WO2019102679A1 - Endoscope tip and endoscope - Google Patents

Endoscope tip and endoscope Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2019102679A1
WO2019102679A1 PCT/JP2018/032645 JP2018032645W WO2019102679A1 WO 2019102679 A1 WO2019102679 A1 WO 2019102679A1 JP 2018032645 W JP2018032645 W JP 2018032645W WO 2019102679 A1 WO2019102679 A1 WO 2019102679A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
distal end
endoscope
fitting hole
tip
end hard
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2018/032645
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French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
匡浩 阿部
松田　英二
Original Assignee
オリンパス株式会社
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by オリンパス株式会社 filed Critical オリンパス株式会社
Priority to JP2019556106A priority Critical patent/JP6796215B2/en
Publication of WO2019102679A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019102679A1/en

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B23/00—Telescopes, e.g. binoculars; Periscopes; Instruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodies; Viewfinders; Optical aiming or sighting devices
    • G02B23/24—Instruments or systems for viewing the inside of hollow bodies, e.g. fibrescopes

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a distal end portion of an endoscope and an endoscope provided in an insertion portion of the endoscope.
  • an endoscope capable of observing a body cavity by inserting an elongated insertion portion into the body cavity is widely used.
  • Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2009-285305 discloses an endoscope in which a tapered distal end portion is provided at the distal end of the insertion portion for facilitating insertion of the insertion portion into a narrow and narrow lumen such as the urethra. ing.
  • a technique for facilitating insertion of the insertion portion into a narrow and narrow lumen to facilitate insertion of the insertion portion of the endoscope into a narrow and narrow lumen such as the urethra is disclosed. It is disclosed.
  • the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a distal end portion of an endoscope and an endoscope which can further reduce the diameter of the insertion portion and improve the insertability. There is.
  • a distal end portion of an endoscope according to one aspect of the present invention is a distal end hard portion, and a first fitting hole having a hole portion formed in the distal end hard portion and having a substantially rectangular cross section into which the imaging unit is fitted.
  • a second fitting hole formed in the distal end hard portion adjacent to a long side of the hole of the first fitting hole, into which a connection pipe to which a treatment instrument insertion channel is connected is fitted;
  • the outer surface has an inclined surface formed in the circumferential direction, and a covering member has a bottom surface formed by adhering the covering member in a thread-wound manner and continuing to the inclined surface in the circumferential direction of the outer surface. And a step formed.
  • the endoscope according to one aspect of the present invention includes a first rigid hole, a first fitting hole formed in the rigid distal portion, and a hole having a substantially rectangular cross section into which the imaging unit is fitted; A second fitting hole formed in the distal end hard portion so as to be adjacent to the long side of the hole of the first fitting hole and into which a connection pipe to which a treatment instrument insertion channel is connected is fitted; 1, a flat surface formed on the outer surface of the distal end hard portion in parallel with the long side of the fitting hole, two curved surfaces formed continuously in the circumferential direction of the outer surface, and the two curved surfaces An inclined surface formed in the circumferential direction of the outer surface continuously, and a covering member having a bottom surface formed in the circumferential direction of the outer surface continuously formed by thread-wound bonding, and the distal end hard portion A distal end portion including a step portion formed in the inner diameter direction is provided at the insertion portion.
  • the perspective view showing the composition of the endoscope of this embodiment The same, the perspective view which shows the structure of the front-end
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the endoscope
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the tip of the endoscope
  • FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross section showing the configuration of the tip
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the distal end hard portion as viewed from the rear
  • FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view showing the configuration of the distal end hard portion
  • FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view showing the configuration of the distal end portion.
  • an endoscope according to the present embodiment will be described below.
  • the bronchoscope is described as an example, but the technology described below can be applied to various endoscopes such as a digestive system and a surgical system.
  • the endoscope 1 is mainly configured by an insertion portion 2, an operation portion 3, a universal cord 4, an endoscope connector 5 and the like.
  • the insertion portion 2 is formed in an elongated shape, and the tip portion 6, the bending portion 7 which is an endoscope bending portion, and the flexible tube portion 8 are sequentially provided in order from the tip side, and the flexibility as a whole is obtained. Have.
  • the distal end portion 6 of the insertion portion 2 incorporates an imaging unit, which is an imaging device including an imaging element and the like inside, and an illumination optical system (both not shown) that radiates illumination light forward.
  • an imaging unit which is an imaging device including an imaging element and the like inside, and an illumination optical system (both not shown) that radiates illumination light forward.
  • the endoscope which can apply this invention, it is not limited to the above-mentioned example (an electronic endoscope provided with the imaging unit etc.), A form other than that, for example, an imaging unit is not provided.
  • a so-called fiberscope or the like in which the image guide fiber is disposed in the insertion portion 2 may be used.
  • the bending portion 7 receives a pivoting operation of the bending lever 13 for performing bending operation among the operation members provided in the operation portion 3 and follows the first direction and a second direction which is the opposite direction thereof.
  • it is configured to be able to actively bend in two directions of up and down (UP and DOWN).
  • the upper and lower sides (UP and DOWN) here are the up-down direction in the endoscopic image imaged by the imaging unit.
  • the flexible tube portion 8 is configured to have flexibility so as to be passively flexible.
  • the flexible tube portion 8 extends from the imaging unit built in the distal end portion 6 and extends to the inside of the universal cord 4 through the inside of the operation portion 3 Guides light emitted from a light source device (not shown) which is an external device to an illumination window (not shown) provided on the tip surface of tip 6 A lumen through which a light guide (not shown) is inserted is formed.
  • the light source may have a form in which a light emitter (for example, a light emitting diode (LED) or the like) is provided inside the operation unit.
  • a light emitter for example, a light emitting diode (LED) or the like
  • the light guide (not shown) is used to guide the light emitted from the LED in the operation unit to the illumination window of the tip portion 6.
  • a light emitter such as an LED may be provided in the inside of the distal end portion 6, for example, a portion near the base end of the illumination window. In this configuration, the light emitted from the LED is transmitted directly through the illumination window to illuminate the front of the tip 6.
  • the light guide (not shown) in the flexible tube portion 8 becomes unnecessary.
  • a power supply line or the like for causing the LED provided at the distal end portion 6 to emit light is inserted into the lumen in the flexible tube portion 8.
  • the operation unit 3 is a component unit connected to the proximal end of the insertion unit 2 and configured to have a plurality of operation members and the like.
  • the operation unit 3 includes a bending portion 9, a grip 10, a plurality of operation members (13, 14 and the like), a treatment tool insertion portion 11, a suction valve 15, and the like.
  • the folding prevention portion 9 is provided at a connection portion between the distal end portion of the operation portion 3 and the proximal end portion of the flexible tube portion 8, and covers the proximal end portion of the flexible tube portion 8 to obtain It is a protection member for preventing that the flexible tube part 8 is broken unnecessarily unnecessarily at the time of use.
  • the grip unit 10 is a housing unit that accommodates various constituent members inside.
  • the gripping portion 10 is continuously provided to the fold preventing portion 9.
  • the holding part 10 is a site
  • the plurality of operation members are members provided on the outer surface of the grip portion 10 for operating various functions of the endoscope 1.
  • the plurality of operation members for example, besides the bending lever 13 for performing the bending operation in the vertical direction of the bending portion 7, the operation member for performing the air / water / water operation or the suction operation, the imaging unit 35 (see FIG. 3), the illumination unit Etc. are the operation member 14 etc. for performing each corresponding operation.
  • the treatment instrument insertion portion 11 has a treatment instrument insertion port (not shown) into which various treatment instruments (not shown) are inserted, and the treatment instrument insertion which doubles as an air / water supply conduit and a suction conduit inside the operation unit 3 It is a component provided with a treatment instrument insertion path in communication with the channel 26 (see FIG. 3).
  • a forceps plug 12 which is a lid member for opening and closing the treatment tool insertion port and is configured to be removable (replaceable) from the treatment tool insertion portion 11 is disposed.
  • the suction valve 15 is a connecting portion for connecting a suction line to a suction device (not shown).
  • the universal cord 4 is a hollow tubular member that is flexible and extends from the operation unit 3.
  • the universal cord 4 is inserted from the distal end portion 6 of the insertion portion 2 through the inside of the insertion portion 2 and passes through the inside of the operation portion 3 and various signal lines and a light source device (not shown) which is an external device.
  • the light guide (not shown) and the air / water feeding tube from the air / water / water feeding device (not shown) which is an external device are a composite cable inserted inside.
  • the endoscope connector 5 is a connection member disposed at the tip of the universal cord 4 for securing connection with an external device.
  • the endoscope connector 5 has an electrical connector portion 16 at a side surface portion for connecting a signal cable for connection with a video processor (not shown) which is an external device.
  • the endoscope connector 5 is a light guide connector portion for connecting a light guide bundle for connecting with a light source device (not shown) which is an external device, and an electric cable (not shown) for collecting the various signal lines. And the like.
  • the distal end portion 6 is provided with a distal end hard portion 21 having a diameter of about 4.0 mm.
