JPH09140660A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily insert an inserting part of an endoscope at a low cost without making it complicated. SOLUTION: An inserting part 11 comprises a first inserting tube 47 and a second inserting tube 48. The first inserting tube 47 comprises a first spiral tube 49 formed by spirally winding a stainless steel band the top end of which is fixed by soldering to the periphery of a fixing base 46, and the rear end of which is fixed by soldering to a jointing tube 50 joining the first inserting tube 47 to the second inserting tube 48. The second inserting tube 48 comprises a second spiral tube 51 thicker than the first spiral tube 49 formed by spirally winding a stainless steel band, the top end of which is fixed by soldering to the jointing tube 50 and the rear part of which is joined by soldering to a fixing member formed on the operating part side not shown in the figure. The outer peripheries of both the first spiral tube 49 and the second spiral tube 51 are each covered with a braid 52 formed by stainless steel strands and further the covered outer peripheries are covered with a resin 53 formed by extrusion molding.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope, and more particularly to an endoscope characterized by an insertable portion of an elongated insertion portion to be inserted into a lumen.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An endoscope is provided with a slender insertion portion having flexibility, and the insertion portion is inserted into a body cavity of a patient, for example, a digestive tract, a large intestine or the like, so that the endoscope is positioned near the tip of the insertion portion. The observation site inside the body cavity is observed. Conventional endoscopes use an image guide to transmit an image of the observation site to the eyepiece provided on the operation section of the endoscope and observe the observation site with this eyepiece. Electronic endoscopes in which a solid-state image sensor such as a CCD is provided are also widely used.

For example, an electronic endoscope apparatus includes an electronic endoscope,
A signal processing device that supplies illumination light to the electronic endoscope and performs signal processing of an image pickup signal from the electronic endoscope, and a monitor that displays an image of an observed region processed by the signal processing device are configured. There is.

The insertion portion of the electronic endoscope has a tip rigid portion provided with a solid-state image sensor, a cleaning nozzle, etc., a curved portion for orienting the tip rigid portion in a desired direction, and a tip rigid portion desired in a body cavity. Is sequentially connected to a guiding hollow tube for insertion up to the position, and the proximal end of the guiding hollow tube is connected to an operation unit for performing various operations, for example, bending operation of a bending portion.

The guiding hollow tube is formed of a hollow structure in which a metal spiral tube, a mesh metal blade and a rubber skin are laminated. Normally, the rubber outer shell and the mesh metal blade are fixed to each other with an adhesive or the like, but the mesh metal blade and the metal spiral tube are formed to be slidable with respect to each other, and when bending is applied to the guiding tube. , The guiding tube is flexible.

The bending hardness of the guiding hollow tube is set to a predetermined hardness at the time of manufacture by adjusting the flex pitch of the metal spiral tube, the thickness of the rubber outer shell, the rubber hardness and the like.

However, even if the insertion portion is inserted and passed through, for example, the sigmoid colon and the insertion portion is straightened in preparation for insertion into the splenic flexion portion, the insertion is caused because the guiding central tube is bent. There was a problem that it was difficult to straighten the part.

Further, even if the tip of the insertion portion is attempted to be inserted into the transverse colon through the spleen bending portion after straightening, the guiding center tube is bent in the middle and the insertion force cannot be transmitted to the tip of the insertion portion. In some cases, even if an attempt is made to insert the tube in such a situation, there is a problem in that the guiding tube becomes a loop in the middle and cannot be inserted.

In order to avoid the inability to insert due to the bending of the guiding hollow tube, conventionally, a hollow sliding tube is used to insert the insertion portion while preventing the bending of the guiding hollow tube, so that the inside of the splenic flexion portion is inserted. I was trying to insert the insertion part.

However, in the method using the sliding tube, it is necessary to perform a highly difficult procedure such as carefully inserting the insertion portion while performing X-ray fluoroscopy.
It took a very long time just to insert the insertion part.

Therefore, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 6-292652, an attempt is made to restore the guiding hollow tube to the first hollow member and the shape stored in advance inside the first hollow member within a predetermined temperature range. A second hollow member formed of a shape memory alloy and having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the first hollow member, and the temperature of the second hollow member is changed by the temperature control means; It has been proposed an endoscope that can be easily inserted into a tortuous body cavity such as the sigmoid colon and the spleen flexion by changing the bending rigidity of the.

