JPH10262905A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide more comfortable clinical services by reducing a feeling of physical die or pain of patient even when inserting the hard tip end part of endoscope into a part to be observed such as inside the body of patient or changing the direction of hard tip end part inside the body of patient. SOLUTION: This endoscope is constituted by having a cylindrical part 102a formed almost cylindrical, almost flat plate shaped closing plate part 102b for almost closing the tip end side of cylindrical part while being integrally communicated to the tip end edge of cylindrical part, and cylindrical parts 102c and 102d or the like extended toward the inside of cylinder part while surrounding an aperture opened on the closing plate part, and provided with an angle cup part 102 constituted so as to support an objective lens 14, image guide 142, suction/treatment port 16 and suction/treatment channel 162 or the like while including them so that its prescribed part near the top end of such an objective lens or the like can become an almost hollow space, and a fixer 144 or the like for fixing the objective lens, etc., from its tip end side to a tip end cap pat 105.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope end rigid portion provided on a distal end side of an insertion portion of an endoscope having a flexible elongated insertion portion.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the medical field or the industrial field, an endoscope is conventionally used for inspecting the inside of a part to be observed by visual observation from the outside.

The configuration of this endoscope will be described below. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an example of an endoscope.
FIG. 2A is a perspective view illustrating an entire configuration of an example of an endoscope to which a rigid distal end portion is attached, and FIG. 2B is a configuration of a rigid distal end portion of the endoscope illustrated in FIG. FIG.

[0004] As shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 0 includes a flexible insertion portion 1, a hand operation portion 2 provided on the base end side of the insertion portion 1, and a connector cord portion 3 connected to and extended to the hand operation portion 2. Have been.

[0005] The insertion section 1 includes a distal end hard section 10 and an angle section 1 remotely controlled by a hand operation section in order from the distal end side.
1 and a flexible portion having flexibility.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the front end hard portion 10 'has illumination lenses 13, 13, an objective lens 14, an air / water supply nozzle 15, a suction / treatment port on its front surface. 16.

The hand operation unit 2 includes a grip unit 20.
An upper and lower angle knob 21a and a right and left angle knob 21b for controlling the angle section 11 through a wire via remote bending, a suction button 22a, an air / water supply button 22b, a forceps port member 24 and a forceps plug 25. , An eyepiece 26. In addition, connector cord part 3
Are connected to a light source (not shown), a suction source, and an air supply / water supply source.

The light source (not shown) has a halogen lamp, a xenon lamp, or the like. Light from the light source is transmitted from a light guide connector 33a to a light guide (not shown) in the connector cord section 3. Guided inside. This light guide is composed of an optical fiber bundle, is inserted through the connector cord portion 3 into the inside of the insertion portion 1, whereby light is emitted from the illumination lenses 13 provided on the distal end hard portion 10 '. The inside of the visual field of the objective lens 14 described later is illuminated.

Next, the configuration of a distal end hard portion of a conventional endoscope will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view parallel to the extending direction showing a more detailed configuration of a distal end hard portion of a conventional endoscope.

As shown in the figure, the distal end hard portion 10 'is formed in a substantially columnar shape as a whole, and has a solid block-shaped distal end block portion 101' and a distal end cap portion 105 'attached thereto. An angle ring portion 102 ′ constituting the angle portion 11 and an angle net portion 1 attached to cover the outside of the angle ring portion 102 ′ are provided on the base end side of the distal end hard portion 10 ′.
03, an angle rubber portion 104 attached so as to cover the outside of the angle net portion 103, and a sealing portion 106 which seals the above-described components and forms a substantially cylindrical structure whose front end side is closed as a whole. It is connected.

