JPH10234654A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely regulate a curved part from being curved larger than a maximum curve angle by installing an adjusting member fixing plate to be abutted to a wall-shaped projecting part, where a curve angle adjusting member is fixed, at the time of maximum curve and making adjustable the position of curve angle adjusting member fixed on the adjusting member fixing plate. SOLUTION: A base board part 20 is provided with a rib 19 for reinforcing the hand side edge part of fixed substrate 12 and further, the fixed substrate 12 is provided with a 2nd rib 21. Base parts 26a and 26b of the rib 21 are projected almost parallelly to the lengthwise direction of the fixed substrate 12 and almost vertically from the plane of the base board part 20, an abutting part 123 linked to the base part 26a and 26b at its hand side part is projected almost vertically to the lengthwise direction of the fixed substrate 12 and while being positioned on the top end part side of base parts 26a and 26b, an abutting part 124 is projected almost vertically to the lengthwise direction of the fixed substrate 12. Then, a pair of guide member fixing parts 25a and 25b are provided while having planar parts almost vertical to the lengthwise direction of the fixed substrate 12 on the rib 21.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope in which a bending section provided on an insertion section is operated by a bending operation mechanism provided on a fixed substrate of an operation section.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an endoscope apparatus has been widely used in which an elongated endoscope is inserted into a body cavity or the like so as to observe a test site or perform various treatments.

Generally, in an endoscope having a flexible insertion portion, a bending portion in which a plurality of bending pieces are connected to each other is provided in the insertion portion, and a bending wire such as a bending wire which is inserted into the bending portion and fixed to a bending piece positioned at the most distal end is provided. A bending operation mechanism for bending the bending portion in a desired direction by moving the traction member forward and backward is provided. By bending the bending section to a desired angle by such a bending operation mechanism, it is easy to observe the observation optical system disposed at the distal end portion of the insertion section in a target direction, and to easily insert the observation optical system into a test site. To be able to do it.

In general, in the bending operation of the endoscope, a contact member is provided on the bending wire side to restrict the maximum bending angle in the bending portion so as not to exceed a predetermined bending angle. A stopper that abuts on the contact member and restricts the movement of the bending wire is provided.

[0005] The maximum bending angle of the bending portion is adjusted during the manufacturing process of the endoscope alone. As an example, when a plurality of bending pieces are rotatably connected with rivets and a bending wire fixed to the distal end is towed by an operation unit located near the hand, the bending angle of the distal end is measured. By fixing the stopper at the position where the bending angle becomes the maximum, the maximum bending angle of the endoscope is set.

[0006] Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-2004 discloses a curved endoscope in which the positioning of the stopper can be adjusted reliably and easily, and the stopper can be fixed without being displaced by a collision with a collision member. An operating device is shown.

[0007]

However, the bending operation device for an endoscope disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-2004 has the following problems. The number of components for controlling the maximum bending angle is large, and assembly is troublesome. It is.

The strength is weak because the fixed substrate on which the bending operation mechanism is arranged is a flat plate.

The number of components constituting a guide (guide portion) for regulating the moving direction of the connecting portion for connecting the bending operation wire and the bending operation mechanism is large, and assembly is troublesome.

[0010] Since the fixed substrate is fixed to the operation section main body only at the proximal end, the fixing strength is low. In addition, since the position of the operation unit main body and the fixed substrate is determined at this position, the positional relationship between the angle operation knob and the operation unit main body is unstable, and it becomes difficult to secure watertightness, and to secure watertightness. Adjustment member is required.

The number of parts connecting the fixed substrate and the insertion section is large, and assembly is troublesome.

There are problems such as:

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an operation unit which has a small number of parts, is easy to assemble and adjust a bending angle, and has an operation unit for reliably restricting bending beyond a maximum bending angle. It aims to provide an endoscope.

[0014]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An endoscope according to the present invention comprises a bending portion in which a plurality of bending pieces are rotatably connected, a flexible tube connected to the bending portion, and a base of the flexible tube. An operating section having a fixed substrate connected to an end and having a bending mechanism for bending the bending section, and a bending operation having one end fixed to the tip of the bending section and the other end connected to the bending operation mechanism; An endoscope having a wire, wherein a wall-shaped convex portion that forms an abutting portion protruding from a fixed substrate on which the bending operation mechanism is disposed, and a bending angle of the bending portion are adjusted. A bending angle adjusting member, and an adjusting member fixing plate to which the bending angle adjusting member is fixed and abuts on the wall-shaped convex portion at least at the time of maximum bending, and a fixing position of the bending angle adjusting member with respect to the adjusting member fixing plate. It is provided to be adjustable.

According to this structure, when the bending portion is operated by further operating the bending operation wire while the wall-shaped projection is in contact with the bending angle adjusting member, the bending angle adjusting member is bent. An attempt is made to pull in the operation wire in the pulling direction, but since the adjustment member fixing plate and the wall-shaped protruding portion are in contact with each other to restrict the movement, the bending angle does not further increase.

[0016]

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

1 to 32 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a schematic configuration of an endoscope, FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing details of an internal structure of an operation section, and FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a first locking portion provided on the base end side of the operating section casing, FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a second locking section provided on the distal end side of the operating section casing, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 5, and FIG.
B is a sectional view, FIG. 8 is a side view of the fixed substrate, and FIG.
10 is a sectional view taken along line JJ of FIG. 5, and FIG. 11 is a sectional view of FIG.
12 is a sectional view taken along the line CC, FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. 5, and FIG.
2 is a sectional view taken along line EE of FIG. 2, FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along line FF of FIG.
FIG. 15 is an explanatory view of the chain member and the insertion-portion-side connecting member viewed from the side showing a connected state via the chain-side connecting member, FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of the top view of FIG. 15, and FIG. FIG. 18 is a side view of the base cover, FIG. 19 is an explanatory view showing the structure of the insertion portion side of the proximal guide coil, and FIG. 20 is each direction disposed in the flexible tube. FIG. 21 is a view showing the internal structure of the insertion portion side of the portion covered with the gripping casing, and FIG. 22 is a diagram showing the fixing portion between the fixed substrate and the tubular base. FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken along the line HH in FIG.
FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a fixed state of the fixing screw as viewed from the outer peripheral surface side of the cylindrical base, FIG. 25 is a sectional view taken along line KK of FIG. 2, FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship of the fixed substrate in the operation unit casing, FIG.
FIG. 28 is an explanatory view showing the positional relationship between the locking projection and the first locking portion. FIG. 28 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the locking projection and the first locking portion in FIG. Figure when viewed from the substrate direction)
FIG. 29 is an explanatory view showing the positional relationship between the base portion and the second locking portion, FIG. 30 is a diagram showing the locked state between the base portion and the second locking portion, and FIG. 31 is a locking projection. FIG. 32 is a view when the locking state between the first locking portion and the first locking portion is viewed from the direction shown in FIG. 28, and FIG.
FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a locked state between the locking projection and the first locking portion when viewed from the direction illustrated in FIG. 27.

As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope 1 according to the present embodiment
Is composed of an elongated insertion portion 2 inserted into a body cavity or the like, an operation portion 3 provided at a proximal end of the insertion portion 2, and a universal cord 4 extending from a side portion of the operation portion 3. It is mainly composed. A connector 5 that is detachably connected to a light source device (not shown) that is an external device of the endoscope 1 is provided at a base end of the universal cord 4.

The insertion section 2 includes a rigid distal end forming section 6, a plurality of bending pieces rotatably connected to each other in order from the distal end side, a bending section 7 which can be bent in the up, down, left and right directions, and a slender flexible section. It is configured by connecting with a flexible tube 8.

The distal end portion 6 has a treatment instrument opening 117 in a treatment instrument insertion pipe to be described later, an objective lens cover 118 provided at the outermost part of an objective optical system (not shown), and adheres to the surface of the objective lens cover 118. An air / water supply nozzle 119 for sending water or air for removing stains and body fluids removed, and an illumination lens cover 120 provided on the outermost side of an illumination optical system (not shown) are provided.

The operating section 3 is composed of an operating section casing 9 provided on the hand side, and a gripping casing 10 provided on the distal end side of the operating section casing 9 in a watertight manner.

