JPH10127573A - Connecting structure of tip end part of endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow an angle part and a tip end part to be connected and fixed to each other without being at a disadvantage in terms of space and to stably retain the fixed condition, by inserting the tip end ring to constitute an angle part into the tip end part main body, engaging the tip end ring with between the tip end part main body and a cap, and fixing the cap to the tip end part main body using a screw member to connect and fix the tip end ring. SOLUTION: An inward facing connecting member 37 is formed on the tip end part of a tip end ring 33 and the engaging member 37 is clamped held between the tip end part main body 31a and a cap 36 to fix the cap 36 to the tip end part main body 31a by a screw member 38. Thus, a screw hole 41 to be screwed in by a screw rod part 38a of the screw member 38 in the axis line direction is formed on the tip end part main body 31a.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a distal end connecting structure of an endoscope insertion portion for connecting between an end portion main body and an angle portion constituting an insertion portion of an endoscope used for medical use or the like. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG. 7, an endoscope used for medical purposes or the like generally has an insertion section 2 connected to a main body operation section 1 and a universal cord 3 connected to a light source device or the like. Are generally configured by extending The insertion portion 2 has an angle portion 5 connected to a flexible portion 4 that bends in an arbitrary direction along the insertion path from the side where the insertion portion 2 is connected to the main body operation portion 1. 6 are connected in series. As shown in FIG. 8, the distal end portion 6 is provided with an illumination portion 7 that irradiates illumination light toward the observation target portion (the illumination portion 7 is provided at two locations, but may be provided at one location), Further, an observation section 8 for observing the observation target section under illumination from the illumination section 7 is provided, and a treatment instrument insertion channel 9 for inserting forceps and other treatment instruments is opened. Further, a cleaning fluid ejection nozzle 10 for cleaning the observation unit 8 when the observation unit 8 is soiled is provided.

FIG. 9 shows a cross section of a tip 6 and a connecting portion between the tip 6 and the angle 5. Here, FIG. 2 shows a portion where the observation unit 8 and the treatment tool insertion channel 9 are arranged. The lighting section 7 does not appear in this drawing.

The tip 6 is made of a tip body 6a made of a metal material.
In the distal end main body 6a, the observation section 8 is formed of a through hole penetrating in the axial direction, and the objective lens unit 11 is mounted inside the through hole. Is provided with a prism 12 for bending the optical path by 90 °. A solid-state imaging device 14 mounted on a circuit board 13 is joined to the prism 12, and a cable 15 is drawn from the circuit board 13. The treatment instrument insertion channel 9 is provided at the angle portion 5.
The flexible portion 4 is formed of a flexible tube 16, and the distal end main body 6 a has a treatment instrument insertion passage 1.
7 are drilled. The connecting pipe 18 is inserted into a part of the treatment instrument insertion passage 17, and a part of the connecting pipe 18 protrudes into the angle portion 5, and the flexible tube 16 is fitted and fixed to the connecting pipe 18. Have been.

[0005] In addition to the observation section 8 for mounting the objective lens unit 11 and the treatment tool insertion passage 17, the illumination section 7 also has a through hole through which a light guide is inserted. Fluid passages for supplying the cleaning fluid are formed, all of which are directed in the axial direction at the distal end portion 6.

The angle portion 5 is formed by sequentially connecting angle rings, and is provided with a state-of-the-art angle ring,
That is, the distal ends of two to four operation wires 20 are fixed to the distal end ring 19 (or the distal end portion main body 6), and these operation wires 20 are extended to the main body operation section 1 to perform main body operation. By operating the angle knob 21 provided on the section 1, the angle section 5 can be bent by operating the angle knob 21, and the tip section 6 provided with the illumination section 7 and the observation section 8 can be directed in a desired direction.

The angle ring serves as a structure of the angle portion 5 and is formed of a metal ring for imparting strength. An outer periphery of the angle ring is formed of a net and a resin coating layer having electrical insulation. Body 22 is applied. The distal end body 6a is also formed of metal in order to have sufficient strength because the various members described above are mounted and a plurality of through holes are formed. In an endoscope used for medical purposes, it is necessary to hold the metal so as not to be exposed to the outside. For this purpose, a cap 23 made of a hard synthetic resin having electrical insulation is fitted to the distal end body 6a. They are fixed together using an adhesive or the like. The cap 23 does not cover the entire distal end surface of the distal end main body 6a, but has an opening at a portion where the illumination unit 7, the observation unit 8, the treatment instrument insertion passage 17, and the fluid passage to the cleaning fluid ejection nozzle 10 are provided. The tip body 6a
Cover the portion where the front end surface is exposed.

