JP2002125916A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope which never prevents the extensibility of a coating tube member provided with a braid obtained by braiding metallic wires, etc., integrally and never degrades operability due to the increase of the curve resistance of a curve part. SOLUTION: The curve part 7 is disposed between the tip part 6 and the flexible tube part 8 of an insertion part 4. This part 7 has an external member 33 disposed on the outer peripheries of a plurality of curved barrels 31 connected rotatably. The member 33 has the braid 52 arranged on the inner side of a coating tube 51, and the braid 52 can be separated from the member 51 at a site except for both ends of it.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a braided braid made of a metal wire or the like to a coated tube member having an outer structure of a curved portion provided in an insertion portion formed of an elastomer such as rubber. The present invention relates to an endoscope having a structure.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in an endoscope having a flexible insertion section, a bending section is provided in the insertion section, and the bending section can be bent by an operation of an operation section.

As disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 63-182704, the outer structure of the curved portion is formed by knitting a covered tube member made of an elastomer such as a flexible rubber with a wire such as a metal. This is a structure in which the blade is integrally assembled over the entire length, and this exterior member is fitted on the outer periphery of a plurality of joint members rotatably connected to each other. In addition, when the coating tube and the blade are configured separately, the blade is soldered to the joint member or the distal end member located at the foremost end of the curved portion and the joint member or the connection tube located at the rearmost end at both ends. Has been fixed.

[0004]

In the case of a conventional external structure of a curved portion in an endoscope, a braided braid made of a metal or the like wire is used to cover a coated tube member formed of an elastomer such as a flexible rubber. Are integrally assembled, so that the material portion of the coated tube member is bitten into the stitches of the blade, and the two are integrated. That is, the covering tube member and the blade have an integral structure. For this reason, when the bending portion is bent, the expansion and contraction operation of the covering tube member is hindered by the blade, and it is difficult to obtain the inherent elasticity of the covering tube member. As described above, in the conventional endoscope, as a result of an increase in resistance when the bending portion bends, the operability of the endoscope decreases, and it is difficult to obtain necessary and sufficient bending performance in endoscopic inspection. Was.

[0005] Further, if the blade is fixed to the joint member or the leading end member located at the leading end of the curved portion and the joint member or the connecting tube located at the trailing end by soldering or the like, when the blade is exchanged and attached, the internal part is not fixed. Must be mounted so that the solder does not adhere to the component parts, and the mounting operation is troublesome. Further, it was difficult to remove the blade.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to form a blade braided with a wire such as a metal by using an elastomer such as a rubber integrally provided. It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope which does not impair the elasticity of the coated tube member and does not lower the operability due to an increase in bending resistance of the bending portion. Another object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope in which a blade can be easily attached and detached.

[0007]

The invention according to claim 1 is
A bending portion is provided between the distal end portion of the insertion portion and the flexible tube portion,
The bending portion includes a plurality of bending pieces rotatably connected, and in an endoscope in which a coating tube member is provided on the outer periphery of the bending piece, a cylindrical blade is provided inside the coating tube member. At least an intermediate portion of the blade can be separated from the inner surface of the coated tube member. The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that, in claim 1, the blade is integrally attached to the coating tube member by connecting an end of the blade to the coating tube. It is an endoscope. The invention according to claim 3 is the endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the end of the blade is embedded in the coating tube, and the blade is connected to the coating tube member.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Configuration) FIG. 1 shows an entire endoscope system 1 according to a first embodiment. The endoscope 2 includes an operation unit 3, an insertion unit 4, and a cable 5. The insertion portion 4 includes a distal end portion 6, a bending portion 7, and a flexible tube portion 8. The bending portion 7 is disposed between the distal end portion 6 and the flexible tube portion 8. The bending section 7 can be bent by a bending operation body 9 provided in the operation section 3.

An objective lens 11 is provided at the tip 6 of the insertion section 4.
In addition, a cleaning nozzle 12 for spraying a fluid such as water or air onto the surface of the objective lens 11, an illumination window 13, and a distal end opening 14 of a treatment tool insertion hole are provided. Cleaning nozzle 1
Operation unit 3 for selectively ejecting gas and liquid from 2
Are provided with an air / water supply operation button 16 and a suction operation button 17 for selectively collecting mucus and the like in the body cavity from the distal end opening 14 of the treatment instrument insertion hole. The treatment tool insertion hole is formed by a tube or the like (not shown) provided in the insertion section 4 and is connected to a treatment tool insertion port 18 provided in the operation section 3.

A connector 19 is provided at the end of the cable 5, and the connector 19 is connected to a light source device 21 as a peripheral device of the endoscope. The connector 19 is provided with a base (not shown) forming an end of the fluid conduit, a light guide base and an electric contact part (not shown) forming an end of a light guide (not shown). A connection cable 23 for electrically connecting to an image processing device 22 as a peripheral device of the endoscope is provided. A keyboard 24, a monitor 25, and the like are provided as other peripheral devices of the endoscope. These peripheral devices are installed on a gantry 26.

The light guide is guided from the cable 5 to the distal end portion 6 through the operation section 3 and the insertion section 4, and sends illumination light from the light source device 21 to the illumination window 13 so as to spread and irradiate the body cavity. .

A CCD (not shown) for imaging the inside of the body cavity via the objective lens 11 is arranged at the distal end portion 6. C
The image signal of the in-vivo observation image obtained from the CD is transmitted to an electric contact portion provided on the connector 19 through electric wiring (not shown) disposed inside the endoscope 2, and transmitted to the image processing device 22 through the connection cable 23. Is transmitted.

Next, referring to FIG. 2 and FIG.
The structure of the bending portion 7 will be described. That is,
The bending portion 7 includes a plurality of bending pieces 31 each of which has a rivet-shaped pin 32.
And an outer member 33 to be described later is fitted around the outer periphery of the assembly. The leading end of the top bending piece 31 is closely fitted to a stepped peripheral surface 35 formed on the outer periphery of the rear end of the main body member 34 at the front end portion 6. It is fixed to the member 34. The rear end portion of the rearmost curved piece 31 is tightly fitted and fixed on a step peripheral surface 38 formed on the outer periphery of the distal end portion of the connecting tube 37 provided at the distal end of the flexible tube portion 8 in the insertion portion 4. Have been.

The exterior member 33 extends forward and backward at both ends beyond the area of the original curved portion 7, and the front end portion of the exterior member 33 extends beyond the tip of the curved top 31 positioned at the forefront, and The member 34 extends to a portion of the member 34 that is ahead of the step peripheral surface 35 and is closely fitted to the portion. The main body member 34 of the distal end portion 6 has a distal end cover 39 formed of a non-conductive material such as resin which is configured to cover the periphery thereof.
Are fixed by bonding or the like. Body member 34 of tip 6
Is provided with at least one pin 40 which penetrates the side wall of the tip cover 39 and is fixed by means such as bonding.

The front end of the exterior member 33 is abutted against the rear end of the front end cover 39, and the thread 41 is wound around the front end of the exterior member 33, so that the main body member 3 of the front end portion 6 is formed.
4 is firmly fixed. A fixing material 42 made of an adhesive or the like is applied to a position where the thread 41 is wound. The fixing member 42 covers at least the entire area of the thread 41 and the tip cover 39.
Are arranged so as to be in contact with the entire periphery of the rear end portion.

