JP3650224B2 - Endoscope tube - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a flexible endoscope flexible tube used for an endoscope universal cord or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In an endoscope, particularly an electronic endoscope having an image sensor at the endoscope tip, signal lines for driving the image sensor are wired over almost the entire length of the endoscope. Since the image sensor driving signal line is a source of high-frequency noise, the universal tube or the like that accommodates the signal line also has a role as a shield against high-frequency noise. In general, the snake pipe of the snake pipe part is configured by arranging a metal spiral pipe and a mesh pipe, and by grounding these metal pipes, the noise propagated to the snake pipe part flows to the ground (ground). It is possible to reduce the noise level.
[0003]
Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 60-155502 discloses a method of forming a flexible tube for an endoscope by laminating an outer tube and joining a mounting bracket, a spiral tube and a mesh tube in advance by brazing or the like. Yes. In addition, as a method of retrofitting the serpentine tube itself to a separately prepared mounting bracket, when the serpentine tube is attached to the mounting bracket by watertight bonding, the end faces of the spiral tube and the net tube are provided in the serpentine insertion hole of the mounting bracket. In general, a method of ensuring conduction between these pipes and the mounting bracket by abutting against a step is used.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The flexible tube for an endoscope shown in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 60-155502 forms an attachment fitting as a part of a snake tube at the same time by covering a joint portion with the attachment fitting with an outer tube. . In this configuration, it is necessary to prepare a serpentine tube with variously shaped mounting brackets, which will probably be different for each product, and prepare a standard serpentine tube consisting only of a spiral tube, a mesh tube and a jacket tube. It is not possible to attach mounting brackets for each product, and since the normal mounting brackets are attached to both ends of the snake tube, separate manufacturing equipment is required even if the length of the snake tube portion is different. If the snake tube is prepared, it is not efficient from the viewpoint of production management, for example, it is not possible to easily cope with the length that only requires changing the cutting length.
[0005]
In addition, when the hose tube jacket tube formed by retrofitting the hose tube formed only of the helix tube, the net tube, and the hose tube as described above to a separately provided mounting bracket is attached to the mounting bracket by watertight bonding, the helix tube In the assembling method of ensuring conduction by abutting the end face of the mesh pipe against the step provided in the insertion hole of the fitting of the mounting bracket, the method of abutting against the step of the pipe or the step part and the end face of the pipe Even if the electrical connection is ensured due to gaps between them or the inflow of adhesive, etc., it may be very unstable as a ground path for high-frequency noise countermeasures, and the noise level radiates to the outside It was a factor to worsen.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and not only performs waterproof bonding between the mounting bracket and the snake tube jacket tube by a simple assembling work, but also a spiral tube and a mesh tube constituting the snake tube. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscopic serpentine tube that can also improve the characteristics of high-frequency noise countermeasures by electrically joining the mounting bracket and the mounting bracket.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Non coiled endoscopic according to the present invention, covering the mesh tube formed of a material of the elastic conductor in long, the network tube in a state in which the outer surface is exposed in the network pipe predetermined length of the network pipe from one end of the An outer tube formed of a conductive member, a fitting for forming an inner space for inserting the mesh tube and the outer tube, and the outer shell that communicates with an opening on one end side of the mounting bracket to form the inner space A first through hole formed to have an inner diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the pipe, the first through hole and the opening on the other end of the mounting bracket are communicated, and the inner diameter is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the mesh pipe. And a second through hole formed shorter than the predetermined length, a conductive joint that joins the outer surface of the mesh tube protruding from the opening on the other end of the mounting bracket and the mounting bracket in a conductive manner, It is characterized by having.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIGS. 1 and 2 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a detailed configuration in the vicinity of a fitting at the end of a serpentine tube, and FIG. 2 is an endoscope composed of a serpentine tube. It is a longitudinal-axis direction sectional view which shows the structure of the connector part of a universal cord and a cord end part.
[0009]
The serpentine tube 1 of the present embodiment is a flexible tube that can be bent and used for a universal cord of an endoscope with a built-in light guide or signal line, and is a spiral tube 2 formed by spirally winding an elastic conductor band. A net tube 3 formed by weaving fine conductor wires in a mesh shape, and an outer tube 4 provided on the outermost portion covering these tubes is formed by three layers of tubes. The mounting bracket 5 connected to the end of the snake tube 1 includes a mounting screw hole 7 for mounting a waterproof cover 6 such as an endoscope main body and a connector section, a groove 9 for mounting a waterproof O-ring 8, and the mounting bracket 5. A threaded portion 11 for attaching a conductor 10 for grounding, a first through hole 12 formed to have substantially the same inner diameter as the outer diameter of the outer tube 4 of the snake tube 1, and an outer diameter of the net tube 3 of the snake tube 1. A second through hole 13 formed in the same inner diameter, a step 14 formed by an inner diameter difference between the first through hole 12 and the second through hole 13, and an outer surface of the outer tube 4 of the serpentine tube 1 It has a first cylindrical outer surface 15 to be watertightly bonded and a second cylindrical outer surface 16 that is conductively joined to the outer surface of the mesh tube 3 of the serpentine tube 1 by brazing or the like.
