JPH10216078A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope in which removal of a fixing screw to connect an insertion part side connection member to an operation part side connection member can be prevented. SOLUTION: An endoscope comprises a flexible tube to compose an insertion part, a bend part connected to a tip of the flexible tube, an operation part connected to a back end of the flexible tube and comprising a bending operation mechanism for bending operation to the bending part, and an operation wire 56a fixed to a tip of the bend part at one end and fixed to the bending operation mechanism at the other end. In this case, an insertion side connection member 57a having a fixing means for the operation wire 56a to the bending operation mechanism provided on an operation part side end part of the operation wire 56a, and a chain side connection member 54a provided on the bending operation mechanism are fixed by a fixing screw 58, and a cover member 66 to cover a head part of the fixing screw 58 is provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope having a bending operation mechanism for bending a bending portion of an insertion portion.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional endoscope, an insertion portion connected to an operation portion is constituted by a flexible tube portion, a bending portion, and a distal end component portion. The distal ends of the upper, lower, left and right operation wires are attached, and the base ends of these operation wires are connected to a bending operation mechanism provided in the operation unit. Further, each of the upper, lower, left and right operation wires has one end fixed to the distal end of the flexible tube portion and the other end inserted through a guide coil which is a close-wound coil fixed to the operation portion. By operating the bending operation mechanism with the bending operation knob provided on the operation unit, the operation wire is pushed and pulled, and the bending portion can be bent in a predetermined direction.

By repeatedly pushing and pulling the operation wire inserted into the insertion portion in a tensioned state for a long period of time, the operation wire is elongated, and the total length of the bending portion, the guide coil, and the flexible tube portion is reduced. It is inevitable that the operation wire is relatively loosened due to contraction due to the compressive force received from the wire. When the bending operation knob is operated in the above state, the bending section does not follow the operation of the bending operation knob, the bending section does not bend to a desired angle, and the like, and the operability of the endoscope is reduced. In such a case, it is necessary to remove the slack of the operation wire.

However, when the operation wire is fixed to the bending operation mechanism by soldering or brazing as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2-43361, the soldering or brazing of the operation wire is removed during repair work, and the bending operation wire is removed. It is necessary to perform soldering or brazing again in a state where the slack has been removed, which is troublesome. As a method of easily performing the work, a method of fixing a bending operation wire to a bending operation mechanism with a fixing screw has been considered as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 4-124103.

[0005]

However, the bending operation wire of the endoscope tends to be stretched due to aging under tension, while the flexible tube through which the bending operation wire is inserted has the opposite effect. It is compressed and contracted by the operation of the bending operation wire. This inevitably reduces the operability that the operation of the bending operation knob cannot be sufficiently transmitted to the bending portion.

Therefore, it is necessary to remove the entire slack by adjusting the elongation of the bending operation wire. The conventional endoscope has a structure in which a bending operation wire and a bending operation mechanism are fixed with a fixing screw. However, in the case of the fixing structure using the fixing screw, if the bending operation is repeated, the fixing screw may be loosened and fall into the operation unit, and the dropped screw may enter the bending operation mechanism unit and hinder the bending operation. There is.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to prevent the fixing screw from falling off even if the fixing screw for fixing the bending operation wire and the bending operation mechanism is loosened. It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope that can perform a bending operation smoothly.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a flexible tube constituting an insertion portion, a curved portion connected to a distal end of the flexible tube, and a rear end of the flexible tube. Connected to
An endoscope comprising: an operation section having a bending operation mechanism for performing a bending operation on a bending section; and an operation wire having one end fixed to a distal end of the bending section and the other end fixed to the bending operation mechanism. The fixing means of the wire bending operation mechanism fixes the insertion section side connection member provided at the operation section end of the operation wire and the operation section side connection member provided in the bending operation mechanism with a fixing screw, and A cover member for covering the head of the fixing screw is provided.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 27 show a first embodiment, and FIG. 1 shows the entire configuration of an endoscope. As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope 1 has an elongated insertion portion 2 inserted into a body cavity or the like, an operation portion 3 formed at a rear end of the insertion portion 2, and extends from the operation portion 3. A universal cord 4 and a connector 5 formed at the rear end of the universal cord 4 and connected to a light source device (not shown) or the like.

The insertion portion 2 has a rigid distal end portion 6 from the distal end side, a bendable curved portion 7 formed at the rear end of the distal end portion 6, and a flexible portion formed at the rear end of the curved portion 7. And a flexible tube 8 having properties. The distal end portion 6 has an opening 11 of a treatment instrument insertion pipe 104 to be described later.
7. An objective cover glass 118 provided outside the objective optical system (not shown), a nozzle 119 for sending water and air to the surface of the objective cover glass 118, and an illumination cover glass 120 provided outside the illumination optical system (not shown) are provided. Have been.

The outer shape of the operating part 3 is made watertight by an operating part casing 9 provided on the hand side and a holding part casing 10 formed on the insertion part 2 side of the operating part casing 9. The operation section casing 9 has a vertical bending knob 11 for bending the bending section 7 in the vertical direction.
b, left-right bending knob 11 for bending in the left-right direction
a, an air / water supply button 121 for supplying water and air to the nozzle 119, and a suction button 122 for sucking a body fluid or the like from the opening 117 are provided. Further, the treatment instrument introduction port 108 is provided in the holding section casing 10.
Is provided, and is connected to the treatment instrument insertion conduit 104 via a treatment instrument introduction conduit 105 and a branch member 107 to be described later.

FIG. 2 shows the internal structure of the operation unit 3 near the operation unit 3 covered with the operation unit casing 9 and the holding unit casing 10. Operation part casing 9 and holding part casing 10
Is provided with a substrate 12 therein. The substrate 12 is formed by die casting in which aluminum is injection-molded. Protrusions 13a and 13 for locking are provided on the proximal end of the substrate 12.
b are provided in two places. As shown in FIG. 3, a first portion having opening portions 14a and 14b in at least one direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the substrate 12 is provided at a position facing the locking projections 13a and 13b in the operation portion casing 9. Locking portions 15a and 15b are provided, and the locking projections 13a and 13b are locked respectively. here,
As shown in FIG. 2, the distance Z between the first locking parts 15a and 15b and the distance Y between the first locking part 15a and the inner wall of the operation unit casing 9 are the width X of the locking projections 13a and 13b. It is set larger.

Further, a second engaging portion 16 is provided at a position of the mouth of the operating portion casing 9 on the side of the holding portion casing 10 and opposite to one side portion of the substrate 12, and as shown in FIG. Side portions of the substrate 12 are locked in locking grooves 22 provided in the second locking portions 16. Here, the width V of the substrate 12 at this portion is set smaller than the distance W between the inner wall of the operation unit casing 9 and the end face of the second locking unit 16.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a board 12 is provided at the mouth of the operating section casing 9 on the side of the holding section casing 10.
Plane portions 17a and 17b perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the substrate 12 are provided. At positions opposed to the plane portions 17a and 17b of the substrate 12, butting portions 18a and 18b having surfaces substantially parallel to the plane portions 17a and 17b are provided. Is provided. A gap is provided between the flat portions 17a and 17b and the butting portions 18a and 18b by a tolerance that occurs in the operation portion 3 when the operation portion 3 is assembled, and has a gap of, for example, 0.3 mm. .

FIG. 5 is a top view of the substrate 12. A first edge for reinforcement is provided on the near edge of the substrate 12 so as to surround the entire periphery.
Are provided. FIG. 6 shows A- in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of FIG.
It has a thickness substantially equal to 0 and is provided substantially perpendicular to the plane of the base portion 20. Further, a second rib 21 is provided on the substrate 12, as shown in FIG. Second rib 21
Are two pairs of base portions 26a and 26b substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the substrate 12 and provided substantially in the vertical direction of the base portion 20,
The first abutments 1 are connected at the proximal ends of the bases 26a and 26b and are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the substrate 12.
23, a second butting portion 124 similar to the first butting portion 123 on the insertion portion 2 side of the base portions 26a and 26b,
The pair of guide member fixing portions 25a and 25b having a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the substrate 12 is provided at the end of the insertion portions 2 of the base portions 26a and 26b.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG.
The bases 26a and 26b have a base 2 at a substantially central portion thereof.
Parallel portion 2 protruding outward in a direction substantially perpendicular to 6a and 26b
3a and 23b are provided. And the foundation 26
a, the right side wire fixing member sliding groove 27a is formed by the parallel portion 23a and the base portion 20, and similarly, the base portion 26b,
The parallel portion 23b and the base portion 20 form a leftward wire fixing member sliding groove 27b.

The right wire fixing member sliding groove 27a is provided on the side surface of the base portion 26a of the right direction wire fixing member sliding groove 27a.
A rightward bending angle defining groove 28a having a smaller width is formed,
Similarly, the base portion 26 of the leftward wire fixing member sliding groove 27b.
A leftward bending angle defining groove 28b is formed on the b side surface. Rightward bending angle defining groove 28a across parallel portion 23a
A similar downward bending angle defining groove 28c is formed on the base portion 26a substantially equidistant from the base portion 26a, and an upward bending angle is formed on the base portion 26b approximately equal to the left bending angle defining groove 28b across the parallel portion 23b. A regulating groove 28d is provided.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the substrate 12, and FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken along the line II in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 23, a portion of the right side bending angle defining groove 28a on the hand side is a rectangle formed by the base portions 26a and 26b, the first butting portion 123, and the second butting portion 124. A right-hand through portion 30a penetrating the groove 24 side is formed, and a left-hand bending angle defining groove 28b is also formed with a similar left-hand through portion 30b. The downward bending angle defining groove 28c and the upward bending angle defining groove 28d are also provided with a similar downward penetrating portion 30c and upward penetrating portion 30d, and the upper base portions 26a and 26b are further cut away. The length of the penetrating portion 30 in each of the left-right direction and the up-down direction is a width in which the bending angle of the endoscope 1 of all models can be adjusted, and is set to, for example, 27 mm or more in all directions.

