JP6157334B2 - Insertion equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an insertion device having a bending portion whose bending radius can be changed on the distal end side of the insertion portion.

  In recent years, insertion devices such as endoscopes have been widely used in the medical field and the industrial field. In particular, some endoscopes used in the medical field have a flexible elongated insertion portion. Generally, a bending portion that can be bent in a predetermined direction according to a user's hand operation is provided on the distal end side of the insertion portion. I have.

  In an endoscope that is an insertion device provided with a bending portion in such an insertion portion, by bending the bending portion, an observation optical system provided at the distal end portion located on the distal end side of the insertion portion with respect to the bending portion. A wide range of inspections can be performed by changing the observation direction.

  For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, the bending portion of a conventional endoscope has a second bending portion on the rear end side of the first bending portion in order to improve insertability. Endoscopes that can switch curved portions (bending length switching endoscopes) are known.

  In this conventional endoscope, when the bending portion is bent as a whole, the first bending portion and the second bending portion can be operated together so as to draw a large curve R. it can. On the other hand, at the time of a short bend in which a part of the bending portion is bent, only the first bending portion is bent and can be switched and operated so as to draw a small bend R.

  In the conventional endoscope that can switch the bending portion of the bending portion in this way, an angle wire for bending the bending portion is provided. An angle coil through which the angle wire is inserted is provided, and the angle coil is doubled.

  The inner coil of the angle coil has a tip fixed between the second bending portion and the second bending portion, and a rear end can be switched between fixed / non-fixed in the operation portion. Further, the outer coil of the angle coil is fixed at the distal end of the flexible tube connected to a plurality of bending pieces provided in the bending portion, and the rear end is fixed in the operation portion.

  With such a configuration, in the conventional endoscope, when the rear end of the inner coil is not fixed, the inner coil moves relative to the outer coil by the pulling / relaxing operation of the angle wire, and the first bending portion and the first bending portion are moved. The two curved portions are curved together. This state becomes the long curve of the bending portion.

  On the other hand, in the conventional endoscope, when the rear end of the inner coil is fixed, the inner coil does not move relative to the outer coil, and only the first bending portion is bent. This state is a short curve of the bending portion.

International publication WO2011 / 092937

  However, in the conventional endoscope, if the angle wire is pulled and loosened while the rear end of the inner coil is not fixed, the inner coil moves relative to the outer coil. If the slidability is poor, there is a problem that the second bending portion into which the inner coil is inserted is difficult to bend.

  That is, in the conventional endoscope, there is a problem that a difference between a short curve when only the first curve is bent and a long curve when the first curve and the second curve are bent together becomes small. There is a problem that it is easy to occur and the function of switching the bending length of the bending portion cannot be sufficiently exhibited.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to provide an insertion device in which the bending length is switched, at the time of short bending when only the first bending is bent, It is an object of the present invention to provide an insertion instrument mirror capable of sufficiently exhibiting the function of switching the bending length of the bending portion so as to reliably obtain the difference during the long bending when the second bending is bent together.

An insertion device according to an aspect of the present invention is an insertion device including an insertion portion in which a bending portion is provided at a distal end of a flexible tube, and is inserted into the insertion portion to bend the bending portion by a traction / relaxation operation. A first guide sheath provided with a first coil sheath in which the wire is inserted and the first strand is wound so as to have flexibility, and an outer peripheral portion of the first coil sheath. A plurality of first flat portions having a first length (a) along the longitudinal direction, and having a separation distance between adjacent ends having a second length (b); A second guide sheath including a second coil sheath in which the first guide sheath is inserted so as to be movable forward and backward and the second strand is wound so as to have flexibility, and an inner circumference of the second coil sheath A portion having a third length (c) along the longitudinal direction and adjacent ends A plurality of second plane portions connected at a separation distance of a fourth length (d), wherein the first length (a) of the first plane portion is It is longer than the fourth length (d) in which the adjacent end portions of the second plane portion are spaced apart (a> d), and the third length (c) of the second plane portion ) is rather long than the second length between the adjacent ends of said first planar portion is spaced apart (b) (c> b) , the first plane portion and the second planar portion The first strand or the second strand is crushed or shaved .

  According to the present invention, in an insertion device in which the bending length is switched, a difference between a short curve when only the first curve is bent and a long curve when the first curve and the second curve are bent together is ensured. Thus, it is possible to provide an insertion device that can sufficiently perform the function of switching the bending length of the bending portion.

