JP4383428B2 - Endoscope - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope applied for industrial use and medical use, which includes a bending portion constituted by a fluid pressure actuator at the tip of a long insertion portion to be inserted into a lumen.

  In general, an endoscope applicable for industrial use and medical use is provided with a long insertion portion to be inserted into a lumen. Further, in this type of endoscope, a bending portion is provided on the distal end side of the insertion portion, and the bending direction of the bending portion can be adjusted so that the observation direction of the endoscope can be directed in an arbitrary direction. It has become.

  For example, in an industrial endoscope, it may be required to insert the insertion portion 30 meters or more. In that case, if the bending portion of the endoscope is a type that pulls the bending wire, the bending portion bends as desired by the user due to the occurrence of sliding resistance or the like between the bending wire and the other member. It may not be possible. For this reason, an endoscope has been proposed in which a fluid pressure actuator that performs a bending operation by supplying a fluid such as air is provided in a bending portion.

  For example, in the Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-370398, the present applicant is provided with a curved portion constituted by a fluid pressure actuator at the distal end of the insertion portion, and can reliably and smoothly supply a fluid from a gas cylinder, and work such as adjustment or repair We are proposing an endoscopic device with excellent performance.

  In this endoscope apparatus, as shown in FIGS. 17 (a) to 17 (c), the fluid pressure actuator is provided mainly in the axial direction through-hole 111a provided in the central portion and in the circumferential direction of the axial direction through-hole 111a. A multi-lumen tube 111 made of flexible silicon having a plurality of fluid chambers 111b,... Arranged in parallel at equal intervals, and an inner coil 112 and a multi-piece made of stainless steel and disposed in the axial through hole 111a of the multi-lumen tube 111. The outer coil 113 disposed on the outer periphery of the lumen tube 111, the front cap 114 and the rear cap 115 respectively disposed at the end of the multi-lumen tube 111, and the tape member 116 that is a sheet material or, for example, a thin silicon tube (not shown) And consisted of

In order to prevent the multi-lumen tube 111 from being pinched between the inner coil 112 or the outer coil 113 and being damaged, the multi-lumen tube 111 and the multi-lumen tube 111 and the outer The tape part 116 material or the silicon tube is arranged between the coil 113.
JP 2004-201840 A (Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-370398)

  However, the silicon multi-lumen tube used when constructing the fluid pressure actuator of the endoscope apparatus of the Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-370398 has water tightness but does not have air tightness. For this reason, while the gas is repeatedly supplied to the fluid chamber constituted by the through-holes of the multi-lumen tube, the gas in the fluid chamber gradually moves toward the outer peripheral side or the axial through-hole side of the multi-lumen tube. It leaks into the gap between the sealed multi-lumen tube and the tape member or silicon tube. When the leaked gas accumulates in the gap, there is a problem in that the gas becomes a resistance during bending and a problem occurs in the bending amount of the fluid pressure actuator.

  In addition, a multi-hole having an axial through hole 41a as shown in FIG. 10A and four through holes 41b,..., 41e and having a circular cross section perpendicular to the axial through hole 41a and a small diameter. Forming the lumen tube 41 was one of the difficult techniques.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an endoscope including a fluid pressure actuator having excellent bending characteristics.

The endoscope according to the present invention is an endoscope in which a bending portion by a fluid pressure actuator is provided on a distal end side of an elongated insertion portion, and the fluid pressure actuator includes an axial direction through-hole and an axial direction through-hole. A tube having a plurality of perforations that form a plurality of fluid chambers that correspond to the bending direction of the bending portion, and is arranged in communication with the through-holes of the tubes, and supply and discharge of gas to the through-holes A communicating member to be connected to the air tube, an inner coil disposed in the axial through hole, having an outer diameter larger than the axial through hole, and disposed on the outer peripheral side of the inner coil. An inner thin tube and an outer thin tube that is disposed so as to cover the outer peripheral side of the tube are provided, and the outer thin tube is integrally fixed to the tube.

  According to this configuration, when the inner coil is disposed in the axial through hole of the tube, the inner coil is mounted by expanding the axial through hole. Therefore, the inner coil and the axial through hole are in close contact with each other.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the endoscope provided with the fluid pressure actuator excellent in the curvature characteristic is realizable.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
1 to 8 relate to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a perspective view for explaining the configuration of the endoscope apparatus, FIG. 2 is a side view for explaining the structure of the endoscope apparatus, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the formation process of the fluid pressure actuator, FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the structure of the fluid pressure actuator, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the fluid chamber of the fluid pressure actuator. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a front cap, and FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a thin tube.