The rear end portion of the exterior member 33 reaches the connection pipe 37 beyond the rear end of the curved piece 31 at the rearmost end, and is abutted against the front end of the outer cover 43 of the flexible tube portion 8. From the exterior member 33 fitted on the outer periphery of the connection tube 37, the flexible tube portion 8
Threads 44 are wound around their outer circumferences 43 and are firmly fixed to the connecting pipe 37 with the wound threads 44. A fixing material 45 made of an adhesive or the like is provided at a position where the yarn 44 is wound around at least the entire area of the yarn 44.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a plurality of curved pieces 31 rotatably combined with pins 32 are covered with an exterior member 33. The exterior member 33 is made of rubber or elastomer having elasticity. And a blade 52 disposed inside the tube-shaped covering tube member 51. The blade 52 is formed by braiding an element wire made of metal or fiber into a cylindrical shape. In the middle part of the blade 52, the blade 52 is
1 are separated from each other so as to be separated from the inner peripheral surface. The covering tube member 51 and the blade 52 are normally in contact with each other, but may be in a separated state.

Further, both ends 52a, 52 of the blade 52
b is embedded in the layer of the covering tube member 51 and integrally assembled. That is, both ends 52 a and 52 b of the blade 52 are fixed to the covering tube member 51. However, the intermediate portion (almost the entire length of the curved portion 7) except for both end portions 52a and 52b of the blade 52 is not connected to the inner surface of the covering tube member 51 as described above, and is separated without separating or actually separating. It is in a state where it can be done.

The inner peripheral surfaces 51a and 51b at both ends of the coating tube member 51 are smooth surfaces all around.
The portions of the inner peripheral surfaces 51a and 51b correspond to the main body member 34 of the distal end portion 6.
And the outer periphery of the connection tube 37 in the flexible tube portion 8.

At the position corresponding to the end of the blade 52 on the outer peripheral surface of the covering tube member 51, an index 53 composed of a minute convex ridge is provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, an operation wire 55 for bending the bending portion 8 in the vertical and horizontal directions is disposed inside the bending portion 8. One end of the operation wire 55 is fixed to the bending piece 31 at the foremost end, and the rear end side is guided to the operation section 3 through a guide tube (not shown) arranged in the flexible tube section 8 of the insertion section 4, not shown. It is connected to the towing operation mechanism. The towing operation mechanism is operated by the bending operation body 9 of the operation unit 3 so that any one of the operation wires 55 can be appropriately towed.

The operation wire 55 is guided by a guide 56 provided on the bending piece 31 in the bending portion 8. In addition, in the insertion portion 4, internal components such as a fluid conduit (not shown) for supplying a fluid to the nozzle 12 and a suction conduit (not shown) through which the fluid collected from the treatment instrument insertion port 18 passes are provided. .

(Operation) As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the inner peripheral surfaces 51a and 51b at both ends of the covering tube member 51 of the exterior member 33 of the curved portion 7 are smooth surfaces over the entire circumference, and therefore, the distal end side. In this case, the distal end portion 6 is fixed in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the main body member 34 by the binding force of the thread 41. Further, on the side of the flexible tube 8, it is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the connection tube 37, and is firmly fixed to the end of the flexible tube 8 by the binding force of the thread 44.

The main body member 3 is attached to the distal end cover 39 of the distal end portion 6.
Since the pin 40 fixed to 4 penetrates, the tip cover 39 is prevented from being displaced or dropped from the main body member 34.

The thread winding portions 41 and 44 of the exterior member 33 are fixed by fixing members 42 and 45, and the fixing members 42 and 45 are arranged so as to cover the entire periphery of the front cover 39. It is possible to prevent the liquid from entering the inside through the gap between the abutting portions of the member 33 and the leakage of high frequency to the outside world.

Both ends 52a and 52b of the blade 52 of the exterior member 33 are integrally connected to the covering tube member 51, and can be assembled or removed as a set of the set.

The blade 52 has both ends 52a, 52b.
Since the other parts are configured to be separable from the covering tube member 51 as a separate body, the sparseness / density of the strands in the braided configuration of the blade 52 can be easily made when the bending portion 7 bends up / down / left / right. Change. That is, the blade 52 does not hinder the extensibility of the covering tube member 51. Therefore, the bending portion 7 is easily bent.

Since the gap between the adjacent curved pieces 31 is covered with the blade 52, the covering tube member 51 falls into the gap between the curved pieces 31, and the portion of the covering tube member 51 is located between the adjacent curved pieces 31. There is no pinch.

(Effect) According to the present embodiment, the set of the covering tube member 51 and the blade 52 can be removed together and replaced. In addition, since the exposed blade 52 does not exist in the inner surface portions of both ends of the covering tube member 51, the covering tube member 51 can be attached in an airtight manner. Further, the coating tube member 51 and the blade 52
Is separated at least in the intermediate region, so that when the bending portion 7 bends, the blade 52 does not hinder the expansion and contraction operation of the coating tube member 51, and the resistance when the bending portion bends is small,
Light bending operation of the bending portion 7 is ensured.

FIG. 4 shows a modified example of the exterior member 33, which is the both ends 52a, 52a of the blade 52.
2b is not completely embedded in the covering tube member 51, but only a part of the ends 52a, 52b is embedded in the inner surface portion of the covering tube member 51 and fixed to the covering tube member 51. In addition, a portion of the intermediate region of the blade 52 is disposed on the inner surface of the covering tube member 51 in a separable state and in close contact therewith. Others are the first
The configuration is similar to that of the embodiment.

[Second Embodiment] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Configuration) In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The blade 52 of the exterior member 33 of the curved portion 7 is integrally formed by embedding both ends 52a and 52b in the covering tube member 51, but the rear end 52b of the blade 52 is located at the center of the curved portion 7. It is embedded in the exterior member 33 over a range A up to the vicinity.

As shown in FIG. 6, the length A of the range A of the rear end 52b of the blade 52 embedded in the exterior member 33 is represented by the length 1 with respect to the total length L of the region of the curved portion 7. Corresponding to the range. The length l is 3 of the total length L of the curved portion 7.
0 to 70%, which is set to a length at which the shape of the bending portion 7 at the time of bending is optimal, and the range is located on the flexible tube portion 8 side. Except for the above, it is the same as the first embodiment.

(Operation) According to this embodiment, in addition to the operation of the first embodiment, in the range A of the covering tube member 51, the end 52b of the blade 52 is
1, the elastic material portion of the covering tube member 51 that enters between the braided lines of the blade 52 at the position of the end portion 52 b causes a change in the coarse / dense between the braided lines of the blade 52. And the flexibility of the coated tube member 21 itself is reduced. On the other hand, between the end portions 52a and 52b of the blade 52 of the coating tube member 51, the sparseness / density between the braided wires of the blade 52 changes in a range where the coating tube member 51 is formed only of the elastic material. It is easy and does not hinder the flexibility of the covering tube member 51.
Therefore, in the range of L shown in FIG.
The tip side is more likely to be curved than the range indicated by l, and l
The rear end side portion indicated by is hardly curved.

Thus, it is easy to direct the distal end portion 6 in a desired direction so that the movement of the distal end portion 6 in the bending operation of the bending portion 7 is minimized. That is, the distal end portion 6 can be directed in the up / down / left / right directions with a small width relative to the axial direction of the bending portion 7.

(Effects) According to the configuration of the present embodiment, only the position and area where the blade 52 is embedded integrally with the covering tube member 51 are changed, and in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the outer shape of the curved portion 7 is obtained. Can be compactly curved without increasing the size.

Third Embodiment A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Structure) FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a portion extending from the distal end portion 6, the bending portion 7, and the flexible tube portion 8 of the insertion portion 4. The bending portion 7 is formed by connecting a plurality of bending pieces 31 to each other by a pin 32 in a rotatable manner in the same manner as described above.
0 is exterior. The exterior member 60 is composed of a protective blade 61 formed by braiding metal or fiber into a cylindrical shape, and an outer skin 62 formed of an elastic body such as an elastomer such as rubber into a cylindrical shape. 61 is configured to cover the outer periphery.