[0012]

However, in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-292652, since the shape memory alloy is used, it is necessary to provide a heating means and a cooling means which constitute the temperature control means. The structure of the mirror is complicated and expensive, and the user has to specify the hardness of the endoscope insertion part for each part, which makes the operation complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an endoscope having an insertion portion that is inexpensive and easy to insert without complicating the insertion portion of the endoscope. There is.

[0014]

An endoscope of the present invention comprises an observation means for observing an object in a lumen from a distal end portion toward a proximal end side, and a bending portion for changing the direction of the observation means. In an endoscope including an elongated flexible insertion portion that is inserted into the lumen and is configured by arranging the distal end portion in order with an insertion tube that guides the insertion portion to a desired site, the insertion tube is rigid. A plurality of different tubular members are laminated in multiple layers, and the plurality of tubular members are connected in series in the insertion direction.

In the endoscope of the present invention, a plurality of tubular members having different rigidity are laminated in the insertion tube, and the plurality of tubular members are connected in series in the insertion direction to connect the endoscope members to the endoscope. An inexpensive and easy insertion is possible without complicating the insertion part.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 to 5 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an electronic endoscope apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a tip configuration portion of the electronic endoscope of FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section in the longitudinal axis direction of the insertion portion of the electronic endoscope of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along the line AA of FIG. 3, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing explaining the effect | action of the electronic endoscope of FIG.

(Structure) As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is an electronic endoscope 2 for picking up an image of an observation site (not shown) in a body cavity, and illuminates the electronic endoscope 2. A light source device 3 for supplying light, a video processor 4 for signal-processing an image pickup signal from the electronic endoscope 2, and the video processor 4
Monitor 5 for displaying the image of the observed region that has been signal-processed by VTR deck 6 and video disk 7 for recording the image of the observed region that has been signal-processed by video processor 4, and the observed region that has been signal-processed by video processor 4. And a video printer 8 that prints out the image of.

The electronic endoscope 2 comprises an elongated flexible insertion portion 11 to be inserted into a body cavity, and an operation portion 12 provided on the proximal end side of the insertion portion 11. The operation portion 12 The universal cord 13 extends from the
A universal cord connector 14 provided at the tip of the universal cord 13 is connected to the light source device 3.

Then, the illumination light from the light source lamp 15 provided in the light source device 3 is supplied by the condensing lens 16 to the entrance end surface of the universal cord 13 and the light guide 17 arranged in the insertion portion 11 and inserted. The observation area (not shown) is irradiated from the tip of the portion 11.

A signal cable 18 extends from the universal cord connector 14, and the signal cable connector 19 of the signal cable 18 is connected to the video processor 4.

On the other hand, at the tip of the insertion portion 11, the tip forming portion 2
1 and the bending portion 22 are provided, and the bending portion 22 is the operation portion 12
By operating a bending operation knob (not shown) provided on the front end, the distal end forming portion 21 can be oriented in a desired direction.

Then, by operating the bending portion 22, an image of the observation site irradiated with the illumination light is displayed, and a solid-state image pickup device (not shown), such as a CC, provided in the tip forming portion 21 at the tip of the insertion portion 11.
An image is picked up by D, and the picked-up image signal is transmitted by a signal line (not shown) inserted through the insertion portion 11, the universal cord 13, and the signal cable 18, and the signal cable connector 1
It is adapted to be input to the video processor 4 via 9. The video processor 4 processes the image pickup signal and outputs the image of the observed portion to the monitor 5, the VTR deck 6, which is a peripheral device, the video disk 7, and the video printer 8.

As shown in FIG. 2, the tip forming section 21 is provided with a solid-state image pickup device (not shown), for example, an image pickup unit 31 having a CCD. The image pickup unit 31 displays an image of an observation region on the CCD by an objective lens (not shown). The image is formed on the monitor, converted into an electric signal, and transmitted via the video processor 4 to the monitor 5
And so on.

A treatment instrument insertion channel 32 is provided in the distal end forming portion 21 and the insertion portion 11. The treatment instrument insertion channel 32 is for inserting a treatment instrument for biopsying, for example, the stomach wall at the distal end of the endoscope to collect it on the hand side, and for absorbing unnecessary liquid such as mucus.
2 is in communication with the treatment instrument insertion port 23 (see FIG. 1), and the treatment instrument insertion channel 3 extends from the treatment instrument insertion port 23.
A necessary treatment tool can be inserted into the distal end through 2. The treatment instrument insertion channel 32
Is branched in the middle of the insertion portion 11, and the branched one is connected to a suction pump (not shown), and a control button 24 (see FIG. 1) provided on the operation portion 12 of the endoscope 2 is pressed. The tip can be suctioned by operating it.