FIG. 24 shows a JJ section in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 24, the end of the through-hole 30 in the left-right direction and the up-down direction,
Cutout portions 31a and 31b are provided in which base portions 26a and 26b at the roots of 3a and 23b are cut out.

FIG. 9 shows a cross section taken along the line CC in FIG. Rightward bending angle defining groove 2 of guide member fixing portion 25a
8a, a notch 32a for fixing the right-hand guide member, which is open on the side, has a similar left-hand direction at a position opposed to the leftward bending angle defining groove 28b of the guide member fixing portion 25b. The notch 32b for fixing the guide member,
A lower guide member fixing notch 32c is located at a position facing the downward bending angle defining groove 28c, and an upper guide member fixing notch 32d is located at a position facing the leftward bending angle defining groove 28d. Are provided respectively.

FIG. 10 shows a DD section in FIG. At the end of the substrate 12 on the insertion portion 2 side, two pairs of cylindrical substrate fixing portions 33a and 33b are provided, which are substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the substrate 12 and project in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the substrate portion 20. I have. The side surfaces of the tubular base fixing parts 33a and 33b are shaped like a circle having a center between the cylindrical base fixing parts 33a and 33b. Third ribs 35 are provided at the roots of the tubular base fixing parts 33a and 33b in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the substrate 12. 5 and 8
As shown in the figure, the cylindrical base fixing portions 33a and 33b and the second
Fourth ribs 36 substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the substrate 12 are provided between the ribs 21.

FIG. 11 shows an EE section in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 11, the rectangular groove 24 is provided with a left-right adjustment member fixing plate 37 a having substantially the same shape as the rectangular groove 24. A bending angle adjusting member 38a and an upper left bending angle adjusting member 38b are provided. Further, a vertical adjustment member fixing plate 37b is disposed on the upper surface, and a lower right bending angle adjustment member 38a and an upper left bending angle adjustment member 38b are similarly disposed above the upper plate.

The lower right bending angle adjusting member 38a is composed of a rectangular fixing portion 40 having a width approximately half of that of the rectangular groove 24 and a stopper portion 41a protruding laterally. Downward bending angle adjusting member 38a
The stopper portion 41b protrudes in the opposite direction with respect to the fixed portion 40. The fixing portion 40 is provided with a fixing long hole 42. The fixing portion 40 is fixed to the left and right direction adjusting member fixing plate 37a and the vertical direction adjusting member fixing plate 37b by the fixing screws 72a and 72b through the fixing long hole 42. Fixed. The length of the fixing slot 42 is determined by the left and right direction adjustment member fixing plate 37a and the vertical direction adjustment member fixing plate 37a.
The adjustment range of the fixed position of the lower right bending angle adjustment member 38a and the upper left bending angle adjustment member 38b with respect to b is set to be substantially the same as the length of each of the left and right and vertical direction through portions 30. I have.

The size of the stoppers 41a and 41b is set smaller than the notches 31a and 31b in FIG. 8, so that the lower right bending angle adjusting member 38a and the upper left bending angle adjusting member 38b are most inserted into the insertion portion 2. The stopper portions 41a and 41b are notched 31
It is set so as to be arranged at a position opposite to a and 31b. In FIG. 2, a storage member 44 for storing a chain member 43 for bending operation is arranged on the base 20 whose edge is surrounded by the first rib 19.

FIG. 12 shows a cross section taken along line FF of FIG.
The storage member 44 is composed of side walls 47a and 47b which are substantially perpendicular to the base 20 and symmetrical left and right, and a partition plate 48 substantially in the center thereof and substantially parallel to the base 20. Snap fit portions 4 are provided on the end surfaces of the side wall portions 47a and 47b on the base portion 20 side.
9 a and 49 b are provided, and are locked by fixing holes 50 a and 50 b provided in the base portion 20.

The operation unit casing 9 of the partition plate 48
A through hole 45 is provided at a position opposed to the left and right bending knobs 11a and the vertical bending knob 11b provided outside the device. A horizontal sprocket 51a is disposed below the through hole 45 of the partition plate portion 48, and a vertical sprocket 51b is disposed above the through hole 45. Left-right sprocket 51
A horizontal bending knob 11a is connected to a, and a vertical bending knob 11b is connected to the vertical sprocket 51b.

The left and right sprocket 51a is provided with a left and right chain member 43a.
A vertical chain member 43b is wound around 1b. The left and right chain members 43a and the vertical chain members 43b are provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the partition plate portion 48 at the side edges of the insertion portion 2 of the through holes 45 with the left and right sprockets 51a.
Further, projections 52a and 52b are provided to separate the sprocket 51 from the vertical sprocket 51b.

FIG. 13 is a side sectional view of the end of the left-right chain member 43a, FIG. 14 is a top view of FIG. 13, and FIG.
3 is an LL cross section. Right and left direction chain member 4
At the end of 3a, a right chain side connecting member 54a having a right abutting portion 53a for defining a moving range by being brought into contact with a stopper portion 41a of a lower right bending angle adjusting member 38a is attached. A female screw portion 55 is provided near the right abutment portion 53a.

A screw 59 of a fixing screw 58 is attached to a right insertion portion side connecting member 57a to which a right operation wire 56a for transmitting a right bending operation by the right and left bending knob 11a to the bending portion 7 is fixed. Are provided, and a long hole 61 through which a circular maximum outer diameter portion 60 cannot be inserted is provided. A locking groove 63 of the maximum outer diameter portion 60 in which a plurality of circular grooves are connected at equal intervals to form a projection 62 narrower than the maximum outer diameter portion 60 is provided above the long hole 61. Is provided with a long groove portion 64 in which the protrusion 62 of the locking groove portion 63 is removed.

The depth of the long groove portion 64 is set to be larger than the thickness of the maximum outer diameter portion 60, and the depth of the locking groove portion 63 is set to be smaller than the screwing length of the screw portion 59 and the female screw portion 55. The right insertion portion side connecting member 57a and the right chain side connecting member 58 are screwed into the female screw portion 55 through the long hole 61, and the maximum outer diameter portion 60 and the protrusion 62 are in contact with each other. 54a are connected. Here, the bending angle that changes when the fixing position of the screw portion 59 is moved by one interval to the protrusion 62 adjacent to the protrusion 62 is set to be always a constant value. A cover member 66 having a narrower width than the maximum outer diameter portion 60 and having an adjustment long hole 65 through which a driver for tightening the fixing screw 58 can be inserted is fixed to the upper surface of the long groove portion 64 by bonding, soldering, or brazing. Have been.

FIG. 16 shows a GG section in FIG. The right insertion part side connection member 57a is provided with a convex part 67 along the longitudinal direction of the right insertion part side connection member 57a at a contact portion of the right insertion part side connection member 57a with the right chain side connection member 54a. Convex portion 67 on the side contact surface
And a concave portion 68 having a shape opposite to the above.

Here, since the structure of this part is the same in the vertical and horizontal directions, the description of the structure in other directions is omitted.
After the sign, the right direction is a, the left direction is b, and the down direction is c.
And d in the upward direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the downward chain side connecting member 54c, the downward insertion portion side connecting member 57c
The lower connecting member 69c constituted by the cover member 66c and the upper connecting portion 69d slides on the upper surface of the parallel portion 23b, and the right connecting portion 69a slides on the upper surface of the parallel portion 23b. In the groove 27a, a similar left connecting portion 69b is disposed in the left wire fixing member sliding groove 27b such that the fixing screw 58 is directed to the side.
As shown in FIG. 11, each abutting portion 53 of each of the left and right and up and down direction connecting members 54 is disposed in a state of being fitted in the corresponding direction bending angle defining groove 28, and the outer periphery thereof is formed by a base cover 70. Covered.

FIG. 17 is an arrow view from the bottom side of the base cover 70, and FIG. 18 is a side view. Base cover 70
As shown in FIG. 11, a vertical adjustment member fixing screw 72b for fixing the lower right bending angle adjustment member 38a and the upper left bending angle adjustment member 38b to the vertical adjustment member fixing plate 37b is provided on the upper surface of the. An adjustment notch 71 is provided so as to be exposed to the outside.

A locking projection 73 is provided on the end surface of the base cover 70 on the base portion 20 side, and the locking projection 73 is provided with a notch 74 that is open at the hand side. As shown in FIG. 5, the base portion 20 of the substrate 12 opposite to the locking projection 73 has a locking long hole 75 and a locking projection 76 on the substrate 12 side.
Is provided. A base cover 70 is provided on the locking projection 76.
A notch 77 is provided on the substrate 12 side, which is wider than the thickness of the substrate 12 and is open to the insertion section 2 side. The length of the locking long hole 75 is such that the locking convex portion 73 is closest to the insertion portion 2 side of the locking long hole 75.
Is arranged so that the proximal end of the base cover 70 is disposed at a position that is not covered by the operation unit casing 9.

Also, as shown in FIG.
9a, a left connecting portion 69b, a downward connecting member 69c, and a right operating wire 56 extending from the left connecting portion 69d.
a, left operation wire 56b, downward operation wire 56c
The upper operation wire 56d is inserted through the right hand side guide coil 78a, the left hand side guide coil 78b, the lower hand side guide coil 78c, and the upper hand side guide coil 78d formed by densely winding a metal wire. ing.