The top view which shows the whole structure of the endoscope of 1 aspect of this invention Sectional drawing which shows the structure of an endoscope insertion part similarly Explanatory drawing which shows the state in which both the 1st bending part and the 2nd bending part were bent similarly. Explanatory drawing which shows the state in which only the 1st curved part curved similarly. Explanatory drawing showing the difference in curved shape Sectional drawing which shows the structure of a 1st guide sheath and a 2nd guide sheath same as the above Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the 1st guide sheath and 2nd guide sheath of a 1st modification same as the above Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the 1st guide sheath of a 2nd modification, and a 2nd guide sheath similarly Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the 1st guide sheath and 2nd guide sheath of a 3rd modification same as the above Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the 1st guide sheath of a 4th modification, and a 2nd guide sheath similarly Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the 1st guide sheath of a 5th modification, and a 2nd guide sheath similarly Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the 1st guide sheath of a 6th modification, and a 2nd guide sheath Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the 1st guide sheath of a 7th modification, and a 2nd guide sheath similarly

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the following description, the drawings based on the following embodiments are schematic, and the relationship between the thickness and width of each part, the ratio of the thickness of each part, and the like are different from the actual ones. It should be noted that there are cases in which parts having different dimensional relationships and ratios are included in the drawings.

First, an embodiment of an endoscope as an insertion device according to one aspect of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
1 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of the endoscope, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the endoscope insertion portion, and FIG. 3 is a state in which both the first bending portion and the second bending portion are bent. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a state in which only the first bending portion is bent, FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a difference in the bent shape, and FIG. 6 is a view of the first guide sheath and the second guide sheath. FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the configuration of the first guide sheath and the second guide sheath of the first modification, and FIG. 8 is the first guide sheath and second of the second modification. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the first guide sheath, FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the first guide sheath and the second guide sheath of the third modification, and FIG. 10 is the first guide of the fourth modification. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of a sheath and a 2nd guide sheath, FIG. 11: is the 1st guide sheet of a 5th modification. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the first guide sheath and the second guide sheath of the sixth modification, and FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the second guide sheath. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of 1 guide sheath and 2nd guide sheath.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope 1 that is an insertion device of the present embodiment includes an insertion portion 2 that is formed in an elongated tubular shape and is inserted into a subject such as a body cavity, and a proximal end of the insertion portion 2. The operation unit 3 that is continuously provided on the side, the universal cord 4 that extends from the side of the operation unit 3, and the connector 5 that is disposed on the distal end side of the universal cord 4 are mainly configured. Yes.

  The endoscope 1 is connected to various known devices such as a signal processing device (video processor), a light source device, an air / water supply device, and other peripheral devices (via a connector 5 provided at the tip of the universal cord 4). An endoscope system is configured by the endoscope 1 and various device groups connected to the endoscope 1.

  The insertion portion 2 of the endoscope 1 includes, in order from the distal end side, a distal end portion 6, a bendable bending portion 7 connected to the proximal end side of the distal end portion 6, and a proximal end side of the bending portion 7. It is comprised by the elongate flexible tube part 8 provided continuously.

  The bending portion 7 includes a first bending portion 20 on the distal end portion 6 side and a second bending portion 30 on the rear side adjacent to the first bending portion 20, for example, the first bending portion. It is possible to selectively switch between a state where 20 and the second bending portion 30 are bent simultaneously and a state where only the first bending portion 20 is bent.

  Further, the flexible tube portion 8 is provided between the bending portion 7 and the operation portion 3, and has a small diameter and a long shape formed with flexibility so as to be passively flexible. It is formed by the tubular member.

  Note that the longitudinal axis direction S of the insertion portion 2 shown in the drawing is the distal direction in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 2 parallel to the central axis S1 (see FIG. 2) of the insertion portion 2, and the insertion of the insertion portion 2 is performed. Direction.

  The operation unit 3 covers the proximal end of the flexible tube unit 8 and is connected to the flexible tube unit 8. The operation unit 3 is connected to the bending unit 3 a, and the user uses the endoscope 1. And a grip portion 3b that is gripped by a hand when performing the operation.

  Various operation members are arranged on the upper end side of the gripping portion 3b, and a treatment tool such as forceps is guided into the body cavity at a portion that is located on the lower end side of the gripping portion 3b and is located above the folding stop portion 3a. A treatment instrument insertion port 9 is provided.

  As an operation member provided in the operation unit 3, there is a bending operation knob 10 for performing the bending operation of the bending unit 7 described above. The bending portion 7 pulls and relaxes a bending operation wire 40 (see FIG. 2) inserted through the entire length of the insertion portion 2 by an operation input to the bending operation knob 10. Therefore, it can be bent in four directions, for example, up and down and left and right.

  The bending operation knob 10 is provided with a switching lever 11 that switches between the bending operation of the first bending portion 20 and the second bending portion 30 and the bending operation of only the first bending portion 20. Further, as operation members provided in the operation unit 3, a plurality of operation buttons for performing corresponding operations such as air / water supply operation or suction operation, imaging, illumination, and the like are provided.

  The operation unit 3 is provided with a fixed switching unit 60 (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 4), which will be described later, which is driven in accordance with the operation of the switching lever 11. The description of the fixed switching unit 60 will be described later.

  The universal cord 4 passes from the distal end of the insertion portion 2 through the bending portion 7 and the flexible tube portion 8 to the operation portion 3 and further passes through various signal lines extending from the operation portion 3 to the inside. This is a composite cable that passes through a light guide of a light source device (not shown) and further passes through an air / water supply tube extending from the air / water supply device.

