JPS61162929A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Technical Field) The present invention relates to an endoscope having a built-in optical fiber bundle and used mainly for medical purposes such as observation, examination, diagnosis, or treatment of the inside of a living body cavity.

(Prior Art) As shown in FIG. 4, the endoscope 20 generally includes a manual operating section main body 23 in which an optical system such as an eyepiece, operating members, etc. are disposed, an illumination window, an observation window, and an objective lens. A hard tip part 21 with an optical system such as an air supply, water supply, suction pipe, etc. provided on the end face or pole face, and an optical fiber bundle, air supply, water supply, suction pipe, etc. that connects each member provided on both of these parts. The flexible tube part 22 is made of a flexible tube that houses and protects these various members.

By the way, since the flexible tube part 22 of the endoscope 20 is inserted into a living body cavity, it must have enough flexibility and flexibility to freely bend according to the shape of the body cavity. In addition, it must have enough rigidity to sufficiently transmit the insertion force to the rigid tip portion 21 during insertion.

Due to such strict requirements, the flexible tube section 22 of the endoscope is generally equipped with a spiral tube made of a thin metal wire called flex or a thin metal plate spirally wound on the inside, and a thin metal wire called a plate on the outside. A jacket tube whose outer periphery is coated with rubber, soft synthetic resin, etc. after being covered with a knitted mesh tube is used as a jacket protection tube of the flexible tube section 22.

By the way, the flexible tube section 22 formed in this manner needs to have elastic flexibility that can be bent according to the shape inside the body cavity, especially near the hard tip section 21, and the manual operation section 23 There was a need for rigidity in the vicinity of the tip to sufficiently transmit the insertion force to the hard tip. In addition, due to the bending, the optical fiber bundles such as light guides and image guides inserted into the flexible tube section 22, as well as built-in items such as forceps, air supply, water supply, and water suction pipes, may become flattened, causing problems. There were also other defects.

For this reason, in the method disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 55-112505, the outer skin tube (envelope protection tube) constituting the flexible tube section 22 is made to have a two-layer structure consisting of a soft body layer and a hard body layer. By sequentially changing the thickness of the two layers, the flexibility is changed so that the side on the hand operation part 23 side is hard and the hard part 21 side at the tip is soft.

However, such a method of manufacturing a flexible tube in which the thickness of the two-layer jacket tube is changed requires a lot of effort and is therefore very expensive.

Furthermore, in the method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-87409, the outer tube (sheath protection tube) is made to have a hardness as a whole that prevents the optical fiber bundle from becoming flattened when curved. It is something.

However, if the tube is made stiffer, the tube becomes more curved, which not only further impairs the operability of the endoscope, but also poses a risk of buckling.

(Purpose) The present invention has been made in view of the problem of constriction, and the present invention is designed to partially and step-by-step each outer skin tube of a built-in object to be inserted into the outer covering protective tube of the flexible tube part of an endoscope. To provide an endoscope whose flexibility of an endoscope insertion part can be easily changed by changing its hardness or wall thickness.

(Summary) In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention has a structure of a flexible tube section between the rigid distal end section and the manual operation section of the endoscope, and the outer protective tube has a conventional flex and plate structure. A flexible material coated with synthetic resin or synthetic rubber is used for the outer jacket tube, which is a protective tube for built-in items such as optical fiber bundles and tubes for forceps, which are inserted into the outer jacket tube. The endoscope is configured so that the hardness changes partially and gradually from the end to the hand side, and the hardness of the flexible tube part of the endoscope is increased on the hand side, improving operability and ease of insertion. On getting an endoscope.

(Example) Hereinafter, a first example of the endoscope of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

Figure 1 shows the distal end of an endoscope, which includes optical members such as lenses, an image guide and a light guide made of optical fiber bundles that are integrally fixed to the distal end.
There is a rigid tip part 1 in which pipes such as forceps, an air supply port, a water supply port, a water intake port, etc. are respectively arranged, and a flexible part connected to each of them is connected to a manual operation part on the other end (not shown). Optical fiber bundle.