  • the distal end hard portion 21 has a so-called cannonball shape formed of a hard resin such as polysulfone, or a metal such as stainless steel.
  • the distal end surface 21a of the distal end hard portion 21 is provided with an observation window 22 having a diameter of about 1.0 mm for guiding the image light of the subject and two illumination windows 23 for emitting illumination light here. It is done. Further, an opening 24 is formed in the distal end hard portion 21.
  • the distal end hard portion 21 has a proximal end portion covered with a curved rubber 31 which is a tube-shaped covering member, and the distal end portion of the curved rubber 31 is fixed by a thread wound bonding portion 32.
  • a metal pipe 27 is provided on the inner periphery of the curved rubber 31.
  • connection tube 25 to which the treatment instrument insertion channel 26 is connected the imaging unit 35 in which the imaging cable 36 is extended, and an illumination optical system (not shown) are arranged.
  • the filler 28 is filled and solidified in an adhesive or the like.
  • connection pipe 25 is fitted to the distal end hard portion 21 so as to communicate with the opening 24. That is, the opening 24 constitutes an opening of the treatment instrument insertion channel 26.
  • the opening portion 24 has an inclined portion 20 whose opening surface is obliquely formed at a predetermined angle toward the rear side with respect to the distal end surface 21 a of the distal end hard portion 21.
  • the endoscope for a bronchus 1 as in the present embodiment has the inclined part 20 on the distal end hard part 21 so that the insertion part 2 is inserted into the bronchus which extends from the trachea to a wide variety of bronchial tubes. It is provided, and the shape of the tip portion 6 is substantially shell-shaped.
  • the distal end portion 6 of the insertion portion 2 can be easily introduced into a thin bronchus when the distal end hard portion 21 has the inclined portion 20 which is inclined at an acute angle with respect to the distal end surface 21 a.
  • the tip portion 6 is provided with the opening 24 in the inclined portion 20, if the angle of the inclined portion 20 is made too acute, the suction performance is significantly deteriorated.
  • the inclined portion 20 of the distal end hard portion 21 of the present embodiment has a distance a from the distal end surface 21 a to the outer peripheral portion in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 2 and the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 2 from the distal end surface 21 a.
  • the relationship of depth b along is set.
  • the distance a is set between 1.2 mm and 2.235 mm
  • the depth b is It is set between 1.0 mm and 2.0 mm.
  • the inclined portion 20 when the distance a is 1.2 mm, the inclined portion 20 is formed with a depth b of 1.0 mm (0.83 times a) to 2.0 mm (1.67 times a), and the distance When a is 2.235 mm, the inclined portion 20 having a depth b of 1.0 mm (0.45 times a) is formed. In addition, for example, when the distance a is 1.8 mm, the inclined portion 20 having a depth b of 1.0 mm (0.56 times a) to 1.5 mm (0. 83 times a) is formed. As described above, the inclined portion 20 is set so that the range of the depth b becomes smaller as the distance a becomes longer.
  • the depth b is set in the range of 0.45 times to 1.67 times the distance a.
  • the opening 24 of the inclined portion 20 of the distal end hard portion 21 is perpendicular to the distance a in the vertical surface direction along the distal end surface 21 a of the distal end hard portion 21 from the distal end surface 21 a to the distal end surface 21 a.
  • the depth b in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the surface direction is inclined at a predetermined angle set in the range of 0.45 times to 1.67 times.
  • the distal end hard portion 21 of the present embodiment has a first fitting hole 51 which is an internals placement portion into which the imaging unit 35 is fitted, and a treatment instrument insertion channel 26.
  • the first fitting hole 51 for the imaging unit 35 has a cylindrical hole portion at the tip end in accordance with the shape of the lens unit, and the proximal end is substantially in accordance with the shape of the imaging device, imaging substrate, etc. It is a square pillar shaped hole.
  • the distal end hard portion 21 is a substantially rectangular hole of the first fitting hole 51 in which the imaging unit 35 is disposed in the middle of the outer surface which is a portion to which the curved rubber 31 is adhered by the thread winding adhesive portion 32.
  • a flat surface 41 is formed along the long side of the portion, and a smooth curved surface 41 a is formed along the outer peripheral direction from both ends of the flat portion 41.
  • the distal end hard portion 21 is formed with a sloped surface 42 which is a flat slope continuous with the curved surface 41a, and the groove portion 43 as a stepped portion formed stepwise in the inner diameter direction continuously with the sloped surface 42 It is formed in the direction. Further, at the base end of the groove portion 43, an outward flange 44 for retaining the tip end portion of the thread-wound bonded curved rubber 31 is formed.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram in which the image by the imaging unit 35 is aligned in the vertical and horizontal directions.
  • the second fitting hole 52 which is a hole communicating with the treatment instrument insertion channel 26, has a short rectangular direction (a width W of the first fitting hole 51 in which the imaging unit 35 is disposed). Are arranged adjacent to the long side along the direction. That is, the first fitting hole 51 has a long side with a long height H and a short width W in accordance with the cross-sectional shape of the substantially rectangular portion where the rear portion is provided with the imaging device of the imaging unit 35 and the imaging substrate.
  • the hole has a substantially rectangular cross section having a short side.
  • the arrangement of the first fitting hole 51 and the second fitting hole 52 is set such that the distal end hard portion 21 has the smallest possible outer shape.
  • the distal end hard portion 21 of the distal end portion 6 configured as described above has two curved surfaces 41 a at both ends of the flat surface 41 so as to have necessary strength from the first fitting hole 51 in which the imaging unit 35 is disposed.
  • the diameter d1 which is smaller in the vertical direction than the diameter D which is a substantially perfect circular cross-section indicated by a dashed dotted line as in the prior art d1) and the left and right direction can be made smaller in diameter d2 (D> d2).
  • the distal end hard portion 21 can have an outer shape smaller than that of the prior art.
  • the portion of the distal end portion 6 in which the distal end hard portion 21 is covered with the curved rubber 31 also has a diameter D1 as shown in FIG.
  • the vertical direction can be made smaller in diameter d3 (D1> d3), and the lateral direction can be made smaller in diameter d4 (D1> d4).
  • the outer shape of the distal end portion 6 can be made smaller, and the diameter of the curved portion 7 and the flexible tube portion 8 continuously provided to the distal end portion 6 can be reduced, and the entire diameter of the insertion portion 2 is small. It becomes the endoscope 1 which can be Thereby, the insertability of the endoscope 1 is improved by the smaller diameter insertion portion 2.
  • the outer diameter of the distal end portion is easily increased by providing the inclined portion 20 in the distal end hard portion 21.
  • the outer diameter of the distal end hard portion 21 can be further reduced. Therefore, the improvement of the insertability by the reduction of the diameter is added to the improvement of the insertability by the provision of the inclined portion 20, and the insertability is extremely improved.
  • the distal end portion 6 has the groove portion 43 at the location of the thread wound bonding portion 32 to which the distal end hard portion 21 adheres the curved rubber 31, so that the position where the curved rubber 31 is adhered can be clarified and has the outward flange 44. It is also possible to prevent the curved rubber 31 from coming off.
  • the tip end portion 6 is in close contact with the curved rubber 31 by the tip hard portion 21 covered with the curved rubber 31 making the two inclined surfaces 42 smoothly continuous on both ends of the plane 41 via the curved surface 41 a.
  • the structure is secured sufficiently to maintain watertightness.
  • the tip surface 21 a is shifted to the rear side with respect to the planar shape. It is necessary to provide a thread wound bonding portion 32 for fixing the curved rubber 31 at a position rearward of the obliquely formed portion.
  • the thread-wound bonding portion 32 is provided on the outer periphery of a portion where the imaging device of the imaging unit 35, which is a built-in object of the distal end hard portion 21, the imaging substrate, and the like.
  • the region where the imaging device, the imaging substrate, etc. is provided in this imaging unit 35 is the thickest portion, so when the distal end hard portion 21 has a perfect circular shape as in the prior art, it is difficult to reduce the diameter of the distal end portion 6 there were.
  • the imaging unit 35 By making the distal end hard portion 21 into a cross-sectional different shape in accordance with the shape of the unit 35, the diameter can be reduced.
  • FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the distal end rigid portion of the first modified example.
  • the distal end hard portion 21 may have two inclined surfaces 42 formed as smooth and continuous surfaces on both ends of the plane 41 via the curved surfaces 41 a as convex surfaces.
  • the distal end portion 6 has a structure in which adhesion with the curved rubber 31 is enhanced and watertightness is maintained.
  • the two inclined surfaces 42 of the distal end hard portion 21 may be formed into a concave curved surface.
  • FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the distal end rigid portion of the second modified example. As shown in FIG. 9, the distal end hard portion 21 is also true to the second fitting hole 52 on the side of the second fitting hole 52 to which the connection tube 25 to which the treatment instrument insertion channel 26 is connected is fitted.
  • the outer surface may have a smooth continuous inclined surface 42, which is a modified shape having a circular arc surface.
  • the distal end hard portion 21 can further reduce the diameter of the distal end portion 6 by making the outer peripheral portion of the second fitting hole 52 communicating with the treatment instrument insertion channel 26 different, and the treatment instrument insertion channel Even if the diameter of the tip end 26 is increased, the upsizing of the tip 6 can be suppressed. As a result, the degree of freedom in the dimension of the treatment instrument insertion channel 26 is improved while suppressing an increase in the outer shape of the distal end portion 6.
  • the invention described in the above embodiment is not limited to those embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage.
  • the above embodiments include inventions of various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by an appropriate combination of a plurality of disclosed configuration requirements. For example, even if some of the configuration requirements are removed from all the configuration requirements shown in each form, the configuration requirements can be eliminated if the problems described can be solved and the described advantages can be obtained.
  • the configuration can be extracted as the invention.
  • the distal end portion and the endoscope of the endoscope which can further reduce the diameter of the insertion portion and improve the insertion performance.