The light guide 17 has a distal end portion 21 having two
The first light guide 17a and the second light guide 17b supply the light amount necessary for observation from the light source lamp 15 to the tip.

Further, an air / water feeding channel 33 is provided in the tip forming portion 21 and the insertion portion 11, and the air / water feeding channel 33 is attached to the most advanced lens which comes into direct contact with the outside of the objective lens. The dirt is removed by sending water, and the water remaining on the lens is sent by air.

The image pickup unit 31, the treatment instrument insertion channel 32, the first light guide 17a, the second
The light guide 17b and the air / water supply channel 33 are fixed to the tip fixing member 34.

As shown in FIG. 3, the bending portion 22 includes a plurality of bending tubes 41a and 41b, each of which is rotatably fixed.
The outer circumference of each of the plurality of curved tubes 41a, 41b ... Is covered with a blade 42 formed by tubularly meshing a stainless wire, and the outer circumference of the blade 42 is covered with a curved rubber 43. The most advanced curved tube 41a is fixed to the tip fixing member 34 with a screw (not shown).

Further, four bending operation wires 44a, 44b, 44c, 44d for bending the bending portion 22 vertically and horizontally.
The bending operation wire 44d (not shown) is fixed to the inner circumference of the most advanced bending tube 41a by soldering at the front end and connected at the rear end to a bending operation device (not shown) provided in the operation portion 12. ing.

The bending operation wires 44a, 44b, 44c,
Wire protection tubes 45a, 45 for protecting 44d respectively
b, 45c, 45d (wire protection tube 45d is not shown)
The outer periphery of the distal end of the bending operation wire 44 is fixed to the inner periphery of a fixed mouthpiece 46 provided at the proximal end of the bending portion 22 by soldering.
a, 44b, 44c, and 44d pass through the inside.

The fixed base 46 is the curved tube 4 at the rearmost end.
The length in the longitudinal direction is formed to be equal to or less than that of 1n, and is fixed so that the outer circumference of the fixed mouthpiece 46 and the inner circumference of the curved tube 41n fit within a range that does not protrude from the curved tube 41n.

The insertion section 11 is composed of a first insertion tube 47 and a second insertion tube 48. The first insertion tube 47 is a first spiral tube 4 formed by spirally winding a stainless steel band.
The front end of 9 is fixed to the outer circumference of the fixed base 46 by soldering, and the rear end is fixed to the connecting pipe 50 connecting the first insertion pipe 47 and the second insertion pipe 48 by soldering. In addition, the second insertion tube 48 connects the distal end of the second spiral tube 51 formed of a stainless steel band thicker than the first spiral tube 49 to the connecting tube 50.
In addition, the rear end is soldered and fixed to a fixing member (not shown) provided on the operation portion 12 side.

The outer peripheries of the first spiral tube 49 and the second spiral tube 51 are covered with a blade 52 formed of a stainless wire,
Further, the outer periphery thereof is covered with a resin 53 formed by extrusion molding.

The wire protection tube 55 for protecting the insertion tube bending operation wire 54, which is provided only for bending the first insertion tube 47, has its tip fixed by soldering to the inner surface of the connecting tube 50, and is inserted into the insertion tube bending operation wire. 54 passes inside.

The tip of the insertion tube bending operation wire 54 is soldered and fixed to the inner circumference of the fixing base 46 in the vicinity of the wire protection tube 44a, as shown in FIG. The end is connected to a bending operation device (not shown).

(Operation and Effect) Endoscope 2 of the present embodiment
Then, in the insertion portion 11, the second spiral tube 51 is formed by using a stainless steel band thicker than the first spiral tube 49. The insertion tube 47 is softer than the second insertion tube 48 constituted by the second spiral tube 51. That is, the insertion part 11 is
The front side is soft and the rear side is hard.

For example, when the insertion portion of the endoscope is inserted into the large intestine, it must pass through a bent portion such as the S-shaped colon 56 as shown in FIG. 5 (a). In this case, if the insertion portion 11 is hard, the intestinal tract is overextended.

On the other hand, when the endoscope is inserted into the deep part of the large intestine, if the insertion part is soft, the followability to the tip of the insertion part is deteriorated, and the examiner's right hand twists, pushes or pulls from the rear end side. Is difficult to insert.

