JPH0984754A - Curving device of endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate the cleaning of each curving operation nob and each curving operation brake lever by installing an attaching and detaching means for independently attaching and detaching a vertical curving operation nob and a lateral curing operation nob in a curing device of an endoscope to and from respective operation parts. SOLUTION: When a vertical curving operation nob 25 and a lateral curving operation nob 40 are removed from a fixed shaft 11, a connecting handle 89 is first rotated to raise a lock pin 85 along a male screw 85b so as to be pulled into a lateral curving operation brake nob 83. Thus, the regulation of the relative rotation between the brake nob 83 and a rotation arresting plate 82 is released, the brake nob 83 is removed form the fixed shaft 11, and the rotation arresting plate 82, a brake plate 74, a frictional plate 56 and the like are then pulled out integrally with the operation nob 40. A vertical curve receiver 26, a frictional plate 27, an adjustor 36 and the like are pulled out integrally with the operation nob 25, and a vertical curving operation brake lever 44, a regulating member, a pin and the like mounted on a bearing cylinder 19 are pulled out followed by cleaning.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bending device for an endoscope that bends a bending portion provided in an endoscope insertion portion vertically and horizontally, and more particularly to a structure for attaching and detaching a bending operation knob protruding from an operation portion. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an endoscope has been widely used in which a slender endoscope is inserted into a body cavity or the like to observe a region to be examined and perform various treatments.

Generally, in an endoscope having a flexible insertion portion, a bending portion is provided on the distal end side of the insertion portion of the endoscope, and a pulling member such as a bending wire which is inserted into the insertion portion and arranged in the bending portion is provided. As a bending device for an endoscope, a bending operation knob provided on an operation portion continuously provided on the proximal end side of the insertion portion is used to move the bending wire forward and backward, thereby bending the bending portion in desired vertical and horizontal directions. Is able to. That is, the operator can appropriately select and rotate the bending operation knobs for the up / down and left / right directions provided on the bending device to bend the bending portion to a desired angle. Observation can be performed with the observation optical system provided in a desired direction, and insertion into a test site can be easily performed.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-19128, a bending device provided in an operating portion for bending a bending portion of an endoscope insertion portion is provided with a pair of vertical and horizontal bending operation knobs and rotation of the bending operation knob. It is shown that a pair of curving operation braking levers for restricting the operation and holding the curving state are formed in one unit, and are detachably attached to the operation portion. As a result, the two bending operation knobs and the two bending operation braking levers can be integrally attached to and detached from the operation portion.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-26874 discloses a bending operation knob for up and down directions and a bending operation knob for left and right directions.
What is configured to be detachable by one attaching / detaching means is shown. Thus, the two bending operation knobs can be attached / detached by one attaching / detaching means.

[0006]

However, when an endoscope used in the medical field is inserted into the body cavity of a patient, body fluid or the like adheres to the endoscope insertion portion or the distal end portion.
For this reason, when the endoscope which has been used once is reused, the endoscope must be washed to prevent infection by the endoscope. However, in the Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-19128, the bending operation knobs and the bending operation braking levers, which are a pair of upper and lower / left and right bending operation levers, are integrally formed as one unit. The gap between and could not be physically cleaned. Also,
When disinfecting with a chemical disinfectant, etc., it is difficult to make sure that the disinfectant comes into contact with the gap, and it is not possible to confirm whether or not the disinfectant surely comes in contact with all gaps. It was

On the other hand, in JP-B-4-26874, since the two bending operation knobs are attached by one attaching / detaching means, the bending operation knobs are held while the operator repeatedly performs the bending operation. The bending operation knob may come off from the operation portion due to loosening of the attaching / detaching means and deterioration of operability, or accidental touching of the attaching / detaching means. Further, since the force applied at the time of attachment / detachment concentrates on one attachment / detachment portion, there is a problem that the attachment / detachment mechanism is easily damaged.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the bending operation knobs and the bending operation braking levers can be easily attached to and detached from the operation portion, and the bending operation knobs and the bending operation braking levers can be physically attached. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope bending apparatus that is easy to clean.

[0009]

A bending device for an endoscope according to the present invention has a bending portion that is bendable in the vertical and horizontal directions formed on the distal end side of an endoscope insertion portion, and has an operating portion for the endoscope. A bending operation knob for up and down directions, which is continuously provided on the base end side of the insertion section and which bends the bending section in the up and down direction from this operation section, and a rotation which allows bending operation of the bending section in the left and right directions. Bending operation lever for rotating the left / right bending operation knob and the up / down bending operation knob, and rotating operation of the left / right bending operation knob for restricting the rotation operation of the up / down bending operation knob to maintain the up / down bending state of the bending portion Is a bending device for an endoscope in which a left-right bending operation braking lever that holds the bending state of the bending portion in the left-right direction is coaxially overlapped and protruded. Operate the left and right bending operation knobs respectively It is provided with a detachable means for removably independently from.

According to this structure, by providing the attaching / detaching means, the vertical bending operation knob and the horizontal bending operation knob can be easily detached from and attached to the operation portion of the endoscope. .

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 10 relate to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an endoscope,
2 is an explanatory view showing a state before assembling the bending apparatus for an endoscope, FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a mounting state of the bending apparatus for an endoscope on a fixed shaft, and FIG. 4 is an endoscope provided on an operating portion. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a mirror bending device, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a vertical bending operation knob, FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a tip end portion of a fixed shaft and a fifth mounting plate, and FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the direction bending operation knob, FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the rotation blocking plate, FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the left-right bending operation operating knob and the lock pin, and FIG. It is sectional drawing explaining a through hole and a waterproof lid.

As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope 1 includes an endoscope insertion portion 2 which is inserted into a body cavity and an endoscope operation portion 3 which is connected to the proximal end side of the endoscope insertion portion 2. It is mainly configured by a universal cord 4 extending from a side portion of the endoscope operation section 3.

The endoscope insertion portion 2 connects the flexible tube portion 5, the bending portion 6, and the distal end forming portion 7 from the endoscope operation portion 3 side, and the endoscope operation portion 3 has the above-mentioned structure. A bending device 8 for remotely bending the bending portion 6 is provided. Then, the surgeon operates the bending operation knobs for up, down, left, and right provided on the bending device 8 to bend the bending portion 6 in the up-down and left-right directions to move the tip forming portion 7 in a desired direction. It can be turned.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the endoscope 1
A substrate 10 is integrally fixed in an operation section main body 9 which is a casing constituting the endoscope operation section 3. This substrate 10
A fixed shaft 11 for arranging a bending operation knob for up and down directions, a bending operation knob for left and right directions, a up and down bending operation braking lever, a left and right bending operation braking lever, etc., which will be described later, is fixed.

The fixed shaft 11 is a slender rod-shaped member having a lower end provided with a collar 11a and an upper end provided with the male screw portion 1a.
1b is provided. A female screw is formed on the collar 11a. By integrally fixing the collar 11a to the shaft fixing plate 13 via a bolt 13a, the fixed shaft 1
1 is arranged upright on the shaft fixing plate 13. And
The shaft fixing plate 13 in which the fixed shaft 11 is upright is mounted on the substrate 10
By integrally fixing the fixed shaft 11 to the operating portion main body 9, the fixed shaft 11 projects from the through hole 14 formed in the operating portion main body 9.

On the fixed shaft 11 fixed to the substrate 10 and protruding from the through hole 14 of the operation portion main body 9, a left and right curved first sleeve integrally provided with a left and right curved sprocket 15 at the lower end portion on the substrate 10 side. 16 is rotatably fitted to the outside, and a vertically curved first sleeve 18 in which a vertically curved sprocket 17 is integrally provided at a lower end portion of the horizontally curved first sleeve 18
Is rotatably fitted on the outside. The upper and lower curved first sleeves 18 and the left and right curved first sleeves 16 are provided at their upper ends with concave and convex portions for engaging and fixing the vertically curved second sleeves and the lateral curved second sleeves, which will be described later.

A chain (not shown) having upper and lower operation wires (not shown) connected to both ends is meshed with the vertically curved sprocket 17 to form the left and right curved sprocket 1.
A chain (not shown) in which left and right operation wires (not shown) are connected to both ends is meshed with 5. Then, the tip ends of the wires are connected at four positions at 90 ° intervals with respect to the circumferential direction of the tip bending piece located at the tip of the bending portion 6 connecting the bending pieces (not shown). Therefore, by rotating the left / right curved sprocket 15, the left / right operation chain is moved to bend the bending portion 6 in the left / right direction, and by rotating the up / down curved sprocket 17, the up / down operation chain is moved. Move and bend 6
Is curved in the vertical direction.

The upper and lower curved first sleeves 18 and the left and right curved first sleeves 16 are provided at the upper and lower portions with uneven portions formed at the lower end portions to engage with the uneven portions. 21 and the left-right curved second sleeve 22 are engaged with each other. In addition, the vertical bending second
Collars 21a and 22a are provided on the upper end sides of the sleeve 21 and the left-right curved second sleeve 22, respectively.

The left-right curved second sleeve 22 is formed to be longer than the vertical curved second sleeve 21.
Therefore, when the left / right curved second sleeve 22 is engaged with the left / right curved first sleeve 16 and the up / down curved second sleeve 21 is engaged with the up / down curved first sleeve 18, the left / right curved second sleeve 22 is Vertically curved second sleeve 21
It is more prominent.