The distal end portion of the exterior member 60 is fitted on the outer periphery of the main body member 34 of the distal end portion 6. The rear end portion of the exterior member 60 is fitted on the outer periphery of the connection tube 37 of the flexible tube portion 8. Both ends are threaded 41,44 and fixing material 42,45
Is fixed in a liquid-tight manner.

The foremost bending piece 31 is fixed to the main body member 34 at the front end portion 6 with a screw or an adhesive, and the rearmost bending piece 31 is screwed or connected to the connection pipe 37 of the flexible tube section 8. It is fixed with an adhesive or the like.

Next, a detailed configuration of the protection blade 61 will be described with reference to FIGS. Elastic fixing portions 62 were formed at both ends of the protection blade 61. That is, at both ends of the protection blade 61, the RTV
An elastic fixing portion 62 is formed by filling an elastic material 63 such as rubber over the entire circumference. This elastic fixing part 62
The inner diameter of the portion of the protection blade 61 that includes is configured to be equal to or less than the outer diameter of the curved piece 31 to which it is fixed. The protection blade 61 is expandable, and in particular, the elastic fixing portion 62 is elastically expandable. Each of the elastic fixing portions 62 of the protection blade 61 is fitted around the outer periphery of the bending piece 31 constituting the bending portion 7. Further, the elastic fixing portion 62 may be fixed to the covering tube member 51 in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment.
The protection blade 61 is detachably assembled from the curved top 31 and the covering tube member 51.
1 may be fixed to the outer periphery by bonding or the like.

Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, through holes 6 through which hard projections such as screw heads are engaged with both ends of the protection blade 61 by a hard material such as metal.
5 is partially formed, and at least two hard fixing portions 66 are provided discontinuously in the circumferential direction. The part of the hard fixing part 66 is RT
The elastic fixing portion 62 is configured so as to be entirely tubular and connected with an elastic portion 67 made of an elastic member such as V-rubber so as to be entirely expandable and contractible.

(Operation) In the configuration of the present embodiment, when the protection blade 61 is broken, the thread and the fixing material of the thread tightening portion are broken in the curved portion 7 and the exterior member 51 is removed, thereby elastically fixing. Protection blade 61 including the part of the part 62
And the portion of the elastic fixing portion 62 fixed to the outer periphery of the curved piece 31 on the front end and rear end by bonding or the like is broken or peeled off, and if it is engaged, the elastic fixing portion 62 By removing the portion 62, the protection blade 61 can be easily removed.

Subsequently, even when a new protective blade 61 is arranged on the curved portion 7, the elastic fixing portion 62 has elasticity, so that the sparseness / density between the knitting lines of the protective blade 61 changes. As the inner and outer diameters change, the inner and outer diameters of the elastic fixing portion 62 also change and easily pass through the outer diameter portion of the distal end cover 39 and the maximum outer diameter portion of the plurality of bending pieces 31 constituting the bending portion 7. it can.

After the protective blade 61 is arranged at a desired position, the inner diameter of the protective blade 61 and the elastic fixing portion 62 is changed so as to be in contact with the outer diameter of the curved piece 31, so that the exterior member 60 can be easily arranged. Can be. Further, both ends of the protection blade 61 can be present alone without the element wire 64 being frayed by the elastic fixing portion 62.

In addition, according to the configuration shown in FIG. 10, both ends of the protection blade 61 can be present without being frayed by the elastic portion 67. For this reason, when exteriorly covering a plurality of bending pieces 31 constituting the bending portion 7, the inner and outer diameters of both ends thereof are changed by the expansion and contraction portion 67, and the bending portion 7 can be disposed. In addition, since the hard fixing portion 66 is a hard member, the hard fixing portion 66 can be firmly fixed to the curved piece 31 by a screw or the like.

(Effects) According to the configuration of the present embodiment, when the protection blade 61 constituting the curved portion 7 is damaged, the protection blade 61 can be easily replaced simply by removing the outer cover 62, and the protection can be performed. The shape of the blade 61 can be maintained alone.

[Fourth Embodiment] A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

(Structure) This embodiment is a modification of the structure of the distal end portion 6 of the endoscope, and its detailed structure is shown in FIG. A solid-state imaging device 80 unitized for observing the test object via the objective lens 11 is inserted and fixed in the main body member 34 of the distal end portion 6 formed of a hard member such as a metal. I have. In addition, the treatment tool insertion tube 8 formed of a flexible tube is inserted into the treatment tool insertion port 14.
The treatment instrument insertion tube 81 is firmly fixed to the treatment instrument insertion tube 81 via a connection pipe 82 which is a hard cylindrical member by bonding or brazing.

Although not shown, a bundle of light guide fibers for guiding the illumination light to the distal end, and a tube for feeding / supplying gas and liquid to the distal end are also fixed to the main body member 34.

A tip cover 39 made of an insulating material such as a resin is integrally fixed to the main body member 34 by adhesive or the like so as to cover a part of the side face and the tip face. At the outer periphery of the base end of the main body member 34 to which the distal end cover 39 is not fixed, the bending piece 31 located at the foremost position forming the bending portion 7
Is firmly fixed.

The outer peripheral surface of the main body member 34 is arranged so that the inner peripheral surface of a covering tube member 51 made of an elastic tube body constituting the exterior member 33 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface. The distal end of the covering tube member 51 is located close to the rear end surface of the distal end cover 39. The thread 41 is provided on the outer circumference of the coating tube member 51.
Is wound around the cover tube member 51.

The portion of the covering tube member 51 around which the thread 41 is wound and fixed to the main body member 34 is formed to be thinner than the portion located at the curved portion 7. A fixed portion lower layer 85 made of an adhesive having a low viscosity and having a good flowability into a gap or the like is provided on an outer periphery of the yarn 41. Above the fixed portion lower layer 85, chemical resistance and biocompatibility are provided. And a fixing portion upper layer 86 made of an adhesive having high viscosity and excellent moldability. Here, the fixed portion lower layer 85 is made of an adhesive having a viscosity of 3000 mPa · s or less, and the fixed portion upper layer 86 is made of an adhesive having a viscosity of 5000 mPa · s or more.

In addition to the above, the fixing portion upper layer 86 is not limited to the adhesive, but may be a thermoplastic resin such as urethane. Further, the fixed portion lower layer 85 and the fixed portion upper layer 86 may be an adhesive that is cured by light such as UV light.

(Operation) At the portion where the covering tube member 51 is fixed to the main body member 34 by the thread 41, the viscosity of the lower layer 85 of the fixing portion is low, so that the end surface of the tip cover 39 and the end surface of the covering tube member 51 are formed. The fixed portion lower layer 85 easily flows into the generated gap, and the material of the fixed portion lower layer 85 can be densely filled in the minute gap at the contact portion, and the gap can be closed. Also, between the adjacent yarns 41, the lower layer 8
5 is easy to flow, and the gap can be closed.

On the other hand, the yarn 41 filled with the fixed portion lower layer 85
Is likely to be uneven. However, since the fixed portion upper layer 86 has high viscosity, it can be applied relatively thickly, and the outer surface of the fixed portion upper layer 86 can be formed smoothly.

In addition, when the fixed portion upper layer 86 is made of a thermoplastic resin such as urethane, the fixed portion upper layer 86 can be disposed by heating and melting the fixed portion upper layer 86, and the fixed portion upper layer 86 can be cured by returning to room temperature. Time can be shortened.

Further, when an adhesive which cures the lower layer 85 of the fixed portion and the upper layer 86 of the fixed portion by light such as UV is used,
It can be cured by short-time irradiation with V light or the like.

Since the portion of the covering tube member 51 around which the thread 41 is wound is formed to be thinner than the other portions, even when the thread 41, the fixed portion lower layer 85 and the fixed portion upper layer 86 are laminated. The outer diameter of the portion can be reduced.