At the proximal end of the right proximal guide coil 78a, the left proximal guide coil 78b, the downward proximal guide coil 78c, and the upward proximal guide coil 78d, a right positioning member 79a, leftward The positioning member 79b, the downward positioning member 79c and the upward positioning member 79d are respectively fixed, and the right positioning member 7 is fixed.
9a, a left-side positioning member 79b, a lower-side positioning member 79c, and an upper-side positioning member 79d are a right-side guide member fixing notch 32a, a left-side guide member fixing notch 32b, and a lower-side guide member fixing. Notch 3
2c and the upper guide member fixing notch 32d. Further, the base cover 70 is set so as to be in contact with the positioning members 79 in the left, right, up and down directions, and to be disposed at a position for restricting the lateral movement.

FIG. 19 shows the structure of the insertion portion 2 of the proximal guide coil 78. Right hand side guide coil 7
8a, left hand side guide coil 78b, lower hand side guide coil 78c, and upper hand side guide coil 78
At the end of the insertion portion 2 on the side of d, a right insertion portion side guide coil 80a, a left insertion portion side guide coil 80b, a downward insertion portion side guide coil 80c and an upward insertion having the same structure as the proximal side guide coil 78 are provided. The proximal ends of the unit-side guide coils 80d are abutted, and the outer periphery of the abutted portion is connected by covering with a heat-shrinkable tube 101.

The right insertion section side guide coil 80a, the left insertion section side guide coil 80b, the downward insertion section side guide coil 80c, and the upward insertion section side guide coil 80d have a U-shaped notch 109. A rightward locking block 102a, a leftward locking block 102b, a downward locking block 102c, and an upward locking block 102d are respectively fixed by solder or the like.

The right insertion portion side guide coil 80a,
Left insertion section side guide coil 80b, downward insertion section side guide coil 80c, and upward insertion section side guide coil 80
d is inserted into the insertion portion 2, and as shown in FIG.
0d is the downward insertion portion side guide coil 80c in the downward direction.
However, in the right direction, the right insertion portion side guide coil 80a,
The left insertion portion side guide coil 80b is fixed in the left direction. Further, the operation wires 56 in each direction inserted into the insertion portion guide coil 80 in each direction via the hand side guide coil 78 in each of the left, right, up, and down directions are bent similarly to the insertion portion side guide coil 80. 7 is fixed at a position opposite to the top, bottom, left, and right directions of the tip end.

FIG. 20 shows the internal structure of the operation section 3 on the insertion section 2 side of the portion covered by the holding section casing 10.
A cylindrical base 103 having an inner diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the cylindrical base fixing part 33a and 33b of the substrate 12 is externally fitted to the cylindrical base fixing part 33a.
It is screw-fixed from a direction substantially perpendicular to a and 33b.

FIG. 25 is a side view of a fixing portion between the substrate 12 and the cylindrical base 103. A rotation restricting notch 1 is provided at a position of the end of the cylindrical base 103 on the side of the substrate 12 facing the base 20.
25 are provided, and the end of the base portion 20 on the insertion portion 2 side is fixed in a fitted state. As shown in FIG. 20, a treatment tool insertion pipe 104 and a treatment tool introduction pipe 1
A branch member 107 at which the suction pipe 05 and the suction pipe line 106 join is screwed.

The treatment instrument insertion conduit 104 is inserted into the insertion portion 2 and is opened at the opening 117.
Is opened at the treatment instrument introduction port 108. Suction line 106
Is inserted into the universal cord 4 through a suction cylinder 127 to which a suction button 122 is attached, which will be described later, and has an opening in the connector 5. Cylindrical base 103
A locking ring 110 is provided on the insertion portion 2 side of
Are fixed by fixing screws 111.

FIG. 21 shows a cross section taken along line HH in FIG. 20, and a two-dot chain line shows the arrangement of the branching member 107 on the hand side. The locking ring 110 is provided with a notch 126 in a part of the circumference, and further, on the outer circumference, a locking notch 112a of the right locking block 102a, and a locking notch 112b of the left locking block 102b. , A notch 112c for locking the lower locking block 102c and a notch 112d for locking the upper locking block 102d.

The inner diameter surface of the locking ring 110 is
3 and are provided substantially concentrically with the inner diameter surfaces of the flexible tube 8, and the inner diameters of the locking ring 110 and the flexible tube 8 are set to be substantially the same. Notch 112 for locking in each direction
Is a position that does not interfere with the branch member 107,
6, the locking notches 112b, 112d,
112c and 112a are arranged in this order.

The notch 109 of the right-hand locking block 102a is provided in the notch 112a for locking.
12b has a notch 10 in the left locking block 102b.
9, a notch 109 of the downward locking block 102c is provided in the notch 112c for locking, and a notch 112d is provided in the locking notch 112c.
The notch 109 of the upper locking block 102d is locked to each, and at this time, the right insertion section side guide coil 80a, the left insertion section side guide coil 80b, the lower insertion section side guide coil 80c, and The shapes of the locking notch 112 and the notch 109 are set so that the upper insertion portion side guide coil 80 d contacts the inner diameter surface of the locking ring 110.

FIG. 22 is a top view of a fixing portion of the fixing screw 111. This portion is provided with a long hole 138, a protrusion 139, and a locking groove 140 similar to the long hole 61, the protrusion 62, and the locking groove 63, the screw 141 of the fixing screw 111, and the maximum outer diameter portion. The relationship between the female screw portion 142 and the female screw portion 143 is the same as the relationship between the screw portion 59 of the fixing screw 58 and the maximum outer diameter portion 60 and the female screw portion 55, and a description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 20, a buckling member 149 made of soft rubber for preventing buckling of the flexible tube 8 is provided on the outer periphery of the cylindrical base 103 at a position opposed to the fixing screw 111.
Is provided. The proximal end of the buckling base 113 has a contact portion 114 that contacts the end of the holding portion casing 10, and a female screw portion 115 is provided on the inner surface of the contact portion 114. Female thread 11
On the outer periphery of the cylindrical base 103 opposite to the outer periphery 5, a male screw portion 116 is provided.
Are provided, and the female screw portion 115 and the male screw portion 116 are screwed together.

FIG. 27 shows a section taken along the line KK in FIG. The base portion 20 covers the outer periphery of the left and right sprockets 51a and the vertical sprockets 51b around which the left and right chain members 43a and the vertical chain members 43b are wound. A sprocket cover 131 provided with a cylindrical portion 130 having a through hole 129 is fixed by screws.

The left / right bending knob 11a is connected to the left / right sprocket 51a via a left / right bending shaft 128a inserted into the through hole 129, and similarly, the up / down bending knob 11b is moved up / down via the up / down bending shaft 128b. It is connected to the sprocket 51b.

An opening 132 having a size through which a fixing portion of the sprocket cover 131 can be inserted is provided at a position opposed to the cylindrical portion 130 of the operation portion casing 9. On the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 130 at a position facing the opening hole 132, the first
Are provided. In the opening hole 132, the cylindrical portion 13 is held in a state where the inner diameter portion is in contact with the first watertight member 133.
0, and a watertight ring 135 is arranged in a state where the outer diameter portion is fitted in the opening hole 132. Further, a second watertight member 134 for ensuring watertightness is provided between the opening 132 and the cylindrical portion 130.

An air / water button 1 is provided on the back side of the base 20.
An air / water supply cylinder 160 to which the suction button 21 is attached and a suction cylinder 136 to which the suction button 122 is attached are arranged in contact with each other. The contact positions of the air supply / water supply cylinder 160 and the suction cylinder 136 with the base 20 are determined by the horizontal bending shaft 128a and the vertical bending shaft 1a.
It is provided on the insertion portion 2 side with respect to the center shaft 137 of 28b. Here, the watertight ring 135 is the sprocket cover 1
31 and may be provided integrally with the vertical bending knob 11b.

Next, a method of assembling the endoscope configured as described above will be described. The left-right sprocket 51a with the left-right chain member 43a wound around a predetermined position on the upper surface of the base portion 20 is arranged. At this time, the right chain side connecting member 54a is in the right wire fixing member sliding groove 27a with the right abutting portion 53a being arranged in the right bending angle defining groove 28a, and the left chain side connecting member 54b is in the left direction. The leftward wire fixing member sliding groove 2 with the butting portion 53b disposed in the leftward bending angle defining groove 28b.
7b.

Next, the snap-fit portions 49a and 49b are engaged with the fixing holes 50a and 50b in a snap-fit manner with the center of the through hole 45 of the storage member 44 and the center of the left-right sprocket 51a aligned. Next, the vertical sprocket 51b in a state in which the vertical chain member 43b is wound is arranged on the upper surface of the partition plate portion 48 with the center aligned with the through hole 45.

At this time, the downward chain side connecting member 54
c is the downward abutting portion 53c and the downward bending angle defining groove 2
8c, on the upper surface of the parallel portion 23a, and the upper chain side connecting member 54d, with the upper abutting portion 53c inserted into the upper bending angle defining groove 28d, the parallel portion 23b.
Place on the top of

Next, at the position where the locking projection 73 is disposed at the end of the locking slot 75 on the insertion portion 2 side, the locking projection 73 is inserted into the locking slot 75, and By displacing the cover 70 toward the hand, the notch 74 and the notch 77 on the substrate 12 side of the locking convex portion 76 and the proximal end of the locking long hole 75 are engaged with each other.