A bearing cylinder 19 having a through hole into which the vertically curved second sleeve 21 is fitted is liquid-tightly provided in the operation portion main body 9 through an O-ring 19a made of an elastic body. Further, the O-ring 1 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole of the bearing cylinder 19 so as to abut against the vertically curved second sleeve 21.
9b is interposed. Further, a concavo-convex portion is formed on the lower end surface of the bearing cylinder 19 on the substrate 10 side, and the concavo-convex portion of the bearing cylinder 19 is engaged with one end of the cover 20 fixed to the substrate 10. It has become. An O-ring 21b is interposed on the inner peripheral surface of the vertically curved second sleeve 21 so as to be located between the vertically curved second sleeve 21 and the outer peripheral surfaces of the horizontally curved second sleeves 22, and the fixing is performed. An O-ring 11c is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 11 between the fixed shaft 11 and the inner peripheral surface of the left and right curved second sleeve 22.

The structure of the vertical bending operation knob 25 which is detachable from the fixed shaft 11 will now be described. In order to configure the up-down bending operation knob 25 for rotating the up-down bending sprocket 17, the flange 21a of the up-down bending second sleeve 21 is a cap-shaped up-down bending receiving body 26 having an accommodation space 26a therein. However, with the opening of the accommodation space 26a facing the operation unit body 9 side, the bolt 2
It is fixed by 1c. An O-ring 26b that maintains a liquid-tight state is interposed between the vertically curved receiving body 26 and the vertically curved second sleeve 21.

A housing space portion 26a of the vertically curved receiver 26.
A first mounting plate 28 having a friction plate 27 fixed to the upper surface is provided therein.
Then, a spring receiving plate 31 having an annular plate spring 29 bent toward the lower surface of the first mounting plate 28 disposed on the upper surface thereof is sequentially accommodated from the opening. At this time, the spring receiving plate 31 is rotatably fitted on the vertically curved second sleeve 21.
An O-ring 31a is interposed between and the outer peripheral surface of the vertically curved second sleeve 21.

An upper annular wall 31b is provided upright on the outer peripheral portion of the upper surface of the spring receiving plate 31, and an O-ring is provided between the upper annular wall 31b and the inner peripheral surface of the vertically curved receiver 26. 31c is interposed.

Further, a cutout portion 32 is provided in a part of the upper annular wall 31b, and the projection portion 28a provided on the first mounting plate 28 is engaged with the cutout portion 32. Has become.

On the other hand, on the outer peripheral surface of the vertically curved receiver 26, a first male screw 26c along the axial direction, a first outer peripheral spline 26d and a second male screw 26e formed at a plurality of equal pitch intervals are formed as openings. It is formed sequentially toward the side.

An annular first adjusting body 36 is rotatably engaged with the second male screw 26e, and the outer peripheral surface of the first adjusting body 36 is arranged at the same pitch interval as the first outer peripheral spline 26d. The formed second outer peripheral spline 36a is provided. A flange 36b protruding toward the center is formed on the lower end surface of the first adjusting body 36,
The lower surface of the lower annular wall 31d of the spring receiving plate 31 is in contact with the upper surface of the flange 36b.

Therefore, as the first adjusting body 36 is screwed into the vertically curved receiving body 26, the spring receiving plate 31 rises. Then, as the spring receiving plate 31 rises, the force for urging the first mounting plate 28 of the plate spring 29 arranged on the spring receiving plate 31 increases. As a result, the frictional force generated by the friction plate 27 provided on the first mounting plate 28 pressing the inner peripheral wall of the vertically curved receiving body 26 can be increased. That is,
By changing the screwing position of the first adjusting body 36 with respect to the vertical bending receiving plate 26, the frictional force of the friction plate 27 on the vertical bending receiving plate 26 can be appropriately adjusted.

A vertical bending operation knob body 25a is fitted and fixed to the vertical bending receiver 26 and the first adjusting body 36. Therefore, the vertical bending operation knob body 2
On the inner peripheral surface of 5a, the first and second outer peripheral splines 26d,
By forming a first inner peripheral spline 25b (see FIG. 5) corresponding to 36a and fitting the first inner peripheral spline 25a to these splines 26d and 36a,
When the vertical bending operation knob main body 25a is rotationally operated, the vertical bending receiver 26 and the first adjusting body 36 rotate integrally, while the vertical bending receiver 26 and the first adjusting body 36 rotate. Is prevented from rotating relative to
The frictional force generated by the adjusting body 36 is maintained in the initial adjustment state.

A first pressing ring 42 is screwed and fixed to the first male screw 26c of the vertically curved receiver 26,
The vertical bending operation knob body 25a is prevented from falling off. Further, below the spring receiving plate 31, the second mounting plate 4 is fixed so as not to rotate with respect to the bearing tubular body 19 constituting the vertical bending operation braking lever 44.
3 and a vertical bending motion braking lever main body 44a located on the lower surface side of the second mounting plate 43 and rotatable with respect to the bearing cylinder 19.

As shown in FIG. 5, a pair of protrusions 45 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the second mounting plate 43, and one ends of a belt-shaped locking spring 46 and a biasing spring 47 are fixed. . On the other hand, on the upper surface of the vertical bending operation braking lever main body portion 44a, on the outer peripheral side of the second mounting plate 43, there is a restriction member 49 having an engaging concave portion 48 with which the projection portion 45 is engaged.
Has been fixed. Therefore, the vertical bending operation braking lever main body portion 44a is configured to rotate in a range from the one end surface of the engaging recess 48 to the other end surface of the engaging recess 48.

Pins 50 are provided upright on the upper surface of the vertical bending brake lever main body 44a at positions where the other ends of the locking spring 46 and the biasing spring 47 correspond to each other. Therefore, when the up-and-down bending operation braking lever main body 44a is to be rotated in the direction of the arrow in the state of the drawing, the pin 50 elastically deforms the locking spring 46 and the biasing spring 47 in the axial direction.

When the vertical bending motion braking lever main body 44a is in the state shown in the drawing, the other end of the locking spring 46 is a recess formed in the inner peripheral surface of the lower annular wall 31d of the spring receiving plate 31. The spring receiving plate 31 is engaged with the second mounting plate 43 by the engagement, and the spring receiving plate 31 is prevented from rotating. Therefore, when the vertical bending operation knob 25 is rotated in this state, the frictional force between the friction plate 27 and the vertical bending receiver 26 becomes a rotational resistance.

Next, the structure of the left-right bending operation knob 40 which is detachable from the fixed shaft 11 will be described. In order to configure the left-right bending operation knob 40 for rotating the left-right bending sprocket 15, the brim 22a of the left-right bending second sleeve 22 is provided with a left-right bending receiver 52 having a cap shape and an accommodating space portion 52a inside. Accommodation space 52a
Contrary to the vertically curved receiving body 26, the opening is fixed toward the side opposite to the operation portion body 9 by a bolt 22b. A liquid-tight state is maintained between the left-right curved receiving body 52 and the left-right curved second sleeve 22 by interposing an O-ring 22c.

A housing space 52a for the left and right curved receivers 52
An annular leaf spring 55 bent toward the opening side is provided inside.
And a third mounting plate 57 having a friction plate 56 fixed to the upper surface thereof are sequentially accommodated from the opening. Further, a fourth mounting plate 58 is rotatably disposed on the left-right curved second sleeve 22 so as to be placed on the upper surface of the friction plate 56 in the accommodation space 52a.

An outer annular wall 58a is provided upright on the outer peripheral portion of the upper surface of the fourth mounting plate 58, and the second curved second sleeve 2 is curved.
An inner annular wall 58b is provided upright in the peripheral portion on the second side. An O-ring 58c is interposed between the outer annular wall 58a and the inner peripheral surface of the left-right curved receiving body 52, and between the inner peripheral surface of the inner annular wall 58b and the second curved second sleeve 22. O-rings 58d are respectively interposed.

A cutout portion 52c is provided in a part of the outer peripheral side of an upper annular wall 52b provided in the peripheral portion of the left and right curved receiving body 52 on the side of the left and right curved second sleeve 22, and this cutout portion 52c is provided. The projection 57a formed on the third mounting plate 57 is adapted to be engaged.

On the other hand, on the outer peripheral surface of the left and right curved receiving body 52, male threads 52d along the axial direction and third outer peripheral splines 52e formed at a plurality of equal pitch intervals are sequentially formed from the opening side.

The male screw 52d is provided with an annular second adjusting body 6
6 is rotatably screwed, and a fourth outer peripheral spline 66a and a male screw 66b formed at the same pitch as the third outer peripheral spline 52e are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the second adjusting body 66. ing. The second adjusting body 6
A flange 66c protruding toward the center is provided on the upper end surface of 6, and the upper surface of the outer annular wall 58a of the fourth mounting plate 58 is in contact with the side surface of the operation portion main body 9 of the flange 66c. .

Therefore, by screwing the second adjusting body 66 into the left and right curved receiving body 52, the fourth mounting plate 58, the friction plate 56, and the third mounting plate 57 are all lowered. By lowering the third mounting plate 57, the urging force of the leaf spring 55 with respect to the third mounting plate 57 increases. As a result, it is possible to increase the frictional force generated by pressing the side surface of the operation portion main body 9 of the fourth mounting plate 58 of the friction plate 56 disposed on the third mounting plate 57. That is, by changing the screwing position of the second adjusting body 66 with respect to the left and right curved receiving body 52, the friction plate 56 is moved to the fourth position.
The frictional force on the mounting plate 58 can be adjusted appropriately.

Then, the left / right bending operation knob body 40a is fitted and fixed to the left / right bending receiving body 52 and the second adjusting body 66. Therefore, the third and fourth outer peripheral splines 52 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the bending operation knob main body 40a for the left-right direction.
e, 66a corresponding to the second inner peripheral spline 40b (see FIG. 7).
When the left and right bending operation knob 40 is rotationally operated by fitting the second inner peripheral spline 40b to the splines 52e and 66a, the left and right bending receivers 52 and the second adjustment are formed. While the body 66 rotates integrally, the relative rotation between the left and right curved receiving bodies 52 and the second adjusting body 66 is blocked, and the second adjusting body 6 is prevented.
The frictional force due to 6 is maintained in the initial adjustment state.