(Effect) According to the present embodiment, it is possible to form a smooth appearance without increasing the diameter of the both ends fixed portion of the coated tube member 51, and to fix both ends of the coated tube member 51. The structure is easy to secure the electrical insulation of the part.

The above configuration is not limited to only the distal end side, and the same configuration may be applied to the connection between the covering tube member 51 and the flexible tube portion 8.

[Fifth Embodiment] An endoscope according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Structure) FIG. 12 shows a cylindrical elastic body constituting the outermost layer of the curved portion 7 extending over the distal end portion 6, the curved portion 7, and the flexible tube portion 8 of the endoscope according to the present embodiment. This is a state in which the outer skin (for example, described as outer skin 62 in FIG. 7) is removed.

The bending portion 7 has a structure in which a plurality of bending pieces (not shown, for example, described as a bending piece 31 in FIG. 7) are rotatably connected to each other. The both ends of the curved portion 7 including the blade 52 are connected to the connecting tube 37 disposed at the distal end portion 6 and the distal end portion of the flexible tube portion 8 by fixing means such as screws. Fixed.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the flexible tube portion 8. A flexible device for guiding a treatment instrument or the like to the distal end and sucking a liquid from the distal end portion 6 is provided in the flexible tube portion 8. Treatment instrument insertion tube 101 composed of a flexible tube, air supply / water supply tube 102 composed of a flexible tube for supplying gas or liquid to nozzle 11 provided at tip 6, and illumination lens arranged at tip 6 A light guide fiber bundle 103 composed of a fiber bundle for guiding light to the light source, and a test object image obtained by the objective lens 11 are converted into an electric signal by a solid-state imaging device arranged at the tip, and the signal is guided to the CCU. Cable and a pulling wire for bending the bending portion 7 in the up / down / left / right direction, and the distal end portion of which is a spiral pipe made of an elastic pipe material or a metal wire fixed to the connection pipe 37. Dense Member such as a sheath 105 that contact is not made of coiled sheath member that is configured is disposed.
The distal end of the treatment instrument insertion tube 101 is connected to a connection tube 109 provided on the main body member 34 of the distal end portion 6.

The light guide fiber bundle 103, the signal cable 104, the air / water supply tube 102, and the treatment instrument insertion tube 101 are connected to the body member 34 to which the distal ends thereof are connected.
And the other end is required to be longer than the required length, and the extra length portion is loosely accommodated in the flexible tube portion 8 or the grip portion of the operation portion 3 shown in FIG. It is configured.

By the way, as shown in FIG.
When the main body member 34 of the distal end portion 6 is detached from the member and the main body member 34 is separated from the bending portion 7, each configuration of the light guide fiber bundle 103, the signal cable 104, the air / water tube 102, and the treatment instrument insertion tube 101 is provided. The element can be separated by a distance N from the body member 34 with respect to the bend 7 due to its own extra length.

Here, the distance N is equal to the length of the treatment instrument insertion tube 10.
1 and the main body member 34; the light guide fiber bundle 103 and the main body member 34; the signal cable 104 and the main body member 34; . For example, the distance N is 10 mm to 30 mm.

Next, referring to FIG. 19, the operation unit 3 of the endoscope will be described.
And the configuration near the connection portion of the flexible tube portion 8 of the insertion portion 4 will be described. The flexible tube portion 8 has a connection base 111 made of a hard member integrally disposed at an end portion on the operation section side.
A first connecting member 112 made of a harder member is fixed to 11 by screws or the like.

The connection base 11 of the first connection member 112
The second connecting member 113 made of a hard cylindrical member is configured to engage with the end where 1 is not fixed.
Male screw portion 11 formed on the outer peripheral surface of first connecting member 112
4, a first fixing ring 115 screwed is provided, and the engaging portion is pressed by the first fixing ring 115, thereby integrally fixing the first connecting member 112 and the second connecting member 113.

The second connecting member 113 is provided with an opening 117 for providing a treatment instrument insertion opening 18 on a side surface thereof, and the opening 117 has a branch block 118 for branching the suction conduit and the treatment instrument insertion passage. It is inserted in a positioned state, and the branch block 118 is connected to the second connecting member 1.
13 is fixed by screws or the like.

In the branch block 118, a substantially cylindrical connection mouthpiece 120 is fixed to the distal end opening end to which the treatment instrument insertion tube 101 is connected by brazing or bonding. The distal end outer peripheral portion of the connection mouthpiece 120 is formed to have a tapered shape, and the proximal end portion of the treatment instrument insertion tube 101 is externally inserted into the outer periphery of the tapered portion.
A hard ring member 122 whose inner surface is a tapered portion is externally fitted to the fitted portion. Also, the ring member 1
A fastening ring 123 is externally fitted to 22, and the fastening ring 123 is screwed and fastened to a male screw 124 formed on the outer periphery of a middle part of the connection base 120.

When connecting the treatment tool insertion tube 101 to the branch block 118, the base end portion of the treatment tool insertion tube 101 is extrapolated around the outer periphery of the tapered portion of the connection mouthpiece 120, and the outer periphery thereof is covered with a ring member 122. Member 1
22 is fastened from the outside with a fastening ring member 123.
Thereby, the ring member 122 is pushed in, and the ring member 122 presses the outer periphery of the treatment instrument insertion tube 101,
The connection in this pressed state is maintained.

One of the remaining open ends of the branch block 118
One end of a suction pipe 132 made of a hard pipe material to which the suction tube 131 is connected is connected to one end.

The second connecting member 11 of the branch block 118
A forceps introduction base 135 serving as an introduction port for guiding a treatment instrument or the like to the opening end protruding from the opening 117 formed in the liquid crystal device 3 is connected in a liquid-tight and detachable manner via an elastic material 136. ing.

The end of the second connecting member 113 on which the first connecting member 112 is not engaged is connected to the operating section 3 of the endoscope 2.
Is fixed to a base 137 made of a hard member fixed by screws or the like. The base 137 is connected to the body exterior member 140 of the operation unit 3 shown in FIG. The outer periphery of the second connecting member 113 is a grip cover member 138 of the operation unit 3.
It is covered with. The grip cover member 138 is controlled by the second fixing ring 142 which is a ring member screwed to a male screw portion 141 arranged on the outer periphery of the second connecting member 113.
And the main body exterior member 140.

As shown in FIG. 19, the grip cover member 138
Is provided with a through-hole 151 at a position opposed to the treatment instrument insertion opening 18, and a treatment instrument introduction mouthpiece 135 is arranged in a liquid-tight manner by using a seal ring 153 in this portion. .

On the distal end side of the grip cover member 138, a folding member 152 formed of an elastic member such as rubber is screwed to the second connecting member 113 via a folding member connecting pipe 154, and is fixedly disposed. ing.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22, a description will be given of a fixing structure of a built-in endoscope at the distal end portion 6 of the endoscope 2. FIG. The main body member 34 at the distal end portion 6 is formed with a through hole 161 parallel to the axial direction.
An objective lens frame 162 holding an objective lens system constituted by a plurality of optical lenses is inserted and installed in 61. The solid-state imaging device unit 16
3 are connected.

A circumferential groove 164 is formed on the outer periphery of the objective lens frame 162, and is provided on the outer periphery of the objective lens frame 162 when the objective lens frame 162 is inserted into the main body member 34. A through hole 165 is formed at the same position as the groove 164 and penetrates radially from the outer periphery of the main body member 34 to the position of the through hole 161. An objective lens frame fixing screw 166 is screwed into the through hole 165, and the tip of the objective lens frame fixing screw 166 is connected to the objective lens frame 162.
Is engaged with the groove 164 formed in the groove. When the objective lens frame fixing screw 166 is screwed into the groove portion 164, the objective lens frame 162 is pressed against the distal end side.
2 is performed.