Abstract

A tip 6 of an endoscope 1 is provided with: a first fitting hole 51 having a hole part having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape in which an imaging unit 35 is fitted, the first fitting hole 51 being formed in a distal-end rigid part 21; a second fitting hole 52 in which a connection tube 25 to which a treatment tool insertion channel 26 is connected is fitted, the second fitting hole 52 being formed in the distal-end rigid part 21 so as to be adjacent to a long side of the first fitting hole; a flat face 41 formed on an outer surface of the distal-end rigid part 21 parallel to the long side; two curved faces 41a formed continuously with the flat face 41; inclined faces 42 formed continuously with the two curved faces 41a; and a step part 43 on which a coating member 31 is yarn-wound and bonded part 32, the step part 43 forming a step having a bottom face formed in the circumferential direction of the outer surface continuously with the inclined faces.

Description

内視鏡の先端部および内視鏡End portion of endoscope and endoscope
　本発明は、内視鏡の挿入部に設けられる内視鏡の先端部および内視鏡に関する。 The present invention relates to a distal end portion of an endoscope and an endoscope provided in an insertion portion of the endoscope.
　従来、医療用分野においては、細長の挿入部を体腔内に挿入することにより、体腔内を観察することができる内視鏡が広く用いられている。 Conventionally, in the medical field, an endoscope capable of observing a body cavity by inserting an elongated insertion portion into the body cavity is widely used.
　このような内視鏡は、挿入部の先端部に斜面を設けて先細りの形状として、挿入性を向上させる技術が知られている。 In such an endoscope, there is known a technique for improving the insertability as a tapered shape by providing an inclined surface at the distal end portion of the insertion portion.
　例えば日本国特開２００９－２８５３０５号公報には、尿道などの細く狭い管腔内に挿入部を挿入し易くするための先細りの先端部が挿入部の先端に設けられた内視鏡が開示されている。この日本国特開２００９－２８５３０５号公報には、例えば尿道などの細く狭い管腔内に内視鏡の挿入部を挿入し易くするため細く狭い管腔内に挿入部を挿入し易くする技術が開示されている。 For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2009-285305 discloses an endoscope in which a tapered distal end portion is provided at the distal end of the insertion portion for facilitating insertion of the insertion portion into a narrow and narrow lumen such as the urethra. ing. In this Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-285305, for example, a technique for facilitating insertion of the insertion portion into a narrow and narrow lumen to facilitate insertion of the insertion portion of the endoscope into a narrow and narrow lumen such as the urethra is disclosed. It is disclosed.
　しかしながら、従来の内視鏡は、先端部に設けられる真円状の先端部材である先端硬質部が撮像ユニットなどの各種内蔵物に対して無駄な肉厚を有する部分があり、先端部を細径化するには限界があるという問題があった。その結果、挿入部を、さらに細径化することが困難であり、より挿入性を向上させるために細径化が望まれていた。 However, in the conventional endoscope, there is a portion where the distal end hard portion which is a perfect circular tip member provided at the distal end portion has a useless thickness for various built-in items such as an imaging unit, There is a problem that there is a limit to diameter. As a result, it is difficult to further reduce the diameter of the insertion portion, and it is desirable to reduce the diameter in order to further improve the insertability.
　そこで、本発明は上記事情に鑑みてなされたものであり、より挿入部を細径化でき、挿入性を向上させることができる内視鏡の先端部および内視鏡を提供することを目的としている。 Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a distal end portion of an endoscope and an endoscope which can further reduce the diameter of the insertion portion and improve the insertability. There is.
　本発明の一態様における内視鏡の先端部は、先端硬質部と、前記先端硬質部に形成され、撮像ユニットが嵌合される断面略矩形状の孔部を有する第１の嵌合孔と、前記第１の嵌合孔の前記孔部の長辺に隣接するように前記先端硬質部に形成され、処置具挿通チャンネルが接続される接続管が嵌合される第２の嵌合孔と、前記長辺に平行に前記先端硬質部の外表面に形成された平面と、前記平面と連続して前記外表面の周方向に形成された２つの曲面と、前記２つの曲面に連続して前記外表面の周方向に形成された斜面と、被覆部材が糸巻接着され、前記斜面に連続して前記外表面の周方向に形成された底面を有して前記先端硬質部の内径方向に段形成された段部と、を具備する。 A distal end portion of an endoscope according to one aspect of the present invention is a distal end hard portion, and a first fitting hole having a hole portion formed in the distal end hard portion and having a substantially rectangular cross section into which the imaging unit is fitted. A second fitting hole formed in the distal end hard portion adjacent to a long side of the hole of the first fitting hole, into which a connection pipe to which a treatment instrument insertion channel is connected is fitted; A flat surface formed on the outer surface of the distal end hard portion in parallel with the long side, two curved surfaces formed in the circumferential direction of the outer surface continuously with the flat surface, and continuous to the two curved surfaces The outer surface has an inclined surface formed in the circumferential direction, and a covering member has a bottom surface formed by adhering the covering member in a thread-wound manner and continuing to the inclined surface in the circumferential direction of the outer surface. And a step formed.
　本発明の一態様における内視鏡は、先端硬質部と、前記先端硬質部に形成され、撮像ユニットが嵌合される断面略矩形状の孔部を有する第１の嵌合孔と、前記第１の嵌合孔の前記孔部の長辺に隣接するように前記先端硬質部に形成され、処置具挿通チャンネルが接続される接続管が嵌合される第２の嵌合孔と、前記第１の嵌合孔の長辺に平行に前記先端硬質部の外表面に形成された平面と、前記平面と連続して前記外表面の周方向に形成された２つの曲面と、前記２つの曲面に連続して前記外表面の周方向に形成された斜面と、被覆部材が糸巻接着され、前記斜面に連続して前記外表面の周方向に形成された底面を有して前記先端硬質部の内径方向に段形成された段部と、を具備する先端部が挿入部に設けられている。 The endoscope according to one aspect of the present invention includes a first rigid hole, a first fitting hole formed in the rigid distal portion, and a hole having a substantially rectangular cross section into which the imaging unit is fitted; A second fitting hole formed in the distal end hard portion so as to be adjacent to the long side of the hole of the first fitting hole and into which a connection pipe to which a treatment instrument insertion channel is connected is fitted; 1, a flat surface formed on the outer surface of the distal end hard portion in parallel with the long side of the fitting hole, two curved surfaces formed continuously in the circumferential direction of the outer surface, and the two curved surfaces An inclined surface formed in the circumferential direction of the outer surface continuously, and a covering member having a bottom surface formed in the circumferential direction of the outer surface continuously formed by thread-wound bonding, and the distal end hard portion A distal end portion including a step portion formed in the inner diameter direction is provided at the insertion portion.
本実施の形態の内視鏡の構成を示す斜視図The perspective view showing the composition of the endoscope of this embodiment 同、内視鏡の先端部の構成を示す斜視図The same, the perspective view which shows the structure of the front-end | tip part of an endoscope 同、先端部の構成を示す縦断面Same, vertical section showing the configuration of the tip 同、先端硬質部の構成を示す斜視図Similarly, a perspective view showing the configuration of the distal end hard portion 同、先端硬質部を後方から見た斜視図Same as above, a perspective view of the distal end hard portion seen from the rear 同、先端硬質部の構成を示す横断面図Similarly, a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the distal end hard portion 同、先端部の構成を示す横断面図The same, the cross section showing the configuration of the tip 同、第１の変形例の先端硬質部の構成を示す横断面図Also, a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the distal end hard portion of the first modified example 同、第２の変形例の先端硬質部の構成を示す横断面図The cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the front-end | tip hard part of the same, the 2nd modification
　以下に、本発明の好ましい形態について図面を参照して説明する。　
　なお、以下の説明に用いる図においては、各構成要素を図面上で認識可能な程度の大きさとするため、構成要素毎に縮尺を異ならせてあるものであり、本発明は、これらの図に記載された構成要素の数量、構成要素の形状、構成要素の大きさの比率、および各構成要素の相対的な位置関係のみに限定されるものではない。また、以下の説明においては、図の紙面に向かって見た上下方向を構成要素の上部および下部として説明している場合がある。　
　図１は、内視鏡の構成を示す斜視図、図２は内視鏡の先端部の構成を示す斜視図、図３は先端部の構成を示す縦断面、図４は先端硬質部の構成を示す斜視図、図５は先端硬質部を後方から見た斜視図、図６は先端硬質部の構成を示す横断面図、図７は先端部の構成を示す横断面図である。 Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the drawings used for the following description, in order to make each component a size that can be recognized in the drawings, the scale is different for each component, and the present invention It is not limited only to the number of components described, the shape of the components, the ratio of the sizes of the components, and the relative positional relationship between the components. Further, in the following description, the upper and lower directions viewed in the plane of the drawing may be described as the upper part and the lower part of the component.
1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the endoscope, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the tip of the endoscope, FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross section showing the configuration of the tip, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the distal end hard portion as viewed from the rear, FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view showing the configuration of the distal end hard portion, and FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view showing the configuration of the distal end portion.
　先ず、本実施の形態の内視鏡について以下に説明する。なお、本実施の形態では、気管支内視鏡を例示して説明しているが、以下に述べる技術は消化器系、外科系など各種内視鏡に適用できるものである。 First, an endoscope according to the present embodiment will be described below. In the present embodiment, the bronchoscope is described as an example, but the technology described below can be applied to various endoscopes such as a digestive system and a surgical system.
　本発明の第１の実施形態の内視鏡１は、図１に示すように、挿入部２と、操作部３と、ユニバーサルコード４と、内視鏡コネクタ５などによって主に構成されている。　