Incidentally, the male screw 66b of the second adjusting body 66.
A second pressing ring 71 is screwed and fixed to the to prevent the lateral bending operation knob body 40a from falling off.
Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a fifth attachment plate 72 having a D-shaped hole portion 72a that engages with a D-shaped portion 11d provided on the fixed shaft 11 is provided above the fourth attachment plate 58. Are fitted and attached. As a result, the fifth mounting plate 72 is supported without rotating with respect to the fixed shaft 11. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a flange portion 73 projecting outward is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the upper end portion of the fifth mounting plate 72. The flange portion 73 is smaller than the outer diameter dimension of the flange portion 73. A braking plate 74 having a hole for inserting the outer peripheral surface thereof is rotatably attached to the fifth attachment plate 72.

As shown in FIG. 7, a cutout portion 75 is provided on the lower surface of the fifth mounting plate 72, and one ends of a belt-shaped locking spring 76 and a biasing spring 77 are fixed to the outer peripheral surface. There is. On the other hand, a regulating member 79 having an engaging projection 78 on the lower surface of the braking plate 74 and on the outer peripheral side of the fifth mounting plate 72.
Has been fixed. Therefore, the notch 75 is engaged with the engaging protrusion 78. Therefore,
The braking plate 74 is configured to rotate within a range from the one end side of the cutout portion 75 to the other end side of the engaging projection 78. Further, on the lower surface of the braking plate 74, the pin 8 is provided at a position where the other ends of the locking spring 76 and the biasing spring 77 correspond to each other.
0 stands. Therefore, when the braking plate 74 is to be rotated in the direction of the arrow from the state shown in the drawing, the locking spring 76 and the biasing spring 77 are elastically deformed in the axial direction by the pin 80.

When the braking plate 74 is in the state shown in the figure, the other end of the locking spring 76 is engaged with the recess 81 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer annular wall 58a of the fourth mounting plate 58. The fourth mounting plate 58 is coupled to the fifth mounting plate 72 by this engagement, so that the fourth mounting plate 5
The rotation of 8 is blocked. Therefore, when the bending operation knob main body 40a for the left-right direction is rotated in this state, the frictional force between the friction plate 56 and the left-right bending receiver 52 serves as rotational resistance.

On the upper part of the braking plate 74, concentric with the braking plate 74, as shown in FIG. 8, there is provided a detaching means having a center on one circumference and a plurality of through holes formed as lock pin receiving holes 82a. The constituent rotation blocking plate 82 is fixed. Reference numeral 82b is a through hole through which the fixed shaft 11 is inserted.

As shown in FIG. 9 (A), a left / right curving operation braking knob 83, which also functions as an attaching / detaching means, is provided on the male screw portion 11b formed on the upper end portion of the fixed shaft 11 so as to be located above the rotation preventing plate 82. It is designed to be screwed and fixed. The left and right curving operation braking knobs 83 are provided on the outer peripheral side of the left and right curving operation braking knobs 83.
2, the lock pin receiving holes 82a, 82
a. . . A through hole 83a is formed at a position concentric with the center of the. The flange portion 8 is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the through hole 83a.
A lock pin 85 having 5a is fitted and inserted.

Above the flange portion 85a of the lock pin 85 fitted into the through hole 83a, a spring 87 as a biasing member is externally mounted. A hole 90a smaller than the inner diameter of the spring 87 and larger than the outer diameter of the lock pin 85 is provided at the same position as the through hole 83a on the upper surface of the left / right bending operation braking knob 83 above the spring 87. The pressing plate 90 is integrally fixed with a screw 90c or the like with the O-ring 90b interposed therebetween. Therefore, the spring 87 is housed in the through hole 83a and constantly urges the lock pin 85 toward the operation portion main body 9 side.

Hole 9 in the pressing plate 90 of the lock pin 85
A male screw 85b is formed at a portion projecting from 0a, and a connection knob 89 screwed to the male screw 85b is provided. On the inner peripheral surface of the connection knob 89, a stopper 88 made of a cylindrical member that abuts a recess 85c formed in the lock pin 85 is provided in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction.

Therefore, by rotating the connection knob 89, the lock pin 85 moves vertically in the range of the recess 85c. And the lock pin 8
When 5 is lowered, the tip of the lock pin 85 is fitted into the lock pin receiving hole 82a of the rotation blocking plate 82, and the braking plate 74 fixed to the rotation blocking plate 82 and the left-right curved braking knob 83. Rotate integrally.

As shown in FIG. 10, the fixed shaft 11
And the through hole 14 at the same time so that they can be kept watertight at the same time. Reference numeral 97 is provided separately from the bending device such as the up / down bending operation knob 25 and the left / right bending operation knob 40.

The operation of the bending apparatus for an endoscope configured as described above will be described. First, the adjustment of the rotation resistance of the bending operation knob will be described. When the rotation resistance of the bending operation knob 25 for the vertical direction is performed in the assembly process, the vertical bending receiver 26
By relatively rotating the first adjusting body 36 screwed to the up-and-down curved receiving body, the force of the leaf spring 29 for urging the first mounting plate 28 can be adjusted. The frictional force applied to the up-and-down curved receiver 26 by the friction plate 27 provided on the first mounting plate 28 is changed, so that the braking force can be adjusted.

Then, at the stage where the adjustment of the braking force of the vertical bending operation knob 25 is completed, the first outer peripheral spline 26d of the vertical bending receiver 26 and the second outer peripheral spline 36a of the first adjusting body 36 are aligned with each other. Then, the first inner peripheral spline 25b formed on the vertical bending operation knob body 25a is fitted to the matched first outer peripheral spline 26d and second outer peripheral spline 36a to complete the attachment. As a result, relative rotation between the up-down bending receiving body 26 and the first adjusting body 36 is blocked, and the rotation resistance of the up-down bending operation knob 25 is always maintained in the initial adjustment state.

When adjusting the rotational resistance of the vertical bending operation knob 25, the rotational resistance is adjusted by adjusting the outer peripheral splines 26d and 36a in units of pitches between the vertical bending receiving body 26 and the first adjusting body 36. Since it can be performed by relatively rotating the splines 26d and 36a, the splines 26d and 36a are finely divided into equal parts as shown in the present embodiment, thereby enabling a very small amount of adjustment. At this time, the pitch of the first inner peripheral splines 25b of the vertical bending operation knob body 25a is also finely formed accordingly.

The adjustment of the rotational resistance of the left / right bending operation knob 40 is similar to the adjustment of the rotation resistance of the up / down bending operation knob 25. By relatively rotating the second adjusting body 66 screwed to the left and right curved receiving body 52, the force of the leaf spring 55 for urging the third mounting plate 57 can be adjusted. The friction force applied to the fourth mounting plate 58 by the friction plate 56 provided on the mounting plate 57 is changed, so that the braking force can be adjusted.

Then, when the adjustment of the braking force of the left / right bending operation knob 40 is completed, the third outer peripheral spline 52e of the left / right bending receiving body 52 and the fourth outer peripheral spline 66a of the second adjusting body 66 are aligned with each other. The second inner peripheral spline 7 formed on the curved operating knob 40 for the left and right direction on the matched third outer peripheral spline 52e and fourth outer peripheral spline 66a.
Complete the installation by fitting 0. As a result, the relative rotation between the left and right curving receiving body 52 and the second adjusting body 66 is blocked, and the rotational resistance of the curving operation knob 40 for left and right directions is always maintained in the initial adjustment state.

Next, braking of the bending operation will be described.
When the vertical bending motion braking lever 44 is operated to rotate the vertical bending motion braking lever main body 44a, the pin 50 fixed to the vertical bending motion braking lever main body 44a.
Is a locking spring 4 whose one end is fixed to the second mounting plate 43.
6. The biasing spring 47 is expanded or compressed with respect to the center direction. As a result, the other end of the locking spring 46 can be locked or released from the recess 31e formed in the upper annular wall 31d.
Therefore, by restricting or allowing the relative rotational movement of the vertically curved receiver 26, the friction plate 27, the first mounting plate 28, and the spring receiver 31 accommodating the plate spring 29, the spring receiver 31 can be moved vertically. Braking is added to the rotation operation of the bending operation knob 25,
It can be adjusted or lost.

When the left / right bending operation braking knob 83 is rotated, the rotation operation is transmitted to the rotation blocking plate 82 and the braking plate 74 via the lock pin 85, and the braking operation is performed. Pin 8 fixed to plate 74
0 is a locking spring 7 whose one end is fixed to the fifth mounting plate 72
6. The biasing spring 77 is expanded or compressed in the center direction. As a result, the other end of the engaging spring 76 can be engaged with or separated from the recess 81 formed in the outer annular wall 58a. Therefore, by restricting or allowing the relative rotational movement of the left and right curved receivers 52 accommodating the fourth mounting plate 58, the friction plate 56, the third mounting plate 57, and the plate spring 55, the left and right directions are controlled. Braking operation for the bending operation knob 40 for
It can be adjusted or lost.

Next, the attachment / detachment of the up / down bending operation knob and the left / right bending operation knob from the fixed shaft will be described. First, when the connection knob 89 arranged as shown in FIG. 9A is rotated, the lock pin 85 rises along the male screw 85b so as to be drawn into the left-right bending operation braking knob 83, and the left-right Nothing restricts the relative rotational movement of the bending movement braking knob 83 and the rotation blocking plate 82. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9B, the left / right curving operation braking knob 83 is rotated to remove the left / right curving operation braking knob 83 from the threaded portion 84 of the fixed shaft 11.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2, after the left / right bending operation braking knob 83 is removed from the fixed shaft 11, the rotation blocking plate 82 attached to the left / right bending operation knob 40,
Fifth mounting plate 72, braking plate 74, pin 80, fourth mounting plate 5
8, friction plate 56, third mounting plate 57, plate spring 55, left and right curved receiving body 52, second adjusting body 66, second pressing ring 71,
The left and right curved second sleeve 22 is integrally pulled out from the fixed shaft 11.