The insertion section 1 includes an objective lens 14 constituting an observation system 111 'for transmitting an image of a subject in the observation section to an eyepiece section 26 provided in the hand operation section 2, a metal material, and a synthetic resin material. , Or a ceramic material, etc., which holds the objective lens 14 at the hard distal end portion 10 ', a substantially cylindrical objective lens barrel 141', an image guide 142 composed of an optical fiber bundle, an objective lens barrel 141 ', and an image guide. An observation system connection portion 143 for connecting the observation system connection 142 to the observation system connection portion 143 is provided.

In addition, an illumination system, an air supply / water supply system, and a suction / treatment system 112 'are provided in the insertion section 1. The illumination system described above includes an illumination lens 13 (see FIG. 2).
And a light guide (not shown) composed of an optical fiber bundle
Are provided.

The air supply / water supply system includes an air supply / water supply nozzle 15 (see FIG. 2) and an air supply / water supply tube (not shown).

The suction / treatment system 112 'includes a suction / treatment port 16 formed in the distal end hard portion 10' and a metal material,
Made of synthetic resin material or ceramic material etc.
A substantially cylindrical suction / treatment pipe 161 'formed at the distal end of the treatment port 16 and a suction / treatment channel formed of a flexible material such as a synthetic resin material such as Teflon and connected to the rear of the suction / treatment pipe 161'. 162, and a suction / treatment system connecting portion 163 for connecting the suction / treatment pipe 161 ′ and the suction / treatment channel 162.

The suction / treatment system connecting portion 163 is connected to the rear end of the suction / treatment pipe 161 ′ and the suction / treatment channel 1.
It has a thread-like member 163a wound around a portion where the front end of 62 overlaps with the front end, and an adhesive 163b applied from above the wound thread-like member 163a. Therefore, the suction / treatment system connection unit 1
63 has an outer diameter that is larger than that of the suction / treatment pipe 161 ′ or the suction / treatment channel 162, and has a substantially swollen shape. In addition, the suction / treatment system connection unit 163
Is formed of synthetic resin fiber or the like, and the adhesive 163b is formed of a synthetic resin material such as epoxy resin. The observation system connection unit 143, the illumination system connection unit (not shown), or the air / water supply system connection unit (not shown) has the same configuration.

Next, the configuration of the above-mentioned substantially cylindrical structure will be described in more detail. The above-mentioned tip cap portion 10
5 'is made of an electrically insulating synthetic resin material such as Teflon or the like, and has a substantially disk-shaped substrate portion 105a'. The vicinity of the outer edge of the front surface of the substrate portion 105a 'is formed into a smooth curved surface. A ring-shaped rib 1 is provided from the vicinity of the outer edge of the back surface of the substrate portion 105a 'toward the rear.
05b 'is formed. In addition, the tip cap 10
The above-mentioned illumination lens 13,
An opening to which the objective lens 14, the air / water supply nozzle 15, and the suction / treatment port 16 are attached is provided.

The tip block portion 101 'is made of a metal material such as stainless steel or the like, and is formed in a solid substantially cylindrical block shape. The diameter of the front end face of the tip block part 101 'is set to substantially the same value as the inner diameter of the back face of the tip cap part 105', and is fitted to the back face of the tip cap part 105 '. In addition, the tip block 10
1 'is provided with a substantially cylindrical opening to which an objective lens barrel 141', a suction / treatment pipe 161 'and the like are attached.

The angle ring portion 102 'is made of a metal material such as stainless steel or the like, and is formed in a thin, substantially cylindrical shape. The inner diameter of the front end portion of the angle ring portion 102 'is set to substantially the same value as the outer diameter of the rear portion of the tip block portion 101', and after being fitted to the rear portion of the tip block portion 101 ', soldering or the like is performed. Fixed. Also, near the rear end of the angle ring portion 102 ', the front ends of the operation wires 121, 122, and 123 are connected to one another.
As shown in 21a, 122a and 123a, the fixing is performed by soldering or the like. Further, as described above, the rear ends of the operation wires 121, 122, and 123 pass through the inside of the flexible portion 12, and the upper and lower angle knobs 21a of the operation portion 2 at hand.
And left and right angle knobs 21b.