The operation section casing 9 includes a left-right bending operation knob (hereinafter abbreviated as left and right knob) 9RL and a bending section 7 which are operation sections of a bending operation mechanism for bending the bending section 7 in the left-right direction. Vertical bending operation knob (hereinafter abbreviated as vertical knob) 9U for bending in the vertical direction
D, an air / water supply button 121 which is an operation button for supplying water and air to the air / water supply nozzle 119, a suction button 122 which is an operation button for absorbing body fluid or the like from the treatment instrument opening 117, and the like are provided. Have been. On the other hand, the gripping casing 10 is provided with a treatment instrument introduction port 108 for guiding a treatment instrument such as a grasping forceps to a treatment instrument introduction duct and a treatment instrument insertion duct via a branching member described later.

As shown in FIG. 2, a fixed board 12 is disposed inside the operation section 3 composed of the operation section casing 9 and the grip section casing 10. This fixed substrate 12
For example, it is formed by die casting of aluminum by injection molding.

Locking projections 13a and 13b for locking the fixed substrate 12 to the operation unit casing 9 are provided at two positions at the base end side end of the fixed substrate 12.

As shown in FIG. 3, the operating portion casing 9 is cut in at least one direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the fixed substrate 12 so as to correspond to the locking projections 13a and 13b. First locking portions 15a, 15b having notched openings 14a, 14b are provided. That is,
Notch openings 14 of first locking portions 15a, 15b
By engaging the locking projections 13a and 13b with the locking projections 13a and 13b, the locking projections 13a and 13b are locked by the first locking portions 15a and 15b. At this time, the dimension Z between the first locking portions 15a and 15b shown in FIG.
And one end surface of the first locking portion 15a and the operating portion casing 9
The dimension Y with the inner peripheral surface of the lock projections 13a, 13b
Is set to be larger than the width dimension X.

As shown in FIG. 4, a second locking portion 16 is provided at a position corresponding to one side of the fixed substrate 12 at the mouth of the operating portion casing 9 on the side of the grip portion casing 10.
Is provided. The second locking portion 16 has a locking groove 1.
6a is formed, and one side of the fixed substrate 12 is locked by the locking groove 16a. At this time, the width dimension V of the fixed substrate 12 is set to be smaller than the distance dimension W between the inner peripheral surface of the operation unit casing 9 and the distal end surface of the second locking portion 16.

As shown in FIG. 2, the fixed board 12 is provided at the mouth of the operating section casing 9 on the grip section casing 10 side.
Are provided with flat portions 17a and 17b perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first portion. On the other hand, the fixed substrate 12 has the flat portion 17.
a, a contact surface 1 having a surface facing substantially parallel to 17a and 17b
8a and 18b are provided. The flat portions 17a, 1
When the operation unit 3 is assembled by combining the operation unit casing 9 and the gripping unit casing 10, a gap is provided between the contact surface 7a and the contact surface units 18a and 18b by a tolerance that occurs in this portion. In addition, this gap size is, for example,
It is set to 0.3 mm.

As shown in FIG. 5, a first rib 19 and a base portion 20 are provided as reinforcing ribs for reinforcing the near-side edge of the fixed substrate 12. As shown in FIG. 6, the thickness dimension of the first rib 19 is substantially the same as the thickness of the base portion 20 of the fixed substrate 12.
Project in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane.

Further, as shown in FIG.
Is provided with a second rib 21. This second rib 21
Are substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the fixed substrate 12, and are provided with a pair of base portions 26a, 26b projecting in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the base portion 20, and a hand side portion on the base portions 26a, 26b. A first abutting portion 123 serving as a wall-shaped protruding portion protruding in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the fixed substrate 12 and a front end side of the base portions 26a and 26b. And a second abutting portion 124 which is a wall-shaped protruding portion which is provided so as to protrude in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the fixed substrate 12 similarly to the first abutting portion 123. ,
At the ends of the base portions 26a and 26b on the front end side, the fixed substrate 1
And a pair of guide member fixing portions 25a and 25b each having a flat portion substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

As shown in FIG. 7, the protruding base portions 26a,
The bases 26a, 2b are located substantially at the center in the height direction of 26b.
6b, there are provided parallel portions 23a and 23b protruding substantially parallel to the base portion 20. The base 26
a, a parallel portion 23a and a recess formed by the base portion 20 become a rightward wire fixing member sliding groove (hereinafter abbreviated as right wire sliding groove) 27R, and the base portion 26b, the parallel portion 23b and the base portion 20. The recess formed by the above becomes a left wire fixing member sliding groove (hereinafter abbreviated as left wire sliding groove) 27L.

A rightward bending angle defining groove (hereinafter, abbreviated as rightward bending defining groove) having a smaller width than the right wire sliding groove 27R is provided on a side surface of the base portion 26a in the right wire sliding groove 27R. 28R are formed, and the left wire sliding groove 27 is formed.
The left wire sliding groove 27 is provided on the side surface of the base portion 26b in L.
A leftward bending angle defining groove (hereinafter abbreviated as leftward bending defining groove) 28L having a smaller width dimension than L is formed.

Further, on the side surface of the base portion 26a at a position substantially equidistant from the right curve defining groove 28R with the parallel portion 23a interposed therebetween, a downward curve angle defining groove (hereinafter referred to as a lower curve angle similar to the right curve defining groove 28R). A curved defining groove 28D is formed, and an upward curved angle defining groove (hereinafter referred to as an upward curved defining groove) similar to the left curved defining groove 28L is provided on the side surface of the base portion 26b at a position substantially equidistant across the parallel portion 23b. (Groove) 28U is formed.

As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG.
The bases 26a, 26b,
Penetrating the rectangular groove 24 (see FIG. 5) formed by the first butting portion 123 and the second butting portion 124;
A right direction through portion 30R is formed. Further, a leftward penetrating portion 30L similar to the right curve defining groove 28R is also formed in the left curve defining groove 28L. The lower curve defining groove 28D and the upper curve defining groove 28U are also provided in the right curve defining groove 2D.
Downward penetrating portion 30D similar to 8R and left curve defining groove 28L
And an upward penetrating portion 30U. The base portions 26a and 26b located above the lower penetrating portion 30D and the upper penetrating portion 30U are cut off. The penetrating portions 30R, 30L, 30 in the respective directions
The dimension in the longitudinal direction of D, 30U is a dimension capable of adjusting the bending angle of endoscopes of all models, and is set to, for example, 27 mm or more in each direction. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, cutout portions 31a and 31b are formed to cut out the base portions 26a and 26b at the roots of the parallel portions 23a and 23b.

As shown in FIG. 11, the guide member fixing portion 25a has a notch 32 for fixing the right direction guide member having an outer portion opened at a position corresponding to the right curve defining groove 28R.
A notch 32D for fixing the downward guide member having an outer side opening is provided at a position corresponding to the R and the lower curve defining groove 28D. The guide member fixing portion 25b has a leftward guide member fixing notch 32L having an outer portion opened at a position corresponding to the left curve defining groove 28L and an outer portion having an opening at a position corresponding to the upper curve defining groove 28U. The upper guide member fixing notch 32U is provided.

As shown in FIG. 12, the end of the fixed substrate 12 on the insertion portion side is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the fixed substrate 12,
A pair of cylindrical base fixing parts 33a, 33b projecting in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the base part 20 is provided. The outer surfaces of the cylindrical substrate fixing portions 33a and 33b have an R surface shape along a circle with a radius r indicated by a dashed line centered on the midpoint between the cylindrical substrate fixing portions 33a and 33b.

The cylindrical base fixing portions 33a, 33b
A third rib 35 is provided at a root portion of the fixed substrate 12 so as to be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the fixed substrate 12 and protrude inward. Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the cylindrical base fixing portion 33a,
A fourth rib 36 extending in the longitudinal direction of the fixed substrate 12 and projecting from a plane is provided between the second rib 21 and the second rib 21.

Further, by manufacturing the fixed substrate 12 by injection molding a hard resin, the weight of the fixed substrate can be reduced. Further, the fixed substrate 12 can be obtained by adding a binder to a metal powder, injection molding a material, and molding the material by a metal injection mold for removing and sintering the binder.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 13, a pair of base portions 26 projecting in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the base portion 20 is provided.
In the rectangular groove 24 formed between the rectangular grooves 24a and 26b, an elongated left-right direction adjustment member fixing plate 37a having substantially the same width as the rectangular groove 24 is disposed. A lower right bending angle adjusting member 38a and an upper left bending angle adjusting member 38b are disposed on the upper surface of the left / right adjusting member fixing plate 37a.

The lower right bending angle adjusting member 38
On the upper surface of the upper and lower left bending angle adjusting member 38b, an elongated vertical adjusting member fixing plate 37b, which is substantially the same width as the rectangular groove 24, is provided. The lower right bending angle adjusting member 38a and the upper left bending angle adjusting member 38b are provided on the upper surface of the vertical adjusting member fixing plate 37b.