  4A is a diagram for explaining the process of providing the first adhesive part, FIG. 4B is a diagram for explaining the process of providing the second adhesive part, and FIG. 4C is a process of providing the bobbin adhesive part. FIG. 4D is a diagram for explaining a step of providing a base, FIG. 7A is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of the front cap, and FIG. 7B is another configuration example of the front cap. FIG. 7C is a diagram for explaining the operation of the front cap shown in FIG. 7A, and FIG. 7D is a diagram for explaining the operation of the front cap shown in FIG. 7B. 8A is a view for explaining a thin tube provided with a slit, FIG. 8B is a view for explaining a thin tube provided with an exhaust hole, and FIG. 8C is a view showing a thin tube provided with an uneven portion. It is a figure explaining.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the endoscope apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an endoscope 2 having an elongated insertion portion 2a and a state in which the insertion portion 2a of the endoscope 2 is wound. A remote controller provided with a drum unit 3 arranged, a frame unit 4 that is a support for rotatably supporting the drum unit 3, and an operation unit such as a joystick 5 a that gives an operation instruction to the endoscope 2 and the like (Hereinafter abbreviated as “remote control”) 5. The endoscope apparatus 1 is connected to a monitor 10 for displaying an endoscopic image captured by the endoscope 2, an AC adapter 11 serving as a power supply unit, a PC connection unit (not shown), and a valve control unit described later. A personal computer (not shown) for changing control data and the like is provided. Reference numeral 11a denotes an outlet connected to a commercial power source.

The insertion portion 2a is configured by connecting a distal end portion 2b, a bending portion 2c, and a flexible tube portion 2d.
An observation window 21 and a plurality of LED illuminations 22 are provided on the distal end surface of the distal end portion 2b, and for example, a C-MOS (not shown) is incorporated in the distal end portion 2b as observation means. The bending portion 2c connected to the tip portion 2b is constituted by a fluid pressure actuator described later. The flexible tube portion 2d is composed of a flexible and long flexible member that is connected to the bending portion 2c.

  The observation means is not limited to the C-MOS, and may be a CCD, an image guide fiber, or the like. The illumination optical system is not limited to LED illumination, and may be a light guide fiber or the like.

  On the other hand, a substantially cylindrical unit main body 30 having an opening on one end side constituting the control unit 6 is provided at the center of the inside of the drum unit 3 where the insertion portion 2a of the endoscope 2 is wound around the inner surface. It is arranged.

  A fluid pressure supply source 31 that supplies fluid to the fluid pressure actuator is provided on the opening 3 a side of the drum portion 3, which is an outer surface on the bottom side of the unit body 30. The fluid pressure supply source 31 includes a gas cylinder 32 filled with a high-pressure gas, a regulator 33 that controls the pressure of the gas cylinder 32, a pipe line 34 that supplies a fluid having a predetermined pressure, and the like.

  A fluid supply amount control unit 35 that controls the fluid supplied from the gas cylinder 32 is provided on the inner space side of the unit main body 30. The fluid supply amount control unit 35 is mainly configured by a valve unit 37 configured to correspond to a fluid chamber described later of the fluid pressure actuator, and a plurality of control boards 36 that control the valve unit 37. .

  The gas cylinder 32 is filled with a nonflammable gas such as carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbon, nitrogen, helium, argon, nitrogen, etc., and in this embodiment, a gas filled with nitrogen is used.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the fluid pressure actuator 40 includes a multi-lumen tube 41 having a circular cross section formed of a flexible silicon material, an inner coil 42 that is, for example, a stainless steel first coil, and the multi-lumen tube 41. A front base 43 that covers the distal end of the multi-lumen tube 41, a rear base 44 that covers the base end of the multi-lumen tube 41, and an outer coil that is, for example, a stainless steel second coil that covers the outer peripheral side of the multi-lumen tube 41 45, an inner thin tube 46 formed of, for example, a fluorine tube, which is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the inner coil 42 to prevent the multi-lumen tube 41 from being sandwiched between the lines of the inner coil 42 and being damaged, The multi-lumen tube 41 is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the multi-lumen tube 41 so that the multi-lumen tube 41 An outer thin tube 47 formed of a thin tube that prevents the pin 45 from being sandwiched between wires, exhaust tubes 48a and 48b that are tubular metal members serving as exhaust means, and an interior of a fluid chamber to be described later And a communication member 49 that is a tubular member having a tapered tip that communicates with the outside.

