JPS61249428A - Curved part of 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 Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a curved portion of an endoscope for medical or industrial use.

January 101 (Inner? J! The curved part of the mirror is made by connecting a plurality of joint rings 51 in the axial direction and connecting the ends of each other, as shown in FIGS. 6(a) and (b). They are rotatably connected by a shaft 52.The outer surface of the node ring 51 is coated with, for example, a blade or outer skin, and the inside is equipped with light guide fibers, image guide fibers, and channels for air and water supply. , an operating wire 53 for bending the curved portion is inserted together with built-in components such as a forceps insertion channel.

The end portions of the joint rings 51 are connected by inserting flat rivet shafts 52 as connecting shafts 52 into the holes 54.54 of both the joint rings 51.51.
a, and while pressing the head 52b, which has a larger diameter than the hole 54, 54, the end of the shaft 52a is deformed by caulking, and the ends of both node rings 51, 51 are held in place.

The head portion 52b of the connecting shaft 52 and the deformed portion 52c of the shaft portion 52a rotatably connect the plurality of joint rings 51, 51...
is the inner surface 55 and outer surface 56 of the end of the node ring 51.51.
It stands out.

Therefore, when the operating wire 53 is operated to bend the curved portion, the head 52b of the connecting shaft 52 or the deformed portion 52C
There was a risk that the protective members such as the built-in components, the blade, or the outer skin that interfered with the blade would be damaged.

Further, the head 52b or the deformed portion 52c is the inner surface 5 of the nodal ring.
If it protrudes beyond 5, the effective cross-sectional area for inserting the built-in object decreases, so in order to secure the effective cross-sectional area, it is necessary to increase the inner diameter of the nodal ring and the outer diameter of the curved portion.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a curved portion that does not cause damage to a protective member covered with a protective member.

In the curved portion of the present invention, a connecting shaft with a length that does not protrude from the inner and outer surfaces of the ends of the connected joint rings is used, and one end of the connecting shaft is inserted into the hole of one of the joint rings. They are integrally connected to each other by a fastening part.

Therefore, the connecting shaft does not protrude from the inner and outer surfaces of the ends of both connected node rings, and does not interfere with the internal components or the protective member.

Tomo LL The present invention will be explained below based on examples.

First Embodiment First factors (a), (b), and (c) are an external view of an endoscope and an enlarged sectional view of a curved portion of the endoscope according to the first embodiment.

The family gift itt1 is composed of an operating section main body 2, an insertion section 3 inserted into a body cavity, and a light guide section 4 connected to a light source (not shown). The insertion section 3 is composed of a flexible tube 5, a curved section 6, and a distal end section 7. and the tip 7
The displacement in the observation direction is performed by rotating the operating knob 8a18b provided on the operating section main body 2 and operating the operating wire 9 inserted into the flexible tube 5.

This curved portion 6 has a nodal ring 10 as shown in FIG. 1(b).
In addition to connecting a large number of 10, internal components such as a light guide fiber for illuminating the inside of the body cavity (not shown), an image guide fiber for observation, an air/water supply channel, a suction channel, etc. are inserted inside, and the external The surface is covered with a protective member such as a blade or outer skin (not shown).

The node ring 10.1o is a tubular body, and the connecting end portions are processed flat to protrude and form a seat surface. This end has a hole 12 of the same size into which the connecting shaft 13 is inserted.
．． 12 are drilled.

On the other hand, the connecting shaft 13 inserted into the hole 12.12 is inserted into the hole 12.12.
The outer diameter is the same as the inner diameter of node ring 10, and its length is the same as the inner diameter of node ring 10.
The length is the same as the sum of the 10 wall thicknesses, but is slightly shorter.

Therefore, after inserting this connecting shaft 13 into the hole 12.12,
One end surface of the connecting shaft 13 is aligned with the inner surface 14 of the end of the node ring 1o. Then, the outer periphery of the other end face is irradiated with a laser beam.
By laser welding to the hole 12 in the outer surface 15 of the end of the o, a fastening part 16 is formed and the joint ring 10 is integrated.
゜10 is rotatably supported.

The fastening portion 16 may be formed by aligning one end surface of the connecting shaft 13 with the outer surface 15 and using the hole 12 in the other end surface and the inner surface 14.

The inner surface 14 of the end of the node rings 10, 10 connected as described above
Since the end face of the connecting shaft 13 does not protrude from the outer surface 15, the built-in objects and the protective member are not damaged, and the effective cross-sectional area for accommodating the built-in objects of the node rings 10110 can be increased.