The connection between the angle part 5 and the tip part 6 is made by a tip ring 19 constituting an angle ring on the angle part 5 side.
Is fitted to the distal end body 6a so that the distal end ring 19 constitutes an angle ring and also functions as a ring for connecting the angle portion 5 and the distal end portion 6 with each other. In order to fix the connecting ring 6 in a connected state, a countersunk screw 24 is fixed between the peripheral body of the distal end ring 19 and the peripheral body of the distal end body 6a.

[0009]

As described above, when the connection between the angle portion 5 and the distal end portion 6 is performed by using the countersunk screw 24, there are the following problems.

First, the countersunk screw 24 must be screwed into the tip end body 6a in a direction perpendicular to the axis thereof.
In order to secure the connection strength, it is necessary to increase the screwing depth of the countersunk screw 24 in the tip end body 6a to some extent. However, since various members are attached to the distal end body 6a, and since these members extend in the axial direction, if a screw hole is formed in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the distal end body 6a, The insertion part 2 becomes thick. In order to reduce the pain of the insertion part and the insertion operability into the body cavity of the insertion part, etc.
Providing a screw hole in the distal end portion main body 6a is a very disadvantageous factor for reducing the diameter of the insertion portion.

Similarly, in order to reduce the diameter of the insertion section 2, the configuration of the angle section 5 has been reviewed. The angle portion 5 uses an angle ring as its structure, but the thickness has been increased to some extent in order to have the strength necessary to prevent the deformation of the angle ring. The tip ring 19, which forms a part of the angle ring and functions as a connecting member between the angle part 5 and the tip part 6, The thickness tends to be quite thin. The countersunk screw 24 is for connecting and fixing the distal end ring 19 and the distal end body 6a. When the distal end ring 19 becomes thin, the connection state becomes unstable. In particular, an operation wire 20 for angle operation is attached to the tip ring 19.
Is connected, when the operation of bending the angle portion 5 to the maximum is performed, a strong pulling force acts on the distal end ring 19 and acts on the portion of the countersunk screw 24. During this operation, the fixability of the tip ring 19 is impaired.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to fit a tip ring constituting an angle portion to a tip body, and then connect and fix the two. In doing so, it is an object of the present invention to be able to be fixed so as not to be disadvantageous in terms of space and to be stably held in a connected state.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention relates to connecting the distal end of an insertion portion, which is provided in the order of a flexible portion, an angle portion, and a distal portion from a main body operating portion side, to the angle portion. In order to achieve this, a connecting ring is fitted to the distal end main body constituting the distal end, the angle portion and the distal end are connected by the connecting ring, and the distal end main body has a portion where the distal end surface is exposed. A cap that covers the cover and engages the connection ring between the cap and the tip body, and connects the cap and the tip body using a screw member. The feature is that it has done.

In order to prevent the metal from being exposed at the distal end of the distal end body, a cap is attached. A distal end ring is engaged between the cap and the distal end body. An inward engaging piece may be formed at the distal end of the connection ring, and the engaging piece may be clamped between the cap and the distal end body. Here, the engaging piece is merely clamped between the cap and the tip main body, so that the inwardly protruding portion may be very small. Then, the cap is connected to the distal end body by using a screw member, and the screw hole into which the screw member is screwed is drilled in an axial direction coinciding with the insertion direction of various members provided in the distal end body. As a result, the space that is necessarily present between the members can be used for fastening the screw member, and the formation of the screw hole has a substantial effect on the outer diameter of the tip body. Never. However, when the connecting ring is configured to be clamped between the distal end body and the cap, there is a possibility that the connecting ring may be relatively rotated while being fitted to the distal end body. In order to prevent such relative rotation, positioning means for the connecting ring may be provided. As the positioning means, for example, a positioning member such as a positioning pin engaged with the peripheral body of the connecting ring and the distal end main body, or a concave portion for accommodating an engaging piece of the distal end ring formed at the distal end of the distal end main body. And so on.

