WO2022071565A1

WO2022071565A1 - Endoscope

Info

Publication number: WO2022071565A1
Application number: PCT/JP2021/036391
Authority: WO
Inventors: 高志原田
Original assignee: 富士フイルム株式会社
Priority date: 2020-10-02
Filing date: 2021-10-01
Publication date: 2022-04-07
Also published as: JPWO2022071565A1

Abstract

Provided is an endoscope by which an upright operation wire can be securely fixed to a wire fixing mechanism by a simple operation. A wire fixing mechanism (78) comprises a wire catcher (100), a catcher guide (102) and a slide lever (80). A wire (38) is provided with a part to be locked (39) which has a larger outer shape than a wire body (38A). The wire catcher (100) is provided with a locking hole (137) through which the part to be locked (39) can be inserted and locked. By mounting a fixing unit (82) to an actuator body (46), the wire fixing mechanism (78) enables the insertion of the part to be locked (39) through the locking hole (137). By rotating the slide lever (80), moreover, the part to be locked (39) can be locked to the locking hole (137), the lock state between the part to be locked (39) and the locking hole (137) can be fixed, and the slide lever (80) can be connected to a link member (88).

Description

Endoscope

The present invention relates to an endoscope, and particularly relates to an endoscope provided with a stand on the tip end side of an insertion portion to change the direction in which the treatment tool is taken out.

In the endoscope, various treatment tools are introduced from the treatment tool introduction port provided in the operation part, and this treatment tool is taken out from the treatment tool outlet opened at the tip of the insertion part and used for treatment. ing. For example, in a duodenal endoscope, a treatment tool such as a guide wire or a contrast tube is used. Treatment tools such as puncture needles are used in ultrasonic endoscopes. In other direct speculums and squint speculums, treatment tools such as forceps or snares are used. Such a treatment tool needs to change the lead-out direction at the tip in order to treat a desired position in the subject. Therefore, the tip main body of the tip is provided with an upright stand for changing the direction of taking out the treatment tool. The endoscope is provided with a treatment tool standing mechanism that displaces the posture of the standing table between the standing position and the lying position.

The endoscope disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a stand on the tip side of the work channel. The pedestal is rotated around the pivot axis by a wire so that the medical device can be accurately directed to the surgical area. The base end side of the wire is inserted into the collet, then the collet is tightened by rotating the nut and the collet secures the wire.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0099500

However, in the endoscope disclosed in Patent Document 1, the collet and the nut are composed of separate parts, and the wire is fixed by a plurality of members. Therefore, it is necessary to insert the wire into the collet and push the collet into the nut to rotate it. Therefore, there is a concern that the operation for fixing the wire becomes complicated.

Also, in the case of a collet chuck, the fixing force may not be sufficiently exerted depending on the tightening condition, or the wire fixing end may be gripped by the collet at a halfway position (for example, when there is almost no gripping margin at the wire fixing end). If it is fixed in the above state, the wire may come off from the collet during the standing operation.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope capable of reliably fixing an upright operation wire to a wire fixing mechanism with a simple operation.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the endoscope of the present invention has an operation portion provided with an operation member, an insertion portion provided on the tip end side of the operation portion, and an insertion portion inserted into a subject, and an insertion portion. An upright operation wire provided at the tip portion, an upright operation wire whose tip side is connected to the treatment tool upright table, and which is pushed and pulled according to the operation of the operating member to operate the treatment tool upright stand, and an upright operation wire. The operation unit has a link member that operates in conjunction with the operation of the operation member, and the wire fixing mechanism is capable of attaching and detaching the base end side of the standing operation wire. The wire catch is locked and fixed to the wire, the catch guide that guides the wire catch in the wire axial direction of the standing operation wire, and the wire catch moves forward and backward in the wire axial direction by operating in conjunction with the operation of the operating member. A sliding lever that has a lever connecting portion that can be detachably connected to the link member and that can be rotated when the link member and the lever connecting portion are disconnected. The standing operation wire is located on the base end side of the long wire body and has a locked portion formed in an outer shape larger than that of the wire body, and the wire catch inserts the locked portion. The wire fixing mechanism has a locking hole that can be locked, and the wire fixing mechanism enables the insertion of the locked portion into the locking hole by mounting the wire fixing mechanism on the operating portion, and the wire fixing mechanism is covered with the locking hole. It is possible to lock the locking portion, fix the locked state between the locked portion and the locking hole, and connect the lever connecting portion and the link member by rotating the sliding lever. It was configured in.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the wire fixing mechanism is for releasing the connection between the lever connecting portion and the link member, releasing the locking state between the locked portion and the locking hole, and engaging with the locking hole. The locking of the stop portion can be released by rotating the sliding lever in the opposite direction to the rotation operation, and the locked portion can be released from the locking hole by detaching the wire fixing mechanism from the operation portion. It is preferable to configure it so as to enable it.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the rotation operation of the sliding lever includes a first rotation operation of rotating the sliding lever to one side of the first rotation direction centered on the first direction parallel to the wire axial direction. The first rotation operation includes a second rotation operation of rotating the sliding lever to one side of the second rotation direction centered on the second direction orthogonal to the first direction after the first rotation operation is performed. By combining with the second rotation operation, the locked portion is locked to the locking hole, the locked portion and the locking hole are fixed in the locked state, and the lever connecting portion and the link member are connected. Is preferably executed.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the reverse rotation operation of the sliding lever includes a third rotation operation for rotating the sliding lever to the other side opposite to one side in the second rotation direction and a third rotation operation. A fourth rotation operation of rotating the sliding lever to the other side opposite to one side in the first rotation direction after the operation is performed, and the lever is connected by a combination of the third rotation operation and the fourth rotation operation. It is preferable to release the connection between the portion and the link member, release the locking state of the locked portion and the locking hole, and release the locking of the locked portion with respect to the locking hole.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the wire catch has a fixing member for fixing the locked state between the locked portion inserted into the locking hole and the locking hole, and the fixing member is the locked portion. It is possible to move between the fixed position for fixing the locked state between the locking hole and the locking hole and the releasing position for releasing the locking state between the locked portion and the locking hole. It is preferable that the fixing member can be moved to the fixed position by the second rotation operation and the fixing member can be moved to the release position by the third rotation operation.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the wire catch has a catch body in which a locking hole is formed, and the fixing member can move in the wire axial direction in conjunction with the second rotation operation, and the second rotation operation. Is performed, the fixing member moves to the fixed position, the locked state of the locked portion and the locking hole is fixed by the fixing member, and the fixing member is maintained in the locked state. It is preferable that the catch body and the catch body are integrally moved to the base end side in the wire axial direction to pull up the standing operation wire.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the catch guide has a catch guide groove extending in the wire axial direction, and the catch body is located at a position overlapping the catch body shaft engaged and guided by the catch guide groove and the catch guide groove. It has a catch body groove provided and extends in the wire axial direction, and the fixing member has a fixing member shaft that is inserted into the catch body groove and moves freely along the catch body groove, and is a sliding lever. Has a lever bearing hole rotatably connected to the catch body shaft and a cam groove to which the fixing member shaft is slidably engaged, and the cam groove is curved with a linear first cam groove portion. The shape of the second cam groove is continuous, the first cam groove changes the relative distance between the catch body and the fixing member, and the second cam groove maintains the relative distance between the catch body and the fixing member. Is preferable.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the sliding lever has a first lever contact portion, and the catch guide has a first regulation surface to which the first lever contact portion can contact, and the first regulation The surface abuts on the first lever contact portion when the fixing member shaft is present in the first cam groove portion to regulate the movement of the sliding lever, thereby causing the sliding lever to rotate around the catch body shaft. It is possible, and it is preferable to change the relative distance between the catch body and the fixing member.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the first regulation surface is composed of an arcuate surface centered on the catch body axis.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the sliding lever has a second lever contact portion at a position different from that of the first lever contact portion, and the catch guide is regulated by the first regulation surface with respect to the sliding lever. It has a second regulating surface that can abut on the second lever contact portion when released, and the second regulating surface is the second lever hit when the fixing member shaft is present in the second cam groove portion of the cam groove. By contacting the contact portion and restricting the movement of the sliding lever, the rotation of the sliding lever around the second lever contact portion can be performed while moving the second lever contact portion along the second regulation surface. It is possible to move the catch body and the fixing member integrally.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the locking hole has a first hole having a size through which the locked portion can be inserted, and a size larger than the outer shape of the wire body and smaller than the outer shape of the locked portion. It is preferable that the second hole has a continuous opening shape.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the wire catch is rotatably configured around a rotation axis eccentric from the standing operation wire, the locking hole is provided at a position eccentric from the rotation axis, and the rotation axis is formed. It is preferable that the first hole and the second hole are continuously formed along the centered rotation locus.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is a tip body provided at the tip of the insertion portion and a tip cap that can be attached to and detached from the tip body, and is locked to the tip body when attached to the tip body. The tip cap is provided with a locking portion for possible mounting, the catch guide is equipped with a cap at the end, the cap is configured to include a tip cap removal jig, and the tip cap removal jig is A storage space portion provided on the cap and having an opening at one end, a locking release portion provided on the cap, and a holding portion provided on the cap are provided, and the tip cap is accommodated in the storage space portion. When this is done, the unlocked portion is in the unlocked state in which the locked portion is unlocked from the tip body, and the holding portion is held in the tip cap. It is preferable that the tip cap can be pulled out from the tip body together with the tip cap.

According to the present invention, the standing operation wire can be reliably fixed to the wire fixing mechanism by a simple operation.