  As described above, the inner thin tube 46 and the outer thin tube 47 prevent the multi-lumen tube 41 from being sandwiched between the lines of the inner coil 42 or the outer coil 45 as described above. It prevents problems such as touching and causing swelling.

  The multi-lumen tube 41 has an axial through hole 41a provided in the central portion, and four through holes 41b and 41c constituting a fluid chamber provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction in parallel to the axial through hole 41a. , 41d, 41e are formed. These four through holes 41b, 41c, 41d, and 41e are formed corresponding to the four bending directions of the bending portion 2c, that is, up and down and left and right, respectively.

  The inner coil 42 is inserted into the axial through hole 41a of the multi-lumen tube 41. The exhaust tube 48a is disposed between the multi-lumen tube 41 and the inner thin tube 46, and the exhaust tube 48b is disposed between the multi-lumen tube 41 and the outer thin tube 47. .

Here, an example of a configuration procedure of the fluid pressure actuator 40 will be described.
First, as shown in FIG. 3, the inner thin tube 46 is put on the inner coil 42, and the inner coil 42 in this state is disposed in the axial through hole 41a. At this time, the first exhaust tube 48 a is disposed between the axial through hole 41 a on the distal end side and the inner thin tube 46.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), for example, silicon adhesive or the like is poured into the distal end side of the through holes 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e of the multi-lumen tube 41 to close the distal end side opening. 71 is formed, and as shown in FIG. 4B, a second adhesive portion 72 that closes the proximal end side openings of the through holes 41b, 41c, 41d, and 41e is formed. In addition, when forming this 2nd adhesion part 72, the communication member 49 is arrange | positioned previously.

  As a result, the through holes 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e of the multi-lumen tube 41 are formed as space portions by the first bonding portion 71 and the second bonding portion 72, and the respective space portions and the outside are formed. The fluid chambers 51, 52, 53, and 54 are brought into a communication state by the communication member 49.

  Next, the outer thin wall tube 47 is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the multi-lumen tube 41. At this time, the second exhaust tube 48 b is disposed between the multi-lumen tube 41 on the tip side and the outer thin tube 47.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4C, a bobbin adhering portion 73 is formed on the distal end side and the proximal end side of the multi-lumen tube 41 in a state where the outer thin tube 47 is disposed. As a result, the exhaust tubes 48a and 48b located on the distal end side are fixed at predetermined positions, and the inner thin tube 46, the multi-lumen tube 41, and the The outer thin tube 47 and the multi-lumen tube 41 are in close contact with each other. In addition, the bobbin adhering portion on the base end side is bonded by arranging the communication member 49 in the through holes 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e of the multi-lumen tube 41 before covering the outer thin tube 47, and then the multi-lumen tube The outer thin tube 47 and the multi-lumen tube 41 may be integrally bonded and fixed after the yarn narrowing portion is formed at the position of the communication member 49 from the outer peripheral side of 41.
Next, as shown in FIG. 4 (d), a front cap 43 is disposed on the front end side of the multi-lumen tube 41 in a state where the outer thin tube 47 is arranged, while the rear cap 44 is placed on the outer thin tube. The multi-lumen tube 41 in a state where 47 is disposed is covered on the proximal end side.

  Thereafter, the outer coil 45 is arranged on the outer peripheral side of the multi-lumen tube 41 in a state where the outer thin tube 47 is arranged. At this time, the distal end side portion of the outer coil 45 is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the front base 43, and the proximal end side portion is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the rear base 44. A gap is provided between the outer thin tube 47 and the outer coil 45. This gap makes the fluid chambers 51, 52, 53, and 54 extend in the axial direction during pressurization and slightly expand in the radial direction to facilitate bending. This constitutes the fluid pressure actuator 40 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, insertion portion side tubes 61, 62, 63, 64 are connected to the end portion of the communication member 49 that protrudes to the outside of the second adhesive portion 49 b constituting the fluid pressure actuator 40. The base end portions of the insertion portion side tubes 61, 62, 63, 64 are connected and fixed to the electromagnetic valve units 37 a, 37 b, 37 c, 37 d respectively provided on the valve unit 37 corresponding to the upper, lower, left, and right sides. .

