JP6038555B2 - Endoscope - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope, and more particularly to an end structure of a flexible tube connected to an operation unit.

  The endoscope includes a flexible tube extending from the operation unit. In the flexible tube, various types of tubes such as forceps channels, various types of cables, and a covering coil through which an operation wire of a bending portion is inserted are inserted. Among these built-in items, various cables pass through the operation unit and are connected to various processors, but various tubes such as forceps tubes, operation wires, and operation wire covering coils are provided at the flexible tube side end of the operation unit. It is coupled to a part in the operation unit.

  In such an endoscope, when a defect such as deformation or breakage of the outer skin occurs in the flexible tube, the built-in object is replaced with a new flexible tube while being reused. However, the length of the flexible tube before and after the exchange is often strictly different, and the protruding length of the built-in object from the end of the flexible tube on the operation unit side must be individually adjusted.

JP 2009-153714 A

  However, when the flexible tube after replacement is short, the built-in object can be cut to adjust the protruding length, but if the built-in object is cut and shortened, there is a possibility that it cannot be handled at the next replacement repair. is there. Moreover, when the flexible tube after replacement | exchange is long, the length of a built-in thing will be insufficient, and a built-in thing must be replaced | exchanged, and it becomes high cost.

  Theoretically, the total length of all the flexible tubes before and after replacement may be made equal, but the manufacturing cost for that is enormous. In addition, even if the total length of the flexible tube is the same, if the arrangement of the built-in object in the flexible tube differs due to variations during assembly, the protruding length of the built-in object from the end of the flexible tube on the operation unit side also changes. Therefore, there is a possibility that it cannot be handled.

  The present invention has been made on the basis of the above-mentioned problem consciousness about the flexible tube, and is an internal view whose length can be adjusted according to the length of the protrusion from the flexible tube end of the built-in object. An object is to obtain a flexible tube end structure of a mirror.

The present invention has a flexible tube extending from the operation portion, the movable Deflection tube, the endoscope internals to be coupled to the component in the operation portion is inserted, the operation portion side end portion of the flexible tube A first base that is coupled to the second base, a second base that is coupled to the first base so that the relative position in the axial direction can be adjusted, and the coupling between the first base and the second base. The entire body is received from the flexible tube side end of the operation unit so as to be relatively movable in the axial direction from the flexible tube side end to the operation tube side of the operation unit. It has a base and a lock ring that is screw-coupled to the operation part side base and locks the combined body of the first base and the second base to the operation part side base .

  Specifically, the first base and the second base can be screw-coupled to adjust the relative positions in the axial direction by relative rotation, and can be provided with a detent means after completion of the adjustment.

  In another specific example, the first base and the second base are provided with a linear guide mechanism in the axial direction between the first base and the second base so that the relative position in the axial direction can be adjusted. A separate axial position fixing means after completion of the adjustment can be provided.

The endoscope according to the present invention is capable of adjusting a first base connected to the flexible tube at the operation unit side end of the flexible tube and an axial relative position with respect to the first base. The second base coupled to the end of the flexible tube, so that the combined length of the first base and the second base, that is, the distal end of the built-in object and the flexibility, according to the protruding length of the built-in object from the end of the flexible tube. The distance from the tube end can be adjusted. Further, the entire combined body of the first base and the second base is connected to the operation unit side base provided by being coupled to the flexible tube side end of the operation unit from the flexible tube side end of the operation unit. Since the lock ring that is received into the operation unit and is screwed to the operation unit side cap is locked to the operation unit side cap, the distance between the built-in object tip and the flexible tube end can be easily adjusted. Can do. Therefore, the flexible tube can be replaced regardless of the protrusion length of the built-in object.

It is a top view which shows the whole structure of the endoscope which can apply this invention. It is sectional drawing of the principal part of 1st Embodiment of the endoscope which has a flexible tube edge part structure by this invention. It is sectional drawing which took out only the flexible tube end part from FIG. 2, and was drawn. It is sectional drawing which follows the IV-IV line of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the example of a specific layer structure of a flexible tube. It is sectional drawing of the principal part of 2nd Embodiment of the endoscope which has a flexible tube edge part structure by this invention.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of the entire structure of an endoscope. The endoscope is connected to an insertion portion 10 inserted into the body, an operation portion 11 connected to a proximal end portion of the insertion portion 10, and the operation portion 11. Universal cord 12. The insertion portion 10 includes a distal end rigid portion 13, a bendable bending portion 14 provided continuously with a proximal end of the distal end rigid portion 13, and a flexible tube having flexibility provided continuously with a proximal end of the bending portion 14. (Soft part) 15. The length of the flexible tube 15 varies depending on the type of endoscope.

