JPH0236257B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improvement of an endoscopic tube, for example, an air/liquid feeding tube. By making changes in response to changes in the increase or decrease of built-in contents over a partial range in the length direction, the air supply and liquid supply tube itself in the flexible tube of the endoscope can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction of the flexible tube. This provides corresponding flexibility between the built-in parts of the flexible tube, ensuring smooth flexibility between the built-in parts of the flexible tube, and in particular, ensuring smooth flexibility between the built-in parts due to repeated bending operations at the curved portion of the flexible tube. It helps reduce pressure and prevent damage to built-in items such as protective tubes that are covered with optical fiber bundles for image guides or light guides. By effectively utilizing the space in the tube cross-sectional area created by changes in the cross-sectional area occupied by built-in objects in the length direction, the flow rate of the endoscope tube, e.g., when pumping air and liquid, is maximized. The purpose is to provide a tube that can supply air and liquid.

Conventionally, endoscopes have built-in air and liquid feeding tubes to inflate the body cavity with air, gas, etc., and to clean the surface of the objective lens of the endoscope.

The diameter of the air/liquid feeding tube is the same over the entire length from the air/liquid feeding cylinder to the distal end within the operating section main body of the endoscope.

However, recently, in order to prevent the optical fiber bundle for image guide or light guide from breaking at the curved part of the flexible tube, a protective tube or the like is coated on the outer periphery of the optical fiber bundle. While the cross-sectional filling factor increases, the cross-sectional filling factor of the flexible tube portion of the flexible tube with the same inner and outer diameters decreases.

Therefore, the outer cross-sectional area of the air and liquid feed tubes is set within the allowable range of dimensions at the curved portion of the flexible tube with a high cross-sectional filling factor. Since the entire length is formed by the same dimensions as the area, the current situation is that the corresponding space is wasted in the flexible pipe section where the cross-sectional filling factor is low.

Therefore, the present invention improves the flow rate of air and liquid by making use of wasted space in the curved part of an endoscopic tube, for example, an air and liquid feeding tube with the same dimensions over the entire length. It was invented based on the idea that it could be increased.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, FIG. 1 is an external view of an endoscope. Reference numeral 1 denotes a distal end portion inserted into a body cavity, which is provided at the distal end of a flexible tube 2 consisting of a curved portion 3 and a flexible tube portion 4. Also, 5
is an operating section main body, and this operating section main body 5 includes an air supply/liquid supply button 6, a suction button 7, a forceps insertion port 8, a bending operation knob 9 of the bending section 3, an eyepiece section 10, and a flexible tube. It is constructed by providing a light guide flexible tube 11 that connects a light guide optical fiber bundle (not shown) built in the light guide 2 to the light source section.

Now, FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the distal end 1 of the flexible tube 2, the curved section 3, and a part of the flexible tube section 4 connected to the curved section 3 in the endoscope of FIG. This figure shows an embodiment of a tube for an endoscope, such as an air supply tube and a liquid supply tube, together with the arrangement of the tube with other built-in components.

As shown in the figure, the tip forming portion 12 of the tip portion 1
is detachably connected to the distal end 13a of the curved joint 13 of the curved portion 3, and the rear end 13b of the curved joint 13 of the curved portion 3 is connected to the distal end of the flexible tube portion 4 via the connection mouthpiece 14.

In addition, an objective optical system 18 is provided by disposing objective lenses 15, 16, and 17 in the distal end component 12 of the distal end portion 1, and an image guide built in the flexible tube portion 4 and the curved portion 3 of the flexible tube 2 is provided. The distal end 19a of the optical fiber bundle 19 for image guiding is fixed via the base 20, and the image formed by the objective optical system 18 on the distal end surface of the optical fiber bundle 19 for image guiding is transmitted through the optical fiber bundle 19 for image guiding. It is configured such that it can be observed through the eyepiece section 10 of the operation section main body 5.

Further, the curved portion 3 covers the outer side of the bendably connected curved joints 13 with a knitted pipe 21 formed by knitting thin metal wires into a cylindrical shape, and also has a curved outer skin 22 on the outside of the knitted pipe 21 in a watertight manner. It is packaged on the exterior.

The flexible tube section 4 is composed of a spiral tube 23 formed of a metal band plate into a spiral shape, a knitted tube 24, and a flexible tube outer skin 25, and its tip end is fixed to the base 14 for connection to the curved section 3.

Note that the tip 22a of the curved outer skin 22 is connected to the tip component 1.
The thread 26 is wrapped around the thread 26 to fix it watertightly, and the rear end 22b is connected to the tip 25 of the flexible pipe outer skin 25.
a and thread 27 with their end surfaces butted together.
It is fixed watertight by wrapping it around.