  Then, by appropriately operating a joystick 5a provided in the remote controller 5, gas is sent into the fluid chambers 51, 52, 53, 54 through the insertion portion side tubes 61, 62, 63, 64, etc. Accordingly, the pressurized fluid chamber of the multi-lumen tube 41 extends in the axial direction and slightly expands in the radial direction, so that the bending portion 2c bends.

  At this time, if gas leaks from the fluid chambers 51, 52, 53, 54 between the multi-lumen tube 41 and the outer thin tube 47 or between the multi-lumen tube 41 and the inner thin tube 46, this leakage The exhausted air is discharged to the outside by the exhaust tube 48b disposed between the multi-lumen tube 41 and the outer thin tube 47 or the exhaust tube 48a disposed between the multi-lumen tube 41 and the inner thin tube 46. Discharged. That is, the leaked gas is prevented from accumulating between the multi-lumen tube 41 and the outer thin tube 47 or between the multi-lumen tube 41 and the inner thin tube 46.

  Reference numeral 38 denotes a valve control unit that is electrically connected to the electromagnetic valve units 37a, 37b, 37c, and 37d to perform electrical control.

A built-in object such as an electric cable extending from the CCD or the LED illumination 22 is inserted into the inner coil 42.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, four through holes 41b, 41c, 41d, and 41e are arranged around the axial through hole 41a, but the number of through holes is set according to the bending direction and the bending shape. Yes, it is not limited to four, and may be more or less.

  In this way, a part of the expanding multi-lumen tube is sandwiched or protruded between the coil wires between the multi-lumen tube having a through-hole forming a fluid chamber and the coil that regulates the expansion of the multi-lumen tube. When a fluid pressure actuator is configured by arranging a thin-walled tube that prevents breakage due to damage, by arranging at least one exhaust tube between the thin-walled tube and the multi-lumen tube, the through-hole of the multi-lumen tube When gas leaks between the thin-walled tube and the multi-lumen tube sealed from the outside, the gas leaking between the thin-walled tube and the multi-lumen tube is discharged to the outside through the exhaust tube. can do.

  As a result, the gas leaking from the fluid chamber of the multi-lumen tube constituting the fluid pressure actuator accumulates between the thin-walled tube and the multi-lumen tube, and becomes a resistance when the bending portion is bent, thereby reducing the amount of bending. Failure to change is reliably prevented.

  The exhaust means is not limited to the exhaust tubes 48a and 48b disposed between the multi-lumen tube 41 and the thin-walled tubes 46 and 47 described above, and is configured as shown in FIGS. May be.

  7A and 7B, for example, front caps 43A and 43B provided with a plurality of exhaust passages 43a and 43b are used as exhaust means.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7C, the front cap 43A is arranged on the outer peripheral surface side of the multi-lumen tube 41 in a state where the outer thin tube 47 is covered. As a result, when gas leaks between the outer thin tube 47 and the multi-lumen tube 41, the gas accumulated between the thin tube 47 and the multi-lumen tube 41 becomes the exhaust passage 43a of the front cap 43A. It is discharged to the outside from between the thin-walled tube 47 and the multi-lumen tube 41 that are not in close contact with each other, and the same operations and effects as in the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7D, the front caps 43A and 43B are disposed on the outer peripheral surface side of the multi-lumen tube 41, and the outer thin tube 47 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface side of each of the front caps 43A and 43B. . As a result, if gas leaks between the outer thin tube 47 and the multi-lumen tube 41, the gas accumulated between the outer thin tube 47 and the multi-lumen tube 41 becomes the front caps 43A, 43B. Are discharged to the outside through the exhaust flow paths 43a and 43b, and the same operations and effects as in the above-described embodiment can be obtained.
The exhaust passages 43a and 43b may be provided on the rear cap 44 side.

In FIG. 8, the exhaust means is directly provided in the thin tube.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8 (a), the thin-walled tubes 46, 47 are provided with at least one slit 46a, 47a serving as an exhaust path as an exhaust means, or as shown in FIG. 8 (b), At least one or more exhaust holes 46b, 47b communicating the outside and inside of the thin tubes 46, 47 are provided.

  Further, in FIG. 8C, as the exhaust means, the inner thin tube 46 is provided with an uneven portion 46c extending in the longitudinal direction on the outer peripheral surface, and the outer thin tube 47 is provided with an uneven portion 47c extending in the longitudinal direction on the inner peripheral surface.