[0010]
On the outer surface 18 of the exposed net tube 3 near the end surface 17 of the sheath tube 4 of the serpentine tube 1, a positioning ring 19 having an inner diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the mesh tube 3 and an outer diameter approximately the same as the outer tube 4 is provided. Is provided. The positioning ring 19 is attached to the net tube 3 by means such as brazing or bonding using a bonding hole 20 provided on the side.
[0011]
A metal member is used as the material of the spiral tube 2 and the mesh tube 3, and a non-conductive member such as a rubber lining is used as the material of the outer tube 4. The positioning ring 19 may be a metal member or a non-conductive member such as plastic as long as it is hard.
[0012]
Note that the cross-sectional shape of the positioning ring 19 in a plane perpendicular to the paper surface of the drawing does not have to be a complete ring shape, and may be a sector shape with a notch (a part of the ring). In this case, the bonding hole 20 may not be provided.
[0013]
The assembling procedure and operation of the connecting portion between the flexible tube 1 and the mounting bracket 5 configured as described above will be described.
[0014]
When the end of the flexible tube 1 to which the positioning ring 19 is attached is inserted from the first through hole 12 side of the mounting bracket 5, the end of the positioning ring 19 is inserted until it abuts against the stepped portion 14. At that time, the portions of the spiral tube 2 and the mesh tube 3 are processed into dimensions such that the outer surface of the mesh tube 3 is completely exposed through the second through hole 13 and exposed to the second cylindrical outer surface 16 side of the mounting bracket 5. Thus, the conductive joint 21 can be applied by brazing or the like between the second cylindrical outer surface 16 and the outer surface of the net tube 3. Moreover, the watertight state inside a connection part is hold | maintained by giving the watertight adhesion | attachment 22 to the 1st cylindrical outer surface 15, the inner surface of the 1st through-hole 12, and the outer surface of the jacket tube 4. FIG.
[0015]
The fitting 5 to which the serpentine tube 1 is connected is attached to the connector portion 23 by screwing the screw portion 11 on the outer peripheral portion with the conductor 10 in the connector portion 23 connected to an endoscope control device or the like (not shown). It is done. At this time, water-tightness in the vicinity of the connecting portion of the connector portion 23 is ensured by the water-tight adhesive 22, the waterproof cover 6, and the O-ring 8 provided between the mounting brackets 5. With such a watertight structure, a waterproof cap 25 is attached to the connection opening end 24 of the connector portion 23 at the time of cleaning and disinfection to prevent water from entering the endoscope when the endoscope is immersed in the liquid. .
[0016]
In the configuration of the first embodiment, by conducting the conductive joining 21 by brazing or the like, electrical conduction between the helical tube 2 and the mesh tube 3 and the mounting bracket 5 in the snake tube 1 can be reliably performed. High-frequency noise generated from a signal cable (not shown) and transmitted to the spiral tube 2 and the network tube 3 can flow to the grounded conductor 10 via the mounting bracket 5 and is radiated to the outside. Is reduced. Thereby, the characteristic of the high frequency noise countermeasure of an endoscope can be improved.
[0017]
In addition, since conductive bonding such as brazing can be performed at the outer surface portion, such as between the outer surface of the mesh tube 3 and the second cylindrical outer surface 16 of the mounting bracket 5, the joining work is easy. Further, since the outer diameter of the positioning ring 19 is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the jacket tube 4, the clearance between the inner diameter of the first through hole 12 and the outer diameter of the jacket tube 4 is a dimension suitable for the watertight bonding 22. Is secured.
[0018]
Further, when the positioning ring 19 is attached to the outer surface of the mesh tube 3, the bonding member protrudes from the end surface or the outer diameter of the positioning ring 19 by bonding or the like using the bonding hole 20 provided in the positioning ring 19. Can be prevented. Note that when the positioning ring 19 is a fan-shaped member, the notch is substituted for the bonding hole 20.