Next, a method of attaching the board 12 to the operation section casing 9 in this state will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 28, the positional relationship between the board 12 and the opening on the insertion section 2 side of the operation section casing 9 in the above state is such that the upper surface of the base section 20 is located below the bottom surface of the second locking section 16 and the base cover 70 is brought into contact with the surface of the operation portion casing 9 opposite to the second locking portion 16. In this state, the substrate 12 is pulled toward the hand to a predetermined position.

As shown in FIG. 29, the positional relationship between the locking projections 13a and 13b and the first locking portions 15a and 15b at this time is such that the first locking portions 15a and 15b are locked. The locking projection 13b is provided, and the locking projection 13a is provided between the first locking portion 15a and the wall surface of the operation unit casing 9.

As shown in FIG. 30, the positional relationship between the locking projections 13a and 13b and the first locking portions 15a and 15b is lower than the bottom surfaces of the first locking portions 15a and 15b. The upper surface of the stop projection 13a is provided.

Next, as shown in FIG. 31A, the substrate 12 is pulled up toward the upper surface of the base 20 so that the locking grooves 22 of the bases 20 and 16 are arranged on the same plane. At this time, the base portion 20 does not interfere with the second locking portion 16 due to the relationship between V and W in FIG. At this time, as shown in FIG. 31B, the locking projections 13a and 13b are
a and 14b are arranged on the same plane. Again, X in FIG.
Due to the relationship between Y and Z, the locking projections 13a and 13b do not interfere with the first locking portions 15a and 15b and the wall surface of the operation unit casing 9.

Finally, when the substrate 12 is moved in the direction of the second locking portion 16, the side of the base portion 20 is interposed and locked in the locking groove 22 as shown in FIG. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 33 and 34, the locking protrusions 13a and 13
b is locked by being sandwiched between the first locking portions 15a and 15b. Next, the sprocket cover 131 is inserted through the opening 132 from the outside of the operation unit casing 9 and fixed to the base unit 20. Further, the watertight ring 135 is dropped from the outside of the operation unit casing 9 to close the opening 132 in a watertight manner.

Next, the vertical bending shaft 128b of the vertical bending operation knob 11b is inserted through the through hole 129, and is connected to the vertical sprocket 51b. Similarly, the horizontal bending shaft 128a of the horizontal bending knob 11a is
9 and connected to the left-right sprocket 51a. Next, the air / water supply cylinder 160 and the suction cylinder 136 are fixed to the operation unit casing 9 in a state of being in contact with the back surface of the base unit 20.

Next, a method of assembling the insertion section 2 will be described. The insertion portion side guide coils 80 in each direction are fixed at predetermined positions on the distal end side of the flexible tube 8, and the insertion portion side guide coils 8 are fixed.
Lock block 1 in each direction corresponding to them at hand side
02 is attached. Next, the operation wires 56 in each direction are fixed to predetermined positions of the bending portion 7, and the bending portion 7 and the flexible tube 8 are fixed in a state where the operation wires 56 are inserted into the corresponding insertion portion side guide coils 80.

Next, a built-in object such as the treatment instrument insertion pipe 104 is fixed to the distal end component 6, and the built-in object is bent into the bending portion 7 and the flexible tube 8.
The distal end portion 6 and the bending portion 7 are fixed by being inserted into the inside. At this time, since the insertion portion side guide coil 80 can be moved in each direction alone, a position where the built-in portion does not hinder the built-in portion, for example, the fixed position on the distal end side of the insertion portion side guide coil 80 and the position on the hand side are substantially the same Keep it.

Next, the hand-side guide coil 78 to which the positioning members 79 corresponding to the operation wires 56 in each direction are fixed is extrapolated from the hand side, and the hand-side guide coil 78 is inserted.
The outer periphery of the abutting portion is covered with the heat-shrinkable tube 101 in a state where the abutting portion and the insertion portion side guide coil 80 abut against each other.
Next, the insertion-portion-side connecting member 57 corresponding to the predetermined position of the operation wire 56 in each direction is fixed.

Next, the locking blocks 102 in each direction are locked in the corresponding notches 112 of the locking ring 110. At this time, the fixing position on the distal end side of the insertion portion side guide coil 80 in each direction is the same as the arrangement order of the notch 112 corresponding thereto, so that the insertion portion side guide coil 80 in each direction is connected to the flexible tube 8. Do not cross within.

Next, the branching member 107 is connected to a predetermined position at the proximal end of the treatment instrument insertion conduit 104. Next, the cylindrical base 103 is externally inserted from the insertion portion 2 side, and the locking ring 110 is screw-fixed via the cylindrical base 103 in a state where the fixing screw 111 is arranged on the closest side of the locking groove 140. Thereby, the locking block 102 in each direction is sandwiched between the notch 112 in each direction and the inner wall surface of the cylindrical base 103, and is fixed immovably.

Next, the cylindrical base 103 is fixed to the rear end of the insertion portion 2 by screws, and the branch member 107 is fixed to the cylindrical base 103 by screws. Here, since the notch 112 in each direction is arranged at a position that does not interfere with the branch member 107, the insertion portion side guide coil 80 and the proximal side guide coil 78 in each direction are not sharply bent by the branch member 107. .

Next, with the cylindrical base fixing portions 33a and 33b inserted on the proximal side of the cylindrical base 103 and the base 20 engaged with the rotation restricting notch 125, the cylindrical base 103
And the substrate 12 are fixed by screws. At this time, the cylindrical base fixing part 3
The reference numerals 3a and 33b are provided substantially perpendicular to the base 20, and the fixing positions are provided on substantially the same plane as the base 20, so that the range for blocking the inner diameter of the cylindrical base 103 is small.

Next, connection of the bending operation mechanism will be described. Slide the base cover 70 toward the insertion section 2 and insert the notch 7
4 is disengaged from the notch 77 on the substrate side and the end on the proximal side of the long hole 75 for locking, and the base cover 70 is once removed by lifting up toward the upper surface of the base part 20. next,
The lower right bending angle adjustment member 38a and the upper left bending angle adjustment member 38b are temporarily fixed to the left / right adjustment member fixing plate 37a with the fixing screw 72a in a state of being arranged closest to the insertion portion 2 side.
The left-right direction adjustment member fixing plate 37a is dropped into the rectangular groove 24. At this time, since the stopper portions 41a and 41b are arranged at positions opposed to the cutout portions 31a and 31b, they do not interfere with each other.

Next, once the fixing screw 72a is loosened, the lower right bending angle adjusting member 38a and the lower left bending angle defining groove 28b are disposed closest to the hand, and temporarily fixed again. At this time, since the rectangular groove 24 and the left and right direction adjustment member fixing plate 37a have substantially the same shape, the left and right direction adjustment member fixing plate 37a
Does not shift in the horizontal direction of the base portion 20, and does not shift in the vertical direction because the stopper portions 41a and 41b are sandwiched between the right-side through portion 30a and the left-side through portion 30b.

Next, the connection of the connecting portion 69 in each direction will be described. However, since the connection structure in the up, down, left, and right directions is the same, reference numerals relating to the directions are omitted. The positioning member 79 is provided with the corresponding guide member fixing notch 32.
And the convex portion 67 of the insertion portion side connecting member 57 fixed to the operation wire 56 and the corresponding concave portion 68 of the chain side connecting member 54 are overlapped with each other.
The screw portion 59 of the fixing screw 58 is inserted into the long hole portion 61, and the screw portion 59 is chained with the maximum outer diameter portion 60 abutting on the protrusion 62 at a position where the tension of the operation wire 56 becomes a predetermined value. It is screwed into the female screw part 55 of the side connecting member 54.

As a result, the chain-side connecting member 54 and the insertion-portion-side connecting member 57 are fixed, and the convex portion 67 and the concave portion 68 are engaged with each other. The twist of the side connecting member 54 is suppressed. Further, since the maximum outer diameter portion 60 is in contact with the projection 62, the maximum outer diameter portion 60 does not shift along the long hole portion 61.

Next, the cover member 66 is fixed by bonding. As a result, even if the fixing screw 58 is loosened, the fixing screw 58 does not fall into the operation unit 3. When the bending knob 11 is rotated in a desired direction in a state where the connection of the connecting portions 69 in all directions is completed, the sprocket 51 rotates correspondingly, and the connecting portion 69 and the operation wire 56 are pulled in at the hand side. At this time, since the compressive force generated in the insertion portion 2 is received by the insertion portion side guide coil 80, the insertion portion 2 does not shrink, the pulling of the operation wire 56 is transmitted to the bending portion 7, and the bending portion 7 Curved in the desired direction.

Next, a method of setting the bending angle will be described. First, the left-right bending knob 11a is rotated until the bending portion 7 is bent rightward by a desired angle. Next, the fixing screw 72a temporarily fixing the lower right bending angle adjusting member 38a to the left / right adjusting member fixing plate 37a is loosened once, and the lower right bending angle adjusting member 38a is brought into contact with the stopper portion 41a and the right abutment portion 53a. The setting of the rightward bending angle is completed by moving the fixing screw 72a to a position where it touches and tightening and fixing the fixing screw 72a with a predetermined amount of force at that position.

Since the same applies to the left direction, the description is omitted.
Next, the lower right bending angle adjusting member 38a and the upper left bending angle adjusting member 38b are temporarily fixed to the vertical adjusting member fixing plate 37b with the fixing screws 72b in a state where they are arranged closest to the hand.