  When gas leaks between the thin-walled tubes 46 and 47 and the multi-lumen tube 41 by these things, the gas which accumulates between these thin-walled tubes 46 and 47 and the multi-lumen tube 41 is made into slit 46a, 47a, the exhaust holes 46b and 47b, or the concave and convex portions 46c and 47c are discharged to the outside, and the same operations and effects as in the above-described embodiment can be obtained. In addition, you may make it form a thin tube with the porous chamber member which gas can pass, and may obtain the effect | action and effect similar to the above-mentioned.

With reference to FIG. 9, another method for fixing the communication member to the multi-lumen tube will be described. FIG. 9A is a diagram for explaining the process of forming the cutting line, FIG. 9B is a diagram for explaining the process of arranging the communication members in the through holes divided one by one, and FIG. 9C is the communication. It is a figure explaining the process of adhering and fixing a member to a penetration hole.
In the above-described embodiment, after the narrow diameter portions of the four communication members 49 are arranged at the base end portions of the four through holes 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e provided in the multi-lumen tube 41, the second adhesive portion 49b is provided, and the communication member 49 is integrally fixed to each of the through holes 41b, 41c, 41d, and 41e. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9A, the base end portion of the multi-lumen tube 41 is provided. A cutting line 81 shown by a one-dot chain line is formed in the divided portion 82a, in which the axial through hole 41a and the respective through holes 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e are arranged one by one as shown in FIG. 82e is formed. And after arrange | positioning the communicating member 49 to the through-holes 41b, 41c, 41d, and 41e of the division parts 82b, 82c, 82d, and 82e, as shown in FIG.9 (c), each division part 82b, 82c, 82d, 82e is shown. A thread-binding portion 83 is provided to fix the communicating member 49 in close contact with the through holes 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e of the divided portions 82b, 82c, 82d, 82e.

  Accordingly, the communication member 49 can be securely fixed without being provided with the second adhesive portions 49b in the respective through holes 41b, 41c, 41d, and 41e.

  FIG. 10 is a view for explaining the relationship between the multi-lumen tube and the inner coil inserted and disposed in the axial through hole of the multi-lumen tube. FIG. 10 (a) shows a circular cross section perpendicular to the axial through hole. FIG. 10B is a diagram for explaining the multi-lumen tube, FIG. 10B is a diagram for explaining the multi-lumen tube having a square cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the axial through-hole, and FIG. 10C is FIGS. FIG. 10B is a diagram for explaining the inner coil in which the thin tube is coated on the axial through hole of the multi-lumen tube, and FIG. 10D is a square cross-sectional view in which the inner coil coated with the thin tube is disposed in the axial through hole. FIG. 10 (e) is a view showing a multi-lumen tube, and FIG. 10 (e) is a view showing a multi-lumen tube having a circular cross section in which an inner coil covering a thin tube is arranged in an axial through hole.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 10 (a), an axial through-hole 41a and, for example, four through-holes 41b,..., 41e, and the cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the axial through-hole 41a is circular and thin. Forming the lumen tube 41 was one of the difficult techniques. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10 (b), the cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the axial through-hole 41a is substantially square, and the axial through-hole 41p having a substantially square cross-sectional shape and, for example, a cross-sectional shape 4 having a substantially triangular shape. Forming the multi-lumen tube 41A having the two through holes 41q, 41r, 41s, 41t in a small diameter is a relatively easy process.

  When a fluid pressure actuator is configured using the multi-lumen tube 41A shown in FIG. 10 (b), the diagonal length L of the axial through hole 41p of the multi-lumen tube 41A and FIG. ), A relationship of D> L is set in advance with the outer diameter D of the inner coil 42 in a state where the inner thin tube 46 to be inserted and disposed in the axial through hole 41a is disposed. The dimension L and the outer diameter dimension D are set to predetermined dimensions. At this time, the endoscope thin-walled tube 46, the axial through hole 41p of the multi-lumen tube 41A, and the inner coil 42 are completely in contact with each other and there is no gap.

  Then, when the inner coil 42 in which the inner thin tube 46 is disposed is inserted and disposed in the axial through hole 41p of the multi-lumen tube 41A, the axial through hole 41p is expanded, whereby the through hole 41q is expanded. .., 41t is deformed, and the cross-sectional shape of the multi-lumen tube 41A is deformed into a substantially circular shape as shown in FIG.