Built-in channels, other tubes, etc. $! Connected by J2. The outer protection tube 3 for protecting these built-in items 2 is made up of a spiral tube 4 made of a metal elongated plate called a flex spirally wound, and a thin metal wire called a plate arranged around the outer circumference of the spiral tube 4. After covering with the reticular tube 5,
It consists of a jacket tube 6 whose outer periphery is coated with rubber, soft synthetic resin, or the like.

Built-in components 2 such as fibers and channels near the rigid tip portion 1 constitute a bent portion at the tip, so as shown in FIG. The built-in parts 2 other than the parts not shown are covered and protected by jacket tubes 7 up to the hand operation part (not shown). The jacket tube 7 is made of a material whose hardness gradually increases in two steps toward the hand operation section.

Examples of the material of the jacket tube 7 include synthetic rubber such as silicone rubber and urethane rubber.

Fluoro rubber, prolobrene rubber, nitrile rubber, etc. are used, and as the thermoplastic resin, urethane, vinyl chloride, polyethylene, PIIET resin, etc. are used.

Inside this jacket tube 7 is an image guide,
A flexible optical fiber bundle serving as a light guide, built-in objects 2 such as forceps and a water pipe are inserted through the flexible tube portion 10 of the endoscope (see FIG. 2).

Therefore, the flexible tube section 10 of the endoscope configured in this manner has extremely high flexibility at the bent portion at the distal end, and gradually becomes harder as it approaches the hand operation section on the hand side. As a result, the ease of inserting the endoscope configured in this way into a body cavity is further improved, buckling can be eliminated, and manufacturing thereof is extremely easy.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIG. In this case as well, a portion of the flexible tube section 10 of the endoscope is shown partially cut away, as in the first embodiment shown in FIG.
Identical members are designated by the same reference numerals and their descriptions will be omitted.

In the first embodiment described above, the hardness of the material of the jacket tube 7 of the built-in object 2 inserted into the flexible tube section 10 is made partially in two stages, becoming harder toward the hand operation section side. This improves the operability of the endoscope, but in this example,
Outer tube 7 of built-in object 2 inserted into flexible tube section 10
By configuring the endoscope so that the thickness of the endoscope gradually increases toward the hand side, the endoscope becomes harder on the hand side. As with the first embodiment, synthetic rubbers such as silicone rubber, urethane rubber, fluoroprene rubber, proproprene rubber, and nitrile rubber are used as materials for the jacket tube 7, and thermoplastic resins include urethane, vinyl chloride, and Polyethylene, PET resin, etc. are used. Further, the jacket tube 7 may have a multi-layered structure in which the layers are sequentially increased toward the hand side, so that the hardness increases sequentially.

