JP3309567B2 - Endoscope treatment instrument insertion channel fixing mechanism - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a treatment instrument insertion channel provided in an insertion portion of an endoscope used for medical use and for inserting forceps and other treatment instruments.
In particular, the present invention relates to a treatment instrument insertion channel fixing mechanism of an endoscope for fixing a distal end portion of a flexible tube constituting a treatment instrument insertion channel to a treatment instrument passage formed in a rigid distal end portion of an insertion section.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An endoscope is provided with a treatment instrument insertion channel through which forceps and other treatment instruments are inserted. The treatment instrument insertion channel is usually provided from a treatment instrument introduction section provided in a main body operation section. This is for guiding the treatment tool to the treatment tool outlet formed in the rigid distal end portion of the insertion portion. When the insertion portion is a flexible flexible mirror that bends along the insertion path, the treatment instrument insertion channel mounted in the insertion portion is also formed of a flexible tube. And
This flexible tube is connected to a treatment tool outlet port whose distal end is opened to a rigid distal end portion, and the connecting portion having a configuration schematically shown in FIG. 11 is conventionally used.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1a denotes a distal end hard portion constituting the insertion portion 1, and a treatment instrument passage 2 having a distal end side serving as a treatment instrument outlet 2a is bored in the axial direction thereof. Have been. The proximal end side of the treatment instrument passage 2 has its hole diameter enlarged, and a metal connection pipe 3 is inserted through the enlarged diameter portion and fixed using an adhesive. A flexible tube 4 extends from a main body operation section (not shown) to which a base end of the insertion section 1 is continuously provided, and a distal end of the flexible tube 4 is fitted to the connection pipe 3. And is fixed using an adhesive. Therefore, a treatment instrument insertion channel is constituted by the flexible tube 4, the connecting pipe 3, and the treatment instrument passage 2, and the forceps and other treatment instruments are guided by the treatment instrument insertion channel, and have a predetermined length from the treatment instrument outlet 2a. By protruding, the cells can be collected and the affected part can be treated.

In the insertion portion 1, an angle portion 1b is connected to the distal end hard portion 1a, and the angle portion 1b can be moved by pushing and pulling an angle operation wire as is well known. In the direction of. When the angle portion 1b is bent at a large angle, the flexible tube 4 also bends accordingly. However, since the connecting pipe 3 is formed of a hard member, the shape of the flexible tube 4 changes from a curved shape to a linear shape at a fitting portion to the connecting pipe 3. The treatment tool is inserted into the flexible tube 4 not only when the angle portion 1b is straight, but also when the angle portion 1b is curved.

As shown in FIG. 12, when the treatment tool 5 is inserted into the flexible tube 4 in a state where the flexible tube 4 is bent by an angle operation, the treatment tool 5 is bent. Is guided so as to slide along the outer surface of the inner surface, that is, the surface on the side with the smaller curvature. When the flexible tube 4 reaches the fitting portion of the connecting pipe 3, the treatment tool 5 moves into the connecting pipe 3, but the fitting portion of the flexible tube 4 to the connecting pipe 3 changes from a curved shape to a linear shape. The treatment instrument 5 is caught on the edge portion of the distal end of the connecting pipe 3 and the transferability into the connecting pipe 3 is deteriorated.