The through-hole 165 formed in the main body member 34 is provided on the side surface of the main body member 34 with the front cover 39 and the curved top 3.
1 is formed at an unfixed position. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 22, the objective lens frame fixing screw 166 may be formed at a position where the distal end cover 39 is fixed. In this case, the through hole 165 formed in the main body member 34
The through hole 168 corresponding to the above is also formed in the front end cover 39.

Such an attachment structure is similar to that of the objective lens frame 16.
The light guide fiber bundle 103 is not limited to the fixing of the light guide fiber bundle 2 and may be used for fixing the light guide fiber bundle 103 (not shown). Also,
The structure is not limited to the configuration in which the groove 164 is formed on the side surface of the objective lens frame 162, and may be a structure in which the side surface of the objective lens frame 162 is pressed and fixed with the objective lens frame fixing screw 166.

(Operation) A procedure for replacing the treatment instrument insertion tube 101, which is one of the internal components of the endoscope 2, will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 17 and FIG. First, FIG.
As shown by 5, the treatment tool insertion tube 101 is removed from the connection pipe 109 made of a hard pipe material fixed to the main body member 34.

Subsequently, one end of a substantially cylindrical connecting member 171 formed as shown in FIG. 17 is inserted into the distal end of the treatment instrument insertion tube 101 to be removed as shown in FIG. The other end of the connecting member 171 is fitted with the rear end of a new treatment tool insertion tube 101,
The treatment instrument insertion tube 101 to be removed and the new treatment instrument insertion tube 101 are joined together.

Further, on the operation unit 3 side, the holding member 152 and the treatment instrument introduction base 135 shown in FIG. 19 are removed, and the second fixing ring 142 is rotated to remove the same. It can be slid to the tip and removed.

The connecting portion between the second connecting member 113 and the base 137 is cut off, and the portion on the distal end side from the second connecting member 113 and the portion on the operating portion side from the base 137 are separated except for the connection of the built-in components. Also, the first fixing ring 115 is rotated and removed, and the branch block 118 is removed from the second connecting member 113 by removing the fixing means such as a screw. As shown in FIG. By sliding 113 toward the distal end side with respect to the flexible tube section 8, the branch block 118 is exposed to the outside.

Subsequently, the tightening ring 123 is removed, the pressure input by the hard ring member 122 connecting the treatment tool insertion tube 101 and the connection base 120 is released, and the treatment tool insertion tube 101 is removed from the connection base 120.

Subsequently, the treatment instrument insertion tube 101 is
The connecting member 113 is slid and pulled out from the space where the branch block 118 is exposed. Then, as shown in FIG. 16, the new treatment tool insertion tube 101 is drawn into the bending portion 7 and the flexible tube portion 8.

Then, a new treatment tool insertion tube 101
When the base end is pulled out to the vicinity of the branch block 118, the distal end of the treatment instrument insertion tube 101 is connected to the connection pipe 109 at the distal end portion 6.

Next, the distance from the end of the connection base 111 of the flexible tube section 8 to the connection base 120 is adjusted, the distal end portion of the treatment instrument insertion tube 101 is cut, and the connection base 120 is fastened with the hard ring member 122. The connection is made by the set ring 123.

Thereafter, the branch block 118 and the second connecting member 113, the first connecting member 112 and the second connecting member 113,
Second connecting member 113, base 137, grip cover member 1
38, the second fixing ring 142, the forceps introduction base 135, and the stopping member 153 are connected. Further, on the distal end side, the main body member 34 and the bending portion 7 are fixed, and an exterior member is attached to the outer periphery of the bending portion 7 to complete a series of operations.

FIG. 18 shows an endoscope fixture 200 for facilitating the work. The endoscope fixing device 200 includes a bending portion distal end fixing device 201 for fixing both ends of the bending portion 7 in the insertion section 4 of the endoscope 2 and a flexible tube portion fixing device 20.
2 is provided, and the bending portion distal end fixing device 201 and the flexible tube portion fixing device 202 are slidably provided so that the distance between them can be adjusted. Further, the endoscope fixing device 200 is provided with a distal end hard portion fixing device 203 for fixing the main body member 34 of the distal end portion 6, and the distal end hard portion fixing device 203 is provided in the axial direction of the fixed endoscope 2. Body member 3 at an angle to the angle
4 can be fixed.

The above replacement work is performed by using the treatment instrument insertion tube 10.
1 light guide fiber bundle 1
03, signal cable 104, and air / water supply tube 10
2 and so on.

The light guide fiber bundle 103, the signal cable 104, the air / water supply tube 102, and the treatment tool insertion tube 101 are connected to the light guide fiber bundle 103, the signal cable 104, the air / water supply tube 102, and the treatment tool insertion tube 101. Since the length of the main body member 34 and the other end is longer than necessary, the main body member 3
By disconnecting the connection between the bending portion 7 and the bending portion 7, the main body member 34 can be pulled out from the bending portion 7.

Thus, a space of a distance N can be provided between the main body member 34 and the curved portion 8.
It is easy to remove the connecting portions of the various built-in components, and the built-in components can be easily pulled out.

In the vicinity of the connection between the operating section 3 and the flexible tube section 8, the buckling member 152, the treatment instrument introduction base 135 and the second
By simply removing the fixing ring 142, the grip cover member 138 can be slid to the distal end side to expose the second connection member 113, and the second connection member 113 and the branch block 118, and the second connection member 113 and the first connection Member 11
By disconnecting the connection between the second connection member 113 and the base 137, the second connection member 113 can be slid to the distal end side, and the branch block 118 can be exposed to the outside. Thus, the connection between the treatment instrument insertion tube 101 and the connection base 120 can be released by exposing the branch block 118 to the outside.

As a result, both ends of the treatment instrument insertion tube 101 become free, and the treatment instrument insertion tube 10
By connecting the base end of the new treatment instrument insertion tube 101 to the distal end of the endoscope 1 via a connecting member 171 and pulling out the end of the treatment instrument insertion tube 101 near the branch block 118, the insertion portion of the endoscope 2 can be inserted. 4, without disturbing the arrangement of the other internal components,
It is possible to easily replace the treatment instrument insertion tube 101 with a new one.

Thereafter, a new treatment tool insertion tube 101 is inserted.
To the connection pipe 109 and the connection base 120 of the main body member 34.
Can be easily repaired and replaced without having to pull out all the various built-in components from the insertion section 4 of the endoscope 2.

Further, by using the endoscope fixing device 200, the bending portion 7 which is easily bent can be fixed in a straight line state, and by inclining the main body member 34, the treatment instrument insertion tube 101 to be replaced can be fixed. Can be drawn in substantially linearly. Therefore, no excessive stress is applied to the other internal components running in the curved portion 7 and no excessive stress is applied to the treatment tool insertion tube 101 to be exchanged. Replacement of the built-in components can be performed reliably.

This is not limited to the treatment instrument insertion tube 101, and the same effect is observed in the other built-in components such as the light guide fiber bundle 103, the signal cable 104, and the air / water supply tube 102.

Further, as shown in FIG. 21, when the signal cable 104 is attached to and detached from the distal end portion 6 of the endoscope 2, only by removing the covering tube member 51, the objective lens frame fixing screw 166 is exposed and the objective lens is removed. The signal cable 104 can be pulled out from the main body member 34 by removing the frame fixing screw 166 and pushing in the objective lens frame 162 from the distal end side as shown by the arrow on the left in the figure.

The replacement of the signal cable 104 is the same as that of the treatment instrument insertion tube 101. However, since the objective lens frame 162 and the solid-state imaging device unit 163 are generally thicker than the signal cable 104, the treatment instrument insertion tube 10 is replaced.
Cannot be pulled out in the same way as 1.