Subsequently, the vertical bending receiver 26, the friction plate 27, the first mounting plate 28, the leaf spring 29, the spring receiver 31, and the first adjusting member 36, which are assembled to the vertical bending knob 25, are attached.
The first pressing ring 42 and the vertically curved second sleeve 21 are integrally pulled out from the fixed shaft 11.

Finally, the second mounting plate 43 mounted on the bearing cylinder 19 and the vertical bending motion braking lever 4
4, the regulating member 49, the locking spring 46, the biasing spring 47, and the pin 50 are integrally pulled out from the fixed shaft 11, and then the waterproof lid 9
7 is inserted into the fixed shaft 11 to close the through hole 14 formed in the operation portion main body 9 so that cleaning, disinfection and the like can be performed.

When attaching the vertical bending operation knob and the horizontal bending operation knob to the fixed shaft, the waterproof lid 9 is used.
After removing 7 from the fixed shaft 11, a bearing cylinder body having a vertical bending motion braking lever on the fixed shaft is reversely assembled.
After the vertical bending operation knob and the left-right bending operation knob are fitted and inserted, the left-right bending operation knob may be screwed onto the fixed shaft.

As described above, the left-right bending operation knob is integrally mounted on the fixed shaft with the bearing cylinder having the left-right bending operation knob, the up-down bending operation knob, and the up-down bending operation lever. Rotate the connection knob provided on the left / right bending motion braking knob to pull the lock pin into the left / right bending motion braking knob to prevent the relative rotation motion between the left / right bending motion braking knob and the rotation blocking plate. Then, by loosening the screwing of the left-right bending operation braking knob and removing it from the fixed shaft, the bearing cylinder body having the left-right bending operation knob, the up-down bending operation knob, and the up-down bending operation lever can be easily formed. Can be removed from the fixed shaft. As a result, not only can each bending operation knob and each bending operation braking knob be easily removed from the operation part, and not only can each knob be physically cleaned, but also each part can be disinfected when a chemical disinfectant is used. It is easy to visually confirm whether or not the medicine is in contact.

Further, the bearing cylinder having the vertical bending operation braking lever fitted in the fixed shaft, the vertical operation bending operation knob and the horizontal direction operation knob are fixed to the fixed axis. Since the lock pin is screwed to the shaft and the lock pin is attached to the rotation blocking plate in a double structure, damage to the attachment / detachment mechanism caused by stress concentration at one point of the attachment / detachment portion can be eliminated. In addition, it is possible to prevent the lateral bending motion braking knob from slipping out during operation.

Further, by providing a plurality of attaching / detaching means on the left / right bending operation braking lever and finally attaching the left / right bending operation braking lever on the fixed shaft, the whole assembling is completed, so that either one of the attaching / detaching means is It prevents falling off when it is loosened due to bending operation, etc.
The complexity of work is greatly reduced.

Further, by engaging the bending operation knob and the bending operation braking lever through the uneven portion provided on the operation portion,
Not only the rotational force is transmitted without slipping, but also the rotary shaft of the bending operation knob and the rotary shaft on the operating portion side are easily engaged.

Further, it is possible to easily select and replace the shapes of the operation knob and the braking lever which are suitable for the operator's hand.

Further, adjustment of the rotation resistance of the bending operation knob is
This can be easily and surely performed by rotationally adjusting the position of the first adjusting body with respect to the up-and-down curved receiving body or the position of the second adjusting body with respect to the left-and-right curved receiving body. The outer peripheral spline and the second outer peripheral spline are fitted with the first inner peripheral spline formed on the vertical bending operation knob body, or the second inner portion formed on the third outer peripheral spline and the fourth outer peripheral spline on the horizontal bending operation knob. By fitting the circumferential splines, it is possible to always keep the initial state constant without changing the rotational resistance.

After removing the bending device such as the bending operation knob from the fixed shaft, a waterproof lid is attached to the operation portion of the endoscope to ensure the waterproofness of the endoscope and to clean the endoscope.
Can be sterilized.

By the way, in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 2-19128 and 4-26874, when the bending operation knob is removed, the bending operation knob is attached from the operation portion of the endoscope. Moreover, there is a problem that the fixed shaft is projected and cleaning workability is deteriorated. Therefore, when the bending device is detached from the operation portion, an endoscope having a structure in which there is no protrusion from the operation portion of the endoscope has been desired.

11 to 19 relate to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the endoscope is attached to and detached from an operating portion of a bending device, and FIG. Explanatory view showing a state in which a fixed shaft integrally attached with a direction bending operation knob and a vertical bending operation braking lever is removed, and FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating an engaged state between a first fixed shaft and a second fixed shaft. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the tip portion of the second fixed shaft, FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the lower end portion of the left and right curved second sleeve in which the second fixed shaft of FIG. 14 is fitted, and FIG. 16 is a diagram. 15 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the lower end portion of the vertically curved second sleeve in which the lower end portion of the left and right curved second sleeve 15 is fitted. FIG. 17 is an external view of the lower end portion of the vertically curved second sleeve of FIG.
8 is a cross-sectional view showing an engaging portion of the bearing tubular body with which the vertically curved second sleeve of FIG. 16 is engaged, and FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the through hole and the waterproof lid of the operation portion main body.

As shown in FIG. 11, in the endoscope bending apparatus of this embodiment, the substrate 10 fixed to the operation section body 9 is arranged in the operation section body 9 of the endoscope operation section 3. Cage,
A flange 101a formed at the lower end of the first fixed shaft 101 is fixed to the substrate 10. The upper end portion of the first fixed shaft 101 has a through hole 14 formed in the operation portion main body 9.
It is formed to a length that does not project further.

An engaging portion 101a formed of a space is provided at the upper end of the first fixed shaft 101, and the engaging portion 101b is fitted with a vertical / horizontal bending operation knob to be described later. An engaging portion 102a (see FIGS. 12 and 13) formed at the lower end of the fixed shaft 102 is configured to engage. That is, when the second fixed shaft 102, to which the bending operation knob is assembled, is removed from the first fixed shaft 101, the upper end portion of the first fixed shaft 101 has the through hole 1 of the operation portion body 9.
It is designed not to protrude from 4.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a plurality of uneven portions 101c are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the engaging portion 101b of the first fixed shaft 101, and the second fixed shaft 102 is formed.
The lower end portion of the concave and convex portion 10 formed on the engaging portion 101b
An engaging portion 102a that engages with 1c is formed.

As shown in FIG. 11, the left and right curved first sleeve concave and convex portions 1 having a plurality of concave and convex portions are formed on the upper end of the left and right curved first sleeve 16 on which the right and left curved sprocket 15 is arranged.
06 is formed. Also, the up and down curved sprocket 1
Similarly to the left-right curved first sleeve 16, an up-down curved first sleeve concave-convex portion 107 is formed on the upper end portion of the vertical curved first sleeve 18 in which 7 is arranged.

The left-right curved first sleeve 16 and the up-down curved first sleeve 18 are both attached to the first fixed shaft 10.
As in No. 1, it is formed with a length that does not protrude from the through hole 14 provided in the operation portion main body 9. In addition, a vertically curved first sleeve 18 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the laterally curved first sleeve 16.
Upward and downward curving first sleeve convex portion 108 provided on the inner peripheral surface of the
A left-right curved first sleeve convex portion 105 that abuts on the is formed. Further, a vertically curved first sleeve collar 104 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the vertically curved first sleeve 18, and the upper surface of the vertically curved first sleeve collar 104 and the lower surface of the cover 20 are in contact with each other.

Through hole 1 provided in the operation section main body 9
4, the mounting seat retainer 112 is provided from the inner surface side, and the mounting seat 109 is screwed and fixed to the male screw portion 112a formed on the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion of the mounting seat retainer 112 while sandwiching the operation portion main body 9. . A mounting seat concave-convex portion 109a having a plurality of concaves and convexes is formed at an upper end of the mounting seat 109, and a groove portion 109b is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the mounting seat 109 over the entire circumference. An elastic ring 110 formed by a ring-shaped member having a D-shaped cross section is partially inserted into the groove 109a.

On the other hand, the bending operation knobs 25, 40 are pivotally supported, and the second fixed shaft 102 in which the left and right curved second sleeves 22 are fitted and inserted on the outer peripheral surface of the second fixed shaft 102 has the lower end portion of the uneven portion of the first fixed shaft 101. An engaging portion 102a that engages with 101c is formed,
A left and right curving operation braking knob receiver 118, which is fixed to the braking plate 74 with a screw or the like, is integrally fixed to the upper end portion by a locking ring 120 formed in a C shape. A left / right bending operation braking knob 119 is fixed to the left / right bending operation braking knob receiver 118 by adhesion or the like.

A male screw 115a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the bearing cylinder 115 below the portion in contact with the lower end face of the vertical bending motion braking lever 44, and this male screw 115a is formed.
The connection member 113 is screwed and fixed to the. A groove 115b is formed on the entire outer peripheral surface of the lower end portion of the bearing cylinder 115, and an O-ring 115c is formed in the groove 115b.
Has been inserted.

On the lower surface side of the connecting member 113, a concavo-convex portion 113a that engages with the mounting seat concavo-convex portion 109a provided on the mounting seat 109 is formed.
The lower annular wall 113b fitted on the mounting seat 109 is attached to the lower surface of the
A groove 113c is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the lower annular wall 113b over the entire circumference at a position where the elastic ring 110 is locked.

As shown in FIG. 14, the lower end of the second fixed shaft 102 is provided with a step 121 with a small outer diameter.