  The distal end rigid portion 13 incorporates an objective lens and a solid-state imaging device. The image light of the site to be observed taken in from the objective lens is imaged by the solid-state imaging device. An image signal obtained by the solid-state imaging device is sent to a processor device (not shown) connected to the universal cord 12 via a signal cable (not shown) inserted into the insertion unit 10 and the operation unit 11. Sent. The processor device performs various types of image processing on the image signal, and displays it as an endoscopic image on a monitor (not shown).

  Further, the distal end rigid portion 13 is provided with an illumination window. Illumination light from a light source device (not shown) connected to the universal cord 12 is guided to an illumination window via a light guide (not shown) inserted into the insertion unit 10 and the operation unit 11 to be illuminated. Irradiated from the window to the site to be observed.

  A forceps port 16 is provided in the operation unit 11. A treatment instrument such as a forceps or an injection needle used for treatment of the affected area is inserted into the forceps port 16. The forceps port 16 is connected to a forceps channel 17 (broken line) disposed in the insertion portion 10, and the forceps channel 17 is connected to a forceps outlet (not shown) provided in the distal end rigid portion 13.

  The operation unit 11 is provided with an air / water supply button 18 and a suction button 19. The air / water supply button 18 is operated when flowing a liquid such as air or water through an air / water supply channel (not shown) provided in the insertion portion 10. The air or liquid that has flowed through the air / water supply channel is ejected from a nozzle (not shown) provided in the distal end rigid portion 13. The suction button 19 is operated when a suction target such as a liquid or tissue in the body is sucked through the forceps channel 17.

  In the above endoscope, the distal end portion of the flexible tube 15 is coupled to the bending portion 14, and the proximal end portion is coupled to the operation portion 11. At the end of the flexible tube 15 on the operation unit 11 side, a tapered tubular rubber tube 21 is attached. 2 to 5 show a first embodiment of an endoscope having a flexible tube end structure according to the present invention. FIG. 2 shows details of the connection portion between the flexible tube 15 and the operation portion 11, and FIG. 3 shows only the end structure of the flexible tube 15 on the operation portion 11 side. As shown in an exploded state in FIG. 5, the flexible tube 15 of this embodiment includes a first spiral tube 151, a second spiral tube 152, a mesh tube 153, and a resin tube 154 in order from the center side. The spiral directions of the first spiral tube 151 and the second spiral tube 152 are opposite to each other. These are superimposed on the inside and outside by a well-known method.

  A first base (cylindrical body) 15A is fixed to the end of the flexible tube 15 on the operation unit 11 side by means such as adhesion, soldering, brazing, or welding. The first base 15A has a flange step portion 15A1 and a taper diameter enlarged portion 15A2 on the inner peripheral operation portion 11 side, and the flange portion 15A1 includes a first spiral tube 151, a second spiral tube 152, and The proximal end of the laminated body of the mesh tube 153 on the operation unit 11 side is in contact with and positioned. The proximal end portion on the operation portion 11 side of the resin tube 154 is positioned in contact with the distal end surface 15A3 of the first base 15A. The distal end of the flexible tube 15 is fixed to the bending portion 14.

  On the other hand, a plurality of (three in the example of FIG. 4) rotation control grooves 15A4 that are long in the direction parallel to the axis are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first base 15A in the circumferential direction. An O-ring groove 15A5 and a male screw 15A6 are formed in this order on the operation portion 11 side of the restriction groove 15A4.