Now, the tip part 1 and the curved part 3 having the above configurations
In the flexible tube section 4, the image guide optical fiber bundle 19 is covered on the outside with a focusing tube 28 made of a silicon tube or the like, and a bending operation wire (not shown) is connected to the bending operation knob 9. When the bending part 3 causes a bending action via the bending part 3, it may be subjected to mutual pressure with other internal objects built in the bending part 3,
Breakage may occur in the optical fibers of the image guide optical fiber bundle 19.

Therefore, in order to prevent the image guide optical fiber bundle 19 from breaking in the curved portion 3, as shown in FIG. 25a is covered with a protective tube ₃₀ on the outside.

By installing such a protective tube 30, it is undeniable that the cross-sectional filling rate of the built-in substances in the curved part 3 increases, and the outside of the air and liquid feeding tube 31 is increased by the cross-sectional filling rate of the curved part 3. The cross-sectional area must be limited.

Therefore, even in the endoscope tube according to the present invention, for example, the air supply and liquid supply tube 31, as shown in FIG. With an outer diameter Φ ₁ based on the outer cross-sectional area that can be
The length range corresponding to L forms _two parts.

However, the important point to note here is that conventional air supply,
In the case of the liquid feeding tube, during the configuration of the curved portion 3, by installing the protective tube 30, the outer diameter Φ ₁ based on the increase in the cross-sectional filling factor allows operation from the connecting end with the jet nozzle 32. In contrast to the air and liquid feeding tubes 31 of the present invention, which are formed over the entire length up to the air and liquid feeding cylinders within the main body.
is the length range l ₂ corresponding to the protective tube 30
As for the part, its outer diameter Φ ₁ was formed based on the allowable outer cross-sectional area in the curved part 3, but the outer diameter Φ ₂ in the flexible pipe part 4, which is the rear part, was compared to that of the curved part 3. Therefore, due to the absence of the protective tube 30, the cross-sectional filling factor is low, and based on the allowable outer cross-sectional area within that range, the outer diameter in the curved part 3 is larger than the outer diameter Φ ₁ . It is formed from _Φ2 .

In addition, an air supply and liquid supply tube 3 having the above configuration is also provided.
The tip 31a of the jet nozzle 32 is connected to the rear end 32b of the jet nozzle 32 attached to the tip component 12, and the rear end is connected to an air and liquid feed port (not shown) in the operation section main body 5, and the rear end of the jet nozzle 32 is A thread 33 is wrapped around the connecting portion with the rear end 32b and fixed using an adhesive.

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged sectional view with parts of the air and liquid feeding tubes shown in FIG. 2 omitted, and FIGS.
This shows an embodiment different from the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in which the air and liquid feeding tube ₃₄ of the embodiment shown in FIG. For ₄ the protective tube 3 in the bend 3
Regarding the length range l ₂ corresponding to 1, the outer diameter Φ 5 is smaller than the outer diameter Φ ₅ of the corresponding part in the flexible tube part 4, based on the allowable outer cross-sectional area of the curved part ₃ . Based on the allowable outer cross-sectional area of the flexible tube portion 4, it is formed to have a larger diameter than the outer diameter _Φ4 .

Air supply and liquid supply tube 35 of the embodiment shown in FIG.
is formed by recessing the outer shape inward in the curved portion 3 over a length range l ₂ corresponding to the length of the protective tube 30 that interferes with the protective tube 30, and providing a deformed portion 36. This is what I did. When the deformable part 36 is built into the curved part 3, it is formed to correspond to the outer diameter of the protective tube 30 so that it can engage with the protective tube 30, and the outer diameter Φ ₇ of the deformable part 36 is the fifth Figure a,
As shown in b, it is formed to have a smaller diameter than the outer diameter Φ ₆ of the portion built into the flexible tube portion 4.

Further, similarly to the embodiments shown in the third and fourth figures, the deformable portion 3
6 is formed based on the allowable outer cross-sectional area of the curved part 3, and the outer diameter Φ ₆ of the length range corresponding to the flexible pipe part 4 is larger than the outer diameter Φ ₇ of the deformed part 36. It is formed based on the allowable outer cross-sectional area of the flexible tube portion 4.

Furthermore, in the configuration of each embodiment of the air and liquid feeding tubes 31, 34, and ₃₅ shown in FIGS. Regarding the length range _l3 of each transition portion 37, 38, 39, the inner and outer diameters, wall thickness, and outer diameter of the deformed portion 36 are as follows:
Each transition portion 37, 38,
This example shows a case where the tubes 39 are formed with strength against breakage, etc., but the design can be changed as necessary and implemented with an appropriate configuration, and each air and liquid tube 31, 34, 35 can be formed with a suitable structure. As for the material, thermoplastic resin such as Teflon or polyethylene is mainly used.