The angle net portion 103 is formed by knitting a fine wire made of a metal material such as stainless steel or the like into a substantially woven fabric, and forming a thin, substantially cylindrical shape as a whole.

The angle rubber portion 104 is made of a flexible material such as a rubber material and is formed in a thin, substantially cylindrical shape. The inner diameter of the angle rubber portion 104 is set to a value slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the angle net portion 103, and the angle rubber portion 104 is attached from above the angle net portion 103 is mounted. The front end position of the angle rubber portion 104 is
The rib 105b 'of the tip cap portion 105' is set to coincide with the rear end face position.

Further, the sealing portion 106 includes the tip block portion 1.
After attaching the tip cap portion 105 'to the front portion of the front end portion 01', an angle ring portion 102 'is attached to the rear portion of the tip block portion 101' by soldering or the like, and the angle net portion 103 and the angle rubber portion 104 are covered thereon. It is provided to firmly seal the vicinity of the front end portion of the angle rubber portion 104 on the front end block portion 101 'in the state of being attached. The sealing portion 106 is formed by the thread-like member 1 wound around the front end of the angle rubber portion 104 in the above state.
06a and an adhesive 106b applied from above the wound thread-like member 106a. The thread member 106a is formed of synthetic resin fiber or the like, and the adhesive 106b is formed of a synthetic resin material such as epoxy resin.

[0022]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional distal end hard portion 10 'of the endoscope, (i) the distal end rigid portion 10' for securely supporting the observation system 111 'and the suction / treatment system 112', etc. It is necessary to provide a strong end block 101 ′ at the front end inside the hard portion 10 ′. (Ii) Since an angle mechanism for turning the objective lens 14 and the like in a desired direction is configured, the operation wire 121 and the like are required. It is necessary to fix the front end to a portion having high rigidity, and as a member therefor, it is necessary to provide a subsequent angle ring portion 102 'fixed to the front end block portion 101'. (Iii) The front end hard portion 10 'itself Outer diameter of about 5-14mm
Since it is very small, the swelling connection portions 143 and the like or the fixing portions 121a and the like of the operation wires 121 do not interfere with each other. There has been a structural requirement that the observation system 111 ', the suction / treatment system 112', and the like must be arranged inside a substantially cylindrical structure.

For this reason, the distal end hard portion 1 of the conventional endoscope
At the tip of 0 ', a hard portion (hereinafter, referred to as "hard portion") having extremely high rigidity as compared with the flexible angle portion 11 and the soft portion 12 is formed, and its length in the extending direction (hereinafter, referred to as "hard portion"). It was necessary to secure at least L2 as "hard part length."

However, if the length of the hard part is long,
When the endoscope is used for in-vivo observation, when the endoscope is inserted up to the observed part in the patient's body, or when the direction of the distal end hard portion 10 'is changed in the patient's body, the patient's discomfort and pain are great, Shortening of the hard part length has been strongly desired. However,
As described above, the rigid portion at the distal end of a conventional endoscope cannot be shortened in length from L2 due to its structure.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the problems to be solved by the present invention are as follows:
An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope capable of shortening the length of a rigid part.

[0026]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an endoscope according to the present invention has an elongated built-in member disposed therein, and a remote bending control is performed by a hard distal end portion and a hand operating portion in order from the distal end side. In the endoscope provided with an insertion portion that is provided with an angle portion and a flexible portion having flexibility and inserted into the observation portion, the distal end hard portion of the built-in member is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, A hard shell is provided which supports the built-in member in a state of being included therein and has a predetermined portion near a tip of the built-in member formed as a substantially hollow space.

[0027] In the endoscope, preferably, the built-in member includes an extension section that projects to the observed section and performs a function, and a succeeding section that follows the extension section and supports the function. And a connecting portion that connects the projecting portion and the succeeding portion and has a substantially bulging shape, and the predetermined portion includes at least a space around the connecting portion.