　挿入部２は、細長形状に形成され、先端側から順に先端部６、内視鏡湾曲部である湾曲部７および可撓管部８が連設されて形成されており、全体として柔軟性を備えている。 The endoscope 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, is mainly configured by an insertion portion 2, an operation portion 3, a universal cord 4, an endoscope connector 5 and the like. .
The insertion portion 2 is formed in an elongated shape, and the tip portion 6, the bending portion 7 which is an endoscope bending portion, and the flexible tube portion 8 are sequentially provided in order from the tip side, and the flexibility as a whole is obtained. Have.
　挿入部２の先端部６は、内部に撮像素子などを備えた撮像装置である撮像ユニットと、照明光を前方に向けて照射する照明光学系など（いずれも不図示）が内蔵されている。 The distal end portion 6 of the insertion portion 2 incorporates an imaging unit, which is an imaging device including an imaging element and the like inside, and an illumination optical system (both not shown) that radiates illumination light forward.
　なお、本発明を適用し得る内視鏡の形態としては、上述した一例（撮像ユニットなどを備えた電子内視鏡）に限定されるものではなく、それ以外の形態、例えば撮像ユニットを備えず、イメージガイドファイバーを挿入部２に配設した形態のいわゆるファイバースコープなどであってもよい。 In addition, as a form of the endoscope which can apply this invention, it is not limited to the above-mentioned example (an electronic endoscope provided with the imaging unit etc.), A form other than that, for example, an imaging unit is not provided. A so-called fiberscope or the like in which the image guide fiber is disposed in the insertion portion 2 may be used.
　湾曲部７は、操作部３に設けられる操作部材のうち湾曲操作を行うための湾曲レバー１３の回動操作を受けて、第１の方向および、その反対方向である第２の方向に沿った、ここでは上下（ＵＰ及びＤＯＷＮ）の２方向へと能動的に湾曲させ得るように構成されている。なお、ここでの上下（ＵＰ及びＤＯＷＮ）は、撮像ユニットによって撮像される内視鏡画像における上下方向である。 The bending portion 7 receives a pivoting operation of the bending lever 13 for performing bending operation among the operation members provided in the operation portion 3 and follows the first direction and a second direction which is the opposite direction thereof. Here, it is configured to be able to actively bend in two directions of up and down (UP and DOWN). In addition, the upper and lower sides (UP and DOWN) here are the up-down direction in the endoscopic image imaged by the imaging unit.
　可撓管部８は、受動的に可撓自在となるように柔軟性を持たせた構成となっている。この可撓管部８の内部には、処置具挿通チャンネル用のルーメンのほか、先端部６に内蔵される撮像ユニットから延出され操作部３の内部を経てユニバーサルコード４の内部へと延設される各種の信号線が挿通されるルーメンや、外部機器である光源装置（不図示）から発せられる光を先端部６の先端面に設けられている照明窓（不図示）へと導光するライトガイド（不図示）が挿通されるルーメンが形成されている。 The flexible tube portion 8 is configured to have flexibility so as to be passively flexible. In addition to the lumen for the treatment tool insertion channel, the flexible tube portion 8 extends from the imaging unit built in the distal end portion 6 and extends to the inside of the universal cord 4 through the inside of the operation portion 3 Guides light emitted from a light source device (not shown) which is an external device to an illumination window (not shown) provided on the tip surface of tip 6 A lumen through which a light guide (not shown) is inserted is formed.
　なお、光源については、操作部の内部に発光体（例えば発光ダイオード（ｌｉｇｈｔ　ｅｍｉｔｔｉ ｎｇ ｄｉｏｄｅ:ＬＥＤ）など）を設けた形態であってもよい。この構成の場合は、操作部内のＬＥＤから発せられる光を先端部６の照明窓へと導光するために上記ライトガイド（不図示）が利用される。 The light source may have a form in which a light emitter (for example, a light emitting diode (LED) or the like) is provided inside the operation unit. In the case of this configuration, the light guide (not shown) is used to guide the light emitted from the LED in the operation unit to the illumination window of the tip portion 6.
　また、これとは別の形態として、先端部６の内部、例えば照明窓の基端寄りの部位にＬＥＤなどの発光体を設ける形態としてもよい。この構成の場合、ＬＥＤから発せられる光は、直接照明窓を透過して、先端部６の前方を照明する。 Further, as another mode, a light emitter such as an LED may be provided in the inside of the distal end portion 6, for example, a portion near the base end of the illumination window. In this configuration, the light emitted from the LED is transmitted directly through the illumination window to illuminate the front of the tip 6.
　即ち、この構成では可撓管部８内のライトガイド（不図示）は不要となる。その一方で、先端部６に設けたＬＥＤを発光させるための電力供給線などを、可撓管部８内のルーメンに挿通させる構成となる。 That is, in this configuration, the light guide (not shown) in the flexible tube portion 8 becomes unnecessary. On the other hand, a power supply line or the like for causing the LED provided at the distal end portion 6 to emit light is inserted into the lumen in the flexible tube portion 8.
　操作部３は、挿入部２の基端部に連設されており、複数の操作部材などを有して構成される構成ユニットである。この操作部３は、折れ止め部９と、把持部１０と、複数の操作部材（１３，１４など）と、処置具挿通部１１と、吸引バルブ１５などによって構成される。 The operation unit 3 is a component unit connected to the proximal end of the insertion unit 2 and configured to have a plurality of operation members and the like. The operation unit 3 includes a bending portion 9, a grip 10, a plurality of operation members (13, 14 and the like), a treatment tool insertion portion 11, a suction valve 15, and the like.
　折れ止め部９は、操作部３の先端部と可撓管部８の基端部との接続部分に設けられ、可撓管部８の基端部を覆うことにより、当該内視鏡１の使用時に可撓管部８が不要に急激に折れてしまうことを抑止するための保護部材である。 The folding prevention portion 9 is provided at a connection portion between the distal end portion of the operation portion 3 and the proximal end portion of the flexible tube portion 8, and covers the proximal end portion of the flexible tube portion 8 to obtain It is a protection member for preventing that the flexible tube part 8 is broken unnecessarily unnecessarily at the time of use.
　把持部１０は、内部に各種の構成部材を収納する筐体部である。把持部１０は、折れ止め部９に連設されている。そして、把持部１０は、内視鏡１の使用時に使用者が手に持って把持する部位である。 The grip unit 10 is a housing unit that accommodates various constituent members inside. The gripping portion 10 is continuously provided to the fold preventing portion 9. And the holding part 10 is a site | part which a user holds and holds a hand at the time of use of the endoscope 1. As shown in FIG.
　複数の操作部材は、把持部１０の外表面上に設けられ、内視鏡１の各種の機能を操作するための部材である。複数の操作部材としては、例えば湾曲部７の上下方向の湾曲操作を行うための湾曲レバー１３のほか、送気送水操作や吸引操作を行う操作部材、撮像ユニット３５（図３参照）、照明ユニットなどに各対応する操作を行うための操作部材１４などである。 The plurality of operation members are members provided on the outer surface of the grip portion 10 for operating various functions of the endoscope 1. As the plurality of operation members, for example, besides the bending lever 13 for performing the bending operation in the vertical direction of the bending portion 7, the operation member for performing the air / water / water operation or the suction operation, the imaging unit 35 (see FIG. 3), the illumination unit Etc. are the operation member 14 etc. for performing each corresponding operation.
　処置具挿通部１１は、各種の処置具（不図示）を挿入する処置具挿通口（不図示）を有し、操作部３の内部で送気送水管路および吸引管路を兼ねる処置具挿通チャンネル２６（図３参照）に連通する処置具挿通路を備えた構成部である。 The treatment instrument insertion portion 11 has a treatment instrument insertion port (not shown) into which various treatment instruments (not shown) are inserted, and the treatment instrument insertion which doubles as an air / water supply conduit and a suction conduit inside the operation unit 3 It is a component provided with a treatment instrument insertion path in communication with the channel 26 (see FIG. 3).
　なお、この処置具挿通部１１には、処置具挿通口を開閉する蓋部材であって、この処置具挿通部１１に対して着脱自在（交換可能）に構成される鉗子栓１２が配設されている。また、吸引バルブ１５は、不図示の吸引装置との間で吸引管路を連結するための連結部である。 In this treatment tool insertion portion 11, a forceps plug 12 which is a lid member for opening and closing the treatment tool insertion port and is configured to be removable (replaceable) from the treatment tool insertion portion 11 is disposed. ing. The suction valve 15 is a connecting portion for connecting a suction line to a suction device (not shown).
　ユニバーサルコード４は、可撓性を有し、操作部３から延出する中空の管状部材である。このユニバーサルコード４は、挿入部２の先端部６から当該挿入部２の内部を挿通し操作部３の内部を経て延出される各種の信号線と、外部機器である光源装置（不図示）からのライトガイド（不図示）と、外部機器である送気送水装置（不図示）からの送気送水用チューブなどが内部に挿通されている複合ケーブルである。 The universal cord 4 is a hollow tubular member that is flexible and extends from the operation unit 3. The universal cord 4 is inserted from the distal end portion 6 of the insertion portion 2 through the inside of the insertion portion 2 and passes through the inside of the operation portion 3 and various signal lines and a light source device (not shown) which is an external device. The light guide (not shown) and the air / water feeding tube from the air / water / water feeding device (not shown) which is an external device are a composite cable inserted inside.
　内視鏡コネクタ５は、ユニバーサルコード４の先端に配設され、外部機器との接続を確保するための接続部材である。この内視鏡コネクタ５は、外部機器であるビデオプロセッサ（不図示）との間を接続する信号ケーブルを接続する電気コネクタ部１６を側面部に有している。 The endoscope connector 5 is a connection member disposed at the tip of the universal cord 4 for securing connection with an external device. The endoscope connector 5 has an electrical connector portion 16 at a side surface portion for connecting a signal cable for connection with a video processor (not shown) which is an external device.
　また、内視鏡コネクタ５は、外部機器である光源装置（不図示）との間を接続するライトガイド束や、上記各種の信号線をまとめた電気ケーブル（不図示）を接続する光源コネクタ部１７などを有して構成されている。 In addition, the endoscope connector 5 is a light guide connector portion for connecting a light guide bundle for connecting with a light source device (not shown) which is an external device, and an electric cable (not shown) for collecting the various signal lines. And the like.
　ここで、挿入部２の先端部分となる先端部６の構成について以下に説明する。　
　図２に示すように、先端部６は、直径が約４．０ｍｍ程度の先端硬質部２１が設けられている。この先端硬質部２１は、ポリサルフォンなどの硬質樹脂、ステンレスなどの金属から形成された所謂、砲弾形状を成している。 Here, the configuration of the distal end portion 6 to be the distal end portion of the insertion portion 2 will be described below.
As shown in FIG. 2, the distal end portion 6 is provided with a distal end hard portion 21 having a diameter of about 4.0 mm. The distal end hard portion 21 has a so-called cannonball shape formed of a hard resin such as polysulfone, or a metal such as stainless steel.
　先端硬質部２１の先端面２１ａには、被写体の像光が導光する直径が約１．０ｍｍ程度の観察窓２２と、照明光を出射する、ここでは２つの照明窓２３と、が配設されている。また、先端硬質部２１には、開口部２４が形成されている。 The distal end surface 21a of the distal end hard portion 21 is provided with an observation window 22 having a diameter of about 1.0 mm for guiding the image light of the subject and two illumination windows 23 for emitting illumination light here. It is done. Further, an opening 24 is formed in the distal end hard portion 21.
　この先端硬質部２１は、基端部分にチューブ状の被覆部材である湾曲ゴム３１が被覆され、この湾曲ゴム３１の先端部分が糸巻接着部３２により固着されている。なお、湾曲ゴム３１の内周には、金属製のパイプ２７が設けられている。 The distal end hard portion 21 has a proximal end portion covered with a curved rubber 31 which is a tube-shaped covering member, and the distal end portion of the curved rubber 31 is fixed by a thread wound bonding portion 32. A metal pipe 27 is provided on the inner periphery of the curved rubber 31.
　また、先端硬質部２１内には、図３に示すように、処置具挿通チャンネル２６が接続される接続管２５、撮像ケーブル３６が延設された撮像ユニット３５、図示しない照明光学系などが配設され、接着剤などに充填剤２８が充填固化されている。 Further, as shown in FIG. 3, in the distal end hard portion 21, the connection tube 25 to which the treatment instrument insertion channel 26 is connected, the imaging unit 35 in which the imaging cable 36 is extended, and an illumination optical system (not shown) are arranged. The filler 28 is filled and solidified in an adhesive or the like.
　なお、接続管２５は、開口部２４に連通するように先端硬質部２１に嵌着されている。即ち、開口部２４は、処置具挿通チャンネル２６の開口を構成している。この開口部２４は、開口面が先端硬質部２１の先端面２１ａに対して後方側へ向けて所定の角度に斜め形成された傾斜部２０を有している。 The connection pipe 25 is fitted to the distal end hard portion 21 so as to communicate with the opening 24. That is, the opening 24 constitutes an opening of the treatment instrument insertion channel 26. The opening portion 24 has an inclined portion 20 whose opening surface is obliquely formed at a predetermined angle toward the rear side with respect to the distal end surface 21 a of the distal end hard portion 21.
　ここで、開口部２４が設けられた先端硬質部２１の傾斜部２０について簡単に説明する。　
　本実施の形態のような気管支用の内視鏡１は、気管から多岐に亘る気管支に挿入部２が挿入されるため、より細い気管支へ挿入し易いように先端硬質部２１に傾斜部２０を設けて、先端部６の形状が略砲弾形状としている。 Here, the inclined portion 20 of the distal end hard portion 21 provided with the opening 24 will be briefly described.
The endoscope for a bronchus 1 as in the present embodiment has the inclined part 20 on the distal end hard part 21 so that the insertion part 2 is inserted into the bronchus which extends from the trachea to a wide variety of bronchial tubes. It is provided, and the shape of the tip portion 6 is substantially shell-shaped.
　そのため、挿入部２の先端部６は、先端硬質部２１が先端面２１ａに対して、より鋭角に傾斜した傾斜部２０を有したほうが細い気管支へ導入し易くなる。しかし、先端部６は、傾斜部２０に開口部２４が設けられているため、傾斜部２０の角度を鋭角にし過ぎると、吸引性能が著しく劣ってしまう。 Therefore, the distal end portion 6 of the insertion portion 2 can be easily introduced into a thin bronchus when the distal end hard portion 21 has the inclined portion 20 which is inclined at an acute angle with respect to the distal end surface 21 a. However, since the tip portion 6 is provided with the opening 24 in the inclined portion 20, if the angle of the inclined portion 20 is made too acute, the suction performance is significantly deteriorated.
　そのため、本実施の形態の先端硬質部２１の傾斜部２０は、先端面２１ａから挿入部２の長手方向に直交する方向の外周部までの距離ａおよび先端面２１ａから挿入部２の長手方向に沿った深さｂの関係が設定されている。 Therefore, the inclined portion 20 of the distal end hard portion 21 of the present embodiment has a distance a from the distal end surface 21 a to the outer peripheral portion in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 2 and the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 2 from the distal end surface 21 a. The relationship of depth b along is set.
　ここでは、例えば、先端硬質部２１の外径が４．０ｍｍで、処置具挿通チャンネル２６の孔径が２ｍｍとすると、距離ａが１．２ｍｍから２．２３５ｍｍの間に設定され、深さｂが１．０ｍｍから２．０ｍｍの間に設定されている。 Here, for example, assuming that the outer diameter of the distal end hard portion 21 is 4.0 mm and the hole diameter of the treatment instrument insertion channel 26 is 2 mm, the distance a is set between 1.2 mm and 2.235 mm, and the depth b is It is set between 1.0 mm and 2.0 mm.
　なお、例えば、距離ａが１．２ｍｍのときは、深さｂが１．０ｍｍ（ａの０．８３倍）から２．０ｍｍ（ａの１．６７倍）の傾斜部２０が形成され、距離ａが２．２３５ｍｍのときは、深さｂが１．０ｍｍ（ａの０．４５倍）の傾斜部２０が形成される。また、例えば、距離ａが１．８ｍｍのときは、深さｂが１．０ｍｍ（ａの０．５６倍）から１．５ｍｍ（ａの０，８３倍）の傾斜部２０が形成される。このように距離ａが長くなると、深さｂの範囲が小さくなるように傾斜部２０が設定される。 For example, when the distance a is 1.2 mm, the inclined portion 20 is formed with a depth b of 1.0 mm (0.83 times a) to 2.0 mm (1.67 times a), and the distance When a is 2.235 mm, the inclined portion 20 having a depth b of 1.0 mm (0.45 times a) is formed. In addition, for example, when the distance a is 1.8 mm, the inclined portion 20 having a depth b of 1.0 mm (0.56 times a) to 1.5 mm (0. 83 times a) is formed. As described above, the inclined portion 20 is set so that the range of the depth b becomes smaller as the distance a becomes longer.
　以上のように傾斜部２０は、吸引性能が著しく劣ってしまうことを防止するため、深さｂが距離ａの０．４５倍から１．６７倍の範囲に設定されるものである。　
　換言すると、先端硬質部２１の傾斜部２０の開口部２４は、先端硬質部２１の先端面２１ａに沿った垂直面方向の距離ａに対して、この先端面２１ａから先端面２１ａに沿った垂直面方向に直交する水平面方向の深さｂが０．４５倍から１．６７倍の範囲に設定された所定の角度を有して傾斜している。 As described above, in order to prevent the suction performance of the inclined portion 20 from being significantly deteriorated, the depth b is set in the range of 0.45 times to 1.67 times the distance a.
In other words, the opening 24 of the inclined portion 20 of the distal end hard portion 21 is perpendicular to the distance a in the vertical surface direction along the distal end surface 21 a of the distal end hard portion 21 from the distal end surface 21 a to the distal end surface 21 a. The depth b in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the surface direction is inclined at a predetermined angle set in the range of 0.45 times to 1.67 times.
　本実施の形態の先端硬質部２１は、図４および図５に示すように、撮像ユニット３５が嵌合される内蔵物配置部である第１の嵌合孔５１と、処置具挿通チャンネル２６が接続される接続管２５が嵌合される内蔵物配置部である断面真円状の第２の嵌合孔５２と、照明光学系などが嵌合される２つの内蔵物配置部である第３の嵌合孔５３と、が形成されている。 As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the distal end hard portion 21 of the present embodiment has a first fitting hole 51 which is an internals placement portion into which the imaging unit 35 is fitted, and a treatment instrument insertion channel 26. A second fitting hole 52 having a perfect circular cross-section, which is a built-in-place arrangement portion in which the connection pipe 25 to be connected is fitted, and a third built-in-place arrangement portion in which an illumination optical system or the like is fitted And the fitting hole 53 of.
　なお、撮像ユニット３５用の第１の嵌合孔５１は、先端側がレンズユニットの形状に合わせて円柱形状の孔部となっており、基端側が撮像素子、撮像基板などによる形状に合わせて略四角柱状の孔部となっている。 Note that the first fitting hole 51 for the imaging unit 35 has a cylindrical hole portion at the tip end in accordance with the shape of the lens unit, and the proximal end is substantially in accordance with the shape of the imaging device, imaging substrate, etc. It is a square pillar shaped hole.
　そして、先端硬質部２１は、糸巻接着部３２による湾曲ゴム３１が固着される部分となる外表面の中途部分に撮像ユニット３５が配設される第１の嵌合孔５１の略矩形状の孔部の長辺に沿った平面４１が形成され、この平面部４１の両端から外周方向に沿って滑らかな曲面４１ａが形成されている。 The distal end hard portion 21 is a substantially rectangular hole of the first fitting hole 51 in which the imaging unit 35 is disposed in the middle of the outer surface which is a portion to which the curved rubber 31 is adhered by the thread winding adhesive portion 32. A flat surface 41 is formed along the long side of the portion, and a smooth curved surface 41 a is formed along the outer peripheral direction from both ends of the flat portion 41.
　さらに、先端硬質部２１は、曲面４１ａに連続する平面状の斜面である傾斜面４２が形成されて、この傾斜面４２と連続的に内径方向に段形成された段部としての溝部４３が周方向に形成されている。また、溝部４３の基端は、糸巻接着された湾曲ゴム３１の先端部分の抜け止め用の外向フランジ４４が形成されている。 Furthermore, the distal end hard portion 21 is formed with a sloped surface 42 which is a flat slope continuous with the curved surface 41a, and the groove portion 43 as a stepped portion formed stepwise in the inner diameter direction continuously with the sloped surface 42 It is formed in the direction. Further, at the base end of the groove portion 43, an outward flange 44 for retaining the tip end portion of the thread-wound bonded curved rubber 31 is formed.
　したがって、先端硬質部２１は、図６に示すように、平面４１の両端に２つの傾斜面４２が曲面４１ａを介して連続的に形成されて、これら傾斜面４２と連続的に周方向に沿った断面円弧状の底面を有する周溝としての溝部４３が形成されている。なお、図６は、撮像ユニット３５による画像の上下左右方向に合わせた図である。 Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, two inclined surfaces 42 are continuously formed on both ends of the flat surface 41 via the curved surface 41 a as shown in FIG. A groove 43 is formed as a circumferential groove having a bottom surface with an arc-shaped cross section. FIG. 6 is a diagram in which the image by the imaging unit 35 is aligned in the vertical and horizontal directions.
　処置具挿通チャンネル２６に連通する孔部となる第２の嵌合孔５２は、撮像ユニット３５が配設される第１の嵌合孔５１の略矩形状の寸法が小さい短手方向（幅Ｗ方向）に沿って長辺側と隣接するように配置されている。即ち、第１の嵌合孔５１は、後方部分が撮像ユニット３５の撮像素子および撮像基板が設けられる略矩形状部分の断面形状に合わせて高さＨが長尺な長辺と幅Ｗが短尺な短辺を有する断面略矩形状の孔部となっている。 The second fitting hole 52, which is a hole communicating with the treatment instrument insertion channel 26, has a short rectangular direction (a width W of the first fitting hole 51 in which the imaging unit 35 is disposed). Are arranged adjacent to the long side along the direction. That is, the first fitting hole 51 has a long side with a long height H and a short width W in accordance with the cross-sectional shape of the substantially rectangular portion where the rear portion is provided with the imaging device of the imaging unit 35 and the imaging substrate. The hole has a substantially rectangular cross section having a short side.