Next, the vertical adjustment member fixing plate 37b is
It is dropped into the rectangular groove 24 on the upper surface of the lower right bending angle adjustment member 38a and the upper left bending angle adjustment member 38b fixed to the left / right direction adjustment member fixing plate 37a. Thereafter, the vertical bending knob 11b is operated to adjust the fixing position of the lower right bending angle adjusting member 38a and the upper left bending angle adjusting member 38b to the vertical adjusting member fixing plate 37b in the same manner as in the right direction.

When the adjustment in all directions is completed, the base cover 7
0 is assembled in the same manner as described above. If fine adjustment of the vertical bending angle is necessary in this state, the fixing screw 72b exposed to the outside from the adjustment notch 71 is once loosened, and the lower right bending angle adjusting member 38a and the upper left bending angle are loosened. Adjust the position of the adjusting member 38b, and fix the fixing screw 72 again.
By tightening b, adjustment can be performed without disassembling the assembled part at all. When fine adjustment of the bending angle in the left-right direction is necessary, the base cover 70 is once removed by the above-described method.

Next, the vertical adjustment member fixing plate 37b in a state where the lower right bending angle adjusting member 38a and the upper left bending angle adjusting member 38b are fixed at predetermined positions is attached to the base portion 20.
Pull up vertically and remove. At this time, since the upper base portions 26a and 26b of the lower bending angle defining groove 28c and the upper bending angle defining groove 28d are cut off, the stopper portions 41a and 41b may be arranged at any position in the adjustment range. The fixing positions of the lower right bending angle adjustment member 38a and the upper left bending angle adjustment member 38b with respect to the vertical adjustment member fixing plate 37b can be removed without shifting.

In this state, once the fixing screw 72a is loosened,
The positions of the lower right bending angle adjusting member 38a and the upper left bending angle adjusting member 38b are adjusted, and the fixing screw 72a is tightened again. Next, the vertical adjustment member fixing plate 37 in the above state
b is dropped into a predetermined position. At this time, the lower right bending angle adjusting member 38 with respect to the vertical adjusting member fixing plate 37b.
a and the fixed position of the upper left bending angle adjusting member 38b are not moved, so there is no need to perform vertical bending angle adjustment again. Finally, by attaching the base cover 70, the adjustment of the bending angle including the fine adjustment is completed.

Regarding the assembling of the holding part casing 10, the holding part casing 10 is extrapolated from the insertion part 2 side, arranged at a position where one end abuts on the operation part casing 9, Stop base 11
3 is inserted from the insertion portion 2 side, and the female screw portion 115 is screwed into the male screw portion 116 and tightened with a predetermined force. Accordingly, even when the fixing screw 111 is loosened, the maximum outer diameter portion 142 abuts on the inner surface of the tubular base 103, and the screwing of the screw portion 141 does not come off. Further, the maximum outer diameter portion 142 is
9 restricts the movement in the longitudinal direction, so that the locking ring 110 does not shift in the longitudinal direction even if the fixing screw 111 is loosened. Finally, the assembly is completed by connecting the treatment instrument introduction conduit 105 having the treatment instrument introduction port 108 to the branch member 107.

Next, the force acting in each state and the fixing means for receiving the force will be described. When the female screw portion 115 of the buckling base 113 is screwed into the male screw portion 116 of the cylindrical base 103, a rotational force acts on the cylindrical base 103,
The force is suppressed because the rotation regulating notch 125 is engaged with the base portion 20. At this time, the board 12 is pulled out toward the insertion section 2, and the load is initially suppressed only by the watertight ring 135, but the operation section casing 9 and the board 12 move relatively to each other, so that the plane section is moved. 17a
And 17b abut against the abutting portions 18a and 18b, so that no excessive load is applied to the watertight ring 135.

Next, when performing the bending operation, a force is applied to cause the base portion 20 to bend and twist around the bending operation knob 11 in the bending direction. In this regard, the locking projections 13a and 13b are locked to the first locking portions 15a and 15b on the hand side of the bending operation knob 11, and the locking projections 13a and 15b are locked on the side of the insertion portion 2 that sandwiches the bending operation knob 11. The substrate 12 is locked in the groove 22, and the air / water supply cylinder 1
Since the suction cylinder 60 and the suction cylinder 136 are in contact with each other, distortion and twist around the bending operation knob 11 are suppressed.

Next, when a bending operation is performed and a further force is applied in a state where the stopper portion 41 and the abutting portion 53 abut against each other, a force that causes the base portion 20 to distort and twist around the abutting portion in the same manner as described above. Works. Here, the substrate 12 is locked and abutted on each member on the hand side of the abutting portion as described above, and the rotation regulating notch 125 and the base portion 20 are provided on the insertion portion 2 side with the abutting portion therebetween. Are prevented from being distorted and twisted. Further, in this state, since the stopper portion 41 is pulled in the direction of the bending operation knob 11, a force acts on the adjustment member fixing plate 37 via the bending angle adjustment member 38 toward the hand. At this time, since the proximal end face of the adjustment member fixing plate 37 comes into contact with the first abutting portion 123, the force is suppressed.

Next, a method for removing the slack of the operation wire 56 in each direction caused by the repeated bending operation will be described. When the operation wire 56 becomes loose, the amount of pulling is reduced, so that the bending angle is reduced and the bending operation knob 11
A phenomenon occurs in which the bending portion 7 does not follow the operation of. First, a case where the bending angle is similarly reduced in all directions will be described.

In this case, the left and right bending operation knob 11
By operating “a”, the amount of decrease in the bending angle in each direction is measured, and based on the amount, how many intervals the protrusion 139 should be moved is calculated. Next, the fold-preventing base 113 is removed, the fixing part of the fixing screw 111 is exposed to the outside, and the fixing screw 111 is loosened until the maximum outer diameter part 142 projects from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base 103. At this time, the screw engagement between the screw portion 141 and the branching member 107 is not released. Next, by pushing the maximum outer diameter portion 142 toward the insertion portion 2 by the calculated interval, the maximum outer diameter portion 142 can be inserted through the locking ring 110, the locking block 102 in each direction, and the insertion portion side guide coil 80 in each direction. The flexible tube 8 moves to the distal end side. In response to this, the fixed portion on the distal end side of the operation wire 56 in each direction also moves uniformly, and the slack of the operation wire 56 in all directions is relatively removed. In this state, the fixing screw 111 is tightened again, and the folding-prevention base 113 is attached again to complete the adjustment. At this time, since the adjustment interval is uniquely determined from the amount of decrease in the bending angle, there is no variation among operators.

Next, a case where there is a difference in the amount of decrease in the bending angle in each direction will be described. First, the folding stopper base 113 and the treatment instrument insertion conduit 105 are removed, and the holding section casing 10 is shifted to the insertion section 2 side. Next, the base cover 70 is removed, and the fixing screw 58 is exposed to the outside. Next, the connecting portion 69 in each direction is adjusted by the interval calculated based on the amount of decrease in the bending angle in each direction. However, since the same applies to all directions, the symbol indicating the direction is omitted. Without removing the cover member 66, the adjusting long hole 65
Is further inserted into the end of the screwdriver on the 64 side, and the fixing screw 58 is loosened until the upper surface of the maximum outer diameter portion 60 contacts the inner surface of the cover member 66. In this state, the screwing between the screw portion 59 and the female screw portion 55 does not come off. At this time, since the largest-diameter portion 60 is disposed in the long groove portion 64 where the projection portion 62 is not provided, it can move along the long hole portion 61. Next, when the fixing screw 58 is moved to the insertion portion 2 side using the screwdriver by the calculated interval, the chain-side connecting member 54 moves via the fixing screw 58, and the total length of the connecting portion 69 is reduced. Thereby, the slack of the operation wire 56 is removed. Further, since the chain-side connecting member 54 can be operated via the fixing screw 58, a special jig is not required. When the adjustment in all directions is completed by this method, the base cover 70,
The adjustment is completed by attaching the holding section casing 10, the treatment instrument insertion conduit 105, and the fold-preventing base 113. Here, when the amount of reduction in the three directions of the operation unit is substantially the same and the amount of reduction in the remaining one direction is large, or when the amount of reduction in each of the two directions is different, adjustment of the fixing screw 111 and adjustment with the fixing screw 58 are combined. Thus, the number of operations can be reduced as compared with the case where the adjustment is performed only with the fixing screw 58. Further, by dividing the adjusting mechanism into two places, the adjusting mechanism can be provided at a position where there is room in space.

According to the present embodiment, since the reinforcing ribs are provided on the substrate 12 over substantially the entire length in the longitudinal direction, high strength against bending force can be obtained. Further, since a part of the reinforcing rib also serves as a guide for the connecting portion 69, the number of parts can be significantly reduced. Further, with respect to the fixing of the substrate 12, means for regulating the distortion and twist of the substrate 12 are provided at the center of the bending operation knob 11, which is a fulcrum of the force, and on both sides of the contact portion between the stopper portion 41 and the abutting portion 53. Is provided, the distortion and twist of the substrate 12 are efficiently suppressed, and a high fixing strength is obtained.

Further, since the substrate 12 and the cylindrical base 103 are directly fixed, the number of parts can be reduced. Further, since the fixing of the cylindrical base 103 and the substrate 12 is performed on substantially the same plane as the base part 20, there is a small range in which the inner diameter of the cylindrical base 103 is closed by the fixing means, and the running of the built-in object is hindered. Absent. Further, since the base portion 20 and the rotation regulating notch 125 are engaged, the substrate 12 and the cylindrical base 103 have high strength against relative twist and distortion. Further, since the arrangement of the substrate 12 in the longitudinal direction is defined only by the watertight ring 135, it is not necessary to consider the tolerance of each component, and the number of components can be reduced. When an excessive load is applied in that direction, the flat portion 17 and the butting portion 18 come into contact with each other, so that a high fixing strength can be obtained. At the time of assembling, since the insertion portion side guide coil 80 can be arranged at an arbitrary position when the built-in component is inserted into the bending portion 7 and the flexible tube 8, workability is good.