[0019]
As described above, according to the first embodiment, when connecting the endoscope serpentine tube to the mounting bracket, the waterproof joint between the serpentine jacket and the mounting bracket, and the electrical connection between the mounting bracket and the serpentine network tube. Both can be easily connected and it is possible to improve the characteristics of high frequency noise countermeasures. This enables easy and low cost assembly with simple assembling according to the type of endoscope, such as connecting the standard snake tube to the mounting bracket with different lengths for each endoscope product. A flexible tube can be configured.
[0020]
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a detailed configuration in the vicinity of the fitting at the end portion of the serpentine tube according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0021]
The second embodiment is an example in which the configurations of the mounting bracket and the serpentine tube connecting portion of the first embodiment are changed. The mounting bracket 31 includes a first through hole 32 formed to have substantially the same inner diameter as the outer diameter of the outer tube 4 of the snake tube 1, and a second hole formed to have substantially the same inner diameter as the outer diameter of the mesh tube 3 of the snake tube 1. It was formed by the inner diameter difference between the through hole 33, the third through hole 34 formed substantially the same inner diameter as the inner diameter of the spiral tube 2 of the snake tube 1, and the second through hole 33 and the third through hole 34. A stepped portion 35 and an opening 36 provided on the side surface of the second through hole 33 are provided.
[0022]
The procedure and operation when connecting the mounting bracket 31 and the serpentine tube 1 configured as described above will be described. When the end portion of the serpentine tube 1 is inserted from the first through hole 32 side of the mounting bracket 31, the spiral tube 2 and the net tube 3 of the serpentine tube 1 are inserted up to the second through hole 33, and the end surface hits the stepped portion 35. The outer surface of the net tube 3 is subjected to conductive bonding 37 by brazing or the like with the mounting bracket 31 through the opening 36 provided on the side surface of the second through hole 33. Further, a watertight adhesive 38 is applied between the jacket tube 4 and the mounting bracket 31 as in the first embodiment.
[0023]
In the configuration of the second embodiment, the spiral pipe 2 and the end face of the mesh pipe 3 abut on the stepped portion 35 of the mounting bracket 31 so that the positioning of the flexible pipe 1 can be easily performed. This eliminates the need for the positioning ring 19 in the first embodiment, and saves the trouble of attaching the ring to the serpentine tube. In addition, since the end surfaces of the spiral tube 2 and the mesh tube 3 of the serpentine tube 1 are used for positioning by abutment against the stepped portion, the end surfaces of these tubes are not exposed as in the first embodiment, and therefore, they are arranged in the serpentine tube. It is possible to prevent the outer sheath of the installed signal cable from being damaged by the burrs and edges of the end faces.
[0024]
As described above, according to the second embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the insertion length of the serpentine tube can be defined without using a positioning ring in particular. In addition to being simple, it is possible to prevent the signal cable inside the snake tube from being damaged due to the exposed end surfaces of the spiral tube and the mesh tube.
[0025]
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the detailed configuration of the vicinity of the fitting at the end portion of the flexible tube according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows a modification of the third embodiment.
[0026]
The third embodiment is an example in which the configurations of the mounting bracket and the serpentine tube connecting portion of the first embodiment are further changed. The mounting bracket 40 is configured by screwing a second mounting bracket 42 into one end of the opening of the first mounting bracket 41.
[0027]
The first mounting bracket 41 is a first through-hole 43 formed with substantially the same inner diameter as the outer diameter of the outer tube 4 of the snake tube 1 and a first water-tightly bonded to the outer surface of the outer tube 4 of the snake tube 1. A cylindrical outer surface 44, a female screw 45 for screwing the second mounting bracket 42, and a second through hole 47 having a space for accommodating the second cylindrical outer surface 46 of the second mounting bracket 42. Configured. The second mounting bracket 42 includes a male screw 48 that engages with the female screw 45 of the first mounting bracket 41, a second cylindrical outer surface 46 that is conductively joined to the outer surface of the mesh tube 3 of the serpentine tube 1 by brazing, and the like. A third through hole 49 formed to have substantially the same inner diameter as the outer diameter of the mesh tube 3 of the serpentine tube 1, a fourth through hole 50 formed to have substantially the same inner diameter as the inner diameter of the spiral tube 2 of the serpentine tube 1, and a third And the step portion 51 formed by the inner diameter difference between the through hole 49 and the fourth through hole 50.
[0028]
The mounting bracket 55 of the modified example shown in FIG. 5 includes a first mounting bracket 56 and a second mounting bracket 57 as in FIG. 4, but is screwed by the female screw 45 and the male screw 48 in FIG. 4. This part is configured by replacing the structure with screw holes 58, holes 59, and screws 60.
