JP3660723B2

JP3660723B2 - Flexible tube connection part of endoscope

Info

Publication number: JP3660723B2
Application number: JP26832195A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 章杉山
Original assignee: ペンタックス株式会社
Priority date: 1995-10-17
Filing date: 1995-10-17
Publication date: 2005-06-15
Anticipated expiration: 2015-10-17
Also published as: JPH09108177A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
この発明は内視鏡の挿入部を形成する可撓管の接続部の構造に関する。なお本願においては、遠隔操作によって屈曲される湾曲部も広義の意味で可撓管に含めるものとする。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
内視鏡の可撓管は、湾曲部も含むとした場合、全長にわたって一本で形成されるということは稀であり、多くの場合、途中で連結接続される。そのような接続は一般に環状の接続部材を介して行われ、その接続部材が可撓管の内周面より内方に突出することになる場合が多い。
【０００３】
内視鏡の可撓管内に挿通されたチューブ類や光学繊維束等いわゆる内蔵物のうちで、一般に最も固くて太いのは、生検鉗子その他の処置具類を挿通するためのチャンネルチューブである。
【０００４】
したがって、チャンネルチューブが、可撓管の内周面より突出した接続部材と干渉することによって内方に寄せられると、可撓管の内部空間の利用効率が大幅に低下して、例えば光学繊維の本数を減らさざるを得ない等、内視鏡の基本性能を低下させてしまうことになる。径の細い可撓管ほど、その影響が大きくなる。
【０００５】
そこで従来は、チャンネルチューブの肉厚を可撓管接続部付近だけ薄く形成して、接続部材とチャンネルチューブとの干渉を防止していた（特開平５−４２０９６号）。
【０００６】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかし、チャンネルチューブの肉厚を局部的に薄く形成するのは、製造加工及び組み立てが非常に面倒なだけでなく、内視鏡使用時の繰り返しの曲げ動作等によってその部分が破損し易く、重修理が必要な故障の原因になってしまう。
【０００７】
そこで本発明は、接続部材と処置具挿通管との干渉を防いで可撓管の内部空間の利用効率を上げることができ、しかも製造加工及び組み立てが容易で処置具挿通管の耐久性にも問題が生じない内視鏡の可撓管接続部を提供することを目的とする。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記の目的を達成するため、本発明の内視鏡の可撓管接続部は、内視鏡の挿入部を形成する可撓管を途中で連結接続する環状の接続部材が上記可撓管の内周面より内方に突出し、その内側に処置具挿通管が挿通配置された内視鏡の可撓管接続部において、上記処置具挿通管が通る位置の上記接続部材の内周部分に、上記処置具挿通管との干渉を避けるための切り欠きを形成したことを特徴とする。
【０００９】
なお、上記切り欠きが、上記処置具挿通管の外径の半径より大きな半径の円弧状に形成されているとよい。
また、上記接続部材によって連結接続される一方の挿入部が、可撓性の棒状部材に軸線と平行方向に複数の貫通孔が穿設されたマルチルーメンチューブによって形成され、他方の挿入部が、螺旋管の外周に網状管を被覆しさらにその外周に可撓性チューブを被覆して形成されていてもよい。
【００１０】
【発明の実施の形態】
図面を参照して本発明の実施の形態を説明する。
図３は、本発明の第１の実施の形態の内視鏡を示しており、操作部１に連結された挿入部２は、自由に屈曲可能な自由可撓管部３と、操作部１に設けられた湾曲操作ノブ４からの遠隔操作によって屈曲するように自由可撓管部３の先端に連結接続された湾曲部５と、図示されていない対物光学系等が内蔵されて湾曲部５の先端に連結された先端部本体６とによって構成されている。なお本発明においては、自由可撓管部３と湾曲部５は、共に「可撓管」の範疇に含まれるものである。１０は、自由可撓管部３と湾曲部５との接続部である。
【００１１】
図２は、その接続部１０の側面断面図、図１はＩ−Ｉ断面図である。
自由可撓管部３の外装は、金属帯材を一定の径で螺旋状に巻いた、巻き方向の異なる二重の螺旋管３１，３２を内側に配置して、その外面に金属細線等を編組した網状管３３を被覆し、さらにその外面にポリウレタン樹脂チューブ等からなる可撓性外皮３４を被覆して形成されている。
【００１２】
一方、湾曲部５の外装は、複数の節輪５１を図示されていないリベットで回動自在に連結して、その外面に網状管５２を被覆し、さらにその外面にゴムチューブ等からなる伸縮性外皮５３を被覆して形成されている。
【００１３】
１１は、自由可撓管部３と湾曲部５とを連結接続するために、例えば真鍮又はステンレス鋼等で環状に形成された接続部材であり、その両端の外周面に螺旋管３１，３２と節輪５１が各々半田付けなどによって固着されている。
【００１４】
したがって、接続部材１１の内径は、自由可撓管部３及び湾曲部５の内径より小さく、自由可撓管部３及び湾曲部５の内周面より内側に接続部材１１が突出している。図２に示される「ｅ」がその突出量である。
【００１５】
接続部材１１の外周面の中央部には全周にわたる凹溝部１１ａが形成されていて、そこに、伸縮性外皮５３の端部が接合され、糸１２により緊縛固定されてさらにその外面に接着剤１３が塗布されている。可撓性外皮３４の端部は、接続部材１１の凹溝部１１ａに隣接する土手部１１ｂに接着されている。
【００１６】
このようにして、接続部材１１を介して自由可撓管部３と湾曲部５とが連結接続されており、その内部には、処置具類を挿通するためのチャンネルチューブ７（処置具挿通管）、イメージガイドファイババンドル８及びライトガイドファイババンドル９等のいわゆる内蔵物が挿通されている。５４は、湾曲操作ノブ４によって牽引操作される操作ワイヤである。