Therefore, the old objective lens frame 162 and the solid-state image sensor unit 163 are cut at the end of the signal cable 104 and the end of the new signal cable 104 is connected. Since the solid-state imaging device unit 163 and the objective lens frame 162 are attached to the other end of the new signal cable 104, the solid-state imaging device unit 163 and the objective lens frame 162 are pulled out in the same manner as in the case of the treatment instrument insertion tube 101, so that After the new solid-state imaging device unit 163 and the objective lens frame 162 are pulled in near the main body member 34, the objective lens frame 162 is inserted into the main body member 34, and the objective lens frame fixing screw 166 is inserted into the main body member 34. Can be fixed. This is the same for the type shown in FIG.

(Effect) By removing the covering tube member 51 covering the curved portion, fixing the distal end portion, and removing each connection portion near the connection portion between the operation portion and the insertion portion, the necessary minimum endoscope built-in portion is provided. Repair / replacement of only items becomes possible easily,
In addition, the replacement does not damage other built-in components that do not require replacement.

[Sixth Embodiment] The sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Structure) As shown in FIG. 23, the bending section 7 of the endoscope 2 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of bending pieces 31.
Are rotatably connected to each other.
The cutting edge 31a of the cutting edge connected to the
The outer diameter of the main body member 34 to be fitted and connected is substantially the same.

The bending piece 31b, which is the second piece from the tip, which is connected to the tip bending piece 31a, has the inside diameter of the tip side portion formed the same as the inside diameter of the tip bending piece 31a, and the other end side. The portion is formed to have an inner diameter larger than m. That is, the bending piece 31b is formed such that the tip end portion is thin and the other end portion is thick, and the diameter changes in the middle.

The top of the curved top 31c, which is the third top from the top and is connected to this curved top 31b, is thicker and has a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the rear end of the curved top 31b. The inner diameter M is larger than m and m <M. Also,
The rear portion of the bending piece 31c is formed to be thin by the thickness of the portion of the bending piece 31 to be fitted to the outside of the subsequent bending piece 31.

A protection blade 211 formed by braiding metal or fiber or the like into a cylindrical shape is provided over the outer periphery of the component formed by connecting the curved pieces 31 in this manner. Both ends of the blade 211 are fixed to the outer circumference of the curved top 31a and the rearmost curved top 31z. Further, as shown in the above-described embodiment, the protection blade 211 may separate the intermediate portion separately, and may be fixed to the outer skin 212 only at the end.

An outer skin 212 made of an elastic material is provided on the outer periphery of the protection blade 211 in a liquid-tight manner.
Both ends of the connecting member 12 are fixedly fitted on the outer periphery of the main body member 34 and the distal end portion of the connection tube 213 provided at the distal end of the flexible tube portion 8.

The fixing portion at both ends of the protection blade 211 winds the thread 215 around the outer periphery of the outer skin 212 fitted on the outer periphery of the protection blade 211, and covers the entire outer periphery of the thread 215 with the first fixing layer 221 and the second fixing layer 221. It has a multi-layered protective layer structure including a second fixed layer 222 covering the entire outer periphery of the first fixed layer 221. The first fixed layer 221 is made of a thermoplastic resin such as urethane, and the second fixed layer 222 is made of an epoxy-based adhesive.

As means for forming the first fixed layer 221 and the second fixed layer 222, as shown in FIG. 24, the first fixed layer 221 formed in a tube shape is arranged on the outer periphery of the yarn 215, The first fixed layer 221 is heated and melted and arranged by, for example, and when the first fixed layer 221 is cooled to room temperature, the second fixed layer 222 is applied to the outer periphery of the first fixed layer 221, and the second fixed layer 222 is coated. A heat-shrinkable tube 225, which is a tube having heat-shrinkability and having a fluorine-based adhesive property, is disposed on the outer periphery of the heat-shrinkable tube 22.
Heat 5 to shrink. Then, after the second fixing layer 222 is completely cured, the heat-shrinkable tube 225 is removed.

(Operation) In the present embodiment, the bending piece 3 of the bending portion is used.
Since 1b has an inner diameter changing portion, the inner diameter of a portion from the main body member 34 to the curved portion 7 can be gradually changed.

Since the first fixing layer 221 made of a thermoplastic resin covers the outer periphery of the yarn 215, the outer peripheral portion of the protective layer covered by the yarn 215 can be formed smoothly, and the heating can be stopped. In a short time just to cool the yarn 21
5 can easily form a layer for protecting the outer periphery.

Further, when the outer periphery of the first fixed layer 221 is covered with the second fixed layer 222, the outer diameter and shape of the outer periphery can be adjusted by the heat-shrinkable tube 225.

(Effects) According to the present embodiment, the outer diameter of the curved portion 7 is made smaller than the outer diameter of the distal end portion 6 in order to make the outer diameter of the distal end portion 6 smaller and reduce the stress of the built-in components. Even in the case of the enlarged type, the outer diameter of the portion extending from the tip portion 6 to the curved portion 7 can be formed smoothly. In addition, the outer periphery of the yarn 215 is covered with a thermoplastic resin in a short time, and the resistance of the first fixed layer 221 to the chemical is changed to the second.
An effect is obtained in which the fixing layer 222 can be secured and the workability of forming the fixing portion can be easily and easily made.

<Supplementary Note> (First Group) Supplementary item 1: a bending portion that can be remotely operated to bend is provided between the distal end portion of the insertion portion and the flexible tube portion, and the bending portion includes a plurality of bending portions. It is configured by connecting the pieces rotatably,
In an endoscope in which an elastic covering tube is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the curved portion, a blade made of a cylindrical braided wire is integrally formed inside the covering tube, and at least both ends of the blade. An endoscope, wherein the coating tube and the blade are configured separately from each other at a portion other than the endoscope.

Additional Item 2; In addition item 1, the inner peripheral surface fixed to the endoscope distal end portion and the flexible tube portion at both ends of the covering tube may have a smooth surface made of an elastic body. Endoscope that features.

Item 3; The endoscope according to Item 1, wherein no blade is provided in a range where both ends of the covering tube are fixed to the endoscope end portion and the flexible tube portion. .

Injection 4; In the supplementary item 1, at the outer peripheral surface of the coating tube, at least at one end of the integrally disposed blade, an index portion composed of a minute convex protrusion is provided. An endoscope characterized in that:

Additional Item 5: An endoscope according to additional item 1, wherein the wire diameter of the blade is less than 50% of the thickness of the coated tube.

Additional Item 6; In the additional item 1, the total length of the blade integrally disposed on the coating tube is equal to or less than the entire length of the coating tube, and is equal to or more than a range in which the plurality of kansetsu constituting the curved portion rotate. An endoscope characterized in that:

(Second Group) Additional Item 10: A bending portion that can be bent by remote control is disposed between the distal end portion of the insertion portion and the flexible tube portion, and the bending portion rotates a plurality of cans. In an endoscope in which an elastic covering tube is disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the curved portion, a blade made of a cylindrical braided wire is provided inside the covering tube on a distal end side. In the endoscope, only the end portion is integrally formed, and on the operation portion side, the end portion is integrally formed up to the vicinity of the central portion of the curved portion.

Additional Item 11: The method according to Additional Item 10, wherein the inner peripheral surfaces at both ends of the covering tube are configured to be smooth within a range fixed to the distal end portion of the endoscope and the flexible tube portion. Endoscope that features.

Additional Item 12: The endoscope according to additional item 10, wherein the range of the end of the operation portion side in which the blade is integrally formed with the covering tube is 70% or less of the entire length of the curved portion. .