[0015]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same or equivalent components as those of the above-described related art are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

First, FIG.
FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional structure of a connecting portion of the insertion portion 30 and the angle portion 32, and FIG. Here, the insertion part 3
As described in the prior art, the light guide (not shown) facing the illumination unit 7 formed at the distal end portion 31 and the through-hole forming the observation unit 8 are attached to the members housed in the observation unit 8. Objective lens unit 11, treatment instrument insertion passage 17
Also, a fluid passage communicating with the cleaning fluid supply nozzle 10 is provided.
A large number of through-holes are formed in the distal end body 31a constituting the first body 1 in the axial direction.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 33 denotes a tip ring located at the forefront of the angle rings in the angle portion 32, and reference numeral 34 denotes an exterior body that covers the angle ring of the angle portion 32. A distal end of an operation wire 35 for performing an angle operation is provided on a distal end ring 33 which is fitted to the distal end portion main body 31a and functions as a connection ring between the distal end portion 31 and the angle portion 32 as a leading end ring of the angle ring. The part is fixed. Further, reference numeral 36 denotes a cap mounted on the distal end main body 31a, and the cap 36 has an exposed surface on the distal end surface of the distal end main body 31a, that is, a through hole through which each member is inserted. A peripheral body portion 36b that covers an outer peripheral portion of the distal end portion main body 31a by a predetermined length is connected to an end surface portion 36a that covers portions other than the portion. The tip main body 31a and the cap 36
Thus, the distal end portion 31 is formed. In these respects, there is basically no particular difference from the above-mentioned prior art.

However, the connecting mechanism between the tip ring 33 and the tip body 31a in the angle portion 32 does not use the countersunk screw shown in the above-mentioned prior art, but employs the following connecting mechanism.

That is, the tip ring 33 is fixedly connected by using the cap 36 fitted to the tip end body 31a so as to clamp the tip ring 33. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 3, a required portion (two places in the drawing) is provided at a distal end portion of the distal end ring 33.
Protruding portions are provided forward, and each of the protruding portions is bent inward by approximately 90 °, whereby the engaging piece 37 is integrally connected. The engaging piece 37 is wrapped around the distal end surface of the distal end main body 31a, so that when the cap 36 is fitted to the distal end main body 31a, it is sandwiched between the caps 36 and fixed inseparably. .

Here, the peripheral body of the distal ring 33 is sandwiched between the outer periphery of the distal main body 31a and the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral body 36b of the cap 36, and the deformation of the distal ring 33 is prevented. The tip ring 33 can be fixed even if the engagement piece 37 is slightly protruded inward. On the distal end surface of the distal end portion main body 31a, the above-described illumination section 7, observation section 8, and treatment instrument insertion passage 14 are formed, and the cleaning fluid ejection nozzle 10 is mounted. Therefore, even if the engaging piece 37 is wrapped around the distal end face of the distal end body 31a, it does not interfere with the above-mentioned members.

By the way, the tip ring 33 is connected to the tip body 3.
If the tip ring 33 is held between the cap 1a and the cap 36, a force in the direction in which the tip ring 33 protrudes in the axial direction acts upon an angle operation or the like. Therefore, the cap 36 must be firmly connected to the distal end body 31a. For this purpose, the cap 36 is screwed using the screw member 38.
Is connected to the distal end body 31a. The screw member 38 has a screw rod portion 38a and a head portion 38b, and the screw rod portion 38a is screwed from the cap 36 in the axial direction of the distal end body 31a. For this purpose, the cap 36
Has a recess 39 for accommodating the head 38b of the screw member 38.
In addition, an insertion hole 40 of a threaded rod portion 38a which is continuous with the concave portion 39 and opens on a contact surface with the distal end portion main body 31a is formed. A screw hole 41 is formed.