【００１７】
チャンネルチューブ７は、滑りがよくて潰れにくい硬さを有する例えば四フッ化エチレン樹脂チューブ等によって形成されている。そして、チャンネルチューブ７が通る位置の接続部材１１の内周部分には、チャンネルチューブ７との干渉を避けるように断面形状が円弧状の切り欠き１５が形成されて、その部分だけ接続部材１１が肉薄に形成されている。
【００１８】
この切り欠き１５は、チャンネルチューブ７の外径の半径より大きな半径に形成されている。したがって、チャンネルチューブ７は切り欠き１５内の奥の位置まで確実に入り込むことができ、接続部材１１に切り欠き１５が形成されていない場合に比べて外寄りの位置を、接続部材１１と干渉することなく通過して、他の内蔵物の通過を妨げない。
【００１９】
なお、イメージガイドファイババンドル８やライトガイドファイババンドル９等は、断面形状がある程度自由に変形することができるので、やや狭くなった接続部材１１内を通過することに問題は生じない。
【００２０】
図６は、本発明の第２の実施の形態の内視鏡を示しており、操作部１に連結された挿入部２が、自由に屈曲する元側自由可撓管部３ａと、その元側自由可撓管部３ａの先側に連結接続されて自由に屈曲する先側自由可撓管部３ｂと、図示されていない対物光学系等が内蔵されて先側自由可撓管部３ｂの先端に連結された先端部本体６とによって構成されている。先側自由可撓管部３ｂは元側自由可撓管部３ａ寄り細径に形成されている。１０は、元側自由可撓管部３ａと先側自由可撓管部３ｂとの接続部である。
【００２１】
図４は、その接続部１０の側面断面図、図５はＶ−Ｖ断面図であり、元側自由可撓管部３ａ側の構成は、第１の実施の形態の自由可撓管部３と同じであり、接続部材１１と元側自由可撓管部３ａとの接続構造も第１の実施の形態と同じである。したがって、接続部材１１は、元側自由可撓管部３ａの内周面より内方に突出している。
【００２２】
先側自由可撓管部３ｂは、内蔵物を通すための複数の孔が一つの弾力性と可撓性のある棒状部材に軸線と平行方向に貫通して穿設されたいわゆるマルチルーメンチューブ３６によって形成されている。その材料としては、シリコンゴム等を用いることができる。
【００２３】
マルチルーメンチューブ３６は、接続部材１１の端部に形成された座ぐり部の内周面に接合されており、それを補強するために、接続部材１１の外周からマルチルーメンチューブ３６の外周にまたがって筒状の補強部材１７が被覆、接合されている。可撓性外皮３４は、接続部材１１の外周面に接合されている。
【００２４】
この実施の形態においては、イメージガイドファイババンドル８は元側自由可撓管部３ａ内から接続部材１１内を通って先側自由可撓管部３ｂの貫通孔内に通されている。
【００２５】
しかし、チャンネルチューブ７は、マルチルーメンチューブ３６の一つの貫通孔３７が処置具類を直接挿通するために利用されているので、元側自由可撓管部３ａ内にだけ挿通配置されている。
【００２６】
そして、元側自由可撓管部３ａ側のチャンネルチューブ７と先側自由可撓管部３ｂ側の貫通孔３７とを接続するための金属製の接続管１８が接続部材１１内に配置されて、その接続管１８とチャンネルチューブ７とが、接続部材１１と干渉しないように切り欠き１５内を通過している。
【００２７】
このように、本発明は、自由可撓管部と湾曲部との接続部や、元側自由可撓管部と先側自由可撓管部との接続部など、広義の可撓管と可撓管との接続部に適用することができる。
【００２８】
【発明の効果】
本発明によれば、内視鏡の挿入部を形成する可撓管を途中で連結接続する環状の接続部材の内周部の処置具挿通管が通る位置に、処置具挿通管との干渉を避けるための切り欠きを形成したので、処置具挿通管を外寄りの位置に真っ直ぐに配置しても、接続部材と処置具挿通管とが干渉せず、可撓管の内部空間の利用効率を上げることができる。しかも、可撓管接続部の製造加工及び組み立てが容易で、処置具挿通管の耐久性にも問題が生じない等の優れた効果を有する。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１の実施の形態の可撓管接続部のＩ−Ｉ断面図である。
【図２】本発明の第１の実施の形態の可撓管接続部の側面断面図である。
【図３】本発明の第１の実施の形態の内視鏡の外観図である。
【図４】本発明の第２の実施の形態の可撓管接続部の側面断面図である。
【図５】本発明の第２の実施の形態の可撓管接続部のＶ−Ｖ断面図である。
【図６】本発明の第２の実施の形態の内視鏡の外観図である。
【符号の説明】
２挿入部
３自由可撓管部
３ａ元側自由可撓管部
３ｂ先側自由可撓管部
５湾曲部
７チャンネルチューブ（処置具挿通管）
１０接続部
１１接続部材
１５切り欠き
３６マルチルーメンチューブ[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a structure of a connecting portion of a flexible tube that forms an insertion portion of an endoscope. In the present application, a curved portion bent by remote operation is also included in the flexible tube in a broad sense.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When it is assumed that the flexible tube of the endoscope also includes a curved portion, it is rare that the flexible tube is formed by one over the entire length, and in many cases, the flexible tube is connected and connected in the middle. Such a connection is generally made through an annular connecting member, and the connecting member often projects inward from the inner peripheral surface of the flexible tube.