However, in the endoscope 2 of the present embodiment, since the distal end side of the insertion portion 11 is soft, it can pass through the bent portion without going against the intestinal tract, and when the distal end passes through the bent portion, the hard rear end side also easily passes. Can be made.

Further, in the endoscope 2 of the present embodiment, since the insertion portion 11 can ensure the passage of the bent portion on the distal end side and the insertion ability to the deep portion on the rear end side, the insertion portion 11 can reach the deep portion of the large intestine. The endoscope 2 can be easily inserted.

Further, the first spiral tube 49 and the second spiral tube 5
Since the outer diameter of 1 is the same, the molding conditions of the resin 53 can be the same on the first insertion tube 47 side and the second insertion tube 48 side, and the structure is simple and the cost can be reduced.

Furthermore, since the rigidity of the inner layer is changed without touching anything that adversely affects the properties of the insertion part 11 such as a disinfectant, the properties are stable for a long period of time.

In the present embodiment, when the bending operation wires 44a, 44b, 44c, 44d are towed / relaxed from the operation portion 12, the bending tubes 41a, 41b, ... The portion 22 can be curved or linearized, and the first insertion tube 47 can be curved or linearized by pulling or loosening the insertion tube bending operation wire 54 from the operation portion 12.

The bending operation wires 44a, 44b, 44c,
When 44d is towed, the first insertion tube 47 and the second insertion tube 48 are harder than the bending portion 22, so the first insertion tube 4
7. The second insertion tube 48 does not bend. When pulling the insertion tube bending operation wire 54, the first insertion tube 47
Since the second insertion tube 48 is harder than the second insertion tube 48, the second insertion tube 48 does not bend. Therefore, the first insertion tube 47 forming the bending portion 22 and the second bending portion can be independently controlled.

For example, when an endoscope is inserted into the large intestine, FIG.
Although it has to pass through a bent portion such as the S-shaped colon 56 in (a), as one of insertion procedures, first, the distal end forming portion 21 and the curved portion 22 are bent as shown in FIG. 5 (a). After passing through, pull back while twisting the insertion part.
As shown in (b), there is a method in which the bent portion of the S-shaped colon 56 is linearized and further inserted into a deep portion.

Once the sigmoid colon 56 has been straightened, the excessive extension of the intestinal tract near the sigmoid colon 56 disappears. However, since the state of the intestinal tract is different from each other, in some cases, if the insertion part is pulled back to straighten the sigmoid colon 56, the sigmoid colon 56 will not be straightened, and the entire insertion part 1 will fall out. There is.

In such a case, in the present embodiment, if the first insertion tube 47 is linearized by operating the operating portion 12 without pulling back the insertion portion 11, the S-shaped colon 56 can be linearized. Can be achieved. That is, the sigmoid colon 56 can be straightened regardless of the state of the individual intestinal tracts, facilitating insertion. In addition, the first insertion tube 47 forming the second bending portion
Since the number of wires for controlling the number of wires is smaller than that of the bending portion 22, the structure and operation are simple and easy.

Further, the fixed base 46 is
Since it is fixed so as not to protrude from the bending tube 41n, the hard portion of the connecting portion between the bending portion 22 and the insertion portion 11 is equal to the length of the bending tube 41n.

For example, when an endoscope is inserted into the large intestine, it has to pass through a bent portion such as the S-shaped colon 56 in FIG. 5 (a). If the hard part that does not bend is long, it will not pass easily.

Considering the connection between the bending portion 22 and the insertion portion 11, the wire protection tube 55 and the first spiral tube 49 must be fixed near the tip of the first insertion tube 47. When trying to fix 55 and the first spiral tube 49 to the inner circumference of the fixed base 46, since the inner circumference of the first spiral tube 49 is not smooth, the wire protection tube 55 is also fixed to the inner circumference of the fixed base 46. Although it has to be provided, the wire protection tube 55 and the first spiral tube 49 are fixed in series in this order from the tip side, and the length of the fixing cap 46 in the longitudinal direction becomes considerably long. That is, the hard portion of the connecting portion between the bending portion 22 and the insertion portion 11 becomes long.

However, in this embodiment, since the hard portion at the connecting portion between the bending portion 22 and the insertion portion 11 does not become longer than the length of the bending tube 41n, there is no problem in passing through a bending portion such as the S-shaped colon 56. .