At the time of the bending operation, since the insertion portion side guide coil 80 does not intersect in the flexible tube 8 and does not bend sharply in the cylindrical base 103, the operation wire 56 is smoothly moved. It slides and good bending performance can be obtained. Regarding the bending angle adjustment mechanism, the rectangular groove 2
Since the lower right bending angle adjusting member 38a and the upper left bending angle adjusting member 38b are merely fixed to the left and right adjusting member fixing plate 37a and the up and down adjusting member fixing plate 37b dropped into 4, the number of parts can be reduced. Since there is no need to fix the direction adjusting member fixing plate 37a and the vertical direction adjusting member fixing plate 37b to the substrate 12 or the like, assembly is easy.

The left and right direction adjusting member fixing plate 37a and the vertical direction adjusting member fixing plate 37b receive a force drawn toward the hand side, or the first abutting portion 123 and the left and right direction adjusting member fixing plate 37a and the vertical direction Adjusting member fixing plate 37b
Since the side surface on the hand side is in contact with the surface perpendicular to the direction, sufficient strength can be obtained. In addition, since the vertical bending angle adjusting mechanism and the horizontal bending angle adjusting mechanism are stacked and arranged, the operation unit 2 does not increase in size, and components can be shared.

The mounting and dismounting of the base cover 70
Can be performed only by moving along the long hole 75 for locking and in the vertical direction, and there is no need to disassemble other parts, so that the work is easy. Regarding the adjustment of the bending angle in the left-right direction, adjustment can be performed only by removing the vertical adjustment member fixing plate 37b to which the base cover 70, the lower right bending angle adjustment member 38a, and the upper left bending angle adjustment member 38b are fixed. There are few parts to be fixed, and work is easy because there is no need to fix screws and the like. In addition, since the adjustment can be performed without shifting the fixing positions of the lower right bending angle adjusting member 38a and the upper left bending angle adjusting member 38b with respect to the vertical adjusting member fixing plate 37b, an adjustment operation is required only in the left and right directions, or fine adjustment. The workability when performing is good. Since the adjustment work of the vertical bending angle can be performed even with the base cover 70 attached, the adjustment work is easy because there are very few parts that need to be disassembled. In the adjustment of the slack of the operation wire 56, since a variation in the adjustment work is suppressed, a certain operation feeling is obtained after the adjustment, and the fixing position can be easily positioned and a high fixing strength can be obtained. In addition, since the adjustment mechanisms are dispersed in two places, the operation unit 3 can be prevented from increasing in size. Further, one of the adjusting mechanisms is a collective adjustment in all directions, and the other is a single adjustment in each direction, so that the adjusting operation can be performed efficiently and accurately. The fixing screw 58
Is fixed to the side of the substrate 12, so that the base cover 7
The adjustment work is easy because the fixing screws 58 in all directions are exposed to the outside just by removing 0. The cover member 66
Since the arm moves integrally with the connecting portion 69, the fixing screw 58 does not fall into the operation section 3, and the problem such as the inability to perform the bending operation by the fixing screw 58 does not occur. Further, since the fixing position of the fixing screw 58 can be adjusted without removing the cover member 66, the adjusting operation is easy. With respect to the fixing screw 111, there is no danger of falling off due to the buckling base 113, and the adjustment work can be performed only by removing the buckling base 113, so that the workability is good.
Even when 11 is loose, the fixing position does not shift, so that a stable fixing strength can be obtained.

FIG. 35 shows the second embodiment, in which the connecting portion 6
9 shows another configuration. Regarding the same configuration as FIG. 13,
Description will be made using the same reference numerals. Cover member 6 in this configuration
6 is manufactured by a mold for injection molding a hard resin. The cover member 66 is provided with two pairs of snap-fit portions 144 on the contact surface side with the insertion-portion-side connecting member 57, and the step portion with which the snap-fit portion 144 can be engaged with the insertion-portion-side connecting member 57 opposed thereto. Locking hole 14 having
5 are provided. In addition, the cover member 66 is not provided with the adjusting long hole 65, and the insertion portion side connecting member 57 is further provided.
Is not provided with a long groove portion 64. The other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.

According to the second embodiment, the chain-side connecting member 54 and the insertion-portion-side connecting member 57 are fixed by the fixing screws 58 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Next, the snap fit portion 144 of the cover member 66 is inserted into the locking hole 145, and the snap fit portion 14 is inserted into the step portion of the locking hole 145.
4 is locked. When the operation wire 56 is loosened, the snap-fit portion 144 and the locking hole 145 are unlocked, the cover member 66 is removed, and the fixing position of the fixing screw 58 is shifted as in the first embodiment, and the operation wire 56 is again rotated. Cover member 66
Attach.

Therefore, when the cover member 66 is attached to and detached from the insertion-portion-side connecting member 57, the work of bonding is not required, so that the work can be easily performed in a short time. Further, since the cover member 66 has good detachability, a method of removing the cover member 66 to remove the slack of the operation wire 56 is also highly effective. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide the long groove 64 and the long slot 65 for adjustment. Is simplified.

FIG. 36 shows the third embodiment.
9 shows another configuration. The cover member 66 has a fixing screw 146
The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in that it is fixed to the insertion-portion-side connecting member 57. Here, the fixing of the fixing screw 146 may be provided at a plurality of locations.

According to the third embodiment, the chain side connecting member 54 and the insertion portion side connecting member 57 are fixed by the fixing screw 58 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Cover member 6
6 is arranged at a predetermined position, and the insertion portion side connecting member 57 and the cover member 66 are fixed by the fixing screw 146. At this time, the fixing screw 146 is coated with an adhesive for preventing loosening, so that the fixing screw 146 can be prevented from falling off.

Accordingly, since the fixing between the cover member 66 and the insertion portion side connecting member 57 is strengthened, there is no danger that the cover member 66 will fall off. Further, since the adhesive is applied only at the fixing screw 146, the workability is good.

FIG. 39 shows the fourth embodiment, in which the connecting portion 6
9 shows another example. The fixing screw 151 of the connecting portion 69 according to the present embodiment is arranged such that the maximum outer diameter portion 152 faces the base portion 26. Screw part 15 of fixing screw 151
3 has an opposite end surface to the maximum outer diameter portion 152, that is, a side surface of the substrate 12, a slot 1 which can be operated by a driver.
54 are provided. The outer periphery of the connecting portion 69 is covered with a base cover 70 as in the first embodiment. In addition, the female thread portion 15 is also provided in the chain side connecting member 54 of the present embodiment.
5 is provided, and the screw length of the female screw portion 155 and the screw portion 153 is set to be larger than the gap formed between the maximum outer diameter portion 152 and the base portion 26. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. In the configuration of the first embodiment, the cover member 66 may be omitted, and the positional relationship between the fixing screw 58 and the base cover 70 may be the same as described above.

According to the fourth embodiment, even when the screw portion 153 is loosened and the maximum outer diameter portion 152 and the base portion 26 are in contact with each other, the screwing of the screw portion 153 and the female screw portion 155 does not come off. At the time of adjustment, the same adjustment as in the first embodiment can be performed by removing the base cover 70, engaging a screwdriver with the slot 154, and operating the screw 153.

Therefore, since there is no need to provide the cover member 66, the number of parts can be reduced.

FIG. 37 shows the fifth embodiment, in which the substrate 12
3 shows another configuration of the connecting portion between the cylindrical base 103 and the base member 103. Fitting grooves 147a and 147b having substantially the same shape as the cylindrical substrate fixing portions 33a and 33b are provided on the inner surface of the cylindrical substrate 103. The cylindrical base fixing portion 33 is provided in the fitting grooves 147a and 147b.
a and 33b are fitted to each other,
And the depth of the fitting groove 147 and the cylindrical base fixing part 33 so that the ends of the bases 33b and 33b do not protrude toward the inner diameter side of the cylindrical base 103.
The vertical thicknesses of a and 33b are set. Then, the cylindrical base fixing portion 33a and the cylindrical base fixing portion 33b are fitted to the fitting grooves 147a and 147b, respectively, and are screwed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

Accordingly, the strength against relative twist and distortion between the substrate 12 and the cylindrical base 103 is further improved. Further, the cylindrical base fixing portions 33a and 33b are the cylindrical base 1
Since it does not protrude into the inside 03, the inner diameter of the cylindrical base 103 can be further secured.

FIG. 38 shows the sixth embodiment, and shows another configuration of the base cover 70. At the side of the base cover 70 opposite to the fixing screw 58 in each direction disposed inside, the adjustment length is smaller than the maximum outer diameter portion 60 and the driver for operating the fixing screw 58 can be inserted. Holes 148 are provided, respectively. When the fixing position of the fixing screw 58 is adjusted to remove the slack of the operation wire 56, the fixing screw 58 is loosened through the adjusting long hole 148 with the base cover 70 attached, and the position is adjusted. , Tighten again.
Therefore, without removing the base cover 70, the connecting portion 69
Since the work of removing the slack of the operation wire 56 in the section can be performed,
Further, the workability is good.