[0003]
Among so-called built-in objects such as tubes and optical fiber bundles that are inserted into the flexible tube of an endoscope, generally the hardest and thickest is a channel tube for inserting biopsy forceps and other treatment tools. .
[0004]
Therefore, when the channel tube is moved inward by interfering with the connection member protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the flexible tube, the utilization efficiency of the inner space of the flexible tube is greatly reduced. The basic performance of the endoscope will be lowered, for example, the number of tubes must be reduced. The influence of the flexible tube with a smaller diameter increases.
[0005]
Therefore, conventionally, the thickness of the channel tube is made thin only in the vicinity of the flexible tube connecting portion to prevent interference between the connecting member and the channel tube (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-42096).
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, forming the thickness of the channel tube locally locally is not only very troublesome in manufacturing and assembly, but also easily breaks due to repeated bending operations when using the endoscope. This may cause a malfunction that requires repair.
[0007]
Therefore, the present invention can prevent the interference between the connecting member and the treatment instrument insertion tube, increase the utilization efficiency of the internal space of the flexible tube, and is easy to manufacture and assemble, and also improves the durability of the treatment instrument insertion tube. An object of the present invention is to provide a flexible tube connecting portion of an endoscope which does not cause a problem.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the flexible tube connecting portion of the endoscope of the present invention has an annular connecting member for connecting and connecting the flexible tubes forming the insertion portion of the endoscope halfway. In the flexible tube connection portion of the endoscope that protrudes inward from the inner peripheral surface and the treatment instrument insertion tube is inserted and disposed inside thereof, on the inner peripheral portion of the connection member at the position through which the treatment instrument insertion tube passes, A notch for avoiding interference with the treatment instrument insertion tube is formed.
[0009]
In addition, it is good for the said notch to be formed in the circular arc shape of a larger radius than the radius of the outer diameter of the said treatment tool penetration tube.