Additional Item 13: A bending portion that can be remotely operated to be bent is provided between the distal end portion of the insertion portion and the flexible tube portion, and the bending portion connects a plurality of cans so as to be rotatable. In the endoscope in which the outer peripheral surface of the curved portion is a blade made of a cylindrical braided wire and an elastic coating tube is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the blade, , Around the entire area that is extrapolated and fixed to the curved part,
An endoscope comprising an elastic member.

Item 14: The endoscope according to Item 13, wherein the elastic member is RTV rubber or the like.

Additional Item 15; In Additional Item 13, a hard portion made of metal or resin may be discontinuous over the entire circumference of the coating blade at the ends of the coating blade that are fixed to the cans at both ends of the curved portion. An endoscope, wherein the endoscope is disposed on a subject.

Additional Item 16: An endoscope according to Additional Item 15, wherein the hard portions provided at both ends of the coating blade are provided at at least two places at one end.

Additional Item 17: In the additional item 15, the elastic members provided at both ends of the coating blade are similarly arranged so as to include the hard portions provided at both ends of the coating blade. An endoscope characterized by the following.

Additional Item 18: A bending portion that can be remotely operated by bending is provided between the distal end portion of the insertion portion and the flexible tube portion, and the bending portion connects a plurality of cans so as to be rotatable. And a braid made of a braided wire on the outer peripheral surface of the curved portion, an elastic coating tube is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the blade, and both ends of the coating tube are wound with a filament. In an endoscope in which the outer periphery is covered and fixed with a fixing material such as an adhesive, the fixing material covering the outer periphery of the filament is composed of at least two layers, and the first layer in contact with the filament is an adhesive having low viscosity. An endoscope comprising: an adhesive; and a second layer in contact with the outer periphery of the first layer is composed of an adhesive having a high viscosity.

(Third Group) Additional Item 31; In the additional item 30, the second material having a high viscosity may be used.
The viscosity of the adhesive constituting the first layer is 5000 mPa · s or more, and the viscosity of the low layer adhesive constituting the first layer is 3000 mPa · s or less.

Additional Item 32. An endoscope according to Additional Item 30, wherein the second layer is made of a thermoplastic resin such as urethane.

Additional Item 33; The characteristic feature of the additional item 30, wherein the first layer has a width equal to or larger than the second layer, and both end portions of the second layer are in contact with the first layer. Endoscope.

Additional Item 34. An endoscope according to Additional Item 30, wherein the thickness of the first layer is smaller than the thickness of the second layer.

(Item 4) Supplementary item 40: An insertion portion composed of a distal end portion, a curved portion, and a flexible portion having flexibility sequentially from the distal end side, and a treatment for allowing a treatment tool or the like to be inserted into the insertion portion. A tool insertion port, a light guide fiber bundle for guiding illumination light to the tip, a signal cable for guiding a signal from the solid-state imaging device, and a built-in air / water supply tube for sending liquid and gas. In an endoscope provided with an object, the above-mentioned built-in object is detachably fixed to a tip body provided at the tip, the tip body and the curved portion are detachably fixed, and each connection portion of the built-in object is removed. Without removing the distal end main body and the bending portion, a space is provided between the bending portion end and the distal end body so that the attachment portion between the built-in object and the distal end main body is exposed to the outside. An endoscope characterized in that:

Additional Item 41; In the additional item 40, the total length of the built-in object is at least equal to the length of the distal end main body and other connecting portions in the endoscope in a state where all of the internal components are connected. An endoscope characterized in that, when the curved portion is removed, an attachment portion between the built-in object and the distal end body is longer than an interval exposed to the outside.

Additional Item 42; In the additional item 40, when the distal end main body and the bending portion are removed without removing the connecting portions of the internal component, the internal component and the distal end are disposed between the bending portion end and the distal end main body. An endoscope, wherein the built-in component can be removed from the distal end portion main body and the connection end of the built-in component can be taken out at an interval where the attachment portion with the main body is separated so as to be exposed to the outside. .

Additional Item 43; In the additional item 40, when the distal end main body and the bending portion are removed without removing each connecting portion of the built-in object, the interval between the bending end portion and the distal end main body is as follows. An endoscope having a length of 10 mm or more.

Additional Item 44; In the additional item 40, the connecting member connecting the distal end portion main body and the curved portion is exposed by removing a covering rubber provided on the outer periphery of the curved portion. Endoscope.

(Fifth Group) Additional Item 50: A bending portion which can be bent by remote control is disposed between the distal end portion of the insertion portion and the flexible tube portion, and the bending portion rotates a plurality of conceals. The blade is made of a braided wire on the outer peripheral surface of the curved portion, and an elastic coating tube is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the blade. Both ends of the coating tube are made of a thermoplastic resin. An endoscope fixed with a fixing material, wherein an outer peripheral portion of the fixing material is covered with an adhesive.

Additional Item 51. An endoscope according to Additional Item 50, wherein the fixing members disposed at both ends of the covering tube are made of urethane.

Additional Item 52; The endoscope according to Additional Item 50, wherein the adhesive covering the outer peripheral portions of the fixing members disposed at both ends of the covering tube is made of an epoxy-based adhesive.

Additional Item 53; The characteristic of the additional item 50, wherein the adhesive covering the outer peripheral portions of the fixing members disposed at both ends of the covering tube covers at least the entire periphery of both ends of the fixing members. Endoscope.

As the prior arts of the additional items 10 to 12, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 2-271817, Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 5-28301, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-234653, and
9543 and JP-A-11-9544.

(Supplementary Prior Art) As the prior art of Supplementary Items 20 to 24, JP-A-4-357921, JP-A-11-318815 and JP-A-2000-511
No. 44 (Technical Code: 131-592).

As a prior art of the additional items 30 to 34, JP-A-2000-41937 (technical code: 131-
591).

As the prior art of the additional items 40 to 44, JP-A-11-155805 and JP-A-11-253
393 publication.

In the prior art of the additional items 50 to 53, as a fixing method of the covering tube member covering the curved portion, the distal end side is covered on the outer periphery of the base end portion of the distal end constituting portion, and the base end side of the covering tube member is The outer circumference of the distal end portion of the coated tube member covered on the distal end portion of the flexible tube portion and the outer circumference of the proximal end side of the coated tube member covered with the flexible tube portion are covered with the distal end portion of the flexible tube portion. In some cases, the covering tube member is fixed by winding and binding a thread-like body such as silk thread and tex. Then, a thermoplastic resin such as urethane is disposed around the thread-shaped body so that the outer surface portions at both ends of the coated tube member are formed smoothly.

(Problems of the Related Art in the Supplementary Note)
The problem of JP 71817 and JP-A 5-28301 is that the outer diameter of a part of the curved portion becomes large in order to change the thickness of the covering tube member, and the endoscope has a low insertion property. is there.

The problem of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-234653 is that the elastic member is interposed between the outer covering member that covers the outer periphery of the bending piece and the elastic covering tube member that covers the outer covering member, so that the bending portion can be bent. Since the shape is optimized, the outer diameter of the curved portion is partially increased, and the insertability of the endoscope is reduced.

The problem of JP-A-11-9543 is that
In order to increase the rotational resistance of the connecting part connecting the node rings of the bending part to the base end side rather than the bending part distal end side, in the configuration of the connecting part, it is necessary to use fine rivets properly, and the bending part The assembling work is complicated, and it is necessary to arrange a component for increasing the turning resistance value in the bending portion, and therefore, damage to built-in components is increased.

The problem of JP-A-11-9544 is that
From the base end side of the cylindrical mesh member arranged in the curved portion, a flexible resin having a hardness of 20 to 70 degrees is filled in a range of 50 to 70% of the entire length of the curved portion. In this case, the outer diameter of the curved portion is increased by the thickness of the endoscope, and the insertability of the endoscope is reduced. Further, in order to fill the cylindrical mesh member with the resin, the resin must be filled before the cylindrical mesh member is assembled to the curved portion, and the resin-filled cylindrical mesh member is It becomes difficult to expand the inside diameter, and it is also difficult to perform an assembling operation to the curved portion thereafter.

