JP3668393B2 - Method for inserting built-in member into flexible tube of endoscope - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for inserting a built-in member into a flexible tube of an endoscope, wherein a built-in member such as a light guide bundle is inserted into the flexible tube when the endoscope is assembled.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The insertion part of a flexible endoscope is comprised from the flexible tube part and the front-end | tip structure part provided in the front-end | tip via the bending part. The bending portion is configured to be bent in two or four directions by a plurality of angle coils inserted into the flexible tube.
[0003]
When assembling this type of endoscope, first insert a plurality of angle coils into the flexible tube, then insert built-in members such as a light guide, image guide and air / water pipe into the flexible tube. After the member is inserted, one end side is connected to the tip component and the other end side is connected to the operation portion or the like.
[0004]
However, the angle coils inserted in advance in the flexible tube are not necessarily aligned along the inner surface of the flexible tube, and are often curved or intersected in the flexible tube. Therefore, even if it is going to insert a built-in member in a flexible tube, a built-in member will be caught by an angle coil and cannot be inserted smoothly. Also, since the flexible tube is flexible and thin and long, it is difficult to insert it from one end side, and the built-in member may interfere with the angle coil during the insertion and break. Is required.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made paying attention to the above circumstances, and the purpose thereof is to facilitate the insertion work of built-in members such as angle coils and light guides into the flexible tube, and to prevent damage during the insertion work. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for inserting a built-in member into a flexible tube of an endoscope that can be prevented.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the built-in member is inserted into the flexible tube, a separator having a plurality of grooves on the outer peripheral surface in the longitudinal direction is inserted into the flexible tube. The angle coil passes through the angle coil from the tip of the separator as a guide, passes through the angle coil, and temporarily fixes the angle coil to the rear end of the flexible tube, and then temporarily fixes the end of the built-in member to the end of the separator. The method of inserting an internal member into a flexible tube of an endoscope, wherein the internal member is inserted into the flexible tube by pulling out the separator from the rear end side of the flexible tube.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0009]
The drawing shows a method for inserting a built-in member into a flexible tube. Reference numeral 1 denotes a flexible tube constituting an insertion portion of the endoscope, 2 denotes a front end portion thereof, and 3 denotes a rear end portion thereof. A base 4 is provided at the rear end 3 of the flexible tube 1 for connection to an operation unit (not shown). As shown in FIG. 1, a separator 5 is inserted into the flexible tube 1. The separator 5 is a cylindrical body having a diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the flexible tube 1, and a connection hole 6 for temporary fixing is provided at the rear end portion. Further, for example, four strips 7 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the separator 5 in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, in the state where the separator 5 is inserted into the flexible tube 1, the through passages 8 are formed between the inner surface of the flexible tube 1 by the grooves 7. Next, as shown in FIG. 2, when the angle coils 9 are inserted into the through passages 8 from the distal end 2 side of the flexible tube 1, the angle coils 9 are guided by the grooves 7 to be flexible. Projecting from the rear end 3 of the tube 1. In this state, the front end portion of the angle coils 9 is fixed to the front end portion 2 of the flexible tube 1 and the rear end portion is temporarily fixed to the base 4. In this temporary fixing method, the thread 10 is hooked on the angle coils 9 and distributed, and the thread 10 is temporarily fixed to the base 4 with the adhesive tape 11. Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the base 13 provided at the end of the light guide bundle 12 as a built-in member is press-fitted into the connecting hole 6 of the separator 5 and temporarily fixed. When the separator 5 is pulled out in the axial direction from the rear end 3 side of the flexible tube 1 in a state where the separator 5 and the light guide bundle 12 are connected in this way, as shown in FIG. Pulled into the flexible tube 1, the separator 5 and the light guide bundle 12 are finally replaced. Therefore, when the light guide bundle 12 is inserted into the flexible tube 1, it does not interfere with the angle coils 9, but is inserted smoothly. After the insertion, the four angle coils 9 are formed on the outer periphery of the light guide bundle 12. Will be aligned.
[0010]
In the above-described embodiment, the light guide bundle is described as the built-in member. However, the light guide bundle can be applied to the insertion of a built-in member such as an image guide bundle or an air / water pipe or an assembly thereof.
[0011]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the angle coil can be inserted and guided by the separator inserted into the flexible tube, and can be smoothly inserted without interfering with the angle coil when the built-in member is inserted. The insertion work into the flexible tube is simplified, and it is possible to improve workability and prevent damage to the built-in member.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a state where a separator is inserted into a flexible tube.
2A is a front view of an angle coil inserted state, and FIG. 2B is a longitudinal sectional view thereof.
FIG. 3 is a front view of a state in which a built-in member is temporarily fixed to a separator.
FIG. 4 is a front view of a state in which a separator is pulled out and a built-in member is inserted into a flexible tube.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Flexible tube, 2 ... Front-end | tip part, 3 ... Rear-end part, 5 ... Separator, 7 ... Groove, 9 ... Angle coil, 12 ... Light guide vane rail (built-in member)

Claims (1)

  When inserting the built-in member into the flexible tube, a separator having a plurality of grooves on the outer peripheral surface in the longitudinal direction is inserted into the flexible tube, and the strip of the separator is inserted from the distal end of the flexible tube. The angle coil is passed through the angle coil with the groove as a guide, and the angle coil is temporarily fixed to the rear end portion of the flexible tube. Then, the end portion of the built-in member is temporarily fixed to the end portion of the separator. A method for inserting a built-in member into a flexible tube of an endoscope, wherein the built-in member is inserted into the flexible tube by being pulled out from the end side.

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