Further, the one insertion portion connected and connected by the connection member is formed by a multi-lumen tube having a plurality of through holes formed in a flexible rod-like member in a direction parallel to the axis, and the other insertion portion is The outer periphery of the spiral tube may be covered with a mesh tube, and the outer periphery thereof may be covered with a flexible tube.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 3 shows the endoscope according to the first embodiment of the present invention. An insertion portion 2 connected to the operation portion 1 includes a free flexible tube portion 3 that can be freely bent, and an operation portion 1. A bending portion 5 connected and connected to the tip of the free flexible tube portion 3 so as to be bent by a remote operation from the bending operation knob 4 provided in the bending operation portion, and an objective optical system (not shown) and the like are incorporated therein. It is comprised by the front-end | tip part main body 6 connected with the front-end | tip. In the present invention, the free flexible tube portion 3 and the bending portion 5 are both included in the category of “flexible tube”. Reference numeral 10 denotes a connecting portion between the free flexible tube portion 3 and the bending portion 5.
[0011]
FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the connecting portion 10, and FIG.
The outer sheath of the free flexible tube portion 3 is formed by wrapping a metal strip in a spiral shape with a certain diameter, and arranging double spiral tubes 31 and 32 having different winding directions on the inner side, and a thin metal wire or the like on the outer surface. The braided mesh tube 33 is covered, and the outer surface thereof is covered with a flexible outer skin 34 made of a polyurethane resin tube or the like.
[0012]
On the other hand, the exterior of the curved portion 5 is formed by connecting a plurality of node rings 51 with a rivet (not shown) so as to be rotatable, covering the outer surface with a mesh tube 52, and further forming a stretchable structure made of a rubber tube or the like. It is formed by covering the outer skin 53.
[0013]
Reference numeral 11 denotes a connection member formed in an annular shape, for example, of brass or stainless steel in order to connect and connect the free flexible tube portion 3 and the bending portion 5. Each node ring 51 is fixed by soldering or the like.
[0014]
Therefore, the inner diameter of the connection member 11 is smaller than the inner diameters of the free flexible tube portion 3 and the bending portion 5, and the connection member 11 protrudes inside the inner peripheral surfaces of the free flexible tube portion 3 and the bending portion 5. “E” shown in FIG. 2 is the protrusion amount.
[0015]
A concave groove 11a is formed in the central portion of the outer peripheral surface of the connecting member 11, and the end portion of the stretchable outer skin 53 is joined thereto, and is fastened and fixed by the thread 12, and further the adhesive is attached to the outer surface. 13 is applied. The end portion of the flexible skin 34 is bonded to the bank portion 11 b adjacent to the concave groove portion 11 a of the connecting member 11.
[0016]
In this way, the free flexible tube portion 3 and the bending portion 5 are connected and connected via the connection member 11, and a channel tube 7 (treatment device insertion tube) for inserting treatment tools is provided therein. ), So-called built-in objects such as the image guide fiber bundle 8 and the light guide fiber bundle 9 are inserted. An operation wire 54 is pulled by the bending operation knob 4.
[0017]
The channel tube 7 is formed of, for example, a tetrafluoroethylene resin tube or the like having a hardness that is easy to slip and is not easily crushed. A cutout 15 having a circular cross-sectional shape is formed in the inner peripheral portion of the connection member 11 at a position where the channel tube 7 passes so as to avoid interference with the channel tube 7, and the connection member 11 is formed only in that portion. Thinly formed.
[0018]
The notch 15 is formed with a radius larger than the radius of the outer diameter of the channel tube 7. Therefore, the channel tube 7 can surely enter the back position in the notch 15, and interferes with the connecting member 11 at an outer position compared to the case where the notch 15 is not formed in the connecting member 11. Pass through without disturbing the passage of other built-in items.
[0019]
Note that the image guide fiber bundle 8 and the light guide fiber bundle 9 can be freely deformed to a certain degree in cross-section, so that there is no problem in passing through the connection member 11 that is slightly narrowed.
[0020]
FIG. 6 shows an endoscope according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which an insertion portion 2 connected to an operation portion 1 is freely bent at its original free flexible tube portion 3a and its original portion. A front-side free flexible tube portion 3b that is connected and connected to the front side of the side free flexible tube portion 3a and bends freely, an objective optical system (not shown), and the like are incorporated, and the front-side free flexible tube portion 3b It is comprised by the front-end | tip part main body 6 connected with the front-end | tip. The front-side free flexible tube portion 3b is formed with a small diameter close to the original-side free flexible tube portion 3a. Reference numeral 10 denotes a connection portion between the original free flexible tube portion 3a and the first free flexible tube portion 3b.