In the following embodiments, the same members as in the first embodiment will be described using the same symbols and names.

Figure 2 shows a second embodiment in which the holes 12.12a formed in the node ring 10110 have different sizes. Connection shaft 17
The outer diameter of corresponds to the inner diameter of the respective hole 12.12a,
Further, the length of each outer diameter portion corresponds to the wall thickness of the node ring 10.1o.

Therefore, similarly to the first embodiment, the outer periphery of one end surface of the connecting shaft 17 is integrated into the hole 12 with the fastening portion 16. Second
In the figure, the fastening part 16 is formed in the small diameter part, but even if the fastening part 16 is formed in the large diameter part, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

Figure 3 shows a third embodiment in which a dish-shaped hole 12b is formed in one of the joint rings 10 and 10, and a hole 12 of the same diameter is formed in the other.

The connecting shaft 18 has an external shape corresponding to the porous holes 12.12b, and the length of each part also corresponds to the wall thickness of the node ring 10.10.

Therefore, similarly to the first embodiment, the outer periphery of one end surface of the connecting shaft 18 is integrated into the hole 12 with the fastening portion 16. Third
In the figure, the fastening part 16 is formed on the same diameter side of the connecting shaft 18, but the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained even if the fastening part is formed around the end face of the dish-shaped part.

Note that it is easier to manufacture the dish-shaped hole 12b by forming it on the outer surface of the node ring 10.

L1i1 FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment, in which the hole 12 of the node ring 10.10
Both b and 12c are formed into a plate shape, and the connecting shaft 19 is also formed into a tapered shape. Then, the periphery of the small diameter side end of the taper of the connecting shaft 19 is welded using a laser beam, and is integrated with the fastening part 16.

Note that the large diameter side of the connecting shaft 19 may be integrated with the fastening portion 16. The large diameter side of the dish-shaped hole 12b112c is the node ring 1o.
, 10, it is easier to manufacture the node rings 10.10.

FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) show a fifth embodiment, in which one end 21 of the connecting node rings 20 and 20 is a part of the protruding end of the tubular body, and the other end 22 is a seat surface. 23, and the holes 23.23a of the node rings 20.20 are rotatably connected by a connecting shaft 24.

In the connection of such joint rings, a gap 25 is formed between the end portion 21 and the seat surface 23 as shown in FIG. 5(b), so that the connection shaft 2
The length of 4 is made equal to or slightly shorter than the length between the inner surface 26 and the outer surface 27 of the connected joint rings 20. It is integrated into one body with the attachment part 16.

As explained above, whether or not a seating surface is formed at the end of the connecting joint, the inner and outer surfaces of the end of the connecting shaft connect the length of the connecting shaft. It can be selected as appropriate within a range that does not protrude from the above. Further, the shape of the connecting shaft is also limited to the embodiment, and can be modified to correspond to the connecting hole of the node ring.

Further, the fastening portion is formed continuously around the entire circumference of the end face of the connecting shaft. It is not limited to just one, but may be formed at several locations. Further, the node ring is not limited to a tubular body, and may have an irregular shape as necessary.

11 to 11 Since the connecting shaft that rotatably connects the joint rings to each other does not protrude from the inner and outer surfaces of the ends of the connected joint rings,
The internal effective cross-sectional area of the connected node rings can be increased, and damage to the internal components inserted therein and the protective member coated on the outside can be prevented.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIGS. 1(a), (b), and (c) are an external view of an endoscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention, a sectional view of a main part of a curved part, and an enlarged view of a main part; FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of essential parts of the third embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of essential parts of the fourth embodiment. FIGS. 5(a) and (b) 6(a) and 6(b) are a sectional view and an enlarged view of the main parts of the curved part of the conventional endoscope. It is a diagram. 1... Endoscope 6... Curved portion 9... Operation wire 10.20... Node ring 13.17.18.19.24
...Connection shaft 14.26...Inner surface 15.27...
・Outer surface 16...Fixing part Fig. 1(b) Fig. 2 Fig. 3 Fig. 4 Fig. 6

Claims (1)

[Claims] In the curved part of the endoscope, in which a plurality of joint rings are arranged in a row in the axial direction, the ends of each of which are rotatably formed by a connecting shaft, and are bent by an operation wire, the inner surfaces of the ends of the connected joint rings and 1. A curved portion of an endoscope, wherein one end of a connecting shaft having a length that does not protrude from an outer surface is fixed to only one of an inner surface or an outer surface of the end portion with a fastening portion.