　このように、先端硬質部２１は、外形ができるだけ小さくなるように、第１の嵌合孔５１と第２の嵌合孔５２の配置が設定されている。 As described above, the arrangement of the first fitting hole 51 and the second fitting hole 52 is set such that the distal end hard portion 21 has the smallest possible outer shape.
　以上のように構成された先端部６の先端硬質部２１は、撮像ユニット３５が配設される第１の嵌合孔５１から必要強度を有するように平面４１の両端に曲面４１ａを介して２つの傾斜面４２を滑らかに連続形成した断面異形状とすることで、従来のような一点鎖線で示す断面略真円状であった直径Ｄに対して、上下方向をより小さな径ｄ１（Ｄ＞ｄ１）、および左右方向をより小さな径ｄ２（Ｄ＞ｄ２）とすることができる。その結果、先端硬質部２１は、従来よりも小さな外形とすることができる。 The distal end hard portion 21 of the distal end portion 6 configured as described above has two curved surfaces 41 a at both ends of the flat surface 41 so as to have necessary strength from the first fitting hole 51 in which the imaging unit 35 is disposed. By making the two inclined surfaces 42 into a cross-sectional different shape formed smoothly and continuously, the diameter d1 which is smaller in the vertical direction than the diameter D which is a substantially perfect circular cross-section indicated by a dashed dotted line as in the prior art d1) and the left and right direction can be made smaller in diameter d2 (D> d2). As a result, the distal end hard portion 21 can have an outer shape smaller than that of the prior art.
　これにより、先端硬質部２１に湾曲ゴム３１が被覆された先端部６の部分も、図７に示すように、従来のような一点鎖線で示す断面略真円状であった直径Ｄ１に対して、上下方向をより小さな径ｄ３（Ｄ１＞ｄ３）、および左右方向をより小さな径ｄ４（Ｄ１＞ｄ４）とすることができる。 Thereby, the portion of the distal end portion 6 in which the distal end hard portion 21 is covered with the curved rubber 31 also has a diameter D1 as shown in FIG. The vertical direction can be made smaller in diameter d3 (D1> d3), and the lateral direction can be made smaller in diameter d4 (D1> d4).
　このように、先端部６の外形をより小さくできることができ、この先端部６に連設される湾曲部７および可撓管部８も細径化することができ、挿入部２全体が細径化できる内視鏡１となる。これにより、内視鏡１は、より細径の挿入部２により挿入性が向上する。　
　特に、従来は先端硬質部２１に傾斜部２０を設けることで先端部の外径が大きくなりやすかったが、上述した先端硬質部２１は、傾斜部２０を設けても外径をより小さくできる。それゆえ、傾斜部２０を設けたことによる挿入性の向上に細径化による挿入性の向上が加えられ、極めて挿入性が向上する。 Thus, the outer shape of the distal end portion 6 can be made smaller, and the diameter of the curved portion 7 and the flexible tube portion 8 continuously provided to the distal end portion 6 can be reduced, and the entire diameter of the insertion portion 2 is small. It becomes the endoscope 1 which can be Thereby, the insertability of the endoscope 1 is improved by the smaller diameter insertion portion 2.
In particular, the outer diameter of the distal end portion is easily increased by providing the inclined portion 20 in the distal end hard portion 21. However, even if the inclined portion 20 is provided, the outer diameter of the distal end hard portion 21 can be further reduced. Therefore, the improvement of the insertability by the reduction of the diameter is added to the improvement of the insertability by the provision of the inclined portion 20, and the insertability is extremely improved.
　さらに、先端部６は、先端硬質部２１が湾曲ゴム３１を固着する糸巻接着部３２の箇所に溝部４３を有することで、湾曲ゴム３１を固着する位置が明確化でき、外向フランジ４４を有することで湾曲ゴム３１の抜けも防止することができる。 Furthermore, the distal end portion 6 has the groove portion 43 at the location of the thread wound bonding portion 32 to which the distal end hard portion 21 adheres the curved rubber 31, so that the position where the curved rubber 31 is adhered can be clarified and has the outward flange 44. It is also possible to prevent the curved rubber 31 from coming off.
　なお、先端部６は、湾曲ゴム３１が被覆される先端硬質部２１が平面４１の両端に曲面４１ａを介して２つの傾斜面４２を滑らかに連続した面とすることで、湾曲ゴム３１の密着性を確保して十分に水密保持された構成となる。 In addition, the tip end portion 6 is in close contact with the curved rubber 31 by the tip hard portion 21 covered with the curved rubber 31 making the two inclined surfaces 42 smoothly continuous on both ends of the plane 41 via the curved surface 41 a. The structure is secured sufficiently to maintain watertightness.
　ところで、本実施の形態に示したような先端硬質部２１の開口部２４が斜め形成された所謂、砲弾形状の先端部６は、先端面２１ａが平面状のものに対して後方側にずらして、斜めに形成された部位よりも後方位置で湾曲ゴム３１を固着する糸巻接着部３２を設ける必要がある。 By the way, in the so-called bullet-shaped tip portion 6 in which the opening 24 of the tip rigid portion 21 as shown in the present embodiment is formed obliquely, the tip surface 21 a is shifted to the rear side with respect to the planar shape. It is necessary to provide a thread wound bonding portion 32 for fixing the curved rubber 31 at a position rearward of the obliquely formed portion.
　そのため、先端硬質部２１の内蔵物である撮像ユニット３５の撮像素子、撮像基板などが設けられる部位の外周に糸巻接着部３２が設けられる。この撮像ユニット３５における撮像素子、撮像基板などが設けられる部位は、最も太い部分であるため、先端硬質部２１を従来のように真円状とした場合、先端部６の細径化が困難であった。 Therefore, the thread-wound bonding portion 32 is provided on the outer periphery of a portion where the imaging device of the imaging unit 35, which is a built-in object of the distal end hard portion 21, the imaging substrate, and the like. The region where the imaging device, the imaging substrate, etc. is provided in this imaging unit 35 is the thickest portion, so when the distal end hard portion 21 has a perfect circular shape as in the prior art, it is difficult to reduce the diameter of the distal end portion 6 there were.
　これに対して、本実施の形態の先端部６では、内蔵物、ここでは撮像ユニット３５によって細径化が困難とされる先端硬質部２１の外周部位に糸巻接着部３２を設けても、撮像ユニット３５の形状に合わせて先端硬質部２１を断面異形状とすることで、細径化が可能となる。 On the other hand, in the distal end portion 6 of the present embodiment, even if the pin-wound adhesive portion 32 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the distal end hard portion 21 which is difficult to reduce in diameter by the built-in object, here the imaging unit 35 By making the distal end hard portion 21 into a cross-sectional different shape in accordance with the shape of the unit 35, the diameter can be reduced.
（第１の変形例）
　図８は、第１の変形例の先端硬質部の構成を示す横断面図である。　
　なお、図８に示すように、先端硬質部２１は、平面４１の両端に曲面４１ａを介して滑らかな連続した面として形成される２つの傾斜面４２を凸曲面としてもよい。 (First modification)
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the distal end rigid portion of the first modified example.
As shown in FIG. 8, the distal end hard portion 21 may have two inclined surfaces 42 formed as smooth and continuous surfaces on both ends of the plane 41 via the curved surfaces 41 a as convex surfaces.
　このように、先端部６は、先端硬質部２１の２つの傾斜面４２を凸曲面とすることで、湾曲ゴム３１との密着性が高まり、より水密保持された構成となる。 As described above, by forming the two inclined surfaces 42 of the distal end hard portion 21 as convex curved surfaces, the distal end portion 6 has a structure in which adhesion with the curved rubber 31 is enhanced and watertightness is maintained.
　また、湾曲ゴム３１との水密性が保持できれば、先端硬質部２１の２つの傾斜面４２を凹曲面としてもよい。 Further, as long as the water tightness with the curved rubber 31 can be maintained, the two inclined surfaces 42 of the distal end hard portion 21 may be formed into a concave curved surface.
（第２の変形例）
　図９は、第２の変形例の先端硬質部の構成を示す横断面図である。　
　図９に示すように、先端硬質部２１は、処置具挿通チャンネル２６が接続される接続管２５が嵌合される第２の嵌合孔５２側も、この第２の嵌合孔５２の真円形状に沿った円弧面を有した異形状にして、外表面が滑らかな連続した傾斜面４２をさらに形成してもよい。 (Second modification)
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the distal end rigid portion of the second modified example.
As shown in FIG. 9, the distal end hard portion 21 is also true to the second fitting hole 52 on the side of the second fitting hole 52 to which the connection tube 25 to which the treatment instrument insertion channel 26 is connected is fitted. The outer surface may have a smooth continuous inclined surface 42, which is a modified shape having a circular arc surface.
　このように、先端硬質部２１は、処置具挿通チャンネル２６が連通する第２の嵌合孔５２の外周部も異形にすることで、さらに先端部６を細径化でき、また処置具挿通チャンネル２６の径を大きくしても先端部６の大型化を抑制することができる。その結果、先端部６の外形が大きくなることを抑制しつつも、処置具挿通チャンネル２６の寸法の自由度が向上する。 As described above, the distal end hard portion 21 can further reduce the diameter of the distal end portion 6 by making the outer peripheral portion of the second fitting hole 52 communicating with the treatment instrument insertion channel 26 different, and the treatment instrument insertion channel Even if the diameter of the tip end 26 is increased, the upsizing of the tip 6 can be suppressed. As a result, the degree of freedom in the dimension of the treatment instrument insertion channel 26 is improved while suppressing an increase in the outer shape of the distal end portion 6.
　以上の実施の形態に記載した発明は、それらの形態に限ることなく、その他、実施段階ではその要旨を逸脱しない範囲で種々の変形を実施し得ることが可能である。さらに、上記各形態には、種々の段階の発明が含まれており、開示される複数の構成要件における適宜な組合せにより種々の発明が抽出され得るものである。　
　例えば、各形態に示される全構成要件から幾つかの構成要件が削除されても、述べられている課題が解決でき、述べられている効果が得られる場合には、この構成要件が削除された構成が発明として抽出され得るものである。 The invention described in the above embodiment is not limited to those embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Furthermore, the above embodiments include inventions of various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by an appropriate combination of a plurality of disclosed configuration requirements.
For example, even if some of the configuration requirements are removed from all the configuration requirements shown in each form, the configuration requirements can be eliminated if the problems described can be solved and the described advantages can be obtained. The configuration can be extracted as the invention.
　本発明によれば、より挿入部を細径化でき、挿入性を向上させることができる内視鏡の先端部および内視鏡を実現できる。 According to the present invention, it is possible to realize the distal end portion and the endoscope of the endoscope which can further reduce the diameter of the insertion portion and improve the insertion performance.
　本出願は、２０１７年１１月２１日に日本国に出願された特願２０１７－２２３５８８号を優先権主張の基礎として出願するものであり、上記の開示内容は、本願明細書、請求の範囲に引用されるものとする。 This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-223588, filed on Nov. 21, 2017, as the basis for claiming priority, and the above disclosure is hereby incorporated by reference into the present specification and claims. It shall be quoted.