The lower-right bending angle adjusting member 38a includes:
It has an elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape having a width approximately half the width of the rectangular groove 24, and includes a fixing portion 40 and a stopper portion 41a projecting outward from a side surface of the fixing portion 40. The upper left bending angle adjusting member 38b
Is formed in a symmetrical shape with respect to the lower right bending angle adjusting member 38a, and a stopper portion 41b provided on the fixing portion 40 projects in a direction opposite to the lower right bending angle adjusting member 38a.

The fixing portion 40 of the lower right bending angle adjusting member 38a and the upper left bending angle adjusting member 38b has a fixing long hole 42 in which the heads of fixing screws 72a and 72b are arranged.
Are formed. The lower right bending angle adjusting member 38a and the upper left bending angle adjusting member 38b, the left and right adjusting member fixing plate 37a, and the vertical adjusting member are fixed by the fixing screws 72a and 72b arranged in the fixing long holes 42 of the fixing portion 40. The fixing plates 37b are integrally fixed with each other.

The length dimension of the fixing slot 42 is as follows.
Lower right bending angle adjusting member 38 with respect to the left and right adjusting member fixing plate 37a and the up and down adjusting member fixing plate 37b
a and the adjustment range of the fixed position of the upper left bending angle adjustment member 38b is determined by the penetration portions 30R, 30L, 30 in the respective directions.
D and 30U are set to have substantially the same length as the length. The size of the stoppers 41a, 41b is set smaller than the notches 31a, 31b shown in FIG. 8, so that the lower right bending angle adjusting member 38a and the upper left bending angle adjusting member 38b are The stopper portions 41a and 41b are set so as to be disposed at positions opposite to the cutout portions 31a and 31b when the stopper portions 41a and 41b are disposed on the insertion portion side.

As shown in FIG. 2, the base member 20 reinforced by the first rib 19 is provided with a storage member 44 for storing a chain member 43 for bending operation.
As shown in FIG. 14, the storage member 44 includes side wall portions 47a, 47 formed substantially perpendicular to the base portion 20 and symmetrical to the left and right.
b, and a partition plate portion 48 provided substantially at the center of the side wall portions 47a and 47b in the height direction and substantially parallel to the plane of the base portion 20.
It is composed of

Snap fit portions 49 are provided at the lower ends of the end surfaces of the side wall portions 47a and 47b on the base portion 20 side, respectively.
a, 49b are provided, and snap-fit portions 49 are provided in fixing holes 50a, 50b formed in the base portion 20.
By locking the a and 49b, the storage member 44 and the base 20 are integrally attached.

On the other hand, a left / right knob 9RL and an up / down knob 9U provided outside the operation portion casing 9 of the partition plate portion 48 are provided.
A through hole 45 is formed at a position corresponding to D. Left and right sprockets 51a are arranged below the partition plate 48 of the through hole 45, and up and down sprockets 51b are arranged above the through hole 45. The left and right sprocket 51a is wound with a left and right chain member 43a, and the up and down sprocket 51b is wound with a vertical chain member 43b to form a bending operation mechanism. A left and right knob 9RL is connected to the left and right direction sprocket 51a, and an up and down knob 9RL is connected to the up and down direction sprocket 51b.
UDs are connected. Further, the left and right direction chain members 43a and the vertical direction chain members 43b are provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the partition plate portion 48 at the side edges of the through holes 45 at the insertion portion side from the left and right direction sprockets 51a and 51b. Protrusions 52a and 52b for separating are provided.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the end of the left and right direction chain member 43a comes into contact with a stopper portion 41a provided on the lower right bending angle adjusting member 38a to define a moving range. Right side chain side connecting member 54 formed with right side abutting portion 53a
R is attached. This right abutting part 53R
Is formed with a female screw 55 at one end.

The screw portion 59 of the fixing screw 58 is inserted into the right insertion portion side connecting member 57R to which the right bending operation wire 56R for transmitting the right bending operation by the left and right knobs 9RL to the bending portion 7 is fixedly connected. A long hole 61 which is possible and in which a circular maximum outer diameter portion 60 cannot be inserted is formed in the moving direction of the rightward bending operation wire 56R.

Then, the right-hand side chain-side connecting member 54R and the right-hand insertion portion-side connecting member 57R to which the right-hand bending operation wire 56R is fixedly connected are screwed and fixed by fixing screws 58, so that the right-hand connecting and fixing portion is formed. 69R are formed. Note that the connection fixing portions 69L, 69D, and 69U in each direction other than the right connection fixing portion 69R are similarly configured.

As shown in FIG. 2, the downward link fixing member 69D composed of the downward chain side connecting member 54D, the downward insertion portion side connecting member 57D and the downward bending operation wire 56D is connected to the upper surface of the parallel portion 23a. Similarly, the upward connection fixing portion 69U is on the upper surface of the parallel portion 23b, the right connection fixing portion 69R is on the right wire sliding groove 27R, and similarly, the left connecting fixing portion 69L is on the left wire sliding groove 27L. Each of the fixing screws 58 is disposed so as to face sideways.

As shown in FIG. 13, the butting portions 53R, 53L, 53D, 53U of the respective directions provided on the chain side connecting members 54R, 54L, 54D, 54U of the respective directions.
Are the curvature defining grooves 28R, 28L, 2
8D and 28U. In addition, these outer circumferences are covered with the base cover 70.

As shown in FIG. 17, on the upper surface of the base cover 70, as shown in FIG.
A fixing screw 7 for fixing the lower right bending angle adjusting member 38a and the upper left bending angle adjusting member 38b to the lower right 7b.
An adjustment notch groove 71 formed so that 2b is exposed to the outside is provided. As shown in FIG. 18, two pairs of locking projections 73 are provided on the end surface of the base cover 70 on the side of the base portion 20. Is provided.

As shown in FIG. 5, the base portion 20 of the fixed substrate 12 facing the locking projection 73 has a locking long hole 75.
And a fixing substrate side locking projection 76 are provided. The fixed substrate side locking projection 76 is provided with a fixed substrate side notch 77 having a width larger than the thickness of the base cover 70 and having an opening at the insertion portion side. The locking slot 7
The length of the base 5 is set at a position at which the proximal end of the base cover 70 is not covered by the operating unit casing 9 when the locking convex portion 73 is disposed closest to the locking long hole 75. It is set to be.

As shown in FIG. 2, the right bending operation wire 56R extending from the right connection fixing portion 69R, the left connection fixing portion 69L, the lower connection fixing portion 69D, and the upper connection fixing portion 69U of the operation portion 3. , Leftward bending operation wire 56
L, the downward bending operation wire 56D and the upward bending operation wire 56U are made of a right-hand proximal guide coil 78R and a left-hand proximal guide coil 7 formed by densely winding metal wires.
8L, are inserted in the lower proximal guide coil 78D and the upper proximal guide coil 78U.

The hand-side guide coils 78R in each of the above directions are provided.
A right-side positioning member 79R, a left-side positioning member 79L, a lower-side positioning member 79D, and an upper-side positioning member 79U are provided at the proximal ends of 78L, 78D, and 78U, respectively.

The right positioning member 79R is formed in the right guiding member fixing notch 32R formed in the guide member fixing portion 25a, and the left positioning member 79L is formed in the guide member fixing portion 25b. The left-side positioning member 79D is inserted into the left-side guide member fixing notch 32L.
The notch 32D for fixing the downward guide member formed in the guide member fixing portion 25a is provided with the upward positioning member 7.
9U is respectively locked by an upper guide member fixing notch 32U formed in the guide member fixing portion 25b. The base cover 70 is set so as to be in contact with the positioning members 79R, 79L, 79D, and 79U in each direction, and to be disposed at a position that restricts lateral movement.

As shown in FIG. 19, the hand-side guide coils 78R, 78L, 78D, 78U are provided at the insertion-portion-side ends of the hand-side guide coils 78R, 78L, 78D, 78U.
D, 78U, the right-side insertion section side guide coil 80R, the left-side insertion section side guide coil 80L, the down-side insertion section side guide coil 80D, and the near-side end section of the up-side insertion section side guide coil 80U have the same structure as those of D and 78U. Are struck. The hand side guide coils 78R, 78L, 78D,
78U and the insertion part side guide coils 80R, 80L, 8
Heat shrink tubing 1
By covering 01, the insertion portion side guide coils 80R, 80L, 80D, 80U in each direction and the hand side guide coils 78R, 78L, 78D, 78U in each direction are integrally connected. A right-side locking block 102R, a left-side locking block 102L, which is a locking member having a substantially U-shaped groove 109 formed in the insertion-portion-side guide coils 80R, 80L, 80D, and 80U in the respective directions, Lower locking block 102D and upper locking block 10
2U are integrally fixed by solder or the like. In addition, the insertion portion side guide coil 80R in each direction described above,
80L, 80D and 80U are inserted into the insertion section 2.

