JP6091274B2 - Endoscope and method of assembling the branch member of the endoscope - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention includes a cylindrical member disposed in the casing of the operation unit, and a branch member for connection that connects the treatment instrument insertion channel, the treatment instrument insertion port of the operation unit, and the suction passage. The present invention relates to an endoscope and a method for assembling a branching member of the endoscope.

  Patent Document 1 shows an endoscope having a configuration in which a metal branch member that branches into a treatment instrument insertion hole and a suction passage is provided on the proximal end side of a channel of the endoscope. In addition, a cylindrical member formed of metal is disposed in the casing of the operation unit from the viewpoint of protection of the insertion member inside the operation unit and shape retention. And the conventional branch member is being fixed to this cylindrical member with the screw member.

JP 11-47083 A

  In a conventional endoscope such as Patent Document 1, a pipe is formed by cutting a metal branch member, and a screw hole is formed in the branch member in order to fix the metal branch member to the cylindrical member. Since it is necessary to perform additional machining, the unit cost of the parts becomes high. Furthermore, since an operation of screwing the branching member to the cylindrical member with a screw member is necessary at the time of manufacturing the endoscope, the assembling operation takes time and the assembling cost is high.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an endoscope that is easy to assemble and has an inexpensive mounting structure for a branch member, and a method for assembling the branch member of the endoscope. It is in.

  An aspect of one aspect of the present invention includes a first passage that opens in the axial direction of the cylindrical member inside the cylindrical member provided on the proximal end side of the insertion portion, and a direction other than the axial direction of the cylindrical member. A branch member having a communication portion with the second passage opened to the first passage is disposed, and the branch member includes the constituent wall portion of the first passage, the constituent wall portion of the second passage, and the cylindrical member. A connecting portion that is detachably connected to the cylindrical member, and the cylindrical member is connected to the opening portion through which the constituent wall portion of the second passage of the branch member is inserted, and the branch member. A guide groove portion that guides the coupling portion so as to be movable in the axial direction of the cylindrical member, and a first restriction portion that restricts the movement of the branch member in the axial direction in the guide groove portion, and the branch member A second restricting portion that restricts rotation about the axis of the shaft, and the connecting portion is orthogonal to the axial direction A first engaging portion that engages with the first restricting portion and a second engaging portion that moves and engages in the axial direction with respect to the second restricting portion. Endoscope.

Preferably, the insertion portion is provided with a cover member on a proximal end side, and the cylindrical member is covered with the cover member, whereby the first engagement portion moves in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction. A movement restricting means is provided to restrict
Preferably, the second engaging portion is a straight line formed between two engaging grooves extending along the axial direction of the cylindrical member on the peripheral wall portion of the constituent wall portion of the first passage. The first engaging portion is an inward engagement projecting toward the two engaging groove sides on both sides of the outer wall portion of the two engaging grooves, respectively. It is formed by the joint convex part.

Preferably, the branch member is integrally formed by metal powder injection molding.
In another aspect of the present invention, the first passage opened in the axial direction of the cylindrical member inside the cylindrical member provided on the proximal end side of the insertion portion and the axial direction other than the axial direction of the cylindrical member An endoscope branching member assembly method for assembling a branching member having a communicating portion with a second passage that opens in a direction, wherein the second passage of the branching member is provided in an opening provided in the cylindrical member. A step of inserting the constituent wall portion, a step of moving the connecting portion provided in the branch member along the guide groove portion of the cylindrical member in the axial direction of the cylindrical member, and a first of the connecting portion A step of moving the engaging portion in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction to engage the first restricting portion of the guide groove portion to restrict the axial movement of the branch member; and a second of the connecting portion The rotation of the branch member around the axis is restricted by the engagement between the engaging part and the second restricting part. And that step, a branch member of the endoscope assembly method comprising a.

  Preferably, a cover member is attached to a proximal end side of the insertion portion, and the cylindrical member is covered with the cover member, thereby restricting movement of the first engagement portion in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction. The process of carrying out is provided.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the assembly which was easy to assemble and was equipped with the cheap attachment structure of the branch member, and the branch member assembly method of the endoscope can be provided.