[0021]
4 is a side cross-sectional view of the connecting portion 10, FIG. 5 is a VV cross-sectional view, and the configuration of the original free flexible tube portion 3a is the same as the free flexible tube portion 3 of the first embodiment. The connection structure between the connection member 11 and the original-side free flexible tube portion 3a is the same as that in the first embodiment. Therefore, the connection member 11 protrudes inward from the inner peripheral surface of the former-side free flexible tube portion 3a.
[0022]
The front-side free flexible tube portion 3b is a so-called multi-lumen tube 36 in which a plurality of holes through which a built-in object passes are formed by penetrating through a single elastic and flexible rod-shaped member in a direction parallel to the axis. Is formed by. As the material, silicon rubber or the like can be used.
[0023]
The multi-lumen tube 36 is joined to the inner peripheral surface of the spot facing portion formed at the end of the connection member 11. In order to reinforce the multi-lumen tube 36, the multi-lumen tube 36 extends from the outer periphery of the connection member 11 to the outer periphery of the multi-lumen tube 36. A cylindrical reinforcing member 17 is covered and joined. The flexible skin 34 is joined to the outer peripheral surface of the connection member 11.
[0024]
In this embodiment, the image guide fiber bundle 8 is passed from the inside of the free flexible tube portion 3a through the connection member 11 and into the through hole of the free flexible tube portion 3b.
[0025]
However, since the one through hole 37 of the multi-lumen tube 36 is used to directly insert the treatment instrument, the channel tube 7 is inserted and arranged only in the original free flexible tube portion 3a.
[0026]
A metal connecting tube 18 for connecting the channel tube 7 on the side of the free flexible tube 3a and the through hole 37 on the side of the free flexible tube 3b is disposed in the connecting member 11. The connecting pipe 18 and the channel tube 7 pass through the notch 15 so as not to interfere with the connecting member 11.
[0027]
As described above, the present invention can be applied to a flexible tube in a broad sense, such as a connection portion between a free flexible tube portion and a curved portion, or a connection portion between an original free flexible tube portion and a front free flexible tube portion. It can be applied to a connecting portion with a flexible tube.
[0028]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, interference with the treatment instrument insertion tube is caused at the position where the treatment instrument insertion tube of the inner peripheral portion of the annular connecting member that connects and connects the flexible tubes forming the insertion portion of the endoscope passes in the middle. Since the notch for avoiding it was formed, even if the treatment instrument insertion tube is arranged straight at the outer position, the connection member and the treatment instrument insertion tube do not interfere with each other, and the utilization efficiency of the internal space of the flexible tube is reduced. Can be raised. In addition, the manufacturing and processing of the flexible tube connecting portion is easy, and there are excellent effects such as no problem in durability of the treatment instrument insertion tube.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II of a flexible tube connecting portion according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the flexible tube connecting portion according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an external view of the endoscope according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of a flexible tube connecting portion according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a VV cross-sectional view of a flexible tube connecting portion according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an external view of an endoscope according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Insertion section 3 Free flexible tube section 3a Original free flexible tube section 3b Previous free flexible tube section 5 Bending section 7 Channel tube (treatment instrument insertion tube)
10 connecting portion 11 connecting member 15 notch 36 multi-lumen tube

Claims

An annular connecting member for connecting and connecting the flexible tube forming the insertion portion of the endoscope protrudes inward from the inner peripheral surface of the flexible tube, and a treatment instrument insertion tube is inserted and disposed inside the annular connection member. In the flexible tube connection part of the endoscope,
One insertion portion connected and connected by the connecting member is formed by a multi-lumen tube in which a plurality of through holes are formed in a flexible rod-like member in a direction parallel to the axis, and the other insertion portion is spirally formed. Cover the outer periphery of the tube with a mesh tube and further cover the outer periphery with a flexible tube.
In the inner peripheral portion of the connection member at the position where the treatment instrument insertion tube passes , the cross-sectional shape is an arc shape having a radius larger than the radius of the outer diameter of the treatment instrument insertion tube so as to avoid interference with the treatment instrument insertion tube. A flexible tube connecting portion of an endoscope, characterized in that a notch having a depth that does not reach the outer peripheral side of the connecting member is formed.