As shown in FIG. 15, the second fixed shaft 102
At the lower end portion of the inner peripheral surface of the left-right curved second sleeve 22 into which is inserted the step portion 123 in which the inner diameter of the left-right curved second sleeve 22 is made small so as to contact the step portion 121 is provided. The outer peripheral surface of the lower end portion of the left-right curved second sleeve 22 is formed with a smaller outer diameter than the outer peripheral surface of the second curved left-right sleeve 22, and a groove portion 122 is provided over the entire circumference. In addition, a concave-convex portion 22d formed in a shape to engage with the horizontal curved first sleeve concave-convex portion 106 formed on the upper end surface of the left-right curved first sleeve 16 is formed on the lower end surface of the left-right curved second sleeve 22. Has been formed.

As shown in FIG. 16, at the lower end of the inner peripheral surface of the vertically curved second sleeve 21 into which the horizontally curved second sleeve 22 is inserted, a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the groove 122 and the right and left sides are provided. A small diameter portion 124 formed to have a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the curved second sleeve 22 is provided. Then, at the lower end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the vertically curved second sleeve 21, a convex portion 127 is provided at a position on the inner peripheral surface of the bearing tubular body 115 to which the vertically curved second sleeve 21 is inserted. 18) is provided with a convex portion 125 formed to have a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the vertically curved second sleeve 21 having a surface that abuts against the second sleeve 21.

As shown in FIG. 17, at the position where the small-diameter portion 124 and the convex portion 125 of the vertically curved second sleeve 21 are formed, the convex portion 125 is axially cut over the entire circumference. The slit 126 is formed. Further, an uneven portion 21d that engages with the vertically curved first sleeve uneven portion 107 formed on the upper surface of the vertically curved first sleeve 18 is formed on the lower end surface of the vertically curved second sleeve 21.

As shown in FIG. 19, the bending operation knob 2
A waterproof lid 128 is attached to the operation portion main body 9 in a state in which the fixed shaft 102 supporting the components 5, 40 and the like is removed. The waterproof lid 128 has a cap shape having an opening on the lower side, and has a waterproof cylindrical body 129 having an outer diameter formed so as to be fitted into the inner peripheral surface of the mounting seat retainer 112.
And a connecting annular body 130 screwed onto a male screw 129a formed on the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion of the waterproof tubular body 129. A groove 129b is formed on the entire outer peripheral surface of the lower end portion of the waterproof tubular body 129, and the groove 129b is formed.
An O-ring 129c is inserted in the.

On the other hand, the connection annular body 130 has a lower annular wall 130a formed on the lower surface thereof, and the inner peripheral surface of the lower annular wall 130a is formed to have an inner diameter fitted into the outer peripheral surface of the mounting seat 109. ing. Also, the lower annular wall 130
A groove portion 130b is formed over the entire circumference on the inner peripheral surface of a.

The rest of the structure is the same as that of the bending device 8 of the above-mentioned embodiment, and the same members are given the same reference numerals and their explanations are omitted.

Now, the operation of the bending apparatus for an endoscope constructed as described above will be described. First, the detachable second fixed shaft 102 side will be described.

A vertical bending operation knob 25, a horizontal bending operation knob 40, and an up-down bending operation braking lever 44 are arranged on the second fixed shaft 102.

That is, the left and right curving operation braking knob receiver 11
The bending operation knob 40 for the left-right direction is integrally fixed to the second fixed shaft 102, which is pivotally supported by the locking ring 120, via the braking plate 74. That is, the left-right bending operation knob 40 is in a state of being integrally attached to the second fixed shaft 102.

Further, the up-down curving second sleeve 21 is provided with a slit 126 at the lower end thereof when it is inserted into the inner peripheral surface of the bearing cylinder 115 which is pivotally supported by the up-down curving operation braking lever 44. As a result, the convex portion 125 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the vertically curved second sleeve 21 is elastically deformed and compressed by this distance, and the convex portion provided on the inner peripheral surface of the bearing tubular body 115. This elastic deformation is released at the position where it comes into contact with 127. As a result, the upper surface of the convex portion 125 of the vertically curved second sleeve 21 comes into contact with the lower surface of the convex portion 127 of the bearing cylindrical body 115, and the bearing cylindrical body 115 does not drop off from the vertically curved second sleeve 21. Become.

Furthermore, when inserting the left-right curved second sleeve 22 into the inner peripheral surface of the up-down curved second sleeve 21, the up-down curved second sleeve 21 has the slit 12 at the lower end thereof.
In the region where 6 is provided, the left and right curved second sleeve 2
With the outer diameter of 2, the small diameter portion 124 is expanded by elastic deformation. Then, the vertically curved second sleeve 21
Then, the left and right curved second sleeve 22 is inserted into the small diameter portion 1
When the lower end of 24 is completely engaged with the groove portion 122 of the second curved left / right sleeve 22, the vertically curved second sleeve 21
The elastic deformation of the lower end is released, and the second sleeve 2 that is curved up and down
The lower end surface of 1 and the lower end surface of the groove portion 122 are in contact with each other, so that the vertical bending operation knob 25 fixed to the up / down bending second sleeve 21 does not drop into the left / right bending second sleeve 22.

As a result, the up / down bending operation knob 25, the left / right bending operation knob 40, and the up / down bending operation braking lever 44 are integrally assembled to the second fixed shaft 102.

On the other hand, the substrate 10 fixed to the operation portion main body 9
A cover 20 is fixed to the cover 20. The lower surface of the cover 20 abuts the vertically curved first sleeve collar 104 of the vertically curved first sleeve 18 to prevent the cover 20 from coming off in the direction of the through hole 14. In addition, the up-down curved first sleeve 1
Upward and downward curving first sleeve convex portion 10 provided on the inner peripheral surface of 8
8 and the upper end portion of the left-right curved first sleeve convex portion 105 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the left-right curved first sleeve 16 are brought into contact with each other, so that the through hole 1 of the left-right curved first sleeve 16 is formed.
It is prevented from coming off in four directions.

As a result, each curved first sleeve 1
The construction is such that 8 and 16 do not fall off the operation section main body 9.

Next, the first part provided on the operation section main body 9
The fixed shaft 101, the vertical bending operation knob 25, the horizontal bending operation knob 40, and the vertical bending operation braking lever 44.
The attachment to the second fixed shaft 102 integrally provided with will be described. In order to engage the concave-convex portion 102 of the second fixed shaft 102 and the engaging portion 101a of the first fixed shaft 101, the lower annular wall 113b of the connection member 113 is elastically deformed by the elastic ring 110 of the mounting seat outer peripheral surface 109. Extrapolate while compressing to. When the groove 113c formed in the lower annular wall 113b reaches the position of the elastic ring 110, the elastic ring 110 causes the groove 11 of the connecting member 113 to move.
3c is engaged and fixed integrally with the operation section body 9.

At this time, the engaging portion 102a of the second fixed shaft 102 and the concave-convex portion 101b of the first fixed shaft 101 are engaged and connected as one fixed shaft. In addition, the left and right curved second sleeves 22 and the vertically curved second sleeves 21 also have irregular portions 22d, 21d formed on their respective lower surface portions.
Is engaged with the left / right curved first sleeve 16, the left / right curved first sleeve uneven portion 106 and the up / down curved first sleeve uneven portion 107 provided on the upper surface of the up / down curved first sleeve 16, Each sprocket 17 rotates
15 is connected so as to be surely transmitted. Further, the uneven portion 113a formed on the lower surface of the bearing cylinder 115 and the mounting seat uneven portion 109a formed on the upper surface of the mounting seat 109.
Engage with each other, and the bearing cylinder 115 is integrally connected to the operation portion main body 9.

When the bending operation knobs 25, 40 and the up / down bending operation braking lever 44 are removed from the operation section main body 9, the waterproof lid 128 is connected to the operation section main body 9 so that the waterproof cylinder 129 is attached to the waterproof cylinder 129. The inserted O-ring 13
3, the inner peripheral surface of the mounting seat retainer 112 and the waterproof cylindrical body 12
It is possible to prevent the liquid from entering the inside of the operation portion main body 9 in the gap between the outer peripheral surfaces of the operation portion 9.

As described above, the fixed shaft that pivotally supports the bending device is formed by the first fixed shaft and the second fixed shaft, and the first fixed shaft and the second fixed shaft are configured to be detachable. By removing the second fixed shaft integrally attached with the bending operation knobs from the first fixed shaft fixed to the operation portion main body during cleaning and disinfection of the endoscope, the fixed shaft does not project from the operation portion. It is possible to easily clean and disinfect each part of the curved operation knob having a complicated shape.

Further, when the second fixed shaft integrally attached with each bending operation knob is removed from the endoscope operation section, a waterproof lid is attached to the operation section to ensure the waterproofness of the endoscope, Immersion disinfection of the entire endoscope can be performed with a chemical disinfectant.

Other functions and effects are the same as those in the above-mentioned embodiment.

By the way, the bending apparatus for an endoscope is provided with a vertical bending operation knob for bending the bending portion in the vertical direction and a horizontal bending operation knob for bending the bending portion in the horizontal direction. . Further, in the vicinity of each bending operation knob, a friction member for applying braking to the bending operation and a friction generating mechanism for generating a frictional force are provided. For this reason,
Each of the bending operation knobs has a large diameter and becomes thick, so that the fingers of the hand holding the operation portion may not reach the bending operation knobs. Due to the structure of the bending device, when the bending operation of the bending operation knob for the left-right direction is performed, it is inevitable that the bending operation knob is operated by the other hand that does not hold the operation portion. However, at this time, the other hand, which does not grip the operation portion, grips the endoscope insertion portion for performing the inspection, so the inspection hand once inserting the endoscope insertion portion must rest. However, it was troublesome for the inspector. Therefore, there is a demand for a bending operation device for an endoscope in which the bending operation knob is reduced in size and thickness, and the two bending operation knobs can be operated with one hand holding the operation portion.