1 is a perspective view showing an overall schematic configuration of an endoscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the principal part which shows the connection part of the cylindrical member and branch member in the operation part of the endoscope of 1st Embodiment. The top view which shows the cylindrical member of the endoscope of 1st Embodiment. IV-IV sectional view taken on the line of FIG. The perspective view which shows the branch member of the endoscope of 1st Embodiment. The top view which shows the branch member of the endoscope of 1st Embodiment. The side view which shows the branch member of the endoscope of 1st Embodiment. The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the principal part which shows the assembly | attachment state of the cylindrical member and branch member of the endoscope of 1st Embodiment. (A) is the 9A-9A sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 8, (B) is the 9B-9B sectional view taken on the line of FIG.

[First Embodiment]
(Constitution)
FIGS. 1 to 9A and 9B show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall schematic configuration of an endoscope 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the drawing, the endoscope 1 includes an insertion portion 2, an operation portion 3, and a universal cord 4. The insertion portion 2 is provided with an elongated flexible tube portion 5, a bending portion 6, and a distal end hard portion 7. The insertion portion 2 is covered with a resin such as polyurethane, the rear end portion is connected to the operation portion 3, and the connection portion is protected by a bend preventing member (cover member) 8.

The bending portion 6 is covered with a soft elastic body. A distal end hard portion 7 is provided at the distal end of the curved portion 6, and an observation optical system, an imaging device, an illumination optical system, an air / water feeding nozzle, a forceps port outlet, etc. (not shown) are provided on the distal end surface. .
The operation unit 3 includes a suction control device 9 used when performing suction, an air / water supply valve 10 operated when performing air / water supply, and a remote switch 11 for processing a video signal output from the image sensor. Is attached. Further, a resin-made vertical angle knob 12 a and left and right angle knob 12 b are attached to the operation unit 3. The bending portion 6 can be bent in the vertical direction by operating the vertical angle knob 12a, and the bending portion 6 can be bent in the horizontal direction by operating the left and right angle knob 12b. Resin-made FE levers 13a and 13b that are used when the bending portion 6 is kept in the curved fixed state or when the curved fixed state is released are also attached.

  The universal cord 4 connected to the operation unit 3 is covered with a resin such as polyurethane, and a connector 14 is attached to the tip thereof. The connector 14 includes an S cuttet 15 for returning high-frequency leakage current to the ablation power source, a metal water supply base 16 for connecting to a water supply tank (not shown) and supplying water, and a suction pump (not shown). A metal suction cap 17 to be connected, a plurality of electrical contacts 18, an end portion 19 of the light guide, a metal air pipe 20 for supplying air, and the like are provided. By connecting the end portion 19 of the light guide of the connector 14 to a connector receiver of a light source device (not shown), illumination light is emitted from the illumination optical system at the distal end hard portion. Furthermore, an electrical connector portion 21 is provided on the side surface of the connector 14. A connection cord (not shown) is connected to this portion and connected to a video processor (not shown), so that an electrical signal output from the image sensor is not shown. Can be displayed as a video on the monitor.

  A grip 22 formed of a hard resin such as polysulfone for gripping the endoscope 1 is provided at a lower portion of the operation unit 3 of the endoscope 1. Further, a connecting portion 22 a shown in FIG. 2 is provided between the grip 22 and the anti-bending member 8 of the insertion portion 2. The connection portion 22a is provided with a forceps port 23 for inserting a treatment tool such as forceps. A forceps plug 24 made of an elastic material such as silicon rubber is attached to the forceps port 23.

  The connecting portion 22a is provided with a main tube portion 22a1 and a branch tube portion 22a2 protruding from the main tube portion 22a1 obliquely rearward with respect to the axial direction of the insertion portion 2. A substantially cylindrical channel base (treatment instrument insertion port) 25 for introducing a treatment instrument is disposed in the branch cylinder portion 22a2. The forceps port 23 is formed at the outer end of the channel cap 25. O-rings 26 and 27 are fitted on the outer periphery of the channel base 25, and the O-rings 26 and 27 seal between the branch tube portion 22 a 2 and the channel base 25. The assembly position of the channel cap 25 is determined by a key-shaped pin member 28.