Further, since the flexible tube 4 needs to smoothly follow the bending of the entire insertion portion 1 or the angle portion 1b, it is necessary to have a certain degree of flexibility. Is formed of a resin material. Moreover, in order to smoothly insert the treatment tool inside,
It is formed of a slippery member. The rigid distal end portion 1a is usually formed of a metal material from the viewpoint of easiness of machining and strength, so that the connection pipe 3 can be securely fixed to the treatment instrument passage 2 by using an adhesive. It is difficult to sufficiently exert the fixing force of the adhesive between the metal material, which is the material of No. 3, and the resin constituting the flexible tube 4, and easily peels off when a strong pulling force is applied. There is a risk. For this purpose, the fitting length of the flexible tube 4 to the connecting pipe 3 needs to be as long as possible, and the bonding area needs to be wide. Since the connecting pipe 3 is a hard member, if the connecting pipe 3 is made longer, the hard portion at the distal end portion of the endoscope 1 becomes longer, and the insertion operability at the time of insertion into the patient's body becomes worse. In addition, there is a problem that the pain of the patient increases.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a step is formed in the insertion path of the treatment instrument by directly inserting the flexible tube into the treatment instrument passage provided with the treatment instrument outlet. There is also known a configuration in which such a configuration is not provided. However, the flexible tube cannot be arranged at the axial center position of the insertion portion due to the arrangement relationship of other built-in components, and the like.
It is provided at a position off the axis of the insertion portion. For this reason, when the angle portion is curved, a difference in curvature occurs between a portion close to the axis and a portion far from the axis of the flexible tube, and therefore, the direction in which the portion far from the axis is separated from the treatment instrument passage. Of force acts. As a result, if the insertion length of the flexible tube into the treatment instrument passage is short, the flexible tube may be peeled from the treatment instrument passage.

In view of the above, in order to prevent the flexible tube from peeling off from the treatment instrument passage, a screw portion is formed on the outer surface of the flexible tube and the inner surface of the treatment instrument passage, and the flexible tube is attached. There is also known a configuration in which the device is inserted by being screwed into the treatment instrument passage and fixed using an adhesive. However, if it is screwed like this,
There are drawbacks in that the structure becomes complicated and manufacturing becomes difficult.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to securely fix a flexible tube even if the length of a hard portion at the distal end of an insertion portion is minimized. Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to smoothly insert a treatment tool.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a treatment instrument passage provided in a distal end hard portion of an insertion portion of an endoscope, and a distal end connected to the treatment instrument passage. A treatment instrument insertion channel for inserting a treatment instrument, wherein the flexible tube is inserted into a treatment instrument passage, connected and fixed using an adhesive, and One or more through-holes are formed in the insertion portion into the treatment instrument passage, and a stopper fixed to the treatment instrument passage side is engaged in the through-hole in a non-projecting state from the inner surface of the flexible tube. It is characterized by having a configuration in which it is performed.

[0011]

The flexible tube constituting the treatment instrument insertion channel is inserted into the treatment instrument insertion passage of the hard distal end portion, and is fixed to the inserted portion using an adhesive. In addition, the insertion portion is added to the adhesive to provide a stopper, which mechanically restricts the flexible tube from moving in the axial direction. Thereby, even when the insertion length of the flexible tube into the treatment instrument insertion passage is short and the bonding area is small, when a strong pulling force is applied to the flexible tube by an angle operation or the like, it is not increased. There is no risk of dropping out of the treatment instrument insertion passage. In addition, even when the angle portion is curved, no step is generated on the inner surface of the entire treatment instrument insertion channel, so that the treatment instrument can be inserted smoothly.
The penetrability of the treatment tool is improved.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. First, as a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG.
2 shows the appearance of the distal end surface of the insertion portion, FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the distal end portion, FIG. 3 shows the external appearance of the distal end portion of the flexible tube, and FIG. Show.

In the drawing, reference numeral 10 denotes an insertion portion. The insertion portion 10 has a hard tip portion 10a formed of a metal member, and an angle portion 10b is connected to the hard tip portion 10a. . As is well known, the angle portion 10b is formed by sequentially pivoting a plurality of angle rings 11, and pushes and pulls an angle operation wire (not shown) so as to turn the distal end hard portion 10a in a desired direction. Is operated. The hard portion at the distal end portion is a portion from the distal end hard portion 10a to the distal end ring 11a directly connected to the distal end hard portion 10a. The part becomes a hard part.

A pair of illumination windows 12 and 12 and an observation window 13 are provided on the distal end surface of the distal end hard portion 10a, and illumination light is emitted from the illumination window 12 into a body cavity or the like.
The observation inside the body cavity is possible through the observation window 13.
The insertion section 10 is provided with a treatment instrument insertion channel 14.