  Therefore, when a fluid pressure actuator having a circular cross section perpendicular to the axial through hole is configured, the multi-lumen is formed as described above, and the inner coil set to a predetermined size is inserted and disposed in the axial through hole. By doing so, a fluid pressure actuator having a circular cross-sectional shape is constructed at low cost.

  On the other hand, an inner diameter d of the axial through hole 41a of the multi-lumen tube 41 shown in FIG. 10A and an inner thin tube 46 inserted and arranged in the axial through hole 41a shown in FIG. A relationship of D> d is set in advance with the outer diameter dimension D of the inner coil 42 in the arranged state, and the inner diameter dimension d and the outer diameter dimension D are set to predetermined dimensions. At this time, the endoscope thin-walled tube 46, the axial through hole 41p of the multi-lumen tube 41A, and the inner coil 42 are completely in contact with each other and there is no gap.

  Then, when the inner coil 42 in a state where the inner thin tube 46 is disposed is inserted and disposed in the axial through hole 41a of the multi-lumen tube 41, the axial through hole 41a is expanded, whereby the through hole 41b, ..., 41e is deformed, and the cross-sectional shape of the multi-lumen tube 41 is deformed into a substantially square shape as shown in FIG. As a result, the thickness t of the multi-lumen tube 41 with respect to the bending direction is reduced, and a fluid pressure actuator having excellent bending characteristics is configured.

  In this way, the cross-sectional shape of the multi-lumen tube and the shape of the through-hole are set as appropriate, and the outer dimensions of the inner coil in a state in which the inner thin tube inserted through the axial through-hole of the multi-lumen tube is arranged are set as appropriate. By doing so, the fluid pressure actuator corresponding to a use can be comprised suitably.

  Further, by setting the outer diameter D of the inner coil 42 to be larger than that of the axial through holes 41a and 41p, the inner hole of the inner coil is formed larger when the wire diameter of the inner coil is the same.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of a fluid pressure actuator corresponding to puncture of a multi-lumen tube, FIG. 11 (a) is a diagram for explaining the thickness of the multi-lumen tube, and FIG. FIG. 11C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C in FIG. 11B, and FIG. 11D is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 11B in FIG. 11B. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 11 (a), in the multi-lumen tube 41B of the present embodiment, for the purpose of enhancing the bending performance, the wall thickness t1 from the axial through hole 41a to the through holes 41b,..., 41e, and the through holes 41b, ..., the relationship of t2 <t1 is set between the wall thickness t2 from 41e to the outer peripheral surface of the multi-lumen tube 41B. Thus, when a fluid is supplied to the through holes 41b,..., 41e, the multi-lumen tube 41 is smoothly expanded to the outer peripheral side.

  However, in order to improve the outward expansion of the multi-lumen tube 41, the wall thickness t2 is formed thin, so that the multi-lumen tube 41 configured as a fluid pressure actuator may puncture when expanded. There is.

  For this reason, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11B to 11D, the multi-lumen tube 41 and the outer thin tube 47 arranged on the outer peripheral side of the multi-lumen tube 41 are provided. An adhesive portion 74 is provided and fixed integrally. This adhesive portion 74 is formed so as to cover each through hole 41b,..., 41e of the multi-lumen tube 41.

  As a result, even if the outer peripheral surface of the multi-lumen tube 41 corresponding to the through holes 41b,..., 41e is ruptured and the air leaks from the ruptured portion, the leaked air is multi-lumen. Although the multi-lumen tube 41 is punctured by flowing into the spaces 74b, 74c, 74d, and 74e formed by the tube 41, the outer thin tube 47, and the bonding portion 74, the fluid pressure actuator performs a bending operation.

  In addition, even if the multi-lumen tube is punctured, air leaks to the outside by configuring the fluid pressure actuator by integrally fixing the outer thin tube and multi-lumen tube together with adhesive. This prevents the fluid pressure actuator from bending.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example for preventing puncture of a multi-lumen tube constituting the fluid pressure actuator.
As shown in the drawing, in the fluid pressure actuator 40 of this embodiment, the distal end side stopper member 91 and the proximal end side stopper member 92 that prevent the end portion of the multi-lumen tube 41 from projecting and expanding from the end surface of the inner coil 42 are shown. Is provided with an adhesive portion 75 at a predetermined position on the outer peripheral end of the inner coil 42 in a state where the inner thin tube 46 is disposed.