As shown in FIG. 20, the insertion-side guide coils 80R, 80R in each direction inserted in the insertion portion 2 are provided.
L, 80D, and 80U denote the upper insertion portion side guide coil 80U in the upward direction of the distal end portion of the flexible tube 8, the lower insertion portion side guide coil 80D in the downward direction, and the right insertion portion side guide in the right direction. The left insertion portion side guide coil 80L is fixed to the left side of the coil 80R. In addition, hand side guide coils 78R, 78L, 78D, 78U in each direction.
Through the insertion portion side guide coils 80R, 80R in each direction.
The bending operation wires 56R, 56L, 56D, and 56U of the respective directions inserted into the L, 80D, and 80U have the same positional relationship as the insertion-side guide coils 80R, 80L, 80D, and 80U of the respective directions. Are connected fixedly so that the upper, lower, left and right directions correspond to a first bending piece (not shown) arranged at the most distal end side of the plurality of bending pieces.

As shown in FIG. 21, a cylindrical base 103 having an inner diameter substantially the same as the outer circumferential diameter of the cylindrical base 103 is externally fitted to the cylindrical base fixing portions 33a and 33b of the fixed substrate 12, and is substantially flush with the base 20. Above, it is integrally fixed by screws from a direction substantially perpendicular to the cylindrical base fixing parts 33a and 33b.

As shown in FIG. 22, a rotation regulating notch 125 is provided at a position of the end of the cylindrical base 103 on the side of the fixed substrate 12 opposite to the base 20, and the end of the base 20 on the side of the insertion portion is provided. It is fixed in the fitted state.

As shown in FIG. 21, a treatment instrument insertion conduit 104, a treatment instrument introduction conduit 105, and a suction conduit 106 are provided in a tubular base 103 provided in the operation section 3. Are fixed by screws (not shown). The treatment instrument insertion pipe 104 is inserted into the insertion section 2.
The treatment instrument introduction pipe 105 is opened at the treatment instrument introduction port 108 while being opened at the treatment instrument opening 117. The suction conduit 106 is inserted into the universal cord 4 through a suction cylinder 136 described later to which the suction button 122 is attached, and has an opening in the connector 5. A locking ring 110 is fixed to the insertion portion side of the branch member 107 of the tubular base 103 by a fixing screw 111.

The two-dot chain line shown in FIG. 23 indicates the position of the branch member 107 on the hand side. The locking ring 11
A notch 126 is formed in a part of the circumference of 0,
The leftward locking groove 1 is rotated clockwise from the notch 126.
12L, an upward locking groove 112U, a right locking groove 112R, and a downward locking groove 112D are formed. Further, by screwing the fixing screw 111 to the female screw portion 143 formed on the locking ring 110, the cylindrical base 103 and the locking ring 110 are integrally fixed. ing.

The locking grooves 112R, 11 for the respective directions
The grooves 109 formed in the locking blocks 102R, 102L, 102D, 102U for the respective directions are locked to the 2L, 112D, 112U, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 24, on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base 103, a fixing portion long hole 138, a protrusion 139, and a locking groove 140 for fixing the fixing screws 111 stepwise at regular intervals are formed. Have been.

The elongated hole portion 138 is formed to be elongated in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope insertion portion, and has a width in which the screw portion 141 of the fixing screw 111 can be inserted and the maximum outer diameter portion 142 cannot be inserted. It has become. A plurality of circular grooves are connected at equal intervals on the upper surface of the long hole portion 138 to form a locking groove portion 140 of the maximum outer diameter portion 142 having a projection 139 narrower than the maximum outer diameter portion 142. I have. As a result, the maximum outer diameter portion 142 of the fixing screw 111 and the cylindrical base 1
The cylindrical base 103 can be moved stepwise in the longitudinal direction by changing the position of the engagement groove 140 with the engagement groove 140.

On the outer periphery of the cylindrical base 103 opposite to the fixing screw 111, a folding base 113 covered with a folding member 149 made of soft rubber for preventing buckling of the flexible tube 8 is arranged. I have. The proximal end of the base 113 has a contact portion 114 that contacts the end of the grip casing 10, and a female screw portion 115 is provided on the inner surface of the contact portion 114. An external thread 116 is provided on the outside of the cylindrical base 103 facing the internal thread 115, and the internal thread 115 and the external thread 116 are screwed together.

As shown in FIG. 25, the outer periphery of the proximal side of the left and right sprockets 51a and 51b around which the left and right chain members 43a and 43b are wound is provided on the base portion 20. A covering sprocket cover 131 is fixed with screws. The sprocket cover 131 is provided with a cylindrical portion 130 having a through hole 129 in the direction of the left and right knobs 9RL and 9UD.

The left and right knobs 9RL are connected to the left and right sprockets 51a through left and right curved shafts 128a inserted through the through holes 129, and the up and down knobs 9UD are similarly vertically moved through the up and down curved shafts 128b. To the sprocket 51b.

The cylindrical part 13 of the operating part casing 9
An opening 132 having a size that allows the fixing portion of the sprocket cover 131 to pass therethrough is formed at a position corresponding to “0”. A first watertight member 133 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 130 at a position facing the opening 132. The watertight ring 15 is fitted into the cylindrical portion 130 in a state where the inner diameter portion is in contact with the first watertight member 133 and the outer diameter portion is fitted in the opening hole 132 in the opening hole 132.
0 is provided.

Further, the opening 132 and the watertight ring 1
50, a second watertight member 1 for ensuring watertightness.
34 are provided. In addition, an air / water supply cylinder 135 to which the air / water supply button 121 is attached and a suction cylinder 136 to which the suction button 122 is attached are provided in contact with the back side of the base portion 20.

The contact position of the air / water supply cylinder 135 and the suction cylinder 136 with the base 20 is determined by the central axis 13 of the horizontal bending shaft 128a and the vertical bending shaft 128b.
7 is provided on the insertion portion side. Further, the watertight ring 150 may be provided integrally with the sprocket cover 131, and the up / down knob 90D and the watertight ring 150 may be provided integrally.

The assembly of the endoscope configured as described above will be described. 1. Assembly of the endoscope operation unit on the insertion unit side will be described.

The left and right sprockets 51a with the left and right chain members 43a wound thereon are arranged at predetermined positions on the upper surface of the base portion 20. At this time, the right chain side connecting member 54R is housed in the right wire sliding groove 27R with the right abutting portion 53R disposed in the right curve defining groove 28R, and the left side chain side connecting member 54L is left The direction abutting portion 53L is housed in the left wire sliding groove 27L in a state where the direction abutting portion 53L is disposed in the left bending defining groove 28L.

Then, the snap-fit portions 49a and 49b are fixed to the fixing holes 50 with the center of the through hole 45 of the storage member 44 and the center of the left-right sprocket 51a aligned.
a, 50b.

Next, the vertical sprocket 51b wound with the vertical chain member 43b is inserted into the through hole 4
5 and is arranged on the upper surface side of the partition plate portion 48. At this time, the downward chain side connecting member 54D is disposed on the upper surface of the parallel portion 23a with the downward abutting portion 53D inserted into the downward bending defining groove 28D, and the upward chain side connecting member 54U moves upward. The abutment portion 53U is disposed on the upper surface of the parallel portion 23b in a state where it is inserted into the upper curve defining groove 28U.

Next, the locking projection 73 is inserted into the locking elongated hole 75.
At the position provided at the tip end side end of the
Is inserted into the long hole 75 for locking, and the base cover 70 is displaced in the hand side direction so that the notch 74 is formed.
And fixed substrate side notch 77 of fixed substrate side locking projection 76
And it engages with the proximal end part of the long hole 75 for locking.

Here, a method of attaching the fixed board 12 to the operation section casing 9 in the above state will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 26 to 32. As shown in FIG. 26, the positional relationship between the opening of the fixed board 12 and the operating section casing 9 on the insertion section side in the above-described state is such that the upper surface of the base section 20 is located below the bottom surface of the second locking section 16. The base cover 70 is brought into contact with the surface opposite to the second locking portion 16 of the operation unit casing 9,
In this state, the fixed substrate 12 is pulled toward the hand to a predetermined position.