  Inside the grip 22 and the connecting portion 22a of the endoscope 1, interiors such as an angle operation wire (not shown), an air supply channel, a water supply channel, and an electric cable for transmitting an output signal from the image sensor are incorporated. ing. A cylindrical member (cylindrical member) 29 made of an aluminum alloy is provided inside the grip 22 and the connecting portion 22a for the purpose of protecting these interior items and holding other members. As shown in FIG. 3, the cylindrical member 29 is provided with a cylindrical member opening 30 which is a rectangular opening. The cylindrical member 29 is fixed to a metal fixing frame (not shown) provided inside the grip 22 with a metal joint plate and screws.

  A branch member 31 is disposed inside the cylindrical member 29. The branch member 31 includes a first passage 31a opened in the axial direction of the cylindrical member 29, a second passage 31b opened in a direction other than the axial direction of the cylindrical member 29, and the first passage 31a and the second passage 31b. And a communication portion 31c with the passage 31b. The branch member 31 has three substantially Y-shaped branch passages that are branched into three forks by the first passage 31a, the second passage 31b, and the communication portion 31c. Here, a channel hole 31a1 that is a first connection hole is formed on the distal end side of the first passage 31a, and a suction hole 31a2 that is a second connection hole is formed on the proximal end side of the first passage 31a. Has been. Furthermore, an introduction hole 31a3 that is a third connection hole is formed at the tip of the second passage 31b.

  The proximal end portion of the channel tube of the treatment instrument insertion channel 32 disposed in the insertion portion 2 is connected to the channel hole 31a1 on the distal end side of the first passage 31a. The tip of the suction pipe of the suction passage 33 is connected to the suction hole 31a2 on the proximal end side of the first passage 31a. The suction pipe extends to the connector 14 side through the operation unit 3 and the universal cord 4 and is connected to the suction cap 17.

  The branch member 31 has an integral block member (branch member main body) 34 formed of a metal material, and is integrally formed by, for example, MIM (metal injection molding: metal powder injection molding). The block member 34 includes a constituent wall portion 34 a of the first passage 31 a, a constituent wall portion 34 b of the second passage 31 b, and a connecting portion 34 c described later that is detachably connected to the cylindrical member 29. Here, the constituent wall portion 34 b of the second passage 31 b of the branch member 31 protrudes from the opening 30 of the cylindrical member 29 to the outside. The proximal end of the channel cap 25 is connected to the introduction hole 31a3 at the distal end of the second passage 31b.

  The cylindrical member 29 is formed with a rectangular flat portion 35 formed by crushing a part of the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder inward as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 at the front edge of the cylindrical member opening 30. Yes. A guide groove portion 36 that guides the connecting portion 34 c of the branch member 31 so as to be movable in the axial direction of the cylindrical member 29 is formed in the flat portion 35. The guide groove 36 communicates with the front edge of the cylindrical member opening 30.

  The guide groove 36 is connected to a narrow first groove 36a extending along the axial direction of the cylindrical member 29, and a base end of the first groove 36a, and is thicker than the first groove 36a. A second groove 36b having a width is formed. Further, the second groove portion 36b is formed with a concave portion 36c projecting on both sides of the second groove portion 36b. And the 1st control part 37 which controls the movement of the axial direction of the branch member 31 by the recessed part 36c of the 2nd groove part 36b is formed. Furthermore, the 2nd control part 38 which controls the rotation of the branch member 31 around the axis is formed by the first groove part 36a.