Configuration diagram of an endoscope system equipped with an endoscope An exploded perspective view of the tip of the endoscope shown in FIG. Enlarged perspective view of the base end of the operation unit Enlarged perspective view of the base end of the operation unit Explanatory drawing which attaches embodiment of wire fixing mechanism to operation part main body Explanatory drawing which attaches embodiment of wire fixing mechanism to operation part main body Explanatory drawing which attaches embodiment of wire fixing mechanism to operation part main body Explanatory drawing for mounting the wire fixing mechanism of the embodiment on the main body of the operation unit Explanatory drawing for connecting the sliding lever to the standing operation lever Front view of the operation unit main body in which the sliding lever is connected to the standing operation lever. Front view of the main body of the operation unit where the standing operation lever is located at the standing operation position. Front view of wire fixing mechanism Perspective view of the main part with the cap removed from the wire fixing mechanism shown in FIG. Perspective view of the main part showing the configuration of the sliding lever A perspective view of mounting the wire fixing mechanism shown in FIG. 13 on the main body of the operation unit. Sectional drawing of the wire fixing mechanism along the XVI-XVI line of FIG. Explanatory drawing showing a state in which the locked portion protrudes from the locking hole. Explanatory drawing showing a state in which a wire protrudes from a locking hole Explanatory drawing showing a state in which the wire is locked in the second hole. Front view of the wire catch in the state of FIG. Front view showing the state where the wire fixing mechanism is attached to the main body of the operation unit. Front view showing the state where the lever connection operation is started Explanatory drawing showing a state in which the locked portion is engaged with the concave portion in the middle of the lever connecting operation. Front view showing the state where the first half of the lever connection operation is completed Sectional drawing of the wire fixing mechanism in the state of FIG. 24 Front view showing the state where the latter half of the lever connection operation has started. Front view showing the state where the lever connection operation is completed Explanatory drawing showing a wire fixing range and a driving range Perspective view of the wire fixing mechanism from the side of the cap Cross-sectional view of the cap including the tip cap removal jig, which is parallel to the central axis and cut in a plane passing through the unlocking part and the holding part. An exploded perspective view of the tip An exploded perspective view of the tip as seen from a different angle from FIG. 31. A perspective view of the tip cap from which the treatment tool stand and the operation wire are removed. Perspective view of the tip cap from which the operation wire is removed as seen from the base end side. A perspective view seen from the base end side in an enlarged view of the wall member. The figure which shows the state before attaching the tip cap to the tip body. The figure which shows the state just before the locking part of a wall member is locked to the stopper part of a base end wall part. A view of the tip cap and the tip body in the state of FIG. 37 as viewed from the Z (+) direction. The figure which shows the state which the locking part of a wall member is locked to the stopper part of a base end wall part. A view of the tip cap and the tip body in the state of FIG. 39 as viewed from the Z (+) direction. Perspective view for explaining the procedure for removing the tip cap using the tip cap removing jig. Cross-sectional view for explaining the procedure for removing the tip cap with the tip cap removing jig. Cross-sectional view for explaining the procedure for removing the tip cap with the tip cap removing jig. Cross-sectional view for explaining the procedure for removing the tip cap with the tip cap removing jig. Cross-sectional view for explaining the procedure for removing the tip cap with the tip cap removing jig. The figure for demonstrating the regulation part provided in the tip cap removal jig. The figure for demonstrating the relationship between the insertion direction of the tip cap removal jig and the regulation part. Diagram to explain the function of the regulation department Cross-sectional view for explaining the procedure for removing the tip cap according to another embodiment of the tip cap removing jig. Cross-sectional view for explaining the procedure for removing the tip cap according to still another embodiment of the tip cap removing jig.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the endoscope of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an endoscope system 12 including an endoscope 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The endoscope system 12 includes an endoscope 10, an endoscope processor device 14, and a display 18.

The endoscope 10 includes a hand operation unit 22 provided with a standing operation lever 20 and an insertion unit 24 provided on the tip end side of the hand operation unit 22 and inserted into a subject. The hand operation unit 22 functions as the operation unit of the present invention.

The insertion portion 24 has a long axis direction Ax from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion, and includes a flexible portion 26, a curved portion 28, and a distal end portion 30 in order from the proximal end side to the distal end side. The detailed configuration of the tip portion 30 will be described later, but first, a schematic configuration of the tip portion 30 will be described.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the tip portion 30. Here, the endoscope 10 of the embodiment (see FIG. 1) is a side endoscope used as, for example, a duodenal endoscope, and the tip portion 30 of FIG. 2 has a configuration of a side endoscope. ..

As shown in FIG. 2, the tip portion 30 is configured by attaching the tip cap 34 to the tip portion main body 32. The tip cap 34 is provided with a treatment tool standing table 36 (hereinafter, referred to as a standing table 36) having a treatment tool guide surface 36A, and shows a state in which the standing table 36 is positioned in an inverted position. ..

FIG. 2 shows various contents arranged inside the insertion portion 24 of the endoscope 10 (see FIG. 1) in addition to the tip portion 30. That is, in FIG. 2, an operation is performed to change the lead-out direction of the treatment tool channel 37 that guides the tip portion of the treatment tool (not shown) to the tip portion main body 32 and the tip portion of the treatment tool derived from the tip portion main body 32. An upright operation wire 38 (hereinafter referred to as a wire 38), a wire channel 40 composed of a close contact spring through which the wire 38 is inserted, an air supply / water supply tube 42, and a cable insertion channel 44 are shown. ing. Further, an angle wire (not shown) for bending the insertion channel 45 of the light guide that guides the illumination light supplied from the light source device 15 (see FIG. 1) to the tip main body 32 and the curved portion 28 (see FIG. 1). ) And the like are also arranged inside the insertion portion 24.

In this specification, a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system in the three-axis direction (X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, Z-axis direction) will be described. That is, when the tip portion 30 is viewed from the hand operation unit 22 and the direction in which the treatment tool (not shown) is drawn out by the standing table 36 is the upward direction, the upward direction is the Z (+) direction and the opposite direction. The downward direction is the Z (-) direction. Further, the right direction at that time is the X (+) direction, and the left direction is the X (−) direction. Further, the front direction (the direction toward the tip end side in the long axis direction Ax direction of the insertion portion 24) at that time is the Y (+) direction, and the rear direction (the base end side in the direction of the long axis direction Ax of the insertion portion 24). Direction) is the Y (-) direction. The Y-axis direction including the Y (+) direction and the Y (−) direction is parallel to the long axis direction Ax direction of the insertion portion 24 and the wire axis direction of the wire 38. Further, the Y (+) direction points to the tip end side in the wire axis direction, and the Y (−) direction points to the base end side in the wire axis direction. Further, the Z-axis direction is a direction orthogonal to the long-axis direction Ax, and the X-axis direction is a direction orthogonal to the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction, respectively.

Returning to FIG. 1, the hand operation unit 22 is configured to have a substantially cylindrical shape as a whole. The hand operation unit 22 has an operation unit main body 46 provided with an standing operation lever 20 and a grip portion 48 connected to the operation unit main body 46. The grip portion 48 is a portion that is gripped by the operator when the endoscope 10 is operated, and the base end portion of the insertion portion 24 is connected to the tip end side of the grip portion 48 via a breakage tube 50.

The base end portion of the universal cable 52 is connected to the operation unit main body 46, and the connector device 54 is provided at the tip end portion of the universal cable 52. The connector device 54 is connected to the endoscope processor device 14.

The endoscope processor device 14 includes a light source device 15 and an image processing device 16. The light source device 15 is provided with a processor-side connector 15A to which the connector device 54 is connected. Further, a display 18 for displaying an image processed by the image processing device 16 is connected to the image processing device 16. The endoscope system 12 transmits power, optical signals, and the like between the endoscope 10 and the endoscope processor device 14 via a connector portion composed of a connector device 54 and a processor-side connector 15A. It has a configuration for non-contact transmission. As a result, the light from the light source device 15 is transmitted via an optical fiber cable (not shown) and is emitted from the illumination window 74 (see FIG. 2) provided on the tip surface of the tip portion 30. Further, the optical signal obtained by capturing and converting the light captured from the observation window 76 (see FIG. 2) by the image pickup device is image-processed by the image processing device 16 and displayed as an image on the display 18.

The air supply / water supply button 57 and the suction button 59 are arranged side by side on the operation unit main body 46. The air supply / water supply button 57 is a button that can be operated in two stages, and air can be supplied to the air supply / water supply nozzle 58 (see FIG. 2) via the air supply / water supply tube 42 by the first stage operation. Water can be supplied to the air supply / water supply nozzle 58 via the air supply / water supply tube 42 by the operation of the step. Further, when the suction button 59 is operated, body fluid such as blood can be sucked from the treatment tool outlet 60 (FIG. 2) via the treatment tool channel 37.

A pair of angle knobs 62, 62 for bending the curved portion 28 are arranged on the operation unit main body 46. The pair of angle knobs 62, 62 are provided coaxially and rotatably. For example, four angle wires (not shown) are connected to the angle knobs 62 and 62 and the curved portion 28, and these angle wires are pushed and pulled by the rotation operation of the angle knobs 62 and 62. The curved portion 28 is curved vertically and horizontally.

The operation unit main body 46 is provided with a standing operation lever 20 rotatably coaxially with the angle knobs 62 and 62. The standing operation lever 20 is rotationally operated by the operator who grips the grip portion 48. The standing operation lever 20 functions as an operation member of the present invention.

A wire fixing mechanism 78, which is an embodiment of the wire fixing mechanism of the present invention, is provided outside the operation unit main body 46. The wire fixing mechanism 78 has a sliding lever 80 and a fixing unit 82, and has a configuration for fixing the base end side of the wire 38 (see FIG. 2) as described later. One end of the sliding lever 80 is detachably connected to the standing operation lever 20 side, and moves (slides) in conjunction with the rotation operation of the standing operation lever 20. Further, the fixing unit 82 is provided at the other end of the sliding lever 80. The fixing unit 82 is attached to the operation unit main body 46, and the base end side of the wire 38 is fixed to the fixing unit 82. As a result, the standing operation lever 20 and the wire 38 are connected via the wire fixing mechanism 78. The wire fixing mechanism 78 will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 1, the grip portion 48 of the hand operation unit 22 includes a treatment tool introduction port 64 for introducing the treatment tool. The treatment tool (not shown) introduced from the treatment tool introduction port 64 with the tip portion at the head is inserted into the treatment tool channel 37 shown in FIG. 2 and is led out from the treatment tool outlet 60 to the outside. Examples of the treatment tool include a biopsy forceps having a cup capable of collecting biological tissue at the tip, a knife for EST (Endoscopic Sphincterotomy), or a contrast tube.

Next, the structure of the tip portion 30 shown in FIG. 2 will be described.

First, the tip body 32 will be described.

The tip main body 32 is formed in a substantially L shape when viewed from the Z (+) direction side, and includes a base end wall portion 65 and a partition wall 68. The partition wall 68 is made of, for example, a corrosion-resistant metal material, and is projected in the Y (+) direction. By attaching the tip cap 34 to the tip body 32, the standing table accommodating space 66 is defined by the partition wall 68 and the tip cap 34. A through hole 61 is formed in the tip main body 32, and the wire 38 is inserted through the through hole 61. Since FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view, the upright stand accommodating space 66 formed after the tip cap 34 is attached to the tip body 32 is shown in the tip cap 34.

An illumination window 74 and an observation window 76 are arranged adjacent to each other in the Y direction on the upper surface 68A on the Z (+) side of the partition wall 68. The illumination window 74 can irradiate the visual field region in the Z (+) direction with illumination light, and the observation window 76 can observe the visual field region in the Z (+) direction. The tip main body 32 is provided with an air supply / water supply nozzle 58 toward the observation window 76, and the observation window 76 is washed by air and water ejected from the air supply / water supply nozzle 58.

Next, the tip cap 34 will be described.

The tip cap 34 is made of an elastic material such as a rubber material or a resin material. Examples of the resin material include polysulfone and polycarbonate.

The tip cap 34 includes a main body portion 34B whose tip side is sealed and formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and a substantially rectangular opening 34A is formed in a part of the main body portion 34B. The opening 34A is opened in the Z (+) direction. The tip surface portion 34D is connected to the main body portion 34B and is provided on the tip side of the tip cap 34 in the Y (+) direction. The tip surface portion 34D covers the tip surface of the tip portion main body 32 on the Y (+) direction side. Due to the tip surface portion 34D and the main body portion 34B, the tip cap 34 has a substantially bottomed tubular shape as a whole.

The tip cap 34 is provided with a bearing 34C that rotatably supports the upright stand 36 inside. The bearing 34C has a height in the Z (+) direction and is configured as a plate-like body extending in the Y (+) direction.