As shown in FIG. 27, the positional relationship between the locking projections 13a, 13b and the first locking portions 15a, 15b at this time is that the first locking portions 15a, 15b are located between the first locking portions 15a, 15b. The locking protrusion 13b is provided, and the locking protrusion 13a is provided between the first locking portion 15a and the wall surface of the operation unit casing 9. At this time, as shown in FIG. 28, the locking projections 13a, 13b and the first locking portions 15a,
The positional relationship with the first locking portion 15b is such that the upper surface of the locking projection 13a is disposed below the bottom surfaces of the first locking portions 15a and 15b.

As shown in FIG. 29A, the fixed substrate 12 is fixed to the base portion 20 so that the base portion 20 and the locking groove 16a of the second locking portion 16 are disposed at the same plane. Pull up toward the top. At this time, the fixed substrate 1 shown in FIG.
2 and the distance between the inner peripheral surface of the operating portion casing 9 and the distal end surface of the second locking portion 16, the base portion 20 and the second locking portion 16 are formed. Does not interfere.

The base portion 20 and the second locking portion 16
Is arranged in the same plane as the locking groove 16a, as shown in FIG.
a, 13b are arranged on the same plane as the cutout openings 14a, 14b. Again, the locking projection 1 shown in FIG.
From the dimensional relationship of the width dimension X of 3a, 13b, the dimension Y between one end face of the first locking part 15a and the inner peripheral surface of the operation unit casing 9, and the dimension Z between the first locking parts 15a, 15b. 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, the fixed substrate 12 is fixed to the second locking portion 16.
Move in the direction. Then, as shown in FIG. 30, the side portion of the base portion 20 is sandwiched and locked by the locking groove 16a, and the locking projection 13 is formed as shown in FIGS.
a, 13b are sandwiched and locked by the first locking portions 15a, 15b. Subsequently, 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 150 is dropped from the outside of the operation unit casing 9 to close the through hole 129 in a watertight manner, and then the vertically curved shaft 128b of the up / down knob 9UD is inserted through the through hole 129 and inserted into the up / down sprocket 51b. Connect to Left and right knob 9
The right and left bending shafts 128a of the RL are inserted through the through holes 129 and connected to the left and right sprockets 51a. Then, the air / water supply cylinder 135 and the suction cylinder 136
Is fixed to the operation unit casing 9 in a state where it is in contact with the back surface of the base unit 20.

2. Assembly of the endoscope operation unit on the insertion unit side will be described. First, the insertion portion side guide coils 80R, 80L, 80D, 80U of the respective directions are placed at predetermined positions on the distal end side of the flexible tube 8.
Are fixed, and the insertion portion side guide coils 80R, 80R,
Locking blocks 102R, 102L, 102 in each direction corresponding to the proximal ends of 80L, 80D, 80U, respectively.
Attach D, 102U.

Next, the bending operation wires 56 R, 5
One end of each of 6L, 56D, and 56U is connected and fixed to a predetermined position of the bending section 7, and these bending operation wires 56R, 56L,
The guides 56D and 56U are inserted into the insertion-portion-side guide coils 80R, 80L, 80D, and 80U in the corresponding directions, and the bending portion 7 and the flexible tube 8 are connected and fixed in this state.

Next, the internal components such as the treatment instrument insertion conduit 104 and the like are fixed to the distal end component 6, and these internal components are inserted into the bending portion 7 and the flexible tube 8. The part 7 is connected and fixed. At this time, the insertion-portion-side guide coils 80R, 80L, 80D, and 80U in each direction can be independently moved in all directions, and therefore, are disposed at positions where they do not interfere with the built-in components. For example, the fixed position on the distal end side of the insertion portion side guide coils 80R, 80L, 80D, 80U in each direction and the position on the hand side may be arranged at substantially the same position.

Next, the bending operation wires 56R, 5R in each direction
Hand-side guide coils 78R, 7 in each direction to which positioning members 79R, 79L, 79D, 79U corresponding to the respective directions from the hands of 6L, 56D, 56U are fixed.
8L, 78D, and 78U are extrapolated, and the hand-side guide coils 78R, 78L, 78D, and 78U in each direction and the insertion-portion-side guide coils 80R, 80L, and 80 in the respective directions.
D and 80U are applied, and the outer periphery of the applied portion is covered with a heat-shrinkable tube 101 and integrally connected.

Next, a bending operation wire 56R in each direction is provided.
Insertion portion side connecting members 57R, 57L, 57 corresponding to the respective wires at predetermined positions of 56L, 56D, 56U.
After fixing D and 57U, the locking blocks 102R, 102L, 102D and 102 attached to the insertion portion side guide coils 80R, 80L, 80D and 80U in each direction.
U is locked in locking grooves 112R, 112L, 112D, 112U for the respective directions corresponding to the locking ring 110, respectively.

Next, the branch member 107 is connected to a predetermined position on the proximal end of the treatment instrument insertion pipe 104. Then, 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 provided in the locking groove 140 closest to the hand. . Thereby, the locking blocks 102R in each direction are provided.
102L, 102D, and 102U are fixed while being sandwiched between the locking grooves 112R, 112L, 112D, and 112U in each direction and the inner wall surface of the tubular base 103. Then, the tubular base 103 is fixed to the rear end portion of the insertion section 2 with a screw, and the branch member 107 is fixed to the tubular base 103 with a screw.

Next, the cylindrical base fixing portions 33a and 33b are inserted into the proximal side of the cylindrical base 103, and the base 20 is engaged with the rotation restricting notch 125, so that the cylindrical base 103 is closed. And the fixed substrate 12 are fixed with screws. At this time,
The tubular base fixing parts 33a and 33b are provided in a state substantially perpendicular to the base part 20, and the fixing positions are provided on substantially the same plane as the base part 20, so that the inner diameter part of the cylindrical base 103 is fixed. The area to close is small.

3. The connection of the bending operation mechanism will be described. First, the base cover 70 is displaced toward the insertion portion, and the engagement between the notch 74 and the notch 77 on the fixed substrate side and the proximal end of the long hole 75 for locking is released. Remove it by pulling it up in the direction.

Next, with the lower right bending angle adjusting member 38a and the upper left bending angle adjusting member 38b being disposed closest to the insertion portion, the fixing screw 72a is temporarily fixed to the left / right adjusting member fixing plate 37a. The left-right adjustment member fixing plate 37
a is dropped into the rectangular groove 24. At this time, since the stopper portions 41a and 41b are arranged at positions facing 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 upper left bending angle adjusting member 38b are arranged closest to the hand and temporarily fixed again. At this time, since the rectangular groove 24 and the left-right adjustment member fixing plate 37a have substantially the same width, the left-right adjustment member fixing plate 37a is not displaced in the horizontal direction of the base portion 20. In addition, since the stopper portions 41a and 41b are sandwiched between the penetrating portions 30R and the penetrating portions 30L, there is no displacement in the vertical direction.

Next, the right positioning member 79R is engaged with the corresponding right guide member fixing notch 32R.
Then, the rightward insertion portion side connecting member 57R fixed to the rightward bending operation wire 56R and the corresponding rightward chain side connecting member 54R are overlapped with each other in an engaged state.

Next, the screw portion 59 of the fixing screw 58 is
1 and the screw portion 59 is screwed into the female screw portion 55 of the right-side chain side connecting member 54R at a position where the tension of the rightward bending operation wire 56R becomes a predetermined value. As a result, the right direction chain side connecting member 54R and the right direction insertion portion side connecting member 57R are integrally fixed.

The omnidirectional connecting and fixing portions 69R, 69
When the connection of L, 69D, and 69U is completed, rotate the left / right knob 9RL or the up / down knob 9UD in a desired direction. Then, the right and left sprockets 51a and 51b corresponding to the operation of the knobs 9RL and 9UD rotate, and the corresponding connection fixing portions 69R and 69 correspond.
L, 69D, 69U and bending operation wires 56R, 56
L, 56D, and 56U are drawn in at hand. At this time, the compressive force generated in the insertion portion 2 is received by the insertion portion side guide coils 80R, 80L, 80D, 80U and the hand side guide coils 78R, 78L, 78D, 78U in each direction. Without contraction, the traction force of the corresponding bending operation wires 56R, 56L, 56D, 56U is transmitted to the bending portion 7, and the bending portion 7 bends in a desired direction.