Here, a screw hole 41 is formed in the tip end body 31a.
The screw hole 41 is formed in the axial direction of the distal end body 31a. Tip body 3
In 1a, a large number of through holes are formed in the axial direction for mounting various members, but there is a certain space between the through holes. For example, the illumination unit 7 and the observation unit 8 are separated to some extent in order to prevent harmful light from entering the observation unit 8, so that the space between them can be used. FIG. 1 shows an electronic endoscope using a solid-state imaging device. As an observation mechanism, an objective lens unit 11 is mounted on an observation unit 8 and a prism 12 is provided behind the objective lens unit 11. The optical path is bent by 90 ° by the prism 12, and the solid-state imaging device 14 mounted on the circuit board 13 is mounted so that its light receiving surface faces the axial direction of the distal end body 31a. In such a configuration, the circuit board 13 protrudes in the direction of the treatment instrument insertion passage 17, and the circuit board 13 on which the solid-state imaging device 14 is mounted has a certain thickness. Therefore, a considerable space exists between the observation unit 8 and the treatment instrument insertion passage 17 in the distal end portion main body 31a.

As described above, since there is originally a space for forming the screw hole 41 having a diameter such that the screw rod 38a of the screw member 38 is screwed into the tip end body 31a, these spaces can be used. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, if the space between the observation section 8 and the treatment instrument insertion passage 17 is used, the outer diameter of the distal end portion main body 31a is not affected at all. The screw member 38 is provided with a cap 36.
Is fixed to the tip body 31a.
As long as there is enough space, it is possible to mount a plurality of cables.

The screw member 38 is made of metal, and similarly, is screwed into the tip end body 31a made of metal, so that the head 38b of the screw member 38 is held so as not to be exposed to the outside. Must. Therefore,
The thickness of the head 38b is made thinner than the depth of the recess 39 formed in the cap 36 so that the head 38b is buried in the recess 39 when the screw member 38 is mounted. Then, the recess 39 is filled with a sealing material having electrical insulation. Thus, it is possible to prevent the metal from being exposed at the distal end portion of the insertion portion, and to seal the mounting portion of the screw member 38.

The tip ring 33 is fixed in a connected state by being sandwiched between the tip body 31a and the cap 36. Therefore, the tip ring 33 cannot move in the axial direction, but moves in the rotation direction of the tip ring 33. There are no regulations.
In addition, since the bending direction of the angle portion 32 has directionality, if the distal end portion main body 31a and the distal end ring 33 are assembled in a state of being displaced in the rotational direction, an accurate angle operation cannot be performed. Therefore, the tip ring 33
Must be mounted in such a manner as to be oriented with respect to the distal end body 31a, and furthermore, a positioning means must be provided for restricting the distal end ring 33 from moving in the rotating direction in the assembled state.

As the positioning means, for example, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, an engaging recess 42 with which each engaging portion piece 37 of the tip ring 33 is engaged is formed on the tip surface of the tip body 31a, and the tip ring 33 is fitted to the tip body 31a. In such a case, each of the engagement pieces 37 can be configured to engage with the engagement recess 42 at the same time. Then, each engaging portion 37 is colored with a different color, and the engaging concave portion 42 with which each engaging portion 37 is engaged is colored in a corresponding color, or the engaging portion 37 and Engagement recess 4
2 by changing the width of the engaging portion 37 and the engaging recess 4
It is preferable to make it possible to identify whether it should be engaged with the second. Thereby, the direction of the tip ring 33 can be easily adjusted at the time of assembly, and the engagement recess 4
The step wall in 2 can prevent the tip ring 33 from relatively moving in the rotation direction.

Further, as shown in FIG.
A through-hole 43 is formed in a portion of the peripheral body portion of the No. 3 where the cap 36 is fitted. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the insertion hole 44 is formed. With this configuration, when fitting the tip ring 33 to the tip body 31a, if the through-hole 43 and the pin insertion hole 44 are in a state of coincidence, the relative position between the tip ring 33 and the tip body 31a is increased. The positional relationship comes to fit. Further, by inserting the positioning pin 45 from the through hole 43 into the pin insertion hole 44, the relative rotation of the distal end ring 33 in the assembled state can be prevented. Here, since the positioning pin 45 inserted into the pin insertion hole 44 only prevents rotation of the tip ring 33,
The depth of the pin insertion hole 44 may be very small.

In addition, it is also possible to form the positioning means by providing a projection on the distal end body 31a and providing a through-hole into which the projection fits in the distal ring 33. As shown in FIG. 1, a combination of positioning using the engagement portion piece 37 of the distal ring 33 and a plurality of positioning means such as positioning pins which engage with the peripheral ring of the distal ring 33 and the distal body 31a are combined. Then, the tip ring 33 can be positioned more accurately and stably.