  The connector 5 disposed on the distal end side of the universal cord 4 is provided with various bases and various electrical contacts (not shown), and various devices are connected via a connection cable (not shown).

Next, the internal configuration on the distal end side of the insertion portion 2 will be described in detail below mainly with respect to the configuration of the bending portion 7.
The distal end portion 6 at the distal end of the insertion portion 2 is formed of a hard member, and an illumination optical system for illuminating the inside of the subject and an objective optical system in the imaging unit are disposed therein, and the subject within the subject is examined. An air supply / water supply channel for supplying fluid toward the region, a treatment instrument insertion channel from which a treatment instrument such as forceps is led out, and the like are opened at the distal end surface.

  On the rear end side of the hard tip portion 6, as shown in FIG. 2, a cylindrical shape on the most distal side of a plurality of bending pieces 21 connected along the longitudinal axis direction in the first bending portion 20. The tip piece 22 is fixed.

  The plurality of bending pieces 21 in the first bending portion 20 are connected to each other in such a manner that the portions where the arm portions of the adjacent bending pieces 21 overlap with each other at positions corresponding to the upper and lower sides and the left and right are pivotally connected by the rivets 23. Further, a bending structure that can be bent in four directions orthogonal to each other is formed.

  The tip piece 22 connected to the forefront of the plurality of bending pieces 21 forming the bending structure is provided with a wire fixing portion 22a for attaching and fixing one end on the tip side of the wire 40.

  In addition, the wire fixing | fixed part 22a of this embodiment is provided in the four places of the tip piece 22 inner peripheral side corresponding to the four wires 40 for the bending operation | movement of 4 directions of up-down and left-right.

  Each wire 40 whose tip is fixed to the wire fixing portion 22 a is inserted through an annular guide ring 21 a provided on the inner peripheral side of the plurality of bending pieces 21, and the wire end is the bending operation knob 10 of the operation portion 3. Is wound around a sprocket (not shown) connected to the.

  As a result, when any of the four wires 40 is pulled by the bending operation knob 10, the first bending portion 20 performs a bending operation in any of the vertical and horizontal directions.

  The second bending portion 30 on the rear side of the first bending portion 20 has the same configuration, and by connecting a plurality of bending pieces 31 in the longitudinal axis direction, a bending structure similar to the first bending portion 20 is obtained. Is formed. The second bending portion 30 is actively bent by a traction operation input from the operation portion 3 in four directions perpendicular to the upper and lower sides and right and left in the same direction as the first bending portion 20, or the first bending portion 20. It bends passively in response to the bending action.

  More specifically, the first bending portion 20 and the second bending portion 30 are connected via a connection piece 32. The plurality of bending pieces 31 of the second bending portion 30 include a connecting piece 32 as a cylindrical first connecting member provided continuously to the rear end side of the first bending portion 20, and the second bending portion 30. Between the rear end side (the front end side of the flexible tube portion 8) and the connection base 33 as the cylindrical second connection member, through the rivets 34 at positions corresponding to the vertical and horizontal directions. They are arranged so as to be rotatable with respect to each other.

  Further, a base part 32a is provided on the inner peripheral side of the connection piece 32, and each of the four wires 40 is inserted into the base part (hereinafter referred to as "connection piece base part") 32a so as to freely advance and retract. The tip portions of the four first guide sheaths 45 serving as the wire guide members are fixed by brazing or the like.

  The first guide sheath 45 as the inner coil sheath coil sheath is formed as a flexible coil sheath formed by, for example, tightly winding a stainless steel wire or the like as a metal wire having a substantially circular cross section. In the second bending portion 30, the plurality of bending pieces 31 are inserted into the inner peripheral side.

  Each of the four first guide sheaths 45 is inserted into a second guide sheath 46 as a tubular outer coil in the flexible tube portion 8 of the insertion portion 2. Each first guide sheath 45 is inserted into each second guide sheath 46 so as to freely advance and retract.

  The second guide sheath 46 as the outer coil sheath has the same configuration as the first guide sheath 45, and is formed, for example, by tightly winding a stainless steel wire as a metal wire having a substantially circular cross section. Each tip portion is fixed to the connection base 33 at the rear end of the second bending portion 30 by brazing or the like.

  The detailed specific configurations of the first guide sheath 45 and the second guide sheath 46 will be described later.

  In addition, the outer circumferences of the plurality of bending pieces 21 of the first bending portion 20 and the plurality of bending pieces 31 of the second bending portion 30 are each formed in a net-like shape formed by braiding a metal or a non-metallic thin wire material. Blades 15 and 16 are coated. Further, the outer periphery of the blades 15, 16 is covered with a curved rubber 17, and the curved rubber 17 forms an outer skin from the distal end portion 6 to the first curved portion 20 and the second curved portion 30.

  The plurality of bending pieces 21, the connecting piece 32 and the connecting piece base portion 32a of the first bending portion 20, the plurality of bending pieces 31 and the connection base 33 of the second bending portion 30 are respectively inserted at the center of the insertion portion 2. Are arranged so as to coincide with the central axis S1.