The treatment instrument insertion channel 14 has a flexible tube 15, and the distal end of the flexible tube 15 is inserted into a treatment instrument passage 16 provided in the rigid distal end portion 10a. The treatment instrument passage 16 is provided with a step near the distal end surface, and this step causes the large-diameter passage portion 16 on the proximal end side to be provided.
a and a small-diameter passage portion 16b on the distal end side. The distal end of the small-diameter passage portion 16b serves as a treatment tool outlet 16c for leading the treatment tool to the outside. The flexible tube 15 is inserted directly into the treatment instrument passage 16,
The tip is in contact with the step. Large-diameter passage 16a and small-diameter passage 16 in treatment instrument passage 16
The diameter difference from b is substantially equal to or slightly smaller than the thickness of the flexible tube 15, whereby the inner surface of the flexible tube 15 passes through the small-diameter passage portion 16b to the treatment tool outlet 16c. No step is formed substantially until the end of the treatment tool, and at least there is no step that rises at the front of the treatment tool in the drawing-out direction. An adhesive is applied to the outer surface of the flexible tube 15, and the flexible tube 15 is fixed to the treatment instrument passage 16 by the adhesive.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the flexible tube 15 is provided with a circular through-hole 15a at a portion of the distal end portion to be inserted into the treatment instrument passage 16. A pin insertion hole 17 is formed in the circumferential body of the distal end hard portion 10a in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The pin insertion hole 17 opens into the large-diameter passage portion 16a of the treatment instrument passage 16. I have. A pin 18 as a stopper piece is mounted in the pin insertion hole 17 and fixed using a sealing material having an adhesive function. Pin 18 is head 18a
The pin insertion hole 17 includes a large diameter portion 17a for accommodating the head portion 18a of the pin 18 and a small diameter portion 17b for inserting the shaft portion 18b.
b protrudes into the large-diameter passage portion 16a of the treatment instrument passage 16 through the small-diameter portion 17b. Moreover, as is apparent from FIG. 4, the treatment instrument passage 16 in the shaft portion 18b of the pin 18 is provided.
The length of protrusion into the inside is substantially equal to the thickness of the flexible tube 15, and the outside diameter thereof is equal to the through-hole 15 of the flexible tube 15.
Therefore, the shaft portion 18b is fitted into the through hole 15a in a substantially close fit.

The pin 18 has a shaft portion 18b.
Is a screw rod, and the pin insertion hole 17 is a screw hole,
The pin 18 may be screwed.
Further, it is preferable that the distal end surface of the shaft portion 18a of the pin 18 has a concave curved shape along the inner surface of the flexible tube 15. However, a slight step between them is preferable as long as the insertion property of the treatment tool is not hindered. It does not matter if it occurs.

The insertion portion 10 has an angle portion 10b.
From the point to the middle position of the distal end hard portion 10a,
An outer tube 19 is mounted, and a distal end portion of the outer tube 19 is fixed with a thread wound 20 and an adhesive applied thereto so that the inside is airtight. The pin 18 described above is mounted on a portion surrounded by the outer tube 19.

In order to connect and fix the distal end portion of the flexible tube 15 to the distal end hard portion 10a, first, before the outer tube 19 is mounted, the pin 18 is mounted in the pin insertion hole 17 and the sealing material is removed. It is fixed by filling. In this state, an adhesive is applied to the outer surface of the distal end portion of the flexible tube 15, and the flexible tube 15 is inserted into the treatment instrument passage 16. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the portion of the distal end portion of the flexible tube 15 where the through hole 15a is formed is curved inward. Thereby, the flexible tube 15 can be inserted into the treatment instrument passage 16 while avoiding the shaft portion 18b of the pin 18 projecting from the large diameter passage portion 15a of the treatment instrument passage 16 to the inner surface. The distal end of the flexible tube 15 has a large-diameter passage portion 16a and a small-diameter passage portion 16 in the treatment instrument passage 16.
In this case, as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 4, the portion where the through-hole 15a is provided floats from the large-diameter passage portion 16a. Therefore, the raised portion is pressed against the treatment instrument passage 16 to return to the original state. This allows the pin 18
Of the flexible tube 15 is substantially tightly fitted into the through-hole 15a of the flexible tube 15, and the entire flexible tube 15 is the inner surface of the large-diameter passage portion 16a of the treatment instrument passage 16. And is fixed by the action of the adhesive. When the flexible tube 15 is connected to the distal end hard portion 10a in this way, the outer tube 19 is attached, a thread winding 20 is applied, and an adhesive is further applied thereon to cover the attached portion of the pin 18. As a result, the inside of the insertion section 10 is kept airtight.