[0029]
The procedure and operation when connecting the mounting bracket 40 and the serpentine tube 1 configured as described above will be described. First, when the end portion of the serpentine tube 1 is inserted from the third through hole 49 side of the second mounting bracket 42, the end surfaces of the spiral tube 2 and the net tube 3 of the serpentine tube 1 abut against the stepped portion 51. The outer surface of the net tube 3 is subjected to conductive bonding 52 by brazing or the like with the second mounting bracket 42. The serpentine tube 1 and the second mounting bracket 42 are inserted from the second through hole 47 side of the first mounting bracket 41, and the female screw 45 of the first mounting bracket 41 and the male screw 48 of the second mounting bracket 42 are connected. Are attached in a state in which the second mounting bracket 42 is housed in the second through hole 47. Further, watertight adhesion is applied between the jacket tube 4 and the first mounting bracket 41 as in the first embodiment.
[0030]
In the configuration of the third embodiment, since the mounting bracket 40 is formed by combining the separate first mounting bracket 41 and the second mounting bracket 42, the outer surface of the mesh tube 3 and the second mounting bracket 42 are formed. A portion of the conductive joint 52 by brazing or the like can be disposed in the second through hole 47 provided in the first mounting bracket 41. In addition, the second mounting bracket 42 is formed to a minimum size necessary for conducting conductive bonding with the outer periphery of the mesh tube or the spiral tube by inserting the mesh tube 3 and the spiral tube 2 of the serpentine tube 1. The capacity can be reduced.
[0031]
Therefore, since the conductive joint portion between the outer surface of the mesh tube and the mounting bracket is disposed inside the first mounting bracket, the overall length of the entire mounting bracket can be shortened compared to the configuration of the second embodiment, and the entire endoscope It is effective for downsizing. Also, by conducting the conductive joining with a member having a small volume and a small thermal capacity like the second mounting bracket, the temperature rise of the member at the time of joining can be accelerated, and the working time for brazing or the like can be shortened. it can.
[0032]
Further, in the configuration of the modified example of FIG. 5, since the mounting means of the second mounting bracket with respect to the first mounting bracket is not screwed but screwed, a jig used for screwing the mounting brackets is unnecessary. Thus, the cost for assembly work can be reduced.
[0033]
As described above, according to the third embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first and second embodiments, the overall length of the mounting bracket can be shortened and the size can be reduced. It is possible to shorten the work time for conductive joining between the net tube and the mounting bracket.
[0034]
According to the configuration of the endoscope flexible tube of each embodiment described above, when the flexible tube is attached to the mounting bracket, not only the waterproof joint between the flexible tube outer tube and the mounting bracket, but also the electrical conductivity between the mounting bracket and the outer periphery of the flexible tube network tube. Since both can be easily joined, the electrical connection between the mounting bracket and the serpentine tube can be reliably performed, and the characteristics of high frequency noise countermeasures can be improved. In addition, when the snake tube is inserted into the mounting bracket, the longitudinal direction of the snake tube relative to the mounting bracket can also be positioned, so that the length dimension of the end portion of the snake tube can be secured stably, and workability at the time of connection is improved. . In addition, in this configuration, even if the mounting bracket is not covered with a sheath tube that is integrally covered with a jacket tube in advance, waterproofing and electrical conductivity can be secured while retrofitting the mounting bracket of the base, The design using a standard serpentine tube that can easily cope with the difference in shape and length of the serpentine tube becomes possible, and the efficiency in production management can be remarkably improved.
[0035]
[Appendix]
(1) A spiral tube in which an elastic conductor band is spirally wound, a mesh tube in which conductor thin wires are woven in a mesh shape, and an outer tube provided on the outermost part of these tubes are laminated in this order. With a snake tube
An endoscope having an attachment fitting for mounting the serpentine tube on a mounted member connected to an end portion of the serpentine tube and including a connection connector connected to an operation unit main body of the endoscope or a control device of the endoscope A serpentine tube,
The mounting bracket is inserted into the outer tube of the serpentine tube through a first through hole that opens at one end, and communicates with the first through hole to pass through the mesh tube or the spiral tube of the serpentine tube. And having a second through hole, watertightly bonding the outer periphery of the jacket tube and the mounting bracket in the vicinity of the opening of the first through hole, and in the vicinity of the end of the second through hole An endoscope serpentine tube, wherein the outer periphery of the mesh tube or the helical tube and the mounting bracket are conductively joined.