FIG. 40 shows a seventh embodiment, in which
9 shows another example. Since the chain-side connecting member 54 and the fixing screw 58 are completely the same as in the first embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted, and the configuration of this embodiment will be described using the same reference numerals.
The insertion portion side connection member 57 of this embodiment, which faces the female screw portion 55 of the chain side connection member 54, has a through hole 156 through which the screw portion 59 of the fixing screw 58 can be inserted and the maximum outer diameter portion 60 cannot be inserted. A plurality of the unit-side connecting members 57 are provided at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction.

Then, the thread portion 59 of the fixing screw 58 is screwed into the female thread portion 55 through the through hole 156, whereby the chain side connecting member 54 and the insertion portion side connecting member 57 are fixed. At the time of adjustment, the fixing screw 58 is loosened and once removed from the chain side connecting member 54, and the fixing screw 58 is screwed again through the through hole 156 at the position calculated by the same method as in the first embodiment, and the chain side is adjusted. The connecting member 54 and the insertion portion side connecting member 57 are fixed. Therefore, the chain side connecting member 54 and the insertion portion side connecting member 57 are firmly fixed.

In the eighth embodiment, the substrate 12 is not limited to metal, but may be manufactured by injection molding of a hard resin, which has the effect of reducing weight.

As a ninth embodiment, the substrate 12 may be formed by injection molding a material obtained by adding a binder to a metal powder, and forming the substrate 12 by a metal injection mold for removing and sintering the binder, thereby obtaining high strength. This has the effect.

According to the above-described embodiment, the following configuration can be obtained.

(Supplementary Note 1) A flexible tube constituting the insertion portion, a bending portion connected to the distal end of the flexible tube, and a bending operation connected to the rear end of the flexible tube for bending the bending portion. In an endoscope having an operation unit having a mechanism, and an operation wire having one end fixed to the distal end of the bending portion and the other end fixed to the bending operation mechanism, a fixing means of the bending operation mechanism of the operation wire is the endoscope. A fixing member is used to fix the insertion portion side connection member provided at the operation portion side end of the operation wire and the operation portion side connection member provided to the bending operation mechanism with a fixing screw, and a cover member that covers the head of the fixing screw is provided. An endoscope characterized by being provided.

According to the above configuration, by connecting the insertion-portion-side connection member and the operation-portion-side connection member with the fixing screw, the operation wire and the bending operation mechanism are connected, and the bending portion can be bent. Thereafter, by attaching the cover member, the fixing screw is prevented from falling off.

(Supplementary Note 2) A means for adjusting a fixing position of the insertion-portion-side connecting member and the operating-portion-side connecting member in a direction in which they are moved during the bending operation is provided. Endoscope.

With the above-described configuration, the slack of the operation wire is removed by adjusting the fixing position between the insertion portion side connection member and the operation portion side connection member.

(Supplementary Note 3) The position of the cover member opposite to the maximum outer diameter portion of the fixing screw is narrower than the maximum outer diameter portion of the fixing screw and wider than the tip of a driver for adjusting the fixing screw. Supplementary note 1 characterized by providing an adjustment slot
The endoscope as described.

According to the above configuration, when the operation wire is loosened, a screwdriver is inserted through the long slot for adjustment provided in the cover member without removing the cover member, and the fixing screw is loosened once. And the position of the operation unit side connecting member are relatively slid to remove slack. By retightening the fixing screw in this state, the slack of the operation wire is removed without removing the cover member. Therefore, at the time of adjustment, work such as bonding for attaching and detaching the cover member is not required.

(Supplementary Note 4) The endoscope according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the cover member is fixed so as to move integrally with the insertion portion side connection member and the operation portion side connection member during the bending operation.

With the above-described configuration, during the bending operation, the insertion portion side connection member, the operation portion side connection member, the fixing screw, and the cover member always move in the operation portion in a fixed positional relationship. Even the fixing screw does not fall off.

(Supplementary Note 5) A female screw portion is provided on the insertion portion side connection member or the operation portion side connection member, and the other of the fixing screws to be screwed with the female screw portion is wider than the screw portion outer diameter and larger than the maximum outer diameter portion. A narrow slot is provided at a position facing the female thread, and the long groove that is wider than the maximum outer diameter of the fixing screw and deeper than the maximum outer diameter is provided on the surface of the long hole that does not contact the female thread. 5. The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein a cover member is fixed to an outer periphery of the long groove portion on a release side.

According to the above configuration, the insertion-portion-side connecting member and the operation-portion-side connecting member are overlapped with the female screw portion and the elongated hole facing each other, so that the operating wire is not loosened. In this state, the insertion portion side connection member and the operation portion side connection member are connected by screwing and fastening the fixing screw to the female screw portion via the long hole. At this time, the maximum outer diameter portion of the fixing screw is arranged without protruding into the long groove portion. Finally, by fixing the cover member to the open side surface of the long groove, the fixing screw does not fall out of the long groove. When the bending operation is performed in this state, the insertion portion side connection member, the operation portion side connection member, the fixing screw, and the cover member always slide in the operation portion in a fixed positional relationship, and therefore, regardless of the bending state, The fixing screw does not fall out of the long groove. The operation wire is pulled by this sliding operation, and the bending portion is bent in a desired direction. If the operation wire becomes loose, remove the cover member, loosen the fixing screw, and slide the insertion section side connection member and the operation section side connection member relatively to the longitudinal direction of the insertion section to reduce the slack. Remove. By retightening the fixing screw in this state, the slack of the bending operation wire is removed, and the phenomenon that the bending portion does not follow the operation of the bending operation knob and the phenomenon that the bending portion does not bend to a desired angle are eliminated.

(Supplementary note 6) The endoscope according to any one of Supplementary notes 1, 3, and 4, wherein the cover member is bonded and fixed.

According to the above configuration, the cover member is bonded and fixed to the insertion portion side connection member or the operation portion side connection member. As a result, the cover member is firmly fixed, so that the cover member itself does not fall off and the fixing screw does not fall off due to the cover member falling off.

(Supplementary note 7) The endoscope according to any one of Supplementary notes 1, 3, and 4, wherein the cover member is fixed by a snap-fit portion.

According to the above configuration, the cover member is fixed to the insertion portion side connection member or the operation portion side connection member by the snap fit portion. Since it is not necessary to use an adhesive or the like when attaching or detaching the cover member, the operation time is reduced.

(Supplementary note 8) The endoscope according to any one of Supplementary notes 1, 3, and 4, wherein the cover member is fixed by a screw coated with an adhesive.

According to the above configuration, the cover member is fixed to the insertion portion side connection member or the operation portion side connection member by the screw coated with the adhesive. The cover member is firmly fixed by screws, and the workability is good because the amount of adhesive applied is small.

(Supplementary note 9) The endoscope according to any one of supplementary notes 1, 3, and 4, wherein the cover member is fixed by soldering or brazing.

According to the above configuration, no drying operation is required.

(Supplementary Note 10) At least one of the connecting portion between the bending operation wire and the bending operation mechanism and the fixing portion between the guide coil and the operating portion is provided with a means for adjusting the fixing position in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion. An endoscope wherein an adjustment interval of a fixed position is set so that a bending angle changes at a constant interval.

According to the above configuration, the guide of the operation wire is formed by fixing the guide coil to the operation section. By inserting the operation wire into the guide coil and connecting the end of the operation wire and the bending operation mechanism, the bending portion is in a state capable of bending. When the bending operation is performed in this state, the operation wire in the bending direction is drawn into the operation unit. At this time, since the compressive force generated in the insertion portion is received by the guide coil, the insertion portion does not shrink, the traction of the operation wire is transmitted to the bending portion, and the bending portion is bent. If the bending of the operation wire does not follow the operation of the bending operation knob and the bending does not follow to the desired angle, the bending angle is measured and the missing bending angle is calculated. I do. The interval at which the adjustment of the fixed position should be performed is calculated based on the bending angle. Next, at least one fixed position of the fixed portion between the operation wire and the bending operation mechanism and the fixed portion between the guide coil and the operation portion is moved in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion by the calculated interval and fixed. Thereby, the slack of the operation wire is removed, and the width of the adjustment is uniquely determined by the reduction amount of the bending angle, so that there is no variation due to the operator.

(Supplementary Note 11) A female screw portion is provided on the insertion portion side connecting member provided at the operating portion side end of the operating wire or the operating portion side connecting member provided on the bending operation mechanism side, and the other is a fixing screw which is screwed with this. An elongated hole wider than the outer diameter of the threaded part and narrower than the maximum outer diameter part is provided at a position facing the female screw part. Are formed at equal intervals.

According to the above configuration, the insertion-portion-side connecting member and the operation-portion-side connecting member are overlapped with the female screw portion and the long hole facing each other, so that the operating wire is not loosened. In this state, the fixing screw is screwed into the female screw portion via the long hole, and tightened with the maximum outer diameter portion in contact with the projection. In this state, since the maximum outer diameter portion of the fixing screw is in contact with the projection, the fixing portion does not shift in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion, and high fixing strength can be obtained. When the operation wire is slackened, first, the adjustment interval in each direction is calculated in the same manner as in Appendix 10. Next, loosen the fixing screw until the maximum outer diameter portion of the fixing screw does not come into contact with the projection, and connect the insertion portion side coupling member to the position where the maximum outer diameter portion of the fixing screw comes into contact with the projection provided at the calculated position. Slack is removed by relatively sliding the operation unit side connection member and tightening the fixing screw again. At this time, the fixing positions of the insertion-portion-side connecting member and the operation-portion-side connecting member are regulated by the projections, so that there is no variation among operators.