Claims (6)

  1. 　先端硬質部と、
    　前記先端硬質部に形成され、撮像ユニットが嵌合される断面略矩形状の孔部を有する第１の嵌合孔と、
    　前記第１の嵌合孔の前記孔部の長辺に隣接するように前記先端硬質部に形成され、処置具挿通チャンネルが接続される接続管が嵌合される第２の嵌合孔と、
    　前記長辺に平行に前記先端硬質部の外表面に形成された平面と、
    　前記平面と連続して前記外表面の周方向に形成された２つの曲面と、
    　前記２つの曲面に連続して前記外表面の周方向に形成された斜面と、
    　被覆部材が糸巻接着され、前記斜面に連続して前記外表面の周方向に形成された底面を有して前記先端硬質部の内径方向に段形成された段部と、
    　を具備することを特徴とする内視鏡の先端部。     The tip rigid part,
    A first fitting hole formed in the distal end hard portion and having a hole having a substantially rectangular cross section into which the imaging unit is fitted;
    A second fitting hole formed in the distal end hard portion adjacent to a long side of the hole of the first fitting hole, into which a connection pipe to which a treatment instrument insertion channel is connected is fitted;
    A flat surface formed on the outer surface of the distal end hard portion in parallel with the long side;
    Two curved surfaces formed in the circumferential direction of the outer surface continuously with the plane;
    Slopes formed in the circumferential direction of the outer surface continuously to the two curved surfaces;
    A covering member formed by thread-bonding and having a bottom surface formed in the circumferential direction of the outer surface continuously to the inclined surface, and a stepped portion stepped in the inner diameter direction of the distal end hard portion;
    A distal end portion of an endoscope characterized in comprising:
  2. 　前記段部は、基端側に形成された外向フランジを有した溝部であることを特徴とする請求項１に記載の内視鏡の先端部。 The distal end portion of an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the shoulder portion is a groove portion having an outward flange formed on a proximal end side.
  3. 　前記斜面は、平面状または凸曲面状であることを特徴とする請求項１に記載の内視鏡の先端部。 The tip portion of the endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the inclined surface is flat or convex curved.
  4. 　前記先端硬質部は、前記第２の嵌合孔の開口部が先端面に対して所定の角度を有して斜めに形成されていることを特徴とする請求項１に記載の内視鏡の先端部。 The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the distal end hard portion is formed such that the opening of the second fitting hole is formed obliquely with a predetermined angle with respect to the distal end surface. Tip.
  5. 　前記開口部は、前記先端硬質部の先端面に沿った垂直面方向の距離に対して、前記先端面から前記垂直面に直交する水平面方向の深さが０．４５倍から１．６７倍の範囲に設定された前記所定の角度を有していることを特徴とする請求項４に記載の内視鏡の先端部。 The opening has a depth in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical plane from the front end surface of 0.45 times to 1.67 times the distance in the vertical direction along the front end surface of the front end hard portion. The distal end portion of the endoscope according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined angle is set in a range.
  6. 　請求項１に記載の内視鏡の先端部が挿入部に設けられていることを特徴とする内視鏡。 An endoscope characterized in that a distal end portion of the endoscope according to claim 1 is provided in an insertion portion.
PCT/JP2018/032645 2017-11-21 2018-09-03 Endoscope tip and endoscope WO2019102679A1 (en)