The upright stand 36 has a rotating shaft 36B along the X direction, and the rotating shaft 36B is rotatably supported by a through hole (not shown) of the bearing 34C. As a result, the standing table 36 is rotated around the rotation shaft 36B, and its posture is changed between the lying position (see FIG. 2) and the standing position.

The tip of the wire 38 is connected to the stand 36. The wire 38 is connected to the tip side of the upright stand 36 on the side opposite to the side on which the rotation shaft 36B is formed and at a position adjacent to the treatment tool guide surface 36A.

The tip cap 34 configured in this way is of the type to which the upright stand 36 is pre-attached, and the wire 38 is also preliminarily connected to the upright stand 36. When the treatment of the endoscope 10 is completed, the tip cap 34 of this example is removed from the tip body 32 and discarded together with the upright stand 36 and the wire 38 as, for example, disposable. The standing table 36 may be attached to the tip main body 32 instead of the tip cap 34.

Hereinafter, the wire fixing mechanism 78 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The wire fixing mechanism 78 has a sliding lever 80 and a fixing unit 82 as described above.

First, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 8, a configuration for mounting the fixing unit 82 on the operation unit main body 46 and a procedure thereof will be described. 3 to 8 are enlarged perspective views showing a portion on the base end side of the operation unit main body 46, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 3, the base end surface 46A of the operation unit main body 46 is provided with a cylindrical connection portion 25 in which a take-out port 23 for leading out the base end side of the wire 38 is formed. The connecting portion 25 is projected from the proximal end surface 46A in the Y (−) direction, and the proximal end side of the wire 38 is projected from the outlet 23 in the Y (−) direction. The wire 38 is projected from a position eccentric with respect to the axial center 25A of the connecting portion 25.

The wire 38 is provided with a long wire body 38A and a locked portion 39 having an outer shape larger than that of the wire body 38A, which is located on the base end side of the wire body 38A. In FIG. 3, a cylinder is exemplified as the shape of the locked portion 39, but the shape is not limited to this, and any outer shape larger than that of the wire body 38A may be, for example, a sphere. In the following description, when the term "wire 38" is used, it mainly refers to the wire body 38A.

Here, the protruding length of the wire 38 protruding from the connecting portion 25 will be briefly described. FIG. 4 shows a wire 38 having a longer protrusion length than the wire 38 shown in FIG. The wires 38 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 both have the same length, but the reason why the protruding lengths of the wires 38 having the same length are different is the soft portion 26 (see FIG. 1) or This is due to the state of the curved portion 28.

That is, when the soft portion 26 is in the loop state or the curved portion 28 is in the curved state, the wire channel 40 (see FIG. 2) through which the wire 38 is inserted extends and the insertion path of the wire 38 becomes long. Therefore, the wire 38 is relatively short with respect to the insertion path of the wire 38, and as a result, the protrusion length is short as shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the flexible portion 26 or the curved portion 28 is in a straight state, the wire channel 40 does not extend, resulting in a longer protrusion length shown in FIG. The wire fixing mechanism 78 of this example has a configuration in which the wire 38 can be fixed without being affected by the protruding length of the wire 38, and this configuration will be described later.

Hereinafter, as an example, a case where the wire fixing mechanism 78 is attached to the operation unit main body 46 shown in FIG. 4 will be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 5, the fixing unit 82 is opposed to the locked portion 39 of the wire 38. At this time, in the Y-axis direction parallel to the wire axial direction, the open end 84A of the cam groove 84 provided in the fixing unit 82 is aligned with the cam pin 86 projecting from the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 25. The cam groove 84 is formed so as to be inclined from the opening end 84A toward the Y (−) direction.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the locked portion 39 and the wire 38 are housed inside the fixed unit 82 while the fixed unit 82 is advanced toward the connecting portion 25 in the Y (+) direction. Hereinafter, this operation is referred to as a "wire accommodating operation".

Next, as shown in FIG. 7, when the cam pin 86 is accommodated in the open end 84A of the cam groove 84 (see FIG. 5), the fixing unit is set with the axis 25A (see FIG. 4) eccentric from the wire 38 as the rotation axis. The 82 is rotated in the clockwise direction indicated by the arrow B from the state shown in FIG. In this case, the sliding lever 80 is rotated to rotate the fixing unit 82. Then, the fixing unit 82 is pushed in the Y (+) direction by the guide action between the cam groove 84 and the cam pin 86. Then, in the posture of FIG. 8 in which the cam pin 86 reaches the end of the cam groove 84, the fixing unit 82 is attached to the operation unit main body 46 via the connection unit 25. Hereinafter, this operation is referred to as a "rotational mounting operation". Therefore, the fixed unit 82 is mounted on the operation unit main body 46 through the above-mentioned "wire accommodating operation" and "rotational mounting operation". The above-mentioned "wire accommodating operation" and "rotational mounting operation" can be executed by one action.

Here, the rotation operation of the sliding lever 80 performed in the "rotation mounting operation" is an operation of rotating the sliding lever 80 to one side in the first rotation direction about the axis 25A corresponding to the first direction parallel to the wire axis direction. Therefore, it corresponds to the first rotation operation of the present invention.

Next, with reference to FIG. 9, the configuration for connecting the sliding lever 80 to the standing operation lever 20 side and the procedure thereof will be described. FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view showing a portion of the operation unit main body 46 on the base end side.

As shown in FIG. 9, the operation unit main body 46 has a link member 88 connected to the standing operation lever 20. The link member 88 is rotatably provided around the rotation axis of the standing operation lever 20 and is rotated in the same direction in conjunction with the rotation operation of the standing operation lever 20. An opening 90 is formed in the link member 88, and the sliding lever 80 is operated to stand up via the link member 88 by engaging the claw portion 92 provided on the sliding lever 80 with the opening 90. It is detachably connected to the lever 20. The claw portion 92 functions as the lever connecting portion of the present invention.

On the other hand, the sliding lever 80 is rotatably connected to the fixed unit 82 via a first axis 94 that is selectively switched and a second axis 96 shown by a broken line. As will be described in detail later, when the sliding lever 80 shown in FIG. 8 is pushed down toward the link member 88 in the direction indicated by the arrow C, the sliding lever 80 first rotates with the first axis 94 as the rotation axis. As shown in FIG. 9, it approaches the link member 88. After that, when the above-mentioned pushing-down operation is continued, the sliding lever 80 rotates with the second shaft 96 as the rotation axis, and as shown in FIG. 10, the claw portion 92 engages with the opening 90 (see FIG. 9). It fits. Hereinafter, this operation is referred to as "lever connection operation". Therefore, the sliding lever 80 is connected to the standing operation lever 20 side through the above-mentioned "wire accommodating operation", "rotational mounting operation", and "lever connecting operation". With the above, the wire fixing mechanism 78 is attached to the operation unit main body 46. FIG. 10 is a front view of the operation unit main body 46 as viewed from the X (+) direction side of the operation unit main body 46.

Here, the respective axes of the first axis 94 and the second axis 96 are orthogonal to the axis 25A (see FIG. 7). The rotation operation of the sliding lever 80 performed during the "lever connection operation" is an operation of rotating the sliding lever 80 to one side in the second rotation direction centered on the second direction orthogonal to the axis 25A. Corresponds to the second rotation operation.

Note that FIG. 10 shows a state in which the standing operation lever 20 is located at the lodging operation position. That is, the wire fixing mechanism 78 of this example is connected to the standing operation lever 20 located at the lodging operation position via the link member 88. Further, as will be described in detail later, the locked portion 39 (see FIG. 4) of the wire 38 is a fixed unit by undergoing the above-mentioned "wire accommodating operation", "rotational mounting operation", and "lever connecting operation". It is fixed to 82. In the embodiment, as one of the preferred embodiments, the case where the lever connection operation is performed at the lodging operation position is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the lever connection operation may be performed at a position other than the lodging operation position. For example, the lever connection operation may be performed at the standing operation position, or may be performed between the standing operation position and the lodging operation position.

In FIG. 10, when the posture of the standing table 36 (see FIG. 2) is changed by rotating the standing operation lever 20, the standing operation lever 20 of FIG. 10 located at the lodging operation position is shown in FIG. Rotate in the counterclockwise direction indicated by the arrow U (see FIG. 10) toward the indicated standing operation position. Then, the link member 88 rotates in the counterclockwise direction, the sliding lever 80 connected to the link member 88 moves in the Y (−) direction, and the fixing unit 82 connected to the sliding lever 80 moves in the Y (−) direction. ) Move in the direction. Since the locked portion 39 of the wire 38 (see FIG. 2) is fixed to the fixing unit 82, the wire 38 is pulled in the Y (−) direction by the rotation operation of the standing operation lever 20. As a result, the posture of the standing table 36 connected to the tip of the wire 38 is changed from the lying position in FIG. 2 to the standing position.

On the contrary, when the standing table 36 is to be laid down, the standing operation lever 20 of FIG. 11 located at the standing operation position is pointed at the lying operation position shown by FIG. Rotate in the clockwise direction indicated by. Then, the link member 88 (see FIG. 9) rotates clockwise, the sliding lever 80 connected to the link member 88 moves in the Y (+) direction, and the fixed unit 82 connected to the sliding lever 80. Moves in the Y (+) direction. As a result, the wire 38 is pushed in the Y (+) direction, and the posture of the standing table 36 is changed from the standing position to the lying position in FIG.

When releasing the connection state between the sliding lever 80 and the link member 88, as shown in FIG. 10, the unlocking member 98 projecting from the tip of the sliding lever 80 is directed toward the link member 88. And push it in the direction of arrow E. As a result, the claw portion 92 is pushed by the lock release member 98 and retracts from the opening 90, and the above-mentioned connected state can be released.

Next, the fixed unit 82 will be described. FIG. 12 is a front view of the fixed unit 82.

As shown in FIG. 12, the fixing unit 82 guides the wire catch 100 that detachably locks and fixes the base end side of the wire 38 and the wire catch 100 in the wire axial direction (Y-axis direction) of the wire 38. It has a catch guide 102 and a wire. Further, the wire catch 100 has a catch main body 104 and a fixing member 106. As will be described in detail later, among the constituent members of the fixed unit 82, the member that moves in the Y-axis direction by the operation of the sliding lever 80 (the lever connecting operation and the driving operation of the standing table 36) is the wire catch 100. Therefore, the catch guide 102 does not move.

The catch guide 102 is provided with a cylindrical connecting portion 108 having a cam groove 84 at the end on the Y (+) direction side, and this connecting portion 108 is connected to the connecting portion 25 of the operating portion main body 46 (see FIG. 6). Will be done. Further, the catch guide 102 has a cap 107 attached to an end portion on the Y (−) direction side. The cap 107 has

claws

110 and 110 formed on both walls, and the

claws

110 and 110 can be detachably attached to and detached from the catch guide 102 by engaging the

claws

110 and 110 with the

grooves

112 and 112 on both walls of the catch guide 102. It is attached.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a main part when the cap 107 is removed from the catch guide 102 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 13, in the catch guide 102, a catch guide groove 114 extending in the wire axial direction is formed in the central portion, and the first shaft 94 is slidably engaged and guided along the catch guide groove 114. .. As described above, the first shaft 94 is a shaft constituting one of the rotating shafts of the sliding lever 80, and is fixed to the catch body 104. The first shaft 94 functions as the catch body shaft of the present invention. Further, the lever bearing hole 80A (see FIG. 14) of the sliding lever 80 is rotatably engaged with the first shaft 94.