In the above-mentioned endoscope, preferably, the hard shell body has, at the distal end side, support means for supporting the built-in member and projecting to the observed portion.

In the above-mentioned endoscope, preferably, the hard shell body has a cylindrical portion formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and a distal end side of the cylindrical portion connected to a distal end edge of the cylindrical portion. Has a substantially plate-like closing plate portion that substantially closes, and the supporting means is a tubular portion extending around the opening formed in the closing plate portion and extending toward the inside of the tubular body portion. is there.

In the above-mentioned endoscope, preferably, the endoscope further comprises fixing means for fixing the built-in member from the distal end side of the hard shell.

In the above-mentioned endoscope, preferably, the hard shell is formed by integral molding.

[0032]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an endoscope according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view parallel to an extending direction showing a configuration of a distal end hard portion of an endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, similarly to the configuration shown in FIG. 3, the distal end hard portion 10 includes a distal end cap portion 105, an angle cup portion 102, an angle net portion 103,
Angle rubber part 104, sealing part 106, observation system 11
1, a suction / treatment system 112, and operation wires 121, 122, and 123. The configuration of the endoscope to which the above-mentioned hard distal end portion 10 is applied is exactly the same as that shown in FIG.

Of the above components, the observation system 111
Are the objective lens 14, the objective lens barrel 141, the image guide 142, the observation system connection part 143, and the fixture 1.
44. This observation system 111 is different from the conventional observation system 111 ′ in the distal end hard portion 10 ′ in that the objective lens barrel 141 is shorter than the conventional one and has a substantially ring-shaped locking projection 141 a. Objective lens barrel 14
1 has a fixture 144 for attaching to the distal end cap portion 105 from the distal end side, and the configuration of the other components is the same as the conventional configuration, so that the description thereof is omitted.

Further, an illumination system, an air supply / water supply system, and a suction / treatment system 112 are provided in the insertion section 1.
Among the components described above, the suction / treatment system 112 'is different from the conventional suction / treatment system 112' in that the suction / treatment pipe 161 is shorter than the conventional one and has a substantially ring-shaped locking projection 16.
1a and a fixing tool 164 for attaching the suction / treatment pipe 161 to the distal end cap portion 105 from the distal end side. The configuration of the suction / treatment system connection unit 163 is the same as the conventional configuration, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

The same applies to the illumination system in the insertion section 1 of the present embodiment, which has a fixture (not shown) for attaching the illumination lens 13 (see FIG. 2) to the distal end cap section 105 from the distal side. Except for the point described above, it has the same configuration as the conventional illumination system. The same applies to the air supply / water supply system in the insertion section 1 of the present embodiment.
The water supply nozzle 15 (see FIG. 2) is
It has a configuration similar to that of a conventional air / water supply system except that it has a fixture (not shown) for attaching from the front end side. Therefore, description of other components of the illumination system and the air / water supply system is omitted.

Next, the structure of the above-mentioned substantially cylindrical structure will be described in more detail. Hard tip part 1 of this embodiment
0 is different from the substantially cylindrical structure of the conventional distal end rigid portion 10 'in that the distal end block 1
01 ′ and the angle ring portion 102 ′, and the angle cap portion 102
05 is thicker, and the configurations of the angle net portion 103, the angle rubber portion 104, the sealing portion 106, and the operation wires 121 to 123, which are other components, are as follows.
Angle net part 10 in conventional tip hard part 10 '
3, the angle rubber portion 104, the sealing portion 106, and the operation wires 121 to 123, and the description thereof is omitted.

The tip cap portion 105 is made of an electrically insulating synthetic resin material such as Teflon or the like, and has a thick, substantially disk-shaped substrate portion 105a. The vicinity of the outer edge of the front surface of the substrate 105a is formed into a smooth curved surface. A substantially cylindrical rib 105 extends rearward from near the outer edge of the back surface of the substrate portion 105a.
b is formed. The substrate portion 105a of the tip cap portion 105 is provided with an opening to which the illumination lens 13, the objective lens 14, the air / water supply nozzle 15, and the suction / treatment port 16 are attached. These openings also have a recessed space for accommodating the above-mentioned fixtures 144, 164 and the like.