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of a main part in the longitudinal axis direction of the insertion part of the electronic endoscope according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Since the second embodiment is almost the same as the first embodiment, only different points will be described, the same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

(Structure) In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the first insertion tube 47 has a first spiral tube 61 formed of a stainless steel strip, and the tip side of the first spiral tube 61 is a fixed base 46 (not shown). The rear end side is fixed to the connecting pipe 50 by soldering. Further, in the second insertion tube 48, the second spiral tube 62 formed by using a stainless steel band wider than the first spiral tube 61 is connected to the tip side by the connecting tube 50 and the rear end side is not shown by a fixing member. It is soldered to.

In the second embodiment also, the first
A blade 52 formed of a stainless wire is provided on the outer peripheries of the spiral tube 61 and the second spiral tube 62, and a resin 53 is extruded and molded on the outer peripheries thereof. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

(Operation and Effect) In the second embodiment,
Since the second spiral tube 62 uses a wider stainless steel band than the first spiral tube 61, the first insertion tube 47 becomes softer than the second insertion tube 48.

Therefore, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment,
In particular, since the first spiral pipe 61 and the second spiral pipe 62 can be formed with the same wall thickness, there is no step on the inner and outer circumferences of the first insertion pipe 47 and the second insertion pipe 48, and the diameter thereof is small. Can be converted.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the main part in the longitudinal axis direction of the insertion part of the electronic endoscope according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Since the third embodiment is almost the same as the first embodiment, only different points will be described, the same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

(Structure) As shown in FIG. 7, in the third embodiment, the first insertion tube 47 has a first spiral tube 71 formed by using a stainless steel band, and the tip side of the first spiral tube 71 is a fixed base 46 ( The rear end side is fixed by soldering to a fixing member (not shown). In the second insertion tube 48, the first spiral tube 7
A second spiral pipe 72 is further formed on the inner periphery of the first spiral pipe 72, and the second spiral pipe 72 is soldered to the connecting pipe 50 on the front end side and to a fixing member (not shown) on the rear end side. Then, a blade 52 formed of a stainless wire is provided on the outer circumference of the first spiral tube 71, and a resin 53 is extruded and molded on the outer circumference thereof. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

(Operation and Effect) In the third embodiment,
Since the first insertion tube 47 is formed in a single structure by the first spiral tube 71 and the second insertion tube 48 is formed in a double structure by the first spiral tube 71 and the second spiral tube 72, The first insertion tube 47 becomes softer than the second insertion tube 48.

Therefore, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment,
Particularly, since the number of stacked spiral tubes is changed between the first insertion tube 47 and the second insertion tube 48, a more remarkable effect can be obtained. Further, since the single layer has higher elasticity, the insertability on the tip side is further improved.

In the spiral tube, the same effect as that of each of the above-described embodiments is obtained. In the spiral tube, (1) the winding pitch of the spiral tube is made larger on the rear end side than on the front end side. The ratio is set to the front end side: the rear end side = 1: 3, or 2: 3. (3) The material of the spiral tube may be made harder from the front end side to the rear end side.

In the blade, (4) the blade is separated from the first and second insertion tubes so that the mesh density is higher on the rear end side than on the front end side. (5) The wire diameter of the blade is on the front end side. (6) The material of the blade may be a mixture of stainless wire and polyamide wire at the front end, and stainless wire at the rear end side.

Further, these may be combined within a possible range.

Further, the front end side and the rear end side of the insertion portion described so far may be interchanged. That is, the front end is hard and the rear end is good. In this case, when inserting the electronic endoscope, the rear end side may be twisted, but since the rear end side is soft, it is easy to twist and the insertability is improved.

Although each of the above embodiments has been described using the electronic endoscope, it is possible to use an optical endoscope for transmitting an object image to an eyepiece provided in the operation unit by an image guide. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied.

Furthermore, the present invention can be applied not only to various medical endoscopes but also to industrial endoscopes.

[Additional Notes] (Additional Item 1) An observation means for observing an object in the lumen from the distal end portion toward the proximal end side, a bending portion for changing the direction of the observation means, and the distal end portion are desired. In an endoscope including an elongated flexible insertion portion that is inserted into the lumen and is configured by arranging in order with an insertion tube that guides to a site, the insertion tube has a plurality of tubular shapes with different rigidity. An endoscope characterized in that the members are laminated in multiple layers and the plurality of tubular members are connected in series in the insertion direction.