4. A method for setting the bending angle will be described. First, the left and right knobs 9RL are rotated to cause the bending portion 7 to bend rightward at 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 3 is loosened.
8a is moved to a position where the stopper portion 41a and the right abutment portion 53R come into contact with each other. Then, the fixing screw 72a is tightened and fixed with a predetermined amount of force at the contact position. This completes the setting of the rightward bending angle. Subsequently, the setting in the left direction is performed. Note that the leftward setting method is the same as the rightward setting method, and a description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the lower right bending angle adjusting member 38a
Then, with the upper left bending angle adjusting member 38b disposed closest to the hand, the vertical adjusting member fixing plate 37b is temporarily fixed with the fixing screw 72b. Then, the vertical adjustment member fixing plate 37b is replaced with the horizontal adjustment member fixing plate 37a.
Right curve defining groove 28R and left curve defining groove 28 fixed to
L is dropped into the rectangular groove 24 on the upper surface. Thereafter, the upper and lower knobs 9UD are operated to adjust the fixing positions of the right curve defining groove 28R and the left curve defining groove 28L to the vertical direction 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
Assemble 0. If fine adjustment of the vertical bending angle is required in this state, the fixing screw 72b exposed outside the adjustment notch groove 71 is loosened, and the lower right bending angle adjusting member 38a and the upper left bending are adjusted. Angle adjusting member 38b
After the position is adjusted, the fixing screw 72b is tightened again, so that the adjusting operation can be performed without disassembling the assembled portion at all.

If fine adjustment of the bending angle in the left-right direction is necessary, the base cover 70 is removed once, and the lower right bending angle adjusting member 38a and the upper left bending angle adjusting member 38b are fixed at predetermined positions. The vertically adjusting member fixing plate 37b in the folded state is pulled up in the vertical direction of the base 20 and removed.

At this time, since the upper base portions 26a, 26b of the lower curve defining groove 28D and the upper curve defining groove 28U are cut off, the stopper portions 41a, 41b are arranged at any position in the adjustment range. The lower right bending angle adjusting member 3 with respect to the vertical adjusting member fixing plate 37b.
8a and the upper left bending angle adjusting member 38b can be removed without shifting the fixed position.

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. Subsequently, the vertical adjustment member fixing plate 37b in the above state is dropped into a predetermined position. At this time, since the fixed 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 are not moved, it is not necessary to adjust the vertical bending angle.

Finally, by attaching the base cover 70, the adjustment of the bending angle including the fine adjustment is completed.

As for the assembling of the gripping casing 10, the gripping casing 10 is externally inserted from the insertion section 2 side, and is disposed at a position where it comes into contact with one end of the operating section casing 9. Then, the anti-bending base 113 whose outer periphery is covered by the anti-bending member 149 is extrapolated from the insertion portion 2 side, and the female screw portion 115 and the male screw portion 116 are screwed together and tightened with a predetermined amount of force. 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.

5. The forces acting in each state and the fixing means receiving the forces will be described. At the time of assembling, a rotational force acts on the cylindrical base 103, particularly when the female thread 115 of the buckling base 113 is screwed into the male thread 116 of the cylindrical base 103. However, the acting force is suppressed because the rotation regulating notch 125 is engaged with the base portion 20.

At this time, the fixed board 12 is pulled out to the insertion section side, and the weight is initially suppressed only by the cylindrical section 130, but the operating section casing 9 and the fixed board 1
2 relatively move, so that the plane portions 17a, 17b
Abuts against the contact surface portions 18a and 18b, so that the cylindrical portion 13
No excess weight is added to zero.

When performing the bending operation, the bending direction knob 9
A force that causes the base portion 20 to buckle and twist acts on the RL and 9UD. Regarding the force acting at this time, the locking projection 13 is closer to the hand than the knobs 9RL and 9UD.
a, 13b are locked by the first locking portions 15a, 15b,
On the insertion portion side sandwiching the bending operation knobs 9RL and 9UD, the fixed substrate 12 is locked in the locking groove 16a, and the air / water supply cylinder 135 and the suction cylinder 136 are in contact with the back surface of the fixed substrate 12; Distortion and twisting around the knobs 9RL and 9UD are suppressed.

Further, the bending operation is performed to stop the stopper portion 41.
a, 41b and butting parts 53R, 53L, 53 in each direction
When further force is applied in a state where D and 53U are in contact with each other, the knobs 9RL and 9U
The same force as that generated on the base portion 20 around D acts to cause distortion and twist. At this time, the fixed substrate 12 is locked and abutted on each member on the near side of the abutting portion as described above. On the insertion portion side with the contact portion interposed therebetween, the rotation restricting notch 125 and the base portion 20 are disposed.
Are engaged with each other, so that distortion and torsion of the base portion 20 are suppressed. Furthermore, in this state, the stopper portions 41a, 4
1b is pulled in the direction of the knobs 9RL and 9UD, the left-right adjustment member fixing plate 37a and the up-down adjustment member fixing plate 37b are moved to the near side via the lower right bending angle adjusting member 38a and the upper left bending angle adjusting member 38b. Attraction force acts, but at this time, the hand-side end surfaces of the left-right adjustment member fixing plate 37a and the up-down adjustment member fixing plate 37b abut against the first abutting portion 123, and the force is suppressed.

As described above, since the reinforcing ribs are provided on the fixed substrate 12 over substantially the entire length in the longitudinal direction, a high strength against bending force can be obtained, and one of the reinforcing ribs is provided. Since the part also serves as a guide for the connecting part in each direction, the number of parts can be significantly reduced.

When the fixing plate is fixed to the operating portion, the fixed substrate is fixed to the center of the bending operation knob, which is the fulcrum of the force, and to both sides of the contact portion between the stopper and the abutting portion in each direction. Since the locking portion and the contact portion for regulating the distortion and torsion are provided, it is possible to efficiently suppress the distortion and torsion of the fixed substrate and obtain a high fixing strength,
Since the fixed substrate and the tubular substrate are directly fixed, the number of components can be reduced.

Further, since the fixing between the cylindrical base 103 and the fixed substrate 12 is performed on substantially the same plane as the base 20,
Since the range in which the inner diameter of the tubular base 103 is closed for fixing can be reduced, the degree of freedom of routing when arranging the built-in components is increased.

Further, the base portion 20 is rotated by the rotation regulating notch 12.
5, the fixed substrate 12 and the cylindrical substrate 10
3 has high strength against twisting and distortion relative to 3.

Furthermore, since the arrangement position of the fixed substrate 12 in the longitudinal direction is defined only by the cylindrical portion 130, it is not necessary to consider the tolerance of each component, and the number of components can be reduced. When excessive load is applied in the longitudinal direction, the flat portion 17 and the contact surface portion 18
And a high fixing strength can be obtained.

In the bending angle adjusting mechanism, the base 2
6a, 26b, the left and right adjustment member fixing plate 37a and the vertical adjustment member fixing plate 37b dropped into the rectangular groove 24 formed by the first butting portion 123 and the second butting portion 124 are bent downward and to the right. Angle adjusting member 38a
By simply fixing the upper left bending angle adjusting member 38b, the number of parts can be reduced because there is no need to fix the left and right adjusting member fixing plate 37a and the vertical adjusting member fixing plate 37b to the fixed substrate 12 or the like. And can be easily assembled.

When a force drawn toward the hand acts on the left / right adjustment member fixing plate 37a and the up / down adjustment member fixing plate 37b, the first abutting portion 123, the left / right adjustment member fixing plate 37a and the up / down Direction adjustment member fixing plate 3
Since the side surface on the hand side of 7b abuts on a surface perpendicular to the direction in which the force acts, sufficient strength can be obtained. Thereby, it is fixed stably without displacement.

Further, since the vertical bending angle adjusting mechanism and the horizontal bending angle adjusting mechanism are arranged in a stacked state, it is possible to reduce the size of the operation unit and to use common components. it can.

Further, since the base cover 70 can be attached and detached by moving the base cover 70 along the locking long holes 75 and by moving the base cover 70 in the vertical direction, it is not necessary to disassemble other parts, and the work can be performed. Is greatly simplified.

When adjusting the bending angle in the left-right direction, the adjustment can be performed simply by removing the vertical adjustment member fixing plate 37b to which the base cover 70, the right bending defining groove 28R and the left bending defining groove 28L are fixed. Therefore, the number of parts to be disassembled is small, and the parts need not be fixed with screws or the like, so that workability can be improved.

Further, since the adjustment work can be performed without shifting the fixing positions of the right curve defining groove 28R and the left curve defining groove 28L with respect to the vertical adjustment member fixing plate 37b, adjustment work and fine adjustment only in the left and right directions can be performed. If so, workability becomes extremely good.