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2021117200A1 (en) * 2019-12-12 2021-06-17 オリンパス株式会社 Endoscope
WO2021182600A1 (en) 2020-03-12 2021-09-16 Hoya株式会社 Information processing device, inspection system, program, and information processing method

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH02224728A (en) * 1989-02-28 1990-09-06 Asahi Optical Co Ltd Tip of endoscope
JP2002345736A (en) * 2001-05-22 2002-12-03 Fuji Photo Optical Co Ltd Insert part of endoscope
JP2005013708A (en) * 2003-05-30 2005-01-20 Olympus Corp Endoscope and method for assembling it
JP2012110526A (en) * 2010-11-25 2012-06-14 Olympus Medical Systems Corp Distal end structure of endoscope insertion portion

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH02224728A (en) * 1989-02-28 1990-09-06 Asahi Optical Co Ltd Tip of endoscope
JP2002345736A (en) * 2001-05-22 2002-12-03 Fuji Photo Optical Co Ltd Insert part of endoscope
JP2005013708A (en) * 2003-05-30 2005-01-20 Olympus Corp Endoscope and method for assembling it
JP2012110526A (en) * 2010-11-25 2012-06-14 Olympus Medical Systems Corp Distal end structure of endoscope insertion portion

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2021117200A1 (en) * 2019-12-12 2021-06-17 オリンパス株式会社 Endoscope
WO2021182600A1 (en) 2020-03-12 2021-09-16 Hoya株式会社 Information processing device, inspection system, program, and information processing method

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JPWO2019102679A1 (en) 2020-07-27

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