  The curved rubber 17 is fixed to the outer periphery of the distal end portion 6 in a watertight manner, but the other portions along the insertion direction are covered with the outer periphery of the plurality of bending pieces 21 and 31 in a non-adhesive manner. Has been.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the endoscope 1 according to the present embodiment configured as described above includes a rear end portion of the first guide sheath 45 and a fixed switching unit 60 provided in the operation unit 3. The bending operation knob 10 is operated to pull any one of the four wires 40 in a non-fixed free state. For example, when the upper wire 40 is pulled, the first bending portion 20 and the second bending portion 30 are bent upward. That is, the entire bending portion 7 is bent upward.

  By the way, the fixed switching unit 60 provided in the operation unit 3 is a known mechanism in which the switching lever 11 switches the advance / retreat in the insertion direction of the first guide sheath 45 between the fixed state and the non-fixed state.

  The fixed switching unit 60 is a well-known configuration and will not be described in detail. However, in general, the fixed switching unit 60 includes a metal base material and two metal moving members, and the two moving members are linked to each other. A metal pipe stopper fixed to the rear end portion of the first guide sheath 45 between the two moving members and the base material by moving in the direction perpendicular to the insertion direction toward the base material using the mechanism. The rear end portion of the first guide sheath 45 is fixed by sandwiching.

  On the other hand, when it is desired to bend only the first bending portion 20, the rear end portion of the first guide sheath 45 is fixed, and in this state, the bending operation knob 10 is operated to operate the four wires 40. One of the wires is pulled.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, only the first bending portion 20 is bent from the proximal end side of the first bending portion 20 starting from the distal end of the first guide sheath 45. The bending direction is not limited to the upper side and the lower side.

  That is, in the state where the second bending portion 30 is bent upward, the first bending portion 20 may be bent to the left or right by pulling the corresponding wire 40, or the second bending portion. In a state in which the portion 30 is curved on either the upper, lower, left, or right side, the first bending portion 20 is different from the bending direction of the second bending portion 30 in the upper, lower, left, It may be curved to either right side.

  At this time, the forward / backward movement of the first guide sheath 45 is guided by the second guide sheath 46 in the boundary pipe portion 8.

  If the slidability between the first guide sheath 45 and the second guide sheath 46 is good, the first guide sheath 45 is easy to move relative to the second guide sheath 46, as shown in FIG. Thus, the difference ΔW in the position of the distal end portion 6 between the curved shape J1 when only the first curved portion 20 is curved and the curved shape J2 when the second curved portion 30 is simultaneously curved is relatively large. Can be bigger.

  Accordingly, the slidability between the first guide sheath 45 and the second guide sheath 46 is poor, and the curved shape J2 ′ when the first guide sheath 45 is difficult to move relative to the second guide sheath is used. As described above, the position difference ΔW ′ from the curved shape J1 is relatively small and does not reach the desired position, and the operability can be improved.

  Here, the first guide sheath 45 and the second guide sheath 46 of the present embodiment will be described in detail below.

  As described above, the first guide sheath 45 and the second guide sheath 46 are formed of a flexible coil sheath formed by tightly winding a stainless steel wire as a metal strand, for example. As shown in FIG. 6, a first friction reducing portion 47 and a second friction reducing portion 48, each of which is formed by applying resin or the like on the inner and outer peripheral portions facing each other, dip molding or the like, are provided.

  Specifically, the first guide sheath 45 is, for example, in the outer diameter direction from the approximately radial position of the metal wire closely wound on the outer peripheral surface side facing the outer peripheral portion of the second guide sheath 46 to be inserted. It has the 1st friction reduction part 47 to which resin etc. were attached by dip molding.

  The first friction reduction part 47 is formed with a flat part 47a having a predetermined length a. In the first guide sheath 45, the distance between the end portions of the adjacent flat portion 47a of the first friction reducing portion 47 formed on the outer peripheral surface is larger than the predetermined length a of the flat portion 47a. It is set to have a short predetermined length (gap) b (a> b).

  On the other hand, the second guide sheath 46 is also made of resin or the like by dip molding or the like from the radial position of the densely wound metal element wire toward the inner diameter side facing the outer peripheral portion of the first guide sheath 45. Has a second friction reducing portion 48 attached thereto.

  The second friction reducing portion 48 is formed with a flat portion 48a having a predetermined length c. In the second guide sheath 45, the distance between the end portions of the flat portion 48a of the adjacent second friction reducing portion 48 formed on the inner peripheral surface is larger than the predetermined length c of the flat portion 48a. Is set to have a short predetermined length (gap) d (c> d).

  That is, the flat surface portion 47a formed in the first friction reducing portion 47 of the first guide sheath 45 and the flat surface portion 48a formed in the second friction reducing portion 48 of the second guide sheath 46 are opposed to each other. Is provided.

  Further, the predetermined length a of the plane portion 47a and the predetermined length c of the plane portion 48a may be the same length (a = c) or different lengths (a ≠ c).

  Further, the predetermined length a of the flat portion 47 a of the first friction reducing portion 47 of the first guide sheath 45 is between the ends of the flat portion 48 a of the second friction reducing portion 48 of the second guide sheath 46. Longer than a predetermined length d (a> d). Similarly, the predetermined length c of the flat portion 48a of the second friction reducing portion 48 of the second guide sheath 46 is equal to the end portion of the flat portion 47a of the first friction reducing portion 47 of the first guide sheath 45. It is set longer (c> b) than a predetermined length b as a distance between them.

  Further, a predetermined length b as a separation distance between the end portions of the flat surface portion 47 a of the first friction reduction portion 47 and a predetermined distance as a separation distance between the end portions of the flat surface portion 48 a of the second friction reduction portion 48. The length d may be the same length (b = d) or a different length (b ≠ d).

  By the way, the first guide sheath 45 and the second guide sheath 46 are formed by winding a metal element wire, such as stainless steel, to form a coil sheath first, and then forming the first friction reducing portion 47 and the second guide sheath 46. For example, when the friction reducing portion 48 is retrofitted by dip molding, the winding direction of the metal element wire is not defined, and thus there is an advantage that the adhesion of the coil sheath is increased and the durability is high. That is, the degree of adhesion of the wire wound during processing from the metal wire to the coil sheath can be increased, and the strength is improved.

  Note that the first guide sheath 45 and the second guide sheath 46 are, of course, formed by winding a resin that becomes the first friction reduction portion 47 or the second friction reduction portion 48 in advance on the metal strand. May be.

  As described above, the endoscope 1 according to the present embodiment is configured so that the rear end portion of the first guide sheath 45 is provided in the operation unit 3 by the operation of the switching lever 11 of the operation unit 3. When the first bending portion 20 and the second bending portion 30 are both bent in the non-fixed free state via 60, the second guide sheath 46 is moved within the first guide sheath 45. Move forward and backward.

  At this time, in the endoscope 1, the flat surface portion 47 a of the first friction reducing portion 47 and the flat surface portion 48 a of the second friction reducing portion 48 are opposed to the first guide sheath 45 and the second guide sheath 46. Since it is provided, the slidability is improved with respect to the second guide sheath 46 as the outer coil without being caught by the first guide sheath 45 as the inner coil.

  As a result, the first guide sheath 45 of the inner coil is improved in slidability with respect to the second guide sheath 46 of the outer coil to be inserted, thereby preventing the second bending portion 30 from becoming difficult to bend. be able to.

  That is, in the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment, when only the first bending portion 20 is bent, when the first bending portion 20 is bent shortly, and when the first bending portion 20 and the second bending portion 30 are bent together. It is possible to achieve a configuration that can sufficiently exhibit the function of switching the bending length of the bending portion 7 without reducing the difference during long bending.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the endoscope 1 is curved when the curved shape J1 when only the first curved portion 20 is curved and the second curved portion 30 are curved simultaneously. The bending portion 7 can be switched so that the difference ΔW in the position of the tip portion 6 from the shape J2 becomes clear. Thereby, the endoscope 1 has a relatively small position difference ΔW ′ with respect to the curved shape J1 as in the curved shape J2 ′ in which the bending state of the second curved portion 30 of the curved portion 7 is reduced. A situation where the desired position is not reached can be prevented.

(Modification)
Note that the first guide sheath 45 and the second guide sheath 46 may be configured in various modifications described below.

(First modification)
As shown in FIG. 7, here, the diameter d1 of the metal wire wound around the coil sheath of the first guide sheath 45 is larger than the diameter d2 of the metal wire wound around the coil sheath of the second guide sheath. Small (thin) is set (d1 <d2).

  In particular, the first guide sheath 45, which is an inner coil, is less likely to be subjected to a large compressive force. By making the metal strand thin, the first guide sheath 45 is a first built-in component of the insertion portion 2. The one guide sheath 45 and the second guide sheath 46 can be reduced in diameter, and there are advantages such as securing a space for other built-in objects in the insertion portion 2 and reducing the diameter of the insertion portion 2 itself.

(Second modification)
As shown in FIG. 8, the first guide sheath 45 and the second guide sheath 46 here are provided with the first friction reducing portion 47 or the second friction reducing portion 48 described in the above-described embodiment. The coil sheath is formed by winding only a wire made of a metal wire having the same flat surface portions 45a and 46a as the cross-sectional shape formed.

  The first guide sheath 45 and the second guide sheath 46 may be formed by winding a wire in which the flat portions 45a and 46a are previously formed from a metal strand to form a coil sheath, or a perfect circular wire The flat surface portions 45a and 46a may be formed by forming a coil sheath formed by winding and cutting the inner or outer peripheral portion of the coil sheath with a drill or a machine tool.