Further, since the fixing direction of the fixing screws 58 is on the side of the fixing substrate 12, the fixing screws 58 in all directions can be exposed to the outside just by removing the base cover 70. It can be done easily.

With reference to FIG. 33, another configuration of the connection portion between the fixed substrate 12 and the cylindrical base 103 will be described. As shown in the figure, a fitting groove 14 having substantially the same shape as the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical substrate fixing portions 33a and 33b is formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical substrate 103 of the present embodiment.
7a and 147b are formed. The fitting groove 147
a and 147b are fitted with the tubular base fixing parts 33a and 33b, respectively.
The groove depths of the fitting grooves 147a and 147b and the thickness in the vertical direction of the cylindrical substrate fixing portions 33a and 33b are set so that the end of the cylindrical substrate 103 does not protrude from the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical substrate 103. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, the cylindrical base fixing part 33a is fitted in the fitting groove 147a, and the cylindrical base fixing part 33b is fitted in the fitting groove 147b.
The fixed substrate 12 and the cylindrical base 1 are fixed by screws in the same manner as in the first embodiment in a state where they are fitted to each other.
03, and the strength against relative twist and distortion can be further improved. In addition, the cylindrical base fixing part 3
3 does not protrude in the direction of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical base 103, so that the inner diameter of the cylindrical base 103 can be further increased. Other functions and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

Another structure of the base cover 70 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the drawing, a fixing screw 5 in each direction provided inside is provided on the side of the base cover 70 of the present embodiment.
An adjustment slot 148 is provided at a position opposite to the connecting hole 8, although the width is smaller than the connecting and fixing portion 69, but through which a driver for operating the fixing screw 58 can be inserted.

When adjusting the fixing position of the fixing screw 58 to remove the slack of the bending operation wire 56, the base cover 70
The position adjustment can be easily performed by loosening the fixing screw 58 through the adjustment long hole 148 and retightening in a state in which is attached. Thereby, the work of removing the slack of the bending operation wire 56 at the connection fixing portion 69 can be performed without removing the base cover 70, so that the workability is improved.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the invention.

[Appendix] According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the following configuration can be obtained.

(1) A bending portion in which a plurality of bending pieces are rotatably connected, a flexible tube connected to the bending portion, and a bending portion connected to the base end of the flexible tube to bend the bending portion. An endoscope having an operating section having a fixed substrate on which a bending mechanism is provided, and a bending operation wire having one end fixed to the distal end of the bending section and the other end connected to the bending operation mechanism. A wall-shaped protruding portion that forms an abutting portion protruded from a fixed substrate on which an operation mechanism is provided; a bending angle adjusting member for adjusting a bending angle of the bending portion; and the bending angle adjusting member is fixed. And an adjusting member fixing plate that abuts the wall-shaped protruding portion at least at the time of maximum bending, and an endoscope provided so as to adjust a fixing position of the bending angle adjusting member with respect to the adjusting member fixing plate.

(2) The endoscope according to attachment 1, wherein the wall-shaped projection is substantially perpendicular to a plane of the fixed substrate.

(3) The endoscope according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the wall-shaped projection is substantially perpendicular to a direction in which the bending operation wire is pulled.

(4) The endoscope according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the adjustment member fixing plate is provided so as to abut on the wall-shaped projection.

(5) The adjustment member fixing plate has at least two
2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the two bending angle adjusting members are fixed.

(6) At least two adjustment member fixing plates
The endoscope according to supplementary note 1 provided.

(7) The endoscope according to appendix 6, wherein the adjustment member fixing plates are arranged in a state of being vertically stacked.

(8) The endoscope according to appendix 6, wherein the adjustment member fixing plate is disposed in a state of being arranged side by side.

(9) The endoscope according to attachment 7, wherein a bending angle adjusting member is fixed above the adjusting member fixing plate.

(10) The endoscope according to appendix 8, wherein a bending angle adjusting member is fixed to a side surface of the adjusting member fixing plate.

(11) The endoscope according to appendix 7, wherein the adjusting member fixing plate disposed at least on the upper side is detachable without changing the fixing position of the bending angle adjusting member.

(12) A wall provided between the bending angle adjusting member and the abutting portion, and a penetrating portion penetrating the wall, a part of the bending angle adjusting member protruding from the penetrating portion. In this state, the bending angle is adjusted by applying the bending angle adjusting member and the abutting portion, and at least an upper portion of the penetrating portion through which a part of the bending angle adjusting member disposed on the upper side projects. 12. The endoscope according to attachment 11, wherein the endoscope is notched.

(13) The endoscope according to attachment 7 or 8, wherein at least two bending angle adjusting members are formed in the same shape. This reduces the number of parts.

(14) A bending portion, a flexible tube connected to the bending portion, and a bending operation mechanism for bending the bending portion on a plate-like fixed substrate connected to the flexible tube are provided. An operating portion provided, and a bending operation wire having one end fixed to the distal end of the bending portion and the other end connected to the bending operation mechanism, and the maximum bending angle of the bending portion is set to the bending operation wire or the bending operation mechanism. What is claimed is: 1. An endoscope in which a provided abutting portion is regulated by abutting a bending angle adjusting member, wherein an endoscope provided with a rib substantially parallel to a pulling direction of a bending operation wire over substantially the entire length of a fixed substrate.

(15) The endoscope according to supplementary note 14, wherein the fixed substrate is formed by injection molding.

(16) The endoscope according to appendix 14, wherein the fixed substrate is formed by die casting of aluminum by injection molding.

(17) The endoscope according to appendix 14, wherein the fixed substrate is formed by injection molding a hard resin.

(18) The endoscope according to appendix 14, wherein the fixed substrate is formed by injection molding a material obtained by adding a binder to a metal powder, and removing and sintering the binder by a metal injection mold.

(19) The endoscope according to Supplementary Note 1 or 14, wherein the wall-shaped projection is formed integrally with a fixed substrate.

(20) The endoscope according to Supplementary Note 12 or 14, wherein the wall surface is formed integrally with a fixed substrate.

(21) A pair of ribs substantially parallel to the axial direction of the bending operation wire are provided, and the ribs are formed continuously with the wall-shaped protrusion, and are substantially parallel to the wall-shaped protrusion. 15. The endoscope according to appendix 1 or 14, wherein a rectangular groove formed continuously with the rib and a width dimension of the adjustment member fixing plate are substantially the same near the tip end side end of the rib. mirror.

(22) Supplementary note 21 wherein the rib has a guide function of restricting the moving direction of the abutting portion by the bending operation.
An endoscope according to claim 1.

(23) The guide function is such that a parallel portion parallel to the plane of the fixed substrate is projected substantially at the center in the height direction of the rib, and a space formed by the plane of the fixed substrate and the rib and the parallel portion. 23. The endoscope according to supplementary note 22, wherein a bending operation wire having an abutting portion and a connecting portion of the bending operation mechanism are arranged in a space formed by the rib and the parallel portion, and the outer periphery thereof is covered by a cover member. .

(24) The exterior of the operation section is constituted by an operation section casing provided on the hand side and a grip section casing provided on the insertion section side, and a part of the cover member is provided inside the operation section casing. The cover member is fixed or locked so that the cover member is moved to the insertion portion side so that the fixed or locked state is released, and the cover member is operated in a state where the fixed or locked state is released. 24. The endoscope according to Supplementary Note 23, wherein the endoscope is disposed at a position not covered by the casing. The remarks 19 to 24 reduce the number of parts of the operation unit and the assembling work.

(25) A bending portion, a flexible tube connected to the bending portion, and a bending operation mechanism for bending the bending portion on a plate-shaped fixed substrate connected to the flexible tube. In an endoscope having an operating portion provided, and a bending operation wire having one end fixed to the distal end of the bending portion and the other end connected to the bending operation mechanism, the bending operation mechanism in at least two directions is attached to the plane of the fixed substrate. The insertion section side connecting member provided at the operation section side end of the bending operation wire and the operation section side connection member provided at the bending operation mechanism side are fixed by fixing screws. An endoscope provided with an adjusting portion of a fixing screw for adjusting a fixing position with respect to a pulling direction of a bending operation wire in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the fixed substrate and perpendicular to a pulling direction of the bending operation wire. Accordingly, since the adjusting portions of the fixing screws in all directions are arranged on the side, the slack of the bending operation wire can be easily removed, and the slack of the bending operation wire in each direction can be independently removed.