  A second base (cylindrical body) 15B is located on the outer periphery of the first base 15A, and the inner periphery of the second base 15B is screwed into the male screw 15A6 of the first base 15A. An internal thread 15B1 is formed. In addition, a screw hole 15B9 penetrating in the radial direction is formed in the second base 15B, and a set screw (anti-rotation means) 15B2 that can advance and retreat in the rotation restricting groove 15A4 of the first base 15A is screwed into the screw hole 15B9. Are combined. Accordingly, when the second cap 15B is rotated relative to the first cap 15A according to the female screw 15B1 and the male screw 15A6 in a state where the set screw 15B2 is detached from the rotation restricting groove 15A4, the axial movement is advanced and retracted. After (length adjustment), the relative rotation of the second base 15B and the first base 15A is locked by allowing the set screw 15B2 to enter the selected rotation restricting groove 15A4, and the second base 15B and the first base The axial relative position of the base 15A is fixed. Three rotation restricting grooves 15A4 are formed on the outer periphery of the first base 15A at intervals of 120 ° in the circumferential direction, and four screw holes 15B9 are formed on the outer periphery of the second base 15B at intervals of 90 ° in the circumferential direction. . The first base 15A and the second base 15B can be rotationally adjusted (fixed) in steps of a relative rotation angle of 30 ° by a combination of the opposing rotation restricting groove 15A4 and the screw hole 15B9. An O-ring 15A7 is inserted into the O-ring groove 15A5. On the inner periphery of the second base 15B, a position regulating flange 15B3 and a diameter-expanded taper portion 15B4 are formed in this order from the female screw 15B1 to the operation portion 11 side.

  A position regulating step 15B5 and an O-ring groove 15B6 are formed on the outer periphery of the second base 15B. An O-ring 15B7 is inserted into the O-ring groove 15B6. As is clear from FIG. 3, the above is the element on the flexible tube 15 side.

  The operation unit 11 to which the above flexible tube 15 is attached and detached has a forceps port block 112 fixed to a casing 111 made of a synthetic resin molded product. The forceps port block 112 is a three crotch member having a forceps port connection port 113, an operation unit side connection port 114, and a flexible tube side connection port 115, and the forceps port connection port 113 is fixed to the casing 111. It is connected to the forceps port 16. The operation unit side connection port 114 is connected to the suction tube 17A connected from the operation unit 11 to the suction source, and the flexible tube side connection port 115 passes through the flexible tube 15 to the distal end rigid unit 13. It is connected to the extending forceps tube 17B.

  A metallic cylindrical connecting member 116 is located in the casing 111 of the operating unit 11, and the operating unit side base 11 </ b> A is fixed to the tip of the cylindrical connecting member 116 via a set screw 117. . A positioning flange 11A1 that contacts the end of the second base 15B on the base end side is formed on the inner periphery of the operation unit side base 11A, and a female screw 11A2 is formed on the front end. Yes. A lock ring 11A3 that engages with the position restricting step portion 15B5 of the second base 15B is screwed into the female screw 11A2. An O-ring groove 11A5 into which the O-ring 11A4 is inserted and a male screw 11A6 for screwing the anti-breaking rubber tube 21 are formed on the outer periphery of the operation unit side base 11A.

  In the above endoscope, when the lock ring 11A3 screwed into the female screw 11A2 of the operation unit side base 11A is brought into contact with the position regulation step part 15B5 of the second base 15B and tightened, the operation unit side base 11A (operation The second base 15B (the combined body with the first base 15A, the flexible tube 15) is fixed to the portion 11). Before the second base 15B is tightened, the forceps tube 17B is fixed to the flexible tube side connection port 115 of the forceps port block 112 with a fixed coil 17C.

  When the flexible tube 15 is replaced, if the rubber tube 21 for preventing bending is removed from the operation unit 11 and the lock ring 11A3 is loosened and removed, the combined body of the second base 15B and the first base 15A (that is, the flexible tube) 15) can be removed from the operation unit side base 11A (operation unit 11). When removing the flexible tube 15, the fixing coil 17C is loosened, and the forceps tube 17B is removed from the forceps port block 112.