As described above, the treatment instrument insertion channel 1
4 is assembled, the insertion portion 10 is inserted into the body cavity, the treatment tool is inserted into the treatment tool insertion channel 14, and is protruded to the outside from the treatment tool outlet 16c.
Desired procedures such as cell collection and incision of the affected area can be performed. Here, since the flexible tube 15 constituting the treatment instrument insertion channel 14 is directly inserted into the treatment instrument passage 16 in the distal end hard portion 10a without using a connecting pipe or the like, the angle portion 10b is bent. However, since there is no step in the curved portion on the inner surface of the flexible tube 15, the treatment instrument can be inserted very smoothly. Further, there is a transition from the flexible tube 15 to the small diameter passage portion 16b of the treatment instrument passage 16 in the distal end hard portion 10a, but this portion is always kept in a straight line state, and furthermore, the large diameter passage portion 16a Small diameter passage 16
The height of the step from b is approximately the same as the thickness of the flexible tube 15. Therefore, since there is substantially no step in this portion, the smoothness of the transition of the treatment tool from inside the flexible tube 15 to the small-diameter passage portion 16b is not impaired. The inner diameter of the flexible tube 15 and the small-diameter passage 1
The step is eliminated by making the inner diameter of the small diameter passage 6b substantially coincide with the inner diameter of the small diameter passage portion 16b. The treatment instrument passage 16 of the treatment instrument passage 16 is composed of the large-diameter passage portion 16a and the small-diameter passage portion 16b, but the entire diameter is not equivalent to the large-diameter passage portion 16a. It may be configured to be inserted up to the treatment instrument outlet in the treatment instrument passage.

Since the flexible tube 15 is formed of a resin material and the distal end hard portion 10a is formed of a metal material, it is sufficient to secure the fixing force only by fixing the both with an adhesive. When the angle portion 10b is bent and a strong tensile force is repeatedly applied to the flexible tube 15, the adhesive portion is peeled off and the flexible tube 15
May deviate. However, the through-hole 15 a formed in the flexible tube 15 has a shaft portion 18 of the pin 18.
b is inserted so as to be substantially tightly fitted, and since the flexible tube 15 has a considerable thickness from the viewpoint of preventing kink and the like, the pin 18 is inserted into the through-hole of the flexible tube 15. By engaging with the end surface of the treatment tube 15a, the stopper 15 functions as a stopper that restricts the movement of the flexible tube 15 from moving in the axial direction. . Therefore, even if the adhesive force of the flexible tube 15 is weak, the flexible tube 15 can be securely fixed in the treatment instrument passage 16 and does not deviate even if a strong pulling force acts. .

In order to fix the flexible tube 15, there is no need to provide a member protruding from the rigid distal end portion 10a to the proximal end side such as a connecting pipe, so that the length of the distal end ring 11a is reduced. Thus, the length of the hard portion from the distal end hard portion 10a to the portion of the distal end ring 11a pivotally connected to the angle ring 11 can be reduced. As a result, the insertion operability when inserting the insertion portion 10 into the body cavity is improved, and the pain of the patient can be reduced.

Further, a through-hole 15a is formed in the flexible tube 15, and a pin insertion hole 17 is provided on the distal end hard portion 10a side. Can be fixed firmly,
The structure of the fixing mechanism for the flexible tube 15 is significantly simplified.