By the way, in order to repair members inserted inside the insertion portion 30 and perform other maintenance,
It is necessary to separate the tip portion 31 and the angle portion 32.
An engagement piece 37 is formed on the tip ring 33 so as to protrude inward, and since the tip ring 33 also functions as an angle ring together with the connection ring, the tip body 31a and the angle section 32 are separated as they are. You can't do that. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 4, a detachable groove 46 penetrating in the axial direction is formed in the peripheral body of the distal end portion main body 31 a at a position shifted in phase from the engaging concave portion 42. What is necessary is just to make a width and depth into the shape corresponding to the engagement piece 37.

Further, as shown in FIG.
1a, a connecting ring 50 is provided so as to be fitted thereto, and does not extend to the distal end main body 31a of the distal end ring 33 'located at the foremost end of the angle portion 32.
It may be configured to be connected to the base end of the zero. In this case, the connection ring 50 and the tip ring 33 'must be detachable and firmly fixed in the connected state. For this purpose, the tip ring 3
The tip of 3 ′ is reduced in diameter to form a step 33a ′,
The base end of the connection ring 50 is fitted into the step portion 33a ', and one or a plurality of through holes 51 are formed on the connection ring 50 side at the overlapping portion of the two rings, and the solder is formed in the through hole 51. Can be poured. Accordingly, the two rings are firmly connected by the solder, and the connecting ring 50 can be separated from the tip ring 33 'by melting the solder as necessary. In FIG. 6,
Since the configuration other than the above is the same as that of FIG. 1, the corresponding members are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIG.

[0031]

Since the present invention is constructed as described above, the connecting ring forming the angle portion is fitted to the distal end main body and then connected and fixed. There are effects such as being able to be fixed so as not to be disturbed and being able to be stably held in a connected state.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a connecting portion between an angle portion of an insertion portion and a distal end portion main body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view showing a distal end surface of an insertion section.

FIG. 3 is an external view of a main part of a tip ring.

FIG. 4 is a structural explanatory view showing an example of a positioning means in a rotation direction between a distal end portion main body and a distal end ring.

FIG. 5 is a structural explanatory view showing another example of a positioning means in a rotation direction between a distal end portion main body and a distal end ring.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a connection portion between an angle portion of an insertion portion and a distal end portion main body according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope.

FIG. 8 is an external view showing a configuration of a distal end surface of an insertion portion of an endoscope according to a conventional technique.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a connection portion between an angle portion of an insertion portion and a distal end body according to a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 Insertion part 31 Tip part 31a Tip part main body 32 Angle part 33, 33 'Tip ring 36 Cap 37 Engagement piece 38 Screw member 39 Depression 40 Insertion hole 41 Screw hole 42 Engagement depression 43 Through hole 44 Pin insertion hole 45 Positioning Pin 46 Groove 50 Connecting ring 51 Through hole

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A connecting ring is fitted to a distal end main body constituting a distal end portion in order to connect a distal end portion of an insertion portion continuously provided in the order of a soft portion, an angle portion, and a distal end portion from a main body operation portion side. The connecting ring connects the angle portion and the distal end portion, and the distal end main body is provided with a cap that covers a portion where the distal end surface is exposed. And a coupling between the cap and the distal end body using a screw member, wherein the coupling ring is engaged with the distal end main body. 2. A structure in which one or a plurality of inwardly bent engaging pieces are connected to the tip of the connecting ring, and the engaging pieces are clamped between the tip body and the cap. The distal end connecting structure for an endoscope insertion portion according to claim 1, wherein 3. The endoscope insertion section according to claim 2, further comprising positioning means for preventing relative rotation of the connecting ring in a state where the connecting ring is fitted to the distal end main body. Tip connection structure. 4. The positioning means includes: a positioning pin for connecting a peripheral body between the connection ring and the distal end body; an uneven fitting portion provided between the connection ring and the distal end body; and a distal end of the distal end body. 4. The distal end connecting structure for an endoscope insertion portion according to claim 3, wherein the connecting portion is formed of any one of the concave portions in which the engaging pieces of the connecting ring are accommodated.