20 to 23 relate to the bending operation device for an endoscope of this embodiment, FIG. 20 is a sectional view showing the configuration and positional relationship between the bending operation portion and the bending braking portion, and FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the position of the shaft on the upper and lower friction plates.
2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the positional relationship between each friction plate and each sprocket, and FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an arrangement state of the bending braking knob on the operation portion. As shown in FIG. 20, a substrate 10 fixed to the operation section body 9 is arranged in the operation section body 9 of the endoscope operation section 3. A fixed shaft 11 having a flange 11a formed at one end is fixed to the substrate 10 via the flange 11a. The fixed shaft 11 is projected to the outside of the operation section body 9 through the through hole 14 provided in the operation section body 9.

A left and right curved sleeve 201 having a first collar 201a is rotatably fitted on the upper end of the fixed shaft 11 protruding from the operation portion main body 9, and the left and right sides of the first collar 201a are left and right. Bending operation knob 40 for direction is screw 201
It is fixed integrally with b.

Further, the left and right curved sleeves 201 are provided with a second collar 202a at the upper end thereof, and the vertical curved sleeves 20 are formed.
2 is rotatably fitted on the outside, and a vertical bending operation knob 25 is integrally fixed to the second flange 202a by a screw 202b or the like.

The left and right curved sprockets 15 and the vertical curved sprocket 17 are engaged and connected to the lower ends of the left and right curved sleeves 201 and the upper and lower curved sleeves 202 through respective concave and convex portions formed at the lower ends.

A first member formed of a resin member or a metal member having a small frictional resistance is provided above the flange 11a of the fixed shaft 11 and below the left and right curved sprocket 15 fitted on the fixed shaft 11. The spacer 205 is inserted. Further, like the first spacer 205, a second spacer 206 is fitted and inserted above the left and right curved sprockets 15 that are fitted onto the left and right curved sleeves 201 and below the up and down curved sprockets 17. The left and right friction plates 203 and the upper and lower friction plates 204 are loosely fitted outside the spacers 205 and 206, and the left and right curved braking shafts 207 and the vertically curved braking shafts 208 rotate at one end of each of the friction plates 203 and 204. Connected freely.

On the other hand, a male screw portion 11b is formed on the upper end of the elongated fixed shaft 11, and the male screw portion 11b is formed.
The nut 209 is screwed onto the fixed shaft 11 so that the left-right bending operation knob 40 and the up-down bending operation knob 25 that are externally fitted to the fixed shaft 11 do not fall off.

An upper annular wall 211 is formed on the upper surface side of the left / right bending operation knob 40. A cover 210, which is a cap-shaped member having an opening at the bottom and having an inner peripheral surface fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the upper annular wall 211, is integrally fixed to the upper annular wall 211 by adhesion or the like.

As shown in FIG. 21, the vertical bending braking shaft 208 is arranged at a position where it does not interfere with the vertical and horizontal bending wires 212.

As shown in FIG. 22, the left and right curved braking shafts 207 are
Has a columnar convex portion 207a having a diameter smaller than that of the left-right curved braking shaft 207, and the convex portion 207a is formed in the left-right friction plate 203. It is inserted in 203a. on the other hand,
A female screw is formed at the tip of the vertical bending braking shaft 208, and a holding screw 217 is passed through the female screw through a vertical friction plate hole 204a formed in the vertical friction plate 204.
Are screwed together to form the upper and lower friction plates 204 and the upper and lower curved braking shafts 208.
And are connected and fixed.

The shaft portion corresponding to the base plate 10 of the left and right curved braking shafts 207 and the vertical curved braking shafts 208 and the fixed bearing plate 213 to which the collar 11a of the fixed shaft 11 fixed to the substrate 10 is fixed. Is the first male screw 20
7b and the second male screw 208b are formed. Then, these first male screw 207b and second male screw 208b
Is screwed into a female screw formed on the fixed bearing plate 213.

The pitch of the first male screw 207b is formed to be four times (P = 4 × m) the distance m between the upper surface of the left and right friction plates 203 and the lower surface of the left and right curved sprocket 15, and the pitch of the second male screw 208b. Is 4 times the distance e between the upper surface of the upper and lower friction plates 204 and the lower surface of the vertically curved sprocket 17 (P =
4 × e).

A third flange 206a is formed at the lower end of the second spacer 206, and the third flange 206a is formed.
The lower surface of the upper and lower friction plates 204 is in contact with the upper surface of the.

As shown in FIG. 23, the left and right curved braking shaft 207 is
A convex portion 207c is formed on the entire outer peripheral portion of the. The upper surface of the bearing 220 is brought into contact with the lower surface of the convex portion 207c, and the bearing retainer 221 is screwed onto the bearing 220 to be integrally fixed to the operation portion main body 9. ing.

O-rings 220a and 220b are provided in the bearing body 220 at a portion in contact with the operation portion main body 9 and a portion in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the left / right curved braking shaft 207, respectively. Further, a left / right curved braking knob 224 is integrally fixed to the left / right curved braking shaft 207 on the lower end surface of the left / right curved braking shaft 207 by a screw 224a or the like.

The up / down bending braking shaft 208 is also constructed in the same manner as the left / right bending braking shaft 207, and the up / down bending braking knob 223 is integrally fixed to the lower end surface of the up / down bending braking shaft 208 with a screw or the like. ing.

The operation of the bending device for an endoscope configured as described above will be described. When the left / right curving braking knob 224 located outside the operation portion main body 9 is rotated a quarter turn, the end portion of the left / right curving braking shaft 207 is moved upward in FIG. 22 by a distance m and pressed against the left / right curving sprocket 15. At this time,
The left and right friction plates 203 ascend without rotating with respect to the fixed shaft 11. Therefore, rotation resistance is applied to the left and right curved sprocket 15 to maintain the left and right curved shape of the tip portion. Since the same applies to the vertical bending, the description is omitted.

When the vertical bending braking shaft 208 is moved downward by operating the vertical bending braking knob 223, the lower surface of the vertical friction plate 204 is moved to the second spacer 2.
Since it does not come into contact with the upper surface of the third flange 206a of No. 06 and directly hit the left and right curving sprocket 15, the operability of the left and right curving operation is not adversely affected.

As described above, the up / down bending operation knob and the left / right bending operation knob are provided without providing the left / right bending braking knob and the up / down bending braking knob in the up / down bending operation knob and the left / right bending operation knob. By providing it on the back side of the operating portion opposite to, the thickness of the vertical bending operation knob and the horizontal bending operation knob can be reduced, and workability can be improved. Because of this, the upper and lower and left and right bending operation knobs can be operated with the hand holding the endoscope main body, so that the other hand not holding the endoscope during the examination can be used for operations other than bending. You can freely operate the insertion part of the.

FIG. 24 is a sectional view showing another configuration and positional relationship between the bending operation portion and the bending braking portion according to the modification of the above embodiment.

As shown in the drawing, in the bending apparatus for an endoscope of this modification, the bottom surface of the recessed portion of the left and right sprocket 15 and the left and right bending sleeve 201 are located at the position where the left and right bending sleeve 201 and the left and right bending sprocket 15 are engaged. A space portion having a distance h ′ is provided between the tip end surfaces of the left and right curved sleeves 201 that engage with the concave portions. That is,
The left-right curved sleeve 201 is axially attached to the fixed shaft 11 so as to be movable in the vertical direction within the space portion having the distance h '.

A male screw 229 is attached to the upper end of the fixed shaft 11.
And the curved braking knob 2 is attached to the male screw 229.
27 is screw-connected. On the fixed shaft 11 in the upward direction of the curving braking knob 227, a C-shaped clicker 228 for preventing the curving braking knob 227 from coming off in the upward direction is fitted. A cover 210 having an internal space is integrally fixed to the upper surface of the curved braking knob 227 with a screw or the like.

The cover 210 is attached to the curved braking knob 2.
When fixed to 27, there is a gap of a distance h between the bottom surface of the concave portion of the cover 210 and the upper end surface of the fixed shaft 11, and the distance h, the bottom surface of the concave portion and the left and right curved sleeve 201.
With respect to the distance h'from the front end surface of, the relationship of h> h 'is established.

On the other hand, the first friction plates 22 are provided on the lower surfaces of the bending braking knob 227 and the left-right bending operation knob 40, respectively.
5. The second friction plate 226 is integrally fixed by adhesion or the like, and the distance g from the lower surface of the first friction plate 225 to the upper surface of the vertical bending operation knob 25 and the horizontal bending operation knob 40. The distance n from the upper surface of the second friction plate 226 to the lower surface of the second friction plate 226 is set to satisfy the relationship of g> n.

At this time, the difference between the distance g and the distance n and the distance h'are configured to satisfy the relationship of gn <h '. .

Accordingly, when the bending braking knob 227 is rotated, the bending braking knob 227 moves downward along the male screw 229 of the fixed shaft 11. Then, the first friction plate 225 fixed to the bending braking knob 227 also moves downward and is pressed against the upper surface of the left / right bending operation knob 40.

When the first friction plate 225 is pressed against the upper surface of the left / right bending operation knob 40, the left / right bending operation knob 40 is pushed downward and fixed to the left / right bending operation knob 40. The second friction plate 226 that has been moved moves downward and is pressed against the upper surface of the vertical bending operation knob 25.

As described above, the up / down bending operation knob and the left / right bending operation knob are pressed and sandwiched between the operation portion and the bending braking knob via the fixed shaft, and the up / down and left / right bending of the bending portion is performed. The shape can be retained at the same time. Other functions and effects are the same as those of the above-described embodiment.