Here, the configuration of the sliding lever 80 will be described once. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a main part of the sliding lever 80.

As shown in FIG. 14, the sliding lever 80 has a pair of plate-shaped

portions

120 and 120 that sandwich and hold the fixing unit 82 (see FIG. 5), and a lever body 122 that is integrated with the plate-shaped

portions

120 and 120. And have.

A second shaft 96, which is one of the rotation shafts of the sliding lever 80, is provided on the inner side surfaces of the plate-shaped

portions

120 and 120 facing each other, and the second shaft 96 is the catch guide 102 shown in FIG. It is projected toward the surface 102A of. Further, in the plate-shaped

portions

120 and 120, cam grooves 124 having a substantially L-shape are formed at positions facing each other, and the pins 126 provided in the fixing member 106 (see FIG. 13) are engaged in the cam grooves 124. It has been combined. The pin 126 functions as a fixing member shaft of the present invention. The cam groove 124 will be described later.

Further, a boss 121 is provided on the inner side surfaces of the plate-shaped

portions

120 and 120 facing each other, and the boss 121 is projected toward the surface 102A of the catch guide 102 shown in FIG. Further, the surface 102A is formed with a boss hole 103 to which the boss 121 elastically engages. Therefore, when the boss 121 engages with the boss hole 103, the sliding lever 80 is held in the posture shown in FIGS. 5 to 8. Further, by releasing the engagement state of the boss 121 with the boss hole 103, the rotation operation of the sliding lever 80 is permitted. The boss 121 functions as the first lever contact portion of the present invention.

Further, on the surface 102A of the catch guide 102, a first regulation surface 105 to which the boss 121 shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 13 can abut is formed. The first regulating surface 105 abuts on the boss 121 to regulate the movement of the sliding lever 80 when the pin 126 is present in the first cam groove portion 125A (see FIG. 21) described later in the cam groove 124. The first regulation surface 105 enables the sliding lever 80 to rotate about the first shaft 94. Further, the first regulation surface 105 is composed of an arcuate surface centered on the first axis 94. As a result, the sliding lever 80 can smoothly rotate around the first shaft 94.

Further, a second regulation surface 116 is formed on the surface 102A of the catch guide 102. The second regulation surface 116 is a surface that can come into contact with the second shaft 96 when the above restriction on the sliding lever 80 by the first regulation surface 105 is released. That is, the first regulation surface 105 is formed only up to a position corresponding to the position where the second axis 96 abuts on the second regulation surface 116, and at the position where the second axis 96 abuts on the second regulation surface 116. The regulation will be lifted. The restriction on the sliding lever 80 by the first regulation surface 105 may be released at the same time as the second axis 96 abuts on the second regulation surface 116, or the second axis 96 may be the second regulation surface. It may be done before or after contacting the 116. Further, the second regulating surface 116 abuts on the second shaft 96 to restrict the movement of the sliding lever 80 when the pin 126 is present in the second cam groove portion 125B (see FIG. 21) described later in the cam groove 124. do. The second regulation surface 116 allows the sliding lever 80 to rotate about the second axis 96 while moving the second axis 96 along the second regulation surface 116. The second shaft 96 functions as a second lever contact portion of the present invention.

The second regulation surface 116 is formed so as to be inclined in the Y (+) direction from the catch guide groove 114 toward the outside of the catch guide 102. When the second shaft 96 abuts on the second regulation surface 116 and moves, the rotation shaft of the sliding lever 80 becomes the second in the middle of the "lever connecting operation (second rotation operation)" by the sliding lever 80. The 1st axis 94 can be switched to the 2nd axis 96.

Here, to explain the rotation axis switching operation, in the first half of the "lever connection operation", the sliding lever 80 rotates with the first axis 94 as the rotation axis. At this time, as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 13, the second axis 96 moves from the position on the left side with respect to the second regulated surface 116 toward the second regulated surface 116. Then, at the end of the first half of the "lever connection operation", the regulation of the boss 121 by the first regulation surface 105 is released, the second shaft 96 comes into contact with the second regulation surface 116, and the second regulation surface 116 is the sliding lever 80. Regulate the movement of. Then, in the latter half of the "lever connection operation", the sliding lever 80 can rotate about the second axis 96, so that the sliding lever 80 rotates with the second axis 96 as the rotation axis. The above is the above switching operation.

Next, the catch body 104 of the wire catch 100 will be described. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a state immediately before mounting the wire fixing mechanism 78 on the operation unit main body 46. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the fixing unit 82 along the XVI-XVI line of FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the catch body 104 is orthogonal to the columnar portion 130 and the axis of the columnar portion 130 from the columnar portion 130 (corresponding to the axis center 25A which is the rotation axis of the fixed unit 82). It has a pair of

first axes

94, 94 projecting in the direction, and a guide portion 132 projecting from the columnar portion 130 in the Y (−) direction. The guide portion 132 is formed with a catch body groove 133 extending in the wire axial direction. The catch body groove 133 is provided at a position overlapping the catch guide groove 114, and a pin 126 (see FIG. 13) is inserted. The pin 126 is a cam pin that is engaged with the cam groove 124 of the sliding lever 80, and can move freely forward and backward along the catch body groove 133 by being guided by the cam groove 124.

As shown in FIG. 16, the cylindrical portion 130 has a locking hole 137 that can be locked through the locked portion 39 (see FIG. 17). The locking hole 137 is formed as a through hole penetrating the columnar portion 130 in the Y-axis direction.

The locking hole 137 is a first hole 134 having a size through which the locked portion 39 can be inserted, and a second hole having a size larger than the outer shape of the wire body 38A and smaller than the outer shape of the locked portion 39. It has holes 136, and the first hole 134 and the second hole 136 have a continuous opening shape.

Further, the locking hole 137 is provided at a position eccentric from the axis 25A which is the rotation axis of the fixed unit 82, and the first hole 134 and the second hole 136 are provided along the rotation locus centered on the axis 25A. And are formed continuously. The amount of eccentricity of the locking hole 137 with respect to the axis 25A is set to be substantially equal to the amount of eccentricity of the wire 38 with respect to the axis 25A shown in FIG.

According to the catch body 104 configured as described above, the locked portion 39 is accommodated in the first hole 134 during the “wire accommodating operation” (see FIG. 6). Then, the locked portion 39 passes through the first hole 134 and projects outward from the first hole 134 as shown in FIG. Then, at the end of the "wire accommodating operation" (see FIG. 7), the wire 38 protrudes from the first hole 134 in the Y (−) direction as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG.

After that, at the time of the "rotational mounting operation (first rotation operation)" by the sliding lever 80 (see FIG. 7), the catch body 104 rotates together with the catch guide 102 in the direction of arrow B about the axis 25A. 1 hole 134 retracts from the wire 38. Then, at the end of the "rotational mounting operation", the wire 38 is accommodated in the second hole 136 as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. By this operation, the locked portion 39 is inserted into the locking hole 137, and the fixing unit 82 of the wire fixing mechanism 78 is mounted on the operation unit main body 46. That is, according to the wire fixing mechanism 78 of the embodiment, the locked portion 39 can be inserted into the locking hole 137 by mounting the wire fixing mechanism 78 on the operation unit main body 46.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the positional relationship between the catch body 104 and the fixing member 106 at the end of the “rotational mounting operation” shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 20, the fixing member 106 is arranged on the Y (−) direction side with respect to the catch body 104. A fixing hole 138 having an opening 135 capable of receiving the locked portion 39 is formed on the end surface 106A on the Y (+) direction side of the fixing member 106.

The fixing hole 138 is formed at a position facing the second hole 136 shown in FIG. 19 in the Y-axis direction, and has a bottom portion 138A internally engaged with the locked portion 39. Further, the fixing hole 138 has a conical guide surface 139 that tapers from the opening 135 toward the bottom 138A. Although the guide surface 139 is not essential, it is preferable to provide the locked portion 39 in the fixing hole 138 from the viewpoint of smoothly guiding the locked portion 39 to the bottom portion 138A. As shown in FIG. 20, at the end of the "rotational mounting operation" (that is, before the start of the "lever connection operation"), the locked portion 39 is not engaged with the bottom portion 138A and is not engaged with the bottom portion 138A. It is located at a position separated from the Y (+) direction side.

FIG. 21 is a front view of the wire fixing mechanism 78 at the end of the “rotational mounting operation” shown in FIG. 19, which is a perspective view of the plate-shaped portion 120 of the sliding lever 80.

As shown in FIG. 21, at the end of the "rotational mounting operation", the boss 121 is fitted in the boss hole 103, and the second shaft 96 is located on the upper left side in FIG. 21 with respect to the second regulation surface 116. , The pin 126 is located at the right end 124A of the cam groove 124.

Here, the cam groove 124 will be described. The cam groove 124 has a shape in which a linear first cam groove portion 125A and a curved second cam groove portion 125B are continuous. The first cam groove portion 125A has a function of changing the relative distance between the catch main body 104 and the fixing member 106 by moving the fixing member 106 in the Y-axis direction in cooperation with the pin 126. Further, the second cam groove portion 125B has a function of maintaining the relative distance between the catch main body 104 and the fixing member 106 by moving the fixing member 106 in the Y-axis direction integrally with the catch main body 104. ..

Specifically, when the "lever connection operation (second rotation operation)" is started from the state of FIG. 21, the boss 121 is separated from the boss hole 103 and guided to the first regulation surface 105 as shown in FIG. 22. Then, the sliding lever 80 rotates clockwise on FIG. 22 with the first axis 94 as the axis of rotation. Then, this rotation causes the pin 126 to move along the first cam groove portion 125A. By this movement, the fixing member 106 moves in the Y (+) direction and approaches the catch body 104. Then, as shown in FIG. 23, the bottom portion 138A of the fixing hole 138 of the fixing member 106 engages with the locked portion 39 in the middle of the “lever connecting operation”.

Then, when the "lever connection operation" is continued from the positions of FIGS. 22 and 23, the pin 126 moves along the first cam groove portion 125A, so that the fixing member 106 further moves in the Y (+) direction. As a result, the wire 38 is pushed in the Y (+) direction by the fixing member 106.

Then, as shown in FIG. 24, when the second shaft 96 comes into contact with the second regulation surface 116, that is, when the first half of the "lever connection operation" is completed, the fixing member 106 catches as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. It abuts on the cylindrical portion 130 of the main body 104. At this time, the regulation of the boss 121 by the first regulation surface 105 is released. As a result, the locked portion 39 is locked in the second hole 136 of the catch body 104, and the locked portion 39 is formed in the fixing hole 138 and the end surface 130A on the Y (−) direction side of the cylindrical portion 130. Be sandwiched. As a result, the locked state between the locked portion 39 and the second hole 136 is fixed by the fixing member 106, and the locked portion 39 is securely fixed to the fixing unit 82. That is, according to the wire fixing mechanism 78 of the embodiment, the locked portion 39 is locked to the locked hole 137 and the locked portion 39 and the locked hole 137 are fixed in a locked state by sliding. This is possible by rotating the lever 80.