(Supplementary Note 12) A female screw portion is provided on the insertion portion side fixing member provided at the operation portion side end of the guide coil, and the operation portion has a width wider than the outside diameter of the screw portion of the fixing screw to be screwed with the operation portion. A long hole narrower than the maximum outer diameter of the fixing screw is provided at a position facing the female screw, and the surface of the long hole that does not come into contact with the female screw is a projection narrower than the maximum outer diameter of the fixing screw along the long hole. 11. The endoscope according to claim 10, wherein the sections are provided at equal intervals.

According to the above configuration, the positional relationship between the insertion-portion-side fixing member and the operation portion is set in a state where the operation wire is not loosened in a state where the female screw portion and the long hole face each other. In this state, the fixing screw is screwed into the female screw portion via the long hole, and tightened with the maximum outer diameter portion in contact with the projection. In this state, since the maximum outer diameter portion of the fixing screw is in contact with the projection, the fixing portion does not shift in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion, and high fixing strength can be obtained. When the operation wire is slackened, first, the adjustment interval in each direction is calculated in the same manner as in Appendix 10. Next, loosen the fixing screw until the maximum outer diameter portion of the fixing screw does not come into contact with the protrusion, and then insert the insertion portion side fixing member until the position where the maximum outer diameter portion of the fixing screw comes into contact with the protrusion provided at the calculated position. Push in and tighten the fixing screw again to remove slack. At this time, since the fixing position of the insertion portion side fixing member with respect to the insertion portion is regulated by the projection, there is no variation among operators.

(Supplementary note 13) The endoscope according to supplementary note 10, wherein two or more fixing position adjusting means are provided.

According to the above configuration, the adjusting means for the fixed position is provided at a position in the operation unit where there is a sufficient space, so that the operation unit does not become large. Further, since the adjusting means is provided at a plurality of positions, the adjustable range can be set large.

(Supplementary note 14) Supplementary note 10 characterized in that one fixed position adjusting means can be adjusted independently in each of the bending directions, and the other adjusting mechanism can be adjusted collectively in at least two directions. The endoscope as described.

According to the above configuration, when the operation wire becomes loose, the adjustment interval in each direction is calculated in the same manner as in Appendix 10. Next, from the adjustment intervals in each direction, a range to be adjusted collectively in all directions and a range to be adjusted individually in each direction are assigned, and each adjustment is performed.

(Supplementary Note 15) A locking groove portion having a projection formed by providing a plurality of circular grooves having substantially the same shape as the maximum outer diameter portion of the fixing screw at equal intervals on the surface of the long hole that does not contact the female screw portion. 13. The endoscope according to appendix 11 or 12, further comprising:

According to the above configuration, a projection having a width smaller than the maximum outer diameter portion of the fixing screw is formed at the joint between the adjacent circular grooves. At the time of fixing, the fixing screw is screwed into the female screw portion so that the maximum outer diameter portion of the fixing screw fits into the circular groove at a predetermined position, and tightened.

(Supplementary Note 16) Supplementary note 11 characterized in that the protruding length of the protruding portion from the surface which does not contact the female screw portion of the long hole is set smaller than the screwing length of the screw portion of the fixing screw and the female screw portion. 16. The endoscope according to any one of claims 12, 12, and 15.

According to the above configuration, when the operation wire is loosened and the fixing position is adjusted, the fixing screw is loosened using a screwdriver and the maximum outer diameter portion is arranged at a position where it does not come into contact with the projection. I do. At this time, the screwing between the screw portion of the fixing screw and the female screw portion does not come off. In this state, when the position of the fixing screw is moved along the long hole using a screwdriver, the member provided with the female screw is also moved, and the slack of the operation wire is removed. At this position, the fixing screw is fixed again by arranging it at a position where the largest outer diameter portion of the fixing screw comes into contact with the projection and tightening it.

(Supplementary Note 17) The protrusion length of the projection from the surface that does not contact the female screw of the elongated hole is set smaller than the screwing length of the screw and female screw of the fixing screw, and the female screw of the elongated hole is set. 11. The cover member according to claim 3, wherein the cover member described in Appendix 3 is fixed at a position spaced from the end surface of the protrusion on the surface side that does not abut with the gap at least the thickness of the maximum outer diameter portion of the fixing screw.
17. The endoscope according to any one of items 5 and 16.

According to the above configuration, when the operation wire is slackened, and the fixing position between the insertion portion side connection member and the operation portion side connection member is adjusted, the driver is inserted through the adjusting slot provided in the cover member. Is inserted, the fixing screw is loosened, and the maximum outer diameter portion is placed at a position where it contacts the cover member. At this time, the maximum outer diameter portion of the fixing screw is arranged at a position where it does not come into contact with the protrusion, and the screw portion of the fixing screw and the female screw portion do not come off. In this state, when the position of the fixing screw is moved along the long hole using a screwdriver, the member provided with the female screw is also moved, and the slack of the operation wire is removed. At this position, the fixing screw is fixed again by arranging it at a position where the largest outer diameter portion of the fixing screw comes into contact with the projection and tightening it.

(Supplementary Note 18) A long groove is provided from the open end of the locking groove, the protrusion having a thickness not less than the maximum outer diameter of the fixing screw, and a cover member is provided on the open side surface of the long groove. 18. The endoscope according to attachment 17, wherein the endoscope is fixed.

According to the above configuration, a projection having a width smaller than the maximum outer diameter portion of the fixing screw is formed at the joint between the adjacent circular grooves. In addition, since the long groove portion having no projection is formed on the open side, when the maximum outer diameter portion of the fixing screw is arranged in the long groove portion, the fixing screw can move along the long hole.

[0146]

As described above, according to the present invention, by connecting the insertion portion side connecting member and the operating portion side connecting member with the fixing screw, the operation wire and the bending operation mechanism are connected, and the bending portion is formed. The bending operation becomes possible, and the attachment of the cover member prevents the fixing screw from falling off, thereby improving safety.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an entire endoscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical side view of the operation unit of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the operation unit casing of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the operation unit casing of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the substrate of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the substrate of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line EE in FIG. 2;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along the line FF of FIG. 2;

FIG. 13 is a vertical side view of an end of the chain member according to the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a top view of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along the line LL in FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along the line GG of FIG. 13;

FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the base cover of the embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a side view of the base cover of the embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a partially cutaway side view of the insertion portion side of the proximal guide coil of the embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a longitudinal sectional side view of the holding portion casing of the embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a sectional view taken along the line HH in FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a top view of the fixing screw of the embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken along the line II of FIG. 5;

FIG. 24 is a sectional view taken along the line JJ of FIG. 5;

FIG. 25 is a side view of a fixing portion of the substrate and the tubular base of the embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the flexible tube of the embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a sectional view taken along the line KK of FIG. 2;

FIG. 28 is a transverse sectional view of the operation unit casing of the embodiment.

FIG. 29 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a portion M in FIG. 2;

FIG. 30 is a view showing a relationship between a locking projection and a first locking portion of the embodiment.

FIGS. 31 (a) and 31 (b) are views showing a procedure for attaching the board of the embodiment to an operation unit casing.

FIG. 32 is an exemplary view showing a procedure for attaching the board of the embodiment to an operation unit casing.

FIG. 33 is a view showing the relationship between the locking projection and the first locking portion of the embodiment.

FIG. 34 is a view showing the relationship between the locking projection and the first locking portion of the embodiment.

FIG. 35 is a longitudinal sectional side view of a connecting portion according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 36 is a longitudinal sectional side view of a connecting portion according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 37 is a sectional view of a substrate and a tubular substrate according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 38 is a partially cutaway side view of a base cover according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 39 is a longitudinal sectional side view of a connecting portion according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 40 is a longitudinal sectional side view of a connecting portion according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope 2 ... Insertion part 3 ... Operation part 54 ... Chain connection member 56 ... Operation wire 57 ... Insertion part side connection member 58 ... Fixing screw 66 ... Cover member

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] April 2, 1997

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0051

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

An opening 132 having a size through which a fixing portion of the sprocket cover 131 can be inserted is provided at a position opposed to the cylindrical portion 130 of the operation portion casing 9. On the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 130 at a position facing the opening hole 132, the first
Are provided. In the opening hole 132, the cylindrical portion 13 is held in a state where the inner diameter portion is in contact with the first watertight member 133.
0, and a watertight ring 135 is arranged in a state where the outer diameter portion is fitted in the opening hole 132. Further, with the opening hole 132
A second watertight member 134 for ensuring watertightness is provided between the watertight rings 135 .

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0071

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

Next, once by arranging the most proximal the lower right direction bending angle adjusting member 38a and the left upper direction bending angle defining grooves 38b by loosening the fixing screw 72a, is temporarily fixed again. At this time, since the rectangular groove 24 and the left and right direction adjustment member fixing plate 37a have substantially the same shape, the left and right direction adjustment member fixing plate 37a
Does not shift in the horizontal direction of the base portion 20, and does not shift in the vertical direction because the stopper portions 41a and 41b are sandwiched between the right-side through portion 30a and the left-side through portion 30b.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A flexible tube constituting an insertion portion, a bending portion connected to a distal end of the flexible tube, and a bending operation mechanism connected to a rear end of the flexible tube for bending the bending portion. An endoscope having an operating portion having an operating wire having one end fixed to the distal end of the bending portion and the other end fixed to the bending operation mechanism. A fixing member is used to fix the insertion-portion-side connecting member provided at the operation-portion-side end and the operating-portion-side connecting member provided in the bending operation mechanism with a fixing screw, and a cover member that covers the head of the fixing screw is provided. An endoscope characterized in that: