WO2018029917A1

WO2018029917A1 - Endoscope

Info

Publication number: WO2018029917A1
Application number: PCT/JP2017/016327
Authority: WO
Inventors: 景暁中路; 佐藤　栄二郎
Original assignee: オリンパス株式会社
Priority date: 2016-08-09
Filing date: 2017-04-25
Publication date: 2018-02-15
Also published as: JPWO2018029917A1

Abstract

This endoscope 1 includes: a plurality of intermediate joint rings 33 each of which is pipe-shaped and has a projection 34 that projects along a pipe longitudinal axis a33 from one end surface 33a and a recess 35 that is provided on the other end surface 33b and is provided recessed in a position circumferentially displaced by a predetermined angle from the projection 34; a joint ring group 30 which is formed by arranging the plurality of joint rings 32, 33 along the pipe longitudinal axis a33 and which is in a connected state by means of accommodating portions 40, each of which being provided in one joint ring 33X and another joint ring 33Y that are adjacently arranged and being configured by inserting the projection 34 of the one joint ring 33X into the recess 35 of the other joint ring 33Y in a predetermined state; and bend wires 26 for bending a bending part 6 including the joint ring group 30 while being inserted into wire through holes 36 that are formed in the accommodating portions 40 along the pipe longitudinal axis a33 and maintaining the inserted state of the projections 34 and the recesses 35 of the accommodating portions 40.

Description

Endoscope

The present invention relates to an endoscope including a curved portion in the middle of an insertion portion.

In recent years, endoscopes have been used in the medical field and industrial field. In an endoscope, an observation optical system for capturing an observation image of an observation site is provided at the distal end of an elongated insertion portion. In addition, a bending portion is provided on the distal end side of the insertion portion so that the insertion into the deep part of the body can be easily performed and the observation optical system provided at the distal end portion can be directed in a desired direction. It has been.

In general, the bending portion is configured to be bent by connecting the node rings to each other by a rivet. The bending portion includes a bending piece set. WO 2013/084985 discloses a bending piece set configured to be bent by providing an engaging portion while cutting a hard pipe so that adjacent pieces are rotatably connected.

Also, Japanese Patent No. 4179932 discloses a bending portion including a node ring group in which a plurality of node rings are stacked in series along the axial direction. The node ring group accommodates the first raised portion of the first node ring in the recessed portion of the second node ring, abuts the tip portion of the first raised portion against the flat portion of the recessed portion, and inserts the wire of the node ring Each node ring is formed by assembling each other by a pulling wire inserted through the portion. The node ring group is covered with a mesh tube.

The bending portion described above is a bending operation device provided in the operation portion of the endoscope. For example, by operating the rotary lever to pull and loosen the bending wire, the bending portion can be moved in two directions up and down, or four directions up and down and left and right. It is configured to bend.

In recent years, some of the small-diameter insertion portions of a nephrouroscope have a bending portion that can be bent 275 degrees in the vertical direction. According to this nephroscope, it is possible to access the upper and middle kidney cups by using the function of bending 180 degrees with respect to the upward direction, and the function of bending 275 degrees with respect to the downward direction. The access to the lower kidney cup is possible.

In the above-described nephroscope, by changing the curved portion that curves in two directions up and down to the curved portion that curves in four directions, up, down, left, and right, a wide range of access is possible and further observability can be improved.
However, when the bending portion is changed from a configuration in which the bending portion is bent in two directions, up and down, to a configuration in which the bending portion is bent in four directions, up and down, left and right, the following problems may occur. That is, in the bending piece group in which the bending pieces are connected by rivets, the internal space is limited in order to allow the endoscope built-in object to be inserted by providing rivets for bending left and right in addition to the upper and lower sides.

On the other hand, in the bending piece set shown in WO2013 / 084985, the bending pieces are rotatably connected while cutting the hard pipe to form the bending pieces in order to bend left and right in addition to the upper and lower sides. There is a need. That is, it is necessary to provide an engaging portion formed by cutting with a laser beam in order to bend left and right in addition to up and down with respect to a hard pipe having a predetermined length constituting the bending portion. Then, an engaging part is further provided in the hard pipe, and the mechanical strength of the bending piece set is lowered.

On the other hand, in the curved portion shown in Japanese Patent No. 4179932, the diameter can be reduced by eliminating the need for a mesh tube covering the node ring group. However, it becomes difficult to secure torsional resistance by removing the mesh tube in a curved portion that does not require the mesh tube covering the node ring group.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope having a curved portion that realizes a reduction in diameter while ensuring torsion resistance.

The endoscope according to one aspect of the present invention has a pipe shape, and is provided on one end surface side and protrudes from the one end surface along the longitudinal axis of the pipe, and provided on the other end surface side and the protrusion Is formed by arranging a plurality of node rings having recesses provided recessed at positions deviated by a predetermined angular position in the circumferential direction, and arranging the plurality of node rings along the longitudinal axis of the pipe. One of the arranged node rings and the other node ring are provided with an accommodating portion configured by engaging the convex portion of the one node ring into the concave portion of the other node ring in a predetermined state. The nodal ring group is inserted into a wire through-hole formed in the housing portion along the longitudinal axis of the pipe to maintain the engagement state of the convex portion and the concave portion of the housing portion. And a bending wire that bends the bending portion including the node ring group.

Diagram explaining endoscope The figure explaining the front-end | tip part of an endoscope, and the front end side of a bending part Diagram explaining the middle joint ring Front view, side view, and rear view, explaining the middle joint ring The figure explaining the middle joint ring arranged next to each other The figure explaining the state and effect | action which have arrange | positioned the contact part of the convex part of one intermediate joint ring in the fitting groove of the recessed part of the other intermediate joint ring The figure explaining the state which arranged a plurality of middle joint rings FIG. 6A is a diagram of the arranged intermediate joint rings viewed from the direction of arrow Y6B. The figure explaining the case where a plurality of arranged middle joint rings are bent upward, for example A diagram illustrating an intermediate joint ring as seen from one end face side of an intermediate joint ring of another configuration FIG. 7A is a view of the node ring of FIG. 7A viewed from the other end surface side. Front view, side view, and rear view for explaining the intermediate joint ring of FIGS. 7A and 7B The figure explaining the middle joint ring arranged next to each other The figure which arrange | positions the convex part of one intermediate joint ring in the side surface recessed part of the recessed part of the other intermediate joint ring, and the state and effect | action which the contact surface contacted the 2nd wall surface The figure explaining the state and operation | movement which have arrange | positioned the convex part of one intermediate | middle joint ring in the side surface recessed part of the recessed part of the other intermediate joint ring, and the recessed part formation protrusion contacted one end surface The figure explaining the state which arranged a plurality of middle joint rings A diagram illustrating an intermediate joint ring viewed from one end side, with an intermediate joint ring of another configuration FIG. 8A is a view of the node ring of FIG. 8A viewed from the other end surface side. The figure explaining the middle joint ring arranged next to each other The figure explaining the state which has arrange | positioned the convex part of one intermediate joint ring in the side surface recessed part of the recessed part of the other intermediate joint ring The figure explaining the effect | action in the state which has arrange | positioned the convex part of one intermediate joint ring in the side surface recessed part of the recessed part of the other intermediate joint ring Moreover, it is applied to the intermediate joint ring of another configuration, and is a diagram illustrating the intermediate joint ring viewed from one end surface side FIG. 9A is a view of the node ring of FIG. 9A viewed from the other end surface side. The figure explaining the effect | action in the state which has arrange | positioned the convex part of one intermediate joint ring in the side surface recessed part of the recessed part of the other intermediate joint ring The figure explaining the intermediate node ring of the endoscope which made the node ring group the curved piece group comprised by cutting a hard pipe

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
In each drawing used in the following description, the scale of each component may be different in order to make each component large enough to be recognized on the drawing. Further, the present invention is not limited only to the number of components described in these drawings, the shape of the components, the ratio of the sizes of the components, and the relative positional relationship between the components.

The endoscope 1 shown in FIG. 1 is, for example, a nephroscope and is mainly configured by providing an insertion portion 2, an operation portion 3, and an eyepiece portion 4. The eyepiece unit 4 is provided on the proximal end side of the operation unit 3.
The insertion portion 2 includes, in order from the distal end side, a rigid distal end portion 5, a bending portion 6 configured to bend in the vertical and horizontal directions, and a flexible tube portion 7 that is a flexible tube body. It is configured. Reference numeral 8 denotes a bend preventing portion, which is provided on the proximal end side of the flexible tube portion 7.

The operation unit 3 is provided with a water leak detection base 9, a treatment instrument insertion port 10, bending operation levers 11 and 12, and the like. The bending operation levers 11 and 12 are configured to be rotatable with respect to the operation unit 3.

In the present embodiment, when the first bending operation lever 11 is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise, the bending wire (not shown) is pulled and loosened so that the bending portion 6 is, for example, one of the up and down directions. Bend. On the other hand, when the second bending operation lever 12 is rotated, the bending wire (not shown) is pulled and loosened, and the bending portion 6 is bent in one of the left and right directions, for example.

Note that the bending portion 6 may be configured by providing an active bending portion that performs a bending operation by pulling and loosening of the bending wire and a passive bending portion that is bent by receiving an external force. In addition, a joystick lever may be provided in the operation unit 3 instead of the bending levers 11 and 12, and the bending unit 6 may be bent in all directions including the vertical and horizontal directions by tilting the lever. The nephroscope is not limited to the type having the eyepiece 4, and may be a so-called electronic endoscope in which the imaging device is built in the distal end portion 5. The endoscope 1 is not limited to a nephroscope and may be a bronchoscope or the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, a metal tip hard portion 20 is provided in the tip portion 5. An imaging unit 22 having an objective optical system 21 and, for example, a light guide fiber bundle (not shown) serving as an illumination optical system (not shown) are disposed in the distal end hard portion 20. The imaging unit 22 is provided with an imaging element (not shown) such as a CCD or CMOS for capturing an optical image that has passed through the objective optical system 21.

Reference numeral 23 denotes a signal cable extending from the imaging unit 22. Reference numeral 24 denotes a treatment instrument channel tube, and the distal end portion thereof is fixed to a connection pipe 25 fixed to the channel hole 5 h of the distal end hard portion 20. A treatment instrument (not shown) is inserted from the treatment instrument insertion port 10, passes through the treatment instrument channel tube 24, and is led out from the distal end opening 5 m of the channel hole 5 h. Reference numeral 26 denotes a bending wire.

The bending portion 6 includes a node ring group 30 and a bending cover 31. The node ring group 30 is configured by arranging, in order from the distal end side, a pipe-shaped distal node ring 32, a plurality of intermediate node rings 33, and a proximal end node ring (not shown). On the other hand, the curved cover 31 is a tube body having a predetermined elasticity and covers the node ring group 30.

The front end portion of the cover that covers the node ring group 30 is fixed in a state in which the distal end hard portion 20 is partially covered on the proximal end side. On the other hand, the other end of the cover is fixed to a connection pipe (not shown) fixed to the tip of the flexible tube 7.

Here, the tip node ring, the plurality of intermediate node rings, and the proximal node ring constituting the node ring group 30 will be described. First, the configuration of the intermediate node ring 33 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 4 is a three-view diagram of the node ring, in which the left side is a front view of the node ring, the center is a side view of the node ring, and the right side is a rear view of the node ring.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the intermediate node ring 33 includes two convex portions 34 on one end surface 33a side orthogonal to the pipe longitudinal axis a33, and the other end surface 33b which is the opposite surface in the longitudinal direction of the one end surface 33a. Two concave portions 35 are provided on the side. The one end surface 33a and the other end surface 33b are planes orthogonal to the pipe longitudinal axis a33. However, the one end surface 33a and the other end surface 33b may be a plane that intersects the pipe longitudinal axis a33 at a predetermined angle other than a right angle, or a curved surface that intersects at a predetermined angle other than a right angle or a right angle.

As shown in the side view of FIG. 4, the two convex portions 34 protrude from the one end surface 33a along the pipe longitudinal axis a33 by a predetermined amount. As shown in the rear view of FIG. 4, the two convex portions 34 are provided in a positional relationship facing each other across the pipe longitudinal axis a33.

On the other hand, as shown in the side view of FIG. 4, the two recesses 35 are provided in the other end surface 33b and are depressions having a predetermined shape with respect to the other end surface 33b. As shown in the front view of FIG. 4, the two concave portions 35 are provided in a positional relationship facing each other with the pipe longitudinal axis a <b> 33 interposed therebetween. Further, the two concave portions 35 are provided in a positional relationship where the angle θ1 is displaced with respect to the circumferential direction with respect to the two convex portions 34 indicated by broken lines.
In FIG. 4, the angle θ1 is 90 degrees. However, the angle θ1 may be set to a predetermined angle different from 90 degrees.

Note that reference numeral 33h in FIGS. 3 and 4 is an axial through hole, which is a space through which an endoscope built-in object is inserted. Reference numeral 36 denotes a wire through hole, on which the bending wire 26 is slidably disposed. Four wire through holes 36 are provided along the pipe longitudinal axis a33. In this embodiment, two of the four wire through holes 36 have an opening at the top of the convex portion 34, and the remaining two have an opening at the bottom of the concave portion 35.

Further, in the case where the bending portion 6 is configured to bend in two upper and lower directions, the two convex portions 34 and the two concave portions 35 are located at the same position without being displaced with respect to the circumferential direction, that is, the pipe longitudinal axis a33. Are arranged in a positional relationship arranged along. Two wire through-holes 36 are provided with a positional relationship of 90 degrees or approximately 90 degrees in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions with respect to one convex portion 34.

As shown in FIG. 5A, in the intermediate node ring 33 arranged adjacent to each other, a pair of convex portions 34 of one intermediate node ring 33 (herein referred to as a first intermediate node ring 33X) located on the left side in the drawing. Is accommodated and connected in a predetermined state as shown in FIG. 5B to a pair of recesses 35 of the other intermediate joint ring 33 (herein described as the second intermediate joint ring 33Y) located on the right side in the figure. The

As shown in FIG. 5A, the convex portion 34 mainly includes a contact portion 34a constituting the convex portion tip side and a protruding portion 34b constituting the convex portion root side. The protruding portion 34 b is formed on the one end surface 33 a side of the convex portion 34. The contact portion 34a is an arc having a predetermined radius r.

On the other hand, the recess 35 is formed with a fitting groove 35a and a relief groove 35b. The contact portion 34a is moved along the pipe longitudinal axis a33 as indicated by the arrow Y5A, and is engaged with the fitting groove 35a to constitute the accommodating portion 40 shown in FIG. In the connected state, a predetermined clearance is set between the fitting groove 35a and the contact part 34a of the housing part 40 so that the contact part 34a rotates smoothly in the fitting groove 35a. .

In the present embodiment, the contact portion 34a and the fitting groove 35a serve as both a rotating portion and a twist restricting portion. The contact portion 34a is an arc, but may be an arc shape portion having a central angle θ2 of 180 degrees. Various angles can be set as the central angle θ2 in consideration of the strength of the contact portion 34a or the bending angle of the bending portion 6. The first intermediate nodes arranged adjacent to each other as shown by the solid line in FIG. 5B. In a state where the ring 33X and the second intermediate joint ring 33Y are connected with the accommodating portion 40, a predetermined gap is formed between the one end face 33a and the other end face 33b.

In the connected state in which the contact portion 34a is accommodated in the fitting groove 35a, the contact portion 34a and the fitting groove 35 function as a rotating portion. That is, when the adjacent node rings are in a straight line state, the contact point between the outer peripheral surface of the contact portion 34a and the inner peripheral surface of the fitting groove 35 is rotatable about a curved fulcrum.

Specifically, the first intermediate joint ring 33X is rotated clockwise from the state shown by the solid line, and the one end surface 33a of the first intermediate joint ring 33X is connected to the second intermediate joint ring 33Y as shown by the two-dot chain line. It rotates until it contacts the other end surface 33b. On the other hand, the first intermediate joint ring 33X is rotated counterclockwise from the solid line state, and the one end face 33a of the first intermediate joint ring 33X comes into contact with the other end face 33b of the second intermediate joint ring 33Y as shown by the broken line. Rotate until.

Further, as shown by the solid line, the alternate long and two short dashes line, and the broken line in FIG. That is, when a twisting force is applied in the direction around the node ring shaft, the outer peripheral surface of the contact portion 34a and the inner peripheral surface of the fitting groove 35a are instantaneously brought into surface contact (also referred to as contact), and the repulsive force is generated. It is designed to suppress rotation occurring in the direction around the axis.

The plurality of intermediate node rings 33 are provided with a plurality of accommodating portions 40 and constitute a node ring group 30 arranged side by side along the pipe longitudinal axis a33 as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. In this arrangement state, the pair of convex portions 34 of the adjacent first intermediate joint ring 33X on the one side is housed and connected in the pair of concave portions 35 of the second intermediate joint ring 33Y on the other side. In the present embodiment, since the angle θ1 shown in FIG. 3 is 90 degrees, the first housing portion 41 and the second housing portion 42 are in a positional shift of 90 degrees.
In the node ring group 30 shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, reference numeral 41 denotes a first accommodating portion, which is one of the accommodating portions. Reference numeral 42 denotes a second accommodating portion, which is one of the accommodating portions 40. Reference numeral 43 denotes a third accommodating portion, which is one of the accommodating portions 40. Reference numeral 44 denotes a fourth accommodating portion, which is one of the accommodating portions 40.
Further, when the first intermediate joint ring 33X and the second intermediate joint ring 33Y are configured to be rotatable and the angle θ1 is set to another angle different from 90 degrees, the first storage portion 41 and the second intermediate joint ring 33X 2 The misalignment angle with respect to the accommodating portion 42 may be smaller or larger than 90 degrees.

The plurality of intermediate nodes 33 arranged in this way are curved upward, for example, in the figure as shown in FIG. 6C. In this curved state, the contact portion 34a and the fitting groove 35a of the first accommodating portion 41 are rotating portions, and the outer peripheral surface of the contact portion 34a rotates and moves relative to the inner peripheral surface of the fitting groove 35a. On the other hand, the 2nd accommodating part 42 is a tilting part, Comprising: The contact part 34a is tilted from the state parallel to the pipe longitudinal axis a33 within the fitting groove 35a.

The plurality of intermediate node rings 33 arranged in a plurality can be bent downward, rightward, or leftward, although not shown.
As shown in FIG. 6C, the distal node ring 32 constituting the bending portion 6 has two convex portions 34 on the one end surface 33a side, and the other end surface 33b side is a flat surface. The end of the bending wire 26 is fixed to the distal node ring 32. On the other hand, the proximal end node ring (not shown) has two concave portions 35 on the other end surface 33b side orthogonal to the pipe longitudinal axis a33, and the one end surface 33a side is a flat surface.

The node ring group 30 is assembled in the following procedure, for example.
The operator prepares a distal node ring 32, which is fixed to the end of the bending wire 26, a plurality of intermediate node rings 33, and a proximal node ring.

First, the operator makes a pair of concave portions 35 of one intermediate node ring 33 face a pair of convex portions 34 of the tip node ring 32. In this state, the operator inserts the four bending wires 26 extending from the distal node ring 32 into the wire through holes 36 formed in the intermediate node ring 33. Thus, one intermediate node ring 33 is provided side by side with respect to the tip node ring 32. At this time, the convex portion 34 of the tip node ring 32 can be accommodated in the concave portion 35 of the intermediate node ring 33.

Next, the operator causes a pair of concave portions of another intermediate node ring 33 to face a pair of convex portions 34 of the intermediate node ring 33 arranged in parallel to the tip node ring 32. In this state, the four bending wires 26 extended from the intermediate node ring 33 arranged side by side are respectively inserted into the wire through holes 36 of another intermediate node ring 33. Thus, two intermediate node rings 33 are provided side by side with respect to the tip node ring 32. Further, the convex portion 34 on the adjacent surface of the adjacent intermediate joint ring 33 can be accommodated in the concave portion 35. Then, the worker places a predetermined number of intermediate node rings 33 side by side as described above.

Next, the operator opposes the pair of concave portions of the proximal node ring to the pair of convex portions 34 of the intermediate node ring 33 positioned at the proximal ends of the plurality of intermediate node rings 33 arranged in parallel to the distal node ring 32. In this state, the four bending wires 26 extending from the intermediate node ring 33 are inserted into the wire through holes of the proximal end node ring, respectively.

After that, the operator configures the accommodating portion 40 in which the convex portion 34 is accommodated in the concave portion 35 in order to connect all the node rings, and the distal node ring 32 and the intermediate node ring 33 positioned on the distal end side, a plurality of A node ring group 30 is configured in which the intermediate node rings 33 and the intermediate node ring 33 positioned on the proximal end side and the proximal end node ring are connected to each other along the pipe longitudinal axis a33 while maintaining the engagement state. .
Then, the bending portion 6 is formed by covering the outer periphery of the node ring group 30 with the bending cover 31 by the operator.

As described above, the bending portion 6 of the present embodiment includes the distal nodal ring 32 having the convex portion 34, the intermediate nodal ring having the concave portion 35 and the convex portion 34, and the proximal nodal ring having the concave portion 35. Configured. In a state where a plurality of node rings are arranged, the contact portion 34 a of the convex portion 34 is connected by providing an engaging portion that is engaged and arranged in the fitting groove 35 a of the concave portion 35. A predetermined clearance is provided between the fitting groove 35a and the contact portion 34a.

As a result, for example, when the bending wire is pulled, the bending portion 6 bends the intermediate node ring 33 and the like against the elastic force of the bending cover 31 as shown in FIG. 6C. Further, when a twisting force in the direction around the axis acts on the bending portion 6 from the flexible tube portion 7, the contact portion 34 a and the fitting groove 35 a immediately come into contact with each other and the bending portion 6 rotates in the direction around the axis. This prevents the bending portion 6 from being twisted.

That is, it is possible to reduce the diameter of the insertion portion 2 while improving the twist resistance by eliminating the need for the net tube from the curved portion 6 that is curved in four directions or two directions.

In the embodiment described above, the convex portion 34 is provided on the one end surface 33a side and the concave portion 35 is provided on the other end surface 33b side. However, the concave portion 35 is provided on the one end surface 33a side and the convex portion 34 is provided on the other end surface 33b side. May be provided.

Further, the node ring constituting the bending portion 6 is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be the node ring shown in FIGS. 7A to 7G. In the following description, the node ring is an intermediate node ring that curves in four directions, up, down, left, and right.

The intermediate joint ring 50 shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C includes two convex portions 52 on the one end surface 51a side that intersects the pipe longitudinal axis a50, and the other end surface that is the opposite surface in the longitudinal direction of the one end surface 51a. Two side recesses 53 are provided on the 51b side. Reference numeral 50h denotes an axial through hole.

The one end face 51a and the other end face 51b are similar to the one end face 33a and the other end face 33b described above, a plane perpendicular to the pipe longitudinal axis a50 or a plane intersecting at a predetermined angle other than a right angle, or a plane other than a right angle or a right angle. It is a curved surface that intersects at a predetermined angle.

The two side surface recesses 53 are recesses and are provided so as to be recessed with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the base end side outer peripheral portion 51c. The proximal end side outer peripheral portion 51c includes a recess forming projection 54, and the recess forming projection 54 is a projection that protrudes by a predetermined amount along the pipe longitudinal axis a50 as shown in the side view of FIG. 7C. It is formed in a different shape.

The two convex portions 52 protrude from the one end surface 51a along the pipe longitudinal axis a50 by a predetermined amount. The convex part 52 has an inward plane part (hereinafter abbreviated as a plane part) 52f on the vibrator longitudinal axis a50 side.

The two convex portions 52 are provided in a positional relationship facing each other with the pipe longitudinal axis a50 interposed therebetween as shown in the rear view of FIG. 7C. Then, as shown in FIGS. 7C and 7D, the plane portion 52f is an opposing plane, and the distance between the planes is set to d.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 7D, the tip surface of the convex portion 52 is a curved contact surface 52a and becomes a rotating portion. Further, the width of the convex portion 52 is set to w. The side surface that determines the width dimension of the convex portion 52 is a twist restricting surface 52b, which is a twist restricting portion.

On the other hand, as shown in the top view of FIG. 7C, the two recessed portion forming protrusions 54 in which the two side surface recessed portions 53 are formed are provided in a positional relationship facing each other with the pipe longitudinal axis a50 interposed therebetween. As shown in FIGS. 7C and 7D, the width of the side recess 53 formed in the recess forming protrusion 54 is W, and is set in advance larger than the width w of the protrusion 52.

The side surface recess 53 has a bottom surface 53d formed of a flat surface, a pair of first wall surfaces 53w1 and a second wall surface 53w2 that are erected from the bottom surface 53d and face each other. The first wall surface 53w1 is a surface along the pipe longitudinal axis a50, and the second wall surface 53w2 is a surface orthogonal to the pipe longitudinal axis a50. The distance between the bottom surfaces 53d of the two side surface recesses 53 is D, which is substantially the same as the distance d between the planes 52f facing each other, and the plane portion 52f is set to contact the bottom surface 53d. ing.

7D, a pair of projections of one intermediate joint ring 50 (referred to as the first intermediate joint ring 50X here) located on the left side in the drawing in the intermediate joint rings 50 arranged adjacent to each other. The portion 52 is moved along the pipe longitudinal axis a50 as indicated by an arrow Y7D, and a pair of other intermediate joint rings 50 (herein referred to as second intermediate joint rings 50Y) located on the right side in the figure. The accommodating portion 60 shown in FIG. 7E is configured to be engaged with the side concave portion 53 to be connected. In this connected state, the two convex portions 52 are sandwiched and disposed with respect to the two side surface concave portions 53, and the flat surface portion 52f is positioned on the bottom surface 53d.

As shown by a solid line in FIG. 7E, when the plane portion 52f of the convex portion 52 is arranged on the bottom surface 53d of the side concave portion 53 and the pieces are in a straight line state, the abutting surface 52a abuts on the second wall surface 53w2, Function as. That is, in a state where adjacent node rings are in a straight line state, a contact point generated when the bending wire is pulled and the contact surface 52a comes into contact with the second wall surface 53w becomes a bending fulcrum and starts to rotate. .

Specifically, the first intermediate joint ring 50X is rotated clockwise from the state shown by the solid line, and the one end surface 51a of the first intermediate joint ring 50X is the second intermediate joint ring 50Y as shown by the two-dot chain line. It rotates until it contacts the other end surface 51b. On the other hand, the first intermediate joint ring 50X is rotated counterclockwise from the solid line state, and the one end face 33a of the first intermediate joint ring 50X comes into contact with the other end face 51b of the second intermediate joint ring 50Y as shown by the broken line. Rotate until.

On the other hand, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 7E, in the state where the flat portion 52f of the convex portion 52 is arranged on the bottom surface 53d of the side concave portion 53 and the pieces are arranged linearly, the twist regulating surface 52b and the first wall surface A gap c is formed between 53w1.

In this accommodated state, when a twisting force is applied around the pipe longitudinal axis a50, that is, around the node ring axis, the frictional force generated when the flat surface portion 52f of the convex portion 52 is in contact with the bottom surface 53d of the side concave portion 53. Thus, rotation around the node ring axis is suppressed. In addition, when the twisting force further increases, the flat portion 52f of the convex portion 52 slides on the bottom surface 53d of the side concave portion 53, and one of the twist restricting surfaces 52b comes into surface contact with the one first wall surface 53w1. In other words, it is prevented from rotating around the axis.
That is, the flat surface portion 52f of the convex portion 52 and the bottom surface 53d of the side surface concave portion 53 function as a twist restricting portion, and the twist restricting surface 52b and the first wall surface 53w1 function as a twist restricting portion.

In the first intermediate joint ring 50X and the second intermediate joint ring 50Y, a contact point generated when the contact surface 52a contacts the second wall surface 53w2 functions as a curved fulcrum. However, in the first intermediate joint ring 50X and the second intermediate joint ring 50Y, as shown in FIG. 7F, the contact point generated when the top portion 54a of the recess forming protrusion 54 contacts the one end surface 51a functions as a curved fulcrum. May be.
In this configuration, a predetermined gap is formed between the contact surface 52a and the second wall surface 53w2 so that the top portion 54a of the recess forming protrusion 54 contacts the one end surface 51a.

According to this configuration, when the twisting force is applied in the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction as described above and a twisting force is applied in the direction around the node ring shaft, the planar portion 52f of the convex portion 52 and the side concave portion 53 The bottom surface 53d functions as a twist restricting portion, and the twist restricting surface 52b and the first wall surface 53w1 function as a twist restricting portion.

The plurality of intermediate node rings 50X and 50Y are arranged side by side along the longitudinal axis of the pipe as shown in FIG. 7G. In this arrangement state, the pair of convex portions 52 of the first intermediate joint ring 50X on the one side adjacent to each other are accommodated in the pair of side surface recesses 53 of the second intermediate joint ring 50Y on the other side. It is composed.
In this nodal ring arrangement state, reference numeral 61 denotes a first accommodating portion and one of the accommodating portions 60. Reference numeral 62 denotes a second accommodating portion, which is one of the accommodating portions 60. Reference numeral 63 denotes a third accommodating portion, which is one of the accommodating portions 60. Reference numeral 64 denotes a fourth housing part, which is one of the housing parts 60. Reference numeral 65 denotes a fifth accommodating part, which is one of the accommodating parts 60. Reference numeral 66 denotes a sixth accommodating portion, which is one of the accommodating portions 60. Reference numeral 67 denotes a seventh accommodating portion, which is one of the accommodating portions 60. The

accommodating portions

61, 63, 65, and 67 indicated by odd numbers and the

accommodating portions

62, 64, and 66 indicated by even numbers have a 90-degree misalignment relationship.

In the plurality of intermediate nodes 33 arranged in this way, for example, a curved wire (not shown) inserted through a wire through hole 36u provided in the upper part of FIG. 7G, or a wire through provided in the lower part. Assuming that a bending wire (not shown) inserted through the hole 36d is pulled, the plurality of intermediate node rings 33 bend using the second accommodating portion 62, the fourth accommodating portion 64, and the sixth accommodating portion as rotating portions. .

That is, the second upper and lower node ring set 62UD in which the first intermediate joint ring 50X and the second intermediate joint ring 50Y are integrated is curved with the second housing portion 62 as a bending fulcrum, and the fourth housing portion 64 is used as a bending fulcrum. The fourth upper and lower joint ring set 64UD in which the first intermediate joint ring 50X and the second intermediate joint ring 50Y are integrated is curved, and the first intermediate joint ring 50X and the second intermediate joint ring are provided with the sixth housing portion 66 as a curved fulcrum. The sixth upper and lower node ring assembly 66UD integrated with 50Y is curved. Reference numeral 68 denotes an eighth upper and lower node ring set, which is bent with the eighth accommodating portion 68 as a bending fulcrum.

Further, for example, a bending wire (not shown) inserted into the wire through hole 36l provided on the left side of FIG. 7G or a bending wire (not shown) inserted into the wire through hole 36r provided on the right side. ) Is pulled, the plurality of intermediate joint rings 33 are curved with the first housing portion 61, the third housing portion 63, the fifth housing portion, and the seventh housing portion as rotating portions.

That is, the first intermediate joint ring 50X constituting the first left and right nodal ring set 61LR is curved with the first housing portion 61 as a curved fulcrum, and the second intermediate joint ring 50Y and the second middle joint ring 50Y with the third housing portion 63 as a curved fulcrum. The third left and right node ring set 63LR integrated with the first intermediate node ring 50X is curved, and the second intermediate node ring 50Y and the first intermediate node ring 50X are integrated as a fifth left and right with the fifth housing portion 65 as a curved fulcrum. The node ring set 65LR is bent, and the seventh left and right node ring set 67LR in which the second intermediate node ring 50Y and the first intermediate node ring 50X are integrated is bent using the seventh housing portion 67 as a bending fulcrum.

Other configurations are the same as those in the above-described embodiment, and the distal node ring 32 constituting the bending portion 6 has two convex portions 52 on the one end surface 51a side, and the other end surface 51b side is a flat surface. The end of the bending wire 26 is fixed to the distal node ring 32. On the other hand, the proximal end node ring has two side surface recesses 53 on the other end surface 51b side, and the one end surface 51a side is a flat surface.

As described above, the bending portion 6 of the present embodiment arranges the distal node ring 32 having the convex portion 52, the intermediate node ring having the side concave portion 53 and the convex portion 52, and the proximal node ring having the side concave portion 53. Configured. In a state where a plurality of node rings are arranged, the flat surface portion 52 f of the convex portion 52 is disposed and accommodated on the bottom surface 53 d of the side surface concave portion 53. The convex portion 52 is provided with a curved contact surface 52 a, and the width of the side concave portion 53 is set wider than the width of the convex portion 52.

As a result, the bending portion 6 is configured such that, for example, when the bending wire is pulled, adjacent upper and lower node rings configured by two node rings against the elastic force of the bending cover 31 or adjacent left and right wheels. Each node ring is curved.

When a twisting force in the direction around the axis acts on the bending portion 6 from the flexible tube portion 7, first, the bending portion 6 is caused by the frictional force between the flat surface portion 52 f of the convex portion 52 and the bottom surface 53 d of the side surface concave portion 53. It is possible to prevent the bending portion 6 from being twisted by preventing rotation in the direction around the axis.

Further, when a large twisting force acts on the bending portion 6 in the direction around the axis from the flexible tube portion 7, the flat surface portion 52 f of the convex portion 52 slides on the bottom surface 53 d of the side surface concave portion 53 and the twist regulating surface. It is possible to prevent the bending portion 6 from being twisted by preventing the bending portion 6 from rotating in the direction around the axis due to the contact between the 52b and the first wall surface 53w1.

As described above, even in the configuration in which the convex portion 52 is accommodated in the side concave portion 53, the insertion portion 2 is reduced in diameter while improving the twist resistance by eliminating the need for the net tube from the curved portion 6 that is curved in four directions or two directions. Can be planned.

The intermediate joint ring 50A shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C includes two convex portions 52 on one end surface 51a side intersecting the pipe longitudinal axis a50, and includes two side surface concave portions 53A on the other end surface 51b side. ing. The two side surface recesses 53A are provided so as to be recessed with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the base end side outer peripheral portion 51c in the same manner as described above. However, in this embodiment, the depth from the outer peripheral surface of the side recess 53 </ b> A to the bottom surface 53 </ b> Ad is set deeper than the depth of the side recess 53.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 8C, the distance between the bottom surfaces 53Ad of the two side surface recesses 53A is D1, which is shorter than D, and is set to be shorter than the distance d between the planes 52f facing each other. And as shown to FIG. 8D, the clearance gap c1 is each provided between the plane part 52f and the bottom face 53Ad.

In the present embodiment, the width of the convex portion 52 is set to w1 that is smaller than the width W of the side surface concave portion 53 formed in the concave portion forming protrusion 54 in advance. Further, in the present embodiment, in order to increase the depth from the outer peripheral surface to the bottom surface 53Ad, the thickness of the node ring in the portion where the side recess 53A is provided is increased.

In addition, the arrangement position of the wire through hole 36 is shifted in the circumferential direction unlike the above. Specifically, the arrangement position of each wire through hole 36 is set so that the opening of the hole 36 is positioned between the convex portion 52 and the concave portion forming projection 54. As a result, by forming a thick portion for providing the wire through hole 36 on the side surface opposite to the bottom surface 53d, a part of the axial through hole 50h is prevented from being locally reduced.
Other configurations are the same as those of the intermediate joint ring 50 shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C described above, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 8C, in the intermediate node ring 50A arranged adjacent to each other, a pair of convex portions 52 of one intermediate node ring 50A (herein referred to as the first intermediate node ring 50AX) located on the left side in the drawing. Is moved along the longitudinal axis a50 of the pipe as indicated by an arrow Y8C and is inserted into the pair of side recesses 53A of the other intermediate joint ring 50A (herein referred to as the second intermediate joint ring 50AY) located on the right side. Each accommodating portion 60A is configured (see FIG. 8D). In the accommodating portion 60 </ b> A, the two convex portions 52 are loosely arranged with respect to the two side surface concave portions 53.

As a result, the adjacent node rings do not rotate with the rotating portion obtained by the contact surface 52a contacting the second wall surface 53w2 as described above, but the convex portion disposed in the side recess 53A. The part 52 is rotated by tilting with respect to the pipe longitudinal axis a50 in the side recess 53A.

That is, when the adjacent node rings are in a straight line state, the convex part 52 is arranged in a state parallel to the pipe longitudinal axis a33 in the side concave part 53A. Then, by pulling the bending wire, the convex portion 52 in the side concave portion 53A is tilted with respect to the pipe longitudinal axis a33 and starts to rotate.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8E, the first intermediate joint 50AX is rotated clockwise so that the convex portion 52 of the first intermediate joint 50AX is the bottom surface of the second intermediate joint 50AY as shown by the two-dot chain line. It rotates until it contacts 53Ad. On the other hand, the first intermediate joint ring 50AX is rotated counterclockwise until the convex portion 52 of the first intermediate joint ring 50AX comes into contact with the bottom surface 53Ad of the second intermediate joint ring 50AY as indicated by the broken line.

On the other hand, in this accommodated state, when a twisting force is applied around the pipe longitudinal axis a50, that is, in the direction around the node ring axis, the flat portion 52f of the convex portion 52 slides on the bottom surface 53d of the side concave portion 53, and one twist is generated. The restricting surface 52b is brought into surface contact (also referred to as contact) with one of the first wall surfaces 53w1, and is prevented from rotating in the direction around the axis.

According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the bending angle of the bending portion from increasing due to the bending of the adjacent node rings. Other operations and effects are the same as those of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7A to 7G.
In the case where the bending portion is configured to bend in two directions, for example, up and down, the node ring is configured as shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C. In the following description, the node ring is an intermediate node ring.

The intermediate joint ring 50B shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C includes two convex portions 52 on one end surface 51a side and two side concave portions 53B on the other end surface 51b side. The convex portion 52 and the side surface concave portion 53B are provided at the same position with respect to the circumferential direction or at positions slightly displaced.

This is to make the shape of the axial through hole 50h flat, that is, horizontally long. By making the axial direction through-hole 50h into a horizontally long shape, it is possible to easily obtain a thin portion 50Ba having a small thickness and a thick portion 50Bb having a large thickness in the node ring 50B.

The thick portion 50Bb is provided with a convex portion 52, a side concave portion 53B, and two wire through holes 36. That is, the convex portion 52 and the side concave portion 53B are provided between the two wire through holes 36.

According to this configuration, the depth of the two side recesses 53B can be easily set deeper than the depth of the side recess 53A. Then, by setting the depth of the side recess 53B deeper than the depth of the side recess 53A, the adjacent node rings are more securely prevented from falling off the side recess 53B while the adjacent node rings are within the side recess 53B. The bending angle of the bending portion can be set to be large by tilting greatly with respect to the pipe longitudinal axis a50.
Other configurations, operations, and effects are the same as those of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8A to 8E described above.

In the embodiment described above, the node ring group 30 is configured by assembling a plurality of node rings 32 and 33. However, in the case where the node ring group 30 is a bending piece set configured by cutting a hard pipe as in WO2013 / 084985, twisting can be restricted by adopting the following configuration.

As shown in FIG. 10, a convex portion 62 is provided on one end surface 61a side of the adjacent node ring 60 formed by cutting, and a concave portion 63 is provided on the other end surface 61b side. These convex portions 62 are engaged in the concave portions 63 and are engaging portions that engage one of the node rings with the other of the node rings.

The convex part 62 has a circular part 62a located on the convex part tip side and a root part 61b extending from the one end face 61a side. The circular portion 62a has a radius r1, and the width of the root portion 62b is w2, which is set smaller than the circular portion 62a.

On the other hand, the recessed part 63 has the accommodation hole 63a and a pair of escape part 63b. A circular portion 62a is rotatably disposed in the accommodation hole 63a, and a root portion 62b is disposed between the pair of contact portions 63b.

The inner diameter of the accommodation hole 63a is set in advance larger than the diameter of the circular portion 62a. On the other hand, the distance D2 between the abutting portions 63b is set to be larger in dimension than the width w2 of the root portion 62b. According to this configuration, the circular portion 62a is rotatably disposed in the accommodation hole 63a.

In the present embodiment, the circular portion 62a and the accommodation hole 63a also serve as a rotating portion and a twist restricting portion. That is, when a bending wire (not shown) is pulled, the circular portion 62a that constitutes the engaging portion of the bending piece set rotates and moves clockwise or counterclockwise in the accommodation hole 63a. As a result, one of the adjacent pieces is curved with respect to the other piece.

On the other hand, when a torsional force is applied from one node ring to the other node in the direction around the node ring axis, the outer peripheral surface of the circular portion 62a and the inner peripheral surface of the accommodation hole 63a immediately come into surface contact. Thus, the repulsive force is prevented from rotating around the axis.

As described above, the inner diameter of the accommodation hole 63a is set to be larger than the diameter of the circular portion 62a by a predetermined amount, and the circular portion 62a is rotatably disposed in the accommodation hole 63a. As a result, the circular portion 62a is rotated and moved in the accommodation hole 63a to be in a curved state, and when a twisting force acts in the direction around the node ring axis, the circular portion 62a and the accommodation hole 63a are in a surface contact state. Thus, the rotation in the direction around the axis can be suppressed.
Other configurations and operational effects are the same as those of the above-described embodiment.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

According to the present invention, it is possible to realize an endoscope having a curved portion that achieves a narrow diameter while ensuring torsion resistance.

This application is filed on the basis of the priority claim of Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-156766 filed in Japan on August 9, 2016. The above disclosure is included in the present specification and claims. Shall be quoted.

Claims

It has a pipe shape and is provided on one end face side and protrudes from the one end face along the longitudinal axis of the pipe, and is provided on the other end face side and deviates from the protrusion by a predetermined angular position in the circumferential direction. A plurality of nodes having a recess provided in a depressed position;
The plurality of node rings are arranged along the longitudinal axis of the pipe, and one node ring and the other node ring arranged adjacent to each other are provided with convex portions of the one node ring. A nodule group, which is connected to the recess by providing an accommodation portion configured to be engaged in a predetermined state;
A curved portion including the node ring group while being inserted into a wire through-hole formed in the housing portion along the longitudinal axis of the pipe and maintaining the engagement between the convex portion and the concave portion of the housing portion. A bending wire to bend,
An endoscope comprising:
Two convex portions are provided across the pipe longitudinal axis, and two concave portions are provided across the pipe longitudinal axis,
The curved portion is provided in a positional relationship in which the two convex portions and the two concave portions are deviated by a predetermined angular position with respect to a circumferential direction, and is curved in four directions. Endoscope.
Two convex portions are provided across the pipe longitudinal axis, and two concave portions are provided across the pipe longitudinal axis,
2. The curved portion according to claim 1, wherein the two convex portions and the two concave portions are provided in the same position or slightly displaced with respect to a circumferential direction, and are curved in two directions. Endoscope.
The housing portion of the node ring group is configured by moving one adjacent node ring toward the other adjacent node ring along the longitudinal axis of the pipe. The endoscope according to 3.
The convex part has a circular arc with a predetermined radius on the convex part tip side,
The recess is a recess recessed with respect to the other end surface, and has a fitting groove in which the arc is accommodated.
The endoscope according to claim 4.
In a state where the arc is accommodated in the fitting groove, the arc and the fitting groove are:
A rotating part when the one adjacent node ring rotates with respect to the other node ring;
A torsion restricting portion that suppresses rotation of the other node ring around the longitudinal axis of the pipe by a twisting force around the longitudinal axis of the pipe acting on the other node ring from the adjacent one of the node rings When,
The endoscope according to claim 5, wherein the endoscope is also used.
The concave portion is a side concave portion having a pair of first wall surface and second wall surface standing from a bottom surface recessed with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the node ring,
The width of the said side recessed part is larger than the width | variety of the said convex part, and the planar part which the said convex part opposes is arrange | positioned at the bottom face of the said side recessed part. The internal view of Claim 4 characterized by the above-mentioned. mirror.
In a state where the convex portion is accommodated in the side concave portion,
The endoscope according to claim 7, wherein the adjacent one of the node rings and the other node ring rotate while the contact surface of the convex portion comes into contact with the second wall surface.
In a state where the convex portion is accommodated in the side concave portion,
8. The inner portion according to claim 7, wherein the adjacent one of the node rings and the other node ring rotate while a top portion of the concave portion forming protrusion in which the side surface concave portion is formed contacts the one end surface. Endoscope.
The twisting force acting on the node ring in the direction around the node ring axis is suppressed by a frictional force generated when the flat surface portion of the convex portion and the bottom surface of the side surface concave portion are in contact with each other. The endoscope according to Item 7.
In addition to the frictional force, the twisting force in the direction around the node ring axis acting on the node ring is as follows:
The endoscope according to claim 10, wherein the twist restricting surface of the convex portion is suppressed by contacting the first wall surface.
The concave portion is a side concave portion having a pair of first wall surface and second wall surface standing from a bottom surface recessed with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the node ring,
A gap is provided between the bottom surface of the side recess and the flat portion of the projection in a state in which the projection is accommodated in the side recess,
The adjacent one node ring and the other node ring are rotated by tilting the convex portion of the node ring with respect to the longitudinal direction of the pipe in the side surface recess of the other node ring. The endoscope according to claim 4.
The node ring group is a bending piece set formed by cutting a hard pipe,
The convex portion and the concave portion constitute an engaging portion of the bending piece set,
The convex portion has a circular portion having a predetermined radius on the distal end side of the convex portion,
The recess has an accommodation hole in which the circular portion is accommodated.
The endoscope according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein
In the state where the circular portion is engaged in the accommodation hole,
The circular portion and the receiving hole include a rotating portion when the one node ring rotates with respect to the other node ring,
A twist restricting portion that suppresses rotation of the other node ring around the longitudinal axis of the pipe by a twisting force around the longitudinal axis of the pipe acting on the other node ring from the one node ring;
The endoscope according to claim 13, wherein the endoscope is also used.