  Again, the first guide sheath 45 is formed with a flat portion 45a having a predetermined length a. The first guide sheath 45 has a predetermined length (gap) b (a> b) in which the distance between the ends of the flat portion 45a is shorter than the predetermined length a of the flat portion 45a. Is set to

  On the other hand, the second guide sheath 46 is also formed with a flat portion 46a having a predetermined length c. The second guide sheath 45 has a predetermined length (gap) d (c> d) in which the distance between the ends of the flat portion 46a is shorter than the predetermined length c of the flat portion 46a. Is set to

  The flat portion 45a of the first guide sheath 45 and the flat portion 46a of the second guide sheath 46 are provided so as to face each other.

  Further, the predetermined length a of the flat portion 45a and the predetermined length c of the flat portion 46a may be the same length (a = c) or different lengths (a ≠ c).

  Further, the predetermined length a of the flat portion 45a of the first guide sheath 45 is longer than a predetermined length d as a separation distance between the ends of the flat portion 46a of the second guide sheath 46 (a>). d) It is set. Similarly, the predetermined length c of the flat portion 46a of the second guide sheath 46 is longer than the predetermined length b as a separation distance between the ends of the flat portion 45a of the first guide sheath 45 (c > B) is set.

  Further, a predetermined length b as a separation distance between the ends of the flat portion 45 a of the first guide sheath 45 and a predetermined length as a separation distance between the ends of the flat portion 46 a of the second guide sheath 46. d may be the same length (b = d) or a different length (b ≠ d).

  The first guide sheath 45 and the second guide sheath 46 are similar to the configuration in which the first friction reduction unit 47 or the second friction reduction unit 48 described in the above embodiment is provided. It becomes the composition with the effect.

(Third Modification)
As shown in FIG. 9, the first guide sheath 45 and the second guide sheath 46 here are formed by crushing a metal wire having a substantially circular cross section so as to have flat portions 45a and 46a by pressing or the like. It is formed into a coil sheath by plastically deforming and forming flat surfaces 45a and 46a so that both end portions thereof are convex curved surfaces 45b and 46b having arcuate cross sections, and winding the wire thus processed. Yes.

  The first guide sheath 45 is a short shaft whose length L in the longitudinal axis direction parallel to the flat portion 45a is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis direction with respect to the dimensional relationship of the cross section of the wire material that is wound to form the coil sheath. It is set to be longer than the length (height) H in the direction (radial direction) (L> H). The second guide sheath 46 also has the same configuration as the first guide sheath 45 with respect to the dimensional relationship of the cross section of the wire material that is wound to form the coil sheath.

  Again, the first guide sheath 45 is formed with a flat portion 45a having a predetermined length a. The first guide sheath 45 has a predetermined length (gap) b (a> b) in which the distance between the ends of the flat portion 45a is shorter than the predetermined length a of the flat portion 45a. Is set to

  On the other hand, the second guide sheath 46 is also formed with a flat portion 46a having a predetermined length c. The second guide sheath 45 has a predetermined length (gap) d (c> d) in which the distance between the ends of the flat portion 46a is shorter than the predetermined length c of the flat portion 46a. Is set to Also in this case, the flat portion 45a of the first guide sheath 45 and the flat portion 46a of the second guide sheath 46 are provided so as to face each other.

  Further, the predetermined length a of the flat portion 45a and the predetermined length c of the flat portion 46a may be the same length (a = c) or different lengths (a ≠ c).

  Further, the predetermined length a of the flat portion 45a of the first guide sheath 45 is longer than a predetermined length d as a separation distance between the ends of the flat portion 46a of the second guide sheath 46 (a>). d) It is set. Similarly, the predetermined length c of the flat portion 46a of the second guide sheath 46 is longer than the predetermined length b as a separation distance between the ends of the flat portion 45a of the first guide sheath 45 (c > B) is set.

  Further, a predetermined length b as a separation distance between the ends of the flat portion 45 a of the first guide sheath 45 and a predetermined length as a separation distance between the ends of the flat portion 46 a of the second guide sheath 46. d may be the same length (b = d) or a different length (b ≠ d).

  The first guide sheath 45 and the second guide sheath 46 are similar to the configuration in which the first friction reduction unit 47 or the second friction reduction unit 48 described in the above embodiment is provided. In addition to the effect, work hardening by press working of metal strands hardens the wire and further improves durability.

(Fourth modification)
As shown in FIG. 10, the first guide sheath 45 and the second guide sheath 46 here are different from the configuration of the third modification example in that only one end portion of a wire material obtained by processing a metal strand is used here. It is configured as a coil sheath formed by winding a wire rod formed so as to be convex curved surfaces 45b and 46b having an arcuate cross section and processed so that the other ends thereof are flat surfaces 45c and 46c. That is, the processed wire has a so-called bullet shape in cross section.

  In addition to the above-described effects, the first guide sheath 45 and the second guide sheath 46 configured as described above have the insertion portion 2 when the convex curved surfaces 45b and 46b of the adjacent wires contact the flat surfaces 45c and 46c. Even if it is curved according to the meandering state, there is an advantage that the displacement of each wire is less likely to occur, and the winding pitch displacement of each wire is less likely to occur.