(Effects of the Invention) As seen in the constriction example, the flexibility of the entire endoscope can be improved by partially changing the wall thickness or hardness of the jacket tube of the built-in flexible tube part in one step. The flexibility can be easily changed, and the insertability and operability of the endoscope are further improved, and buckling can be eliminated. In addition, it is easy to manufacture, can be easily adapted to various endoscopes of desired hardness, and can be manufactured at low cost, which provides great effects.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway configuration diagram of the main parts of the distal end of an endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an endoscope diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a main part configuration diagram showing a part of the flexible tube part of the mirror with a part thereof cut away. FIG. FIG. 4 is an external view of a generally used endoscope. 2...Built-in parts 3...Outer protection tube 7...Outer tube 10...Flexible tube section procedure amendment (voluntary) February 1985 16th, ' 2. Title of the invention: Endoscope details (Correction of the entire text) 1. Name of the invention: Endoscope 2. Claims: An endoscope consisting of a rigid distal end, a flexible tube, and a hand control section. In the mirror, the hardness of the outer jacket tube of the built-in component inserted into the outer jacket protective tube of the flexible tube section is configured to partially change from the distal end side to the proximal side, thereby improving operability. An endoscope characterized by improvements. 3. Detailed Description of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope having a built-in optical fiber bundle and used mainly for medical purposes such as observation, examination, diagnosis, or treatment of the inside of a living body cavity. (Prior Art) As shown in FIG. 4, the endoscope 20 generally includes a hand-operated main body 23 in which an optical system such as an eyepiece, operating members, etc. are disposed, an illumination window, an observation window, and an objective lens. A rigid tip section 21 has an optical system such as an air supply, a water supply, a suction tube, etc. provided on the end or pole surface, and an optical fiber bundle, an air supply, water supply, suction tube, etc. that connects each member provided at both ends of these parts. The flexible tube part 22 is made of a flexible tube that houses and protects these various members. By the way, since the flexible tube part 22 of the endoscope 20 is inserted into a living body cavity, it must have enough flexibility and flexibility to freely curve to match the shape of the body cavity. In addition, it must have enough rigidity to sufficiently transmit the insertion force to the hard tip portion 21 during insertion. Due to these strict requirements, the flexible tube part 22 of the endoscope is generally equipped with a spiral tube made of a thin metal wire called flex or a thin metal plate spirally wound on the inside, and a thin metal wire called a blade on the outside. A jacket tube whose outer periphery is coated with rubber or soft synthetic resin is used as the jacket protection tube of the flexible tube section 22. By the way, the flexible tube part 22 formed in this way needs to have elasticity or flexibility that can be bent according to the shape inside the body cavity, especially in the vicinity of the hard tip part 21. In the vicinity, it was necessary to provide enough rigidity to sufficiently transmit the insertion force to the hard tip portion. In addition, due to the bending, optical fiber bundles such as light guides and image guides inserted into the flexible tube section 22, as well as built-in items such as forceps, air supply, water supply, and suction tubes, may become flattened, causing problems. There were also some defects. For this reason, in the method described in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 55-112505, the jacket tube (sheath protection tube) constituting the flexible tube section 22 is made to have a two-layer structure consisting of a soft body layer and a hard body layer. By sequentially changing the thickness of the two layers, the flexibility is changed so that the side on the hand operation part 23 side is hard and the hard part 21 side at the tip is soft. However, such a method of manufacturing a flexible tube in which the thickness of the two-layer jacket tube is changed requires a lot of effort and is therefore very expensive. Furthermore, in the method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-87409, the outer tube (sheath protection tube) is made to have a hardness as a whole so that it is difficult to flatten when the optical fiber bundle is bent. It is something. However, if the tube is made stiffer, it will not only become more curved and the operability of the endoscope will become worse, but also there is a risk of buckling. (Purpose) The present invention has been made in view of the problem of constriction, and the present invention has been made in view of constriction. To provide an endoscope in which the flexibility of an endoscope insertion part can be easily changed by changing its hardness or wall thickness. (Summary) In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention has a structure of a flexible tube section between the hard tip end section of an endoscope and a hand operation section, and the outer protective tube has a conventional flex and plate structure. A flexible material coated with synthetic resin or synthetic rubber is used for the outer jacket tube, which is a protective tube for built-in items such as optical fiber bundles and forceps tubes that are inserted into the tube, and is inserted from the tip side. The endoscope is configured so that its hardness changes partially or stepwise toward the proximal side, and the hardness of the flexible tube portion of the endoscope is increased on the proximal side, improving its operability and ease of insertion. to obtain a new endoscope. (Example) Hereinafter, a first example of the endoscope of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. Figure 1 shows the tip of an endoscope, which includes optical members such as lenses, the tip of an image guide and light guide made of optical fiber bundles, a forceps roller, and an air supply system. There is a hard end part 1 in which pipes such as a water supply port and a suction port are respectively arranged, and a flexible optical fiber bundle and channel connected to each of them are connected to a hand control part on the other end side (not shown). . They are connected by other built-in objects 2 such as tubes. The outer protective tube 3 for protecting these built-in items 2 is