The angle cup portion 102 is made of a metal material such as stainless steel or the like, and is formed in a thin, substantially cup-like shape, that is, a bottomed tubular shape in which the left end in FIG. 1 is substantially closed. , A closing plate portion 102b, and cylindrical portions 102c and 102d. Cylindrical part 102a
Is a portion formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The closing plate portion 102b is a substantially flat plate-shaped portion that is integrally connected to the distal end edge of the cylindrical body portion 102a and substantially closes the distal end side of the cylindrical body portion 102a. The tubular portion 102c or 102d surrounds the opening formed in the closing plate portion 102b, and
It is provided so as to protrude toward the inside of 2a. In addition, near the rear end of the angle cup 102, the front ends of the operation wires 121, 122, 123
As shown in 1a, 122a and 123a, the fixing is performed by soldering or the like. Also, the operation wires 121 to 121
The rear end of 123 passes through the inside of the flexible portion 12 and the upper and lower angle knobs 21a and the left and right angle knobs 21a of the hand operation unit 2.
b.

Next, the operation of the above-described hard distal end portion 10 will be described. As described above, the tip cap 105
Is formed in a curved shape near the outer edge of its front surface, and therefore does not damage the inside of a living body. The tip cap section 105 exposes the illumination lens 13, the objective lens 14, the air / water supply nozzle 15, and the suction / treatment port 16 to the inside of a living body or the like, and various functions such as imaging of a living body inside image. Can be fulfilled. Furthermore, since the tip cap portion 105 is formed of a material having electrical insulation, electrical insulation can be ensured even when a high-frequency electric knife or the like is used.

The angle cup portion 102 is not merely a pipe structure, but has improved rigidity and strength due to the above-described structure. Therefore, the tip block portion 101 'in the above-described conventional tip hard portion 10' is provided. And an angle ring portion 102 '.
Therefore, first, the angle cup part 102 is fitted into the rear part of the tip cap part 105, and then the objective lens barrel 141 is inserted into the opening of the cylindrical part 102c from the inside of the angle cup part 102, and the objective lens barrel 141 The engaging projection 141a is engaged with the end face of the cylindrical portion 102c, and in this state, the fitting is performed by being sandwiched by the fixing tool 144 from the distal end side of the distal cap portion 105, that is, the left side in FIG. The lens barrel 141 can be fixed to the angle cup portion 102 and can be reliably supported.

Similarly, the suction / treatment pipe 161 is inserted into the opening of the cylindrical portion 102d from the inside of the angle cup portion 102 to which the tip cap portion 105 is attached, and the suction / treatment pipe 161 is drawn in the same manner. The engaging projection 161a of the pipe 161 is engaged with the end surface of the cylindrical portion 102d, and in this state, the fitting is performed by being sandwiched by the fixing tool 164 from the distal end side of the distal end cap portion 105, that is, the left side in FIG. Thereby, the suction / treatment pipe 161 is fixed to the angle cup portion 102,
It can be reliably supported.

Illumination lens 13 and air / water supply nozzle 15
Can be fitted and fixed in the same manner as described above so as to be sandwiched by the fixture from the distal end side of the distal end cap portion 105.

At the same time, the angle cup portion 102 of the present embodiment can function as a place for fixing the operation wires 121 to 123 without any trouble as shown by 121a to 123a in FIG. For this reason, the operator grips the grip unit 20 of the hand operation unit 2,
When one or both of the upper and lower angle knobs 21a and the left and right angle knobs 21b are rotated with a finger, the distal end hard portion 1 is rotated.
Remote curvature control can be performed such that 0 is directed in any direction in three dimensions.