By the way, if an excessive bending force is applied to the flexible tube 15, a kink may be generated.
When the flexible tube 15 is kinked in this manner, the insertion property of the treatment tool is significantly deteriorated, and in a severe case, the insertion becomes impossible. Therefore, the flexible tube 15 must be replaced, but after the adhesive used to fix the flexible tube 15 to the treatment instrument passage 16 is peeled off, the engagement of the through hole 15a with the pin 18 is released. By doing so, the flexible tube 15 can be easily attached to and detached from the treatment instrument passage 16, so that the damaged flexible tube 15 can be easily replaced.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a pin is not provided, but the inner surface of the treatment instrument passage 22 of the distal end hard portion 21 is provided. In the portion where the flexible tube 23 is inserted, one or a plurality of protrusions 24 constituting a stopper portion are provided so as to protrude. The protrusion 24 is formed in a rectangular shape from the viewpoint of workability and the like, and the height of the protrusion from the inner surface of the treatment tool passage 22 is substantially the same as the thickness of the flexible tube 23. Further, the flexible tube 23 is provided with a through hole 23 a to be fitted to the projection 24. This through hole 23a is
, And at least the width of the flexible tube 23 in the axial direction is substantially equal to the width of the projection 24 in the axial direction of the treatment instrument passage 22.
Thus, when the flexible tube 23 is fitted to the projection 24, it can be fixed so as not to move in the axial direction.

With such a configuration, the through hole 23a of the flexible tube 23 is fitted into the projection 24, and the gap between the outer surface of the flexible tube 23 and the inner surface of the treatment instrument passage 22 is made of an adhesive. By fixing, the flexible tube 23 is held so as not to deviate from the treatment tool passage 22 of the distal end hard portion 21 as in the first embodiment described above. Also,
Since the flexible tube 23 is directly inserted into the treatment tool passage 22, the treatment tool can be smoothly guided even when the angle operation is performed.

FIGS. 8 to 10 show a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, in order to fix the flexible tube 31 to the rigid distal end portion 30a of the insertion portion 30, FIG. , A metal pipe 32 is used. The distal end portion of the flexible tube 31 and the metal pipe 32 are respectively provided with a plurality of through holes 31a and 32a at positions corresponding to the peripheral body, respectively. A protruding ridge 32b with which the distal end surface of the flexible tube 31 abuts is formed on the distal end side. The distal end of the protruding ridge 32b is a treatment tool outlet that is expanded in a tapered shape.

First, as shown in FIG. 9, an adhesive is applied to the outer surface of the distal end portion of the flexible tube 31.
The flexible tube 3 is inserted into the metal pipe 32 at this time.
The direction of the through hole 31a is adjusted so as to coincide with the through hole 32a of the metal pipe 32, and the flexible tube 31 is pushed into the position where the distal end surface of the flexible tube 31 comes into contact with the ridge 32b of the metal pipe 32. As a result, the through holes 31a and 32a are connected in a state where they completely match. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the inside of these through holes 31a and 32a is filled with an adhesive 33. However, the adhesive 33 does not protrude from the inner surface of the flexible tube 31 and the outer surface of the metal pipe 32, and the adhesive 33 is cured. by this,
The flexible tube 31 is firmly fixed to the metal pipe 32. Of course, since the flexible tube 31 is formed of a resin material, the adhesive strength between the flexible tube 31 and the metal pipe 32 is limited. However, the cured adhesive 33 filled between the through holes 31a and 32a is hardened. As a stopper portion, even if a strong pulling force is applied to the flexible tube 31, the flexible tube 31 is held so as not to deviate from the metal pipe 32.

In this manner, the flexible tube 31 combined with the metal pipe 32 is inserted into the treatment instrument passage 34 provided in the distal end hard portion 30a, and is fixed by the adhesive 35, as shown in FIG. Assembled as shown. Also, if necessary, a screw hole 36 that opens into the treatment instrument passage 34 is provided in the distal end hard portion 30, and a stop screw 37 is screwed into the screw hole 36, so that the metal pipe inserted into the treatment instrument passage 34 is inserted. 32 is pressed against the outer surface.