(Additional Item 2) The insertion tube is configured by connecting the first insertion tube and the second insertion tube from the tip side, and the flexibility of the first insertion tube is the second insertion tube. The endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein the endoscope is larger than the flexibility of the tube.

(Additional Item 3) The insertion tube is constructed by connecting the first insertion tube and the second insertion tube from the tip side, and the elasticity of the first insertion tube is equal to that of the second insertion tube. The endoscope according to appendix 1, which is larger than elasticity.

(Additional Item 4) The insertion tube is configured by connecting the first insertion tube and the second insertion tube from the distal end side, and the plurality of tubular members forming the insertion tube are metal strips. A spiral tube in which the layer thickness of the spiral tube is
The endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein the second insertion tube is thicker than the first insertion tube.

(Additional Item 5) The insertion tube is constructed by connecting the first insertion tube and the second insertion tube from the tip side, and the plurality of tubular members constituting the insertion tube are made of metal strips. A spiral tube in which the strip thickness of the spiral tube is
The endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein the second insertion tube is thicker than the first insertion tube.

(Additional Item 6) The insertion tube is configured by connecting the first insertion tube and the second insertion tube from the distal end side, and the plurality of tubular members forming the insertion tube are made of metal strips. The spiral tube in which the second insertion tube is larger than the first insertion tube, and the winding pitch of the spiral tube is larger than that of the first insertion tube. mirror.

(Additional Item 7) The insertion tube is configured by connecting the first insertion tube and the second insertion tube from the distal end side, and the plurality of tubular members forming the insertion tube are made of metal strips. The spiral tube in which the spiral tube is wound, and the band width of the spiral tube is wider in the second insertion tube than in the first insertion tube. mirror.

(Additional Item 8) The insertion tube is configured by connecting the first insertion tube and the second insertion tube from the distal end side, and the plurality of tubular members forming the insertion tube are metal strips. Which is a spiral tube in which the number of layers of the spiral tube is
The endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein the number of the second insertion tubes is greater than that of the first insertion tubes.

(Additional Item 9) The insertion tube is configured by connecting the first insertion tube and the second insertion tube from the distal end side, and the plurality of tubular members forming the insertion tube are metal strips. A spiral tube in which the first insertion tube is formed by stacking the spiral tube in a single layer, and the second insertion tube is formed by stacking the spiral tube in a double layer. The endoscope according to appendix 1.

(Additional Item 10) The insertion tube is configured by connecting the first insertion tube and the second insertion tube from the distal end side,
The plurality of tubular members constituting the insertion tube is a spiral tube in which a metal band is spirally wound, and the material of the spiral tube is
The endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein the second insertion tube is harder than the first insertion tube.

(Additional Item 11) The additional material item 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 1 is characterized in that the material of the metal strip forming the spiral tube is stainless steel or phosphor bronze.
The endoscope according to any one of 0.

(Additional Item 12) The insertion portion includes a blade layer in which a linear member is woven into an inner layer, and the insertion tube is
The first insertion tube and the second insertion tube are connected to each other from the tip end side, and the blade density of the blade layer is higher in the second insertion tube than in the first insertion tube. The endoscope according to appendix 1.

(Additional Item 14) The insertion portion includes a blade layer in which a linear member is woven into an inner layer, and the insertion tube is
The property of the linear member that is configured by connecting the first insertion tube and the second insertion tube from the tip side and that constitutes the blade layer is as follows.
The endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein the second insertion tube is harder than the first insertion tube.

(Additional Item 14) The insertion portion includes a blade layer in which a linear member is woven into an inner layer, and the insertion tube is
The wire diameter of the linear member that is configured by connecting the first insertion tube and the second insertion tube from the tip side and that constitutes the blade layer is:
The endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein the second insertion tube is thicker than the first insertion tube.

(Additional Item 15) The outer layer of the insertion portion is made of an extruded resin, and the outer diameter of the inner layer of the insertion portion formed of the plurality of tubular members excluding the resin is the same. The endoscope according to appendix 1.

(Additional Item 16) Observation means for observing an object in the lumen from the distal end portion toward the proximal end side, a bending portion that changes the direction of the observation means, and the distal end portion are guided to a desired portion. In the endoscope having an elongated flexible insertion portion that is inserted into the lumen and is configured to be arranged in this order, the bending portion includes a first bending portion and a second bending portion. An endoscope comprising a bending portion, wherein the first bending portion and the second bending portion are independently bent.

