, the ultrasonic endoscope 12 has been described as an example of an endoscope to which the present invention is applied, but the present invention is not limited to ultrasonic endoscopes. For example, the present invention can be applied to general endoscopes such as colonoscopes and small intestines that are not equipped with ultrasound transducers.

Although the endoscope according to the embodiment has been described above, the present invention may be modified or modified in some ways without departing from the gist of the present invention.

10 Ultrasonic inspection system 12 Ultrasonic endoscope 14 Ultrasonic processor device 16 Endoscope processor device 18 Light source device 20 Monitor 22 Water tank 24 Suction pump 26 Insertion section 28 Operation section 30 Universal cord 32 Air/water supply button 34 Suction button 36 Angle knob 37 Treatment instrument insertion port 38 Connector 40 Connector 42 Connector 44 Air/water supply tube 46 Suction tube 48 Endoscope observation section 50 Ultrasonic transducer 52 Hard tip portion 52A Base end 52B Tip 54 Curved portion 56 Soft Part 58 Curving piece 59 Tip bending piece 60 Curving operation wire 62 Ultrasonic transducer 64 Tip side cap 64A Tip 65 Tip body 66 Exterior component 68 Frame 70 Observation system unit 72 Shield cable 74 Forceps tube 76 Tip surface 78 Treatment instrument guide Exit 80 Observation window 82 Illumination window 84 Nozzle 86 Objective lens 88 Prism 90 Image sensor 92 Board 94 Signal cable 95 Lens tube 96 Forceps pipe 98 Forceps tube 100 Balloon 102 Mounting groove 104 Mounting groove 106 Supply port 108 Balloon conduit 110 Band portion 112 Band portion 120 Annular connecting portion 122 Annular connecting portion 122A Base end 124 Flange portion 126 Screw 128 Hole 130 Screw 132 Hole 134 Hole 136 Hole forming portion 136A Semicircular portion 138 Angle rubber 138A Tip surface 140 Connecting portion 142 Covering member 142A Tip part 142B Other part 142C Tip surface 142D Base end 144 Thread 146 Thread winding part 146A Base end 148 Sealing material 150 Stepped surface 152 Adhesive 154 Gap 160 Hard tip part 162 Connecting part A Longitudinal axis B Circumferential direction L Hardness length

Claims (13)

An endoscope comprising: a rigid distal portion constituting a distal end side of an endoscope insertion portion; and a bendable bending portion connected to a proximal side of the rigid distal portion,
a fixture exposed from an outer surface of a structural member constituting at least one of the rigid tip portion and the curved portion;
a covering member that covers the outer surface of the fixture;
a cylindrical angle rubber constituting an outer skin of the curved portion, the angle rubber being disposed to cover at least a portion of the covering member;
a thread winding portion provided on the tip side of the angle rubber;
An endoscope equipped with. The covering member is a ring-shaped member that covers the outer surface of the constituent member.
The endoscope according to claim 1. A sealing material is provided on the surface of the covering member on the side where the fixing device is arranged,
The endoscope according to claim 1 or 2. The proximal end portion of the rigid distal end portion includes a large diameter portion provided along the circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis of the endoscope insertion portion, and a large diameter portion that protrudes from the large diameter portion toward the proximal end side. a small diameter part formed to have a smaller diameter than the part, and a step surface formed between the large diameter part and the small diameter part,
The covering member is attached to the small diameter portion, and the distal end surface of the covering member is in contact with the stepped surface.
The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 3. An adhesive is filled in the outer surface of the thread-wound portion and the gap between the stepped surface and the tip end surface of the angle rubber.
The endoscope according to claim 4. The thread winding part has a proximal end of the thread winding part disposed closer to a proximal end of the endoscope insertion part than a base end of the covering member.
The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The covering member is made of a resin material.
The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The endoscope according to claim 7, wherein the resin material is polyetherimide. the resin material is polysulfone;
The endoscope according to claim 7. The covering member is made of a metal material,
The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 6. the metal material is stainless steel,
The endoscope according to claim 10. The structural member is
an exterior component that constitutes the exterior of the hard tip portion;
a curved portion component that constitutes a connecting portion with the exterior component;
has
An internal component is arranged inside the exterior component,
The fixture includes a first fixture that fixes the exterior component and the internal component to each other, and a second fixture that fixes the exterior component and the curved part component to each other,
Of the first fixture and the second fixture, at least the outer surface of the first fixture is covered with the covering member;
The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 11. The first fixture and the second fixture are each screw members,
The endoscope according to claim 12.

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