JP-A-4-357921, JP-A-1
1-318815 and JP-A-2000-51144
The problem of the publication is that, for example, a metal ring-shaped member is fixed to both ends of the blade disposed on the outer periphery of the curved portion, so that the blade is extrapolated to the curved portion. The minimum inner diameter of the ring-shaped member must be configured to be larger than the maximum outer diameter of the bending portion. Therefore, the outer diameter of the bending portion is increased by the ring-shaped member, and the insertability of the endoscope is reduced. To be lost.

The problem of JP-A-2000-41937 is that even if the fixing material disposed at both ends of the exterior rubber is heated and melted, the fixing material has a relatively high viscosity and does not penetrate into the minute gap. As a result, minute gaps are generated, and repairs for filling the gaps have to be performed, which makes the operation troublesome.

The problem with JP-A-11-155805 is that when the treatment tool insertion channel is replaced, the observation optical system and the illumination, which are components other than the channel, are required to take out the damaged treatment tool insertion channel. The point is that the optical system must be removed from the tip main body. Also,
After removing the damaged treatment instrument insertion channel, a new treatment instrument insertion channel must be placed in the insertion section, and it is not possible to insert the channel successfully over the entire length of the insertion section where the interior cannot be confirmed. Met.

The problem with the conventional method of fixing both end portions of the coated tube member for covering the curved portion is that, after winding and tightening the filament, a thermoplastic resin such as urethane is disposed around the filament and the outer surface is fixed. It is said that thermoplastic resin such as urethane has low chemical resistance to ethanol, and in the case of a relatively soft resin agent, the end of the thin thermoplastic resin is easily turned up. It is in.

(Purpose of Supplementary Items) The purpose of Supplementary Items 10 to 12 is to increase the number of parts constituting the curved portion and the time required for assembling without partially increasing the outer diameter of the curved portion. Instead, to optimize the curved shape of the curved portion. The purpose of Supplementary Items 20 to 24 is to make it possible to replace the blade that covers the curved portion without increasing the outer diameter of the curved portion. The purpose of the additional items 30 to 34 is
An object of the present invention is to improve the assembling workability by easily fixing a fixing material at both ends fixing portions of an exterior rubber, suppressing occurrence of minute gaps during fixing work. Appendix 40
Objects 44 to 44 are to facilitate the work of exchanging built-in components arranged in the insertion section of the endoscope. Additional notes 50-
The object of 53 is to improve resistance to chemical and physical factors in a structure in which both ends of a covering tube member covering a curved portion are fixed with a thermoplastic resin.

(Operation of Additional Items) The operations according to additional items 1 to 6 are the same as the operations described in the first embodiment. The functions according to additional items 10 to 12 are the same as the functions described in the second embodiment. The operation according to Additional Items 20 to 24 is the third
The operation is the same as that described in the embodiment. Additional notes 30-34
Are the same as those described in the fourth embodiment. The functions according to the additional items 40 to 44 are the same as the functions described in the fifth embodiment. The functions according to the additional items 50 to 53 are the same as the functions described in the sixth embodiment.

(Effects of Additional Items) The effects of additional items 1 to 6 are as follows.
In addition to the fact that the blade constituting the bending portion can be carried out simultaneously with the replacement of the coating tube member, the bending performance and bending operability of the bending portion are not reduced.

The advantages of the additional items 10 to 12 are that the blade constituting the curved portion can be implemented simultaneously with the replacement of the covering tube member, and the number of components constituting the curved portion is the same as the conventional one, The point is to make the shape optimal.

The advantages of the additional items 20 to 24 are that, in addition to the fact that the blade of the bending portion can be replaced by itself, the blade can be replaced with a plurality of bending frames constituting the bending portion without increasing the outer diameter of the fixed portion of the blade. It is possible to make it adhere to.

The effects of the additional items 30 to 34 are that, in addition to facilitating the fixing operation at the fixed portions at both ends of the covering tube member covering the curved portion, the generation of minute gaps in the fixed portions is eliminated. To improve the reliability of the fixing work.

The effects of the additional items 40 to 44 are that, in addition to facilitating the replacement operation of the internal components of the endoscope without completely disassembling the endoscope, stress on the other internal components that are not exchanged is added. And the quality is not reduced.

The effects of the additional items 50 to 53 are as follows. In addition to facilitating the fixing operation at the both ends fixing portion of the covering tube member covering the curved portion, resistance to chemicals and physical turning of both ends of the fixing portion are provided. Resistance is improved.

[0167]

As described above, according to the present invention, the expansion and contraction of the covering tube member formed of an elastomer such as rubber provided integrally with a braid braided by a wire such as a metal. It does not impair the operability and does not lower the operability due to the increase in the bending resistance of the bending portion. Also, attachment and removal of the blade are easy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exemplary perspective view showing an entire endoscope system according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a bending portion of the endoscope according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the endoscope according to the first embodiment, in which a part of an exterior member of a bending portion is cut away.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a modified example of the exterior member in the bending portion of the endoscope according to the first embodiment, with a part cut away.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary perspective view showing a part of an exterior member of a bending portion of an endoscope according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a curved portion of an endoscope according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view around a bending portion of an endoscope according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an exterior member in a bending portion of an endoscope according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary sectional view showing a part of an exterior member in a bending portion of an endoscope according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a modification of the exterior member in the bending portion of the endoscope according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of a distal end portion of an endoscope according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a portion of the endoscope according to the fifth embodiment, which extends over a distal end portion, a curved portion, and a flexible tube portion, with an outer skin made of a cylindrical elastic body constituting an outermost layer of the curved portion removed. .

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the flexible tube of the endoscope, taken along line AA in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a side view of the endoscope according to the fifth embodiment in a state where a distal end portion and a curved portion are separated.

FIG. 15 is a side view of the endoscope according to the fifth embodiment in a state where a distal end portion and a curved portion are separated.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the endoscope according to the fifth embodiment in a state where a distal end portion and a curved portion are separated.

FIG. 17 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a part where an old treatment instrument insertion tube is connected to a new treatment instrument insertion tube in the endoscope according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a side view of the endoscope according to the fifth embodiment in a state where a distal end portion and a curved portion are separated using a jig.

FIG. 19 is a longitudinal sectional view of an operation unit of an endoscope according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 20 is an exemplary longitudinal sectional view of the disassembled operation unit of the endoscope according to the fifth embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a longitudinal sectional view of a distal end portion of an endoscope according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a longitudinal sectional view of a distal end portion of an endoscope according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a longitudinal sectional view of the vicinity of a curved portion of an endoscope according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a side view of a distal end portion of a bending portion of the endoscope according to the sixth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 endoscope, 3 operation part, 4 insertion part, 6 tip part, 7
... Bending part, 31 ... Bending piece, 33 ... Exterior member, 51 ... Coated tube member, 52 ... Blade.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hitoshi Ito 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kota Ishibiki 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takashi Ohtahara 2-43-2, Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo F-term in Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. 4C061 AA00 BB02 CC06 DD03 FF32 JJ06 LL02 MM00 NN10

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A bending portion is provided between a distal end portion of an insertion portion and a flexible tube portion, and the bending portion includes a plurality of rotatably connected bending pieces, and covers an outer periphery of the bending piece. In the endoscope provided with the tube member, a cylindrical blade is provided inside the covered tube member, and at least a middle part of the blade can be separated from the inner surface of the covered tube member. An endoscope characterized in that: 2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein an end of the blade is connected to a coating tube, whereby the blade is integrally attached to the coating tube member. 3. The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein an end of the blade is embedded in the coating tube, and the blade is connected to the coating tube member.