  Further, the connecting portion 34 c of the branching member 31 moves in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the cylindrical member 29 and engages with the first restricting portion 37, and the second restricting portion 38. On the other hand, a second engaging portion 40 is provided that moves and engages in the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the second engaging portion 40 has two engaging grooves 41a and 41b extending along the axial direction of the cylindrical member 29 on the peripheral wall portion of the constituent wall portion 34a of the first passage 31a. It is formed by a straight vertical wall portion 42 formed therebetween. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the connecting portion 34c of the branching member 31 has two outer protruding portions 41a2 and 41b2 protruding outward on both side portions of the outer wall portions 41a1 and 41b1 of the two engaging grooves 41a and 41b. Is formed. Inwardly engaging convex portions 41a3 and 41b3 projecting toward the two engaging grooves 41a and 41b are formed on the inner surfaces of the outer projecting portions 41a2 and 41b2. A first engaging portion 39 is formed by these engaging convex portions 41a3 and 41b3.

(Function)
Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. At the time of manufacturing the endoscope 1 according to the present embodiment, when the branch member 31 is assembled to the cylindrical member 29 extending to the proximal end side of the insertion portion 2, the following branch member assembly method is performed. First, the branch member 31 is inserted into the cylindrical member 29, and the first wall 31b of the second passage 31b of the branch member 31 is inserted from the inside of the cylindrical member 29 into the cylindrical member opening 30 of the cylindrical member 29. These steps are performed. Thereafter, a second step of moving the connecting portion 34 c of the branch member 31 along the guide groove portion 36 of the cylindrical member 29 in the axial direction of the cylindrical member 29 is performed.

  At this time, the straight vertical wall portion 42 formed between the two engaging grooves 41a and 41b of the connecting portion 34c of the branching member 31 is inserted from the distal end portion into the first groove portion 36a of the guide groove portion 36 of the cylindrical member 29. The In this state, the vertical wall portion 42 of the branch member 31 is moved to the front side of the cylindrical member 29 along the first groove portion 36a. And when the vertical wall part 42 moves to the front-end | tip of the 1st groove part 36a, the two outer side protrusion parts 41a2 and 41b2 move to the position corresponding to the recessed part 36c of the 2nd groove part 36b. At this time, the first engaging portion 39 of the connecting portion 34 c is moved in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the cylindrical member 29 and engaged with the first restricting portion 37 of the guide groove portion 36. As a result, a third step of restricting the axial movement of the branching member 31 is performed.

  At this time, the fourth step of restricting the rotation of the branch member 31 about the axis by the engagement of the second engagement portion 40 of the connecting portion 34c of the branch member 31 and the second restriction portion 38 of the cylindrical member 29 is performed. Done. Thereby, the operation | work which assembles | attaches the connection part 34c of the branch member 31 to the cylindrical member 29 is completed.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 2, 8, 9 </ b> A and 9 </ b> B, the folding member 8 is attached to the proximal end side of the insertion portion 2 and the cylindrical member 29 is covered with the folding member 8. Then, the fifth step of restricting the movement of the first engaging portion 39 in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction by the folding member 8 is performed.

(effect)
Therefore, the above configuration has the following effects. That is, in the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment, the guide groove portion 36 that communicates with the opening 30 is provided in the cylindrical member 29, and the connecting portion 34 c that is detachably connected to the cylindrical member 29 is provided in the branch member 31. . The guide groove portion 36 is provided with a first restricting portion 37 that restricts the axial movement of the branch member 31 and a second restricting portion 38 that restricts the rotation of the branch member 31 around the axis. A second engaging portion 39 that moves in the axial direction and engages the first engaging portion 39 that engages with the first restricting portion 37 by moving in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction, and the second restricting portion 38. The engaging portion 40 is provided. Thus, during the operation of assembling the branch member 31 to the cylindrical member 29, the branch member 31 is moved in the axial direction of the cylindrical member 29 along the guide groove portion 36 inside the cylindrical member 29, so that the second restricting portion 38 is moved. Then, the operation of moving in the axial direction to engage the second engaging portion 40 and the connecting portion 34c in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction to move the first engaging portion 39 to the first restricting portion 37. The branch member 31 can be assembled to the cylindrical member 29 by engaging with the cylindrical member 29. Accordingly, since the screw hole is machined in the branch member 31 as in the prior art and the additional work such as screwing the branch member 31 to the cylindrical member 29 with the screw member is not required, the cylindrical member 29 is compared with the conventional case. The assembling work for assembling the branching member 31 to the top becomes easy. Furthermore, since the branch member 31 can integrally mold the block member 34 by, for example, MIM (metal injection: injection molding powder metallurgy), the cost of the branch member 31 can be reduced. Thereby, the endoscope 1 which is easy to assemble and has an inexpensive mounting structure for the branch member 31 can be provided.