With the above-described structure, the distal end hard portion 10 of the present embodiment does not have a conventional solid distal end block on the distal end side inside the distal end hard portion 10 and has a substantially hollow shape. Is formed, and in particular, a substantially hollow space is formed near the distal end, so that the observation system 111 and the suction / treatment system 112
Since the positions of the connecting portions 143 and the like can be moved to the distal end side, the positions of the swelled connecting portions 143 and the like that may interfere with the front end portion of the operation wire 121 and the like can be moved to the distal end side. The fixing portion 121a and the like of the operation wire 121 and the like can also move to the front end side, and accordingly, the position of the rear end (the right end in FIG. 1) of the cylindrical body portion 102a of the angle cup portion 102 also moves to the front end side. There is a feature that can be.

Therefore, the rigid portion length of the distal end hard portion 10 of the endoscope of the present embodiment can be set to L1. The value of the rigid portion length L1 is the same as that of the above-mentioned conventional tip rigid portion 10 '.
There is a relationship of L1 <L2 with respect to the rigid portion length L2, and the value depends on the type and function of the endoscope. For example, L1 is approximately L2 / 2, which is significantly reduced as compared with the related art .

Therefore, the length of the rigid portion can be shortened as compared with the conventional case. Even when the rigid portion is inserted to the portion to be observed in the patient's body or when the direction of the distal end hard portion 10 'is changed in the patient's body. There is an advantage that the patient feels less discomfort and pain.

Next, a method of manufacturing the above angle cup portion 102 will be described. First, a substantially disc-shaped blank material is punched out of a thin plate-shaped material made of a metal material by press working using a punch or the like. At the time of this punching, shallow drawing is performed to form a shallow cup-shaped member (hereinafter, referred to as a “first processed member”). Next, "redrawing" and "ironing" are performed on the first processed member within the same stroke by a horizontally long press with a long stroke. Thereby, a substantially cup-shaped member (hereinafter, referred to as “second processed member”) that is deeper than the first processed member is obtained. Next, press work is performed on the closed surface of the second processing member to form openings and to form the cylindrical portions 102c and 102d surrounding the openings. Unnecessary so-called “burrs” are appropriately cut off with a cutter or the like. In addition, examples of the metal material capable of performing the “drawing and ironing” as described above include thin-walled stainless steel, low-carbon steel (killed steel), and the like.

In the above embodiment, the observation system 111,
The suction / treatment system 112, the illumination system, the air supply / water supply system, and the like correspond to built-in members. Further, the objective lens 14, the suction / treatment port 16, the illumination lens 13, the air / water supply nozzle 15, etc.
It corresponds to the projecting part. Also, the image guide 142,
The suction / treatment channel 162, the light guide (not shown), the air / water supply tube (not shown), and the like correspond to the subsequent portion. The observation system connection unit 143, the suction / treatment system connection unit 163, the illumination system connection unit (not shown), the air supply / water supply system connection unit (not shown), and the like correspond to the connection unit.
The angle cup portion 102 corresponds to a hard shell. In addition, a portion near the front end of the substantially hollow space formed inside the angle cup portion 102 corresponds to a predetermined portion. Also, the cylindrical portion 1 of the angle cup portion 102
02c, 102d, and the like correspond to supporting means. Fixtures 144, 164 and the like correspond to fixing means.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The above embodiment is an exemplification, and has substantially the same configuration as the technical idea described in the scope of the claims of the present invention. It is included in the technical scope of the invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, as an endoscope, a light image captured by the objective lens is transmitted from the insertion section 1 to the eyepiece section 26 by an optical fiber bundle (not shown), and a doctor or the like directly inputs the image with the naked eye. Although the description has been given by taking an endoscope of an observation type as an example, the present invention is not limited to this, and an endoscope employing another imaging method, for example, an optical image in a field of view captured by an objective lens Is transmitted to a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) (not shown) arranged at the subsequent stage inside the hard tip portion, and the CCD converts a light image into electric signals of a large number of pixels (hereinafter referred to as “video signals”). The video signal is transmitted from the insertion section 1 to the endoscope processing support device (processor: not shown) through the connector code section 3 via a lead wire (not shown) or the like. Processed, and an external CRT (Cathode R The endoscope may be a type which sends a video signal to a monitor device (not shown) such as an ay Tube (cathode tube image display device) or a liquid crystal display device to visualize the video signal. In this case, the objective lens corresponds to the projecting portion, and CC
D and lead wires correspond to the subsequent part, and the objective lens and CC
D and the entirety of the lead wire and the like constitute an observation system.