(Additional Item 17) A first control wire for controlling the first bending portion is fixed near the tip of the first bending portion, and the first control wire for controlling the first bending portion is attached near the tip of the second bending portion. Two
The endoscope according to appendix 16, wherein a second control wire for controlling the bending portion of the endoscope is fixed.

(Additional Item 18) A first protective member for protecting a first control wire for controlling the first bending portion is fixed near the rear end of the first bending portion, and the second protection member is fixed. The endoscope according to appendix 16, wherein a second protection member for protecting the second control wire for controlling the second bending portion is fixed near the rear end of the bending portion.

(Additional Item 19) A first protection member for protecting the first control wire for controlling the first bending portion is fixed near the tip of the second bending portion, and the first protection member is fixed. The endoscope according to appendix 16, wherein a second control wire for controlling the second bending portion is fixed near the fixing portion of the protection member.

(Additional Item 20) The first bending portion is composed of a plurality of tubular bending members that are rotatably fixed, and the second bending portion is a spiral formed by spirally winding a metal band. 17. The endoscope according to appendix 16, comprising a tube and a braid in which a linear member is woven.

(Additional Item 21) The endoscope according to Additional Item 16, wherein the second bending portion has a smaller number of bending controllable directions than the first bending portion.

(Additional remark 22) An insertion device comprising an observation means provided at the tip for observing a narrow space or lumen that cannot be observed directly, and an inner layer for guiding the tip to a desired site, which is made of a tubular metal member. In the endoscope having a section and a bending section configured to rotatably connect a plurality of tubular bending members that change the angle of the tip section, the insertion section includes:
An endoscope characterized in that a tip is provided with a fixing base, the tubular metal member is fixed to the outer periphery of the fixing base, and the bending member at the final end is fixed to the outer periphery of the tubular metal member. .

(Additional Item 23) The length of the fixing die provided at the tip of the insertion portion is set to the length of the rearmost end of the bending member forming the bending portion in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion. In addition to the above, the fixing mouthpiece of the insertion portion is fixed to the bending member at the final end so as not to protrude from the length of the bending portion in the insertion portion longitudinal direction. The described endoscope.

[0093]

As described above, according to the endoscope of the present invention, the insertion tube is formed by stacking a plurality of tubular members having different rigidity and connecting the plurality of tubular members in series in the insertion direction. Therefore, there is an effect that the insertion can be performed inexpensively and easily without complicating the insertion portion of the endoscope.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of a tip forming portion of the electronic endoscope of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section in the longitudinal axis direction of an insertion portion of the electronic endoscope of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a section taken along line AA of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view explaining the operation of the electronic endoscope of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of a main part in a longitudinal axis direction of an insertion part of an electronic endoscope according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of a main part in a longitudinal axis direction of an insertion part of an electronic endoscope according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope device 2 ... Electronic endoscope 3 ... Light source device 4 ... Video processor 5 ... Monitor 6 ... VTR deck 7 ... Video disk 8 ... Video printer 11 ... Insertion part 12 ... Operation part 13 ... Universal code 14 ... Universal Code connector 15 ... Light source lamp 16 ... Condensing lens 17 ... Light guide 18 ... Signal cable 19 ... Signal cable connector 21 ... Tip configuration part 22 ... Curved part 23 ... Treatment tool insertion port 24 ... Control button 31 ... Imaging unit 32 ... Treatment Tool insertion channel 33 ... Air supply / water supply channel 34 ... Tip fixing members 41a, 41b, ..., 41n ... Curved tubes 42, 52 ... Blades 44a, 44b, 44c, 44d ... Curved operation wires 45a, 45b, 45c, 45d, 55 ... Wire protection tube 46 ... Fixed base 47 ... First insertion tube 48 ... Second insertion tube 49 ... First spiral tube 50 ... Connecting tube 51 ... Second spiral tube 53 ... Resin 54 ... Insertion tube bending operation wire

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An observing means for observing an object in a lumen from a distal end portion toward a proximal end side, a bending portion for changing the direction of the observing means, and an insertion tube for guiding the distal end portion to a desired site. In the endoscope having an elongated flexible insertion portion that is inserted into the lumen and is configured in such a manner that the insertion tube is formed by stacking a plurality of tubular members having different rigidity in multiple layers. An endoscope characterized in that the plurality of tubular members are connected in series in the insertion direction.