  When the flexible tube 15 is replaced and the tip of the new flexible tube 15 is fixed to the bending portion 14, the amount of protrusion L from the second base 15B of the forceps tube 17B that is a built-in object of the flexible tube 15 is changed. The amount of protrusion of the previous flexible tube 15 from the second base 15B is usually different. At this time, in the present embodiment, the set screw 15B2 is detached from the rotation restricting groove 15A4, and the second base 15B is rotated relative to the first base 15A according to the female screw 15B1 and the male screw 15A6, whereby the second base 15B can be advanced and retracted in the axial direction. That is, the amount of protrusion L of the forceps tube 17B from the second base 15B can be adjusted by this advance / retreat adjustment (length adjustment), so that the difference between the lengths of the old and new flexible tubes 15 can be dealt with. When the length adjustment by the second base 15B is completed, the set screw 15B2 is inserted into the selected rotation restricting groove 15A4 and locked, and the lock ring 11A3 is tightened to couple the second base 15B and the first base 15A. The body (that is, the flexible tube 15) is fixed to the operation unit side base 11A (operation unit 11).

  FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the flexible tube end structure of the endoscope according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the second base 15B can be advanced and retracted in the axial direction with respect to the first base 15A, and the same elements as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. A straight guide groove 15A8 parallel to the axial direction is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first base 15A, and a guide and fixing screw (fixing means) that fits in the straight guide groove 15A8 is formed on the second base 15B. 15B8 is screwed together.

  In this embodiment, by loosening the guide and fixing screw 15B8, the length of the flexible tube 15 can be adjusted by moving the second base 15B forward and backward in the axial direction relative to the first base 15A. Then, if the guide and fixing screw 15B8 is tightened, the second base 15B can be fixed at the adjusted position. Other operations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  In the above embodiment, the forceps tube 17B is exemplified as the built-in object in the flexible tube 15 and connected to the forceps port block 112 (connecting member) on the operation unit 11 side. As described above, there are an air / water supply channel, an operation wire for a bending portion, and a covered coil through which the operation wire is inserted, and the built-in objects are not limited.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Insertion part 11 Operation part 11A Operation part side base 11A1 Positioning flange 11A2 Female thread 11A3 Lock ring 11A4 O-ring 11A5 O-ring groove 11A6 Male thread 12 Universal cord 13 Tip rigid part 14 Bending part 15 Flexible tube (soft part)
15A First base (tubular body)
15A1 Flange step portion 15A2 Taper enlarged diameter portion 15A3 Tip surface 15A4 Rotation restricting groove 15A5 O-ring groove 15A6 Male thread 15A7 O-ring 15A8 Straight guide groove 15B Second base (tubular body)
15B1 female screw 15B2 set screw (rotating stop means)
15B3 Position restriction flange 15B4 Expanded taper part 15B5 Position restriction step part 15B6 O-ring groove 15B7 O-ring 15B8 Guide and fixing screw (fixing means)
15B9 Screw hole 16 Forceps port 17 Forceps channel 17A Suction tube 17B Forceps tube 17C Fixed coil 18 Air / water feed button 19 Suction button 21 Folding rubber tube 111 Casing 112 Forceps port block 113 Forceps port connection port 114 Operation unit side connection port 115 Flexible tube side connection port 116 Cylindrical connection member 117 Set screw 151 First spiral tube 152 Second spiral tube 153 Mesh tube 154 Resin tube

Claims (5)

In an endoscope having a flexible tube extending from an operation unit and into which a built-in object coupled to a component in the operation unit is inserted,
A first base provided to be coupled to the operation portion side end of the flexible tube;
A second base that is coupled to the first base so that an axial relative position thereof can be adjusted;
The flexible tube side of the operation portion that receives the entire combined body of the first base and the second base so as to be relatively movable in the axial direction from the flexible tube side end portion of the operation portion into the operation portion. An operation unit side cap provided to be coupled to the end,
A lock ring that is screw-coupled to the operating part side base and locks the combined body of the first base and the second base to the operating part side base;
The endoscope characterized by having.   2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the first base and the second base are screw-coupled so that the relative position in the axial direction of both can be adjusted by relative rotation.   The endoscope according to claim 2, further comprising an anti-rotation unit that locks relative rotation after completion of relative position adjustment in the axial direction of the first base and the second base.   The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein a linear guide mechanism in the axial direction is provided between the first base and the second base so that the relative position in the axial direction can be adjusted.   5. The endoscope according to claim 4, further comprising a fixing means for fixing an axial relative position after the axial relative position adjustment between the first base and the second base is completed.

Images