(26) A bending portion, a flexible tube connected to the bending portion, and a bending operation mechanism for bending the bending portion on a plate-like fixed substrate connected to the flexible tube are provided. The operation unit includes a fixed substrate on which a bending operation mechanism disposed on a hand side of the operation unit is fixed, and a fixed substrate disposed on an insertion unit side of the fixed substrate. And an endoscope constituted by a tubular base connecting the insertion portion,
An endoscope provided with a flat portion substantially perpendicular to a flat surface of an end portion of a fixed substrate on an insertion portion side and fixing a tubular base to the flat portion.

(27) The position where the fixed substrate and the cylindrical base are fixed on substantially the same plane as the plane of the fixed substrate.
An endoscope according to claim 1. This increases the space in the operation unit.

(28) At the proximal end of the cylindrical base, a notch portion with which the fixed substrate can be engaged is provided on the periphery, and the fixed substrate is engaged with the notch portion to be integrally fixed. 27. The endoscope according to Supplementary Note 26.

As a result, the operating portion has a high strength against the general twist and distortion of the fixed substrate and the cylindrical base.

(29) A bending portion, a flexible tube connected to the bending portion, an operating portion connected to the flexible tube, an operating portion casing forming an outer shape on the hand side of the operating portion, A gripper casing that forms the outer shape of the insertion section of the operation section, a fixed board disposed on the near side in both casings, and a bending operation mechanism provided on the fixed board for bending the bending section. And a bending operation knob disposed outside the operation casing, and a bending axis for connecting the bending operation mechanism and the bending operation knob, wherein the longitudinal direction of the fixed substrate sandwiches the bending axis. An endoscope provided with means for restricting distortion of the fixed substrate on both sides of the endoscope.

(30) A first locking portion for regulating the vertical movement of the fixed substrate at a position corresponding to the proximal end of the operating portion casing and the fixed substrate, And a second locking portion for restricting the vertical movement of the fixed board is provided at at least one of the positions corresponding to the insertion section side mouth of the operation section casing and the side face of the fixed board. 30. The endoscope according to 29.

(31) In the endoscope in which the air / water supply cylinder and the suction cylinder are fixed to the operation unit casing,
30. The endoscope according to supplementary note 29, wherein at least one of the air / water supply cylinder or the suction cylinder is brought into contact with a fixed substrate.

(32) A bending portion, a flexible tube connected to the bending portion, and a bending operation mechanism for bending the bending portion on the fixed substrate connected to the flexible tube are provided. An operating portion provided with a cylindrical base connecting the flexible tube and the flexible tube; and a bending operation wire having one end fixed to the distal end of the bending portion and the other end connected to the bending operation mechanism. In an endoscope that regulates a bending angle by applying a hitting portion provided on a bending operation wire or a bending operation mechanism to a bending angle adjustment member, the endoscope sandwiches a hitting position between the hitting portion and the bending angle adjustment member. An endoscope provided with means for restricting twisting of the fixed substrate on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the fixed substrate.

(33) At least the notch portion and the first locking portion are provided, and an abutting portion, a bending angle adjusting member, and an abutting portion are provided between the notch portion and the first locking portion. 33. The endoscope according to supplementary note 28, supplementary note 30, or supplementary note 32, wherein the end position is provided. According to Supplementary Notes 29 to 33, since the distortion of the fixed substrate is regulated on both sides around the point where the force acts, the fixed substrate can be efficiently fixed to the operation unit, and the strength is high. (34) a bending portion, a flexible tube connected to the bending portion, a bending portion connected to the flexible tube, an operation portion casing forming an outer shape on the hand side of the operation portion, A gripping casing forming an outer shape of the insertion section side of the operation section, a fixed board disposed on the near side in the both casings, and a bending operation provided on the fixed board for bending the bending section; In an endoscope having a mechanism, an operation knob disposed outside the operation casing, and a bending axis connecting the bending operation mechanism and the operation knob, an opening for inserting the operation knob of the operation section casing is provided. Part of the bending operation mechanism is fitted And an endoscope provided with means for restricting movement only in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the fixed substrate. Thereby, it is easy to ensure watertightness, and the endoscope has a small number of parts.

(35) The endoscope according to appendix 34, wherein a liquid-tight holding member made of an elastic member is disposed between the opening for inserting the operation knob of the operation portion casing and the fitting portion of the bending operation mechanism. This further facilitates ensuring watertightness.

[0160]

As described above, according to the present invention, the number of parts is small, the assembly and the adjustment of the bending angle are easy, and the endoscope provided with the operating section for reliably restricting the bending beyond the maximum bending angle. A mirror can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1 to 32 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an endoscope.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing details of an internal structure of an operation unit.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a first locking portion provided on a base end side of the operation unit casing.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a second locking portion provided on the distal end side of the operation unit casing.

FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a fixed substrate.

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

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

FIG. 8 is a side view of a fixed substrate.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line II of FIG. 5;

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

11 is a sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line DD of FIG. 5;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line EE of FIG. 2;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along line FF of FIG. 2;

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where the chain member and the insertion portion side connection member are connected via the chain side connection member, as viewed from a side surface;

FIG. 16 is an explanatory view as viewed from above in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram when viewed from the bottom side of the base cover.

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

FIG. 19 is an explanatory view showing the structure of the insertion portion side of the proximal guide coil.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory view showing the positions of the insertion-portion-side guide coils disposed in the flexible tube in each direction.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an internal structure of a portion covered by a gripping portion casing on the insertion portion side.

FIG. 22 is a side view of a fixing portion between the fixed substrate and the tubular base.

FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken along line HH of FIG. 21;

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a fixed state of the fixing screw as viewed from the outer peripheral surface side of the tubular base;

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

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship of a fixed substrate in an operation unit casing.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory view showing a positional relationship between a locking projection and a first locking portion.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the locking projection and the first locking portion in FIG. 27 when viewed from another angle (in the direction of the fixed substrate).

FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between a base portion and a second locking portion.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a locked state between the base portion and the second locking portion.

FIG. 31 is a view of the locking state between the locking projection and the first locking portion when viewed from the direction shown in FIG. 28;

FIG. 32 is a view of the locking state between the locking protrusion of FIG. 31 and the first locking portion when viewed from the direction shown in FIG. 27;

FIG. 33 is an explanatory view showing another configuration of the connection portion between the fixed substrate and the cylindrical substrate.

FIG. 34 is an explanatory view showing another configuration of the base cover.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12: fixed substrate 21: second rib 26: base portion 123: first abutting portion

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] December 25, 1997

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0060

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0060] Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 21, the operation portion 3 to the
It is fixed by screws branch member 107 in the cylindrical base 103 that is disposed with a treatment instrument inlet conduit 105 and the treatment instrument insertion channel 104 and the suction channel 106 are joined (not shown). The treatment instrument insertion conduit 104 is inserted into the insertion section 2 and opens at the treatment instrument opening 117, and the treatment instrument introduction conduit 105 opens at the treatment instrument introduction port 108.
The suction conduit 106 is inserted into the universal cord 4 through a suction cylinder 136 described later to which the suction button 122 is attached, and has an opening in the connector 5. A locking ring 110 is fixed to the insertion portion side of the branch member 107 of the tubular base 103 by a fixing screw 111.

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0070

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

The contact position of the air / water supply cylinder 135 and the suction cylinder 136 with the base 20 is determined by the central axis 13 of the horizontal bending shaft 128a and the vertical bending shaft 128b.
7 is provided on the insertion portion side. Further, the watertight ring 150 may be provided integrally with the sprocket cover 131, and the up / down knob 9UD and the watertight ring 150 may be provided integrally.

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Figure 2

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 2

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] FIG.

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG.

[Procedure amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] FIG. 28

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 28

[Procedure amendment 6]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] FIG. 29

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 29

[Procedure amendment 7]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] FIG.

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG.

[Procedure amendment 8]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] FIG.

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 31

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A bending portion in which a plurality of bending pieces are rotatably connected, a flexible tube connected to the bending portion, and a bending portion connected to a base end of the flexible tube to bend the bending portion. An end portion having a fixed substrate on which a bending mechanism is provided, and a bending operation wire having one end fixed to the distal end of the bending portion and the other end connected to the bending operation mechanism. A wall-shaped protruding portion forming an abutting portion protruding from a fixed substrate on which a mechanism is provided, a bending angle adjusting member for adjusting a bending angle of the bending portion, and the bending angle adjusting member are fixed. An endoscope, comprising: an adjusting member fixing plate that comes into contact with the wall-shaped protruding portion at least at the time of maximum bending, wherein a fixing position of the bending angle adjusting member with respect to the adjusting member fixing plate is provided so as to be adjustable.