  This can reliably prevent the multi-lumen tube 41 from protruding from the end face of the inner coil 42 when the fluid chambers 51, 52, 53, 54 of the fluid pressure actuator 40 expand.

  In addition, in this figure, the front-end | tip part of the insertion part side tube 61, 62, 63, 64 is formed in a small diameter, and it is connecting and fixing to the through-hole 41b, ..., 41e of the multi-lumen tube 41. Further, instead of disposing the distal end side stopper member 91 and the proximal end side stopper member 92 on the inner coil 42 by providing the bonding portion 75, the distal end side stopper portion and the proximal end side stopper portion are integrated with the front cap 43 and the rear cap 44. A configuration may be provided.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining another configuration example for preventing the multi-lumen tube constituting the fluid pressure actuator from being punctured.
As shown in the figure, in the fluid pressure actuator 40 of the present embodiment, the expanded multi-lumen tube 41 is prevented from projecting to bend from the line of the outer coil 45 that covers the outer peripheral side of the multi-lumen tube 41. Therefore, the outer coil 45 is integrally fixed to the multi-lumen tube 41 in which the outer thin tube 47 is disposed by an adhesive 76.

  As a result, when the fluid pressure actuator 40 is bent, the multi-lumen tube 41 and the outer coil 45 are bent together, and the multi-lumen tube 41 that expands between the lines of the outer coil 45 protrudes and is generated. Can be reliably prevented.

  As shown in FIG. 14, an outer coil 45A that covers the outer peripheral surface side of the multi-lumen tube 41 in which the outer thin tube 47 is disposed is configured by superimposing two coils 45a and 45b. The line between the first outer coils 45a arranged on the side is narrowed by the second outer coil 45b arranged on the outer side to prevent the multi-lumen tube 41 that expands from protruding between the lines of the first outer coil 45a. Thus, the puncture generated by the protrusion may be prevented.

FIG. 15 relates to another configuration example of the multi-lumen tube, FIG. 15 (a) is a diagram for explaining the components of the multi-lumen tube, and FIG. 15 (b) is a state in which the inner thin tube is arranged on the multi-lumen tube. FIG. 15C is a view for explaining a step of arranging a coil, and FIG. 15C is a view showing a constructed multi-lumen tube.
In the present embodiment, the multi-lumen tube 41 has two through-holes 41b and 41e and two through-holes 41c and 41d as shown in FIG. A pair of divided tubes 41C and 41D having a semicircular groove 41u that divides the axial through hole 41a into two parts, and inner sides arranged in the semicircular grooves 41u of the divided tubes 41C and 41D. The inner coil 42 in a state where the thin tube 46 is disposed, and the insertion portion side tubes 61,..., 64, etc. that are connected and fixed to the through holes 41b,.

  In forming the multi-lumen tube 41, first, as shown in FIG. 15 (b), the insertion portion side tubes 62 and 63 are connected and fixed to the base end portions of the through holes 41c and 41d, and then divided into two parts. The inner coil 42 with the inner thin tube 46 provided in the semicircular groove 41u of the divided tube 41D is disposed. Thereafter, an adhesive 77 is applied to predetermined positions (three locations in the present embodiment) of the divided tube 41D.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 15C, the other divided tube 41C is arranged in the divided tube 41D. As a result, the divided tube 41C and the divided tube 41D are integrated by adhesive fixation, and a multi-lumen tube 41E is formed in which a gap is formed between the divided tube 41C and the divided tube 41D.

  In the multi-lumen tube 41E formed in this way, when gas leaks between the thin-walled tube and the multi-lumen tube, the leaked gas passes through the gap 78 and is discharged to the outside. The same operation and effect can be obtained. Note that the opening on the distal end side of the through hole formed in the divided tube is closed by the adhesive portion.

FIG. 16 relates to a configuration example of a tube body having the same action as a multi-lumen tube, FIG. 16 (a) is a view showing a silicon tube and an insertion portion side tube constituting a fluid chamber, and FIG. 16 (b) is an insertion view. The figure which shows the silicon tube which made the part side tube integrated, FIG.16 (c) is a figure explaining the tube body which has one axial direction through-hole and four fluid chambers.
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16A, one central hole forming silicon tube 101 for forming an axial through hole, for example, four through hole forming silicon tubes 102 for forming four through holes. And the insertion part side tubes 61, ..., 64 are prepared.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 16 (b), the through hole distal end side opening of each through hole forming silicon tube 102 is closed by providing an adhesive portion 103, while a bobbin adhering portion 104 is provided on the base end side of the through hole. The insertion side tubes 61, 62, 63, 64 are fixed in communication.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 16 (c), the four through-hole forming silicon tubes 102 respectively provided with the insertion portion side tubes 61, 62, 63, 64 are formed into a central hole-forming silicon tube 101 that forms an axial through hole. An adhesive portion 105 is provided around the periphery of the substrate and fixed.