  Note that the various dimensional relationships (the relationship between the lengths a to d and the relationship between the lengths L and H) of the first guide sheath 45 and the second guide sheath 46 are the same as described above, and thus description thereof is omitted. To do.

(Fifth modification)
As shown in FIG. 11, the first guide sheath 45 and the second guide sheath 46 here are similar to the configuration of the fourth modification example, and convex surfaces 45b, 46b having an arc-shaped cross section only at one end. The other end is formed as a coil sheath formed by winding a wire rod that is processed so as to be the concave surface portions 45d and 46d having a concave cross section. That is, the processed wire has a so-called young leaf shape in cross section.

  The first guide sheath 45 and the second guide sheath 46 are coil sheaths in which wires are wound so that the convex curved surfaces 45b, 46b at one end engage with the concave curved portions 45d, 46d at the other end. Configured as

  In addition to the above-described effects, the first guide sheath 45 and the second guide sheath 46 configured as described above have adjacent ends due to the engagement between the convex curved surfaces 45b and 46b of the wire and the concave surface portions 45d and 46d. Since it is difficult for the portion to come off, there is an advantage in that even if the insertion portion 2 is curved according to the meandering state, the displacement of each wire becomes difficult to occur, and the winding pitch displacement of each wire becomes difficult to occur.

  Here, the various dimensional relationships (the relationships between lengths a to d and the relationships between lengths L and H) of the first guide sheath 45 and the second guide sheath 46 are the same as described above. Is omitted.

(Sixth Modification)
As shown in FIG. 12, the first guide sheath 45 and the second guide sheath 46 here are formed, for example, by tightly winding a stainless steel wire as a metal strand as described above. A flexible coil sheath is formed, and unlike the dip molding as in the above-described embodiment, the first friction reducing portion 51 and the second friction reducing portion 51 are formed by simply pouring resin into the inner and outer peripheral portions facing each other. A friction reducing portion 52 is provided.

  The first friction reducing portion 51 and the second friction reducing portion 52 are formed with flat portions 51 a and 52 a facing each other so as not to hinder the flexibility of the first guide sheath 45 and the second guide sheath 46. In addition, spiral grooves 51b and 52b are engraved along the boundary portion of the wound wire forming the coil sheath.

  In addition, as long as resin which comprises the 1st friction reduction part 51 and the 2nd friction reduction part 52 is flexible enough, it is not necessary to necessarily provide the groove parts 51b and 52b.

  The first friction reducing unit 51 and the second friction reducing unit 52 are coil sheaths in which a solid lubricant such as a fluororesin (e.g., tetrafluoroethylene) is made into a paint and wound with a wire. You may form by the solid-lubrication process (Deflick coat / trademark) as a dry film coated on the outer periphery or inner periphery.

  In addition to the above-described effects, the first guide sheath 45 and the second guide sheath 46 configured as described above can increase the degree of adhesion of the wire wound when being processed into the coil sheath, thereby improving the strength. However, since the first friction reducing part 51 and the second friction reducing part 52 are easily provided in the coil sheath, there is an advantage that workability is improved.

  Here, the various dimensional relationships (relationships of lengths a to d) of the first guide sheath 45 and the second guide sheath 46 are the same as described above, and the description thereof is omitted.

(Seventh Modification)
As illustrated in FIG. 13, the first guide sheath 45 and the second guide sheath 46 here include a first friction reducing unit 51 and a second friction reducing unit 52 in addition to the configuration of the sixth modification. The coatings 53 and 54 having good slidability are provided on the surface of the film.

  The coatings 53 and 54 are a fluorine-based PTFE coating and a low-friction coating using the above-described solid lubrication treatment (Deflick Coat / registered trademark). The coatings 53 and 54 formed on the surfaces of the first friction reducing portion 51 and the second friction reducing portion 52 are formed with flat portions 53a and 54a facing each other.

  Further, on the groove portions 51b and 52b of the first friction reducing portion 51 and the second friction reducing portion 52, convex portions 53b and 54b by coatings 53 and 54 are formed by surface tension or the like. Since these convex portions 53b and 54b reduce the area where the flat portions 53a and 54a of the coatings 53 and 54 come into contact with each other, the slidability of the first guide sheath 45 and the second guide sheath 46 is further improved. be able to.

  The first guide sheath 45 and the second guide sheath 46 configured as described above have the advantage that sliding friction is reduced by providing the coatings 53 and 54 with good sliding properties in addition to the above-described effects. There is.

  Here, the various dimensional relationships (relationships of lengths a to d) of the first guide sheath 45 and the second guide sheath 46 are the same as described above, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The invention described in the above-described embodiment is not limited to the embodiment and modifications, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Further, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements.