  Furthermore, after assembling the connecting portion 34c of the branching member 31 to the cylindrical member 29, the folding member 8 is attached to the proximal end side of the insertion portion 2 and the cylindrical member 29 is covered with the folding member 8, thereby The movement of the engaging portion 39 in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction can be restricted by the folding member 8. Therefore, the assembly of the anti-bending member 8 necessary for assembling the endoscope 1 can also serve as a function of restricting the movement of the first engaging portion 39 in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction. As compared with the case where the function of restricting the movement of the engaging portion 39 in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction is performed by an independent part, the assembly of the endoscope 1 becomes easier and the assembling cost can be reduced.

  Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

    DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Insertion part, 29 ... Cylindrical member (cylindrical member), 30 ... Cylindrical member opening part, 31a ... 1st channel | path, 31b ... 2nd channel | path, 31c ... Communication part, 31 ... Branch member, 34a ... 1st 34b ... second passage constituting wall portion, 34c ... coupling portion, 36 ... guide groove portion, 37 ... first restricting portion, 38 ... second restricting portion, 39 ... first engaging portion , 40... Second engaging portion.

Claims (6)

A first passage that opens in the axial direction of the cylindrical member and a second passage that opens in a direction other than the axial direction of the cylindrical member inside a cylindrical member provided on the proximal end side of the insertion portion A branch member having a communication portion is arranged,
The branch member includes a constituent wall portion of the first passage, a constituent wall portion of the second passage, and a connecting portion detachably connected to the cylindrical member,
The tubular member communicates with an opening through which the constituent wall portion of the second passage of the branch member is inserted, and moves the connecting portion of the branch member in the axial direction of the tubular member. A guide groove that guides the
A first restricting portion for restricting axial movement of the branch member in the guide groove portion, and a second restricting portion for restricting rotation of the branch member around the axis;
The first engaging portion that moves in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction to the connecting portion and engages with the first restricting portion, and the second restricting portion moves in the axial direction. The endoscope provided with the 2nd engaging part to match. The insertion part is provided with a cover member on the base end side,
The endoscope according to claim 1, further comprising a movement restricting unit that restricts movement of the first engagement portion in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction by covering the cylindrical member with the cover member. . The second engaging portion is a straight vertical formed between two engaging grooves extending along the axial direction of the cylindrical member on the peripheral wall portion of the constituent wall portion of the first passage. Formed by walls,
The first engagement portion is formed by an inward engagement convex portion projecting toward the two engagement groove sides on both sides of the outer wall portion of the two engagement grooves. The endoscope according to Item 1.   The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the branch member is integrally formed by metal powder injection molding. A first passage that opens in the axial direction of the cylindrical member and a second passage that opens in a direction other than the axial direction of the cylindrical member inside a cylindrical member provided on the proximal end side of the insertion portion An endoscope branching member assembly method for assembling a branching member having a communication part,
Inserting the constituent wall portion of the second passage of the branch member into the opening provided in the tubular member;
Moving the connecting portion provided in the branch member along the guide groove portion of the cylindrical member in the axial direction of the cylindrical member;
Moving the first engaging portion of the connecting portion in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction and engaging the first restricting portion of the guide groove portion to restrict the axial movement of the branch member;
And a step of restricting rotation of the branch member around the axis by engagement between the second engaging portion of the connecting portion and the second restricting portion. A step of restricting movement of the first engaging portion in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction by mounting a cover member on the proximal end side of the insertion portion and covering the cylindrical member with the cover member. The endoscope branching member assembling method according to claim 5, comprising the endoscope.

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