JPH0119924Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] The present invention relates to an endoscope with an improved tube mounting structure for supplying air and water.

In general, an endoscope has a flexible insertion section 2 connected to an operating section 1, as shown in FIG. It has 3 built-in. The end of the tube 3 is directly fixed to a cylinder side wall 5 of a switching valve 4 provided in the operating section 1, as shown in FIG. That is, one end is fitted and connected to a tube fixing terminal 6 provided on the cylinder side wall 5, and the other end extends straight toward the insertion portion 2 side.

However, when the insertion portion 2 is inserted into the body cavity, it is bent in various directions, and therefore, a relatively large tensile force or compressive force is applied to the tube 3. As a result, a large stress is repeatedly applied to the connecting portion of the tube fixed terminal 6, and a strong tensile force or compressive force is also applied to the tube 3, which may cause the tube 3 itself to buckle or cause damage to other internal components, such as optical fibers. It had the disadvantage of compressing fiber bundles and destroying them. In particular, the above-mentioned situation has been a serious problem since the optical fiber bundle is weak and can be easily damaged even by the slightest force.

The present invention was developed in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to wrap the end of the flexible tube at least once within the main body of the operating section to form a loop-shaped slack. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope that prevents bending or buckling of the tube and prevents adverse effects on other built-in objects.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of the present invention, in which reference numeral 11 indicates the main body of the operating section 12. A flexible insertion section 13 is connected to the tip of this main body 11. Further, a switching operation valve 15 for air and water supply is attached and fixed to the side wall 14 of the main body 11, and the switching operation valve 15 can be operated by pressing an operation button 16 protruding outside. It's getting old. Further, a tube fixed terminal 18 is provided protruding from the side wall of the cylinder portion 17 of the switching operation valve 15, and a flexible tube 19 is fitted and fixed to the tube fixed terminal 18. There is. The other end of the flexible tube 19 is guided into the insertion section 13.

Furthermore, the flexible tube 19
The middle portion of the loop 20 is slackened inside the loop 20 to form a loop 20 of one turn. Therefore, even if the flexible tube 19 is pushed or pulled from the insertion section 13 side, the movement is absorbed by the loop 20. That is, the flexible tube 19 is
When pushed in the direction, the loop 20 has a large diameter as shown by the imaginary line, and when pulled in the direction B, the loop 20 becomes the solid line or a smaller diameter.

According to the configuration of the above embodiment, the flexible tube 19 can move freely and easily within the operating section 12. Therefore, when the insertion portion 13 is inserted into a patient's body cavity, it is bent in various directions, and therefore, a relatively large tensile force or compressive force is applied to the flexible tube 19. This force is applied to the operating section 12
Although this stress is also transmitted to the portion of the flexible tube 19 within the loop 20, this stress is absorbed in the portion of the loop 20. That is, no abnormal compressive force or tensile force is transmitted to the tube fixed terminal 18 or acts on the tube 19 itself. Therefore, bending or buckling of the flexible tube 19 can be prevented. Moreover, it does not press against other built-in objects and cause any adverse effects. That is, in the endoscope, in addition to the flexible tube 19, various members (not shown) such as an optical fiber bundle, a forceps channel tube, and an operating wire are incorporated at the same time. However, since no abnormal compressive force or tensile force is applied to the flexible tube 19, the internal components thereof are not adversely affected. In particular, since the optical fiber bundle has extremely low mechanical strength, it is desirable that the optical fiber bundle is not subjected to abnormal stress.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Other modifications are shown in FIGS. 4 to 7. Figure 4 shows a continuous two-turn loop 21.
That is. Figure 5 shows tube fixed terminal 2
4 is extended, but the tip of a loop 25 wound once is connected to the tip of the loop 25 without making it protrude greatly into an L-shape. FIG. 6 shows the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in which the loop 20 has one turn, and the flexible tube 19 in the operating part 12 is inserted through a tubular cover 27 to protect it from other built-in objects and ensure reliable movement. This is how it was done. As shown in FIG. 7, the cover 27 has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the flexible tube 19 to ensure necessary movement, and is provided with an appropriate gap.

As explained above, in the present invention, the flexible tube is wound at least once in the middle inside the operating section to form a loop-shaped slack. This can prevent the generation of strong tensile or compressive stress. Therefore, bending or buckling of the tube can be prevented, and adverse effects on other built-in components can be prevented as much as possible.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is an overall view of a conventional endoscope, Fig. 2 is a side sectional view of its operating section, Fig. 3 is a side sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention, and Figs. 4 to 6 are respectively Seventh sectional side view showing another embodiment of the present invention
This figure is a sectional view of the cover portion in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 above. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11...Main body, 12...Operation part, 13...Insertion part, 14...Side wall, 15...Switching operation valve, 16
...Operation button, 17...Cylinder part, 18...Tube fixed terminal, 19...Flexible tube, 20...
...Loop, 21...Loop, 22...Tube fixed terminal, 23...Loop, 24...Tube fixed terminal, 25...Loop, 27...Cover.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claim for Utility Model Registration] (1) In an endoscope in which a flexible tube is provided inside the operating section and the flexible insertion section, the flexible tube is wound at least once inside the operating section to create a loop. An endoscope characterized in that the endoscope is arranged so as to cause sag in the shape of the body. (2) The endoscope according to claim (1) of the utility model registration, characterized in that a cover is disposed inside the operating section, and a flexible tube is disposed within the cover.