  By this, the tube body which has the effect | action similar to the multi-lumen tube which has an axial direction through-hole and four through-holes can be comprised.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[Appendix]
According to the embodiment of the present invention described in detail above, the following configuration can be obtained.

(1) In an endoscope in which a bending portion by a fluid pressure actuator is provided on the distal end side of an elongated insertion portion,
The fluid pressure actuator is
A multi-lumen tube provided with through-holes constituting a plurality of fluid chambers corresponding to the bending direction;
A communication member that is arranged in communication with the through-hole of the multi-lumen tube and is connected to an air tube that supplies and discharges gas to and from the through-hole.
A tubular member that regulates the radial expansion of the multi-lumen tube;
A thin tube disposed between the tubular member and the multi-lumen tube;
An exhaust means for discharging the gas accumulated between the thin tube and the multi-lumen tube;
The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust means is a tube body.

(3) The endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein the exhaust means is a cap member disposed at an end of the multi-lumen tube.

(4) The endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein the exhaust means is a thin tube formed of a porous chamber member.

1 to 8 relate to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of an endoscope apparatus. Side-side explanatory view for explaining the configuration of the endoscope apparatus The figure explaining the structural member which comprises a fluid pressure actuator The figure explaining the formation process of a fluid pressure actuator The figure explaining the composition of a fluid pressure actuator The figure explaining the relationship between the fluid chamber of a fluid pressure actuator and a valve unit The figure explaining the example of composition of a front nozzle The figure explaining the example of composition of a thin wall tube The figure explaining the other fixing method of the communicating member to the multi-lumen tube The figure explaining the relationship between a multi-lumen tube and the inner coil inserted and arrange | positioned by the axial direction through-hole of this multi-lumen tube The figure explaining the example of 1 composition of the fluid pressure actuator corresponding to the puncture of a multi-lumen tube The figure explaining the structural example which prevents the puncture of the multi-lumen tube which comprises a fluid pressure actuator. The figure explaining the other structural example which prevents the puncture of the multi-lumen tube which comprises a fluid pressure actuator. The figure explaining the other structural example of an outer coil The figure explaining the other example of composition of a multi lumen tube The figure explaining the structural example of the tube body which has the effect | action similar to a multi-lumen tube. The figure explaining the structure of the conventional multi-lumen tube

Explanation of symbols

2. Endoscope
40. Fluid pressure actuator
41 ... Multi-lumen tube 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e ... Through hole 42 ... Inner coil 45 ... Outer coil 46 ... Inner thin tube 47 ... Outer thin tube 48a, 48b ... Exhaust tube 49 ... Communication member 51, 52, 53, 54 ... Fluid chamber

Claims (5)

In an endoscope provided with a bending portion by a fluid pressure actuator on the distal end side of an elongated insertion portion,
The fluid pressure actuator is
A tube having an axial through hole, and a through hole that forms a plurality of fluid chambers around the axial through hole and corresponding to the bending direction of the bending portion;
A communicating member that is arranged in communication with the through hole of the tube and is connected to an air tube that supplies and discharges gas to and from the through hole.
An inner coil having a larger outer diameter than the dimension of the axial through-hole, disposed in the axial through-hole,
An inner thin tube disposed on the outer peripheral side of the inner coil; and
An outer thin tube disposed on the outer peripheral side of the tube;
Comprising
An endoscope characterized in that the outer thin tube is integrally fixed to the tube .   The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein a stopper member is provided at an outer peripheral side distal end portion and an outer peripheral side proximal end portion of the inner coil.   The thickness of the said tube from the said axial direction through-hole to the said through-hole is thick compared with the thickness from the outer peripheral surface of this tube to this through-hole. Endoscope. Furthermore, in the structure which arrange | positions an outer coil in the outer peripheral side of the said tube,
The endoscope according to claim 1 , wherein the outer coil is integrally fixed to the tube to which the outer thin tube is integrally fixed. The endoscope according to claim 4 , wherein the outer coil has a double structure configured by overlapping two coils.

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