  For example, even if some constituent requirements are deleted from all the constituent requirements shown in the embodiment, the described requirements can be deleted if the stated problem can be solved and the stated effect can be obtained. The configuration can be extracted as an invention.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the insertion device has been described using the endoscope 1 as an example. It can also be applied to other insertion devices such as a manipulator. That is, the operation mechanism of the insertion device according to the present embodiment can be applied to the operation mechanism of the insertion device other than the endoscope.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope 2 ... Insertion part 3 ... Operation part 3a ... Anti-bending part 3b ... Grasping part 4 ... Universal cord 5 ... Connector 6 ... Tip part 7 ... Curved part 8 ... Flexible tube part 9 ... Treatment instrument insertion port 10 ... bending operation knob 11 ... switching levers 15 and 16 ... blade 17 ... bending rubber 20 ... first bending parts 21 and 31 ... bending piece 21a ... guide ring 22 ... tip piece 22a ... wire fixing part 23 ... rivet 30 ... second Curved portion 32... Connection piece 32 a... Connection piece base 33... Connection base 34. Rivet 40 .. wire 45... First guide sheaths 45 a, 46 a, 47 a, 48 a, 51 a, 52 a, 53 a, 54 a. Convex surface 45c ... Flat surface 45d ... Concave surface portion 46 ... Second guide sheath 47, 51 ... First friction reduction portion 48, 52 ... Second friction reduction portion 51b, 52b ... Groove portion 53, 54 ... Coating 53b 54b ... projecting portion 60 ... fixing switching section S ... longitudinal S1 ... central axis

Claims (10)

An insertion device comprising an insertion part provided with a bending part at the tip of a flexible tube,
A wire that is inserted into the insertion portion and is used for bending the bending portion by a pulling / relaxing operation;
A first guide sheath including a first coil sheath in which the wire is inserted and the first strand is wound so as to have flexibility;
A plurality of the outer circumferences of the first coil sheath having a first length (a) along the longitudinal direction, and a separation distance between adjacent end portions having a second length (b). A first planar portion of
A second guide sheath provided with a second coil sheath in which the first guide sheath is inserted so as to be able to advance and retract, and a second strand is wound so as to have flexibility;
The inner circumference of the second coil sheath has a third length (c) along the longitudinal direction, and a separation distance between adjacent ends is connected with a fourth length (d). A plurality of second planar portions;
Comprising
The first length (a) of the first plane portion is longer than the fourth length (d) at which adjacent ends of the second plane portion are spaced apart (a> d), and, the second the flat portion of the third length (c) is the first of the second length between the adjacent ends of the flat portion is separated (b) rather long than (c> b),
The insertion device, wherein the first plane portion or the second plane portion is formed by crushing or cutting a part of the first strand or the second strand . The curved portion is
A first bending portion provided on the distal end side and formed by connecting the first plurality of bending pieces;
A second bending portion provided on the proximal end side of the first bending portion and connecting a plurality of second bending pieces;
The insertion device according to claim 1, comprising: One end of the wire is attached to the distal end side of the first bending portion formed by connecting the first plurality of bending pieces ,
The first guide sheath is provided on a proximal end side of the first bending portion, and one end is attached to a distal end side of a second bending portion formed by connecting a plurality of second bending pieces ,
The second guide sheath, the insertion device according to claim 1, characterized in that one end is attached to the distal end side of the flexible tube. A switching unit that releases the fixed or fixed movement of the first guide sheath relative to the second guide sheath;
The switching unit is
The first guide sheath is provided on the proximal end side of the first bending portion and the first bending portion formed by connecting the first plurality of bending pieces to the unfixed state of the first guide sheath . The second bending portion formed by connecting the plurality of bending pieces is set to a long bending state in which the second bending portion can be bent together, and the advancement / retraction of the first guide sheath is fixed, so that only the first bending portion can be bent. The insertion device according to claim 1 , wherein the insertion device is switched between a short-curved state. The first strand is set such that the length along the longitudinal axis direction of the first guide sheath is longer than the length along the short axis direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis direction . The insertion device according to claim 1, wherein the flat portion is formed along the longitudinal axis direction. The second strand is set such that the length along the longitudinal axis direction of the second guide sheath is longer than the length along the short axis direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis direction . The insertion device according to claim 1, wherein the flat portion is formed along the longitudinal axis direction.   The first coil sheath or the second coil sheath is processed so that one end of the first strand or the second strand is formed into a convex curved surface having an arc cross section and the other end is a flat surface. The insertion device according to claim 1, wherein the insertion curved surface is formed so as to be in contact with the flat surface.   In the first coil sheath or the second coil sheath, one end of the first strand or the second strand is formed as a convex curved surface having a circular arc cross section, and the other end is a concave curved surface having a concave cross section. The insertion device according to claim 1, wherein the insertion device is wound so that the convex curved surface is engaged with the concave curved surface. It said first planar portion or said second planar portion, wherein characterized in that it is formed by the first coil sheath of the outer circumferential portion or the second inner peripheral portion clamped by the resin of the coil sheath Item 2. The insertion device according to Item 1. The insertion device according to claim 9 , wherein a low-friction coating that reduces friction during forward and backward movement is provided on the surface of the resin that forms the first flat portion or the second flat portion.

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