Here, the position of the fixing member 106 shown in FIG. 25 is the fixed position, and the position of the fixing member 106 shown in FIG. 20 is the release position. The fixing member 106 is movable between the fixing position and the releasing position. The wire fixing mechanism 78 enables the fixing member 106 to be moved to the fixed position by a "lever connection operation (second rotation operation)".

Further, in the above fixed position, since the locked portion 39 is engaged with the bottom portion 138A of the fixing hole 138, the movement of the wire 38 in the direction orthogonal to the wire axial direction is restricted by the bottom portion 138A. As a result, at the fixed position, the movement of the wire 38 from the second hole 136 to the first hole 134 is prevented, so that the above-mentioned locked state can be maintained. Here, the inner wall surface of the bottom portion 138A functions as a regulatory surface of the present invention. The inner wall surface of the bottom 138A is at least a part of the inner wall surface of the fixing hole 138.

On the other hand, when the latter half of the "lever connection operation" is started from the position of FIG. 24, the regulation of the boss 121 by the first regulation surface 105 is released. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 26, the second axis 96 is the second regulation. The sliding lever 80 rotates clockwise around the second axis 96 while moving along the surface 116. By this operation, the catch body 104 moves in the Y (-) direction via the first shaft 94, and the pin 126 moves along the second cam groove portion 125B, so that the fixing member 106 is the catch body. It moves in the Y (-) direction together with 104. By this operation, the wire 38 pushed in the Y (+) direction is pulled up in the Y (−) direction.

Then, the "lever connecting operation" ends at the lodging operation position of FIG. 27 in which the claw portion 92 of the sliding lever 80 is connected to the link member 88 (see FIG. 10), and the above movement of the catch body 104 and the fixing member 106 is completed. Stops. That is, according to the wire fixing mechanism 78 of the embodiment, the claw portion 92 of the sliding lever 80 and the link member 88 can be connected by rotating the sliding lever 80.

Further, at the end of the "lever connection operation", the base end of the wire 38 is pulled up to the lodging operation position by the standing operation lever 20. Further, the pin 126 is located at the left end 124B of the cam groove 124. The above is the outline of the operation of the catch body 104 and the fixing member 106.

As described above, the rotation operation of the sliding lever 80 of the embodiment includes the "rotation mounting operation (first rotation operation)" and the "lever connection operation (second rotation operation)", and includes the first rotation operation. By combining with the second rotation operation, the locked portion 39 is locked to the locking hole 137, the locked portion 39 and the locking hole 137 are fixed in the locked state, and the claw portion of the sliding lever 80 is fixed. The connection between the 92 and the link member 88 can be performed.

Therefore, according to the endoscope 10 having the wire fixing mechanism 78 of the embodiment, the locked portion 39 can be inserted into the locking hole 137 by mounting the fixing unit 82 on the operation unit main body 46. , Locking the locked portion 39 with respect to the locking hole 137, fixing the locked state between the locked portion 39 and the locking hole 137, and connecting the claw portion 92 of the sliding lever 80 and the link member 88. Since this is possible by rotating the sliding lever 80, the wire 38 can be reliably fixed to the wire fixing mechanism 78 by a simple operation.

Next, an example of the procedure for removing the wire fixing mechanism 78 from the operation unit main body 46 will be described.

First, the sliding lever 80 is rotated in the opposite direction to the rotation operation during the "lever connection operation (second rotation operation)". By this reverse rotation operation, the connection between the sliding lever 80 and the link member 88 can be released, and the locked state of the locked portion 39 and the locking hole 137 can be released from being fixed. Here, the above-mentioned reverse rotation operation corresponds to the third rotation operation of the present invention because it is an operation of rotating the sliding lever 80 to the other side opposite to one side in the second rotation direction.

Next, the sliding lever 80 is rotated in the opposite direction to the rotation operation during the "rotation mounting operation (first rotation operation)". By this reverse rotation operation, the locked portion 39 can be released from the locking hole 137. After that, the fixing unit 82 is detached from the operation unit main body 46. As a result, the locked portion 39 is released from the locking hole 137, and the wire fixing mechanism 78 can be removed from the operating portion main body 46. Here, the above-mentioned reverse rotation operation corresponds to the fourth rotation operation of the present invention because it is an operation of rotating the sliding lever 80 to the other side opposite to one side in the first rotation direction.

As described above, the reverse rotation operation of the sliding lever 80 of the embodiment includes the third rotation operation and the fourth rotation operation, and the sliding lever 80 is combined with the third rotation operation and the fourth rotation operation. And the link member 88 can be released, the locked state of the locked portion 39 and the locked hole 137 can be released, and the locked portion 39 can be released from the locked hole 137. can. Further, the wire fixing mechanism 78 can move the fixing member 106 from the fixed position to the release position by the above-mentioned third rotation operation.

Hereinafter, the operating range of the wire fixing mechanism 78 of the embodiment will be described.

The operating range of the wire fixing mechanism 78 is the "wire fixing range" in which the wire catch 100 is operated by the "lever connecting operation" of the sliding lever 80, and the "drive range" in which the wire catch 100 is operated by the rotation operation of the standing operation lever 20. ", And has. FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram showing the above-mentioned “wire fixing range” and “driving range”.

As described above, even if the wires 38 have the same length, the protruding lengths of the wires 38 protruding from the connecting portion 25 differ depending on the state of the flexible portion 26 or the curved portion 28 (see FIG. 1). According to FIG. 28, the wire catch 100 has a long protrusion length of the wire 38 (see XXVIIIA of FIG. 28) and a short protrusion length of the wire 38 (see XXVIIIB of FIG. 28). By operating in the "wire fixing range", the wire catch 100 executes the locking of the locked portion 39 with respect to the locking hole 137 and the fixing of the locked state between the locked portion 39 and the locking hole 137. Therefore, it is securely fixed to the wire fixing mechanism 78.

Therefore, according to the wire fixing mechanism 78 of the embodiment, the wire 38 can be reliably fixed regardless of the protruding length of the wire 38.

Then, in the wire fixing mechanism 78 of the embodiment, the wire catch 100 operates in the "wire fixing range", so that the base end of the wire 38 is moved to the lodging operation position by the standing operation lever 20 regardless of the protruding length of the wire 38. Can be pulled up. As a result, the positional relationship between the position of the standing table 36 and the position of the standing operation lever 20 can be made constant regardless of the protruding length of the wire 38.

Next, a preferable form of the wire fixing mechanism 78 will be described. The wire fixing mechanism 78 includes a tip cap removing jig.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the wire fixing mechanism 78 as viewed from the side of the cap 107. As shown in FIG. 29, the cap 107 of the wire fixing mechanism 78 includes a tip cap removing jig 200. The tip cap removing jig 200 is provided in the cap 107, and has an accommodation space portion 204 having an opening 206 at one end, a locking release portion 208 provided in the cap 107, and a holding portion 210 provided in the jig body. And have.

The accommodation space 204 is formed inside the cap 107 and has an opening 206 at one end. The accommodation space portion 204 has a size and a shape capable of accommodating the tip cap 34 via the opening 206. The size and shape of the accommodation space 204 can be defined by the inner wall of the cap 107.

The unlocking portion 208 is provided in the accommodation space portion 204 of the cap 107. When the tip main body 32 to which the tip cap 34 is mounted is housed in the accommodation space portion 204, the locking release portion 208 has a locking portion 190 of the tip cap 34 and a stopper portion 177 of the tip body 32, which will be described later. Release the lock (see FIG. 44). When the lock between the tip cap 34 and the tip body 32 is released, the tip cap 34 can be removed from the tip body 32.

The holding portion 210 is provided in the accommodating space portion 204 of the cap 107. In the state where the locking of the tip cap 34 and the tip body 32 is released, the holding portion 210 is in the holding state held by the tip cap 34. The holding portion 210 has a role of holding the tip cap 34 to the cap 107. Therefore, when the cap 107 is moved in a direction away from the tip body 32, the tip cap 34 can be pulled out from the tip body 32 integrally with the cap 107.

In the tip cap removing jig 200 of FIG. 29, the unlocking portion 208 and the holding portion 210 are provided at positions facing each other with the accommodation space portion 204 interposed therebetween. However, it is not limited to this position.

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of a cap 107 including a tip cap removing jig 200, which is parallel to the central axis CL and cut in a plane passing through the unlocking portion 208 and the holding portion 210.

As shown in FIG. 30, the cap 107 includes a storage space portion 204, a locking release portion 208, a holding portion 210, and an opening portion 224, which constitute a tip cap removing jig 200.

The unlocking portion 208 is provided in the accommodation space portion 204 of the cap 107, extends toward the opening 206, and has a shape that tapers toward the opening 206. As will be described later, the locking release portion 208 is inserted into the third opening 185 (see FIG. 32) of the tip cap 34 to release the locking between the tip cap 34 and the tip body 32.

The holding portion 210 is provided in the accommodation space portion 204 of the cap 107, extends toward the opening 206, and has a claw portion 214 on the side facing the opening 206. The claw portion 214 projects toward the central axis CL. The holding portion 210 is cantilevered and supported on the side opposite to the opening 206, and the claw portion 214 can be displaced in the direction indicated by the arrow as a free end due to the elastic deformation of the holding portion 210 (see FIG. 43).

Further, the claw portion 214 has an inclined surface on the side of the opening 206, and has a flat surface on the side opposite to the opening 206. The inclined surface approaches the central axis CL as it moves away from the opening 206. On the other hand, the plane is substantially orthogonal to the central axis CL. The holding portion 210 shown in FIG. 30 has a structure that can be engaged with the tip cap 34 by a snap fit as described later.

The cap 107 has an opening portion 224 that opens to the accommodation space portion 204 on the other end side opposite to the opening 206 at one end. The opening portion 224 is formed in a size that allows the tip cap 34 to be discharged to the outside from the accommodation space portion 204.

Next, the structure of the tip portion main body 32 and the tip cap 34 in which the tip cap removing jig 200 provided on the cap 107 is preferably used will be described.

<Tip body>
FIG. 31 is an exploded perspective view of the tip portion 30, and FIG. 32 is an exploded perspective view of the tip portion 30 as viewed from a different angle from FIG. 31. The tip portion 30 is composed of a tip portion main body 32 and a tip cap 34.

As shown in FIG. 32, the base end wall portion 65 of the tip portion main body 32 is formed with two stopper portions 177 in the X (+) direction opposite to the partition wall 68. The two stoppers 177 are arranged along the Z direction. The groove portion 178 is defined by the two stopper portions 177.

The locking portions 190 provided on the tip cap 34, which will be described later, are locked to the two stopper portions 177. The Y (−) direction side of the stopper portion 177 includes a plane substantially orthogonal to the Y direction. On the other hand, the Y (+) direction side of the stopper portion 177 includes an inclined surface so that the locking portion 190 can easily get over when the tip cap 34 is attached to the tip portion main body 32.

<Tip cap>
FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the tip cap 34 from which the upright stand 36 and the wire 38 have been removed. FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the tip cap 34 from which the wire 38 has been removed as viewed from the proximal end side.