In the above embodiment, the cylindrical portions 102c and 102d, which are support means provided on the closing plate portion 102b of the angle cup portion 102 which is a hard shell, face the inside of the angle cup portion 102. Although an example in which the projection is provided so as to protrude has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the support means having another configuration, such as protruding toward the outside of the angle cup portion 102 which is a hard shell, is provided. It may be a tubular portion provided on the closing plate portion 102b. Such a cylindrical portion protruding to the outside can also be formed by pressing or the like after the above-described “drawing and ironing”.

Further, the support means is not limited to a part formed as a part of a closing plate part which substantially closes the distal end side of the cylindrical body part. Any configuration may be used as long as it can support the treatment system. For example, it may be a beam-shaped member that is bridged from a part of the end face on the tip side of the cylindrical body part to another part in a substantially bridge shape. Alternatively, it may be a member formed to project in a cantilever shape from a part of the end surface on the distal end side of the cylindrical body part to another part. In short, the support means is an observation system (111) and a suction / treatment system (112) in the hard shell (102).
A member for supporting a built-in member such as a member on the distal end side and projecting to a part to be observed such as the inside of a living body, a convex part, an opening, a concave part,
Any configuration may be used as long as it is a space or an appropriate combination thereof.

In the above embodiment, the angle cup portion 102, which is a hard shell, is formed by “drawing and ironing”.
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other manufacturing methods, for example, are cut out from a lump-shaped metal material or the like by cutting to form a closed plate portion of a hard shell. Is also good. Alternatively, the lump material may be subjected to the above-described cutting processing, and the tip side from the line AA in FIG. 1 may be left in a block shape, and the rear side from the line AA may be cut into a substantially cylindrical shape. Good. With this configuration, the predetermined portion near the distal end of the built-in member such as the observation system and the suction / treatment system can be made substantially hollow space, and the rigidity and strength of the mounting portion of the built-in member can be further improved. The durability and the like of the distal end hard portion of the endoscope are improved.

In the above-described embodiment, the angle cup portion 102, which is a hard shell, is connected to the cylindrical portion (102a) formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and is connected to the distal end edge of the cylindrical portion. A substantially flat closing plate portion (102b) for substantially closing the front end side
And an example in which the opening formed in the closing plate portion is formed integrally with a tubular portion (102c, 102d, etc.) extending toward the inside of the tubular body portion. Is not limited to this, the hard shell body of another configuration, for example, the closing plate portion is manufactured as a substantially disk-shaped member separate from the cylindrical body portion,
It may be one that is joined by joining means after production. Principles of this joining include mechanical joining such as screws, bolts and nuts, or joining by soldering, brazing, adhesives, etc., or joining that changes the physical properties of the material such as welding or welding. No.

In the above embodiment, the observation system 111, the suction / treatment system 112, the illumination system, and the air / water supply system have been described as examples of the built-in members. It is not limited to, built-in members of other configurations, for example,
An endoscope that has only an illumination system and an observation system, and can only observe the inside of the observed portion may be used. In short, the built-in member performs any one of observation, photographing, illumination, air supply, water supply, treatment including medication, surgery, etc., suction, sampling, and other measures, or an appropriate combination of these, for the part to be observed. Any object may be used.