25 to 30 relate to an application example of the above embodiment, FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view showing another configuration and positional relationship between the bending operation portion and the bending braking portion, and FIG. FIG. 27 is a detailed view, and FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the relationship between the first and second pipes and the vertically curving braking block.
FIG. 28 is a view for explaining a left and right bending drum and a left and right bending shaft,
FIG. 29 is a view for explaining the fixing of the screw pullout preventing member and the left and right bending shafts, and FIG. 30 is a sectional view showing the relationship between the braking operation knob and the vicinity of the operation section body.

As shown in FIG. 25, in the bending apparatus for an endoscope of the present embodiment, a bending operation knob 25 for up and down directions and a bending operation knob 40 for left and right directions are provided so as to project from the operation portion main body 9. The left-right bending operation knob 40 is integrally fixed to the first brim 201a provided at the upper end of the left-right bending shaft 230. Further, a vertical bending sleeve 202 integrally fixed to a second brim 202a formed at the upper end is fitted on the left and right bending shaft 230.

As shown in FIG. 28, the left and right bending shafts 230 are
A hole 232a formed in the left and right curved drum 232 in a D-shape
Is formed in the hole 232a.
The D-shaped cross-section portion 230a formed at the end of the is fitted and fixed integrally. And this left and right bending shaft 2
At the end of 30, a shaft slip-off preventing member 241 that further penetrates the substrate 10 is fixed by a screw or the like.

As shown in FIG. 29, the screw removal preventing member 241 is provided with the screw fixing hole 241a displaced from the center position so that the D-shaped cross section 230a can be securely screwed. In addition, the left and right bending shafts 230 are the substrate 10
Is rotatably passed through.

The cover 20 is fixed to the substrate 10 above the left and right bending drum 232, and the up and down bending drum 231 is arranged on the upper surface of the cover 20. An up-down bending sleeve 202 is engaged with the up-down bending drum 231 at one end thereof by a concavo-convex portion so as not to rotate.

On the other hand, a vertically curving braking block 237 is integrally fixed to the cover 20 with a screw or the like, and a first pipe 235 is fixed to the vertically curving braking block 237 with solder or the like. In addition, the left and right curved braking block 238
Are integrally fixed to the substrate 10 with screws or the like at positions such that the left-right curved drum 232 is sandwiched between the second pipe 2 and the left-right curved braking block 238.
36 is fixed with solder or the like.

As shown in FIG. 26, the up / down bending braking block 237 and the left / right bending braking block 238 are formed with a flow space 242 having an inner diameter substantially the same as the inner diameters of the first pipe 235 and the second pipe 236. Flowing space 24
2 is open to a cylinder 243 having an inner diameter larger than this.

The pipes 235 and 236 are coaxially connected to the flow space 242 formed in the curved braking blocks 237 and 238. Also, the braking pistons 239 and 240 are fitted in the cylinder 245 in a liquid-tight manner.

As shown in FIG. 27, the curved braking blocks 237 and 238 may be integrally formed and fixed to the substrate 10.

As shown in FIG. 30, the first pipe 235 is
One end that is not fixed to the up / down curving braking block 237,
It is integrally fixed to the pipe receiver 244 with solder or the like.
The pipe receiver 244 is screwed in a liquid-tight manner to an operation cylinder 245 formed in a cylindrical shape.

A pin 248 is press-fitted into one end of the operation cylinder 245 to which the pipe receiver 244 is not connected, and one end of this pin 248 is the operation cylinder 24.
5 is engaged with a cam 249 which is a concave groove formed on the outer peripheral surface of the braking piston 247 which is liquid-tightly inserted into A braking operation knob 246 is formed integrally with the braking piston 247.

Driving oil 251 is enclosed in the operation cylinder 245, the first pipe 235, the flow space 242 and the cylinder 243. Also, the second pipe 2
The description of the structure 36 is omitted because it has the same structure.

According to this structure, the braking operation knob 24
6 is driven in the direction of the arrow in FIG.
8, the cam 249 moves the braking piston 247 and the drive oil 251 in the operation cylinder 245 into the first pipe 23.
Move to push into 5. Then, the drive oil 251 pushed into the first pipe causes the flow space 242 to flow.
The driving oil 251 therein is pushed into the cylinder 243. The driving oil 251 pushed into the cylinder 243 pushes the vertical braking piston 239 downward (upper surface of the vertical bending drum 231), and as a result, the rotation of the vertical bending drum 231 is restricted by the pressing of the vertical braking piston 239.

As a result, the vertical curved shape of the curved portion at the tip can be maintained. The other actions and effects are similar to those of the above-described embodiment. Further, since the same applies to the bending in the left-right direction, the description thereof will be omitted.

31 to 35 relate to another modification,
FIG. 31 is an explanatory view showing a configuration of a braking member of a bending device for an endoscope, FIG. 32 is a view illustrating an arrangement positional relationship of driving members, FIG. 33 is a perspective view illustrating a braking member, and FIG. 34 is a braking operation knob. FIG. 36 is a diagram showing a positional relationship between the operating portion main body and FIG. 35, and FIG. 35 is a sectional view showing a connection state of the braking member to the operating portion main body.

As shown in FIG. 31, in the bending apparatus for an endoscope of the present embodiment, a braking member 254 formed in an L shape is provided on each of the bending drums 231 and 232 in which each branch-like projecting portion is located above the bending drum 231 or 232. It is arranged so as to be located at. A friction member 252 is integrally fixed to the surface of the branch portion of the braking member 254 facing the bending drums 231 and 232 by adhesion or the like. Two pin receiving holes 255, which are elongated holes, are formed at positions where the cover 20 of the braking member 254 and the substrate 10 intersect.

On the other hand, at the position where the cover 20 and the substrate 10 intersect the braking member 254, the pins 253 are press-fitted in the direction orthogonal to the central axis of the left and right bending shafts 230, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 33, the pin 253 is provided so as to penetrate a pin receiving hole 255 formed in the braking member 254. Then, the pin receiving hole 25
The length y of 5 and the distance w from the upper surface of each of the bending drums 231 and 232 to the lower surface of the friction member 252 are configured to satisfy a relation of y> w.

As shown in FIG. 34, the other end of the braking member 254 is formed in a circular sectional shape, and the other end having a circular sectional shape is projected from the operation portion main body 9. Then, the pin 258 is press-fitted into the protruding portion of the braking member 254 from the operation portion main body 9, and the cam 257 is engaged with the pin 258.
The braking operation knob 256 forming the is arranged. The step x of the cam 257 is formed to be equal to or greater than the distance w.

As shown in FIG. 35, this braking operation knob 25
6, a male screw is formed on a portion of the braking member 254 projecting from the operation portion main body 9, and a female screw body 260 is screwed onto this male screw. The braking member 254 has a female screw body 26.
A C-shaped tomewa 259 is fitted above 0. A braking operation knob 256 is fixed to the braking member 254 with a screw or the like.

According to this structure, the braking operation knob 25
When 6 is driven, the pin 258 moves upward along the cam 257 in FIG. Along with the movement of the pin 258, the braking member 254 also moves.

On the other hand, in the case of FIG. 35, the braking operation knob 2
When 56 is rotated, the braking member 254 screwed onto this is rotated.
Moves upward.

As a result, the braking member 2 shown in FIG.
54 moves in the direction of the arrow, the friction member 252 is pressed against the upper surfaces of the bending drums 231 and 232, and the rotational operation of the bending drums 231 and 232 is restricted. Therefore, the curved shape of the bending portion of the endoscope can be maintained. The other actions and effects are similar to those of the above-described embodiment.

[Additional Notes] 1. A bending portion that can be bent in the vertical and horizontal directions is formed on the distal end side of the endoscope insertion portion, while an operating portion is continuously provided on the proximal end side of the endoscope insertion portion. A rotatable bending operation knob for vertically bending operation, a rotatable left and right bending operation knob for bending the bending portion in the left and right direction, and a rotation operation of the up and down bending operation knob. The vertical bending motion braking lever that holds the vertical bending state of the bending portion and the horizontal bending operation brake that holds the horizontal bending state of the bending portion by restricting the rotation operation of the horizontal bending operation knob A bending device for an endoscope in which a lever and a lever are coaxially overlapped and projecting is provided with attachment / detachment means for individually attaching / detaching the up / down bending operation knob and the left / right bending operation knob, respectively. Introspection characterized by Curved device.

2. Note 1 in which the attaching / detaching means is two or more
A bending device for an endoscope as described.

[0154] 3. When attaching or detaching the two bending operation knobs,
The endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein a vertical bending operation braking lever that restricts the rotational operation of the vertical bending operation knob and a left and right bending operation braking lever that restricts the rotational operation of the horizontal bending operation knob are each detachable. Bending device.

4. In order to attach / detach the two bending operation knobs and the up / down bending operation braking lever, the left / right bending operation braking lever is provided with the two or more attaching / detaching means, and the internal views according to the additional notes 2 and 3 Mirror bending device.

5. The endoscope according to appendix 4, wherein at least one of the attachment / detachment means is provided with respect to a shaft on which the vertical bending operation knob, the left / right bending operation knob, and the vertical bending operation braking lever operation section are overlapped. Bending device.

6. Note 1 in which a concavo-convex portion is formed in which an end portion of the bending operation knob and the bending operation braking lever on the operation portion main body side and an upper end portion of the operation portion where the bending operation knob and the bending operation braking lever are attached and detached are respectively engaged. A bending device for an endoscope as described.

7. Note 1. When the two bending operation knobs are combined, the operation section side attachment / detachment section ends of the two bending operation knobs are configured such that the up / down direction bending operation knob end projects from the left / right direction bending operation knob end. Bending device for endoscopes.