As shown in FIGS. 31 to 34, the tip cap 34, the upright stand 36, and the wire 38 are attached to the tip body 32 before the use (treatment, inspection, etc.) of the endoscope 10. The tip cap 34, the stand 36, and the wire 38 are so-called disposable, which are removed from the tip body 32 and discarded after the use is completed.

The tip cap 34 has a substantially bottomed tubular shape and can be detachably attached to the tip body 32. When attached to the tip body 32, the tip cap 34, together with the base end wall portion 65 and the partition wall 68, forms a stand accommodating space 66 (see FIGS. 31 and 32) for accommodating the stand 36. Since it is an exploded perspective view in FIGS. 31 and 32, the upright stand accommodating space 66 formed after the tip cap 34 is attached to the tip main body 32 is shown in the tip cap 34.

The tip cap 34 includes a main body portion 180, a first opening portion 181 formed in the main body portion 180, a tip surface portion 182, a second opening portion 183, a groove portion 184, and a third opening portion 185 (see FIG. 32). , A bearing 186 and a wall member 187 (see FIG. 33).

The main body 180 has a substantially tubular shape, and constitutes a wall surrounding the treatment tool outlet 60 and the partition wall 68.

The first opening 181 is the upper surface of the standing table accommodating space 66 and the partition wall 68 (illumination window 74, observation window 76, etc.) when the tip portion 30 is viewed from the position on the Z (+) direction side of the tip portion 30. And to expose. This makes it possible to derive the treatment tool from the standing table accommodation space 66 toward the Z (+) direction, and to illuminate and photograph the subject as described above.

The main body 180 is opened by the first opening 181. The main body 180 does not have to be closed all around. On the other hand, it is preferable that the base end side of the main body 180 is a closed annular shape so as to surround the tip main body 32 in the circumferential direction.

The tip surface portion 182 is connected to the main body portion 180 and is provided on the tip side of the tip cap 34 in the Y (+) direction. The tip surface portion 182 covers the tip surface of the tip portion main body 32 on the Y (+) direction side. Due to the tip surface portion 182 and the main body portion 180, the tip cap 34 has a substantially bottomed tubular shape as a whole. The upright stand accommodating space 66 is exposed to the tip surface portion 182 when viewed from the tip side of the tip cap 34 (when the tip cap 34 is viewed from the position on the Y (+) direction side of the tip cap 34). A second opening 183 is formed. The second opening 183 may not be formed.

The groove portion 184 is formed on the outside of the main body portion 180 on the X (+) direction side from the tip end side to the base end side of the tip cap 34 along the Y direction (see FIG. 32). The third opening 185 is formed on the proximal end side (Y (−) direction side) of the groove portion 184. The third opening 185 is arranged at a position facing the groove 178 of the base end wall portion 65 when the tip cap 34 is attached to the tip portion main body 32.

The bearing 186 (see FIGS. 33 and 34) is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the tip cap 34 that defines the bottom surface (Z (−) direction side) of the upright stand accommodation space 66, and is formed on the rotating shaft 188 (see FIG. 34). ), The standing table 36 is rotatably held between the lying position and the standing position.

As shown in FIG. 33, the wall member 187 has a shape inside the main body 180, which is a position on the X (+) direction side with respect to the bearing 186 and extends in the Y (+) direction side. The wall member 187 projects in the X (−) direction with respect to the inner peripheral surface of the main body 180. The wall member 187 partially overlaps with the locus of the wire 38 (not shown) when viewed from the position on the Z (+) direction side of the tip portion 30. That is, the wall member 187 is formed at a position that fills the gap on the Z (−) direction side of the locus of the wire 38. As a result, the wall member 187 can prevent the tip of the treatment tool from slipping into the gap.

The wall member 187 is provided on the base end side with a locking portion 190 that is locked to the stopper portion 177 of the base end wall portion 65 (see FIGS. 33 and 34). The locking portion 190 is a mounting member that can be locked to the stopper portion 177 of the tip portion main body 32 when the tip cap 34 is mounted on the tip portion main body 32. The locking portion 190 is arranged so as not to overlap the third opening 185. The wall member 187 is fixed to the bearing 186 together with the upright stand 36 by the rotating shaft 188. Since the wall member 187 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the main body 180, it is not exposed to the outside of the tip cap 34.

FIG. 35 is an enlarged view of the wall member 187 and is a perspective view seen from the base end side. The locking portion 190 extends from the wall member 187 toward the X (+) direction, further extends toward the Y (−) direction, and includes two support members 191 that are L-shaped when viewed from the Z (+) direction side. The two support members 191 are arranged apart in the Z direction so as not to overlap the third opening 185 (see FIG. 34). The two support members 191 each have a claw portion 192 extending in the X (−) direction on the proximal end side. The Y (+) direction side of the claw portion 192 is composed of a plane substantially orthogonal to the Y direction. On the other hand, the Y (−) direction side of the claw portion 192 is composed of an inclined surface gradually toward the Y (−) direction from the X (−) direction toward the X (+) direction. A connecting member 193 that connects the two support members 191 is provided.

The two support members 191 are cantilevered by the wall member 187, the two support members 191 are elastically deformable with the support portion as a fulcrum, and the two claw portions 192 are free ends. It can be displaced in the direction.

<Mounting the tip cap and the tip body>
Next, mounting of the tip cap 34 and the tip body 32 will be described. In addition, in FIGS. 36 to 40, in order to facilitate understanding, the main body 180 of the tip cap 34 is indicated by a virtual line, and the standing table 36 is omitted.

FIG. 36 shows a state before the tip cap 34 is attached to the tip body 32. When the tip cap 34 is attached to the tip body 32, the positions of the groove portion 184 of the tip cap 34 and the stopper portion 177 of the base end wall portion 65 are adjusted. Next, as shown by the arrow, the tip cap 34 and the tip body 32 are moved in a direction relatively close to each other along the Y direction.

FIG. 37 shows a state immediately before the locking portion 190 of the wall member 187 is locked to the stopper portion 177 of the base end wall portion 65. When the tip cap 34 and the tip body 32 are brought close to each other from the state of FIG. 36, as shown in FIG. 37, the tip body 32 is accommodated in the space of the tip cap 34, and the locking portion 190 and the stopper portion 177 are engaged. Get closer to the contact position. FIG. 38 is a view of the tip cap 34 and the tip body 32 in the state of FIG. 37 as viewed from the Z (+) direction side. As shown in FIG. 38, the claw portion 192 of the locking portion 190 approaches the position immediately before coming into contact with the stopper portion 177. The claw portion 192 of the locking portion 190 is not locked to the stopper portion 177. The inclined surface of the stopper portion 177 on the Y (+) direction side and the inclined surface of the claw portion 192 face each other.

FIG. 39 shows a state in which the locking portion 190 of the wall member 187 is locked to the stopper portion 177 of the base end wall portion 65. When the tip cap 34 and the tip body 32 are further brought closer from the state shown in FIG. 38, the locking portion 190 is locked to the stopper portion 177. FIG. 40 is a view of the tip cap 34 and the tip body 32 in the state of FIG. 39 as viewed from the Z (+) direction. As the tip cap 34 and the tip body 32 move along the relative Y direction, the claw portion 192 of the locking portion 190 and the stopper portion 177 come into contact with each other.

As described above, the claw portion 192 is provided on the cantilever-supported support member 191. Therefore, when the tip cap 34 is moved toward the tip body 32, the claw portion 192 moves in the X (+) direction due to the elastic deformation of the support member 191. Ride on the surface. When the tip cap 34 is moved to the mounting position with respect to the tip body 32, the two claw portions 192 of the locking portion 190 get over the two stopper portions 177, the elastic deformation of the support member 191 returns to the original state, and the claw portion 192 moves in the X (−) direction. The claw portion 192 is locked to the stopper portion 177. When the claw portion 192 gets over the stopper portion 177, a click feeling is generated, so that the operator can recognize that the tip cap 34 is attached to the tip portion main body 32.

Since the plane on the Y (-) direction side of the stopper portion 177 and the plane on the Y (+) direction side of the claw portion 192 of the locking portion 190 are locked, the tip cap 34 is Y with respect to the tip portion main body 32. Movement in the (+) direction is restricted, and the tip cap 34 is prevented from falling off from the tip body 32. According to the structure of the tip cap 34 and the tip body 32 described above, the operator can easily attach the tip cap 34 and the tip body 32.

<Removal of the tip cap from the tip body>
After the tip cap 34 is attached to the tip body 32, the tip 30 of the endoscope 10 shown in FIG. 1 is inserted into the subject. The treatment tool is directed in a desired derivation direction in the subject by the upright table 36 of the tip portion 30.

After the treatment is completed, the tip cap 34 is removed and the tip body 32 is washed. Therefore, the tip cap 34 can be easily removed from the tip body 32, and it is required to prevent the endoscope 10 from being damaged or loaded when it is removed.

Next, the procedure for removing the tip cap 34 by the tip cap removing jig 200 provided in the cap 107 will be described with reference to FIGS. 41 to 45.

FIG. 41 shows a state before the tip portion 30 is inserted into the tip cap removing jig 200. As described above, the tip cap 34 is attached to the tip body 32 in a state where the locking portion 190 is locked to the stopper portion 177. The tip portion 30 and the cap 107 are moved in a direction relatively close to each other along the Y direction as shown by the arrow. The wire fixing mechanism 78 preferably has, for example, an index 213 indicating the accommodation direction of the tip cap 34 with respect to the accommodation space portion 204. The index 213 can guide the tip cap 34 to be inserted into the tip cap removal jig 200 in the correct direction. The index 113 is not particularly limited as long as it can be recognized by the operator such as printing and unevenness. Further, the index 213 can be provided not only at one place but also at a plurality of places.

FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the procedure for removing the tip cap 34. FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional view of the tip portion 30 and the cap 107 cut in a plane orthogonal to the Z direction and passing through the unlocking portion 208 and the holding portion 210 in the state of FIG. 41. For ease of understanding, the stand 36 and the wire 38 are omitted, and only the cap 107 of the wire fixing mechanism 78 is described. Since the tip portion 30 is not housed in the tip cap removing jig 200, the tip cap 34 is attached to the tip portion main body 32, that is, the locking portion 190 is locked to the stopper portion 177. As shown in the upper part of FIG. 42, a protruding portion 220 is provided at the end portion of the tip cap 34 on the base end side so that the claw portion 214 of the holding portion 210 can be easily engaged by snap-fitting.

In FIG. 43, in a state where the tip cap 34 of the tip portion 30 is housed in the storage space portion 204 of the tip cap removing jig 200 provided on the cap 107, the unlocking portion 208 is the tip cap 34 and the tip portion main body. The state immediately before releasing the lock with 32 is shown.

As described above, the tip cap 34 is provided with a groove portion 184 along the Y direction. As shown in the lower part of FIG. 43, when the tip portion 30 is inserted into the tip cap removing jig 200 in a state where the angle in the circumferential direction of the tip portion 30 and the tip cap removing jig 200 is substantially the same, the engaging portion 30 is engaged. The stop release portion 208 is slidably engaged with the groove portion 184 of the tip cap 34 and moves toward the third opening portion 185 along the groove portion 184. As a result, the positions of the tip portion 30 and the tip cap removing jig 200 are finely adjusted, and the positioning is performed while the tip cap removing jig 200 is guided. The groove portion 184 of the tip cap 34 functions as a guide portion, and the unlocked portion 208 functions as a guided portion. Although the case where the unlocked portion 208 also serves as the guided portion has been described, the guided portion can be provided separately from the unlocked portion 208. The unlocked portion 208 is guided to the third opening 185 as shown in the figure below.