With the above configuration, even when the angle portion is curved, there is no step in the passage for guiding the treatment instrument, and the treatment instrument can be smoothly inserted. Moreover, the flexible tube 31 is connected to the distal end hard portion 30 in an extremely stable state, and there is no possibility that the flexible tube 31 will fall out of the treatment instrument passage 34 even if a strong pulling force is applied when the angle portion is bent. That is, the metal pipe 32 directly fitted to the treatment instrument passage 34 is an adhesion between the metals, so that the two are extremely firmly fixed to each other without any risk of misalignment. And flexible tube 3
Reference numeral 1 denotes not only the metal pipe 32 and the outer surface thereof bonded and fixed with an adhesive, but also the adhesive 33 interposed between the through holes 31a and 32a functions as a stopper. 32 is firmly connected and held.

Further, the flexible tube 31 is connected to the metal pipe 3
2 and the through holes 31a and 32a are filled with the adhesive 33 and cured, and the assembly is inserted into the treatment instrument passage 34 and fixed with the adhesive 35.
Since the flexible tube 31 can be mounted on the distal end hard portion 30, the mounting and dismounting of the flexible tube 31 becomes extremely easy, and it is convenient to replace the flexible tube 31 in the event of damage such as a kink.

[0032]

As described above, according to the present invention, one or a plurality of through-holes are formed at the insertion portion of the flexible tube into the treatment instrument passage, and the through-hole is fixed to the treatment instrument passage side. Since the stopper portion is configured to engage with the inner surface of the flexible tube in a non-projecting state, the flexible tube can be securely fixed even if the length of the hard portion at the distal end of the insertion portion is minimized. This has the effect of smoothly inserting the treatment instrument.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an end view of a distal end portion of an insertion portion provided with a treatment instrument insertion channel fixing mechanism according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an external view of a distal end portion of a flexible tube.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory view showing a state in which a flexible tube is attached to a treatment instrument passage.

FIG. 6 is a structural explanatory view of a fixing mechanism of a treatment tool insertion channel according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory view showing a state in which a flexible tube is attached to a treatment instrument passage in the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a distal end hard portion of an insertion portion showing a configuration of a treatment tool insertion channel fixing mechanism according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an external view of a state before connection between a flexible tube and a metal pipe.

FIG. 10 is an external view of a connection state between a flexible tube and a metal pipe.

FIG. 11 is a configuration explanatory view of a treatment tool insertion channel fixing mechanism according to a conventional technique.

FIG. 12 is an operation explanatory view of FIG. 11;

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 30 insertion portion 10a, 21, 30a distal end hard portion 14 treatment tool insertion channel 15, 23, 31 flexible tube 15a, 23a, 31a, 32a through hole 16, 22, 34 treatment tool passage 17 pin insertion hole 18 pin 24 Protrusion 33 adhesive

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A treatment instrument passage provided in a distal end hard portion of an insertion portion of an endoscope, and a flexible tube having a distal end connected to the treatment instrument passage, and a treatment instrument insertion for inserting a treatment instrument. In the channel, the flexible tube is inserted into the treatment instrument passage, connected and fixed using an adhesive, and one or a plurality of through holes are formed in an insertion portion of the flexible tube into the treatment instrument passage. A treatment tool insertion channel for an endoscope, wherein a stopper fixed to the treatment tool passage side is engaged with the through hole in a non-projecting state from the inner surface of the flexible tube. Fixing mechanism. 2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the stopper portion is formed by a stopper piece mounted and fixed so as to protrude from the peripheral body portion of the hard distal end portion to the inner surface of the treatment instrument passage. Treatment instrument insertion channel fixing mechanism. 3. The treatment tool insertion channel fixing mechanism for an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the stopper portion is formed by providing a projection on an inner wall of the treatment tool passage of the hard distal end portion. 4. A metal pipe is interposed between the flexible tube and the treatment instrument passage, and the metal pipe is provided with a through-hole at a portion corresponding to the through-hole of the flexible tube. 2. The flexible tube fixing mechanism for an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein an adhesive forming a stopper portion is filled between the through hole of the tube and the through hole of the metal pipe.