A spiral tube 4 made of a thin metal plate called a flex is wrapped in a spiral shape, and its outer periphery is covered with a reticular tube 5 made of thin metal wires called a braid, and then the outer periphery is coated with rubber, soft synthetic resin, etc. It consists of a jacket tube 6 coated with The outer sheath tube 7 that covers the internal substance 2 has a soft part 7a extending from the hard end part 1 with a thin wall to facilitate insertion into the body cavity, and a thick part that extends to a hand operation part (not shown) that follows this. It is composed of a hard part 7b. Examples of the material of the jacket tube 7 include synthetic rubber such as silicone rubber and urethane rubber. Fluoro rubber, proproprene rubber, nitrile rubber, etc. are used, and as the thermoplastic resin, urethane, vinyl chloride, polyethylene, PET resin, etc. are used. Inside this jacket tube 7 is an image guide,
A flexible optical fiber bundle serving as a light guide, built-in objects 2 such as forceps and a water pipe are inserted through the flexible tube portion 10 of the endoscope. Therefore, the flexible tube section 1 of the endoscope configured in this way
The flexible part of the endoscope 0 is extremely flexible, and gradually becomes harder as it approaches the hand control part on the hand side, making it difficult to insert an endoscope configured in this way into a body cavity. Its properties have been further improved, buckling can be eliminated, and its manufacture has become extremely easy. Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIG. Components that are the same as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and their explanations will be omitted. In this example, the outer covering tube 7 that protects the built-in contents is made of a tube with the same diameter from the hard tip part 1 to the hand operation part (not shown), but the material of the tube is the same as that of the hard part 1 side 7a.
In this case, the tube is made of a soft material whose hardness gradually increases toward the hand operation section side 7b. The material of the jacket tube 7 is the same as that shown in FIG. 1, for example, synthetic rubber such as silicone rubber, urethane rubber, fluorine rubber, proproprene rubber, nitrile rubber, etc., and thermoplastic resins such as urethane, Vinyl chloride, polyethylene, PET resin, etc. are used. Inside this jacket tube 7 is an image guide,
A flexible optical fiber bundle as a light guide, built-in items such as forceps and water pipes are inserted into the flexible tube part 1 of the endoscope.
It constitutes 0. Therefore, the flexible tube part 10 of the endoscope configured in this way has extremely high flexibility at the soft part at its tip, and gradually becomes harder as it approaches the hand operation part (not shown) on the hand side. Therefore, the ease of inserting the endoscope configured in this manner into a body cavity is further improved, buckling can be eliminated, and manufacturing thereof is extremely easy. Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIG. In this case as well, a portion of the flexible tube section 10 of the endoscope is shown partially cut away, as in the first embodiment shown in FIG.
Identical members are designated by the same reference numerals and their descriptions will be omitted. Above 1st. In the second embodiment, the hardness of the material of the outer covering tube 7 of the built-in object 2 inserted into the flexible tube section 10 is made partially or stepwise to become harder toward the hand operation section. This improves the operability of the endoscope.
In this example, the hardness of the endoscope can be increased on the proximal side by configuring the outer sheath tube 7 of the built-in object 2 inserted into the flexible tube part 10 to be gradually thickened toward the proximal side. It is made to be hard. As with the first embodiment, synthetic rubbers such as silicone rubber, urethane rubber, fluorine rubber, proproprene rubber, and nitrile rubber are used as the material for the jacket tube 7, and thermoplastic resins include urethane and vinyl chloride. Polyethylene, PET resin, etc. are used. Further, the jacket tube 7 may have a multi-layered structure in which the layers are sequentially increased toward the proximal side, so that the hardness increases sequentially. (Effect of the invention) As seen in the constriction example, by partially or stepwise changing the wall thickness or hardness of the jacket tube of the built-in part in the flexible tube section, the flexibility of the entire endoscope can be improved. Flexibility can be easily changed, the insertability and operability of the endoscope are further improved, and buckling can be eliminated. In addition, it is easy to manufacture, can be easily adapted to various endoscopes of desired hardness, and can be manufactured at low cost, which provides great effects. 4. Brief description of the drawings FIG. 1 is a partially cut away configuration diagram of the main parts of the distal end of an endoscope showing a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a main part configuration diagram showing a distal end portion of an endoscope according to a second embodiment of the present invention, with a part thereof cut away. FIG. FIG. 4 is an external view of a commonly used endoscope. 2... Built-in items 3... Outer protection tube 7... Outer tube 10... Possible From Flexible Section 1 Ward Horse 2 Diagram

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] In an endoscope comprising a hard tip part, a flexible tube part, and a manual operation part, the hardness of the outer jacket tube of a built-in component inserted into the outer jacket protective tube of the flexible tube part is determined. , an endoscope characterized in that it is configured to partially change from the distal end side toward the hand side, and has improved operability.