In addition, each air supply and liquid supply tube 3 shown in the 4th and 5th figures
Regarding the built-in state of the curved portion 3 and the flexible tube portion 4 of 4 and 35, the air supply and liquid supply tubes 31 in FIG.
Since it can be understood based on the air supply and liquid supply tube 31 shown in the second diagram showing the built-in state of the tube, detailed illustration thereof will be omitted.

In addition, by operating the air supply and liquid supply buttons 6 on the operation unit main body 5, the air and liquid supply tubes 31, 34, and 35 built in the flexible tube 2 can be used to eject nozzles attached to the tip component 12. The required gas and liquid are ejected from the ejection ports 40 of 32 to the objective lens 15.
The structure is such that necessary treatment such as cleaning can be carried out.

Although a specific explanation has been omitted regarding the example in which the optical fiber bundle for a light guide and the protective tube that protects it are attached at the curved part, the above explanation regarding the optical fiber bundle for an image guide will be used. This can be carried out by applying each of the air supply and liquid supply tubes shown in Figures 3 to 5.

Now, the endoscope tube of the present invention, for example, the air supply and liquid supply tube, has the above-described structure, and prevents breakage of the optical fiber bundle for the image guide or light guide, or damage to other built-in components. Even when the endoscope configuration requires a protective tube that is installed inside a curved part for the purpose of Compared to the case where the air and liquid tubes are formed with diameters that are restricted as the number of protection tubes increases, the outer cross-sectional area of the air and liquid tubes can be adjusted to accommodate the curved portion and the serpentine tube portion. By changing the diameter, wall thickness, and diameter of the surface facing the protective tube based on the allowable outer cross-sectional area of each of the curved part and the flexible tube part, It minimizes the pressure exerted between built-in objects during bending operations in the curved section, improves bending operability, and appropriately eliminates the adverse effects of measures to prevent breakage of built-in objects in the same section. In addition to being able to ensure the execution of an appropriate bending operation, it is also possible to deform the diameter in accordance with the permissible cross-sectional area of the flexible pipe section, for example, as in the embodiments of FIGS. 2, 3 or 5, By making the inner diameter of the flexible tube larger than the inner diameter, it is possible to effectively use the space created in the cross-sectional area of the flexible tube and increase the flow rate of air and liquid. The time needed to inflate the inside with air or gas can be shortened, and the surface of the objective lens can be easily cleaned.

In addition, by forming the outer shape of the air and liquid feeding tubes to correspond to the curved portion and the flexible tube portion, for example, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, it is possible to By recessing and deforming the opposite surface side of the protective tube, it is possible to minimize the inner and outer diameters of the curved portion and the flexible tube portion due to the increase in the filling rate of built-in materials caused by mounting the protective tube.

Furthermore, by reducing the diameter and thinning the wall thickness as in the embodiments shown in Figures 3 and 4, the flexibility required for the curved part is improved compared to the part corresponding to the flexible pipe part. Needless to say, you can get it.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of an endoscope, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the tip, curved portion, and flexible tube portion of a flexible tube of an endoscope showing an embodiment of the present invention, and only a portion of the flexible tube portion is shown. FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view with only the air supply and liquid supply tubes in FIG. 2 omitted, and FIGS. 4 and 5 a show a different embodiment from FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 5b is an enlarged cross-sectional view with parts of the air and liquid feeding tubes omitted, and FIG. 5b is a front view of FIG. 5a. 1 is a tip part, 2 is a flexible tube, 3 is a curved part, 4 is a flexible tube part, 5 is an operation part main body, 6 is an air supply, a liquid supply button,
7 is a suction button, 9 is a bending operation knob, 12 is a tip component, 13 is a bending section, 15, 16, 17 are objective lenses, 19 is an optical fiber bundle for image guide, 30 is a protective tube, 31, 34 , 35 is an air supply and liquid supply tube, 36 is a deformation part, 37, 38,
39 is the transition part.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An optical fiber bundle for an image guide or a light guide is built-in, and these built-in objects are covered with a protective tube to prevent breakage, and together with these built-in objects, an air or water supply tube is provided. In an endoscope configured by incorporating a
By making the inner and outer diameters of the shape of at least the length range corresponding to the protection tube and the other range in the length direction of the air or water supply tube smaller in the former and larger in the latter. An endoscope characterized by comprising: 2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the outer shape of at least the length range corresponding to the protective tube and the other ranges are formed by concavely deforming the former. 3. Claims 1 or 2 characterized in that the structure is constructed by gradually changing the shape of at least the length range corresponding to the protective tube and the other range at a transition portion between the former and the latter. The endoscope described.