[0036]
(2) A rigid positioning member having a height not exceeding the outer diameter of the jacket tube is disposed on the outer peripheral portion of the mesh tube near the end surface of the jacket tube in the serpentine tube, A through hole having an inner diameter that is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the outer tube as one through hole, and a diameter that is smaller than the first through hole as the second through hole and approximately the same as the outer diameter of the mesh pipe. A through hole having an inner diameter, and positioning in the length direction is performed by the positioning member abutting against a stepped portion formed by an inner diameter difference between the first through hole and the second through hole. The endoscope snake tube according to appendix 1.
[0037]
(3) The mounting bracket is smaller in diameter than the first through hole as the second through hole, and a through hole having an inner diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the outer tube as the first through hole. A through hole having an inner diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the mesh tube, a third through hole having a smaller diameter than the second through hole and an inner diameter approximately the same as the inner diameter of the spiral tube, and the second An opening formed on the side surface of the through hole of
Positioning in the length direction is performed by the end faces of the mesh tube and the spiral tube abutting against the stepped portion formed by the inner diameter difference between the second through hole and the third through hole, and the mesh tube or the spiral is formed in the opening. The snake tube for an endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein conductive joining is performed between the outer peripheral portion of the tube and the mounting bracket.
[0038]
(4) The mounting bracket includes a first mounting bracket that has the first through hole and performs water-tight adhesion with an outer peripheral portion of the jacket tube, and the second through hole and has the mesh pipe or the spiral. A second mounting bracket for conducting conductive bonding with the outer periphery of the tube,
2. The endoscope serpentine according to appendix 1, wherein the first mounting bracket and the second mounting bracket are connected by a connecting means that secures conductivity including screwing or screwing.
[0039]
(5) The second mounting bracket includes a through hole having an inner diameter that is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the mesh tube as the second through hole, and an inner diameter of the spiral tube that is smaller in diameter than the second through hole. A third through hole having an inner diameter of substantially the same dimension;
Positioning in the length direction is performed by the end faces of the mesh tube and the spiral tube abutting against the step portion formed by the inner diameter difference between the second through hole and the third through hole, and the second through hole side 5. The internal structure according to claim 4, wherein conductive joining is performed between the outer peripheral portion of the mesh tube or the spiral tube and the second mounting bracket at an opening end portion of the opening portion or an opening formed on a side surface of the second through hole. Endoscopic tube.
[0040]
(6) The second mounting bracket is a minimum necessary for conducting the conductive joining between the outer periphery of the mesh tube or the spiral tube and the second mounting bracket by inserting the mesh tube and the spiral tube of the serpentine tube. The snake tube for an endoscope according to appendix 4, characterized in that the thermal capacity is reduced in size.
[0041]
(7) The serpentine tube for an endoscope according to appendices 1, 3, 4, and 5, wherein the conductive bonding is performed with bonding secured by bonding means including brazing.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, by simple assembling work, not only the waterproof joint between the mounting bracket and the snake tube jacket tube is performed, but also the spiral tube and the net tube constituting the snake tube and the mounting bracket. Thus, there is an effect that it is possible to provide an endoscopic serpentine tube that can improve the characteristics of high frequency noise countermeasures.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a detailed configuration in the vicinity of a fitting at the end of a snake tube according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a universal cord and a cord end of an endoscope configured by a snake tube. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the connector portion of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the detailed configuration of the vicinity of the fitting at the end of the flexible tube according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the detailed configuration of the vicinity of the fitting at the end of the flexible tube according to the third embodiment. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a modification of the third embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Snake tube 2 ... Spiral tube 3 ... Mesh tube 4 ... Outer tube 5 ... Mounting bracket 12 ... 1st through-hole 13 ... 2nd through-hole 14 ... Step part 21 ... Conductive joining 22 ... Watertight adhesion agent Patent attorney Ito Progress

Claims (2)

A net tube formed of a long and elastic conductor material;
A skin tube formed by non-conductive member covering the network pipe in a state in which the outer surface is exposed in the predetermined length of the network pipe from one end of the network pipe,
A mounting bracket that forms an inner space for inserting the mesh tube and the outer tube,
A first through hole formed in substantially the same inner diameter as the outer diameter of the outer tube that communicates with the opening on one end side of the mounting bracket and forms the inner space;
A second through-hole communicating with the first through-hole and the opening on the other end of the mounting bracket, having a substantially the same inner diameter as the outer diameter of the mesh tube and shorter than the predetermined length;
A conductive joint that joins the outer surface of the mesh tube protruding from the opening on the other end side of the mounting bracket and the mounting bracket in a conductive manner;
An endoscopic serpentine tube characterized by comprising:   The serpentine tube for an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein an inner peripheral surface of the first through hole and an outer peripheral surface of the outer skin tube are joined in a watertight manner.

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