As shown in the upper part of FIG. 43, when the holding portion 210 and the tip cap 34 come into contact with each other, the holding portion 210 elastically deforms in the X (−) direction and forms a protrusion 220 along the outer peripheral surface of the tip cap 34. Move towards.

In FIG. 44, in a state where the tip cap 34 of the tip portion 30 is housed in the storage space portion 204 of the cap 107, the lock release portion 208 releases the lock between the tip cap 34 and the tip portion main body 32 and holds the cap 34. The portion 210 shows a state in which the end portion of the tip cap 34 is held.

As shown in the lower part of FIG. 44, the unlocking portion 208 passes through the third opening 185 of the tip cap 34 and the groove portion 178 of the base end wall portion 65, and comes into contact with the connecting member 193 connecting the claw portions 192. .. Since the locking release portion 208 is thick on the Y (+) direction side, the connecting member 193 is moved toward the X (+) direction as it moves toward the Y (−) direction. As a result, the support member 191 (not shown) is elastically deformed in the X (+) direction, and the claw portion 192 of the locking portion 190 locked to the stopper portion 177 moves in the X (+) direction and engages. The locking between the stop portion 190 and the stopper portion 177 is released. That is, the locking between the tip cap 34 and the tip body 32 is released.

As shown in the upper part of FIG. 44, the holding portion 210 gets over the protruding portion 220, the elastic deformation of the holding portion 210 returns to the original state (X (+) direction), and the claw portion 214 is the end of the tip cap 34. Engage with the part by snap fit. The holding portion 210 of the embodiment is configured to be hooked on the tip cap. When the claw portion 214 engages, it gets over the protruding portion 220 and engages by snap-fitting, so that the operator can feel a click feeling, and the tip portion 30 is a predetermined position of the tip cap removing jig 200 (cap 107). It can be recognized that it has been inserted up to the position. The click feeling can prevent the operator from pushing the tip portion 30 more than necessary.

Here, the positional relationship between the unlocking portion 208 and the holding portion 210 is as follows: (1) The locking release portion 208 releases the locking between the tip cap 34 and the tip portion main body 32, and the holding portion 210 releases the tip cap 34. At the same time, or (2) the position where the locking release portion 208 releases the locking between the tip cap 34 and the tip portion main body 32 first, and the holding portion 210 holds the tip cap 34 later. It is preferable that it is a relationship. When the locking release portion 208 and the holding portion 210 have the above-mentioned positional relationship, the tip cap 34 can be reliably removed from the tip portion main body 32.

FIG. 45 is a diagram showing a state in which the tip cap 34 is pulled out from the tip body 32 together with the cap 107. In FIG. 44, the unlocked portion 208 is in the unlocked state in which the locking portion 190 is unlocked with respect to the tip portion main body 32, and the holding portion 210 is in the holding state held by the tip cap 34. If the cap 107 and the tip body 32 are moved in a direction away from each other in the Y direction in this state, the tip cap 34 can be removed from the tip body 32 while the tip cap 34 is housed in the storage space 204. .. The tip cap 34 can be removed without applying a load to the tip body 32. Even if the tip cap 34 is dirty with body fluid, it can be easily removed.

As shown in FIG. 45, the tip cap 34 is housed in the storage space 204 of the cap 107, and the tip cap 34 is held by the holding portion 210 on the side of the opening 206. As shown in FIG. 41, when the tip cap 34 is removed from the tip body 32 by using the wire fixing mechanism 78, the catch guide 102 and the cap 107 are engaged with each other as shown in FIG. 45. In order to take out the tip cap 34 from the accommodation space 204, it is necessary to take out the tip cap 34 through the opening 206. However, the holding portion 210 restricts the movement of the tip cap 34 to the opening 206. Therefore, by removing the catch guide 102 from the cap 107, the open portion 224 of the cap 107 is exposed. As a result, the tip cap 34 can be taken out from the cap 107 via the opening portion 224. When it is not necessary to take out the tip cap 34 from the cap 107, the opening portion 224 may be replaced with a bottom portion (not shown) that closes the accommodation space portion 204.

Next, a preferable form of the tip cap removing jig 200 will be described. FIG. 46 is a perspective view of the cap 107 as viewed from the side of the opening 206. As shown in FIG. 46, the accommodation space portion 204 is provided with the regulation portion 222. The regulating portion 222 regulates that the tip cap 34 (tip portion 30) is inserted into the tip cap removing jig 200 from the wrong direction in the circumferential direction. The regulating unit 222 allows the operator to recognize a mistake in the insertion direction in the circumferential direction.

FIG. 47 shows the case where the tip cap removing jig 200 and the tip portion 30 are inserted at the correct insertion angle (FIG. 47 (A)), and the tip cap removing jig 200 and the tip portion 30 at the wrong insertion angle. It is a figure for demonstrating the case where it is attached (FIG. 47 (B)). FIG. 47 is a view of the tip portion 30 and the tip cap removing jig 200 from the Y (+) direction side.

As shown in FIG. 47 (A), when inserted at the correct insertion angle, the unlocking portion 208 is inserted into the groove portion 184 as described above, and the tip portion 30 is guided to the tip cap removing jig 200. Be housed. Since the restricting portion 222 does not come into contact with either the tip portion main body 32 or the tip cap 34 of the tip portion 30, the tip portion 30 can move to a predetermined position of the accommodation space portion 204.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 47 (B), even if the insertion direction between the tip cap 34 and the tip cap removing jig 200 is incorrect, the unlocking portion 208 is on the side of the first opening 181 of the tip cap 34. The tip cap removing jig 200 and the tip portion 30 can be inserted because the tip cap can be removed. As a result, the operator may recognize that the unlocking portion 208 is inserted into the groove portion 184 and the tip cap 34 is inserted into the tip cap removing jig 200 in the correct insertion direction by the guide function. If the tip cap 34 is inserted into the accommodation space 204 in that state, a load may be applied to the tip 30 and the like. Therefore, by providing the regulating portion 222 in the accommodating space portion 204, the regulating portion 222 is in contact with the tip cap 34, and the tip cap 34 is restricted from moving to the inside of the tip cap removing jig 200.

As shown in FIG. 48, when the insertion direction of the tip cap 34 and the tip cap removing jig 200 in the circumferential direction is incorrect, the tip portion 30 is designated as the tip cap removing jig 200 by the restricting portion 222 (not shown). It is not inserted up to the position of. Since the tip portion 30 does not move to the side of the tip cap removing jig 200, the operator can notice that the insertion direction is wrong on the way.

Next, another embodiment of the tip cap removing jig will be described. The same configuration as the tip cap removing jig described above may be designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof may be omitted. FIG. 49 is a cross-sectional view of the tip cap removing jig 300, showing a state immediately before the tip cap 34 is inserted into the tip cap removing jig 300.

As shown in FIG. 49, the tip cap 34 is formed with a notch 226 on the outer peripheral surface on the X (−) direction side. As shown in the enlarged view, the notch portion 226 has a rectangular shape in a cross-sectional view.

The tip cap removing jig 300 is provided with a holding portion 228 that protrudes toward the accommodation space portion 204. As shown in the enlarged view, the holding portion 228 has an inclined surface on the side of the opening 206 and a flat surface on the side opposite to the opening 206. The inclined surface approaches the central axis CL as it moves away from the opening 206. On the other hand, the plane is substantially orthogonal to the central axis CL.

When the tip cap removing jig 300 is moved to a predetermined position with respect to the tip portion 30, the locking portion 190 and the stopper portion 177 (not shown) are released from the locking by the locking release portion 208, and the locking is performed. At the same time as the release, or after the lock is released, the holding portion 228 is inserted into the notch portion 226 to hold the tip cap 34.

When the tip cap 34 is removed from the tip body 32, the flat surface of the holding portion 228 is hooked on the notch 226 of the tip cap 34, and the tip cap 34 is removed from the tip body 32 together with the cap 107.

Next, another form of the tip cap removing jig will be described. The same configuration as the tip cap removing jig described above may be designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof may be omitted. FIG. 50 is a cross-sectional view of the tip cap removing jig 400, in which the tip cap 34 is immediately before being inserted into the tip cap removing jig 400 and the tip cap 34 is inserted into the tip cap removing jig 400. Indicates the state.

As shown in FIG. 50 (A), the tip cap removing jig 400 includes two holding portions 230 protruding toward the accommodation space portion 204. The two holding portions 230 are provided at positions facing each other with the accommodation space portion 204 interposed therebetween, and each holding portion 230 has a semi-elliptical shape protruding toward the central axis CL.

As shown in FIG. 50 (B), when the tip cap removing jig 400 is moved to a predetermined position with respect to the tip portion 30, the locking portion 190 and the stopper portion 177 (not shown) are moved by the locking release portion 208. The tip cap 34 is held by the two holding portions 230 gripping from both sides at the same time as the locking is released or after the locking is released.

When the tip cap 34 is removed from the tip body 32, the holding portion 230 grips the tip cap 34, so that the tip cap 34 is held in the accommodation space portion 204, and the tip cap 34 is integrated with the cap 107 to form the tip body. Removed from 32. The tip cap removing jig 400 does not need to have unevenness for hooking on the outer peripheral surface of the tip cap 34 as in the holding

portions

210 and 228.

In the present embodiment, as a preferred embodiment, the wire fixing mechanism 78 has been shown to include a tip cap removing jig (200, 300, 400), but the present invention is not limited to this, and the wire fixing mechanism 78 is detachably attached to the operation portion of the endoscope. The tip cap removal jig may be provided on the other mounting parts to be mounted.

The example in which the endoscope according to the present invention is applied to a duodenal endoscope has been described above, but the technique of the present invention is not limited to the duodenal endoscope and can be applied to other endoscopes such as a colonoscope or an enteroscopy. .. In addition, the present invention may be modified or modified without departing from the gist of the present invention.

<Additional Notes>
As can be seen from the description of the embodiments detailed above, the present specification includes disclosure of various technical ideas including the inventions shown below.

<Appendix 1>
An operation unit provided with an operation member, an endoscope insertion portion provided on the tip side of the operation unit and inserted into a subject, and a tip portion main body provided on the tip end side of the endoscope insertion portion. The tip cap is removable to the tip body, and the tip cap is provided with a locking part that can be locked to the tip body when it is attached to the tip body, and the operation part is removable. The mounting component includes a housing space portion having an opening at one end, a locking release portion provided on the cap, and a holding portion provided on the cap. When the tip cap is accommodated in the space portion, the unlocking portion is in the unlocked state in which the locking portion is released from the locking portion with respect to the tip portion main body, and the holding portion is held by the tip cap. The endoscope is in a holding state, and the mounting parts are integrated with the cap so that the tip cap can be pulled out from the tip body.

<Appendix 2>
The endoscope according to Appendix 1, wherein the mounting component has a bottom portion that closes the accommodation space on the other end side opposite to one end.