[0057]

As described above, according to the endoscope according to the present invention, a solid distal end block is not provided inside the distal end hard portion of the endoscope as in the prior art, and the endoscope is substantially hollow. Since a substantially hollow space is formed in the vicinity of the distal end, the position of the built-in member can be moved toward the distal end of the rigid distal end portion. In addition, since the fixing portion such as the operation wire can also move to the distal end side, the position of the rear end of the cylindrical portion of the hard shell can also move to the distal end side. From these, there is an advantage that the rigid portion length of the distal end hard portion of the endoscope according to the present invention is greatly reduced. As a result, even when the distal end hard portion of the endoscope according to the present invention is inserted to an observed portion such as the patient's body, or when the direction of the distal end hard portion is changed in the patient's body, the patient's discomfort is felt. It also has the advantage of providing more comfortable medical services with less pain.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view parallel to an extending direction showing a configuration of a distal end hard portion of an endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an example of an endoscope;
FIG. 2A is a perspective view illustrating an entire configuration of an example of an endoscope to which a rigid distal end portion is attached, and FIG. 2B is a configuration of a rigid distal end portion of the endoscope illustrated in FIG. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view parallel to the extending direction showing a more detailed configuration of a distal end hard portion of a conventional endoscope.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Insertion part 2 Hand operation part 3 Connector cord part 10,10 'Hard tip part 11 Angle part 12 Flexible part 13 Illumination lens 14 Objective lens 15 Air supply / water supply nozzle 16 Suction / treatment port 20 Grip part 21a Vertical angle knob 21b Left and right Angle knob 22a Suction button 22b Air supply / water supply button 24 Forceps port member 25 Forceps plug 26 Eyepiece unit 100 Endoscope 101 'Tip block unit 102 Angle cup unit 102a Cylindrical unit 102b Closing plate 102c, 102d Cylindrical unit 102 'Angle ring part 103 Angle net part 104 Angle rubber part 105 Tip cap part 105a Substrate part 105b Rib 105' Tip cap part 105a 'Substrate part 105b' Rib 106 Sealing part 106a Thread member 106b Adhesive 111, 111 ' Observation system 112, 112 'Suction / treatment system 121-123 Operation wire 121a-123a Fixing part 141 Objective lens barrel 141a Locking projection 141' Objective lens barrel 142 Image guide 143 Observation system connection part 144 Fixture 161 Treatment pipe 161a Locking projection 161 'Suction / treatment pipe 162 Suction / treatment channel 163 Suction / treatment system connection 163a Threaded member 163b Adhesive 164 Fixing parts L1, L2 Hard part length

Claims (6)

[Claims] An elongated built-in member is disposed inside, and a hard tip portion, an angle portion remotely controlled by a hand operation portion, and a flexible portion having flexibility are arranged in this order from the tip side. In an endoscope having an insertion portion inserted into the endoscope,
A hard shell body formed at the distal end hard portion of the built-in member in a substantially cylindrical shape, supporting the built-in member in an enclosing state, and configured such that a predetermined portion near the front end of the built-in member becomes a substantially hollow space. An endoscope comprising: 2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the built-in member protrudes to the part to be observed and performs a function, and a succeeding part that follows the protruding part and supports the function. An endoscope, comprising: a connecting portion that connects the projecting portion and the trailing portion, and has a substantially bulging connection portion, wherein the predetermined portion includes at least a space around the connecting portion. 3. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the hard shell body has, at the distal end side, support means for supporting the built-in member and projecting to the observation section. An endoscope characterized in that: 4. The endoscope according to claim 3, wherein the hard shell body is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and a distal end side of the cylindrical body portion connected to a distal end edge of the cylindrical body portion. Has a substantially flat plate-like closing plate portion, and the supporting means is a tubular portion surrounding the opening formed in the closing plate portion and extending toward the inside of the tubular body portion. An endoscope, which is characterized in that there is. 5. The endoscope according to claim 1, further comprising fixing means for fixing the built-in member from a distal end side of the hard shell. Endoscope. 6. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said hard shell is formed by integral molding.