8. A surface where the fixed shaft fixed to the operation portion contacts the sleeve of the left-right bending operation knob, a surface where the sleeve of the up-down bending operation knob contacts the sleeve of the left-right bending operation knob, and an up-down operation knob In order to ensure liquid-tightness, a surface contacting the sleeve and the cylinder receiving cylinder body having the vertical bending operation braking lever and a surface contacting the through hole of the operating portion and the bearing cylinder body having the vertical bending operation braking lever are secured. The bending device for an endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein at least one ring-shaped member made of an elastic body is arranged at each site. As a result, when the bending operation knob and the bending operation braking lever are attached to the operation section, invasion of water, a chemical solution or the like from the respective sections into the operation section is prevented.

9. A ring-shaped elastic body, which is detachable from the operating portion, contacts the through hole formed in the operating portion and a shaft protruding from the through hole, and secures liquid tightness to both contact surface portions. The bending device for an endoscope according to appendix 1, further comprising a watertight plug provided separately from the bending operation knob and the bending operation braking lever. Thus, after removing the bending operation knob and the bending operation braking lever from the operation section, the plug is used to seal the through hole of the operation section main body, thereby blocking the liquid that enters the operation section through the gap. , The endoscope body can be washed and disinfected by immersing it in a chemical disinfectant or water.

10. A bending portion that can be bent in the vertical and horizontal directions is formed on the distal end side of the endoscope insertion portion, while an operating portion is continuously provided on the proximal end side of the endoscope insertion portion. A rotatable bending operation knob for vertically bending operation, a rotatable left and right bending operation knob for bending the bending portion in the left and right direction, and a rotation operation of the up and down bending operation knob. The vertical bending motion braking lever that holds the vertical bending state of the bending portion and the horizontal bending operation brake that holds the horizontal bending state of the bending portion by restricting the rotation operation of the horizontal bending operation knob In a bending device for an endoscope in which a lever and a lever are coaxially overlapped and projected, a fixed shaft in which the bending operation knobs and the bending operation braking levers are coaxially and integrally overlapped with each other is detachable from an operation unit. Endoscope bending device.

11. 11. The bending device for an endoscope according to appendix 10, wherein a fixed shaft formed by integrally stacking the bending operation knob and the bending operation braking levers coaxially and integrally is detachable with respect to the fixed shaft provided in the operation portion.

12. Note 11 that the fixed shaft provided in the operation unit does not project to the outer peripheral surface side of the operation unit when the fixed shaft in which the bending operation knobs and the bending operation braking levers are integrated is removed from the operation unit. A bending device for an endoscope as described.

13. The end of each sleeve that pivotally mounts the bending operation knob and the bending operation braking lever on a fixed shaft, and the sleeve in which the sprocket for up / down and left / right in the operation portion is arranged are engaged by the uneven portion. Bending device for endoscope.

14. The surface where the fixed shaft provided in the bending portion is in contact with the sleeve of the left / right bending operation knob, the surface where the sleeve of the up / down bending operation knob is in contact with the sleeve of the left / right bending operation knob, and the sleeve of the up / down operation knob In order to ensure liquid-tightness, the contact surface of the bearing cylinder with the vertical bending motion braking lever and the contact surface of the through hole provided in the operating portion with the bearing cylinder having the vertical bending motion braking lever are in contact with each other. The bending device for an endoscope according to appendix 10, wherein at least one ring-shaped member made of an elastic body is arranged at each site.

15. 11. The internal view according to appendix 10, wherein a watertight plug that is in contact with a through hole formed in the operation portion and has a ring-shaped member made of an elastic body on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole is provided separately from the bending operation knob. Mirror bending device.

16. A bending portion that can be bent in the vertical and horizontal directions is formed on the distal end side of the endoscope insertion portion, while an operating portion is continuously provided on the proximal end side of the endoscope insertion portion. Inside of which a rotatable vertical bending operation knob for vertically bending operation and a rotatable left and right bending operation knob for horizontally bending the bending portion are coaxially overlapped with each other. In the bending apparatus for an endoscope, a frictional resistance adding means for applying frictional resistance to a disc-shaped bending drum or bending sprocket connected to a bending knob that drives a bending wire whose one end is connected to the bending portion is provided in the operation unit. Endoscope bending device.

17. 17. The bending apparatus for an endoscope according to appendix 16, wherein the frictional resistance adding means is a friction plate that presses a disk-shaped bending drum or a bending sprocket by pressing a bending operation braking knob.

18. The vertical bending operation braking knob lower surface and the up-down bending operation knob upper surface are configured to have a distance larger than the left-right bending operation knob thickness, and the left-right bending operation knob is configured so that the up-down bending operation braking knob lower surface and the up-down bending operation are performed. 18. The endoscope bending device according to appendix 17, which is configured to move between the upper surfaces of the knobs.

19. 18. The bending apparatus for an endoscope according to appendix 17, wherein friction members made of resin having high frictional resistance are provided on the lower surface of the bending operation braking knob and the lower surface of the bending operation knob for the left and right directions.

20. The frictional resistance adding means is provided with a first cylinder in which a liquid having a small volume change due to compression is sealed in the operation portion, and a second cylinder in which a friction member is liquid-tightly inserted into a curved drum or a sprocket.
An operation in which the first cylinder and the second cylinder are connected by a pipe made of a metal having a diameter smaller than the inner diameters of the first and second cylinders, and which is liquid-tightly connected to the first cylinder. 17. The bending device for an endoscope according to appendix 16, wherein the friction member of the second cylinder is pressed against the bending drum or the bending sprocket by pushing the knob.

21. At a position where the bending wire of the bending drum or the sprocket to which the bending wire is connected is not provided, a friction member facing the upper surface of the bending drum or the sprocket is provided, and the friction member is provided outside the operating portion. 17. The bending apparatus for an endoscope according to appendix 16, wherein the friction member presses the bending drum or the bending sprocket by pulling the provided end portion.

[0173]

As described above, according to the present invention, the bending operation knobs and the bending operation braking levers can be easily attached to and detached from the operation portion, and the bending operation knobs and the bending operation braking levers can be physically attached. It is possible to provide a bending device for an endoscope that is easy to clean.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 to 10 relate to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an endoscope.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a state before assembling the bending device for an endoscope.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a mounting state of a bending device of an endoscope to a fixed shaft.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a bending device for an endoscope provided in an operation unit.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of a vertical bending operation knob.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a tip end portion of a fixed shaft and a fifth mounting plate.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a left-right bending operation knob.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a rotation blocking plate.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a left / right bending operation operating knob and a lock pin.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a through hole and a waterproof lid of the operation unit body.

11 to 19 relate to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the endoscope is attached to and detached from an operating portion of a bending device.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing a state in which a fixed shaft integrally attached with a bending operation knob for vertical direction, a bending operation knob for horizontal direction, and a vertical bending operation braking lever is removed.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating an engagement state between a first fixed shaft and a second fixed shaft.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a tip end portion of a second fixed shaft.

FIG. 15 is a left-right curved second in which the second fixed shaft of FIG. 14 is fitted.
Sectional drawing explaining the lower end part of the sleeve

16 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a lower end portion of a vertically curved second sleeve into which a lower end portion of the horizontally curved second sleeve of FIG. 15 is fitted.

17 is an external view of a lower end portion of the vertically curved second sleeve of FIG.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing an engaging portion of a bearing cylinder with which the vertically curved second sleeve of FIG. 16 engages.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a through hole and a waterproof lid of the operation unit body.

20 to 23 relate to a bending operation device for an endoscope of the present embodiment, and FIG. 20 is a sectional view showing a configuration and a positional relationship between a bending operation portion and a bending braking portion.

FIG. 21 is a view for explaining the arrangement position of the vertically curved braking shaft on the upper and lower friction plates.

FIG. 22 is a sectional view illustrating the positional relationship between each friction plate and each sprocket.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an arrangement state of a bending braking knob on an operation portion.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view showing another configuration and a positional relationship between a bending operation portion and a bending braking portion according to a modified example of the bending operation device for an endoscope.

25 to 30 relate to an application example of the embodiment, and FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view showing another configuration and a positional relationship between a bending operation portion and a bending braking portion.

FIG. 26 is a detailed view of the vicinity of a vertically curving braking block.

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the relationship between the first and second pipes and the vertically curving braking block.

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a left-right bending drum and a left-right bending shaft.

FIG. 29 is a view for explaining the fixing of the screw removal prevention member and the left and right bending shafts.

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the braking operation knob and the vicinity of the operation section main body.

31 to 35 relate to another modification, and FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a braking member of a bending device of an endoscope.

FIG. 32 is a view for explaining the arrangement positional relationship of drive members.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view illustrating a braking member.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing a positional relationship between the braking operation knob and the operation section main body.

FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view showing how the braking member is connected to the operation portion main body.

[Explanation of symbols]

 9 ... Operation unit main body 11 ... Fixed shaft 19 ... Bearing tubular body 25 ... Vertical bending operation knob 40 ... Horizontal bending operation knob 44 ... Vertical bending operation braking lever 83 ... Horizontal bending operation knob 88 ... Lock pin 89 ... Connection knob

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A bending portion that is bendable in the vertical and horizontal directions is formed on the distal end side of an endoscope insertion portion, and an operating portion is continuously provided on the proximal end side of the endoscope insertion portion. A rotatable bending operation knob for vertically bending the bending portion, a freely bending left and right bending operation knob for bending the bending portion left and right, and the up and down bending Up / down bending operation that regulates the rotational movement of the operation knob to maintain the bending state of the bending portion in the up-down direction. In a bending device for an endoscope, which has a right-and-left bending operation braking lever and is coaxially overlapped and protrudes, the up-down bending operation knob and the left-right bending operation knob are individually attached and detached from an operation section. The provision of a means for attaching and detaching Bending device of the endoscope and symptoms.