<Appendix 3>
The endoscope according to Appendix 1, wherein the mounting component has an opening portion open to the accommodation space on the other end side opposite to one end.

<Appendix 4>
The endoscope according to Appendix 1, wherein the opening portion is formed in a size that allows the tip cap pulled out from the tip portion main body to be discharged to the outside from the accommodation space portion.

<Appendix 5>
The tip cap has a guide portion, and the mounting part has a guided portion that can be engaged with the guide portion, and when the tip cap is accommodated in the accommodation space portion, the guided portion becomes a guide portion. The endoscope according to any one of Supplementary note 1 to 4, wherein the locking / unlocking portion and the locking portion are aligned by being engaged and guided.

<Appendix 6>
The endoscope according to any one of Supplementary note 1 to 5, wherein the mounting component has a regulating portion for restricting the tip cap from being inserted from the wrong direction in the circumferential direction.

<Appendix 7>
The endoscope according to any one of Supplementary note 1 to 6, wherein the holding portion is hooked on a tip cap.

<Appendix 8>
The endoscope according to Appendix 1, wherein the holding portion engages with the tip cap by a snap fit.

<Appendix 9>
The endoscope according to any one of Supplementary note 1 to 6, wherein the holding portion grips the tip cap.

<Appendix 10>
The endoscope according to any one of Supplementary note 1 to 9, wherein the mounting component has an index indicating the accommodation direction of the tip cap with respect to the accommodation space portion.

<Appendix 11>
The endoscope according to any one of Supplementary Provisions 1 to 10, wherein the mounting component is disposable.

<Appendix 12>
Regarding the positional relationship between the unlocked part and the holding part, the unlocking of the tip cap and the tip body by the unlocking part and the holding of the tip cap by the holding part are performed at the same time, or the tip cap by the unlocking part. The endoscope according to any one of Supplementary note 1 to 11, wherein the locking between the endoscope and the tip body is released first, and the tip cap is held by the holding portion later.

10 Endoscope 12 Endoscope system 14 Endoscope processor device 15 Light source device 15A Processor side connector 16 Image processing device 18 Display 20 Standing operation lever 22 Hand operation unit 23 Outlet port 24 Insertion unit 25 Connection unit 25A Axis center 26 Flexible part 28 Curved part 30 Tip part 32 Tip part Main body 34 Tip cap 34A Opening part 34B Main body part 34C Bearing 34D Tip surface part 36 Treatment tool Standing stand (standing stand)
36A Treatment tool guide surface 36B Rotating shaft 37 Treatment tool channel 38 Standing operation wire (wire)
38A Wire body 39 Locked part 40 Wire channel 42 Air supply water supply tube 44 Cable insertion channel 45 Insertion channel 46 Operation part body 46A Base end surface 48 Grip part 50 Folding tube 52 Universal cable 54 Connector device 57 Air supply water supply button 58 Air supply nozzle 59 Suction button 60 Treatment tool outlet 61 Through hole 62 Angle knob 64 Treatment tool introduction port 65 Base end wall 66 Standing stand accommodation space 68 Bearing 68A Top surface 74 Lighting window 76 Observation window 78 Wire fixing mechanism 80 Sliding lever 80A Lever bearing hole 82 Fixing unit 84 Cam groove 84A Opening end 86 Cam pin 88 Link member 90 Opening 92 Claw part 94 1st axis 96 2nd axis 98 Unlocking member 100 Wire catch 102 Catch guide 102A Surface 103 Boss hole 104 Catch body 105 1st regulation surface 106 Fixing member 106A End surface 107 Cap 108 Connection part 110 Claw part 112 Groove 114 Catch guide groove 116 2nd regulation surface 120 Plate-like part 121 Boss 122 Lever body 124 Cam groove 124A Right end 124B Left end 125A 1st cam groove part 125B 2nd cam groove 126 Pin 130 Column 130A End face 132 Guide 133 Catch body groove 134 1st hole 135 Opening 136 2nd hole 137 Locking hole 138 Fixing hole 138A Bottom 139 Guide surface 177 Stopper 178 Groove 180 Main body 181 1st opening 182 Tip surface 183 2nd opening 184 Groove 185 3rd opening 186 Bearing 187 Wall member 188 Rotating shaft 190 Locking part 191 Support member 192 Claw part 193 Connecting member 200 Tip cap removal jig 204 Storage space Part 206 Opening part 208 Unlocking part 210 Holding part 213 Index 214 Claw part 220 Protruding part 222 Restricting part 224 Opening part 226 Notch part 228 Holding part 230 Holding part 300 Tip cap removing jig 400 Tip cap removing jig Ax length Axial CL Central axis

Claims

An operation unit provided with an operation member and
An insertion unit provided on the tip side of the operation unit and inserted into the subject,
A treatment tool standing table provided at the tip of the insertion portion, and
An upright operation wire whose tip side is connected to the treatment tool upright and is pushed and pulled according to the operation of the operation member to operate the treatment tool upright.
A wire fixing mechanism for fixing the base end side of the standing operation wire,
Equipped with
The operation unit has a link member that operates in conjunction with the operation of the operation member.
The wire fixing mechanism is
A wire catch that detachably locks and fixes the base end side of the standing operation wire,
A catch guide that guides the wire catch in the wire axial direction of the standing operation wire,
A sliding lever that moves the wire catch forward and backward in the wire axial direction by operating in conjunction with the operation of the operating member, and has a lever connecting portion that can be detachably connected to the link member. A sliding lever that can be rotated when the link member and the lever connecting portion are disconnected.
Have,
The standing operation wire is located on the base end side of a long wire body and has a locked portion formed in an outer shape larger than that of the wire body.
The wire catch has a locking hole that can be locked by inserting the locked portion.
The wire fixing mechanism enables the insertion of the locked portion into the locking hole by mounting the wire fixing mechanism on the operating portion, and the engagement of the locked portion with the locking hole. It is possible to stop, fix the locked state between the locked portion and the locking hole, and connect the lever connecting portion and the link member by rotating the sliding lever. Constructed to,
Endoscope.
The wire fixing mechanism is for releasing the connection between the lever connecting portion and the link member, releasing the locking state between the locked portion and the locking hole, and the locked portion with respect to the locking hole. The locking lever can be released by rotating the sliding lever in the opposite direction to the rotation operation, and the wire fixing mechanism can be released from the locked portion through the locking hole. It is configured to be possible by detaching it from the operation unit.
The endoscope according to claim 1.
The rotation operation of the sliding lever includes a first rotation operation of rotating the sliding lever to one side of the first rotation direction centered on the first direction parallel to the wire axis direction, and a first rotation operation. A second rotation operation of rotating the sliding lever to one side of the second rotation direction centered on the second direction orthogonal to the first direction after the operation is performed.
By the combination of the first rotation operation and the second rotation operation, the locked portion is locked to the locking hole, and the locked portion and the locking hole are fixed in the locked state. The connection between the lever connecting portion and the link member is executed.
The endoscope according to claim 2.
The reverse rotation operation of the sliding lever includes a third rotation operation for rotating the sliding lever to the other side opposite to the one side in the second rotation direction, and the third rotation operation. A fourth rotation operation, which later rotates the sliding lever to the other side opposite to the one side in the first rotation direction, is included.
By the combination of the third rotation operation and the fourth rotation operation, the connection between the lever connecting portion and the link member is released, and the locking state between the locked portion and the locking hole is released. Unlocking the locked portion with respect to the locking hole is executed.
The endoscope according to claim 3.
The wire catch has a fixing member for fixing the locked state between the locked portion inserted into the locking hole and the locking hole.
The fixing member has a fixing position for fixing the locked state between the locked portion and the locking hole and a releasing position for releasing the locking state between the locked portion and the locking hole. The wire fixing mechanism enables the fixing member to move to the fixing position by the second rotation operation, and the fixing member to move to the release position by the third rotation operation. Configured to be possible by
The endoscope according to claim 4.
The wire catch has a catch body in which the locking hole is formed.
The fixing member can move in the wire axial direction in conjunction with the second rotation operation.
When the second rotation operation is performed, the fixing member moves to the fixing position, and the locking state of the locked portion and the locking hole is fixed by the fixing member, and further, the locking is further performed. While the fixed state is maintained, the fixing member and the catch body are integrally moved to the proximal end side in the wire axial direction, and the standing operation wire is pulled up.
The endoscope according to claim 5.
The catch guide has a catch guide groove extending in the wire axial direction.
The catch body has a catch body shaft that is engaged and guided by the catch guide groove, and a catch body groove that is provided at a position overlapping the catch guide groove and extends in the wire axial direction.
The fixing member has a fixing member shaft that is inserted into the catch body groove and moves freely along the catch body groove.
The sliding lever has a lever bearing hole rotatably connected to the catch body shaft and a cam groove to which the fixing member shaft is slidably engaged.
The cam groove has a shape in which a linear first cam groove portion and a curved second cam groove portion are continuous, and the first cam groove portion changes the relative distance between the catch body and the fixing member. The second cam groove maintains a relative distance between the catch body and the fixing member.
The endoscope according to claim 6.
The sliding lever has a first lever contact portion and has a first lever contact portion.
The catch guide has a first regulating surface to which the first lever contact portion can come into contact with.
When the fixing member shaft is present in the first cam groove portion, the first regulating surface abuts on the first lever contact portion to regulate the movement of the sliding lever, whereby the catch main body shaft is pressed. The sliding lever can be rotated around the center, and the relative distance between the catch body and the fixing member is changed.
The endoscope according to claim 7.
The first regulation surface is composed of an arcuate surface centered on the catch body axis.
The endoscope according to claim 8.
The sliding lever has a second lever contact portion at a position different from that of the first lever contact portion.
The catch guide has a second regulation surface that can come into contact with the second lever contact portion when the restriction on the sliding lever by the first regulation surface is released.
The second regulating surface abuts on the second lever contact portion when the fixing member shaft is present in the second cam groove portion of the cam groove to regulate the movement of the sliding lever. While moving the second lever contact portion along the second regulation surface, the sliding lever can be rotated around the second lever contact portion, and the catch body and the fixing member are integrally integrated. Move,
The endoscope according to claim 8 or 9.
The locking holes are a first hole having a size through which the locked portion can be inserted, and a second hole having a size larger than the outer shape of the wire body and smaller than the outer shape of the locked portion. Has a continuous opening shape,
The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
The wire catch is configured to be rotatable around a rotation axis eccentric from the standing operation wire.
The locking hole is provided at a position eccentric from the rotation axis, and the first hole and the second hole are continuously formed along a rotation trajectory centered on the rotation axis.
The endoscope according to claim 11.
The tip body provided at the tip of the insertion portion and the tip body
A tip cap that is removable from the tip body and is provided with a mounting locking portion that can be locked to the tip body when mounted on the tip body.
The catch guide has a cap at the end and
The cap is configured to include a tip cap removal jig.
The tip cap removing jig includes a storage space portion provided in the cap and having an opening at one end, a locking release portion provided in the cap, and a holding portion provided in the cap.
When the tip cap is accommodated in the accommodation space portion, the locking release portion is in the unlocked state in which the locking portion is released from the locking portion main body, and the holding portion is held. The one according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the tip cap can be pulled out from the tip body together with the cap when the portion is held by the tip cap. Endoscope.